Catch up time

Time I caught up with blogland, so herewith my recent creations starting with a birthday card for somone who recently developed a passion for playing the guitar.  I just love the Rock Star elements from DCWV.  I hope he also loved the plaited leather thongs I tied round the card too.  I mounted the guitar shape onto thick card so it stand proud and added a few gems to the neck and body.  With this card, I had as much fun decorating the inside too :-) 

         

Hot on the heels of that came another birthday card for a chap who loves his console games and, according to his wife, spends way too much time playing them and watching TV, so I doubt he would have been offended at this couch potato themed name book. 

A change of style now, for a special Mother's Day card.  I loved doing the spirelli; and I clear embossed the flower heads to make them "pop". 

Next is the birthday card I made for my sister, who has loved art deco for many years and has collected some beautiful items over the years.  I think the current trend for the deco ladies is wonderful, and this card has a pyramage that is level with the aperture when the card is closed, but when opened the pyramage stands proud as the centrepiece of the inside of the card, so it's a nice surprise when you open the card.  The card is elegant and stylish, like my Sis :-) 

Then there two of the Easter cards I made this year.  Still did not make quite as many as I would have liked, but got more done this year than last so am heading in the right direction. 

  

Lastly, a special birthday card for a very special lady.. this template took a couple (!) of attempts to get right, but I hope you agree it is worth it.  I think the depth gives the card that "ooohhh" factor.  

 

Birthday fan / shell

Found some lovely deco style images recently and remembered I had these fan/shell shaped card blanks, so covered one in some pale green paper I had embossed, then the elements on the green are raised on pads.  Voila!   I think the card is the perfect shape for the designs.

 

Huntington's

I lost my mother, grandmother and aunt to Huntington's, (an hereditary disorder of the central nervous system) and it looks as though I will lose a cousin to the disease as well.
Fortunately it appears my sister and I do not have the disease, but there are many families whose lives are blighted by this little understood and most cruel disease. It not only alienates them from their families, but it robs a person of their identity, their motor faculties and, as the disease progresses, their memory, ability to swallow or to speak. Ultimately it robs a person of their life memories; they no longer know who their loved ones are and they become trapped in a dysfunctional body with no ability to communicate. I cannot think of anything more cruel. Please offer your support by finding out more about the disease at http://www.hda.org.uk and viewing the short film at the NHS video library

Thank you x

Bah Humbug #2

OK, so there have actually been four Bah! Humbug! challenges thus far, but as I was away this is just my 2nd card. for Christmas 2010.    The theme this week is baubles, and for my (very quick) card I have recycled a gorgeous deco lady image and layered her onto silver mirri card, then a red card blank which had been given a quick scoot through a divine swirls embossing folder.   

It's never too early to start making next Christmas a bit easier, so why not join in this fun weekly challenge.

Back to the beading board

It's been simply ages since I made any jewelery, but I took some of my bead stash away with me when I went to Scotland recently and here are a couple of the items I made. 


First I deconstructed an existing necklace, to make a new necklace, bracelet and two pairs of earrings (a blue pair are not shown in the photo - can't remember why). I added chain at the top as I don't like the feel of big beads sitting at the back of my neck, and it gave me plenty of beads to play with.   

Next is a lariat necklace and earrings I made. These are such pretty beads and I love the rose image on the larger beads.  I probably should not have photographed them on a yellow background as they are a lovely delicate pink colour with clear rocailles. 

Had also made another bracelet, pendant and earrings but I gave them away without thinking to photograph them beforehand.  Anyway, it is enough for me that my enthusiasm for creating jewelery had a little spark - hope to make more soon  :-)

Wednesday 13th January

Have joined a challenge blog with the aim of making a few Christmas cards throughout the year. I figure this is a good thing not only because it should negate the mad rush in December but it will also give me time to use a number of different techniques, which I missed doing when I ran out of time this (last) year.   Aaannnyyyway.. the challenge can be found at the Bah Humbug site and while you're there be sure to take a look at the design team's examples for some inspiration!

Above is the card I started out with. I loved it when I first received it at Christmas and thought to make 3 tags from it, but decided the triptych needed to be together, so I separated the images and mounted them on some gorgeous star studded midnight blue mirri card which I think makes the images really pop! then layered up on gold and red gold for an altogether richer look. Some ribbon and a bow to finish and voila! A card I would not have thought of putting together if not for Bah Humbug :-)
Photo quality could be better but hope you get the idea and like my take on the recycle challenge.

Friday 8th January

Did not venture out today but found beauty within - within the kitchen, that is.
Here is my dish of the day.  A gorgeous melt in the middle chocolate pudding topped with champagne cream..mmmmm...glossy and gorgeous!

Thursday 7th January

Ran a mercy mission today. Father lives in a rural area and was totally snowed in but managed to get supplies to him and took this photo on the way home just as the sun was beginning to set. OK, the snow has been troublesome for travelers, but it makes everything look so beautiful. I think I could happily live in a Christmas card scene.

Wednesday 6th January

Look away if easily offended, as today's photo is of the Texas Snowman Massacre! 
I was stuck when it came to his nose as I only had the tiny chantennay carrots soooo ... I got a parsnip and dipped it in red food colouring.  BIG mistake!! LOL 

The snow made the food colouring all wet and it dripped everywhere!  Now my snowman looks

(a) as though he has a massive cold with that big red blotch round his nose (do you think he looks like he could use some Sudafed?) and

(b) where the red food colouring spattered all over him and the surrounding snow it ended up looking like a massacre had taken place!  Haven't giggled so much in ages!!   

Have measured almost 10 inches of snow here today which for SE England is a LOT!

Will treat you to a 2nd photo today.  (I know, I spoil you rotten!)   On the corner outside the house persons unknown built a snow-workman complete with work-belt, Yorkie mug and hi-viz vest! Brilliant isn't it?! 

Tuesday 5th January

Not made any jewellery in ages, and am resolved to be more productive this year.  Started off with a very simple stretchy bracelet in colours I adore.

Monday 4th January

 

Today was utterly gorgeous.. blue skies, sunshine and the thickest, whitest, sparkliest frost! 

A perfect winter day.

Sunday 3rd January

Don't you think my Dad looks amazing for an 81 year old? I wish he'd eat more though, hence this Sunday lunch of roast lamb....yum!

Daily photo 1st & 2nd Jan

Have decided to try the photo a day journal so here are my first two. 

Jan 1st - craft supplies I bought the previous day, mostly these are courtesy of my good friend Laverne's generous Christmas gift. Top left is a rinky dinky little bowmaker; some boxes for me to alter, and a fab decoupage pad which is all die cut inside.Under that little lot are two sheets of Kanban toppers which are gorgeously foiled, though shiny does not show in photo. Some of what I think are panduro style beads - flatties and rounds. Two sets of charms - one of angels, one of words (Love, Hope, Joy, Faith) and a pair of Swarovski crosses.  Lots of fabby sheer ribbon and a delicious paper stack that has all kinds of embossing on the paper.

 

Jan 2nd (Saturday) Visited the local garden centre, which was looking a teeny bit bleak - as you might expect for January - but they have some lovely hollies.  I wanted to buy some, but not sure if you need to have male and female plants to get berries.  How could anyone possibly tell - that's what I'd like to know. Anyway, there was no-one around to ask, so I contented myself with taking this photo.  

Happy Birthday Peter x

Happy days - on phi phi island off the coast of Phuket in Thailand. 

Love now and always 

C 

xxx

xx

x

Three Years

Today, as every day, I remember my beloved Peter but especially on this day that is three years since he passed.

May the good Lord's face shine upon you Peter, and in perfect peace may you be in His loving care evermore. 

'til we meet again my love

LLLLDW

xxx

xx

x

Tempus fugit

Here we are almost a year on, and little has changed but much is about to. I need to spread my wings and see where I land in the world of work.  Roll on 20th November, my last day in current job. 

Two Years

It is two years to the day since I lost my beloved Peter. I was thinking last night about the last time I saw him, and how much I wish I had known it was going to be the last time, how much I wish I had said and how much I wish I had been by his side. His dear mum, bless her, does not have to mark this date as she passed away recently and my heart's wish is that she is now with Peter and they are a comfort to each other. God bless you Betty.

Two years. It is no time at all and yet it is the longest time of all.

A caterpillar does not cease to be when it becomes a butterfly, and Peter, I know, has not ceased to be.

God bless Pete. L.L.L.L.D.W. xxx

More Christmas Cards

Getting a bit scarily close to the big day now and still got loads to do - well haven't we all! anyway, here are my latest cards. Hope you like them.

This first photo has not come out very clearly but the verse in the suspended oval says "Peace on Earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day"

Top down view of same card

I just love this vintage looking angel - she is adorable don't you think?

The background to this image is chalked and embossed - first time I have used chalks.

I scanned this next one, so you can't really tell but there are several layers of decoupage on all the images.

Next are three Dufex decoupaged cards. I love these images - they have a rich fairytale quality about them.

And to finish, something a little more modern.