I'm back and a long post!!

Firstly, I must apologise for my absence. Life has been so hectic recently with the change of location of my job, which has now doubled my journey and added an extra hour of travelling time to my day. My aim has been to get into work early so that I can finish earlier and get home at a reasonable time to have the evening to relax, but things don't always work out as planned, do they!!! To add to my stress I've had to change my car as the mondeo was too thirsty so hubby now drives this, after all it is his car, and my old one has gone!! Those of you that know me, will know that I have had to overcome my fear of small cars due to a nasty car accident 3 years ago, when had I been in a small car I wouldn't have survived. I'm still very unsure of it and every journey is a huge challenge to me but I am getting there.

I have still been crafting on and off, making the odd card for Wendy and birthday cards but always last minute and have forgot to photograph them. Last weekend I attended a Next Step Copics course which was being run by Wendy from Stamps and Memories and Karen Watson who is a great friend of Wendys. I had been involved in some of the preparation for this course but I still learnt so much from them both. Each time I attend the introduction to Copics Course, (yes, I have done this more than once!!!), I learn something new that I didn't take in the first time, so if you have the chance to attend one of these courses, go, they are so informative and great fun.

Anyway, on to todays card!! There is a story behind this card, hubby keeps lovebirds in aviarys in the garden, rather a lot of love birds, in all shapes, makes, colours and sizes, well you know what I mean!!!! So if I ever see anything with lovebirds on I usually buy it. This stamp I have had for a while and it had never seen any ink until last night when I decided it would be perfect for my Copic blending practice!!

This little card qualifies for the following challenges:

Stamping for the weekend - Anything goes
Papertake Weekly - Recipe 3, 2,1 mine is swirls, flowers and image
Allsorts Challenge - Park/Garden inspiration (This is my Garden)
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Summer Loving
Stampevie and more - Swirls

Hope you like it!!!

Penny Black Stamp - The forever dream
Coloured with Copic Sketch and Ciao markers
Papers Basic Grey - Kioshi
Memento Tuxedo Black
TH - Peeled Paint Distress Ink
Nestibilities Labels 4
Nellie Small and Large Flower Punches
Sizzex Sizzlets In Bloom Die - Swirley Vine
Gems and Card - Papermania

Promise I'll be back soon

Hugs Jo x