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.

Birthdays - part 1

September is a busy birthday month here. First is DS, then DH and finally our dear friend has her birthday today.

I haven't played with the Robo for a while and I decided to put him to work to make a card for DH. I found the template on the internet and thought it would be a good one to use to get me back into the swing of using the robo. It is quite an intricate design and I think more time was spent pushing the little bits of waste paper out than actually cutting it! I added the gems as a finishing touch.

Anniversary Treat

We all know how lovely it is to receive a gift or card. We treasure it if someone has taken the time and trouble to make something for you, whether it be a card or gift. After all, that is why I do what I do. Now when someone takes the time and patience to make something for me . . . . well, I end up speechless and close to tears.


Now how about this for a creation:

Isn't it simply beautiful? This was made for DH and me by our dear friend and neighbour. It is absolutely stunning and the photo really doesn't do it justice. The detail is amazing and the colours are superb. The patience and time taken to make this is much appreciated, not just by me but any crafter would understand the time and effort that has gone into this beauty.

So, from deep in our hearts - THANK YOU for such a wonderful gift!

Sweet 16

Last week DS turned 16! He had a lovely day and we took him for his first beer (and before you all start to think that we are bad parents - it is legal here for 16 year olds to have a beer!!)

As you know from previous posts, DS is a brand slave. His favourite brand for now is Converse.

Using the Converse logo as a starting point, this is what I came up with for his card.

It is a swing card, shaped around the beer bottle - I added the 16 to the middle of the logo. The "cheers!" was cut with my Sizzix Alphabet (Night & Day). It was a winner with DS.

Cake stand - in action!

Following on from my previous 2 posts - this is why I wanted a cake stand.

I made individual Black Forest Gateau cupcakes, topped with a Dutch or British flag. I made the cupcake wrappers from doilies. The reason for the two flags?: well, we've spent half our married lives in the UK and half here in Holland.

We had a few friends help us celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary and this was the centerpiece. It caused a few comments (all nice ones!!) and looked great on the table.

Recycling - part 2

Having prepared all the parts, I then began the fun bit - the construction.

The candle holder was glued, upside down to the largest plate.

I left this, with a couple of heavy books on top, for 24 hours before adding the next layer as I didn't want it slipping around.


I then glued the middle sized plate to the "base" (from above) and glued another candle holder - this time the right way up and left it 24 hours to dry as before.


The final plate was then glued in place and again left to dry.



I have one candle holder left over which I am going to use for decoration - maybe with a flower arrangement or simply a candle. I will post a picture of it next week, when it has been used for the reason it was made.

Don't forget to check back and see it in use.

Why not post a comment and let me know what you think of my recycling?

Recyling

I needed a cake stand but didn’t want to spend a fortune buying one.

Having just replaced my plates for some nice white square ones, I decided to use some of the “old” ones to make a cake stand. I selected 3 suitable plates but need something to go between the plates as the supports. I had some spare candle holders (the sort used for burning those scented oil candles).

Here are my raw materials:

I removed the metal bit from the candle holders and gave them a good wash.

Check back tomorrow for part 2 of this project.

Strange but true!

Yesterday was not a good day. I woke up with earache. Not just the painful type of earache but I was also completely deaf in my right ear.

It is a busy time here at the moment - lots of birthdays, DS has his 16th birthday this week and our 20th anniversary is rapidly approaching plus all the normal stuff and of course Krafted Keepsakes. Simply put, I don't have time to be ill or not running at 100%!

I decided that rather than sit around and mope, that I would clean the kitchen ceiling - "why?" I hear you ask, because it needed doing and it was annoying me to look at it. This involved using the ladder, not a wise move when you have ear problems (as it affects balance). In my infinite wisom I donned my ipod, selected some fine music from Michael Jackon, whacked it up to full volume and set to.

Having finished cleaning, I removed my ipod and sat down for a well earned cuppa and to my amazement my ear went "pop" and I could hear again, much to my delight.

Now DH has a theory (as you would expect) and it goes like this:

As I had my music on full volume, it was possible that it had made my ear drum vibrate causing whatever was causing the blockage to be dislodged - could this be possible or just a coincidence?

Now this is not a medical solution that I would suggest to anyone else. This simply falls under the heading of "Strange but true!"

Now to get on with the million and one things that I have to do this week.

Check back soon for our latest news and for goodness sake stay healthy!!

New cards

Having made a card for a dear friend in July and having got such great feedback from her, I decided to make some similar ones for the shop. I used the same techniques, but instead of a greeting I added a bit of bling! I also added a few crystals to the feathers.

Why not check them out in our shop?

Back to school

The school holidays are over!!!!! DS went back to school today. Despite not being over keen on going back, today was the first day in living memory that he didn't have to be dragged out of bed - I wonder how long this will last.

I have spent the morning trying to get the house back to it's pre-holiday state (not going quite as well as I had hoped!) and making a list of all the things that I'd like to get done, now that things are back to normal, well, as normal as they get here.

I have a busy month ahead, several birthdays and our 20th anniversary to organize and a huge list of DIY to work through and of course I still have my Krafted Keepsakes work to do.

I'm looking forward to getting on with it all - watch this space!

To those whose offspring have returned to school today - "WELL DONE!! You've survived another summer holiday!!)