That Peaceful Easy Feeling ... boats, books, a robin and snowdrops

Afternoon Everyone

I finally completed the scrap layout that could be seen on my desk on the WOYWW post this week - and you'll notice that I've taken my fellow WOYWWers advice and kept the flowers :)

I don't know what it is about little boats but I just love them - a look through my collection would produce a great many similar photos taken on various holidays and outings, so time I used a few in layouts. The base is Kraft (from Two Peas In a Bucket) and the patterned papers are from K & Co (Nature & Flora & Fauna paper pads). I started by stamping the Kraft with Sheena's A Little Bit Sketchy stamps (Peaceful Lakeside & Sheltering Tree) using Memento Desert Sand ink pad - the effect is like a watermark and not easy to see in the photograph. The trims are from Anna Griffin's Sierra Collection, including the string. The rest of the embellishments are Prima flowers, buttons from a selection from Funky Farm Scrapbook Barn and iridescent glitter. The title is also from the Sheena's stamp set - stamped on white card, brushed with the aqua from a Big and Juicy pad, Hydrangea, and  the edges sponged with Tim Holtz Pumice Stone DI, and matted onto a snippet aqua card.

I've written the journalling all around the edges and it reads:

Honeymoon over and slowly making our way home to our busy life, we stopped in a lay-by by the side of Loch Lomond for one last look. And to our surprise there was a path down to this tiny beach. We lingered for a while just enjoying the peace and beauty. August 1996.

Too late I realised that I should have placed the embellishment at the top left on the other side for balance - by then it was so well glued down there was no moving it :(  Another lesson learned!

We're just back from a trip down to Culzean Castle Estate - in search of those elusive snowdrops :) It's been a dull day but it was good to get out and breathe some fresh air and where better to do it than Culzean: There's always plenty to see even at this time of the year. We also took the opportunity to drop into the secondhand book shop there for a browse around. Not that I was looking for a book to read; no, I was looking for one suitable for altering. I'm considering following Elizabeth's, the Altered Book Lover, course in and the book required has to be stitched. Try finding a stitched book, particularly of a certain size ... they are a rare as hen's teeth!!!  I picked up these two for £3.50 (about $5).

I'm thinking one of them will do the job, though I haven't yet decided which of the two would be best to start with. It needs further cogitation and consideration :)

We also made friends with this really friendly wee chap.

And, yes, we did find the elusive snowdrops.

The EM was misinformed about the snowdrops having gone over already ... you just have to know where to look :)

After all that, I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend, wherever you are. I'd like to welcome my newest followers, Lisa, Claire, Sandra and Cheryl - thanks for joining in and I hope you continue to enjoy reading my blog and seeing what craftiness I get up to ... not to mention reading all my other scribblings :)

It's an early dinner for us tonight - all that fresh air has made us hungry and Dancing on Ice is on TV, would just hate to miss that.

Happy Crafting,