3 x "Vintagesque"

Not sure "Vintagesque" is even a word - but if not then it should be 'cos it looks nice when written down and sounds lovely when you say it.
Try it!
(Anyone want to take bets on how long before QVC or C+C 'adopt' it?)
I know ... sometimes even I can't believe I'm so wicked ... tee hee.

I was determined to add to my Christmas Card stockpile with at least one offering this week and actually surprised myself by making 3 - at the same time - amazing!
I'm usually very much a 'one off' kind've crafter and not good at duplicating so feeling a bit clever.
I know they're all pretty much alike but desperate times call for desperate measures and maybe by doing mini-batches like this, using the same papers, and basic layout, I may have enough in reserve ready to send out when December rolls around.
Then again ... maybe not! It's tough being popular y'know ... whahahahahaha!

Over at Magical Crafts Forum, the xmas card challenge was Vintage so I printed off this Santa image, (which is from Dover Publications), and combined it with some leftover Christmas papers from last year, (which I believe were a bargain scrapbook paper pack from Poundland)
... added a touch of gold mirri card for layering,
... popped on a greeting using ribbon on one, Gold Peel Off on another and an acrylic Stamp on the last
... and there you go.

Bish! .... Bash! ... Bosh! ... 3 versions of the same card.
What could be simpler?? ... apart from buying them I mean.

I could argue that the image has the look of a Stained Glass Window ... (what do you think?) ... so I'm cheekily sneaking it in to Fab's Big Christmas Challenge as the theme week #38 is Cosy Christmas or Windows.
Actually do you know what ?
Fab really doesn't mind how tentative the link to his theme and there's no deadline to when you join in ... he just likes people to come along and have fun with his challenges ...
... he always ALWAYS has kind comments to make, (good for the self confidence) AND
... he always ... ALWAYS ... ALWAYS ... takes time to visit and say thank you for joining in.
So next time you make a Christmas card ... pop by Fab's place and leave your link. You'll make his day and he may make yours.

Twin Girls

My cousin and his wife are now the proud parents of beautiful twin girls and here's the card I made for them.

I used Funky Fairys free download paper, which was matted onto silver mirri card to give a narrow border.

Before printing the cute baby girl decoupage sheet, I nipped into PSP (Paint Shop Pro) and reversed the topper so I could have mirror images for my front panel.
I did actually do a wee bit of decoupage to add a little dimension, only one layer I know, but regular readers here know it isn't my favourite thing so ... my theory is that one is better than none ... isn't it.?
The names were added using silver peel off letters.

Inside I again matted the pretty paper onto silver mirri card and then added a clear adhesive sticker onto the last scrap before popping it in the bottom corner.

Challenge #34 over at Funky Fairys this week is 'Recycling' and the bonnie pink twill ribbon was removed from a t-shirt before heading off to the wardrobe in the sky, and the buttons are also recycled from a cardigan, so that keeps me in with the theme.

Still Here ...

Huge thanks to all who have contacted me recently wondering where I've been hiding. It's nice to know you've missed me and I'm really sorry for worrying you unnecessarily.
I've just had a bit of a 'Kidney Problem' over the last wee while ... I just 'kidney be bothered' ... and it seems to be affecting my crafting, blogging, and even general day to day stuff.

Hopefully it's just a temporary state of affairs and this week will see an improvement.
Am going to visit a few blogs over the next few days to see if that gets my motivation going again ... I'm sure it will.
Thanks again for caring so much xxx

**Edited to Add**
"Kidney Be" = "Couldn't Be" ... with a Scottish accent.

9/11 - Remembering

Checking In ...

Sorry I haven't been around blogland much this week but have had a bit of a head cold that won't shift and so can't stay in front of the screen for too long before feeling 'icky.
Am barking like a seal too so someone's going to throw me some fish if I'm not careful LOL!

Haven't managed any crafting either but maybe by the weekend I'll feel more like getting out the paper and sticky stuff.
Also been busy getting Niall's stuff moved through to Edinburgh and somehow the normal weekly schedule just seems to have gone to pot ... I'm putting the disorganisation down to my thick head and hoping next week will be better LOL!

Hubby came home on Monday but has tootled off down to Kettering this morning to attend an Annual Sports Car Show where he is going to be in his element surrounded by loads of luvverly MR2's ... and will of course proudly show off his own rather fabby specimen.
It's not often he's able to attend because the dates usually fall when he's offshore so it would've been a bit cruel not to let him go ... wouldn't it?
Here's a piccy of his little baby ... isn't she pretty? This is one of the photo's taken when it was featured on Fifth Gear recently.
Anyway ... just wanted to touch base with you all and let you know I'm still around.

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx

Merry "PINK-mas" 2

The Funky Fairys Challenge #32 this week was to 'CASE' a project created by one of the DT members in a previous challenge.
CASE = Copy And Share Everything
I chose a card made by Anne in Challenge #27.

I really liked the simplicity of her layout and thought it would work well to show off this fabby pink Christmas paper, which is another Funky Fairys free download.

The Christmas message ribbon is from Anita's and as the funky tree tag and silver tree embellishments make the occasion obvious, I felt there was no need for any additional greeting.

Fab's Christmas Challenge #13 way back in March was Decoupage or Pink ... and there are no prizes for guessing I chose the easy option.

I'm awarding myself a wee gold star for adding 3 Xmas cards to my collection this week and on that happy note I'm away to bed.

Forever Friends Christmas 2009

I received the auto delivery Forever Friends Christmas Kit from QVC a week or so ago ... (which I'd completely forgotten about until it landed!) ... so decided to break the seal and have a play today.
The image was coloured with Whispers Brush Markers and the papers are from last year so can't remember the collection.
The panels were cut with nestabilities and gold mirri card proved itself to be invaluable once again, although I think narrower borders would've probably looked nicer, so that's noted for next time.
It was the ideal opportunity to join in with another of and Fab's Christmas Card Challenges and Challenge #30 was Cute and Square so this qualifies on both counts.

I followed this weeks Sketch Challenge set by Iris over at Simon Says Stamp, although I have substituted snowflake embellishments for the flowers and decided not to offset the ovals as it just looked like I'd put it on squint and seriously needed to go to SpecSavers.

Anyway, hopefully they will forgive me and still allow me entry 'cos there's an extra-specially fabby-tabulous prize up for grabs in honour of Heidi's birthday and I really, really want it ... NAY NEED IT!
Ok I'm lying about needing, but I definitely want it and have even cleared a space especially!
Ha ha ha ! A girl can dream can't she??

Stripes and Dots For Xmas

I'm still plugging away at Fab's Christmas Challenges and this week we are asked to used a combination of Stripes and Dots with the additional challenge of NO fabric ribbon.

I dug out the DCWV Christmas Cardmaking Pad for the papers and the sentiment and after covering the front panel with spotty paper, I simply matted a strip of stripey paper across some gold mirri card as 'faux ribbon' before adding the greeting.

The tree is a basic triangle cut from a panel of gold mirri card, embossed with the Cuttlebug Snowflake folder and that is mounted onto green pearlescent paper from the DCWV pad, with foam pads.
I used a couple of small offcuts of paper to create some ribbon tails which hang below the holly embellishment which I coloured with permanent markers.
This card is also an entry for the Christmas Challenge at Magical Crafts forum, where Hazel selected the theme of Red, Gold and Green.

Something Old ... Something New ...

... Something Borrowed
... Something Blue.

Soooooooo ... What immediately springs to mind when you see those words?
Could it be WEDDING!
That was Challenge #31 theme this week at Funky Fairys and if I'm really quick then I may just make it before the deadline.

As a change, I decided to make a card for the happy couple to give to someone who helps to ensure their day is special ... the Bridesmaid.
**To see the greeting more clearly just click on the image to enlarge.**

Something Old ... Greeting from a QVC kit
Something New ... Blue Ribbon
Something Borrowed ... Organza Flower from an old hair slide
Something Blue ... Funky Fairys Distressing Vines Paper and DCWV Vellum Quote

The pattern on this paper is really subtle and you have to look closely to make out the pale swirly vines ... it's very elegant and pretty and perfectly compliments the lovely patterned ribbon which decorates the bottom and the left side of the card.
Using the decorated ribbon is my passport to enter as a latecomer to Bubbly Scrumptious Weekly Challenge #3 and that means I can go to bed a happy bunny.

Nighty Night ... Sleep Tight.