Some spotlighting

Good afternoon everyone,,

Hope you are feeling well today...and that you have a lovely weekend planned .

I have an inky day tomorrow..so I am really looking forwards to that.

And then Elliot is coming for a sleep over....

Today I thought we would do some spotlighting..

This is a great technique 

And can be used to make quick cards or more in depth ones. 

Todays is a fun, quick card. 

Spotlighting is just a way of highlighting an area,,,or multiple areas...

This can be by adding colour, texture, or shine such as using a clear embossing powder..

The area can be any shape you want , although I do like to use circles. 

I started by die cutting some circles out of stencil card 

And then added some stamping 

These are JOFY Stamps from PaperArtsy

I then stamped two smaller die cuts 

And added some colour with my Spectrum Noir pencils 

Next 

I added a sentiment from my stash (we will be using this stamp at next Wednesday’s workshops )

And added a random Line border. 

Some matting and layering...

And then using a dries clear glue ( for wiggle time ) 

I added the spotlights

Carefully lining them up...

I do love how effective this is..

So there we have it 

A Friday 

Hello 

To everyone..

Enjoy your weekend

Love and hugs 

Jo. xxx

Lovely friends

Good morning all and thanks for joining me. 

I am currently sat at the hairdressers and thought it would be a good time to catch up...

You see I could just sit and read a magazine,,,but I would rather spend a few moments with my lovely friends 

I have a coffee at hand and a chocolate biscuit. 

I know so many of you from various workshops and Fb friends read this little  blog , 

You don’t like to leave a comment , which is fine,,,but you just like to read and feel part of it..

Again that is fine by me...and some of you know I test you and ask questions when I see you...

And I know who is laughing now...

Don’t worry...

I won’t name ,,,.names,,,lol..

And of course  there is my Mum,,,

Hi Mum,,,

Who reads this without fail...and tthen there is my lovely proof reader...

Thanks Mate 

Now I know January can be a difficult month for many people...

And this year there are so many nasty bugs going around.

I have a couple of ladies from various workshops who are in hospital and others who have relatives in hospital,

It is times like this that Family and friends are so important...

So if you are reading this and for whatever reason you need a hug..

Here is one just for you...

And if you are feeling down...

Grab a coffee and join me...

And let’s have a catch up

Life is a bit hectic in the Rice household this week, 

Mikey is still with us and so far so good with his management training 

Fran has come over for a couple of days to see him , 

Oh bless her 

She misses him .

Adam, Danielle and Elliot are all ok...and today it  is swimming for them. 

The little man is desperate to sit up...

Look. 

I just adore him 

I have been trying to get dates sorted and emails sent for workshops...

Plus I have a magazine commission to get under my belt this week 

Mind you Karl is away for a couple of days so I will get it done then .

I have an inky workshop on Saturday so I have some prepping to do for that...

I think I will do that tomorrow...and just get everything out and have a good old messy session...

I will let you know how I get on...

Many thanks to all those ladies who have asked about our Cumbria workshops and retreat..

I am answering your emails as quickly as I can,,

I have added new dates for Glasgow and Anglesey in March and April so please book those if you live near..

Whoops 

Better stop writing and moving my head...

This could be quite a hair cut,,,,

With less hair and more cut

Take care all

If you have snow...keep safe...and warm

Lots of love and hugs 

Jo. xxxxx

Glad to be back

Good afternoon all and thanks for joining me, on this cold Thursday evening.

I do hope you are keeping warm today. 

Yesterday it was our first workshop of the year...we were back at Hazel Grove, 

I hadn’t realise how much I had missed these ladies and all the laughter. 

We had a play with background techniques and used a rather lovely die from Apple Blossom dies available from Craft Stash. 

We used pixie powders for this card...I do love the effect from these lovely powders. 

Plus some cotton to add extra detail...I found it in my sewing box...and believe me , I won’t be using it for sewing...

Distress / Artistry inks were used for this background, plus the fabulous script stencil from Clarity .

We also talked about the use of gilding wax on black card 

Pixie powders again in the background for this one. 

Distress ink and smooshing for this one..

And finally using die cuts to create the shadow effect. 

So many possibilities with one little die...

I decided to ease the ladies gently back into workshops..

So that’s it...

It is full steam ahead from now on...lol...

Especially for the camel lady!!!!

Must dash as the little man is due soon... and I need my daily fix of grandma cuddles...

Take care all..

Much love and hugs..

Jo. xxxx

Especially for you ...

Good evening all and thanks for popping in, it is always great to see you .

How are things going ? 

Ok I hope, I know a couple of you are suffering with bugs, it is always hard feeling ill at this time of year. 

So I am sending you a group hug 

and I have made a special tag , 

Especially for you...

For those of you who need it. 

I often get asked what is the best way to craft when Mr MoJo is still on holiday...and I always recommend 

Having a play ,

Make a tag, 

Or just get a piece of card and add some ink...

Before long you will be thinking about adding stencils, Stamps, die cuts etc..

And that is exactly what I did today 

I started with a Tim Holtz tag and some yellow ink 

Followed by some orange 

And then some red.

Next came the water spritzing...

Followed by my favourite Clarity stencil...the script 

I then added some brown ink around the edges of the tag , 

Just to frame the design 

Next came some stamping, these are from the Stampers Anonymous set , WildFlowers by Tim Holtz. 

I used Potting soil Archival ink , I just felt like a change from using Black ink. 

Some first and second generation stamping. 

I added a Clarity sentiment 

And some more flowers.

Next some gold splatting using my pen 

.

I also edged the tag with the gold marker too. 

Some liquid pearls to add some detail 

And finally a metal embellishment, some dew drops and some rustic string. 

Especially For You. 

I do hope that you like it. 

It is so good to be crafting again and just playing 

I had to visit the gp today...after my Mum nagged me for a few days..

Yes Mum , I went..

Many of you know that I have had an itchy patch of skin on my right hand...not sure why..

But it just appeared about six months ago..

Well a few days ago it suddenly blistered and the skin became very sore 

And it just got worse..

So I went to the chemist to get some magic cream,,,but no it had to be a trip to the doctor for 

Antibiotics.

The best bit was that he said I have to avoid getting it wet as much as possible and no washing up..(for at 

Least two weeks )

Oh , I nearly kissed him,,,

He made my day ...lol..

Karl wasn’t too impressed 

So on that note , I am off to sit and watch some catch up tv

With a glass of something 

Have a lovely weekend all

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxxx

Another fabulous friend.

Good afternoon all, and thanks for joining me. 

How are you today ? 

Well , 

I hope. 

There are so many bugs going around. 

The weather has been so wet and windy...Eric had a great time this morning ,

 jumping in and out of the puddles down at the fields. 

Now this is what you call a puddle,,,,

He just loves being in water...clean or muddy , he really doesn’t mind. 

Tess on the other hand just likes to paddle...bless her , she is 9 now, but can run with Eric like a puppy. 

This morning I went out for coffee with Mary, Danielle and Elliot...

What a lovely way to spend a morning...

And Elliot just loves his Aunty Mary..

We did a little bit of shopping too...

Well when things are 50% off it would be rude not too...

I was very lucky the other day to receive this fantastic present from my lovely friend 

Wendy Turner..

She has paper cut this design by hand .

It is truly beautiful and I will treasure it 

Thank you so much lovely lady 

I also got this stunning card too...

Mind you , I have taken all my cards and decorations down...have you ? 

I just felt it was time , especially as I have lots of craft jobs to get on with..

Next week kicks off the first workshops of the year and I have an important meeting tomorrow morning..

It is going to be such an exciting year, I can tell you 

Hope you are feeling motivated , and excited about the year ahead..

I also have a special friend coming to stay this weekend..

So I had better get on with cleaning her bedroom..

It has Elliot’s toys in at the moment...

Take care all

Love and hugs 

Jo. xxxx

Happy New Year

Good afternoon all, 

                                                                                    As the year draws to a close ,

 I just want to thank all those wonderful crafty ladies and gentlemen who have joined me in our workshops this year,,,

                I have loved spending time with you, crafting, chatting, eating cake and sharing so many experiences ...

                        I have lots more plans for 2018, and I am really looking forward to sharing them with you all...

                               Enjoy your evening...and I hope the New Year brings lots of Happy and Healthy times...

     I really appreciate your friendship.

Thanks for coming here, reading my little blog and leaving comments..

Much love and hugs...

Jo xxxxxx

Precious gifts

Good afternoon all, 

Thanks for popping in this Saturday afternoon. 

How is your weekend going ? 

We have been for a long dog walk this morning and then we are taking Elliot 

Out this afternoon. 

He is just having his lunch....bless him..

He is six months old today..

Here are some more lovely cards 

That you lovely Crafters have given me,,

Beautiful, 

Gorgeous 

Designs 

Each and every one...

And I love them all. 

Thank you so much 

Take care all 

Much love and hugs 

Jo. xxx