T sTands for Tag Tuesday and More

Hi Everybody!

It's a grey day again, but at least it's dry and the weather is mild for the time of year, so it could be worse!

I have another 'celebrate' tag for Pinky's theme at Tag Tuesday, made using one of the presents Mia sent me. I can't do die-cutting and stamping at the moment while my fingers are so bad, (see my last post for explanations!) so I magicked the girl to Paris using elements from Serif.  Paris is a great place to celebrate life and kind friends:

Today I would like to say thanks to those who sent cards and presents for Christmas and my birthday. The post has been very slow this time, and some letters that I know were sent out are still not here, but I hope they will arrive sooner or later:

Top row, from left: A gorgeous stamp, paper, and cards from Sue.

2nd row - lovely cards and note-cards from Chrissie.

3rd row -  wonderful, hand-made cards and lovely napkins from Yvonne.

Bottom row - Elizabeth's tip-in, a glittery gold card from Linda,  and 2 cards from friends who don't want their names mentioned.

This fantastic card and gold material arrived last Saturday, from Cati in Spain:

And here are the contents of the prize Mia sent for her birthday, so many gorgeous things:

Just look at those tiny, hand-crocheted embellishments:

And a beautiful card and a die/stamp set, as well as a hand sewn purse and some chocolate candies:

And these fabulous stamps on the parcel:

 Thanks to all for your generosity, which warmed my heart!

Today is also Elizabeth's T sTands for Tuesday date so here a warm welcome to all of the ladies of the T gang.

I have been busy drinking coffee this week, here with my new umbrella on the table - I went into various bakeries:

And some beautiful cups and pots etc in a shop window:

It's good to see a sliver of light in the evening after a grey day:

The Canada geese out for a walk along the Rhine:

My boots out walking with me:

And forsythias in a neighbour's hedge: 

And this man stands on the column in his bathing suit whatever the weather:

Have a great day, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!

New challenge at More Mixed Media

Hi Everybody!

On the fifth of each month we start a new challenge at More Mixed Media Challenge Blog. Our challenges are always mixed media with an optional colour choice, which is blue for this month. All styles of cards, journals, tags altered objects are welcome as long as they are using mixed media. You have 4 weeks to link to us, and I am looking forward to visiting your blog and admiring your creations.

I made a 14" square piece using a new stencil from CWS.  I had this one before and made the mistake of lending it to someone, and it never came back, and then I found another one on EBAY for 1€. I placed the stencil onto a gessoed sheet of paper and sponged blue and black acrylics over it. I drew a frame around it and then sewed it to some re-purposed DP. I used a white pen to cover the dark background for the stars and moon, and then painted them over with a yellow brush pen. The sentiment was written by hand, a bit nonsensical but I couldn't think of anything better!

I am also linking to Jo's challenge at Art Journal Journey,

something new

And I have another tag for Tag Tuesday where Pinky's challenge is 'Celebrate'.

Celebrating life, love and hope is not always easy in this world as it is just now, with so many catastrophes around us, but we must carry on in hope and trust that things will get better. I used elements from me, Mischief Circus and Serif:

I am having great problems with my fingers just now, as I have had a lupus flare up over the past weeks, and up till now it has got worse, not better. Last year my toes were most affected, this time it's my right hand, and my fingers are very painful and stiff, and the skin on my finger tips is cracking and oozing, which is not pleasant. My doc has increased the medication so I'm hoping it will soon get better. Anyway, writing is only possible with my left hand, so my comments on your blogs will be short, yes, even shorter than usual....Normal business will be resumed as soon as possible! I have a couple of finished journal pages to share in the next week, but after that it will be digital, repeats  or nothing!

Some photos taken on my walks in past weeks. At the moment I can only use my cell-phone as it is easier to use.

My feathered friends in Hofgarten and Schloss Kalkum:

Some very strange fungi growing by the Rhine and partly on wood in the river:

The Nile goose looks like it lost its head:

Beautiful mallard ducks:

And the crows sitting in the tree waiting to greet the sunrise:

Have a great day, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!