CD Sunday - White Christmas - chosen by Margaret

I know that secretly in our hearts we would all like a white Christmas but with our practical heads on hope that we don't have one -  so we get our 'White Christmas' fix from cards and decorations and .songs

So for CD Sunday's new challenge Margaret has chosen 'White Christmas'.  Our team have made some beautiful cards and I am sure they will be of inspiration to you so please have a look here.

In the meantime here is my contribution

I used two of Robert Addams CD's - 'White Christmas' for the image and 'Christmas Carols' for the background.  I use these Christmas CD's quite often and I love the images from the first one and the backgrounds from the second.  The bridge with the lanterns has always been one of my favourite CD images and I have used it quite often.
I have added the deer, tree and sentiment diecuts.  Black mirri card for the deer and white card for the trees. Just plain gold card for the sentiment.  I also used black mirri card behind the image to act as a frame.
This was a very simple card to make and hopefully you will try it.  I can recommend Roberts CD's.  I have long been a fan.
Please say hello as you are passing.  I always love to read any messages.
Hugs
Carol
xx

Last Workshop with Judith Maslen for 2016

On Saturday we had another great day down in Barton on Sea with Judith and all our fellow workshopees.  The weather was apalling but that's not new and our chauffeuse Charmaine successfully battled hard again aginst the wind, rain, dark and motorway drivers.
This time we made a quickish Christmas card in the morning using a star tool to emboss the Christmas Tree and added a few gems to represent the decorations. We used a semi square tool for the borders.  The inset surrounding the tree was coloured with pencil and spread with dorso oil.

I added some Wink of Stella to the tree and the star tool impressions in the border but it didn't photograph well. This pattern is called 'Snowy Tree' and will be Pattern No: jm 068-15

Our second card made in the afternoon was quite tough one.  A lot of work.  In fact I didn't finish it until this morning. It is called 'Shoe Heaven' and will be Pattern Sheet No: JM043-5 in the Boutique series.
Here it is:

To complete this pattern we did painting on the back with felt tips (or some of us did - I used pencils and dorso oil).  We did tracing with black ink. grid work, embossing and using the Almond tool.
I added some Wink of Stella to the embossed segment of the fans and glitter peel off to the diamond in the centre and a glitter scallop peel off to the edge of the pattern.

I already looking forward to starting again in March next year.
Hugs
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - 'Sparkle and Shine' - chosen by Wynn

With Christmas looming so large we at CD Sunday are continuing with our Christmas themes and 'Sparkle and Shine' should be a good one for you all to enter.

I have done a stitched card for this theme and I bought the pattern on line from Cardmaking Online in Australia and the very talented designer is Emelie.

Here it is:

The CD content is the backing paper from La Pashe 'Big One Backing Papers'. The colours were perfect.  The stitch pattern is very very fine and took quite a while but I really like the finished effect.  I have added some red chalk to the bow to give it some depth and shading and sewed very tiny glittery seed beads inside the green stitching and on the little red stars.  The Merry Christmas is a glittered peel off.   I can't remember who made the die I used for the bows.

Please visit CD Sunday - not only to see the cards for this challenge but to see the winner and runner-up  of the Sharon Duncan Sponsored Challenge - 'Paws' .  Thank you again to all those who enter our challenges.

I look forward to seeing all the 'Sparkle and Shine'.  See you soon.
Hugs
Carol
xx 

Parchment - Christmas and La Pashe

The image is from a La Pashe CD - 'The Christmas Box' - one of my favourites.  It is called The Gingerbread House (for obvious reasons) and makes a super card for a younger person.
I printed it onto 140gsm parchment paper using my Canon printer on Matte photo setting highest quality.  Just remember to let the ink dry before touching as of course parchment paper is non absorbent.
I added a border using one of Wendy Walters designs that you can adapt to any size.  Such a simple idea but I love the effect.

Here is the finished card

I embossed most of the image with emphasis on the white.  The image was then stitched to the red matt using red glass beads.  I also added 5 little black beads to the snowman.  The card is a white 7" x 7" 300gsm - also from La Pashe.
I can't make all my Christmas cards from parchment as they take so long but try to do as many as I can. I started this one in our Parchment Workshop at The Art of Craft on Wednesday and finally finished it last evening - of course I have done other things in between.
Hugs
Carol
xx

Stitched Birthday Card - plus another.

for a friend who is also a fellow CD Sunday teamie.

This year I decided to do a stitched card.  I thought an easel card would be different having not previously made a stitched easel.  I needed something to act as the 'stop' so I decided to stitch a nameplate using the stitching font (here) that I had purchased many moons go but not actually used.
Here is the card:

The pattern for the card came from here but the deco roses that I liked came with the Get Well Soon sentiment so I had to change that for the Happy Birthday.  I found a tag somewhere in matching pink and used Microsoft Word to add Pamela's name in the stitching font.  To this I then added the double rose spray by pricking them out from the main pattern.
As you can see a special birthday for Pamela so I added the very pretty transparent glitter peel off numbers.  I can't remember where I got that particular sheet and the numbers are running out - so when they are gone they are gone!
I loved making this and now I have braved stitched fonts I will try this again.
Hugs
Carol
xx

p.s.
I said I would like to try this again and I have.  A friend saw Pamela's card and said how much they liked it so I here is one I have made for her.

Her birthday is at the end of the month so all done in plenty of time.
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - Father Christmas

The theme for our new challenge - starting today - has been chosen by Meg and it is 'Father Christmas'.  I am sure that by now you are all in the middle of a frantic Christmas card 'make' so this challenge will be right on the button - as it were. As long as a CD was used somewhere in the make and you tell us which one it was -  you will be in with a chance of the prize.
Now just to show off I used 3 CD's - all by Robert Addams - in the creation of my card:

I used 'Let it Snow' for the image, 'Christmas Trees' for the hessian background and 'Christmas Backing Papers' for the matt layer.
I added the red ribbon to the top corner just to give the idea of a hessian sack full of goodies being tied up. The hessian look backing paper looks great in real life - very realistic.
Please join in with us and also visit my fellow teamies. We look forward to some festive blog hopping when we come to visit you.
Hugs
Carol
xx

Christmas parchment

I recently purchased 3 x parchment grids from Tattered Lace.  I particularly like grid No: 014 although they are all beautiful.
Using this grid I made a parchment poinsettia using 4 of the 5 layers provided.  The pattern makes a slightly exaggerated style of flower but I love it and enjoyed making it although it was very time consuming.  Not one to be made quickly.  I added some glitter to all the edges to give it some Christmas sparkle.
I made the base of my topper by using an outside square 'groove' from one of my many Groovi Plates and then made a border with crosses and a sun tool and drew my own inside line to complete the border.  I wanted something simple that didn't take away from the poinsettia.
The sentiment is also from a Groovi Plate   I particularly like the lettering used on this plate.
Hope you like it.

Here is a close up of the poinsettia

I like this simple style of topper and could well make it again with something else instead of a poinsettia.  On one of the other grids is a beautiful Angel I am wanting to use.
Love to hear from you.
Carol
xx

HALLOWEEN

is the theme for our current Facebook ATC swop group.  One of my favourite themes.  I don't know why as Halloween wasn't something that we took part in as children and my own children didn't either - but I love making Halloween ATCs.  At the last count I had 24 to choose from.  Yes I did say 24.
Here are the ones I sent off to the swop.  Beautifully displayed as always by group leader Sue:

I couldn't resist yet another Minion.  I had fun with the skeleton.  It was a freebie image which came in parts. Quite hard to cut out such small pieces and then arrange on a 2.5" x 3.5" card.
I loved the idea of the Pumpkin Maze and I hope the recipient tries to complete it.  The 'Boo' was another image from the net but the cats and the words are table confetti that I was kindly sent by a member of another ATC group to which I belong.
Here are just a couple more.  I will keep them perhaps for next year. There is bound to be another Halloween swop.

Minions - of course!

These are biscuits.

Happy Halloween when it comes and I hope not too many things go bump in the night!!

Carol
xx

CD Sunday - 'Paws' - a challenge sponsored by Sharon Duncan

Good Morning.  Not too chilly where you are  I hope. Autumn seems to have arrived all of a sudden down here. I have had the heating on already.
Sharon Duncan has very generously offered to sponsor a  CD Sunday Challenge and  today is the day (and for the next two weeks of course).  The prize - given by Sharon - will be a copy of her DVD called 'Playful Pups' and the design team have all made cards using folders from the DVD.
Here is mine:

I used one of the backing papers for my base card and changed the colour to tone with  my Labrador puppy (from Stitching Cards) and the paper ribbon and bow.  I took the opportunity to make this for a friends birthday as well as for the challenge.  The friend is a great dog lover and I knew she would like this image.
The team have shown how you can make such different things from one source and I think they are all great. Please visit their Blogs to see the work. I know they will appreciate it.  I am sure Sharon would love you to visit her site too so here is the link. There you will find a  video  to show you the contents of the DVD. Apart from the toppers etc there are some great backgrounds.  I love good backgrounds.
So please join in with us and  make something showing any kind of Paws - use  something from a CD of course - and tell us which CD you have used.
Have fun and I will see you on your Blogs.
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - 'Country Living' - chosen by Pamela

I used Joanna Sheen's 'Cottage Garden' CD for this card. I love the old fashioned image.  It was probably originally a Victorian card - it has that look.  I don't like all Victorian greeting cards as I find many of them a bit sweet and sickly but this one really suited Pamela's theme.
I have done a few mats and one layer of decoupage on the poppies.  The gems are some very tiny black faceted gems.  I die cut Happy Birthday twice - in red and black so that I could stagger them to give the illusion of shading. ( I copied this idea from someone else).  I used a white 8" x 6" landscape card as a portrait card (so the fold is at the top). That gave me the space I wanted for the sentiment.

I enjoyed making this Pamela for your first theme choice.  I hope you get lots of entries to choose from.
Have fun and I will see you on your Blogs.
Carol
xx

'Back to School'

This is the theme for September's swop at ATC Swop Uk.

I found out that our Organisers husband aka 'The Slave' loves Minions.  I do to.  I decided that I was going to send him some of his own so I used  all Minions for my 5 for the swop as well.

Here they are. 

and here are the extras for 'The Slave': 

They are all decoupaged and have some glaze in their goggles to look like glass.

I have collected dozens of these little sayings now so I don't think I am going to run out.

I am looking forward to seeing what I get in return.  We have some awesome ATC makers in our group.

Hugs

Carol

xx

Russian Angel?

Whilst rooting through my box of Christmas card making goodies I came across some sheets of decoupage just waiting to be cut out.  They are of 'Angels' and they look in a Russian style to me.  I have had them so long that I cannot remember when I bought them or from where I bought them.
They are printed on beautiful paper and a real pleasure to cut out and are about 6/7 layers if you use them all.  I always use 1mm sticky pads so they are not too high.

I found a backing sheet from a Robert Addams CD that tones in with the background piece on the Angel so I have used that as the  card.

The green and gold coloured card used for the mats and the bows are from the new pad of adhesive papers ( Christmas and Winter) by DCWV that I bought a couple of weeks ago. I have added 3 gems to the bows.
I have two more of the Angels ready decoupaged but the hardest part is finding the right backing paper for them.  I may just put them on a white card - we'll see.
Thank you for looking.
Hugs
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - 'Things with Wheels' - chosen by me

Well - 'I will go to the foot of our stairs' - an expression I think I have heard somewhere.  I looked back here on my Blog to see when it was my last challenge choice (June) and here are my opening words -
"I hope you haven't had the week we have had here in the South East.  Torrential rain, thunder and lightening."
So for my opening words for this new challenge - please read above.
I hope the weather is now better and here is my card for this challenge:

I am tempting fate - there is snow on this one!!

I have used the 'Behind Closed Doors' folder from The Best of La Pashe 2012.  I also had the ready cut and folded card from La Pashe.  I think essential for this particular card as the images print out to the exact size.  No trimming that can so easily go wrong.
I did add a touch of Wink of Stella to the snow etc but of course it never shows in the photos.
I have made a few others from this folder ready for Christmas and I have bought some more cardstock for plenty more. They are easy when you are busy and unusual to send and receive.
So - I hope to see lots of wheels please.  Please have fun finding them and making something with them.
Hugs
Carol
xx
p.s. Just as a matter of interest I looked up - 'I will go to the foot of our stairs' - and here is what I found.

'A Christmas Wish'

A pattern by Judith Maslen from her series 'The Musicals'.  Judith says this was inspired by 'White Christmas'.
As usual I have played about a bit .  This time it is the border.  I have changed  the use of the Moon tool to the Semi circle tool. Readers of my blog may remember that the Moon tool is a tool  of which I am not particularly fond.  Judith may be interested to note that the outer 'footprint' of the Moon tool is matched by that of the semi circle tool - so it made the change easier.
So I did two rows of the semi circle tool with a mega sun tool impression between the rows. I then stitched some very pretty glass beads along the inside line using the juxstaposition of the  holes for placement.
The lovely tree, moon, snow and poem were done exactly as per the instructions.
I loved creating this card and I hope you like it.

I am also going to enter this in the current Ooh La La Challenge #213 - Anything Goes.

Carol
xx

An old favourite stitch pattern...

I first used this stitch pattern by Carla Prediger back in 2013.  I loved doing this one back then so I thought I would have another go but this time with a different colour thread.  This time the thread is a metallic mix of Silver, Rose Red and Green.  It is also by Gutermann and is CA 2776.  I love the delicate look it gives to the stitches.
I have tried to match the Rose Red  and the Green colours in the thread with the card used for the matt and for the sentiment.   I also managed to find an already printed sheet of backing card in the same rosy red colour used for the printed stars.

I die cut the sentiment using a Creative Expressions die and self adhesive cardstock by DCWV in Christmas and Winter Colours.  So much easier than trying to put glue on the back of the die cuts.
The holly leaves and berries were also cut from the adhesive card.

CD Sunday - Shades of Autumn

A very apt title for this coming challenge as the weather turned quite chilly today (Friday) as I was scheduling my post.

This challenge is Paulines first one  as a CD Sunday Team Member and we are hoping for lots of support from our regulars and perhaps regulars to her own Blog.

I knew I had some good Autumnal photographs in some of my folders especially ones taken at RHS Wisley which - luckily for me - is close by.  I decided to make some notelets as I really needed some and combined MCS Deco Follies, photos of Wisley and use of my own graphics programme - ACDSee which came on a CD with my old Pentax camera..

I love the Deco figures from the Follies CD and use them when I can.  Ideal to put into scenes.
This is what I did with them:

I used ACDSee to add frames and wording.
This brought back some very happy memories for me and for a couple of my fellow teamies, Pamela and Jocelyn.  I have know them both for quite a while now (we met through crafting) and we have had several 'meets' at Wisley together with many other mutual friends and we have had some great times there.
I look forward to seeing all your different shades.  Have fun.
Carol
xx

Modern Baubles

to go with the modern tree.  This is from the same Value Pack.
I made the backing paper - paper weaving.  On the hunt for the right backing paper I found some on a CD called 'Magical Christmas Moments' created by  Sharon Duncan for Cupcakecrafting.  There is a folder called Colourblend Creations and in there I found some fabulous paper just called A4 Glitter.  Wow I thought and just had to print off some straight away - (and why hadn't I noticed this before).  I chose three colours to match my baubles and then set about doing some paper weaving.  I cut 2cm strips and just played about for ages.  I like paper weaving and should do it more often.  When you have made it yourself you can just scan it and hopefully use it again and again.  The red matt behind the stitched image is from the Colourblend Creations folder - just the same red as in the Glitter paper.

Here is the card:

I enjoyed making this one as much as the others.  Whilst I still have this cough (6 weeks and counting) I am just sitting quietly and stitching (in betwen coughing fits).  But there is an improvement brought about by a humidifier.  My GP told me to buy, borrow or ? one and use it as much as possible.  I have done so and it has helped a great deal.  I was also told to turn off the fans I had going all day in the heat waves.  Not good for you I was told.
I have another couple already prepared for stitching so back to the sofa and my humidifier.
Hugs
Carol
xx

Modern Christmas Tree

I found a new to me Christmas Value pack on Stitching cards yesterday - here.  I bought it straight away as I particularly wanted to do the Christmas Tree.  I think it is just fab.  I sort of followed their colour ideas and then went on the hunt for a suitable backing paper.  I found one on one of my favourite CD 's by  Carol Ann's Studio. (CD-8 2nd Xmas CD)  This great purple toned paper is also done in red, green, pink and blue.  I love it because as well as being a background it is also the sentiment.  Nothing else is needed.
So I hope you like a more modern style stitched card:

Now on to the next one.  See you later.
Carol
xx

Stitched 'Bells and Holly'

Another stitched Christmas card for the box.  I used rather a nice multi coloured Sulky thread by Gutermann (CA 02776).  I managed to match the colour tones fairly well with the holly backing paper.

The pattern came from Form a Lines.
I did wonder about adding some die cut holly or some other embellishment but somehow nothing seemed right.  Oh dear - all these dies and I am not using them enough.  I can't be the only one - surely.
Hope you like the card - without extras.
Carol
xx

Happy Happy Reindeer

I am plodding along with my Christmas cards.  I am doing the stitching ones first and this one I have done before but I liked it so here it is again and the pattern is from here:

He does look as though he has been at the sherry trifle - or I should say She - as it is only the lady reindeers who keep their antlers in the Winter.
The decoupaged strip on the left has been cut from a backing paper.  I just cut part of one of the vertical strips and mounted it on to the same gold card I used for backing the image.  I then cut out 4 of the little images again and two of the bows to decoupage the strip.
I have stitched a few more - just got to decided how to present them.
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - HOT HOT HOT

Good Morning everyone.  Jocelyn has chosen an unusual theme for this challenge and I think the team have had great fun producing some inspiration for you all.  Please pop round to visit them all - I know they would be pleased to see you.

Do you know that feeling you get when you have made something that you really like and it  all seems just right?  It is a rare feeling I know but I did feel that about this card.  Any sentiment on the front would spoil it I think so it will have to go on the insert when I use it - if I use it?
I knew I had a stitch pattern I wanted to use but how to incorporate something from a CD? -  so I went looking for a special background.  I found what I wanted on Funky Hands. I love their papers and it is such a shame that they are no more.
So I printed out the background and matched the colours with my threads and here is my offering:

The image is fun and cheerful.  There are some great stitch patterns available and I love using them as a change from doing parchment.
This pattern is from Stitching Cards and is called 'Chili Peppers' and the background paper is from Funky Hands -  Happy Happy Birthday - CD - folder 'Cake Anyone?'  which I stuck to the front of a 7 x 7 white card.
I cut some very thin strips in red from the backing paper to place over the corners and added some red gems to the strips and the topper.
Thank you for popping in to see what I have done and any comments are gratefully received and avidly read.
Carol
xx

Christmas cards with La Pashe

 I have so many of the La Pashe CD's and they are a wonderful source for Christmas images and styles. It would take quite a few Christmases to use them all but even if you repeat favourites  you just have to try not to send them to the same people that you sent them to in the past.
I used the  'Behind Closed Doors' folder from The Best of La Pashe 2012.- a folder I haven't used before.
I have made a few.  I have added some various colurs of Wink of Stella to them but it doesn't always show in the photograph .
So here 3 of them with closed doors and then open doors:

   

    

                                                                                      
I made these whilst nursing this horrendous cough which is now getting better but approaching it's 5th week.  I daren't try parchment as one cough at the wrong moment would have been disastrous.
You can purchase the correct size gatefold cards from La Pashe (at least I think you still can) so the make is quite easy. They do look better in the flesh.  I will put the Christmas sentiment on the back as there is a nice size blank piece of white card.
Carol
xx

BigSplashDigiStamps

is a new Etsy Shop run by my good friend and wonderful Parchment Designer - Judith Maslen.
This is a new venture for Judith, who is such a good artist, and these designs are for all those 'Digi stamp' fans who want to colour with all those myriad pens, pencils and brushes. There is nothing to say that we parchers won't use them but if you don't do parchment then you won't want all the instructions such as border grid patterns etc -  so these are perfect for you.
This is all as well as her established parchment pattern site.  You can find both the links in the sidebar.
Please have look at the new shop and help it get established.  I have already visited and purchased a couple of patterns. For one of them I shall use parchment but I may well get some watercolours out for the second.  They haven't had an airing for quite a while.
Thank you for your time reading this.
Hugs
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - 'Let's shape it up' - chosen by Margaret

Good Morning one and all.  Whilst I type this on Saturday and schedule it for posting tomorrow the sun is shining and it isn't too warm but I fear things may change.  I am not a great lover of very hot weather so I will retire to the centre of the house (coolest place) and use my new all singing all dancing tower fan.

Our new challenge at CD Sunday has been chosen by Margaret who is one of our new team members.  Margaret has chosen the theme of shaped cards. As I said on the Blog -  'square' is a shape to me -  so I approached this challenge with caution as I wasn't in my own comfort zone.   I decided to try and incorporate shaped and Christmas and went to one of may favourite La Pashe CD's- The Christmas Box.
I printed out one of the tags as a 5" x 7" card.  In fact I chose my favourite tag of the two deer with the big goo goo eyes. I added the Happy Christmas greeting with one of my graphic programmes and the red bow was made using a die  - and as usual I can't remember who made it.
I then made 10 tags with ribbon tails and put them in a pocket on the inside left of the card.

Here are the piccies:

I added a greeting page to the inside right and in fact felt quite pleased with my 'shaped card'.  I know it is neither a startling nor an  awe inspiring shape but it has a shape.
I had some girlfriends around for a crafting session and I showed them this card and one of them dropped a very strong hint that they wouldn't mind if this arrived in their Christmas post so it has a home already.
I think I might actually make a few more of these.  There are some beautiful tags on this CD so plenty of choices to be had.
I look forward to some blog hopping and seeing some fantastic shaped cards.  Instead of us inspiring you - you could inspire us  - or me in particular.
Have fun.
Carol
xx

'Snowflake Fairy' in parchment

Here is another new design by Judith Maslen.  Judith has done three of these Christmas Fairy designs and I loved them as soon as I saw them.  This is my second one.  I really don't know which I like the best.

Here she is:

In her pattern Judith had drawn and embossed 3 snowflakes  (in about the same places I have placed mine).  I have never been very good at this very fine embossing and after all my hard work I couldn't bear to spoil it so I added a couple of die cut snowflakes.  I did paint them with Wink of stella first.
I spent a quiet day yesterday doing this pattern.  Am still coughing like crazy.  Have been told by friends who have been there that this can last weeks. I am coping as long as I don't stress myself - like doing housework.
Carol
xx

'Poinsettia Fairy' in parchment

This is a new for Christmas 2016 pattern by Judith Maslen.  Judith has designed 3 new Christmas Fairies and this is my first one.
I love the style of this especially the skirt of the dress. Beautifully designed using Poinsettia leaves.

I hope you like this as much as I liked making it.
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - Fab 'n' Feminine chosen by Wynn

Good morning.  This will be a short entry because the dreaded lurgy is getting worse - my typing is all over the place and it is too hot.
I am sad that we will be losing Sue from our team (read about it here) and I hope that she will come back when she has managed to sort out everything that needs sorting.
For Wynn's challenge I have made 3 ATC's (only one is shown on the challenge blog) and here they are:

I used Joanna Sheen's - Janet Kruskamp CD.  This is a new CD to me.  The blood rushed to my head one day and I purchased 3 new to me CD's from Joanna Sheen and this was one of them.  The gowns have been decoupaged and I have added some cotton lace and lots of gems.
I said it would be short.  I will probably revisit when I am feeling better.
Carol
xx

'Squirrel's Feast' - pattern by Judith Maslen

Here is the second project from our day at Barton-on-Sea last Saturday. Another brand new pattern.
I am afraid I tweaked this one as well as the Swallowtail.  Nothing to do with Judith's wonderful designs - more my ineptitude in the execution.
Here is my interpretation:

Judith had used an Almond Tool for the border and I didn't like my embossing inside the perforations.  I did say in my last posting that I was having trouble with embossing. There wasn't really enough room to do a new border inside the old one so I started afresh with a new piece of parchment.  I made a new border (own design), traced, embossed and coloured the cherries and embossed the sentiment.  I wasn't displeased with my squirrel so I "took him out" by pricking and snipping the oval out from the old card and attaching it to the new card as a topper by sewing with red beads.
There certainly are times when you can rescue a piece of work as I have above but parchment can be very unforgiving.   I was lucky this time. 
Sorry I tweaked so much Judith but I did save the little varmint.
Thank you for looking.
Carol
xx

'Fantasy Swallowtail' - pattern by Judith Maslen.

Well - we have travelled down to Barton-on-Sea for a Judith Maslen Workshop in all kinds of weather. Frosts, just plain cold, monsoons and last Saturday it was the hottest day yet.  Everyone was just plain sticky and there was no air (well of course there was but it didn't feel like it).

We had two projects as always and we had to work hard - no time off for heat exhaustion.
This posting is about the first project - the 'Fantasy Swallowtail' - No: 1 in a new folder to be called Butterflies Galore.
A beautiful pattern which I proceeded to make a pigs ear of on the day.  I put it down to the heat.
So on Sunday I started a new one and this will be a surprise to Judith as hopefully it has improved greatly  on the one she saw me making.

I have done a couple of tweaks Judith - hope you don't mind. One of the problems on Saturday was my embossing of the flowers - apart from doing them from the front instead of the back (a beyond  careless mistake) I just wasn't having a good embossing day.  So - I used a flower stencil I found on a Pergamano grid.  The flower was the right shape but just a little smaller.  I added a touch of pink to the flowers and then some Wink of Stella to the body of the butterfly.  I was more relaxed and sitting in front of a fan whilst I made this one so I am more pleased with my efforts
Now I just have a few tweaks to perform on the second project.  Just waiting for the place to cool down a bit.  Even with the fan it is too hot.

Thank you Judith for yet another fabulous workshop - my favourite days in the year.  And a big thamk you my companions - Charmaine and Jenny.  Charmaine does the driving and Jenny laughs at my jokes. (They both do really).
Hugs
Carol
xx

"Pipeworks"

is a new die and CD by Robert Addams and I have used the die to make a male birthday card.  Not displeased with the first effort but I think I could do better next time.
Next time it might be cooler and perhaps I could type without my glasses slipping off my nose.
On my patio - in the sun - the temp is 31.7C

Carol
xx

'G' is for......................

is our theme for the July swop at 'ATC Swop UK'.
I have done 5 again this month.  I think that 'Letters' and 'Colours' are amongst the most popular themes as the field is really wide open.
My good friends Debs and Mandi stayed with me last week for a couple of nights.  It was so good to catch up with news and gossip after a longish time between seeing each other and I did persuade Debs to get back into some crafting - and hopefully some ATCs is where she is going to start.  Debs had a terrible time last year with many heart attacks and a triple bypass and we are all so glad that she is still with us.
Debs has told our organiser Sue that she is going to enter some this month so I am mentioning it here just to make sure she does.  It was Debs who first got me into doing ATCs.  It was at a craft session at my house - many years ago - and my fellow CD Sunday teamie Pamela was with us as well.  I can't remember if it was Pamela's first go with ATCs then or not.  I remember I had a housefull and I believe Pamela got the short straw and was sleeping on a lilo.  It was a fun time though.
Anyway - here are the 'G' is for ........ ATCs that I sent off

I enjoyed making them.  My favourite is the second one.  I found the image on the internet and I have added lots of sparkly miniature butterflies made with my Pinflair punch. I have added sparkle to the red butterfly and a red gem to her hair.  It doesn't show very well in the photo but even though I say so myself - it does look good.
Have a good day.
Carol
xx

p.s. see comments below for facts about this photo.

CD Sunday - 'Summer Vacation' - chosen by Meg

Good morning everyone.  I am pleased to say that the theme for the next two weeks has been chosen by Meg.  This is her first choice as a new Design Team Member.   A great choice for this time of the year but secretly I am praying that it doesn't start raining again as soon as we hit the post button.
(My prayers weren't answered - it is raining as I type at 9.50am.  It did wait a couple of hours !!)

Here is my contribution to the inspiration by the Design Team:

I used Joanna Sheen's - Faye Whittaker CD for all of the card.   I imagine - judging by the clothes the little ones are wearing - that they are at the seaside (in Edwardian times) with their Nanny and are sending home a postcard to 'Dear Mamma'.
I decoupaged the postbox, the children and the hats. The bunting and the sentiment are both made using fairly newish dies. The bunting die is a Marianne Creatable and the Happy Birthday garland is from Memory Box.
A personal thank you to those who entered my theme choice - 'Once upon a time' - and I will be choosing my Top 3 in time for the next CD Sunday posting.
I love to know if you have visited so any comments you care to leave are greatly appreciated.
Carol
xx