Just 2 More Sleeps

Back in April when I booked my short break to UK for the Craft Show it seemed like ages away. But time has flown & on Thursday I will be flying out from nice warm Spain to ?? But I wont be spending much time outside so wont need to worry. I am staying in a hotel at Birmingham Airport & will get to & from NEC via the fly train shuttle.
On Friday, I will be joined by Lynda, my dear sister & my lovely niece Chloe. There are 3 shows in one so will probably cover what they want to see on Friday & then do all the cardmaking stuff on Saturday. Am armed with my bank card & plenty of sterling.
On Saturday evening Lynda is coming back to Birmingham so we can go out to eat, and will then stay at the hotel with me. I have to be at check in at 5.25am so Lynda will wend her way back to Gloucester and be home by the time I take off.

Valencians Success

The San Luis ladies had some success in the Ladies Singles. Val Sherry had a close game with Ann Eagle, who knocked Sheila out, but narrowly lost. Mel Highland, in her words, didnt play her best and succumbed to the in form Maggie Furness. Yours truly played against Barbara Pilling from El Cid & won fairly comfortably despite knocking 3 of her woods in for scoring shots!
I now play.......... Ann Eagle in the Semi Final. Hopefully I can be the San Luis lady who defeats her. I did beat her in the Nationals singles but that was over set play & this is standard 21 shots up.

Valencian Championships

Before today there wasnt much to sing about in the Valencians for San Luis apart from Keith Roberts & Phil Morrachan getting to the semi final of the Mens Pairs.
Today has been a different story, we now have 2 Mens Fours teams in the semi final but they unfortunately have to play each other, but that guarantees us a finalist. Allen, Dane Howard, Mike Cox & Colin Highland will play Joe Johnson, Rod Wright, Trevor Vanner & Ray Robson.
In the Ladies Singles we had 4 entries. Sheila Cox had a brilliant game this morning scoring a four on the final end to beat Ann Holland, who had beaten her previous opponent 21-0. Unfortunately, Sheila got off to a slow start in this afternoons match against Spanish squad member Ann Eagle and never recovered, losing 21-14.
The other three ladies all progressed to the quarter finals, where Val Sherry will play against Ann Eagle, Mel Highland having beaten Sabrina Marks will play Maggie Furness & I will play Barbara Pilling. All these will be played tomorrow at 10am. Fingers crossed we can all get to the semi final.

Here We Go

Yesterday evening was the opening ceremony for this years Valencian Championships, which start today.
As well as competing this year I am also the organiser so there wont be much time to sit & smell the roses!
At San Luis I have 2 able helpers to look after the paperwork (OK so they were conned into doing it). Rod Wright & Peter Cox.
Now we start crossing our fingers & watching the skies hoping that the dreaded "gota fria" wont arrive & mess up the best laid plans.

Wedding Order

I have finally finished the order for Wedding Reception stationery.  Delivery tomorrow ready for the wedding on Sunday. In total I have made 108 place settings & 13 table numbers plus a table plan with 13 medium size settings attached to cerise pink card. Everyone of the 134 items had to be hand cut plus a rose for each one. Then organza ribbon was attached & finally a matching bow. It is the first time I have done an order of this type but am really happy with the final results.

The table numbers & place settings - couldnt photograph all of them so just done 3 of each. Luckily they are going to write everyones names on the place settings.

The table plan all ready for them to fasten on their typed table lists.





Carnations for Mum

One of the Craftuprint designers Robyn Cockburn has recently done a range of her designs with Carnations on. These were my Mums favourite flowers & I dedicate this post to her. It is more than 26 years since her death & I still miss her. So Mum wherever you are - this ones for you xxxxx



Brendas first hand crafted card

Brenda & Rod have been visiting us from Dorset.

While here their friends Nancy & John have been housesitting & looking after their dogs etc. Brenda has been helping cut out craft sheets for the cards I make & has made a thank you card for John & Nancy who are keen bowlers.

The picture shows Brenda proudly displaying her first ever hand crafted card.



Camera Club BBQ

Yesterday Allen & I went to a Camera Club barbecue with Rod & Maxine. It was held at the Grand Designs house "La Pedrera". We could all remember the house being featured on the TV show so it was interesting to see it up close.

The house has a large 2 tier swimming pool connected with a slide.

It overlooks a lake & scrubland with not a neighbour in sight.

Before & after the barbecue the men took part in a photo treasure hunt. They were given a topic & then they had 15 minutes to go take 1 photo, before returning & having it loaded into the computer. They did 2 of these before the food was served and another 2 afterwards. They will learn their fate on Tuesday evening at the last camera club meeting of the summer.

While we were eating there were a couple of largish lizards appeared & wandered around under chairs & tables. Of course with so many photographers there they must have thought they were film stars.









Orchids & Butterflies

I have just tried a new large easel design card by Carol Dunne & am really pleased with the finished result.
It features large orchids & butterflies. Enhanced with gold pearls & glitter Im sure it will be a big success.



Trial for Designer

I recently asked a designer to do me some matching inserts for some of sheets that I have. When she replied she asked me whether I would try out 2 new kits that she was doing to see what I think. Having agreed she sent me the kits through & I set to work.
Both are on the same theme of cascades for weddings. The first is a straight edge with curved banners. Based on a template from Carol Dunne.

The main thing I liked on this design were the individual letters to put onto the banners & although it makes a great card it doesnt for me have that wow factor. But......

This is the second design which has a scalloped top to the sides & straight banners. Now this one certainly has the wow factor. The decoupage work on both is the same.
I reported back to Deborah, sending her the photos & giving her the couple of small things that need changing. She has told me to chose a design from Craftsuprint and she will send it to me free as a thank you.
If you want to see more of my cards click on the link above. To see more designs by DEBORAH DAVIES click on the link then go to Card Making & select a designer.