Snowman

Incredibly, we've almost reached the end of the 1st week of the New Year ... indeed the new decade!

I have the feeling it's going to fly past even faster than 2009 and will leave me behind if I don't get a shake on.

Last year I was a late starter over at Fab's Big Christmas Cards Challenge blog and tried, unsuccessfully, to play catch up and then, sadly, fell by the wayside near the end.  
So I promised myself that this year I would join in from the beginning and hopefully the combination of Fab's Challenges and our very own Bah! Humbug! Challenges - which start tomorrow - will make doubly sure I won't be caught short this year.  That's the theory anyway!

Fab's Challenge #1 is to use a tall card and frosty colours.  I followed his lead by using a snowman as the focal point, although mine is from the cute Patchwork Pals kit from QVC.  A simple strip of silver mirri card, embossed with snowflakes adds a little extra detail.

Now ... all I need to do is make sure I keep up to speed with both Challenges every week and my 2010 Xmas Card Box should be well stocked by December.

Christmas Card Frenzy

Here are a few of the cards I made this weekend ... they were orders for friends and used elements from QVC TSV (Today's Special Value) kits - and just in case you don't recognise them, they are characters from Forever Friends and Patchwork Pals.
Neither customer wanted anything too elaborate and fancy so they were quite quick to make but I confess to feeling the urge to add a ribbon or two or a wee sprinkle of glitter - how I managed to restrain myself to just 2 wee bows I'll never know!

There are more than enough left overs to make some more so I can satisfy those cravings to my hearts' content - if I can find the time, of course.

Patchwork Pals

This card was sent to my niece for her birthday last week but apparently it didn't arrive until the weekend. Good ol' Royal Mail doing what they do best ... annoying the British Public and causing chaos ... CHEERS!
It might be a good idea to start sending Christmas cards now just in case methinks.

The cute bunny is from the Patchwork Pals kit bought from QVC and I have to say it is great for making quick cards as all the pieces are die cut so just need popped out from the sheet.
If only the back and fronts matched properly it would be perfect ... "mini moan" ... but a couple of snips with scissors removed most of the overlap so not a huge hassle.
I really like the cute greeting stamp which is from Hampton Arts.
If you click the picture it's easier to read.

I've been really busy with Christmas card orders but hope to get some time to play with the new stamp set which arrived from Waltzing Mouse this morning ... I know I'm just soooooooo naughty but can't help myself!

Patchwork Pals Christmas

I'm still actively playing catchup with all Fab's Christmas Challenges and pursuing my rather ambitious goal of completing them before December.
If successful I will have a decent stockpile of Christmas cards in advance and obviously this will reduce the number of shop bought cards I will have to send this year.
This card is for Challenge # 33 which is to use a Christmas kit.

Most QVC viewers will recognise our cheeky friend Billy and this time all the components are from the Christmas Patchwork Pals kit apart from the mirri card.

He looks very dapper with his holly trimmed hat don't you think?

Patchwork Pals & Funky Elegance

What a bloomin' weekend this has been!
Full of highs and lows ... and everything in between.
But much as I feel like indulging in a good ol' rant, that really wouldn't be very polite in front of visitors.
Soooooooooooo ... I'll just show you the card I made for my nephew's 8th birthday instead.
Happy Birthday Robbie xx

I used a cute wee character called Billy from a Kanban Patchwork Pals kit purchased on impulse from QVC a while ago.
He is die cut and has a back and front view designed for using on aperture cards or on cut away cards, like I have done here.
My only complaint about this kit is that some of the front and back pieces don't match up very well ... and in fact I'll need to give Billy another wee trim before popping him in his envelope.
Hey! ... That cheeky wee monkey looks like he's eyeing up my paper stacks don't you think?

The papers are scraps of Basic Grey - Colour Me Silly and CCSR -The Big One that were left over from previous projects, and they are matted onto gold mirri card which serves a dual purpose of not only looking good but also strengthening the card so it is extra sturdy and stands properly.
**If you click on the images they will show full size.**

My other offering before lights out is something of a completely different nature.
Funky Fairys Challenge #30 is a sketch by Joanne and as I had printed off some free downloads from the Funky Fairys Inspiration blog a couple of days ago and they were pleading with me to be used, I took pity on them and had a play.

Now I confess I had to correct a wee mistake which wasn't noticed until I thought I was finished, but I think I got away with it.
Shhhhhh ... don't tell.
**Lesson learned .... must start printing the sketch to refer to and not rely on my rather inadequate memory.**

The lush wide black velvet ribbon was a bargain buy from Morrisons in their January sale ... reduced to 25p from £1.50 so I cleaned them out of their remaining stock and the black felt flowers were another bargain but apologies because I can't remember where from.

Anyway ...
"Time for bed!" said Zeb ... will see you all later and thanks for visiting.