Phoenix Inspirations

So far this year I have made the grand total of 1 Christmas cards which is shameful. I really don't want it to be a mad rush at the end of November to get them made and I would really like to sell for our company charity - Make A Wish. I don't get rid of many of my Christmas sets and the card I have for you today uses one I have had for ages. It's called Come to Bethlehem and features the Three Wise Men in silhouette. I have teamed it up with Waterfront and here is the result Unfortunately this won't make it into my stash as it was a Facebook swap but I am going to seriously get on with my Christmas crafting so watch this space! I hope you like my card today and that it inspires you to start your Christmas crafting - thanks for stopping by - see you soon - J xx

I have so many lovely stamp sets that I hardly ever use - gone are the days when on receiving a new set I would get it out and use it there and then. Now I have to wait for days off work and also days when my fibro isn't playing up - those days are few and far between. Today's card is using Lovely Wishes and yes it's one I've had for months and it's only just getting an airing! I love the delicate images and had great fun stamping, embossing and colouring in - take a look I left it free of a sentiment so it's in my stash now ready for any occasion. I am entering this card into the challenge over at A Gem of a Challenge Where the challenge is Breast Cancer Awareness - and the card is predominantly pink. Thanks for stopping by today - see you soon - J xx

Today I don't have a card to share with you but a project I created a while ago for a Facebook swap. I'm part of a group of like minded crafters on Facebook and there are always loads of exciting things to join in with every month.  So a while ago I took part in a swap where the challenge was to decorate some wooden pegs - I loved doing this and here are the results The paper I used is retired now but it's one of my favourites as I love floral designs. I also used a variety of dies and punches to layer up adding some glitter paper, rhinestones and clay flowers. To make the package a bit prettier I clipped them to a piece of card stock and die cut some letters to add the word HELLO. I'm having a very lazy morning here in Hereford as I am typing this in my PJs! I'm off out later to visit some lovely friends who I haven't seen in a while so I'm really looking forward to that. And then tomorrow when I post again I shall probably be back at home

Today is a very special day for me. Five years ago I set up The Male Room - a challenge blog strictly for male orientated cards. Sadly though I had to give it up a while ago as I was going through some personal problems. But the team did not give up and the challenges still happen every two weeks and they have just gone from strength to strength. Please do go and visit  The Male Room The best thing is though Jane asked me to contribute a card to celebrate the five year anniversary - I couldn't say no could I? Here is my card I have used my Waterfront set again to create a sunset scene. Lots of masking with post it notes and sponging with yellows, oranges and reds. The birds are from High Tide but make a lovely addition to the scene. The Happy Birthday image is from You're Inspiring. So as you know I'm staying with my daughter in Hereford - haven't got to the outdoor gym yet - maybe tomorrow! I did however fit in a trip to Hobbycraft where I