Sunday 29 June 2014

SUNDAY STAMPER - KNOCK ON WOOD

It's an absolute age since I entered anything in the Sunday Stamper challenge but seeing as I have actually just made a little MDF piece I thought I would give it a go this week.
I think I will make this into a wall hanging so it needs a hole in the centre of the top bit and some form of ribbon or the like. 
The whole technique used on the heart was taught me by our Hels herself so entering this time is even more poignant.
The papers are mainly old K&Co but they are gorgeous and go together so well.
I won't give away how I did everything, you will have to try and go to one of Hels' classes for that but I will say, I am totally addicted to this paper blocking thing and love the effects you can get.
Well it's forecast sun today and I've just seen our local Belle Huey helicopter go overhead. Must be a show on somewhere.

Friday 27 June 2014

CC3 #5

All the details for this fortnight's challenge can be found here. I missed the last challenge because I was quick off the mark in making my entry as I was going away for a couple of weeks, only to find that it changed once I had completed it!!!! I didn't take a photo so couldn't upload a post despite Linda telling me to do so as the error had been hers. Never mind, I'm in front when that particular challenge comes along. I'm not very good at putting creations together from scratch but I can follow instructions and get ideas from the Curiosity crew, who are amazing, plus I want to make entries that I can use for gifts etc. However, this time nothing came to mind - must have been all that sunshine while I was away! - so I've made a birthday card. Trouble is, having to blog it in order to join in the fun means the recipient will see it. Oh well, it will be the first time that has happened. Its not a master piece but I have followed the instructions that Tim gives on page 39.
The card is 8"x8" so its a biggy. I used a couple of Tim's stencils to work the background before turning to my Compendium 3 for the technique. Once again the Crew members will pick an entry to receive a package courtesy of Tim and Mario and the wonderful Inspiration Emporium are offering a $50 voucher to the overall winner.

Thursday 26 June 2014

BACK HOME

Nearly 2 weeks away in beautiful surroundings and glorious sunshine are over once more. This trip just sort of happened. We were only meant to be going to the model air show but we decided to surprise my friend Sylvia and continue on to Devon to go and see her. As I said in my previous post, we had a lovely day so it was well worth the trip. 
However, it was not without problems. Our motorhome is well equipped with solar panels, a 220amp leisure battery, massive capacity water tanks, a 2.5kw inboard generator and 1kw portable one etc etc so camping in the grounds of Weston Park should be a doddle. Not so when suddenly the leisure battery fails because so does everything!!!!
That's what happened to us just 2 days in. Thank goodness we had the car with us - 
Because hubby took the battery off that so that the fridge/freezer, water pump, lights and sattelite dish/tv worked. All would be well once we reached Devon as we would have electric hook up there - wouldn't it????
The leisure battery appeared to have a faulty connection but try as we might we couldn't get one anywhere, well a set actually, but being on electric meant everything worked until - I was having a shower and that packed in!!!!!!!
Hubby started to unscrew the door etc in order to get to the tap connections but found the whole bathroom is in one piece!!! He couldn't start dismantling everything so we had to have stand up washes and I had to wash my hair over the sink!!!!!
But we had the car so we could go out - that was until something went wrong with that. We managed to get to Seaton to see Sylvia 
But how on earth we got back to Stover we don't know plus we developed a slow puncture in the front off side tyre.
Once again hubby to the rescue. He suspected the air filter may have a problem so took that off turned it round and the engine started to run smoothly again. By this point it was just about time to pack up and come home.
I did however, manage to find just the right thing to spend a very generous anniversary gift voucher on from Sylvia and Reg. Hope you like what I got Sylvia.
My garden is an absolute picture and has grown beyond belief. A BIG thanks to our Paula for keeping it watered.



I have come home with my head full of crafty things to do so all I need now is time. I spent last night taking forward the canvases I began whilst away
And have gotten this far with them
I hope to add some texture paste, stamping and stencilling today.
Well I had better get cracking or they will never be finished. Thanks for sharing this adventure with me through social medias, it's such a quick way of keeping abreast of things these days and your responses are much appreciated.

Thursday 19 June 2014

A SPECIAL DAY

With a special friend.
Today I visited my friend Sylvia, you know the lady who has these views every day
From her veranda. The sun shone on us while we nattered the day away looking out over the amazing Ax valley. 
I took Sylvia a little heart that I'd altered just for her
but after a wonderful cuddle with Kobe and Asa looking on 
I had this on my mind - an absolutely incredible present from Sylvia 
I'm just blown away with my lap quilt and matching cushions made in less than 2 weeks by this super talented lady. She made them for my motorhome but as we only go away a few times they are definitely going home so I can look at them every single day. 
I cannot believe I have this quilt and cushions. I will cherish them forever and a day.
THANK YOU Sylvia and Reg for a super day.  

Sunday 15 June 2014

SOME AMAZING SIGHTS

What a lovely weekend this has been. The weather has been mainly brilliant and despite our leisure battery packing in plus  hubby locking us out and having to climb in through the back window it's been great.
The grass has almost swallowed up the car
It's even grown since I took the photo! I've seen a giant flying hot dog sausage, planes smashing themselves to bits trying to fly through a ring of fire, helicopters flying upside down and a glider with fireworks shooting from its wing tips.

 However, the most disturbing thing of all was the Ninja Monkey!!!!!

Saturday 14 June 2014

RC FLYING

Hubby wanted to come to Weston Park for the RC flying show again this year so here we are. It really is a show for the boys but all the girls come because the grounds are spectacular and meeting up with buddies for a fun weekend appeals to everyone. 
The weather is fantastic despite a little shower at tea time yesterday and I've managed 2 days crafting outside.
Today however, it's a bit breezy so after a wander around the House gardens I'm going to craft inside whilst hubby goes off again pondering whether to buy yet another 'toy'!!!!!!!
In all the years we have come to this show I've never been round the gardens so having fallen in love with my perennials I decided to go and see them here this year. I was disappointed because their perennial border - here
Is not what I expected from a grand house. Anyway, enjoy these photos instead
Just a taster. This is a small view of the show and some campers
I could see our motorhome but can't describe to you where to look except down the middle of the double row of cars. 
Tonight there will be the most exciting night flying ever with a glider boasting blue lights and fireworks exploding from its wing tips plus umpteen helicopters and planes also giving a firework display. We will definitely be on the flight line to see that.

Wednesday 11 June 2014

MY BLOOMIN' GARDEN

Creating a perennial border, albeit tiny in traditional gardening terms, has given me SO much pleasure these last few months. 
We filled in the big pond and paved over that area whilst creating a planting area along the fence line. Some plants have grown so well that the area filled really quickly and I may actually remove a few and relocate  them elsewhere. 
I am so happy with how it's all going that I would like to boast a few photos before I disappear on holiday for a while. 
I wonder how many more surprises are to come -

Sunday 8 June 2014

WOW!

Im sharing this masterpiece with you because it's blown my mind. Hope our Susi doesn't mind because I didn't ask permission. My SD made this wedding cake for her big sister's friend's wedding yesterday. 
See what I mean?

Monday 2 June 2014

12 TAGS OF 2014 - JUNE

Firstly, is it really June already?? Where is the year going? I always look forward to the first of the month and a new tag from Tim, and this one was certainly worth waiting for. I love my stencils so much that I have them all and no doubt will buy all the future ones too. This technique is super although I will take Tim's advice and practice more because my first attempt is a little bland and could have done with more ink.
I loved the ribbon bow, what a super easy way to make a 'fuller' bow. However, try as I may, there was no way I could get a brad through the mini gear I wanted to put the spinner on so I don't know what Tim did. Having said all that, I love this tag and the techniques are some I shall definitely be using again and again.