Italian Alder (you may see more of this lovely during the 365!)

Alnus Cordata and the catkins.

Happy September 1st for tomorrow.

XXX

Gazing...

into a reasonably blue sky has not happened much this summer.

It was very nice to do so today on our picnic at Witley Court. The warmth of the sun is a healthy feeling that made me happy today.

I also enjoyed making this card today using Lauren's sketch and twist 'Stars' for the Craft Mad & Lovin' It' group.


The LOTV stamps are lovely - this one is coloured with PMs.

Very simple today with some super glittery paper and stamped stars with Glossy Accents on them to give shine and a little DCWV grey cardstock.

Have a good week, especially if you are returning to education after the hols. I can't say I miss it.

XXX

Illuminate with The Sunday Creative

The Sunday Creative prompt by Maegan:

Illuminate vb 1: To supply or brighten with light: light up 2: To make clear: to bring to the fore 3: To decorate with designs or pictures in gold or colors

I read this earlier today and thought it was a cool idea using a weekly prompt with the freedom to create in any medium. I love creative and supportive communities as they help you to develop 'sight' and 'insight'.

Later this afternoon I was playing in the garden and got this shot (it feels really odd to publish photos because I've always taken them but not really used them).

Technically it probably is wrong on many levels but I love the way the light is bouncing of LOs hair and I love the energy and it illuminated (in definition sense 2) many of my feelings about her.

Why not join in or just find something that illuminates for you?

Happy thoughts to you.

XXX

Safari Adventure

LO is obsessed with animals at the moment so we decided to take her to the Safari Park yesterday (not an outing we would do normally)- the day trip to Madagascar just seemed a little too far!

I managed to have a little play with the Sony and the beer can lens! As a precursor to my 365 experiment.

I have to say the animals were majestic and amazing and the sun shone. Our favourites were the lions (all of whom LO decided were called Alex!).

Hope you enjoy the wild side of your weekend too.

XXX

A productive day.

Something freed today and I doodled again - I forgot the freedom this allows the mind and that I want to do these as a way of relaxing and touching the unconscious.

Here's a sneek peek...

I also finished this journal page which has plagued me for some time

'Soar'

A thought on the nature of freedom and definition for me at the moment.

I love the blood red bubble wrap pattern - look what happened to Icarus when he soared too high. Also have song lyrics from All About Eve in my head 'You're flying too high'.

Lastly I indulged in a little baking of the savoury type.

All in all a productive day.

Which links nicely to my thought process about the 365 journey. I have decided to start this on 1st Sept 2010 to finish on 31st Aug 2011 (I obviously have an issue with starting on a random date - lol). I think I am going to use three different cameras (Nokia 3.2 MP, Pentax 6.0MP and Sony DSLR a100) as they meet different needs on different days and I really haven't got to grips with the Sony at all yet. I think I will post my piccies on a separate page on this blog and do a weekly post about them here (although I am undecided about this). This is going to be so exciting and hard but I am looking forward to it and all the people and interesting things I will meet along the way.

Hope you are all feeling inspired about something.

XXX

365 days of photography adventure

A lovely post appeared this afternoon from Maegan about undertaking a second year of taking a photo on every single day of the year and she generously invited others to join her. I have been following some lovely blogs with people doing this and i have really enjoyed it.. I have decided to join in to try and see things more clearly and as a way of expanding my skills with the camera. And as Maegan says skills don't just improve without practise and support - so practise and support it is for me. Do you fancy it? Pop over to Maegan and say ME TOO PLEASE!

XXX

Rudolph with your nose so bright...

Rudolph is wearing Promarker and Sparkles this season.

(Thanks to the image swapper for this one).

He is teamed with 'Traditional' paper punched with MS punch and a little Bo Bunny ribbon.

Thanks to Splitcoaststampers - tutorials for the acetate box.

Rudolph is proud to be entering:

'Craft Mad and Loving It' themed challenge #6 set by Karen - 'Acetate'
and
One Stop Craft Challenge #94 - 'Not A Card'

These boxes work well for small gifts.
Have a good evening.
XXX

Katie's bit of fun is fab and thank you to BlueBertie for my award..

Firstly, Katie found this site and it is awesome for a bit of fun and interesting ideas.

I had lots of fun.

Go and have a play here.

Secondly, Thank you to Lauren for this aptly named award!

I very warmly accept and extend my thanks to Lauren for bestowing this honour. Go and see BlueBertie for tales of crafting excellence, Clumber Spaniel and chicken tales (you won't be disappointed).


I have posted with pride - I'm all puffed up indeed.

Three things I like about myself? Being contrary, being called Cherry and my blue eyes.

A picture that I love...

Magnolias at Kew on my birthday.

Tag five others for the award... Caroline, Brenda, Katie, Helen, and Monica

Have a happy evening all.XXX

Spotlight ...

I really enjoyed Judy's article in 'Craft Stamper' Mag on using character stamps in different ways. I loved the spotlight effect so have decided to give it a go. I've used my 'LOTV' stamp as a starting place. Go and check out Judy's blog it's a great place for inspiration.

I've carried on the circle idea with Sizzix texture plates - Circle Circus and Rings.

Papers are Rose Studio. I also embossed a D&D dragonfly and the sentiment is also round.

Ribbon and padded heart are from my stash.

May have to use this for some Christmas cards too I think.

Thank you Judy.

Lastly my spotlight is on summer fruits. I had a go at making Cherry Clafoutis for tea last night following 'Gordon's' receipe.

Very nice indeed if you like Cherries and Almonds.

What are you placing in the spotlight?

XXX

Fairy Birthday

It's a 'LOTV' fairy birthday card for a special little Goddaughter.

She is coloured with PMs and wax pastels and a smidge of Sparkles.
The stamps from LOTV are really nice to work with.

Very simple card today with DCWV cardstock cut with a scalloped circle nestie. A little pink gingham paper from Rose Studio. The flower is a Papermania stamp in dew drop pearlescent ink with Anita's gems added.

I am entering this into:

Secret Stampers Saturday Challenge - 'What are lttle girls made of?'

and

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - 'It's Our Birthday'

I am enjoying the colouring at the mo - what are you enjoying?

XXX

Bubbly Bling

Rosie's sketch this week over on 'CM&LI'. Her twist was bubbles and easel cards.

Got me thinking and thinking... eventually I decided to go down the magical 'bubble, bubble' route.

One lovely Magnolia pussy cat.

One lovely image from Wynneth.
Coloured with PMs and Wax Pastels with Sansador and lots of Sparkles!

One bubble easel card!

I added in some Bo Bunny and Dovecraft papers and DCWV cardstock from the Brights stack to the cauldron. Then a sentiment and lots of magic bling bubbles from Papermania.

The Sir Stampalot challenge is 'Bring on the Bling' so I think my Sparkles and bling bubbles count so I am going to add it into their fun this month.

Have a magical monday evening.

XXX

Flight of Fancy

Lauren's themed challenge for last week over on the 'CM&LI' group got me thinking and coincided with me reading 'Craft Stamper Mag' where there was a lovely project with a teeny birdhouse by Morag Cutts. I decided to have a go - but it's taken me so long to get organised and actually have time to do it that I only finished it last night! So sorry Lauren (by the way the theme for this week is Celebrations!).

I found a template on the internet here.

Then played with Tim Holtz stamps, DI, labels, Glimmer mist, punches, threads, Sparkles and beads.

Lastly found a little old bluebird, I've had her for ages but not really thought of using her, and sparkled her up.

I enjoyed my Flight of Fancy doing something new and a little intricate. I'm now thinking of doing a Christmas one to hang on the tree.

I've just discovered that Jennie (The Artistic Stamper) has a new challenge blog The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog and their monthly challenge is 'Something old and something new...' so I am going to enter! You really should go and check out the blog and drool over the team's talents and check out Jennie's shop - I have purchased items from her and recommend the service.

What would you make as a 'flight of fancy'?

Have a happy monday.

XXX

Card Receipe from Squiggles and Giggles

A while back I came across the lovely Squiggle stamps and purchased one or three! I particularly liked the cutie above ... Miss Evie.

I've only just got around to inking the printer up and having a play. The stamps are really great to colour. This time I have used my promarkers and some Sparkles.
The Squiggles and Giggles Challenge for August is a receipe - 3 papers, 3 flowers and 3 brads with the option of using something metal. I have to say it was a bit of a challenge. I've tried to make it simple but incorporating the requirements and thought I would join in the giggling! The prize is awesome and the DT creations worth a drool over.

The papers are Dovecraft 'Funky' and I cut them with scalloped circle nesties and Sizzix dies. There are a few bits and bobs from my stash to finish it off with the Happy Birthday from GStudio.

The really exciting news is that there are some lovely new Miss Evie stamps out now - including a lovely Alice one! Go and have a look here.

Hope everyone is having a fun Friday 13th!

XXX

Seasonal Fun

Here's my little 'Lili of the Valley' lady from last night.

Coloured with wax pastels and sansador with a little bit of Glamour Dust for seasonal sparkle.





Here she is on her card with papers from the Traditional Christmas Stack and DCWV green cardstock. I've thrown a few brads by Dovecraft into the mix (a Christmas tree, a present and a stocking) and punched three flowers with an MS punch and added some card candy by Craftworks. Sentiment is D&D to wish the recipient 'Christmas Wishes'.



I am entering this in the 'Lili of the Valley' Challenge (my first time) - Seasons.



I was so impressed with the image that I naughtily ordered some of my very own. Have a peek below!

Very cute and ideal for all the little girl birthdays I've got coming up and one for Christmas!



The service was fab and I recommend them.



Thanks for stopping by.

XXX

Trying...

to be organised for Christmas and join in the WOYWW

a new colouring medium

(water-soluable wax crayons used with sansador and paper stumps)
Sorry I didn't add this first time !

new image - Lili of the Valley - thanks to the sender

a simple post

What are you trying?

XXX

OMG - THANK YOU BRENDA!

I was just having my usual morning surf and one of my regular blogs is Brenda's because she is so interesting and an uber creative gal. She has been away on an amazing hols and was offering some yummy candy for people who commented and guessed where she was on each of nine days. I joined in as it was really interesting to see the different places. To top it all off I have been one of the lucky peeps to be picked out to receive some of her candy! How happy am I?

VERY!

If you haven't been to Brenda's please go as she creates magic. You won't be disappointed.

I'm off to celebrate my good fortune. Have a lovely day all - the sun is shining too!

Anyone for some water?

Just a little bit of fun so I could join in Lauren's Sunday themed challenge over at 'Craft Mad and Loving It'.

I didn't have much time and failed to make some flowers to go in it but...

I got the idea and template from Split Coast Stampers - awesome for templates and ideas.

I've used Taj Mahal cardstock by DCWV; MS punch and G Studio alphabet stamps and Sizzix dies and a little Sparkles.

Thanks for looking - have a fab weekend.

Cherry XXX