A Special Birthday Card

It's been such a busy week but I managed to find time to make a card and matching tag for my husband's birthday tomorrow.  I wanted something that wouldn't be too flowery, so I added a rusty washer and some clay pipe stems!

I'm linking up with Julia over at What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday to see what other people have been doing this week.

Winter Pods

I've been slowly working on a collection of little decorative seed pods using silk cocoons. As my collection grew I struggled to find a way of displaying them, and then walking past a bowl filled with pot pourri, I noticed this large seed head - perfect!!

As well as the silk cocoons I used felt, wire, beads, clay pipe stems, cinnamon sticks, eucalyptus bark, wired beads and pleated silk, plus a few touches of glitter for a frosty effect.  

So that's what is sitting on my desk today and I'm linking up with Julia over at What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday to see what other people have on their desks this week.

Snapshots of a Winter Garden

Each month I've been choosing a piece of unused stash to try out with a view to keeping it or moving it on, and for March I've picked the Sizzix Filmstrip Frames die.

This is one of the first dies I purchased and I think I was swept along with all the amazing shapes I could cut out with my new machine!  

I think this is definitely one to move along rather than keep - I've struggled to find a way of fitting it in to my style of working.  However, I've enjoyed making this page and fitting the die into my winter garden theme - this is my farewell to it!

I used cream card for the filmstrip die and inked it with Black Soot and Walnut distress inks to give it a softer, more aged look.

I am linking up with Julia over at What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday.
 Thank you Julia for your dedication and hard work in getting this wonderful group together each week- I know Jan will do a first class job taking over the helm as and when needed over the coming months - sending love and hugs your way.  

Stocking Up on Birthday Cards

I haven't done much crafty stuff this last couple of weeks, having spent a huge amount of time recovering lost files when the hard drive corrupted - I hadn't backed up since December! Totally my fault which is so much more frustrating!
I also had a lovely time catching up with Julia and Lunch Lady Jan for lunch - lots of laughter, chatter and yummy food - thank you so much ladies!

  I did find time to make a few quick and easy cards for some birthdays coming up in the next few weeks.  I am still using the stamp set and matching die that I have been using in previous posts (see here)!   

I am linking up with Julia over at Stamping Ground