Tuesday 5 November 2013

Loving the cuteness....

You know, I honestly don't know where time goes these days!!!!

I have great intentions of keeping upto date with my blogging and it just seems to lapse... but hey, here I am today with a very quick-to-make little easel card that I put together at my demo this weekend.

I love anything cute, that's for sure, and the Forever Friends bears are no exception. There is a great selection of stamps to choose from too! Bonus!!

The topper is stamped and the bases covered with the new Love range papers.

I hope you like it. Xx

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Week two of Digi Choosday...

Yes, it's that time again over at the Polkadoodles blog, and it's Digi Choosday day... which means it's Challenge time, and yes, you can join in.

This week, our theme was 'FASHION DIVA' and I chose to use the fantastic Emma Canning digi image 'Cute as a Button' that you can find in the Polkadoodles store. Check out the links on the Challenge page, and the other DT's work too - loads of inspiration on there for you all to look at.


As you can see, I've chosen to use the image as the main focus on the card. Isn't she sweet? She does have a button on the image that you can colour, but I opted to add a button in to the front of the dress. I also dotted some buttons around randomly on the card just to keep in with the theme.


The flowers are a Memory Box die cut that I've had for a while and never took out the packet - pretty much the same as these cute ladybirds too! I die cut the flowers in green, then in dark pink and layered them up to create a more realistic flower colour.


I couldn't find a sentiment that I wanted to use, so I decided to print out my own on the computer. I love the font - if only I could remember which one I used!! The border was punched with a Martha Stewart punch. love this punch...!


My little Diva herself was coloured using watercolour pencils, which were blended with water, then darker shading plopped around, direct to paper. Watercolours are so forgiving that they make the perfect colouring medium for beginners as well as the more advanced.

I hope you find time to join in with our challenge this week... it would be lovely to have you take part.

Until next time... happy Crafting!

Sunday 27 October 2013

Ooooh errr... where did that time go?!

Gosh, I can't believe it's so long since I came on here to do a blog post... I really meant to come back on again mid week and sort out my post for Friday's Challenge over at the fab Polkadoodles blog, which you can find HERE. However, time got away with me once again and the past few days have just gone past in a bit of a whizz.....

Firstly though, catching up, and I should have posted this on Friday. This is my entry into the Polkadoodles challenge, which was anything but a card. I decided to make a Christmas Wreath.


I printed out the ready coloured images from the Home for Christmas CD and cut them all out with a little white border all around. I cut out a large circle and covered it with the back panel image, then cut a border and stuck all the decorations around it. I added some sparkle with Ice Diamond stickles.

I am totally loving the Polkadoodles CD's, but it's always a challenge to know which one to turn to when I want to use something.. lol.

The rest of the weekend has been taken up with my son's house move. He has just bought his house with his young lady, and they moved in on Friday. Such a wonderful day for them, but quite sad knowing that he has finally moved out for good. Still, that's a sign of getting old I guess. lol.

I hope to be back tomorrow with something else to show you. I still have my demo samples to show you too. I will catch up - this will forever be my mantra, I'm sure!

This week is quite a busy one too. I have just received my new demo kit and need to make samples with that, and also a little (!) package from Debbi Moore for a few shows that are going on this week... so keep tuned, I will let you know for definate when the shows are.

Until then... I promise I will be back soon!!!!

Tuesday 22 October 2013

A new challenge.... do you fancy it?

OOOOOOOhhhhhhhh it's such an exciting day today. The new challenge over at the Polkadoodles blog is now officially up and running.

So... what is it you ask... well, it's the Digi Choosday Challenge and you can find it HERE.

If you like using digi images, and love fantastic offers, inspiration and seeing new stuff, then there's no better challenge to join in with.

I feel quite honoured to be able to design projects with these fab digi's, and for my first project I totally fell in love with this Emma Canning image, Sew and Sew.


 It was printed on white card and coloured with alcohol pens. More details on products I've used are on the blog.

Please go along and check it out. The theme this week is Anything goes... nice and easy for you for our first challenge. And we have such a fantastic Design Team too, so nip over, have a play and upload your project.

Until next time..... Happy Crafting!

Morning all....

How are we all this morning? 

It's been a rather busy weekend for me, so today, I'm having a pyjama morning. On Friday, we took a little run to Lincoln to visit my daughter who is at Uni there. We went out for a lovely meal as a late birthday treat, and didn't get home until late. Saturday, I was demonstrating the current range of Docrafts products at Gadsby's, in Lincoln. It's always a pleasure to go there and even more so when Sue and Laura are in the shop. 

Sunday, I was working down at the Dome in Doncaster with Sharon, who owns Glitter Magic. She is Debbi Moore's sister and such a lovely person, just like Debbi. It was a very early start, and late finish, but I had such a great day. It was so much fun..! So, that was my weekend... what about yours?

This morning though, I did want to come on and show you a little card that I made for Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine a few months ago. 


I was asked to create something with this beautiful stamp from Little Claire, and of course, I love to stamp, so it didn't take me long at all to say YES!

I coloured the image using promarkers and added white highlights to some of the details on the bird. I also chose to restamp and layer up the wing and flower to give it a little more dimension.


The card was embellished with die cuts and finished off with a few liquid pearls. The corner dies are some that I managed to find at the Hobbyhouse a long while ago now. Aren't they lovely?! And the holly die... well... I just love this. It's one that I often use at Christmas as it goes perfectly with most things.

I hope you like today's card. I will be back shortly with another little project for you all.

Until then......happy Crafting!

Sunday 20 October 2013

Uploaded from my phone..... aka still playing!

Evening all.... well, as you can see from the title, I'm still trying to get to grips with uploading photos from my mobile. 

These are a few cards that I've made at my demonstrations for Docrafts over the past few weeks. I'm not sure if I've featured them before, but if I have - I'm sorry, if I haven't - enjoy!

This card was made using the fantastic Poinsettia urban stamp set ... oh I can't tell you how much I love this stamp.... ! But just for a change, I've tried to zuzz it up a little by putting it with the 12 days of Christmas papers, so it has a contemporary look. Nice and bright me thought!


Here is the card in full... The greeting around the aperture was created with the lovely Noel rub on alphabet. Sweet and swirly. 


Now... I'm going to apologise for this poor little horsey being on its side... I will try to correct it tomorrow. lol. 


And lastly, (and I'm sure this was shown previously) is a sweet little Forever Friends bear. Paper pieced with the papers from the same set. The card has acetate on the front and glitterations stickers on there to give it a little bling... 


So... thats all for now. I have lots more things to share and tell you.. but that can wait for later. I'm tired, so it's off up the wooden hill for me me thinks... 

Night all!!!

Friday 11 October 2013

A little Forever Friends love...

Awwwwww... dont you just love these little cuties? Well... you know I love all things cute, and these stamps were hard to resist.

Here, I have coloured with the Artiste brush markers and paper pieced the antlers and scarf. The artiste markers you can get in a range of colour collections and I used vintage pens to colour this little fella.

I couldn't resist using some of the lovely glitteration snowflakes and a bit of acetate too. I think it just finishes the card off.

I hope you like it. Xxx

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Good morning, morning, morning.....!

How are we all...

Well, I'm taking it a bit easy this morning to be honest.. things this past week have gone past in a complete whirl!

I decided a few weeks ago that I needed to do a little bit of something for me, a little bit of something different rather than sitting making cards for others all the time, I just want to craft for me too. I'm sure that most of you crafters out there know exactly what I mean - you spend your time doing stuff for others, nothing for yourself and then wonder why!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I have joined the Polkadoodles clan, headed up by Nikky Hall, Mrs Polka herself! to do some bits and bobs... crafty time for me! Perfect!!

Work wise, things have changed a little too... I was asked to a meeting last week oop north, and I met up with Debbi Moore. I am pleased to announce that I am now working alongside Debbi and there are some fantastic plans and happenings coming up. I will also be appearing on Create and Craft with Debbi on the 17th October, so don't think I'm disappearing altogether.. lol.

Things have just gone completely chaotic for the past week, and I've been trying to get my head into gear with all the information about everything that's buzzing around... it's kinda making me thankful that I have a filofax to keep everything together. I seriously need something to keep me together most of the time anyways! lol.

So... Debbi and Nikky... two of my favourite ladies... you know, I think my life is just about perfick!

Now, before you ask... yes, I am still freelance, so I am still out and about doing my Docrafts Demo's, and last weekend had the fortunate opportunity to return to Craft Central in Derby.. however, you will know that it's now moved to Burton, and it is a FANTASTIC store... great light, great space, great staff and well, just GREAT! It's going to be a right corker of a shop when it's all finished being sorted.

I was also in Worksop at the Dukeries garden centre, and talking to one of the ladies who goes there, we may have the possibility of starting workshops in the Worksop area. So, watch this space.

I am still doing my workshops up in Ackworth, at the Garden Centre, and these are likely to be changing a little in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled for that.. and in addition, I am also still doing my Craft class every alternate Tuesday evening.

You know, writing it all down like this makes it look like I have a pretty hectic schedule really... yes, my diary is a little chocka, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I will be back later with a little card for you.. I'm practicing posting from my phone, so will try to continue doing that to bring you inspiration as I can.

Until next time... xxx

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Just trying this out..

I have just downloaded my blogger for android, so I am hoping it works... this way, I can blog whilst I am on the go!!

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Other crafty bits... and a little gift for you..

Yep... I have been doing other crafts over the last few months. It really makes a change from making cards, and I really needed the break to get my head in order too. Well, that's probably impossible, but I needed to think through things after making a few important changes to my working life. 

What better way to do this than to do something completely different?! And this little guy is definatley different. I reckon I need to make another smaller one, maybe a girlfriend for my little guy. I also have on order a few of these, so when I get around to knitting him again, I will show you more. 



I've also made a few bags from fat quarters and my sewing machine, some are smocked, some are large and some are small.. but all are beautiful to me! I've sold a few of those too. 

I've crocheted, I've cross stitched and I've loved every minute of a little change of direction. 

I have also been doing some projects on commissions for a national, very well loved craft magazine.. and I will post more details of those at a later date when I'm allowed. 

So, life is good at the minute, things are on the up, and my blog has stopped being stalked and posted on by some random nobody.. all is good!!

It's lovely to be back, and I promise it will be more regular from now on. I just hope you're still here and reading my posts. 

If you are, please leave me a comment and I'll draw up a little crafty bag of goodies as a prize. I will draw a winner next Monday. 

Really???

Has it really been that long since I blogged? Gosh, I'm so sorry... you must've thought I'd run away.. but I haven't. Honestly.

I have been a little bit busy working with one thing or another, making plans and changing things, which hopefully will be for the better at some point. However, I'm still working on that one! lol.

I will be back later with a few wonderful words of wisdom.. well, a project or two!

Thursday 20 June 2013

Playing with punches...

Morning all... 

Well, my promise to myself for keeping up with this bloggin' malarky isn't working very well now is it?!

However, I will try my best to fix my lack of posting and get some cards up on here to show you a few more of what I've been upto.. 

So, what have I been upto? Well, I've been out at some fab shops doing demo's instore, although things have been a bit quieter of late, they've always been quite well attended. I'm sure it's just because of the lovely weather that we've been blessed with this last couple of weeks, people are making the best of it and getting out and about rather than coming instore to sit and watch. 

Still, it's been nice to get out and about and show off some of the fantastic Docrafts products that are out this past two months... and wait until you see what's coming out in July - just when you think things can't get any better, Docrafts always come out and top the previous two months!!!!

Here's a little card that I've been taking to my demo's with me this past month or so. I like to redo my cards for my second month demo's, and playing with my stash as I do, this one came about because of the new palm punches. 


I love making vellum flowers, so to have a range of punches that layer and stack together in all sizes is just perfect to get punching and playing!

I punched out of vellum and embossed to give shape and whiteness and then just pieced them together on the card to give a bouquet feel to it. The birdcage is just an additional extra really, but gives something to blend the shapes of the flowers around.


I hope you like today's card. Sorry it's just a very quick post this morning, but I have a class to get ready for this morning. I'm off upto Ackworth Garden Centre to teach our weekly Thursday class.

Whatever you're upto today, have fun!!!

Thursday 6 June 2013

Good morning... good morning....

How's you??

What a busy few days! I've just made the annual conference trip to Bournemouth with Docrafts, and what a great time it was too. Meeting up with other demonstrators and designers, as well as the team from DO-HQ is always fab. We stayed down at the Hermitage in Bournemouth, and as always was lovely food, lovely accomodation etc. The weather was great too. Perfect for spending a bit of time down at the beach with a very special lady called Margaret who nipped over to meet up.

There are some really great things coming out too towards the end of the year, which is always a treat to see. I know you're going to be loving all the new tools and papercraft items that are coming out. As well as other things that you are GOING TO LOVE!!! Watch this space......

Last weekend I had a fab demo day down in Derby at Craft Central. Love that shop. Jo, Karen and Kat were staffing the day, and it sadly was the last time that I'm going to see kat for a while.. She's off to Uni to study veterinary medicine, so GOOD LUCK Kat, I will miss you and your talents.

So, that's all my news caught up - I'll be back later with a few projects to share with you.. until then take care..

Happy Crafting,
Jo xx

Thursday 30 May 2013

Well... failed again... but I'm still here!

I really need to get a boot up the backside me thinks to get me blogging on a more regular basis... lol.

I can't help it... things just get in the way!! Well, say things.... by things I mean two little furbabies that are living with us - Humphrey and Lola the kittens.. and doing extra projects for my demo's.

This last week or so saw me creating loads of jewellery pieces for a demo I had in Oldham. To be honest, jewellery was not really my 'thing' if you know what I mean.. but having sat for a few days making some pieces, I can honestly hold up my hands and say that I loved every moment of it and I'm a bit hooked.

I made this bracelet -


and I love it. In fact, I've made a few more of them, including two for orders. They're so easy once you have done the first one and got the hang of the beading, the last ones were a doddle!

I've also been spending a bit of time in the garden and have some plants ready and waiting to go into the hanging baskets, including this little beauty..

This is my nemesia. I remember years ago, a lovely old gent who lived behind our house gave me a pink and white version and it flowered every single year. It's such a pretty little plant.

And to finish this quick post for tonight, I thought I'd show you how the two little furbabies are growing..

Here's Humphrey..


And here's Lola...


Hope you like the piccies...

That's all for now, but I promise that I'll be back sooner than before!

Thursday 16 May 2013

Ten things...

Yes, I know I promised to get back on track with the blogging, but things just seem to get in the way, and to be honest, it's been nice not worrying if I have anything to upload. I have treated myself to a well deserved break, and I feel better for it. So, trying to keep up with the Blog post a day challenge, and as you can see from the title, I'm not doing very well!!

So. What's new? Well, nothing really to be honest.. although the weekend saw us collecting the new addition to our little fold. I say addition. It should really read additionS... lol. as we have two little furkitties come to live with us.

We have a ginger and white boy called Humphrey and his mackerel tabby sister Lola. The other sister we collected has gone onto her forever home and been called Fleur. They are just 8 weeks old and are little  bundles of loveliness. After two days here they have settled in well with their big brother Senna, who has turned into a little mother hen.  They even come to you when they haven't seen you for a little while, and are eating absolutely perfectly. We've had a couple of little accidents but nothing too major.

Here they are..


This is little Humph. Such a tiny sweetheart he is. He loves his cuddles, and talks to you quite often. He is quite a contented little puss, and I'm sure he's going to grow up to be a beautiful large boy.


This is Lola. She is slightly more mischievous, and not quite as big as Humph, but she eats like a trooper and always has her head in the food bowl! She has her little routine at mealtimes.. wake up, toilet, eat, toilet, sleep! She is soooo contented.

And here is the Mother Hen..


Well, I say Mother Hen, but really it should be Father Cockerel I suppose. Doesn't sound quite the same though does it.. lol. But here is my old boy, Senna.

He's just had his birthday, so is of a grand old age.. and I think the two little tearaways have tired him out... He is suffering a little hayfever at the moment where he keeps going up the garden. Vets time again me thinks as his eyes are getting a little runny... but love this photo of him fast asleep.

Apart from loving the little furbabies, and spoiling my woofers, I have indeed done a little bit of crafting.. and here's a couple of what I've created for my demo's. These are all from the Ahoy There selection of stamps. I just love these, and I like the way that just going around the edges with chocolate ink, you can make it look quite vintage. I hope you like them.





So... onto my Blog Post a Day, and it was (lol) 10 things that make me happy.. and here's my list.

  1. My family - by family, I mean my husband, children and sister in law Tilly. Without them, there is no me. They put up with me  support me with my work and things I do and rarely complain. I don't have any other family to care about, so to me they are everything and I treasure them dearly. (even if I do whine about things, but hey... that's allowed isn't it?!
  2. My furbabies. Such a wonderful little furry family I have, we have the three woofers, Scooby Holly and Truly, and my kitties, Senna, Humphrey and Lola. They live perfectly together and I just love my cuddle time with them. 
  3. Work - I love my job. I work with Docrafts, one of the leading craft suppliers in the UK and working alongside some of the most awesome designers there is fantastic. I also get to go out and meet some great crafters and share ideas and techniques. What's not to like about that?
  4. Peppermint Tea. Oh yes. A perfect start to the day me thinks.. it's great as a pick me up through the day too. I also like my Chai tea... any tea really. It used to be coffee, but don't drink that so often these days. 
  5. Reading. By reading, I mean it depends on what I'm reading. At the moment its the organising and time management books by Julia Morgenstern, and they make perfect sense to me. They've helped me alot this past few weeks. I also love looking through cookery books, which brings me to number 6.. 
  6. Baking - yes, baking, not cooking! I can't cook... although I try, but it's not always successful. Baking is not always successful either, but at least it's tasty! lol. I have a great collection of books which are now on my new bookcase so I can peruse at leisure. Favourites at the minute are the Hairy Bikers Curry book, (yes I can now successfully make a curry from scratch!) and my cake decorating books. I don't make posh cakes, but one day....!
  7. My Sat Nav. Without it I doubt I would be able to do my job. It still takes me the wrong way, lol, but at least I can get there more or less in one piece. 
  8. Mablethorpe. I know, it's a silly number 8. But I love Mablethorpe. It brings back many happy memories of days gone by with the children on our family holidays. We have a lovely beach down there that I love to visit too which is nice and quiet. 
  9. Britains Got Talent - hell, this has to make an appearance. There is so much talent out there in the UK it's so lovely to see people giving it a go.. and good luck to them! It's also quite funny at times, and makes me think that one day I will be there singing my heart out and not getting any buzzers! lol.
  10. Last one, so what will this be? it has to be my craft room. It makes me happy. I - and other members of the family - like to sit in there and chill out. It looks out on the garden, so I can watch the birds come and go and look at the changing seasons. Perfect. 


So.. there's my top 10. Now what's yours? Leave a link and I'll come a visiting!


Sunday 5 May 2013

Blog every day in May!

I've missed the first few days already.... as I didn't know about it, but my day one starts today (or maybe tomorrow!)

A little quote.



A quote.

I kinda love that we are not always a 'perfect match'.
That we sort of sand down the rough edges on each other;
I am thankful that God gave me you.
A man who challenges me.
Loves me completely.
And keeps my heart tender.
A guy that makes simple moments pretty special.
And everyday, no matter how hard or easy, 
~better
because you are a part of it.

So it's not gonna be easy.  It's going to be really hard;
we're gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that
because I want you.
I want all of you, 
forever,
everyday.

You and me...
everyday.

What a week....

How are we all??

Sorry it's been a while again. I have very good intentions to get started again regularly with the blog, but it always seems to be one thing or another these days. I don't often get chance to get onto the laptop to check and do things, and most things are done on my lovely new mobile. I will start to put posts up on my mobile if I get chance - promise!

Anyways... this week has seen the start of the new loop of crafting products from Docrafts. Ooooooh's and Aaaaaahhhh's were the sounds heard yesterday whilst I was doing my first demo of the loop - I'm wondering if it's going to be the same today!

So, I thought I would just share a couple of little cards with you that I've made to take with me...


This one uses the packaging of the new Capsule collection - Brights! Aren't the colours amazing!!!! I just totally love them. I finished the card using the mini spotty buttons. These are double sided too, plain on one side, spotty on the other. Just fab!


This card here was a little idea I saw on Pinterest... I thought it was fab and a great idea to use up some of the lovely buttons that are in my very large bag of Capsule brights buttons... Just stick them on a card, layer them up, create a dotty border and doodled leaves and stems and voila! Done!

I promise I will be back tomorrow to share a few more photos with you... I have a couple of days where I am not doing alot of anything. Having a day at home with the hubby tomorrow after another demo today.

So, see you soon. Don't forget to let me know what you think of these new products!

A little furbaby...

A little humphrey cat

Wednesday 1 May 2013

Playing with my blog..

I've been a-fiddling tonight... just playing around with a few minor changes on my blog. Firstly, the blog post title and date are now centred... I think I like this better!

The comments section has had a makeover too... a little bit bolder and brighter. Not sure if I like this yet.. but will keep it for now and decide tomorrow.

Last but not least, I have a little plaything on my photos.. hover over them.. see what you think. Pretty cool eh?!

Tuesday 30 April 2013

You can't unscramble eggs...

I'm not really sure where I saw this... and I thought to myself, you know, how true is that!

What I mean is, if you do something wrong, or not to the result you wanted, you can't undo what's done, but you can carry on going forward and try again. Hoping to get it better next time.

This is how I look at my crafting. It's not always perfect.. in fact, to me, it's never perfect, but people seem to like what I do. I often wonder why, but I think like so many crafters out there, I'm never happy with what I make. I have this conversation regularly with other crafters. Now, whether it's just a case of a low self esteem, low confidence, or just genuine good old self doubt, it never ceases to amaze me how many people don't like what they produce.. and that they all feel like I do!

What I have found however, is that driving all over doing demo's can be quite therapeutic. Usually on my travels I listen to Radio 2, quite a few of my favourites on there, but after a while I do just want to sit in the peace and quiet. My drive over to Stockport the other week was no exception.


Nipping up and over the Peaks, I came across this beautiful view... well, I couldn't help but stop and take a quick snap of the scenery. I had set off early to ensure I got to my demo on time, so spending about five minutes looking at this was nice.  Doesn't it look beautiful?

I've also been busy making a few extra samples for the craft area at Ackworth Garden Centre. I do my Docrafts demo's there, but to help out, have made a few samples for other bits that aren't selling too well.... and how can these not sell? I lubs wellyfants and these little couple are no exception.


I've coloured the stamped images with pens and then used the fantastic Boofle papers and Papermania ribbons to finish off. I just love the simplicity of this card.... it was hard to let it go!

Here are a few more samples from this range too... quick details underneath to what I used.


This little guy uses the stamp which I have coloured with pencils, and I thought it would be perfect to team up with Wellington papers... they are so generic for male cards, I felt that they worked perfectly.


A little decoupage card here... simple embossed background on this card and a lovely lime green base to the layers.

Finally... LOVE this little guy... I reckon this little card could rekindle my love of decoupage.. I've kept the background really simple and used the fantastic Capsule spots and stripes collection in pastels (Docrafts).

Hope you like this little selection... more coming soon!

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Well.... hello there!!!

I have had a blogging break. Did you notice? I'm sure you probably didn't, but I just felt today that I wanted to do a post as I have sooooo many things on my mobile that I've worked on over the past month or so, but not gotten around to posting!

Life has been a bit of a bind over the last month or so with one thing or another, and I really haven't been bothered about posting. I've had no inclination to do much, other than what I needed to. I'm sure you know how that feels. However, I am back in the land of the living again, and trying my best to regain my mojo and get it back to full working order!

I also really need to suss out how to post off my new mobile, so I can update whilst I am on the go. In all honesty, I'm not really managing to get onto the laptop to do anything other than check my mail and print out things from Digital Designer for an upcoming demo!

So... what have I to show you today? Well, just a little Gorjuss or two me thinks... these were some samples that I left at Ackworth Garden Centre after my demo the other week..


This card combines both the Gorjuss stamp, which has been coloured with watercolour pencils, and the Kraft Notes Forever Friends papers... I love these papers. The colours are beautiful!


Again, the same stamp coloured slightly darker and popped onto an 8 x 8 inch card which has been decorated with the Gorjuss papers from the 12 x 12 inch pack. The colours in the 12 inch pack and the 8 inch pack are two different colours and both are lovely!!!



I was asked to combine the heartwarmer sentiments, so dutifully did as I was told and used them as a feature on the card. They are perfect to go with everything really, but this matched in with the kraft notes papers perfectly.

Now.. this little beauty. She is actually on a puffy box made with my Xcut score board, and she was coloured in with the Artiste brush markers. It gives a totally different look to the usual pencils that I love to use, and if you're wondering how to get the skin tones, then I've done a step by step guide in the last Creativity magasine (March issue).

As well as the Gorjuss, there are many many things that I am totally loving out of this past two months demos, and I will be sure to come back and show them to you!

I will leave you with a little photo of my boy.. Senna...


He is such a sad little fella at the minute after losing his companions.. we lost his brother Biela quite a few years ago, and his sister Kiarra passed away at the end of January. He loves his cuddles and kisses, and even though he is loved very much, he still seems to miss his buddies. Bless him. 

On this photo he's looking quite old. Well, in fact, he actually is. He's nearly 15 now. A good age for our boy. I hope to have a few more years with him yet.. love him lots. 

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Peek - a - boo ... and a cutie or two...

Yep. It's me. Sorry it has been a while since I last posted on here, but things have been a little 'odd' this past few weeks... not going into too many details, as it's personal, but let's just say, I am hoping for no reoccurance of what happened, and keeping my fingers crossed that normal service has resumed (well, as much as it can do!)

Anyway... enough about that... I have spent a few days recently just sitting and not creating anything. You know what it's like when you have worries that take your mind elsewhere, and thinking and worrying just takes over the creating. But I have made samples for my demo's - and I have been to some fantastic little shops this past month (Derby Garden Centre, Gadsby's and Ackworth Garden Centre to name a few!) so I do have plenty of samples to take photographs of and upload to show.

But for today, I wanted to share this little beauty..


As I say, I have spent some time getting back into crafting, and colouring is definately the best way to start for me. This image is a Sherri image, just love the cuteness... 

I have also been colouring the Gorjuss images from Docrafts. Have you seen them? I must admit I am loving them... I do have my favourites, and here is one of them... 


Isn't she a cutie? I decided to colour this one in with pencils, and kept it to a one layer card just using clouds to finish the background.

You really need to check out the Gorjuss papers and packaging too... it is all just so lovely! I have to stop myself from using them just for me - although I did treat myself to an extra packet or two... lol. The packaging is recyclable and the papers are beautiful. Especially the darker tones, which I didn't think I would end up liking too much.

This week, I am cracking on with some extra samples for an upcoming Create and Craft show, and my demo in Derby Garden Centre on Saturday.

AND... I totally need to share - I am also going to be teaching a class over at Ackworth Garden Centre after the Easter holidays. Exciting times eh? Let's just hope things stay on the straight and narrow for a little while.. lol.

I promise to share more projects soon... take care y'all... Happy Crafting!

Thursday 28 March 2013

So sad....

Looking through my favourite blogs tonight, I came across THIS blog post about baby Celeste. The words contained in the blog post really do make you think.

RIP Celeste.

Friday 22 March 2013

Answering a few questions...

Hi all...

Just a very quick post this morning as I really need to get on with some work, and I've had a really bad couple of days... but quite a few folks have messaged me regarding a card I made on Create and Craft last week.

I had coloured an image using my watercolour pencils, but blended it with a paper stump. Now, for those that asked, in the jar I had the sponge part of a washing up sponge plonked in the base of the small jar (mine was a baby food jar, but you can use one of the mini jam jars) and then soaked it in sansador.

Sansador is what I use because when blending it stays nice and dry and means that I can blend tones on top of each other. Now, you can also use baby oil (small amounts of!) and also white spirit. The sansador is basically white spirit with the fumes taken out..



As you can see, you can get a really nice textured blend using the stumps. Now, you can also use water to blend the pencils, obviously, but this gives quite a light, watercoloured type of image, whereas the effect I wanted was a little darker and more tonal.


The other thing that was asked, was about what colour I use to stamp the outline with. Usually, I tend to stick to black, well... I say black, it's actually Coal Black from Ancient Page, which gives quite a light black, more a grey, colour. I find this less harsh than a solid black. 

On the image above, I used Artiste Chocolate dye based ink pad. Now, remember not to use the dye inks when you are using water, but if you're using blending solution, then dye or permanent ink will suffice. 

Using the chocolate dye based ink as my outline meant that I could add darker tones around the edges to blend in the coloured edges, giving an overall softer look. 

Is that okay? 

I hope I've explained everything as you asked... I hope it helps a little. xx

Tuesday 19 March 2013

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absent blogger returning.... again...

Hello all.. long time no see. Again. I'm so sorry, but I've been a tad busy with one thing or another. I've also been doing a little bit of driving up and down the country this past week, which as you know, is always a little tiring. But it's all been for a good reason!

Last Tuesday, I set off for Bournemouth, as I was doing some filming for the Creativity Club that is on the Docrafts website. You saw the buns I made to take? Well, none of those made it back I'm pleased to say.. but with a little bribery and convincing, people in the office took them off my hands. 

So. I arrived on Tuesday on a much longer than expected journey. Diversions got in the way, and I eventually got to Bournemouth at around six I think. I checked into the hotel, took the items up to my room, and then went for a quick walk down on the beach. It's always lovely to walk down there - it's only a stone throw away from the hotel, and so lovely too. My room was facing the beach, so all in all, I couldn't exactly not go down there could I?!

 This first photo was taken from my room... what a view!



And these two were down on the seafront. 

The following morning, I went straight to do the filming, arriving slightly early, but soon enough were cracking on with the filming. After we'd finished, I took a flying visit to a great friend, Lou, and her new-ish baby. Honestly, she is so beautiful... so dainty, but perfect in every way. 

A quick visit to head office, then I was on my way home.. then spent the next two days prepping for shows at Create and Craft and also doing bits for my demo at the Range. 

I can honestly say, this week has just flown past. I have quite alot of things up my sleeve that I'm wanting to get finished, sorted and posted, but as yet, I haven't had the time. 

Time. 

Where does it go? I used to think I had all the time in the world to do everything I wanted, but more recently - unless it's a case of getting older - I just don't seem to have the time at all!! I have a white board with my plans on, but they just get further and further down the list... are you the same?? However, last weeks schedule ran like clockwork! So, here's hoping to a bit more savvy scheduling, a bit more planning and a bit more production!

I promise I will be back soon with a few cards and items to show you from this past weekends TV shows.. I know you all love the Country Companions - I know I do... so watch this space!
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