D is for Dinosaur and Dragon

I have a couple of plaques to show you this week and by pure coincidence they both fit into my alphabet theme and the letter for this post is D

A variation of this Plaque was first seen on my Facebook page, click  HERE to have a look. The customer wanted a Dino but with a 'crest' down its back, I love the colours she chose.

Blue & Lilac Dino

My customer was very pleased with this next Name Plaque

A Dragon for Simon

While on the theme of Dragons I thought you would like to see some photo's of  my recent visit to Nottingham, not strictly a Dungeon but these caves could hide a family of Dinosaurs or Dragons.

These photographs are taken in Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem reputedly England's oldest inn. The first picture is in one of the upstairs rooms and picture 2 and 3 are in the cellar. The pub is built into the caves and is well worth a visit.

This next picture is of some of the caves surrounding 'Ye Old Trip' and the Castle.

The rear of the Inn

 This is a fantastic pub called The Pit & Pendulum which is part of the Eerie Pub Co

Eerie Pub Co in Nottingham

  

I can imagine a family of Dragons living in the underground cellars, can you?

What collective noun would you use for a  group of Dragons? would it be a 'wing' a 'flight' or even a Dragoon of Dragons?

Why not pop over to 1st Unique Gifts blog and see some great contributions to Wendy's  Handmade Monday

Jan x

Yay, I done it.

Yay, I'm so pleased with myself I just had to write down my achievement. It may only be a small step for some but if you know me you would know that it is a huge step for me.... my son is so proud of me, well he said he was while slowly shaking his head from side to side and giving deep sighs!

And what is this achievement?

I managed to put my 'versatile blogger award' into my sidebar.... on my own!

It took a while, I've struggled with this all week, I read the instructions, over and over, I thought I was doing everything right, but it still wasn't happening. I walked away from the computer, I went back and I tried again, no joy, I switched the thing off and went to bed. Over the next few days I tried again and again and it still wasn't happening, it was so frustrating but I was determined that I was not going to send out a plea to my son. 

This 'thing' was not going to beat me. 

I had another go and after growling like a grizzly bear, pacing the room when I got too frustrated, tapped out a tune with my nails but just stopping short from actually throwing the computer out of the window 

(the practical side of me jumped in and reminded me that the expense of repair to both window and computer wasn't worth it, the mess would be horrendous and I am probably too much of a weakling to do it anyway). 

But I persevered and hey ho yes yes yes it worked, I must admit, I done a happy dance around the house, made myself a congratulatory cuppa and celebrated with a slice of cherry pie.

So what was I doing wrong? what was my mistake?...... well, when I was pasting the URL into the link box I hadn't realised that I had doubled up the http://

Such a easy, simple, silly mistake and one I won't be making again 'hopefully'

 

So from a happy me, bye for now...

Jan x

thank you

I only have a small contribution to Handmade Monday this week and not only do I want to thank Wendy for hosting this weekly blog hop........

I would also like to say a big thank you to Helen of  Raindrops 'n' Roses and Caroline at Redneedle Sewing for choosing me as a recipient for a 'Versatile Blogger Award' 

It's lovely to get an award for something I enjoy doing and as part of accepting this Award I have to.........

• Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award.... done.
• Share seven random things about yourself..... read on.
• Award seven recently discovered bloggers with this award and contact them to let them know they have won..... done, read on.

So as part of receiving this Award the 7  random things about myself are...........

1. I love laying on my back watching the clouds pass by.
2. I am a complete chocaholic, I would eat it for breakfast every day if it didn't make me fat(ter).
3. I adore walking bare foot on wet sand.
4. I love books, one of my favourites is 'Good Faeries, Bad Faeries' by Brian Froud.
5. I like my sandwiches cut into triangles.
6. I gave up smoking 10 months ago and occasionally still feel the urge, (I'm not going to have one though)
7. I love watching thunder storms from the comfort of my own home. (If I was braver I would be a storm chaser).

and my choice for the 7 other blogs to be given the award to are........... 

Craft and Other Activities because Nancy always gives so much of her time for helping others.

Bits and Blobs  Amy and her wonderful creatures always make me smile.

Kazies Magical Designs .... Karens Encaustic Art is so beautiful.

Little Harriet because I find her blog is always an interesting and uplifting read.

Mad Brilliant Ideas  because Katie. I'm such a sucker for a picture of a beautiful baby.

Martha After Hours because I love her Tudor Tea Lights and Frogs.

The Crafty Bear .... Mel is working hard towards getting her certificate.

Hope you check in on them all.

......and now for my small contribution to Handmade Monday 21 

I've completed my 'sock horses' and now have a stable full.

The first four

and the rest........ all completed

I hope you like them, now I'm off to check out the other great blogs.

 

Kind Regards

Jan x

C is for Cupcakes

We all like Cupcakes don't we?

This week I've been asked to paint a couple of old favourites.

This Plaque was bought to hang in a caravan.

A Chocolate Cupcake Plaque just for fun.

These kitchen Plaques tend to do well at Craft Fairs and I get orders to personalise them either to match a room or a favourite flavour Cupcake,

Strawberry                 Chocolate Chip with Swizzle Stick                         Cherry

My all time favourite flavour is chocolate but I'm afraid I'm bit fickle when it comes to all things 'cake' and change my favourite along with my mood, this week is the turn of  Lemon Drizzle. 

(mmmm I must think of my diet)

Do you have a  favourite flavour Cupcake?   

I'm off to have a look at all the other great blogs that take part in  Handmade Monday. I hope you'll join me. If you don't know what this blog hop is then follow the link and all will be explained. 

Jan x

Handmade Monday 19

For this weeks Handmade Monday hosted by Wendy,  I'd like to show you a Plaque I painted as my gift for a raffle prize. Eeyore normally has such a sad looking expression but I wanted him to look a bit happier for the little girl who I made this for.

This week also finds me the proud owner of a great new bag made by Lisa at Cotton and Dreams, you can check it out HERE or have a look at her other lovely makes over at her Cotton and Dreams Folksy Shop  

I'd also like to thank Dannie at Booties by Dannie for featuring my Fairy Doors 

and Linda at My blog finally made it for once again featuring one of my Plaques.

It's a really short post this week but I hope you check out all the links, I'm off to have a look at all you other wonderful 'bloggers'

Jan x