Brayergirl's Book of Banter

Colonia - Uruguay

I booked myself on a 1 day return ferry trip to Colonia, Uruguay from Buenos Aires. It takes just an hour to get there on a catamaran and the atmosphere is totally different to Argentina. The place even smells different! The noises of the budgerigars who live in the trees made the town seem quite exotic. The place is very laid back and would make a nice relaxing holiday spot, if only the water wasn't as polluted as it is. I even have two stamps in my passport now for Uruguay. Another country crossed off my list!    

San Telmo - Buenos Aires - Argentina

The legendary Sunday market at San Telmo 

Recoleta Cemetary - Buenos Aires - Argentina

The famous Cemetary in Buenos Aires where all the Argentinian great and good (not so good) are buried. To be buried here you have to be seriously rich.  

La Boca - Buenos Aires - Argentina

 

Don't Cry for me Argentina!

Weather permitting (it's been snowing heavily here in Scotland) I fly to Buenos Aires on Saturday for another work project. I'll be there for just under 2 weeks, which includes a weekend so I should see something of the city. I also want to get to see some real Tango dancing in the home of the Tango, maybe visit Eva Peron's grave too, we'll see. Anyway, I'll have my camera with me and will post when I can.   

Sending my Love

Stamps: Character Constructions (Doll, Apron), Magnolia (Label) Making Memories (Flower Swirl)   

Inks: Colorbox Chalk Ink in Blush Rose and Chestnut Roan. Staz-On ink in Timber Brown

Other Media: Dewent Pencils, Zest-it Pencil Blend, Envelope template, Paper hearts, Silicon glue  

Better Late Than Never

 

This is late, very late! This card is for a friend who still doesn't have her Christmas present because we didn't manage to get together in time just before Christmas!

Stamps: Magnolia (Waiter & Champagne Cocktail) Non-Sequitur (Clocks)

Inks: Staz-On in Black

Colours: Derwent Pencils and Zest-it Pencil Blend, Gold Sakura glitter pen

Other Media: Silver Paper, Quickutz Fonts in Dragonfly & Moonlight, Silver Pen, White Gel Pen, Silicon Glue, Grey Ribbon, Fiskers Border punch (Leave it to Weaver)

  

Handmade Chain Necklace

I've just finished quite a big project at work and so I felt as though I deserved a treat. So I made myself my very first chain necklace. I did base the chain on a pattern in a great book called French Inspired Jewellery by Kaari Meng, but I used my own choice of beads and I also altered the pattern too.

Making the chain links was actually pretty easy as long as you have the right tools. Once I got into a rhythm I managed to complete the necklace in just one evening. Now that I have made one, I think I it will be good to expand my skills and try to make some more complicated jewellery in the future.  

Hand Knitted Hotwater Bottle Cover

Over the Christmas period I spent some time Knitting. I used to knit quite a lot when I was a student, but I haven't really knitted since. The Hot Water Bottle was a Christmas present and I knitted the cover using Twilley's 'Spirit' DK wool in 'Warmth' colourway. This is a lovely pure wool yarn, and knits up beautifully and the variations in the yarn make it quite exciting watching the pattern develop.  

I actually knitted this up really quickly, just over two days, and that was not solid knitting either. I'm now thinking about buying some more of this wool in a different colourway and making a larger project.

Welcome Emmeline Honeysuckle

My Cousin and his wife had their first Baby last weekend, but it's taken me until today to finish the card because I have been so busy.

Stamps: Magnolia (Large rose, small rose, Label) Sugar Nellie (Little cotton rabbit) 

Inks: Staz-On in Timber Brown, Versamagic in Aloe Vera, Magnolia Bud & Malted Mauve.

Other Media: Derwent pencils, Zest-it Pencil Blend, Basic Grey Background paper from the Lily Kate range , Ribbon, White gel pen, Border punch, Quickutz Olivia Font, Silicon Glue