Busy Weekend and Birthday Card

Sorry this a bit of a long post as I had a busy weekend which was a bit different form my usual routine of housework,shopping and card making.I didn't get any card making done at the weekend as I had a busy time, as usually I would have completed a new post by Monday latest, its now Wednesday...where has the week gone?
The craft show at Donnington on Saturday and in the evening I was at the national firework contest at Belvior Castle; which was a lovely evening and the fireworks where outstanding; definitely the best I have ever seen, I was exhausted but very happy by the end of the night.Sunday was back down to earth and more of a 'normal' day catching up with housework, shopping and ironing!

I really enjoyed Donnington and was very excited at going,the plan was to go with my daughter unfortunately that wasn't possible and I went on my own.I went by train making good use of the courtesy bus on offer which was fun in itself being on a bus full of eager like minded ladies as excited as me; chattering away and sharing their crafting history and stories... which I thoroughly enjoyed. We arrived early and got in straight away with no queues, I was amazed at how busy it already was inside...you could hardly move in places and I found it really hard to get to all the stands as it was so busy. The heat was overwhelming and unbearable at times although I still had a great time and spent my entire budget in less than half the time I thought it would take me (I only took cash as I knew I would go a bit OTT if  I took a card...which was right as there was so much I wanted) I was like a kid in a candy shop...heaven.

There where great demonstrations from some of my favourite Crafters, which I thoroughly enjoyed and could have watched all day, it was excellent and I now have some great ideas and techniques that I want to try and have the products to do so...so watch this space.When leaving I was surprised at the queue's and did feel for the huge number of people queuing when I left to get it at 1:30, I would have been so dissapointed if it was me; hopefully they had as much fun as I did.

'dress up girl  '

Its my sisters birthday at the end of the month and I want to make her card..I think this is the one although I do have one more card idea to try before I finally decide,as long as I dont run out of time. I used a sketch again and forgot what challenge but liked the layout. She does like to look good so I though this LOTV stamp was perfect. She was coloured with promarkers (of course) and I tried to keep it soft which I'm reasonably happy with.The floral paper is from a 12x12 scrap album set that I have never got round to starting yet (I will one day) it also worked with the colour scheme I had in mind and the Art Impressions challenge and Crafty Sentiments Design  challenges that are both flowers... one of my favourite things...so its perfect.I've gone for an easel again and this time its sitting perfect and not toppling over...maybe I've finally cracked it (time will tell), I love the AB pearls which I bought recently from an E Bay shop, I bought a range of sizes and colours and I'm really pleased with all of them...I will definitely be using the same site again very soon as there were lots of other pearl colours and gems that I loved.

I used the following to make my card

• white square base card
• textured card stock - layering
• lilac pearlised paper - layering
• American crafts - 'I do' floral paper (from scrapbook making kit)
• LOTV stamp -'new hat coloured with Promarkers

From Stash

• punched flowers using card and pearlised paper-decorated with lilac pearls
• white lace
• green satin ribbon
• aurora Borealis (AB) pearls-green/ lilac(Ebay shop  - Hazels Crafts)
• Papermania glittered sentiment - 'On Your Special Day' 
• white gel pen -faux stitching 

Challenges I would like to enter this week are - 

 Make it Monday -Anything goes

 Craft Your Days Away- Challenge #52-Farewell Challenge-Anything Goes

 Craft Punked –Week 33-Flower Power

 Fat Pages and Cards with Attitude- Add Some Texture/Anything Goes

 Sweet and Sassy- SNSDC67-3D Flower Embellishments

 Art Impression Stamps- challenge-76-Flowers

 Lili of The Valley Thursday challenge–Oh So Girlie

 Paper Crafting Journey- Happy Birthday / celebration

 Pape lito Stamps-Challenge #7-celebrations

 Bearly mine-challenge #49- anything goes

 Crafty Sentiments challenge-flowers

 Sassy Cheryl’s Challenge #129- Happy Birthday