I cannot believe that it is New Year's Eve - where did 2009 go?

Here are a few cards that I have been messing around with over the last few days.

I love this little girl by Diane Duda. The image is called Bunny and is from Sugar Nellie. The flowers are Junkitz Clear Stampz. I have to say a big thank you to Beth for both of these as they came as part of my recent candy win over at her blog.

The next card features a Heather Ellis 'Pure Innocence' digital download .

Soooo cute, and sooooo reasonably priced too - especially as Heather has a sale on at her site right now. I must thank the wonderful Donna for the tip off about these images!

I was able to print two images on an A5 sheet and then add the sentiment using a cute font on my PC. The inside sentiment reads '...hope it's happy'.

 

So happy New Year everyone, let's hope its a good one... with lots of cards, creativity and fun!

Little candy gems!

Aren't these cute?

I just discovered them over at Janet's blog Pink Gems!

If you'd like to win 6 Pink Gem Designs stamps of your choice head on over here and find out how! You have until 18th January... but I doubt if you'll want to wait that long!

Stampman blog hop!

Hi, everyone, hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas Day!

I think that I am still full of Mom's wonderful Christmas lunch...

Don't forget that today is the day that the Stampman blog hop begins!

I have just done a little hopping around and have found lots of gorgeous new blogs!

Jill is also offering this little award...

The idea is that we all look back over our past work and pick something that we are particularly proud of, or that we feel is our best work of the year.

I'm going to share this little card that I made back in November.

This was my first attempt at paper piecing and the first card that I made where I managed to really get my act together with using scrapbook papers! I also quite liked the double ribbon effect and those funky, pink Mary Jane's.

I gave this little card to my beautiful niece to celebrate her first Christmas.

Here she is smiling, and being her lovely little self, with my dear MIL.

Isn't she just the cutest, but then I am a teeny bit biased!

Anyhoooooo, why not take a little time out to join in the fun over at The Stampman and share your favourite project of 2009!

Four turtle doves!

So here are the first two Turtle doves on this little card featuring a gorgeous Kraftin' Kimmie/Moonlight Whisper image called Clara.

I bought this stamp a few weeks ago but have been saving her until now. This image of Clara with her birds is perfect for my Sister-in-law and my Mom-in-law's cards as they both keep doves.

This first card is the one that I made for my SIL and her hubby. I got busy with my Promarkers and then cut out the image. The script background is a very old Christmas greetings stamp from Hero Arts that I love. I edged the backing paper with Stickles and added four little pearls. This was a very simple card to make, but I am pleased with the effect. The gorgeous backing paper is from my recent blog candy win over at Beth's.

There are more cards to follow, but first I just wanted to signpost the way to The Stamp Man blog hop that will be taking place between Christmas and the New Year.

Looks great fun, and thanks for the info Vicky, I'll be playing along!

My next two cards feature a cute little turkey that Lynne sent me a few weeks ago.

Isn't he adorable? Just the perfect image for my friend Jacquie and her family, and also for my very dear friend Rob. The brown and blue card, with the slightly more masculine colour combo is for Rob.

BTW, if you want to find out the true meaning of the Twelve Days of Christmas' song please take a look at this fascinating post over on Lynne's blog.

This next card is for my Mom's friend Pat and her husband. I didn't do too well with the light effect on this card, but it's still cute!

This final card is the one that I made for my sweet Mom and Dad-in-law and has the other two of the four Turtle doves on it!

My MIL loves her doves, and I have to admit that there is nothing nicer than sitting in the garden with pretty white doves circling above your head on a summer evening.

There is, however, one problem with keeping doves and that is that it attracts other doves and pigeons into the garden. Last year a new bird appeared on the scene. Although he was quite pretty and 'dove-like', he had some brown patches on his wings which suggested that he also had some pigeon ancestry. He also had a very bad attitude and so we christened him 'Bad Bertie'. Bertie made himself very much at home and took to bossing and bullying the other doves. Eventually things got so bad that my MIL tried to shoo him away, but Bertie took no notice.

My MIL decided that drastic measures were called for so she got a cardboard box, lined it with an old jumper and popped Bertie into it. My In-Law's took a ride out to one of the villages a few miles away and carefully released Bertie, who flew away into a clear blue sky.

They returned home, feeling happy and relieved.

When telling me this tale my Dad-in-law delivered the punch line with relish '... and when we got home Bertie was there waiting for us'.

Yes, who should be strutting around the bird table but Bad ol' Bertie, tired but happy after a great day out. Bertie still has plenty of attitude but is now treated as one of the family!

That's about it for the Christmas cards folks, but I just want to say thank you so much to you all for visiting my blog, and thank you for your kind comments and your friendship, it really means so much to me.

Happy Christmas everyone, I hope it is fun filled and magical!

Well, fancy that!

Ok, first surprise today - lots of snow! Well, actually about 1 -2 inches but it looked so pretty.

I wanted to take a picture of Custard playing in the snow but he wouldn't oblige and just ran off to hide under a bush. I had to dry his feet when he came in as he gets all emotional if they are wet... what a big girl he is!

Second surprise was my little note cards being featured as one of the Digital Challenge Standouts over at Caardvarks! I am thrilled. So glad to see the lovely Sally's gorgeous Christmas tree card 'standing out' too!

My third surprise was to discover that the adorable Victoria had given me a blog award - thank you so much.

Now for today's card...

It's another version of that cute little girl again.

This time she is coloured with Pro-markers!

Yes, as I am sure you can tell this is my first attempt with my new pens. I was lucky enough to have a lovely win over at The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, so went on a little spending spree at the wonderful Wendy's and came home with a selection of gorgeous colours.

My visit to Wendy's also had a special twist as I had arranged to meet a dear blogging friend for the first time. What a treat to finally meet Vicky of Kip's cards - you are such a sweetheart and such a talented card maker!

I have spent today making my last few Christmas cards and hope to get them posted in the next few days.

Happy crafting, wrapping and rushing around in a pre-Christmas panic everyone!

Anyone for Porridge?

Don't you just love Porridge the pig from Sugar Nellie?

I bought this stamp several months ago as I knew that he would be perfect for my Dad's birthday card. When my Dad was a teenager he worked on his brother-in-law's pig farm. This must have been a really positive experience for him as he has always had a soft spot for pigs!

I wish that I had £700 to spend on a present for my Dad, as I am sure he'd prefer one of these little cuties to the dark green woolen Marks and Spencer's jumper that he'll be getting!

It's 5x5 birthday cards for the Cupcakes Challenge #70 this week so Porridge can trot on over there to get aquainted with Mr Linky!