Tuesday 7 December 2021

Hello December ......

Happy Tuesday ..........

'Where have you been?' I guess you're all saying, well the answer to that is .......... nowhere!  
I've no excuses, I just think I needed a break.
 
We should actually be across in the UK right now with the van but ...... the ferry was cancelled on Saturday morning, just as we arrived at the port.  The weather was getting pretty bad, and to be honest I wasn't looking forward to the trip so I was kind of glad we weren't sailing.
Unfortunately it does mean that we probably won't get across now before Christmas which is a shame, we won't be able to see family as planned, and, because we should have been taking the van for it's service it may just affect the warranty, we'll have to see about that!  Fingers crossed we can sort something out.

It has been a busy couple of weeks though what with one thing and another ...... welcome to December!  
We've done a little bit of late night Christmas shopping here and there, we're almost done now I think.  Found time for a cheeky lunchtime treat at our favourite restaurant, and hubby actually went into the office for a few days, first time since the pandemic started I think.  It was strange not having him at home!

Around the house, we've had the heating break down, just as the cold weather arrived ........ perfect timing!!!  Thankfully it didn't take the plumber too long to get it all cosy again.
We've had a new fridge arrive ready for the festive season and of course the Christmas trees are all decorated ........


The big one fits nicley in the hall, although I did have to be a little creatvie with some of the top branches (thank goodness the angel has a wide skirt!!)


And then my favourite one in the lounge .........


Still needs a few more baubles ........ only joking ........ maybe


I also had a crafty project to do for someone on the island which, thankfully, got my mojo going in time to get some more Christmas cards done.  I really thought I was going to have to send shop bought ones this year which wouldn't have gone down well, at all!

Here's a couple of  designs that have come out of the craft room recently .......... 


These should have been going across with me this last weekend to be hand delivered to family members.

Made using the gorgeous Tim Holtz Poinsettia Embossing Folder ...... I think this came out last year but I never got around to using it!

I smooshed some Distress Inks (Antique Linen & Old Paper) onto my craft mat, spritzed with water and then used a piece of watercolour card to pick up the colour.


Once this was dry, I lightly spritzed the back of the card with water and then ran it through my Big Shot using the embossing folder.

I then gently rubbed over the raised areas with a gold ink pad (Delicata - Golden Glitz) to bring out some of the detail 


I added a touch of red Distress Re-inker (Festive Berries) onto the flowers, and used quite a bit of water to spread the colour around.

A little bit of sparkle from some glitter, a few splatters of the gold and red inks onto the background, and I finished with a sprinkling of Chunky White Embossing powder, heated from underneath


I also added a bit of Distress Ink around the edges of the card (Aged Mahogany) and stamped a festive sentiment on the bottom.

I also added some of the design on the inside too .......


This next card was made from a leftover piece from World Cardmaking Day .........


Another beautiful poinsettia embossing folder, this time from Lisa Horton Crafts.  I love this folder, the detail is just amazing!


I wasn't too sure about the panel at the time, I'd used Distress Oxide Ink (Speckled Egg) on the folder and I didn't like the results.  I think I'd put too much ink on and it pooled and gave a dotty effect.  But, I didn't want to throw it away so I left it on my desk.
I'm so glad I did .......... because look,  with a touch of glitter here and there, and my new favourite die, it looks perfect!  


I'll apologise now, but you will be seeing a lot of this die!  It arrived in the craft room at the weekend and I love it!!!!  It's from The Ton.  It's such a great size, the font is gorgeous, and it cuts beautifully. 
I might even make some more of this one!

It's still blowing a hoolie out there today.  We're in the middle of Storm Barra, and it's wild!  
I thought Arwen was bad enough last week but this one seems to be worse.  No boats (if we'd have gone across we might not have been able to get back!) and the airport is closed.  There's roads closed across the island, trees down everywhere, including our garden.  One hit the bathroom window this morning and gave me a right old scare.  Luckily there was no damage to the window but, the tree doesn't look so good!
I think it's an evening in front of the TV for us ......... stay safe and warm if the weather's bad where you are.

Thanks for popping by ........ enjoy the rest of your day.

Before I go .......... looks like this little angel is getting in the mood for Christmas.  
I can't believe our little grandson Arthur is 12 weeks old already! Not sure he understands the whole Christmas thing yet but he loves the twinkly lights! 


I think the day was all a bit much for him ....... just look at those legs! 💖



Cheerio until next time ........


8 comments:

HilaryJane said...

Wow, your trees are pretty special and your cards are too. Sorry about your missed sailing, but I have a feeling it may turn out to be a blessing. Weather is terrible and covid is on the rise again. Stay warm and cosy xx

ednamburgess said...

Beautiful trees, pretty card and adorable baby. Merry Christmas!

Bonnie said...

Your Christmas trees are gorgeous, Linda! I was looking forward to seeing them and I'm not disappointed! Your poinsettia cards are AMAZING! I love the watercoloring on the first! It's such a beautiful card! And the die cut Merry Christmas is awesome on the other poinsettia! I may have to look into that die! Stay warm and cozy, my friend and I hope you get to cuddle that sweet little one!

nancy littrell said...

Absolutely Stunning Christmas trees..as always, Linda. Too bad about having to cancel your trip, but sounded like it was the best, since you are going thru another back to back storm. LOVE your dry embossed poinsettia cards too..Wow! I am done with my cards, but makes me want to get my TH 3D poinsettia out and try to CASE your 1st card. Your slimline dry EB poinsettia and Stunning die cut Merry Christmas are real beauties too... You are so talented, my friend. TFS and hopefully the storm is settling down. Happy Holidays. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Robyn Oliver said...

Well Linda, things are surely happening for you - changed travel plans and then of course you'd have to restart things for Christmas at home... WELL I'm gob smacked.. your "trees" 2 of them, are amazing they look spectacular, I'm envious. AND I'm simply loving both your poinsettia cards.. those EF are wonderful and your colouring is beautiful, enjoy the Season, hugs Robyn

Mrs.B said...

Beautiful cards Linda, I've got the TH embossing folder out at the moment, the Lisa Horton one looks nice too.
Shame you couldn't get over to the UK to see family before Christmas, the storms have been awful. Baby Arthur is gorgeous. I can't believe our twins are almost a year! (They're the reason I don't get time for blogging)
Avril xx

Sue - said...

I just love those cards - they are gorgeous. Beautiful trees too and an adorable baby!

Loll said...

Your trees are gorgeous, Linda. It would be hard not to sit in front of them and stare all day long. Sorry to hear about the storm and your cancelled trip. The weather has been pretty crazy everywhere this year. We've had lots of flodding and major highways wiped out.

LOVE the gorgeous poinsettia ard with the TH embossing folder. The two-toned poinsettias are amazing. And your speckled egg card is so beautiful with the glitter. Great designs!

Arthur is a cutie pie! xx