cascade card comission

I've been quite busy making commissioned cards recently. Here are two of them

And a 21st card. I love these cascade cards

Bingo Challenge

Had a lovely time at the crop, even though I managed not to take much of the stuff I needed. I made progress with a 21st card a friend asked me to make.

Here's a card I made for RWS Use up your stash bingo challenge
I used a layout we learnt in class (RWS) and I used squares, stamping, a charm and a die. With apologies to Tracey for it being orange.

For the man's card I used a photoshop brush. I just re-coloured it and put it in a frame.

I'm back

Back after a long break
Here is a card made with my bargain Portobello Road set

Thanks Margaret for your help

While I'm at it, here are some more recent cards

This cascade card was for OH's daughter

And my friend asked for a card for a 3 yr old - I'm not very good at knowing what 3 year olds like, so just hope this will be OK. Inside it asks whether you can tell which bunny likes cake and which one likes carrots. The bunnies pull out to show the answer.

card with a tag

Here is my entry for Cute Card Thursday.
here's what I used
Paper stack by Papermania
Purple cardstock and lilac parchment paper
White embossing powder

Another card using the same papers

Card catchup

Hi, I've been missing a while, visiting friends and then not been too well, but here are three postcards to get me up to date.

The Netherlands
I just made up my own Mondrian-lite pic on the computer which was quick to do and I quite enjoyed it.

Here's the back

It says:

                                          Oct 1972

Dear Miss

Well, it's half term + here I am in Le Hague. Mum's on another artistic venture. This time we're immersing ourselves in Mondrian. Pretty cool huh. She says she brought me because I did so well in my O levels (how did that happen?) But I guess it's because, even more remarkable than my O level results is the fact that I've got a boyfriend!! (Well, I had till we came away) and naturally she thinks he is "unsuitable". How can totally gorgeous = unsuitable?? Hope he doesn't prove her right by taking his "unsuitability" elsewhere before I get back. (I think this is her masterplan)Hope things are well with you.

Love Amy

ISRAEL

I thought I'd try to use the CAS (clean and simple) style I've seen on cards, though, stamping isn't really my forte. I made masks and brushed the ink on with shaving brushes. I had fun doing it, though I'm not sure about the finished result.

Here's what it says:

                                               Dec 1972

My Dear Amy

Congratulations on your 'O' Level results (I confess I met a teacher at your school and asked her how you got on) I am sending you a book token - happy reading

I am having the most wonderful experience (I wouldn't say holiday exactly). We're now at Masada (but I got this card in Bethlehem). This is a huge rocky fortress near the Black Sea where the Jewish Zealots held out against the Romans, until, when defeat was inevitable, they took their own lives. It's chilling and terrible , but awe inspiring as well. It's a steep and narrow path to the top. It's amazing to think I climbed (not without difficulty) the same steps as Herod had made. Maybe I should have waited until they put in a cable car! But despite being so old, it's in a way so new. Strange to think of it all being excavated by a new army of labourers (volunteers this time), only 10 years ago. Anyway - all is well with me, thank you for asking. I hope you are enjoying your A levels and that your boyfriend did not desert you.

Your friend, Mrs Ambleside

TURKEY

Bit of a cheat, this. Here is a photo I took about 15 years ago. Not quite 1973, but at least I've caught up with the challenges. It looks a bit blurred- taking a photo of a photo hasn't worked v well.

It says:

                                              July 1973

Dear Miss

Thanks for the token. Sorry I didn't reply sooner, but I nearly didn't reply at all. You talked to my new teacher - I felt spied on! I thought you were someone I could talk to out of my ordinary life, and there you go, getting involved in my ordinary life. Still, no harm I guess, and I did love all the reading.

I've just survived another maternal misadventure. It started harmlessly - sunning ourselves in Antalya (see pic). Then she heard about these fire-breathing rocks. Nothing for it- we have to go - IMMEDIATELY! We got to the village late, and Ma sets off on the long walk. Luckily the shop keeper prevails on her to borrow his torch and listen to his directions. The path petered out half way up the mountain, so it was scrambling from then on. The night sky was glorious (no lights anywhere to spoil it), but also not much light to see your way. We found it by luck as we cleared the trees. An amazing sight, a rocky hillside, pitted with fire gushing holes. Another couple was there - they'd taken tea and marshmallows, which they were toasting. Luckily they shared them with us. It was almost magical watching the flames and the stars, and sitting on the warm rocks (it was otherwise quite chilly). Getting down though, a nightmare. 4 of us in single file with 2 torches - the middle of nowhere. V scary, tramping over steep, loose rocks in the dark (and it was miles!) She might be mad and dangerous, but I guess she's not boring, my mum. 

Sorry for being ratty

Love Amy

The post card saga continues

Hi Everyone, I missed last week - partying, lucky me - so here are 2 weeks at once.

SWITZERLAND

I based my painting on a photo, and had fun trying to colour shadows and reflections.

And here's what it says

Chillon Castle    July '71

Dear Miss

Well, another year older + another school trip. Let's hope there are no nasty surprises after this one! This is the castle that inspired Byron's poem 'The Prisoner of Chillon' (but I guess you know that). I love Byron. The bit about 3 people who love each other but are all chained to a different pillar + just can't reach each other ... who does that remind you of? In the end, one does free himself, but his brother was dead. Better not leave off building bridges till it's too late eh?

Love Amy

Ps Thanks for your last post card - it helped. You know - you're like pancakes! (A yearly treat, I think I should do more often, but then never do)

CANADA

Not sure Mrs Ambleside liked being called a pancake, but here is her reply

Another watercolour, and here is the back

It says

Winnipeg, Manitoba  Aug '71

My Dear Amy

I was so relieved to hear from you again. I hope things are all right with you. I am most encouraged by your thoughts inspired by 'The Prisoner of Chillon'. Who would have thought Byron would encourage good sense? Please (if you haven't already) make those connections.

I am in Canada, visiting my nephew Clarence. When I told a Canadian on the plane, I was continuing on to Winnipeg and then on to a farm, he said, ' Winnipeg - that's where you can see your dog run away for 3 days! I thought you might like a picture of that

Your friend Mrs Ambleside   (PANCAKE!!)

Now I'm off to look at all the postcards I've missed (I don't like to look until I've done mine). Thanks for all the lovely comments on my previous cards. I really appreciate them

j

post card challenge - Cuba

Hi,
Thank you so much to all you lovely people who left such nice comments on my Welsh daffodils card. I am definitely going to try a painted card again. I've started going to watercolour classes now, so look forward to trying out some of what I'm learning. I did think I might try painting a pic of a lovely retro American car, which is something I associate with Cuba, but time and tide ....

I've just popped over to Darcy's blog and discovered my daffodils are shortlisted  for the prize this month. I am overwhelmed and honoured, and SOOO excited !!!!

Here is my Cuban card, but as Mrs Ambleside can't travel in September, it was sent from England. It's meant to be an old card she's using, so I distressed a bit of a map and some pics with emulsion paint, DI's and other inks.

Here's the back

It says:

My Dear Amy

I am so sorry - you must be so hurt and confused. I am thinking of you and wishing there were something I could do. I am here (ie home, not Cuba, as term has started) so please write if you think it would help. You know we have all had sadness in our lives (even those we least suspect). This is not to make light of your problems, but to remind you people will understand if you let them help. Try to talk to both your parents. Don't make it black and white. And remember, they both still love YOU.

Your friend, Mrs Ambleside