Whitby Weekend Break...

Hi Everybody,

Here I am home again from my lovely weekend away.

Of course a visit to Whitby would not be complete without the climb up 199 stone steps to the ruined Abbey and St Mary's Church at the top.

It is a long and steep climb and every so often along the route there are benches to rest on.  These where called coffin stops as they where used to rest the coffin on as it was carried to the top for burials.

The weather was so kind to us and the sun shone all the time we where there... you can see the blue sky in the photo.

Now I know to some people it's just a ruin but it is so steeped in History and it is very beautiful even as a ruin.

So for my international visitors here is a little about the Abbey.

This is an artists impression of what it would have been like when built.  It was a place of sanctuary for many.

Henry the 8th reigned at the time and he was a huge influence over his subjects.

But he was also a very selfish and cruel king and life had little value at that time.

He decided that he wanted to get rid of the wife he had because she had only produced a girl ... and he wanted an heir... and the Roman Catholic church wouldn't  grant him a divorce.

So he changed the country from Catholic and made himself the head of the Church of England so that he could make his own rules and then divorce her.

 He also decided that everything to do with Catholicism had to go and so he dissolved the monasteries and claimed all their wealth as his own to refill his dwindling bank balance.

The monks  where executed if they didn't conform and the Abbey became unused. 

The stone work was used to create this house that sits near the ruin.  

I am sure there is a lot more to this story then I relate  but that is just a little overview of the history of Whitby Abbey.

It is well worth a visit and if you can't face the stone steps then you can drive close to the ruin and walk the rest of the way from the car park.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty Peach ...

Hi Everybody,

At this moment in time I seem to be on a Peach kick as I just love this pastel shade ... and I have made several cards using it lately.

The papers on the background to this are from the PolkaDoodles CD  "Pretty Sweet"  and it is lovely patchwork pattern ... sorry that you can't see much of it.

The satin ribbon is from Mei Flower and I bought it at the craft show a few weeks ago.

The centre has been finished with a brad that I added a charm to and glued in place.

The sentiment is a Clarity Stamp  and I have heat embossed it in silver.

The mixture of flowers are Tulips, Roses, Carnations and Lilies from Wild Orchid Crafts   and the petals have been sparkled with Glamour Dust.

Another card that would suit a number of occasion especially for the ladies that you know and like to give cards to.

I will be back home later today so it will be a live post  tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Beautiful Blue

 Hi Everybody,

This card is much prettier in real life and the colours are soft and delicate.

The papers are from the Floriography CD from My Craft Studio and there are lots and lots of really beautiful ones on that disc.... I use it a lot for gentle girly cards.

There are a lot of layers to this card with a mix of the dies listed below,  and I have used foam pads to separate them for extra height.

It is another Hinged Card as I really like the style

The inside has been lined with the same papers and the ribbon is from my "Stash"

The Pearls are as always from  Want2Scrap  and the solitary flower is a really old one from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I don't even think they do them any more.

I like this card ... it is easy on the eye and the colour is very pretty for any occasion.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Ruby Red ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays cards uses lots of different Spellbinders in a layered look and they are all listed below for you.

It was a card that I didn't like as I started to make it.

But I persevered and added stuff .... and the more I added the more I liked it.  

The hearts have been added with foam tape and they really stand out from the card ...  which is not obvious in the photo.

The finishing touch was adding in the bow,  made from the ribbon that was one of the best bargains I have found in a long time.

I have created a double bow  Using a Bow Maker  and to the centre I have added a small rose from Wild Orchid Crafts

I made this card for no particular reason but I added a sentiment to it from Lili of the Valley   that says "Together Forever"  

Around the edge of the centre piece I have added in some red self adhesive gemstones from  The Hobby House

And now I think it's not a bad card at all.     

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Gorgeous Green ...

Hi Everybody,

My posts for the next few days will be scheduled so I hope they work OK.

My "Film Crew" and I are going to Whtiby on Friday until Monday and I am really looking forward to this short break.  So fingers crossed that everything works as it should until I am back home.

Do you like Green ???

This card was made with the Matting Basics to create the Hinged Card  and the white layer was embossed.

I created a frame from the Radiant Rectangles and added it to the top with foam pads.

The tiny Diamante stones were added to each to the scroll parts.

The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed in silver ...  and that too is on foam pads.


The large Diamante flourish is from Want2Scrap  ... and they have now started to add the option to buy some of their gemstones by 1/2 cups  and that is a really cost effective way to get some.

The Dazzler in the bow is from Creative Studios. and these can be bought in different shapes and sizes as well as colours to match your theme.

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and to the bow I have added in a collar for extra effect.

And just to add in a little extra I have embossed the envelope to the card.

  I have left space for the address and stamp but the rest of it matches the pattern on the card.   The finished card will fit into a standard sized envelope for posting.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx