Christmas Forest!

Good Evening All,
I hope you are well and have been enjoying the glorious sunshine today, boy were we hot here in old Inversneckie. When I got up early in the morning to let Teallach in it was pretty cold, so a bit later when going to the doctors, I had on socks, boots and a sweater, by the time I came out from my appointment it was boiling hot. Mustn't complain though, it will disappear all too soon. I just hope the boys are having the weather where they are.

Just a short post tonight so here is my card,

Another Chocolate Baroque stamp set, and embossed with Wow Copper Embossing Powders and then a touch of Creative Expressions Metallic Watercolour Paints, Snowflakes are also Embossed with Wow in Gold. Crafter's Companion Sentiment in Wow Red, but unfortunately not showing up well. Gold Gilding Wax around the edges of card, Gold Centura Pearl card and a coloured washed card underneath that, can't see it though.  
I've used a Winter fancy border whilst editing my photo, so the trees and deer are not part of the card, just in case you wondered.

Thanks so much for your kind comments on my last card, I appreciate each and every one of them.

Cheerio for now, and take care,

Embossed Seedheads!

Hello Crafty Folk, who are you this Sunday, hopefully well, but if not sending out kind thoughts for a speedy recovery.

Thank you to everyone who kindly left a comment on my last post, I do appreciate each and every one of them.

It's been a beautiful day up here in Inverness, have to say September has been on the whole a super month. Got the washing out and it's all dry, thankfully not too much ironing in the bundle.

Alistair is preparing yet again for another canoe trip, so all quiet on the Northern Front from tomorrow. I have a few plans of my own. The Multi-cultural group I've started to go to is having their AGM on Wednesday and are having a bit of a do afterwards, so we have been asked to bring along some finger food.  Now I could have been on a sticky wicket here had I not asked if it had to be home cooked. The answer was no, but just to make sure it was Halal food, "crivens help-ma-bob", never gave that a thought, I could have put my size 3s right in it by taking along something like sausage rolls. Now why did I not think about this as most of the ladies are Muslim. So I've been on the the Halal recipe sites, and might manage to do something, if not, I've checked out M&S and they might have to come to the rescue with some vegetarian goodies.  There will be some fab food though.

My card today is another made with Chocolate Baroque stamps;

Using the new AYOS stamp; Seed heads and butterflies from the Honeysuckle Butterfly stamp set for embellishments and seeds from Seasonal Fragments on the background. The main topper and background have been stamped with Versamark and embossed with WOW Embossing Powders in Two Tone Copper, Gold and Red.  The butterflies have been coloured with Creative Expressions Metallic Watercolour Paints, which I love and also used them to give the background card a colour wash. I've also used a dark red shimmery card. No sentiment as yet.
I wanted an Autumnal look , although I'm not sure if butterflies are still around in Autumn.

Well I've had rugby until it's been coming out of my ears today, only consolation is that Scotland won, I've been promised Downtown later though.

That's all from me for the moment, so I'll say cheerio and see you soon,

In Greys and yellows!

Hello there, I hope you are all tip top this fine Saturday morning. It's a bit dull here but, other than that it's not too bad.

Having a lazy morning today, I've decided any housework can take a back seat. I'm still thinking I've got to rush and get absolutely everything done in my two days off, which included, housework, shopping, rest time to recover from a week at work and do something meaningful and fun, and perhaps meet a friend.  How was it all achieved??. I am so glad I don't have to do that any more, and feel privileged that I don't, cos many people have to keep working until they drop.

Thank you for your lovely comments on my last card, you are all very kind.

Here is my share today;

I've use the gorgeous Butterfly Dress Stamp and Floral Images from Chocolate Baroque and you can find them here,  I just love this image and it is wonderful to colour. I will be entering it into the latest colour challenge and here is the colour pallet;

I found these brilliant colours to work with and didn't have as much trouble matching them as I usually do.  DI inks used to colour and image matted on to a shimmery grey card, I've also used a beautiful paper from Lesley at CB, the shades are just perfect, although you don't see much of it.
Wink of Stella used on the centre of the flowers on the borders and Cosmic Shimmer Glitter on the dress and butterflies.
Black Pearls. Didn't think it needed any ribbon and bows.

That's me for today, now going for a journey through your blogs to see your super creations and then out for a bit of lunch. Enjoy your day and see you soon.

I would like to enter my card into;

http://chocolatebaroquechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/challenge-fifteen.html

A Twofer for Friday Oldie!

Hello One and All, gosh Friday again, where has the week gone???? they come around so quickly don't they.

Thank you all so much for you lovely comments on my last card, I do appreciate all the time you lovely people take to visit and comment on my little efforts.

Teallach and I have had a lovely peaceful time whilst Alistair has been away, but all chaos reigned this morning when Alistair was trying to fix the shower switch, which became a bit dodgy just as he was going away. I've been having to have baths and getting in and out is no mean feet I can tell you, I'm not built for baths now a days, and having to wash my hair using a jug is a right pain in the back having to lean over the bath.  Nothing is ever simple to fix in this house when things go wrong, I swear it's been gerry built.  Anyway, my handyman has managed it, so looking forward to my next shower.  Alistair gets himself into quite a tizz when there is maintenance to do in the house, he hates having to do things, but won't call in a tradesman.  He really should just live in a tent.

Anyway, it's time for an "Oldie" and here is mine, in fact I've two, but one is Damian's;

Now for the life of me I can't remember much about this card, the poppy might be from a LC stamp. 

Damian made this lovely clock when he was in school, a long time ago now, must be about 30 years, anyway, the time mechanism has been broken for years, but I happened to notice them in Hobby Craft the other week so bought one and fitted it together and I've once again got my lovey clock working.  I've always loved it and think he made such a super job of it. I have it in  the kitchen.

So why not join Erika of Snappy Crafts and the few of use who share projects made in days gone by, it's just for fun, but it's good to see how our crafting has changed over time.

We're heading into the weekend, I hope you have some nice plans for it, don't know what we are doing, but you know sometimes it's good just to do nothing much.  Alistair is away again next week on the Traditional Autumn Canoe Trip, so peace and quiet once again.

Cheerio for now and keep well,

Autumn Baking!

Hello Crafty Friends, I hope you are all well, and enjoying your day whatever your doing.

I'd like to welcome another new Follower, hello Maria, thank you for popping in and choosing to Follow, I hope you come often and like what I do.  Thank you all for the lovely comments on my CCC card, you are all very kind, and it gives me great encouragement.

I had my endoscopy on Monday, and nothing awful turned up, that's good of course, but it still doesn't answer why I feel that a peanut is stuck in my throat. I was a bit out of it due to the anaesthetic, and didn't ask any questions, so I've made appointment to go back to the GP and find out what actually was or wasn't found in the test.  I think I conked out when given the relaxing anaesthetic, that I didn't expect as the they said I would be conscious and co-operative, but I couldn't what a dishy young man was doing saying "wake up", mind you I was very tired. 

I've got a little Autumnal card today;

I've used a lovely Little Clair stamp that I've had for ages but never used and decided to use Autumn shades. Prismacolour Pencils, and Wink of Stella for the colouring. LOTV paper and the apple basket and sentiment from stamps that came with Creative Stamping magazine a couple of years ago. SB Foliage dies, candy and gold Centura Pearl card, finished off with a piece of lace from Papermania.

Well, that's me for today, it's almost tea time and I've treated myself to Singapore Noodles from M&S as I'm on my own, well with Teallach as Alistair is visiting his brother for a few days. Oh it's just lovely to have some peace and quite, Alistair is someone who finds it difficult to sit still for any length of time, whereas I am the complete opposite, so it's good to have my nerves dejangled whilst he is away, Teallach feels the same. But, I'll be delighted to have him home too.

Take care and see you soon,

I would like to enter my card into the;
http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/monthly-stamp-challenge-61-autumnal.html

Peace for the Christmas Card Club!

Hello to You All, I hope you are enjoying your weekend and that the sun is shining. I was for us this morning, it was blazing in the sky,but by around 2pm the cloud came down and it looked like rain, well it didn't rain, but it is very dull.

I did enjoy my computer free day yesterday, OK I've had to catch up with the commenting today, but I was able to get other things done and even had a visit into town with Alistair and he treated me to a lovely Costa coffee. Now a days I stay away from the centre of Inverness, as I'm not going to work I don't need to be there, and I don't miss it at all. In fact, if M&S were to build out our way, I would never need to go in at all ever.

Thank you to all my lovely followers who comments, I do appreciate all your kind words, and I would like to give a warm welcome to Jo who is my latest follower. Thank you Jo for visiting and pressing the follow button, I hope you will manage to pop in often and like what you see.

I'm sharing my card for the CCC today and it's the choice of Granmargaret which is Embossing wet or dry, so I went with the dry;

I've used a beautiful Sheena Douglass Embossing Folder, and a Sue Wilson Die, I have to say, it cut out nicely. White ribbon with sliver thread running through it and some gems. I gave the holly a splash of green from the Creative Expressions Metallic Watercolour paint and the die itself is glittered up with one of the CE snowy glitters.

Don't forget to have a look at what the other members of the club make, there will be gorgeous creations to see.

That is me for today, now off to schedule this for tomorrow (Sunday).
Take care and happy crafting,

Thinking of You for Friday Oldie!

Hello Everyone, I hope you are all hale and hearty (is that the correct hale, or should it be hail??) to think I used to get A's in English, ah well the old brain is going. Nevertheless I hope everyone is well.

Thought I would get this post ready for scheduling for Friday Oldie tomorrow as I feel I would like a computer free day. I seem to have been on the damn thing for most of the afternoon, sometimes you just get caught up going from one thing to another and time just disappears.
Talking about time thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my previous card. I'm really getting to love stencils, and have ordered a few more from Chocolate Baroque.

Anyway, here is my Oldie share;

Now this is a bit grey, a bit like this afternoon. It is of course a Kanban stamp, one of my favourites especially for a man, the paper I'm sure is from a Papermaina paper pad, I can't remember who it was made for, or when without trawling through my blog, but I hope they liked it.

Why not play along and share your earlier projects whatever they are, we would love to see them.
Oldie on Friday all began as a bit of crafty blog fun by Erika of Snappy Crafts and you can find her fabby blog here,  

The rain is coming down in sheets and poor Teallach is sitting at the window looking longingly out, but obviously not as yet venturing outdoors, I'm just annoyed about the washing that's out, have to leave it now.

Have a smashing Friday whatever you are planning and see you soon,

Time!

Hi Folks, how are you all  today, well I hope, but sending out kind thoughts to those who need them.
We have had a beautiful day here, really quite warm and sunny, clouding over now and looks as if it might rain.  September so far has been a much better month weather wise than the earlier Summer months, often the way sometimes.

I was at my Ladies group this morning and it was crocheting this week, I really enjoyed it, but I'll not be crocheting a project anytime soon.  I have to learn to hold the hook and the yarn more comfortably, I was a bit cackhanded so to speak.  It's their cooking day tomorrow and once again I will have to miss it as I've got an appointment at the eye clinic. It's been all happening this week, breast screening yesterday, dental hygienist and eyes, you would think that I'm tip top wouldn't you, but still no appointment for the stomach thing as yet.  Still enough of the health woes.

On to my card;

Gone with another fab stencil from the Craftersworkshop called Mini Time travel. and inked through with Distressed Inks, I'm thinking that the colours haven't shown up all that well in the photo. Kanban card in the background and the sentiment, both from one of their Steam punk ranges. The wooden clock I found in Hobby Craft.
I made this for a young man's birthday, he is a teenager, never know what to do for them and I don't think he is into gaming and such or footy. I hope he will like it.

Well you will never believe it but the post has just arrived and my appointment, which is this coming Monday, the downside is that Alistair will be away on a canoe trip for a few days, things are never simple.

So that's me for now, take care everyone, and see you soon,

A Winter Scene in the Forest!

Hello Crafty Bloggers and welcome to my little blog, it's lovely to have you visit, and to read your comments, of which I have to say thank you for all the lovely ones about my Stippled blossoms card.

A warm welcome to Zoe who is my latest follower, thank you for clicking the follow button Zoe, hope you will pop in often.

Just a wee update on the state of my blood tests, I had to phone the surgery to get them and thankfully everything is clear, but.... the question still remains, why am I having so much stomach trouble. Anyway, now awaiting the hospital appointment  for the endoscopy, not pleasant.

I've playing around with inks and here is what I've come up with;

Using CB Sparkling Trees and various DI I put together this little winter scene.  When I began this I had a certain idea, but that didn't work, but had to correct it, so then the whole thing went off at a tangent.  I added the Fluffy Stuff to give the impression of a snowy ground, but maybe a bit over done, but I am pleased with the little deer, and although you can't see it very well, there is another deer hiding behind one of the trees.  I was trying to give the impression of a snowy day, what do you think, did I manage it????

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, we have a a bit of a watery day here and fairly cold.

Keep well and see you soon,

Stippled Blossoms and the Swan Family!

Hello and welcome to my blog, lovely to have you visit.  Thanks too for all the lovely comments that you leave about my cards, I appreciate the time it takes and all your encouraging words.

I hope all is well with you, but sending out well wishes for those of you who are not just so well for a speedy recovery.

I went along to meet with the ladies from the Multicultural group this morning and so enjoyed the couple of hours at their sewing group. It was quilting, and some of their work is quite amazing. Now I have never tried this before so I was all geared up to have a go, I was surprised that I enjoyed it, could even manage to use the sewing machine, years since I used one.  Everyone was so friendly, and helpful.  Next week, one of the ladies is to take a crochet class, I've been wanting to learn this for years now.  Tomorrow is the cooking group, but this week it's not possible for me, but I'll manage it at some point.

Here is my card for today;

Having seen the lovely cards made by Patrica of Summerhouse Crafts, using the SU Stippled Blossoms stamps, I managed to get the hold of a set thanks to Zoe, who is one of their Demonstrators.  I had to go on to You Tube mind you to see how to use them as it's a 2 step stamping technique.  Anyway, this is what I came up with, I used one of the small stamps to create the background and the colours are made with DI. Silver Centura and Papermania purple cards have been used for the matting and layering. Wink of Stella on the main flower and pearls.
I will have to practise the technique, although SU have a tool to help position the stamp to help with the second stamping.  It's not too bad though?????

I thought I would show you some photos of the gorgeous swan family we saw on our walk on Sunday, they have been taken from the blog of the chap who looks after them;

Dad is on the left, his name is Popeye, and Pen his partner

The cygnets are having a bit of a play.

There are seven cygnets in this family, and I think that makes for very careful parents to have reared them all successfully, apparently the cygnets are almost ready to be chased off to make their own way in the world.

Now I think it must be time for a cuppa, so I'll say cheerio for tonight and see you all soon, take care everyone, 

Three Cheers for Christmas!

Hello Everyone, and what a gorgeous day it is here in Inverness, I hope the sun is shining gloriously wherever you are.
Start of another week, it's all going to quickly, but at least we had a lovely weekend.  We had our walk along the riverside in Nairn yesterday, in fact you can walk along the river all the way to Cawder, of Macbeth fame.  Just a wee bit long for me at the moment, but perhaps some day.  We stopped half way along our walk and had a coffee and a choc digestive and watched the sun dapple through the trees onto the water, and a family of swans, quite a big family, mum, dad and seven cygnets, they were adult size but with still their grey plummage, just lovely. With all the awful stuff that's going on around the world, I felt privileged that we can do this, that we can take advantage of the lovely part of the world we live in and not be fleeing for our lives.  

Anyway, back at the doctor's this morning to get the results of the blood test, you'll never guess, their whole computer system was down, couldn't give me the results and as I had only ever seen this particular doctor once before, she couldn't remember what I had consulted her about.  I could feel my self begining to seeth inwardly at the nonsense on everything now being computerised, I mean how can the doctors so their job when this happens.  So I'm not further forward in learning what the problem is, and the new medications is'nt really helping all that much, so, it will be a visit to the hospital for the camara down the throat, shuddering as I think about it.  

On to my card for today;

I love Snowmen, well who doesn't, LC image and senitment, matted and layered on to blue and mirri card, coloured with SN pens.  Snowflake die came along with my club stamp from LC, Papermaina tiny bow, Liquid pearls, gems and Star Dust and that's that.

Thank you all so much for visiting and commenting on my cards, love that you do and hope you keep on doing it, it's lovely to see new visitors too.
I hope everyone is keeping well, but sending out good wishes to those who are not.

I've got a date with a tin of varnish and a paint brush, so I'd better be off and get started, take care

I would like to enter my card into:
http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/monthly-stamp-challenge-60-christmas-in.html

Carol Singing for the Christmas Card Club!

Hello to You All, and welcome to my blog, there have been some new people commenting, so nice to see you and I hope you will come back.  Thank you to all of you lovely folk who follow and comment, I really appreciate the time you take to pop in.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying your weekend.  I was at an event which was a first for me, it was a film and a talk by a Palestinian photographer and it was held in our local mosque, where the ladies put on a buffet for after the talk.  The whole thing was so very interesting, especially the first hand account of the struggles of the Palestinian people, and the photographs were amazing.  The food though was even more amazing, what a spread it was and the ladies were so welcoming. and I've even been invited to go along to their meetings to join in with some of their activities, one being cooking, well if I can learn how to cook this fabulous food I'll certainly be going.  I was really a lovely afternoon.  They were interested that I made cards and thought it would be good to see how I made them. It's so good to know that I have the time now to get involved with new things.

Anyway, I'm scheduling this for tomorrow as it's time for another card for the CCC and this time around the choice is from our lovely Rita and it's Carol Singing, here is mine;

As you can see it's a LOTV image, pre coloured this time around. LOTV paper, red card and some gold peel off borders. LOTV sentiment, Tattered Lace Music Stave die,ribbon and glitter.

Thank you Rita for this challenge, I really enjoyed it.

Alistair and I will be off for a walk tomorrow, I think we are going to Culbin Sands and the weather is to be quite good.
Keep well and have a lovely Sunday,

It's the Snowbuddies for "Friday Oldie"!

Hello Everyone, and here we are again at the end of yet another week and time for an "Oldie for Friday". All started by Erika of Snappy Crafts to show our crafty makes done at an earlier stage of our crafting careers. Just a bit of fun really, and good to look back and see how our craft making has changed, improved, you know what I mean.  There are quite a few of us showing our "Oldies" now so why not join us.  Here is mine for this week;

This was made for our friend Dougie a couple of Christmases ago, and I have to day that The Snowbuddies are one of my favourite Cd's, by Debbie Moore. I just love their facial expressions.

Thank you for all the lovely comments on yesterday's card, I love reading them and appreciated each one.

That's me for now, I hope you all have a super weekend planned, we have a few things planned weather permitted.  Keep well and I'll be back on Sunday with my CCC card.

Under the Sea!

Hello from a very wet Inverness, yes the First of September and it's chucking it down.  Dark too, lights are on already.  Alistair is going out to his Astronomical Society meeting, I'm happy to cosy up indoors.

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my last card and for your expensive cake stories, in some cased more expensive than my slice of gingerbread.

Just a quick post this evening to show my card for the Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge;

More gorgeous colours to play with, here is my card;

Using the new A year of Stamping stamp Underseas I inked it up with SN Aqua Pens and added a bit of Cosmic Shimmer Glitter to some of the shells.
The background was made using DI in Shabby Shutters, Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender and Pickled Raspberry, and stamps from the Mermaid Queen set, and a stamp from the Seasonal Fragments set inked in Adirondack Eggplant.  Enjoyed doing this one.

Hope you are tip top and enjoying your evening, see you soon,

I would like to enter my card into http://chocolatebaroquechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/challenge-fourteen.html