Christmas 2022 - Burst of Berries

 This is my first stitched card attempted since my operation.  I just wanted to see if I could manage with a fine needle and thread - and I couldn't be more pleased.

My last stitched card was managed about a year ago.  Towards the end of the year and up until just now stitching had been impossible.

I chose a Christmas stitch pattern from here and re pricked the already done holes to make them easier for the needle and thread.  Unusually, I did the stitching before I chose a focal image, and this made it difficult to choose one to match the theme and threads.  I have a whole box full of ready made 3D die cut images to choose from and couldn't find one I liked.  Instead I went to my album of already cut Christmas die-cuts and chose the Carnation Craft 'Burst of Berries' which I trimmed into a bouquet and added a bow.

I haven't tried getting out the die-cutting machine and plates yet to see if I can manage the weight and actions needed - but this is now high up on my to do list.  

All I need now is for the operation on my left wrist to be done and crafting life will be back to normal.

Carol xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #88 - hosted by Margaret

 On the day I am typing this we have a beautiful clear sky, lots of sunshine and a very light breeze.  Perfect for the subject of my design card:

I love all things about Hot Air Balloons and I would love to go up in one.  I love those beautiful paintings you see of many of them up in the sky. All various  sizes showing how near or far away they are.  I even have some jigsaws showing a sky crammed full of multi-coloured ones.  Some just striped and others as advertisements. Here are some ATCs I made some time ago show a couple as Minions:

One of the best places to see them in this country in all their majesty is at the Bristol Balloon Festival.

Anyway that is enough of me going on and on.   I made a couple of little matching calendar cards to go with the main card. All came from one of The Card Hut CDs. 

 

I have chosen to give this card to a friend whose birthday is later in the year so I will just include the 2023 calendar for her to pop into her purse.

 Here is a jigsaw of mine that was framed and hung.

Hugs

Carol

xx

CD Sunday Plus - Challenge #87 - hosted by Jo

A card for the 'Go to' box.  Sadly we still need a few of these but thankfully not as many now, as were needed in the previous two years.

This is from one of the Tatty Ted CDs using the Docraft Digital Designer programme.   To the topper from the disc, showing Ted in bed with flowers and the envelope,  I added the biscuits, the corner embellishments, the pink pencil and all the words.  The border was added using my graphics programme.

Another digital card that I enjoyed making.

Whilst I have been reduced to making digital cards I have had another problem - not being able to write inside the cards I make - or in fact even sign them.  I can now write but surprisingly my handwriting is now rubbish and difficult!!   I have come up with a solution.  Not mind blowing or earth shattering but useful.

I have bought a pack of Avery Address labels - J8166.  They are 6 on a sheet and perfect for a verse or a greeting together with your name.  These seem the perfect size for sticking on to the inside right sheet of the card. Here is a sample - perfect for the above card:

Sending you love

and best wishes

for a very speedy

recovery.

 With hugs

Carol xxx

 You can obviously space this out as you wish and choose any font but this is the one I chose and can print it out any time.  Just an idea.

On the subject of  'Wellness', I hope that all are well.  Please do take care.

I will be choosing my Top 3 during the next couple of weeks so I look forward to revisiting all the entries to #86

Hugs

Carol xx

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Card Challenge - with UKSN

Although the UKSN is 90% about stamping and mixed media they do allow any kind of medium for their ATC section of the club and they have -  graciously -  allowed me to continue to use digital images whilst my hand is healing so that I could enter this challenge.  I had all sorts of ideas buzzing in my head and this is what I produced:

I loved creating this card.  The background of Buckingham Palace was a copyright free image from the net.  'Her Majesty' is a wonderful first layer decoupage image from a La Pashe CD.  This is the first piece of fine cutting I have managed since my op so I am so pleased.  The union flag numbers, bunting, corgis, guards and the princes all come from a digital download purchase from Kate Hadfield.

I am secretly pleased with it (perhaps not so secretly now) and I hope you like it too.

Hugs

Carol

xx