To the Beach

How exciting that we now have a new King-to-be, born yesterday afternoon on the hottest day since 2006. Many congratulations to Kate and William and welcome to the as yet un named Prince of Cambridge. The world's press had been camped outside the hospital and it was so joyful to see the news announced live on TV last night just before 9pm. It makes the arrival of my darling grandbaby in November feel even closer. I can't wait.

The girls over at the Ribbon girls have even hosted a great blue giveaway for the Royal baby, take a peep here

Unbelievably this is my penultimate card as GD for the ladies of  Loves Rubberstamps. This week the challenge is called "How Charming" in other words you need to use a charm on your project. Do pop over to join the fun. As you all know that is never difficult for me as I have lots and lots of charms as I use them to make my bag charms with. I decided that I wanted to make another of the amazing accordion cards again and inspired by the summer weather and wanting to use some of my pretty holiday shells I set to work on my latest piece.
Here it is;

and here are a couple of close ups

The stamp is a Whimsy Wee stamp called Goldie. She is such a sweet mermaid. I coloured her with my Promarkers and highlighted with Prismacolor pencils.  I fussy cut her out and have used Glossy Accents to make her bubble appear real. The Smile sentiment is from my Lili of the Valley Pretty Vintage sets. You will spot 2 charms here, an anchor and a sweet little sea horse. I have also used for the first time some Stampendous Frantage embossing enamel...OMGoodness I am in love, this is such fun to use. I really thought it worked well as "sand". I made another Craftwork Card Candi flower too and there are more of my sweet holiday shells here.  I had such fun making this card.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Heck of a Challenge The Sea

Country View Crafts Summer sizzler

Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge anything goes

Visible Image Inspired by a song my song is that fab summer beach song "Under the boardwalk" by The Drifters...I now can't stop humming it ;0)

Crafting with Dragonflies unusual folds you can see my tutorial  for this on my blog post here entitled Happiness is...

Simon Says Stamp By the Sea

Charizma Cards Girlie

Penny Black and More Dies/punches

Stamping Sensations Summer Colours

Make it Monday Linky challenge #150

Continuing the theme of using charms I thought I would  show you some of my recent bag charm commissions....I have also got a seaside themed bag charm for sale here in my Etsy shop using a mermaid charm.

and here is a whole bunch of others...I thought they looked fun together. If you would like any particular themed bag charm made for yourself or as a pressie do email me, I can cover most requests. The beads I use are one of a kind handmade artisan glass lampwork beads. Each bag charm is totally unique. They cost £6.75 each, postage is extra depending on your location. I post worldwide. 

The sun has continued to shine every day and this is the longest heat wave we have had since 2006. My daughter lives near the sea and I thought I would share a couple of photos from our recent visit.

 She's just like her Mum, fascinated by shells...

There's nothing quite like a visit to the seaside is there ;0)

And if you wondered what Billy is getting up to in this heat

Yes he is "flat out!" ;0)

Do pop back here on Thursday as I have a jewellery giveaway planned...celebrations ahead ;0)

Bye for now,

Jane x