A fabulous Day Out

Something a bit different from me today.  On my bucket list was a trip to the Harry Potter Experience.  My daughter took me last Thursday, along with my eldest granddaughter and her friend.

Well what can I say - it was fabulous.  I think as a crafter, I appreciated all the work that goes into making all the realistic props.  I always thought a lot of it was just painted backgrounds etc.  but how wrong can one be.   The attention to detail was fantastic.  You also got to see how certain things were done with remote controls etc - fascinating!   I took about 280 photos and my daughter took even more!

A dining table with realistic looking food

just a small selection of props

Before they make the stage sets, plans are drawn out, and then made up in cardboard to scale; not only helping the set builders but also they can work out camera angles.

Cardboard model

The beautiful Hogwarts Castle

When you are first introduced to the "exhibition" they do say as you walk around ask questions.  I wished I had asked more questions.  However, on a couple of occasions I did, and I got shown a close up of resin goblins hands, and the face mask that Pam Ferris wore for her costume, which were not out on display ........  But, the highlight was being shown Tom Riddles book  (one of many made in case of retakes, but only one remains).  I was shown the workings, and had my photo taken with it !!!!!!   (As I make faux leather you can imagine that this book really interested me).

the highlight of my day!

So I will just say if you get the opportunity to go, do so.  Yes, it is not a cheap day out, but worth every penny.  They say to allow 3 hours for your trip around the studios - well we were there for over 5 hours, and intend to go back again,  as I am sure there were bits we missed.   

If you go - don't forget to ask questions - you never know what extra things you might learn!

Anniversary Card

Where has the week gone, not only have I not had a chance to blog, I haven't had a chance to do much crafting either.   The weather has been too awful to get up in the Den.  The week seems to have been taken up with appointments.  I did however manage a day out with my duaghter, eldest granddaughter and her best friend to visit the Harry Potter Experience on Thursday.  All I can say is WOW!  If you get a chance do go, even if you aren't an HP fan, it is fascinating.  (I will try and blog a bit about our trip tomorrow.)

Anyway back to today's offering:

I made this card for my son and daughter-in-laws Anniversary.  Using CAP as always and one of my new kits.

La Fleur Box

A little "fusioning" from the Den tonight.   It was lovely there today in the sunshine.  The paint was drying as soon as it was applied.   It took longer to remove the latch and hinges and put them back on than it did to paint the box!

This is a little box from The Works, painted with black gesso and the Blue/Black Pebeo DYNA iridescent paint.

I lightly stamped the outline in light grey paint, and then applied the relevant colours.  This is the first time I have used this stamp.  It seemed a bit daunting at first, but with the practise sheet to hand, it was quite simple.  (Stamp is La Fleur from Sheena Douglass's paint fusion range).

another view

I could not capture the colour of the background, which in real life is a lot darker.  As I took the photo outside I think it was picking up that beautiful blue sky we had today.

Zellie - the Zentangled Elephant

Well here she is in all her glory - finished at last.  I decided to paint her headdress and "saddle" rahter than fusion them.

and a few more views:

18th Card

A happier post today - one for my great nephew's 18th next week.

A Very Difficult Card ...

.. for me to make.

On Monday, I learned of the sudden death in her sleep of a daughter of long standing friends.  I was in shock as I was only joking on FB with her last week.  Her parents must be distraught, this is the third child they have lost at a young age (a daughter suddenly, and a son in an unexplained car crash).

It has taken me until now to be able to make a card.   She will be a great loss, she was a lovely person, a young care worker and a Scout Leader.  There was always a smile on her face and her laughter was infectious.  If I saw her up at the local shop, I always got a big hug from her.

A little Fusion

Had a little play in the Den yesterday - the slate plaquss and the tag were too small for the fusion stamps - so plucked up courage and went free-hand!   Quite brave I think as I was using the Pebeo Gloss Deco paints!

HOME letters - the other side

As HOME is reversible I have painted the other side of the letters in a slightly different colourway.  It is quite amazing using much the same colours how different you can make it look.  I used more ceramic paint on this side.

First side - for reference

Paint Fusion - Miniature Chest of Drawers

My new Sheena Douglass Paint Fusion stamps and the new Pebeo paints arrived yesterday, and I managed to get to play today.  I had already painted this little box of drawers whilst waiting for them to arrive.  (Box of drawers was from The Works)

I am a little out of practise using the round brush, so it is not as good as I would have liked, but not bad for a first try. (Onwards and upwards as they say)

More progress with the Elephant

Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey - or in this case tangle elephant.

My biggest decision next is whether to tangle his saddle and headdress or to paint it.  Alternatively  tangle them and then colour the tangles.  Decisions, decisions!