Monday 30 October 2017

A Winter Robin!

Hello to You All, hoping things are good with you and that your weekend was a great one. Did everyone remember about the clock change?? I didn't bother to change the clocks as we had nowhere to be on Sunday that we needed to be time accurate, so changed them later in the morning. However, what a long night it was as I had difficulty sleeping....no surprise there, but it seemed worse than usual, so yesterday I was really tired.
I blame all sorts of things for my poor sleep patterns and indeed have been like this for years and have tried all sorts of remedies to no avail, but now as a last resort we have a new bed arriving on Thursday, so fingers crossed, and if that helps, the expense will be worth it.

Thank you all so much for the lovely comments on my last cards for the CCC. I have to say a have a big box which is overflowing with Christmas cards, however I still have a few special ones to make. So I must get a wiggle on there.

I have something a wee bit different today;
Sorry the photo isn't great, It looked better on my tablet. Anyway, this is my first attempt at doing this sort of thing and really I don't think it's bad at all... of course self praise is no praise as they say.
I found this little wood slice in Hobby Crafts and thought to myself maybe I could do something with that, so I gave it a coat of white gesso then, stamped this beautiful Robin and branch from Hobbyarts. The branch is embossed with WOW powder in Copper and the bird has been stamped in black Archival ink and clear EP. I put some Gansai Tambi watercolours over the bird, then stamped some of the small leaf stamps from JND around the edges. Liquid Pearls and that's it done.
Not too bad for a first attempt, what do you think! 
I found it quite difficult to take a stamped image, perhaps I was using the wrong ink, I'll have another go later sometime.

We had the most marvellous skies a few nights ago, I just had to go out and take a snap of them,

The street lamps on takes away just how dramatic the sky was, and I thought how marvellous the changes taking place between photographing from the front of the house and walking around to the back of it. Nature is phenomenal.
Talking about Nature.. did anyone watch the new series of the Blue Planet last night and catch the part with the mother Sea Lions and their pups?  Honestly, I had to wipe a tear or two watching one mother and pup trying to find a piece of ice to climb up on to get away from a hungry Polar Bear. The love between them was amazing once the pup was helped on to the ice, the gentle way the mother held it and stroked it was amazing.  I thought that's why I pay a TV licence, a magical moment in Nature.

Well, that's me for now, it's our respective musical evenings so early tea,  just some leek and potato soup, easiest thing to do ,so I'm away to put the finishing touches to it, so cheerio for now, take care,





31 comments:

brenda said...

This is fab Kate, the wooden plaque really is different and lends itself so well to you Nature inspired creation.

B x

Linda Simpson said...

This is fabulous Kate, love the robin and a beautiful plaque.
Hugs
Linda xxx

Barb said...

This is a beautiful project Kate. It's good to try something different. This will be lovely to hang on your wall. I also shed a tear watching Blue planet. I go through periods of not sleeping well so you have my sympathy. I hope the new bed does the trick. Barbxx

Marlene Atkinson said...

This is a wonderful project, gorgeous Robin. Marlene

Marianne's Craftroom said...

What a great first attempt, the robin looks wonderful, very rustic

Christine Harrop said...

This is fabulous Kate. Hardly believable that it's a first attempt! Great stuff! Hugs Christine xx I

Rita said...

Love love love your wall plaque Kate, that little Robin looks so at home on it too. Clever you, it looks amazing. Hugs Rita xxx

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Your little Robin plaque is fabulous Kate and something that you can put up every year. It’s really good to try new things, so well done you. Your photos are wonderful too and Mother Nature is indeed amazing. I always take great pleasure it looking at such beautiful skies. I did watch Blue Planet last night and it was one of the best things I’ve watched it a long long time. I often complain about the TV licence cost as there isn’t usually too much worth watching, and so many repeats too but last night was such a refreshing change and I can’t wait for the next installment. I just have to say that I’ve really loved the Chocolate Baroque cards that you’ve posted recently too. Crafty hugs, Sandra x

rachel said...

This is so pretty Kate - what a lovely idea! I did watch the blue planet - it was amazing - I thought they were walruses but I know the part you mean - it was so very sad...what are doing to this planet? Hope you have a lovely evening! Hugs rachel x

Mac Mable said...

Yes my DH and I said it was worth the TV licence just for that amazing programme...loved it! Talking about loving it I loved your project too. The cute robin is fabulous, so puffed up and just gorgeous x Great photos of the sky too x

cotnob said...

A fabulous wooden plaque Kate, such a sweet robin.
Beautiful photographs, we have had some wonderful sunsets down south as well.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Wendy L said...

A wonderful plaque Kate, a perfect decoration for all year.
I hope the new bed works, I can't ever remember sleeping through the night. Xxx

pam said...

Wonderful project Kate, hope your new bed help you get a decent nights sleep!.
I forgot that program was on, hope it`ll be repeated soon.
Hugs Pam x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Amazing work with that wood slice, LOVE the sweet robin and his textures!
I wish you a relaxing night sleeping on your new bed! :)

Sally H said...

That is gorgeous, Kate! I love it! Those stamps are so beautiful. I have a couple of wood slices waiting to be decorated, along with some pieces of eucalyptus bark and some slate picked up on the side of a welsh hill!!! I just need a couple of weeks of time!

Sally H said...

Whoops, meant to say I too watched Blue Planet with a tear in my eye. If only David Attenborough was in charge of conservation for the entire planet

Mia said...

Great photos of the sky, Kate! I love these pink-blue colours! And what a beautiful creation. I love the idea of stamping on gesso! Your bird is so pretty! Kisses, my friend.

aussie aNNie said...

wowzer Kate, this is one fabulous robin on a wooden plaque....clevery indeed and hope we see more.
Amazing photos of the sky too.xx [aNNie]

Dortesjs said...

-BUT its a good sort of thing, I love it.

Valerija said...

Oh, I love this! The image is gorgeous! I love the idea!
Have a great day!
Valerija xx

meg said...

Beautiful Kate, love the robin would look great on your Christmas tree.

Pamellia said...

I love your little painting on wood, it's so amazing! You should do a whole bunch of these as Christmas decorations for your tree, that would be so pretty! My Mom used to paint landscaped paintings onto all kinds of nature type things, wood, rocks and even big fungi pieces. She loved it and people lined up to purchase her finished pieces! I was having some sleep issues for so long and it turned out to be the caffeine! No more afternoon sodas or coffees for me! I hope your bed does the trick for you. sending hugs :)

Pen Sunshinepen said...

HI Kate, what a beautiful creation just love it. Amazing.

It such fun trying something different. Well done you. Have a great day

Love Penx

Diane said...

Wonderful wooden plague design Kate, the bird is really pretty. Your sunsets are certainly lovely.

Hugs Diane

Sue said...

Kate, what a lovely project, very unique and creative. WOW, beautiful pictures too, the sky is fabulous.

Hugs
Sue

Flo Langley said...

Wonderful project Kate. The robin looks perfect on the wood. Love it. The sky looks amazing. TFS the photos.
Hugs Flo x

Jennifer Johnston said...

I love your project Kate, this is a lovely Christmas decoration. Love the beautiful robin, always so popular at Christmas time. Wow! the sky looks stunning, mother nature is wonderful as you say. Hope you enjoyed your leek and potato soup.
Hugs Jennifer xx.

Cara said...

Wow, your project is absolutely stunning. I hope the new bed helps you sleep x

Anne said...

What an adorable little make Kate, I've seen the slices of wood but wouldn't have a clue where to start - this is a lovely idea

I too loved the Blue Planet but have to leave the room if I think there may be something sad coming up, I know it's nature but I get so upset. Keith said it was a happy outcome :)

Anne x

MRS DUCK said...

Hi Kate
Wow! What a wonderful little plaque. The robin is sweet and I can't see any problem with your stamping.
Lovely festive creation and super photos of the sky.
Don't forget to try the celery and lentil soup.
Best wishes.
Ang x

Mrs A. said...

Gosh another feather yo your bow. This is very impressive. . Hugs Mrs A.