Thanks and apologies

Hello dear blogfriends,
I am so sorry for doing a disappearing act over the past weeks (months), however it has been a very hard time for me.  I am slowly getting back into the swing of things and hope to start cardmaking again and of course, blogging too.   Until that time I am going to try and leave a few words now and again to let you know I am still around and also leave comments on your blogs when I am able.  Please note, even though I have been unable to comment I have been popping by your blogs and have been in awe of your beautiful handiwork.

I would like to thank everyone who has contacted me with emails, cards, e-cards, voicemails and comments too.  Your friendship and commitment to me and the blog has not gone unnoticed and your wonderful, caring words have lifted me on many occasions.  Bless you all.

I do hope you all had a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and I pray 2013 will be a good year for you.  I have made only one New Year's resolution and that is to get myself up and running again (figuratively of course!!)  and to get back into the land of the living.  Your continued prayers and support would be so much appreciated.

Quickly before I go I would like to show you the last cards Ellie and I made at the beginning of November. It was the last card I made before going AWOL.  It is a case of a card I found on one of the blogs I follow; unfortunately I cannot find the original to show you.  I will keep looking I promise so that I may give the credit due to the designer/creator.  If anyone knows who it is in the meantime I would appreciate a nudge.

This first one is Ellies version using sage green card for the leaves and flocking for the stamen center upon Spellbinders Labels 25 and a snowflake embossed background.  She finished it with a sentiment using a freebie stamp from a magazine.

The next card is my version using soft green card for the leaves and pencil for the stamen center upon  Spellbinders Labels 14 and  M.bossibilities embossed background.  The sentiment stamp was also a freebie from a magazine.

They are subtley different but both gave a very favourable result.  I think you will agree this style of card really shows off the delights of Spellbinders dies and embossing folders and that is why I chose this particular style to case (copy).
So that's it, sorry it is short but it's just the start.....  The start of a new year and a new me, but be Warned....... I'll be back! (as soon as I can).
Take care of yourselves and your families (they are so precious).
Big Hugs  Linda xx

Hi all,
I'm back again with my second post for the day.  As I explained earlier, I want to show you the card that my friend Ellie made.
For those who don't know, Ellie is my neighbours daughter and has been learning cardmaking with me for a while now.  It all started when I was having a clear out one day back last year.  I gave a bag of goodies to two of my neighbours for their children to play with.  Ellie had lots of cardmaking items in her goodie bag and since that day has been having weekly lessons with me and making cards.   Unfortunately I had to stop the lessons for a few months (my health got worse) but on Saturday we managed to get our crafting bits and pieces out and made a simple but stylish Christmas card together.
Here is Ellie's card:-

Isn't it cute.  Ellie stamped the little Christmas bear and then coloured him with pencils.  The papers are from a set I purchased some time ago from QVC and the button is from the Hobby House. All the card used is Centura pearl card in Ice White.  I was unsure at first if the pencil would work properly on the pearlescent card but they took to it well and were infact really rich and vibrant.
I hope you like Ellies card and are able to leave her a comment ot two.

To end, here is my card made using the same layout sketch.  Something simple again as we are trying to find the right style for her Christmas cards for this year.  It has to be fairly easy design for the bulk cards or they will never get finished.

I used some more of the paper pack from QVC, going for the snowy blue & white theme.  I added some white organza ribbon with white pearls and buttons from the Hobby House to embellish
I do hope you liked the results of my teaching lesson this week.  We had fun, chatting and crafting and are planning to do the same thing again back on a Friday evening every week... health permitting of course.
That's it for today. Take care and enjoy the rest of the day. Hugs Linda x

What a day I have had!

Hi, I hope you are all having a good day today.  I have had one problem after another since I woke up today.  First I needed to take some photos for todays cards and I couldn't get the camera to come out of set up mode for some strange reason and then every photo I took had a shadow in it that I wasn't spotting while shooting and to top it all off, I found out that I had messed up all but one of my email links on my posts (I just hope that I have corrected each and every one properly now!)  Well I managed to sort the camera eventually, but then I crashed my blogger account as I was trying to upload my photos.  Yep, you got it I am not the best at this photography lark, in more ways than one.  I blaim everything on my meds;  my memory has gone to pot since starting them....... What do you mean you don't believe me........!  Oh, come on give me a bit of understanding here, you don't want me to come across as being totally dumb do you?! lol
Well you get the idea, I am learning everything and it is very slow.  So I ask for your patience and help, if you think I can be helped......oh bless me! :(
Well at last I 'think' I have a card for you, so here goes

My Recipe:-  Base Deepest brown 280gsm card,  Papermania Kraft card,  Spellbinders Labels 11 (S4-246) and Foliage (S4-328),   'Time & Travel' 6x6 paper pad (sorry forgotten manufacturer),  LOTV Lazy Afternoon stamp,  Papermania Greeting Stamp,   Distress ink in Walnut stain, Antique Linen, Peeled Paint & Bundled sage.  Mottled card and ribbon from my stash.

This card was created while having a 'teaching' session with a young friend Ellie, the daughter of my friend/neighbour (yea, I know what you're thinking, me teaching, I can't even control my camera! Well I am quite good at some things, they just all tend to be either crafting, housekeeping or DIY related).
Anyway, we were practicing basic matting and layering, stamping and colouring with distress inks and the theme was Vintage and/or Memories.
This is my version of the card but unfortunately, Ellie gave hers to her grandad for his birthday and I was unable to get a photo to show you.
I am sorry, again, about my photography and editing skills (ok,ok so I have none, we have established that...LOL!) but I hope you get the idea and like something about it. 
Joking aside, this is the weakest side of my crafting;  I am not very good at colouring.   I am, however, trying to follow the tips and tutorials that several of you very talented bloggers are providing and practicing when I have an hour to myself.
Well that's it for today, I have taken so long to do this that I daren't waste anymore time chatting on or it will be posted tomorrow instead.  So I hope today has found you well, see you soon.
Hugs and biggest thanks to you all for not only your continued support but also for your helpful tips.
Linda x