Friday 29 September 2017

Friday Die Day and Day 13

Hello friends
 
Still keeping with Christmas and featuring Holiday Bell
for Friday Die Day this week.
 
This is a 3 piece die set and the approximate measurements are:
 
Leaves: 1.50 x .75 in. 3.75 x 2.00cm
Ribbon: 2.00 x 3.50 in. 5.25 x 9.00cm
Bell: 1.75 x 2.00 in. 4.50 x 5.00cm
This is how it looks cut/embossed.

 
For my card design I selected a white card base and stamped a sentiment
to the bottom (Altenew).
I then matted silver foil card and white card.

 
My card elements - white tag (Sapphire Plus die)
the bell cut twice - white and silver, the ribbon cut twice - red and silver,
a mini poinsettia, green leaf and two stamens.

 
The flower stamens inserted and affixed at the back represent the
clapper (I had to look up the correct word for that!)


I added the bells to the tag (edged the base of the tag with red card).
One silver ribbon die cut in place.


The remaining elements added, the finished card.

 
I'm liking the fresh look of the colours.
Also thinking this die set would work for wedding and anniversary cards.


 
Holiday Bell is available on the website here - again limited quantities
but more are on their way so please check back.
 

Wow I'm up to Day 13 - definitely not unlucky!
Following a very busy day at Silver Dollar City we kept
up the pace by firstly going shopping.
This was a special store called Dick's 5 and 10 - (Five and Dime).
Inside it was packed to the rafters with toys, candy,
art, craft, ornaments, clothes and more.
It felt like a seaside store but huge.
 
 
This where I picked up an array of sweets for the boys.
One of those chocolate bars was for my Dad - 'Pigs n. Taters -
milk chocolate flavoured with crispy bacon and potato chips!
I tasted it once home - never again!
 
 
We then set off to go to an afternoon show but on the way stopped at this
incredible place - a University where the students both study and work -
their work pays off their student loan - ingenious!  I so wish they did that here in the UK.

 
They run their own creamery, bakery, restaurant, clean and maintain the building,
put on productions -
everything is to a very high standard.

 
Back on the road - quick photo stop of the amazing view and river.

 
Our afternoon show was to take place on a paddle steamer.
It would take us around the lake whilst we watch a show and be served a three course meal.
Hard life!
 

 
The food was delicious and the entertainment was very good,
singing, dancing, magic and comedy.
 
 
During the interval you could wander around the boat,
up on deck I got this photo where the clouds look suspended.
 

There's Kim again and me hogging the camera!
 
 
We disembarked from the boat and rushed back into Branson
for another show - did I mention it was a jam packed trip!
 
This time it was a group called Six -
a remarkable show featuring the six Knudsen brothers who use
their own vocal talents to perform classic songs.
I had to keep reminding myself there wasn't any musical instruments on stage,
they did everything themselves - incredible!
 
 
And here is Six - yes I got to stand with them all for a photo!
I'm suitably blushing.


My trip to Branson was coming to an end, we would be heading
back to Iowa the following day - I had the loveliest of times there
and vowed I would return...soon!
 
Take care friends, I hope you are enjoying my holiday pics.
Only a day or two more to go now!


Thursday 28 September 2017

Build a Stocking and Day 12

Hello friends

It has been a festive week!
I've been getting ready to teach a Chrismassy workshop on Saturday 
and this is one of the projects.
It uses Build a Stocking - one of the new Christmas dies. 

Lots of pieces in this die set and I've used every one in my project.


I matted gold mirror card onto an ivory card base and then an ivory mat.
I die cut the stocking twice to create a white cuff and added white dots with my gel pen.
The rest is cut from various colours and piled into the stocking.


The 'Be Merry' is from Naughty or Nice - I featured this die set


Build a Stocking is available on the website here, just a few left but 
more are on their way, they've been selling fast! 


I'm up to Day 12 and about to experience Silver Dollar City in 
Branson, Missouri.
Think of a wild west family theme park with so much more.


And this is the more...


Lots of lovely little shops and stands with crafty items and food - heaven!
My first root beer float...ok I confess, I didn't like it,
something I don't like..wow! 


Everything felt very authentic. 



Kim was also on a mission this day to find me an American man!
We laughed a lot...




 Kim and I on the theme park train, this gets held up by cowboys!


Brian and I having a rest!


The evening was wrapped up with a concert - a country band,
Restless Heart - very good and foot tapping.


We were cramming so much into each day, it was magical.
And here is my album, not quite finished this section but loving the tabbed
pages and pockets.




Take care friends - please stop by tomorrow for Friday Die Day.



Wednesday 27 September 2017

Hump Day Giveaway and Winner Announcements

Hello friends

Wednesdays come around quickly don't they?!
Today is Hump Day Giveaway and I'm also announcing last week's winner
and the Charity Kit winner.

Last week's giveaway was a pre-loved set of 


And the winner is...

PATRICIA YOUDELL

Congratulations Patricia, please let me know your postal address
(email me: christine.emberson@blueyonder.co.uk)
and I'll post your die set out to you.

If you would like to purchase Make Mine Lemon Lime,
it is available new and pre-loved on the website here.
(Free postage!)

This week's giveaway is a pre-loved set of Orange You a Tomato!


A fun die set that can be utilised for many fruity projects!


If you would like to win this pre-loved set please leave a comment on today's
post either on this blog or the Hope and Chances' blog here.
A winner will be picked out next week.

Orange You a Tomato is available on the website both new and pre-loved here.

And now onto another winner - for those of you who purchased a charity
kit a week or so ago please take a look inside your bags
to see if you have the winning ticket.


The number is...


If that's you, congratulations!
And oh yes, please email me your address christine.emberson@blueyonder.co.uk
and your goody bag will be sent straight out to you.

Lastly the Autumn Sale has begun on the website, more items
have been added and lots have been further reduced so please take a look.
Even more of a bargain with free postage and packing!


Lastly, lots of thanks for the messages and enquiries regarding Elliott,
he is doing very well at University.  Early days but he is loving his course.
He's off to Microsoft in London soon to see something new and techy.
I am grateful he is not living away from home, being Greenwich he 
can hop on the train or I can drive him.
Besides I would miss him SO much! 

I will be resuming my holiday pics soon as well as some new projects.
I thought today's post was busy busy without holiday pics too!

Take care friends - have a great Wednesday!