Sunday 17 July 2016

I'm Back with a snippet!

Hello Everyone!  It's good to be back in blogland.

First I'd like to say a great big Thank You to all those who left comments and sent emails.  It's good to be missed - but seriously I do very much appreciate your kind words.

My break was longer than intended due to all the things that have been happening over the past few weeks.

I feel I need to get more balance in my life and as I have a milestone birthday coming up later this year now seems to be the time to do it..

As many may know I quit smoking a couple of years ago and since then have put on over 2 stone in weight which isn't good for arthritic joints.

Since being away I've lost 8lbs in weight and now manage 6 mins a day on the cross trainer.  Would you believe it took me four goes to do one minute when I began.  I'm hoping that sharing this with you all will keep me on track and I'll keep you posted on the weight loss.

I've only managed to make a handful of cards during my absence so today's card is one I made several months ago which was never blogged.

I stamped and stencilled on a scrap of gelli plate print then added the flower which was a scrap of white card.  The flower is from a Paper Artsy set and the bee is a Judikins stamp.  I used a button from my stash and added white lines on the stem and leaf with a gel pen.

I 'm off to join in at Pixie's Snippets Playground - Week 238 with my card

I hope to get round to visit and see what you've been up to while I've been away and although it may take a little time I'm sure you'll be patient with me.  Barbxx




46 comments:

Carole said...

Very arty card Barb...glad you are back in blogland. I do like your purple flower with the button in the centre and clever stenciling. Congratulations on the weight loss!

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

I'm really pleased to see you back with us again Barb as I've missed seeing your posts. I fully understand what you mean though about finding balance in life and those milestone birthdays can be scary things. I remember dreading turning forty and my Hubby had bought me a large Millie's cookie. When I opened the box, I just smiled. I was expecting something being written on it about being forty and it said 'It's just another day.'It sort of put it all in perspective. Well done you on loosing the weight and building up gradually on your cross trainer. Loosing weight is one thing that I've found has got much harder as I've got older. I could go on a diet at thirty and the pounds would just drop off. Now into my fifties, I can be as good as gold with my diet, exercise, and then I find at the end of the week that I've lost nothing! I wish you well with it all but don't forget to be proud of your hard work and how far you've come. and to give yourself a pat on the back along the way. Now onto the crafty stuff :) I love your card. I really like the stenciled background and it's the perfect backdrop for your lovely flower. I really like the colours that you've used too. Take care of yourself. Crafty Hugs, Sandra x

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Barb and welcome back, you've been missed. Well done on making you lifestyle changes and loosing weight, not easy as you become older, but it all help and to give up smoking well that was a biggie congratulations.
Lovely little card, gorgeous colours and design, Kate x 👍x

Sarn said...

Hi Barb, good to have you back. Well done on your cross trainer & weight loss progress.

Love the look of this card. Great background.

Hugs, Sarn xx

StirYourCreativity said...

Such a great card. Loved the colors which are so soothing to eyes.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

We missed you, but your own life and health come before anything else, Barb! Keep calm and take care of yourself! :)
This card looks wonderful, love very much your gelli plate background with its distressed edges, and the contrast with the pink of the flower, so striking! The bee is lovely! Great bright colours and the button in the center of theflower gives a nice dimension to all!
Hugs!

Pen Sunshinepen said...

Wonderful to see you back and with a really lovely card. I fully understand were you are coming from. Since I no longer have a horse had started blog land and crafting my weight has gained too much. Started l
taking daily walks now. Big hugs and congratulation on your weight loss. Xxx

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

Welcome back Barb, you have been missed! Congratulations on the weight loss and giving up smoking, both are very hard to do! Great card too! I hope you're having a lovely Sunday! Hazel xx
My Card Attic

Sylvia said...

Hello Barb,

Good to see you are back.You have made a beatuful card.Love the colours and the stunning flower.Very beautiful background.

Hugs,Sylvia x

Aquarius said...

Great to see you back and that is a lovely card for the snippets challenge. Well done with the weight loss - I know how hard it can be but keeping up the cross training must be a great help. Take care.

meg said...

great to see you back Barb, and with a beautiful card in a lovely colour combo. Losing weight gets more difficult especially when health problems limit the type of exercise you can participate in.

Valerija said...

Welcome back! Beautiful card.
Congratulations on weight loss, go on! I also should lose weight :(
Valerija xx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

This is such a bold bright card! Love that purple flower! Good job for you getting out there and losing some weight. It takes time and perseverance--stick with it!

KT Fit Kitty said...

Yay, Barb! So great to see you back again! Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog! I've missed you! I thought you were taking a very long break and I'm glad all is okay! Congratulations on your weight loss! I will be watching for your progress with eager anticipation! I need to lose weight too - Fit Kitty is not so fit any more! Your card is absolutely gorgeous - I LOVE these colours! Fabulous! Glad to have you back! Enjoy your day!

Veerle said...

Hi Barb, welcome back glad to see you again. Everyday I check my reading list and I was thinking were is barb gone to ? LOL Congrats to you on the weight loss, I should start ASAP too. So I hope your example will give me that last push to get starting.
Love your card it is so beautiful. Great background.
Hugs Veerle x

cotnob said...

This is gorgeous Barb, such a pretty flower and lovely colours.
Pauline
x

Kathleen said...

Brilliant card, love that flower and the torn background.

Kath x

Di said...

What a beautiful card Barb - wonderful flower with the button centre and the little bee is so cute!

Well done on the weight loss too - keep up the good work :)

Hugs

Di xx

ellyscard creatief said...

Lovely card Barb.Congrats on your weight loss. Keep going! I am very happy for you.

rachel said...

I love this barb - and congrats on the weight loss and cross trainer work - good for you - keep it up - you'll really feel the benefits! Hugs rachel x

Carol L said...

Welcome back to blogland with this pretty bloom! I love the colors and pretty design. Congrats on giving up smoking - you'll be so glad you did! Good luck with the weight loss too!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Fabulous design!
Lucy x

Barb said...

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and words of encouragement too. It really does mean a great deal to me. Barbxx

Janice said...

Gorgeous card Barb, and a big welcome back! Congratulations on your exercise regime, it sounds like it's working for you really well, you should feel very proud of yourself!
Janice x

Jane Willis said...

Lovely to see you back with such a gorgeous card, and well done on the weight loss.
Jane

Julieanne..aka pinkjools said...

Hi Barb....Well done on the weight loss....keep it up....
Pretty card...love the big flower....Joolsx

Rainey's Craft Room said...

Lovely to have you back. Beautiful stamping and stencilling and the colours are gorgeous. Congrats on the weight loss too.
Lorraine

Lisa Andersson said...

Hi Barb, your card is wonderful! Love the background. Welcome back, I´ve missed you and congrats to your weight loss and giving up smoking. Keep up the good work!
Hugs, Lisa

MaryH said...

Love the purple of the petals with the delicate green, and ditto for the torn shape of the motif. Looks very arty against the darker background. Glad to see you back, and my congrats on your smoking cessation. The same for your weight loss as that is not easy to do either! You are being very disciplined to stay with the exercise, and over time, that will certainly bring results (I know to do this, but I'm not doing it myself at the moment!!!So I'm impressed with your efforts totally!) TFS & we'll all be your cheering squad when you tell us how you are progressing. Hugs

hazel said...

Great to have you back Barb, your card is lovely. Congratulations on your weight loss - keep it up and well done on giving up smoking.
xxx Hazel.

Barb said...

Thank you all for your welcome back and lovely words of encouragement. It really is very much appreciated. xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

A beautiful card, I love the snippit of gelli background that you've used behind the flower.

Sue xx

aussie aNNie said...

Fabulous news and good to have you back. Think I need to join you in the weight loss, my doc told me as you reach mid age [ugh don't you hate that word] you put on weight very quickly and so hard to get off... well done....
love your card and look forward to your updates.xxx {aNNie}

scrappymo! said...

Congratulations on the weight loss. That is such an achievement. You go, girl!!!

I struggle with losing weight and need to get myself on a reducing campaign as well. I am very proud of you as I know how hard it is...

Your card is lovely. I think I have that bee stamp too!

Donna said...

Balance in life sounds just perfect... and yes, I can believe how long it took you to do a minute - but only because I'm so unfit I fear I would be just the same!
Beautiful card, by the way. x

Cara said...

Lovely to see you posting again and this is a fabulous card. Congratulations on your health improvements! Cara x

Jenny L said...

Hi Barb,
congrats on your weight loss.
What a very lovely snippets card.
The design is fab and so very lovely.
It's also wonderful to have you back blogging.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Jules said...

Hi Barb

Well done!!

Sounds like you are doing really well .. .. I think once you start seeing some results and improvements it really spurs you on.

Loving the colours on your beautiful card!

Love Jules xx

GHAZALA said...

congrats on your weight loss.
What a very lovely snippets card.
The design is fab and so very lovely.
It's also wonderful to have you back blogging.Enjoy your work .cheers:)

AlisonC said...

Welcome back, it's good to hear from you and what a lovely card, I like the arty feel. Well done for getting on track and losing the weight. I know how hard it is but how good you feel when it happens. Try and stay positive. x

Erika said...

Hi Barb I too have put all the weight on that I lost a couple of years ago and have had a quiet blogging week. We can't do everything can we? I'd love to loose the weight again but don't seem to have the enthusiasm to do so yet.

A beautiful card, love the flower and the bee, plus the Gelli plate snippets.

Have a super weekend, hugs Erika

Craftychris said...

Well done you! its cool you are blogging again too and your card is absolutely gorgeous! Lovely to see you back - I am slow with my visits at the mo! So sorry! xxx

Bonnie said...

What a happy flower and a pretty background, Barb! Good for you quitting smoking. I used to be a smoker too and I know how hard it is to quit! And now working on the weight loss, which is another hard thing to do! I admire your grit! Best of luck!

Unknown said...

Love your card the colours are gorgeous together. Thankmyou for visiting my blog too x

Pat said...

Lovely to see you back Barb and good luck with the weight loss and how great you have lost over half a stone already! I love this card wuth the pretty gelli print background to which you have added some extra detail, and then that fun flower with the button centre. I love the torn edges too. Thanks for all the lovely comments you left this morning. x

Greta said...

Beautiful background & flower, Barb! I'm kind of in the same boat as you--gained weight with no excuse & had a milestone birthday. Was back to exercising before my trip & thanks for the nudge--gotta resume!