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Thursday 30 May 2013

OMG....

I have had a real 'Oh My Gosh' couple of days ....
My birthday started with Karl and I staying in a suite at a local hotel....and then I had a lovely day of seeing and talking to my lovely friends and family...I have been thoroughly spoilt,  here is what my crafty friend Jane brought round....(think she got the number wrong) and yes, she decorated the box....how clever is that...


Here are the cards and gifts from other friends, the special ones. ..


Then, after a glass of bubbly (thank you Becky) it was time for bed....
I was up early, as Wednesday was workshop day in Hazel Grove...


This is the first card that we made using Hobby Art stamps....watercolour pencils and the shell stamp is from Clarity...


The second project was to make a post card....we used the same stamps and made a collage for the front....this is a really good way of using stamps if you get crafters block...which can happen to all of us....the back of the project was stamped in Versafine ink and uses the Clarity Post card set. 
Thank you, to all the crafters who came and to Julie for this gorgeous cake....all done by hand and yes, it tasted yummy too...


Thank you for all your cards and gifts....


And then, as if all these surprises were not enough.....Ann who was booked in as Jane Telfords friend .....turned out to be none other than the fabulous Maria Simms......OMG.....I nearly stopped breathing....and yes, I did go gar gar for a while.....
What an absolutely fantastic time I had and I thank you all for your friendship from the bottom of my heart....recently I have found out what true friendship means....so Thank you ....
Cheers all, Jo. X 

Monday 27 May 2013

Summer Lovin.....

Good afternoon everyone and how is your bank holiday going? We have just got rain in Cheadle Hulme, I suppose we have done well to have a sunny morning...
Yesterday was beautiful and I spent all day in my garden, potting up my tubs and hanging baskets....oh I did enjoy it.....so with that in mind, today I thought we would have a bit of Summer Lovin.......


The Summer Lovin stamp is absolutely gorgeous and it is so detailed....for this card I stamped it using Memento ink and then added a little colour with ProMarkers. The background was created by stamping the honeycomb background stamp with Shaded Lilac Distress Ink and then adding some Wishi Washi tape....
I stamped the image once more so that I could cut out some of the flowers and decoupage them, I also used a memory box die cut.....Elegant Scrollwork...
A metal embellishment adds the finishing detail along with some glitter ad Glossy Accents....


This is a very quick and simple card, but to be honest the image is so detailed that the stamp really does do all the work....(great if you need a card and you need it five minutes ago...) 
I stamped the main image and the border using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then used black card to Matt and Layer....
I stamped the bumble bee again (have you noticed the lovely bee?) coloured it, cut it out, decoupaged it and as usual used some Glossy Accents...A couple of antique corners and as they say....'job done'...
Thank you for all your support and as always your comments are really appreciated...
Remember about our Forever 21 Blog Challenge...this months the theme is Backgrounds Galore.....go to our current Challenge to see our projects and to enter....
Have a good week all, Jo. X 

Sunday 26 May 2013

Tinkerbell

Morning lovely people in blogland.....Happy Bank Holiday Sunday.........
What are you planning for today? I know that some of you have gone away, hope you are having a great time, Sazzle, Linda and not forgetting Sam....
I have a few jobs to catch up on today, hopefully get some gardening done and then spend some family time.
I just wanted to show you all another lovely gift that I have been given. My lovely friend Bernie Simmons had this bespoke mask made for me....
 
 
 
Thanks Bernie, it's fantastic and thanks to Tom at Splodge for making it just for me....how lucky I am to have such caring and thoughtful friends.....
Have you used any of the Masks from Splodge? If not, do have a go with them....they can be used in many different ways......especially on the Glli plate....my new favourite toy.
I'm off now, Tess is looking at me with those Puppy Dog eyes......think she wants to go for her walk....
It is my turn tomorrow to post on the IndigoBlu blog...so do pop by and have a look, also remember this months blog Challenge is all about backgrounds.....go on share your project with us....
Ttfn......Jo. X 

Saturday 25 May 2013

Time for friends

Lovely weather, lovely friends, what could be better.
I have had a fantastic few days and I am so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing and inspirational people....
Here is a very special present that I have been given....I am now the proud owner of a bespoke clock made by Karen Clare...aka 'The Clock Lady'.....
 

Karen's work is featured on the Barbara Gray, Clarity shows and she has a blog.... http://karenslittlegiftsandcards.blogspot.co.uk/
Please check it out as her work is stunning, original and makes a fantastic gift.
Enjoy the rest of your Saturday and remember a smile or a kind word can really make someone's day ....as after all there are some cruel people out there.....
Crafty Hugs....Jo. X 

Friday 24 May 2013

Take Flight


Hello all, Friday morning.....yeh.....I am so excited as it is going to be a special weekend for me, with lots of family time, meals out and a night away in a hotel for Karl and me.....(it is a special Birthday for me on Tuesday....and no not quite 21....) 
So, with that in mind I am scheduling a couple posts....
This is one of the samples Kay had on t.v. last Sunday....
 

It is one of IndigoBlu MDF hearts, coated in Gesso. Then acrylic paint and then stamped in Archival ink....I used one of the new stamps.....Take Flight...
Coloured the design with watercolour pencils....
 

I do love to make these hearts....and they make a great gift....if you haven't tried making one.....please give it a go.....
That's all from me for today....so enjoy your weekend all and see you soon. Jo. X 

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Antique Songbird...

Morning everyone....middle of the week....keep going ...we have a bank holiday weekend to look forward too...
Did you manage to see Kay on t.v. on Sunday with the new IndigoBlu Stamps? 
The Antique Songbird stamp sold out in 10 minutes.....mind you I am not surprised as it is gorgeous....
                  
Here is one of the cards that I made for the show....
The background is made using Distress inks, blended and the spritzed with water...the main image was stamped with onyx black Versafine ink and coloured with ProMarkers. Glossy Accents, ribbon, hat pins and gems add the finishing touches....do hope you like it ....
Take care all and see you soon. Jo. X 

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Backgrounds Galore

Good morning to you all. Here we are the 21st of May already.....just where does the time go????
So that means that there is a new challenge over on the IndigoBlu blog....
This month, Kay has chosen Backgrounds Galore for the theme....
Oh, what can I say....so many background stamps to choose from....and you all know how I love to make my own backgrounds....

                                
 
This is my Design Team card, I used the Take Flight Stamp with Rich Cocoa Memento ink and ProMarkers for the main image....
The background started as the reverse side of Centura Pearl card with Distress inks randomly blended in...I used, Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold and Spiced Marmalade....then spritzed with a little water....
Then the fun began and I just played with various other Distress inks and started randomly stamping my background ...

                                  
 
DI's, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap and Aged Mahogany...
Stamps, Script background, Crackle background, Square Peg Round Hole and the Splodge from the Ledger background...

                               
 
Ribbon, some fancy twine and job done....
I do hope this inspires you to enter our challenge, as me and the other IndigoBlu Belles love to see what you create and remember you could win a fantastic prize....
That's enough from me today, I have a long overdue date with my ironing board.....Oh joy, lucky me! Jo. X 

Saturday 18 May 2013

New releases from IndigoBlu.....

Hi all, a quick scheduled post from me today...just to give you the heads up of the six new A6 stamps from Kay at IndigoBlu....
If you were at the Happy Stampers Show at Port Sunlight last weekend then you were lucky and will have seen them.....even bought them....


This is how they looked when the show opened......they didn't last long....and yes, the poppy one was the first to sell out....
Kay will be demonstrating with them tomorrow ...Sunday on Create an Craft....at 10am....
There will also be a Wedding Show featuring IndigoBlu products at 3pm, so please tune in and see the inspiration that myself and the rest of the design team have made....I have already had a sneaky peek at Linda's work and oh, you are in for a real treat...
Enjoy your weekend....Jo. X 

Friday 17 May 2013

Pearls and Lace

Morning....and Happy Friday all.
Today, is the start of a new challenge over at the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge Blog....our theme is ......Pearls and Lace....
Here is my D.T. inspiration, I hope you like it, pop over and have a look at what my other team mates have created....stunning work ladies...


The background was created by stamping in a mixture of Distress inks, Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold and Spiced Marmalade....the gorgeous lace stamp is from the Mr Darcy stamp plate from IndigoBlu.
For the topper, I used the Square peg Round hole stamp from IndigoBlu (this is such a useful stamp) and the same three Distress Inks. 
Then added the figures and flying swallows also from Mr Darcey  using Onyx Black Versafine ink...


The word Love is from BFF another really useful stamp set. 
A bit of matting and layering, some lace, some pearl gems and card made....
Recently some crafters have asked me for advice when they get craft block....you know, when your Mojo goes on holiday......well visiting a Challenge blog and seeing lots of ideas can just provide the inspiration that you need. You never know you might then feel like entering the Challenge too.....
So go on take a look HERE....
That's all from me today, off to get ready for Buxton workshops tomorrow....
Have a Good Friday all.....Jo. X 


Wednesday 15 May 2013

Oh to be Besides the Sea...

It may have been wet and miserable outside today, but at our craft workshop we were in a summer mood.
Today, we made two cards from the Hobby Art stamp set ........Coastal Scene-it....
Here is the first one...


We started by stamping using black Versafine ink onto watercolour card....it was great to just take time and build the scene ....
Using distress ink to watercolour with the sea, sand and sky had colour added..
Then the rest was coloured with watercolour pencils....
Once the image was finished and placed onto black card we glued it into place on our card blank. Then the fun began......we extended the image, drew and coloured it in.....A bit scary at first.....but oh such fun....
A Hobby Art sentiment, few embellishments and job done...
A great stock card that could be used for a wide variety of occasions.


The second card was a quick card using Distress inks on the reverse side of Centura Pearl and a bit of water spritzing. Stamping the camper van three times and then taking the colour out of the image using water and Kitchen Roll. A few finishing touches and this really is a 10 minute card..
As usual it was so good to see you all and remember what happens at Craft Club ......stays at Craft Club!!!
Take care all and pop back soon....Jo. X 

Sunday 12 May 2013

It's Sunday....

Good afternoon all, hope your weekend is going well.
I had a brilliant time yesterday at the Happy Stampers show at Port Sunlight, I met some lovely new crafters, some special friends and saw the fantastic new stamps that Kay has designed....oh, they are lovely and I know you're going to love them......there are 6 x A6 stamps......
Watch out for the show next Sunday on C&C (10am ....I think....).
Back to today,   
I recently bought my first Splodge Mask....and here is a quick card that I made using it...



I used PanPastels and a soft brush through the mask.....It creates a lovely effect and it is so quick to do....
The butterfly is taken from an IndigoBlu stamp set....Nature I.....stamped twice and decoupaged....
A little glitter and job done!
Hope you like it, I'm off now to play with my new stamps......
Have a good week and see all you regular crafters on Wednesday.....
Hugs, Jo. X 

Wednesday 8 May 2013

MDF Heart

Good evening all, hope you have had a good day. I have been in Hazel Grove with my lovely Crafty ladies and gent. Today we decorated an MDF Heart.


We started off by using Gee So Good white to form a primer on the MDF.
Once dry we went on to use Acrylic paint and then let this dry..meanwhile Versafine ink was used to stamp onto Tissue...these images we cut out. 
Next we used the FlitterGlu and Autumn Blaze Flaked with the Vintage Flourish stamp. The detail is stunning. 


Using the Tissue technique and Slap It On we added our stamped images.
All these products are available from IndigoBlu.
The flowers were made from torn paper .
Ribbon, hat pins, a few stamped words and a dragonfly finished the design. 
There was just time for a coffee and biscuit, oh and a good old gossip.....It is amazing what we talk about!!!!!
That's all from me now,  just off to eat a quick meal then take Mikey to play football. 
I am off to Port Sunlight on Friday, so if I don't get time to post again have a good weekend and if you are coming to Happy Stampers on Saturday do come and say Hello.
See you soon, Jo. X 



Tuesday 7 May 2013

Texture Trees

Hi,  just a quick post from me tonight. It has been another busy crafty day for me. The lovely Kay has has me working on D.T. Projects ready for her next show on C&C ....and it's not long to wait so keep an eye and I will post details...
Also, I have two MDF heart workshops tomorrow in Stockport so I have been getting ready for those. Pop back tomorrow for photos.
Here are two cards that I made for my Clarity homework. 


This first one also features the rabbit stamps made in shrink plastic....oh Such Fun....


Thank you for looking today and also I must just say a big Hello to my two new followers....Thank you for joining in my crafty journey.....and oh, what a journey it has been especially over the last twelve months....
Crafty hugs, Jo. X 

Saturday 4 May 2013

Saturday and PanPastels

Good evening from a sunny.....yes, sunny Cheadle Hulme....
Today was workshop day at C J Cardcrafts in Edgeley, Stockport.
We made two cards using PanPastels and IndigoBlu stamps.
 

The stamps are from the set Nature I and are just delightful.
I chose a lovely linen card to stamp on as it gives a canvas type look....this then gave me the idea....to repeat the card on a flat canvas....so I did and here it is.
 

I had a great day ...Thanks to Glynis for your hospitality and to all the lovely crafters who came....see you all again soon. Jo. X