Back to the computer.....

I finally finished my domino book! I love how small and cute it is.....

I thoroughly enjoyed Terri's workshop. She has a lovely teaching style.......and lots of great tips and ideas. In fact there are lots more ideas in the videos that I haven't used yet, but I have plans for two more.
Terri's domino books are so beautiful, as you'll see here.

Some more pics of mine......

You may notice a few of my favourite Paper Whimsy images.....and some pressed flowers, torn text, dyed scrim, stamped images, inked edges, ribbons, beads and a charm.

Thank you Terri......I've really enjoyed this little project.

Since my last post I've been to Knaresborough to visit friends, plus I had a lovely day trip to Lincoln with my friends Maggi and Julie.

In Knaresborough we went to the RHS Harlow Carr Garden open day, where we walked miles in the sunshine, saw cookery and gardening demonstrations........

.......plus two fighting hares

..........and three gorgeous alpacas!

The colours of the wool are all natural.......no dyes needed.

There are two Betty's tea rooms at Harlow Carr.....we sat outside at the 'rustic' one and ate Fat Rascals with our tea.......

 ....whilst being watched by another fat rascal (after our crumbs).

Maggi, Julie and I had a lovely day in Lincoln. We visited a couple of galleries, admired the stunning angel bridge over the canal......

 ....and the wonderful cathedral.......

It says here that the cathedral was the tallest building in the world for 249 years (1300 - 1549). Some claim to fame, eh?

Maggi spotted the pretty reflections from the stained glass windows on the pillars inside. 

Which reminds me, I mustn't forget to show you the luscious threads she gave me on the day....all dyed by her fair (albeit stained) hands ;-)

She's even labelled the composition of each hank....how thoughtful! (She's a talented girl, as you'll see if you visit her blog. I must congratulate her on finally completing her C&G..... well done Maggi, your quilt is beautiful !)

Now I wonder..... are those thread colours really me.....???? 

I think that's about all for now.....except to say I've been doing Sally Jean Alexanders soldering workshop so I'll be showing you my efforts in my next post.

I can only hope I get better at it......... :-/

Icicle Gift Box

My lovely friend Lynn has been busy creating collage sheets for Christmas - you can find them in her etsy shop here. I decided to decorate an icicle gift box using some of them.... below you can see it spread out. I used Distress Ink pads for the background and a PaperArtsy stamp. If you'd like the template for the box its here......I'm going to add side flaps next time I make one.
Lynn has created some fabulous tags and gift cards; I recommend you go and see them on her blog (and don't forget to check out her etsy shop too).
I'm in the middle of making some other things using her collage sheets......more tomorrow.

I spent the weekend in Knaresborough with my husband; we were visiting friends who have recently bought a cottage there. It's a really beautiful town with an old railway viaduct over the river. This is the photo I took from the castle.......click on the pictures.

Here's our hotel (right next to the railway station).

We walked quite a few miles with our friends and saw this tiny chapel cut into the side of a rock in 1408. See a better photo here on Wikipedia.

All around the town there are Trompe l'Oeil paintings in false windows....these are on Blind Jack's tavern.

Finally.....a gorgeous bric-a-brac shop with Green Man plaques and gargoyles outside. (You can see the price if you click.)

Our last few hours there were spent watching a wonderful Remembrance Parade go through the town and as we walked back to our hotel we could hear everyone singing 'I Vow To Thee My Country' in the castle grounds. If you'd like to read the rather poignant words, they are here.....