February is International Correspondence Writing Month

Whilst I don't write lots of letters these days I do make lots of cards - so I was wondering if any of my followers would like a handmade card sent to them sometime during the month of February so that I can take part in International Correspondence Writing Month.?  It would be a fun challenge for me to try and send one every day and a great way of making use of all those cards I have made.  If you are interested in receiving a handmade card from me then please send me an e-mail.  If you are interested I would appreciate that when you have received the card you could post it on your blog purely so that I can keep a record of my achievement. 

If you would know someone who might like a card just because then that would be good too.

Scrapbook Magic workshop with Infusions

On Wednesday I attended a workshop at Scrapbook Magic where we played around with Paper Artsy Infusions and stamps.  Margaret had a couple of designs that she had created using the Infusions and gel medium.  Once she had demonstrated how she had achieved the look we were then left to play and create our own cards.  These are the ones I made and thoroughly enjoyed creating the different backgrounds.

Lighting is poor as although its not raining today it is still rather grey outside.

Yesterday I went to Exeter with my friend Moya to the monthly scrapbooking group.  I haven't been there for well over a year so it was nice to meet up with them all again.  I even managed to complete two layouts which I will show in another post when I hope the light will have improved enough to take better photos.

Wedding gift stitching

My brother in law is getting married in June so I have decided to stitch them something as a gift from us.  They already have their own home and furnishings so no 'real' present is required but I wanted to give them something.  I have decided to stitch a design from the February 2016 Cross Stitcher magazine called Sweet Heart designed by Emma Congdon.  I have changed the thread colour as I know they have recently redecorated their home in neutral colours so have gone with DMC thread 841.  The fabric is 32 count linen or evenweave.

I started this on Saturday evening after I had bought more skeins of 841, the fabric was from my stash.  I'm very pleased with the progress I have made, it did take a while getting used to the smaller count as my other two projects I've been working on are 14 count.  If I complete it quick enough I am hoping to also stitch the smaller design and thought maybe they would like to use it as a ring pillow.

They are getting married in Smeaton's Tower on Plymouth Hoe, fingers crossed for sunshine as most of the guests will have to wait outside while the ceremony is taking place.

Currently reading

The book I'm reading at the moment is called The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton and I am probably two thirds of the way through it.  I'm very much enjoying the intrigue of the storyline and I believe it was a BBC programme shown on TV recently but I didn't watch it.

I'm on leave next week so I expect to finish reading it very soon.

January beginners card class

Today was the first beginners card class at Scrapbook Magic for 2018.  I showed them how to use distress inks in a variety of ways.  We also incorporated the use of rubber stamps, stencils and embossing folders.  These were the cards I made but they were free to choose their own colorways and sentiments.  They all did an amazing job and it was nice to see their interpretations - I must remember to take a photo next time of the ladies and their cards.

Fifi progress on day 12 of the new year

The first of my stitching updates is Fifi, one of the kits my parents bought me.  I've managed to spend seven evenings on this one.

I'm pleased with my progress and would like if possible to complete the first page of six by the end of the month.

Christmas stitching gifts

Mum and dad bought me these two lovely designs from Gecko Rouge they are kits from artwork by Anita Invarity.  They also bought me the matching needleminders. I have to confess that I have already made a start on Fifi which tends to be my evening project but I am still working on It's Only Forever during daylight hours.  Both are coming along nicely and I will post some photos later in the week.

I also received this lovely Starlight Santa kit from my friend Kathy which will become my project to work on when on train journeys or waiting at appointments.  I hope to be able to have it completed and ready to hang up this Christmas though.

Final snowflakes

Today we made the most of a day filled with sunshine, although it was extremely cold and windy.  I think I should have worn more than just my bodywarmer today though. 

We did find the snowflake we missed on the Barbican which was called Cupid and then we caught the water taxi over to Mount Batten to find the final snowflake called Santa Claus.

Mount Batten used to be the base for the RAF during 1913 until 1986.  During the 1930's Lawrence of Arabia served there. The fortification tower that is still there was built around 1640.  This is also where Sir Francis Drake and his fellow captains dined at Radford House ( which was demolished in 1937) to celebrate the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

We enjoyed lunch in the Mount Batten Hotel which is dog friendly and was very busy today.  I guess everyone was making the most of the break from all the rain we have had of late.  It really was nice to get out for a few hours.

Old Christmas cards and junk journals

We received a lovely selection of both bought and hand made cards and I am always reluctant to throw them away.  Often I will recycle them and make tags with the shop bought cards and generally keep the handmade ones in a box.  This year though I thought I would have a go at making a junk journal out of them.  This is my card collection that I will be working with this evening.

What I will use the junk journal for I'm not sure, may be a Christmas planner for this year or maybe for Journal Your Christmas.  Any other suggestions?

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and all the best for 2018.  

This year I am sort of taking part in Ali Edwards One Little Word.  I've not actually enrolled in the course as knowing my attention span I probably wouldn't complete it but I did think it would be interesting to think of one word for 2018.  So I went in search of interesting words and this is the one I  have chosen,

QUERENCIA

Querencia is a metaphysical concept in the Spanish language. The term comes from the Spanish verb "querer," which means "to desire." Querencia describes a place where one feels safe, a place from which one's strength of character is drawn, a place where one feels at home.

Today Bryan and Harlee-Jay came to visit us.  We had just taken down the decorations and put the tree back up into the loft when they arrived.  Our next job was to take Max out for a walk while the sun was still shining.  It was cold and windy and we also saw a rainbow while we were out but as per usual couldn't find the pot of gold.  It was nice to get out for some fresh air and enjoy time with some of our young family.

The previous day we'd had to take Harlee-Jay to the minor A&E centre as he had split his forehead on the stair skirting board.  Thankfully we were seen fairly quickly and he was soon fixed with a few steri-strips.  He was very brave while the nurse did this and was rewarded with a lollipop when he got back to nannys house - not great for the teeth but it worked in getting him to stay still for the nurse.