Winged bugs

Good evening all, 

I hope your Monday has gone well and that you had a lovely weekend. 

Our workshop on Saturday went really well and the 

crafters made the most fabulous  projects. 

I am so proud of them all. 

It was so lovely to have a new lady join our workshop family too.

Today I am sharing a recent Aall & Create sample with you.

This uses a image from stamp set #388 

Winged bugs by Tracy Evans

I stamped the image in black VersaFine Clair ink and added clear embossing powder. 

I love to do this when adding colour using luscious powders and water .

These give such a wonderful shine. 

I do think this beetle needs a shine, don’t you ? 

I decoupaged the wings and added some washi tape detail. 

Plus a few little rusty embellishments. 

I had great fun creating this. 

I have just spent an hour creating a Garland to go over our front door, 

I have collected pine cones, painted them white, added some berries and Christmas bells. 

Just the light to go and then karl can put it up.

Fingers crossed my wire glue holds it all in place. 

Well, I have promised Elliot and Jenson that we will put our tree and lights up tomorrow 

Wish me luck 

Enjoy your evening all 

and thanks for popping in 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

That Friday feeling

Good afternoon everyone, 

I do hope that your Friday has gone well.

We had a power cut here this morning 

So it was a late coffee for me. 

This week I have made 2 more YouTube videos .

Both these have been answering questions for some of our crafty friends 

The first was for Doreen 

And can be found here 

https://youtu.be/R37MYktdA8A

The second is for Celia, 

And is some background play 

It can be found here 

https://youtu.be/IiEWJYIsgbY

I really hope these help you ladies. 

Tomorrow it is our tag workshop 

I am really looking forwards spending a creative morning with friends...

Virtually off course 

I’m off now for a shower and to get my pj’s on...

I am feeling so much better but I still get very tired...

So Friday evening will be snuggling in front of the tv 

Take care all 

Love and hugs 

Jo xxxx

Thank you ladies

Good afternoon all 

Hope your Wednesday has gone well, 

I have a piece of gammon in the oven and it smells yummy. 

Today I have more thank you’s 

This time to Lisa and Sharon.

Thanks so much for the fabulous flowers 

Honestly I feel so lucky and so loved. 

You fabulous friends really have kept me going. 

On the crafty front I have a 

Snowy wreath to share with you .

To be honest, 

I feel there is too much snow,..

More like a blizzard...

But I did enjoy making it, 

So I thought that I would share it. 

I hope you have a lovely evening .

Catch up soon 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxxx

The sun has got his hat on....

Good afternoon all, 

I do hope you had a lovely weekend. 

I had such a wonderful surprise yesterday when I had such a lovely gift left at my door. 

Lesley thank you so much, so kind of you. 

It really made my day. 

Today I have one of my Aall & Create samples to share with you. 

I hope you managed to watched the shows this weekend. 

When I saw these stamps, I just knew what I wanted to create. 

I can hear you all singing 

The sun has hit his hat on 

Hip, hip, hip hooray 

You know the strange way that my mind works. 

I started by creating some background using a stencil, 

And then added some stamping 

I do love these background stamps, they are so versatile. 

Next I added some more stencilling, 

This time a sort of cloud effect. 

I stamped the figures, added some colour and then cut them out. 

As usual the finishing touches were added using a black fine liner pen and a white Posca pen, 

Such a fun card to make. 

The hat is fabulous, as the lady can wear it, the dog can catch it...

Oh, so many possibilities.

Thanks for popping in, 

As always pleases take care all 

I hope you have a good week ahead 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxxxx

Another day, another wreath design

Good afternoon all, 

I hope your weekend is going well. 

Welcome to our new followers,

I always get such a thrill when we get new members. 

Thank you so much for joining in with my creative journey . 

Today I am sharing another Aall & Create samples with you. 

You know how I adore wreath cards, and I just knew that I had to make one with these fabulous new stamps. 

I started with one stamp...

Not quite the right shape yet, but have faith 

That’s better, some more stamping and some colour. 

Then a little more foliage to fill out the wreath, 

Some gentle background stencilling 

Followed by matting and layering 

and finally some Posca pen and  glossy accents 

To add dimension 

Yes, just my sort of card. 

I never get bored of creating these...

Off now to feed and walk Eric...

Enjoy your evening all. 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxxx

Poppy Seedheads

Good afternoon all, 

What a dark and miserable day it is here in Cheshire. 

I hope it won’t be like this all weekend. 

I am just popping in to share one of my DT samples with you. 

This one using a new stamp by our 

Tracy Evan’s, .

Leonie will be launching them this evening at 6pm on HOCHANDA 

Abs is a bit under the weather at the moment, I hope he gets better soon. 

I started off , with some direct to paper ink. 

Followed by the same ink on the back of a stencil. 

This makes such a beautiful background, and I am really loving these grey tones at the moment. 

Next I added the stamping 

I also stamped the poppy heads out a second time, added some colour and cut them out. 

Ready to decoupage them .

To finish off I added extra detail with Posca pens, , washi tape and a rusty embellishment.

Here is a closer look 

 

And 

I hope you have a lovely weekend planned. 

I am off to make some soup. 

Well , it is that kind of weather 

Take care all 

Love and hugs 

Jo xxxx

Clean and Simple with Lavinia

Good morning all, 

Hope you are keeping well. 

Today I have a couple of Christmas cards to share with you. 

These are nice quick and easy designs, ideal for batch card making. 

I have made a little you tube video 

You can find it here 

https://youtu.be/sj-nsSQGUhU

So if you fancy crafting along with me,,,

Grab some stamps, card and some inks. 

and let’s have some fun.

Oh and remember a brew...

Take care all 

Love and hugs 

Jo xxxx

Monday catch up

Good afternoon all, 

I hope you had a lovely weekend. 

It was our group online class on Saturday morning .

We spent 2 hours talking about stamping designs and then adding colour. 

We covered many products including watercolour pens, pencils, Inka gold, Brusho powders and dye based ink pads. 

Then we created a card design using this beautiful floral stamp from Aall & Create 

For this one I used distress oxide ink pads and water 

I am always so proud of the pieces of art that the crafters in our group create. 

Well done all. 

Sunday I had a day off and rested, it was just wonderful. 

Today I have been making samples for HOCHANDA shows next weekend. 

I hope you have had a good day and that you are now resting with your feet up.

Take care everyone 

Love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Timber

Good morning all, 

How are you today ? 

I have walked Eric and it is quite pleasant out there today , 

no rain at the moment. 

I thought I would have an early catch up with you as yesterday I just ran out of energy , it seems to happen at the minute. 

If I don’t get my jobs done in the morning I run out of steam by the afternoon. 

Today I thought I would share this design with you, 

I adore the little owl (drew ) and I thought the tree trunk would make a great place for him to stand. 

It is one of those moments when you think 

When is a tree trunk, not a tree trunk..

When it has fallen down,.

Or is that just the way that my mind works !!! lol 

I stared with some stamping 

Then added some stencil work. 

More stamping, and colouring 

Finally the moon , some extra colour around the edges , just to frame it and some highlights. 

Is it me, or can you see the 👀 looking out of the hollow in the trunk...? 

Maybe it is that mouse hiding for the owl....

I have had such fun with these new stamps 

And for this design I have made a little you tube video 

You can find it here 

https://youtu.be/nF_zaAsP1WQ

I hope you have a lovely day. 

Big hug to all 

Take care 

Love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Small dwellings

Good afternoon all, 

I do hope your Sunday is going well. 

I have managed to tidy up the garden a little, 

So many leaves ,

At lease it looks a bit better and Eric enjoyed the fresh air too. 

I hope you are enjoying the Lavinia Extravaganza this weekend. 

Thanks so much for joining me yesterday at the live online workshop. 

Today I have a little YouTube video for you. 

Using the lovely new little house stamps. 

Small dwellings 

The link is here 

https://youtu.be/3nF2fmERzrA

I am off now for some lunch and then a date with the ironing board. 

Enjoy your afternoon, 

Take care all

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Fun in the snow

Good morning all, 

nearly the weekend.

I hope you have something nice planned, 

even if it is only a nice phone call with a friend. 

We have to make the most of any contact at the moment, don’t we. 

Today I wanted to share one of my recent Lavinia samples with you. 

Featuring more of the fabulous new stamps. 

Here is how I created it 

I started off with stamping the main man, isn’t he majestic ? 

Then I added some stencil work.

Nice and light 

Now as you know I like to add stencilling onto my backing card too,

Just one of my little tricks. 

Opposite corners are my favourite. 

Then I added some background stamping, 

Keeping it all tone on tone, 

Next came the highlights and a little more stamping 

Followed by some snow. 

Always remember to heat the ultra thick embossing powder from the back 

Then it was just putting the two together. 

I think this could be another dare I say 

Christmas card design 

I used just the top line of the sentiment to finish off the design 

Thanks for joining me today 

And I hope you will join me tomorrow at 11am 

In the Lavinia For You group 

Where we will have our live workshop.

Wish me luck

Hope my voice holds out.

Take care everyone 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

New home for the foxes

Good morning everyone, 

Hope you are well and keeping warm on this chilly day. 

Today I am going to share a couple of the new Lavinia stamps with you. 

I have used them in this up cycling project. 

Thanks Anne for sending me the kipper tin..

These guys have so much detail and character 

Here is a closer look 

I have made a little YouTube video to show you how I created it. 

https://youtu.be/HxUU1IGLvjY

The tree trunk is another new stamp too 

I was tempted to add a couple of eyes hiding inside it ...👀

So body is bound to do that now,,,lol..

Enjoy the rest of your day..

Take care all 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Good to be in print

Good afternoon all, 

Hope you are keeping well. 

Wow, that frost on the ground was a bit of a shock this morning, 

although it did make a lovely pattern on the car. 

How are things ? 

I hope this week is going well, 

I am improving everyday, although just not quick enough..

Recently I have been busy creating pieces for magazines, 

I have made 5 quick card designs for this latest issue of Creative Stamping Magazine 

The stamps are fabulous with this issue, and so useful. 

I have also created some designs in the latest issue of Papercraft Essentials

There is a very nice embossing folder (which also die cuts ) free with this issue. 

And 

I had great  fun creating these. 

There seems to be a bit of a festive theme around at the moment, 

Mind you 

I do think it is more important than ever to send Christmas cards this year.

We all need some festive spirit dropping through our letterboxes.

Enjoy the rest of your afternoon 

Take care 

Love and hugs 

Jo xxx