The Magic Of Christmas

Morning everyone, 

Welcome to December 

I do hope it finds you well. 

We had great excitement in our kitchen this morning .

As soon as breakfast was finished Elliot and Jenson could open the first windows on their Advent Calendars. 

It made me think, when I was younger we got so excited about what picture was going to be behind each window…

Now it can be a chocolate, a gift, a candle  even cosmetics or mini bottles of alcohol.

As it is December we have a new Lavinia Challenge. 

Our new theme is 

The Magic Of Christmas 

As always it is your interpretation of the theme 

Also the winner is chosen at random and this month……

……..drumroll……

Wins £60 to spend at Lavinia 

I would really love it to be one of our lovely crafty family

This is my inspiration

As you know I love to make these type of cards…

I just love the white space, 

and the 3D look (on a flat card) 

I started with some multifarious card and the round sticker stencil.

I added the elements ink, 

One colour at a time.

Making sure the colour was inside the aperture and on the border…

Next I used my paper mask and added the stamping inside the aperature…

I used coordinating Versafine Clair inks. 

Now you could just leave it here 

But I wanted to extend the scene and added the trees on the border design too,

Remember the masking 

Next some extra atmospheric stamping , at the top 

and the bottom of the design. 

To keep it all cohesive I added a small amount of stamping in the white space…

The birds are perfect for this 

Some posca snow , charcoal shading 

A sentiment 

and our design is finished 

I do love this type of design….and think how many shapes of sticker stencils we have. 

I do hope you have a go….

and enter the challenge 

I hope you have a lovely weekend…

It is my online class on Saturday for 

Crafty Capers shop in Canada 

https://craftycapers.com/collections/lavinia-stamps/products/jo-rice-december-2023-class

I do love crafting with this wonderful group of ladies 

On Sunday we are taking the boys to our local 

Holmes Chapel Christmas Market…and I can’t wait…

Enjoy your weekend..

Stay warm and safe 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Christmas Joy Tag

Hi everyone, 

Thanks so much for popping in today. 

I do hope you are keeping well, 

I have just walked up to the Vets with Eric…and 

Oh my goodness it is very cold outside.

Definitely time to wrap up

Today I have our 

Tuesday catch up video for you 

Another tag and card duo 

Do you recognise the grass stamp ? 

You can find it here 

https://youtu.be/HuWyHVeKMSg?si=ypDGUTYlSkDbBUJh

Enjoy 

Have a lovely evening all 

Much love and hugs

Jo xxx

Festive tag featuring Star

Hi everyone, 

Thanks so much for popping in today. 

I hope you had a lovely weekend. 

We had a wonderful time , catching up with friends.

Although I must say we didn’t get to bed until 4am…

We just chatted, laughed and the  time just whizzed.

It was perfect 🤩 

Thanks for my beautiful flowers too…

As it is Monday , 

I have our Monday catch up video to share with you. 

I love making tags….Christmas is a great time to make tags…

Today I have a matching card and tags set 

You can find it here 

https://youtu.be/OQO6zv5Klhs?si=QYkFPHBVhOi69dIK

I really hope you enjoy it . 

Look at this beautiful hand embroidered towel 

Thank you so much Janet…

I adore it…

Take care all 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Hello lovelies

Hi everyone, 

Thanks so much for popping in and 

welcome to our lovely new friends and followers 

Honestly I get so excited when we have new followers…

Also on my little YouTube channel

I am absolutely over the moon by how many of you subscribe.

Here is the link 

https://youtube.com/@JoRice?si=Ql5TgxCRaW7zds_A

It really makes me so happy 

Especially when blogs etc have fallen out of fashion…

It is a shame as I love to catch up with you. 

You know me though…

I just say it and do it the way it is 

No fast forward or clipping bits.

We can actually craft together across the miles. 

I have been creating some more Christmas cards this week 

You know me I struggle with batch card making and like to alter things up a bit

So this is my little play from yesterday 

Simply using the new arch sticker stencil 

I have kept it on sepia tones…

I wanted a more traditional look 

And I am so happy with what I created 

Here is a closer look 

I hope you have a lovely weekend 

Grandma duties today then, 

we have football training with them in the morning.

Tomorrow we have friends coming to stay…I am cooking , 

There will be 6 of us so simple home cooking 

Lamb hotpot, pasta bake and crusty bread….oh and maybe the odd glass of fizz or two.

The guest rooms are all ready, even chocolates on the pillows.

Spending time with friends is so important…we are all so busy 

So it is good to take time out.

Hope you enjoy your weekend

Whatever you are doing 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Introducing Winkacolouring

Hi everyone, 

Lovely to see you here. 

Thanks so much for joining me today. 

I am so excited as I have a brand new technique to share with you.

I have been using my Wink of Stella pen so much recently….

I also love watercolour painting, and using watercolour pencils…

Well 

I have put the 2 together and 

Winkacolouring has been born 

It is fabulous…and so quick 

I have used it on todays catch up video 

Here are some close up photos 

And 

You can find it here 

https://youtu.be/o-nH6Ec4tnU?si=D31_xtcGNIsP03pl

I do hope you enjoy it 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Happy Monday

Hi everyone, 

I do hope you are keeping well and this week has started ok.

Did you have a good weekend? 

I went for lunch on Saturday with 3 of the ladies who I trained with at 

The Christie Hospital.

We had a wonderful catch up, so good to see them. 

It was tinged with sadness as Elaine who should have been with us passed away recently…

So we raised a glass to her.

In the evening Karl got the train to Chester to join me and we 

had a date night.

It was perfect 

Today I have been up early to walk Eric, do some shopping and record some 

YouTube videos. 

As it is Monday 

I have our catch up video to share.

Now this one…

Definitely one of my favourites 

And here is the Blue version 

You can find it here 

https://youtu.be/mA5YlTGjwmo?si=_Wisj6G-GniRpfFt

Enjoy 

Thanks so much for being here 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Fabulous Scene Scapes

Hi everyone, 

Thanks so much for popping in today 

I do hope you are keeping well.

Yesterday was a very sad day when I went to say farewell to 

Wendy Statham…

I passed on our love and hugs to her husband  Peter and their family.

Wendy has been with me from my very first class, many, many years ago.

She was a wonderful lady, a special friend and such a character.

I am very grateful to have known her and have her in my life. 

Group hug 

Today I have been on extra grandma duties as Adam is in Rome on a course for the week.

I may just sneak an extra coffee later…

I feel I may need it..

Have you entered the Lavinia Challenge yet ? 

Remember the winner is chosen at random and wins £40 to spend at Lavinia 

The theme is 

White Winter Blizzard 

I have some extra inspiration for you 

This one uses one of the scene scapes.

I love these…

This one is Snowy Silence 

Just add some stamping 

Some extra posca 

And before you know it 

A beautiful card, 

Here is a close up 

I love the little robin 

and another one to add to the box 

Take care everyone 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx