Happy Birthday to ME! Well it was a few weeks ago!

I wrote and posted this on 20th August. Then Baz pointed out that some of the cards I featured were part of an August swap so I might have been giving away secrets!  I swiftly took my post down and hope I didn’t spoil it for anyone but now it’s safe to post I thought I would share it now.

It was my fifty …plus ….quite a lot ….birthday yesterday.

My daughter, Jenny, came all the way from London for the weekend and my close family popped in for a long Sunday lunch to wish me Happy Birthday. Jenny put together a lovely cold platter for starters; watermelon, olives, teeny yellow tomato from the greenhouse, Parma ham and nasturtium petals topped with a very light and totally delicious lemon, mint and honey drizzle. John cooked a hearty Boeuf Bourguignon with veggies and new potatoes all from the garden. Dessert was a choice of Treacle Tart,  Rhubarb Pie and my favourite Blackberry and Apple Cobbler.  Better still John and Jenny cooked and I spent fun time in my craft room.

Jenny picked a few extra blackberries to take home too. Yummy! I love this time of the year when you can wander down the garden and pick all sorts of goodies to eat. Having fresh veg and fruit is such a treat. I try to remember the joy of these meals in the Winter when it’s raining and blowing a gale and I’m battling the weeds or digging the icy cold soil.

Thanks to everyone for my cards and gifts. What a lucky lady I am. First here’s my card from Jenny. She is not a card maker but I think it says a lot about the both of us and amused me. I’m not to sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but she is totally correct. Happy Birthday to me !

All my cards are appreciated and special but the handmade ones are extra special as I know the time and care that goes into making them. My crafty mates from stamping’ Up! sent me some gems this year.  I hope they don’t mind me sharing. It would be sad if they just sat on my mantle without being shared. Thanks go to Kate, Linda, Baz, Karen, Stacey and Katy. Not just fab cards but amazing envelopes too.

 

Linda Clarke

A beautiful embossed base, some fab designer paper all in soft greens and blues along with some very nice details. This is pretty, light, fresh and just lovely.  Thanks so much Linda .

 

Baz Patel

A decorative circle using my favourite vases stamp set. A clever colour choice of complementary stripes of colour matched card create a clever background.  Many thanks Baz .

 

Kate Bolt

A “little note” that means a lot to me from Kate and her family. I love the way she has used the doily behind to soften the image. The dash of yellow highlights the message and ties it all together. Thanks Kate.

 

Stacey Bryant.

Out of a matching envelope came this superb card. Soft pink and grey make for a great combination. Lots of detailed embossing, die cutting, Happy Birthday message and a very prettily tied tag top. All these details set off by the designer starry paper. Thanks Stacey.

 

Katy Freeman

A really “bling tactic” string of tiny sequins and silver wire add something special to this grey and pink card.  The floral wreath surrounding the Celebrate message looks so smart dotted with grey embellishments. Thanks very much Katy.

 

Karen Spreckley

I love this velvet ribbon with 3 lovely vases balanced on it and a very apt “Hoping your day blooms with happiness ” message. What a delightful mix of colours so well chosen by Karen.  Thanks Karen.

 

 

This message was stamped onto the back of Karen’s card.  It reminds me of how special a handmade card is. The fact someone has sat and designed and made these cards specially for me makes me feel loved.

Thanks a bunch everyone for a special and very Happy Birthday.