Dolly's Dreamings

My goodness it was wet

We decided to go out this morning - not the best of ideas really as it was torrential raina nd everywhere was flooded. Not as badly as some parts of the country but the roads were just not coping with the amount of water pouring down. And realistically we came back not only wetter but also confused. We had gone to look at fireplaces. We have a gas fire we enever ever use - real fire effect with real flames. Because it is an open chimnet we have to have a fireguard round it and we hate the fire, we hate the fireguard and we hate the open chimney. So we THOUGHT we'd like to block up the chimney and then have a flame effect electric fire just for the light not for heating. Well it turned out not to be the case because we saw some very modern gorgeous glass fires which we loved and were of course 10 times the price and didn't really fit and would need a lot of work and so we are now in a quandry. Should be shouldn't we. 

 

So we did our usual thing and said 'let's think about that another day - any day but not today!'

I have not been paper scrapping other than design team things I cannot share just yet and digital things I can't share until Wednesday apart from this one challenge page

 

 

 

 

 

But this is a page I made a while ago for a class I was teaching at A Trip Down Memory Lane

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful that we are back home warm and dry.

 

I leave you with these amazing paintings on hands today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New releases and new scrapping

It's new release day at Pickleberrypop and I have new scrapping to share too

 

Credits

Memory Lane Bundle by Chunlin

 

 

 

 

 

Credits

https://pickleberrypop.com/shop/Heartfelt-Collection.html

 

 

 

 

 

And this was made for a challenge at Hey Little Magpie and scrap a sketch and it uses my latest painting.

 

 

 

 

 and this one

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apart from that my life has been pretty much trying to sort out the mess of Virgin Media where I can access one account on my phone only, one account not at all and one on my computer only.  It's been going on for a week and is pretty damned awful to be honest!

Today I am thankful that

• today I HAVEN't spoken to them and am accepting that my e mail is just a hot mess.

 

 

 

 

One year on

What a year it has been and how important was it we all reflected yesterday not hat year, on the losses so many have suffered and on the wonderful staff who have kept this country going through it all. I want to add my tribute to the politicians who were on a hiding to nothing to be honest, who faced an unprecedented challenge, made mistakes along the way, but tried their hardest. To the medical experts who guided the government throughout with their scientific knowledge independent of any political agenda, To the wonderful staff int he NHS from he doctors and nurses, the the technologists, the admin staff, the paramedics, the cleaners and all of the thousands who had left the NHS and returned to help out, putting themselves back on the front line. To the teachers who carried on educating our children either in school or at home, to the delivery drivers who made sure we had what we needed, the the supermarket staff  who ensured we were fed and the supply chain who kept them stocked, to the refuse collectors  who kept our streets clear and to all of the other workers who carried not through the pandemic, working from home to keep things running.

So many people to thank for trying to see us through these awful times when not only have people lost loved ones, but they have lost livelihoods, homes, freedoms. And we are not out of this by any means. We now need to find a way to live with COVID though I fear some aspects of life will never be the same again. We lost so much but I feel we also gained much. We gained back a sense of slowing down, of appreciating the simple things, of connecting with people in different ways, of being aware of our neighbours, of community, of selflessness. And Ihope those things remain in our new world.

It truly is a time for deep reflection.

 

I made this yesterday

 

 

Using this collection

 

This was for a challenge at Pickleberrypop

 

 

This is another new release

 

 

and this is another for a UKS challenge

 

Today I have so much to be thankful for - not least because Nigel and I are still here.

 

 

 

A whole new experience

The boys will be six months old next weekend and so we bought them a rather nice half birthday present which, of course, they have had already because I think we were more excited than they were.

Koda likes to stretch and scratch and he has been inclined to stretch and scratch on the wallpaper which we are not very keen on! So we did some research and ordered them a scratching barrel. Think postbox made of lovely beech wood (which smells divine_ but a bit fatter and with three little dens cut into it and covered in lovely sisal matting for scratching.

It was so perfect watching them explore it - cue lots of photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope the novelty doesn't wear off as it is quite a statement in the lounge!

 

Koda also has another picture to share

 

 

and Indy snuggled in with Nigel the other morning which was too cute

 

 

OK enough cats onto some painting

 

ONE MINUTE PEOPLE

 

Tree exercise

 

a lantern tutorial

Two very different styles now

 

A loose fox (didn't like this)

 

and a detailed pink cosmos

 

 

and finally a robin I really like and coming to a Christmas card near you

 

 

I will post scrapping tomorrow - promise

 

Today I am thankful for

• Indy starting to put weight on a bit
• the boys bringing joy
• painting - I love the process even if not the finished picture

 

 

 

A Big Day

Its a big day today for all sorts of reasons - Koda and Indy and Pickleberrypop

 

Koda and Indy were dropped off at the vets at 8.30 for their operation. I know that for boys it is a much smaller operation than for girls but we were still worried - not least because Indy had late descending testicles and he is also so small we were worried there might be an underlying condition. But by 10.30 we had had a phone call to say they were awake and happy and we could collect them at lunch time and they were all microchipped and neutered. We have both been very tense but can relax once they are home. Our poor boys - bless them.

 

It is also a big day at Pickleberrypop as the new releases for the Berry Big Deals are released. Lovely colours and designs again this month and, as always, the kit image is linked to the store if you click it - and I need to be transparent and say I get to work with these kits free of charge as part of the creative team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do go and check out the deals in store available for the next two days.

 

Today I am thankful for

 

• our boys having successful surgery

 

A painting day

Today was a day I set aside to paint. I tend to always gravitate to scrapping and I neglect painting so I am going to try and paint at least twice a week. Well that's the plan.

 

I followed a tutorial today t try and paint in a more loose style and this is what I painted

 

I left Nigel's hands in the first one so you can see the scale

 

 

I really enjoyed it

 

I also have new scrapping to share as I forgot to blog yesterday

 

I made these two pages using Simple Stories Quarrantine as part of my DT work for A Trip Down memory Lane

 

 

and this one

 

 

 

 

and then also this

 

Today I am thankful for

• creativity
• a lovely day
• new paints (not used them yet

 

 

 

Fixed shower but missed the sunshine

We were looking forward to a nice walk in the sunshine today as it was a beautiful morning. sadly the shower was due to be fixed and the slot was between 10 and 12 and ended up being 12 so we were ready to go our just as the rain started. Oh well.

We did get out and we did dodge the showers which was good.

I am very pleased with myself that I managed to do all 12 challenges for PearTree Cut Files crop - and I had a lot of fun

I shared some the other day but these are the others

 

 

This one is A4 as it is for my year album

 

 

The January is embossed in pearl blue

 

 

 

I loved the cute lamp post file

 

 

This was too gorgeous not to go large

 

 

 

The embossing on this one went completely wrong even when I tried to fix it but heck- it kind of works

 

 

and this is a very topical one - we do tend to live through Amazon during lockdown

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• a walk
• fresh baked bread (I only do simple stuff)
• scrapping time
• a fixed shower

 

 

Cutting cutting cutting

I have spent much of the weekend cutting things on my silhouette as I have been playing along with a cyber crop at Pear Tree Cut Files (and I do so love their cutfiles and bought some of the new releases today too)

 

I have managed to make a fair few of the pages for challenges so far - I hope to do more this week as I really am enjoying it

 

I loved the artist palette file and used it to showcase my kingfisher painting from last week

 

 

 

This one is A4 size as it is for my 2021 album which I am trying out in a different format (not sure I like it but we will see)

 

 

and more fur babies - using their bunks

 

 

I loved the puzzle cut file as we do so many jigsaws. It was fun to use the shapes as a stencil too

 

 

 

I have started a brand new album (because I am pretty much out of new photos) called American Icons and I will showcase some of the amazing and iconic things we have been blessed to see (also a way of remembering as there will be no USA trip again this year)

 

So this is my first page - New Orleans French Quarter which os so iconic and which I absolutely loved.

 

 

And this was for a scraplift challenge too on UKS and features lots of stamping and no embellishments apart from the stamps and a bit of washi tape

 

Today I am thankful for

• a scrappy time
• some lovely walks
• my babies and Nigel

 

And finally some amazing shadow pictures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life is quiet but that's just fine

Our life is very quiet. And we like it that way.

It's relaxing and perfect.

Well as relaxing as two kittens can be. In fairness they are very very good. They have their mad moments but we actually worry if they play enough because they are very placid most of the time. I think he difference is that when e had Kira and Fiki we were out at work all ay and because they were naughty they were shut in their room when they were little so they couldn't hurt themselves. Consequently, as soon as we came home we were treated to six hours of madness. We are with the babies all day and so they have plenty of 'us' time and plenty of play time. They have 17 years worth of toys (and I keep buying new ones) but in fairness they like their boxes and their toilet rolls. Seriously - every known toy exists for them and they prefer the old cardboard.

We have learnt this week that Indy is an out and out thief. You name it he will steal it. Yesterday he dragged a blanket round the house - no idea why - and there is a particular wooden flower int he dining room he likes and we keep finding it with his toys. And today he stole a fair bit of Nigel's lunch when we were momentarily distracted. And Koda, our lovely gentle boy, is clever. Seriously clever. He picks things up quickly and is relentless in solving problems. They are joyous and very beautiful.

 

We continue with our daily walks around our neighbourhood unless we have a legitimate reason for venturing further afield. I have been painting and scrapping and Nigel is building a casino on a new virtual game he had for Christmas. In fairness, our lockdown isn't a lot different than life would be if it were normal. However, we do know we are lucky and worry about all the poor people for whom this intolerable either mentally or financially.

 

This page was made for a challenge on UKS to not use bought embellishments or patterned paper but make your own.

 

I painted freehand watercolour flowers and also did a watercolour border.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have decided to do an A4 album for 2021 so this is my second page for it.

 

 

I am running out of current photos because we don't go anywhere and even I have limits as to how many cat pictures I can scrap - seriously I do - and so I am starting on a project that I have wanted to do for ages. We have been blessed to travel all round the USA and so I am planning 2 special albums. One will be one for each of the 50 states ( we haven't been to Alaska or Hawaii but they will come one day) and one, which I am starting now, will be called Iconic America and will feature iconic places we have been blessed to visit from National Parks to things like Mount Rushmore, Manhattan and The Gateway Arch to name but a few, It will be fun to make and record.

 

Today I am thankful for

• a quiet peaceful life
• my three boys - yup Nigel is one of them
• Creative pursuits - keeps us sane

 

 

 

 

 

 

and some inspired advertising

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such a distraction

So the kittens are a distraction - it's official.

I start doing something and then - well there are kittens that need to be played with a cuddled and photographed and given enrichment.

Can't think of anything better though.

 

Our life in lockdown is very simple. Breakfast -with kittens. Scrapping and then a walk, local only no car travel, then lunch then play with kittens then jigsaw or scrap then play with kittens, then dinner then tv, with kittens then repeat. I love it.

I have managed a few pages though - and surprisingly not ALL kittens

OK so this one is kittens! well a kitten - Mr Indy in fact.

 

 

Catching up on last year's photos as I fell behind due to the worry over Kira and then the worry about getting he kittens. November woodland walk

 

 

and this was one of my favourite Christmas presents - officially part of Grey's now. I start my internship soon!

 

 

 

and finally a bit of art - very different from my usual - this was an online class my bestie and I did

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• kittens - obviously
• a simple life and a slower pace
• family quiz nights
• painting with my bestie even though we can't be physically together

 

 

 

 

 

Completed Christmas Journal December 2020

I wanted to share the finished Christmas Journal

I did finish it on 1st January but it has sat on my desk awaiting binding - which finally got done today

 

Rather than share the pages individually I have taken a video of it to show all the things that open and pull out and unfold as I confess I am a little bit proud of it.

 These are some photos but I hope you might look at the video as I am so pleased so many pages are interactive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have included a lot of news about COVID, lockdowns, restrictions, vaccines and Brexit - December was a big news month for the country as well as for us.

 

Do have a look at the video if you get the chance