Blog Hopping...

Hello again,

Am still getting used to using my blog, uploading pictures, creating links and adding gadgets to my side bars... think I will have a more in depth play around at the weekend!

Anyway, I have been looking at other people's blogs and trying to figure what looks good and what I might like to include in mine.  One of the things I've noticed is that loads of people are extremely generous and regularly give away 'Blog Candy' (free crafting goodies!).  Some of these blogs require you to give them a mention or make comments on their boards, so I am suggesting you check out A Thousand Sheets of Paper  to read her lovely blog and take part in her amazing giveaway!  You should also take a look at Handmade by Gem Handmade too.  I'm trying to figure out how to put a link to these giveaways in my sidebar, so as soon as I know how, it will be on there!

I've also been looking at other interesting websites - could spend hours on on Folksy and am thinking of possibly starting up my own little shop on there.... which gets me wondering, how to people find the time to work, look after their family and homes, regularly update their blogs, see friends and still find time to make cards?!  I struggle and I only live with my boyfriend!

Love H x

Woods and Weddings...

Hello again,

I'm surprised I've managed to stay off my blog for longer than two days!  I've had this week off work and have been spending lots of lovely time with my boyfriend sorting out our flat.  We've also been to a wedding (more details on that later), visited a friend in Leeds and went for a lovely picnic in Ashridge Forest, which is about 50 minutes drive from our home.

It was so beautiful and peaceful and I just loved being surrounded by big, green trees. 

We were walking for at least two hours and saw lots of bunnies, deer and squirrels and no more than four other people... bliss!

We'd had torrential rain the day before (nothing quite like a 'British summer' (!)), so hence my funky wellies, hehe.

Like I was saying earlier, we also went to a family wedding.  P's cousin was getting married, so of course, I made their card.  Neither the bride or groom are particularly sentimental or mushy, so I was a bit stuck on what to put on their card.  In the end I came up with this... 

I found the stamp on the Handy Hippo website and coloured it in using my Promarkers.  I used the paper and cardboard hearts from my stash and the sentiment was a 'rub-on' one that I bought ages ago, but I reckon you could print something similar from your computer.  In hindsight, I think I should have put the stamp on cardboard rather than thick paper and perhaps mounted it on cardboard or something, but overall, I'm pretty happy with the result!

The wedding was perfect - the sun was out, everyone had a good time and the bride and groom smiled all day!  My favourite bit was throwing the confetti...

The detail on the bride's dress was absolutely stunning... I'm sure there's an idea for a card in there somewhere!

I was also rather pleased to notice that the colour of my card matched the colour scheme of the bride's bouquet and table decorations, hehe.

Love H x 

Grandad's Birthday

I always struggle to make cards for men... women are easy: butterflies, flowers, bit of sparkle... gorgeous!  Blokes on the other hand are just more difficult (just like real life really!).  It's my grandad's birthday on Sunday and he's not really into football, cars, golf or any of those other typically male past-times.  He does enjoy fishing, but I think I made him a fishing card last year!  Anyway, whilst looking on the internet, I found some stamps by Wild Rose Studio and decided to use some of them.  Grandad does like his garden, so I teamed it with some green and red paper to compliment the flowers in the wheel barrow and volia!  (I must apologise for the quality of my picture, I need to work on getting the lighting right, but I think you get the idea!)

I used beads to create a bit of texture and the 'Happy Birthday' sentiment has been stuck on with sticky pads. 

Was really pleased with the result, just hope my grandad likes it!

Love H x

Hello and welcome

Hello and welcome to my blog.  I've never had a blog before, so I'm feeling quite excited!I'm hoping to share the cards I make as well as enter competitions, get ideas and make new friends along the way.  I will try to update my blog as regularly as possible with photos, my thoughts and random ramblings... feel free to make a comment, recommendations or just have a read!  I've got a feeling I'm going to find blogging quite addictive!
Love H x