Playing 'Catch Up'

Hi everyone,

I know I really should have done this last week but I'm not sure where the time went.  I don't seem to have done that much really, but the weekend soon came around. We have started house hunting though - Oh joy!! And we're looking for a new car, or rather Stephen is looking for a new car, I'm keeping well out of that one.
Here goes. I'll warn you now, this could be a long post, so you may want to grab a coffee. 
I'm not sure where to start really, I've got cards to put on here, that I made while ago but couldn't blog them in case they were seen. There's workshops, craft shows, new photos of Alex. I won't bore you with all the details, so here are the edited highlights.

I started the week with my crafting buddies and we had a ball.  I've not laughed so much in a long time.  It's great when we all get together because we pick up right where we left off, and don't stop until it's time to go home.
Saturday was a workshop at Inspirations in Preston (my old work place), with the lovely Sarah McCrossan http://sarahmccrossan.blogspot.com/  It's always nice to visit my old workmates, and do a little shopping of course. It's even better when there's a 'Sarah' workshop on too.  Here's what we made using the new Hero Arts Cling Stamp 'Large Flower Background'. All four cards are different even though they are made with the same stamp.  My favourite is the shaped card because of the technique we used.  We stamped and embossed the design in white, then painted it using Distress inks mixed with Perfect Pearls to give them a pearlescent finish.  No need to buy special pearlised paints, just smudge your inks onto a craft sheet and then spritz with perfect pearls, mix and apply with a paint brush.  Easy, but very effective. Great workshop as always.

One stamp - four different looks

My favourite from the four

Sunday (Mother's Day).  My Mother's Day treat was to go to the Great Northern Papercraft Extravaganza (GNPE) in Harrogate.  Another fab day with my craft buddies.  What about my kids I hear you say!  Well, Christopher was in Sheffield and we'd arranged to go over and spend the day with him later in the week, as he's busy with Uni work at the moment, and Lauren, who's a Mum now herself was spending the day with Alex, so why shouldn't I spoil myself.  I did get a call from Lauren to wish me 'Happy Mother's Day' and a facebook message from Christopher, so at least they didn't forget.  As I was out all day, Stephen and I had been over to his Mum the night before with cards and flowers.  Here's the card I'd made for her.  I was inspired by an article in the March edition of Papercraft Inspirations by Angela Poole. I went for different colours and a bigger card.  I was pleased with the result, and I think Stephen's mum appreciated it.

I decorated the inside like usual, and added more ribbon.  Well, I knew I didn't need to post this one so I could be a little more extravagant.  I think it looks really pretty.

I enjoyed the GNPE as always.  It's one of my favourite craft shows, and as usual I spent a small fortune.  Well, I don't spend much on the island on craft stuff so while I'm over here I think I deserve a treat or two, or three, or more ........  Here's what I ended up with, it's not a very good picture I'm afraid but you get the idea. There's a bit of everything I think, stamps, papers, inks, dies, bling, storage (cuddly toy!) etc., etc. This is not just from the craft show, it was other craft shopping as well, done during the rest of the week, and some done for me before I got over (Thanks Susan  x)  I got loads of new goodies, now I just have to find time to play with them all - it's a hard life I know.

My new stash!

Monday - another fab day.  The morning was spent at Inspirations again, no workshop this time, it was their regular Monday Craft club.  They do have a calendar with all their events on, check it out.  I would recommend Sarah's classes anytime http://www.cardcraftplus.co.uk/acatalog/Inspirations_Calendar.html  I'd only popped in to say 'Hi' to everyone and ended up doing a bit more shopping (as you do).  Then it was out for lunch with Sally and Deborah, who by the way both spoiled me rotten with cards and gifts. Thank you so much girls, I lover my little luxuries.  
Because I wasn't across for my BIG birthday at the beginning of March I'd had to wait for my birthday card from Sally. OMG! was it worth waiting for.  Sally is an SU demonstrator, and a very talented lady.  My card is gorgeous!  I hope Sally doesn't mind but I've used her pictures from her Blog because they're better than mine. http://stampin-sally.blogspot.com/ I'm still figuring out my new camera by the way.  I can take pictures, just need to get them onto the computer now!   Here's the card and the beautiful necklace that she made for me which, I must say, was all beautifully gift wrapped. Thanks again Sally, I love it  xx

My '21st' Birthday card

Now for the present ...

The necklace

Beautiful pendant

Pearl charm

Crystal charm

  









 Wasn't I a lucky girl! 

While we were over in the UK a special little boy had his first birthday.  Here's the card I made for him, and as we were over there I got do deliver it myself which was nice.

My Cricut machine came in handy for this one, it just took some time putting it all together along with the hand doodling.  It was worth it though.

Well, I think I've gone on long enough, you must be fed up by now.  I'll give you all a break and be back again later with the rest of the week.

Thanks for looking
See you soon

Linda

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