Don't mention the war!

...either of them?

I promised you some pictures of my trip to Belgium and Holland. Whilst in Belgium we visited sites on the Messines Ridge where the Allies tunnelled under the German line and filled the mines with explosives... the explosions could be heard as far away as Ireland. - Give it a Google to read more.

We also visited some of the cemeteries - it was an emotional and humbling experience, compounded by visiting the Menin Gate to place a wreath in memory of the fallen who were never found.

Can you believe nearly 100 years on there is a ceremony every day... I hope there still will be in another 100 years!

The following day we visited the 'In Flanders Fields Museum'. Absolutely amazing and can you believe we actually climbed to the top of the tower - it reminded me of climbing the Duomo in Florence... but not quite as high! Though for someone who is not keen on heights I was proud of myself!

We also visited Tyne Cot cemetery... "Tyne Cot Cemetery is the resting place of 11,954 soldiers of the Commonwealth Forces. This is the largest number of burials contained in any Commonwealth cemetery of either the First or Second World War. It is the largest Commonwealth military cemetery in the world. (http://www.greatwar.co.uk/ypres-salient/cemetery-tyne-cot.htm)"

What is amazing is that bodies are still being found, and identified, to this day and are interned in their rightful places in the cemeteries... three were recently buried at Tyne Cot.

We visited so many places on this trip that I couldn't possibly mention them all... but from Ypres we went on to Eindhoven and began our tour of Operation Market Garden. We were fortunate enough to have 3 subject matter experts on the tour and they were able to give us a wealth of information and insight, did I say what an amazing trip it was? 

We visited many of the bridges targeted in Op market Garden - if you haven't seen it - watch A Bridge Too Far - basically it summarises everything we saw! 

This bridge was my favourite at Grave - it made me think of the Rainbow Bridge Poem... and seemed quite fitting that it should!

Whilst we were there the curator of some of the site came over and offered to open up the Dutch bunker so we could see inside - it was a mini museum in itself... apparently you can tell the Dutch bunkers as they are square. This was built in 1936.

It looked out across the river in the direction the Germans would have come from had they invaded... little did they know then what was to happen a few years down the line!

And finally this is a picture of one of the landing sites for the paratroopers... you can see why it was selected - but it is a huge area to keep secured from the enemy so your troops can land safely!

We also visited a little church in Oosterbeek - http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/oosterbeek_church.htm

We were met by a lovely lady who was able to tell us a great deal about the history... Unfortunately Post War they have discovered a munitions store lined with asbestos and it will cost thousands to clear it - so if you have a few pennies the church would be extremely grateful for them... It is a small village and the fund is only growing slowly!

We saw so very much and learned so much - it is a trip I shall remember for many years and the stories shall continue to make me feel humble every time I recall the sacrifices of so many.

Back soon with some crafty bits!

Paula xx

Sweet Goodbye

Hi folks - I'm back from the sunny continent. We visited a number of 1st and 2nd World War, sites of interest in Belgium and Holland. Luckily we were accompanied by some really knowledgeable people and it was an absolutely awesome experience, but humbling and at times emotional. I shall share some pictures once I have been through all 250 of them!

Last week I said goodbye to a lovely friend and customer who has moved abroad.

I will miss her so much - she is a very special person - and I hope to stay in touch.

I thought I would share the card I made for her. I was so pleased with it and I think she loved it too - though she refused to read her cards at her leaving do, for fear of shedding more tears than absolutely necessary!

Firstly I stamped a blank card with one of the Flower Shop images, then I rounded the corners with a Circle Punch. 

Next I cut a Top Note out of some of the Venetian Romance DSP using my Big Shot. I stamped the flower from Blooming with Kindness and over stamped it with the sentiment. Finally tying some Organza Ribbon round it before adhering it to the card.

I cut the leaves from my Little Leaves Sizzlits, again using the Big Shot.

Finally the flowers were stamped on Vellum, punched out using the co-ordinating Pansy Punch, curled slightly with my Bone Folder and then I added a little Dazzling Diamonds and a Pearl in each centre.

I also decorated the envelope, just with a couple of the stamped flowers.

I can feel another tutorial coming on!

Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend - it has been hoofing it down with rain for the last couple of hours... Hopefully the grass will grow a little for the rabbit and guinea pig!

Back soon!

Pxx

Apothecary Accent on Modern Mosaic

A dead simple card today, just because I know you'll miss me not posting. Back to the UK tomorrow and hopefully some piccies to go on my blog!

I have used 3 colours that really complement each other! Pool Party as the base, Coastal Cabana embossed with the Modern Mosaic embossing folder, then the flowers, punched using one of the Itty Bitty Shapes punches.

The sentiment was stamped on Whisper White in Bermuda Bay, using a stamp from Sassy Salutations. Cut out using one of the Apothecary Accent Framelits held in place beautifully by my new Big Shot Magnetic Plate.

Finally I added all those lovely little Rhinestones. I love it! Though it looks better in the flesh.

Hope to be back again over the weekend once I have unpacked and done all the necessary cleaning up, from leaving hubby home alone with all the animals!

Pxx

Never Ending Card

Well it's Tuesday and I'm undoubtedly having a great time in Holland - I haven't bothered trying to see if I can blog from my phone so this is a scheduled post.

Not sure if you have ever seen/heard of a never ending card, but it is one cleverly, but surprisingly simply put together so you fold it again and again to see different images on each facet...

Here is mine!

Bring on the Cake with Afternoon Picnic DSP

Stippled Blossoms with Venetian Romance DSP

Afternoon Picnic and Venetian Romance DSP's

Stippled Blossoms and Venetian Romance DSP 

Great fun isn't it? I got my instructions from here - Stamp with Tami Not only is there a 2 part video but also a PDF with the dimensions on it!

Go on - give it a try! I have another post scheduled for Thursday so pop back and see.

Pxxx

Gift box contents...

I promised to show you the contents of that gift box from yesterday. There's lots of simple things for you to practice whilst I'm in Holland this week. Only Monday to Friday but I'm really excited!

The first box was made using Pistachio Pudding 12x12 card stock and inside are four single layer cards, a pen and 4 tealight candles.

I used another 2 In-Colours - Strawberry Slush to decorate the cards and the sentiments are stamped using Baked Brown Sugar.

Here is one of the tealights. I used a stamp from the Flower Shop set, punched it out of tissue paper, laid it on the candle and heat set it in the tealight.

Here are the four co-ordinating cards I made to go with them.

The first two cards used Flower Shop and the sentiments were from Million to One.

The third card uses Blooming With Kindness and the final one uses the flower from Love and Sympathy and the sentiment is from Perfectly Penned.

All the cards are simple single layer cards that even a novice stamper can try.

I'll schedule a couple of things for the week - I mean I can't just abandon you... can I?

Pxxx

Box Video Tutorial

Hello stampers! Well it's been blissfully cool today. Though I'm a bit gutted I didn't get the chance to work on my tan!

Last night I said an emotional goodbye to one of my customers who is moving abroad. I will really miss her as she is also a very good friend. I'll share the card I made in another post. In the meantime this is a long one with LOTS of piccies.

Since I took the pressure off myself I am really enjoying my crafting again. I have made loads of things to share with you. I just have to get round to posting!

Yesterday I was looking at boxes - I wanted something that would be really durable and professional looking. So I based my design on some of the boxes I have received things in, like chocolates and smellies at Christmas.

The first box I made was this:

Doesn't look much different does it? But watch the video and see how it is reinforced.



Here is the box from the video - finished off with a piece of the new Chevron ribbon - scrummy!

I love decorating the Window Sheets - I think it really adds that little something extra.

Tomorrow I'm going to share with you the contents of the first box - there was a sneak peek in the video... were you curious?

I love my Simply Scored... the possibilities are endless!

Back tomorrow!

Pxxx

Scrap Booking

When we had our crafting session at quarterly training we tried something new... Michelle gave us a kit and we had 45 minutes to create something, then everyone shared their creations.

Traci Cornelius - fellow Pinkie created a lovely Scrap Book page and I loved it so much I decided to do my own little version with a couple of the photo's I took in Italy. I thought it would be a nice momento for my Aunt and Uncle when they get back from Italy in November.

The base is 12x12 Coastal Cabana, the flowers are all from the new Flower Shop set and inked in Wisteria Wonder, the gorgeous peachy colour is Crisp Canteloupe. Do you see the ruffled ribbon? Well it is the new Ruffle Stretch Trim and I am in love with it! 

The corners are the new Chevron Ribbon in Wisteria Wonder and the letters are stamped using the new Sketch Alphabet, punched out with the Petite Curly Label punch.

You'll notice the flowers on the bottom left look a little different... well they were stamped on vellum - I love vellum!

The scallops were cut using Large Scallop Edgelit - made SO much easier with the new Magnetic Plate for the Big Shot. I then used one of the Delicate Designs embossing folders.

Two of the flowers have large pearls in the centre.

What do you all think? I'm dead chuffed and really enjoyed making it!

Pxx