A Birthday and A Retirement

Hello Bloggers

Again, it's been a while since I've posted anything.

I have been feeling quite sad over the last week or so - there are a number of reasons really, and I won't go into detail about them.  Some of it is that I know people who are going through some very difficult times at the moment, and they are situations that I can do absolutely nothing about.  Sometimes, it's hard just having to be a spectator in life!

It is my Mum's birthday today, but it is also the eighth anniversary of my Nan passing away.  I can therefore understand why my Mum might not want to celebrate her birthday really, but I can't let the day pass without marking it in some small way.  My small way is to lovingly create a card for her.

The image is Bow Legged Cutie from Sassy Cheryl's - she is a little cutie isn't she.  The patterned paper is one of the last sheets of a V&A Hanoverian paper pad from Do Crafts.  I have used a flower die set which I bought at the NEC in March - I actually managed to get to the Hobbycrafts Show this year and had a lovely day out with my sister!  The antique brad is from Stampin Up.

Another reason for feeling sad this week is that a close friend and colleague of mine has retired from work this week - I am going to miss her very much.  I made a card for us all to sign, and also made a jewellery set as part of her leaving gift.  I was so pleased that she loved her card and gift, and I have had some amazing comments about them from my other colleagues at work.

So here is the card

Sorry about the photo - the colours look a bit washed out.  The image is from Saturated Canary, and the papers are a Princess Tale from Dovecraft (I think!).  And finally some added embellishments from my stash.

Here's the gift - a Pearl and Aquamarine Bracelet and Earrings set.  The pearls have such a gorgeous irridescence and the aquamarine is a lovely clear blue.

I also added some aquamarines as a charm next to the clasp but the photo of the back of the bracelet was just much too blurred to show.  I have to admit myself that it did look lovely.

That's all from me for now - I ought to start thinking about some male cards for birthdays coming up, oh and Father's Day - but maybe I'll just buy them! ;)

Thank you for taking the time to view my blog, and I hope to see you again soon.

Love, Andrea xx

My Most Recent Creations

Well hellooooooooo!!

I decided it was about time I posted some of my creations.  I have not been making many cards in recent months, but I have made two in the last couple of weeks.  I've also done some knitting, and some jewellery making.  So this could turn out to be a long post - sorry!!  You're welcome to just look at the photos LOL!  But I do love to receive comments if you would like to let me know you called by :)

The first card I made was for my Uncle who is very unwell at the moment.  I wanted to let him know that we are thinking of him - my Mum went to visit him on the day the card arrived, so I know he had it and was very pleased to receive it.

The image is a stamp from Whiff of Joy, and I have paper pieced it.  I kept the card fairly simple, and used  various dies.

The next card was a birthday card for a friend at work.  She said a couple of weeks ago that she loves the colour purple - I'm sure this is purple enough!!

The image for this card is a digi from Saturated Canary (the same image as in my previous post), and I've coloured her with Promarkers.  This card is simple too, with a Lakeland sentiment, some fabric flowers, and a little bit of ribbon (left over from making the present below :))

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Make It Monday

Crafts and Me Challenge - Bling It Up - I used glitter card for the mat for the image, plus I put some stickles around the image, also just added one pearl in the corner, the flowers have some pearly stamens, and does the ribbon count as bling?

Natalie and Amy - Monochromatic

So now to the present - I have been wearing the ribbon bracelets I make recently, and I've had quite a few lovely comments - I'm not very good at taking compliments, but I am very pleased to receive them when I think about it afterwards.  Anyway, it was suggested that I make one of these bracelets for this friend at work - so I made a purple one.  I also made some dangly earrings with amethyst, crackled quartz and shell pearl.

I made another friend at work a ribbon bracelet but I don't seem to have downloaded the photo - I'll try to remember to show that in another post.

But I did download the gemstone bracelet I made - I've recently bought some coloured beading thread, and had an attempt at a different macrame stitch (not the usual square stitch I've used before).  The gemstones are fuchsia coloured agate.  I actually love the way this bracelet has turned out, and I think I'm going to try some in different colours; I'm also going to try one with wire.

I am tentatively contemplating making some jewellery to sell, but I don't think I'm brave enough to take the plunge yet - what do you think?  Would you be willing to buy something like this?  I've made quite a few jewellery gifts and I think people have loved them - I just don't know if my creations are good enough for people to want to buy.  I always worry that they'll fall apart. Oh well, I'll probably continue to make jewellery to wear myself or to give as gifts.  :)

And, as I've noticed that I've had over 10,000 hits on my blog (that was a surprise!), I might just put a bracelet up as candy if I can work out how to go about that - watch this space.

Anyway, I think that's enough from me.  I'll love you and leave you for now.

Thank you for taking the time to have a looksey - I hope you like what you've seen.

Love, Andrea xx

It's Been A While!

Hello Everyone

I have at last found the inspiration to make a card - this is for a friend from work for a special birthday this week.

The image is Rose Red, a digi from Saturated Canary.  I've coloured her with Promarkers.  The papers are Princess Fairytale from Dovecraft, and all the other bits and bobs are from my age old stash!

Here is the gift I made - a bracelet made with Amethyst and Clear Quartz.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe's Monthly Challenge - Flowers and Pearls
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Eclectic Ellapu - Anything Girly

It's the busy birthday fortnight in our house at the moment - my birthday last week, and Eleri and Andrew next week.  Expensive month LOL!  I don't think I will be making cards for the children this year - I still don't have enough motivation for that yet, and I'm not putting any pressure on myself.  If I want to make something I will.  I did some more knitting a couple of weeks ago, but forgot to take a photo before I gave the gift - der!!! :)

Wishing you all a fabulous week.

Love, Andrea xx