Over-run with Caras ....

.... the name is obviously up at the top of the popular list at the moment.  I made a card a few weeks ago for the baby whose parents eventually plumped for the name Cara, and this one I've just finished is for a different baby Cara!!  (It's an Irish word meaning "friend", btw!).  I made this at a crop on Saturday at my friend's house (thanks, Julie Frog - I had a great day!).

I'm entering this into three challenges: Stampin for the Weekend "Monochromatic" - I've gone for shades of dusky pink, I've used this week's sketch challenge on Totally Gorjuss, and I've taken my soft pinks from the photo inspiration challenge on Basic Grey Challenges.

I've used the same stamp I used on the other Cara's card, and my all-time favourite BG Phresh & Phunky papers.

Here's a little close-up - hopefully you can see the sparkle on the image and flower:

Recipe:

Stamp: Penny Black

Papers: Basic Grey Phresh & Phunky

Colouring Medium: Prisma Pencils

Other: Nestabilities (thanks for the lend, Linda!), Stickles, Antique Linen Distress Ink, MS punch, Hero Arts flower, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!!

Early Birthday Card ....

.... for my DD - so if you know her, don't tell her what it's like before she sees it for real on her actual birthday!!

I'm posting this now as it's my entry for this week's SFTW challenge, which is called "Masking for the Weekend" - "This week we'd like to see some Masking on your cards, of two or more stamps! "

I was scanning down through their DT entries, and Claire's lovely card jumped out at me 'cos of the Penny Black Pink Toes stamp she used. This stamp was one of the first ones I bought - I've used it many times on cards for DD as ballet is her favourite activity. So why not roll it out again, in combination with the Hero Arts flower stamp which is actually the very first stamp I ever bought.

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I coloured the stamps with Prismas, using greys and beiges as DD is definitely not a "pink" girl. I don't have the label Nestabilities, so I traced a similar shape and hand-cut it, and pierced a border. I've added little Hero Arts pearls to the flower centres, two ribbons tied together - and the papers are my adored BG Ambrosia.

Sorry it's a bit dark, as it was gloomy out when I took the picture (but typically, the sun is now shining!).

And thanks for looking!

Christmas? I'm on schedule ....

.... well, craft-wise I am!!

Having finished making the Christmas cards (writing them and sending them is another story!!), I've been making some gifty things and I'm really pleased with them. Can't show them, though, until the recipients get them.

I made this card for a friend who is my birthday twin (but he's a whole sixteen years older than me!!)

I am going to make a mini-studio for taking pictures of my cards, 'cos I'm fed up of the rubbish light at this time of year. I scavenged a perfectly sized box for making one at the parish bazaar yesterday (also burnt my knuckles making pancakes there, but that's another story!).

And, for the record, even though I'm on schedule craft-wise for Christmas, I'm ridiculously behind on all the rest - pressies not bought, food not ordered, need I say more!!