Friday in Colburn...

Good evening all and thanks for looking in ....

How has your week been? Mine has been a bit hectic.....it was workshop day in Hazel Grove on Wednesday...and as always it was a brilliant day....

We had a play with Clarity canvases....

 

And made a card to match

 

And some of us. Not mentioning any Eileen , made all three in record time!!!!

I also went to the dentist ...just for a check up....but I did just mention about the headaches, and pains in my face....and an X-ray later showed an infection in my face....the dentist suggested a trip to the hospital and a minor operation....oh....no......, no time for that.....so next Tuesday I have to go and have a tooth taken out and go from there.....mmmm not a happy bunny...

Thursday I spent getting ready for the Clarity Open days....and 7am this morning I set off and drive up to Colburn....the venue is brilliant and so much space...

We have had a great day setting up....and are all ready now to welcome everyone at 9am tomorrow morning....

Lots of demonstrations and Barbara is doing a Groovi Make and Take....

Time for bed now....

Have a great weekend what ever you are doing and if you are coming to see us, do say hi....and give me a hug....

Much love....

Jo. xxx

 

 

Time to catch up

Good afternoon and thanks for spending a few minutes with me...how has Sunday treated you? Well, I hope...

I just thought I would have a little catch up with you...

On Thursday I drove up to Kendal to the Paper Warehouse , what a lovely group of crafters...a few of the ladies I had met before at Clarity Cumbria..I do love teaching new techniques and sharing crafty ideas.

As it was a day class we had time to make a few different designs.

Lunch was provided, and how yummy it was too

Then I went to visit my parents and have a Birthday meal with them as it was my Dads Birthday yesterday...

Happy Birthday Dad....xxxx

Yesterday it was workshop day at CJ. CardCraft in Edgeley, Stockport and we got down and dirty...( note these are Not My hands!!!)

We decorated Thermometer Houses....( spot the Clarity Stencils )

These make fantastic little pieces of art.

And great gifts.

Here are some photos from the day...

Look at the concentration ...

 

Susan was on top form...

 

 

And today has been all about long dog walks and cutting things back in the garden...oh my...how things have grown...all this sunshine and showers...

Time now to make the meal, only Karl and me tonight , so something light...

Next week is another busy week with workshops on Wednesday and then the two days in Catterick....the Clarity Open Days...have you got your tickets yet? ..if you can come along I can really recommend it, a great day...lots of brilliant demonstrations, time to talk and ask questions, time to shop....and yes...time to have coffee and cake...

Tickets are only £5.... Available from Clarity.....

Lots of hugs too.....

Take care and see you soon,

Jo. xxx

 

School Days.

Good morning everyone...and welcome to a new challenge over at the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge blog...it is that time of year for a lot of children and some adults....so our new theme is

School Days...

Our new challenge is hosted by the lovely Tammy....and we are sponsored by Sweet Lilac Flowers and Fresh Brewed Designs...

I do hope you feel inspired and join in....

http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk

Here is what I came up with...

I began by stamping those wonderful Clarity owls.....

Cut them out and added some colour with my Spectrum Noir Pencils..

My background paper is from a favourite company of mine...Graphic 45

I have noticed that the chalk board effect is very popular at the moment...so I had a play and created my own effect using VersaMark ink and Perfect Pearls...

Then it was time to assemble all the bits, plus some Sweet Lilac Flowers and leaves...Oh and a little piece of chalk...

A few finishing touches....glossy accents on the eyes...and job done...

Oh look at those owls....remind you of anyone????

I do hope that you pop over to the Fussy and Fancy blog and have a look at the samples from my fellow DT members....very inspirational...

Better still enter a card.......

Must go...another busy day....and workshops at C.J.Cardcraft in Stockport tomorrow...

Enjoy your day....and see you soon...

Much love...

Jo. xxxx

 

Something a bit different...

Good afternoon all, do hope this week is going well...

Firstly thank you all for the lovely comments that you have left on my blog , I really appreciate them all...

Recently I shared my Fantasy card on FB and I was blown over by all the comments and likes that it received. ...so yesterday I decided to make another one...well

....a jigsaw one....

What do you think?

Here is how I made it...

I started with a wonderful little ready made jigsaw from Creativ...

Just like with the card , I stamped the mushroom stamp using black Archival ink.....you do have to watch at this point as when you lift the stamp , some of the pieces may move....

Then out with the large moon mask,,,,and some Distress inks ...

The inks don't blend on this surface quite as well as they do on card....but well enough....then some water spritzing....

When the mask is removed....this is what I had...

Next came the colour using Spectrum Noir Pencils....

Followed by the fairies and magical stars...

Some white paint....

And then the whole thing was sealed with Spray and Shine....

A real fun grift to make.....

I think this may just be a workshop project....what do you think?

I must dash....I need to get sorted ready for workshop day tomorrow at the Paper Warehouse in Kendal...

Really Looking forward to it...just hope the motorway is kind to me in the morning...

Catch you soon,

Love and hugs...

Jo. xxx

 

Bank Holiday Monday..

Good afternoon all and thanks for looking in on this ( wet ) Bank Holiday Monday....hope your day is going well so far...

What have you been up too...? Anything crafty?

Have you managed to watch Hochanda yet? After a few minor teething problems , which to be honest is expected with a new venture...I have found the Channel such a refreshing change....full of great demos, and so inspiring , and off course Barb was on twice....yah....just perfect...

Today I am going to share a card with you that I made for a very special couple...as it was their Silver Wedding Anniversary last week,,,

I started with the wonderful Clarity stencil , some ink and my much loved brushes and a piece of Stencil card...

Then I added this wonderful bride and groom,,,,I do seem to use this wee couple so much..

Some charcoal for shading...

Some numbers...

And some embellishments..

Here is a closer look...

On Saturday I had the day off, the first one in ages...and boy did I need it....especially as I have a couple of really busy weeks ahead....

So Karl, me Tess and Eric set off in the van....we went to the seaside.....

We were so lucky as the sun shone all day.....

Now this was the first time that Eric had been to a beach...you see Tess doesn't do water.....I know ....she is a Labrador !!!! But Eric on the other hand....oh he loved it...he went straight in.....And he didn't want to come out...

And I am sure he was smiling on this photo....spot those pearly white teeth....

I do hope that last picture made you smile as much as its is me.....

Smiling is good....

Time for a spot of ironing now....oh ...not so good..!!!! But it has to be done...

Enjoy the rest of your day....

Thanks for visiting, and pop back soon.

Much love and hugs...

Jo. xxx

 

Fantasy for the Weekend...

Hi and thanks for your company this Friday morning....hope it is treating you well....

Did you manage to watch any of the Hochanda shows yesterday? I had a bit of a early glitch with my recorder but all sorted out today......remember Barbara is on with Clarity Stamps and Stencils tomorrow 6-7 and the Groovi on Sunday 10-11....sky 663.....FreeView 39..... FreeSat 822.....

Today I just wanted to remind you of the current challenge over at the Sweet Lilac Blog......

The theme is Fantasy.......and remember you could win a hamper of the wonderful flowers...also the winner is chosen at random...

Here is some inspiration for you...

And here is a photo tutorial of how are created it...

I started with a piece of Gelli card and stamped the Toadstool stamp...from Claritystamp...

Next came the large moon mask....

And some Distress Ink blending....now you know how I love blending with these wonderful inks...

Before taking the mask off , I spritzed some water on ...and patted it dry with some kitchen towel.

Then I added the Wee Fairies...And some flowers ...

Plus some magic stars...

I used Spectrum Noir pencils to add colour to the toadstools...

And then the most beautiful flowers from Sweet Lilac .....these are from the gypsophila range...oh I do love them.....plus some bakers twine.....

To add some sparkle...I used Stickles Glitter Glue....I like to put a small amount onto my craft mat and then I pick some up and paint with it....I use an old Wink Of Stella brush...one that is empty but I love the brush nib.....so it is perfect for this...

And the finished design

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Bank Holiday Weekend...enjoy whatever you get up too...remember to keep smiling.....

Love and Hugs....

Jo. xxx