Tuesday 24 April 2018

Roses & forest trip

Hello My Friends

I hope you are all well and enjoying our very intermittent warm spring sunshine. you just get used to the warmth for a couple of days and then you wake up the following day to grey skies and a fall in temperature. Today we are due sharp rain showers which is just what I want to get drenched while loading up the car at the wholesalers.

I'm going to get lots of goodies, as my son Craig is coming home for a couple of days while his girlfriend has gone back to Norway to see her parents, so it will give me a chance to have him all to myself during the day. He wants to visit lots of aquariums as he is into tropical fish. He's looking for angel fish this time round.

Hopefully Claire & Phoenix are planning a visit this week to come over and have lunch with Craig. Claire lives about 1 1/2hrs away from Craig so not an easy trip to get to see each other that often at the moment with having to load the car up with so much baby stuff. We live an hour away from Craig and 30-40 mins from Claire, so I make the most of it when I can get them together.

I'm sorry it's not a card today I am in the process of making my friends birthday card and also making  silk foamiran roses. I've put a couple on my blog today, but I am trying different ways of making them to see if I prefer making them from foam or stick to my card roses. Please tell me what you think of my 1st attempt at foam roses.

Anyway onto another rose, but a fairy made from the petals. Claire has been making these since losing Evelyn. She made me this one for Mothers day. You can just see the little legs poking out from the petals in the 1st picture





My camera does not do justice to just how pretty these are.

Every strand of the hair is painstakingly put into place. She does different hair styles this was just one I liked.


The wings are skeleton leaves. I don't know if that is the right term, but you get the idea.



This rose looks better in real life. Paul thought it was real when I showed him, but I think he is easily pleased when it comes to my artwork. This rose was made by hand cutting the petals and heating them on a warm iron, I don't think I curled the petals enough but I wanted to try a more open rose. For the 1st attempt I'm fairly happy but must try harder
.


This rose I made just before posting this blog. The colour is lilac but looks a bit dull. This rose was made using Spellbinders Rose Creation dies, still not happy, and it was a rush job too.







When I left Craig's last Wednesday I came back through a part of the New Forest called Stoney Cross. I know a few of you have visited this part of the country and would probably agree it is beautiful. When I go to Craig's I take Half Pint with me. We had a walk on a bay in near Sand Banks in Bournemouth, then on the way home Half Pint and I had a walk on Stoney Cross on one of our lovely warm sunny days. After putting Half Pint back in the car, I drove a couple of minutes only to come across about 30 deer grazing. A stunning sight!





Still in the forest but nearer home I came across these beauties enjoying the late afternoon sun



I could spend hours driving through the forest but maybe not with a little dog that thinks she is just as big as they are.


I particularly liked this dark brown & white one with an Elvis quiff.

You can tell they weren't at all bothered about the noises from the car from munchkin.


Oh well that's it for this blog. I hope I haven't taken up too much time or worse bored you so much you're all asleep now. If I don't get any replies I'll know the latter kicked in.

Hope you enjoyed my little jaunt.

Lots of love & hugs to you all, take care and see you all again soon.

Tina XX

24 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures Tina. The little fairy is absolutely gorgeous Claire is very clever. And I love the pinkish rose I wish I could make roses that well. Enjoy your day with Craig xx

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    1. Hi Maria

      So pleased you liked the pictures. Claire actually blows me away with the intricacy of her work, she is very tallented. Glad you liked the pink rose that's my favourite too.

      Big Hugs

      Tina XX

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  2. Morning Tina, oh the dolly rose is amazing, beautiful, I see your daughter has inherited your crafting talent, the detail on the dolly's hair etc. is amazing.

    Have a wonderful time with Craig, although they are grown up big and strong, they are still our little babies aren't they xx

    My sister lives in East Sussex and she has a heard of deer going across their land at least twice a day, they are very timid but they come right up to the front of the house now, it is a beautiful sight.

    Give Phoenix a special hug xxx

    Stay safe, healthy and happy, hugs, June Smith xxx

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    1. Hi June

      I love my little rose lady. I think Claire has far exceeded my talents in the craft world, she still has two nimble hands that work properly too.

      So looking forward to spoiling my boy. Bought lots of goodies so he should be really happy.

      How lovely I would love to see that sight everyday, how lucky is your sister.

      I will be more than happy to pass on your special hug to Phoenix.

      Sending you love & hugs June

      Tina XX

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  3. Hi Tina having trouble with this blog today dont know why
    the roses are gorgeous. I have sheets of foam somewhere must
    get them out. Like winter here this morning. But trying to get
    summer clothes sorted for our much needed holiday which is in
    10 days ( I think we need this break) Hugs to all the family.
    especially Phoenix. Mavis L

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    1. Hi Mavis

      You have been in my thoughts. I hope things are going in the right direction. Will email you soon if that's ok.

      The weather is all over the place today. I left home in sunshine and arrived home unloading the car in the rain, and really quite chilly. Good grief what is this going to dish us out weather wise.

      I hope you have a fantastic time. Is your daughter going with you. You so deserve this holiday Mavis. It will be a pleasure to pass on your hugs to Phoenix.

      Talk soon Mavis
      Love & Special Hugs coming your way

      Tina XX

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  4. Good to hear from you again. The little fairy rose is so sweet with an immaculate coiffure. Your foam roses are beautiful. I have not tried to make these roses yet. You should be proud of your achievement on forming these roses. Thank you for sharing your travel through your forest. I am amazed at the size and spread of the deer's antlers. On a regular basis, I have nine does with fawns that munch their way through my yard eating my flowers and plants. I rarely see the bucks. There are Angus cattle in the valley just below my property. They moo especially loud during a full moon. During warm weather the mooing cows with the singing katydids along with croaking frogs is quite a concert. Enjoy your time with your family - a special blessing.

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    1. Hi SuzzieQ

      Thank you SuzzieQ about Claire's fairy rose and about my roses too. I have to admit I thought the deer's antlers were huge too, but they were very impressive and stunningly beautiful.

      I am totally jealous of your musical chorus that you get to enjoy. I googled Katydids and the sound they make and I can only imagine between the Mooing cattle the croaking frogs and the Katydids what a magical sound that is, and the picture of the does with their babies is my idea of heaven. It sounds like an idyllic place to live. My SIL has a farm 3 mile from us and she say's they also have deer that come and eat their plants. I said to her that I would plant flowers just to get the deer in the garden. I had coffee with her last week and sat in her beautiful conservatory over looking the garden and while I was there 2 deer deterrents arrived in the post. I felt really sad. Is it just me to want deer to come for grazing or have a beautiful garden?.

      Totally envious, Love & Hugs

      Tina XX



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  5. Your flowers are wonderful as always, I have a pack of foamiran just waiting to be used, I must have a try sometime soon, (along with everything else I must try sometime soon) The fairy is perfect, love her wings. Claire reduced me to tears last week with her story about the lost bunny, I was willing her to find him by the end, so glad it had a happy ending.

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    1. Hi Andrea

      Thank you Andrea. I would put making a foam rose at the top of your list, or somewhere near the top as there are so many things we need to try.

      Oh that bunny! I went over Claire's that day to sit with Phoenix while she went out to get Toby an anniversary pressie, only to be greeted by the inlaws. They had been called while Claire ran back to the shopping centre to look for bunny. When I arrived they then said Phoenix is all yours and left and I had a nail biting time hoping sooo much that she would find Evelyn's cot friend. When I opened the door and saw her face holding bunny,I can't tell you how happy I was but I could see the tears in Claire's eyes. She does write a heartfelt account about her feelings and I am constantly in tears. Thankfully this was a happy ending to a very harrowing day for her and I was playing with bunny & Phoenix today.

      Love & Hugs Andrea

      Tina XX

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  6. Hi Tina WOW WOW your roses are Stunning they look so life like. I haven't tried making them.
    I think you are defently the queen of flower making Tina. The fairy is gorgeous.
    Loved the pictures from your journey home so beautiful.
    Love Lynda xx

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    1. Hi Lynda

      Thank you so much, what a lovely comment to make about my flowers X & About Claire's Fairy too. Glad you enjoyed my journey through the forest on my way home.

      Just got your email. Will be in touch soon.

      Love & hugs
      Tina XX

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  7. Oh Tina your flowers are truly amazing and so realistic just as stunning as those I received, thank you darling, maybe I should try the foam, can you use Sue's floral dies with this foam ? Like you we have the same distance between us and Lottie Lou and Craig so we don't feel like the grandparents we hoped we could be but we're working in changing that but health keeps poking its nasty nose in lol. What a wonderful serene drive through the forest, I'd take a picnic eat in the car and stay as long as I could, perfect relaxation. Your Claire is so imaginative and crafty just like mum, her fairys are so delicate and sweet. Sending hugs my dear lovely friend xxx

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    1. Hi Boss

      I'm so pleased you enjoyed the flowers, I had no idea you were so poorly and just wanted to cheer you up a little. I hope you are feeling stronger everyday. Keep your pecker up Steph!! You need to punch that bad health on the nose so that you can move nearer to being a hands on Grandma. Not that you aren't now, but to be an everyday Grandma if needed. you know what I mean!. I would love one day to take you and Andy over the forest for a picnic, that would be perfect.

      Claire is way more crafty than I am, she really is very imaginative.

      Lots of Love & Gentle Healing Hugs my friend

      Tina XX

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    2. Forgot to say Steph. Yes you can use Sue's dies for these roses using foamiran, or any other flowers.

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  8. Hi Tina lovely to see your work again so beautiful and Claire's fairy is gorgeous love the hair style .
    I have not done much crafting lately i had a fall about 6weeks ago then 10 days ago fell again but made a better job of it i broke my nose .( big improvement )ha ha now being nagged all the time and hubby bought a walker .
    I think i will stop in my craft room.
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful work love to Claire and Family hugs jeanie xxx

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    1. Hi Jeanie

      Lovely to see you back here again too.

      My goodness Jeanie how awful, to fall once is bad enough but to check the floor a 2nd time is silly and to break your nose at the same time is doubly awful. I really hope you are ok. I hope you aren't too badly bruised and I don't believe for one minute it's an improvement. I hope your hubby bought a walker with brakes. You most definitely should stop in your craft room, I just hope you don't have a swivel chair you're even closer to the floor.

      Seriously Jeanie, sending you love and hugs for a speedy recovery

      Thank you to for your lovely comment and I will gladly pass on your love to Claire & family and the same to you & yours. XX

      Love & Hugs

      Tina XX

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    2. Thank you Tina love and hugs to you too xxx

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  9. Hello Tina,
    Lovely to see you posting and showing us your amazing flowers. I have to say that if I could make wonderful paper or card flowers like you, I wouldn't bother with the foam ones, although yours are gorgeous!
    Claire's flower fairy is stunning, she is very talented, but like you my fingers and hands refuse to do a lot of intricate work now. Although I don't think I could have ever matched her talent.
    Have a wonderful time with Craig and enjoy pampering him as only a mother can do, and I hope Claire and Phoenix manage to get over to see him.
    love Maureen xxx

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    1. Hi Maureen

      Lovely to see you too.

      The foam roses are a lot more fiddly but good fun. I need to practice a lot more too, how can I stand all that pressure shutting myself in my work room for so long. My fingers used to be nimble but I seem to be getting really nobly joints just since my op, don't know why?. I did mention it to the doctor a few months ago and got fobbed off with " Oh love it's just wear & tear " . The most annoying thing about her comment was calling me love. I wanted to say I'm not an old codger I just wanted to know why my hands hurt so much, silly young doctor. OMG where did that rant come from?

      Craig has only been here since 2pm and is slowly but surely eating his way through the contents of the larder, fridge & freezer, it's good to see though as he suffers with food anxieties. So far so good. Enjoying the company too as Paul is off doing his Superman job again.

      Hope you George and family are all well.

      Love & Hugs

      Tina XX

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  10. Morning Tina,

    Some gorgeous roses you have made and I love Claire's fairy one.
    Haven't tried the foam yet, still busy getting the hang of making silk and ribbon ones.
    Hugs
    Cheryl x

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    1. Hi Cheryl

      Glad you liked my 1st attempt, but must try harder. Claire's little rose fairy is stunning in real life, I will pass your comment onto her Thank you.

      I've never tried silk roses, I don't think I would know where to start. I think when I get some time over the weekend I will have to google them.

      Love & Hugs

      Tina XX

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  11. Hello Tina,
    Itsreally nice to see you and all your lovely flowers and other animals!! I’d like to say first of all though that Claire’s little fairy is just gorgeous! The detail is amazing and I just love her hairdo! Every detail has been thought of and beautifully finished! She is a talented young lady! Wonder where she gets that from????
    Your roses are lovely- now - I don’t like agreeing with Maureen but on this occasion I do! If I could make beautiful paper flowers like you I wouldn’t bother with the Foam ones! I have been given two sheets by a friend - she is a good crafter but just didn’t get on with Foam . She also burned her fingers on her glue gun! What I was told was “ there you have a go! “ I’m ashamed to say I haven’t as yet! I will need to though because she keeps asking me!!
    Your photos of the deer and cows are lovely! I did laugh about the Elvis quiff!!
    The birds are so busy here just now as they will be with you! We have goldfinches visiting daily and a pair of bullfinches! Really colourful characters! They won’t sit still for me though!! Hedgehog has survived the winter I’m very pleased to say! It’s alwys a relief to see him after winter!
    I’m going as this is turning into War and Peace and you know that isn’t like me at all!! Ha ha!
    Hope you having a great time with Craig!
    Lots of love, Myra xxx

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    1. Hi Myra

      Thank you Myra, Claire is very arty I just wish she would do more crafting with me but we are all baby brain mode at the moment, and loving it!!

      Craig & I enjoyed our days out and having company during the day was lovely. The only thing is the larder is empty the freezer now has spaces and my purse is as empty as the larder.

      Glad you liked the cow with the quiff, I feel so sorry for the forest animals, so much of the forest is flooded and all the new calves and foals are going to have a tough time unless we get some prolonged sunshine. This is a lovely time for us all, the bird song is wonderful. So pleased your hedgehog survived the long cold & damp winter.

      Thank you also for the comment about my paper roses, I do prefer making my original roses but thought I would just try a new medium. Like your friend I burnt my fingers many times and was constantly shouting $%#@ that smarts!! or something along those lines, I never said I was a lady!. I'M shocked, you and Maureen agreeing, goodness what ever next!!

      Sending Love & Hugs

      Tina XX

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