A Birthday Card for Pat

 Hello my Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

How has your week been? I hurt my back and I also had some very bad headaches. I am feeling a lot better now but I did loose a lot of time. It is so nice now that we can meet up with more people. Tomorrow we are going to see our daughter she is staying home with their dog meaning that her hubby can make the journey to visit his Nan. It will give us a chance to get to know their dog a bit better. 

Here is another of the samples I made for the John Next Door one day special on the Craft Store last weekend. 

This card was made from the waste when I was cutting all the other dies. What I do is I have everything together in a box all the dies, all the off cuts of card. Then when I get near the end of making samples I will look and the waste bits and see what I can come up with. I used the Firth Park Tags dies set, the Stencil Numbers and Alphabet die and lastly the Small Flowers and Small Leaves dies. 

Have a good weekend. I will be back tomorrow it is the first of the month. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Easel Card with Small Flowers and Small Leaves

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

How is your week going? I have hurt my back which has slowed me down quite a bit. I hope it will be better by the weekend. We are planning to see our daughter to try to get their dog to know us a bit better. So far this week I haven't managed to do much crafting. I am waiting for some dies to come then I will be making a few more bits for John. I must say it was nice seeing my cards on TV at the weekend. 

I do like making easel cards. You really do have to be careful who you send them to.  I usually stick to other crafters as they know to display them. I cut two of the Firth Park larger dies and I put them together to make a square. Then I threaded ribbon through the loops. I cut the ribbon longer than I needed. Then on the back the ribbon can be glued back on itself to give a neat finish. I used one of the Stencil sentiment dies to cut the word friend into the tag that I used as a stopper. 

Here is the card being shown of TV. I paused the programme on the computer and took a screen shot. That is why there is a big circle in the middle. 

I might make a card like this for someone special it will be easy to change the sentiment. 

Enjoy the rest of the week. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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April Rudolph Days Challenge - Cute Robin

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

I hope that you had a good weekend. On Saturday I actually planted some seeds. I just have to remember to keep them watered. I am hoping the large tomato seeds, I saved from last year, germinate. Those big tomatoes were so delicious. Sunday of course was the launch of John Lockwood's, aka John Next Door, new dies the ones I made some samples for. 

This is another card made with the Firth Park Tag dies it is not one of the samples I sent in. I liked putting the main die together to make a square. I also enjoyed threading ribbon through the loops. The thin ribbon that you get in clothes works perfectly. 

I just wanted to see if you could make a Christmas card. 

The robin came from an old card. I cut it with the offset square die that comes with the set. This image was great as it came with a sentiment. 

I think this works well as a design for Christmas. I think I will make a few more. Those tag dies are going to be very useful. 

I would like to enter the following challenges:

The April Rudolph Days Challenge 

Have a great week. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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New releases from the John Next Door Range

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

How is your weekend going. We had a quiet day yesterday. There is still lots to do in the house and garden as well as things to sort out for our elderly relatives. We are planning a walk to the Country Park later this morning to see the bluebells. They were just starting to come out last week so they should be a bit more showy now. I hope you enjoy what you have planned. 

I don't usually post on a Sunday but today on the Craft Store John Lockwood, aka John Next Door, is releasing some fabulous new dies. I was so lucky to be able to make some samples with them. 

Here is one of the cards I made. I use the Stencil Alphabet die set, the Firth Park Tags die set and the Small Flowers and Small Leaves dies. 

I think John's shows start at 6.00 pm on the Craft Store and carry on into Monday. 

Have a great day.

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Ivy Fresh Cut die and Designer Paper from Claritystamp

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

How has your week been? The weather has been lovely down here in the south. We have had coffee outside with friends we even had breakfast outside our very good friends. We have also been on some cracking walks. On Wednesday our church had an outside prayer meeting. The best bit was that we were able to sing together. Everyone was socially distanced. It did get a bit chilly though. 

I have been working my way through my Claritystamp club dies. I don't like having things that I don't use. Here is what I made this time. 

I like this die and the design of this card is like the one on the design sheet that came with the die. I used some Antarctica Design Paper to set off the die. 

I cut a square of black paper for the die. As with many Clarity dies it is an Aperture die. This means that you can have the border any size you like. 

This will be another card for the Hampshire Open Studios event in the summer. I have been working on a few commissions so it is nice to make something for myself once in a while. 

I think John Lockwood is on telly again on Sunday. I don't know when I can share what I have made but when I get the go ahead I will. 

Have a good weekend. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Snowdrops and Designer Papers

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

How is your week going? We had a walk yesterday and we discovered a woodland walk that is not far from where we live. When our daughter and son-in-law come to visit with their dog we will be able to take them there. 

My friend asked me to make a birthday card for one of our mutual friends. When I had finished I had some nice bits of card and Designer papers that I just had to use. Here is the result.

This Designer paper is from the Rainbow River 12" x 12" paper pad from Claritystamp. 

This the Art Nouveau Snowdrops Aperture Freshcut die. I cut the die from a piece of black card that I put onto some Designer paper that had been covered with a double sided sticky sheet. I cut the die again in white and green and put the pieces I needed into place. The residual stickiness was covered with a transparent glitter. 

This will be another card that will be going to the Hampshire Open Studios event at the end of August. I have found that cards without sentiments do well at this event. 

Enjoy the rest of the week

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Neverending 94th Birthday Card

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

How was your weekend? We had a quiet one this week. We had some nice meals, walks in the countryside and did some jobs in the garden. We are trying to avoid going to the shops at the weekend when they will be busier. Being retired we have time during the week to go. 

My lovely mother-in-law is 94 in June. I decided I wanted to make her a special card. Recently I treated myself to the John Next Door Neverending Card die set. 

I used the Stencil Sayings dies and the Poppy Head dies to decorate this side of the card. 

The card is folded to reveal this side. I used the Advent Numbers die set and a Crafter's Companion Congratulations die. 

The card folds again and this side is revealed. 

This is the final fold. 

The card will stand up. It is very tactile. You can just keep on folding it. I will make one for my father-in-law later in the year he will be 97. They are an unbelievable couple still living in their own home. They get a little help but mostly they take care of themselves. They have been a real blessing to us. 

I have just realised that I have not left anywhere for a greeting to be written. I will make a small card to tuck in with this one. 

Have a good week. 

Happy Crafting. 

Hugs Jackie

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Floral Happy Birthday

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors 

How is your week going? We have been catching up on jobs around the house and in the garden. There are so many things that need sorting out. Life is starting to get a bit more normal. On Friday we are having some friends round for lunch in the garden. It is so nice to be able to host people again. We are looking at a quiet weekend ahead. 

I made a birthday card for my mother-in-law who will be 94 in June. When I had finished I had lots of bits and bobs left over so I decided to make another birthday card. 

I used a 6" x 6" card blank. The patterned paper was in my stash and I inked the edge with Distress ink. Yes I still use mine. Around the sentiment I used the Small Flowers die, the Small Leaves die and the Small Butterfly die set all from the John Next Door range. 

I do like like the Stencil Sayings Die set from the John Next Door range. 

I was very pleased with how this card turned out. I think I might make a few more like this. 

Enjoy the rest of the week and the weekend. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Congratulations on a New Venture

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

How was your weekend? We hosted our daughter and son-in-law in the garden again on Sunday. They are trying to get their dog used to travelling and meeting with people without getting upset. We did have a lovely time together though it was colder than when we last did this. 

Here is a congratulations card that I made for a friend who is starting out on her own. She is a Sports Massage therapist and I have known her for a long time. Recently she decided to expand her business and take on her own premises. Unfortunately this all coincided with the latest lockdown. In the meantime she has been able to get the property fully ready to open on 14th April. I have had this card put by for a while we were able to give it to her on Saturday. 

I had the backing paper in my stash. The colours I chose reflect the colours our friend has chosen for her business. 

I used a selection of dies from the John Next Door range including the Remore die set, the Additions sentiment dies and the stars from the Champagne Bottle die set. 

I am so pleased that our friend's business will be able to start up again soon. She loved the card. 

Have a good week. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Proud Puffin

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors 

I hope you have had a good week. The weather has been very strange. One day we had snow and sun at the same time. We have managed to get out for walks and to do a bit of gardening. Our beautiful magnolia does create a lot of work. This year we have a bumper crop of petals that need clearing up before they go slimy. 

On Wednesday I came across an image of a puffin. I decided to make it into a card. 

I used my nautical paper pad that I got from The Works some time ago. I can't believe shops are going to be open again next week. What a strange year we have all had. 

I think he came from a National Trust book. Doesn't he look fantastic? I would love to see some puffins in the wild. One time when we were staying in Torquay they had a beachside Avery(it is no longer there). We had a lovely visit and they had a group of puffins that you could even see swimming under the water. 

I felt that the bottom of the card could do with some added detail. So I cut some of my seaweed dies. 

There is even a bit of room to add a sentiment when I know who this card will be going to. 

Have a great weekend. 

We are hoping to see our daughter and son-in-law again. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Snippet busting Tag

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitor

We had snow yesterday. We came out to the supermarket it was sunny and there was snow falling. It was very cold. The heating has gone back on for a while. We also popped to the garden centre yesterday to pick up a few bits for the garden. 

I had a bit of a play yesterday afternoon. I have seen a few other people making very nice things with the leftovers they have from their crafting. Well I think lots of us have those. I decided to make a tag. I treated myself to the John Next Door Luggage Tag die set. You do get a good sized tag with that die set. 

I cut the largest tag die from the die set. I hunted through my backgrounds and found a strip that would make the background for the lattice that was cut from a scrap of white card. Making a tag meant that I could use up thinner strips of card and paper. Can you see the leaves? They are made with the Aster Die Set. I used some very small bits of green card. 

I have a pot of all the die cuts I have made and not needed. This is where the John Next Door Dragonfly came from. 

All the Cornflower and the centre from the Small Flowers die were in that pot. Can you see the small dragonfly too. 

There you have it. I enjoyed making this tag and seeing what I could make from all those leftover bits and bobs. No worries there are still bits left. I will have another go sometime. 

I would like to enter the following challenges: 

Pixie's Snippets Playground - Challenge 400

Enjoy the rest of the week. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Pretty Floral Eightieth Birthday Card

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

I hope you had a nice Easter and were able to meet up with a few people. Our church did its first live stream yesterday. The whole thing worked really well. Up to now we have been having pre-recorded services. Then friends came for coffee in the garden and later our daughter, son-in-law and their dog came for lunch. The weather was glorious and we were able to be in the garden the whole time. When everyone had gone we had a walk to a local pond where some ducks are moving in. Originally there were two now there are five. It was a good day.

I was asked to make a card for someone who was going to be 80. The card was to be posted so it needed to be flat and small enough not to incur higher postage. I am always up for a challenge. Here is the card. 

I was given free reign with the colours so I chose my favourite mauves and purples. The backing paper was in my stash. The flowers were made with the Cornflower die from the John Next Door range. I used the Leafy Flourish die as well. I don't use pearls in the centres of the flowers as this would make the card too thick for posting. 

I used the Renmore die from the John Next Door range to show off the sentiment. The Sentiment and Numbers were made with dies from my stash. 

The card fitted the brief and was gratefully received. Later we are hoping to go for a walk by the sea. The weather isn't quite so nice today but I don't think the sleet that was forecast is coming. 

Have a good day.

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Thirty Ninth Wedding Anniversary

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors 

This is a special day for us. We have been married for 39 years. Getting married was one of the best things I have ever done. We are still very happy together. I know I am very blessed. 

Here is the card I made for my hubby. It is quite simple but he really liked it. 

The centre panel came from an old card. I added gold mirror card. I also embossed a white layer with the Heart Lattice Embossing folder. I used Pebeo Gilding wax to bring out the detail. 

Like last year this will not be a normal anniversary. Though we are going to visit with my in-laws in their garden. So this year we won't be all on our own. It will be so nice to see them after so long. 

Have a very Happy Easter.

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Plants on a Windowsill - Fresh Cut dies

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors 

I hope you have had a good week. The weather has been kind to us and we have been able to meet with some people in their gardens. 

I joined the Claritystamp Die Club just after the start of lockdown last year. I have received some gorgeous dies but I haven't got round to using a lot of them. So I need to resolve this as I have signed up for another year. 

Here is my first attempt. 

I used some of the Antarctica Designer papers for this card.  

I cut the die in black and then cut it in different colours so that I could paper piece it. 

I used one of the Clarity sentiment stickers. 

I think this will be another card that is going to the sale in August. I am now committed to having a small table. I have a few special cards I need to make soon. Have a great Easter. 

Happy Crafting

Hugs Jackie

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Crafts Galore Encore Challenge #86 - Anything Goes - Sponsor Babycakes Digis and Designs

 Hello My Crafty Blog Friends and Visitors

Well here we are at the beginning of April. The new challenge at the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge blog starts today. The theme is Anything Goes and the sponsor is Babycakes Digis and Designs. 

The backing paper came from my stash. I have had the die set I used for a long time and not used. I also used Distress oxides to colour the paper and I put some through a stencil.

There are some wonderful images in the store. Click on the logo and you will be taken there. 

The image I used is called Owl was Reading and is available HERE. I printed them onto Neenah card stock and them coloured them with my Faber Castell Polychromo pencils. I fussy cut the owls and added Glossy Accents to the glasses on both.  

The sentiment was cut with the John Next Door Stencil sentiments dies. 

Have a good weekend. 

Happy crafting

Hugs Jackie

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