Not a reflection

Meet our glass fish and yes, there are two of them – it’s not a reflection!

It took them a while to settle into the tank, they took to hiding a lot of the time and as you can imagine, they are not easy to see!!

They can now be seen (if you’re lucky) swimming quite happily in the middle of the tank.

Tank Mates

As promised, here are some pictures of our beautiful fish that live in the big aquarium. Much to DH's disgust, I have a thing for naming the fish - he thinks that it is a daft thing to do (each to their own).

So, let me introduce to you, two of our most recent additions - Baco & Foil

They are Moon Fish and although the picture doesn't really show it, they are the most beautiful silver colour - just like aluminium foil, hence their names.

Now these two are bristlenose catfish, commonly called plecs. The big one, we have had for a while and he is quite a character (or a creature of habit). He is called Stewie (from Family Guy) but is also known as the Undertaker. He is the dustbin of the tank and has been known on occasions to whisk away dead fish for later consumption - YUK! Stewie has the knack of rushing to the top of the tank and creating a splash, almost always at feeding time, guaranteeing the feeder (usually me!!) a soaking!! The smaller one is a recent addition but has yet to be named.

The fish in my aquarium are a little camera shy, but as soon as I have the chance, I will get their mug shots too. Shouldn't be too difficult - they can't run off but they can hide!!

Cards for men

Cards for men always give me a headache! I find it difficult to come up with something different that's not been done before.

This time I went for a simple design.

I found the embellishments in my craft drawer and based the design around these. I cut three rectangles of silver paper, lined them up on a white card blank and then finally added the embellishments. Not a style I would usually do, but this time it fitted the bill.

A joint hobby

Two years ago we got our first tropical aquarium. I say we, but the aquarium really belonged to DH as it was his Father's day present. My role, initially was as the "scientist". It was my job to test the water!!

We had always wanted to keep tropical fish but never had the opportunity. However, once we had our first aquarium there was no stopping us. We were lucky beginners, and lucky to have good advice from our friend Paul (Bear Expressions).

This year we decided that we would like a bigger tank but planned on doing this in the New Year. Our plans changed when we received money from our friends and family for our 20th anniversary. We put the money towards a new tank. At the beginning of October, it was delivered.

Then came the performance of moving everything from the old, small tank to the new.


We made a list of how we were going to do this and followed it step by step. Our aim was to complete the move with the minimum of distress to the fish.


This is the new tank, in front of the old one, almost ready to be moved into place.


It took four hours, a couple of tantrums and plenty of coffee (for us, not the fish!) to complete the changeover.


The fish seemed happy enough in their new home but the problem was, what to do with the old tank? I soon solved this one by deciding to keep it for myself - so we now have two tanks!


The old tank, cleaned and prepped ready for its new inhabitants.








Check back later in the week to meet the inhabitants.

Dutch style

Here are some more cards with a Dutch theme. The first is another of my attempts using parchment and the second is made using some Dutch style wrapping paper.

I wanted this one to give the impression of tiles. I cut the images into squares, rounded the corners and mounted them onto a piece of shiney blue paper which I had embossed (again!) uisng my D'Vine swirls folder. This was then mounted onto a pearly dark blue card.

Another birthday - with a Dutch touch!

Today is my cousin's birthday - so firstly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her!

As you would expect, I made her birthday card. Ususally I would make her a card with an oriental theme but this year I decided to do something different.

As you know, I have been playing with parchment and I decided to combine this with a Dutch theme.

I have a lovely set of Dutch houses stamps, which I really haven't had the chance to play with. I stamped the house onto the parchment in white ink and took it from there. This is only my second attempt at this technique and I am pleased with the results.

Now for some other cards

As I mentioned in my last post, I do love using my Cuttlebug embossing folders.

Here is another of my efforts using the stylized flowers folder.

Again, I embossed the card blank. I then embossed a circle, carefully placing it in the folder so that I had the flower on it. I coloured the embossing with my pearly water colours and added the ribbon to the card blank. I mounted the circle using foam pads, carefully matching the embossing on the circle to the embossing on the card. To use one of my favourite phrases - simple but effective!

On a roll!

I love my Cuttlebug embossing folders and have phases when they are all that I want to use.

I bought my lace Christmas tree folder back in the early part of this year and have been waiting to use it.

I embossed directly onto the card blank, coloured the embossing with my pearly water colours and added the ribbon for the finishing touch.

Still in Christmas mode

Making the gift tags made me start thinking about Christmas cards.

I cut another oval and Christmas tree combination, this time from a burgandy coloured card stock. I then sat there wondering what to do with it.

This is what I (finally) came up with . . . .

I used a nice cream card blank, which I embossed with the D'Vine swirls embossing folder. I glued co-ordinating ribbon across the middle of the card. I discarded the Christmas tree that I had cut, leaving me with just the oval to play with. I added the ribbon at the top and bottom of the aperture (to match the placement of the ribbon already on the card) and then glued the oval to the embossed card blank.

Christmas is coming.

I finally decided that it was time to get on with some Christmas bits and pieces – better late that never eh? I always find it difficult to think of Christmas things when its mid-October and raining outside!

I decided to start with something simple – gift tags.

I began with an oval and cut a Christmas tree shape from the middle.

I punched a hole in both the oval and the Christmas tree.

Using my D’Vine Swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder, I embossed the oval.

I carefully threaded matching ribbon through the hole in the Christmas tree and then through the hole in the oval. I intend to write the name on the front of the Christmas tree and our names on the back.

Well, I was pleased with the result ( but not pleased with the photo that I took!!)

Until the next time - happy crafting!!

Birthdays - part 2

As I have already mentioned, yesterday was our dear friend's birthday. I wanted to make her a different sort of card, one that would have something to with our friendship. I also wanted to try a new technique - pergamano (parchment craft).




Having never done this technique before, I trawled the internet for tutorials etc. and came across a template for a tea cup. Now this was the perfect idea for the card as my friend and I get together (often) for tea. I followed the instructions to the letter and for a first effort I was pleased with the result. I added the label from a teabag and mounted the cup on an oval card. I then punched holes through both the card blank and oval and secured them with a ribbon bow. A small heart above the teacup finished the design.