About Me

I'm a freelance artist, designer and demonstrator and have been involved in arts and craft my whole life in one way or another. I design stamps for top British company Personal Impressions, under the "Lindsay Mason Designs" brand, as well as papers, templates and other crafting products. I'm a certified Ranger Educator and my first book,"Stamping", was published in 2009. I also design regular projects for Crafts Beautiful magazine and have made guest appearances from time to time on QVC. I've recently joined You Tube under the name of LindsayMason1000 where I'm posting short technique videos and you can buy my paintings and hand crafted pieces from my Etsy shop. My work takes me all around the country demonstrating stamping, papercrafts and general inkiness! When I'm not working, I love gardening, church & community activities, nature watching, journalling, music and theatre and just relaxing at home. Email me at: ljm.design1@virginmedia.com

Sunday 26 April 2009

Back from Scotland

Hello everyone and welcome to new friends who I met this weekend in Inverness and Broughty Ferry. I must say thank you to Cynthia and Hazel who brought me cards and ATC's which were gorgeous and much appreciated. Thanks too to Seila who sent me two scrumptious ATC's and a beautiful card - they are all on display now before I put them into my albums for safe keeping and good memories.
Well, I had ma
mmoth journey up to Inverness on Thurdsday - made even longer by the incompetence of the person at the National Rail call centre who I booked the tickets with! Instead of getting there in six and a half hours (as I found out that I could have done) it took me over nine and a half hours and I had to wait at Glasgow station for almost three hours - that was fun! I had too much luggage to warrant walking around the city centre, and it costs £7.50 (yes, £7.50!) to leave a bag at the station! It turned out that, contrary to what I had been told, I could have used my tickets at any time of the day, so could have been in Inverness long before I did get there. Sigh!
However, the tain journey was marvellous. Not too many travellers, so I had space to relax and stretch out a bit. The scenery was spectacular and I saw masses of wildlife - pheasants, rabbits, deer, ponies, adorable lambs enjoying the sunshine and possibly an eagle - it was a big bird of prey, but we had sped by before I could properly identify it. Thrilling to see though. I took loads of photos but, of course, through the train window they don't come out too well and, looking at them now, they don't do justice to what I saw. I got very excited when I saw the signs that showed we were in the Cairngorms National Park! There was still some snow on the peaks.
I liked this picture which came out rather well and showed the lovely evening sunlight.
Near to Aviemore there was a rather scary moment or two! There was a sudden very loud "clang" under the train and then something very big and heavy seemed to be caught underneath and was clanging along up and down the length of the carriage. At one point it banged up right beneath a lady opposite to me and she almost jumped onto the table! After a few minutes it stopped, but we were all a bit nervous to say the least! The train didn't stop or even slow down and no explanation as to what it was - a bit of excitement anyway!
After the long journey, I was very happy to see how close my hotel was to the station! Couldn't get much nearer than that! It was a very grand old hotel with a magnificent staircase which, apparently, was the inspiration for the staircase on the ship Titanic.
Next day was my demonstration at Hobby Haven, which is in a charming Victorian arcade. It wasn't long before I was busily blowing ink through straws, stamping swirly birds and distressing pieces of card! Thanks to all the ladies who came along, including Cynthia (Rainbow Lady) and Susan. I hope that you are all enjoying your new puchases! The day just flew by and I didn't even get any photos. However, I'd taken a few of the cards (in the ultra bright bathroom in the hotel!) so here are just a couple: The owl is wearing a hat taken from the Wizard Shelf stamp and the background is from the luscious Que Sera Sera papers by K&Co. The Scottish Piper is backed with a handmade Tartan effect made with Alcohol inks onto Metallic Film.


















Straight after my demonstration I was back on the train, this time to Dundee which was another four hours of travelling and then a taxi ride. (Yet again I had been sold strange tickets and could have got there much quicker if I hadn't been sent via Aberdeen!). A very late dinner and a good night's sleep set me up for my day at Kitty Krafts the next day. I had not long started the demonstration when the lovely Hazel and her boys arrived (with a friend who I didn't get chance to introduce myself to - so apologies for that!). Hazel looked great and stayed for around twenty minutes so I was very proud of her!
We had a big hug and swapped a few things before she made some purchases and was on her way again - so, Hazel, this one is just for you.....
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....you deserve it and I was so touched, again, that you made such a big effort to come and see me.

Well, it was another very busy day, with a lot of laughter as well. More tree blowing, alcohol inking and distressy stamping was the order of the day. Here are one or two more cards - mostly cute ones at the moment, but I'll take pictures of some more and post those asap. Notice the terrible pun on my Cherry the Cat card....you know me, I like puns!


Louise, who owns Kitty Krafts, now has a blog, so do pay her a visit and have a look at what is going on up there on http:/kittykrafts.blogspot.com . Before long my day at Kitty Krafts was over and Louise's husband Ross kindly ran me to the station at Dundee where I took a picture of Shackleton's ship, "Discovery", which I hadn't known was there before as I had a previously only been there in the dark!It's an awesome sight and very evocative of course. So, next thing was a four hour train journey to York which was lovely in the sunshine and with more gorgeous scenery. I had about half an hour at York station to grab a sandwich for dinner and then onto Manchester. This was when the lovely weekend beagan to go into meltdown unfortunately! The train carriage was invaded by football "fans" who made the rest of the journey (nearly two hours) a complete nightmare. Apart from the incredible amount of noise they were making in general, they were also shouting out foul chants and generally being totally obnoxious. I changed seats three times but there was no avoiding them. The one train guard on board was evidently highly embarrassed but too intimidated to do anything about it. One girl was right in the midst of them all and she did have a go at them but was given lots of abuse in return - when I spoke out for her I was also subjected to the abuse. When we were nearing my station I had to run the gauntlet of their stupidity and, when I stood my ground and told them just what a lot of disrespectful idiots they were, I was called every filthy name one could imagine. As I left the train I was showered in beer! Completely soaked and smelling like a brewery, I called the platform staff and complained bitterly that these yobs are even allowed onto the trains and that there are no security staff on the trains to deal with them. Myself and the other woman were the only two people who were not prepared to put up with the situation. I've been given a form to make a formal complaint and I certainly shall. It's unbelievable the way that football "fans" (I use the word reservedly, as these are just thugs) are allowed to run riot. It was scary to note that, unlike one time where if a lady complained about bad language or behaviour, a group of men would say "oh, sorry sweetheart" - these "men" had no such attitude. In fact, one of them stood up as if he was going to have a physical go at me. Well, it was a very unpleasant end to to my weekend, but I would rather go home covered in beer knowing that I hadn't just accepted the situation but had made a stand against such yobbish behaviour, than just say nothing.

Well, I can't leave this on a bad note! So, thank you for everyone's lovely cards, ATC's, comments and emails which all mean a great deal to me. I'll post details on creating the Tartan effects and a few more cards/ATC's as soon as I can. Must go now, as there is more rest and relaxation to be done today before getting back to work tomorrow! Lindsay

12 comments:

Hazel (Didos) said...

Ah thanks for the courage bird Lindsay. Would put something cheeky about my "Friend" but better not as she may cut me out of the will. It was my Mum. She is fabby and a great support to me! It was great to see you again. Loved the cards and I am using the bits and pieces I bought already!!! Kid in a sweet shop!
Sorry to hear about the journey home, seems such a shame for you. Take care, Hazelxo

Lindsay Mason said...

Your mum...oh how rude of me! I really didn't know and it was all such a rush! Please say hello to her from me too. I'm tough, so the incident made me angry rather than upset me! Enjoy all the goodies! Lindsay x

Unknown said...

Hi Lindsay, sorry to hear about your train journey in Scotland, it makes my so mad. I am from Dundee myself and now live in Edinburgh, I went to glasgow on train a few weeks ago and had the same problem with so called "football fans" I was relieved to reach the station. I go to Kitty Krafts anytime I am in Dundee, Louise has made a great success of it. I met her husband who said like me she started with a Shed, so you never know!!!! Don't think to badly off us Dundonians..... love Avril

Lindsay Mason said...

Hi Avril - everyone in Scotland was lovely! It was only when I got back into England that the trouble started when I changed trains at York! Lindsay x

Rainbow Lady said...

Lindsay I am so sorry to hear this. I hated getting the train in York when we lived there as there are always horrid people doing this sort of thing. I think you were very brave to try to stand up to them - anything could have happened so thank God it did not.
I really enjoyed my day with you and only wished I could have come back in the afternoon. Yes just been playing with my straws now - love it. Hazel well done you on your longer visit. Take care Lindsay and get some well deserved rest. Love Cynthia x

Artyjen said...

Shame about your brush with the hooligans......love the kitty cards, great fun. The journery to Inverness is a great train ride..did it many moons ago on an overnight from Preston to go on a skiing trip with college mates.
xoxo

Jan said...

Glad to hear your demo's went really well!! Let's not allow it to dampen your spirit for future Scottish demo's! Maybe we need to get you a minder!!!

Jan, Personal Impressions.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lindsay. Glad the card and ATCs arrived safely. I'm glad your demos went well "North of the Border". Such a shame, that what should be a lovely journey home was ruined. Well done you for standing up to them, know I couldn't have done that..............
Take care love Sheils xxx

Artyjen said...

Spooky that you should have had the same poster!
It was a tragic waste......and it took me ages to get used to Roger Davis (he had already appeared in the series in the episode Smiler with a Gun) Whoops does that make me an anorak?! LOL
xoxo

Sharon Noble said...

Hi Lindsay, Wow you came to scotland and i missed you
Poop!! I love your work i met you last year at Dawn's demo weekend but i know you meet a lot of people, I was christmas daft however and buying all your christmas stamps ;O)
sorry to hear about your awful journey. Hope the next time you travel on that line you have a more enjoyable trip .
I am new to this blogging lack so pardon me if i am doing this wrong , I finally managed to work out how to start my own one too heehee , thanks to you and dawn for the inspiration now all i need is time to blog and craft.
all the very best of wishes
Sharon xx

Joanne said...

Hey toughie!! No matter how tough you think you are, incidents like this are frightening at the time. Glad the rest of the trip was fine so you can reflect on that instead. Take care and see you soon. xx

Louise said...

Hi Lindsay.

Thank you so much for a fab day on Saturday, I know all my customers who made it in loved it and are already asking for details of you next visit, those that missed it love the samples and are also asking for a return visit.

I was sorry to hear of the yobs on the train, its such a shame when you can't travel on public transport without being abused. Please don't let it stop you from coming to see us. Maybe Jan could be your minder she would put the fear of God into the yobs. :-)

It was great to see Hazel and her family in store, it was another step forward.

Again thank you for the great day.

Take care

Louise @ Kitty Krafts