Celebrating Friendship (inc.PBSC January Sales Challenge)

Afternoon all, how ya doing?  It's been another grey cloud day here in the east of England - more of a day for curling up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate and good book than doing anything energetic.  We had planned to pop over and see my Oldies today but when I phoned, mum advised not to go over as poor old dad has a streaming cold.  I know you won't read this dad but I hope you are better soon, love ya.

So, as there was no parental visit to do, I've had a little play.  Both these cards are for very dear friends, one for a birthday and one for a "just because".

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE have "January Sales" as the theme this week and I managed to purchase this Flutter Bye cutie in the sales from The Glitter Pot (satisfied grin).

I've watercolour painted Flutter Bye in distress inks.  The layout is borrowed from a Dawny P sketch for another challenge that I have already entered with a different card but the sketch was too fab not to use again!  Papers are Basic Grey from the very first pad of their papers I ever bought, the cover has long since been lost so can't tell you what they are called.  The sentiment is LOTV and the silver peel-off diamond borders are from stash.

My second card today isn't for a challenge, I just thought I'd share it with you.  There was a lot of hair-pulling over this one but it's my own fault for using such a colourful dp!

The image is Painting Rainbows from Sugar Nellie, distress ink painted.  DPs are, I think, Craftwork Cards but from an old collection called Tutti Fruity.  Matting card and corners is Little Sizzlets, the corners done with a Sizzlets photo corner die.  LOTV sentiment, Martha Stewart borders (thought the goo one looked like dripping paint) and EK Success retro flower punch with Card Candy and Martha Stewart frond punch to finish off.  This took an age - firstly with the painting and then getting the colours together.  But I'm happy with the end result - I think she looks as if she is painting the flowers (hopefully!).

Here's a close up:

Right then, that's me done for today.  I'm off to do something menacing to some mushrooms and then sort out work clothes for the morning.  Catch up with you all soon.

Hugs, Sxx

Thank You - Cute Card Thursday

Can you believe that it is New Year's Eve?  What happened to Christmas?  And hasn't the "festive" tv been absolutely dreadful this year?  Or is that just me getting older and jaded?  On second thoughts, don't answer that!

As you may have noticed, I've stepped down for the time being from the DTs that were kind enough to have me.  Life gets in the way of many things and personal issues meant that I wasn't able to give the amount of time I wanted to so that I could be a good DT member instead of a skin-of-the-teeth one.  In the last ten days I have even considered, very briefly, selling all my stamps and stash (Samantha, sit DOWN!!) but then reason took over.  Put that nano-second of insanity down to too many chocolate brazil nuts.  But just because I'm not DTing, it doesn't mean I'm not crafting.

Here is a little card to end 2010 with for the CUTE CARD THURSDAY challenge whose theme is THANK YOU. 

I love this little House Mouse image, so useful for so many things.  Coloured with distress inks.  Sentiment is Personal Impressions and papers are a mixture of old ones from K&Co and Making Memories.  Corner die is a Sizzlets photo corner.  A very CAS card but it does what it says on the tin!

Edited to thank Delphine and Ann for letting me know about the Cupcake Craft Challenge and Phindys Friday Challenge who also have Thank You as a theme. 

Anyone making any Resolutions?  The only one that I can publish here is that I will make a bigger effort to hop round and visit all your blogs more often.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, and here's to a better, brighter, happier and healthier 2011 for all of us.

Hugs, Sxx