Saturday 30 December 2017

A look back at 2017 ....part 2

Happy weekend ........

Well we're nearly there ....... 2017 is coming to an end, and what a great year it's been.
Who knows what 2018 has in store, but all I can say is ....... bring it on!

There's already a few things on the calendar to look forward to ....... the family holiday in June.  Get the TT out of the way then it's Bourton here we come!
Plans are already being made for a crafty trip across to Port Sunlight for the Happy Stampers show in May ...... always a fun trip.
And hubby and I are talking about going back to Italy again, which would be nice. Sicily perhaps this time, or maybe Verona again ....... or both!
Oh ..... and ...... we're moving house ...... again!! Long story ...... but it's happening soon.  I'll fill you all in later.

Before all that though we still have the second half of my crafty year to look back on.
Yesterday we got as far as June, so ..... grab a cuppa, make yourself comfy, and let's take a look at August through December.

August was a busy month with more TV shows for Sweet Poppy Stencils. That of course meant new designs to play with .....




We had the usual monthly challenges ......


And I even  found time to play along with a favourite ..... CAS Mix Up


In to September we go ...... a couple of family events, a birthday for the little man


and Chris's pub reopened after a big refurb ......


with these two in charge ......


They're a great team ...... working well together and the pub's doing great!

We had the regular Blog Challenges and workshops, using fun techniques like watercolouring tissue paper ....... so pretty!



And using black cardstock .... one of my favourites .... to create simple yet stunning CAS designs


Christmas designs were on the cards ...... with new Sweet Poppy stencils 




And I was published again in the Craft Stamper magazine again. 

October ........  back from our little holiday in Croatia and it was full steam ahead.

A new Blog challenge launched ...... the new TAGplorations challenge from STAMPlorations.  You all know how I love to make tags .....


 There was the regular workshop ....... making a start on Christmas cards


I even managed to enter a few Blog challenges myself ...... Darnell's NBUS #12 (love the Christmas JOFY's)


and the CAS Mix Up challenge .....


We're early there ....... we're in to November now.
Christmas was taking over ......... I was asked by the Big man himself to do a special project for his visit to the children's Christmas party at hubby's work  ......


40 tags to give to parents, and a table top display to let them know who was in with Santa.  It's always fun being Santa's little helper!

I was also asked to be a Guest Designer again for the 12 Tags of Christmas with Loll and Friends


This has become an annual event and it's always an honour to take part ...... it's fun playing along too ....

I managed to squeeze this one in whilst on a trip to the UK for the Happy Little Stampers Craft Retreat.
It was so nice to finally meet Kylie,  the brains behind HLS ....... not only that more of the Design team were there too.  it was an amazing weekend!

November wasn't all Christmas though ...... the workshop was all about creating Galaxy Skies


This is such a fun technique to do ......  and each result is going to be different


Almost forgot ....... I did my 1000th Blog post in November too!  Now that's a lot of blogging!!

Well .... we've finally got here .... December
If you're still with me .... well done. I hope you've enjoyed our little review.
Obviously ..... this month has been full of Christmas projects.
The last workshop of the year had to be postponed for a week due to bad weather conditions.  We had SNOW!!!


But it all went ahead a week later, and the ladies loved it ......


I even joined in the fun on the day .....


One of my favourite Christmas cards this year is this one .....


 it has a little something extra ....... when you press on the sentiment this happens!


It was something we did on the HLS Retreat and I love it!! Will definitely be doing this again.

We also had CAS .....


A bit of Mixed Media ......


and even a festive ATC ......


Well .... I think that's just about it.  
Something I didn't Blog though was this set of special cards.
Created as I have done for the past few years for a Christmas Quest ..... I think it's safe to show them now.... they should have been received by the lady they were made for!


Now all that's left for me to do is to say a very BIG Thank You to all who have visited, left comments or become a follower this year.  I really do appreciate each and every one of you.  
I hope you've enjoyed my little review too ...... it's been fun! 

If you're off out celebrating on New Year's Eve have a great night.
We're staying at home this year ...... and everyone's coming to us!  The only way to bring in the New Year ..... with good food, nice wine and the best company ever!

 I want to wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Craft filled New Year.  
I hope your stamps stamp perfectly, your inks never run dry, and your mojo stays with you for the whole of 2018!

See you all next year .....

2 comments:

Darnell said...

Beautifully done and showcased, Linda! I was feeling a bit meh this morning, but after seeing all this inspiration, I'm heading out to the Playhouse to get my crafty on!! Happy New Year Hugs and Blessings, Darnell

Redanne said...

It is always such a pleasure to visit and see your creations and it is a big bonus to get to see them twice!! I absolutely LOVE your white on Kraft creations, they are out of the world gorgeous!! Wishing you all the very best for the New Year! Hugs, Anne xx