Advent starts here!

Firstly an apology for not updating on Friday, with us all being ill this week and a trip to Bristol for work, I just couldn't manage it. This weekend has been somewhat mixed as we were supposed to go to friends but they were too poorly so we have had a weekend at home instead.  Yesterday we joined friends at Sheffield Ski village where there is a good indoor play area including air cannons which Alex thought were wonderful.

Today we celebrated the first day of Advent at our new church and then this afternoon we headed over to Kelham island museum where Alex was fascinated by all the different machines and the WWII bombs.

He also had a great time in the small kids play area there.  The weather was just too cold to let him be outside for long with his cough hence our indoor activities this weekend.

I have been cracking on with my Christmas cards and this first one followed this weeks Less is More challenge of 'bling'.  This entire card was made with the free papers from a magazine, including the bird which was cut out of one sheet.  I then added Crystals to the centre of the stars. I am also entering this into Aud sentiments 'Any winter holiday's sentiment'.

For the next card I used a cuttlebug embossing folder and the free stamps from last month CM&PC magazine. I coloured the image with promarker pens and added a bit of holographic glitter glue to the star.  This card therefore fits with Crazy4challenges 'snow' and Stamptacular 'anything Christmas' challenges.

These next 4 cards were really simple using images from a Crafty Individuals image book layered onto gold and red card and then put onto an embossed cream card.  These fit with Speedy the cat's friends 'make it masculine'.

Finally I had a bit of fun making a tag for this weeks Simon says stamp challenge. The background was made using a Tim Holtz mask, then stamping the music in red, then replacing the mask and using teabag distress ink over the rest of the tag.  The images were cut out of a Crafty Individuals images book and then I embossed in gold round the edge before using twine instead of ribbon for a more rustic feel.  I am entering this tag into Flutterby Wednesday 'open', Meljen's 'twine or string', DCM 'moustaches/facial hair' (Santa has a beard and moustache), and sew many cards 'twine' challenges.  That is all from me for now.  Have a great week.
Love,
Caro
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