Gosh it's been a busy few days!

Am just recovering from a lovely but very busy weekend.  My pal forum pal Jacque (Sassie) and her husband Ian came up to spend a few days.  We didn't do a lot - a bit of craft shopping, but mainly relaxing and chatting.   I had to abandon them for a couple of hours on Saturday as my son has got me a ticket to see his eldest daughter perform on stage for first time with her ballet school.   It was a very special day, as the theatre she performed in was built because my parents badgered and badgered the Council to get it built.  They were very involved in this theatre, performing there many times; and when my father died, the Council arranged for a plaque to be placed in the "House Seats" (not normally sold but used by visiting VIPs - and Seat no 7 was my father's special seat when he was entertaining the VIPs).  There is also a dedication to him in the room that houses the "describing for the blind" equipment, as it was he that got it installed.  At Christmas the local Lions International Club provide a Christmas Tree for the foyer, and that too has a little plaque in front of it dedicated to Dad (he was a founder member of the local club).   When my mother died she requested that her wake be held in the theatre.   So to see Bea performing in her "great grandparents special place was very moving, and I must admit when she was on stage I could feel my parents presence in the theatre approving.  My youngest granddaughter (aged 1) was also with us, and she sat enthralled by what was going on on stage - it was almost as if she too sensed the "special" atmosphere.    At the end of the show, my son took a photo of Bea with her greatgrandfather's plaque.  I can't wait to see it.

Sunday also saw me abandoning my visitors (although they arranged to meet up with some forum pals locally - so I didn't feel too guilty!)  I had another special event to attend - a tea party at South Lodge, the birthplace of Guiding in Sussex.   The original owner - Dame Alice Godman took over from the first County Commissioner for Sussex - one Lady Olave Baden-Powell.  So it is a very special place for us locally.   Dame Alice's two spinster daughter's took over from their mother.    Recently we planted some Guide Centenary Roses at South Lodge, and one was just coming into bloom on Sunday.  It is a beautiful place - just across the road from the famous Leonardslee Gardens and full of lovely rare plants and trees, and has magnificent rhodedendrons and azaleas.

some of the cakes at the teaparty

the guide rose bed, below the terrace

the rose plaque

some photos of the grounds (they had a marriage blessing in the grounds on Sunday too - you can just see the chairs.)

Last week also saw Bea celebrating her 4th birthday - and I made this cake for her birthday party which was also on Sunday.  This is Bea with her Sleeping Beauty cake (her request) the morning of her party when she called to collect it.

Productive Sunny Weekend!

Apart from a little gardening, I have had a productive weekend, getting some family cards and orders done.  It was very pleasant sitting out on the patio crafting!

Card 1 using Pamela West 2 cd - I had intended to use the backing paper that went with the image, but my daughter dropped in with the latest Docrafts GoodyBag - and I just thought how perfect the backing paper and flower ribbon were to go with the bits I had printed off.  I was actually working on this card, when she called round - talk about excellent timing!  I also used the matching backing paper from the cd for the insert instead and added an  image of an Iris to it.

                                     

    

Card 2 - using one of the stamped images I coloured with promarkers during the week.  Backing paper from Daisy and Dandelion paper, mounted on brown cardstock.

Card 3 - created in MCS - the request was for a card with snooker and football and the wording shown. Backing paper and football collage mounted on green mirri board.  (the edging around the collage is very fine - just looks larger due to shadow.)

       

Card 4 - made using Forever Friends cd (and Publisher) - the image was actually the one for 18, but I cropped it so I could just use the 1 !

and finally card 5 - again using Forever Friends cd, and some bits I had already bought for this card for my granddaughter.  To match the red in the number topper, I opted for the Bear with the red heart. Would you believe that my daughter has also used this image for her card for Bea - albeit she used the full decoupage version, whereas mine is on foam pads!  (that's the second time we have used the same image unbeknown to each other!  I had originally intended using one of the ballerina bears, and I thought Dawn would use one of the decoupage sheets of fairies we bought at Ally Pally! - seems great minds are thinking alike yet again!) 

unexpected craft day!

I had to look after my eldest granddaughter today, (aged 8) as she was feeling very poorly this morning - so my quiet day crafting by myself went out the window!   Spent the day sitting in the garden crafting with Ellie this morning and playing board games this afternoon - Sorry, The London Game, and Yahtzee!   (Rewarded by son-in-law chopping down a dead ceanothus bush when he came to pick her up).

Here are some piccies of what we got up to, firstly playing with my new Joanna Sheen stamps .... 

Ellie then decided to raid my other stamps to make a card for her cousin's birthday next week.   I helped her mounting her images on mirri board, as it required using the guillotine and a helping hand with the ribbon - but I think she made an excellent job of the finished result.  I then helped her with an insert (as I have templates set up in Publisher)

Quickie Cake!

Wasn't going to make my son a cake, as he is on a diet, but he was so disappointed when I spoke to him on Monday,and said he would like one to take into the office - that I knocked this up today!  Talk about the lazy cake decorators cake! He requested a sponge with a jam filling.  As you can see I opted for the cupcake idea again!

One victoria sponge, sandwiched with jam, cut into a rough shape of a cup cake, quickly spread with boiled apricot jam, and sugarpaste applied.  The ivory sugarpaste was firstly rolled with a ribbed roller, and the white sugarpaste cut with a wiggly line.   A split cherry on top, some bought chocolate letters and a tube of chocolate icing.  The most difficult job was piping with the little tubes of icing!  Apart from the cooking and cooling time for the sponge - voila one 30 minute cake!

oh those difficult men's cards!

Like most I hate doing men's cards.  Decided for my son I would use Andy Carolan's Pastimes & Hobbies cd, knowing that he has a games box of some sort (no don't ask me I am not up on these things).  Hopefully this fits the bill..

I have chosen my favourite easel shape - though the topper is actual a whole card with an insert in it.  I prefer to do them this way.

The two backing papers (striped and dotty are from Daisy and Dandelion Patchwork Collection mounted on mirri board for the front, as well as the strip along the base.  I created the wording in Publisher, printed and then embossed the whole strip; mounted on another piece of mirrr and attached with brads coloured with promarkers.

Hope it makes him smile!

Libby's card

Another card request from my pal - card for her hairdresser who is very much into gardening  - no problem I thought loads of stuff on Joanna's cds - but oh the indecision of which image to use - sometimes there is too much choice!   I decided that an image from the RHS cd would be the best way to go - oh gosh I couldn't decide, it is difficult when you don't actually know the person concerned. 

I eventually chose this image from from the decoupage section, as I gather the recipient often opens her garden to the public. (Must be bonkers I hate cutting out decoupage!)

You can't see it but the flowers on the decoupage, have been highlighted with clear stardust, which brings it to life more on the actual card.  I coloured the silk flowers and the letters with promarker pen to match the ribbon I already had in my stash.

I am not convinced I achieved the result that  I wanted - I hope she likes it.