Bowl of Beauty. . . . . . . .

Good morning folks....................Yes, its me. I know that its been a while but I hope that you haven't forgotten me. Well, once seen and all that eh?

Humble apologies for my absence but its been a manic few weeks. I've had a hospital appointment, samples to make for John, a new weekly workshop of my own that I have set up and , the exciting news I alluded to, I have started a college course.

I should have explained that it was nothing crafty, rather than having you wondering what was going on.

I am studying to become a Foot Healthcare Practitioner. I usually put my foot in it so I may as well make a living from it lol!!!

Its been intense getting my head around studying again and you learn about the whole body, not just the foot so its been like doing my Biology and Chemistry A Levels again lol!!!

I did think that I should get into the student vibe by getting drunk and eating Pot Noodles (other noodles are available) but I don't think my body could take it anymore.

I have passed my first test with flying colours so only another 11 modules and a 2 week practical clinic to go lol!!!

Now, there you go. That's my exciting news which I suppose is a bit of an anti climax lol!!!

So, back to business and what better way to come back, than with one of John's samples from Monday/Tuesday's shows.

This is a picture heavy post I'm afraid, as I tried to capture it from every angle.

Ingredients

Ivory and cream card

JND Peony die

JND Oakham Lattice dies

JND foliage dies

JND sentiment

Various inks

I modelled the flowers on a peony that I have called Bowl of Beauty, Its such a pretty flower.

As you can see, I made the inside of the lattice look as neat as the front. It did take some lining up but I got there lol!!!

Well, I hope that it was worth the wait.

Apologies again for being AWOL. I hope that I won't leave as much of a gap in future but there may be times that I am tied up with assignments etc so apologies in advance but I know that you are lovely folk who will understand.

Well that's me for now. Hope that you are all well and been behaving whilst I've been away.

Will be back soon.........promise lol!!!

TTFN

Ang x

Black and Gold Oakham. . . . . . . .

Good morning chap and chapesses. Hope everyone is fine and well.

Sadly, my sore throat has developed into a cold so I've been hacking like a navvy and the sucking of several Fisherman's Friends has not offered their usual relief.

I did manage to venture out yesterday with Mr D for a Valentine's lunch so it was good not having to cook.

The Girls have been looking after me by snuggling up on the bed after Mr D has gone out to work, bless em but I've a sneaky feeling that's its more for their comfort than mine.

They are starting their ninja training again in readiness for Wisty Watch so need to rest well between sessions.

Now, today we have another show sample and, as is customary, I had to do a black and gold card............what can I say, I love the combo.

Ingredients

Black, cream and vintage gold card

JND Oakham Lattice dies

JND sentiment

Hougie

Black gems

This die is so beautiful for embossing. The lattice isn't just stuck over the gold card, I embossed the lattice into the gold card and put the black frame over the top so the gold layer pops through........saves paper piecing all that lol!!!

Well, here's hoping that this lurgy clears up as the weather has been lovely the last couple of days and I like to feel the Sun on my cheeks (take that as you will lol!!!). Yesterday, there was the joy of seeing a line of washing wafting gently in the sunshine and it being dry when I gathered it in.............sometimes its the simple things in life eh? (I'm sure that Maureen will have a comment on that one)

TTFN

Ang x

Home Sweet Home. . . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Been out and about this week, with Davey for coffee on Monday and with a school friend for a wander round the shops and coffee on Friday. Helped the old Achilles' having a gentle trot about, with heel supports of course.

The weather seems to be getting a bit better in this neck of the woods so hopefully Spring is around the corner............can't wait to see the daffs.

Now, I have another sample from John's recent One Day Special and its a home decor hanging. The 3 boxes are hot glued together

Ingredients

Black card

FE Noir et Chic papers

JND Square Scene Box die

JND Oakham Lattice Die

Memory Box Alphabet Dies

JND Star Stream embossing folder

Crafts Too Heart embossing folder

Embossalicious Damask embossing folder

Strips of pearls

Black and cream ribbon

I have dropped the lighting down on the above shot so you can hopefully see the embossing.

Well, that's a quicky from me today. Have a sore throat brewing so I shall have a hot lemon and get myself to bed (its Monday night scheduling).

Have a great week folks.

TTFN

Ang x

Oakham and Acetate. . . . . . . . . .

Good morning guys and gals. How are you all?

Before I forget, I wanted to thank you all for your fantastic comments on the tissue box cover.

I really had fun making it......time consuming but loved it.

Its been a chilly old few days here at The Pond. We have even had to leave the heating on one night on low.

I took my second workshop over at Staunton Harold last week and had a fabulous time.

I had an attentive group of gals and they made some gorgeous cards. I will share them with you soon. They did a fantastic job.

Had another hospital appointment this week with my renal consultant and good news is that my kidney function has improved so he's released me from his clinic but they will still keep an eye on things. So happy and releived.

However, I decided, in the interest of health and fitness, to walk the mile and a half to the hospital rather than take the car. Both of my Achilles were twinging a bit en route. They have been a bit niggley lately but I've just carried on.

I had to get the bus home and by bedtime I was in agony. I refused to go to the hospital so have been hobbling around like a penguin with diarrhorea for the past few days but they have improved...the first night, I couldn't actually stand up!!!

Have dug out the heel cups from 3 years ago and bought some new ones too and they have helped.

Just as you are over one thing eh???

Another hospital appoitment this week but this time, I'm taking the car lol!!!

Anyhoo, back ti the card. Another of the samples that I made for John's last shows and this one uses the Oakham Lattice on acetate.

Ingredients

White card

First Edition paper

JND Oakham Lattice dies

Leann Creatif Border embossing folder

JND sentiment

Acetate

Gems

Really love this die set.

Well, Mr D has bought me a hot ginger (and no I don't mean Damian Lewis) so I shall bid you adieu.

Hope that this week treats you all kindly.

TTFN

Ang x

A Tissue. . . . . . . . .The Sequel

Good morning everyone. Hope that you are all well and being good.

Busy times here at The Pond again, not least with the joys of a tax return. I decided to do it myself, rather than throw everything at an accountant but I can see the attraction of that option now lol!!!

However, now I know what I'm doing (allegedly) I will carry on doing them myself.

I have my 2nd workshop this week too at Crafty Corner, formally at Breedon but now at Staunton Harold Garden Centre. Flowers and eclipse cards are on the crafty menu......any excuse for me to break out the Bitty Blossoms lol!!!

Now, today, I am sharing the tissue box cover that John had on his recent Hochanda shows. I'm hoping that he is not going to keep it otherwise I will have to make another as I love it so much lol!!! I came up with the idea after making Davey a cover before Christmas with flowers on one side behind acetate, so I thought "what the heck, lets do one with flowers on all 4 sides!!!" But that's just the kind of devil may care life I lead.

Ingredients

White card

JND Square Scene Box dies

JND Oakham Lattice dies

JND Blousy Poppy die and stamp

JND Orchid die

JND Flourish Leaves dies

Couture Creations All A Flutter embossing folder

Stamens

Distress inks

Gems

I made up 4 of the square scene boxes after cutting the apertures using the Oakham die, also embossing with it and backing the apertures with acetate.

I decorated each back panel with four different flowers........the poppy and orchid dies you will have seen already on John's shows (I still have a couple of sets left on my website if you haven't got yours already) but the other 2 flowers are for another time 😃😃😃.

I then glued all four sides together using hot glue so that it dried and held quicker.

Next, I cut the top to size and used most of the Oakham Lattice to emboss it and then cut an oval out of the centre to pull the tissues through.

I then went a bit mad with the strip gems as I wanted to jazz up the overlap on the box sides but then attacked the top as well lol!!!

I really loved making this and how it turned out........can you tell lol??? Yes, there are a few photos on this post and here is the last one...............

It will be making another appearance when John has released the other flowers, so apologies in advance that you will have to see it again lol!!!

Thank you all for your super comments on my orchid heart. You are kind and encouraging folk.

Maureen, I would imagine air dry clay in your day was papyrus so maybe that's why you let it be.

I did manage to catch up with Nesta last week for tacos at Chiquito, and very nice they were too Stephanie, topped with volcano sauce 😋😋😋.

Hoped to catch up with Davey after his Caribbean sojourn and hear tales of the high seas from the salty sea dog but he came home with more than a set of maracas and a bottle of grog (to be honest, a normal Saturday night for him) and the poor lamb is laid up with a virus. He assures me its not Beri Beri or anything equally as tropical.

Well, if you have managed to get this far without nodding off, many thanks.

Have a great week.

TTFN 

Ang x