Bubblyfunk spiritual challenge prize

I received this smashing prize today from Caroline on Bubblyfunk - my name was drawn out of the hat as the winner of the spiritual challenge that Caroline recently set.



This was the card that I did for it (sorry, I have shown this before):



Thank you, Caroline, for a lovely prize - I haven't got a date stamp, so that's just right and love the angels!

Paper 'n' Lace Birthday Box challenge

This is the first challenge I've set on Paper n Lace forum.

The challenge is to use a box and alter it to house cards, with dividers for the months of the year, to help with planning.





I used an old laundry tablets box, which was just the right size for my cards. It’s about 7” wide and 6” high, so it will house A6 and 6” x 6” square cards (I seem to do quite a lot of these now). Obviously, your choice of box to start with will be determined by the size of card that you tend to work with.

So, the challenge is to find a box – any old box will do – it doesn’t even have to have a lid (in fact, it probably would be more useful without it) and ‘tart’ it up. It doesn’t have to be done in the same way as mine – you may well have some much different ideas.

I’m really not that good with altering things, but this is what I’ve achieved, so if I can do it, anyone can.

I used Basic Grey Cupcake papers to cover my box and various sticky ribbons to conceal the joins. Of course, you can use any papers of your choice.

Front of my box:





Back of my box:



Side view:



I’ve made divider cards for the months of the year – I printed a grid so that I can make a note of up and coming birthdays for each day of the year.



I then printed the months of the year, cut them and stuck to the tops of the divider cards.



If you fancy having a go at this challenge (there's a prize for the one voted as the winner)

Why not pop over to Paper 'n' Lace

and have a go.

It's a lovely, friendly little forum - why not come and join in the fun?

Why, oh why?

Why, oh why, do I buy things, thinking they will give great results - and then keep them for ages, wondering what I'm going to do with them and why I bought them in the first place?

I bought a QVC TSV - 12 x 12 papers, cards, etc - Carol Wilson - very elaborate and fancy - the kind of cards that are almost made already. I decided yesterday afternoon to get them out and do something with them (having sold off some of it on ebay).

I still have quite a few 12 x 12 papers that are elaborately embossed and I'm not sure that they will ever get used.

When I bought it I felt that the cards might well appeal to the more mature ladies who come along to my sales for TEAR Fund - sometimes the 'flowery' cards appeal, so I'm hoping this will be the case (my next sale will be in September) as I've now made 16 of these cards altogether (and still have more of them, although not so ornate).

All of the cards have apertures, so that anything that's put in the middle is actually on the inside of the card.

I've used a flower made from Sizzix daisy die and DCWV pocketful of posies papers (I've actually demolished the flowers that were in a vase on my windowsill and am going to use them now on cards):



On the next three I've used textured rub ons (you can't tell from the pictures that they are textured, but irl they look better):







The last two have paper stuck on the right hand inside of the card - using some of the papers that was in the CW collection:





There wasn't much crafting involved, but I've been able to add to my stock (in the hope they will sell).

DCM quote

On DCM 'Jane this week has dared us all to include a quote on our card. Stamped, Computer Generated or Rub Ons it doesn't matter and choose your own style or occassion.'

This is a very simple version of a similar card that I have shown before (hope I'll be forgiven for that - lol! - this is a different one, honestly!).

I love the quote and think it goes so well with the English Paper company paper:



I must admit that I meant to ink round the edges of the 'HB' and quote, but forgot, so it's even more simple than intended - nevermind.

Cards made with 'stamp in the post' swap

The same stamp was posted to one another in a swap group on CBC - it has now completed its journey, so we can now show what we did with the stamp.

It so happened that it was a stamp that I already own - one of the Tanda retro ladies ones.

The stamp has been used on acetate on the first two cards - the second one was stamped on the back of the acetate so that the image is reversed. This one came out really blurred, but I kind of liked it, so thought I'd still do something with it, accentuating the blurry bits with gold. Otherwise the colouring was just done with Marvey pens.

On the first one the back of the acetate was dabbed with alcohol inks and then mounted on BG paper. 'Imagine' etc are stamped on with stazon.





And here is one I made earlier (I showed this on here back in May). It was stamped on linen:

Quick and cute ATCs

These quick and cute ATCs from the swap on CBC were waiting for me among the post when I got back yesterday.

The one on the left is from Tracey (Teaghen) and the one on the right is from Helen (H), using Dinky Dolly Stamp with pearly watrcolours:

Salt: celebrating Psalms

We're back from our week away - as soon as we left the Southend area the sun came through and today is brilliant sunshine!

Today is the fortnightly launch of the Salt challenge topic and I needed to do my contribution. Originally I had thought I'd get it done before I went, but, ha ha, it didn't happen. I couldn't get into it last night, so got up this morning determined to get it done before the 10 am deadline. Ha ha, the first attempt went into the bin and the second attempt isn't much better, but I figured it would only get worse the more I tried (I had to cover up where a rub on wouldn't rub on - isn't that annoying? although it was made worse by being on textured card).

Lythan chose the subject this time and this is what she said:

I do hope that you are as inspired by this challenge as you have been by the others. It is wonderful to see faith expressed in such creative ways. It is Lythan's turn to challenge you this time (hello!) I have chosen a fairly broad theme - with 150 variations -

the Psalms.

From frustration and anger to joy and support. there is so much in the book of Psalms. I'd like you to reflect on a favourite verse - or whole psalm and interpret it as you feel led.

I hope you enjoy the wonderful work the team has made this week. You may click on each team member's name to visit their individual blogs and read more about their art pieces.

Due to family commitments Gillian is taking a break from the team. Gillian we miss your creative spark already and hope you are back with us soon!

If you are inspired by this week's challenge and would like to share something that you've made, please leave us a comment with a link back to your blog or online gallery. We'd love to see your creations!

Please take a look at Salt

I chose Psalm 1 for my LO. This Psalm has always been very special, ever since I was 5 years old. I learned and recited it in church and was given a Bible for doing so (someone - sadly can't remember his name now - had left money in his will to enable the gift of a Bible to any child who could learn and recite Psalm 1).



The photo was taken some years ago in the grounds of Leeds Castle in Kent. Background paper is DCWV textured and the additional bits are from Creative Imaginations Pamela Woods Tropical Leaves and Spring Green. The ribbon used through the flower brads are K & Co.

Holiday weather (not!)

The typical holiday weather (not!) has continued today - dull, a bit drizzly at times, with a few seconds of sun this afternoon. No photos to show. We went by bus to Hadleigh, had lunch there and then caught a bus back with the intention of getting off at Leigh Broadway, but decided in the end of stay on the bus - a brief wander in Southend and then back to the hotel - tbh back pain dominated the decision.

We stumbled across a quite well stocked craft shop in Hadleigh - and it would have been rude not to buy anything!

We've booked to have dinner at the hotel this evening as it's the last opportunity. So now we are just having a cuppa in our room. Have to do the packing at some point - always easier when going home than when deciding what to bring.

Rainy day in Colchester

As soon as we set off this morning it started to drizzle - bus to Southend Victoria - train to Shenfield and then to Colchester - bus into the town. For me, it was going back to a very familiar place in the past; for John it was a first visit. What a shame about the weather! When we got to Colchester High Street we were pleased that the rain eased and we went to see the castle and the lovely surrounding park while it was dry. So, out came my camera - only to discover that I'd left the memory card back at the hotel and the camera itself has such a small memory that was already full. So we decided to go to Boots to buy a new card - this was interrupted by John having a hypo (no worries - we found a seat and some sugar and biscuits later, all was well). By the time I got the card from Boots, the rain came on again. We walked far too much (our backs were certainly telling us this) - eventually found somewhere suitable for lunch, which was well worth waiting for.

Having got the new memory card, the rain set in so much that it was hopeless to consider returning to the castle park to take photos, so all I can show is a photo of the castle from the 'visitcolchester' website:



Oh how we wish the sky had looked like that today!

For two years I did a languages/secretarial course at Colchester tech way back when I was 16 - 18 (oh gosh, more than 50 years ago). I was born in Dovercourt (Harwich) and lived in the area until I was nearly 21, so for me it was a nostalgic trip. I did actually visit Colchester about five years ago, so had already seen all the changes in the town. I noticed that there were still some shops that were the same as 50 odd years ago.

It was a shame that John's first visit was a wash out - and tbh because of health restrictions it's not easy going out for a day like this, but we're still glad we went, although tired now.

Tomorrow is our last day here - and then home on Wednesday. It's been good to have the break away, but I am missing some home comforts, particularly my armchair! Not that I'm grumbling, because we have a larger than average hotel room (well, it's a family room) with a jumbo bed, settee, table and chairs, but my back is missing my armchair.

Simple pleasures

Neither of us can bomb around any more - we walk a while and then take a breather (and the painkillers for the back) - but it's lovely to enjoy a change of scene.

This morning we caught a bus into Southend and then strolled along the prom westwards, stopping in Westcliff for a lovely lunch - then inland to Westcliff station and along to Leigh-on-sea.

When we came out of the station at Leigh it was obvious which way to walk to the main part, but we were intrigued that there was a queue of cars going in the opposite direction. Curiosity got the better of us (well, me, rather than 'us') and we went to investigate, thinking there must be some 'event' on that we didn't know about. When we came to the head of the queue of cars, I could see that they were waiting to turn right - into the local 'dump' - I then realised that a lot of the cars had the back seats laden with rubbish.

So off we went in the right direction, stopping for a welcome cuppa at Sara's tea garden. On the way back to the station I couldn't resist a tub of cockles (well, it would have been rude to visit Leigh and not have some of their cockles).

We were so fortunate that when we got back to Leigh station there was a train just leaving - and when we got back to the bus station in Southend, a No. 9 was just about to leave - perfect timing.

Oh - and the sun came out as we got on the bus to come back to the hotel! Apart from that it's been overcast all day (as it is now again) and quite cold.

Better weather today

When we got up the sun was shining! and continued to shine until about midday, when it clouded over and looked quite stormy for a while, but that passed by and the sun came out again, although it became more overcast as the afternoon went on.

We caught a bus along to Shoeburyness this morning - took some pictures of the beach area and some gorgeous plants. We then caught the bus back to the Kursaal area (didn't go in - not sure it's even open) and then strolled along towards the pier, stopping to have lunch. We got the train up the pier (now that we're both OAPs we didn't have to pay as much - and we can also use our bus passes here, which is a great saver). We stayed at the end of pier area far longer than we realised. We had intended today to also go along to Westcliff, but we didn't get that far - we're hoping to tomorrow.

I took quite a few photos today - thought I'd put some of them in a slideshow. I'm not expecting anyone to look, but I've come to the conclusion that using this blog like this will be a good photo record of the holiday.

A calm evening

Today started off cool and dull. We went for a walk to the Thorpe Bay shops area - much further than we thought it would be - then bus into Southend - had a wander and a look in one or two shops, including The Works and Stationery Box (bought some more pencils, because I haven't got a pink with me - good excuse!) - had lunch and then took the bus to Rayleigh. It's amazing how childhood memories come back once you see somewhere again, although, of course, a lot of places have changed over the years.

When we got back about 5 o'clock, the sun was trying to come out and by the time we had dinner (which was delicious - I had a gorgeous fish pie) the evening had become calm and sunny.

So, when we got back to our room I took some photos of our view:

A little light crafting

A little light crafting - if you can call it that - I brought with me some stamped images and Inktense and pastel pencils, a bottle of Sansodor and some stumps:

Dry morning, wet afternoon ...

When we got up this morning the weather seemed to be more promising. After breakfast we had a little walk along towards Southend - chose a turning to the left and came across Southchurch Park, bringing back memories of childhood - after a coffe, we went back to the seafront and caught a bus into the centre of Southend and then wandered down to the pier area - some of which is as it used to be and some of it completely different - the addition of a modern lift is certainly helpful. I remember as a child the amusement area near to the pier, which is still there, but the rides are a bit more dare-devil than they were in my day. The need to find a loo took us into the edge of the Adventure Island, which was when I saw one of my childhood's delight - the crooked house was still there!!!!



It now looks a lot smaller than I thought it was when I was a child.

We then enjoyed a good lunch, unaware that it had started to rain - when we came out of the restaurant it was pouring, so we caught a bus back and haven't ventured out again.

The forecast for tomorrow does look better - we are hopeful. At least the wind dropped last night.

TV was (sort of) put right - a little while ago the picture went again, but has returned - it is obviously temperamental.

We are here!

This is not in any way my crafty outlook, but just a few photos to show that we are here! We got to Thorpe Bay (just along the seafront from Southend-on-Sea) about 3 pm this afternoon - a bit of a hold up at the Dartford tunnel, but, apart from that, the journey was fine.

We have a family room (although just the two of us) and it has a lovely sea view. However, the wind has been blowing hard and the sea is looking far from calm, although actually by now it has improved a bit, and, in fact, while we were having our dinner the sun actually came out for a while.



View from our window (it has a sliding patio door, so, when (if) the weather is nice enough we could sit out on the bench overlooking the sea):









Another view from our room:







Did you notice the TV on the wall - it slopes downwards and is on one of those brackets that you should be able to adjust, but can't. When we switched it on we had a picture and then it went - so we only had sound. Someone came to look and said that it obviously needs replacing but can't be done till morning and that the bracket is broken anyway. Lots of apologies all round - and a free bottle of wine at dinner. When we got back to the room we put it on and the picture came back again (but blinked a few times). The wine was very nice! We were told to choose anything from the list - great temptation to choose a really expensive one, but resisted!

Btw, I can't edit the photos because I had forgotten that I don't have the same software on this little laptop - I used to know how to crop etc in windows photo editor, but can't be bothered to remember how to - well, after all, I am on my jollies!