Virtual hugs

Hi everyone, 

I do hope that you are keeping well and staying safe, 

Life is certainly different at the minute. 

We didn’t have our Cumbria class on Saturday..

It was so strange not to see everyone. 

So I decided that I would sent the ladies some homework. 

This is the card. 

This is the front, I used a selection of Lavinia stamps. 

And this is the inside. 

Notice that I have left space for greetings .

I really enjoyed creating this card, and I am looking forwards to seeing 

what everyone makes. 

I think we may need weekly homework.

Don’t you ? 

Take care everyone. 

Stay safe.

Big virtual hugs 

Jo xxxx

Saturday in Anglesey

Good evening everyone, 

I do hope that you are feeling well. 

I do think the world has gone mad at the moment, one visit to the supermarket , 

and wow people have turned into locusts. 

So many empty shelves. 

It is just mad .

Our Anglesey workshop managed to go ahead on Saturday, I am keeping up to date with the 

current guidelines, 

Obviously things are going to get worse for a while, 

I fear that April maybe a dry workshop month. 

I just hope it doesn’t last too long and that everyone stays well. 

I will keep blogging and making YouTube videos, 

So you won’t get rid of me,,,

Back to Saturday, 

It was such a lovely class and the ladies made the most amazing accordion  cards. 

I must thank Tracy Evans for getting me into these. 

They are a great way to create a story 

Or just repeat a design 

To make a special card 

Try out new stamps 

Or new techniques. 

The ladies made the most amazing designs. 

And they are all so different 

I am so proud of you all. 

If accordion cards are not your thing

This is a great way for creating numerous toppers. 

I was given a wonderful Easter present too,

Thanks so much Susan. 

I think there may just be some chocolate in there...yummy.

Karl is in Aberdeen at the moment, he is so busy bless him, and with his job, 

He is likely to get even busier. 

So I am trying to get ahead with my to do list.

Lots still to tick off 

Take care all 

Stay safe.

Love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Good evening all.

Good evening everyone, 

I do hope that you are keeping well. 

Both Karl and myself would like to thank you for all your beautiful cards, gifts, 

flowers, plants and messages of support. 

They really have touched us. 

I personally must thank you for helping me and holding me up, so that I could 

do the HOCHANDA shows on Tuesday. 

They really were a challenge. 

Thank you to everyone who tuned in. 

Those who emailed and messaged me. 

Plus to the presenters, Rachel and Adam. 

Who really looked after me and made me smile. 

It was a long day on Tuesday and I was so glad that Karl was with me and did the driving. 

On Wednesday it was our Hazel Grove workshop. 

We created a trifold card. 

This was the front 

And this was the back 

It was such a lovely class. 

Then Thursday is grandma duties taking and picking up the boys from nursery. 

This week Jenson was poorly and I had to pick him up early, he ended up at hospital last night. 

Then would you believe Elliot needed picking up early today too, 

So I have really been on grandma duties .

What a week it has been . 

It is our Anglesey workshop tomorrow. 

I have just finished packing my bags and Karl has loaded them into the car. 

Time now to put my feet up. 

Hope you are doing the same 

Take care all 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Giving something back.

Good evening everyone, 

I hope you are keeping well. 

So sorry that I haven’t been around but Karl’s sister Heidi, had 

an accident on Sunday and has been in ITU, so we have been with her. 

Unfortunately she passed away last night, bless her , she was only 46.

Obviously this has hit Karl, the boys and our family very hard. 

It is times like this that make you stop, and think. 

I have to say that the nursing staff at Hope hospital were amazing and so caring. 

So in a way this is the perfect time to tell you about a retreat in May. 

I am so proud to have been asked to teach workshops for Caitlin to support Alder Hey hospital. 

I will be giving my time etc free. 

Here is some information about it. 

Hi everyone - here are the details regarding the Crafty Weekend with the wonderful Jo Rice and arranged by Caitlin Jones in support of Alder Hey Children's Hospital.  Please see below the date of the TICKET RELEASE.

The Workshops will be held on the 9th and 10th of May 2020 at The Whitehall Hotel, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2JU - Telephone number 01254 701595.  If you are wanting accommodation- please contact the Hotel directly.   It truly is a superb venue.  NB - if you are ringing the Hotel please state 'for the Crafty Weekend with Caitlin Jones' - Dave will then know which Event it is for and will have all the necessary information to hand.

So, here we go - the information you've all been waiting for:-

9th May - For all you who love LAVINIA STAMPS*

10th May - For all of you who love AALL & CREATE*

(* - please note: Jo Rice has kindly agreed to carry out two days of Workshops, so if you only want to do a specific day please make sure that you book for the right Workshop and day, of course you can book for both days but make sure you state that when booking)

The price for each Workshop is £35.00 (which is NON-REFUNDABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE) per person, per day - this includes the Workshop Ticket,  free Stamp (each day with a Stamp from the Workshop Brand that day)!and Lunch (please note - you cannot take your own food into the Venue due to Food Safety regulations within the Hotel - however, The Whitehall Hotel has given us a brilliant Lunch option for less than you would pay at certain food outlets 😁).

All profits will be going to Alder Hey Children's Hospital - this is an Event arranged by Caitlin Jones as a thank you for treatment and care she received as a little one and a thank you from all those who have experienced the wonderful care and treatment from Alder Hey Children's Hospital.  I think you will agree that the Workshop costs are superb compared to other Workshops most of us will have attended 😊

For those attending ANY of the Workshops- there will be a Party Night on the Saturday night (theme to be decided 😂) - My Mate Dave is sooo looking forward to that 😉

TICKETS - The Tickets will be released at 7pm on Friday the 6th of March and will be on a first come basis.  This ensures that everyone has the same chance of securing Tickets for this hugely anticipated Event in support of Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

On behalf of Caitlin, Jo, myself and Cindie and all at Alder Hey Children's Hospital THANK YOU for all your support and we can't wait to see you all in May xx💗🦋 Jo Rice xx🤗

I really hope some of you can come and join us. 

Take care everyone 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

A Forest Gathering

Good afternoon everyone, 

Wow , it is March already.

This year is certainly flying .

Happy St David’s Day...

I am still struggling with this lovely cold, but I do feel a little better after a walk with Karl and Eric and a 

nice hot chocolate .

It is so windy outside today, but lovely if you wrap up warm. 

Just good to not have rain.

Today it is a new Challenge over at the Lavinia website 

The new theme is

A Forest Gathering 

This is my inspiration, and here is how I created it. 

I had no idea where this design was going, 

So I just started by adding some ink onto some card 

Thank you Billy...

I added some water splats and left it to dry. 

Next I needed a focal point, and then some creatures. 

Followed by more stamping. 

And next some colouring pencils to give more detail. 

I used a black and a white charcoal pencil, and then blended more black ink around the edges. 

This gives more atmosphere to the  design. 

Finally I wanted some sparkle, but only in the central area where the gathering was taking place. 

Oh yes, I do love this. 

Only it isn’t easy to photograph, sorry. 

I do hope that you will pop along to the website and enter the challenge, 

The winner is chosen at random and wins £40 to spend on Lavinia stamps. 

Enjoy the rest of your day 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx

Pyrography feature

Good afternoon everyone, 

I do hope your Friday is going well. 

I am still suffering with this lovely cold, so I am not 

a happy bunny today. 

I need to get rid of it quickly as I have another really busy week, next week. 

Today I am sharing another magazine feature with you.

This one is on Pyrography, you know how much I love doing this. 

This is the piece. 

It is featured in Creative Stamping , Issue 82 

And it is a double page spread, 

Thanks Nicky 

I have used the fabulous stamps which come free with the magazine. 

You can get your copy here 

http://tidd.ly/9c460c6e

It is a great read, you just need a nice cup of coffee. 

Have a lovely weekend all. 

Take care 

Jo xxx

It’s raining again.

Good afternoon all, I do hope you are well. 

I seem to have caught this lovely little cold that is going round, 

so I am feeling a bit rough today. 

It hasn’t stopped me getting up at 6-15 and getting the boys up , dressed and to nursery. 

They do wake up in such good moods, such a pleasure to be with them.

Even at that early time. 

Both Adam and Danielle are working today and tomorrow so I am on grandma duties. I am off to collect them at 

5-30pm , take them home, bath them and get them ready for bed. 

I just love being a grandma. 

Yesterday it was our regular workshops in Hazel Grove, and as always 

it was so lovely to see everyone. 

It was great to meet Margaret too, I do hope your homework is going well. 

We used the small, gel press plates to create backgrounds and then added some Lavinia stamps. 

Julie provided some yummy homemade cakes again...

Thank you Julie 

Next we looked at ways of creating quick and easy backgrounds 

This one uses smoothies and ink 

This one uses Billy Brayer and ink. 

Thanks ladies for joining me. 

I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to the latest IndigoBlu box kit. 

This is one of my designs. 

If you would like a copy of this fabulous kit 

You can get one from Craftstash here 

http://tidd.ly/1a288df1

Well , it is still raining here, 

So I am off to make a nice cup of tea. 

Take care everyone 

Much love and hugs 

Jo xxx