Well here we are, yes don't faint I've managed to make some time to blog, not that I have too much to say really.  Unless you want to hear about the two nails I ripped off, big ouch.  No? OK I won't go into details.

With the condition of Lupus comes extreme fatigue.  You learn to live with it when it's at a certain point and it becomes the norm, but every so often it hits you hard and fast out of the blue.  Sometimes it's because you've caught a bug or a cold or because you are having a flare up.  It hit me a week and a half ago and I have no idea why, maybe I'm having a mild flare up but just didn't realise, who knows, it's so unpredictable it really could be anything.  It has left me very frustrated though, I really don't have to do much and I'm virtually falling asleep while trying to make a card or while I'm on the computer, so if you're a tweeter and I've suddenly just disappeared you know why. It's not me being rude, I've simply dozed off.

Original paragraph deleted for personal reasons

What ever you think of Twitter it does have a lot of good points and is different for different people.  I hear people say 'why do I want to know what someone is having for tea, or that they are walking the dog etc', well it's so much more than that.  For some it's a way of finding friends with the same interests, for others it's a useful tool for business.  I have found some very good friends, ones I will keep in touch with regardless of twitter, also I have made many work contacts and got a lot of work through twitter.  I enjoy the interaction with people, we laugh, we cry and we help each other out.  It's not for everyone, but it can be a lifeline to some that are shy or lonely.

The challenge over at Polka Doodles this week was set me and I wanted to see projects made with templates.  I used the Christmas Paper Boutique CD for my project. All the templates on the Paper Boutique CD's are really easy to cut out and make  fabulous cards with hardly any effort.  But, add a little creativity to the mix and you can use them for all sorts and get some spectacular results.

Here are a few cards from the January Clarity Stamp show on Create and Craft.  I really enjoyed using the mask stamps, you can make a really striking projects with them, and the harlequin stamp is so useful.

And here are a few Magazine project cards they are in the February edition of Making Cards, so if you want to know how to make them get down to a craft shop or WH Smith and get your self a copy.  I used cupcake holders for one set, I think they're very effective.

 

I used another of Polka Doodles Paper Boutique CDs for the one below.

A quick catch up

Well that's another 4 weeks flitted by, who turned on the fast forward button? I'd be grateful if you turned it off now please.

There's lots happening over at Polka Doodles at the mo.  They've just hit 1000 followers on the challenge blog, and to celebrate they are giving away blog candy this week.  They've also started up the Diddydoodles challenge blog for children, so if you have a budding crafting son/grandson or daughter/granddaughter then why not steer them in that direction for a little fun and inspiration.

The challenge over at PD is a sketch this week.  We know how you all love sketches so why not have a go, you never know!

This was my card for last weeks challenge, all the papers are from the Pretty Sweet CD and I used several spellbinder dies  to make this pretty card.  The gorgeous ribbon is from the Polka Doodles shop, I think it's one of my favourite ones to date.

And now some Making Cards Magazine news.  They have another special issue 'Say it with flowers' on the way, and you can now pre-order it here.  I've made some of the projects and you'll definitely find plenty of inspiration in it.  In Feb's edition there is also an extra free gift in the form of a sheet of peeloffs to match the free papers, which are now perforated for easier removal.  And I've saved the best till last, the Making Cards Lucky numbers.  Each month one reader can win a £50 spending spree at their local craft shop. Such a shame I can't entre, I wouldn't mind a bit of a spending spree myself.