Fun with friends...

Good morning all, I do hope that your week is going well.

I have finished my samples for next weekends tv and they are safely on their way to Barbara...

Fingers crossed that they arrive in one piece, it is always a worry....

Today I need to get sorted for Saturday's workshops at CJ Cards, in Stockport...we are having an inky morning and a Groovi afternoon, so lots to get sorted.

I am lucky that I meet so many lovely crafters at workshops...and I must say...if you haven't ever been to a class, or a retreat they really are a great way of learning new techniques and making new friends...

Some of the Wednesday ladies and me have been together now for over six years...oh I think they need medals!!!!

There are lots of Clarity workshops all over the uk, so do check out if there is one near you.

Last week myself and three of my close friends went to a workshop by the very lovely Martine Smith...

It was the most wonderful day and I really enjoyed seeing the other side of workshops...( I did try and behave myself )

It was so good to make cards that were not my usual style...another reasons to go to workshops...

Try new things....

This was the first card that we made....I did have to add some Clarity butterflies....hope you approve Martine...

 

And this was the second....

As with all good classes we had coffee and a rather nice lemon cake...

It really was a fab day ladies...I can thoroughly recommend workshops...it was like a real tonic....

Martine has a blog.... http://abfabdesigns.blogspot.co.uk if you would like to check it out .

You know I have met so many really lovely and generous people through my crafting life...and I feel so privileged to have them in my life....

My life is far richer with you all in it...

Have a great day all..

Take care

Love and hugs

Jo. xxxxx

 

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Colouring in Cumbria...

Good afternoon all, I do hope you are having a lovely Sunday. I have just come back home after a lovely morning at the sincerely yours PaperCrafts show at Leigh...

What a fantastic little show, and a great place to meet, chat and have coffee with crafty friends...

Oh and spend a penny or two...or three!!!!!

Yesterday it was Clarity Cumbria, and for once it was a lovely sunny drive there and back....no rain...yah,,.that was a result..

We used the brilliant new postcards from Clarity and they are just the right size to fit in these frames from Creativ...

And they are double sided

 

Now yesterday we didn't have time to colour the full postcard...so here are some of yesterday's results....

And obviously the ladies had homework...( well done Lisa top of the class with your homework xx)

We also used some drawing gum to add some spotlight detail to a card design

After lunch we got inky ....and yes these are to go in black bags....now you know they are one of my favourite things at the moment...it is just so good to create a gift...and a useful one at that.

Love the colours ladies....you really rocked it yesterday...

And thanks Freda and Sheila...the cakes were yummy as usual...

Now Barbara was on tv yesterday but obviously I missed the shows , so I have recorded them and I am looking forward to some quality time with more tea and cake to catch up...

Better get on , I need to catch up on making samples too...next week is looking like another busy week....but guess what...I just love it....busy is good....

I would say keeps me out of mischief....but some may not agree...

Enjoy your Bank Holiday all,

Much love and hugs.

Jo. xxxx

 

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Let's Fly Away

Good morning all, and thanks for popping in..

Today it is the start of a new challenge over at the Fussy and Fancy Challenge Blog..

Our theme for the next two weeks is

Let's Fly Away,

And is hosted by the lovely Eileen,

We are sponsored by Fresh Brewed Designs

Here is what I came up with....I do hope that you like it..

I started with a wonderful stamp from Clarity.....The Paris Collage stamp. I stamped it one and a half times using Potting soil , Archival ink.

 

Next I added some colour around the edges using Latte Adirondack ink and a stencil brush

Followed by some Ground Espresso Distress ink.

I also added some ink to a couple of flowers, these are from the Hobby House and a vintage tag .

I stamped a couple of Dragonflies, and cut them out .

I do love Graphic 45 papers, this one is from the Botanical tea collection and is called Fauna...some matting and layering and some lovely vintage lace.

Next I added the topper followed by the flowers, dragonflies, and a tag , made using another of my favourite Clarity stamps .

Just to add some more detail , I added some Film strip ribbon, from Tim Holtz Idea-ology range, and glossy accents to the clock face.

Here is a closer look...

Now it is over to you...I would love you to take a look at the rest of the samples made by the DT....and even better why not enter....

http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk

After all Lisa did last month....and guess what ...she only went and won.....yah...

Well Done Lisa...

You know what they say...you need to be in it...to win it....

Right , I had better get on....I have a day out with three special ladies planned...

And then tomorrow it is Clarity Cumbria...so looking forward to spending the day with such lovely crafters.

Whilst I remember our Barbara is on Hochanda on Saturday with some fab new Groovi plates...

Take care all,

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

 

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Rain, rain and more rain...

Good afternoon all , thanks for popping in , I do hope your Sunday is going well.

It is catch up day here with lots of washing , ironing and gardening to be done,,,plus the usual long dog walks..

As you know yesterday I was demonstrating all things Clarity at the Paper Warehouse in Kendal, this is such a fab event and I loved every minute of it.

It was lovely to see our Linda who was also demonstrating

I was sat opposite Sheena, what a lovely , funny and very talented lady she is....but I couldn't resist taking this photo....and yes...I did warn her that it was going on my blog....

No sooner had we arrived and set up when crafters appeared from all sides, it was so busy, the atmosphere was really great.

So much so, I didn't get chance to take any photos of my table , so I snapped a few at the end of the day...

So please excuse the mess, it was much neater at the beginning of the day. ( honestly )

Wow, the bags sold really well

Mind you, so did the stamps, stencils and Groovi boards...

The shop is really well stocked ,

If you get chance to go to Kendal , I really would recommend a visit,

And the staff are just wonderful, we were looked after so well yesterday, lots of hot drinks and a fab lunch too...

It was great to see so many of the workshop ladies, and to meet new crafters , Jeanette travelled down for the day and Mary really enjoyed her trip.

A special thanks to Maggie Byford , for all the hints and tips...( you should see her parchment work, absolutely stunning )

The only down side to the whole day was the weather....wow did it rain....and then some,,,

The journey home was horrible...and I was so glad to get back....

I am back in the lakes next Saturday for Clarity Cumbria...so I am hoping for a better journey....

Lots to between now and then....

Enjoy your Sunday evening..

Much love and hugs..

Jo. xxx

 

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Hummingbirds

Good evening all and thanks for joining me, this Friday evening...where has that lovely weather gone?

I have a feeling that it is going to be a wet and windy drive up to Kendal tomorrow..

I am demonstrating all things Clarity, stamps, stencils and Groovi plates at Grosvenor House Papers Summer Crafting event...it was a brilliant day last year, so I am really looking forward to it.

So the last few days I have been busy sorting out samples and demonstrations..

I just hope I have remembered to pack everything...mind you I have three big bags...so fingers crossed everything is there..

 

This evening I thought I would share a piece of home decor with you...it is made with one of the new postcards....

I really wanted to use the postcard in an unusual way...( it's good to try something a bit different )

I started with a wooden heart...( reminds me of a song!!!) , some grunge paste and the double sprig stencil

Then I added some die cuts and embellishments, and die cut some extra leaves.

Don't worry about the colours,not matching,,,they won't look like that for long,,,

I painted everything with black gesso....I do love this part....

Next I add some colour using Inka Gold paint...I water it down and apply it as a wash...

The colours mix really well

Now onto the postcard

I decided on the postcard , that took a while....they are all so lovely...

And I decided to tear the edges...and then started to paint using Inka gold paints, so that it matches the colour tones of the heart

This is so relaxing to do..

I then attached this to the heart and used the extra leaves to overlap in places, to give continuity .

I used some gilding wax around the edges and for highlights, then to finish off I used some Spray and shine,,

A real fun wall hanging to make...

I really enjoy this type of mixed media...even the getting my hands dirty part...

I hope you have a lovely day tomorrow..whatever you are doing...

Take care ,

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

 

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Today's mixed media play.

Good evening all and thanks for popping in.

I am just going to have a quick chat tonight and then I am off for some food with Karl.

Today is was our mixed media workshop at C J CardCrafts in Stockport , Cheshire., and oh what a wonderful day it has been.

We decorated book boxes.

Just look at the table

True crafters

We had such a laugh..

And just look at the finished boxes....

 

 

 

 

I am so proud of you all...

Enjoy your evening...

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxxx

 

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