Here comes the Bride.....it's wedding season!

Everywhere I turn I here about upcoming nuptuals, so wedding season must be in full swing!  I'm actually working with a bride to be on her wedding stationery and other items for her big day.  So far I've made some beautiful wedding invitations, complete with RSVP cards, Thank you cards, place cards, and wine bottle cuffs.

Yesterday I made some new wedding cards to add to my Etsy store, and think I'll be making lots more later this week.  Here is a preview of some of the new designs available at my Etsy store.

For every card I sell on my Etsy store in may & June I'll be donating the proceeds to the National Kidney Foundation.  On Saturday June 18th I'll be taking part in a 200ft rappel down a building in Baltimore, Maryland and hope to raise $1000 for the charity!  By buying a card from ym store, you are not only getting a wonderful hand crafted card, but you will also be supporting a very worthy cause.

Raising Money for the National Kidney Foundation

On June 18th I'll be going over the edge. Over the edge of a 200ft building in downtown Baltimore to be precise.  You may think I'm mad but it's all for a great cause and hopefully will be a bit of fun too.  I'm doing a rappell down the Canton Crossing Tower to raise much needed money for the National Kidney Foundation.

My dear father passed away in January 2005, following Kidney disease and so this is a cause that is close to my heart and I hope that I can raise at least $1000 to go towards more research and treatments.

On my quest to raise my goal I am soliciting the support of friends, family and nieghbors and will also be donating all the proceeds from my Etsy store for May & June, so I'm hoping that together we can reach the $1000.

For more information on the event you can visit my fundraising page here .

Please help me to reach my goal and help other people in the world fight Kidney Disease.

April showers bring May flowers, but why wait till May!

Today I have just finished decorating a beautiful birthday cake for a little girl who is turning 4.  I love making new cakes and this one was challenging as the little girl can't eat wheat or dairy products!  I always want to make sure that my cakes are as delicious to eat as they are to look at so after some research I found a delicious gluten free recipe for the cake and used dairy free butter to make the buttercream.

Once the cake was baked and filled with buttercream, the fun began in decorating it.  Like most little girls Cici loves pink and so what better than a huge pink daisy on the top of her cake.  I added 7 fondant purple butterflies fluttering around the side of the cake too.

I'll be off to deliver the cake shortly so I'm excited to see Cici and her Mom's face when they see it!

Great American Cake Show

Last month I was busy making cards everyday for my card challenge and this month it's all been about cake!  I've entered the Great American Cake show competition at the end of April and so have been busy preparing my entries.

2010 was my first year to enter and I entered three cakes.  One was a pink prada purse cake, the second and babies first gift cake and the last a two tier mothers day cake.  I was really pleased to win 3rd place for my baby cake in my category and come home with a little rosette.

I've been thinking about what to enter this year for a while now and have had a sketch drawn out of my wedding cake entry.  The theme for the wedding cake category this year is holidays, so I have chosen to do a Christmas theme wedding cake.  I finally decided on the cake dummy sizes and shapes and set to work decorating them with fondant last week.

Seeing my design go from paper into fondant is quite amazing and so far I'm really pleased with how the top three tiers have come out.  All was going great until today when I ended up getting my finger caught in a dog leash and now it looks like it may be dislocated.  I just hope I'll be able to get my cake finished in time for the competition on the 30th April.

Here are some photos of the top three tiers so far. The top tier represents a winter snow scene with a snow bride and snow groom on top.  The second tier is a Christmas present, the third represents the Christmas tree and I'm really excited at how that has turned out.  Although I'm keeping the cake all white, it has so much texture that it has depth and interest.

Custom order of military theme cards just finished

I've just finished making a custom order of 30 cards with a military/veteran theme and will be getting them in the mail to the customer today. I got a little carried away and ended up making 40 cards so I'll have afew of them to keep on my Etsy store too.

I made a selection of sizes and styles including Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines, Veterans, Motor Bikes and USA theme cards and love them all.

They are going to be sold at the Rolling Thunder event on Memorial Day in May to raise money for the war veterans, which is a great cause.

And the winner of my March giveaway is..........

Throughout March I ran a giveaway to win 10 of my handmade cards for people who either liked my facebook fan page or made a purchase on my Etsy store.  By the end of March I had reached over 100 fans on my page and made several sales on Etsy too.  So on April 1st, I did a drawing to see who the lucky winner would be and it is Laura! Congrats!

Here is a photo of the 10 cards that will be making their way to Laura and I hope she loves them and sends them all out to her friends and family.

Now its time to get started on the 85 wedding invitation sets I have on order so that will keep me busy for a while.

Last day of the March Madness Card challenge - an assortment of cards

Well here I am on day 31 at the end of my card a day challenge for March.  It's been a fun month and I've got lots of lovely cards to show for it too, although it has been hard work to get them made, photographed, uploaded and blogged about, and being sick for a couple of days didn't really help, but I made it through!

Looking back at all the cards I did make, I've counted up them all and actually made 54 different cards, and including multiples of the same design, there were over 100 cards, so quite a productive month.  I'll certainly have plenty to take to the Washington International Spring Bazaar on April 17th.

For my last day I've made five new cards.  It started off with a first birthday card, then I added an 18th and 21st birthday cards followed by a sweet sixteen, and finally two quick thank you cards to try out a new rubber stamp!

I hope you've enjoyed following my creativity and I'll start thinking about another challenge for later in the year.

Card Challenge Days 28, 29 & 30 - It sucks being sick!

I guess with the crazy temperature changes this past week it's not suprising that I have caught a cold!  I hate feeling ill and I'm not sure whats worse, the symptoms of my sore throat and throbbing head or the side affects of the cold medication that make me feel like I'm high!

With feeling sick, I've just not had the energy or motivation to make any cards for a couple of days, but today I dragged myself into the craft room and got creating, and before I knew it I had made up two new cards and felt alot happier.

It's the last day of my 31 day challenge tomorrow and I hope to get some more cards made and posted, and then reflect on the past 31 days and all of the cards I've made.  Its also the last day of my giveaway too, so for all of those that have 'liked' my Liz Felgate Crafts facebook page or made a purchase from my Etsy store, I'll be drawing a name to win 10 of my beautiful cards!

Card Challenge Day 27 - Bassets are like potato chips, you can't just have one!

My featured card, or should I say cards for today follow on from yesterdays theme of basset hounds. I wanted to try out all three of my new rubber stamps and so ended up creating about 6 different cards in all.

Just by using the stamps in different ways I can create so much more than three different cards.  I especially like the smaller of the stamps which is just a clear outline of a basset hound as I'm able to stamp it out four times, and then cut out different 'layers' to build up a 3d basset.

I'm sure I'll be making lots more of these fun cards ready for the BROOD Ramble in September.  I attended my first Ramble last year and what an amazing day it was.  There were over 150 basset hounds of all shapes, sizes and ages there, along with their owners, all to raise money for the Basset Rescue of Old Dominion (BROOD).  I'm hoping to take Daisy with me this year when I have another booth there to sell my cards.

Well here are my first creations using Barnie, Oliver and Sebastian the basset hound stamps (well they have to have names too!).

Collection of basset cards

Card Challenge Day 26 - Bassets Rule!

Back in January we added to our family by adopting a rescue dog from the Basset Rescue of Old Dominion (BROOD), in the way of Daisy.  A cute and fun two year old basset hound mix which was going to make the perfect playmate for our border collie cross Jelly!  It was love at first site, for all of us, and so we brought Daisy home.

She's settled in great and made herself at home straight away, taking her position on an armchair like she'd always been meant to sit there.  Shortly after we got her I'd taken her to the vets for a check up and was told that she had tested positive for heartworm. this was very worrying as I knew that heartworm could be very dangerous for dogs.  We started treatment straight away which meant that Daisy had to stay at the vets for 4 days while they gave her treatment to kill the worms and monitor her for any possible side effects.

Thankfully she has now been given the all clear from the vets and shouldn't have any long term effects because of it.  Throughout all of it she's been her playful happy self and we just love her to bits.

BROOD are a fantastic organistaion who help to rehome and take care of hundreds of bassets, they are always looking for fosters and furever homes for their dogs. Check out the available dogs on their website at http://www.brood-va.org/ and see if you can welcome a new dog into your life too.

I've just added some more bassets to our house in the form of some new basset rubber stamps, and so thought I'd try one of them out this morning! so cute!

March Madness Day 25 - Celebrate Adoption days

I've made hundreds of birthday cards over the years, but believe it or not this is the first adoption day card I have made.  I was given the suggestion by a friend and what a great idea it was.  Celebrating the day that a child is brought into a family is a very special occassion.  I'll be taking this card and a couple of other cards around to Jodye later today!

At last the sun is shining although its still a little chilly with reports of snow in the forecast tonight! what is going on with that!

Card Challenge Day 24 - More mothers day Cards

Yesterday I didn't have my camera so wasn't able to take any photos of all the new mothers day cards I made.  I was on a roll and made 24 cards in all im=ncluding some fathers day cards and some happy birthday soldier cards too.  Some days i have so many ideas that I can just keep going....last night it was nearly midnight when I packed my things up and went to bed.

I'm hoping to make some more as the two stores that buy wholesale from me will be needing some and I also know alot of brits living here that need mothers day cards for the UK date in April, and can' always find them in the shops in time.

Lets hope today is as productive!

March Madness Day 23 - Oh La La Mothers day card

Yesterday was such a lovely day which I spent most of in the garden doing some spring cleaning, and then today when I woke up its like winter again outside, all gloomy and cold.  It's a good day to stay in doors and be creative.  I also had a Bride to be calling round to discuss her wedding stationery and she decided on a lovely black and white gatefold design with accents of pink and silver.  Now that will keep me busy making 85 sets of invitations, RSVP cards, Thank you cards and place cards.

Looking through my cardstock, I pulled out some toile look card in black and white and some bright sunny yellow card and envelopes and got creating some pretty Mothers Day cards.  Mothers Day in the UK is in April, so I need to get going on making quite afew for all the Brits I know living out here.

With the offcuts of card I made up some matching gift cards to go with each of the cards.

March Madness Day 22 - Springtime and Support our Troops

Springtime is really here and now there seems to be so much to be done in the garden. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours clearing away some dead plants and leaves to uncover my spring bulbs which were hidden in the debris.  Its lovely to see some fresh green growth back in the borders after what seems like a long winter. It always amazes me how the delicate plants survive the winter with afew feet of heavy snow on top of them.

On a recent trip to Lowes I had to stop myself looking at all the plants as Lowes garden center has the same effect as Michaels does on me and I'll come home with a car full of plants if I'm not supervised!

I think afew more hours of yard work is on the agenda again today, and I've learnt by past experience that a little often goes alot further than a marathon session and not being able to move for a week after!  Looks like its going to be a nice day too, so as the saying goes 'make hay while the sun shines'

As for my card for today I've made up afew more support the troops cards and will be making some birthday cards too for the soldiers etc.  Every day on the news I hear of yet another war breaking out across the globe and it makes you think about all of the lives lost every day.

March Madness Day 21 - God Bless America

I've been working on a collection of cards with a military theme, and thought that some patriotic cards would work well too.  I created 6 cards in the red, white and blue theme.  I used a selection of stickers including some photo stickers and buttons.

I may not be an American, but having lived here for over 10 years now, this is my home and I love living here.

March Madness Day 20 - Easy Rider theme cards

On another beautiful sunny day the roads are full of motorcycles out enjoying the great riding weather.  There's nothing like the feeling of riding on the open road on a motorbike, I just love it. I got my licence back in 2008 and have my own bike too.

My cards today are inspired by motorbikes, and I love the metal look with the Harley color theme of black and orange.

Get on your helmet and go for a ride!

March Madness Day 19 - Baby Girls First Teddy Bear

Today has been a beautiful day and I started it off by taking a new yoga class in town. The class was called 'Rock your core' and it certainly did that!  Feeling refresed and ready to make the most of the beautiful day ahead I picked up my gardening tools and headed outside to work on the front garden.

While doing some weeding, I noticed something move by my foot, and when I looked it turned out to be a snake!  It was only a rat snake, about 12 inches long, but it sure made me careful of where I put my hands after that!

Now I'm back indoors, starting to feel the effects of the yoga and  four hours of gardening, so have sat down to make some cards and come up with this one.

March Madness Day 18 - A special card for a Friends Mum

Today has been a little less hectic than yesterday but still as productive, as I have worked on some new cards, done some painting, been to the gym and out for several walks with my dogs Jelly & Daisy as it's been such a beautiful day.

One of the cards I made today is a special one for a school friends mother who has been through surgery to remove cancer and I wanted to send her a card to brighten her day.  I hope this brings a smile to her face and these flowers are sure to last much longer than fresh ones too.

I've got it all packaged up safely ready to post back to England in the morning.

March Madness Day 17 - One of those crazy busy days!!

Today has been one of those crazy days where I have been running around all day. My day started with a trip to the vets with my dog Daisy for her follow up on the heartworm treatment she had in February. Thankfully her tests came back negative and she was given the thumbs up from the vet! It's a huge relief as heartworm in dogs can be very harmful if not treated so it was a good thing we caught it early.

The rest of the day has included taking photos and video of the Georgetown Prep students out on the Ropes Challenge course (http://www.upwardenterprises.com/) which was fun, and with such beautiful weather, it makes for even better photos.

I even managed to fit in a run at Baker park in Frederick tonight with a friend, which is just what I needed.

So now at almost 10pm I've just finished my card for today! Its a simple one, which was quick to make, but I like it alot.

Let me know what you think!

March Madness Day 16 - Time for some Easter Bunnies!

It's about a month until Easter and the shops are bursting with everything spring and Easter themed so I thought it about time I made some Easter cards.

Back in the UK the shelves of stores will be filled to the brim with all sizes of chocolate eggs from the chocolate manufacturers all doing their part to help the dentists! Oh I do miss a nice bit of Cadbury's chocolate!!

So here is my Easter card creation, made with some spring patterned cardstock and a bunny stamped on the front. I think I'll make up afew more ready to send out to friends and family too.

March Madness Day 15 - Wedding Invitations

I was so excited after I met with the bride to be last night that I spent the following couple of hours in my craft room creating three invitation sets as samples for her. I love the black, pink and silver colors, and I think they look completely different in just changing out which color goes where.

The sets include a gate fold A7 size invitation, an A2 flat RSVP card, an A2 folded thank you card and a place card. I'm now going to work on the printing side and make up some samples of the text layouts for each, so hopefully by the end of the week I'll have them all finished to present to the bride.

March Madness Day 14 - It's a girl!

Wow, I'm half way through my challenge which means its half way through March already! I'm having fun with the cards, and thought I may start to run out of inspiration in the next two weeks, but my motivation has been given a jolt today as I met with someone to talk about wedding invitations and so I'm all exited to get in the craft room and come up with some samples for her.

The color scheme for the upcoming wedding is hot pink, black and silver so will have fun experimenting with some combinations and styles.

I had made up a new baby girl card as it seems that everyone is having baby girls at the moment, and with the announcement that the Beckhams will be adding a little girl to their family in August I thought why not!

March Madness Day 13 - Black & White Cards & Yoga

Today I'm feeling super relaxed after my yoga class this morning. I haven't been to a class in a long time so was a little nervous at first, but I really enjoyed it and hope to make it a regular thing.

While my husband is watching England beat Scotland in Rugby I've been creating some more beautiful cards. I wanted to use some black and white patterned card and paper and then just add one pop of color to each. I love the high contrast between the colors. I ended up making eight cards altogther, 2 of each design as I liked them so much.

I think they would make a great wedding card or even invitations for a glam wedding or party. Let me know what you think.