CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 99

 Good morning

Today I have my stall at the Christmas Fair in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.  I've been creating for many months for this and hope it will boost my fundraising to name a Guide Dog Arthur after my late dad.  I'm excited and nervous in equal measure!

My health is not great, as I know it never will be, but my crafting continues to help me cope with the constant pain.  Raising funds at the same time is a real boost mentally too.  Long may it continue.

Today is the start of our new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and Jocelyn is our host for this challenge.

Here is my card:

I have used one of my all-time favourite cd's to create my card - Jolly Nation Men's cd - teamed with some lovely card from PaperMill, to create this easel card.  The main image is decoupaged and I used the additional images from the sheet to create the stopper.

Please do visit the challenge blog to see what my teamies have created, and I know they would love you to visit their own blogs too.

Hope to see you there!

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 98 - Hosted by Margaret

 Good morning crafting friends

I hope that you are keeping well and enjoying your crafting.

There has definitely been a change in the seasons and weather here.  Unfortunately, the damp and cold weather plays havoc with my pelvic pain, and it means I can't get out as much as I can't tolerate sitting in my wheelchair for long periods of time.  This means I am missing going on walks with John and Bailey, which is hard.

I've now been told that the arthritis in my hands has caused Carpel tunnel syndrome!  I'm finding it difficult to adjust to this, particularly as some of the crafts I've always loved doing are now too painful for me.  However, I'm a typical redhead, with the stubbornness that goes with it, so am finding new crafts to keep me occupied, and with the help of a fantastic hand therapist (who fortunately is also a crafter!), am finding aids that make these new crafts possible.

Today is the start of our new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and this time Margaret is hosting.  I had the pleasure of hosting our last challenge, and loved visiting all your blogs, but, boy, have you given me a challenge in choosing my Top 3.

Here is my card for the new challenge:

The stunning images on my card are from Joanna Sheen's Josephine Wall Enchanted Dreams cd-rom with the name cut using my floral alphabet dies.

This card was made for my niece's 18th birthday.

Please do join us our challenge, we love to see your cards!  I hope you'll leave me a comment so I know you've visited.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #97

 Good morning

I hope that you're well.  Thanks for visiting my blog today.

It's time for a new challenge to start over at CD Sunday Plus and all the team look forward to seeing your creations.  I do hope you'll join us.

Here is my card:

The main image is from the fabulous Pollyanna Pickering's World Wildlife Sketchbook.  The backing paper is from Creative Crafting World, as is the black and gold card used and the die for the sentiment.  The pearls were from my 'stash'.

I was lucky enough to visit Pollyanna's gallery earlier this year, and meet the lovely Anna-Louise.  We bought a limited signed print while we were there which now has price of place.  Everyone who see's it can't believe it's a painting.  The image appears in my card too.

I do hope you'll join in our challenge.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 96 - Hosted by Pamela

 

Good morning

Welcome to my blog today.

Today our new challenge starts at CD Sunday Plus and we would to have you join us.  This time the lovely Pamela is hosting.

Sadly, I had some sympathy cards to make.  My auntie passed away and I made cards to send to each of her 3 children.

This one is made using a 3d embossing folder, which I cut down and then added some memento ink to to bring out the dandelion detail.  I then die cut some silver mirri using one of my dies from CCW.  I printed the corresponding backing paper from CCW's Perfect Papers cd-rom.  The sentiment is from my favourite stamp set by JustRite, matted and layered onto matching card.

I added an insert printed from a My Craft Studio sentiments cd-rom, to which I added the following verse:

'I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when my life is done.'

I think this is a beautiful verse.  I forgot to photograph the insert!!

I'm busy planning for Christmas, particularly my stall at the Guide Dog Christmas Fair to raise money for my 'Call A Guide Dog Arthur charity'.  I'm glad to be able to keep busy as I don't cope well this time of year.

I've done the majority of my Christmas shopping - a first for me to be (almost) ready so early, but as it's very difficult for me to get out, I thought I'd get myself into gear!

On Friday night I was lucky enough to visit the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester to see Bryn Terfel.  It's a beautiful venue and we had a wonderful night.  He was accompanied by a Welsh Youth orchestra and, for some of the songs, a Welsh Soprano.  His wife also played the harp a couple of times.  It was a real WOW evening.  The musicians were amazing and the acoustics in the Hall are fabulous.  It's an evening I will remember for a very long time.

I hope that you've enjoyed your visit to my blog today, please leave me a comment so I know you've been.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 95 - Hosted by Carol

 Good morning and welcome

The shorter days are drawing in and I'm already starting to feel the effects.  All this rain isn't much good for me either!  Fortunately, I'm up early in the morning so get to enjoy as much daylight as possible.  I'm keeping busy with my crafting.  I've recently discovered the Groovi system and am enjoy loosing myself in this craft.  I've got a lot to learn but will enjoy the journey.

Bailey is keeping me smiling and is always on hand to give a wonderful doggy cuddle whenever I need it.  He really is pure joy! 

Emma has gone back to Uni for her 4th and final year.  I make no secret of how incredibly proud I am of her.  We are all missing her but she is hoping to get home more regularly this year (especially when Manchester City are playing at home!).

Already it's time to start a new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and we are all looking forward to seeing your creations.  Here is my card for this challenge:

The rose is from Tattered Lace, die cut with the matching dies then decoupaged.  The card is Hunkydory Adorable Scorable and the papers are Vintage Rose Garden from Creative Crafting World.  Finished with a pretty butterfly.

Please do pop across to the blog to see my teamies fabulous makes.

Take care everyone.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 94 - Hosted by Jocelyn

 Good morning

Like so many of us, I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of our Queen.  I have always been a fan and very aware, and appreciative, of everything she has done for us.

When it was her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, I wanted to make a card to send.  I remembered this lovely image from Faye Whittaker's cd-rom by Joanna Sheen and created a decoupaged card.  I triple-matted the image onto red, white and then blue card and added some die-cut bunting which was cut from Centura Pearl card.

The sentiment was created in Word and printed in silver text.

I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when, a few weeks later, an envelope arrived from Buckingham Palace.  Inside was this card!

I will treasure the card (and the envelope) always.

This card is my DT card for our new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus.   As always, we would love to have you join us.

Full details, along with how to enter, can be found on the challenge blog.  You'll also get to see my teamies inspiration for the challenge too.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 93 - Hosted by Margaret

 Good Morning

Welcome to a new challenge at CD Sunday Plus Challenge.  We look forward to seeing your entries.

I can't get my head around the fact that it's September already.  I had a rare visit to the shops yesterday and was shocked to see how many Christmas items are already on display!

I'm sad that the days are already so much shorter!  It will soon be time for my youngest daughter to go back to University.  This will be her 4th and final year.  I love having her home and will miss her.  So will Bailey!!

Anyway, onto my card.  This time I have used an image and papers from the Paper Boutique Paper Pantry Collect Volume 6, Farmyard Friends.  I turned the image into decoupage.  She's very cute isn't she!

I used card from Creative Crating World for my card base and the mats.  The sentiment is a Lily of the Valley stamp.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  Please leave me a comment so I know you've been here!

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 92 - Hosted by Me

 Hello!

I can't believe it's already time for a new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and this challenge I have the pleasure of hosting.

My card for this challenge uses images from Pollyanna Pickering's African Safari cd-rom from Creative Crafting World.

My card is made following a tutuorial by Lisa Bird.   Cardstock is Woodstock card also from Creative Crafting World.

I have just returned from a week in Lourdes where my view for the week was the image on my header.  We had a lovely week together which included a lot of laughter.  It was just what I needed!

We look forward to seeing all your entries into our challenge.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 91 - Hosted by Pamela

Good morning

Welcome to our new challenge at CD Sunday Plus this time hosted by Pamela.  Here is my card:

 

My card is made using images and backing paper from Joanna Sheen's 'Nostalgia' cd-rom, base card and kraft card from Creative Crafting World.  Blue card is co'ordinations from Crafters' Companion.

I hope you'll be able to join in the fun.

Jo x

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 90 - Hosted by Carol

 Hello

Today a new challenge starts over at CD Sunday Plus and we would love to see your creations.  Here is my card for the new challenge:

I used an 8 x 8 card blank as my base card.

All the artwork for my card is from Carrnation Crafts 'A Little Bit Fancy' Collection, cut using the matching dies.

Please visit our challenge blog to see details of how to join in the fun and to see my teamies fabulous makes.

I hope to see you there!

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 89 - Hosted by Jocelyn

 Good morning

Well the weeks are certainly flying by and it's time for our new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus.  As always, we would love you to join us.

Here is my card for the new challenge:

I love daisies and gerbera's so when Carnation Crafts released this range, it really was a 'no brainer' for me.

All the cardstock, backing paper and vignettes are printed from the Carnation Crafts Summer Daze collection.  The beautiful sentiment is die-cut using a Crafters' Companion die.

I hope to see your cards on our challenge blog.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 88 Hosted by Margaret

 Good morning

I hope you're enjoying the good weather, it makes me feel so much better when the sun shines.  I'm enjoying it being light from early in the morning!

Our new challenge at CD Sunday Plus starts today and this time is hosted by the lovely Margaret.  As always, the challenge is anything goes as long as something digital has been used on your creation - you must tell us in your post the source of your digital item.  Please check out the blog for full details.

Here is my card for this challenge:

I used an image from Crafters Companion 'Kimono' cd-rom, which I decoupaged.  I used Lynda Chapman's nesting dies to cut the square.  I die-cut the alphabet lettering from Lynda's famous black card.  I had bought Sophie some earrings and a necklace which I then attached to the card in such a way that she could remove it without damaging the card.

I really enjoyed making this card and am looking forward to seeing what you make.