Coffee invite...

The images I've used for this card are from a HOTP book called 'Shaped Cards'. This was a present from one of my friends (thank you Max) quite a while ago and to be truthful it's one of those things that you don't like to cut into.

However, my new aim is not leave things in cupboards gathering dust but to use them and enjoy myself. Now in the book the cup is called a coffee cup and is therefore ideal for the challenge at http://www.daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/ which has the theme of coffee this week.

Personally, I think it's more like a teacup but there isn't a 'tea' challenge so I've decided to believe the publishers at HOTP and go with them. I haven't made the card like the one in the book though - well the card was supposed to be a shaped card with the fold at the bottom of the saucer. Surely that would look strange if you tried to stand the card up and the coffee would fall out!!!

Here is a picture of the secret message under the coffee flap. I used a clear sticker from my stash to add this to the card.

I added a lace border to give a sort of table look to the card and a tag attached with an organza bow. This card is one for my 'card box'. I think it will be just great for inviting one of my friends round or out for coffee.

A very special award...

I was really pleased today to find that two of my blogging friends considered me worthy of this great award. Thank you to Heather and Wendy - much appreciated. The award has an amazing sentiment and is one to forward to bloggers who aim to share ideas and make friends with other crafters around the world.

This is the sentiment that is attached to the award:

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind blogger's aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! "

Anyone receiving this award must choose 8 bloggers who they believe fulfill the sentiment. The sentiment must be passed forward with the award as it is a fundamentle part of the award.

Now as I have received the award I must pass it on to 8 people which is quite difficult as there are so many who I would like to give it to.

Anyway, this is the 8 I have chosen:

Max at http://maxscraftcreations.blogspot.com/
Irene at http://alloccasionscards.blogspot.com/
Beryl at http://bikshome.blogspot.com/
Anne at http://cardmakingtranquility.blogspot.com/
Beryl at http://wlpandivascraft.blogspot.com/
Wendy at http://craftblog.craftybutterfly.co.uk/
Denise at http://lavenderosecraft.blogspot.com/
Shirley at http://baileysbeads.blogspot.com/

I hope that the award is a new one for them but if not it means they must be extra special to be awarded it more than once.

Funky Christmas...

Two cards for the challenge at http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ where the theme is 'funky Christmas' and there has to be at least one Penny Black stamp in the project. I was intending to do a folded funky card with trees on, but as I searched for the paper these two papers, that were freebies in a recent 'Craft Beautiful' magazine, jumped out at me. This led to a change of plan.

I used the 'T for transparent' set of stamps and in the card above (which is my favourite of the two) I just used the sentiment and the hanging stars.

In the card below I used the different sizes of snowflake stamps on coloured paper and added them to the design. I added gems from Making Memories to both cards. I love these gems as they actually peel of the backing with the glue still intact, which not all gems do.