Twins but not identical

Good morning all.
I did have a lovely quote to share with you today, well it is more of a poem really but I have misplaced it.  I am hopping mad because I kept it so safe, ready to type up today for the blog and then when I need it I can't find it anywhere.   There is no point even trying to retrace my steps, I have danced all over this floor today (been busy crafting for a change... It felt so good too!!).   Ah well, saved for another day now.
Ok, less words for todays post, but definitely more cards.   I was making a card yesterday and because I love the papers so much I decided to make another card, different design but same papers.
Here is the first card I made, hope you like it.

Here is a side view to show the layering and the dimension.  I tried to keep it fairly shallow for posting.

Well, I liked it alot but I had a terrible time with the decision for the matts.  Did I want to do kraft matts or pink?  Well as you can see, I went for pink...................... or did I?

I did, in fact, go for both!  I was so taken with both colours for the matts that I decided to make a twin, but not identical thank goodness.
So as you can see in the following picture, the second card has the same paper and layout but I changed to kraft and used a different greeting also.  I think you can probably see my dilemma  as they are both very effective (although I am drawn to the kraft one alot! but please don't tell pinky or I may have a riot on my hands, these two have to share the same storage box remember...LOL!!)

Ok, thats it for today.  I have a busy day ahead of me as my Grandson, Jake will be here at 8am, so I need to get myself sorted.  Have a good day whatever you are up to.
Thank you all for the lovely comments you left for me yesterday.  I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.  Hugs Linda xx

A little of me and a Showcase too

Morning all,
I made this card using one of my favourite paper pads.  It is from My Minds Eye Lost & Found series, called Market Street.  I love the peachy tones with soft greens and lots of scripted papers too.
The plaid one shown here is actually glittered, which you can just see if you zoom in.   (For newbies to blogland, to zoom in just right click on the picture, open in new tab, in that tab when you hover over picture a zoom tool (cross) should appear, click to see in maximum size).
The button and dragonfly are part of the fabulous Fimo pieces that Linda W. sent to me; they coordinate beautifully.  I used some 8 & 10mm half pearls from Ebay to add a little glamour.  They are not self adhesive, but I prefer them that way.  I just put a dab of glue where I want them and drop them on, its easy and you can move them a little before they become fully set.  I don't know about you but whenever I use something self adhesive, you can bet your bottom dollar I will drop it in the wrong place and then almost cry because I cannot adjust it.  One of those....AAAARRRGGGHHHH... moments, lol!

I decorated the inside to coordinate too, but added a diecut flower (one layer of Spellbinders Rose) with a brad for less bulk.  The twine was originally natural so I dyed it to match using an antique pink Promarker.

Here you can see the dimension of the layers and embellishments and view the inside and outside together.

I am really happy with how this card turned out and although I couldn't do the 'Happy dance', I did grin alot for a while (if I had been a bird at the time, I'd have been a peacock for sure, strutting around all proud and a little smug ...lol!!)
So that is my card for today.   Now I have a card from a very special lady, Christine Hussey.   Christine has sent me a few cards to show and I will showcase them over the week, so please keep an eye out for them.  She doesn't have her own blog and therefore I would love it if you could give her a shout out and let her know what you think.

This is a 13th Birthday card that Christine made, isn't it just lovely.  It's perfect for a teenage girl.
I adore the soft mottled background and those flowers are just gorgeous.  I loved all the pictures Christine sent me of her cards, but this one did find a soft spot, it has to be my favourite.  You can decide for yourselves as the week goes on.
Well that's it for today.  I hope you all have a great day.  I am still busy, busy (lots of sewing today), but I will sit down and visit all the blogs I have missed.  Take care.
Regards Linda xx 

Same sketch, different view

Good morning all,
First I must say thank you for all the fantastic comments you have left for me over the past two days, you are all so kind and it is a pleasure getting to know you all.

I am actually typing this just before I am about to post it as I have been up all night again.  I am fine so please don't worry,  it's just one of my wide awake nights.
Anyway, I designed a sketch that I used for yesterdays card and I have used the same sketch but mirrored it for todays card.  Of course I have used completely different card and embellishments but I thought it would be a good way to show you how I like to do similar but in a fresh way.
By doing this sort of thing you can use one sketch (layout) for a card and just by turning it around you have four ways to make it different.  Then mirror the position of everything and you have another four ways etc. So of course by changing all the papers, embellishments etc you could spend a whole week just using one layout and produce something totally different every single day.  It actually is a wonderful way to keep crafting whenever you have a lack of crafting mojo.
Try it yourself one day.  Find a card that has a layout you adore and use it as a sketch/layout and just turn it around and make your next card from it.  You will be surprised at how different it looks and if you are really crafty (notice the pun) you can make it so no one would every know it was a layout you used yesterday or whenever!

As you can tell from the picture, the only thing, besides the layout, that I kept was a flower. Everything else is totally different.
In place of the embossed background I used Teresa Collins floral paper, then I used MME Lush trellis paper, vintage ribbon and Persian Accents lace border in place of the pleated velvet ribbon and banners.  Next instead of pins coming from my flowers I used diecut leaves and the flower sat on a Persian Motif diecut instead of a bow.  The last change was one fancy button (with shank removed) glued on top of a flattened large beadcap in place of the pearl swirls.
So all in all the same but as I said,  totally different.  I do hope you like it and can see the advantage of retaining your own ideas and recycling them.  We often forget to check out our own creations for inspiration, all too often we think we have to look elsewhere, when in fact we have probably created loads of cards that could be turned upside down and inside out to produce something, again totally wonderful.
Well thats it for now.  If my grandson has his nap later I will put up my next tips and storage post. Fingers crossed please.... lol!
I hope you all have a wonderful day.  Hugs Linda xx

Another mini card

Hi all and happy sunday.
I do hope you are all having a good weekend so far.  Todays post is very short, it is mainly to show you my latest Mini Card.  I love to make these to include in parcels or with gifts that are going in the post.  They are also really handy when you just want to send a note to say Hi.

 

I started with the largest of the Spellbinders Labels 20 dies and blood red card for the base, then a beautiful floral paper from MME Lost & Found2.  It is a stunning paper and the reverse is the lovely pink check shown on the smaller Labels 20 diecut. This is one of my all time favourite papers.   I cut more of the blood red card with the Spellbinders Damask Motifs dies to add some filigree decoration and a piece of my hand crocheted lace with a few dewdrops to finish it off.

Well that's all for now though I will be back about 2pm with a storage idea.  Take care of yourselves and have a crafty day.  Hugs Linda xx

For my No.1 Grandson

Hi all,
I have another card made using the beautiful My Minds Eye (MME) papers from my Lost & found, Union Square paper pad.   I adore the colours and patterns in this particular pad as it is so versatile.  I have used it for 'Moulin Rouge' style cards and also 'Western'  (Cowboys & Indians) themed cards and it looks great with either and various others too.

This particular card is for my darling Grandson who will celebrate his birthday this coming weekend.  The only trouble is I think I concerntrated more on the papers that his actual age.  Nevertheless I am pleased with how it turned out;  I love to do different styles and themes.  I do hope you like it too.

I used Lily of the Valley Boys Sentiments stamps for the centre and the Happy Birthday greeting was from a Creative Expression stamp plate.  The fringing on the bottom was made by knotting small pieces of leather effect cords along one long piece. 

Well that's it for today, I know it is a very short one  but I am still trying to catch up.  However before I go, I would like to welcome my newest followers:  Hi all and thank you for your support.  Also thanks to everyone again for the lovely emails etc. 

Have a wonderful day all.  Hugs Linda xx

PS I have a lovely mini card for you tomorrow (I have scheduled it in as I am busy, so let's hope I have done it correctly this time!!)

My first 'Not sure about this one' card

Hi everybody and welcome to my newest followers.
I apologise for not posting this card yesterday as planned.  I needed to take my grandchildren their Easter baskets as I couldn't see them Sunday and we ended up having such a lovely time I was later home than I expected to be.   So, here is the missing post- 
Some time ago I fell in love with the MME Lost &Found Union Square paper pad so much so that I had to buy an extra one..., just incase.  You know what we crafters are like:- 'oh, I can't use that one- just in case' or 'I must have one piece left (just to look at)'.  Not long after acquiring them Sue Wilson did a Spellbinders show on tv and (you've probably worked out the rest....) I bought some.  Oh come on, don't tell me you haven't gone a bit nuts now and again.  I mean,  how can you say no when Sue shows us so beautifully how well they can be used..lol!!  Well that order contained the adorable butterfly and somehow it called out to me the very same time the new papers did.  The result is this:-

My recipe:-  8" x 8" Base Card Ivory Linen 280g, MME bp,  Spellbinders Parisian Motifs & Accent dies, Fancy Tags 1 and Fanciful flight butterfly die,  Metal butterfly,  Red matting card & eyelets from my stash.

So what do you think?
I wasn't too sure about it at first as it lacked all the lovely flowers, ribbon & bows I adore so much and, there's not a gem in sight.  I was in fact, so unsure that I had to ask my daughter for her opinion, she said she loved it so I decided I would share it with you and get your opinion too.   I love constructive critism; sometimes someone else can point out a flaw that we ourselves have somehow overlooked. So please be honest with me but gently so if you would.
I have, again, been thinking about more ways for us to interact within my blog and a comment left by Christine Harrop yesterday helped me to make up  my mind.   How about us sharing some of  YOUR work or thoughts.
Christine mentioned that she recently added box frames to her crafting repertoire and I thought how lovely it would be to see some of them;  this in turn, had me thinking about sharing some of them with you.  So. how about it?   Shall I dedicate a day to showcasing some of your bits and pieces?   Maybe it could be a quote you love or a favourite line from a film/book/poem that has some meaning for you etc.   For those without a blog maybe it could be a picture of a new creation that you are really proud of.   If anyone has any ideas that could help me get a 'Showcase Day' going or has something they would like to share then send me an email,  I would love to hear your ideas.   Who knows,  we could start something really good and truly share this blogging experience.
Well that's it for today.  Hope to see you again soon.  Linda x

(ps  May I just remind you that the '20followers' draw has been done and the winner was  announced last saturday.  I will do a redraw Friday night if it is not claimed before then.)