Ooh La La challenge - all at sea

I've made this cute little card for this fortnights challenge over at Ooh La La, it features an image of my home town of Whitby from the Ooh La La Watercolour Memories CD. As soon as I saw this image I knew I had to use it and this challenge gave me the perfect opportunity. I needed a sentiment and found this chipboard one in my stash, I'm dedicating this card to my Dad because I really do wish he was here and I think we would have liked it, people from Whitby love to see a good painting of the harbour :)
I've used some shells my son and I collected from Great Yarmouth last summer and decorated the inside with backing papers from the CD and an anchor cut on my silhouette (which needs and airing now I have a new blade, I forsee a day of cutting random shapes as soon as my boy goes back to school)Please visit the challenge blog and checkout the DT creations which are all fabulous as usual and join in the fun
xxx
entered into

Crafts 4 Eternity - Splish Splash Splosh
Our Craft Lounge - Float our boat
Alphabet challenge blog - N is for nautical
The Squirrel and the Fox - The Sea
Paper Pretties - Square cards
Craft your days away - Anything goes

why I have been quiet lately

I haven't posted much recently and I've been a bit quiet, not tweeting or commenting as much on blogs etc I have had a bad few months. My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in April, I hinted at it a few months ago when I made a card for my dad. He had treatment and became a bit weaker and I worried like hell about him, but he seemed his normal wisecracking self. I couldn't see him as often as I liked as I'm in Sheffield, him in Whitby and I was really looking forward to school holidays where I could come through and stay for a long week to look after him and help my step mum with my 10yo and 8yo brother and sister. Sadly on 2nd Aug, just a few days after I visited him and thought he was looking a lot better, he collapsed at home after picking up a chest infection. A few days later I lost my dad.
I just wanted to share with everyone why I've been a bit quiet, it has been a huge shock and far too quick to comprehend. I'm sure I'll still be quiet, just posting on my DT blogs and commenting as much as I can, but I'm still crafting and I'll be about.

Thank you all for reading, don't worry about me, I am ok I have a fantastic support group of family and friends and my gorgeous son to keep me smiling.
Jo xxx

Ooh La La challenge - Oriental

I hope you like my take on an oriental card for this fortnights challenge at Ooh La La this week. I've used a dl card and turned it into an easel using just half of the front of the card, the image and backing paper are both from the Passion for Fashion CD from Ooh la la and I have raided my neglected stash of peel offs to embellish. I love the black cardstock I've used, it has a sort of velvet texture. I need to find some more as it's all gone now :(
Please check out the challenge blog and join the fun, the DT have made some gorgeous cards for inspiration as well!

Jo xxx

desmet designs showcase

there's no challenge as such at Desmet designs this fortnight, but there is a showcase from the design team feturing this cottage image. I had a go at a more vintage distressed design using the digi stamp and some papers that were free with a magazine. I stamped the ticket sentiment in distress inks a couple of times and added an epoxy sticker I found at the bottom of the drawer and some string. Please check out Desmet Designs for more cards from the awesome DT

xxx