Right On The BUTTON!

Jenson Button that is! Winner of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix 2009

for Brawn GP.

WELL DONE JENSON!!

Golden Wedding

Today is my parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary - 50 years to the day. Congratulations Mum & Dad!! I attempted several anniversary cards but in the end went with the first one I did back in January.

I popped over to see them this morning with the card and they were both thrilled to bits with it. There is a small(ish) family party for them tonight - about 45 guests - and I am so looking forward to them being the centre of attention. They are wonderful parents and they deserve a fantastic night. They did not want any gifts and asked for donations instead to the local hospice but I could not let the occasion go by without something so I have obtained a Golden Wedding edition of their Marriage Certificate. It's on vellum, hand finished with the Registry Office seal and in a frame. It came gift boxed too. Not quite sure yet how I am going to sneak it into the party without them seeing as it certainly won't fit in my handbag!!

Frazzled Friday

Almost the weekend - hurrah! Well, sort of, the past three days off work have whizzed past and I am sure the next two will as well and then, hey presto, it's Monday again. Phfft. Anyhoo, not feeling very energetic today after a trip to the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery with the art class yesterday so only had a little play.

Now I'm always behind with things so it comes as no great surprise for you to learn that I have only just attempted my first Nestabilities round card ....

My huge thanks to Helen for the instructions - it's easy once you know how. Stamp is Penny Black "Country Lady", the papers are odd ones from the stash, as are the gems and the pink ribbon bow.

My next effort uses the Penny Black "Sentiments" stamp, which I think is fabulous for male or female cards. Papers are a mixture from Basic Grey collections, the ribbon is Papermania and the pink flower is WHSmith. Unsure about the origins of the yellow flower centre but it could be Pebbles Inc.

So that's me done. Mojo is exhausted and so I am. Going to a luxurious curl up on the sofa with my book ("This Thing Of Darkness" by Harry Thompson) and a cuddle with Vincent (the cat!).

Mmmmmm, Chocolate

Hi All! Now, I think this card was inspired by spending hours at the hospital this morning feeling very hungry so, with chocolate in mind, dark, milk and white, this is what happened .....

Image is a Sugar Nellie - I think it is Nellie With Flower Basket. Papers are an assortment of Papermania and DoveCraft. Deckle edged rectangles cut with Nestabilities on my Cuttlebug. Flowers punched using large and medium Woodware flower punches, the pearls in flower centres and gems in basket are from my stash. Ribbon is Papermania from stash.

Order Up!

Happy Mothering Sunday! Once my mother had stopped laughing over the cow print shopping trolley we bought for her, I came home and got stuck into the last two cards for a ten card order I'd had. These two were tricky - they are for the lady's sister and mother and I always find it hard to make personal cards for people I've never met. Anyway, I took the plunge on the basis that this lady's sister is probably as mad as she is ...... hence Tilda with a skipping rope. The backing papers are all Making Memories: Fresh Anthology - Sydney, the flowers are Esprit and the pearls are from my stash.

Next was her mother's and the only instruction I had was it shouldn't be soppy (not the best mother/daughter relationship as I understand it) so no pressure then

The stamp is one of my favourites, "Gifts For You" by Penny Black. The matting card is Bazzill Bling and the backing sheets are from the Basic Grey "Mellow" collection. The flowers are Flora Doodles and the large brad is Papermania.

ProMarkers v Copics

Other colouring media are available!



After drooling over the results that others achieve using Copics I invested in some. Sadly, for me, it was not a wise investment as I really struggled to get to grips with them and could not get that lovely clean finish. Mine have now been rehomed where I know they are being loved and cherished.

However, determined that I was not going to be beaten by a marker pen, I bought a basic set of ProMarkers and, after a couple of attempts, I think I have managed to produce something acceptable. Oh I know it is not the high standard that my dear mate Alex achieves but it's not too bad for a beginner is it?

I've always used watercolour paints until now and I will probably continue to use them for a lot of my Penny Black images, but something about these pens and Tilda really seems to work. I just need to expand my palette of colours a little more.

Now, where did I leave my piggybank......?

Humble Beginnings

As it is Mother's Day this weekend I thought a good card to start with for my blog would be the card I made for my mum last year, especially as she absolutely loved it.

The image is a Penny Black stamp (you will come to learn that I am addicted to PB stamps) and the papers are DCWV.

Friday 20 March 2009

Hello! This is my first venture into the world of public blogging so please be patient while I get myself sorted out. I hope to be able to spend some time at the weekend getting some photos loaded for you. I'm pleased you popped by and really do hope you will find the time to come and see me again before too long. Hopefully there will be more here for you then.