Missing a Dear Friend who is also a New Friend

I tried posting this after the event but the internet was playing up - which is not such an unusual occurance here in Sunny Luxor!  The post goes as follows ...

In October I met a lady who has since become a close friend.  As we have got to know each other we have discovered how alike we are.  We have the same favourite colour.  We both do precision crafting.  I do paper craft, patchwork and cross stitch whilst she does hardanger (something I have always wanted to try!).

The week before last, I was told that how I got to some answers was logical.  I told her that my father has said that I am illogical but this friend (and another friend) said that I am very logical.  She and the second friend are both crafters so I think that I use crafters logic as do they, which is why they think I am logical.

She also has an interest in Egyptology and we have done a couple of outings recently to the Valley of the Nobles, the Ramesseum and Deir el Medina including the Ptolemaic temple which is an absolute gem.  It’s really colourful and on a hot day it is surprisingly cool inside.  She had also fallen under the spell of the goddess Hathor (my personal favourite).

Well this new close friend is leaving Egypt for Australia on Tuesday and so I made her a little going away/memories gift.

She was very taken by it and said she had never received anything like that ever before.

It is a little flip book that measures 6 x 6 inches.  Here it is closed.

It used two sheets of  12 x 12 inch card stock which was cut in half.  Three pieces of 6" x 12" card was used to make the book therefore giving six 6" x 6" inch areas and six 3" x 6" flaps.  The book then folds up.  Natty don't you think?

Here are a few pictures of the project.

  My friend's new boyfriend, my 8 month old labrador and the Colossi of Amenhotep III

 A friendship saying included in the book

 A stamp of the goddess hathor, coloured with Copic Caio pens.

  The Back

All the card and paper is from Stampin’ Up!  I used a couple of Stampin’ Up! punches namely, small tag and curly label.  The die I used was library pocket and tag.

I was pleased with the results.

Although the friendship is new it feels as though we have known each other for ages and I am going to miss this dear lady a great deal.

Until next time, internet permitting.

Be well.

Out and about on the West bank

I had a lovely morning with a dear friend of mine as we explored some more of the Tombs of the Nobels; namely Ramose, Userhet and Kahemhat. 

We then visited Roy and Shuroy, which I had not been to before and which are beautiful and well worth a visit, especially Roy.

Unfortunatly I cannot share any photographs of any of the tombs as photography is banned.

We rounded off our expedition by visiting Carter's House.  Which was nicely laid out but very much in need of a good old dust!!

Before departing the west bank we shared a lovely meal, with our fantastic taxi driver, Anwar, at The Africa.  The food, as usual, was excellent and very filling.

Until next time.

Be well.

Catching Up

There has not been much going on this week.  Which is why there has been a lack of posts.

I go to a local quiz and after a week off my team (of which there were 3 people) managed to win with 64.5 points.  The picture round was actors in James Bond and of the 20 pictures we only got one wrong. 

The other member of our team (a visitor) is studying egyptology at Glasgow and so we had a very interesting time and my official team partner and I lost track of time and subsequently had a late night.

Today I have been crafting.  I have been making a flip book for someone who is leaving Egypt shortly.  I am waiting for the photos which are at the shop and hope to finalise the book on Wednesday.

Having has a quiet week this week, I will be having a busy one next week.  The friend who is going home to Oz and I are going out exploring on Tuesday and Thursday; I am doing shopping tomorrow and then the quiz on Friday.  

So its a case of going from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Until next time.

Be well.

Life with a cat called Ambrose

I thought I would share with you the on-going trials and tribulations of living with a cat called Ambrose.

Just before Christmas I found a bra with chewed straps. I could only deduce that it was Ambrose who chewed it as it was in the place that he used to like to curl up and sleep, ie my chest of draws in my bedroom. Luckily my darling husband brought me some new ones with him when he visited over Christmas and the New Year (more on that in a bit).

I also found a T shirt that at first look I thought he had just chewed the back as there was a hole. OK I thought I’ll just take the back off and get a plain bit of fabric and make a new one. But I looked further and there was an even bigger hole in the front.

So on Wednesday I found that my favourite cardigan had been pulled off the pile of washing to put away and into their sleeping hole! (It’s actually my sewing table which is covered with a packing blanket and has created a cradle.) Anyway I looked at it and guess what, he has chewed it. Again on first look it appeared that he had just chewed the ribbing in a few places so I thought I’ll just get some more ivory cotton yarn and redo that. But again on further review of the item there was a gaping hole on the sleeve too. Oh well I have had the cardigan since before 1991 – see I told you it was a favourite as it went with most of the clothes I own but it is also a good excuse to buy/make a new one.

Back to my conjugal visit at Christmas. My darling husband came out on 16 December and on the Monday we went to Aswan for a couple of days, returning on Wednesday. It was only a short visit and we will have to go again for longer to do it real justice.

Temple of Ramesses II

Temple of Hathor/Nefertari

The only other historical trips we did were to Dendera and Esna. On all these outings he was the Official Photographer and he also took some lovely photos of the animals.

Dendera (Temple of Hathor)

Esna

The dog was not sure of him to start but by the end of the 3 weeks they were getting on like a house on fire. When we Skype each other Jazz gets interested ‘cause he can hear his voice but can’t really see him. I am now counting the days until 30 April when I get to see him again.

Until next time.

Be well.

What's been happending and another card

I promised that I would try to post at least three times per week but to be honest nothing much has happened here.  Apart from Jazz had another paddle in the Nile on one of his morning walks on Thursday and I went out to lunch with a dear friend and had a great time.

The days do seem to run in to each other.  Is it really Sunday already?

Just after Christmas I made another bespoke card ...

I utilised Hansdome Hunter cardstock as the base and the paper was from a Hostess Design Pack (6 x 6"), both now retired.  The stamp was from Stamps Happen and was coloured with Copic pens.  This was then mounted on silver mirri board and onto the card base.

I am fairly new to Copic pens and think that I am improving slightly with my shading on each one.  The more I practice the better I will eventually become inshallah.

I also did a few more concept cards and additional cards from the left overs; these are my favourites ...

I am currently working on something for a dear friend and will post is when it has been finalised and posted to the recipient.

Must dash as I need to rescue a cat from an over friendly and playful puppy.  Until next time ...

Be well

Out and about & Crafting

Yesterday, a couple of my friends and I went out into the wilds of the West Bank of Luxor.  We visited two Nobles tombs, which were very busy which was wonderful to see. 

After being spellbound by in their wonderful art for an hour or two we went on to visit the Ramesseum.  This, in contrast to the tombs, was very quiet.  I was also glad to see that the scaffolding around the relief of Toth and Seshat writing ramesses II name on the Persea tree has finally been removed.

Detail of what is being written

And after all that excitement, back to crafting.  The other day I posted a card that I gave a friend.  She was very pleased with it and on the back of that I got two bespoke orders.

One was for a wedding ...


 
 

This card was a bit unusual for me as I cut out the card front and the accent picture is actually on the inside. 

 

There was loads of bling and glitter on the card as it was for an Egyptian and the person who placed the order was pleased with the outcome.

 

And the other for a significant birthday ...

 

 
This is an easel card and it stands up like this ...

 This card was stamped with a Lindsay Mason stamp and coloured with Copic pens and then mounted on Stampin' Up! cardstock. 

The person who ordered the card was very pleased with the end result as was the eventual recipient.

Cats and Craft

To get everyone who had been following the saga of CC and Ambrose.  I can report that both are extremely well.  Ambrose is now back to his usual talkative self and CC goes out a night and so far (touch wood) has not sustained any further injuries. 

(15 September 2011)

Ambrose looking proud in a favourite sleeping spot.

(3 January 2011)

CC loves  my new addition and this is where he usually snoozes.

As I write this, little Willow is sitting on my lap purring.

(3 January 2012)

This is her other favourite sleeping place.

As many of you know I lost my beloved Odin last year.  I looked after a friends dog when they were on holiday and I realised that I missed that unconditional love and company.  It also means that I can talk to myself (whilst pretending to talk to dog!) and not appear too mad (lol).

He was born on 6 January 2011 and his name is Jazz.  He is the total opposite of my previous dog and I know I shouldn't compare the two but it is difficult and I love him just as much.

(17 December 2011)

A beautiful picture taken by my darlind husband (B1gneil)

(17 December 2011)

Ever since he's been very little he has had to have his lead in his mouth, a comfort thing I think - bless.

Here he is with one of his favourite friends - CC(20 September 2011)

(3 January 2012)

I said she had to get close...

And here is a card I made a dear friend ...

This was made using Stampin' Up supplies which are fabulous.  I have quite a bit as I used to be an Independent Demonstrator before leaving the UK.

Finally, I know I have been remiss is posting here but my February/March resolution is that I will attempt to post more often and definitely at least a couple of time a month.  Lets hope I can manage this.

Thanking the vets at ACE

I made this little card to thank Hannah, the vet at ACE that took so much loving care of CC and Ambrose during their difficult time last year.

and detail

The recipient was very taken with the card, and bookmark.  Please let me know what you think.