Three Posts in One Week!!!

Unheard of in ages.  Me doing three posts in one week.  OK so Wendy has spurred me on to doing two a week in that we have this personal challenge going on for 'Jeudi Journal' but for me to post something else is amazing.  For me to do something else and remember to take a photograph is amazing.

My niece has this adorable little boy and it is his second birthday today so I had to make him a card. Could have bought one but as I made all her birthday cakes when she was small I think the least I can do now is to make his birthday cards.  Was late making this card, well, in starting it, so it was on my mind on Wednesday when I went to bed.  Woke up around 3 am and decided I could not get back to sleep so got up and began his card.  Here is the result - although it was finished off much later in the morning.

it is an easel card so here it is open

I really struggled for an image for a little boy.  Have lots of little girl things because of Chloe (friend's little girl who is 9 now so have had lots to buy along the way) but little boys are a different thing altogether.  I thought at two he was a bit old for teddies, not old enough for the couple of boy images I have so I went down the road of 'Gnomes'.  Thought it was an opportunity for "colour" which he could maybe relate to.  Just hope mummy realises how it goes together.  I'm sure she will, she is a bright young mummy and it isn't exactly rocket science.

It took me longer to do the bunting and get it to fit than it did to do the images.  Or so it seemed by the time I was finishing the second attempt.  Me and my bright ideas.

Because the Gnomes and their gardening skills make me smile when I am looking at them I am linking this to Annie's Smiles this week.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

A New Home Card

This is my card for my friends Wendy and Peter who have recently moved into their new home along with their menagerie of cats.  Wendy and Peter used to live in mid-Wales and they seemed to be the ones who attracted lots of ferrel cats.  Being animal lovers (and soft hearted but don't tell her I said that, Wendy would hate to be described that way I am sure) they have adopted several cats, or have the cats adopted them?

I was quite concerned when they moved a long way away and, rightly so in my opinion, took the cats with them.  Anyway, things have turned out for the best and the cats have settled into their new homes, none of them packing a spotted handkerchief on a stick and battling their way back to Wales. They know when they have it 'cushy' don't they.

Oh gosh, I digress so much - here is the card I made for Wendy and Peter, both keen gardeners and with a beautiful garden to potter about in:

It's an easel card and I have broken out the Promarkers for it plus made some flowers to go on for added interest.  Just hope they like it.

Challenge 30 Artful Times goes Vintage

You will need to pop along to the Artful Times to see what I have written about "Vintage".  To heck with all that the dictionary says - here is my interpretation of Vintage - in an easel card.

I used my Grand Calibur to cut out a large oval card (hinged) which I then made into an easel card with the addition of a further oval shape.  You can see I have used all three dies in the set to mat and layer the image which is taken from one of the Non Sequitur plates.  

I then used some roses (sorry purchased and not made) to decorate the card and hopefully make it a bit special for someone.  Finally I put some flat flowers on the base and an "Italia" stopper, fixed with some foam sticky bits.  Here's a closeup of the image and flowers.

Hope you like it

If you would like to join in with this challenge pop over to Artful Times where regulars will find that changes are afoot - sadly.

Kindness and Flying

First of all let me say a BIG Welcome to my newest followers.  Only ten to go and then we will be having a draw of all members (no need to do a comment) to see who gets a gift from me.  No restrictions on where you live.

Now to show you a couple of cards I have made and tell you the story behind the making.

Recently I wanted to take a flight and because of my breathing problems and the long walk in Manchester airport I asked for assisted travel (as usual - been doing it for a couple of years and it helps to not have the long walk).  This was with a travel company (Thomson) who when they heard of my problem said I would not be able to fly unless I produced a "fit to fly" letter from my doctor.  This was despite my telling them I had flown to America and back a couple of times with the same problem.

I duly went to my GP (she is lovely) but in view of my recent surgery she said she would rather I got my cardiologist to let her know this was ok.  Now all this was very last minute.

Rang my cardiologist's secretary, on the Friday, to get the wheels in motion but she was on holiday.  A lovely young lady said she would send for my notes so they would be on her desk for her return after the weekend.  Monday came and at lunchtime I got a call "from the cardiologist himself" to say I was fine to fly and he was informing my GP.

I was blown away that HE would ring me and so I felt he and his secretary both deserved a card making.  This is the one I made for Dr Little

A mask with various Distress Inks and a brush for the background and for the tag, Tim H stamps and a bit of masking on the tag itself, sentiment on the left embossed.  Underneath the tag are some more words.  No significance with the images to the consultant, he is into football but I have nothing suitable.

Now for his secretary (and a mention for the other young lady I spoke with on Friday) I made this one

Not a clue on her age but she sounded young, don't they all when you get to my age?  Thought those Clinton type images are popular with a wide age range so chose this one from Dimension.  Painted with my Twinkling H2o's, using my new Grand Nestie from Oyster (bought at weekend) and an easel card was ready for the post.

Now I need to make one for my GP - another story, but she pulled out the stops for me too.