"Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent.

Be careful that you don't let other people spend it for you"

                                                                            John Dryden

How kind of my friend Sandra at  http://sandicatsworld.blogspot.co.uk/  to give me an award. Thank you so much. It is nice to know that people look in on my ramblings.

The LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD is used to show appreciation of smaller blogs (under 200 followers) and to help spread readership and joy.
As part of the tradition the award is to be passed along to five other blogs that have motivated and inspired me.
The name comes from the German meaning Dearest or Beloved, but can also mean Favourite.

To accept the Award you must:
1. Link back to the person's blog who gave it to you, and thank them.
2. Post on your blog.
3. Give to five other Bloggers who you appreciate and value.
4. Leave a comment on the five blogs you choose and let them know.

Many of the blogs that I love have hundreds of followers but I have chosen the following blogs.

Karen Lines - http://kslcreative.blogspot.co.uk/  A wizard with inks and stamps

Amanda Havon - http://lejardindepapiers.blogspot.co.uk/   Amanda produces beautifully coloured images using Copic markers and fantastic cards using Spellbinders dies.

Donna Gibson - http://frommyart2yours.blogspot.co.uk/  Check out Donna's beautiful tags and ink techniques

Aeryn Kelly Reitmeyer - http://aerynsexplosion.blogspot.co.uk/  Is so talented with her Copic markers

Silly Sally - http://www.sillysalcreates.blogspot.co.uk/  Sally creates the most beautiful and unusual necklaces and art.

Please check them out. They are full of amazing work and ideas.

This was one of the very last minute cards I did before going on holiday (not my fault for a change )

Hope you like it.

Craftwork cards 8x8
Sandylion papers-  Graduation
TPC stamp set- Class Act
Sizzix Original- Diploma
Cricut Cartridge- Story book
Archival inks- Crimson
Jet black
Distress inks- Old Paper
 Vintage Photo

This card was straightforward. The only tricky part was the diploma. It doesn't look so good done as a single die cut so I played around with it a little. Finally it went together in 5 layers. I inked and shaped the pieces first before using silicone glue to give dimension. Because of all the shaping, the top layer becomes too narrow, so the base layer needs to be trimmed to fit. When the silicone had set I used matte Multi Medium to glue the long edges together( I think it gives a more scroll like appearance than just open layers).
 Hope you like it.

Big hugs

Karen