Rugeley, Trent and Mersey

A short cruise today because of the weather.  We left around 0630 and were moored up near Tesco's at Rugeley by 0845.  It then rained all afternoon.

At least I had time for a good walk around the charity shops in  town.

This card uses a bought topper which I matted onto more red card.  A panel of dry embossed white card was also matted onto red card and some red velvet ribbon was wrapped around it and tied in a bow.  This was then fixed to the front of a white card blank.

Hungerfield Bridge (35), Oxford Canal

We were off again at 5.30 and stopped off at Tesco's in Rugby and then it was on to Hungerfield Bridge for the rest of the day.

The old lock stones and the new ones.

And a leaky lock.

Here is an engagement or romantic card.  The couple were a digital download and pre-coloured (colouring is not my forte)

I die-cut the labels and matted it onto blue card and then made 2 panels with printed papers and matted them as well.  Three pink roses with leaves were added to the bottom of the label and 3 pink pearls to the top right hand corner.

Wootton Rivers, Kennet and Avon Canal

Left at 0545 and arrived at Wootton Rivers at

0845.  Just as we arrived at the lock before the moorings the grass cutters arrived. 

We moored up and when they got near loosened the boat so that we did not get covered in grass cuttings.  They were very good and used a blower to get rid of any stray bits of grass.  When they had finished we tied up again.

Unfortunately, about an hour later they came back and the man with the big lawnmower flew past and blew up all the cut blades along the side of the boat.  Can't win!

Occasionally a card making magazine gives out free cards to make.  I made this one using one of these.  It is a heart shaped easel card.

Newbury, Kennet and Avon Canal

There are lots of rubbish bins around the park and also at the moorings at the top of Newbury Lock.  But they have this sign on them.  Now I know that there are boaters facilities, but the one suggested we use in Newbury was full and they would not let us use it.  The other question is:  If I get off my boat and walk across the park, am I now a pedestrian?  Anyway thank you Newbury for being helpful and taking some of my rubbish.  Not!

A rest day!!!  Almost, spent the morning at the Launderette.  It would have been a lot less if I had not taken the wrong turning into the street and walked way out of the way.   Then I went shopping and bought a new hoover.  Hopefully this one will be better than the last one I bought which was too small and made my back ache when I used it.

An anniversary card?  Who knows?  I started with a pink card blank.  The decoupaged panel was matted onto pink card (with the corners rounded), light pink card and sliver card.  The sentiment was fixed with sticky fixers underneath with two small pink gems.

Chisnell Lift Bridge - Oxford Canal

Considering this is Easter week, there have been very few boats about.

Today we were out for 3 hours and travelled 6 1/2 hours, working 4 locks.  Did a bit of river cruising and it was sunny, but the wind was cold.

We moored up just before the lift bridge, which was open but sometimes it is closed.   I said to David, "If that bridge is down tomorrow, you're in trouble!".  Well the bridge went down and several boats went through and struggled to get the bridge to go down after going through.  Eventually it was left open.  So David was relieved.

Forever Friends.  A cute little bear, this one carrying a red rose.

I wrapped some rosebud ribbon around silver card and fixed it to the front of a long card blank, then I added the bear with sticky fixers and the hearts down the right hand side with the sentiment on the bottom.

Lower Shuckburgh, Grand Union/Oxford Canals

The boat that has everything!

A quarter to six start and just as we were approaching the locks a hire boater asked to join us.  They were brilliant, Dad, Mum and 2 daughters plus Granny.  All helped with the locks and we were at the top of the Stockton locks well before their 9am deadline for the return of the hire boat.



We went on and did the Calcutt locks.  This is what the middle lock was like.

Fortunately there were boats coming down and there was enough water for us to come up.

Then it was on the Napton junction, a left turn and stop at one of our favourite spots, by Bridge 103, and it was only 10am. 

Boy, is this stretch busy.  There were boats going past all day long.  By 4pm there were boats moored all along the Armco piling.

I loved making this "tent" card for a wedding of a Polish couple.

I covered the front and inside of the card with lovely floral paper.  A large round aperture was cut into the front of the card and a frilly edged frame was stuck over the top.  Then I added lots of leaves and flowers and large pearl on top.

Inside I die-cut the frilly circle after printing out the names and date and stuck it to the back of the card.







The box was covered in more of the floral paper, matted onto silver card and another frilly circle with the names and dates printed on it was stuck onto the top of the box.

The couple buying the card loved it, took it away and someone told them that they had got the date wrong!!!!!!

I printed of 2 new sets of dates and stuck them over the wrong date with sticky fixers.  Think we got away with it.

Oldroad Br 104 - Trent & Mersey Canal

  Left Stone really early.  This swan kept flying up to the boat and then attacking the back fender.  Quite spectacular.

It began to rain, so we stopped just past Burselem for the rest of the day.

We planned to walk back to the pub for lunch, but decided it was too far.  Will I ever get my meal out?

A nice, simple card.  The white panel was Cuttlebugged and fixed to the white card blank with foam tape.

Blue ribbon was wrapped around the panel (before fixing it to the card) and threaded through the die-cut label.  The sentiment was printed on the computer.

Below Dean Locks, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

 There have been complains recently about there not being any room between some of the lock ladders and the lock side, so you can't get a toe hold.  Here, the ladders have been extended into the lock by several inches.  Lots of room for feet, but David managed to hit it as he brought the boat in.

Four more heavy locks and we are in the Dean Valley, a beautiful strip of canal with bluebells woods on the right and meadows on the left.

Saw my first Kingfisher of the season and there was wild garlic where there were no bluebells.

Take a gold heart, wrap some metalic cord around it and add a sequin flower.  Mat it onto red, black and gold card and stick it onto a red card blank.

Wigan,Leeds and Liverpool Canal

 I've moaned about this lock before.  It is a typical "Sod the Boaters" lock.  David dropped me off on the off side and I set the paddles.  To get to the towpath side I would have to walk up to the concrete bridge in front, across the bridge past the towpath and down the ramp on the right hand side.

I only did one side!





But because you cannot get back on the boat from the off side (see the metal fence), I had to hitch a ride on the boat across the lock to do the bottom paddles.

Then, of course, the gates have their own large windlass to open and close them.  This is a canal for the ruffy tuffies.

We moored up by the car park for the CRT offices completely nackered after 3 large, heavy, difficult L&L locks.

I cut a strip from the right hand side of the front of this white card blank and then decorated the edge with a punch.  I then did the same with a strip of red card and stuck it behind the white card.

Then I added two paper roses and a silver bow. 

A card that could be used for any occasion.

Dutton Breach (2012) Near Bridge 212, Trent and Mersey

 We rounded the corner, and there was this lovely new mooring!  The site of the breech in 2012.  The view is terrific, but in a couple of years there will be a thick hedge to hide it a bit.  You can just see the lock on the River Weaver to the left and the railway viaduct in the centre.

The two tunnels held no gremlins, the first one was empty, so we sailed through and got to the second one dead on the hour so we could go straight through.  Last time we met three boats in Salterford and missed the time slot for Barnton.

I bought a bunch of "wooden" roses some time ago, well years actually.

I made this anniversary card with one by matting some silver card onto red glitter card and then red card which had been cut with scalloped scissors.  I stuck down the flower with glue dots and then made the sentiment with a peel-off matted onto silver and red card.  This was stuck over the end of the stalk to cover up the rough edges. 

I finished it off with a red heart gem.

Black Flat Bridge No 47, Shropshire Union Canal

 Swans.  What a lovely sight.  We only get geese in Gas Street Basin and they seem to frighten away any swans that venture into their territory.

We got to Norbury Junction at 0900, just as the shop and chandlery were opening.  We bought a new chimney as the old one was looking a bit mankey and bashed and found someone who fixed our leaking U bend under the sink.  Fifteen minutes later we were on our way.  Great, prompt service!

 The weather has deteriorated and there is a cold wind.  So by 1130 we moored up for the rest of the day.  Out in the middle of nowhere and no Internet signal!!!

 We have a great "Rag" Market in Birmingham and there are a couple of Asian stalls selling ribbon and sparkly things.  I got this ribbon there.  It has lots of sequins and beads sewn in.  It is a beast to fix though.

The card blank was black and I made a white panel which was embossed using the Cuttlebug.  I wrapped the ribbon around the white panel using lots of double sided tape on the back to keep it glued down.  Then I added the shiny black and silver sentiment and a paper rose.

Because the rose made the card too thick for an envelope, I made a black box with a red lid for the card to go into.

Galton Valley, BCN Old Line

Off to the BCNS Bonfire Meet at Galton Valley, just about an hour's run and three locks.  The sun was shining and there were lots of boats there already when we arrived.

Lots of activity on site, erecting marquees etc, but the bonfire building doesn't begin until Saturday morning - just in case someone should get any ideas!

The photograph is taken of the side of a narrowboat called Loves Dream.  Couldn't resist it.

I matted the photo onto white and silver card using deckle edged scissors.

Then I decided it was too plain and added the black and white polka-dot ribbon, tied around the spine in a knot.

Tipton, BCN

We woke up after a very quiet night to sunshine!  Which was lucky as there was a tented showground and lots of people expected.

I took a walk into the centre of Tipton.  That was a mistake.  There is a fairly modern shopping centre there, unfortunately apart from about three shops, it was all boarded up!  I seem to remember lots of charity shops last time I visited, but even they have gone.

The show opened at 11am and there were lots and lots of visitors.

One downer was the toilet seems to be broken.  We have had to get the  porta pottie out from under the bed!

The sun shone all day and it was really lovely.  Hope the weather keeps up.

A white card blank with a white panel which I embossed using the Cuttlebug.  Then another plain white panel with an oval cut from the centre.  I fixed this with sticky fixers to make it stand out.

I cut a smaller oval from the waste from the hole and stuck it into the hole.  Six yellow paper roses were then tied with some yellow ribbon and the bunch was stuck down with several glue dots.

Newbury, Kennet and Avon Canal

Bought 5 more bags of coal as the weather has turned cold and arrived in Newbury early before all the hire boats arrived.

We moored opposite the K&A Trust Tearooms.   Usually we travel up through the lock and moor at the top before the swing bridge.  But we want to spend a few days here and this is a 48 hr mooring and the other one is only 24 hrs.

The swans are continually being fed, but still rush over when we get on of off the boat.

 Took lots of photos of boats going in and out of the lock for making cards.  Love the name of this boat.

Newbury has really gone up in the world, there is a new shopping precinct with a John Lewis Home, new big Debenhams and a Lakeland Ltd.  Almost in heaven!

Two cards using the same principal.  I printed out the sentiments on the computer.  The first one with a pink background and the second with a red one.

A space was left for the letter "o" and a red. pearl heart was stuck in place on the first card and a silver locket type heart tied with red ribbon on the second one.

Both panels were then matted onto silver card and then onto DL white card blanks.

Paddington Basin, Grand Union Paddington Arm

Spring has sprung!  It's snowing in Scotland!

I spent most of the day at the launderette, getting everything clean before the guests arrive.

David went to Tottenham Court Road to buy a marine VHF radio.  It's a good job he is going on the course, he needs it.

How to make a quick card.  Take a postcard and stick it onto a card blank...

Knowle Hall Wharf, Grand Union

 Stuck outside the Knowle Hall Wharf, breached up by a brand, spanking new widebeam and sticking out a bit into the canal.  Luckily there are no many boats about.

Walked into Knowle again today (for something to do mostly) and bought more lovely cakes. 
Hope we are not here too long!

Two cards, two different looks.

For the first one I covered a cardboard heart with some gold angel hair stuff, sticking it on the back with glue.  Then added a gold paper rose.  This was then matted onto yellow and gold card squares.

I wrapped gold ribbon down the front of a white card blank and made a bow with more ribbon and stuck that under the heart.

I wasn't too happy with the card so I took it apart.  I cut the white card level with the sides of the topper with a scalloped edge and added some gold peel-offs.

Then I added the sentiment which I printed on the computer and matted it onto  gold card before adding it to the bottom of the new topper.

Still not happy and may take it all apart again and start all over.

Gas Street Moorings, Birmingham

 A while back we had a boat moored by the Hyatt with a lovely couple on board.  One of them made things with balloons and one of his party pieces was to make an animal and then "pop" in a couple of coins.

Here is the close up.  Pretty neat trick eh?

 We have had a bit of ice recently - though not much to shout about, fortunately.  This picture shows the seagulls "walking on water".  One of our moorers insists on feeding them every morning and they then thank him by crapping on all our boats!  Why we have got seagulls in the most inland part of the country though, I will never know.

Time for the Valentine cards I'm afraid and this one is FOR SALE!

It is 10cm x 10cm and has a chocolate heart in the middle.

I made it by folding a piece of white card in half and then using the heart die to cut it out making sure that the top overlapped the fold.  I then cut another white heart the same size and stuck it on the front of the card so the fold did not show.

Then I cut a smaller heart and ran it through the Cuttlebug to emboss it and coloured in the embossing with a marker pen.  This was stuck onto the front, adding the bow and rose and the pink foil covered chocolate heart.

Gas Street Moorings, Birmingham

 We finally got around to joining the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (only 10 years late) and went off to Smethwick for a working party before their Bonfire Meet.  A couple of days before the meeting two young people fell into the top lock and drowned.  These are some of the tributes.

We spent the day clearing weeds from the towpath and the next two days stiff as boards!

This card was for Spanish Dave, our neighbour on the moorings, for his wife on their anniversary.

It was cased it from a blog, though changed it a bit as I didn't have the right sized stamp for the sentiment.

I die cut a heart from red card and covered it in several layers glitter glue, finishing off with some lacquer to make it stick.  Then I matted it onto white and red card and then onto black card leaving one edge longer than the other three.

Some red ribbon was wrapped around the front of the card (I cut a slit in the spine just large enough to thread the ribbon through and then stuck the ends onto the back.  I then tied a knot with a piece of red ribbon and some black spotty ribbon.

Originally I stamped the sentiment directly onto the card, but as usual, I messed it up!  So I stamped it again and then matted it up onto red and black card.

I made an insert which was stuck over the back of the front of the card, hiding the ribbon ends.

On the original card a small "Anniversary" was stamped in white on the black edge of the card, so I added the red heart gem as I felt it just needed something.

Gas Street Moorings, Birmingham

 I don't know, you miss a few days and it is really difficult to get back into the habit of blogging.  So sorry.  Though it is difficult if I don't have a photo to publish too.  Blogs are boring without pics, don't you think?

Anyway, we got back from Spain early August and missed all the fun on the moorings (yet again)!

There had been an auction for a mooring and the winner arrived, but soon started accusing other moorers of various misdemeanours and then began threatening to mutilate the males and stab one of the females.  Fortunately their contract for the mooring was not signed so they moved off.

The good news is that BBC Dave was the under bidder and he was offered the mooring.

On our big cruise in the Spring we managed to rub off the Mr on the bowflare.  Calum can be seen here painting the white bits

And Ana has just finished the signwriting.

So we are all shipshape again.

Well, almost, but that is another story.

Caroline and Curtis celebrated their second wedding anniversary in July.  This is the card I made.

  I Cuttlebugged a square piece of white card and stuck it onto some yellow card.  I wrapped several paper lace strips around and fixed it to the back and also some yellow paper string, fixing that at the back too.

A white Nestability heart was Cuttlebugged, then matted onto a yellow scalloped one and fixed to the side of the panel.  I stuck this panel onto a white, square card blank and then added to roses and leaves.