Madcap Manor

Hi there! Well, it's been a busy fortnight: appointments at the local hospital and specialised eye unit (I have a tear in one retina) which involved lots of staring into bright lights, trying not to blink.   Then there was the annual blood-pressure check-up, which meant blood tests and a wee test, followed by a phone appointment with my lovely GP.  I have to eat lots of bananas to improve my potassium levels - so much nicer than taking tablests! Finally there was a loooong dental appointment to fit teeth straighteners.  It's been quite a medical journey! All is now calm, and I've been making cards again.  I used papers from the April 23 card kid by  Love from Lizi .  So pretty. I like sending 'hello' cards to cheer my friends up!  It's such a simple sentiment but says a lot. I hope you're all keeping well! Thanks for looking and take care! love Mags B x

 Hiya! This is the card I made for my daughter's birthday, using items from the  Love from Lizi  March 2023 kit, 'Spring Friends.'  It does seem to be still available on her website if you'd like a more detailed look. The instructions for a US A2 Bridge Card came from  this video by Jennifer McGuire.   I used pearlised white card for the bas and the papers and ephemera are from the 'Spring Friends' kit.  The little hedgie is adorable! I also added dots of glitter Nuvo Drops to the centres of all the flowers. I hope you're all keeping well! Thanks for looking and take care! love Mags B x

 I took a break at the end of February, thinking it would only be for a month - and now it's the beginning of June.  I apologise for being missing in action.  I have had a lot of dental work done to straighten my wonky teeth, and my mojo decided to take a holiday; but now she's returned, suntanned and glamorous, and I'm getting back into crafting. Here is a card I was commissioned to make for a dear friend's 70th birthday: the Commission was 'blue and not too fussy.'   The white die-cuts are from Christina Griffiths'  Fancy Frames Collection  and the sentiment is cut in silver card with a vellum shadow.  My friend loved it, and her partner, who commissioned it, sent a donation to a cancer charity.  Having had cancer myself, I appreciate that! I hope you are all keeping well! Thanks for looking and take care! love, Mags B x

 Oh, how embarrassing! I thought I had scheduled this post, but.... no, I forgot to click the 'publish' button! D'oh! This is my last DT post, as I'm taking a break. Anyway, here is our latest challenge at  My Time to Craft!  and the theme is Rainbows.   We'd like to see 5 or more colours: as the song my kids learned at school says: 'Red and Yellow and Orange and Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet, too.  These are the colours that you will see if a rainbow shows itself to you!' My first card is based on  this video  for a Diamond Stair Stepper card by Iced Images on Youtube.  I replaced the diamonds she used with die-cut hearts. The papers are all from a 'Rainbow' pad by Papermania which is very old! The patterns use all the colours of the rainbow, so I think I covered this Challenge's requirements! I used a butterfly die with yellow paper from the pad, inlaid with orange and backed with card to give it more stability.  The gems are from my stash...

Here is a picture of my new granddaughter Fiadh, who was born last Friday, and her brother Oscar, who is 6.  Ye Olde Manne and I will be visiting at the beginning of March and I can't wait!!  Sadly, this is my last post for  The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge .  I am sorry to leave, it has been great to get all my Christmas cards sorted before December! I want to thank Marlene and the lovely Design Team and everyone who enters the challenge for their inspiration. My card is based on  this video  by Iced Images for a Gatefold Star Card.  The papers are from a very old paper pad by Cosmo Cricket called 'Mitten Weather.'  The two glittered chipboard snowflakes came from the same collection.  The sentiments and gems are from my stash. Check out my teamies' lovely creations! Thanks for looking and take care! love Mags B x

Good morning! I have some sad news and some happy news.  I am stepping down from all my Design Teams, including Dream Valley .  It was my very first DT, back in 2011 and I still get a kick out of talking about my 'teamies!' I want to thank them all for their kindness and creativity. Consequently there is a DT Call  - details are on the blog.  Anyone can apply, whatever level of crafting experience you have.  The DT members are lovely, they are always ready to help a 'newbie'! Now for the happy news: I have a new granddaughter! Fiadh (Fee-a) was born last Friday in Ireland and here she is: So tiny! So cute! Now, finally, here is my card for our new challenge, which is to Use your favourite colours.   Our sponsor is  Colour of Love  and I used the cute 'Sugi Summer Fashion' digi. The card base is a pop-out gatefold card from  This video  by Sam Calcott of Mixed-up crafts.  It looks complicated, but it's actually quite simple to make....

 Good morning! I hope you're all keeping well.  I am very excited to tell you that my daughter Sacha is in hospital because her baby is on the way! So this weekend Ye Olde Manne and I will be welcoming a new granddaughter.  Her name is Fiadh (pronounced 'Fee-a') and her big brother Oscar is so excited! Now on to our new Challenge at  My Time to Craft Christmas  which is sadly going to be my last.  I am taking a break from all my DTs.  Our new theme is Snowflakes. My first card has a stencilled background. The stencil has lost its packaging, and I don't know who made it.  I used blue mirror card for the mat and the sentiment, which is from and old MFT die.  I added White Blizzard Glitter Drops by Nuvo to the middles of the snowflakes and the dots as well. Card number 2 is made with the beautiful ISSA layering Snowflake dies by  Birch Press Designs  which seems to be out of print. I used 3 shades of blue cardstock for the layers and s...