Monday 3 August 2020

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Hello crafters!  I am starting out the week with a traditional Christmas card.  I started by cutting four of the Snowflake Adjustable Frame dies in white.  I added a sticky adhesive sheet to a piece of white card and cut the backing pieces to match.  I peeled the backing paper off and attached the decorative snowflake pieces to all four, then filled in the exposed adhesive with Frosted Sparkle Glitterbitz.  I attached them to another piece of white card into a square frame shape.  I used the Double Stitched Squares and cut a piece to fit the centre of the card.  I added the We Wish You A Merry Christmas sentiment cut out of Antique Gold card.  I used the Poinsettia Stem die set and added three poinsettias in red, with green leaves and gold centres to the top of the square.  I kept the insides in the flower by taping the back of the flowers.  The card was completed with white and red mats and layers.  The finished dimensions are 7"  x  7" in size. 

I guess it is my turn to answer my question!  Although the lockdown wasn't quite as strict here, I did try to only go out when absolutely necessary.  I have had plenty of design work and sample making to keep me very busy, but I have started cooking again and have really been enjoying it!  When my other half retired a few years ago, we sort of swapped roles and he started doing the cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping while I worked full time.  I was quite happy with it as it freed up so much time and I was easily able to meet deadlines, thus much less stress in my life.   But I did miss preparing dinner so I have been trying new recipes that I have found on line several times a week.  I am happy to report that I have only had one real clunker in all of them!   You just never know how good a recipe will be unless you get it from a friend that highly recommends it I suppose.    I have been looking for some nice beef recipes that don't have a tomato base to them (that is the one thing I do not like eating!) and some curry recipes that aren't too spicy.     If anyone has any recipes that they would recommend, please email me, I would love to try them! 

I have also tried my hand at doing a little bit of  home decor in that I made my first arrangement using succulents (artificial not real).  I was really pleased how it turned out.  I just wanted something for my kitchen to cover an electrical plug outlet and it did the trick!  Here's a couple of pics for you to see.  I may have a go at it with flowers soon too!  All for now. Sue x







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49 comments:

Steph Cotterill said...

Hi Sue. It's so nice to get just a little look inside of your private life and we know how much privacy means to you so thanks for sharing. Why don't you do a real display now, they are the easiest plants to have as they need no TLC they love being dry so you wont have to remember to water them, you'd do a great job im sure. Korma - the mildest curry you can have, if you like/love coconut you'll enjoy a Korma, chicken Korma is lovely and kind to tummies lol. After reading all the posts yesterday I realise how strong and resilient we are, or are we, no-one mentioned the emotional side. I cried buckets at first, as we couldn't get food delivered 'my keeper' was terrified if he had to go out as I have a few illnesses that put me In the highest category and I cried buckets over loo roll lol loo roll can you believe it, I have Crohns so I need loo roll, simple as, anyway Sue, make a chicken Korma and you won't have to worry like I did lol.

This sample was a massive favourite from the launch, the pop of red, the snowflake frame is so beautifully simple that I need it so much. I just love today's CAS inspiration and I love your kitchen, and again, thanks for sharing a little of your life. I've also looked and I'm 40 mins away from Marie so when I'm not to frightened to leave the safety of my crazy four walls I will turn up at your window lol.

STAY SAFE you are all so amazingly strong xxx

Vi Wilkinson said...

Hi Sue, i love this card , I can't seem to get your new releases here in OZ atm, Your flower displays are beautiful. Stay safe and take care Vi.xx

Magic Maggie said...

Hmmmmm...love the plant arrangement. Oh, the card is lovely too.

Hope you are well.

Love, Maggie (Bendy Yorkite) Bendycat is much better now after his 7 teeth extraction last week - judging by the half chewed dead critters that keep popping up!!

Barbara Gosden said...

Hi Sue
A beautiful card, I love the traditional colours.
Unlike you I love dishes with a tomato base - I have a food intolerance for butter, so avoid creamy sauces. At home I cook with oil so it’s not a great problem, but eating out I have to be careful. I avoid Indian food after eating at a restaurant onetime and being very ill all night afterwards - I realised that they must have cooked with ghee which is clarified butter. Bizarrely I can eat cakes, pastries, breads containing butter, all of which are baked at higher temperatures. I just have to be a bit mindful when choosing foods I haven’t prepared.
B xx

June Smith said...

Morning Sue and all Wilsonettes, a beautiful christmas card, one that I have made using your dies, which are amazing, I really like the flower and snowflake frames.

Well Sue you have been busy, and the flower display looks amazing, perfect for it purpose, would love to see more.

Hope you are all keeping safe and well over there.

Stay safe, healthy and happy, hugs, June Smith xxx

Marion Scott said...

Hello Sue, a beautiful Christmas card, love these frame dies , I have the poinsettia frame die but not had a good play with it yet.
Love your succulent arrangement
Marion S x

June Horrocks said...

Hi sue thank you for a peep in your life at this mad time we are living at the moment our son did us a lovely meal on Sunday part of it was brill I will send you the resipie your flower arrangement was brilll
Your card is lovely a real Christmas beauty thank you.
Love always sue stay safe. My dear friends love june horrocks xxxxxxx

cr@fty said...

Good morning Sue
Today’s card is gorgeous! Your display is beautiful and looks so realistic!
Hugs x
Heather T

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue, beautiful traditional Christmas card. Love everything about it. You have been busy during lockdown, love your arrangement.
Most of my beef recipes include tomatoes so would be of no use to you.

Barbara V

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Morning Sue.
Thank you for the little look into your life.
Sue your little arrangement is so pretty. Sorry sue I cannot help with exotic recipes.
I live on my own know so I don't do much cooking.
Sue a very pretty card today, thank you.
Take care stay safe and have fun Kitty.

CraftyCoffey said...

Stunning card & I love your plants.

Michele

hazel young said...

Love your flower arrangement Sue. Gorgeous card xx Hazel

Marie P. from Longridge said...

Good Morning Sue and Thank you so much for allowing us into your life which was a real treat. Like everyone else I love your arrangement too and I think you could turn your hand to anything if you really wanted to.
Today's card is a corker,I love it and will certainly put it into my TO DO box which is getting an airing right now. It's actually a bit scary to see just how much I INTEND to do.

Thank you for your comment too Steph you'd be welcome. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a massive get together when all this horror is over. On second thoughts maybe it would be better to stay as we are as I'm so deaf that I can't manage crowds.
Enough for now.
Marie P.

KEEP SAFE KEEP CRAFTING.

karenlotty said...

Lovely card SUE and lovely to hear a little bit about your “world” Those cacti/succulents look great Easy to move out of the way if you need to get to the socket
Most sauces I make are tomato based So I won’t be any help I’m afraid
Take care

Ann Topp said...

Good Morning Sue. Ohhh how I love this card. I love this die set and I used some Mothers day money I still had to buy this lovely die. I have made two cards already with this one. So Thankyou Sue.. I will be making many more with this one.
I do enjoy cooking... and we love Turkish food so I try to recreate some dishes we have had when we have been on holiday there... But unfortunately MOST of these are tomato based... which I love... So maybe not for you Sue... A great shame ..as Turkish food is really nice.. Thankyou for allowing us a little insight to your private life Sue. Sending hugs and best wishes to everyone who needs them this morning.Kind regards Ann Toppcards Leeds
PLEASE STAY SAFE EVERYONE 🙏 🙏 🙏

BridgetCG said...

Hello Sue, a beautiful festive card, very traditional but modern at the same time. Love it. And love your piece of home decor too. May give that a try some time. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx

Lynne L said...

Good morning Sue Really lovely Christmas card and I love your home decor arrangement

Loraine Jefferis said...

Hi Sue. Love this card I like the traditional looking Christmas cards. Your display is beautiful too. Best wishes Loraine Jefferis x

BenteS said...

Love your traditional Christmas card!
I have these frame dies, so now I got some inspiration to try them out ;))
Beautiful home decor, and a really good idea, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Loving the card and your arrangement
Love flower arranging, can’t have them now I always put a bit of rosemary in my creations.
Take care all stay safe and healthy
Elizabeth Bennett

Helen Bell said...

Hi Sue

Love this card, it’s just perfect!
Nice to see and hear what you’ve been up to Sue. Can’t really help with any recipes as I tend to make dishes up as I go along with whatever ingredients I have. I just read that back and it doesn’t sound very appealing. It’s not as bad as it sounds, honestly! I don’t eat beef very often either. Even as a true Yorkshire lass, I prefer my Yorkshire puddings with chicken. Do you make Yorkshire puddings I wonder Sue? I wonder if you can stomach the tomato sauce on your pizzas as I know you are a fan of them?
Love Helen xxx

Jean Z said...

Hi Sue, love the card and your plants arrangement looks beautiful. love Jean Z xxx

NannaShaz said...

Morning Sue and all the Wilsonettes
Wow what a stunning Christmas card to start this week of with

Sending love and healing hugs to all that need them xx

Hope you all have a good day and stay safe

Love
Hunnymummy54
xxx

Crafty Vonnie said...

Good morning Sue,
A truly exquisite card & with my favourite Poinsettias on it. Yvonne xx

Lisbeth said...

Hi Sue. Love the card today, sometimes the simpler one are the best ones - not to say that this hasn't got quite a lot of work in it. Just my sort of thing!

Thank you for letting us all know what you have been up to during lock down. Love the plant arrangements, you should be very proud of them.

Lisbeth

dj from kettering said...




Love the pop of colour x

Doreen x

Crafty Cruiser said...

A really gorgeous card with a lovely pop of colour. The plant arrangement looks great too.
I don’t eat beef and lots of my favourite recipes are tomato based because it’s so versatile but no use to you.
Doreen R

Handmade by Donna x said...

Hi Sue and everyone, firstly your card is stunning. I love the red and white and poinsettias are just the most gorgeous thing to add to Christmas cards.
I should have bought the snowflake frames when I went to the shop the other day. I did remember the adhesive sheets though.
Its lovely to have just a peek into your life and your arrangement is beautiful, I think a lot of crafty individuals can turn their hand to a few different creative things.
Sorry I didn't find time to reply to yesterday's post but I was at work all day and so tired when I got home.
As for recipes I'm a little like Helen and make it up as I go along too lol.
Anyway everyone stay safe and take care hugs Donna x

Owlish said...

Hi SUE
Well it was lovely to hear what u been doing in lockdown needless to say l think we will be back there again soon l certainly hope not, l love your card it's a great inspiration and fantastic arrangement for your sockets ugly items they are trouble with plastic collects 2 much dust very quickly, l avoid.
Owlish Xx

Pauline Austen said...

Morning Sue,
I always say that Christmas isn't Christmas without a poinsettia or two. I love them! I also bought the poinsettia border die so will be having a little play with it soon.
Lovely card and succulent arrangement. That's a great dish for making a lasagne in.
Will send a favourite beef dish of ours.
Hugs xxx Pauline

Deb E Isle of Wight said...

Hi Sue, beautiful post and the classic style are always my favourite. The background is gorgeous. Love the succulent arrangement and would love to send a recipe but as I can't cook it makes it difficult to find something that could be recommended to try lol .... I think with the spare time and less stress you will have come up with some stunning ideas for future launches so can't wait. Stay safe...

sued99 said...

A stunning card. The frame is so lovely.
I don’t do the cooking either these days and I don’t miss it at all! X

Jackie T said...

Hi Sue this is a stunning card. I did treat myself to those frame dies they are fantastic. Your arrangement is gorgeous. Have a great week. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Pawprintx4 said...

Just a lovely card. I am another poinsettia fan...seem to collect poinsettia dies. My favorite card that I made last Christmas used your poinsettia square. I got hooked on those squares & paper piecing with different papers so then I had to get the flower squares so I could make birthday cards...addictive.
My husband works (another worry) but is only home for dinner a couple of night a week so that's when I cook. Like you, I have been exploring new recipes during this time. Maybe since we are never rushing off somewhere or meeting friends for dinner but I have felt like trying out new dishes or even some very old involved recipes that I have not bothered with in ages.We don't eat red meat at all so no help there plus I am half Italian so tomato dishes are some of my specialties(my grandmother was an amazing cook). In fact, I made Lasagna last night (no one in family can duplicate my grandmother's though).
I love your succulent arrangement.I have a purple thumb but can grow succulents and cactus. Have a bit of a Sedum that the puppy broke off in the kitchen now.
Well, everyone have a happy day & send Sue lots of good recipes.
Stephanie K

brandco2450@gmail.com said...

Love the card with my two favourites,
snowflakes and poinsettias! I am
waiting for a small order from Joanna
Sheen of your dies and it includes the
poinsettia! I love your succulent
arrangements, they are quite hardy so
maybe I should have a go! I don't touch
plants as I tend to drown them!!!
Sharon in Toronto

carol edwards said...

Hello Sue, lovely traditional Christmas card. I'm with you on tomatoes of any description. Have to watch food wise as I have real issues with allergic reactions. Like beef usually roasted and the odd korma curry so can't really suggest anything
Like your flower arrangement and I am sure you make many more xx

Surekha Galagoda said...

Dear Sue
Your card is beautiful and so is the arrangement. I have question for you. From the time you started how did you collect dies,stamps and inks. Did you set aside a budget every month or bought everything you saw. Blessings

Fluffycat said...

Hi Sue, love this traditional Christmas card - you can't go wrong with poinsettias and sparkle. The Snowflake Adjustable Frame dies are beautiful.
Glad you have been able to spend some time cooking, did you make any cookies? I love your arrangement of succulents it shows your background in floristry and I am sure you will make some beautiful floral arrangements to match.

Frances

Eunice Astle said...

Love the card Sue, the poinsettia is beautiful!!! Glad you got back to doing something that you love and the succulent arrangement is cute!!

Pat L said...

Hi Sue
This was one of my favourite cards from your festive release, love the snowflake frame and the poinsettia. Your succulent arrangement looks great and you wouldn’t know it was artificial from the photos, flower arranging is my thing and I’m really missing our monthly flower club meetings. My granddaughter made pixie powder backgrounds yesterday so today we’re going to make them into cards

Love and hugs to everyone
Pat

Crewe Trish said...

Hello Sue
When I saw this card on your recent launch I just had to go for these frames so decided to have the poinsettias frame because I can use it all year. It was lovely reading about everyone yesterday. Take care everyone x.Yvonne you have been absent again I hope you feel better soon.

ursula said...

Amazing how this lock down time has brought out something different in us, be it new or something we used to do, I think in some ways it has been a time to reflect and look back on our lives....good for you Sue, hope you continue to do it, I love cooking, all be it just for hubby and myself most of the time. Your card today is lovely, a real traditional one....luv Ursula xx

Viki Banaszak said...

Lovely card and your little garden is wonderful. I did a basket of succulents but my cat sat on them and pretty much killed them. Sigh

Tressa said...

Beautiful card. The design is lovely.

I stayed with a Hindu family in Kenya back in the seventies and the mother of the family taught me a number of the recipes for which I could easily get ingredients at home. Most of these were low oil and low acid (so limited tomato content) because her husband was diabetic and suffered stomach ulcers. These of course were vegetarian but were delicious.

Teresa

Fikreta said...

Wonderful card!

Scottydog said...

Lovely traditional Christmas card, which is what I usually go for. Thank you Sue.

Love your arrangement, would never have guessed it was artificial. I used to do flower arranging, but haven’t done anything for the last few months. You certainly have a flair.

Yorkie girl said...

Hi Sue
Another beautiful card today the poinsettia look fantastic with the embossing and that is a lovely tone of red
Well now Mrs W what a wonderful job you have done with your succulents it is definitely someone be proud of you will have to try it with the real thing .
As for a recipe I am like you I gave up cooking as hubby loves to cook and bake so the kitchen is his domain I just clean up after him lol
I have to admit he does make some lovely food and cakes in fact he has made us some apple and blackberry crumble all fresh ingredients from his allotment..
If I find one you might like I will send it to ya.
Please take care my friend
Theresa G

Anonymous said...

Hi Sue,
Stunning card! I love your arrangement of succulents. They look so real!
Thank you for sharing.
Véronique L

CCM said...

A beautiful traditional Christmas card. The adjustable Frame dies are so useful and beautiful.

Hugs from Toronto to you all.
Stay safe and healthy.
Carmen-Dorothy