Saturday 26 March 2011

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
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

21 comments:

AN said...

Niin kaunis kortti äidille!
Kaikki sopii ja on kohdallaan!
Kiitos osallistumisesta ABC-haasteeseen -oikein paljon onnea arvontaan!
Ihanaa ja aurinkoista viikonloppua sinulle!

Liz McGuire, said...

Hi Steph, 2 gorgeous cards. I can't think to do Christmas cards at the moment, so good for you being soo organised.

Liz x

carol said...

oooh beautiful cards, love your christms one, x carol...craftycatz

Debs said...

Two gorgeous cards Steph.
I love the second one - the colours and image are beautiful.
Thanks for playing along at Allsorts this week.
Good luck.
Debs xx

Muckyfingers said...

Beautiful cards :)
Thanks for joining us at Paperplay this week
Annette xXx

♥Gemma♥ said...

Both cards are absolutely gorgeous sweetie...just love everything about them and 'Thanks' for popping by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment on my card :o)
Hope your Mam's chemo all goes smoothly and she will be in my thoughts & prayers!
hugs and xxx

Jane (Carroll's Creations) said...

Very Christmassy!

Thanks for joining our "Christmas in Spring" challenge at SECRET CRAFTER SATURDAY CHALLENGE :)

Hugs Jane x

Curly said...

OMGosh this is such an adorable Christmas card, and such lovely design and layout and beautiful colouring,

thanks for sharing with us at Secret Crafter: 127 Christmas In Spring

Good luck with the challenge,
Hugs Bridget :) x.
SCSC DT

Jules said...

Hi Steph

Finally catching up with the world!!

I am pleased to hear your Mum has reached the next stage of her treatment. I know it isn't something you want anyone to go through but at least it is one step nearer everything being sorted for you all. I hope it all goes well and that it doesn't make your Mum feel too poorly.

I hope you are feeling a lot better now too.

Lovely cards on show. Especially your Christmas make.

Love Jules xx

Kathy said...

Fun Christmas card and your second card is amazing!!!!!! So happy you played along with us at Simon Says Stamp Challenge.

Aunty Sue said...

stunning cards and thanks for joining Crafty Catz this week

Lin said...

Both of your creations are absolutely gorgeous. I love your colouring.

As an ME sufferer myself (I refuse to be downgraded to CFS, lol!) I can only sympathise with how you are going to cope, but cope you will! I wish your Mum every success with her treatment and hope that the side effects are as minimal as possible.

Thanks for joining us at The ABC Challenge for our stitching challenge.

Lin xx

Kristie W. said...

Awesome cards!! I love your coloring :) Both images made me smile. Hugs to you and your Mom as she begins her chemo. Thank you for playing along with PaperCutz!

Lori said...

Wow what a beautiful Christmas card, I love your poinsettia, thanks for joining us at the Die Cut Dreams Challenge Tilda with Flowers!

chrissy xx said...

Fabulous Christmas Card LOve your colours. Thank you soooo much for joining us at Die cut Dreams Christmas Club.
Chrissyxx
LOve your other card too! Such a sweetie.

sara said...

really lovely card gorgeous colouring thanks for joining us at DCD christmas club this week
hugs sara x

Fleur said...

2 stunning cards, really pretty
Thanks for joining our challenge at ALLSORTS this week, Good Luck
Hugz Fleur xXx

Mandy said...

These are both beautiful, I love the sweet images you've used.
Thanks for joining us at Paper Play for our "distressing" challenge & at Simon Says Stamp for our mothers day / girlie challenge
hugs Mandy xx

Susie Sugar said...

Oh wow I love your Tilda card perfect for our challenge
and your other card is so sweet I love that darling stamp
Thanks for joining in this weeks Tilda with flowers challenge @ the DCD Christmas club challenge
Hugs Susie & the Xmas DT xx

Emma (metalicbutterfly) said...

2 fantastic cards loving the cute stampin bella image!!

Thanks for playing at Allsorts

Emma xxx

Helen said...

Beautifulo cards - love the papers you used on your Christmas card!
Thanks for joining us at the SCSC!
Helen x