4 Cards = Umpteen Challenges!

I am SOOOO glad this week is finally over. I had parents evening until 8 on Tuesday and again til 6 on Thursday and was completely exhausted on Friday. My throat was hurting like mad with all the extra talking I had to do! Now it's half term and I have a week to recuperate (and craft like mad! LOL)

So here's my first installment of the weekend. My first card is for Stacey's Curtain Call #16 to use Kraft, Real Red and Very Vanilla, Crazy for Challenges #24 to use Red as a main colour and Mercy's Sketch #60.

Recipe:

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly

Papers: Real Red cs and retired DSP, Very Vanilla, Kraft retired DSP

Inks: Real Red

Accessories: Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Kraft Taffeta ribbon, Papermania flower brad, Prima red flower, Boho Blossom Punch, Butterfly Punch

My next card is for Sweet Stamping's Challenge #13 to use Tempting Turquoise, Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Real Red, A Spoon Full of Sugar's Challenge #90 to use the recipe of 1 pattern paper,1 Embossing,1 Button,1 Ribbon.and Papertake's Sketch Challenge #34.

Recipe:

Stamps: Best Wishes & More, Darling Dots Hostess set

Papers: Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Real Red, Whisper White, Pink Flamingo DSP

Inks: SU Markers in Summer Sun, Real Red, Cameo Coral, Green Galore

Accessories: Tempting Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Cuttlebug Corner dies, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Yellow Button from stash, Turquoise Embroidery Thread

My next two cards use my lovely new Greenhouse Garden stamp set. SU are currently donating £1 from every sale of this stamp set for the Haitian Relief Fund and it is a really pretty 2-step stamping set. Place your order today by emailing me at saffivort@yahoo.com to help raise money for all those affected by the tragic earthquake.

The first of these two is for Carol's Sketch Challenge #20 (I won the prize for #19 which was a lovely surprise! Thank You Carol!), Just Add Ink's Challenge #4 to use More Mustard, Rose Red, Sage Shadow and Kraft and ILWS February Challenge to use 5 ribbons on a card.

Recipe:

Stamps: Greenhouse Garden, Happy Moments SAB set

Papers: Sage Shadow, More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Kraft retired DSP

Inks: More Mustard, Rose Red

Accessories: Rose Red 1" stitched grosgrain ribbon, Kraft Taffeta ribbon, More Mustard Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Oval Nestabilities, Diamond Stickles

And my final card for today is for Sketch Challenge SC267 and Color Combo CC257 to use Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango and Sage Shadow on Splitcoast Stampers.

Recipe:

Stamps: Greenhouse Garden

Papers: Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla, To The Nines Speciality DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Sage Shadow

Accessories: Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon, Circle Nestabilities

Don't you just love this stamp set?! I love how it can be used with so many different colour combos. I think I might use it for our next Inspiring Inkin' Challenge next weekend. It's a fab project so make sure you join us for it.

Inspiring Inkin' Challenge #20

This fortnight's challenge over on Inspiring Inkin' Challenges Challenges is a colour one using Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray and Very Vanilla. The side twist is to make a Valentine's card.

Here's my attempt. It's a little different to my usual style of card, but as per the norm it's for many challenges all in one!

This is also for A Spoonful of Sugar's Challenge #89 - the sketch, Charisma Cardz Challenge #5 - I Love You, Crazy For Challenges #23 - Be My Valentine and finally for Papertake's Weekly Challenge - Love Actually! With all of the challenges being Valentine's ones, this card easily fits them all!

Recipe:

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, En Francais, Circle of Friendship, Retro Remix wheel

Papers: Basic Gray, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Bride DSP


Inks: Basic Gray, Real Red, Pretty in Pink


Accessories: Basic Gray Tafetta ribbon


So, if you feel like joining in with our challenge this fortnight, leave us a link on the challenge blog page here.

Sunday's Challenge Cards

Just a few more cards for today!

I've had a few people ask how I manage to get so cards many done in a day and it's dead simple really. Basically I get up early - my body is tuned to getting up at 6:30 every morning and if I sleep in til 7 at the weekends, it's a good lie in! I generally start my card making at about 7:30 ish. I usually organise my ideas on paper, writing all the challenges out and then pairing them up, deciding on colours if needed and which stamps to use. I usually draw a sketch out of the card, labelling each part with stamp set and colours, so I know exactly what I'm going to do! I'm a bit OCD like that!! Then it's just a case of getting out my stash, cutting, stamping and off I go!

I don't usually spend more than about an hour on a card, but sometimes it can be as quick as 30 minutes while others take ages, up to 2-3 hours, especially if it all goes wrong!

My first today is for the February ILWS Sketch challenge and CC181 on Splitcoast. It's an envelope style card, held closed with a bit of velcro. This was really easy to make. Start with a 12 x 5 piece of Kraft cardstock. Score at 4 and 9 and fold in. Measure 1 inch from the fold line on the 3 inch section. Mark the centre at 2 1/2 inches and cut the diagonal lines. Easy!

This is the side view, so you can see the inside a bit better as well.

Recipe:

Stamps: In My Garden hostess Level 1 set

Papers: Kraft, Basic Black, Rose Red DSP, Whisper White

Inks: Basic Black, SU Markers in Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Rose Red

Accessories: Kraft Tafetta ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Circle Nestabilities

My next one is for another ILWS challenge - this time the Inspiration one for February. It is also for Mercy's Sketch #59. I instantly thought of these colours when I saw this picture, but I'm not overly happy with it. I'm going to have another go at it next weekend, when I get another chance to do a bit of crafting.

Recipe:

Stamps: A Flower For All Seasons

Papers: Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Whisper White, Kaleidoscope DSP

Inks: Basic Black, SU Markers

Accessories: Tempting Turquoise grosgrain ribbon

My third card of the day is for Mojo#124 and CC88 on Splitcoast again.

I love this Certainly Celery DSP - I just wish SU hadn't retired it!

Recipe:

Stamps: Petals & Stems, Fluttering By, Birthday Surprise all from Verve

Papers: Bordering Blue, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Certainly Celery DSP (retired)

Inks: Bordering Blue, Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Circle Nestabilities, Green gems

And my final card for today's challenges is another 5 x 7 inch birthday card for a TA at work. It's for the SC266 and CC256 challenges on Splitcoast.

Recipe:

Stamps: Mr & Mrs, Sincere Salutations, Forever Flowers wheel

Papers: Crushed Curry, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White, Nouveau Chic DSP

Inks: Crushed Curry, Bravo Burgundy, Basic Gray

Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Clear adhesive gems, Crushed Curry Polka Dot ribbon, Circle Nestabilities

I will also be uploading my Inspiring Inkin challenge card as well tonight in a separate post, so be sure to check that one out too!

Saturday's Challenge Cards

Thought I'd try and get some challenges uploaded today!

The first card is for Stacey's Curtain Call # 15 (will I get it uploaded in time before the challenge runs out this week?!) and for the new Our Creative Corner's Sketch #1.

Got a couple of new things on this card - the Martha Stewart Double Loops Punch Around The Page and the new Jules Jewels embossing folder. I didn't like this combo when I first saw it, but it all came together so easily and the Garden Green really does go well with the Lavender and Pumpkin.

Recipe:

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle

Papers: Lavender Lace, Garden Green, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie cs and DP

Inks: SU Markers in Lavender Lace, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Whisper White Satin Ribbon, White Brad and flowers from stash, Martha Stewart Double Loops Punch, Jules Jewels embossing folder

Card # 2 is for Farm Fresh Friday's gorgeous sketch challenge and for Color Throwdown #78. These colours were just so pretty and soft to work with and matched my pretty little Miss Anya beautifully.

I couldn't find any buttons in a pale enough blue anywhere to match the Soft Sky so I punched a flower out of the cardstock and added it to the front of a clear button - exactly what I needed to fill in that little gap!

Recipe:

Stamps: Miss Anya Dressy, Polka Dot Background from SU

Papers: Kraft, Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette, Non SU white cardstock, DP from My Mind's Eye (Blue) and Imaginisce (pink double sided)

Inks: Pink Pirouette, Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Ciaos

Accessories: Boho Blossoms Punch, Clear Buttons, Linen Thread, Pink Pirouette Ribbon

My next card is for one of my TAs at school. Linda is a lovely lady who always knows exactly what we need to cheer us up when we have had a very stressful week (which at the minute seems to be every week!). She either bakes us all a heavenly chocolate cake or buys us a little chocolate something, so this card is to thank her for all those kind little thoughts! It's also for Just Us Girls Challenge #19 and Stamp With Us' theme challenge to make a thank you card.

Recipe:

Stamps: Happy Hearts Day

Papers: Pixie Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White, DP from Heidi Grace

Inks: Basic Black, SU Markers in Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink, Blush Blossom

Accessories: Ribbon from stash, Clear Adhesive Gems, Circle Nestabilities

And my final card for today is one for my friend's birthday, which is actually on Valentine's day, but we're celebrating it with a girly night out next Friday instead. This is a larger than usual card at 5 x 7 inches so there is enough room for everyone to sign it! It's also for Linda's Tackle It Tuesday Colour Challenge #2 (I missed #1 - oops!), Sweet Stamping's #12 - Floral Frenzy and Truly Scrumptious' Sketch #25.

Recipe:

Stamps: One of A Kind, Sincere Salutations

Papers: Really Rust, More Mustard CS & DP from retired hostess pack, Very Vanilla, Perfect Plum CS & DP

Inks: Really Rust, More Mustard, Perfect Plum

Accessories: Boho Blossoms Punch, Circle Nestabilities, Scallop Edge Punch, Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon

I'll be back with some more tomorrow :)

A Weekend of Challenges

I had a great time this weekend doing a ton of challenges! (So glad my BF doesn't mind too much :P I needed the stress relief after teaching 30 8 year olds all week including a fab trip to CadburyWorld on Thursday!!) Splitcoast Stampers had a mini Virtual Stamp Night and I love doing these challenges. You get 45 minutes to do each challenge, but I will admit I do sometimes go over the time limit by a few minutes here and there. (I'm going to be a hostess for one of the challenges in the main VSN on February 26th too!!) I always try to combine my challenges so lots of my cards are for several different ones, so bare with me through the long post.

My first card is for VSN#1 - to use the colours of a partcipating country's flag on your project. I chose Estonia's colours for no other reason than I liked them. It's also for Sweet Stamping's Challenge #11 to use scallops and the Sketch Challenge #265 on SCS too. This is a Stampin' Up Only card as well (SUO). All of these products for this card can be purchased through me!! 

Recipe:

Stamps: A Beautiful Thing, Vintage Labels

Papers: Basic Black, Whisper Whiste, Bashful Blue DSP

Inks: Basic Black, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Black striped grosgrain ribbon, Scalloped circle punch

VSN#2 was to use snow on a card. I also combined this one with Papertake's Weekly Sketch Challenge #33 and Farm Fresh Friday's challenge to use monochromatics on your card. I used blues as they were perfect colours for this snow challenge. I masked off the wheels on my Skateboarding Ian to make him snowboard instead and it worked!

Recipe:

Stamps: Best Wishes & More, Skateboarding Ian

Papers: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Navy pearlescet paper, Non SU white card

Inks: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Ciaos

Accessories: Doodlebug Lily White Velvet Flock, Circle Nestabilities

VSN#3 was to use red, white and wool! I never use wool for anything so I had to "borrow" some from school for this challenge. I combined it with Our Creative Corner's Sketch Challenge as well. I'm not a particular fan of hearts so all my Valentine inspired challenge cards will be using these 2 SU stamp sets!

Recipe:

Stamps: Simply Said, Darling Dots

Papers: Whisper White, Real Red cs and Dp from a retired hostess pack

Inks: Basic Black, Real Red

Accessories: Red wool, red heart gems

VSN#4 was to use the chalkboard technique. I love this technique and used it here on a previous Inspiring Inkin' challenge. I also used Mercy's Sketch #58 and Color Throwdown's #77 for the combo.

Recipe:

Stamps: Live Your Dream

Papers: Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze DSP, Basic Black

Inks: Whisper White craft ink, Stampin' Pastels

Accessories: Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Fleur de Lis Borderabilities, Blue Zoomz

VSN#5 was to use the letter S, the Kissing technique, white as the only neutral and pink. I used Truly Scrumptious' Sketch #24, CC#255 on SCS and it is also for A Passion for Papertrey's Nature Challenge. Phew!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Everyday Classics, Signature Greetings, Polka Dot Basics, Wishing You all from Papertrey Ink

Papers: Pretty in Pink cs and DP from retired hostess pack, Melon Mambo DP, Blush Blossom, Whisper White

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, White gel pen

Accessories: Melon Mambo polka dot grosgrain ribbon

VSN#6 was to use the spotlighting technique. I used the colours from Stacey's Curtain Call #14 as well and I love these ones together. 

Recipe:

Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Papers: Orchid Opulence, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Bashful Blue DSP

Inks: Orchid Opulence, Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Clear Zoomz, Ticket Corner punch

And that was all the VSN challenges done so I started on some others! This first one is for Carol's Sketch Fun #19 and SCS CC242 (an old colour combo I missed). It's those same 2 heart stamps again LOL

Recipe:

Stamps: Simply Said, Darling Dots

Papers: Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper White, Melon Mambo cs and DP, Groom DSP

Inks: Basic Black, Melon Mambo 

Accessories: Black organza ribbon, Scallop edge punch

My next one is for Mojo#123 and another old colour combo on SCS, CC179. I'm slowly catching up with all the old colour challenges that I've missed but it will take me a while. I've done all the sketch challenges and am now working through the colour and featured stamper ones. This colour combo is gorgeous though! How on earth did I miss it when it came out??!! I also attempted to use my blender pens again on this card - not too bad a job! I'm slowly getting there with them!

Recipe:

Stamps: Floral Symphony and Circular Sayings from Verve

Papers: Taken With Teal, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive DSP

Inks: Taken With Teal, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive

Accessories: Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, Circle Nestabilities, purple buttons from stash.

And my final card of the weekend was another triple challenge: CC247 on SCS, Our Creative Corner's Music Challenge and Just Us Girls#18 to create a pennant banner. I was going to miss out the JUGS challenge as I don't do pennant banners, but then I saw one of the other ladies had done a mini one on a card and knew I had to copy her idea! It goes perfectly with this guitarist stamp as well.

Recipe:

Stamps: Extreme Guitar, Swirling Stars wheel

Papers: basic Black, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Inks: Basic Black, Soft Suede

Accessories: Sizzix Chocolatey Goodness alphabet

Phew! that's all my cards for this weekend. I'll be back during the week with another new project for you all. Enjoy!!

Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to another Sale-A-Bration blog hop. Sale-A-Bration comes but once a year from Stampin' Up during which time for every £45 you spend before P&P you can choose one of the 4 limited edition stamp sets for free. Click on the link on my side bar to view all 4 stamp sets. They are really gorgeous ones this year and so versatile for so many different occasions.

If you have joined me from Helen's blog, welcome. If you are starting here, then follow the link at the bottom of my post to the next blog in the hop and you'll eventually come full circle. I hope you have fun looking at all the gorgeous creations on the blog hop and find some great inspiration too!

My first card today uses the cute 2-step stamping set, Good Neighbors (and yes that is the American spelling not a typo :P)

This card is also for Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge #264, the Caardvarks challenge to use red and hearts on a card and A Spoonful of Sugar's challenge #87 to use lots of layers! I used the little heart on the door to make the heart shaped smoke. Looks cute doesn't it?

Recipe:

Stamps: Good Neighbors, Bella's Bloom

Papers: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Whisper White, Tall Tales DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Old Olive, SU Pastels

Accessories: Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon

My second card is one of my faves made with the Happy Moments stamp set so far.

This card is also for Mercy's sketch #57 and Stacey's Curtain Call #13.

Recipe:

Stamps: Happy Moments, Vintage Labels

Papers: Pink Passion, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Groom DSP

Inks: Basic Black ink and marker, Pink Passion ink and marker, Pumpkin Pie marker, Green Galore marker

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon, Eyelet border punch, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

I hope you've enjoyed my Sale-A-Bration cards and will continue to enjoy your journey on to see Debbie's gorgeous creations.

Only a few challenges today

Only because I'm saving some for tomorrow's Sale-A-Bration blog hop! So you'll have to come back tomorrow for a few more!

Today's first is for Stamp With Us' sketch challenge and Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge #254.

Recipe:

Stamps: Best Wishes and More, Say It With Scallops

Papers: Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Bashful Blue DSP

Inks: Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Soft Suede polka dot ribbon, Scallop Square punch, Scallop Edge punch, Paper Piercer

Number 2 is for Color Throwdown #76, Charisma Cardz #3 to use fruity colours which I think these really are and Mojo #122!

The So Saffron on the background panel looks more peachy than saffron in the photo but I can assure you it really is So Saffron!

Recipe:

Stamps: Kindred Spirits from Verve

Papers: Old Olive, Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Whisper White

Inks: Old Olive, Melon Mambo, So Saffron

Accessories: So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Oval Nestabilities

And my final project for today is a cute little picnic basket using one of Lauren Meader's old templates for the Just Us Girls challenge #17. My printer is well and truely kaputt and rather than wasting money on a new one that could be better spent on stamping supplies I print things out at work! Tut tut!! But as I'm not at work until Monday I couldn't use one of Lauren's new templates so I used one of her old ones from when she designed for Papertrey Ink. This is Pack A Picnic and I so LOVE this template! It's one of the best ones Lauren has ever done! I made the small one to put some little chocolates in as a little gift when I need one.

This is the picnic box with the lid on and the following picture shows the flower on top better.

Recipe:

Stamps: None

Papers: really Rust, Old Olive, Spiced Cider DSP (retired)

Inks: None

Accessories: Pack A Picnic template, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, Old Olive brads, Scalloped circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Latte Buttons

Well I hope you've enjoyed my few creations today and come back again tomorrow for another installment!

Inspiring Inkin' Challenge #19

Our challenge this fortnight on Inspiring Inkin Challenges is a sketch challenge. I love doing sketch challenges as you might have gathered and this one was a great one to use. The side twist is to use one of the fabulous Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, available until February 28th only! Click on the link on my sidebar to view all 4 sets and email me today to place your order of £45 or more to receive one of these gorgeous sets for free.

This is the sketch we used...

And here's my take on it...

I also made this card for the Crazy 4 Challenges #21 and Papertake Weekly Challenge, both of which was to use pink as the main colour on a card. 

The DSP is actually the Bride Speciality paper, which I coloured using a brayer and Pretty in Pink ink. I then buffed it with a paper towel to remove any excess ink from the foiled parts and it left me with the absolutely gorgeous paper. This technique is going to be great when I want a particular colour DSP then I haven't got!

Recipe:

Stamps: Happy Moments


Papers: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Bride DSP


Inks: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black


Accessories: 3/4" circle punch, Kraft Tafetta ribbon, Paper piercer

Join me again tomorrow for another Sale-A-Bration blog hop with another round of gorgeous creations using these stamp sets.

SU Training Day

Last Saturday I went to some SU training hosted by the lovely Monica, Bekka and Jules. The training was literally a 10 minute drive from my house, so how could I not go? It was a great day, made some gorgeous projects, received some fantastic swaps, met some lovely ladies and had a fab time. We all received a Stampin' Up bag when we signed in which contained half of the Sunny Days scrapping kit (I love this - it's so bright and the patterned paper is to die for), some other pieces of cardstock, some page protectors, a whole reel of Whisper White satin ribbon (this is so lush!), some jumbo eyelets and a whole pot of the new clips from Stampin' Up.


It started at 10am and during the first hour we swapped our cards and watched 2 fab demos by Jo and Jo, one showing the emboss resist technique using a brayer and the other using mixed reinkers to create a multi-coloured ink pad. These are the fab swaps I received (excuse the awful photos but it's Friday night and I can't find anything big enough and white to photograph on and my light tent is only a 12x12 inch one so the sheets for it are not quite big enough).

Swaps set 1

Swaps Set 2

Swaps Set 3

Swaps Set 4

And this was my card I swapped with everyone. It uses the Happy Moments SAB set with the Bella Toile background stamp and Wonderful Words. The colours are Pixie Pink, Basic Black and Whisper White. I coloured lots of Whisper White grosgrain with my Pixie Pink ink to get the shade the right colour.

After some SAB inspirational talk, a spot of blindfold stamping and lunch we had some make 'n' takes to do. 4 in one hour!!! I didn't get them all done in the time though and had to finish them off back at my table whilst listening to Jules' talk on recruiting.

The first was a cute little tote bag - perfect for putting in a 3x3 card and little gift.

This uses the Vintage labels and Whimsical Words SAB stamp setsSage Shadow cardstock and ink, Pale Plum cardstock, Perfect Plum cardstock, Whisper White cardstock and satin ribbon, circle punches, eyelet border punch and one of the clips.

My next one was a Birthday card using the blender pens and ink pads to colour in the main image.

This uses the Happy Moments SAB stamp set, Old Olive cardstock, So Saffron cardstock and ink pad, Pixie Pink cardstock and ink pad, Whisper White cardstock and Satin ribbon, Basic Black ink pad, 1/2" circle punch and the spiral punch.

Third in the list was a cute pocket card that involved no sticking at all for the pocket part. The cardstock was folded and the front fold held down with a dimensional pad and the entire thing was held closed with the ribbon.

This is with the insert out!

This card uses the Good Neighbors SAB stamp set, Sincere Salutations stamp set, Whisper White cardstock, craft ink and satin ribbon, Real Red Cardstock and ink pad, More Mustard Cardstcok and ink pad, Tempting Turquoise Cardstock and ink pad, scallop edge punch, circle and scallop circle punches and a clip!

The last one was a lovely little treat holder. I've had to use a Cadbury brunch bar to show you what it looks like as I have no bars of chocolate in the house! Gasp! I'm still munching my way through the chocolates I got from my class at Christmas believe it or not! (And those that know me know how I LOVE my chocolate!)

This treat holder uses the Vintage Labels SAB stamp set, Chocolate Chip cardstock and ink, So Saffron cardstock and DP, Pixie Pink cardstock and ink, Whisper White cardstock and satin ribbon, oval punch, hearts punch, 1/2" circle punch, other circle punches (can't remember what size!) and the scallop circle punch and a clip!

Later on in the afternoon after Jules had talked about recruiting, we started to make a gorgeous scrapbook using half of the Sunny Days scrapping kit, the page protectors, jumbo eyelets and the satin ribbon. This is the front and first page of mine. I have now completed it all and my mother-in-law has placed an order for one!

This will make a fab gift for someone or even for myself if I ever get round to finding some half decent photos of myself which will never happen!

And to top the day off I won a prize in the raffle. I have opened it and mounted (and used) the stamps but repackaged it to show you.

A pack of the Tall Tales DSP and the Animal Stories stamp set (which I didn't have luckily!), all wrapped in this gorgeous starry cellophane and tied with a long strip of Certainly Celery ribbon.

All in all it was a truely great day and with only a 10 minute drive home after it was perfect. A big thank you to Monica, Bekka and Jules for their inspiring talks and to everyone else who helped make it such a fun day after a heavy week at work!