SPRING TIME!!!!!!

Ive just had a little break from doing some sewing and as it's such a gorgeous day I've wandered around the garden. It doesn't take long to wander because my garden is really small  however, the winter hasn't happened as yet but spring is in the air. Just look at all these flowers

Just to prove it's nearly Xmas, here are some with Xmas decorations

The proof that spring is in the air is this next photo. Spring bulbs, daffs and crocus

The Yew berries have all been eaten by the blackbirds but they don't touch these

Or these

Have a lovely day in the sunshine.

GO LEWIS

HERE I GO AGAIN!!

LAST STAGE

I spent a good half day yesterday wrapping the sketch books ready for posting whilst my 'slave' - sorry, other half cut down the postage boxes to fit.

We completed half of them before other things took over.

I must admit to having enjoyed making these books and all my Xmas cards. There may be be just a few more cards to do but having that 2 week crash out to make the bulk of them worked a treat and may just have to be repeated again next year. Once the books have been received and opened (some I know will be before Xmas - no names mentioned but you know who you are!!!!!LOL) I will show photos then after Xmas it's going to be sewing time..... yippee!

12 TAGS OF 2014 - NOVEMBER

I came home last Sunday after 2.5 weeks away in the motorhome. We needed a crash out and I actually made 30 Xmas cards whilst hubby made a couple of wooden reindeer, Santas and sleighs. I couldn't attempt this month's tag until today and have had such fun trying to get the techniques right with the supplies I have. It's been a challenge Tim but I've done it!

Luckily I save some pieces of corrugated cardboard from packaging, so had the right size to work with. The leaf however, didn't seem to fit the tag so there is a bit of a gap to the left of my tag as the bits of die cut fell off. Never mind, it still looks ok. I used a brown Dylusions spray for the splatters because as yet, I don't have any distress sprays. To splatter the tarnished brass I squeezed some stain onto my craft sheet and picked up the liquid with a brush and used my pokey tool to splatter it on the card. Most of everything else on my work area got some too!!LOL Compromise was sought for the gold foil as well but I did have the sticky embossing powder which worked a treat. I used metal flake and scrubbed off the excess with a piece of rough foam. The tag is fine for my collection and referral of the techniques so I am happy with it and there is a lovely corrugated card leaf still to get creative with.... It's unbelievable to think that there is only one more tag left this year. Where have the other 11 months gone?? With that time scale in mind I had better issue a reminder to my son-in-law that my Blog background will need changing once my December tag is completed. They make for a very special background wallpaper each year and all made by me - oh! and a lot of help from the master - Tim Holtz.

RE-ASSEMBLING

2 days and I've made 3 more artist sketch books.

The battle with those wires is a nightmare believe me.

Just a few teasers as I can't show the finished covers until they have been posted and received.

Just have to work out the best postage method now!!

MORE ON THE WAY

I managed to buy some more sketch books so have been playing once again.

A couple of sneaky peeks for you

My new Prima tool does this!!!

The books 'in the raw'

One on the go and below are a couple more 

Ok then, who is going to own up to giving me a cold?????

JUST WHEN YOU.......

Thought it was all over. Hahaha!

The torment continues

To be continued........

11/11/2014 - 100 YEARS ON

https://www.facebook.com/bernicehopper/posts/10152859315637152

THERE MAY BE MORE!

I

Having returned home after a lovely 'crash out' 2.5 weeks, I may just have to make a couple more sketch book covers for Xmas. Hehe! Due to having managed  to buy a few more blanks. 

However, I did manage to make 30 Xmas cards whilst away. It was good fun.

I'd prepped before leaving but used some of the die cuts to excess and had to improvise towards the end. 

Hubby even got into the spirit of things and made 2 Santas and sleighs together with a couple of reindeers each all out of wood. 

 

altogether, we had a good rest which was lovely indeed.

Unfortunately I came home with a bad back - touch of rheumatism again! But! My perennial border needed a bit of attention and today - being dry - gave me the opportunity to turn this

Into a little bit tidier, this

I cut all the 'triffid' verbena down and filled 5 rubble sacks!!!! Which I then took to the tip. My back then gave up again so that was it for today. 

Tomorrow promises rain so I can plan an 'office paperwork' catch up and perhaps start those extra sketch books......

THE LAST POST!!!!!

If you have stayed this far you will be pleased to know this is the last torturous post about these Christmas sketch books. Here goes then #1

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I had great fun making these and I really hope the pals who will receive them enjoy using them.