July Issue of Making Cards magazine now in

Check out what's in July's Making Cards! More card making projects, more pages and even more free gifts! And now with even more challenging projects this really is the only card making magazine you need!

• Pretty quilling
• Adorable animals
• Seaside sensations
• Fancy folds
• 14 FREE craft papers & vellums featuring 'cute creatures' exclusive to Making Cards!

Off-Roading Again!

We spent Thursday afternoon at the Land Rover Experience at Dunkeld yet again.  This time we were sampling the delights of the Range Rover Sport TDV6, a snip at only £52,390!

It was a lovely day, with the sun burning down (quite literally as I was distinctly red at the end of the day!).  Before we left we were shown a day-old deer, hidden amongst the long grass in the off-road area.  All that could be seen were two ears sticking up and it could just be seen with the aid of strong binoculars.  No-one was allowed any closer for fear of disturbing it.

Off we set with the air-conditioning on maximum, heading up the A9, turning off towards Dalguise, before looping round and returning to the A9 at Ballinluig.  After that it was back to the LRE Centre and onto the off-roading part.

First thing we did was to check the young deer again, as we drove slowly past the bottom of the hill it was hiding on. Still there and seemed to be okay so on we went.

After getting used to the vehicle's astonishing ability to go up and down seemingly impossible slopes again it was on to something different, the rock crawl.  They have a section of rather large rocks and boulders that need two people to get the vehicle across safely, one to drive and one to direct. Ross got out to do the directing, while I sat in air-conditioned comfort watching him and our Instructor, Rob, slowly cook in the sun. It was only a short distance to go but took several minutes as I slowly trickled the Sport forward, turning the wheel when directed, literally inching forward as Ross made sure I didn't damage anything underneath.  Rob was also busy making sure that Ross didn't make any expensive mistakes!

Boulder section clear and we were off into the forest section where it was at least a little more shady. Up and down slopes, squeezing round trees, and enjoying the sight of deer and other wildlife amongst the trees.  It makes a nice change to see a forest with different trees from the all too common pine trees seen nowadays.

Sadly it was soon time to head back to the Centre, but not before having to wait for some of the local deer herd to lazily move out of the way.  They had decided to use the track as a resting place and, while Land Rovers can go virtually anywhere, there are some limits!

Again a big 'Thank You' to all the staff at the Land Rover Experience Centre at Dunkeld ( Tel: +44 (0)844 848 4455 )  who made our latest visit such an enjoyable experience. Also a big 'Thank You' to Land Rover Ltd. who have been so good at letting me loose in their fantastic vehicles. They really are The Best 4x4 By Far.

The ProMarker Expert is here

Debbi is here and busy beavering away with her ProMarkers. She has loads of samples with her and is steadily producing more, so why not pop in and watch her at work

July Craft Stamper now in

We now have the July issue of Craft Stamper in.  (And  for those  of you who  are thinking, it can't be a month by already, fear not.  The last issue was late reaching us so it is only a couple of  weeks since it arrived.)

There are lots  of lovely projects in the July issue including one using the free seashell stamp, so why not pop in and pick  up your copy today.  Essential reading during that football event

EK Success Punches Just In

We have had a delivery of EK Success punches with a variety of designs.  Favourite one will be the corner punch as it is so difficult to get a good one.

This one will cut through paper and card, just like the Martha Stewart punches, as will all the other designs.  There are only a few of the corner punches though so be quick!

New Kanban just in

We have several new Kanban products just in and they are lovely!

It doesn't matter if you are making a card or looking for something for a scrapbook page, these new designs will have something to suit.

We have loads more than the couple shown here so why not pop in and have a look.

New Darkroom Door stamps in now

We have new Darkroom Door stamps in.  There are several new designs, all finely detailed, that produce the most beautiful images.  So if you are planning on making a greetings card, or looking for that special little something to finish off a scrapbook page then have a look at the new designs.

Simply Create trip

I had a bit of a busman's holiday on my day off this week as we took a trip to Simply Create in Alford.

Thinking it was going to be a lovely sunny day I dressed for summer, which it was until we were approaching Cairnamount when it started to hail.  Then we got sleet, then slushy snow. Just what you expect in May!

By the time we got near the top we were down to less than 20 mph as the slush was freezing and the car was sliding about.  Still, we reckoned it was better to be going up and sliding than going down and sliding, so on we went.  Just as well we did as once over the top there was no sign of anything other than a shower of rain.

We got to Simply Create a little later than planned, but it was worth the trip as Jacqui has some lovely things in her shop.  We also met two of Jacqui's crafters who were busy doing a scrapbook for a local railway society. (Sorry I can't remember your names ladies, but it was nice meeting you both.)

After a good look round I had a bit of a spend (doesn't matter that I have my own shop, there's always something different in other shops) which along with a long, long, long, long natter with Jacqui made for a lovely day out.

An evening meal at the Alford Bistro, near Simply Create, and it was back down the road, this time going by the main road, just in case.  So if you are up Aberdeenshire way, drop in and see Jacqui.  You are guaranteed a warm welcome.  I know I'm looking forward to my next visit.

At last!

The latest issue of Craft Stamper has finally arrived.  Our apologies for the delay but they literally only arrived this morning.  Heads have been jumped on, feet have been stamped ( no pun intended ) and we've been assured that they will be here on time in future.

Off-roading again!

We were off to Dunkeld again yesterday morning to enjoy a bit more off-roading. This time we were driving a £66,000 Range Rover, something that's been on my 'If I win the Lottery' list since I discovered the joys of off-roading.

The day, as before, was brilliant, helped in no small part by Gilbert, one of the Centre's Lead Instructors.  He has a great deal of patience and a fantastic way of teaching, so that anyone can develop and enjoy their off-road driving skills whatever their abilities.

While we were there the local wildlife made a few appearances in the form of a couple of herds of deer who were totally unfazed by the presence of a large lump of vehicle, or the brief appearance of an RAF jet as it thundered low overhead.  They only vanished when some quads noisily appeared and disappeared.

While we didn't quite manage to follow in the tracks of the deer we had great fun going up, down and round some seemingly impossible slopes.  So much so that I was absolutely knackered by the end of my session and glad to let Ross drive for a while.

I'm looking forward to going back again and trying one of the whole day courses.

Oh, and my 'Lottery List' Range Rover? I've replaced it with a Discovery 4, it's a much nicer drive. And I'm having it in purple! Now where did I put my Lottery ticket ...