Card for a Christening

Son No: 2 told me that he will be off to a Christening  tomorrow.  A baby boy born to a couple of his  closest friends. I had a look through my 'go to' box of cards but there was nothing suitable there so I showed him a few images and he chose one - and here is the card that followed:

The image and both matching backing papers come from a CD - Messy Rabbit by Joanna Sheen. The frame is a new die I bought from Hunkydory. The letters and numbers were diecut using a freegift - I think from one of my monthly magazines?  This little Alphabet die is becoming a favourite as I like the fonts and the letter size is perfect.  I decided not to do any decoupage.  I'll just put the other image into my box of bits to be used later!!

'ATC Swop UK'

Here are the ATCs I made for the current swop - 'Nautical'.

They look so cool - I wish I could join them. The 'seaweed' and the fishes and the seahorse are all die cuts but the sealions are stamped from a new set of clear stamps by Marianne.  When I stamped them I used my new Tim Holtz stamp pad for the first time and I was very impressed.  It worked just like it did on his video demo. I stamped using Stazon on smooth watercolour paper and then painted them with my Lyra Aquacolors - also new.

On days like today I wished I lived by the sea.

Keep cool - if you can.
xx

CD Sunday -' Sun or Sand or Sea' - chosen by Wynn

The perfect weather is here for Wynn's challenge choice.  Now Wynn lives in Cyprus so I am assuming that  Wynn enjoys this sort of weather more often than we do here in the UK.
So if you need to make a card for someone with a Summer birthday this challenge is the one for you.
Two of my children and my Nephew are all Summer babies so my challenge card will do for one of them.
Here is my 'Sun and Sand and Sea' card for your delectation:

 

A couple of close ups.

 I used La Pashe - the Best of (2012) CD for the image and the sentiment stopper. For the easel I printed on both sides of the card.  The outside was blue sky and clouds and the inside was 'sand'.   I have 'go to' 'sand' backgrounds that I made by scanning pieces of gold glitter card and  sandpaper. They do really look like sand.

The gulls and crabs are die cut. The eyes of the crabs are minute blue/black pearls that I found and again look very realistic.
I look forward to visiting many sunny climes  so that if it rains at least we will have something sunny to look at..
I would love you to leave a comment when you visit. They are always much appreciated.
Hugs
Carol
xx

A special Anniversary

Today is a special Anniversary for my dear friends up in Northumberland.  It is their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. I managed to grab a moment to telephone them this morning and wish them a lovely day and here is the card that I sent them:

This is made of parchment using various Groovi plates, some special brads and lots and lots of tiny crystals.
Joyce always make beautiful inserts for her cards.  I don't I am afraid.  Because I used to sell my cards I got into the habit of just inserting plain sheets so that the purchaser/sender could add what they wanted to say - not what I wanted them to say.  Anyway this time  I made a special effort and found somewhere where you can buy inserts already designed and printed with appropriate messages and verses. Joyce was very impressed but I had to fess up.

I loved making this and I am very happy for them both.
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - Shabby Chic - chosen by Meg

In the past I have always found the concept of 'Shabby Chic' cards difficult to grasp.  What is 'chic'?
One definition is - elegantly and stylishly fashionable. So how do you make it 'shabby' as well?
Difficult one but I have had a go.
I got carried away with the central image and some papers I found - some of which I tore to add the shabby bit.  Then I added a couple of manly looking die cuts to match the man on the bicycle. All was looking good until I realised that nothing had come from a CD.  Silly whatsit I thought . You are making this for CD Sunday. Then I remembered that Ooh La La have some great ribbons and bows on some of their CD's so that is where I went -  and found some on their Yesterday's Memories CD.
So I have proved that if I can then anyone can do Shabby Chic and that we mean it when we say that the smallest item from a CD counts. It doesn't all have to be from a CD.

Looking forward to seeing lots of Shabby Chic.

Hugs
Carol
xx