Three cards for the New Year

Hello to all my blogging friends.
As 2012 begins we hope and pray that it will be a more positive year for many of you that have been under considerable pressure and strain. Surely it can only get better! May you all experience God's loving care and His blessings, for this new year that we have entered.
We had a lovely time, down in the Catlins, over Christmas, with a number of our family. All, couldn't be with us this year as we have to share them with their in-laws, every other year.
It is great to be home though - back to a semblance of routine. I have been trying to tidy up the garden today but still have a lot to go. Am feeling a trifle stiff tonight!
Now I thought, as it's been some time since I blogged, I would show some cards that I have recently made.

I made this card using my Grand Calibur, cutting the Grand Labels 23, three times, smaller each time,with different card and paper.They are attached at the top with strips of double sided tape. The heart shape is the centre of a silver heart doily. I handmade the flower using the navy card, then used the Cherry Lyne flourish die. The initials are also cut out of navy card, after attaching jac paper to the back, with the Harmony Cuttlebug Alphabet. This is a tip for having initials already adhesived, to put on the finished project.

This perhaps is one of my MANY favourite colour combinations. To make the border, I cut a strip of card, one and a quarter inches wide, then using Martha Stewart punch, punched along both edges. Very simple but effective I think.The girl image is from Moonlight Magic Studios - a wonderful site for finding vintage images.Kaisercraft flowers were used and gems attached round the scallop circle.I used my bow-tie to tie the organza ribbon into a double bow.

This card, and the previous one, were made using the Basic Grey, Out of Print range. I cut the brown card, then using Martha Stewart, Round The Page punches, cut out the edge. My base card was then made to fit this shape. Again, I've used Tim Holtz Rosette die for the flower, placing a gorgeous button I had on hand, in the centre. Don't you love the Bakers Twine?

Now in closing, I must just show you a photo of my three lovely daughters. They came to spend the day with me for my birthday, with the kids, and took Hugh and I out for lunch. It was supposed to be a surprise but the son-in-law let the 'cat out the bag.' Anyway, we still had a super time together. You girls are pretty special and I love you dearly.

Thank you for checking this out - it is great to get your comments as it makes blogging seem worth while.
With love and blessings to you all,

Betsy xxx