Baby and beyond

Here's a quick baby card before I'm off on my travels.  This one was inspired by this weeks challenge at:

Quixotic Challenges - Oh Baby

So where am I off to?  Mandelieu in the South of France to go to Balboa on the Promenade.  So a long weekend of dancing with my friend Big Pete and lots of other lovely people.  I'll share some of my adventures when I get back.  Bon voyage xxx

Happy Birthday Gwyneth

Today is the birthday of my wonderful friend Gwyneth - happy birthday lovely lady.

I thought I share the card and little gift I've made for her.

The card was inpired by the challenges at:

Papertake Weekly - sketch challenge

Cupcake Craft - recipe challenge, 3 papers, 3 ribbons, 3 flowers - the third ribbon is tuille under the bottom flower 

This little box was made to house a little present - I love making boxes.

As soon as I was making 3D flowers last week I knew I wanted to make a gift for Gwyneth and here it is.  A box frame with flowers and decorated to match.

A couple of cuties

Here's a couple of cards with a couple of cute characters.  First up is the lovely Popcorn the Bear, I don't think I'll ever tire of colouring him in.  This card was inspired by the challenge at:

A Spoonful of Sugar - furry friends

I've left him without a message, so I can use this card for any occasion and just write a message on the inside of the card.

For this card I got my PTI products out.  The inspiration for this card comes from:

A Passion for Papertrey - Friends

The Secret Crafter - Friendship

This card will go to a friend that needs a hug in an envelope x

The Faraway Tree

I've felt so pleased to be in the company of good friends today, it was just what was needed.  I've had quite a productive day but can't share most of it on my blog just yet.  But here's two cards that have been inspired by the challenge at:

Stampin' for the Weekend - getting to know you through your favourite book

So what's the book, The Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton of course.

Such Sad News

Today's post is just too sad.  We heard this morning that Harvey (our nephew via a rather convoluted route) has been killed serving in Afghanistan.  Our thoughts go to his Mum, David, his sister Elizabeth and her family, his fiancee Claire, the rest of the family and all those that knew him.

Corporal Harvey Alex Holmes, was only 22 and will be missed by so many.

Creative in Caversham

This weekend I'm lucky enough to be visiting the Harper Household in Caversham, Reading.  It means I get to sit at their dining table and craft with my lovely friend Jean and be fed and watered by her wonderful husband Richard and entertained by their fabulous son Nick.

Whilst Jean was busy scrapbooking the school theatre productions, I got on with some homework - articles for magazines.  But once I'd finished that I had time to make a couple of cards.

This one was inspired by the sketch challenge at Totally Papercrafts.  As soon as I saw the sketch I knew I wanted to make a card that opened at an unusual angle.  The little birdie is stamped and then paper-pieced.

Then I decided to have some fun with some shaped easel cards.  These were inspired by challenges at:

Meljen's Designs - show us your shape

Allsorts - animals

Daring Cardmakers - shaped easel card

Jean and I also found time in between the rain to have a visit to a local craft fair, where as well as buying a new jumper I also got to meet Oscar the Owl!

Happy Bank Holiday weekend bloggers xxx

Blooms and a bob

I've had great fun making these flowers tonight.  We made bigger ones at the Inspired Retreat in February, so I just scaled them down for this card.  I still love this SEI Jolie Chocolat range - it's so pretty and girly.

This card was inspired by challenges at:

Charisma Cardz - girly creation, using flowers

Cute Card Thursday - make your own

I found out today that I made the top 3 at Charisma Cardz for challenge #16.  Thank you girls - you've made me smile.

Today was also haircut day and time for a little change.  Thank you to the lovely Kay my hairdresser for talking me into it.  I'm lazy when I go to the hairdressers and just stick to a good trim and a colour or two.  But not today... today I got bobbed.

It's great as it looks the same from the front but is quite a bit shorter at the back.  I wonder what I'll go for next time!