OMG....

I have had a real 'Oh My Gosh' couple of days ....

My birthday started with Karl and I staying in a suite at a local hotel....and then I had a lovely day of seeing and talking to my lovely friends and family...I have been thoroughly spoilt,  here is what my crafty friend Jane brought round....(think she got the number wrong) and yes, she decorated the box....how clever is that...

Here are the cards and gifts from other friends, the special ones. ..

Then, after a glass of bubbly (thank you Becky) it was time for bed....

I was up early, as Wednesday was workshop day in Hazel Grove...

This is the first card that we made using Hobby Art stamps....watercolour pencils and the shell stamp is from Clarity...

The second project was to make a post card....we used the same stamps and made a collage for the front....this is a really good way of using stamps if you get crafters block...which can happen to all of us....the back of the project was stamped in Versafine ink and uses the Clarity Post card set. 

Thank you, to all the crafters who came and to Julie for this gorgeous cake....all done by hand and yes, it tasted yummy too...

Thank you for all your cards and gifts....

And then, as if all these surprises were not enough.....Ann who was booked in as Jane Telfords friend .....turned out to be none other than the fabulous Maria Simms......OMG.....I nearly stopped breathing....and yes, I did go gar gar for a while.....

What an absolutely fantastic time I had and I thank you all for your friendship from the bottom of my heart....recently I have found out what true friendship means....so Thank you ....

Cheers all, Jo. X 

Summer Lovin.....

Good afternoon everyone and how is your bank holiday going? We have just got rain in Cheadle Hulme, I suppose we have done well to have a sunny morning...

Yesterday was beautiful and I spent all day in my garden, potting up my tubs and hanging baskets....oh I did enjoy it.....so with that in mind, today I thought we would have a bit of Summer Lovin.......

The Summer Lovin stamp is absolutely gorgeous and it is so detailed....for this card I stamped it using Memento ink and then added a little colour with ProMarkers. The background was created by stamping the honeycomb background stamp with Shaded Lilac Distress Ink and then adding some Wishi Washi tape....

I stamped the image once more so that I could cut out some of the flowers and decoupage them, I also used a memory box die cut.....Elegant Scrollwork...

A metal embellishment adds the finishing detail along with some glitter ad Glossy Accents....

This is a very quick and simple card, but to be honest the image is so detailed that the stamp really does do all the work....(great if you need a card and you need it five minutes ago...) 

I stamped the main image and the border using Onyx Black Versafine ink, then used black card to Matt and Layer....

I stamped the bumble bee again (have you noticed the lovely bee?) coloured it, cut it out, decoupaged it and as usual used some Glossy Accents...A couple of antique corners and as they say....'job done'...

Thank you for all your support and as always your comments are really appreciated...

Remember about our Forever 21 Blog Challenge...this months the theme is Backgrounds Galore.....go to our current Challenge to see our projects and to enter....

Have a good week all, Jo. X 

Tinkerbell

Morning lovely people in blogland.....Happy Bank Holiday Sunday.........

What are you planning for today? I know that some of you have gone away, hope you are having a great time, Sazzle, Linda and not forgetting Sam....

I have a few jobs to catch up on today, hopefully get some gardening done and then spend some family time.

I just wanted to show you all another lovely gift that I have been given. My lovely friend Bernie Simmons had this bespoke mask made for me....

 

 

 

Thanks Bernie, it's fantastic and thanks to Tom at Splodge for making it just for me....how lucky I am to have such caring and thoughtful friends.....

Have you used any of the Masks from Splodge? If not, do have a go with them....they can be used in many different ways......especially on the Glli plate....my new favourite toy.

I'm off now, Tess is looking at me with those Puppy Dog eyes......think she wants to go for her walk....

It is my turn tomorrow to post on the IndigoBlu blog...so do pop by and have a look, also remember this months blog Challenge is all about backgrounds.....go on share your project with us....

Ttfn......Jo. X 

Time for friends

Lovely weather, lovely friends, what could be better.

I have had a fantastic few days and I am so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing and inspirational people....

Here is a very special present that I have been given....I am now the proud owner of a bespoke clock made by Karen Clare...aka 'The Clock Lady'.....

 

Karen's work is featured on the Barbara Gray, Clarity shows and she has a blog.... http://karenslittlegiftsandcards.blogspot.co.uk/

Please check it out as her work is stunning, original and makes a fantastic gift.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday and remember a smile or a kind word can really make someone's day ....as after all there are some cruel people out there.....

Crafty Hugs....Jo. X 

Take Flight

Hello all, Friday morning.....yeh.....I am so excited as it is going to be a special weekend for me, with lots of family time, meals out and a night away in a hotel for Karl and me.....(it is a special Birthday for me on Tuesday....and no not quite 21....) 

So, with that in mind I am scheduling a couple posts....

This is one of the samples Kay had on t.v. last Sunday....

 

It is one of IndigoBlu MDF hearts, coated in Gesso. Then acrylic paint and then stamped in Archival ink....I used one of the new stamps.....Take Flight...

Coloured the design with watercolour pencils....

 

I do love to make these hearts....and they make a great gift....if you haven't tried making one.....please give it a go.....

That's all from me for today....so enjoy your weekend all and see you soon. Jo. X 

Antique Songbird...

Morning everyone....middle of the week....keep going ...we have a bank holiday weekend to look forward too...

Did you manage to see Kay on t.v. on Sunday with the new IndigoBlu Stamps? 

The Antique Songbird stamp sold out in 10 minutes.....mind you I am not surprised as it is gorgeous....

                  

Here is one of the cards that I made for the show....

The background is made using Distress inks, blended and the spritzed with water...the main image was stamped with onyx black Versafine ink and coloured with ProMarkers. Glossy Accents, ribbon, hat pins and gems add the finishing touches....do hope you like it ....

Take care all and see you soon. Jo. X 

Backgrounds Galore

Good morning to you all. Here we are the 21st of May already.....just where does the time go????

So that means that there is a new challenge over on the IndigoBlu blog....

This month, Kay has chosen Backgrounds Galore for the theme....

Oh, what can I say....so many background stamps to choose from....and you all know how I love to make my own backgrounds....

                                

 

This is my Design Team card, I used the Take Flight Stamp with Rich Cocoa Memento ink and ProMarkers for the main image....

The background started as the reverse side of Centura Pearl card with Distress inks randomly blended in...I used, Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold and Spiced Marmalade....then spritzed with a little water....

Then the fun began and I just played with various other Distress inks and started randomly stamping my background ...

                                  

 

DI's, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap and Aged Mahogany...

Stamps, Script background, Crackle background, Square Peg Round Hole and the Splodge from the Ledger background...

                               

 

Ribbon, some fancy twine and job done....

I do hope this inspires you to enter our challenge, as me and the other IndigoBlu Belles love to see what you create and remember you could win a fantastic prize....

That's enough from me today, I have a long overdue date with my ironing board.....Oh joy, lucky me! Jo. X