Postcard Weekly Challenge 2012

I am late with my entry for Week 15 at the Postcard challenge 2012, which is to visit ICELAND. I hardly knew a thing about Iceland, but thanks to Darcy, our sole tourist guide, I am amazed at what I have learnt. As an example I even have understood an item in the news this week. The British Government are to have talks with the Icelandic PM regarding the diversion of created electricity from the geothermal geysers and volcanoes. It is said that Iceland could create enough electricity to power all of Europe. To find more interesting facts of Iceland I recommend you popping over to here.  The Icelandic people are also very proud of their history and heritage, including the Vikings. The National flag is not allowed to be worn on clothing or for advertising.

Hermione's card to her parents tells of how she had 10 house points deducted because she sent out of the school a video of school activities. Well, I think we all knew she would be in trouble for that. She is beginning to get really curious as to why her parents are Muggles and she is what she is - a witch. Ssshhh!!! 

Postcard Challenge Week 14.........

........jets us off to Singapore. I knew 3 things about Singapore before the challenge, Raffles Hotel, a Singapore Sling and of course of the Japanese invasion during WW2. Darcy at the Postcard Weekly Challenge who is our Hostess and senior guide around the world certainly knows how to make our journey interesting as well as educational. Do pop over to her blog to see the art and stories of my fellow travelling companions. I found during my research '40 Interesting Facts of Singapore' for your perusal, worth a visit if like me, you find these facts quite amazing. 

I did find this journey more difficult than some others, until I found the Jurong Bird Park, this is the largest  in the world for the number of birds they have, many of which are very exotic in their colours. It is the second largest in the world as far as acreage. I stamped the exotic bird using an Inkadinkado stamp and feather. Coloured it with mica powders and Promarkers, I have added lots of bling with gemstones and gold embossing powder.

Oh dear, do you think from this Herminone may be in trouble? Are her parents over reacting or are their concerns to be expected. Just as well they don't know all she is getting up to. 

Week 13 - Turkey Postcard Challenge

Here we are at Week 13 in Darcy's Postcard Challenge, which brings us to Turkey. I have needed to rely on a few search programmes to find out more of this country. Before I start on the pictorial side of my postcard, I think maybe after our first 3 months maybe it is time for me to refresh the story of Hermione and her parents, from the clues previously given. Sorry it is a long post.
The story so far .....................
If you are one of the few people in the world who know nothing about Harry Potter books, you may find this difficult to follow, or hopefully at least interesting. Hermione is a 11 year old girl who begins her witchery education at Hogwart's School. We know early in the book, Harry is an orphan, Ron his friend, has a large family and we frequently meet his parents Mr. Mrs. Weasley, however,  Hermione, the main girl in the story, her parents, as far as I recall are not mentioned in any of the books, so I wanted to create a family for her. It seems her parents are travelling the world, for they send her a postcard every fortnight from wherever they are. In turn Hermione, who of course, most of the time is in her boarding school, can not travel, but her Father sent her a huge bag of foreign postcards for her to use, with a packet of foreign envelopes to use as was needed.  In one post Hermione commented, 'No one will ever find me here.' Since the early days, they now use the Owl Post, but they still need to use the appropriate country's stamps in case they are intercepted.  Herminione's parents are Muggles, in other words, non witch/wizard, ordinary people without the gift. In another post Hermione commented how she found it hard sharing with a large class of pupils, so different to having a tutor.  Mrs. Grainger commented in Belguim how her wedding dress had been made with Bruges lace. (very expensive). Hermione has expressed curious interest into why her parents are travelling the world, she suspects it has something to do with her magical powers. Her mother has said she will explain all later.
Her father has spoken to the Annual Conference Meeting of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Switzerland and a local committee in Israel. The postcard from Canada gave a huge hint, "We learnt so much in Wales, to help us in our search, to secure your future, we can stay another week in Canada. Hermione and her grandmother in half term popped over to Amsterdam to visit some old family friends. ....................................the story continues.
Turkey, is an ancient country with some amazing and surprising facts, if you want to know more go here.
My postcard is a collage of some of the information I found.
The background is of a Turkish carpet. The Turks, introduced coffee and cherries to Europe, they gave the Dutch tulips. St. Nicholas, Santa Claus was born in Patara, Turkey, 70% of the world's hazelnuts are grown in Turkey, The Orient Express exclusive train ran from Paris to Constantinople (now Istanbul) from 1833 - 1977. Istanbul is the only capital in the world which stands between two continents- Europe and Asia.

Thanks to everyone who visits my postcard challenge, I hope you enjoy reading of Turkey, as much as I have.I always read and appreciate your comments. I again look forward to our next destination where no doubt I will learn even more of another country. I continue to enjoy visiting you all, but I'm sorry if I don't leave a comment, mostly it is because I can't cope with the verification which thinks I'm a robot.

Week 12 - Israel Postcard Challenge

Week 12, amazing, times does fly. Here we are on our journey via Postcards with Darcy's Postcard Challenge.
Week 12 has taken us to Israel, a country I truthfully know very little about. The State of Israel was formed in 1948, there are two main languages, Hebrew and Arabic. Jerusalem, the capital, is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is also regarded as a very important religious centre, not only for the Jewish religion, but for Christians and Muslims. The country is made up of many nationalities, due to it's short existence and the migration of Jewish people from countries with either a history of intolerance with the Jewish faith or the desire for folk to live in a Jewish community and country.  In the country there are also other important religious areas and town, including Bethlehem and Nazareth. There is a lot of political and conflict information available. The National Postal system features many butterflies on their stamps so I assume the country being such a warm area, positioned to the east of the Mediterranean, will have many flowers and butterflies. It is a wealthy country with impressive new buildings, an excellent education system. here is my postcard, which features a map of the country and one showing it's position in the middle east. A postage stamp of a camel, and transport, the national flag, some flowers and some pretty butterflies. I thank you for taking the time to look and to maybe even comment. I am now looking forward to visiting those who have already submitted their entries to Darcy's blog. come along and take a look there are some amazing postcards, some with fascinating stories to tell. Mr. Mrs. Grainger, Hermione's parents are visiting Isreal for her father to speak at the National
committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent section in Jerusalem.

Week 11 - Kingdom of the Netherlands Postcard Challenge

I'm late this week, I normally manage to add my postcard on a Friday but life has taken over from the fun time. I know it isn't a problem, we have till next Friday really but I hate being late, one reason being, I resist the temptation to look at others entries for the week, until mine is finished and uploaded, I would otherwise maybe not enter mine, for there are so many talented artists who are taking part in Darcy's 52 week, this being Week 11 of the Postcard Challenge. The Netherlands bring back many happy memories for me. My husband and I and two friends spent a wonderful weekend in Amsterdam and a seaside resort, touring various places en route. We visited a diamond merchant's and my darling husband bought for our Pearl Anniversary, a pearl and 2 diamond, platinum ring, which incidentally cost a lot more than the whole holiday put together and then some. I tried on clogs, tasted cheeses, visited tulip fields,  windmills, dykes, a wonderful time spent with good company.

I water coloured the background of the card, the tulip stamp is from Chloe Stamps which I embossed with Wow! gold embossing powder, then painted with Mica powders. I have a crown to represent the Royal family, the national flag, the stamp is a commemorative stamp of their famous painter Van Gough. Thanks to everyone who visits and makes comments. I am now off to load this, add it to my  extra page, and then later this evening I will be able to relax and visit everyone (I hope). 

Wk 10 Postcard Weekly Challenge

Week 10 in the Darcy's Weekly Postcard Challenge, see logo in side bar, has taken us to Canada. This is the second largest country, second to Russia. There are some amazing facts and figures of this remarkable country with two main languages French and English. I was interested to read Canada is the world's largest consumer of macaroni and cheese. My postcard depicts a few of the interesting details.
The dry embossed background of snow flakes represents a large area of the country which is most if not all of the year covered in snow. The white crystal gems indicate the diamonds found in the Northern Ontario region. The 3 emerald stones, bottom right represent the emeralds found in the Yukon area. The Cree Indian chief represents the Cree Nation from northern Quebec, which is one of  many indigenous Indian tribes. The Beaver waving the national flag with the maple leaf is a national symbol. The map of Canada. The Canadian ocean to ocean railway system, is shown because if I ever won the lottery this is a trip I dream of making.

Once again, many thanks Darcy for the opportunity to visit Canada, even if it was a virtual visit, I had fun. Now of course, I am looking forward to where next we go. I have a feeling it could be somewhere in the Orient. As you have said you have had your list of countries made out in advance maybe we should have a guessing game. No prizes awarded, just for fun. Take care. Thanks to those who visit my blog who have left/or leave comments, which I greatly appreciate. 

Postcard Weekly Challenge 2012 Wk 9

Here we are Week 9 in Switzerland, well most of the Postcard challenge travellers are but of course Hermione is still in Hogwart's School, she rummaged in the box of postcards her father sent to her, to find one of Switzerland. I am not very happy with this week's postcard, I feel it's a mess. I seem to have slipped into regularly making collage cards, for I am no artist, I am a crafter. My only  knowledge of Switzerland began  when I was a child, I adored the book 'The Story of Heidi' and other books of her later adventures. Other bits of information are collated on the card.
As a retired nurse I have a great interest in the history and organisation of the Red Cross.
Other pieces of knowledge of Switzerland are it is a politically neutral country, an extremely wealthy country. Banking is a large industry - hence the money on my card. Perfumery and chocolate making of course. I'm late and I don't even like my Swiss postcard, this has not been a a good week for me, but I will continue.
Hermione's postcard message to her parents.

Thanks to those who visited my Cuba page, I greatly appreciate your comments. I'm off now to look at as many fellow travellers as I can, hopefully over the next few days I'll get to visit more than the last few weeks.

Week 8 Postcard Challenge ~ Cuba

Week 8 of Darcy's Postcard Challenge takes us the the Caribbean island of Cuba. Through my research I found some amazing bits of trivial but interesting  information about Cuba. Since the Revolution in 1959 there have been no new cars imported to Cuba, the island still has thousands of pre-1959 Classic American cars, which are kept in pristine condition and are very much a status symbol within the Communist country, it's full name being the Republic of Cuba. Christopher Columbus established the island, hence the large numbers of Spanish churches and Spanish architecture. being in the Caribbean there is an abundance of beautiful tropical flowers. Havana cigars are classed as the best cigars in the world. One of the greatest exports the Cubans can boast of is qualified Medical Doctors, they are loaned to over 40 countries.
I have used Indigo Blu stamps, from The Grand Tour II for the old building. The flower is from an old set of Tropical Flowers from See-D's, which I coloured with Promarkers. To answer a previous question, I stamp the majority of my images or use cut outs from downloads. I can not draw, even  a match stick man.
Mr. and Mrs. Grainger are currently visiting Cuba, in their search for information which could be useful before the end of the year to help them to prevent something awful happening to their daughter. 

I would like to thank the many visitors I had last week to see my card from Wales. Also to thank all of those who left splendid comments which I greatly appreciate. I have enjoyed the challenge of Cuba, for I found the research much more interesting than I thought it would be. I am so glad I am on this Postcard Journey for if I was just visiting I would truly feel left out of a fabulous experience. Thanks again Darcy. I wonder where to next Monday? To see other traveller's postcards click on the side bar for the Postcard Challenge 2010. To see my previous postcards, check the Labels or the additional page on the top bar. Thanks for your visit.

Week 7 - Postcard Challenge - Wales

I can't believe I haven't added anything to my blog since Monday, where do the days go? I have been busy, but with Design Team cards and cards for my Card Class today, so I'll add those soon.
Here we are in Week 7 on Darcy's Postcard Challenge, I'm late today, but I'm here. Before I dare to go to view my fellow travellers I like to post my card, or I may become too intimidated with the wonderful pieces of art and give up. Fortunately I have  enjoyed three holidays in Wales, so it wasn't a hard task for me this week. My card shows a symbol of Wales is a Red Dragon, a daffodil is the Welsh flower. Wales in Welsh is Cymru. The small village with the long name, I have given the English version of the name. Castles are abound in Wales. I greatly enjoyed an enactment of  Medieval Tournament, with sword fighting, jousting, etc at Beaumaris Castle. The gold coin represents the gold found in Wales, it is customary for Royal persons to have their wedding rings made from Welsh gold.

I am now using an owl stamp for the postcards to and from Hermione and her parents.

Week 6 - Postcard Challenge

For Week 6 Darcy hasn't sent us far, in fact just over the border to Belguim, or if given it's true name it is the
Kingdom of Belguim, the constitutional present monach being King Albert II. I have visited a small area of Belguim, but when I listed what I knew of the country I am ashamed to admit very little. The highly praised and priced hand made lace from Bruge. My most favourite lager is a well known Belguim beer. Chocolates from Belguim yummmee!. The world's most favourite and well known Belgian detective is of course Monsieur Hercule Poirot, from the pen of Agatha Christie. The European Parliament is based in Brussels, the European Union Flag with the stars and the Belgian flag. There are 3 main languages - Flemish, French and German. All of these are detailed on my postcard.

The postcard will of course be delivered by owl post from Mr. Mrs. Grainger, currently in Belguim to their   daughter Hermione at the Hogwart's School of Magic, somewhere in the United Kingdom.  Roll on Monday,  for our next destination. Hope I will be able to do more stamping. I'm off to post this on Darcy's blog, check out the log on my side bar, and to visit some of my fellow travellers and check out their postcards.

Postcard Challenge Wk 5 - France

Here we are at Week 5 - France on our journey with Darcy's Postcard Challenge, to see my Postcard Book, to see my previous week's postcards, all details can be found .here  This week the journey takes us to France, but for my story, I am writing about Hermoine Grainger who is at Hogwart's School. Her parents Victoria (Vicky) and Vincent Grainger are the persons travelling the world. Hermione's father sent her a parcel of foreign postcards, for her to use, to help in the subterfuge of keeping Hermione's whereabouts unknown, whilst they are travelling. To continue the story................................

I am so enjoying this journey, it is interesting not only to create my own postcards and hopefully to interest others with the story, but to visit others, many talented artists and crafters, who are travelling their own journey.  Reading their stories too. Thanks Darcy and thanks to the ladies who visit me, and to those who leave me comments, I greatly appreciate each and everyone. Roll on next Monday, for our next destination.

Postcard Challenge Wk 4 China

I am feeling jet lagged, the distances we are travelling in such a short time, are amazing and exciting. China, I have changed my mind so many times, I'm still not thrilled with my final result, it is a mix up of my ideas.

The national flower for China was agreed in 1964 to be the Plum Blossom. The giant Panda is indigenous to Central mountainous areas of China. They live in highly dense forest areas, their staple diet is bamboo and the leaves. China regularly re-introduce Pandas back into their natural habitat.

I have many Orental stamps but it wasn't until I started this project I realised probably 90% are Japanese.

Continuing the story of Hermione and her parents.

"Hello Dearest - Father and I are thrilled with your idea to start using owl post. All of this interaction with the animal and birds kingdom is above us. We understand the owl will arrive wherever we are - we give it your post and it will be delivered to you.  So will you continue to send your cards to us via owl post to Paris and then our courier will deliver to us? Love from Mum and Dad"

Stamps used - Joanna Sheene - Plum Blossom

Remainder stamps from See D's Asian Designs -Chinese 50056
To see my Postcard book and my other Postcards go HERE
To see Darcy's Page and a list of my fellow travellers go HERE

Postcard Challenge Episode 3 BRAZIL

Here we are on our third week of Darcy's Postcard Challenge 2012,( see on side bar) and we are in BRAZIL. I knew immediately which stamp to use for my postcard, my carnival dancer from Rubbadubbado.
I started by colouring the background with TH Distress inks in bright carnival colours. I used a dandelion stamp, embossed with Silver Bells Wow! powders to look like fireworks. I coloured my dancer in the colours of the Brazilian flag. My OH suggested Motor Racing, son said football. I think not. I love the glitter, the feather and bling on this.

My postcard, above, from Hermione to her parents, which is always posted to a safe house PO Box, where it is collected by a courier, who then delivers it to where her parents actually are. I am enjoying our adventure around the world each week as Hermione and her parents communicate with each other I am getting to know more about them, you'll be amazed how much more there is to be known about all three, time will tell.

To see my postcard book please go here

I am still having commenting problems with IE, sadly I can not access every page to leave comments on those who are taking part in Darcy's challenge. I am leaving comments where I can. Sorry Darcy, I can't comment on your fabulous dancer either, nor to let you know how much I am enjoying this weekly challenge. Thanks.

Postcard Challenge Episode 2 - Spain

My completed Postcard Booklet. I have added plastic pockets, taped once the card is inserted so they won't

slip out. I soon realised I preffered to be able to see both sides as I and others will be looking through in time to come, especially when it is full. i have used various travel stamps, back and front. Two large rings with lots of blue and brown shades of ribbons.

Spain - My visions of the country are , spectacular old churches, Saville oranges, Spanish Equestrian School, Royal Family and Spanish Flamenco dancing - hence the decorated fan. What makes you think I am not a lying on the beach, type of person?

Hermione's parents, first PC to her, is from Spain and reads :-

Spain Jan. 13th. -----Hello dearest, pleased all your books and equipment arrived safely at school. Of course being Muggles, we had great difficulty acquiring some of them, until a school govenor told us you could go to a place called Diagon Alley, I know you will enjoy the school, let us know about it. We are well. Love Mum and Dad.

P.S.Sadly, I am having a problem with Blogger and commenting, both on mine and others, this is preventing me from adding it to Darcy's Mr. Linky and from making comments on those who have successfully

 up-loaded to her blog. I am hoping this will soon be resolved, for I am about to tear my hair out and have a screaming fit. I am looking forward to the next country and to further developing what is to come with Hermione and her parents.



Darcy's Postcard Challenge 2012 Episode 1

I have been eagerly awaiting the start of Darcy's Postcard Challenge for 2012. I have been unsure on what, artistically, was wanted, and as usual my imaginations were above what actually is required, so I needn't have felt intimidated and so unsure. My ideas have been spot on. So now I know for sure, I am going to get on with my first postcard from Austria. I hope to be back later today to add to this post.
First let me tell you about my two characters. I suppose if your a fan of Harry Potter books/films it may help in some of the understanding. I am, of course a mature grandmother who first read Harry Potter within a few weeks of it's publication, I couldn't understand the hype of a so called children's book. By the end of the second chapter I understood. As a female I greatly enjoyed the characterisation of Hermione Grainger. I always felt there could be more to this studious, clever young girl. What of her parents? Muggles (non witchcraft people) but rarely mentioned in the books. What was their relationship like? So to my two characters - their names and addresses-
Miss H.L. Grainger -                                                               
Gryffindor House,
Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
Across the Lake.
3rd, County from the North,
UNITED KINGDOM

Mr. Mrs. V.H. Grainger
PO Box 2012
Rue de Provence
2012AA  Paris
Ile-de-France
FRANCE
Now anyone who is not involved in Darcy's Postcard Challenge will think, Cazro has at last LOST IT! Not at all, I am going to have fun finding out more about my characters and of the many countries to be visited. Please pop back later to see my first postcard.



My postcard reads down the centre Music and Arts Festival 2012 Vienna - Austria.

The message reads :- "Jan 6th - Hi Mum, Grandmama, and I had a lovely time at the Music & Arts Festival. I really liked the work of the artist Klimt. Posting this before we leave for England. I am very excited about starting at my new school. I have read lots of books, more than those on the list. Thanks so much for all my needs on the list being forwarded to Hogwart's. Love to you both. H.L.G."

I am now wondering where Hermione's parents will be next week for them to send their reply.