30 years ....

Good afternoon all, 

I do hope that your week has started well. 

What about all that rain at the weekend ? 

What a shock after the heatwave, mind you , 

my garden loved it 

So did Tess and Eric 

Today I just wanted to spend a few moments with you,

You see it is our 30th Wedding Anniversary 

I really don’t know where the years have gone..

We may look a bit older, 

A bit wiser...!!!!

One thing I do know is that we are even happier...

Life has its ups and downs...

But there is nobody who I would rather share them with than my 

fabulous Karl.

We are busy cleaning out cupboards ready for the next chapter in our life together 

Enjoy your afternoon 

Take care 

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Under the sea.

Good afternoon all, I do hope you are keeping well 

and managing to stay cool. 

Although I must admit it is cloudy here today...

Yesterday it was our regular Hazel Grove workshops. 

We did some distressing with inks and some splatting...

We used Stamps from Lavinia Stamps, 

I do love this handsome chap..

I used Distress Oxide ink for my background as I do love the way that they blend. 

I also used a silver gel pen and it gave him such a lovely almost ‘wet “ look.

Now it wasn’t easy to photograph...

So here is my attempt 

Hope you get the idea. 

We also used the resist technique with white embossing powder. 

The feather stamp is just brilliant to add a hint of colour 

Now, I know us Crafters love a bargain so I have some special offers for you...

Over at Craft Stash..

Specially from my blog...

15% off everything you order...

By using the code 

SUMMERWOW15 

Follow the link.  http://tidd.ly/2b92313a

(Until 26/8/2018)

Also 

10% off Phill Martin Christmas 

Using the code 

PHILL10

( until 31/7/2018)

Follow the link   http://tidd.ly/8a38607d

And 

10% off Sheena Douglas Craft supplies 

(Until 31/7/2018)

Using code 

SHEENA10

And follow the link.  http://tidd.ly/c4216d31

Enjoy 

And finally before I go....

Elliot had his first proper hair cut the other day...

I don’t think he enjoyed it...

But he was ok afterwards...

My goodness he looks more like Adam every day..

Must go and tidy a few more cupboards...

Take care all

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

 

Cumbria Crafters

Good afternoon everyone...

How quick did that weekend go???

I can’t believe it is Monday already.

I had a lovely time on Friday with my parents and I did collect some eggs..

So Mary and Hazel Grove crew I will bring some on Wednesday 

Saturday was our Cumbria workshop and even though we had some regular Crafters on holiday 

We still managed to fill the hall.

We did have a bit of a giggle too...

Look at these gorgeous cards...

Our main project was a fabulous MDF Box from Kay at IndigoBlu 

We did use some black gesso 

Some ladies got it on their hands 

Some ladies got it in their hair, 

One lady (mentioning no names ) got it on her shoe .

And some even got it on their box !!!! lol. 

We had fabulous cup cakes thanks to Angie 

It was another great day with such special friends 

And the sun shone for the drive home too...

Yesterday we started to box up some of my craft stuff...

Oh my goodness...

I have so much stash...I am sure you all know what that is like...

I am going to need a removal van just for my craft stuff.

No date yet....

But we are trying to be organised...

Before I go...

A photo to share with you...

Just love this one...

Take care all.

Have a wonderful week...

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Tag for July

Good morning everyone, 

How has your week started ? 

Ok. I hope 

Yesterday I managed to get my tag made for the July tag swap 

As always , I had great fun making it...

I had no idea where I was going with it, 

So I just started by blending  some  ink...

This is a great way to get you ‘ in the crafty mood ‘ 

Next , I added some depth in the background 

And then stamped this fabulous bee from IndigoBlu 

I wanted to add more detail in the background, so out came the bubbles stamp 

Yes, I am loving this,,,

The way it is evolving 

Love this stamp too..

Next I edged the tag with some black Distress ink 

This really does frame it..

I did have to add some splats...

Some words, bakers twine...and glossy Accents...

Here is a closer look 

I hope you like it...

Yesterday we also had a visit from the purchasers of our house. They wanted to 

bring their parents to have a look. 

Karl was in Scotland so I walked the dogs...

It was such a lovely day...we were out for nearly 2 hours. 

I certainly got my steps in...

I also got a shock when Tess went to join Eric in the river...

Just before I go...

I wanted to share an early morning photo with you..

The little man on his first Birthday..

Still in his pj’s

X

I am off now to get on with a magazine commission..

I must get my Christmas head on...

Take care all

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Green and Pink .

Good morning everyone, 

Hope this Friday morning finds you well. 

We have rain, and how wonderful it is, it rained all night .

This morning it has been wonderful walking the dogs, the grass looks 

green, the air is moist and the smell...oh it is so fresh...perfect 

A magical way to start the day....

Onto something crafty,

Today it is the start of a new Fussy and Fancy Challenge 

Our theme is 

Green and Pink .

Here is what I created 

I used the wonderful Jeans Flowers stamp set from Hobby Art 

I started by creating the background....

This is the same technique that I used on the poppy card a few weeks ago...(Donna you asked how to create it )

I used a piece of stencil card, and brushed some light green ink over.

Start from the middle of the card and brush outwards...

We aim to keep some white space 

I repeated with a darker green ink 

I stamped the main, floral image 

And then added some background stamping

Using first and second generation .

Next , I added the sentiment and a black sharpie edge. 

On separate card I stamped  the floral stamp and a couple of butterflies. 

I added some colour using my Spectrum Noir pencils and then cut the images out. 

I always assemble my card before adding any embellishments or decoupage...

It is one thing I have noticed at workshops is that ladies add all the layers, glitter etc then have to turn over 

to add glue and attach it to the card blank 
It is far easier , and gives a more professional finish to build up the layers at the end. 

Here is a closer look 

And from the side 

A small Bakers twine bow just finishes off the design 

If you fancy joining in, or just checking out the dt samples 

Just pop over to the Fussy and Fancy blog...here 

http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/

Have a lovely weekend all, 

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Workshop Wednesday

Good morning all, 

Hope your week is going well.

It was our workshops in Hazel Grove yesterday and it was so good to be back with the ladies.

We used a lovely sketchy floral stamp set from Hobby Art

http://www.hobbyartstamps.com/Jean-s-Flowers.html

Our first card used lots of ink and colouring...

Always good to keep the Crafters quiet 

Then we did some inking direct on the stamp, some spritzing and then then stamping 

This gives such a lovely result..

Just remember , not too much water 

Now there is a lovely little flourish on this stamp set.

Perfect for....

Dare I say 

A wreath card..(well it has been a while since we have had one ) 

Also great for envelopes...(remember to use a permanent ink pad ) 

When I got home Mikey and Fran had arrived, they are here for a weeks holiday..

I am so looking forwards to spending time with them 

One more photo it share before I go..

Look...

Fingers crossed it all proceeds well..

I am eating far too much cake with all the stress...

Have a lovely weekend all. 

It is Elliot’s first Birthday on Sunday.

Can’t believe where the last twelve months have gone..

Catch up soon

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Monday Morning

Good morning , 

Wow , I can’t believe it is Monday again..

We are now home, and have been catching up on things..

You know what it is like, washing, ironing,  the post...

And collecting the dogs.

Now that was a laugh...

Off we went at 8am to collect the dogs, The girls went to the kennels to get our babies. 

I took Eric with his toy  to the car, karl followed with Tess.

All I could hear was

Oh Tess has put a bit of weight on, 

And she seems a bit darker in colour down her back..

Then as she jumped into the car.

Oh and now she is a boy!!!!!

So we got the dogs out of the car , went back inside   And yes 

What were the chances that another couple had a young black lab and an older yellow lab...

Only difference was the sex of the dogs..

We did get our Tess and Eric 

But it would happen to us...!!!!

Whilst in France we stayed in a few Chateau campsite...

And this one was just fabulous. 

And we went inside,,,

I did fall in love with their wallpapers 

And their attention to detail in the gardens, 

So beautiful. 

On our drive around  we did visit La Mans,,,

Now that was another experience..

Driving down the race track..

At one point I was so worried that Karl had taken a wrong turning..

No cars in front of us 

No cars behind us..

After laughing , he did tell me it was part of the 24 hour race track...!!!!

Look at theses houses that we found when we went for a walk. 

So charming..

Speaking of houses , we have had the survey done on ours , 

So that is another job ticked off the list..

Lots of cupboards to clean out this week. 

So a fond farewell to France. 

And back home,,,

Until next year.

It is our Hazel Grove workshops this Wednesday so I had better get on with prep..

And then England play in the evening..

Come on England 

Take care all

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx