Thank you ...

.... Morning!  You might have seen my post yesterday where I was Guest Designer for the current challenge at Cupcake Inspiration Challenge - CIC#336.  I had a hard time with these colours - not at all in my comfort zone.  However, after making yesterday's card, I made another and here it is:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - You're Wonderful, So Very Grateful
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark; Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: SU/Sizzix - Wonderful Wreath; Die-namics - In & Out Diagonal Stitched Rectangles Stax #4
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Calypso Coral; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear; White Embossing Powder

I used the cue word, GIVE, from this week's CASology challenge - CAS#172.  One of the things that we do is give thanks for our friends - and this is for one of my UK friends.  I used the stitched die to cut a mat layer for the card.  I stamped that pretty spring-like wreath on white paper, coloured it with Copic makers and cut it out with the matching dies.  I added sparkle to all the flowers with my clear Wink of Stella brush.  I stamped the sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed it with white powder, once cool I stamped it again in black to give a shadow effect.  I finished the front with a yellow bow on the wreath.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of coral card and on the white panel added a simple sentiment, along with a pretty sparkly flower.

I can't believe I've actually made two cards for the CASology challenge!  That's all for now.  Do drop by again soon.

Surprise Sweetie ...

.... Good morning!!!  I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be this week's Surprise Sweetie at Cupake Inspriations Challenge - CIC#336.  The colours for this week's challenge are so pretty and here's my card:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - So Very Grateful
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark
Dies: SU/Sizzix - Bitty Banners Framelits
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Calypso Coral; SU EF - Decorative Dots; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear; White Embossing Powder

I don't often use these colours (I tend to use blues, greens, lilacs, etc) so this was a bit of a challenge for me, but that's entirely the point!!  I stamped the flowers on white card, coloured them with Copic markers and then cut them out.  I made the card base from dark coral card.  I cut a panel of white card which I embossed with dots and used my corner chomper to soften the corners.  I adhered the flowers with dimensional gel.  To finish the front I stamped the sentiment in Versamark, heat embossed it with white powder and cut it out with the matching die.  I used my clear Wink of Stellar brush to add lots of sparkle to the flowers.  On the inside I cut a mat of white card, added some more flowers and finished the greeting.  The cue word at CASology - CAS#172 this week is GIVE - and my card is to say thanks for giving!

Here's a close-up photo of the flowers showing all the wonderful sparkle:

I'd like to thank the team for inviting me to join them this week.  Do play along - these colours are so pretty!  See you soon.

Birthday surprise ....

.... Hello!  I've a birthday card to share with you today for a very special lady.  Many of you know Sandie of London Days, she always leaves such lovely comments on cards.  Today is Sandie's birthday and we are surprising her with a Birthday Linky Party which is being hosted by Nonni.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - So Very Grateful; Avery Elle - Handwritten Notes
Inks: Memento - London Fog; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Melon Mambo; Copics; Wink of Stella; Sequins; Silver Pen

Sandie always makes the most gorgeous clean and simple cards, so I thought I'd make a CAS birthday card for her.  I used a few challenges to make the card.  The colours are from this week's Colour Throwdown - CTD#292 and the layout is from CAS(E) this Sketch - CTS#76.  I didn't get chance to make a card for Addicted to Stamps and More! - ASM#95 earlier this week, but I realise that in making this card, I've taken inspiration from the flowers and colours.  I stamped the flower spray in grey, coloured it with Copics and added some sparkle to the flowers with my new Wink of Stella pen and then I fussy cut it out.  I cut a panel of white card and drew silver borders on three sides, then adhered it directly to the card.  I stamped the birthday sentiment in black and finished the front with a few sequins.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of pink design paper and on the white panel stamped some more flowers and coloured them with Copics. 

Not quite sure when Sandie will get this card, but it is on the way!!

I've been busy this week spending time with Mum, which is why I've not been around much.  It was such a lovely Mother's Day weekend for us both.  On Sunday the weather was fabulous and we went out to a local flower and flea market - such fun, this was followed by lunch out and then a lovely drive round the area.  Monday was another day of indulgence with us both having a massage - so relaxing.  We managed to get home before all the bad weather arrived.  Monday afternoon the tornado warning sirens went off - we sheltered in the basement, but fortunately nothing happened in our area. Sadly the weather has been awful for most of the week, but I think we've gotten off lightly compared to some.

Before I go, I must share some fab news about my wonderful husband.  Last night Jonathan attended a presentation event for Canvas Pontiac.  We had all submitted photographs to the competition. and we found out last week that Jonathan had had one of his photos selected to be made into a large canvas and hung on the walls in Pontiac.  As part of our trip on Sunday we drove up to Pontiac to see the large canvas print of Jonathan's photo.  Here's a photo of Jonathan's image on the wall.

I'm so proud of Jonathan.  It's a super photo, so full of life and has a great position on the wall by Lafayette Market!

I'll be back soon - taking a bit of a break while Mum is here on holiday!  See you soon.