A Couple of Challenge Cards & My Seriously Overdue Blog Awards!

Hello there

Firstly I'd like to share a couple of cards I've made for challenges.  First up was one for Caardvarks, but I didn't get it finished in time as I only came across it last minute.  This month you had to use one of the DT cards as inspiration, so I picked one of my favourite designers, Heidi Van Laar, I love her sunny, happy cards so thought I would use bright colours for this one.

For this I used Cosmo Cricket DeLovely papers, my new doiley nesties, and some ribbon from Ribbon Girl.

This is Heidi's card...

Next up is one I made for Waltzingmouse's Sketch Challenge #19.  I'm not sure about this one.  I like the papers etc, but I don't think I like the way I've done the stamp, but I am doing as I'm told by Ian and Tinks and posting it!  Talk about nag!  They get an idea in their mind and then gang up on me!!  

This card is a bit of Basic Grey and a bit of SU!!  The papers and stamp are BG, the mini sentiment, bow and tab punch are all SU!

I finally had time to load my overdue blog awards. I really do apologise to you Janet and Sue for me not having posted them sooner. Life has been very full on. I really appreciate you thinking of me, I REALLY do, it makes me feel it's worthwhile blogging!

My first award is from Janet over at her blog, Sonnet Designs.

I have to pass the award on to 10 other people and say why I started my blog.  I started my blog at the beginning of last year, to try and kick start my motivation to keep making cards.  I had no idea I would learn so much when I started, and how much I would enjoy it.  It's so much fun!  I've met lots of really interesting people, and made some good friends along the way too.

I would struggle at 10 people as I follow a few too many blogs, but to be honest the people I would like to pass my award to are those followers that always leave me a comment, without fail, when at times I'm sure they probably shouldn't ;o)  You know who you are!  Without your comments I'd probably give up so thank you SO SO much!

Thanks Janet, I really appreciate you nominating me!  Pop over and see some of Janet's work.  I especially love her Santa here.

My second award is from the lovely Sue Lelli. I love her work and regularly look at her blog for inspiration. 

So apparently I'm supposed to tell you something about myself.  Hmmm, what can I share... I love everything French, I have tried many times to learn it, got to an ok level and then something has come up that has stopped me, or is it me that stops me?!  I am a perfectionist and everyone would say I'm too hard on myself.  I don't need anyone else to criticise me, I can do a much better job of it myself!!

I would like to pass this award onto the following people...

Joanna K

Jaclyn Miller

Donna Mikasa

Lindsay Amrhein

Em

Tracy Evans

Now pop over to Sue's blog and check out these to die for flowers.  Aren't they FABULOUS!  I 'need' that flower die cutter!!!

Keep up the great work girls, you inspire me on a daily basis!

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

Hi everyone

I managed to get a few minutes to post about a card I made earlier this week for the Waltzingmouse Sketch.

My Mum asked me to make some more dreaded 'man cards'. For those that follow my blog you will know these really aren't my favourite. I don't know about you, but it can be so easy for man cards to look so, well let's be honest, uncool! My friend and I were having a discussion with Mum to explain that man cards don't need all the fuss on them that we do for women's cards. They just like plain, simple, to know they've been remembered and that's about as far as their interest goes (according to my man anyway lol)

I used my new Papertrey Ink dies with some Basic Grey papers.  Those stamps are SO much fun to play with.  The little tickets are adorable, and that 'Say it With Style' font for the 'Happy Birthday' is such fun!  I hadn't seen much of it, but now I have the set I keep seeing it everywhere, on coffee tins, on books, signs etc!  Funny how that happens!

So tell me what are your special ingredients for making a good 'man card' as they are called in our house? Do you have fall back ideas that you return to again and again? I'd love to hear all about them! I need all the help I can get!

So how did I do? Is it ok?? Please forgive the poor picture, I was hoping to get around to rephotographing it but Mum put it in the post before I got chance.

Did Mum like it? Hmmm, not sure, but she does feel a bit happier about it being more simple, so that's a good start!

Come back tomorrow, I have a scheduled post for a special someone! ;o)