4 Cats and an awful lot of mess

This last couple of weeks I have had to make a real mix of cards, some happy, some sad. The happy ones I don't struggle to much with but the sad cards .....

A colleague unexpectedly and tragically lost her 17 year old son  and as you can imagine is heartbroken, whilst not really of much benefit I wanted to make and send a card to let her know I was thinking of her. It took me quite a few practice runs and trying out some different styles but in the end I went with this, which I have to be honest, I am quite pleased with and will use this again.


To lighten the mood after this card I decided to have a go at some Christmas cards. I have been really inspired with some of the videos on Youtube, where a lot of the card makers post a card a day in the run up to Christmas. Sadly, I don't have the time to do that so a few mass produced ones will supplement this years shop bought ones. Maybe if I start in July next year I could make all my own cards, lets see.


This was a Simon Says Stamp tree die and I painstakingly mounted each strip on foam pads to elevate the trees from the base, finished with wooden starts strayed with Tim Holtz distress spray in silver and Tim Holtz Christmas stay.

Finally, a farewell card for another colleague who was leaving to take up a new job.


I left this to the last minute and consequently feel it is missing something however, the lovely Anna seemed pleased with it.

This weekend MP and I were honoured to attend the wedding of Miss Lauren Cope and Mr Kieran Gilhooley at St John's Church, Cumnock followed by a reception at the beautiful Sorn Castle, Ayrshire.



I have been friends with Lauren's' mum, Susan since 1985. We met in Hertfordshire, where we were both working as nannies and introduced by the other nannies who took 'newbies' under their wings. This friendship got off to a rocky start but has endured the years and we were at each others weddings and I was a frequent visitor as her 3 children (Lauren, Jenna and Marc) grew up. I also have the honour of being Jenna's Godmother or Fairy Godmother as I like to believe.

Obviously what to wear to this event took much deliberation and research, wanting to look good. As I have a fondness for vintage style clothing I searched far and wide for the perfect dress. Eventually I found this beauty from Palava clothing, a UK company who make the most beautiful dresses and knitwear, the Elsie - Navy floral feather.


Stunning and made from the most beautiful fabric. I bought a navy net petticoat to wear underneath it but in the end decided to wear as is and felt great in it. I teamed it with Miss L Fires Amber shoes in Navy


a vintage hat from Etsy



a matching navy suede clutch bag and to ward off the cold (good job as it was freezing) a mustard coloured pashmina.

But enough about me and more of the lovely bride.




The Bride and Groom


Lauren and her proud Dad, Danny


Lauren with her sister and Maid of Honour, Jenna

So wishing Mr and Mrs Gilhooley the very best for their new life together as man and wife xxxx

With time on my hands at the moment until I am fit to go back to work and that I am enjoying making cards, I decided to try and push myself a little. Yesterday I started looking via Google at card challenges and came across quite a few on different sites. I have linked to some of the ones I really liked under the challenges section.

However, this challenge from CAS(E) this Sketch Sketch #294 really appealed to me so for my first effort at a challenge I have joined in. This is my take on the sketch:


I used:
Ninah Desert Storm Cardstock
Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle dies
MFT Kraft ink pad
Pretty Cute Stamps Fur Baby Stamps
Waffle Flower red ink pad
Simon Says Stamp Mini Heart Dies
Red Cardstock from my stash
Glossy accents

This is Sketch #294

As I am off work at the moment recovering from breast surgery, not able to drive very far due to the seatbelt or the fact I have been bra less for 3 weeks, I am getting bored and therefore doing a lot of shopping online.

Not sure how, think it was a Facebook group, but I came across a little UK based shop called Skull and Cross Buns that makes and sells its own stamps. I couldn't resist a look and ended up buying a planner set (not that I use a planner, I'm still using my Filofax from the 1990's) and a gorgeous personalised stamp for the back of my cards.



If you fancy a browse the shop can be found at www.skullandcrossbuns.com

I have also spent an awful lot of time searching for the perfect dress to wear at my friends' daughters wedding next weekend. Last minute I know but I had something specific in mind and that took some finding. More in the next post.