One today!! .....

.... a year ago today, I took my first tentative steps into Blogland.  I'd read quite a few blogs and lurked around a few challenges, but hadn't done anything.  And then I did it.  And I'm so glad I did.  I've made some wonderful friends through my Blog and taking part in challenges - and I'm so glad that so many of you have become followers too. 

In December, only a few months after I started my blog, Mona Pendleton - one of my most favourite designers - invited me to join her team for a new challenge - CR84FN.   Saying yes to Mona was one of my best decisions ever - we have great colour palettes and I so enjoy coming up with my cards for the challenges.  And this year Tara invited me to join St Luke's Charity Card Challenge - a blog with a difference do check it out.

It's been a fantastic year - taking part in challenges has been such fun and taught me lots.  I've tried techniques that I never thought I'd attempt, used colour combinations that would never have occured to me and I'm finding my style more and more.  While I'd love to make wonderful shabby chic and vintage creations, I tend towards the more clean and simple.  But I'll try everything.

And with that - here's my card for two challenges.  This week Colour Q - cQc101 has a lovely shades of purple, blue and green, and for my layout I'm using Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL156.  I have taken a bit of a liberty with the sketch and flipped it over. 

My card has been made to celebrate my 1st Blogoversary today!!  I've used some lovely lime marbled ribbon from my stash, cut a couple of pinking circles using my nesties.  I stamped the blue nestie with one of my all time favourite stamps - the funky circles from Free Spirit by Waltzingmouse - and embossed with the sparkly Kaledioscope embossing powder.  And I stamped a large number 1 - again overstamped and embossed with the funky circles.  Finally, I added a simple sentiment - CELEBRATE!!!  This card has used two of my favourite product lines - stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps - Claire's a genius, as well as card and inks from Stampin' Up! (love their stamps too).

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Free Spirit - Boy; Papermania - Typography No 1
Ink:  Versamark; Stampin' Up! - Rich Razzleberry
Spellbinders:  Pinking Circles Lg (S4-170) #3, Pinking Circles Sm (S4-172) #4
Accessories:  Ribbon, card and embossing powder - from stash

My Blogoversary Candy link closed at midnight and I'll be running Mr Random later this morning - check back later to find out if you've won!! 

Thank you all for making my venture into Blogland such a fun filled and happy one!  See you soon.