What a week!!!

Well.....you know when you have a plan, and it goes completely wrong?? Well that was me this week!!! Ian was away in Florida (...on business allegedly!!) so I decided I'd have a really crafty few days. I went blog hopping and wrote a list of challenges of all the things I felt I could tackle. I even NEARLY completed the one for Play Date Cafe...it just needed a few finishing touches.....then...I got THE PHONE CALL!!!
It went a bit like this...... "Hi Mum...thought I'd let you know...just been to the walk-in centre and they think I may have appendicitis so I'm on my way to hospital"...yes, it was Bethany...in Sheffield! Not that far away in reality, but FAR TOO FAR for my liking!!

Well to cut a long story short I spent from Friday to Sunday travelling between Manchester and Sheffield to 'the sickbed'. On Sunday I got a grip and realised I really needed to stay over there!! After many tests it was decided that it was indeed the appendix causing the problem, and it was whipped out! I was able to bring her home on Tuesday evening...much to my relief! She is still in quite a lot of pain..and has a wonderful battle scar...mum is convinced they used Glossy accents to glue her back together again...whatever happened to good old-fashioned stitches?? She said to me a couple of weeks ago that she would like to come home for Sam's birthday (yesterday) but I have to say I think these were very extreme measures to take!!
Talking of Sam's birthday...here is his card..

I coloured some old book pages with various DI's. The bird stamp is a 'freebie' from Craft Stamper but I felt he needed longer legs....just like Sam (17, and 6'3"!!)...so I drew them on. The bird is also coloured with DI's.

A closer look at 'Birdy (Crowy) Long Legs!'

It was also Ian's birthday whilst he was away....and here is his 'well-travelled' card...yes it's been to Florida, and back!!

 I coloured the background paper with Dylusions Ink Sprays and then sprayed more over a mask. The stamps are 7 Gypsies... I really wanted to use that 'crow' and couldn't think of a better opportunity! Because the envelope was black and a bit tricky to write on, I decorated that too!!

When I eventually got back onto my blog yesterday, I was greeted with wonderful news. I had a comment from Lily at The Octopode Factory to tell me that I had won her giveaway....just what I needed to cheer me up!! Can't wait for my goodies to arrive!!

I am writing tonight from a hotel room in Newport Pagnell. To be honest my feelings are mixed....I am SOOOOO excited about my class with Tim Holtz tomorrow, but a little guilty at having to leave Bethany. She is in the VERY CAPABLE hands of my wonderful mum, who has taken over nursing duties in my absence, and I know she will be more than well looked after!! So...onwards and upwards...I am going to have a ball.....and will be displaying my production VERY soon!

Bye for now...I really need an early night.....!!!

xxx

Valentine's Card and......another Challenge!!!

Well, I can reveal my Valentine's Day card at last!! I haven't actually handed it over yet....but I think the chances of it being viewed on here now are so remote, I've decided to post it!!
I think I like this card more than any other I've ever made....I don't know why...I just do!!

I made the background paper by randomly 'splatting' Adirondack Dabbers and Dylusion Ink Sprays. I then sprayed more ink over the heart mask. When I cut my paper to fit on the card base I made a mistake and cut on a marking that actually wasn't there, so my paper ended up too small...really must get my eyes tested!!......I decided to print my message onto white card to fill the gap, and actually REALLY like the effect I got, so it turned out to be a 'happy mistake' and a technique I shall use again :) The heart is hand cut from patterned paper and mounted onto white card. I added some doodled lines and stitches. The characters are, of course, Stampotique. I left them black and white and just highlighted their hearts with some Fired Brick DI.  To finish off I added a tiny tag to the flower the girl is holding, and some heart sequins to the message at the top!

I have decided that it fits the bill for the Stampotique Designers Challenge 24, so am entering it there!! I know....getting braver by the week!!

Back with the birthday cards in a few days!!

xx