Blue, Hedges and Orchids. . . . . . . . . .

Good morning folks and happy bank holiday!

I am still incapacitated as the ankle is no better and upon returning to my GP was referred straight to the hospital for x-rays. Hopefully, will get the results this week but still at home in the meantime.

I have ditched one of the crutches as I'm convinced I would have done myself another injury if I kept using two. All I need now is an eye patch and a parrot!!!

When I was seeing Nesta off (in the nicest possible way) the other day, I put one crutch down but missed the paving and the end lurched into the flowerbed below, causing me to loose my balance and pitch me into the hedge!!! 

As I did, I raised my arm in the air so Nesta just thought I was waving, waved back and drove off!!!

I ended up looking like Veronica Crabtree from South Park.

Now, you can see I've been playing with blue and white again but this time for a boy who has reached 87. Les is one of our good friends who still plays golf and is fitter than me (even without my current impediment) and his birthday was just over a week ago. I thought I'd do another 3D card and even though it was hand delivered, it does fold flat.

Ingredients

White hammered card (PMD)

Shades of blue card

Sue Wilson Bevelled Glass Striplet

SB Fancy Tags 3

Presscut Rectangle dies

John Lockwood Cherry Blossom Elements sentiment

Quite a small list of ingredients and a simple card but still effective, I hope. Les was quite taken with the 3D aspect, bless him.

I didn't want the sentiment recessed too far, which is why I made the middle layer rather than sticking it to the back piece.

Thank you all for your continued kind comments and best wishes. I have managed to get some crafting done which is just as well as I had/have golden wedding, silver wedding, 1st anniversary, 3 70th birthdays, 50th birthday, 18th birthday and 2 normal birthdays all in the space of a month!!!

Now to finish, a couple of gratuitous orchid snaps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Don't forget, John Lockwood is back on Hochanda tonight and tomorrow.

TTFN

Ang x

Another Hotjohnda Sample................

Good morning friends, Romans, crafters. Hope that you're not snowed in, flooded out or blown into another post code.

What weather eh?

Sorry for my absence but extra days at work and the funeral have occupied my time of late.

Thank you for your kind wishes. The friend who had passed was a lovely lady called Emma who had reached the grand age of 91 and was but a few days short of 92. Her husband is bereft, bless him as he was absolutely devoted to her............and I mean absolutely devoted.

She had been suffering for the past few years so whatever your personal take on things, I hope that she is now in a better and happier place.

Now, back to happier things. Today's card is another I made for John's last shows to showcase the Bevelled Glass Striplet.

I cut it across the bottom of a 6x6 card blank I made and sponged some Dusty Concord DI over it. I then I cut another panel in cream to pop over over the top, slightly offset to give a shadow effect. Centre panel cut out of both to create the aperture for the roses.

Ingredients

Cream card

Lilac paper (Lidl 135gsm)

SW Bevelled Glass Striplet

SB Bitty Blossoms

Presscut Rectangle dies

John Lockwood sentiment

Dusty Concord DI

Lilac bling

It was one of those happy occasions when a card turns out how you wanted it.

I had a go at a tissue box cover last week as Nesta had come down with something nasty with a hacking cough (I think she had been at the St Bruno) and a nose that would give Rudolph a run for his money. I had a new cube box of tissues so I made her a cover for it to match her bedding and took that round with a pot chrysanthemum and some Tadka Dal (spiced lentils) for her tea. I knocked the door and retreated to a safe distance for her to pick them up off the doorstep. Gawd bless her, she did look as rough as a bears behind so I stepped back a few more paces and declined the offer to pop inside.

I'll show you the cover shortly and don't worry, there's no photos of Nesta clutching it.

Sandra you are more than welcome and thank you for visiting again. Lovely to see Sam back too and thank you for your kind comments, and to all of you lovely folk that spend your precious time popping by.

Val, I saw your comment on John's about the op and hope you are recovering well.

Well that's me for today folks. At work again, then a couple of days off, hurrah!.........to do shopping and housework boo hiss!

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Happy Birthday 2014 Mr Duck! . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope everyone is fandabydozey (apologies for that Krankies moment).

A huge welcome to Dana Joy, Judith, Sue B and Hazel (Didos). Thank you ladies for coming for a paddle. Its lovely to have you visit and I shall pop by to visit you soon. 

Anyhoo, yes, today is my beloved Mr Duck's birthday. I won't say how old to spare his blushes lol!!! I used to laugh at the expression "soulmate" but he really is mine (You are all either going "Ahhhh" or sticking your fingers down your throat aren't you???!!!???)

We were going to go away for a few days. I had booked time off round my shifts and all was good until this weekend when, by text message, I'm informed that my shifts have changed, yet again, from this week (I think that's 6 times now in the last few weeks!!!). . . . . . . . what about my leave and us going away? Tough, apparently!!!

Mr D wants me to quit and I'm very tempted. We are so angry and upset but enough of that as its been the source of sadness for the last couple of days (hence the gap in my blog posts) and today should be happy.

Those who have been paddling for a while may remember that Mr D's favourite colour is red so, I try and make it the main colour theme on his cards.

Now, this is tri-fold card made from a whole sheet of A3 card.

And yes, it wasn't until afterwards that I realised I would have to make an envelope to fit lol!!!

Ingredients

A3 sheet white card (Lime Tree Crafts)

Red PMD card

Sue Wilson Bevelled Glass Striplet

X-Cut Alphabet die

CE sentiment stamp

Black satin ribbon

Black bling

I cut the front aperture with my GC by doing all the folds to make it fit, then adding a layer of card between the top and middle layer. This meant that the front cut completely, and the middle and bottom layers had a nice embossed rectangle on each, which helped frame the lettering and sentiment (Hope that makes sense).

Mr D has given me his blessing to put this on at a time where some of you will be seeing this before him. Hope that he and you like it. You all know how tricksy fellas cards can be.

We shall hopefully have a nice day together, off to buy a new wedding ring for Mr D (that's another tale of woe to add to the expanding list we've had recently).

Before I pootle off, a little announcement. You may have noticed a new addition to my sidebar. I am really flattered to have been invited to join the DT at Moving Along With The Times. I shall be officially starting from January so look forward to new challenges and fun. Would be lovely to see some of you joining in too.

Hope you all have a good day. Thank you, as always, for the time you take to leave your much appreciated comments.

TTFN

Ang x

A New Arrival. . . . . . .(and I don't mean a Duckling!!!)

Good morning Duckadees. Hope you're as happy and as healthy as possible.

Thank you for your comments on my DT cards. I was pleased with them as they looked how I wanted them to (sometimes, no matter how I plan em, they just don't look how I imagined)

Now, I wasn't going to post again until tomorrow and it was going to be another card but look what arrived yesterday afternoon. . . . . . . . . . . The Bevelled Glass Striplet !!!

Had to play when I got back from the charity shop and this is what I came up with.

It was only a quickie but I like how its turned out. I may add some beaded pins into the bow (couldn't find the bloomin things yesterday)

I have to say, I still do prefer my beloved Embroidered Striplet but I can see many possibilities for its sister.

However, I must warn you, the edge of mine is particularly sharp and actually cut my finger so please be careful when you get yours out of the packet.

Ingredients

A5 size white card for base

First Edition Isabelle 8x8 pad

Sue Wilson Bevelled Glass Striplet

SB Matting Basics B

SB Decorative labels 28

Cream satin ribbon

Bundled Sage DI

Ranger Archival Jet Black

Aly's Inky Fingers sentiment

John's pearls

Hobbycraft bling

I took the photo in the Sun to try and pick up the sparkle from this beautiful paper and I think you can just make out a twinkle or two. I have a fettish for these gorgeous pads. 

Anyhoo, hope you all have fun with your new Sue purchases. Patricia has already posted a cracking Christmas card using the other new striplet.

Jackie D, have a lovely break with your Mum and happys hols to Mrs B too.

Wendy, I will keep an eye on The Boy for you when he gets over here.

Lastly, is anyone going to Stoneleigh Park in August to the Hunkydory Craft Show? Myself and Christine (and possibly John) may be going so the more the merrier. 

Right, must scoot now.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x