'FRIENDS FOREVER' 12" x 12" Scrapbook Layout (entered for my first blog challenge)

I wanted to start making a scrapbook of happy memories of Deb, my dearest friend who died in October, it would have been her 56th birthday yesterday (18th November). this is my first entry for a blog    chalenge,inspired by Linda's sketch on Just Tracys Crafts Challenge blog (finally sussed how to link my challenge to the blog thanks to instructions from Kathleen Mc on craftbloggers.blogspot.com)

For this layout I used:

K & Co 12" x 12" LJ Button Printed Embossed Vellum

BasicGrey SweetPea Alyssa Collection Journal Tags

Anita's gold peel-off letters

Papermania pink brads

Vintage buttons from my granny

12" x 12" backing paper (no makers mark)

lace, die-cut, sentiment, fabric flowers from my stash (makers unknown)

I would like to enter this layout into the following blog challenge:

November sketch on Just Tracys Craft Challenge Blog 

Had a fab crafty day, made 6 Christmas cards (letters O-T)

After a difficult week, (we buried my best friend Deb on Tuesday), I'd not felt up to crafting recently but yesterday I got into the craft mode again and made 6 challenge Christmas cards and really enjoyed the day, it was a very relaxing, therapeutic time.

                                                                 O is for Ornament

                       House Mouse Christmas Eve decoupage, Dovecraft 'Christmas Blues' paper, A5 card

 P is for 'Penguin, Presents & Polar Bear'

First Edition 'Christmas Joy' glittered card, Hot Off The Press acetate sentiment, A5 card

                                                     Q is for 'Quiet As A (House) Mouse'

House Mouse Christmas Eve decoupage, My Mind's Eye 'Snowed In' winter paper, Tim Holtz 'Fired Brick' distress ink, 6" x 6" scalloped card

                                                              R is for 'Robin Redbreast'
7" x5" Anna Griffin Christmas card, HOTP acetate sentiment, TH 'Fired Brick' distress ink, decoupage

 S is for 'Santa'

HOTP acetate sentiment, TH 'Fired Brick' distress ink, 6" x 6" scalloped card, decoupage

                                                                       T is for 'Tree'

7" x 5" Anna Griffin Chritmas card, Papermania felt tree, Papermania 'Monochrome' Capsule Collection gems, HOTP acetate sentiment.

(All other elements on cards not listed are from my stash, makers unknown.)

J - N (6 Christmas cards for Ginny's A-Z daily challenge on DC)

                                                                    Joy to the World

                                                                                Kiss

                                                                        Let It Snow

                                                                   Lili Of The Valley

                                                                  Merry Christmas

                                                           Naughty (House) Mouse!

A new baby boy card for Ezekiel

You may remember me telling you my dear friend lost her eldest daughter Jo to cancer this year. Her younger sister Jemma was 5 months pregnant at the funeral with her first child and on 31st October she gave birth  Ezekiel, a healthy little boy to bring happiness to a family who have had so much sorrow this year. I made this card a couple of weeks ago but didn't want to upload it until he was born and safely home with mum and dad. Jemma was my daughter Anne-Marie's best friend growing up but now lives a long way from us, but her mum and little younger sister live across the road from us and we see them several times a week. Welcome to the world Ezekiel, may you bring much happiness and joy to your mum and dad and to all your family xx

The buttons are Papermania Capsule collection min buttons, all other elements of the card are from my stash.

RIP MY DEAREST FRIEND DEB

It still doesn't seem real that my dearest friend Deb has died. I was with her just before she died peacefully, surrounded by her family, early this morning, my heart goes out to them I their loss. We all loved her so much, and will miss her forever. Four amazing years knowing this strong, independent, kind, generous, courageous lady, wouldn't have missed a single day, just wish we had had longer together. Here is my favourite photo of Deb with her beloved dogs Riley and Meg. She was the best friend anyone could ever wish for. Goodbye my darling Deb, RIP, Fi xxxxxxxxx

4 more Christmas card (F - I in Ginny's daily Christmas card challenge on DC)

I'm really enjoying the daily challenge of making a Chrsiistmas card for each letter of the alphabet, it helps to take my mind off stresses around me, crafting is so relaxing and therapeutic, just love it. Here are my latest cards made this week from F to I.

                                                          F is for 'Frosty The Snowman'

A decoupage card, embellished with snowflake brad & ribbon, tree topper, blue glitter card & blue foiled holographic card, Christmas backing paper & sentiment, all on an A6 silver pearl card bought from QVC several years ago, all elements from my stash.

                                                                     G is for 'Gifts'

a decoupage card embellished with Christmas ribbon & backing paper, red foiled holographic card and a gold fabric star, all on an A6 gold pearl card bought from QVC, all elements are from my stash.

                                                                     H is for 'Holly'

Anna Griffin holly Christmas card base, silver holly border & corner peel-offs embellished with tiny red gems from Poundland; decoupage, peel-off greeting, red & green foiled holographic card, all from my stash.

                                                               I is for 'I Believe In Santa'

decoupage, dark green pearl card, red foiled holographic card, gold peel-off letters, santa topper & 5" x 5" square white card all from my stash.

Five challenge Christmas cards & another Christmas card

This year I am taking part in Ginny's (AsIDoRodos) daily A-Z Christmas card challenge on the DOCrafts forum, all we have to do to take part is to upload one card each day for each letter of the alphabet, starting on Sunday 16th October, the winner will receive a crafting book as their prize, here are my first 5 cards for A-E. Pledging to take part in this challenge has really got my Christmas cardmaking MOJO back, I'll upload more challenge cards as I make them.

                                                                  A is for Angels

this is a twisted pyramage card, backing paper from a C & C Christmas kit, Glitter Girls gold holographic Grande border peel-offs. the gold glitter card, 5" sqaure cream pearl card * peel-off greeting are all from my stash.

B is for Bauble

Papermania felt bauble, Anna Griffin Holly leaf card,  holly paper in October goodybag swap, red foiled peel-offs  from my stash.

C is for Cracker

Pyramage/cracker kit in October goodybag swap, Brenda Pinnick pink polkadot card, (from a QVC scrapbook kit), edged with TH Fired Brick distress ink, DL card from my stash.

I also made this card in blue

blue embossed card & diecut snowflakes donated by other crafters recently. Blue holographic card and DL card from my stash.

D is for Dancing On Ice

Cross-stitch kit

                                                                E is for Excitement

Christmas Eve House Mouse decoupage & co-ordinating sentiment toppers matted onto pink glitter card. Backing paper is from Dovecraft 8" x 8" Christmas Blues (2007) paper pack. Pink organza ribbon and A5 white card from stash, 3D Christmas tree topper from October (Christmas) goodybag swap.