Awarded thrice!

Imagine my delight when I returned home from my holiday, to see that I had been nominated three times for this award! How special is that!
I have been honoured by Eileen , Rica , and Julie .

The sentiment behind this award is truly amazing.

This is it:

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind blogger's aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight blogger's who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.What a wonderful sentiment and an elegant award.

Now I have to pass it on to 8 people, so difficult with all the friends I've made out there. So I'm just going to nominate Norma , my sister from SBS22, who is so diligent in participating in our group activities and for the rest, if you haven't yet received this award, consider it yours!

Long time, no blog!

We have just returned from a 2 week cruise in the Caribbean aboard the P&O ship Ventura. It was amazing!
This was a special Anniversary cruise apparently, although I hadn't realised this until we were actually there. We will be celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary on December 15th and this entitled us to have the special treatment! This included flowers, on-board credit, a silver photograph frame and 8x10 photo, plus the above... an invitation to the Commodore's cocktail party!
I'm now busily trying to catch up with finishing my Christmas cards and getting them posted, no small task!
If anyone is considering a cruise in the Caribbean... do it, it is simply fabulous!

Wedding Table Plan

I have been quite busy rushing around the country visiting relatives, but have just had time to complete this Table Plan for friends of my daughter who are soon to be married.

I thought that as it is very close to Christmas, mistletoe might be rather appropriate!

The colour of the background ties in with the rest of the stationery and the colour of the bridesmaids dresses.

I wish them all happiness!

Tagged by Julie

It doesn't seem like a week ago since my last posting on my Blog... goodness how the time flies! My excuse might be that I've had my daughter and my dear little granddaughter Daisy staying for a few days. I thought that you might like to see a picture of her! Both my husband and I are besotted!

Now, I have been tagged by Julie she has an amazing Blog, so DO take a look.

Tagging is a great way to find out a bit about your favourite bloggers, so these are the rules.

You have to link to the person who tagged you and list the rules on your blog.

Then answer the five questions and tag five people.

Add links to their blogs, and let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Things I love

1. My granddaughter Daisy... plus the rest of my family of course!!!!!!

2. Cruising, I'm off to the Carribean in a couple of weeks.

3. Singing in a choir.

4. Champagne.

5. Winter evenings in front of a real fire.

Things I hate

1. Lazy speech & bad grammar (It comes from being an old dragon of a teacher!)

2. Dessicated coconut.

3. Sticky fingers.

4. Washing up. (My husband is officially in charge of the dishwasher he doesn't think I can stack it properly)

5. Bad manners.

Music on iPod or playlist

1. Rod Stewart Great American Songbooks (ALL 4)

2. Saving Private Ryan

3. I will always love you, Whitney Houston

4. If you don't know me by now, Simply Red

5. Ladies in Lavender

Favourite food/drink

1. Most Italian food!

2. Rose Wine

3. Cox apples

4. Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate

5. Espresso coffee

Now I have to tag 5 other people so I'll choose Tara, Becky, Norma, Gwen and Barbara

Do check out their Blogs, you'll be glad you did!

ABC Challenge O ~ Oval

I couldn't resist playing with my new Martha Stewart border punch. I think it's so pretty.

I discovered that I had a stamp which co-ordinated well with this Anita's backing paper and I just had to put it into an Oval shape for the ABC Challenge.

I was quite pleased with the overall effect.

Papertake Weekly Challenge Dawny's sketch #1

I had the packet of chipboard shapes from a Goody Box I bought from Creativity Life Magazine, and until now hadn't found a use for them. Here I have used both a bracket and a cupcake, maybe I'll get around to using more of the pack now!

Papermania paper, Cuttlebug Swiss dots embossing folder and flowers. I don't know where I got the sentiment stamp from, but I use it loads as it's so neat.

The best thing is my new Martha Stewart lace doily punch which arrived yesterday. I love it!

Friday Sketchers #26 & Arty Girlz Recycle challenge

Although not a card maker, my daughter now understands the need to save bits and pieces for me. The pink mesh on this card was from a fabulous bouquet of flowers that she received from her husband on their anniversary! She knows I like to recycle things!

The sketch is from Friday sketchers.. I think the whole thing is missing something, I think I'll probably add a sentiment somewhere or other!

What do you think?

PS The postman just knocked on my door and my Martha Stewart punches have arrived....Yippeeee!!!!!

Sketch Saturday Challenge & Stamp Something - Something for the birds

Why is it that when one is retired, there's never time for anything! I've just realised that I haven't posted anything for a week!

Last weekend was the baptism of our granddaughter Daisy. She was so well behaved it was magic. Admired by all and passed around amongst family and friends, she put on a real show... however I think that she was a little cranky with her mummy in the evening when we'd all gone home!

This is a double challenge card, the sketch from Sketch Saturday and the theme from the Stamp Something challenge.

I used my new Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder for the first time and a Fiskars border punch on this one, but can't wait for my Martha Stewart punches to arrive.

SBS22 Secret Sister goodies!

Look what the postman brought from my secret sister in SBS22!

Thank you SO much sister!

ABC Challenge M - Men ~ Papertake Weekly Challenge #13

A card for a chap!

My contribution for the ABC Challenge.

I used this Papernation stamp for a card for an ex-rugby playing friend not long ago and he was thrilled with it. So out it has come again!

My interpretation of the Papertake sketch has (I've just noticed) got an element missing, however I don't expect that the recipient of the card will send it back to complain!

Thanks for looking!

Tilda & Co Challenge ~Tabbed Sketch

This is my first attempt at paper piecing! That word looks funny even tho' I spellchecked it!

The papers were from the Canon scrapbook site, plus a paper from my local Paper Mill shop which had a wood grain effect which I used for the hair.

Cuttlebug die-cuts and embossing.

Thanks for calling by!

Chrissie

Blog Candy

Jilli has some fab Blog candy on offer to celebrate the first anniversary of her Blog. It's full of inspirational stuff. DO check it out!
Chrissie

Double Challenge ~ Daring Cardmakers - Bright ~ OCCC - Anything but square

I've never made a card that was other than rectangular in shape, my favourite being absolutely square. However, the joy of doing challenges is that it does just that... challenges you!

Here is my 'anything but square' card for Our Creative Corner Challenge and one must admit that it is rather bright, for the Daring Cardmakers theme this week.

Because it was so bright, I thought that it would be a good card as a get well greeting, hence the sentiment I chose!

Nesties and Cuttlebug were used for the die-cutting, but I'm afraid I don't know the make of the stamp!

Triple Challenge ~Secret Crafter Challenge #2 # Penny Black -Thanks a bunch ~ Stamp Something - Friends

Penny Black image coloured with Perfect Pearls, Cuttlebug sentiment and papers from the Canon Scrapbook site.

Three challenges in one again. One sketch (Secret Crafter), one theme (Stamp Something) and one stamp -a bunch-(Penny Black).

I took a little licence with the sketch, but I think it's still recognisable.

Ooh la la Challenge! Shabby Chic

A birthday card for a friend!
I spent ages fiddling around trying to create a card that I think she will like... I hope that this fits the bill!

Recycle challenge

Can you spot the recycled element?

Following a Choir dinner, I couldn't bear to let the table confetti go to waste! So here it is in a shaker card. I have enough to keep me going for quite a while!

The sentiment reads 'Where words fail, music speaks' Hans Christian Anderson.

There may be other ideas emerging to use it up; any suggestions would be gratefully received.

The pink card, a birthday greeting for my friend, is using up more confetti.

Pass the Penguin & raise awareness

I picked up this little chap from Rach

As many of you may be aware, October is breast cancer awareness month...
Please feel free to add him to your blog and raise awareness.
"Squish a boob, save a life"
Please pass the pink penguin!

If you go to www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2 every day and click on the mammogram icon, you will be helping to fund free mammograms for those who desperately need them.

ABC Challenge L for Lace This was the winner!! Yippee!

I just received this martini glass stamp from the States and I think it's fab... could fancy a dry one right now!

This backing paper is one of my favourites from the Canon scrapbook site (free downloads ladies) and I love it.

I raided my sewing box for the lace for this week's ABC Challenge. I think it fits in with the backing paper admirably.

I think I'll be using this stamp a lot!

Ribbon weaving

One of my SBS22 sisters Norma, recommended the You Tube tutorial on ribbon weaving and so I thought that I'd give it a go.

I think that the weaving is fine... not so sure about the composition of the card, but someone may like it!

Tilda Challenge 38 & 39

When I looked at the Tilda Challenge site first thing this morning, it was sketch 38, but by the time I came to upload my contribtution we were on to Challenge 39... spookily my card fits both sets of criteria... last week's sketch this week's focus - metal. The photo is a little pale and interesting, but maybe you can get the idea.

I would be grateful for your comments, as ever.

April always sets me thinking!

I have a friend who sets me challenges each time she asks me to make cards for her. The first time was for her elderly father who flies micro light aeroplanes.

Her latest requests were for a birthday card for a 100 year old who likes the countryside, a 22 year old who likes films and an 18year old who likes bass guitars.

These are what I came up with.

Double Challenge ~ Daring Cardmakers - Scallops & Stamp Something - Fancy fold

Long time, no posts!

I am aiming to rectify the situation.

This card is for my daughter and son-law's first wedding anniversary. The shape (my contribution for the Stamp Something Challenge) is reminiscent of their wedding invitations, see way back at the beginning of my Blog.

In the first year of their marriage they have also managed to present us with our first grandchild. Daisy, hence the embossing in the centre of the card. The ribbon and the fact they I have embossed their initials is also a reference to their wedding stationery.

I hope they like it.

I have also used my scallop Nestabilities on this card...Daring Cardmakers challenge this week.

Scallops are my fave!

Your comments would be most welcome.

What a lucky duck!

I was so flattered to receive this award from Julie. Thank you so much Jools!
Do check out her Blog, it's inspirational!

And now I'd like to pass it on to Sarah , Becky, Stephenie , Tara and
Lynsey.

Your Blogs are a joy to behold!

Thank you all ladies!

SBS22 First Challenge ~ Fall - Halloween - Thanksgiving

Well this is our first challenge for SBS group 22! As we don't celebrate Thanksgiving this side of the pond, and as I'm a little on the elderly side to go trick or treating, I thought that I would do an autumn card.... otherwise known as fall!
Embossed with copper, verdigris and moss powders, coloured with bronze perfect pearls and over embossed with enchanted gold... not quite sure where the stamps came from, but they were in a set of 4 I believe.

Click on the image for a close up.

Banning Word Verification Candy!

It has come to my attention how easy it is to get rid of those pesky letters that are so difficult to decipher when leaving comments on Blogs. So now that I know how easy it is, I have removed that obstacle from my blog.
There are some crafters who are so keen to get rid of WV that there is Blog candy on offer!
Check out Chris and Kath

They are stressing that for security purposes you turn on comment moderation.

Double Challenge ~ Daring Cardmakers & Stamp Something - Fall

I really like triple embossing (now that I can do it successfully every time... look back on my blog for the way I do it) and I think that the copper on this image looks quite autumny.

I have just bought a set of Hero Arts sentiments - Get well soon, Thinking of you and Thank you and I love the simplicity of the lettering

Two challenges combined once more.

Triple Challenge ~ OCCC - Humour ~ Friday Sketchers ~ Cute Card Thursday - Pink

I seem to have been out of the loop for a while and haven't posted any challenge cards for ages it seems. I had a short trip to France and had root canal work on my return, but that's not really any excuse!

Sadly the colours on this picture don't reflect the colours in reality, but maybe you can get the idea, I do apologise for the poor image quality.

Three challenges in one card again... couldn't manage any more I'm afraid.

I must say that I empathise with the sentiment on this card ENTIRELY!

If I can get a better picture of this card, I'll edit it later.

Your comments would be welcome, as ever!

Email problem!

For some reason, emails on my one-of-a-kind address are not getting through!!!
Please could anyone trying to contact me use christinestokes75@hotmail.com instead for a while. I'll try to investigate further!!
Chrissie

Tagged!

I have just been tagged by Lyndsey!
If you are tagged, you must firstly post these rules
1.Write 7 stange characteristics about yourself. They interest us all!
2.Tag 6 other people at the end of your Post.
3.Visit everyone that you have tagged and a leave a comment on their blog to let them know that they have been tagged.

Well I've never been tagged before so this is all a bit new to me, but here goes...

1. I collect etchings by Kentish artist Graham Clarke.
2. I used to be the conductor of a local Choral Society.
3. I can speak franglais.
4. I lost 3 stones in weight before my daughter's wedding last year.
5. I had my appendix removed whilst on holiday in France.
6. I always cry at curtain calls in theatres or concert halls.
7. I know most of the dialogue of 'You've got mail' word for word!

I would now like to tag Julanne, Deb, Rebecca, Sarah, Ikki, and Manda

I wonder what little gems we will glean from them!!!!

Sketch Saturday Challenge #12

Another little Maggie image from Bootiful Stampz.

I think she's being a little optimistic wearing a swimsuit with the kind of summer we've been having... we can but live in hopes.

Canon Scrapbook papers, prima flower.

We got a new car today, Phil is busy putting all his little bits and bobs into it... it will look very much like our old car soon! Then he will have to get his head around finding out how to operate the Sat Nav!

What excitement!