Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 52 Mexico

Very sore and recovering from his trip to the vets, Roland Poland finally receives his mail - ALL the letters he wrote to Carmen have been returned unopened, in a bundle wrapped in brown string.  It is accompanied by a postcard from Carmen, who is in Mexico with her sister, Maria.

Here is the travel page we made for him.

She writes,

Bye Poland

It would never have worked.

Carmen

The next thing our hero knows is when he is woken up by a comforting paw around his shoulders and gently shaking him, Malcolm asks "Are you alright?  You were sobbing in your sleep".
Roland Poland, very bemused says "Then all this was just a dream?"
"Let's go and find some breakfast says Malcolm and as the two trot down Botchergate, Roland Poland thinks that Carlisle has never looked so beautiful.

                                                                    THE  END


Thank you to Darcy at Art and Sole for organizing this most wonderful challenge.  I have 'grown' so much from the experience and thank you to all my visitors who have commented on this year long quest.

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 51 Greenland

In the penultimate episode of Roland Poland's world tour,
The Xong family have travelled to Nuuk, Greenland for a pre Christmas mini-break and to meet Father Christmas in his workshop.

Roland Poland writes to his half-brother Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,
Been to see Santa and the elves.
Returning home today and can't wait to
pick up my mail from Carmen, then I'm
off to the vets.  I don't know why
because I am feeling fine.
RP

Here are the pages we made in his travel book.

We have included views of the spectacular scenery, including the iconic painted houses and the polar bear coat of arms and very stylish flag.
My postcard Arctic scene is one I have been saving all year for such a destination.  It is a free image from The Graphics Fairy.  I have given it a Christmas feel using Craft Artist2.

A big thank you to all my loyal supporters and hope you will tune in next week for the final instalment in Roland Poland's year long adventure around the world.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!

CD Sunday Challenge - Teddy Bears

This is my favourite image on the Meadow Cottage Bears CD by Christine Howarth.  How could you fail to feel better ?  Unfortunately this year, I have had to sent quite a few get well cards so I am getting in front for next time!  I have done some background stamping with tiny text and flourish stamps in Memento Desert Sand  to give it more depth and interest.  The sentiment is from Joanna Sheen.  The backing paper is from a pad of writing paper bought at the local Pound Shop.

Thanks for stopping by and do feel free to leave a comment, I very much appreciate them.

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 50 Hawaii

Roland Poland is still waiting the arrival of his beloved Carmen and also keeping a lookout for any letters she may have sent him.  He is passing time watching old episodes of Hawaii Five-O on the television.

He writes to half-brother Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,
Spending all my time waiting for the postman
and then it's a race to get to the door before the
Missus.  She tripped over me this morning and
said to Xui, "I am fed up of falling over this 
lovesick dog - make sure he has no nuts for 
Christmas".
What could she mean!!

RP

The postcard is my interpretation -  with brayer, stamp and copic markers of a photograph of Coconut Grove Beach at sunset.

This link will get you in the Hawaiian mood and is one of Roland Poland's favourites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkzdq-ktLws

Here are the pages we made in his travel book.

 We have included a scene of one of the lovely beaches, this time, not one of the imported golden sands but the natural black lava sand found all over these volcanic islands, a conch shell being sounded and a painting of King Kamehameha.  Obviously Jack Lord and Hawaii Five -O feature, as I was brought up on this series when I was growing up in Australia and have many happy memories.

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments and I do hope you will visit the other intrepid travellers who are still travelling the world. (link in sidebar).

CD Sunday Challenge - Frosty Day

My image and backing papers are from DebbeesCD's Waterside Watercolours - Winter's Sleep.  The sentiment is from Ezybelles, and the snowflakes are glittered with Stardust Stickles.  The lace is from my huge 'bag of bits'.

Thank you for stopping by and do feel free to leave a comment, all are much appreciated.

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 49 Sweden

The Xong family have decided to adopt the stray pug known as Carmen as our hero is so smitten with her.  She is having the necessary injections in order that she can join them at their next destination.

He writes to his brother Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,
We are in Sweden, the land of Abba and I can't help
thinking about Carmen, she's my Dancing Queen.
I have written to her every day but have not yet
received a reply.  I expect it is the post.
Can't wait for her to join me.

RP

Here are the pages in his travel book.

Apart from Abba, of course, we have included the Oresund Bridge between Malmo and Copenhagen, Denmark in tribute to the excellent crime thriller series The Bridge  I watched recently on tv and thoroughly enjoyed.  Also included is a photo of Albert Nobel and an iconic red house at Kullaberg Skane.

The postcard is a photograph of Sodermalarstrand that has been converted to a pencil sketch and coloured in with copic markers.

Thank you for stopping by and all your comments are greatly appreciated.  I do hope you will also visit our fellow travellers on this year long journey (see sidebar for link.)

Apologies for the blue tinted photos but  that is how the natural light is up here in the north of Scotland.

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 48 Argentina

Xui and Roland Poland have jetted off to Buenos Aires for upcoming trade talks.  Roland is fascinated with the tango competition to be held at the hotel, which he intends to enter IF ONLY he had the right partner.

He writes to his brother Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,
I've met up with Carmen, the most beautiful pug, 
who is now my dancing partner.  She has dreamy
pools for eyes and, Malcolm, when I hold her
in my paws, I could dance all night.

RP

Clearly, the boy has got it bad.  Here are the pages in his travel book.

Argentina is such a diverse country, the Pampas to the north and the mountains of the Andes to  the west and south.  Gauchos, the Argentinian cowboys work the cattle on the pampas and we found a lovely photo of a very handsome one wearing traditional clothes taken in 1868.  Che Guevara was born in the Argentine and he is just as famous as that wonderful dance, The Tango.

Thank you for stopping by and I do hope you will continue to follow us and other travellers on our nearly complete world tour.  (link in sidebar)

*The Graphics Fairy LLC*

*The Graphics Fairy LLC*
A Christmas Card I made using one of Karen's lovely vintage images.  The snowdrops and holly have been decoupaged twice and have been mounted onto a lightly glittered paper doily.  Thank you Karen for all the wonderful images you provide throughout the year.

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 47 Jamaica

The Xong family are on holiday for half term.  Roland Poland is chilling out.

He writes to his brother Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,

Fabulous place.  Having a good rest.

Don't forget, Malcolm to 
"Pass the dutchie pon the left hand side!"

RP

The postcard is stamped with a Clarity palm tree and coloured with distress inks.
And here are the pages we made for his travel book

Thanks for stopping by and I do hope you will visit the other travellers on our journey.

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 46 - Tibet

Roland Poland is in London and a chance meeting with a Lhasa Apso belonging to the Dalai Lama gets him thinking that perhaps there is more to life than just having a good time.

He writes to his half-brother Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,
Got talking to a very mystical lhasa apso in Regent's Park and he said
to me that this life sets the scene for our next one and it is important
to live this life as best we can by others.
He gave me this postcard to keep.  It has prayer flags on it to help us
live a good life.  I hope I am not a dog next time around.

RPx

Here are the pages we made in his travel book.

Pride of place goes to a photo of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhist faith, a branch of Buddhism practised in most Himalayan countries, and northern India. A lhasa apso dog similar to the one encountered by our hero, the flag of Tibet and native yaks decorate the pocket page.

The photograph on the postcard is one taken by our youngest daughter, Eleanor, when she was on nursing practice in Nepal earlier this year.  It is of the Golden Temple in Kathmandu and very typical of temples found in Tibet.  Sadly travel to Tibet is not encouraged due to the Chinese occupation of that land.

Thank you for stopping by and I do hope you will visit the remaining travellers on this year long journey.
(see link in sidebar).

CD Sunday Challenge - Rainy Days

This weeks theme certainly fits the bill up here in the Scottish Highlands!  I have made my A5 card using Craft Artist2 and Booland's Rainy Days kit  and decoupaged the young girls and umbrellas.  Apologies for the poor photograph, I had to take it in artificial light as it is so dark outside.
Thanks for stopping by and thank you for all your comments, much appreciated.

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 45 Monaco

Roland Poland is visiting Monaco with Xui and Mrs Xong.  He is having a great time and is doing a lot of showing off.

He writes to his half-brother Malcolm, in Carlisle.

Hi Malcolm,
This is the life - fast cars, casinos and me in my
James Bond suit.
Licensed to Thrill.

From Monaco with Love

007 RP

Here are the pages we made in his travel book

We have included views over the millionaire's playground of Monte Carlo, including the Marina, Casino and Opera House and also the Grimaldi family's coat of arms and a photo of the very beautiful Grace Kelly on her wedding day.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting us on our trip.  I do hope you will visit the other travellers on our long journey around the world. (link in sidebar)

CD Sunday Challenge - Pink Christmas

The lovely image is from Paintbox Poppets Winter Collection and the backing paper is by Trimcraft.  I am well out of my comfort zone with pink for Christmas but I think the final result is very pleasing.  The snowflakes cut by my Cricut have been dusted with Dazzling Diamonds from Stampin'Up.

Thank you for stopping by and thank you to the ladies from CD Sunday - encouraging me to make another Christmas card!

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 44 Slovenia

After a very busy week in Ljubjana, Slovenia, Xui and Roland Poland spend a few days walking in the Julian Alps.

They also visit a Lippizaner stud and enjoy a breathtaking performance by the famous horses.

He writes to Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,
Went to a party up in the mountains and I
taught them the Hokey Cokey.  You know how
addicted I was to this game, well, I shook myself
up, turned myself around and that's what it's all
about!
RP

Here are the pages in his travel book.

A view of the beautiful Julian Alps, a Slovenian euro with a Lippizaner horse on the reverse, a Lippizaner horse doing its stuff and The Sower by Ivan Grohar together with the national flower, the red carnation, complete our tribute.

The postcard shows the national flower, the red carnation together with my very loose interpretation of the mountains.  The carnation stamp is by Graphicus.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will visit the other travellers on this almost completed year long challenge (see sidebar for link).

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 43 Finland

Roland Poland and Xui are visiting Helsinki for a trade fair and to round off their week, they head up country to do a spot of fishing.

He writes to his brother Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,
Xui and me have been out in a boat on the water.
We started reminiscing how we first met, on the
Amazon river.
Remember how that fish bit me on the bum - well
Malcolm, I'm  still waiting for someone to kiss it better!
RP

Here is his travel book for this week.

We have included views around Helsinki and sights from up country, elk and  the national animal of Finland, the brown bear.

This week's postcard is a landscape using stamps from A Stamp in the Hand and Stampscapes. It has been coloured with water colour markers.  Thank you for taking the time to visit us and I do hope you will follow the other travellers on our challenge (link in sidebar)

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 42 Russia

Roland Poland is in Moscow and has a lot of free time to trot about the capital whilst Xui is at a trade delegation.  He has heard about the Pussy Riot incident in the Cathedral and inevitably has gotten the wrong end of the stick!

He writes to his half brother Malcolm

Hi Malcolm,
Met up with Sergei, a Siberian Husky.  Great lad.
He cannot abide cats getting uppity either.  We
went to the cathedral to sort them out once and
for all but got chucked out by some nuns.
Where's the justice in that?
RP

Here are the pages we made for his travel book.

The wonderfully  ornate domes on the churches, hand painted Easter eggs, Yuri Gagarin and a Russian Matroyshka doll all feature together with an illuminated early manuscript in the Cyrillic alphabet.

The postcard is made with  a paper punch, some textured card and a string of pearls. The sky has been sponged with ink.

Thank you for taking the time to visit and I hope you will follow the other travellers on this most interesting journey (see link in sidebar).

Crafty Ann's Challenge #76 - Black/White and coloured topper

Thoroughly enjoyed making this card!  The backing paper is from Papermania Liquorice Sherbet Collection. The rose decoupage is a vintage scrap and the sentiment is from Anna Griffin.

Thank you for stopping by and do feel free to leave a comment - all are much appreciated.

CD Sunday Challenge - Autumn Splendour

At last I have actually made a card!  The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady CD by Joanna Sheen inspired me this morning.  The backing papers and topper are all from the CD.  The stamped sentiment is from Stampin'Up.
Thank you for stopping by on this glorious autumn afternoon.

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 41 Scotland

Xui is on business in Aberdeen and Roland Poland heads north to the Moray Firth to visit his two cousins (through a friend of his father's), Heidi and Lottie, who stay at Redmoss.  He is joyful at being reunited with some of his family and being introduced to Finn, Whitney and Jeffrey.

He has a great weekend enjoying the outdoor pursuits and is sad to leave.

He writes to Malcolm,

Hi Malcolm,
Been to Redmoss to see Heidi and Lottie.
Great girls - they say Hi by the way.
Seen the dolphins and seals on the beach and I can
tell you the water is freezing.
No wonder Jeff and Whitney always wear thick woolly coats.
Finn is OK, but a wuss - a bit of a mammy's boy like you.
Got to go - rabbiting again.
RP

Here are the pages we made in his travel book.

Robert Burns, the poet, the glorious scenery and the Moray Firth dolphins all feature together with traditional Scottish dancing and bagpipes.

The postcard uses a stamp by Stewart Gill together with a background of sponged inks.

Thanks for visiting and I do hope you enjoyed this rather long post.  Please do go and see what our other
travellers have been up to. (link in sidebar)

Postcard Travels with Roland Poland - Week 40 Portugal

Xui is visiting the port producing Douro Region of Portugal.  Roland Poland is enjoying the trip as he is getting plenty of exercise and fresh air.  He is feeling much better.

He writes to Malcolm, his brother

Hi Malcolm,
Do you remember when we used to go begging in 
Yates' Wine Lodge on market days, and the old women
used to give us crisps and port + lemon in an ashtray?
Well, this is where they make the port.  No lemonade
here to water it down!
Xui likes tawny, I prefer the ruby.
RP xx

Here is the travel page we made in his book.

The postcard is from a photograph from Graham's Port that I have texturised in Craft Artist 2.  I did think of buying a bottle of  LBV port and doing something clever with that but do not think that this week's postcard would ever have got published!

Have changed computers this week to a much more powerful one and also Windows 7 from XP so I have not had much time to be creative - so apologies for a quick card.

Thank you for stopping by and I do hope you will visit all the other trekkies on Darcy's Postcard Challenge (see sidebar for link).