BUDDING CRAFTERS

There may be some competition in the making.

My 2 step grandchildren appear to have gotten the bug. Some time ago, my eldest, Natasha, took one of my ATCs but never sent one back in return. Having reminded her by sending more, I received 3 in return but her little sister, Jenna, promptly claimed one of them - are you following this?

To cut a long story short, Nat has now sent me 6 and Jen Jen has sent 2.

I've photographed some of them and you can see that competition is on the horizon, particularly as Jen is only 6yrs old and would not let her mum help her, I think her star and flower cards are gorgeous. Nat is 12 soon and has been crafting for a while now. She even joined in the effort last year to make Xmas cards for the troops abroad. Both her dad and step dad have only recently left the army after nearly 25 years service each. Truly a heart-felt effort on her part.

So folks, watch this space. I had better get more practice in myself!!

PRIMA FLOWERS

Like many crafters, I love Prima flowers. However, they are really expensive.

I searched Ebay many moons ago and found a supplier who sells little packets of flowers at reasonable prices and, if you spend £10 even the postage is free. Ebay, being what it is, has become so expensive for many of these 'small' suppliers, that this particular supplier has now decided to go it alone.

I have contacted her and asked permission to let you all know about her. She kindly agreed. So, her new shop is : http://www.thecraftgarden.com/ and is up and running now but it will be September before it is fully stocked.

The picture is of my stash, all from this lovely lady.

PRECIOUS MOMENTS

That's just what I have when there's craft on the tele - precious moments.

However, that is the title of this gorgeous Sarah Kay stamp. I am in love with her stamps and now have 5 of them. Each is a detailed image which has been so cleverly drawn. They are easy to colour using allsorts of different pens, pencils or inks and look amazing once done.

I cannot take full credit for the design of this card as the original is on a blog I found a few weeks ago, but I have adapted it to both papers and flowers in my stash and I also had to use alcohol ink to colour the corner peel offs. The final card is really quite lovely, though I say it myself.

VINTAGE QUEEN

Take a look at this ATC. It's 1 from the latest bundle from Sharon, one of my swapping buddies. I just love this card - reminds me of what my figure used to look like LOL - all the little bits go together so well.

I keep trying to make ATCs like this, you know, either altered vintage or a combination of old and new, but I just don't have the imagination, so this card rocks my boat. Well done Sharon and thank you so much for sending it, along with the other gorgeous cards which I will put on my Flickr.

TAYLOR

Just look who I've been cuddling this weekend. Isn't she just adorable?

At only 12 weeks old, she is the most intelligent little bundle of fluff I've ever met. She was chasing this remote car around as though she was herding sheep. Her energy was amazing and seemed never ending, but when she did finally give in to sleep, she just laid on her back - flat out!!

Taylor belongs to 2 lovely people who we met a few years ago and again when we were at Weston Park air show earlier this year. We will all be meeting up throughout the years at various places so I shall be able to watch little 'Tay' grow and learn. Just wonderful.