Just some sharing

Regular blogging has not been on my agenda lately, there is so much going on in my life at the moment that I cannot find the time or energy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all  my followers for your kind support and comments, I want you to know that I greatly appreciate your support and I hope to be back posting more regular soon.

Thought I share pictures of my creations from the past couple of months, some of which have been sold in the craft fair.

Prayer Flag - Embrace Change

Altered flower pot Pin cushion

Primitive Peg Angels

Christmas Fairy

Merry Christmas Bird

Craft Fair

What a day it has been.... here is a quick video of my table at the fair.

The table was quite empty at the end of the day and I received some wonderful comments and feedback. My feet are hurting from standing up but all in all I can say it was worth it.

Recycle

Re·cy·cle

Recycling is processing used materials (waste) into
new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials,
reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials,
reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution.

Materials used:

Old frame altered with vintage pattern paper, 

vintage buttons, Calico fabric, embroidery floss,

Walnut ink.

Working on more items for the craft fair (in November), this little frame is one of them. I have more ideas and will be sharing what is next. I'm trying to create a variety of items. I hate creating the same over and over again besides it is nice to try new techniques.

Prayer Flag - Family

Can't stop making them :)

I used clear gesso on the fabric before colouring it and the colour is so much better.

I'm so thankful for all your kind messages about my work for the craft fair... you have given me confidence :)

Lavender and Rose Petals

We have a local 'Only Handmade' craft fair coming soon and I have collected all my courage and booked a table to sell some of my work. We all need some extra funds to keep our crafting going *smile*

To add to my collection are some Lavender and Rose Petal sachets. I have done some printing on fabric, stamping, sewing, crochet. I love these little projects!

 The rose speaks of love silently, 

in a language known only to the heart.

Unknown

Rose Petal Sachets

Lavender, sweet lavender; come and buy my lavender,

hide it in your trousseau, lady fair.

Let its lovely fragrance flow Over your from head to toe,

lightening on your eyes, your cheek, your hair.

Cumberland Clark Flower Song Book 1929

Lavender Sachets

Prayer Flag - Bloom

Yes, I made another one, just love the technique and process. I did some experimenting with ink and stencils to get a different effect. For the next one I'm going to try some paint and stamps :)

Material used:
Cotton Canvas & Calico.
Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Bundeled Sage and Victorian Velvet.

Crafter's Workshop Template - Mini Flower Shower.
DMC Stranded Cotton - Shell Pink Md  and Green Gray Md.
Anchor Pearl Cotton - creme.
Beads, flower charm, cotton trim, buttons and vintage lace.

Prayer Flag - Strength

First say to yourself what you would be;

and then do what you have to do.

Epictetus

It is so much fun to create these flags, I can recommend it :)

Prayer Flags

Inspiration for these prayer flags came from The Prayer Flag Project, a collective project spreading peace, good will and kindness, one flag at a time. How wonderful to create a small flag, hang it outside and let the universe embrace your prayer and pass it forward.

After rummaging I found some fabric, buttons, lace and other collected stuff and started my little project. There are no rules, you can sew, glue, stitch, stamp, stencil or draw and paint your flag to share your message. I think I found a new - addictive - crafting style :)

The Stamp Man Challenge - Alter It

This time the challenge is right up my street I love to alter things. I found these wooden door hangers on ebay and immediately thought about this challenge and using one of my recent acquired Stampendous stamps from the new collection.

Materials I used are;
Plain wood - Door hanger
Stampendous Cling - Steampunk Owl
Darkroom Door - French Script
Lost Coast Designs - Spiderwebs
Tim Holtz Alterations Movers & Shapers  - Mini Bat and Skull
Ranger Archival ink - Jet Black and Coffee
Lindy's Stamp Gang Moon Shadow Ink - Van Dijk Walnut Sepia
Ranger Alcohol Ink - Eggplant
Glossy paper - White
Uni-Ball Signo - Gold
Guinea feather - Purple
Computer printed image
Recycled - Handmade natural paper

Dapper Men

Since I created my altered envelopes I have now gone into the habit of embellishing envelopes with every card I make... and I love it. It makes it that little bit more special don't you think?

 

Materials I used are;
Paper Artsy Mini's - Dapper Men
Indigo Blu Stamp Set - Sarah's Choice
Tim Holtz Alterations Texture Fades - Damask & Regal Flourishes
Coffee Dyed Calico Fabric
Ranger Archival ink - Black and Coffee
Lindy's Stamp Gang Moon Shadow Mist - Landlubber Green
Card stock - Kraft, Black
Envelope - Kraft
Hemp Cord
Eyelets

You can find some of the materials at The Stamp Man

So much kindness

Remember my Altered Envelopes ? So much fun to create and I will definitely make more of them.

I have exchanged some of my envelopes and received last week an envelope and parcel with a thank you... such kindness!

From Monique I received this wonderful altered envelope and extra's.

Front

Back

Beautiful card and ATC's

"Poezie Plaatjes" very Dutch - haven't seen those for ages

Gorgeous stamps and  Dutch vintage postcards

From Nicole I received a parcel with lots of goodies.

Beautiful card!! Love the stitching

Mini album... great frame and flower... perfect to add photo's

Naughty chocolate and extra's

Thank you so much Monique and Nicole, I feel so lucky and I love it all!

Cheer up my friend...

We arrived home safely after our holiday trip... with happy memories and a cold. I guess I went into a "Post Holiday Dip" shortly after... we had been on such a high. Consequence of the food being soooo excellent I added kilo's to my weight... all in all it was a fabulous holiday.

Thank you to everyone who followed our trip, your comments made us both so happy.

Time to create another card... to cheer myself up :)

Front

Inside

Materials I used are;
Free Photo - Tim Holtz Blog
Prima Paper - Almanac
Prima Journalling Note Cards - Tea-Thyme Collection
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Card Stock - Salmon
Tattered Angel - Postage Stamp Frame
Stampendous cling - CRP136 Blossom Spray
Ranger Archival ink - Sepia
Card stock - Kraft, White
Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels 8
Die-Namics - Fishtale Flag Stax
Kraft Envelope

You can find some of the materials at The Stamp Man

Holiday Impressions - Day 10

The final day started with rain but ended on a high. We visited Bath and I finally visited The Jane Austen Museum. Wow, what a wonderful place and everyone was so friendly, I learned so much about her life.

Afterwards we wandered around Bath... more walking ~smile~. Bath has a great city feel with street artists, museums, markets and great places to get a much needed coffee.

Jane Austen Museum

Caroline Austen

Look who I bumped into in the market!

Street Artist

Well... that was our last day on tour, tomorrow we are on our way back home. I think we are both ready for a rest :)

Holiday Impressions - Day 9

It was certainly a different start to the day when I woke up this morning at 6am hearing a pumping noise and seeing flash lights. Curious as I am I went on our balcony to see if I could make out what was happening. Remember I just woke up and when I looked into the last window on the balcony I did not realise it was part of the room next door. I scared the hell out of the german woman who just looked up from her bed, she knocked on our door later to tell me that and that she was worried her hair looked awful. I assured her that I did not see anything he he.

Now then what had happened... there were 3 fire engines and about 10 fireman or maybe more. I went down and asked one of them what was going on... "a cottage fire" he said. When you look at the picture of the hotel from my post yesterday you can see a white cottage on the hill... well.. that one is gone now. According to the fireman it was owned by Kate Winslett, but how would he know :)

Anyway after the commotion we got on our way to Radstock (app. 8 miles from Bath) and stopped to see Stonehenge.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge again

I guess they are Rooks.. though they are too big to be Crows.

Tomorrow we are off to wander around Bath.

Holiday Impressions - Day 7 & 8

Our destination on day 7 was Tintagel where you can find Tintagel Castle the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. When we approached our next base I was amazed by the size of it... and guess what the name of the hotel is, Camelot Castle, a magical place.
The hotel is right on the coast with breathtaking views. Ted Stourton, one of the owners, is an artist and much of his paintings can be admired all over the hotel. Upon request you can view his studio that is situated in the basement of the castle.

Camelot Castle Hotel  in Tintagel

Hotel Round Table :)

Again we went for a walk along the coast... steep and rocky paths:) I will be so fit by the time we come home... no chance of losing weight because the food is just too good.

Coastal path towards Tintagel Castle

Day 8 was filled with a visit to Port Isaac, the place from the popular tv series Doc Martin. In the afternoon we visited Boscastle, also a small village famous from the tv but for a complete different reason: Boscastle floods in 2004.

Port Isaac

Boscastle

Boscastle Witch :)

Tomorrow we will be on our way to the last destination Bath. Thank you everyone for enjoying this trip with us and for your wonderful comments!





Holiday Impressions - Day 6

Today is the last full day at The Lizard and we decided to start the day with a visit to the National Seal Sanctury in Gweek, only a few miles from our hotel. Excellent call, we thoroughly enjoyed it! It is set in a lovely woodland area and we watched the feeding of the seals, penguins and sea lions. Next we saw a pair of otters building a nest.

 Penguins and me :)



Otter Pair

In the afternoon we walked along the coastal path. There were spots where the path was close to the edge and I was leaning landwards as I walked. We passed an observation point (Bass Point) and were invited in for a look around. Malcolm, the coastal lookout man on duty (a retired psycologist) and volunteer, showed us all the gadgets and instruments. It was a nice surprise and a good opportunity to have a rest :)

Coastal path

Malcolm in the watchtower

Tomorrow we continue our journey towards the north coast.

Thank you ladies for following us :)

Holiday Impressions - Day 4 & 5

We have a bit of a delay because the wifi connection is not great where we are. On day 4 we left Budleigh Salterton and headed for the long drive to The Lizard Point, southern most point of the English mainland. At our hotel we do have wifi but it is intermittent.

Anyway on with the photo impressions;

(day 4) Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beach

View from our hotel on Lizard Point

Minack Theatre near Lands End... Magnificent!!

We still have much planned and there is more to come!

Thank you Nicole for following us on our trip :)