Sweet Surprise

Have you been enjoying the Olympics? I have been glued to them and have thoroughly enjoyed sports that I would never normally watch such as cycling, rowing and even boxing...but that's probably because there are only 3 rounds and not 12 lol! I've found myself shouting and cheering the athletes on one minute then in tears the next when they've won a medal. I'm also ducking my head as if to go over the finish line in the track and field lol. 

I dropped Nicole and Ben off at the airport yesterday morning as they finally headed off on their honeymoon to South Africa and Mauritius...boy do I wish it was me though don't think I'd be very welcomed lol. Although it's winter in SA they have warmer weather and sunshine to look forward in Mauritius :-D

When I arrived home from the airport I found 3 parcels on my doorstep, 2 for Ryan and one for me. Mine looked like something had been leaking and I knew straight away what it was and who it was from. My lovely bogging friend Sally or (Hiya Sal as I always start my emails lol) sent me some of her homemade jam ...  blackberry,  raspberry and apple butter (which sadly was smashed but smelled wonderful) made from fruit from her own garden and a selection of teas in a 'tea envelope' all the way from Portland Oregon USA!!  Sal and I have been emailing for over a year after she contacted me regarding one of my stamps and have kept in touch ever since. Instead of emailing her my thank you's I decided to call her and we had a wonderful chat. She's as lovely as I had imagined and I look forward to a long and continued friendship with her. Here is what was in the box...

Sal was telling me she was out with a friend and the place they stopped for tea didn't have tea!! Her friend rummaged in her purse and found some tea but Sal thought it would be a good idea to make something to hold them in. The fabric envelope holds 8 packets of individual teabags and fold into quarters and ties shut. The card enclosed reads 'Instant Tea Party - Carry in your purse, add hot water and a friend!' Isn't that so sweet :-D The tea is now in my purse waiting for the hot water and friend but I had some toast and blackberry jam when I came back from walking the dogs this morning at it was delicious! Thank you Sally for your most fabulicious gift and friendship :-D

I made a card the other week for Steven's girlfriend who turned 21. This is what I came up with...

I stamped Handbag Nikki (who is on sale right this minute!) and coloured her in with my Copics. I used my new Trimcraft paper pad which I LOVE. I've made another card using it but can't show you just yet ;-D I cut the image out with a Nestie but the mount was proving a problem because the next size up was quite a bit bigger. TOP TIP ALERT!!! What I did was trace around the Nestie I used for the image on the OUTSIDE then cut it out by hand which gave me the perfect mount with only a small edge.Lot's of sewing, felt flowers and glitter complete the card. 

A sneaky peek at the inside

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Fat Pages & Cards With Attitude - Add Texture (I've used felt)/Anything Goes

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes

Polka Doodles- Celebrate

Simply Create Too - Anything Goes

Wags n' Whiskers - Birthdays

Di's Digi Design Challenge - No Squares

I've quite a bit of work to do now...no rest for the wicked! Hope you've had a great weekend.

Catch ya later x