First Challenge Entry

I was doing some blog hopping today and visited Susie's blog. She always has beauiful cards on display and today's visit was no exception. Susie has recently started a challenge blog Cootk Up a Card - Recipe Challenge.
I've never entered a challenge before but was really keen to join in Susie's first challenge
The 'recipe' is:
1 Flower
2 Ribbons

3 Pieces of chipboard

I knew the colours I wanted to use - they had to go with the chipboard pieces which were the only ones I had on hand the only problem was the flower I had to make my own. I think it works and I am quite happy with it.

I also visited this blog which is celebrating World Card Making Day on Oct 3rd. I have joined the fun - take a look, there a so many talented people out there I am continually amazed by the creativity.

Clutter be gone!

Since my last post it has rained almost constantly so my vege garden is still only half dug over and no further long. Happily today has dawned sunny and I'll be able to get out there again today.

I have been creatively dormant of late but I made these cards during the week.

This one is for my son's girlfriend - I've been having fun with a new punch plus added some faux stitching with my gel pen. The sentiment and name are stamped. The paper has been in my stash for a whileand I can't remember where it is from

This is for my niece who celebrated her 21st birthday at the weekend - a great party. The paper has been in my stash for a while. I embossed the sentiment and added lavendar rhinestones to match the lavendar ribbon.

I have diagnosed my crafting challenge problem - it is clutter. My workspace is very very messy at the moment and it seems to be inhibiting any creative juices I have. So I have purchased some storage bins and I'm on a mission. It is going to be challenging but it has to be done!! It also doesn't help that my workspace is in my bedroom which looks like a bomb has hit it. I've bought new bed linen as a treat but won't use it until everything is spick and span!

Gardens

Unemployment is capitalism's way of getting you to plant a garden. ~Orson Scott Card

The sun has been shining after a night of heavy rain so I ventured outside into the garden today - although I am taking liberties calling my outside area a 'garden'. Give me a few months and it will be though! I am determined to plant a vegetable garden this spring while I have the time to look after it. I've spent a couple of hours this morning, weeding the vege plot (which is home to some healthy herbs plus millions of weeds). I have a little more to do then it will be a trip to the garden shop for some plants. Then maybe I'll have a garden like the one in the photo above - oh well a girl can dream can't she?

Gardening seems to be the full extent of my creativity today - although I do have a date with H to do some baking later.

And so the adventure begins.......

Dear Diary
This is day one of My Big Adventure..........

I'm feeling very relaxed about it - not nervous at all!! It is the start of the school holidays for my youngest son so I have three weeks of children at home (the oldest finishes school on Friday) and then the reality will set in. I've set myself some goals to keep me focused and I'll record them here as I go. One of my goals is to let my creativity out - I made these cards last week to give to some of my co-workers on my last day.



The paper and adhesive ribbon are from Heather Bailey. The photos don't do justice to the colours which are very fresh and vibrant.

A fabulous week!

I've had a fabulous week - especially because on Thursday I went to see Mama Mia on stage. the movie is one of my feelgood favourites so I was a bit apprehensive about seeing the stage show, would I find myself comparing it unfavourably with the movie and then not enjoy it? Well I had nothing to worry about - it was fabulous. I went with my friend Kate and we had a ball!! (Enhanced by the fact that I won the tickets -how lucky am I) I've been listening to the stage show sound track ever since and haven't had a smile off my face since Thursday!!

Then on Friday I skived off work (only one more week to go) and went to the Craft show. These are the stamps I treated myself to - they are from Rubbadubbado. I also did a workshop with them and made the cards which follow - plus we got to keep the stamps we used - excellent!!


I've had a fabulous weekend as well - the weather has been amazing. Next week is my last week at work before I start on what I am now calling "My Big Adventure". I am very excited about it - I have so many plans for things I want to do I can't wait. It is going to be a very long week I think- but there is a huge window of opportunity at the end of it.....

Cards and more cards

I had a productive afternoon. This card is for a male - I used papers I had in my stash. I also used my Cuttlebug Swiss dots folder to emboss some plain card. The sentiment is stamped.This card is stamped then coloured with water colour pencils - my very first attempt. I've had the pencils for ages but haven't used them. I watched this fabulous video from the very talented Jules on You Tube which showed me the technique to use. (Check out her fab blog here)Last, but not least, this card was made using paper and diecuts from my stash. The sentiment is stamped.