Haven't been doing too much crafting lately, just trying to slow down or stop on orders, so I can grab some time to organise myself for holidays.But, typical, I got some new stamps so I spent a lot of time playing!

With the weather so dreary, it was lovely to get some colour into the house and see it in the garden. The bouquet was from hubby for our 24th anniversary and the Laburnum is in full bloom outside. My Mother grew this tree from a seed and I just love it.

I did get one card order done for a ladies 80th birthday. I don't think there are many 80 year olds who don't like roses. so, I used some Papermania Signature Blueberry Hill papers for this card. The Rose theme was carried on to the insert.

A Champion Son

What a week. Robert's team "Dunshaughlin Youths" won the NDSL under 10's Championship and boy were they thrilled. They all got gorgeous medals and very importantly a CUP!!
They will be celebrating again when it's confirmed they've won the double. They still have matches to play but can't be beaten.
The proud team were brought on a noisy, horn tooting,flag waving tour of the village, and they loved it. Well done lads.

A few of this weeks makes

I had a couple of 16th Birthdays to do, so, I went for the covered chipboard numbers again.Very handy...they cover a large space and it's a great way to use up smaller embellishments. the wooden guitar is Jolees Boutique, as are the tux and wedding dress (I snipped the straps off this one)!!

PaperPlay Week 15

This weeks challange from Paperplay was set by Kate.
Rules: using real, drawn or stamped stitching.
I used mostly Making Memories Papers and frames, plus paper measuring tape from a travel sewing kit.
Thanks Kate - really enjoyed having a go.

Communion Cards

I'm go glad these are done. I had just finished a card for a girl and then was asked to make 3 more for her. I had hardly any Communion stuff left and really wanted to make each card different.
So, that's it....no more Communion or Confirmation cards this year.

Paperplay Week 14

This weeks challenge from Paperplay was set by Elisa.
The rules: Use contrasting/opposite colours from a colour wheel.
Taking a picture was a nightmare because everything reflected in the CD on the front.
The blue paper is PM Rich blue, and the orange is DCWD Retro Prints.
The clothes were cut using a free template from Simply Cards & Papercraft.

Paperplay Week 13

I decided to give the Paperplay challenge a go.
The theme this week is "use 4".
The four seasons immediately came to mind so I've used 4 embossed panels of trees during the four seasons, plus 4 eyelets and a bit of kitchen string.

A digi challenge

Another digi challenge from Elaine at Celtic Crafters.
I scratched my head over this one for a while.
In the end I printed the image twice, cut the bath off one image and re-mounted it on 3D pads. I covered over the towel with a piece of felt that I trimmed with ribbon. For the shower curtain, I used some vellum and the whole lots is coloured with Promarkers (of course) and some stickles added to the bubbles.
I love these digi makes...a great way to grab back your mojo before it runs out the door!

LO's for Alison

Well, despite having a load of wedding invites to finish today...I totally diverted and made an LO for a challenge, then, if that wasn't bad enough...I did another.
both LO's are of my niece Alison (how lucky am I to have such a cutie subject!!)

I'm making a scrapbook for her and have about 13 LO's left to finish it.
In the meantime, I sent her a card making set and she has started already. So, Italy watch out...Miss Gussago is creating!!!

Bella - kissing couple - wedding & another huge card

Another mammoth card with 4 faces..this one is for a lady who meets her friend twice a week for tea and a gossip, she loves bingo and drinks vodka, they both love shopping for bargains in the Euro Shop.The verse was added to the fifth page.
All the fronts are 3D and have a touch of stickles.

The engagement and wedding card need titles. Made for chairty so, they will both go towards the Irish Cancer society - just had to play with my new stamps!





thanks Elaine for the fab charm on the Bella card.

Covered numbers

I'm not used to inking,altering distressing etc., but recently had a go at covering chipboard at Jackies class, so when I had to make these orders I decided to use the idea. I drew the No.18 free hand onto card and then transferred it to thick card (packing in card stock order I got)It's then covered in paper and sanded/colored at the edges with a touch of stickles.
This card looks kiddish, but the 18 year old recipient is a mad keen fan of Boots from Dora the Explorer, so this is a downloaded image, coloured with Pro Markers!


The same technique here. Mini Mouse was cut out on a Cricut.

2 unusual requests

Two unusual orders to do for this week....a commitment ceremony in London. The buyer said 2 tuxedos on the front would be fine...but no matter how I place them, it didn't look right to me!! She was delighted and paid more than I asked.




This card is for a "gay, champange Charlie - party boy" No pressure then!!
I had this Jolees Boutique champagne sticker for ages and wondered if I'd ever use it. The front of the card is done like a book and open to reveal "party boy" on the inside! Thank You to "Mother" Yvonne on Celtic Crafters for the image, mmmmwwaahh