Apples, Pears and more

Hi Everybody!

It's weekend, and it's sunny; not too hot, not too cold - just wonderful!

I went for a very long morning walk and came back tired, hungry and happy.

Hope your weekend will be great, too!

Today I have another tag to share for Wendy's theme over at Tag Tuesday

I don't have any stamps for apples and pears, so carved myself two quick ones. They didn't turn out quite as I was hoping, but they are usable. I stamped them using oxide inks in twisted citron, lucky clover and pickled raspberry. The tag is about 6". I used colourful stripes for the background, matted with coordinating colours and all sewn together. The extra leaves are textile ones:

Linking to Simon Monday challenge, stamp it.

Last week Elizabeth commented on the different sorts of stones used for paving the roads and paths here, so I went round and tried to get pictures of as many sorts as possible. People kept asking why I was taking pics of the stones,  but I could not be bothered to think up any answers! I took so many photos of the various cobble stones and  bricks that I decided to put them together to make 2 collages. I included a couple of street views and a couple of gravestones built into walls. The little bronze plaques are there to remember the people who lived in those houses before they were deported by the Nazis to the death camps. When I visited Berlin I found the names of many family members of my grandmother engraved on the stones:

Then I had a bit of fun playing at Tuxpi to make some patterns:

This morning's sunrise:

Masses of people streaming along the Rhine - it's 'Dreck-weg-Tag', literally translated 'dirt-away-day' or the twice yearly clean-up by volunteers. I didn't take part this time, but plenty did:

And I had a quick visit to the basilica to light some candles for all friends near and far:

And took a few photos of the golden shrine of Saint Swidbert from the middle ages. It's hard to get a good shot, as you have to keep your distance to avoid setting off the alarms:

Just managed to get a shot of the full moon last night before it clouded over:

 There is still time to join in my giveaway if you want to.

Have a great weekend, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by.

A Tag Book and a giveaway

Hi Everybody!

Hope your day is going well. It's nearly weekend for all you working folks, so have a good one. As a pensioner I have weekend all year round, but I still look forward to the 'real' one - old habits die hard!

Today I am sharing a book made from one of the pieces I painted at Art Group. This is a long post even by my standards!

After painting the squares onto an A3 sheet with acrylics I outlined them with a black Edding and added some napkin transfers. Then I gave it a coat of clear varnish to seal it: 

Here I have folded the part for the spine and sewed around it:

 It wasn't standing straight here so I flattened it under some heavy tomes for a couple of weeks:

I added large eyelets to the spine using a hammer, this time without damaging myself:

I made 2 signatures and sewed them in:

Then I filled the book with tags:

 Some are recent, some older, all needed a home:

I am giving this book of tags away, so if you would like a chance to win it, please say so in your comment. I will send anywhere in the world! I will announce the winner next Wednesday.

I am linking to Paint Party Friday

And a few photos from a recent visit to Südpark. There are a lot more but I need to sort them:

 I always love to watch the goats:

Have a great weekend, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!