A Humorous Card

Made this for someone on Katy's Corner for her birthday and she should have received it by now so it is safe to upload - painted with Twinkling H2o's.

I just wish I was more like Dot who can think up really appropriate words to put on her humorous cards.  I have quite a few funny sayings and stuff but never quite know when it is appropriate to use them. 

Yesterday was a lovely celebration of Audrey's life - a really good turn out, especially by the Trefoil Guild who all wore their TG scarves.  The service was lovely and it was nice to see so many old friends, some of whom did not recognise me as it has been so long since they saw me, but I could not believe it when one of my ex Ranger Guides came up to me.  What a beautiful young woman she has turned out to be - but she is 50 - eek!  It was nice to go back to Audrey's for a reception and I am sure she was looking down proudly at her son and daughter who had planned the day so perfectly.  A true "celebration" of her life.

A Very Belated Birthday Gift

Well, tomorrow I am off to my friend Audrey's funeral, but here is a little something I made today for a friend of mine who had a birthday ages ago.

She and I always make something for one another as a little gift when it is our birthdays but with the way things have been with me I never got around to making her something.  I hope she likes it:

This shows it open

It is for her to use for ATC's

Another View of the inside

I started off making pockets to fit ATC's inside but as each piece of paper only revealed four pockets I had to make three sections.  When I came to put them together this was the best way I could find so it looks a little like a star book when open.  Each page is stamped with a different butterfly and a word, or in three cases, a little verse.

The reason for it having butterflies inside?  Well, I so wanted to use this particular stamp and it had to be for the cover.  It lends itself to cutting up into a front, back and a spine.  Here it is - coloured with seven different oranges from my Twinkling H2o's

I notice Gingersnap Creations have a "Wings" theme on at the moment and as I do not like entering one item for more than one challenge (the other day I did "wings" for Lots to Do) I am entering this one in the Gingersnap Creations Chestnut Theme Challenge "Wings".

ps I am totally out of my comfort zone with oranges - quite a challenge for me plus I had not a clue when I started out what I was making - it just evolved.  Plus, after one small glass of wine with my dinner I am surprised I managed to paint between the lines LOL.

Blog Award

Am I a creative writer?  Well I do go on a bit and I used to love "creative writing" as a child - can I really remember that far back?

The love Zoe gave me this award - Thanks Zoe - and at last I have thought up one true fact and some outrageous lies.

Now I have to:

Proudly display the award - above

Tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself, and at least one outrageous truth, or switch it around and tell six outrageous truths and one outrageous lie.

1.  I am a keen jogger

2.  My new fitness dvd comes out next month

3.  In my youth I went out with someone famous in the pop industry

4.  I have three children whom I adore

5.  I like to go abroad at least once a month

6.  Unlike a lot of crafters I love to do housework

7.  I am a well known flower arranger in the north west

OK so these sound boring - but ... which is the lie and which is the truth?

Nominate seven creative writers who might be into doing this. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate and let the owners of those blogs know.

Now to seven creative writers who I admire and who I hope enjoy a bit of fun

Jo - who is an amazing woman and friend, super talented and so generous - and can chat as much as me (if not more LOL)

Alison - who is super talented and has offered me lessons with Copics

Diane - who has some amazing cards on her blog (check her Magnolia ones) and with Alison is going to teach me how to use Copics

Chris - another super talented friend who does some great workshops

Sid - someone I met on a workshop who does some amazing stuff and is a lovely guy

Dot - the best sort of friend anyone could have (and a great crafter to boot)

Carol - an extremely talented lady with some remarkable stuff on her blog

I thought this would be the hardest thing to do (find seven creative writers) but in truth I could have gone on and on.  Sorry if I have missed you off but the rules made me stop.

Trying to Find my Mojo

I think my Mojo is on holiday again - s/he keeps on going away and this week I have tried lots of crafty things and made complete messes each time.

Anyway, here is a card I made this morning - hope it is acceptable for the Lots to Do Challenge which I have missed over the past weeks.  Just never seemed to have got it right.  I have taught classes with beeswax but last week could I get something worth showing - NO!

Fairies have wings so I have used one of my favourites and made an easel card.  I used a background I already had but cannot for the life in me remember what I did.  Shame it does not show up in a scan as it really is lovely although I say it myself.  (Maybe I didn't do it LOL)

I obviously used metallic inks/powders/whatever as it is so sparkly and they could have been interference colours because they show up so well on the black.  Maybe this will be a better picture of the main image as I scanned it.

No, no better - you will just have to believe me.  The fairy is cut out and mounted with her feet stuck to the background but her body and head is on foam sticky squares and her arms are free.  Painted with Twinkling H2o's as usual - I must get to grips with Copics/Promarkers.

This afternoon we took advantage of the good weather and went to Heaton Park.  I was surprised when Chas suggested we went to look at the animals as we did this last time.  Look at this adorable Alpaca:

and the colours on this Peacock

had to smile as he kept giving us this view

but to be honest I loved the contrast of the beige feathers against the black and that lovely "spear" shape above his "bum".

He did give us a show

Loved this cockerel

Shame he was in a cage today 

he was a magnificent specimen

And what about this Chinese Duck

The lump thingie on his head makes him look as if he has his beak open but the bottom bit is his beak.  And it opens but he makes a very quiet noise.

Went down to the lake and these ducks (or are they geese - haven't a clue) were being fed by onlookers - gosh some of them were nasty.  This little white one just stood back and didn't join in the fray and I was upset that I had nothing to feed him with.

but these stole everyones hearts

took loads of pictures

last one, I promise

Hope I haven't bored you to tears.  Right, footie on now so maybe I will craft, but then again ... with all the noise my other half is making .....

Liz Welch at Victoria Stampers

Wow, what a day it was yesterday!  Liz came and took us through some of the basic techniques she teaches and we all had a wonderful time.  Her expertise, wonderful teaching skills and lovely manner was evident all day and I think she captured the hearts of every attendee.

She took us through stamping on Friendly Plastic, her own oozing technique and lace making.  The pace was just right and we all watched a demo of each technique in turn and then went off and made our own pieces.  The time just flew and I could have stayed until late that evening.  I won't show you my pieces as I want to do more with them but I will show you some of the inspiration behind Liz Welch.

This was the cover on one of her journals.  It is a kind of patchwork of many techniques with added embellishments and I just fell in love with it.

These are some tiny tags

showing Liz's lace technique

This is one of many of her

beautiful necklaces

A sampler

You can see so much more of her work on her website and on her blog.  If ever you see that she is doing a workshop in your area you really must try to get on it.

Quite a few years ago I was fortunate enough to go on a workshop with Liz where we made a mask and I have always said I would make another.  Inspired by one of her masks I began making some lace pieces but really needed a skillet to do it justice.  Guess what?

Jayne told us yesterday that the QVC shop had some for £16 and so straight after we had helped Liz load her car seven of us headed off for Birchwood.  We bought up the entire stock!  Yes, there were just seven of them left.  It was so funny, at one time four of us stood there feverishly opening up the boxes to make sure that they were complete.  Our excited chatter alerted a lady to what we were doing and she came over to ask what they were.  She must have thought we were opening something really exciting and a bargain to boot (well it was to us).  We were like little children in a sweet shop.  Luckily when Diane and Alison arrived for their purchases there were just the two left.

A great day and a bargain to boot!

NB be sure to look at Liz's blog and website for true inspiration.

A Quick Birthday Card

Had to make a birthday card tonight for one of the members at the Vicky Stampers who had a birthday on Wednesday of last week.

Made this Z card with the main image embossed and then bleached out in parts.  Decided to bring out my MS punches again so put the lacey border on.

Couldn't tell you who the main image is by but the grasses are Elusive Images using the shadow one in Pearlescent Green and the other image of it in Gamma Green (both Brilliance).

This is a view of it open showing the words, again in Gamma Green.

Tomorrow we have a class with Liz Welch using Friendly Plastic.  Don't know whether any of you have ever been to one of Liz's workshops or not but it will be fun and informative.  She is a whizz with the FP and I know she has fairly recently been to America to work with my friends Jen and Linda using the material.  Wonder if she will bring any of the FP pellets?

Tribute

To a very dear friend who passed away last night.

Audrey and I with 

The Ranger Flag

This is a tribute to a very dear friend, ex Brownie Guider, Trefoil Guild Member, Guiding Singing Circle Member, Lacemaker, Beader, Stitcher, Egg Decorator - in fact a lady who could turn her hand to anything.  She will be sadly missed by so many.

Rest in Peace Audrey.

Following both Helen and Carol's messages - yes, I did get to see her on Monday and although she was sleeping most of the time I am sure she knew I was there.  When we went in her daughter, Karen, told her I was there and Audrey put her hand out for me to take hold of.  Later, when I mentioned my cousin and asked if she remembered her she gave a slight nod, I will treasure those moments along with all my happy memories.