Family time

Good morning everyone, hope you are having a good week so far. 

We have had Elliot here since Sunday , so I have been on Grandma duties. 

I am enjoying every single minute of it. 

Adam and Danielle have gone away to the Peak District for a few days in a rather lovely hotel. 

I am catching up with you whilst Elliot has a little nap, oh he is so good....and only had me up once last night...

On Saturday we all went over to Nottingham to meet up with Mikey and Fran and have so quality family time...

It is so good to get everyone is one place. 

We had a lovely meal...and so much news to catch up on .

Then on Sunday Grandad wanted to take Elliot for his first visit to Old Trafford....

So off we went ...

And we may just have bought him something special and sent it off to Santa....

“

Have you noticed who always pushes the pram? 

It is a man thing...

The little man is going home this afternoon , so I will be running around getting everything sorted ready for tomorrow’s workshops, 

It is our usual get together in Hazel Grove.

Something a bit different this week ladies. 

Oh , Elliot has just woken up...

So I had better go...

Cuddle time..

Just wonderful 

Love and hugs 

Jo. xxxx

Just for you

Good afternoon all and thanks for joining me...

I hope your Thursday has gone well and that you are looking forward to the weekend. 

We have had a new carpet fitted today to our stairs and landing, oh they were quite noisy...

Now I know why Karl left early and put me in charge...and I thought it was because I make a better coffee than he does.....

It is all finished now and looking good. 

Today I thought I would share a candle with you...

These are such a lovely way to make a personalised gift...

It is recommended that you buy a good quality pillar candle, this is because they burn from the centre. 

Obviously you never leave a candle unattended...and depending on the products used some are best left for pure decoration. 

(That’s the health and safety done )

I started with a piece of white tissue paper and stamped in black permanent ink on the Matt side 

I used the snow globe Stamps and the letterbox Stamps from Clarity...

I didn’t worry about stamping outside the lines as I was going to cut the globe out. 

I added some colour with my stencil brush and Artistry ink pads , some stickles glitter

Glue and some snow with my Posca white marker pen. 

Then cut around the design 

Gently placed it onto the candle 

Covered it with baking Parchment and heated with a heat gun..

It is really important not to over heat and melt the whole candle....

This is such a quick and effective technique...

And I have been using one that I have made just to check that they do Burn ok. 

This is it after 13 hours of burning ...

I just had to make one for Elliot’s first Christmas...

We made some at our Cumbria Retreat and the ladies produced the most wonderful designs 

So before I go.  I will just share today’s photo of the little man with you. 

He fell asleep at the swimming baths today..it was all such hard work..

Oh bless...

Better get on...

It’s been a lovely day here, enjoy your evening all...

And be happy

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxxx

Autumn colours

Good afternoon all, I do hope your week has started well. 

I have been busy with workshop preparations and getting lots of pyrography orders ticked off my list. 

I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed my pyrography.

The Groovi workshop on Saturday went really well and we had some happy snippers..

We also had a sticky ink incident...but shhh I won’t tell...

Remember what goes on a craft class stays at craft class...lol..

Karl has been working away for a couple of days so I have been on dog walking duty  and it was very muddy this morning...Eric even managed to 

Find himself a lovely puddle to paddle in...

The colours on the trees are so beautiful although the leaves are really falling at the moment...

They reminded me of this card that I made for a recent show...

I do love the detail on these Stamps

I started by stamping using my Misti, I really use it so much , especially with larger Stamps. 

I stamped the whole design , and added some black hand drawn lines , (you will see why later )

Then I added some colour with my spectrum Noir pencils. 

Followed by some light colour around the edge...

This is one of my favourite colours at the moment....and it is just for you Eileen....

Camel Safari......!!!!! ( sorry , I couldn’t resist ) 

Next I stamped some areas of the stamp again, added some colour and cut them out, ready to decoupage .

I added some ribbon and assembled the card...

I also added some charcoal shading and white Posca pen , they really are the finishing details. 

Take a closer look. 

I really loved making this card, and putting my own spin on the stamping design...

What do you think the snail is called ? 

He is Brian , in my world....

There are Groovi Plates too..

And new paper pads...

I love them ....just my colours ..

Right , I had better get on, 

Time to do some cooking....and then back out with the dogs...

Chilli and rice for tea....something hearty and warm for Mr Rice when he finally gets home,,,

Oh I have missed him...

I just realised I am cooking rice for a Rice,,,lol...

Oh dear...sorry ...

I don’t get any better...

Take care all...

Pop back soon

Love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Happy Birthday Tess .

Good afternoon everyone, I hope your Friday is going well. 

Today is a special day in the Rice household as Tess is 9, I really can’t believe where the years have gone. 

We have cake to celebrate, 

And a card...

Hope you recognise Tess and Eric...

They are both fast asleep at the moment after their long walk down the fields this morning . 

I am busy getting ready for tomorrow’s Groovi workshop...it is our Manchester class and I am so looking forwards to seeing everyone..

The cards are made, and my bags are sort  of packed...so I thought it was time for a coffeee and catch up. 

Wednesday was our Hazel Grove workshops and we made more Christmas cards..

I really am doing so well this year..

This card is a great combination of Clarity Stamps and an embossing folder 

It is good to use a variety of products, and I do love this folder 

Some inks, torn paper and a moon mask, and we have a lovely scene ready to stamp on 

And look, a great quick and easy card 

And so easy to change the stamping , the colours, the shape of the moon etc to give a different look. 

We also made another quick card...

Bit of a favourite of mine..

Bet you would never have guessed .....a wreath card ...

Now our lovely Julie made a special cake for Wendy’s Birthday....unfortunately Wendy wasn’t well enough to join us. 

But I can honestly say the the cake didn’t go to waste ...

It was so yummy...Thank you Julie..

I do seem to eat my way through workshops these days....and yes, I love every minute of it...

After all what could be better than good friends, crafting along with lots of coffee and cake...

Sounds like a plan to me..

I hope you have a good weekend planned...are you going to any bonfire celebrations.? 

We are having our own little celebration with baby fireworks...so that they don’t upset Elliot and Tess...

Elliot is having a busy week too, after his Trick or Treat evening, he has been for his first swimming session and next will be his first bonfire celebration.

....

Oh I do love being a Grandma....( can you tell????) 

Right, coffee break over , so back to it...

Thanks for chatting, take care 

And do pop back soon

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

Happy Halloween

Good afternoon all and Happy Halloween....I hope you have a lovely afternoon and evening.

I thought I would share some Halloween makes with you, these were party ideas , and I made them for a recent magazine commission,

It was Simply cards and papercrafts 169, 

I used the Brother   Scan N Cut machine , plus some Clarity Stamps, inks etc. 

First some bunting and cake decoration sticks 

Followed by a book of spells, 

A party planner , 

Party bag ,

@

And finally a card game of snap...

Halloween snap cards....there is an idea. 

A

We are having a little party tonight....and a certain little man has his fancy dress outfit all ready...

Adam has made him his own Elliot Elephant pumpkin 

But first I must pack the car ready for tomorrow’s workshops in Hazel Grove , and then go and do some spooky jobs...

My Mums broomstick failed its MOT so I have to go out and carry out her duties tonight...

Should be fun....

Take care all, enjoy your evening,,..

Love and hugs

Jo. xxx

So Spooky

Good morning all , 

Well , we made it through to Friday...

Yesterday I had a lovely day at The paper Warehouse in Kendal, we had another full class of ladies and we made Christmas cards. 

I am so pleased that is another four made, and ready to send...

You see I have a plan...I will get some Christmas cards made and sent this year..

Have you started yet ? 

It was brilliant to catch up with so many friends, and Agnes , thanks for travelling all that way to come,,,I really appreciate it...hope your homework is going well. 

Now today , it is a new Challenge over at the Fussy and Fancy Challenge Blog. 

Our theme is 

So Spooky 

And it is hosted by the fabulous Sasha

Here is my inspiration for you...

And here is how it came about 

I started with a piece of Stencil card and used a couple of brown ink pads direct to paper .

I just dragged them across the paper...and added some happy clappy (workshops ladies , you know how we love doing happy clappy )

I wanted to create a type of panelled wood effect...

Next I used a book shaped die cut 

Santa’s book-from Precious Marieke cutting dies 

I cut out the cover and then some pages...

Next it was time to play ...and decorate the pages 

I do love this script stencil from Claritystamp 

And this Spider Web corner Stamp...

With the addition of a little friendly spider 

Next I added some Halloween shapes that I had cut out on my Brother Scan N Cut .

The crackle stamp came in very useful. 

I assembled the book and added some ribbon 

I stamped the words with the Letter Box set of Stamps , and added some white highlights, and a little glass bottle. 

Thanks to a very special lady , Fiona , who made me the beaded embellishment...

And it is her Birthday today ...so Happy Birthday Fiona , have a great day..

And these are the pages 

So there we have it a Spooky card ready for next weeks Halloween celebrations..

We have a certain little man coming round to show us his pumpkin fancy dress...

Elliot is coming round this afternoon for a sleep over so, grandma and grandad are rather excited...

Hope you have a relaxing weekend...and enjoy whatever you do 

If you get chance please pop over to the Fussy and Fancy blog to have a look at the inspiration from the other dt members 

Take care all

Love and hugs 

Jo. xxx