A LITTLE BIT OF CARD MAKING

Yesterday was our 14th Wedding Anniversary. As it turned out it was a pretty rubbish day for both of us, but for entirely different reasons. Needless to say, we got through it, like the last 14 years, with a bit of mutual support, a few more than average cuddles - and - remarkably - no alcohol! (Obviously the no alcohol bit was just yesterday - not the last 14 years - we've got kids we'd never have managed that!) We have pencilled in a promise to try and celebrate properly at the weekend! We did however take the plunge and order a BRAND NEW CAMERA!

We've been looking for one for ages as I wanted something better for my scrapbooking, but it was Red Kitegate that finally tolled the death knell for the old Fugi Finepix and its NOT VERY ZOOMY ZOOM. We've settled on a bridge camera (neither compact nor DSLR but a sort of hybrid) which has a staggering 26x zoom and can allegedly take close-ups from 1cm away - we'll see! Watch this space (and my other blogs come to that.)

I did surpass myself and MAKE an anniversary card. It was a bit of a last minute job (May 6th kind of crept up on me unawares this year - I hope to the god of last minute shopping that Christmas doesn't do the same!) and is nowhere near the standard of the other gorgeous things you'll find elsewhere on the internets but just to show that I have been crafting here it is...

I faffed around with it for ages in Photoshop but when I printed it out we looked liked we'd spent the morning on a very hot sunbed rather than in church - my printer just doesn't seem to like skin tones - I'll have to check out the local print shop alternatives.

Here's a detail shot - when the new camera comes my close-ups will be sooooo sharp you'll be able to see the fibres in the paper...



I had chosen the embellies to reflect our bridesmaids' colours (green and purple - sounds vile but was really lovely) you can't tell from the picture as the tiny blooms (deconstructed artificials - see previous post "Pulling the Heads off Daisies") look blue. But GUESS WHAT? Even after 14 years and with probably the worst memory in the history of the world Mr M REMEMBERED!!!!

Next week is Mr M's birthday - and I have at last decided what to get - without resorting to the socks/ties/CDs fall back position. I can't tell you what it is yet as Mr M sometimes pops in to see what I'm up to in Blogland. I think it's inspired - you'll think it's bizarre - but Mr. M will think it's the best thing since sliced bread!

May is also the birth month of my Bezzie Mate from my Birmingham Poly days and I almost always forget to send her a card - SHAMEFUL I know!. We haven't seen each other for 6 years now and really must do something about that. This year however I am not only sending a card but making it with my own fair hands - this is it so far...




The colours aren't great in the pic as the card is sitting under my desk lamp but it's really bright and funky and the Trimcraft Smirk butterfly ribbon goes with it really well. You can see the corner of the latest (June, Pg 83) copy of Papercraft Inspirations open on the desk, this is where I found the technique for the folded pocket card - have a go it's dead easy and I think it would be a fun card for kids to make and fill with cool stuff. The one for my friend will have tea & biscuits tucked in the pockets as when we shared a student house tea formed a major part of Ali's diet! I really miss her you know.

I'm hoping to have a really fun afternoon. The BGF is on a course at the moment learning how to become a learning for life lecturer and one of her classmates teaches arts & crafts. The BGF took the minibook "to school" to show her (Gulp!) and she says that she could teach me some techniques which would save me money on stash - well I'm all for that as by applying MY MUM'S CREATIVE ACCOUNTANCY THEOREM - money saved on the one hand can be spent on something else. So this afternoon I'm signing up for a ten week course on Basic Beading - I'm looking forward to it but I MUST REMEMBER MY READING GLASSES or it will be a case of the talented leading the visually challenged!

I'll let you know how I get on.

Gentle Reminder (or act of desperation?)

Please pop over to my challenge blog Maisie Moonshines Mojo Monthly (link near top of side bar) and come and play with me...