Almost over...

..and the new year is fast approaching.  I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a peaceful and happy New year, and a big thank you for your support throughout the year. I know I don't always reply and of late I have been a little lax with updating my blog. This year hasn't been too good health wise, and time spent on the computer has left me feeling more tired than usual. Hopefuly this will improve and I will be able to stay more in touch with all the wondeful people in blogland.

I know this is a bit late but here are pics of some of the Christmas cards I've made. Kept things a bit more simple than usual....but I still went with the glitter and sparkle....and flower soft...and glossy accents....

I've not been able to do much practising on my colouring, so not much change there...doesn't help when the natural light is virtually non existant and you have to work with artificial light......well...that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

First some trinitage cards from La Pashe..so easy and quick. Three layered up and one done as a pop- up. I made a matching bag with the pop-up one but the pics are terrible. (Most of them are..I blame the light)

Pop-up card ...gift bag and card front.The backing paper is wrapping paper.

This one was for one of my grandsons.He's been diagnosed as possibly being autistic and is slowly learning the guitar.

Stamped.....embossed with gold and mounted on nestibilities. Dry embossing at the bottom of the card using a holly mask from Stamps Away at Clever Cut. Added gems,sentiment and a ribbon.

Very quick card. It was a free download from a blog and I can't remember the name of it!! I've added Sakura glitter pen to alternate rows (not showing up on pic) and gold glitter to the star.

 Using the mask...Holly from Stamps Away.. to emboss using my die cutter. Cut out the middle with nesties and stamped a greeting...added a ribbon...another quick card.

This was for my 4 year old great niece who requested a Christmas card with Belle.

Lots of glitter and sparkle for a Christmas fairy. The stamp is by Adam Prescot

.Love this penguin!! By Mo Manning. The card was for one of my grandsons who's crazy about penguins.

Another embossed card using a mask. Can you see what I did wrong on this one? Decided to cut out the centre circle and mount it slighty....after I'd put the gems on the trees. Cerrrunchh...Doh! Quite liked the effect though so left as was.

Two cards done with tissues. A pack of eight tissues for a pound and eight images on each tissue. Matted and layered using scraps of card, and backing paper, peel-of sentiment and stars and a ribbon.  Made quite a few of these.

Think I've been quite thrifty this year with the card making. Well.. I suppose I'd better make a start on next years so I wil be well ahead...yeah ..right.

A Very Happy New Year To You All

It's going...

..but very slowly. The snow that is. The weather forcast is for slightly higher temperatures over the weekend but then back to the arctic conditions next week. I finally managed to get my guttering reported properly....they will be sending someone out but don't know when.....and the guttering on the back of the house is coming away now. It's all the weight of the snow and ice. Went into town today with eldest son and did the last of my Christmas shopping..only a couple of presents I needed to get and of course deposit money in the bank. I'm back in the black..but only just. Bought myself a few crafting goodies..necessities...card, ribbon, lace, glitter...you got to have glitter at Christmas!..and I bought myself a hat. I never wear a hat normally but if we are to have more of this cold weather I've decided that it would be sensible. Wasn't sure about it but I am getting used to the idea. I was going to venture out on my own but son advised against it, and I'm glad he was with me. (He was the one that persuade me about the hat). The madness that overtakes some people when Christmas shopping is unbelievable....they become blinkered to anyone around them .....and manners are simply non-existent. Thank goodness for internet shopping. I must just say a very well done to Tesco. They've had a lot of flack lately due to the weather causing problems, and I did wonder if my shopping order would be delayed and/or incomplete. But no.....it all arrived well within the 2 hour delivery slot, and with a smile. My freezer and cupboards are now well stocked and will only need fresh provisions from now until Christmas. Sorted. Just got to get the cards made now.

Snow on snow on snow....

...on snow. A foot and half of snow here and it looks as if more is on the way. Can't go any where 'cos there's no buses....at least on this estate. We have a couple of fairly steep hills that keep the buses off. (Sheffield is built on hills ) We can get a bus if we are prepared to walk a mile. Youngest son had to do that to sign on at the jobcentre. They told him that if he didn't he would not get anybenefit. On top of all this I had a snowfall off the roof this morning. It has almost brought down the guttering ...it's hanging very precariously and is likely to bring down my phone line and neighbours satellite dish...... and cannot get it repaired very soon. The repair line is only answering emergency calls. Well I've reported it and if any damage is caused to property or persons, not my problem.....I reported it! Can't get to the bank so now I'm overdrawn and will have charges to pay...great..NOT!  Can't the powers that be understand that it is sometimes impossible for a disabled person to get to a branch. There was a small branch a short bus ride away but that closed last month, so now I have to travel to the city centre. I am considering changing my bank to one that is more local. The charges are higher but at least it is more local. Will have to have a good long think about it though..pros and cons for both.

I can show you the card that I made for the Crafters Re-United forum challenge. I didn't win it..never expect to as the standard is always very high.

The image is from Pink Petticoat and I've coloured it with chalks and a bit of clear sparkle from Sakura. I have decoupaged the pears and the partridge but it's not easy to see on the pic.

Now I really must get cracking on my Christmas cards. Got most of them ready to assemble so shouldn't take me too long.....ha ha....will probably change my mind on some of them half way through. What will really hold me up is envelopes. Have some on order and still waiting 3 weeks later. Got to order some more but can't tell when they will arrive with the weather situation. Ho hum.