WHO went to see the Dr?

Took the kids to the Dr. Who exhibition at Earls' Court today. Even Santa made an appearance.... probably not an image I'm going to be using on this year's cards!

Move over Men I'm on a roll...

"Men's cards are so difficult!" I hear fellow crafters say so here's a selection of men's cards I've been making the last couple of days. Quick easy simple ones because at the end of the day how many men REALLY take much notice? - I particularly like my waistcoat as it's for a Blues supporter! I used the waistcoat template from WS Designs.

These are the final three for the moment - I've got lots to do - all these designs were from classes or friends with a little bit of juniemoon thrown in!    The first using peach pearlescent card and cuttlebug embossing folders was originally from my mate SarahK - although I think her card was from a class she'd attended.   The second two were from classes run by the fantastic Helen Meighan - the shirt was created with peel-offs and the shirt card from the rubber stamp (not sure who makes that).    These are designs that I produced regularly but in true juniemoon tradition each card has something slightly different done to it.    Thank you ladies for your inspirations. 

80th Birthday

My friend Julie asked me to make a card for her Dad's 80th birthday.   The decoupage was from www.thelilacgarden.co.uk, along with the backing sheet printed onto vellum.   I love vellum - we just don't use it enough and it adds such a soft and subtle look to cards.

More Secret Messages

Another secret message card - this time for a man.   I used the Dovecraft Masculine Stack of papers, a Quickutz cricket bat and a football button for decoration.

Had three orders from work.  The first two for Mums-to-Be - Amanda has since produced a little girl and Lesley a little boy.   The pink was Tilda on a windy day - decoupaging the dress gives it that preggy look.   The lilac card was an image from Pink Petticoat.    The third card was for the lovely Emma who got married at the beginning of the summer holidays.    I lurve this stamp and after decoupaging it I painted the top layer with H2O's to give it a lovely shimmer.

Saturday with Sarah(K)!

My mate Sarah(K) sarahkcards.blogspot.com came over for the afternoon (and evening). We had a really great time, bouncing ideas off each other, chatting, eating, laughing - oh and making cards of course!

I really love these "secret message" cards and think I'll make some more today. Tilda had to appear somewhere - I just lurve this little girl, but I do have to give her a mouth - maybe something to do with my "proper" job, do you think?

The Next Generation

I had a lovely day today with my kids and their cousins (aren't they gorgeous?) and wanted to share this picture with you all - not so sure my son was impressed with all the women in the family!

A Time to Reflect on Just How Damn Good We Are!!!!!

The One Flaw In Women
By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,
'Why are you spending so much time on this one?'
And the Lord answered, 'Have you seen my spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart -and she will do everything with only two hands.'
The angel was astounded at the requirements.
'Only two hands!? No way!
And that's just on the standard model?
That's too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish.'
'But I won't, ' the Lord protested.
'I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days.'
The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
'But you have made her so soft, Lord.'
'She is soft,' the Lord agreed,
'but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.'
'Will she be able to think?', asked the angel.
The Lord replied,
'Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate.'
The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek.
'Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.'
'That's not a leak,' the Lord corrected, 'that's a tear!'
'What's the tear for?' the angel asked.
The Lord said, 'The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride.'
The angel was impressed.
'You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything!
Woman is truly amazing.'
And she is!
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take 'no' for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET WHAT THEY ARE WORTH.

Best Friends are always there...

This is my bestest and "longest serving" mate - we've been best buds since we were six - 46 years! Probably won't make 47 once she sees I've put her on my blog with that hair do!!!!!!

The first time I met her she made me laugh so much and still to this day she has me in hysterics - we've been through loads of good and bad things together and once again she was there for me again today. Love you lots Paula x

Just a Few Quickies

My daughter's friend Craig is 16 tomorrow - he's the last of the gang to reach this age - I just wish she'd given me just a little more notice...

The burgundy one is for one of the leaders of my daughter's dancing group - Guardsman. I just lurve this colour (you'd never tell if you came to my house...).

The third is for my new beautiful niece Lauren - I'm going to be spending the day with her and her big sister Freya on Thursday and I'm soo excited!

The Wedding Shoe & Box

Finished it finally! Got to drive to Southend tomorrow to deliver it - I've been so, well you know, "out of sorts" lately that I left this to the last minute to do - still I get to spend sometime with my best friend Paula who I've been mates with since we were six!

I really like making these shoe cards - especially for weddings as they look stunning - I only wish I had more luck with the boxes - even Sarah K saw how useless I was!

An Evening with Helen....

These two lovely "monotone" (sorry that's an "in" joke!) were made at the lovely Helen Meighans class. The layouts are beautiful but it's all the little extras Helen adds that make these cards so beautiful. We added black felt flowers using the Woodware 5-flower punch and then emphasised the stamen with black jelly roll. Although Helen's originals had greetings on them I decided to leave mine blank until I use them. Thanks Helen for a great evening.

Saturday? Sutton? Sandra? Sarah's - Where else!!!!

Spent a lovely day yesterday at my mate Sarah's "crafting flat". I made these two and another wedding shoe card, but not finished that yet so I'll post it later! Had a really great day - God! I can talk.... sorry girls!

Thank you Sarah for being a great hostess and both of you for really helping me get my inspiration back again. x

Wey Hey!

Hurrah!!!!!!!!!! I'm back on-line with a computer - not mine, but one from my wonderful father-in-law - George, who so kindly lent me his spare one and rescued all my files, backed them up and downloaded them onto this PC. Thank you, thank you, thank you George x

These were made as an order for a Diamond Wedding Anniversary and an 80th Birthday celebration.

Past caring and on my way back again....

For those of you who know me you know that I've been going through a "difficult phase" in my life (which is running parallel to a VERY good phase in my life); but sometimes however, good the "good" bit is, what is "bad" takes over all sense of reasoning/logic/downright purpose.    What is this woman prattling on about now I hear you ask?   Well just to add to my list of woes - I came home yesterday after a couple of really good/lovely/wonderful days to find my freezer door swinging from its hinges and everything rather soft and wet!    I'm naming no one as the only person who'd been in the house was my wonderful 16 year-old daughter and surely she's learned NOT to slam freezer doors after the number of times I've asked/told/shouted at her not too???  So I've spent my day cooking - 3 lasagnes, 1 steak & kidney pie, 1 sausagemeat plait, 12 mince pies, 1 big mincemeat pie, 1 fruit crumble, 2 Thai green curries, 2 Hunters chicken, 12 spicy meatballs and a partridge in a pear tree......

My crafting drought continues - I started a card on Tuesday and its still sitting there - HELP! please someone!   I've got lots of pictures to download but because one of my "woes" is no computer I can't download them to my Blog...

Tomorrow is another day!   I'm off to Ostend with my Bro for the day - first stop the Chocolate Factory - I might never be seen again.......

Send me crafty vibes please - I need to earn some money!