Sunday, 24 November 2013

Sunday this and that

Hi everybody!
Here it's a grey and dismal Sunday, but I still went out for my walk through our little town and along the Rhine, and enjoyed it even if there was no sun to be seen anywhere.

I have been trying to make some Christmas cards, but am not feeling inspired in this direction just now.
This one has been made for the shabby chic challenge at FSC, and it is not quite as I would have liked it, but I tried. The edges of the background papers for the matting have been distressed and dipped in silver glitter. Note to self - it is not a good idea to use silver glitter when you are wearing black fleecy trousers....
The image has been stamped with a LaBlanche stamp using archival black and embossed with EP before being fussy cut. I left it black and white as it is a Victorian image, and contrasts well with the background. Santa is a vintage scrap, and I added some red fibres, tinsel and some silver roses for embellishments. The snow is a strip of lace.





The second card was a quick one, made with Graphics 45 paper matted onto gold. I think I will have to make more quick ones if any cards are going to leave the house this year!
 


I saw this ship on my walk today. It was really huge, much larger than most that travel up and down the Rhine. Can you see what is has loaded?
 

Here's a close up, there must be hundreds of cars on there!
 

And last but not least, my friends the gulls, who were, once again, all looking in the same direction.
 

This one evidently didn't mind posing for me:
 

Although he does look a bit indignant here!
 

Have a great day, whatever you are up to, take care, and thanks a lot for coming by!

30 comments:

  1. Hi, Valerie, that was interesting to see all the cars on the ship, imagine the logistics of getting them there, although maybe it is quite easy.
    I liked your Christmas cards especially the first one with the dots and the lace and the silver roses, and your fussy-cutting on the sleigh is pretty amazing.
    I think gulls like having their photographs taken.

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  2. aaah, snotty seagulls, the same the world over! very vintage cards.EE

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  3. The Christmas cards are great, warm and inviting. You have such patience to cut that stamp out so neatly. It's such a pleasant change to see something vintage on a card, commercial or hand-made, that is not a Victorian scene. All those cars! Imagine if that ship sank in the river. I think I must be on a glass half empty day, so I must try harder. Imagine the pleasure all those people will get when they buy their new cars. Glass half full now.

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    1. Yes, some people will be happy, I would be happy if one of them had my name on it!

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  4. Beautiful cards, I love the polka dots and enjoyed your photos!

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  5. You may not be feeling inspired, however I do think your cards are wonderful, Love the stamp you cut out so beautifully, Cars ,,, all white - perhaps they wouldn't miss just one, ;o) hugs, Donna

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    1. I would prefer a red one - I think there are a few there!

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  6. The cards are beautiful, very Christmassy! Love the photos, as always, especially your gulls! Hugs, Sarah

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  7. Beautiful vintage Christmas cards, love how you fussy cut that image. I know what you mean about glitter, I'm covered as well from this mornings efforts. Great photos, just wonder where they would all be going.
    Yvonne x

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  8. Oooh Wunderschööne Weihnachtskarten hast du gemacht,besonders gefällt mir die rote mit den punkten,Röschen und Fuzzelband,das sieht sooo klasse aus.
    huch,bei euch scheint ja gar nicht die sonne,hier hat heute mal die sonne Gescheint und ich war Bissi draussen.
    das schiff mit den ganzen Autos ist ja der knaller,soviele Autos die da drauf passen.

    Wünsch Dir noch einen schönen rest sonntag und einen guten wochenstart morgen :-)

    GLG Jeannette

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  9. zauberhaft schöne Karten und Fotos Valerie.. und auch Deine Papierengel sind ein Hit!

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  10. The inclusion of Santa on the first card is a lovely touch, wonderful nostalgia to both your cards.
    I know what you mean, I have mailed my first batch and desperately trying to achieve all by the 1st of December for anything to be mailed outwith the U.K. - whether I will achieve this is another matter altogether LOL.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  11. Lovely festive cards Valerie with fabulous vintage images. Love your photos again today, it looks chilly along the riverbank but amazing what you can see. My husband was in Dusseldorf this week and telling me how big some of the boats are.
    hugs {brenda} x0x

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  12. Stunning cards Valerie. Love your pictures today. I showed the picture to hubby, and he ought of cars being transported like this. Enjoy your Evening. Hugs Rita xxx

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  13. Großartige Karten und Fotos, Valerie.

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  14. It's taking me ages to get cards made too! I love the first card and I don't know why you weren't entirely happy with it - such a lovely vintage creation. It reminded me of an illustration from an old book for children. Julie Ann xx

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  15. Fabulous cards Valerie, I can't seem to find any enthusiasm for mine either this year. Love your photographs, I've never seen a ship that big either! xx

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  16. Valerie your cards are beautiful. Love the pics and the ship is huge. Lovely pic if the bird too.
    Have a great week.
    Hugs

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  17. Was für zauberhafte Weihnachtskarten! Ich liebe dieses klassische rot!! Und wieder so eine schöne Fotoserie!! Einen guten Start in die Woche!

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  18. Wonderful photos and gorgeous cards, I especially love the one with the sleigh, just beautiful! Hugs, Barb

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  19. Wonderful photographs again Valerie. Thank you for sharing them with us.

    The cards are both stunning and made me feel all warm inside.

    Have a great day

    Love Chrissie xx

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  20. More great photos as you continue your healthy walks about town. Your holiday cards are very traditional in appearance and I like them a lot, Valerie.

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  21. Gorgeous cards, my what a lot of fussy cutting too! Love the photos, I always feel like I walked with you. ~Diane

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  22. Both are gorgeous Christmas cards, Valerie! I do love that fussy cutting! Thank you for another lovely walk and for joining FSC! Hugs!

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  23. I can't believe how long it has been since I visited--I guess the room make over kept me more occupied than I thought! I agree, it is hard to do seasonal things if you are not in the mood, but your cards are lovely. Wow, that's a lot of cars!

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  24. Great Christmas cards Valerie, love thefussy cut image against that background.
    Love the photos - are all those cars the same colour?
    Thanks for sharing at FSC
    Avril xx

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  25. Love love love the LaBlanche image it has a real vintage feel of times gone by to it. Everything definitely has a shabby chic feel to it. Not sure which I like the best this or the owl.

    Thank you for sharing with us Valerie at Fashionable Stamping Challenges.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

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  26. I really do like the Christmas card with the family - it does remind me of the 40's when I was a wee one.
    Good fathers! Where were all those cars going anyway.
    Sandy

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