Time for a catch up.

Good afternoon all, how are things going today ? Ok , I hope .

I am chatting to you from our cabin on the way back home,,,the ferry is 8 hours long so just perfect for a nice cup of tea and a chat.

The weather over the past couple of days has been glorious and the wonderful people of N.Ireland have given us such a warm welcome. Although we have only spent four days over here , one of which was the workshop we feel as though it has been a wonderful little break. It is the closest that Karl and me have had to a holiday for the last eight years.

On Sunday we drove up the causeway coastal route and took in the amazing scenery. Our campsite for the next two night was fabulous...to be honest ...the best that we have ever stayed in...and an added bonus was that the bus to the local attractions stopped just outside the reception.

So on Monday morning we set off to visit the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede, this is a National Trust site, it is a wonderful coastal walk to the bridge...then a narrow bridge made from wood and rope suspended across a 30m deep and 20 m wide chasm . It was traditionally erected by salmon fishermen .

We were so lucky with the weather, and the views really were breathtaking, and yes we both made it safely across to the island and back again.

Just look how clear the sea is.

After another short bus ride we arrived at the Giant's Causeway. This is a world heritage site and displays formations of unusual six sided basalt columns and a wealth of local national history

And once again stunning views

There is a wonderful legend about a couple of Giants and how the landscape was formed , if you get chance do look it up...

Back up the 20 minute walk to the visitors centre and time for a well earned rest and glass of something cold and refreshing.

I can tell you after all that walking and sea air, it wasn't long before we were both showered, fed and fast asleep...

Tuesday was our day to travelling back to Belfast ready for the ferry on Wednesday morning, but before we left we decided to visit the Bushmills Distillery which was only Five minutes away from the campsite.

This was a unique experience and we had a guided tour around Ireland's oldest working distillery. Bushmills was granted a royal licence to distill in 1608 , such an interesting place and I learnt so much about the process of distilling and the importance of the sherry and port casks in the making of Whiskey.

A few hours later we wandered our way back down the coastal route with time to stop once again and breath in some sea air

Great to see those ' white horses'

Such a great few days and so many memories.

As always I will have lots to catch up with when I get home, a magazine deadline , workshops to prepare for, and Tess and Eric to collect tomorrow morning...but it has all been worth it...

Oh and another ferry to book for our next workshop in Comber on Saturday October 22nd...and believe me...it will soon come around.

So I will say bye for now...thanks for joining me ...

See you again soon

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

 

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Clockwork butterfly

Good morning all, I hope your weekend went well.

I have scheduled this post as I am not sure if we will have internet access at our campsite in N. Ireland. So just incase we don't have here is some art work from Paul's last show on Hochanda.

I must admit that this was one of my favourite samples that I made for his shows... You know when you just really get into it...and the design just pops...

It uses the Clockwork stencil for the background.

I started with a piece of stencil card, the stencil and some twisted citron Distress inks...I do seem to use this colour so much at the moment.

Then I added some peacock feathers and did some gentle blending.

Followed by some water spritzing...this is such a great way to make a background

On separate pieces of card I stamped the words, the butterfly wings using the filigraphy hot air balloon stamps and one of the filigraphy flower stamps for the butterflies body

I used distress inks to add colour so that they all toned together , cut them out and mounted them

How cool is that...

I also added some shade to the clockwork design using charcoal pencils.

I do like to add a bit of word play to my designs...,it was great to see Paul with his demonstration of this design...fab work as always Mr...

All the stamps and the stencil can be found on the Clarity website...

This one uses the Time and Tide stencil another one that is great for male cards.

As we know they can be a bit more difficult to achieve...

Thanks as always for popping in,

Enjoy your day,

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

 

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Such a warm welcome

Good afternoon all , and welcome from a gorgeous sunny spot near the Giant Causeway in Northern Ireland..I have just had a lovely cup of tea and thought about you ...I realised that we needed a catch up...

Our ferry journey over went really well and the eight hours soon passed...we were greeted in Belfast by the most kind, generous and lovely people , we had a sumptuous meal out on Friday evening and have been spoils ever since.

I must thank Sharon, Michael, Linda and Angela for all their help and support...plus the lovely crafters who I met yesterday .....and off course two of my best buddies Claire and Naomi

What a great bunch of people...the day just flew....look at their fab works of art,,,

The hall was just perfect

And the malteser cheese cake was rather yummy too

All in all it was just ace...so much so that we are looking into doing it all again in October.....yah....

Today Karl and me have travelled up the coastal route, what magnificent views...

And although it rained most of yesterday and this morning , it is lovely now,

We just had to stop and have a walk along the coast..

Just breathtaking and so good for the soul

Time now for another walk before some food...Irish stew tonight....and may be some Guiness....well it is the custom....enjoy your evening..

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

 

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Birthdays

Good morning all, hope your Friday has started well... As you are reading this we are on our way to Belfast ready for tomorrow's Clarity workshop. In fact this is a scheduled post and I am actually writing it at 11pm...after only just finishing packing the van..

Today it is a new challenge over a the Fussy and Fancy Challenge blog...

Our new theme is Birthdays

And is hosted by the lovely Sasha

And sponsored by Live and Love Crafts

Here is what I came up with

 

It is actually a Birthday card for my very special Aunty Sue...and as she has received it , so I can share it with you all...

I started with a piece of Stencil card and this wonderful Basket stamp.

I used Distress ink and water to add some colour,

And some shade

Next came the background, Jo's bubbles stencil came out again...

I made a cut in the card so that I could add the flowers into the basket

Then I stamped the sentiment and decorated it to match the rest of the card

All the stamps and stencil can be found here http://www.claritystamp.co.uk

I also stamped Sue onto a little wooden plaque and then burnt it in with my pyrography iron..

I do find this such a great way to personalise a card, and make it even more special

Next came the flowers, I do love a bit of flowers arranging...

And a gorgeous little metal embellishment from Live and Love crafts, it is a tea bag...and you can find it here...

http://www.liveandlovecrafts.com

Do check out the rest of the dt's wonderful and inspirational work. You can find them here

http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk

I really must dash now...have a wonderful weekend all.

Call back soon

Much love and hugs

Jo. Xxx

 

 

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Take a lovely basket

Good morning all, and thanks for popping in so early.

I have such a lot to get through today , so I thought I would start early with a catch up with my friends...

As you know I am off to Ireland tomorrow morning ready for our first Clarity N.Ireland on Saturday...and boy am I looking forward to it....a bit nervous too as it is such a large group and most of the crafters I haven't met before....,,,,,,,,,,,wish me luck......( or should I say ....wish them luck....)

Yesterday it was our usual workshop day in Hazel Grove, and it was such a lovely sunny spring day, so we had a look at a gorgeous stamp by Clarity....it is the basket stamp....

As you know I love to find these little gems , the stamps that may not look much on their own , but you can do so much with them....

For our first card we simply stamped the basket, added colour with pencils, and then cut a slit into the card.

We then added some lovely stamped flowers...( also from Clarity )

How versatile is this, it could be a get well card, a thinking of you card....etc...

And look at the different combinations of flowers and colours that the ladies used,

 

How fabulous are these ? And a really enjoyable card to make...especially with a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit....

Next we stamped the basket again , this time we used some Distress ink and water and water coloured our basket....

See how easily and quickly you can get depth and tone to your stamped image...

The line sentiments and butterfly are Clarity stamps too....and can be found on the website,,,

We were trying to think of other ideas for this wonderful stamp....eggs in a basket for Easter...

Or use the garden set,,,stamp some pots, trowel etc and make a gardening card....

Even using it for a new baby card and putting some booties, bottle etc in it.....oh so many possibilities...

If you think of any more ...do share with us all..

Must dash now as time to walk Tess and Eric before they go onto the kennels.....

Have a lovely day...and pop back tomorrow for more inspiration with this fabulous basket stamp...

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

 

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Cats Entwined.

Good afternoon all, hope you had a lovely day yesterday...we had rain nearly all day but as I was busy planning workshop projects it didn't really matter. What a difference today...it is blue skies and sunshine...

It has been another busy day but I have just finished loading my car ready for tomorrow's classes.

Did you see Barbara and Paul on tv this weekend? I just need time to watch them on catch up...if only Clarity could start selling time...!!!! But thank goodness Hochanda is back on my tv now..

I have managed to watched Barbara's first show..and thought that I would share one of my samples with you.

It uses the lovely Cats Entwined stamp set..

As soon as I saw this set , I knew exactly what I had to make...well it would have been rude not to !!!!

And I know my lovely friend Theresa would be expecting one...

I started with a piece of Stencil card , the large fern stamp and a green ink pad...

Remember to turn the card through 90 degrees after each stamping, doing the first four stamps..

Then the ones in between.

Next I used the smaller fern stamp and a lighter coloured ink pad

I thought that the cat looked so cool , as though he was strutting out of the wreath

Oh and some paw prints too..

I used a VersaMark pen and some clear embossing powder to make him pop...

And some charcoal to ground him...

P u r f e c t .....( sorry couldn't resist it )

So versatile,,,and a great design for a cat lover...

I have to whisper the word Cat....as Tess and Eric are sat at my feet ...and they like to chase cats....its a dog thing!!!

Better get on, got a Lasagna in the oven and I need to go and check it.

Have a lovely evening...and nearly the middle of the week...

Much love and hugs

Jo. xxx

 

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