Sold per sheet.

Price is per sheet.

Produced from sustainable forests and is suitable for use in laser and Inkjet printer. Ideal for card inserts or any craft projects.

Sold in packs of 10.

Lots of exciting things have happened at Celebration Invitations since my first blog but the most exciting thing was not to do with Celebration invitations at all, instead it was about my early Celebration of my 60th birthday, so I think it will counts.

It was a great gift my family secretly planned and gave me for my BIG birthday looming up. I can’t believe I will be 60 years old on St. Patricks day. The trouble is I only feel half that age. Well sometimes!!

Anyhow back to my fabulous pressie. We had a family party at Christmas to celebrate my mum’s 90th birthday, when all of a sudden I was in the spot light being presented with a great card handmade (by my daughter-in-law) with tickets to see ‘The Strictly Come Dancing Tour’ in Manchester. I have to say I was a rather overwhelmed as I’d never had a present like that before.

Well as Bruce Forsythe would say – ‘Didn’t she do well’
There were two tickets and accommodation at the Premiere Inn for the great event but who would I take? It didn’t take long for me to decide. It would, for me have to be a family member and the one who I thought would get most from the experience was my little Granddaughter Emma aged 6. Loves dancing, singing and all things glittery just like me.

Emma came for a sleep over the night before the big day and we had a film night, watching classics like Shrek 2, Madagascar and Bed knobs and Broom sticks.

It was an early start next day so we could make the most of seeing what Manchester had to offer. The Premiere Inn wasn’t difficult to find and was visible from Victoria Station. I don’t think Emma had seen such a big building let alone been in one. As we couldn’t book in until 2pm but were able to leave our luggage so we went off site seeing.

It was a fabulous cold, crisp and clear day Ideal for what was just on our doorstep the Manchester wheel.

It took us up 60m where we had the most amazing view of Manchester and the surrounding Pennine hills capped in snow. At £10 I thought it was money well spent, we went round 3 times and then stopped whilst we were right at the top. I think I could have done without that bit to be honest as the wind whistled through the doors and the capsule started to sway, hence the reason why there no photos here as I literally daren’t move. Anyhow, it gave me chance to suss out where we were and where we needed to be for the MEN Arena that night. Again it was all on the door step, just 5 minutes walk away. There was a nice young man taking pictures of us getting on and although great images, I would have like to support him but further £20 for the set was a step too far. Well I was thinking of the coat I wanted to buy whilst there.

After pizza for lunch in the Arndale centre we hit the shops and there are some great shops around there but perhaps I’ll go back for a grown up ‘girlie’ shop as Harvey Nic’s, Selfridges and House of Fraser, weren’t really in Emmas line, although she was delighted when given a free sample of perfume from a nice lady in House of Fraser.

It was about -6 deg so we went back to the hotel for a pamper session ahead of our evening entertainment and after dinner at the hotel – spag bol and jelly and ice cream we hot footed to the Arena. In fact Emma skipped all the way there. It was so cute.

Well, I was amazed when we got inside and took our seats, I love the theatre but I’ve never been anywhere quite as large as that (except for Knebworth 4o years ago to see the Rolling Stones) it was enormous and I started to think ‘I can’t believe I’m here, how lucky am I’ ??

In fact I sat for quite a while in awe of what I was seeing, till a little voice piped up, ‘is it time yet’???

So began the count down, 20 mins! 10mins! 5Mins and by now the compare was asking everyone to take their seats. Oh! the anticipation was overwhelming, the buzz in the air electric, then that famous strictly intro music. The celebrity introductions began, it was so exciting. I had no idea Len, Bruno and Craig would be there. I love them they are so camp and Len well he’s so entertaining with some of his little gems. I have to say parts of the show were for an older audience and so found myself having to explain their adult humour to a 6 year old – a little tricky but fun.

The three wise men – Doris, Boris and Len

They saved the best till last though when final ‘ he’s my favourite’ Harry Judd appeared and the place was in uproar.

I apologise for my poor quality photos be I was trying to take pictures without the flash on, so my images of Robbie Savage and Anita Dobson sadly didn’t work at all, then others were using flash, so that was my cue to start and although they aren’t brilliant they will be a lasting memento of my birthday treat.

I remember his first night on Strictly, he looked absolutely petrified and I have to say I thought he’d be voted off straight away, so to be the winner of the show must have taken him real effort and determination and that me to a tee.

However, life through the lens resulted in me missing bits as I fumbled in the dark, so in the second half I put the camera away and throw myself into the show. I love shows with audience participation and whooped and whistled for the next hour along with the rest of ‘em.

The dancing was just amazing but along with it went the fantastic costumes which make this show fantastic and take me out of the sometimes sad world we live in today into a glamorous and make believe world. Coupled with the sound and lighting which brought together a most professional dynamic show and although he is most often thought of as the bad boy of Strictly, Craig Revel Horwood the director of the tour, shows just what a great guy he is and what he’s good at.

Apologies for the poor quality images but you get the gist I’m sure.

Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani

Mark Foster and Natalie Lowe

Nancy Dell’Olio and Artem Chigvintser

Jason Donovan and Christina Rihanoff

Chelsee Healey and Pasha Kovalev

The Celebrities danced, we voted on our mobile. Well a contribution does go to ‘Sport relief’ a brilliant charity. No prizes for guessing who I voted for but sadly on this leg of the tour Harry lost out to Chelsea Healy and Pasha. Well her family where in the audience being her home town.

The Strictly Singers did a couple of numbers with the professionals dancing, they are just sooooo flexible, make me so envious.

All too soon the show was over. It was easy enough coming into the Arena as people filed in in small groups and couples but hey getting out. Wooosh! Every man for himself. Trying not to get Emma squashed I eased our way into the departing crowd and was a little disorientated when outside as we were let out of a different door to where we arrived and it was dark. After my first flush of panic, we followed the crowd and was I glad we did, we ended up at the stage door, so hovered around with the youngsters only to be treated to an unexpected glimpse of Harry as he was being driven away in his white Merc., which had to stop to get into the traffic. Harry, so obliging opened his window and chatted with people and shook hands. Well I was right up for that, so eased, well ok then, push us forward and shook hand with him, he smiled and said hello, what a perfect end to a perfect evening.

Picture courtesy of the BBC and Stage Entertainment UK Ltd .

I have my Strictly programme to keep me warm and keep looking thorough it again and again, sad you may think, I’m just so grateful to have had the opportunity and shared the experience with Emma which we will both remember for a long time.

Thanks Harry, I know I‘m not your usual age group of fans but – You made my birthday!

It will be a milestone birthday for me and a very memorable one. Thanks to all my family.
Told you they were supportive and look what Emma gave me for taking her.
A chip off the old block eh!

Thanks for taking me Grandma xx

Maybe she’ll be the MD of Celebration Invitations one day!

Well, it’s been all about my Celebration this time but next time it’s down to business and I’ll be bringing you hints, tips and lovely wedding related people to help plan your big occasion.

Love Helen x

Produced from sustainable forests and is suitable for use in laser and Inkjet printer. Ideal for card blanks, place names, save the date, or any craft projects.

Sold in packs of 10.

Classic light textured card

Ideal for Card making, Invitations, Order of Service, Save the date etc

Price is per sheet.

Contemporary Linen textured card

Ideal for Invitations, Card blanks, Save the date, Order of Service etc

Price is per sheet.

Produced from sustainable forests and is suitable for use in laser and Inkjet printer. Ideal for card blanks, place names, save the date etc., or any craft projects.

Come in packs of 10.

Produced from sustainable forests and is suitable for use in laser and Inkjet printer. Ideal for card blanks, place names, save the date etc., or any craft projects.

Come in packs of 10.

Ideal for all your stationery needs including card blanks, Invitations, Order of service cover, place names and more. The Treasury collection of card has a smooth silky finish which glistens in the light.

Priced per sheet.