Friday 29 December 2017

My personal top picks of 2017



Good morning Peeps, I hope you all had a good Christmas and are ready for the New Year ahead and that you can approach it with renewed energy, enthusiasm and hope. 

Those who visited my Christmas post will know I decided to take a bit of step back from blogging and focus my limited energies on DT commitments, as it's turned out that's a sensible decision as over Christmas my MS kicked in big time and I am pretty immobile at the moment and everything has to be be in shorts bursts. But we had a wonderful family Christmas with 17 for dinner some days and it was really special to have all the children and grandchildren sitting round the same table.

So this post has taken me some tome to prepare but I was really taken with the post by one of my team mates Ellie at Penny Black and More and wanted to do something similar........hope you don't mind me being a copy cat Ellie. She did a lovely post with her twelve favourite cards of 2017, selecting one a month. However, once I started on my post I reaslied just how difficult it was and it took me ages to decide on my final choices, it did however confirm the stamps I turn to time and again are Penny Black and Chocolate Baroque with Lavinia coming a close third. And Pan Pastels remain a firm favourite for backgrounds and shading as they provide a seamless blend of colour every time. 

So here are my final twelve, plus as extra one at the top as I thought the inspirational quote from Chocolate Baroque very fitting as we approach 2018...................

January
Lavinia stamps and Pan Pastels

February
Stampendous P107 and Penny Black Dance, my all time favourite two stamps and Pan Pastels

March
Chocolate Baroque stamps

April
Penny Black stamps

May
Chocolate Baroque stamps

June
Chocolate Baroque stamps and Distress Oxides

July
Chocolate Baroque stamps

August
Penny Black stamps and Pan Pastels - this was a Birthday card for our French DIL

September
Lavinia stamps and Pan Pastels

October
Chocolate Baroque stamps and Brusho's - there had to be a Poppy in my choices

November
Lavinia stamps and Pan Pastels

December
Inkylicious and Penny Black stamps

Many thanks for popping in today and my very best wished for 2017.

47 comments:

Helen said...

Sorry you've had a flare up, hope it recedes again soon. Great choice of cards - not sure how you cut it down to so few!! Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New year.

ellyscard creatief said...

All beautiful creations Brenda.
Happy New Year! And a very creative 2018.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

They are all gorgeous Brenda, thanks for sharing when it's difficult. Wishing you all the best in 2018, take good care, xx

Joan said...

All your cards are wonderful Brenda, hope you feel better soon

Joan x

KarinsArtScrap said...

these are all gorgeous Brenda
A Good and Creative 2018

gr karin

Gerrina said...

To choose only one for each month would be so difficult and time-consuming that I won't try it...
So great to see these beautiful cards again!
Hope the MS wil get back were it belongs; way back! soon. Hugs, Gerrina

SewPaperPaint said...

What a beautiful inspiring year of creating! Well done Brenda. Hugs, Autumn

Carole said...

These are ALL such beautiful cards. May 2018 bring you better health and a lot of happiness.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

I'm sure it has been a so hard decision limiting a bit your blogland life, but I'm also sure that this is the right decision! Feel free to do only what you are happy to do, it's the way for a better health!!
And surely has been difficult also choosing only 12 favourite(plus the first one)!! All them are amazing and so inspiring!!
I can remember a lot of my favorite from your creations that aren't in this array, and all the readers of your blog could have others and others... because you are a so productive and talented crafter!!! :)
May 2018 bring you a lot of joy, peace and health, dear Brenda! You well deserve them! Big Hugs and thanks so much for your friendship!! Take care!

Sally H said...

A totally gorgeous set of cards, Brenda! I hope you feel better soon. Glad you have had a wonderful Christmas. I may well pinch this idea too. Have a wonderful new year my lovely xxx

Anke said...

Dear Brenda,

your cards are so beautiful and so inpiring, great collection.

Thank you very much for your visits and lovely comments.

I hope you feel better soon and I wish you all the best for the New Year.

Hugs
Anke

Ellibelle said...

Each one of these is simply stunning Brenda. Love all the pretty colors and mix of stamps you used.
Happy I inspired you to do a top 12 post as well. Someone years ago did this type of a post as a challenge to join in, and I have done one ever since :-) It's so much fun to look back at the things we made!
Happy New Year!

Astrid Maclean said...

They are all stunning, - what a collection of beauties, each more beautiful than the next! Great choices Brenda, wonderful inspiration! All the best for a healthy, happy and creative 2018

Barb said...

I'm so glad that you enjoyed Christmas with all your family Brenda. Well done you. The most I have ever cooked for in my whole life is four adults and four children. Not too many eh! It must have been difficult to choose favourites as all your work is so beautiful and I look forward to visiting you again in 2018. You are always such an inspiration.

I'm so sorry that you are not feeling so great just now and want to send my love and big gentle hugs for the new year. Barbxx

Viv said...

Love them all but the fave is the Christmas Card! X

Glennis F said...

Awesome selection Brenda. I hope you are feeling a little better now, and all good wishes for 2018

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Hi Brenda, your Christmas sounds amazing and the joy of having seventeen people around your table is something that most people can only dream of. I’m also sorry to read that your MS is giving you a hard time again and you do right to take things easier. Your cards are all stunners and I’ve just tried to narrow down my favourites, but I really do just love them all. You take good care of yourself and I wish you all of the very best for the new year. Crafty hugs,
Sandra x x

Sarah said...

Hello Brenda, these are a fantastic selection of your crafty work, if I had to pick then my favourites would be May and December. I was sorry to hear that your MS is causing mischief but hope that 2018 will bring better days xx

Janice said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda and such beautiful sentiments, a great selection show casing your wonderful work. Sorry to read your MS has flared up, hopefully with rest it will settle...if only it were that straight forward, but I do wish you well, Jx

Jannet said...

A truly beautiful selection of cards from a year full of so many gorgeous ones !
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2018 !

Fikreta said...

Oh Brenda those all are gorgeous!
love them all!
Happy new Year!

Wendy L said...

A beautiful selection Brenda. Sorry to hear you having a bad spell. Thank you for the card, sorry didn't let you know or had arrived. I have been in bed with tummy bug and now looks like John starting, he passed out in bathroom earlier so I think new year plans are cancelled, have a good one yourself, xxx

kiwimeskreations said...

Beautiful, beautiful cards Brenda. Do take care of yourself, and I wish you all the best for 2018, including better health.
Blessings
Maxine

gwen70 said...

Wonderful cards Brenda, sorry to read you haven't been well. Hope you have a better 2018 xx

Craftyfield said...

No wonder you had a hard time choosing between your cards Brenda, every single one is beautiful!
Reading about this last bout of illness, I wish for 2018 that you get a long overdue respite and enjoy a better health. All my best, Christine xx

Unknown said...

Hallo liebe Brenda,
wunderschöne Karten zeigst du und da vom gesamten Jahr und sie gefallen mir Alle sehr gut.
Ich wünsche dir und deiner Familie eine gesundes Neues Jahr 2018,
LG Ulrike

Crafting Queen said...

Stunning creations!!! May 2018 be a great year health wise for you. Peace and Joy for 2018! hugs Anesha

KandA said...

Hi Brenda, well I am amazed you were able to narrow your picks down to twelve as you have wowed us with so many stunning creations again this year. Wishing you all the best for the new year and I do hope that your health improves xx

Liz said...

Beautiful selection of cards, Brenda, so many stunnning cards to choose from, I'm surprised you could narrow it down to so few! Sorry to hear that you've been unwell again, hope you'll be feeling better soon.
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Creative 2018. xx

Rainey's Craft Room said...

It must have been so difficult to choose just twelve makes from all of your beautiful creations throughout this year Brenda. I hope that you feel better soon and wish you a better year ahead.
Lorraine

Babs said...

A difficult job to choose some of your favourites when there all so very beautiful Brenda, I hope your feeling much better and would like to wish you the very best of wishes good health and happiness for 2018..thank you for all your inspiration.
Hugs Babs x

Marlies said...

A beautiful elegant serie of your cards Brenda. I realy like all the stamps you have used and the panpastels make a lovely background. I must try them too.
I do hope you are feeling better again. Wishing you and your family a fantastic 2018! hugs, Marlies

MiamiKel said...

Brenda, so nice to see your year in review! It's been way too long since I've stopped in to see so what a fun day to visit! Wishing you a wonderful 2018!

Lynne K said...

An amazing selection of creativity, Brenda, all simply superb, not to mention inspiring! So sorry to hear that you haven't been well again. Hope that 2018 brings you much better health and that it's a happy and peaceful year for you and your family xx

Tracy Welham said...

All stunning projects Brenda, I think March is my favourite. Sending you brightest blessings for 2018. Tracy x

Leanne Harris said...

Oh my word Brenda - how do I choose a favourite!!!! I have a love of butterflies like you have and Lavinia Stamps too but I'm plumping for May's "Ring O Roses" - it's just so pretty and delicate and there's almost a shabby chic feel to it too. One thing that stands out for me is my lack of use of the Pan Pastels!!! 2018 they've got to come out more!!!!! I'm sorry to read that your MS has raised it's head over Christmas but was glad that all the family got together as usual and that you've obviously enjoyed your time with all the family together. Wishing you are very Happy New Year Brenda and I look forward to supporting you in 2018 xxxxxxx

Greta said...

Wonderful cards, Brenda--I really love April & December! Thank you for your friendship & encouragement--so appreciated! Wishing you better health & much happiness in 2018!

Caro´s kreative Welt said...

Hi Brenda, you have chosen really great works. They're all beautiful.
I wish you a happy new year and health.
Hugs Carola

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

I love them all Brenda, they are all stunning. Happy New Year and health, wealth and happiness for 2018.

Sue xx

ALI said...

Fantastic choice Brenda. Happy New Year to you and yours! x

Marianne said...

I've been thinking about doing a year in review, since I have been creating so many cards this past year, but I wouldn't know where to start. Many times (but by no means always), my last card is my favourite. Looking back, I'm especially amazed by all the different styles and techniques I have tried. It's been an amazing creative journey.
I recognize many of the cards you've posted here and they are all special in their own way. I sincerely hope you can get those MS demons back in line so your can continue your own creative journey this year, Brenda. Wishing you love, peace and happiness.
Marianne x

Dr Sonia S V said...

OOoh what a visual treat this post is Brenda and I am happy to say I do recognize most of the cards. So glad to hear you had a lovely family get together.
Cheers
Dr Sonia

crafty-stamper said...

Best wishes for the New Year Brenda and fabulous selection of cards-just had a quick look through the beautiful cards I missed whilst out of action and hope you feel better soon
Carol x

Pat said...

I decided to do this too Brenda and it is good to go back and see what you have achieved during the year, and my you have done such a lot and all extremely beautiful. So sorry to hear you have been suffering lately and hope that everything settles down soon, but nice to hear you enjoyed a great Christmas with all the family. I look forward to seeing lots more of your wonderful work in 2018. x

Berina RGA said...

Beautiful selections Brenda!

Linby said...

Lovely to see these again Brenda - some seem like just yesterday LOL! Sorry you have not been too good - take care. x

Mervi said...

Totally gorgeous and stunning cards and makes;-))m