The last post

ItS been that time of year, Remembrance Day, anniversary of the Great War, the publicity surrounding the poppies at the tower. It made us think of sacrifice, bravery, violence, morality and loss.
I have been following a blog since March. Directed there by Barbara Gray of Clarity, it has become part of my daily routine to dip into this blog and take inspiration from it. The  blog author Jane, is a  fellow crafter and unfortunately a long term cancer sufferer. She started the blog at the point she became terminal and has shared her experiences with us sine. She is now however approaching the end of her journey and appears to have posted the last post. I shall miss my e friend truly but back to remembrance. It's a healer.
Mother Nature often has a a way of reminding you about the positive. Feeling tearful, I went to prepare tonight's dinner and look what I found.

There's always love in difficult times and I send loads to Jane in her final hours and to her family.
And so to crafting. I did this card with some decoupage from House of Zandra. It was too clean and snow where I come from, doesn't stay white for long. So I sprayed it with mucky snow.
Hope you like. Need my Beechams all in one now
Catcha later

Crafty week

I've had a week off work and have spent some time enjoying the craft. I made some Christmas cards, did sme scrapping, spent money on a project life starter kit and took some photos. I am feeling quite please with myself. The cards feature sequins. I am really taken with the packet I bought from Paperchase and I can't leave them alone. I am going to dabble in project life so I can achieve more outputs.. This is one of my layouts.

I scrap lifted this from a Maggie Holmes layout, used Studio a Calico Take Note papers. I liked hoe she did her journaling As a strip and since it is my current goal to improve my handwriting, I gave it a go. I wanted to show Durham Cathedral in all it's glory and this picture combines the cathedral with the Lindisfarne Gospels.
On a more personal note I used some project life cards in a conventional layout to convey the point that if it wasn't for selfies, there wouldn't be many photos of me.

Point made.
It was the girls memorial bash last night. Everyone danced and sang which was a fitting tribute. Will capture some meaningful song lyrics in my Smash book, rather than using photos.
Anyhoo. Catcha later.

Busy busy busy

Had a couple of days off work so it was time to do some crafting. I went to Harrogate last week and bought lots of stuff I didn't need, but got some bargains. I don't make many Christmas cards but a select few do get one. For me card making is about having someone in mind for  the make and design. Every year I try and make the 2 Nieces a card that's a bit different. Last year I did advent easels which were nicely displayed but the ragged by the 2 little beastie Shih Tzus. So this year I opted for something that would hang on the wall.
May I present Georgia and Lacey Xmas skulls.
I used Mdf shapes, papers to compliment my sisters colour scheme, mod podge, bling, die cuts, feathers etc.

I just need to add some ribbon to the back.
On a different note. I have been following a blog by Spain jane. This amazingly honest and talented blogger is terminally ill and now deteriorating rapidly. If you ever need to remember to give thanks for the time  you have, please read her blog. It is inspirational.
I've even done some stamping. Wonders will never cease. But that's for a later blog.

Catcha later

Our first gay wedding.

We are so looking forward to the marriage of our niece Katie and her partner Joanne. My OH keeps up to date with them on Facebook and what is so obvious is the fact that they embrace life. They are lovely people so am hoping the weather is kind and the day goes smoothly for them. I bought a new outfit (any excuse) so I might drop a photo in. You could use it for Halloween because it will feature my Grim Reaper hat.
I made a card with a kraft base and Bellisima paper and decoupage from Do Crafts. Added some cheap nail art embellishments bought for £1 in Primark. They are diddly but great to look at. I wrapped the present in Kraft and made paper roses by drawing round a plate and inserting scrunched navy tissue paper. Inspired by Sylvie Jolie. Google her she's so talented. Then 2 punched tags and insect stickers from Paperchase. I love these little stickers. Washi tape also from Paperchase.

Catcha later.

The great Blackhall bake off

Ok so I have no competition, which is just as well. I am not a baker. I will always have a go and can do some pretty good home made stuff, but I am not good at cakes. I want to make something for the Macmillan Coffee Morning in two weeks time so I had a go at this:

It's rose, pistachio and lime. Decorated with cream cheese icing and rose petals and chopped pistachios. Tastes quite nice so I'll give it another go and hope it sells.
But on to crafting. This is my final layout from our Krakow trip. No more of this I promise, but I had to capture it. it's my O H laying a white rose on the Holocaust memorial.

I kept it very simple. Some Old stickers from Lakeland and grey bazill. I didn't think it warranted a comment as the subject is just too big. I added the lace stickers as I observed some elderly ladies making lace at the Krakow craft market. And it reminded me of delicate souls, being cared for.....at least I believe they are.
It's GNR day; just fills you with warmth seeing these people running to raise money. OH couldn't do it this year but was there supporting Hartlepool Hospice and the lads running for them

Catcha later

Debate with Dad

Krakow is a lovely city. Even just a brief walk brings sights and sounds to fill your thoughts. We visited the Jewish quarter, which is run down but full of character and interest wherever you look. Some buildings are spectacular , like the castle, and some just appeal to the eye, like the apartments in the layout. Dad advocated a clean up of the buildings. I think they should leave well alone.
I used Do crafts green collection, their sprit zing ink and ink pads to colour the Studio Calico wood veneers. American Crafts thickers for the title and spectrum noir pencils to colour in the thickers. Covered with paper chase insect stickers. I love stickers. A very basis layout to focus the debate on the photos. Catcha later.

Sometimes I have to wonder.....

How crafting takes a hold. I was in the Range yesterday and bought some blank matchboxes. I had seen some work on Pinterest where crafters use their scraps to decorate them. Just couldn't resist. So I have spent an hour or so playing, but I am not sure what for. Other than dimensional tags, they will serve little use. I suppose I just enjoyed messing. Used free Marianne papers from one of the magazines and some sale kids jewellery from Primark ( the source of great embellishments.
I am now going to watch the coolest man on TV. Leroy Jethro Gibbs, of course. Who else?
Catcha later

A most difficult subject

We went to Krakow recently. Whilst we were there, we visited Auschwitz/Birkenau. I knew it would be a difficult experience and at one point I almost didn't go. It's almost not right being a tourist there, but it is right to use the visit to remember the terrible loss and atrocities committed. It also forces you into a level of uncomfortable introspection. In their shoes, the terrible pain,and loss of whole families. You also question politics, morality, humanity and the importance of learning from history.
I did this page using postcards of the iconic imagery of the camps, which many of us of an age will recognise. I added some facts to the burlap bag, facts which hit like a ton of bricks. The paper is from the Gorjuss range and the burlap is also Do crafts. I got the replica ghetto pass from Schindlers. Factory museum and used black fibre and staples to represent the barbed wire. I only added a touch of yellow and white to represent remembrance and peace.

Go peacefully and never forget. More soon. Catcha later.

Visit to Krakow 1

Wall art, aka graffiti to some. Have just been to Krakow for a week. Bit of relaxation but also dabbling in my second occupation as a culture vulture. I have some scrapbook pages to do but I think they will be difficult as they will cover my visit to Auschwitz birkenau. I need to give them some thought as I want them to capture the thoughts and not seem like puerile tourism. But mor later. We were wandering round the city down to the Jewish quarter and came across these. I just loved to see the results of someone sharing their art publicly (and hopefully,legally)
Anyhow, go visit this pretty city with some disturbing history surrounding it and don't forget to take in the surroundings. Catcha later!

Getting there...

My internet has been down. Ugh! So the blog is not going well. Still onwards and upwards. Its nearly holiday time. Krakow here I come.
Here's a little layout.

This is Georgia on prom day. The paper is by Heidi Swapp. With added texture paste and a little tin bird from Primark. The bird and embellishment are surrounded by ruffled washi tape. Catcha later

So....to the history

I haven't blogged for ages. A potted history, in the last 4years I have cared for 2 elderly relatives in hospital for 20 weeks each, their subsequent loss, 2 Operations (1including potential risk to my life), 3 of our girls murdered on New Year's Day 2012 and now watching my husband and family's pain daily. But crafting is a respite and it captures the most important memories. It provides comfort and therapy. It leads to communication and friendships.
Here's a couple of pages featuring our lovely girls. Their beauty is ever present.

May they rest in peace.

Been gone a while

It's been a long time. Almost 3 years. I can't find my old blog and I haven't worked out how to add a picture yet. But it has to be time to start anew. I might even tell what's been going onOld blog link is here. It might work. I would be sorry to lose it. Did this page today, part of an album I am making for my nieces, Georgia and Lacey. Try the old link again. My old blog