Snow stops play

Morning all, 

Well after all these years of workshops , 

today is the first time that I have cancelled them. 

We have quite a bit of snow in Holmes Chapel, and the surrounding area. 

Adam messaged me this morning telling me that all the runways at the 

airport are closed until at least 10-30am. 

So I have decided that it isn’t safe enough for us all to travel to class. 

We have to be sensible...

Although , I have to say 

that Tess and Eric are loving the snow. 

They didn’t want to come in. 

I hope you all keep warm today, stay safe...and 

maybe do some crafty homework....

I hope it clears quickly as Karl is driving up to Aberdeen in the morning.

Love and warm hugs 

Jo, xxx

Lavinia love in the Lakes

Good afternoon everyone, 

I do hope you are keeping warm and dry today. 

It certainly is winter at the moment, although my daffodils definitely think that it is spring. 

On Saturday it was our Cumbria Workshop, and 

what a fabulous day it was. 

We did have a couple of our regular Crafters who couldn’t join us , 

but we still managed to have a naughty table,,,

I won’t say which one,,,!!!!lol...

We started by making some backgrounds using our gelli plates.

Whilst these were drying , 

we made our first card.

We used some fabulous stamps from Lavinia.

A nice quick and easy design but very effective. 

Our second card was a bit more complex, 

but the ladies nailed it, 

They made the most wonderful cards.

Look 

After lunch ,

we used our clean up backgrounds to make these 

They are fabulous ladies. 

We had tea and cake (thanks Sheila ) and an ATC make and swap before home.

It was so good to see everyone again, 

Such a great group of generous, lovely, friends.

Today I have been getting sorted for our Hazel Grove workshops tomorrow. 

More fun with Lavinia stamps and inks. 

Then on Saturday a contrast

Some clean and delicate Groovi work...

Enjoy your evening everyone, 

Thanks for popping in 

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

SceneScapes

Good morning all and welcome to Friday. 

I am busy packing my bags ready for our Cumbria workshop tomorrow. 

It will be so good to catch up with everyone, 

Our first class of the year. 

I just thought I would take a few minutes to sit down and have a chat with you 

lovely blog followers. 

Have you used any of the SceneScapes yet from Lavinia Stamps. ? 

They are fabulous, 

and so good for quick cards. 

I created this in 15minutes, 

I started off with this SceneScape 

And I couldn’t stop playing 

So then I made this one 

From this SceneScape

Great for quick cards, 

and when Mr MoJo goes on holiday. 

That is it from me today, 

I am heading up the motorway soon to visit my parents this afternoon.

So get the kettle on please Mum...

Have a lovely weekend all.

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Tag card

Good afternoon all, 

Thanks for joining me today. 

Have you got any  snow, ? 

We had frost this morning and a flourish of snow, but it has all gone now. 

Karl has phoned from Aberdeen and yes , they have snow.

As you know I love making tags 

This was one that we made in one of our Hazel Grove workshops. 

I have been asked by a few people , what I do with my tags . 

So here is one idea. 

Make a background to complement the tag and make it into a card. 

I used the same inks for the background , 

Added some Inka gold splatters, and circles using a bottle top. 

After matting and layering my background was ready .

Now at this point , you have options. 

Position the tag diagonally 

Straight and off set , 

Or in the middle. 

Which do you like ? 

I decided on the second one. 

I stamped some Lavinia words...

And added them, along with a few little glass beads, 

and it really didn’t take long at all. 

When I was walking the dogs this morning , I took a couple of photos to share with you . 

So this is the view, of our morning dog walk, now that we have moved , 

It is so beautiful, 

and it really inspires me , everyday...

I hope you find something to inspire you today 

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Wednesday in Hazel Grove

Good afternoon all, 

It is now Friday and I have been trying since yesterday morning 

to publish this post, but blogger is really playing up...

It was our first workshop of the year on Wednesday, 

We were back in Hazel Grove, 

It was so good to be back and catch up with everyone, 

We even had a new lady joining us, 

It was great to meet you Carol and I hope you will be back next time. 

This was our first card, 

We used inks for the background, with a Clarity die and some stamps from Hobby Art.

I do love this combination 

and think this card would be great for many different occasions.

…

The second card used some more stamps from the same stamp set and some ink smooshing .

I do love a bit of smooshing .

I hope you have a lovely weekend planned 

I have a couple of friends coming for a crafty play tomorrow 

and Sunday is going to be a day off. 

Elliot is here , and has been with us since Tuesday morning.

I must say this Grandma thing is wonderful but I am shattered. 

We went to soft play this morning, 

Oh my , an hour there is a real workout.....

Take care all

Much love and hugs.

Fingers crossed this one will publish...

Ninth time lucky,,,

Jo. xxxx

Blooming good fun

Good afternoon all, 

Thanks for popping in today. 

I hope you had a lovely weekend.

We went out for lunch with friends on Saturday and 

then we had Sunday afternoon with a couple of friends popping round for a brew and a catch up. 

Last night Mikey arrived back home for a few weeks, he has started Jury Service today , 

So we don’t know how long her will be staying...

Hope his first day is going well, he was quite nervous this morning. 

Today I have something exciting to share with you .

You know how I love to play around with inky backgrounds. 

Well the very talented and lovely lady that is Eileen Godwin , posted a link about a technique that I haven’t 

seen before. 

So I had to have a look , 

There is a great You Tube video 

The Treasures of Many 

At Karin’s Corner.

Now I think this is going to be a very popular technique, so thanks to both ladies for highlighting it. 

I was suppose to be doing workshop prep this morning , 

but I had a play instead. 

Here is what I came up with 

Now my background didn’t come out quite as vibrant as Eileen’s but I love it anyway..

Here is how the design took shape. 

For this technique a photo paper is used, I used the coated silk card from Clarity. 

Distress Oxide inks work really well, add them to your mat one colour at a time 

Spritz, then dab your card in the ink. 

Not too much water though. 

Remember to dry the card before adding the next colour of ink. 

I blended some ink on to the card stock 

And also added some splats...

After drying I added some more ink 

The just wipe the card stock with a wet wipe, 

The photo doesn’t show it up really , but the right hand side has been wiped. 

Can you see, it looks more vibrant and shiny. 

You really need to try this at home to see for yourself. 

Next I got out my stamps and stencils from Aall and Create 

And started to build up my background 

Layer after layer 

Adding a moon mask, some Sharpie pen and some Inka splats. 

On separate card , I stamped this lovely flower ( designed by Tracy Evans , you know I am a big fan of hers ) 

Added some colour with my new pencils, and cut it out. 

To finish off I added some doodles, White splats and liquid glass. 

I really enjoyed making this, 

It still amazes me what we can make from a white piece of card. 

Better get back to workshop prep, 

Take care all.

Much love and hugs 

Jo, xxx

New Home Card.

Good afternoon all, 

I really don’t know where this week has gone.

I can’t believe that it is Thursday already, 

What have you been up too ? 

Lots of catching up jobs ticked off my list here. 

Plus the other afternoon a friend surprised me , and popped in.

It was so lovely to catch up , we had coffee, mince pies and just chatted and chatted .

Today , I am sharing a New Home card with you. 

I just love making inky backgrounds, 

Splashing some water around and then adding stamping. 

These little fairy houses are so cute. 

I love them .

Oh and look what arrived in the post today .

My lovely friend Fi, sent me this card. 

You see her Christmas card got lost in the post .

So she sent me this fabulous work of art. 

Thanks Fi , I love it .

The design is one from a Josie and Chris workshop , so thanks to Josie and Chris too. 

Right, better get out of my craft room 

and into the kitchen . 

Enjoy your evening all, 

and Mum, I will phone you later. 

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxxx

More Designs

Good afternoon everyone,

thanks for popping in.

How are you today? 

I have just walked to the Post Office and it is very cold outside, so I 

hope you are keeping warm today. 

I have the last instalment of  Christmas cards to share with you. 

They are all fabulous 

It wouldn’t be the same without a camel....

Have you put all your decorations away ? 

I have, all safely packed away until next year. 

Elliot was all better and came to stay ,

So we have had lots of fun playing with his new cars. 

Reading his new books 

Plus some football training, 

That was with grandad and daddy  , not me 

Right, I am off now to make a large pot of chillli.

It is just the weather for it..

I hope you have a lovely weekend, 

whatever you have planned .

Take care all

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx