I'm here again

Can't believe this is my first posting in December.  Where has the time gone?  I have been busy honest! 

First of all had a brilliant time at Jill's (Cardinal Colours) crop on Saturday.  Linda brought everyone a yummy scrummy bag of chocolates, See pictures on Linda's blog 'Linda's Cards and Pages' to see how busy she's been.  Lynn made everyone a stunning 'sand' bag to hold all sorts of things in.  Look on her blog 'A Moment in Time' to see them in their glory.  Anita made everyone crackers which had individual jewellry inside for each of us - I can't believe we didn't take pictures before we pulled them apart, Anita!!  Anita also made her Raspberry-offi Pie - its to die for, believe you me!!

I made a few cards for my friends at the crop and also for my work team.  I wasn't sure what to do but when I opened up the Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine they showed some cards using stamps which I already had!!  It was meant to be - so I used Christmas Bunnies stamps - Robin and Post from Lili of the Valley together with Basic Grey Wassail paper pack.   I was very pleased with the result.

Then at our last class with Anita at Jill's she showed us how to make a surprise tower.  I overheard one of the ladies saying that someone else had said the little drawers would take three Sprinkles bottles perfectly and there was my next solution to a Christmas present!  My friend Sue is just started to concentrate on wrapping parcels and presents and is looking into doing it commercially.  Obviously she needs lots of goodies so I decided to fill a surprise tower.  This is what I came up with.

Hopefully she will be pleased with that.  I also always make a special card for both of my friends, Sue and Sandie and again I got my inspiration from the same edition of the Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine using - surprise surprise - Cute Companions stamps!!  I couldn't come up with two different ideas, so I did the same, but changed the colour!  Well why not.  What do you reckon?

This is the red and gold one and the other one I did was in green and gold.  They're both identical.  The top plate opens up and the two sides open to show a central snow scene and two verses on each side plate.

Of course, being an idiot, I didn't work out how large the card would be until I made it  Didn't have an envelope to fit it, did I so I had to make boxes instead!  I ask you talk about making extra work - anyway I was quite pleased with the result:

I can't believe how much I've rabbited on and I've still got more to tell you all, so I'll close this one down and start again!  Sorry but you can't stop me!!! Bye xxx