Our Get together

The gang  all managed to get together on Tuesday night for a lovely meal. We enjoyed tucking into a carvery and catch up with all the gossip not that we do much of it really lol.

Here are all of us girls together it`s a a rarity that we all manage to be in the same at the same time.

Merry christmas to all and there will be some fun for you on here in the new year so watch this space, hugs Karen x 

Merry Christmas

Hi everyone,

Well as we are not in the shop again, due to the freezing conditions, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Hoping to see you in January when we will have some new and exciting things for you.

Jean x

Hi everyone

Hi all,
Hope you are all keeping warm and safe in these wintery conditions. Been back in to work at the shop today for a couple of hours.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all  A Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
Hugs Karen xxx

Back to work

Hi everyone,

We all managed to get to the shop this morning, roads are much clearer but still a bit of ice on carpark.

We will be back in the shop next week, well that's the theory as more snow forcast next Tues/Wed, so will be playing it by ear.

Although I have made use of the time at home, making Christmas cards, I am looking forward to getting back to work.

Hope to see you soon

Jean

time to craft!!

Hi Di here.



As you may know, the girl team have been unable to get into work, so i think most (if not all ) are crafting away with a clear conscience. I have been been touch with the "boys" and i think harry is probably enjoying the weather out of us all. two weeks of winter nights and one day of snow is as much as i can stand, but hay ho cant do any thing about it. the neighbours have all been out "road" clearing where i live, two and a half miles from the nearest shop, so need to fight our way out even if it's only to keep the cats fed!
I would post photo's of our snow, (if only i knew how) over the knee and still falling thats the snow not me!!.
I have taken photo's of my craft day and will get some help in posting them as soon as i get back to work.
The saturday class was cancelled due to the weather. we will be arranging further classes for the spring


cheers to all
Di

all snug at home

Well we are unable to get to the shop this week but Gordon and Robert did manage to go in one day and do some internet orders.

We are all snug as bugs at our homes catching up on some crafting and christmas card writing. Hope you are all keeping well and warm and will catch up with you all later, hugs Karen xxx

Busy Week

Hi everyone,

Sorry no-one been on recently but all been very busy. I was away last weekend as was Rob and Gordon, Di had a workshop on Wednesday and Karen has been ill this week, then Michelle called today and she to is ill. The internet has gone crazy and the phone has not stopped ringing. I now have a couple of days off and really ready for the rest. Not complaining but everything seems to come at once. Is something happening in the near future?

Jean x

SATURDAY STAMPING WORKSHOP

The ladies enjoyed learning how to stamp on acetate, once they got the hang of it there was no stopping them. Yet again there was glitter everywhere but that did not stop us.

 

                          

Some of the ladies samples the image does not do them justice as it did not show the effects of the glitter.

Two lovely cards with different effects.

 

Well that will be the tast stamping class for this year but watch this space as they will resume after the new year stamping on shrink plastic. Thank you for your support as it has been a huge success

Hugs Karen xx

Di`s workshop update

Hi Folks,


Just to let you know that there are now only a couple of places left for this workshop, If you would like to join in please ring the us at the shop.


Here is a piccie of a lovely christmas cracker using the technique in this workshop. Hugs Karen x

 

Jean's back

Hi everyone

Not been on for a while had problems with my desktop, now got a new laptop(early Christmas pressy) so thought I would give it a go to post and Hey here I am.
Just want to say thanks for all the comments following our TV show last Thursday, had a great time even though we were dropped in it to using the Scor Buddy which neither Gordon or myself have had much practice with.
Thanks to everyone for ordering the dies and stamps, which I am sure you will have great fun with, it made for a very successful show.

Jean x

Wedensday stamping workshop.

We had a great workshop on Wedensday stamping on acetate.

The ladies soon got to grips with this technique and also using heat resist acetate so they could emboss their stamped images.

There was plenty of glitter going everywhere so they all went home very sparkly.

The first two piccies are the finished results of different ways to add colour and dimensions to the images.

At one stage it went very quiet as they were concentrating using as they were painting the images.

Some of the finished cards.

Will be back with Saturdays workshop

Hugs Karen xxx

NEC PHOTO`S

Here we are all ship shape and ready to go. 

Michelle doing a bit of restocking 

All ready for the off.

Michelle with her feet up doing her nails, now how did she find the time!! only kidding. it was before the show had started.

Hugs Karen xx

Back from NEC

Hi all,




Well back from a very busy show never seen so many people. It was hard but enjoyable and had a well deserved rest day yesterday.
It was lovely to meet you all, old and new not that I can remember any names as it all became a blurr.


Robert, Jean and Di all held the fort back at the shop busy getting ready for the C&C show on Thursday morning.
Will look forward to the stamping workshop on Wedensday which is now full but there is one place on Saturday but not sure best to ring first.
Well must go for now, hope to see and hear from you all soon,


Hugs Karen xxx

Busy four days at the NEC

A very busy four days at the NEC, Michelle and Karen will no doubt bring you up to speed on that when they have had time to recover. Robert, Jean and my self stayed at home and kept things ticking over at the shop. we have been very busy getting stock ready for the next show on Thursday 11th, at 9am on freeview 36.



There are four more work shops before Christmas, Karens is this Wednesday (full) and Saturday 13th, there my be one space left, but please check. The next work shop is titled "caught in crystal", which involves the use of transparency film, alcohol inks, glue, silver and gold leaf, silk fibers and any thing else that comes to hand. we will also be using shrink plastic, stamp board and tiny tins. there are three places left for the 24th of November and we are still taking bookings for the 27th. all courses commence at 11am and finish approx 1-30 ish, but the finish time tends to be flexable. (traslated means we hang around and talk a lot afterwards!!)


look forward to seeing you in the shop.
BFN
Di

All my own work

hi, di here, and I did it all on my own, though i did give up trying last night!! Busy week ahead, NEC this week then Jean tempting us on creat and craft next week (I think) The new large die's have arrived and they are great--- in more ways than one. we have been busy sending out the pre-orders so let's have your views on them.
Michelle and Karen will be at the NEC whilst Jean Robert and my self will be keeping the home fires burning at the shop.
I think we are all looking forward to a less frenetic time, as the NEC is the last of the shops shows, but then theres Christmas!!!

BFN
Di

TODAYS CREATE AND CRAFT APPEARENCE

Hi everyone,well didn,t they do a brilliant job!!!,I am of course talking about Robert and Gordon,on create and craft today,How fantastic is it to see them both showing off their own products for a change.Well done guys enjoyed the show very much even mum in law (none crafter) was enthralled by the demo,s and wondered about using the stay put mat for cake decorating or making chocolates and truffles on it etc,maybe  I need to get another to try it out.
Next up on create and craft will be Jean alongside Gordon I think, she will be showing us some lovely cutsie stamps and some beautifully detailed die,s.I know these products are right up Jeans street,so were in for a treat in the samples/demonstrations that she shows.
Were all playing with them ,so there will be a lovely mix of styles on show for you.The show is due live on 9th november,as yet I have no time details,will update as soon as is confirmed.
   Thats all for now hugs michelle.

PS hope this font is better,have had a little play,thanks for the comments,keep them coming.

ALCOHOL INKS WORKSHOP

Come along to this half day course and having fun using "caught in chrystal" a technique using transparency film,3D glue, angelina and silk fibres and anything else we can lay our hands on!!!

We will also ink up shrink plastic, stamp board and tiny tins.

Teas/coffee and biscuits provided.

Dates are

Wedensday 23 November
Saturday 27th November

Time 11 - 1.30ish
Cost £15.00  everything provided.

bye for now Di.

Hi back from my hols

Hi everyone,
Been away for a break in Norfolk last week and enjoyed the rest.
Back to packing in the shop ready for the next C&C shows which are coming up, Jean and Gordon doing one and Robert and Gordon will be appearing together on the next. They will be two fab shows to watch.
I`m getting ready for the Doncaster show at the dome and I shall be demonstrating the Scor buddy which I love working with, Jean will be demonstrating the A4 die cutting machine. Hope to see you there.

Just to let you know that there only 2 places left for my Saturday stamping workshop, if interested just give us a ring at the shop,hugs Karen xxxx

PORT SUNLIGHT CRAFT EVENT

Hi everyone,just popped by to say thanks to everyone who came to say hello at port sunny.

Wow what a busy show ,first time for me at this one ,and its one I,d reccommend you visit.            

                                                                                                   It,s set in a stunning 

                                                                                      building,within the fantastic port sunlight garden  

                                                                                                        village. Here are a   few photos  of the hall,and surrounding buildings.

These two are just beautiful properties.

And look at the work in this building  ,pity property,is not built on this scale now.Robert ,Gordon and myself were lucky to take time out before the show and have a  wander around this lovely place.

This is the calm before opening.The crowds waiting very patiently.

This is the ceiling of the ladies loo,s,how glam is that. Anyways thats all folks,off to pack as my family and I are off travelling over half term.So see you at the NEC in november.

cheers michellex

photos to share

before play commenced.

late into the night

hi everyone,finally got them on my computer ,hurrah i feel like a computing genius now!!! not really,anyway here goes. firstly there are pic,s of my lovely craftroom before and after i had been creating!!!,and then some fruits of my labours for karens last appearence on create and craft,in which she demoed the templates and new stay put mat,by the way i have only just finished watching the show and thought her and gordon were brilliant.Gordon was so naughty tricking Stephanie like that with the mat.Anyway i digress,back to photos

one of my faves,just embossing flower template,using the excellent new joy diecutting/embossing machine.

this one is done using the lovely pebble template,with metallic perfect perles to make a lovey animal print background.I also embossed some mirror card,and the cute giraffe,is a cottage cutz die,as the topper.Very pleased with the results on these,just shows the quality of the products.

thats all for now,hugs michellex

EVENING ALL

Hi everyone,did you all have a wet and windy weekend? We did,we nipped over to the nature reserve at saltfleetby,to fetch the caravan back to store.Its a lovely place to visit,even on a wet weekend in october,ha,ha!!
Back at the shop,were still packing like crazy and the phone never stops.Unfortunatly some of the orders from america are still outstanding,were so cross, as we also are on the waiting list of pre-orders,and want to play ,all the extra helpers are on standby to get them out to you as soon as they arrive,please be patient with us, its only a matter of time!
Got some photos to upload,and then I can share them,thats all for now hugs michellex

Di on blog

how I wish no one had invented computers!!!
I wonder round the shop " saying can some one help me put this on the blog" Jean and Karen do their best, but computer time is limited and in my defence I have only been shown once before.

I like getting messy and will be trying my skills with Claudia Helmouth paints and Tim Holtz products on canvas, may even turn it into a work shop, though may need a little (read more!!) practice.
I'm hoping for a less frenetic time once next week is over and find crating time to play and experiment.

The 6x6 tenplates on the web site are really great to work with and I'm pleased with the results, when I'v mastered the blog I will put some of my work on------ I think I'm now entering the relmes of fantasy!!!!!

Must close now as I need to get ready for my saturday work shop

Karen is going to take some photos of the work.

BFN

New to Die Cutting and More Workshop

Just to let you know I still have a few places left on my workshops on:-
Wednesday 13th October and Saturday 16th October.
Be quick if you are interested as only a few places left
and I would hate for you to miss out on learning
something new.

See you soon Jean x

NEXT STAMPING WORKSHOP

The next stamping workshop will be using acetate/heat resist acetate. There will be different techniques with colouring, using glitters and shakers to make some great finished cards which you will go away with.
Everything is provided with lots of tea/coffee and biscuits to keep us going.
The dates are

Wedensday 10th November which is now fully booked.

Saturday 13th November there are 3 places available.

Both start at 11 o`clock until 1.30.

If you would like to book please give us a call at the shop, the cost is £15 for the session. hugs Karen x

Tuesday`s C&C show

I have really enjoyed working with the stencils and we had a great show on Tuesday. Some of the cards that I have made are below.

I intend to put some different ways of using these stencils and I hope it will give you some inspiration.

Using the eternity circles for the top card I first embossed onto some card then using pro markers I chose 3 colours for this one and picked out and coloured a repeated pattern. The same was done on a die cut circle.

The bottom card was done with chalk 3 times then each section cut out. On the first two layers I punched out the dots so I could then thread ribbon through them. The middle layer I just stamped a monogram. Layered them together with foam tape.

I used acetate for the top card by taking one of the designs on the windsong template. Using a glue pen to draw through the template then adding glitter, doing one section at a time using 2 different tones of blue. Once dry it can the be mounted in the aperture of the card front.The same was done a second time on card but coloured with sparkle gel pens then cut out.

The bottom card was done using chalks over the template after I had embossed it first I did three seperate ones.

The main one using deep red for the outer dots and floral pattern, the in black the fleur de lyes, finally in the red the center star each cut out and layered up finishing off with a gem in the center.

The top card was made using the brick template directly onto the front of the card using versa mark, removed the template then used embossing powder which was then heated. Using distress ink inked the edges of the card, finally adding a stamped image.

The bottom card again using the retro squares onto card randomly inked over with distress inks which was then mounted onto the card front.

On another piece of card I inked using the same colours the daisy template. Cut out some of the flowers of different sizes. Curl the ends of the petals to give them depth and layer them
in the corner finish them of with gems or beads in the center.

Alcohol inks were used on mirror card over the embossed image of the daisy template (top). The bottom one I used distressed inks randomly over the maple leaf template on the base card, once again using alcohol on mirror card for the center piece.

Hi Di here!!

Hi Di here,

Back from a much needed holiday. Managed to collect sea shells (on the seashore!!!) now what to do with them? also some very nice fibres from a shop in Oban, I like to use different textures on my projects.
I also collected fallen leaves and peeled bark, but these I will be using on other projects.
Did manage to do some beading whilst away but in the main just lots of walking.
When I`ve had a lesson on how to put images on the web, I`ll share some of my ideas with you as I`ve had a marvelllous time with the new stock of stencils.
Watch this space
Di.

Tomorrow`s C&C

We shall be on C&C tomorrow morning at 8 o`clock where we will be launching a new product. We are very excited as we love it and hope you will be able to watch us and let us know what you think. hugs Karen x

how busy are we?????

well firstly apologies to our followers,i,ve been away all summer with the family recuperating from a little operation,nothing serious.We had a warm and sunny time in the caravan near the coast.

So now were back and am straight back into the thick of it,starting with the GNPE papercrafts show in harrogate.Wow what a show,loved every minute of it.I was demoing the new A4 diecutting machine,and having only practiced for about a week on it,it just showed people how easy it is to use,its brilliant,and is now my new best friend,along side my lovely scorpal.

karen and myself were soooo busy demonstrating,we missed lunch both days (v v bad girls),however Gordon ate a whole packet of hobnobs (mine) very sneakily without sharing!! can you believe it!! I think Karen has some interesting photos to put up to show what a busy time he had on the till ha ha.

This week is being spent unpacking the van, and packing things for the next create and craft show,oh the glamour! Anyway thats all folks,off to do some designs,will share them soon. cheers michelle

What a weekend !!!!

Had a busy weekend at the Harrogate show. Michelle had fun with the new A4 die machine and I was demonstrating the scor-pal, it`s scor-buddy and bug.
It was great to see our friends old and new yesterday and caught up with news of our crafty mates.
Jean was holding the fort at the shop with Robert. Well very short update today but I will be back after a good nights sleep. hugs Karen x

Back into the thick of it

Hi everyone,

I'm back after a long weekend off, work that is had grandchildren calling round everyday. Love to have them and the eldest two are back at school today so have to make the most of when they want to call, luckyly they both love to craft!
Anyway sounds like we have plenty to do at the shop and Di is now on holiday for two weeks.
I am not at the show this weekend but holding the fort at the shop so you can still call in if you are around.

See you soon Jean x

busy, busy, busy!!!!

Well we have been very busy getting ready for the show at Harrogate this weekend hope you will come and see us there.
Also some of the spellbinders finally arrived yesterday so it was all hands on deck to get them sorted and sent out to you.Hopefully the next lot will not take as long to arrive. hugs Karen x

And The Winner Is

Hello Everyone
I know we were supposed to do the draw for the Blog Candy yesterday but when we got to the shop we had loads of back orders to do from being closed over the bank holiday, the shop was busy all day and Karen had a Workshop so we just didnt have time.
Anyway we have done it today and here is the video so you can see if you were the lucky winner.

LYNNE K . You are the lucky winner of a Cuttlebug Machine and a No More Shims Mat.

Please leave a comment on this Blog and send us an e.mail with your details and give us a ring at the shop too if you like we would love to congratulate you personally.

We will give you seven days to contact us and if you havnt in that time we will do another draw to give someone else a chance.

Once again Congratulations Lynne.

And thanks to everyone who joined in.

Keep a look out for some more blog candy coming very soon.

Smiles Rob and the Girls xxxxx

Todays stamping workshop with Karen

Here are the lovely cards the ladies have made using the shadow amd masking techniques.

If you fancy having a go there are still a couple of places left for this Saturday, just give the shop a call if you are interested.

Today the ladies enjoyed learning two new stamping techniques, shadow and masking.

They were so engrossed working on their creations but had a few laughs along the way.

Not only did they go home with their creations but very inky fingers too.