Lost week

Well almost a lost week, where did it go? I don't seem to have been at home much this past week with one thing and another. Crufts was good, not my favourite show as it is mainly trade stands and so crowded you can hardly get around to see the dogs. Best of Breed in Cairns went to Alison, a friend of mine who helps me trim my dogs (well she trims and I hold them). She handles Holly for someone else and really gets the best out of her, Holly is absolutely beautiful and a great little showgirl. Here is a of picture of them.

Both looking very pleased with themsleves, as they should.

The rest of the week has just flown by, Jo did the classes on Wed. and here are the lovely cards we made.

This one uses the Hopeful Thoughts stamp set, Whisper White and Pink Pirouhette CS. Rich Razzleberry Ink and Ribbon plus a little CS for the punched flowers, which have gems in the centre. The Border punch is a Martha Stewart one.

The second is my favourite it uses a textured CS for the base card which we cut with nesties but only half way across the centre front then cut the same scalloped circle in the DSP (which has a smittering of glitter on the flowers which you can't see here) placed this on top of the base and cut the centre circle from both, making a frame for the floral stamp which is set on a lace doiley, you can just see it peeping out behind the circle, then this onto more DSP, which matches the border on the LHS, and finally onto the inside back of the base card. We then attached the sentiment and added card candy to match the ribbon.

The last one uses So Saffron CS for the Scallop Flower and panel backings, an ivory textured CS for the base card, sentiment, and border. The fabric flowers were a bright yellow so we toned them down with Pro Markers and added the large brown brad to the centre. I don't know what the stamp is called. but the sentiment is from the Happiest Birthday Wishes set.

Three lovely cards which we all enjoyed making.

Tomorrow I'm off to Helen's Training day followed by a workshop, then on Sunday three of us are going up the Northern Papercrafts Show in Harrogate. I'm really looking forward to both days out.

So there will be no posts for 2 days (not unusual I can hear you saying) I will try to get the cards up that we make at the workshop asap.

Thanks for looking in, back soon, I hope.

OOOOPS !!!!!!!

I knew it would happen, when I say I definitely know something I am bound to get it wrong it I don't check ! It wasn't nightstamper I got the Fresh Vintage card from, just checked it, should have done it before I posted I know. It was Chaz M Wszelaki's blog memystampsandi.blogspot.com and she also does some fantastic cards. My apologies all round.

Still Strange

Couldn't get near the computer yesterday. DH was working on it trying to get my email addresses transferred, no go. He's out today so I can the cards from Wednesday up for you.

The first one is one I CASED a long time ago, before I began my blog so can't remember where I saw it, I must start making a note when I copy something, then I can give proper credit.  It uses sponging in Old Olive for the hilly golf course !! Bashful Blue for the sky. Lovely as a Tree,  which I cut to get the two trees (to some of my ladies horror), but it makes no difference when you put both pieces together again on an acrylic block to stamp the whole image. I used the torn scrap to mask the hills for the ones that peep over. A 1/2" punch and Basic Black for the hole, So Saffron DSP and Petit Pairs Stamp for the Flag and a cocktail stick with one pointed end snipped off for the pole. Whisper White and Basic Black are the main CS and Early Espresso Ink for the trees and Sentiment. A good man's card (providing he likes golf) or a lady golfer even.

This one I really love, I know who I CASED this one from. Her blog is called nightstamper and she does some really beautiful cards, have a look. It uses the Free Sale a Bration Fresh Vintage Stamp Set with Early Espresso and Melon Mambo ink, cardstock and DSP along with some Whisper White CS. Also the Scalloped Border, Itty Bitty Flower, Oval and Scalloped Oval punches.  I think the result is stunning and so did my ladies.

The third and last one we made uses the Easter Blossoms set, I just love the cherry blossom bough, the images are stamped in Always Artichoke onto Sahara Sand DSP then the flowers coloured using a Regal Rose marker. Some Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon and a bow, then mounted onto Always Artichoke CS card base. Very simple but effective don't you think.

 As I said last time, they must have been easy as everyone finished a lot quicker that usual, so there was time to chat, which was great.

Up very early in the morning as I'm off to Crufts, I've not got any dogs entered, I did think of entering Sonny in Veteran, but he is nearly 14 and I thought it wouldn't be fair for him to be on a bench all day. Crufts is one show where dogs are not allowed to leave before 4p.m. I think it is, could be 5. and we would be leaving home around 6 a.m. (and that's a bit too early for me these days), as it is I'll have to be up at 6.30. So I am just going to watch, a friend of mine is judging the Cairns and there are a few of Sonny's grandchildren entered so I will be cheering them on. I don't think there will be any posts tomorrow, I may sneak a doggy photo in on Monday!!!!!

Thanks for visiting.

New Computer

Hi everyone,Sorry for no cards but I have only just got access to the computer, my husband decided to  install a new one for me today and it's taken nearly all day to get it up and running. I'm finding it very strange as there is nothing on it yet, none of my work etc., my email address book, so if I don't get in touch you know why. It is a lot faster though, and I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually!!!!.

We had a good 2 sessions yesterday but the cards must have been easy as they finished a lot quicker than usual, I will try to get them posted tomorrow I promise. I'm very tired at the moment, still got the dreaded cough and had a reaction yesterday to the antibiotics the doc gave me on Tuesday, so haven't taken any today, pick some new ones up tomorrow hope they do the trick.

Thank you for you patience I'll be back tomorrow.

Just a Card

Hi,Sorry I didn't get around to posting yesterday, shopping, then a friend came to trim one of the dogs and I had to make a massive pot of Leek and Potato Soup for the WI Spring Party (went down very well). Then off to the Party in the evening, so no time for blogging.

Anyway this is a card which I made some time ago

It's on white textured card base, Old Olive, So Saffron and Whisper White CS and markers, a discontinued SU Old Olive Strip ribbon, various punches. I can't remember what the stamp is and I've put it somewhere that safe that I can't find it. Does that happen to anyone else out there?

Hope you like it, got to rush as I have to get things ready for the card workshops tomorrow. Wont be posting tomorrow but hopefully I will get the cards I'm doing up on Thursday. See you then.

Jo's Cards

Had a good time at my daughter's. Our eldest grandson (16) was in a school production of We Will Rock You.

He's the one on the right, the other boy played the lead, Thomas played Cliff (Richard). I had no idea what it was about beforehand, but it was great. There were some very talented youngsters with fantastic voices.

As promised here are the lovley cards we made with Jo on Wednesday, I really enjoyed making these Jo has always inspired me as she has some great ideas.

Oooops!!!! it should have a bow in the centre, you can see the sticky dot where it was. It still looks good though without it. We used SU DSP, Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White CS, the rest was some of Jo's equipment.

This one uses Pool Party and Lucky Limeade, Jo loves these colours together and they really do work. The DSP is from the Everyday Enchantment Set, Free up till the end of March when you spend £45 with Stampin Up. I love the swirls with the lace flowers.

I think this was almost everyones favourite, it is white on white (looks a bit grey here and there on the pic) the larger lacy die cut was cut out of the card and embossed, then the remaining card was cut to size and stuck to the front of the card then the die cut put back into place. Very effective. Jo doesn't like flat flowers and we use an embossing tool and mat to give them some shape but mine never look as good as hers. These were various flower punches layered, the leaves were punches too. The ribbon is sheer with white polka dots. and the gems are pearls not silver as they look here. A really lovely card.

Hope you like them, back soon with more of mine.

Home Again

Hi everyone,

Got back Tuesday evening. Had a wonderful time it was great to see our Grandson Dominic, son Jonathan and daughter in law Helen. It was last November when we last saw Dominic and Jonathan and around last May time when we saw Helen. It is difficult for them to get away together these days as you will see in the photographs.They live between Trallee and Killarny, beautiful scenery all around. We had two great walks just outside Trallee, one in the sunshine on Saturday and in the rain on Sunday, great fun. Anyway here are some pics of our visit.

The first surprise as we walked in was the addition of 2 new puppies ( there are now 5 dogs you can see the reason why they have difficulty getting away together beginning to add up now, and there's more). These 2 are Sinton and Percie, Dominic named them and no one knows where he got Sinton from. They are Jack Russells.

In the background is the cattery they have, there was just one cat in while we were there, but 3 had gone home just before we arrived.

As well as the dogs they have a cat. 2 goats, 5 cockerels, 6 hens, 5 drakes and 5 ducks. One of the drakes thinks he's a cockerel, he was put with some chicks when he hatched and he walks around with them now and not the ducks. Oh and I forgot the guinea pig, so it's not easy to find someone to look after them all while they get away. 

This is the view from the kitchen, we see this whilst eating our breakfast. This was taken last year as I forgot to take it this time. The weather then was glorious.

I'm having trouble downloading the pics from my phone so I'll say bye for now and be back, on Sunday I think as we're off to my daughters in Brackley tomorrow. I've got some lovely cards to put up then which we made with Jo yesterday. So till then BYE