Congratulations Dr Briggs

My daughter-in-law, Donna, works as a GP in Grantham and has just gained an MSc, with distinction, in Sports and Exercise Injury Medicine. We are all extremely proud of her because she has been studying for this in her spare time whilst having to deal with Lupus. The only downside to this is that my son, David, who is also a GP, has decided that he can't have his wife having more qualifications than him, so he starting an MA in September. As you have probably gathered they are very competitive! So much time is spent studying after working long hours that we don't get to see them as much as we would like.

Here is the card I have made for her.

Happy birthday Lynne

It was Lynne's birthday yesterday and the group of us that meet on a Wednesday night arranged to have a surprise meal and drink with her to celebrate and she had no idea. She received some beautiful cards (see them on her blog here). Here was the one I made for her, if you read her blog you will see that mine is totally different from everyone else, I think I'm on a different planet to the rest of the lovely ladies, everyone made such beautiful cards, they are all very talented. We had a brill night in the pub, but once back at our scrap crop (although we don't scrapbook), things went down hill very quickly. No one seemed to know what they were doing, everyone talking and laughing together, not to worry a good time was had by all...why? Because we got to eat cake, yeah.

Congratulations

A friend of mine, Sandy Poppins, husband has just graduated with an MA so I made this card for him and wish him every success in the future. Various elements on it, distress inks, alcohol inks (just for Mo) stamping, distressing, crackle paint, sewing and I made the 'tickets' (attached with the new T!m fastner which I love) from a set of stamps I bought at the Stamp Magic Show in Doncaster on Sunday and a ticket punch I must have had for at least 3 years and never used. In fact I think it was one of the first punches I ever bought. People who know me know that I just have to have everything, so goes to show, everything comes in useful eventually! I just love them, so now everyone will be getting a card with them on.

Get well soon Mo

My friend Mo, who comes along to my alcohol ink classes at Craft Den did the walk for life for Cancer Research last Sunday and when she was nearly at the finish she missed her step and fell, braking her arm in the fall. She has been in hospital since last Monday and at long last she had her operation last night. Mo is an avid crafter who loves alcohol inks, melt pot and jewellery making and I know she will by now be getting craft withdrawal symptoms, so this card is for Mo. Mo doesn't have a computer, hence no internet connection so there's no chance that she will see this before she receives the card!

Proud Granny

Popped down to Craft Den this afternoon as Lynne had let me know that her new supply of 7 Gypsies had arrived, hurrah. I just love them all, but didn't take any photos because Ava was there and just about to leave but managed to get a couple of photos. Isn't she just devine, you could eat her. Didn't even get time for Granny to have a cuddle, just love her little curls.

Melt Pot

I've been messing around with the melt pot just lately and have done some faux soldering and made a couple of moulds then poured in UTEE. I cut some frames out of card, stamped and distressed and mounted the images inside them, then dipped the edges in black Utee. The ones with the ladies on have got acetate in front to make them look as though they are behind glass. The face was made with black Utee, then had Blonde Moments pearls brushed over, then finished of with Rub n Buff. I don't think you can see the effect from the photo, it's a bit dark. I think I'll make a couple of ATC's to use them up. Well, off to do the ironing first, then playing!

Vintage Book

At our weekly Crop at Craft Den, we weren't quite sure what to do, Lynne had got something planned, but as usual, I put my oar in and said "I'm going to make a vintage book". I chose some papers, K & Co Madeline, which I think are fantastic, really lend themselves to using them on something vintage. Everyone else decided that they too would like to make a vintage book, so started showing them how I proposed to do it. Here is a glimpse of the front cover, (still not finished - much more to put on yet) where I've made some paper roses. First time I've made them and I found them tricky, may have to practice more...We made some pages in acetate and wove ribbons through. We shall be making this book over the next couple of weeks, so if anyone is interested give Lynne a ring and come along and join us for a fun night. Who knows, you may be lucky and get some 'Happy Eggs'. Everything used on this book can be purchased at Craft Den.

Here are 2 for the boys

I have two male birthdays coming up next week and I don't know about you but I really struggle to come up with something for the boys. Whilst they may not appreciate the concept of the cards I know they will both appreciate the time and love that has gone into making them.

Canvas

I did a workshop on how to paint and decorate a canvas at Craft Den a couple of weeks back where I showed everyone how to use the Claudine Hellmutt paints. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and loved the paints. This is the canvas that I did, I love the colours of the background, but am not happy with the butterfly, just didn't seem to want to 'go' right. Don't you just hate it when that happens. I used the new sari silks instead of ribbon, which is just gorgeous - try them, I promise you, you'll fall in love with them...you can get them from Craft Den