Reasons to Give Thanks

Hello
Happy Thanksgiving to followers in the US. It's always good to reflect on the many reasons there are to give thanks and research shows that thankful people are usually much happier people. So today I'm making a special effort to count my blessings, of which there are many.

Apologies for the slightly wonky photo. I forgot to take one and had to ask the recipient to email me a photo back!

Snowy Sentiments

Hello
It's a grey day in this part of the world and the temperature has definitely dropped.

I like to make my Christmas cards as a little bit of love goes into each one, but being realistic they have to be designs you can mass produce.

Here's the third of my designs for this year...

I'm really impressed with the quality of the Find It dies and the snowman is a cheeky little chap, so I made as many cards as possible of one design before getting bored. I'm sure he'll be out again next year in a different guise!

The project is live on the The Craft Barn blog today so do have a look for all of the details of how to make it.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a lovely day. I'm off for a play in my craft room! xx

Dull November brings the blast

Hello again
The first Sunday of the month means it's time for the next verse of The Craft Barn's Twelve Month Challenge based around Sara Coleridge's poem The Months.

Dull November brings the blast,

Then the leaves are whirling fast.

My mini canvas is live on the blog, hopefully providing some inspiration for those joining in with the challenge.

It's amazing how quickly the year has passed by. Winter always used to be my favourite season but as I get older I enjoy each season in a different way. Important to enjoy the present though and not wish it away thinking about the future too soon.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Hope you are having a lovely day wherever you are. xx

Christmas Bauble Card

Hello
A quick one today to share the second of my Christmas card designs for this year using the lovely bauble stencil from Giovanna Zara. I bought mine through her Dawanda shop and you can see her ideas and tutorials on her blog.

I can see a lot of uses for the different elements at some point in the future!

As I've said before the secret to Christmas card making is a simple design that can be put together production line style. I stencilled first in vintage photo Distress Ink  around the outer parts of the image and then went over with festive berries. I then very lightly added some Imagination Crafts Starlights in antique gold before stamping a sentiment. To finish off I added a pale shadow in alcohol marker and some metallic nailhead gems.

Unfortunately the flash picks up the gold but flattens some of the colour and shading which make it look more 3D. Quick to do and will be eye catching across a festive room at Christmas.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. xx