Saturday 23 August 2014

Life Begins ...


Hi everyone,
Hope everyone is well here in blogland. I have been AWOL for the past few months I'm afraid ... work has rather taken over my life sad to say, to the extent that I haven't really found time for any cardmaking or blogging, nor much even for baking or socialising ... but today I have my first card in over 5 months to show you!

During the past few months I have been raiding my card stash whenever a birthday etc. has come along ... but today one of my good friends is 40 so I thought I really ought to pull my finger out to make her a card - and here it is.


I was actually quite nervous making this, as it has been so long that I could scarcely remember what supplies I had available, and I sat gazing aimlessly at my stamps and papers for a while waiting for inspiration to come. in fact i resorted to flicking  back through my blog for past examples, and that was when I decide to go with this gorgeous vintage handbags stamp .. what could be more perfect for a girly 40th card?  

One of my main worries was colouring after so long ... I did find it to be a bit of a challenge as I am definitely well out of practice, but I wasn't too displeased with the results all things considered.


This is an 8" * 8" card which I always like for special occasions, and gives plenty of room to decorate!! :-)


Normally when I make a 6" * 6" card, if it is very dimensional (as most of them are) I just stick it in a square CD mailer padded envelope .... but this card was too big for that so I also ended up making a  co-ordinating box! The papers don't match exactly as i didn't have enough, but i think the general theme is there.


Stamps:  LotV "handbags" and "Everyday Grungy Sentiments"; Penny Black "To You" (2908F) (on box);
Media: Promarkers and Flexmarkers; Stampendous "frantage" embossing powder;
Papers: Maja Designs "Sofiera";
Supplies: Various flowers including most from Wild Orchid Crafts; pearls and pearl hearts from The Hobby House; lace from John Lewis; ribbon from my stash;
Tools: "Floral Ovals" nestabilities; Joycrafts butterfly die; numbers cut using Cuttlebug "Hippy Chick" die set.


Challenges:
MAWTT - Feeling A Little Vintage
Crafty Ribbons - Celebration With Ribbon
Creative Card Crew #68 - Embossing 
Southern Girls - It's All About The Texture
Papertake Weekly - To Die For
Penny Black & More - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
Bearly Mine (August) - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes
Simon Says (Monday) - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting today .. I'll try hard not to leave it so long next time!
Hugs,

15 comments:

Helen said...

Beautiful card Pauline - so pretty! It's lovely to see you crafting again...you haven't lost your touch!
Just popped by to say thank you for my birthday card - it's adorable! :0)
Sorry for being so late to thank you...but I've been off on a bit of a jolly since my birthday (rather spur of the moment) and only got back to London today :0)
Helen x

Marianne's Craftroom said...

What a lovely surprise and what a gorgeous card, well done x

brenda said...

So nice to see you back Pauline, but know only too well how life can take over.

You really have created a beautiful card for your friend and I am sure she will love it.

Thanks so much for sharing your lovely work with us at Penny Black and More and Stamping Sensations challenges.

B x

Mona Pendleton said...

So very pretty! Love all the blossoms! Thanks for joining along with the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

Sarah said...

What a spectacular way to start back into card making again! Your card is gorgeous from the the colouring to the delicate embellies. Thanks for joining us at Southern Girls Challenge :)

Ellibelle said...

Such a beautiful card Pauline. Loving all the details!
Thanks so much for sharing with us this month at Penny Black and More. Hope you'll play along again next month!

Bettina L. said...

Such a beautiful card. Love the design with the lace, bow, flowers, layers and gorgeous colouring. Thanks for playing at Top Tip Tuesday and good luck. Hope to see you back next tuesday for another challenge. Bettina DT Member at Top Tip Tuesday xx

Guild Master Crystal said...

This is such a pretty card with great embellishments.
Thanks for playing along with us at Creative Card Crew!
~ Crystal (DT)

Unknown said...

Beautiful card! Thanks for joining us at Top Tip Tuesday.

Carole said...

Super card, thanks for playing along with our 'Vintage' Challenge @ MAWTT this week. Good Luck
Happy Crafting
Carole xXx

Wendy Nicola Jackson said...

What a beautiful card and with lots of delicious texture! Thanks for joining us in the Southern Girls 'Texture' Challenge. We look forward to seeing more of your gorgeous work in future challenges. Hugs, Wends x SGC DT

Linby said...

Well you seem to have remembered pretty well! This is a gorgeous card and I love that stamp.
Thanks for sharing with us this month at Penny Black & More.
Lynn x
DT

Andreja said...

Absolutely gorgeous card you made! I like all little details :-))
Thanks for joining us at Bearly Mine Challenge!
Hugs, Andreja

Laney said...

Gorgeous pauline!! Thanks for joining us at BMC
hugs
laney

Unknown said...

Great card!

Thank you for joining the challenge with the Creative Card Crew! I hope you can join us again for our current "Chalkboard" challenge!

Sheena
xxx