And another milestone birthday card I seem to have made quite a lot of cards for significant birthdays already this year, and it's still only March! This card is for a colleague at work and I was asked to make a large one for the whole staff to sign, so this one measures 20.3cms square. Although it's quite a big area to fill, which can be daunting at first, the size actually suits the the numbers very well, so that they are not squashed together. All the papers are by Crate Papers and the number templates and card candy are from Craftwork Cards. The flowers were made using a craft punch. I don't know if you can see, but the numbers are outlined with glitter glue, as is the background paper. I like a little bit of glitter to give the card a lift. The papers are very pretty and subtle. I've had them in my collection for ages and decided it was about time I used them. In fact, I feel like that about a lot of my craft collection. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by how much stuff I actually have, and I can never find what I'm looking for, or I've forgotten that I bought it in the first place! The problem is that there are four possible locations when I have stored it, so I spend more time searching than I actually do making the card - frustrating! Sometimes, I buy paper and then don't want to use it because it is too nice - what is that all about??!! Time for a change methinks. So, expect to see some more cards with the above papers. I've not put them away and am going to make lots of different cards to use them all up - watch this space!! Check out my new pretties from Craftwork Cards - newly rebranded Candi (although I don't like the "i" at the end!). They are so pretty with their little flowers and dots. They are about £2 per pack, but go a really long way. I've got quite a collection of these little circles and they are so useful. And if you don't have the right colour for your project, you can always colour white ones with Promarkers.

Yesterday I made a new type of card, for me anyway, I know loads of people have been making these cards for ages, but it was a first for me. It was a bit trial and error, but got there in the end. I can't share it with you yet because it's for next Sunday (hope you are not reading this Mum!!).

Anyway, got to go and collect my daughter from a sleepover. She went to see The Script at the O2 last night and I'm dying to hear all about it.

Hope everyone has a great week, and that we have more weather like last week.

Keep smiling! M x

New Hooks

Look at my new purchase from Amazon - 13 bright, shiny, metallic crochet hooks for the bargain price of £10.29 - how cool is that!! I am so loved up with them, they have brightened my day!

Hope all is well with you.

M x

A Present from Harrogate

Mark was up in Harrogate last week for his work's Christmas "do"! Yes I know it's March, but they always have it at this time of year. As he was away for two nights I cheekily asked for a little present and look what he bought me!!


Now I have two lovely Cath mugs to brighten my day. Can't decide which one I like the best - I don't think I can chose.

Have a good week everyone.

M x

More of the same

A couple more special birthday cards are needed in the next couple of weeks, and as I like this design so much (and because it is very quick), it seemed a perfect idea to use it. Even though the design is the same, so far no two cards have been alike.

For both cards, the papers are from stacks by DCWV and the beautiful glitter is from the Martha Stewart set I bought a few months ago.

I didn't have matching Card Candy for the blue card, so I used some white ones and coloured them with Promarkers.

Recently my card making has been a bit stagnant - making cards purely because I have to and not because I want to. I hate it when it becomes a chore. I am hoping that during the Easter holidays when I feel calmer and less stressed, I will get my mojo back. It's not a lack of inspiration, there is plenty of that about, I think it's more a case of life getting in the way.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

M x

Once upon a time . . .

Last week at school was Once Upon a Time week, to coincide with World Book Day. Obviously no themed week would be complete without a dressing up day, and as a member of staff, it's pretty much obligatory to dress up too. Not my favourite thing.

I wracked my brain over half term to think of something that would feel comfortable to wear all day and also something that I wouldn't feel like a fool in! I had a brainwave and decided to come as Cinderella before she got made over by her Fairy Godmother! So I made myself a skirt with a ragged bottom, an apron and a headscarf, then raided my wardrobe for a peasanty type blouse - job done! No photos though I'm afraid - couldn't possibly share that delight with you!!

I spent a good part of the week creating this little masterpiece below, with 29 children as my helpers (not all in one go I might add!). We ended the week with a tea party and the cake was piece de resistance!

It was quite adventurous to make, certainly with the children all having a go. Some helped with baking the sponges, some helped with the construction, others helped make the roof tiles (coloured white chocolate would you believe!), while another group did the icing and the final group added the decoration. It was exhausting for me, but also good fun. I've never tackled anything like this before, but I was thrilled with how it turned out (and it tasted delicious too).

The one thing that worried me was when one of the turrets started to lean away from the cake,but a quick bit of thinking and a clean knitting needle soon fixed that!

And they all lived happily ever after. The End!

M x