Make new friends and keep the old ...

... One is silver and the other gold.

This is one of my favourite vespers that I have sung around a campfire at many national and international Guide events and is a nice reminder that we can keep what we hold dear. You may wonder why this post has started in such a thought provoking way. Well, this morning I bring sad news.

Today is the launch of the final challenge at The Crafty Pad as our lovely "boss" Debbie has reached the difficult decision to close both The Crafty Pad Shop and the blog. Whilst everyone at The Crafty Pad Blog is sad that we're closing, this is the right path for Debbie to take at this time. The eagle-eyed amongst you will have realised that I normally post for The Crafty Pad every fortnight.   However for our final hurrah, Debbie and Leesa & Dawn (our wonderful DT Co-ordinators who keep us all on the straight and narrow) have said we can all come out to play ... whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!!! And our final challenge theme is perfect for the occasion ... Friendship, Keep In Touch and Goodbye!

Our sponsor for you this week is the the fabby team from Joanna Sheen who are offering this week's lucky winner a £10 voucher to their online store ... just in case Santa misses anything off your Christmas list!!!!!



Debbie (our lovely Crafty Pad boss) has let the DT loose in the store for one final time, and here is the card I've made for you this week using one of Debbie's gorgeous images, and a very apt sentiment:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - is Centura Pearl in Ivory, which I have cut, scored and folded to make a 15cm square card.
• Design Paper - is called My Sister's Quilt 2  and it was one of goodies from Paulette's May 2012 Club at Create with TLC.
• Image - this beautiful scene is called Girl at Wishing Well by Debbie at The Crafty Pad. I hope that she's making a great wish as she tosses those 2 silver coins into the well! I've brought this sweetie to life using my Spectrum Noir pens in the following colours:
• Skin - FS2, FS3
• Hair - GB8, GB10
• Dress - LV1, LV2, LV3
• Shoes - True Black
• Wishing Well - EB1, EB2, TN7, TN8, DG2, DG4, BGR1, IG2, IG4
• Sky - Chalk in Light Blue
• Grass - Chalks in Green and Dark Green
• Sentiment - is also by Debbie at The Crafty Pad and it's perfect for this weeks theme. It is called Imprints Sentiment and to keep things simple, I have just drawn round the inside edge of the ticket with my silver gel pen.

• Metal Heart Embellishment - this is a great "cheat" and I made this following this Faux Metal Tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers. I used an offcut of Neenah Card, onto which I heated 4 layers of silver embossing powder, before imprinting this little heart stamp. The embossing powder and stamp came from a bargain 50p bag of stamping bits and pieces that I bought at my Church's Autumn Fete!

Now's the chance for you to grab your favourite Crafty Pad images whilst you can. Everything is on sale in The Crafty Pad Store at 25% off until 6th January 2013 ... so go and grab yourself a bargain or two!

Please do hop over to The Crafty Pad and see the gorgeous creations by the rest of Design Team and please leave all the girls some blog love for all the fabulous creations they've shared week in and week out. Then come back and show us your creations. You've got until 8pm (GMT) on Saturday 22nd December 2012 to link your cards up and we'll be announcing our final winner and Top 5 on Thursday 27th December.

I would just like to add a huge "Thank You" to Debbie, Leesa and Dawn who invited me to join the Crafty Pad team in the Spring. It's only been a very short 8 months, but I've had a ball and I've loved showcasing the wonderful images. And, using my opening lines, we'll all go on to make new friends in Blogland, but I will keep in touch with all my 'old' Crafty Pad friends. And do pop in to visit me from time to time won't you ... you'll be very welcome!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:

• Challenge #200 - Wise Words at Crafty Creations

Have a great Sunday!

Helen x