All the 9's!!

Hello again,

Did I mention yesterday that after a 2 year absence I made not one but TWO cards in quick succession last week??  This is because I was originally inspired by the fact that our dear next door neighbour celebrated her 99th birthday last week - wow!!

Our neighbour really is a lovely lady, and her son and daughter-in-law travelled down to visit her for the week and arranged a birthday tea party for her. If such a happy occasion couldn't inspire me to make rather than buy a card - what would??

So here it is ...

During the summer I had been thinking about trying to dip my toe back into card making, but I was very nervous as I know I will need a LOT of practice to get my colouring skills back. We happened to visit a garden centre I 'd never been to before, and discovered a branch of Crafter's Companion which was full of tempting stash including some fabulous large intricate dies which would make a brilliant focal point for a card without the need for colouring.

I ended up having a bit of a splash, but then faced some delay as the creaky old plates for my trusty Cuttlebug could not cope with the intricacy of the dies! However two new plates and a shim (and a bit more spending) later!! I was ready to give it a go.

This card is very different from my "normal" cardmaking style,  but I'm rather pleased with it though it sure wasn't quick - it must have taken me 45 minutes just to poke all the bits of card out of the die cut!! The die is very impressive though ... this card is an 8" * 8" and it is plenty big enough. I love the way I can actually make the butterflies within the frame 3-dimensional.

Stamp: Penny Black "Flourish Birthday" 4071F

Papers: Lili of the Valley

Tools: Die-Sire Create A Card Metal Die set - Butterfly Easel; Memory Box "Prim Poppy" die; Cuttlebug "Hippy Chick" numbers.

And here's the inside ... 

Challenges:

Pile It On #146 - Think Big (8" * 8" card and big die for a big birthday!!)

Moving Along With The Times #79 - Use Gingham and/or Buttons

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything Goes with patterned paper

Simon Says - Anything Goes

A Bit More Time to Craft #75 - Anything Goes

The Ribbon Girl - Anything Goes

I think after all that crafty effort I need a bit of a lie down ... but hopefully I'll be back before too long.

Hugs,

First card since forever ....

Well hello to everyone in blogland ... it's been so long (over 2 years!!!) since I either blogged or indeed made a card that I have completely forgotten how to even upload a card!

However I have recently felt a little bit inspired, so decided to have a bit of a play ... what fun I had delving into my stash as I had no clue what was even there any more!! I was actually inspired to begin by a very special birthday (more of that in a forthcoming post) ... but as I ruffled around in my stash I  found an image I coloured a LONG time ago, and it inspired me to make a card for my friend's birthday which fell last week.

So here it is ....

Stamps: Lily of the Valley;

Media: Promarkers 

Papers: Lili of the Valley "Bonnets and Bowties";

Tools: Memory Box die "summer border".

Challenges:

Allsorts #483 - Things With Wings

Stamping Sensations - I spy with my little eye, something beginning with B (Bear, Butterflies, Bow, Blossoms)

Crafty Cardmakers #217 - All Creatures Great and Small

Penny Black & More - Make It Feminine

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything Goes with patterned paper
The Ribbon Girl - Anything Goes

A Bit More Time To Craft #75 - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations #373 - Anything Goes

Penny's Challenge #395 - Anything Goes

Simon Says - Anything Goes

I will definitely be back soon to display the SECOND card I recently made - woo  hoo! Til then ... if anyone can give me any hints and tips as to why my blogger app is now putting random spaces between the paragraphs??

Hugs,