Christmas is on the way

No I'm not being sarcastic because of the cold weather! I've made my first Christmas card! I know lots of people started theirs ages ago but I refused to even think about it in August. Anyway this card started off as a birthday card but when I got to adding the title I thought 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' suited the card so hey presto it magically transformed into my first Xmas card.


The cream backing paper is decorated with a design I made in photoshop, I still class myself as an absolute beginner in the program but I'm quite impressed with how this turned out. It's not that clear in the picture but it looks like a really old book page. I used a script brush and various textures to age the design.

This card is so different to anything I've ever done before and is not what I would call a traditional Xmas card but I really like it, just hope whoever receives it feels the same!!!

Post soon
Claire

Blog Candy Alert

There's some fantastic blog candy up for grabs over on Allison's Blog. While you are there have a look at all her fabulous creations, well worth a visit and returning often.

Good luck all
Claire

Another quickie today

I've still got loads to do and I've also had another order so I'm getting busier but I mustn't complain. Thought I'd show you another birthday card which I made the other day. I made the backing paper myself, I know it's not very impressive but it's nice when you can say you made the whole card.

Claire

Birthday Card

Yay it's the weekend, let's hope for some nice summery weekend weather.

Here's another birthday card. I haven't decided who is going to receive this yet, I've got two people in mind but only one card!!

Sorry only a quick post today as I've got so much to do!

Claire

Birthday Card

I feel like I had a productive day yesterday. I managed to make a few cards for the birthday list and also for some friends whose birthdays are during September. At last I have a few cards in reserve and am feeling a bit more organised. My to do list is shorter but there's still loads and loads which needs to be done!! I had a few orders today which all need to be done in a relatively short space of time so I guess I'll be very busy for the next few days.

Here's the first of the birthday cards I made yesterday:

It incorporates a silk version of my favourite flower. I have loads of orchids, some of which I've grown from seedlings and should be flowering this year for the first time, I'm amazed that I have managed to keep them alive this long. I also have a few phalaenopsis which are the most common orchids but still stunningly beautiful.

Post soon

Claire

2nd Graduation Card

Here's the second of the graduation cards. This is for a man who has just achieved a Ph D. Another fantatstic achievement which must have taken a huge amount of enthusiasm and dedication not to mention brain power!

The poem on the front of the card reads:

What lies behind us
And what lies before us
Are tiny matters
Compared to
What lies within us

Poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Claire

Graduation Card

I've been asked to make a couple of graduation cards, the first is for a lady who returned to University as a mature student and has just gained a degree in art aged 60. What an achievement not just the degree but having the confidence to go and get what you want in life.

The verse on the front of the card reads:

Live your life each day
As you would climb a mountain
Climb slowly and steadily
Enjoying each passing moment;
And the view from the summit will serve as
A fitting climax for the journey.

A poem by Harold V Melchert.

Claire

Anniversary Card

I've made a card for a 30th Anniversary. I didn't want to do the traditional 'Pearl' coloured card so I've made a fun card but have used some pearl effect paper for the numbers on the heart. This is much the same as a card I made a while ago for another anniversary but I've made it a different size and done the writing slightly differently.




The letters I have used are once again cut out using the Sizzix machine and are the 'Sproutsies' alphabet.


Claire

Been Shopping

I've been shopping today. I went to The Range, Ikea, Craft Buyer and finally food shopping on the way home. Sadly I didn't come home with many goodies. I bought a new stamp in The Range and a couple of chopping boards and a sink drainer in Ikea, not very exciting was it?! I did buy a couple of bits and pieces which I knew the nursery I used to manage were looking for. So that has given me an excuse to go and see everyone and catch up with the children, who I miss a great deal.

The stamp I bought was a cat so hopefully that will give me some inspiration to start the fronts of my fat book pages. I can't really be inspired or get excited by chopping boards but at least I got what I needed!

Post soon
Claire

September already!

I cannot believe how quickly the year seems to be flying by. It's September already, the schools are all re-opening and we've not really had Summer yet.

I know from blog hopping there are lots of people already making and showing their Christmas cards. I've signed up for a Halloween ATC swap and a Christmas Fat Page Swap which makes me feel that the year is definitely on the way out. I haven't started work on either of the swaps as I refused to think about them in August but I guess I'll get on with them now that September is here!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy month ahead
Claire