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Tuesday 9 November 2010

A posy of Lili of the Valley for Cardvaarks

The great thing about best friends is that they know what you need even when you yourself don't know it!   Best matey Julie drove me to the NEC on Friday.   I don't do fast roads and she is always so fabulous when it comes to getting me to craft fairs!   Just one of her many special gifts!  We met some fabulous blog buddies; all of whom are ubertalented and just plain lovely... Jacqui (she's the Cat's Whiskers!); Mina, Dena, Andie and Jane.   It was great to meet you, ladies!
Anyway, as I was saying, the great thing about best friends...   We were at the LOTV stand admiring Jacqui's colour work which is to die for when Julie pointed out that LOTV were selling some pre-coloured images and suggested we should get some.  I thought it would be cheating to use them but Julie pointed out that probably half the people we send cards to don't know that we coloured the images ourselves and although I continued to be reticent, she convinced me to buy them.    She clearly knew that I needed them even though I didn't know it myself and I have had such fun using them.  There are five each of four designs and they are absolutely adorable.   Here are my first five using one of the designs:
 I never start my Christmas cards early enough and having made five quite quickly I have definitely got the bug to make more.
I cropped the originally-square image with a nestie and used some new DCWV papers for the backing, some plain card for matting and a bit of spotty ribbon from stash.  I used my new Marianne Pontsettia die (also purchased at the NEC) although I had to use a separate punch for the flower centre because I can't get my paper out of the Marianne die's centre (any thoughts?).  A couple of tiny sentiments stamped and then punched with my tag punch and some Diamond Stickles on the little girls ruff and cuff and voila!
 I am entering my card into Caardvarks who want us to use "holiday dies" and Lili of the Valley of course - their theme is "one for the girls".  
The pictures were taken at dusk so I apologise for the quality!

15 comments:

Julie said...

Wow girlie these are fabulous!! Great quickies but not!! I'm glad I know what's best for you!! Juliexx

Lindsey said...

These are adorable Lesley! What a sweet image. I think your friend is right about people not know we colour ourselves.....a friend of mine though I printed them out....don't know whether to be flattered or put out! No harm in using pre-coloured, especially if it gives you a head start on the Christmas cards!
Linds x

Jules said...

Hi Lesley

Wow .. .. what fantastic makes.

Julie is very right .. .. I am sure people don't realise that we actually colour the images on our creations.

We are so alike .. .. I don't do fast roads either - I just poddle around my local town (when I must).

Hope you enjoyed the NEC.

Love Jules xx

Lorraine said...

oh wow i love these cards they are beautiful and sometimes we don't have time to colour if we need a card in a hurry or to do batch cardmaking i love your new poinsetta die i so need that and i hope you had a great time at the nec its sounds like you did huni xx

Val said...

Hi Lesley - these are lovely. I must admit I was tempted, and then didn't - but now wish I had - so I think it is a case of going on line for some. Does ease the burden a bit.
Hugs
Valxx

Christina said...

This looks really gorgeous Lesley!
Hugs Kristel

debby4000 said...

Beautiful, adorable cards Lesley.
luv
Debby

chris said...

Hi Lesley. wow you have been busy and they look so special. love it hugs chris xx

Anonymous said...

Oh wow Lesley!! These are soooo gorgeous hun!! I love the image and you are waaay ahead of me on Christmas cards!! TFS! HUGS

Rosietoes said...

Lovely cards Lesley. I agree that the cute squares are fab!

Thank you for joining in with the LOTV challenge this week.

Edna x

Pop's Cards said...

These are gorgeous honey i am loving the colours , super cute image too, thank you for joining us at Lili of the Valley this week big hugs love Pops x x x

chris said...

Hi again Lesley, just wanted to pop over and say thanks for all your kind words.
hugs chris xx

Faye said...

Every year, I vow the next year I am going to start my Christmas cards earlier than Christmas Eve. So far, I'm not doing so well...!
Yep, there was defo a foodie bit there and choklit kebabs were DELISH! As are these cards. I know what you mean about pre-coloured images, but Julie puts up a very good argument. We all need friends like that. xxx

Andie's Space said...

Hi Lesley,
How are you? It was great to meet you at the NEC & I really enjoyed our night out! We'll have to do that again, next year! This image is just adorable & your cards look stunning.
Big Hugs,
Andie xx

An Occasional Genius said...

Hi Lesley, These are lovely. Loving the traditional colours & pointsettia x