Winter Berries, shy Jay's and flocks of Swans

Apologies to my teams that I'm late posting, post was prepped days ago but somehow I put it into draft and with rather a lot going on didn't realise. Holly, my right hand girl has deteriorated quickly this week, Vet who did the op in August assures me she's not in pain, her tail wags as much as ever and she wants food but can't keep it down, it's heartbreaking getting to 'that' decision.

It's the 18th of the month so mid way inspiration at We Love Stamping and Stamping Sensations with Christmas themes at both. 

Above a fairly new to me Penny Black stamps, the sentiment wood mounted, nice that some can still be sourced (Buddly Crafts), a masked frame with some soft stencilling and the focal image inked direct to stamp using Ecoline pens. I would like to link up with this one at Craftalicious's optional Christmas traditional colours and Farmquest Christmas.

My one make of the week, yep still very slow going as I'm far from out of the woods yet and due in hospital for treatment in a few days. It's for one of our Son's and wife who love garden birds and especially Robins so an easy choice. All stamps, stencil and masks are Lavinia. I used snippets to stamp the Robins and vase a second time to paper piece so popping to the Playground. Added crackle glaze to the vase. I've not used the colours of the inspiration at Beautiful Blossoms but do have a bouquet of flowers.

Above my snippets.

Finally another Penny Black stamp, pretty CAS for me, stamped coloured and cut into three and a die cut sentiment. Linking this one to 12 months of Christmas.

I made the above especially for Jo's Just Add Antlers theme at Christmas Kickstart and really though I had added to a post and entered, on checking clearly not, so better late than never. The pine branch is AALL and Create and all other stamps are Lavinia, Versafine Clair inks and Pan Pastels for the shading. Run Rudolph is the song title at Christmas Cards All Year Round, my Reindeer is a rather serious fellow but hope he fits. Aud Sentiments option is Christmas/Glitter and sentiment, the berries are sparkly as is the snow on the trees.

Jay's are so pretty but very shy, we know we've had them living in a hedgerow for years but rarely see them. But the other day parents and juveniles were all out feeding on the carpet of acorns under the big Oak, I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of all together but did manage some individually (taken through the kitchen window on phone so not that clear).

A good number of Swans spend Summer on the Fen drains and this time of year gather before heading up to Welney Wash where they Winter. The first picture a distant shot just up the Drove and the second another flock on a field in front of the house.