Back to School (Already?)

School's still out here in Yorkshire and the children won't return until early September but I know there are many places where the school year is about to start and the long summer holiday is going to be over.  Thankfully I no longer have to worry about school uniform and packed lunches, although the downside is that Daughter will return to university at the beginning of September and the house will seem so empty and quiet again for a while. 

Obviously, this time of year means lots of Back to School challenges and this card will be entered in:

Papercutz Challenge - 'Back to School'
Paper Playtime Challenge - 'School Days'
Stampin' For the Weekend - 'Back to School'
Our Creative Corner - 'Back to School'
Stampin' Royalty - 'School Days'

Image: Karen's Doodles 'Apple Girl'; and the little pile of books is from Elizabeth O Dulemba - 'Back to School Books'

Papers: October Afternoon

This little one is sooo cute! And I love her apple for teacher!  That's what reminded me I had this cute little pile of books from Elizabeth O Dulemba, which I've used as an embellishment.

There's an added extra with this card though.  There is a pocket flap on the inside, which holds a useful bookmark - take a look below.

I coloured this little sweetie with my Copics and added a glow of soft yellow with my Primacolors.  The little 'extra credit' tags were cut from one of the sheets in my October Afternoon 'Report Card' paper pad, which is where the wonderful script paper came from too.  The check is also October Afternoon, from their 'Farm Fresh' collection.  I must replace all my October Afternoon paper pads - they're brilliant and I can't possibly live without them!

 Here's the little pocket flap I told you about.  On the inside of the card I printed a sweet little poem I found on one of the many quotation sites:

"Today I hurry off to school,
To work and learn and play.
I'm in a brand new grade this year.
What a happy day!"

The inside of the flap has a pocket, which holds a useful bookmark:

I love this sentiment - I generated it on the computer but I just know that it came to me as a result of Blogmosis (absorbing stuff you see on other people's blogs, without realising it!).  I love books - I have many, both fact and fiction - and I couldn't imagine being without them.  I'm a voracious reader and I'm never without at least one book on the go at any time.  Next to crafting (of course) there is nothing better than a lazy day spent with a good book - in fact, whilst on holiday earlier this year I read four books over the week, while lazing around in the garden, on the beach and even in the car, while my OH fished!  Heaven!

And, of course, it's always nice to find a hidden extra in a card, isn't it?  Kids love it!

I had a wonderful day yesterday.  I met with my new friend Christine for coffee and crafty chatter and we didn't stop for nearly four hours!  We have lots in common and I'm looking forward to our next meeting - when the coffee's on me!!!!!!  Christine brought me the sweetest little gift - a happiness box - which I'll blog when I've had a chance to photograph it! I shall treasure it, Christine - it gave me such warm and fuzzies! Thank you again.

Now I have to go and make banana cake and scones, ready for our afternoon tea with friends.  So have a happy Sunday and ...

Happy crafting.

xx