Cheeky Chappies!!!!!

Took a little trip out of our hotel to Rasa Rai Nature Reserve about 45 minutes away to see some cheeky chappies.

This one in particular was a real cheeky one. It was almost as though he knew he was the centre of attention and just stood posing while we clicked away.

Relaxation Heaven!!!!!!

After Hong Kong, we headed for Kota Kinabula, a 3-hour flight from Hong Kong. Beginning to think that the airlines take great delight in stressing us out at the airports. This time we were on the bus waiting to be bussed out to the plane when they announced that there was a slight techincal problem with the plane and our departure would be delayed by an hour.

They say things come in threes. Only dread to think what the next/third airline glitch will be!!!!Anyway once we finally took off everything went smoothly arriving at the hotel, Pacific Sutera. Speak of a room with a view.

After breakfast on Friday morning, had a wander round the resort.

In the afternoon, just lay beside the pool.

Finishing off the afternoon watching the sunset. And what a sunset it was.

Relaxation heaven!!!!!!!!!

Last Supper!!!!!

On our last night in Hong Kong had supper in what was recommended to us as one of the best chinese resturants on Kowloon, not only for food but for the views as well, Hutong. Before we sat down to eat, had a wee cocktail in Aqua Spirit - the bar above Hutong. Can only say that the recommendation was spot on. This was the views from our table, the first taken at twilight and the second is the night view over to Hong Kong.

Had to take a photo of the wash basin in the ladies restroom, never having been in one like this

The only photo I didn't get was the look on Billy's face when we sat down at the table and he saw that the only eating implements were chopsticks and not a knife or fork in sight. Not that I am an expert at eating with chopsticks but I think we both managed really well. At least we didn't have food all over the table or ourselves!!!!!

Typhoon Hagupit

Typhoon Hagupit hit. Luckily for us it was only the outer edges that hit Hong Kong. Looking out the window just reminded me of a wintery day back home in Scotland - overcast with wind and rain.

As the winds began to rise and the rain started, everyone seemed to disappear. The bustling streets and markets were deserted.

Hong Kong - A Peak View

They say when you visit Hong Kong you have to take the Peak Tram up to the Peak. So yesterday we decided that was our goal for the day, despite it being a wee bit misty. Only one word for the views - SPECTACULAR.

The journey started at the Peak Tram Station, going passed some of the tower blocks which looked like they were leaning backwards into slope.

Once the tram ride finished we climbed up to the Sky Terrace and as I said the views were spectacular.

As we were there in the late afternoon, we decided that we would have a meal there and had been recommended to go to Cafe Deco. So glad that we took the advice as the food and the views were superb.

By the time we had wandered round some the shops at The Peak, darkness had descended and the night view looking over Hong Kong and over to Kowloon were as spectacular as they were during the day.

Weren't we chuffed we did the Peak yesterday as today Hong Kong has issued a Typhoon Warning but from what the forecasters are saying Hong Kong should only be effected by the outskirts of the typhoon.

Hong Kong - First Couple of Days

Finally arrived safely in Hong Kong, despite a bit of a hiccup with our flight from Bahrain to Doha. It appears that they had forgotten to tell us that the flight we were booked on was cancelled for the month of Ramadan, so it meant that we were put onto the later flight which meant we didn't have any time in Doha. 25 minutes from getting off one flight before boarding the Hong Kong flight. Once we arrived at Hong Kong it was on the Airport Shuttle Train to Kowloon and then a short taxi drive to the hotel. The hotel is lovely and have a lovely view.

For a wee bit of retail therapy don't have to go too far, a big mall is linked to the hotel.

On Sunday we went over on the famous Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong and had a bit of wander about.

Can't believe how things seems so peaceful in the tiny parks which are surrounded by all the hustle and bustle.

Today we decided to stay on Kowloon and hit some of the malls near the Star Ferry, starting off at the Ocean Terminal but ending up in a couple of others which link in. Retail heaven but I wish as I was a size 6 to 10 as everything seemed to be for the smaller end of the size range.

The evenings have been spent at the local street markets, where you can buy almost everything!!!! My bargainning skills learnt in the souqs in Bahrain and Saudi have been helpful here.

Last Three Before My Holiday

This morning a friend asked if I could make a wedding anniversary card for her husband before I head off on my holidays on Thursday. Instructions were nothing cheesy, they weren't into hearts and flowers, or slushy. Hadn't got a clue, then thought about the one that I had done for my nephew and his wife's anniversary. So using the same range of card stock - K&Company Designer Paper set by Amy Butler called Sola and the cuttlebug embossing folders - Friends Forever Combo for the main image and Border With Love for the sentiment. Highlighted the embossing with chalks. Just hope she likes the card.

This next one I had a bit of a problem with this one, spent most of yesterday afternoon trying to get the image to print off properly. Finally resorted to posting a plea for help to my good friends on the imag-e-nation forum. What a great bunch they are and much thanks goes to Doreen aka DJG for solving my problem. The kimono and backing paper are from Lis Christiansen and then matting and layered with pearlescent card stock.

The final one was a really quick one. Embossed a card with the Bow Frame folder and highlighted it with chalk. The wee flower is from Papermania and then stamped the sentiment in a co-ordinating ink.

Oooohhhhh Candy

There are a couple of bits of candy lying about. If you would like some just wander over to Bunny Zoe's, then nip over to Jak's

Winter Village

Continuing with Bo Bunny's Back to Backs Homespun Holly cardstock created a Winter Village card. Used the Cuttlebug embossing folder 'Winter House' which I inked in royal blue then using scalloped rectangle nestabilities made the first layer of the topper. The second layer is a plain rectangle cut from Homespun Holidays Frost and the bottom layer scalloped edged rectangle cut out of Homespun Holly.

For the sentiment, stamped in plum ink on Homespun Holly and matted on Homespun Holidays Frost.

The topper and sentiment were matted onto a piece of Homespun Holly which was matted onto white cardstock.

Today's batch

Decided to do another batch of christmas cards. This one used the more cardstock from the Bo Bunny Back to Backs range. The base is Homespun Holly with the Merry Christmas being printed on the reverse of Homespun Holly and round which I tied a wee bit of ribbon. The heart is cut from Homespun Holidays Frost.

A busy few days

Have been busy over the last few days working on a wedding card for a friend who is getting married later on this month.


As I loved doing the Rennie Macintosh Rose birthday card using the new set of designs from Stitching Cards the other day decided to do a different rose for the wedding card. Used the same tartan backing paper but changed the brown cardstock for pink. The sentiment is the first line of the wedding vow 'To Have and To Hold' and which is printed in full on the insert.

Carrying on with the wedding theme.

Next month Billy and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and to mark the occasion decided just a few friends round to the house to celebrate. The invitation list keeps growing, but think it has hit the limit. This morning got the last 6 of the 70 invitations done. Instead of doing a card, decided to do an invitation wallet with the invitation itself as a pull out. For the front of the wallet used the 'Bug' and the stylized flower embossing folder. Then chalked the flowers and put in a gemstone in the centre of the flowers.

Moving away from the weddings and anniversary and with Christmas rapidly approaching decided I better make a start. Usually make a batch of 8 or 12 of each style of card I do. This one is a batch 12. The backing paper is one of the free christmas backing sheet from Printable Heaven. The gift box is made from a sheet of BoBunny's Holiday Magic Ornament double sided paper tied up the box with ribbon and 'No Peeking' gift tag.

Blog Candy

Nip over and have a peek in Phoenix's room for lovely candy while you there also have look in her shop window at Inklebods.

The last day for being able to get a chance of some candy is Sunday 14th September.

October done, well all but one

This card is the last of the friend's birthdays that I need to do for October. Hadn't got a clue what to do for the card. Inspiration started with one of the new Cuttlebug embossing border folders called Just My Type which I had highlighted with Sakura pens. But it wasn't until I got an email from Stiching Cards showing off a new set of designs that everything fell into place. Just fell in love with the designs and had to have them.

The backing paper is based on a tartan called Sakura - the Japanese word for Cherry Blossom - which I think the cuttlebug border looks like. For the threads for the stitching just used regular DMC floss, matching them to the colours on the backing paper, but trying to stay true to the 'Rennie Macintosh' colour themes. The brown cardstock comes from the K&Company Designer Paper set by Amy Butler called Sola.

I really love the designs inspired by 'Charles Rennie Macintosh' as I think his designs are timeless. A couple of years ago, using my other crafting love, cross-stitch, did a firescreen, which I got framed as a picture.