Inspired by a poem.

Evening Everyone
It is very rare, in fact virtually unheard of for me to make a card just because I want to. Everything seems always to be destined for a particular class or demo, or is made to send to a specific person.
Well all that changed as soon as I saw the challenge over at Tuesday Taggers - Inspired by a poem.

The poem I have used is very special to me. It was read by a very dear friend at my son Adam's funeral in January 2002.
When some years later I saw it as a stamp I just had to have it.

I think it is a beautiful poem anyway and have used it on several occasions, even once in a magazine article on Sympathy cards (Craft Stamper)

As it would have been Adam's 29th birthday tomorrow it seems strangely appropriate to make this my post this evening.
I would also like to enter the Stampin for the Weekend challenge where Anything Goes.
I have made the main panel with Penny Black 4102K Snow Dust available over at Sir Stampalot.
I stamped it with versamark ink and then sponged distress inks over it. The poem has been stamped onto vellum which has been attached to the card using Woodware Miracle Adhesive film. This stuff really is magic. It is absolutely the best thing I have found for using with vellum.
The main card has also had Snow Dust stamped onto it only this time I embossed it with white powder.
Sponging distress inks onto it makes the images 'Pop'.

I have to admit that I actually made two cards, so I will share the second one with you as well.
The main panel was made in the same way, only this time I stamped and embossed the poem directly on to it.

I will actually let you into a little secret. The vellum on the first card was actually used to hide the fact that I didn't stamp very well but didn't want to waste the panel.
Remember 'It's never a mistake it's always an opportunity', you taught me well Julie Hickey lol.

I used one of my Nesties and then 'stitched' around the edge with a fine black pen. This seems to be my favourite finishing touch at the moment.
On this card I mounted the main panel onto some Bazzill Swiss Dots card and strips of background paper.

The final touches were some Magnolia flowers, and a couple that I made myself, and some punched leaves.
I think the first card is my favourite of the two, but as it was difficult to choose I decided that I wouldn't even try.
Tomorrow will be difficult, as it always has been over the last few years, but I will keep busy and remember all the good times.
I hope you have All had a good Bank Holiday. Ours has been spent washing. The family are back from their holidays and so the house resembles a Chinese laundry at the moment with washing hanging from any available place. Where is all the sunshine when you want it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Love and hugs
Kimx

Christmas in July

Evening Everyone.
Well at least I'm not sleeping on the floor any more, but the saga of Sky is far from over. I seem to have spent most of the weekend waiting for the box to switch back on again and so far I have failed miserably.
So we will move on to more successful endeavours - some cards.
After refilling the units in my room (the reason for my two rather uncomfortable nights on the floor), I have spent what was left of the weekend making Christmas cards for Barbara's next TV show on Sunday 8th August 11am Create and Craft channel 671.
I have had a great time making cards with one of the new stamp sets that she has designed. Unfortunately I am sworn to secrecy over them until they air next week so I thought that I would make an extra card that I could share with you.

I've really got into this challenge lark, it is so helpful when you have several cards to make.
I have made the card using a sketch over at Inspirational Card Sketches.
It is a very useful sketch and one I can see myself using over and over again. Thanks Guys.
It gave me the chance to use my new Poinsettia Creatables LR0121 which I bought on Wednesday evening at Davina's. I used them with my Cuttlebug and a Nestie to make the small shaped card.
I've added a greeting from Hobby Art GR01B and some additional small flowers. The leaves are made with another Creatable, but I'm afraid that I've had it for a while so no info on code numbers. Sorry :)

I am also entering this in to the challenge over at Tuesday Taggers.
The challenge there is Christmas in July. Well, it was July when I made the card lol.
I can see that i am going to have to make a box for it, so I had better get that done before I get to bed or else it will become another of those cards that end up in the 'To be finished' drawer. The trouble is they never do get finished do they!!!
Anyway better get on to that box.
Thanks for stopping by, hope you have had a good weekend.
Love and hugs
Kimx