With Tracks and Iron

Well, today has been an interesting day. It rained this morning when I was free to go down to the allotment and then brightened up just as I had to go out! Just typical. Hopefully it will be nice again tomorrow so I can pop down and do some bits, especially weeding, after work (assuming I do not get my car back, in which case I won't have time to go down the allotment, as I have to drive another 20mins past my house to collect my car and fill in paperwork etc.

Anyway, I have set myself a challenge to create several cards from one sheet of patterned paper, some gems, peel-offs, maybe die-cuts and base cards. Unfortunately my base cards are 6x6 so I have opten to use an 8x8 sheet of paper, as a 6x6 sheet of paper would not do all six cards. I have also found two much smaller card blanks (3x3) for the next cards.

Here is te first card I have created:

I cut the front of the card diagonallyand die-cut a flower shape out of the patterned paper. I coloured the image, which is from The Stamping Boutique, using promarkers Cool Grey 1-5 and Pine, before die-cutting into a circle and matting onto the patterned paper. This was layered over the edge of the cut front. The sentiment was added with peel-off letters and gems, finally a bow which was coloured with the Pine promarker.

This card is suitable for my Colour Pop Theme on my Facebook Monthly Themes for Crafting group.

I would also like to enter this card for the following challenges:

Die Cuttin' Divas #273 Sketch

 

Hanna and Friends #252 Holidays

 Crafty Calender - Punches/Dies

Country View #41 Circles

I also have another introduction for you - this time meet Mocha. She was one of the original females that we rehomed when their owner culd not look after them any more. She is a cheeky little minx and loves to nibble on my nails. Like her sisters she is very sociable and like nibbling on seeding grasses.

And here is my advent calender so far:

and a close up of the new four designs:

Finally another audio book review:

With Blood and Iron by Douglas Reeman

Douglas Reeman served during the Second World War, and this book is based upon that war and was first published in 1964. This story is written from the perspective of the enemy and would originally have helped to establish the fact that the enemy, in most cases, were just the same as the British fighting soldiers – following orders and risking serious consequences if they did not follow orders. The main character in this story is a U-boat captain, Steiger, who is very determined to follow orders and do his best for his country, regardless of the risks faced by himself or his men. However as the book proceeds you start to see him beginning to question what actually is right, and worrying that the decisions he makes may not be correct. There are also the power struggles internally on the base, as well as the pressure of being confined in a small space with the same people, often in life or death situations. I found this a very good story, full of tension and drama, and I would definitely recommend it for commutes, although maybe not for journeys where you really need to concentrate on where you are going!

Thankyou for looking at my blog,

Hugz Tinz