Is it Spring or Christmas?!

Hello all! I've got 2 contrasting cards to show you today, well I guess they're both cute, but they reflect totally different seasons! One is another Christmas card, aren't I doing well this year?!! I'm kind of trying to make one every 1-2 weeks, not sure how long it will last but I'm actually really enjoying making them at the moment. Usually by the end of the year, I'm so fed up with them, they kinda get simpler and simpler and quicker and quicker!!! Oooh, was also really pleased as was in top 3 for 2 challenges last week! :0)

On a personal level, Mum starts her chemo on Friday. It's a strange situation. We are SO pleased she is starting her chemo what with all the delays etc but we have now been told, they think she is doing well enough to have chemo via infusion as well as tablets. Again, we are really pleased, as obviously the stronger dose she can have the better, but there are so many more side effects with the infusion that we are very apprehensive. Also personally it's a concern over how much care she will need especially considering that my CFS seems to be flaring up again. Ah well, guess it's a suck it and see situation. We are so very grateful she is having chemo so I'm not grumbling, it's fear of the unknown I suppose.

Well anyway, onto these cards I was on about!!....

First up is my very first Magnolia card- I finally succumbed!!! So I coloured her with my trusty watercolour pencils and used Lyra pencils for shading underneath her. I sponged some Tea dye ink around her. The papers are by Websters Pages and Crate Paper. The sentiment is by Waltzing Mouse, again sponged with ink. I distressed all the papers and sentiment using the Tim Holtz distresser. The Poinsettia is one I made again- I love how realistic they look. I was going to buy some ready made but it's much more satisfying to make your own so I'd heartily recommend the die. The swirl is Sizzix.

I'd like to enter this into:

CCEE Stampers- Christmas card

Paperplay Challenges- distressing

Crafty Catz- pearls and swirls

Papercutz- use 3 patterned papers

DCD Christmas Challenge- Tilda & flowers

Secret Crafter- Christmas in Spring

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Magnolia, Waltzing Mouse); Watercolour pencils; Lyra pencils; Papers (Websters Pages & Crate Paper); Assorted cardstock; Poinsettia die (Magnolia); Gold beads (Art Institute); Pearls (Prima); Swirl (Sizzix); Distressing tool; Button

My next card is this gorgeous Bessie Lulu stamp from Stamping Bella. I think these Lulus are adorable! I coloured her with watercolour pencils and paper pieced her dress and added some shading to that as well. The grass is Lyra pencils and I added a soft outline with a grey copic. I doubled stamped some of the flowers to give more of a pop to them and lots of lovely Stickles. I machine stitched around the edge of the card and added stitching to all of the buttons. The sentiment is by Elzybells, the heart was a freebie from an old crafting mag. I love the unusual button in the top left hand corner- I got that at a local indoor market I went to the other week. The sketch is an old Mojo Monday one for inspiration.

I'd like to enter this into:

ABC Challenge- quilting/sewing

Crafty Creations- in stitches

Simon Says Stamp- Mother's Day

Stamp Something- Spring

Papertake Weekly- it's a Mum thing

Allsorts- for a special lady

Here is a closer look! I love her long lashes!

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Stamping Bella, Elzybells); Watercolour pencils; Lyra pencils; Copics; Papers (My Mind's Eye); Assorted cardstock; Nesties; Stickles; Ribbon; Buttons; Heart; Sewing machine

Have a great week! xx