Caught on camera....

Good evening all, I hope you have had a good weekend....did you watch Barbara today with her two hour Clarity show? ...I had to record it and am going to catch up on it now....the reason was that Karl and me met my sister and husband for the day...I think that family time is so important......and Sheila is such a special person ....I love her so much and the four of us had a brilliant time....

Yesterday it was workshop day at C.J. CardCraft in Edgeley...before I share our makes with you...I want to show you a photo from last months class..

Meet Susan, she is fantastic and loves her Crafting......look how happy she is with her new Clarity apron and portfolio bag...

I love to decorate canvas's using Distress inks....and Clarity stencils...we used Jo's bubble stencil...well we just had too didn't we...lol...

I thought for a change I would take some photos of the lovely ladies....with their creations....so here goes...

In no particular order...

 

Here we have...sisters...

 

 

 

 

And yes...I know Jo hadn't finished.......

Sally tried to hide.....

But I did get her face.....yah.....even if her canvas was upside down...

Thanks for looking in today....

And if you fancy having a go at a canvas ....Go to the Clarity website...new....in....flat canvas.... http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/New-In

I will be phoning Janice tomorrow with my order...

Off now ....Karl has made me a coffee,

Have a good evening,

Much love and hugs,

Jo. xxxx

 

 

 

A cold start ....

Good evening and thanks for joining me...I am just cooking some noodles ....it has been a cold and frosty day here today so I feel like a nice big dish of hot noodles and vegetables...

On our dog walk today Eric was introduced to frosty grass and it did make him jump....his paws got so cold...he and Tess still get on really well....we are so pleased....and he keeps falling asleep on her....and oh he is growing....( special hugs to a lovely couple who are very dear to me and lost one of their dogs recently....xx)

This morning I was Mums Taxi first thing and took Adam and Emily to the airport...they have gone to Brussels for a few days...to the Christmas markets...they were so excited...

So after some cleaning I actually got around to making some Christmas cards...even writing some and getting them in the post...

Here is one of them using the Holly Wreath Stencil....as you know I do love the Clarity Stencils....

I started by using my eBosser....remember you can emboss with your stencils..

And then I added some colour using Adirondack inks and make up sponges...

How quick was that....next I added some of my favourite Sweet Lilac Flowers and leaves....the Holly leaves are fab...

Next some gems and liquid pearls.

And finally a sentiment from the Clarity Letter Box Word set...

And job done....

One down......lots more to go.!!!!

So how about a different stencil....just to mix it up a little....

And then a little wooden heart....just for good measure with the left overs.

So a few jobs ticked off the list today...

Hope you have had a productive day too....and before I go I must just say Hello to our latest Blog follower...thank you so much for joining us and I hope you will be happy here...

Enjoy your evening all and keep warm , I think it is going to be another cold one...

Love and hugs,

Jo. xxxx

 

 

Trees......

Good morning, welcome to a new week, a new month and a new challenge over at the Clarity Challenge Blog....... Our new theme is ......Trees....

Which is very appropriate as this week it is National Tree Week and it has been this week every year since 1975...

Yesterday morning when Karl and I were walking Tess and Eric I saw this tree and just had to share it with you...

Back to the challenge ...remember that it is Clarity stamps only ...and oh there are some lovely tree stamps...in fact I was spoilt for choice...

The winner is chosen at random and gets a £50 Clarity voucher....so go on.......have a go and enter the challenge...

You can enter here......http://claritystampchallenge.blogspot.co.uk.

Here is what I came up with....

I started with a piece of Gelli card and some Distress inks....Brushed Corduroy, Spiced Marmalade and Barn Door......I used my Clarity blending mat and mini blending tools...

Until I got this....

I then used a wet clean pad on my blending tool....counted to the manic number...20 ....and created a moon....then spritzed some more water to add more interest.

Next I stamped the large Weeping Ash stamp using black VersaFine ink...

I created the hills with torn paper and Distress ink and added a swallow...

I stamped this fantastic verse...onto more Gelli card that I had coloured using the same Distress inks...

Some matting and layering, ribbon, string and gems...and my design was completed...

Here is a closer look of the verse...

What wise words....from a very wise lady who is sadly missed...

I do hope that you like my card , if you would like to see more inspiration why not go and visit the blogs of my fellow DT....

All the stamps are available from http://www.claritystamp.co.uk

I must just congratulate last months winner and the Top 5 ....wow we had some fantastic entries...but now I must get on....

I have to dash of for my Flu jab....then a long list of jobs and IKEA tonight....

Take care and pop back soon....

Jo. xxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winds Of Change...

How is your Saturday Going? I am sat here on the sofa with Tess on one side of me and Eric on the other , Karl has gone to watch football so I am trying to catch up on some craft jobs...I have posted my latest samples this morning...( Barbara is on tv next Sunday. )

Next I thought I would have a cup of tea and a chat with you...

Eric went for his puppy check on Friday and he is fine, and so chilled out that he fell asleep on the scales..

Then last night Karl and I went out with friends for our Christmas dinner and catch up...it was a brilliant evening with good food, great company and lots of laughter....( always good for the soul )

Today I am going to share one of my recent tv samples with you....it used the stamps from the Winds of Change stamp set and the Umbrella Stencil...

I started with a piece of Gelli card and added some Distress ink using a mini blending tool.

I used several different colours to build up some depth of colour.

Next I placed the stencil over the top and spritzed with water....patted dry with kitchen towel and then removed the stencil.

This is what you get....

I added some butterscotch Adirondack ink and then stamped using Black and Brown Archival ink...

The land was added by using torn paper and black soot Distress ink...

Detail was added using a white gel pen....a simple card design really...I do hope that you like it...

What have you asked Santa to bring you for Christmas? Have you a long list....?

I always buy myself a basket of shopping from the supermarket and give it to our local homeless charity...this was made easier this year as they were actually collecting at the supermarket when I went last week.

You see I really feel that none of us know what is round the corner....and there but for the Grace of god go I....

So please if you too can help ...please do...

And with that thought I will leave you...

Have a lovely evening....

Call back soon...

Hugs.

Jo. xxx

 

 

Wonder Woman for Wednesday...

Good evening all, I do hope you have had a good day...

A quick post from me tonight, as it has been a busy but very enjoyable day...it was workshops in Hazel Grove .

We had two new ladies join us in our afternoon class and they did fit in a treat....( even if they were a bit late....naughty Sat Nav!!!!!)

Chrissie managed to completely finish both projects.....yah.....and what a gorgeous smile....

But top of the class this week went to.....

Eileen....

I do hope you are reading this Rhona and Wendy......lol...

Enough from me....enjoy your evening...

Much love,

Jo. xxxx

 

Thanks ladies....

Good afternoon all, I do hope your Sunday is going well...

I am having a lunch break and thought I would share it with you.

Yesterday was Clarity Cumbria and it was so good to see so many crafters, including new ladies....it was our busiest workshop yet....and even Eric came for a while...he is so relaxed he just sat under the table and watched whilst we got set up...

We used the new Style set of stamps and Stencil from Clarity...and this was our first project...

Please excuse the poor photo but it is hard trying to get all the ladies lovely work in one photograph..

We had coffee and chocolates...thanks Sheila...and then moved on to our next project...

Look at the lovely Blue and black card in the middle, that was made by Tasha....how cool is that and she is only in year seven at school...

After lunch we created gift bags and tags...

It is good to make cards but I do like to make something a bit different too...

After tea break and cake.....now we have apple cake from Tasha's Mum. Biscuits made by Sheila and special cake for me from Lisa...( I know it sounds a lot...but they were all calorie free..!!!!)

We had a play with shaving foam...I never get tired of this technique...we used the distress re inkers, and made backgrounds...then we stamped the dress directly onto it using Black Archival ink, here are some of them...

These stamps are so versatile ....I do love them...

In fact we will be using them on Wednesday ladies.....

Karl took Eric to visit the breeder...so he got to see his Mum and sister...then he went to play with his Uncle, Aunty and Grandma...so by the time he came back to us he was shattered.....once again he just slept under the table...

Good job I keep my eye on the ladies ....and don't let them have a cheeky sleep after lunch....!!!

Right I had better go and get the roast in the oven..hungry boys to feed....

Thanks for looking in today...and as always I do love to read your comments...

Have a good week, and see you soon...

Hugs,

Jo. xxx

 

 

A close shave.

Good evening all, hope you have had a good day...I have been busy playing with my new Clarity stamps and Stencils...oh they get better and better and every month I get a new favourite...

At lunch time Mr Postie called...now you all know how that puts a smile on my face....!!!!

He brought me the latest Creative Cardmaking magazine...have you got yours yet??

It is a great read and has brilliant step by step projects in....and oh yes little old me had some fun with shaving foam...so I thought I would share one of those projects with you...

It uses Clarity stamps and those of you that know me will recognise my favourite Bubble stamp...

I am so pleased that so many of you are now finding and using this stamp.....my job is done...yah...

If you would like the materials list and how to make this , it is all in the magazine...

As always all the stamps and Stencils that I use are available from http://www.claritystamp.co.uk/Clarity-Stencils

Must dash, I am cooking lamb for Karl and the boys tonight , and Eric does like the smell that is coming from the oven....

Enjoy your evening, thanks for looking in and see you soon.

Hugs,

Jo. xxx