Wake Up Snoopy #2

This is the same card as the post below.  I have added a black, red and white border to the card as it wasn't quite right without it.  After I posted the photo below I looked at it and thought it needed some 'minor adjustments' - you know how it is!  It didn't photograph well in this shot as I had to use the flash because the sun has set and there isn't good lighting.  This would make a good masculine card!

Okay, thank you for dropping by, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

Wake Up Snoopy!

Here is my card I made today!  Saw it on the internet somewhere.

I thought it was so cute, and I love Snoopy so I had to make one!

I used my SU oval punch to make Snoopy.  I stamped a funny looking crow to add to is foot.  Looks as if he is about to peck Snoopy and say "Wake up Snoopy!."  Such a fun card to make on a funny wet/sunny day!  One minute is is raining and the next thing it is sunny.  Oh well, Summer IS on it's way soon!  Yippee!

Thanks for visiting today, {HUGS}from me to YOU:-)

My First Bokeh

This is my first attempt at making a card using the Bokeh technique.  I have used it with my photography but never on a card!   The first photo is the completed card, the second photo is the card before the flower thing was added.  The last photo is a close up of the Bokeh technique.  To see a great video of this technique check out Dawns blog here.  In the search panel type in Bokeh Technique.  This is where I learnt this technique last night.  Thank you Dawn! 

Ok this is my card for today! (So far!) Thank you for dropping by, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

P.S. Margaret K, I hope you are stamping!!  You know who you are!

"Don't Nom My Tail Off!"

 ..."Romeo" say's to "Bella",as they share a spot in the sun!

 They don't usually sleep together but this is the second time recently I have caught them together!  This time I was sitting right beside them when "Bella" decided to join "Romeo" in the sun!  She really wanted the chair I was on, but it was cold and the chair was in the sun and I wasn't moving!  So she jumped up beside "Romeo" and settled herself down to sunbathe!

I think "Romeo" was a bit concerned about his tail touching "Bella!" She had just, very kindly, given it a wash for him, and often she will give his tail a bit of a chomp if it gets in her way!

Anyway we all had our 'place in the sun', and no-one lost an inch or two of their tail!  Cat's, especially these two, amuse me!

Thanks for visiting, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

Owl Flip Card

I can't remember the name of this card but this is the first one I have made like it.  Lot's of fun!  My thumbs are not obliging me today and keep 'locking' so I can't let go of things!  SOOO frustrating!  I will be glad when summer arrives and I can say "Oh wow, isn't it HOT today!"  And that won't be a complaint as I just love the heat!  I thrive in the humidity while everyone else wilts!  Each to his/her own, I say!

That's all for today, thank you for dropping my{HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

Cat Paw Print Bookmark

I used a Poppy Stamps Die for the paw prints (Cat) and the stamp is from Rubbadubbadoo.  This is much sparklier (is that a real word?!) IRL as I have scribbled my clear gel pen all over it.  Shame it doesn't show up on here!

Thanks for visiting, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

"Butterfly Card and Gluten Free Cookies!"

I found a card like this on the internet somewhere and decided to have a go at making one - here it is!  I put it on a hinged scallop card so I can write on the inside.  It took me some time to make because my thumbs are very painful today (OA).  And they kept 'locking' when I held scissors or something so I couldn't let go of them!  It's cold today no sunshine except for ME!  My thumbs ache more when it is cold and I kept filling up an old plastic drink bottle with hot water so I could hold it to keep my hands supple!  So in between filling up and holding the bottle of water and finding the right bits for my card, it took me some time!  (A lot of un-savoury words were uttered as well!)

Now, I don;t have a photo of the gluten free cookies but 2 good friends of mine dropped by with a selection of gluten free cookies for me!  How nice was that?!  Thanks Sandie and Bette Bumble!

Thanks for visiting, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

3 New Cards

I made the card with the stars this morning.  It didn't quite turn out how I had imagined it in my brain!  I'm not sure what happened between the idea getting from my brain to my hands but things changed!  Oh well, it's made now! Apologies for the photo's being a bit pale, IRL they are much brighter!

Thanks for dropping by, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

"The Cloud"

"The Cloud"

I am sitting in a beautiful field of flowers 

of the most vivid colours you can ever imagine.

The colours pulsate.

The grass is neon green, soft, lush,

and vibrant.

The sky above is Azure blue

and goes on forever.

There are no clouds

on the horizon.

The sun is a golden ball

of Sunshine yellow.

The bumble-bee's hum

and butterflies flutter by

gently brushing my cheeks

with their wings.

I try in vain to catch them.

I  so happy.

I look up at the sky and I notice

in the far distance

there is a small

pale grey cloud

and it is slowly coming closer.

But I am still happy.

The sky is still Azure blue

but a little more pale now.

The sun is no longer

Sunshine yellow

and the flowers don't seem

so vivid.

But still

I am happy.

It's now a little cooler

and the pale grey cloud

comes closer.

The grass is not green anymore and the butterflies

have almost gone.

Nothing looks pretty anymore.

The bee's become agitated.

But still

I am happy.

The grey cloud

is now much darker

and hovers right above me.

The Azure blue sky

has turned

a scary purple colour

and the Sunshine yellow sun

has gone.

The wind buffets me

and threatens to tip me over.

I am feeling cold and a storm is coming.

The butterflies left long ago.

The rain comes

and my body is cold.

The cloud above me is now a violent black

and consumes me

and I can't stop the rain

from pouring down.

I am drowning in it.

I fall to my knee's 

as hail stones pelt my body.

My body aches.

I am cold, wet,

bruised and broken

as the black cloud consumes me.

And

I am not happy.

Written by me, Sunshine.  This was published in the Walsh Trust "Pulse" magazine in August 2014. Thanks for visiting, back soon with some cards!  {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

Caught Cat-Napping Together!

I came home from shopping today and this is what I saw...Bella and Romeo sleeping together on the chair!  I was surprised because they NEVER do this!  Bella is "The Boss" and Romeo knows it!  She never lets him on the chair if she is sleeping there, he has to find another chair!  It was wet all day today (have I mentioned that I hate winter?!) and my guess is Bella had the chair first and once she was asleep Romeo sneaked in and lay down behind her without her noticing!  I would love to have seen it!  I threw a blanket over Bella but Romeo didn't want a blanket.  

As I said, we had yet another rainy day in Paradise...I will be SO happy when it starts to get warmer!

Thanks for dropping by, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

Photo's From My Visit To The Auckland Domain

 I loved these lights outside the Museum!  There was several sets of them and I just had to take a photo of them!  

 This photo (above) is NOT out of focus, believe me! It's actually a photo of the reflection of some flowers in a pond!  It's different and I like it!  So much I took several shots!  It reminds me of a Monet water colour painting! 

 I have no idea what this flower/plant was but I liked it!  There were several of these dotted around the gardens.

 These purple and white flowers reminded me of my Nana.  She had them in her garden too.

Okay I just had to post another one of these reflection in a pond photo's!  I just like the effect even if does look a bit weird!  Weird is good and it's okay to be different!

Thank you for visiting, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

Auckland Domain

 This (top) photo is taken from the Auckland Domain outside the Museum.  It is looking towards Mt Victoria on the North Shore, then in the background is Rangitoto Island which is an exticnt volcano.  Auckland city is built on and around many extinct volcanoes.

 This photo is of one of the ponds by the Winter Gardens.  There is usually fish in the pond, but this day they had bee taken out to clean the pond.  Even though it is COLD here and he middle of winter, I was very tempted to dip my toes in the water!  I didn't but it was tempting...

  The apricot flowers were so pretty I had to take a close up of them! I love how there are a few pale yellow flowers her and there!

 These pink daisies were so bright and cheerful and there were masses of them.  I am sure the bumble bees must love them!

These "LOL'S" (Lovely Older Ladies!) were having their lunch on one of the park benches at the Domain gardens.  I tried to blend into the background and not let them know I was taking their photo..I think I succeeded!  They just looked so gorjuss sitting in the sun having their lunch.  Bet they've been BFF's all their lives! They were also feeding the many sparrows around.

"We're Out Of Cat Noms..!""...

 I had been taking things out of the pantry and putting them on the bench.  As I turned around to go back to the pantry, this is what (or who!) I saw!  He is looking for the cat noms I presume, unless he's going to cook me something?!  The cat noms is on the shelf above Romeo-Valentino and I dare say had I left him in there he would have managed to climb up to the next shelf and help him cheeky self!

Oh that innocent face...not!  Ever since the day I assembled the pantry he has been desperately trying to open the doors himself! He spent hours lying on his back the first day, trying to get the doors open.  He managed to open them partially but could not get them fully open.  Just as well!

There isn't much in my pantry right now as I am still stocking it with Gluten free food.  So far, although I am eating 100% gluten free, I am not enjoying it much!  I am still acquiring a taste for GF food!  Oh well, at least I am healthy and not getting sick like I was before I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease.

Okay, hope you enjoyed your visit!  {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

"Thank You"

I  made this thank you card to send to the nurses and staff who cared for me recently when I was in hospital.  They do an amazing job and I appreciate their help so much.

The photo is a bit darker than IRL, maybe because today is a very dark dull day weather wise! The card is also more sparkly than it shows here..arrgghh!  Darn these dark winter days!

The shape with the words and flowers is a Paper Smooches die which I really like.  It has "stitching" lines around the inside edges.  I sponged the edges of it with some pale blue chalk ink, and did the same around the white embossed piece of card. 

Enjoy you day and thanks for visiting! {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)

Paws

I made these two cards this morning before going grocery shopping. The paw print is a Poppy Stamps die and it is actually a dog paw print!  I have a cat paw print die on it's way to me in a few days time.  But hey!  It looks okay to me!  It looks like the paw print is raised but it isn't.  I used sponge tape under the scallop circle under the cat face, and also under the white circle under "Newton" the dog!  I tied a piece of bakers twine around the dog bone.  Both the pink and the blue card are some pretty linen card I got recently.  It's a nice firm card and holds it's shape well.

Thanks for Visiting, {HUGS} from me to YOU:-)