I did it and an entry for Allsorts

                    

Yesterday was Black Belt grading for our Karate club. There were students attending from Hull, Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby and further north too. It lasted 3 hours and divided roughly into 3 sections: Combinations, Kata  and Kumite. I am very happy to say that not only did I survive, but I was awarded my Shodan Ho black belt at the end of it.

There were 5 of us going for our first black belt from our local class (four pictured above). We all made the grade and passed. I was very grateful to be cheered on by my hubby, daughter and partner and my niece. It wasn't very warm in there if you were sitting down or not moving about!

Meg had my camera and was able to take a few action shots. As you can see, I wasn't getting cold or sitting down 😆

Here I am bowing to our Sensei, receiving my belt and certificate. Edit: I am 4ft 11" and he is 6ft 8"

My lovely niece had bought me a present which she gave me...

Today is a very laid-back day. I have paid a brief visit to one of my training buddies dojos to take her a little gift to say thanks for her support. Other than that I am chilling, watching the squirrels in the garden and contemplating what is left to do for Christmas besides baking.
I can certainly find the time to enter a card at Allsorts this week where the theme is Anything goes. I am sharing the Christmas card I made for Meg. It is one of my usual Inkylicious scenes featuring some of my favourite stamps. I used my ink dusters and a mixture of Distress inks and Memento inks. The tree and deer were stamped in versafine Clair.

Thanks for looking and I hope your Christmas preparations are going very well. If I don't manage to pop in again before the big day,  have a wonderful Christmas!

Tired but happy!

I can't remember if I told you, but back in June (the same day as Stamp Magic) Megan graded to 3rd kyu brown belt. Four moths later and I have been doing the same. It was tiring and full on for the two hours we were there, and a little scary. I was the only one grading from red to brown belt, so there was nowhere to hide at times! Even so I did it and now I am the proud owner of a Brown belt!

 These are two of my regular Sensei, Sensei Alex on the left and Sensei Xavier on the right.

This is our area Sensei, Sensei Karl, who is in charge of the region (Notts and Derbyshire), as you can see, at 6 foot 6" he looks like a giant next to me!
I was very proud of Meg too, as she went along to train at grading.

 

Sensei Karl was so impressed with Meg's Karate he invited her to senior class to train with the Sensei and black belts. 

I am hoping to relax with some inkiness this evening and  I will share some more cards very soon. Thanks for looking!

This and that

First of all Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I don't have a card to post because they are already on here, but I must show you what I found...

How cute is that? A heart shaped potato!
On Sunday, Meg and I had our Karate grading, and got our Red Belts. Sensai told us that sweat is fat crying - made me laugh!
Here we are sporting the new belts. I can't believe how tall Meg is getting - didn't realise she is that much taller than me!

Finally I made a card, inspired by the photos I took on Saturday (see post below). I used ink dusters and Inkylicious stamps with Adirondack inks.

Thanks for looking, and I hope you have had a great Valentine's day!