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