Love Notes ....

Time for a Challenge ... The Shabby Tea Room challenge that is (Here) .... Been wanting to do this all week... I (heart) chipboard.... glittered, painted, printed..... love it! 

And there are so many pretty cards to see at the Shabby Tea Room (love that name!!) pop over and see.

Today had been one of those days when patience and confidence need to be practiced ... My son was taking the Express Bus to London this morning and the traffic was so bad we arrived at the bus station to see the bus pull out... (Argh!)
He thought that there was about a 2hr wait till the next one so I hope he got to his destination ok. It was a cold, rainy morning - with the kind of rain that no umbrella is going to protect you from and I had to go into the city to get some things.


Still I got home in time to do some crafting, which usually takes me to another place of calm and serenity.. But it seemed every time I reached for something, a box would fall off the shelf and soon there were tiny buttons and tags and all nature of small things ( the sort that are so hard to pick up) everywhere!
I was not going to be beaten even when I had to stop countless times to answer the phone ( always happens when you are in the middle of some fiddly job??!!)


I was determined to do this challenge!

A cute set of 3 little cards.... all tied up in a shabby wrap........

I got my package from Bety at Iralamija earlier in the week ..ooh! such pretty stuff... I have been dying to use it - all that Melissa Frances paper, chipboard and lace......

It had to be 'Love Notes'......

A bit of  romantic shabby.....

Glitter and roses, chipboard hearts and kisses, hand stamped delicate butterflies, buttons, pins and ribbons....

And finally, I'm done....

Till soon my friends....

Ros

Thank you The Shabby Tea Room!!

I received an honourable mention from the lovely Debbie at The Shabby Tea Room for my card entry in this post -  How amazing is that? Three mentions in one week.... I wish I could tell you just how much it means to me - I am so very delighted and extremely grateful... the entries were as usual exceptional ... So much talent out there....


I so wanted to complete my entry for this weeks challenge over at the Shabby Tea Room ... but I have been snowed under with so many things to complete, both for myself and for others. I was asked by the Thursday Club if I could come up with a large free standing plaque (of sorts) .. as they are about to start some little challenges where a trophy will be given to the winner. The Challenge is a dedication to one of our helpers.. The very much loved and missed - Jimmy - whom we lost at the beginning of the year.
 so it has taken me a while to come up with something - unfortunately most free standing frames are relatively small - so it called for improvisation!! 
I'll share a little picture of the completed effort...

Alas you can actually see me photographing this (LOL) it is difficult when you have reflecting glass - so don't look  too closely!

Here is a little peak at the sample pocket tags I have prepared for my class tonight .... not marvellous but my group will just be thrilled to be making and taking... Bless them.

Hopefully I will get my challenge entry done tomorrow ----

Thank you all once again, from my heart, for your sweet comments and to those of you who have made this week so special ......

keep safe

Ros

Start actions from stillness....

When faced with difficulty, remember that the spirit is imperishable and do not give way to weakness.... My practice during the week from Practical Philosophy.....


At the end of last year I was dealing with some major personal issues... I was, at that time .... 'Broken' ..


Three things got me through... My dear friends who were there to support me (thank you)... My God who listened and at times carried me when I thought I could go no further.... and the teachings of Practical Philosophy.
 I had taken a year out from PP and I got a call that led me back in January... It was to be my turning point and I knew in my heart that God was guiding me.


The subject that term was "Freedom" ... freedom from the things that bind us, that we forget to let go of... Freedom to return to that natural state of happiness and well being. I had forgotten that within me I hold all the resources I need ... all I had to do was return to stillness and practice the teachings.
It gave clarity to my jumbled state of mind... It brought me calm, and put me back right where I needed to be ... Here... In the 'Now' .. giving attention only to that which is in front of me. I have survived and 5 months on my soul is healing.....

This term, the subject is  - The Way of Action .... working from stillness. 

I have some digital stamps from Tiffanys Doodles ... I wondered to myself .."How should I use them?" I know that Tiffany is pleased to see her creations used and I wanted to honour her work... So I took time to pause before I began to create... it seemed fitting for me that I should use her Sunflower... with all the earthy tones..

Remembering how she turns her face to the sun and grows strong and tall ... a reflecting image with her deep complex centre and her petals reaching out in a blaze of  'sunlike' glory......

This is a beautiful stamp...

 I printed straight on to DP and added a touch of glossy accents to the centre of the sunflower then sprinkled with a little glitter. A few gems and a My Minds Eye stamp done in chocolate brown ink, together with some of my own tea stained ribbon.

Time for a chat? ..

Tiffany's couch stamp.... Another fitting reminder for me and all the kindness and love I have been blessed with.....

I squished this image up a bit (sorry Tiffany) because it looked right to me... I'm not sure if you can make out the paper pieced 'cushion' pattern? It too incorporates the sunflower stamp but I made it ever so tiny teeny.

The vase was from clip art and I used glossy accents here too... completed by a little 'art work' of little mirror glass tiles.

Till soon my friends

Ros

2nd Post.. Exciting News!!

Whoa!


 Just noticed that I have a spotlight mention on City Crafter Challenge for my Tag entry!!!
I am thrilled to bits and very honoured - Thank you so much ladies of City Crafters.


The winner was none other than Mona Pendleton - one of my favourite crafters... she is just so incredibly talented - If you haven't  to seen her blog - you don't know what you are missing!!


Right .... I'm off now.... promise


Keep safe


Ros

City Crafter Challenge Day ...

Pretty, pink, soft and serene... A beautiful picture from A Creative Mint ... So many textures... It speaks of freshness, gentleness and it fills my soul with love ...(sigh)

It is also the inspiration for City Crafter Challenge today hosted by the sweet Heather Jensen ... all things pink.... with a hint of green...

The very talented Melissa Sauls is the guest designer and you really need to see her beautiful card along with those done by the other designers... and of course check out This link ... Krafty Kirsty Etsy shop - such yummy goodness.....

Did you notice the creamy mellowness in the the picture too? ..... 

All that I love is here... Butterflies, ribbon, lace, glitter and some script..... I even used my button from Bluebird Lane along with their scrunched seam binding.

Digital paper from Pink Petticoat, punched and embossed leaf, stick on embellishments from Henbury Lane, lace and flower from my stash.

Off to get ready for my Philosophy class tonight - I have almost finished preparing for my Thursday Club.. this week we are making pocket tags......

Thank you for all your lovely comments and encouragement - you make my day!

Till soon....

Ros

Somebody Pinch Me!!

I can hardly believe it ... but....I won a prize from Core'dinations for my card that I entered with Caardvarks!! on this post ..


Oh my! .... Thank you Caardvarks.... What a wonderful pick me up after the sad day I just had....
May I just say congratulations to all the other winners and of course to Charlotte Dobson who won the three month design team spot... Well done!


The card I am posting today is also one that I am entering in Caardvarks new  challenge Here..

 I didn't have any of Tiffanydoodles digital stamps at the time, but since checking out her shop ... I now have a few and hope to use them soon - they are so good - you have to take a look.

This card is for a friend and for her gift I bought her a picture frame and trinket box which are covered in Forget-Me-Nots... See?

So I wanted to use "Forget-Me-Nots" on her card - the image I used is also digital by Gail Flores (Jardin de fleurs) but I am unsure where I got these as I have had them for ages....


Core'dinations also used here, with glitter, pearls and other embellishments and the little butterflies are from Two Peas digital shop - they are "Flutterbies" by Hero Arts - Here.


I sure hope that my friend doesn't see this before I have a chance to give it to her!! ....


After a very sad funeral, I end my day at least feeling cheered.....


Till soon my friends


Ros