Bright, Sunshiney Day

Turned out nice again?

Amazingly enough no snow, but the new year started wet and windy - today it is sunny - oh joy! Happy 2014 crafters.

Some of my favourite places in the UK have been well-washed by the sea in the recent storms. Folk have been posting photos and videos:

Port Bannatyne Isle of Bute

Putting Green Largs

North Bay Scarborough

I've not done any card crafting in the dark gloomy weather but I've been investigating a computer program called CamStudio for filming procedures on my PC, ready for a new YouTube Playlist that I'm interested in starting.

I love the idea of beach huts, little homes by the sea; so one of my Pinterest Boards houses these. Boards are a lot of fun - a great reminder of ideas that capture your attention on the web, as well as promoting your own stuff. One Christmas present of a canvas has been added to my craftystudy wall along with wee beach huts lights to brighten up the days.

Beach Huts Galore

As a true crafter, of course I had a crafty present at Christmas: a hand-held embossing seal for cards and envelopes, etc or to emboss onto certificate seals - I  was able to choose my own text for the seal.

"craftyalice" embossing seal

So, looking forward to brighter crafty days, bye for now!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful

Sleet, gales, cold wind in Glasgow - yeegh. However, the Glitter Pot quickly sent my Tsukineko Brilliance pearlescent ink pads so no excuse not to do ink-dusting! They very kindly added-in a chocolate bar - yummy, shhh.

Brilliant amid the winter sleet

Ink-dusting on pearlised card (as recommended by Ruth)

Evan liked his Santa card from Gan and Papa, project shown by Ann at the craft group:

When Santa got stuck up the chimney...achoo, achoo, achoo!

His parents got the easel cut-out, which was Ruth's project at the group:

Slider Front

Side View

Candy Cane Snowglobe

I love my new snowglobe - it's supposed to sit on top of a candle jar, but I just made a card to sit beside it, explaining the Legend of the Candy Cane. Of course, it's just that - a legend - but it fits a truth.

If I don't get round to another post - Happy Christmas to all and to all a good year!

Candy Cane Christmas

Well Christmas is getting nearer, and in free time-spaces I've been getting some stuff pinned to my Pinterest Boards. It's a great idea to display anything and everything that is of interest to you on pinboards of your choice. You can see my links at the top of the page.

I visited Cardwell Bay Garden Centre near Gourock and was amused to find a gold lavatory on display. The clue to what they're selling is on the shelves.

A Royal Flush

Loads of candles were for sale, of course, but I liked the candle jar topper snowglobe. 

Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow!

Garfield's Christmas tree is shivering with excitement...

How many days till Christmas?

Christmas Candles

Our Craft group met for the last session of the year, with Jane leading us through a project. A battery candle was to sit on a little box, then be covered with a tall pyramid of vellum, decorated with Memory Box diecut snowflake trees. We chose our colours and off we went. It was a lot of fun to make, topping off with little stars, glittering to be done at home.

Christmas tree lights

The crafting was followed by chatting and eating. Some of us had our Christmas cards ready to give out, and nameless ones didn't... LOL. There's nothing worse than making a card for a crafter - they pore over it and minutely dissect how it's been made!

We're Walking in the Air

My sequin ball globe map made it onto the metal Christmas tree this year, so it was time for some new white ribbon with "We're Walking in the Air" lettering.

The supermarket threw up a surprise product - a giant stick of Candy Cane rock - made in my favourite holiday spot, Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast!

Hand-made in Scarborough

Catch up with you again soon I hope.

Crafting in No Time

I thought I had better post before we're into Christmas! As usual, where has the time gone? Crafting has continued as usual, making cards to send to folks and doing a project fortnightly at the craft group.

I made a shrink plastic new home card as an example of colouring-in the rubber stamped image, and the group experimented with different shapes to hang on lobster clasps for handbags or keyrings.

The craftystudy was yet again tidied and I do seem to have more clear surfaces to work on.

Ruth and I did our twice-yearly visit to the craft fair - as usual tiring but enjoyable. Parking is the biggest difficulty, involving avoiding the rain! However, we had plenty of rests and I made a hanging star under Damselfly Ann's supervision.

Decopatch Star for Evan's Room

Ruth resting at the Decopatch Stall by Damselfly

Two tired crafters

The Rain Stopped

Alice's Purchases

Teabag folding came out to play for Christmas and made a nice simple card on embossed backgrounds.

Teabag Christmas Tree

Ink dusting is always popular with the group and combined well with a diecut Nativity in various colours.

Card for a friend from the past

We have been trying various combinations of simple ink dusting and rubber stamping.

Santa over Glasgow Skyline

You might wonder what a packet of bran has to do with the craft group...Ruth shared the recipe for All-Bran Tea Loaf...well, baking is being creative, isn't it? Did you watch the Great British Bake-Off?

Ingredient for Ruth's Recipe

However, we did actually make a decoupage Christmas card to add to our (hopefully) growing collection of cards to send this year.

Layout with the decoupage only

Our Grandsons Leo and Evan keep us occupied - just wait till they're into crafting! Meanwhile it's keeping their hands off the craft equipment that's the job in hand.

Evan grows apace and enjoyed a recent firework display to promote local businesses.

Bang!

You might notice that all my blog images now have a Pinterest button. I have started putting various photos and videos on my own Boards so I might meet you there whilst pinning your stuff! Bye for now.

Christmas is early this year

Well I did do some more crochet. I finished the Christmas stocking for Evan, and I made the Granny Squares a little larger than in the past. The bells on the hanging loop amused him but I wasn't convinced that he wouldn't chew them off, so the sock has been removed till December!

Santa Sock

Santa up close

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So this is Christmas

For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder, And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Christmas Focus

Christmas suddenly takes on a new focus when you have a little one around. Evan is far too young at eight and a half months, Leo five months, to know what's going on, but Grannies and Grandpas are looking forward to it.

Baby food jars are handy when travelling so I saved one for a tealight holder for my daughter-in-law, by wrapping wire and beads around the neck, with holographic peel-off snowflakes. Using a battery-operated flickering tealight makes it safe too.

I bought some 1st Christmas ornaments and put a recent photo of the family in the teddy one.

From us both, have a great Christmas!