Wednesday 12 October 2011

A new sea voyage and new card creations

For those of you who are not new to Jane's Journal you will remember that last year my daughter's fiance went to sea for 3 months, as part of his marine engineering course. Well a whole year has raced by and that time arrived again. 4 weeks ago Tom departed for Australia to board his new ship and my darling daughter bade him a very tearful goodbye at Heathrow Airport. He will not be back until 21st December.

Last year I made his a special card to take with him and to open when he got to sea. It was this one.




I commissioned a little painting for him of a mermaid holding a ship.
Tom was delighted with this so I decided I needed to come up with something different this year.









As a card maker I love to look at new designs and I have always been interested in "Easel" cards. They look quite difficult to make and I have never attempted one before. They are cards which are made in 2 parts and can be stood up like an easel. I looked at the Internet to find some instructions and then had some practice folding the card.

I decided again that I wanted a sea theme and this time I bought some wonderful wooden ship themed pieces.




These are some ships wheels, I also bought a boat. These lovely wooden shapes are plain and I used my pens to colour them.






Here is the front of the card
and below is the part that the "easel" stands on..
I even used a "reef" knot to tie the string (Tom will really appreciate that).
This is the card shown from the side..it shows how the front stands up..it tucks in behind the ship's wheel.
I hope he likes his card, that he has a good time away at sea and he comes safely home in time for Christmas.

I have also been making some other cards which you might be interested in seeing, as yes, I have been very organised and I have been working on some Christmas cards.Here's a little sneak peak......

















As promised by the weather forecasters we finally finished our Indian summer and the wind has started to pick up. For the first time in some weeks we even had some rain. I admit that we really need it, my garden is so dry at the moment with the lack of rain. We finally seem to be heading into autumn. Time for drawing the curtains earlier, watching the leaves blow off the trees and getting out our warmer clothes. I think I will also feel more in the mood for making Christmas cards...making them in summer temperatures did seem very odd indeed. I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of the autumn season or fall as my american buddies call it. Here's to cosiness!

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

20 comments:

  1. Dear Jane, your cards are more and more amazing! The first one with the boat is so fantastic! And all the cards have so wonderful details! Knitted pullover - wow!
    Have a lovely time!
    xxx Teje

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  2. Ahoy, Jane! What a wonderful card you made for your daughter's fiance! Being a sailor, I just loved all the sea-faring details. You're soOOoo creative! I adore the card you sent to me, and will treasure it.
    I am also enjoying the Fall weather and cozy-ing in and working on my ripple crochet. Did you knit the little detail on that last card?? Awesome!
    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Thanks Teje I thought you would notice the jumper!Enjoy your evening Jane x

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  4. I love your easel card Jane, the little wooden decorations are lovely, such a brilliant idea. I'm sure Tom will be delighted with it.
    I also love (believe it or not) the 'C' card with the knitted sweater, so sweet.
    I had to smile when I read you had rain for the first time in weeks, for the first time in what seems like weeks, we didn't!!! :)
    Vivienne x

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  5. Ahoy Teresa! I thought the card would appeal to you..very much the sailing theme. I'm so glad you love your card and no I confess I did not do the knitting bit on the Christmas card...I cheated and found those via a craft fair, they are gorgeous aren't they.
    Jane x

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  6. Thanks Vivienne, Tom is such a long way away this year, he was only in Spain last year, now his voyages are between Australia and China!
    Enjoy your evening, the rain has not really come to anything. we do really need some more.
    Jane x

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  7. Such a sweet idea to make a special card for your daughter's fiancee. I do like the nautical theme too. And I loved the little jumper card that is such a cute one for a knitter! It's great to get your Christmas cards done early and then you can enjoy taking time over them and adding those special little details.
    Have a happy day Jane.
    Helen x

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  8. Jane, I can't say how amazing your card making is and how it is expanding, those cards are fabulous. I love them all and so will everyone else!!! Have a lovely day.
    xoRobin❤

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  9. Thanks Helen, every year I promise myself I will get my cards under way in September and every year I fail.....except this year-yay! It was most odd though making them during our Indian Summer in temperatures of 30oc!
    Jane x

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  10. You are so kind Robin....I just love making special cards...!!Nearly the weekend...enjoy :0)
    Jane x

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  11. Your cards get more wonderful (and the difficulty level raises too!) each time, Jane! Tom will LOVE his! And those C-cards...WOW.

    It's a pretty and sunny (and DRY!) day here, and I am wishing you a beautiful weekend and...happy bead-picking tomorrow (I am sure there will be some prettiness to us to see in the future!)! Kisses to B too!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  12. Hello Jane!
    Oh my!...your cards are lovely..so much detail and thought put into each one. I am sure Tom will love his very special card...(now you will have to start thinking for the next one....you know how time flies!)
    Wishing you a lovely weekend,
    Susan x

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  13. Thanks Mia, I really did enjoy making the easel card. The card making world constantly evolves, it's great to see other ideas for inspiration.Yes it's Bead Heaven for me tomorrow and the sun is shining again here...! Have a wonderful weekend,
    Jane x

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  14. Hi Susan and thanks for your kind comment.There were certainly some love and good wishes tucked into Tom's card. Enjoy the weekend,it's looking sunny again :0)
    Jane x

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  15. Fabulous easel card, I love the boat especially and I am sure Tom will appreciate it. Very thoughtful and beautifully made.

    I'm with you, in that I'm struggling to get into Christmas mode, I need chilly mornings and ideally a little rain! Probably not what everyone would be wishing for but it does help me to work. Bethx

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  16. Hi Beth, having said it's turning autumnal the sunshine is back again and it's been a glorious day...it is indeed very odd making Christmas cards whilst the weather is so good but we really should not complain should we?
    Enjoy the weekend, it's looking sunny again,
    Jane x

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  17. Hi Jane,
    Thanks for "sharing" these latest cards. I loved them all and would be thrilled to receive any of them.

    My favorite Christmas themed one was the robin and stained glass window.

    Wishing Tom a safe voyage!

    Enjoy your weekend.......

    Anne

    PlumCreek22--etsy

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  18. Hi Jane, you continue to amaze with the love and thoughtful detail that you put into everything you make! This latest batch of cards is no exception! (Tiny needlework!) Looking forward to the holiday seasons starting up here too, but we're just getting over a mild "Santa Ana" - no big winds, but extremely warm temps the past few days. I'm afraid those cute little snowfolk would not stand a chance in this heat! Glad they're safe with you, waiting for cooler days... Welcome any time now, autumn! :o)

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  19. Good morning Anne, thanks for those lovely comments. Tom is doing well at sea despite the heat! Enjoy your weekend,
    Jane x

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  20. Good morning dear Michele, it's a glorious sunny morning here again but there is a definite nip in the air so it feels more like autumn. I am off my bead fair today...can't wait!
    Jane x

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