Looking Back.....

On the past year at The Craft Barn.
Well in my case it's from the end of May but you get the idea. So I've chosen three designs that I've enjoyed the most.
The First is this lovely little case decorated with Craftwork Cards Papers. This was such fun to do and had such a good response

For the next design I have chosen this layout using Maja papers. I really fell in love with this design

This one is going in a frame.

And finally I've chosen this one.......

The Deco Arte Interference Paints work so fabulously on black backgrounds and all the die cuts just work brilliantly.

So do you agree with my choices?

pop over onto the Craft Barn Blog this week and take a look at the other DT choices

                                                        http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

Tis The Season.....

To be running around like a headless chicken!!!!

Well I'm slightly exaggerating but you get the idea. Why I have to wait till the middle of December to get cracking is beyond me. It's not like I don't know when Christmas is coming, it is the same time every year after all!
So what have I been up to? well it's been a busy time prepping for demo's and classes and I even went to a workshop myself  YAY!!
It was a Hels Sheridan workshop, held at Crafty Bunch in Telford, where we got a little waxy. Hels shares my love of paper blocking and it was a beautiful project. If you have the chance to attend a Hels workshop I, and hundreds of other crafters, can really recommend it.
Here's my effort

All coated or dipped in beeswax. The leaves and flower feel so different when coated with wax, it's quite wonderful  

Once again not the most brilliant of photographs. I am struggling so much with getting good light on these dull winter days. Any "David Baileys" out there with any good tips please get in touch!!

I Blame....

Lindsay Mason!!!

Well she shouldn't have got me started on this technique, as now I can't stop!!
Lindsay is so talented and it's a joy to watch her work.
I started with a practise project of a door hanger then progressed onto a notebook

                                                       and then I did a small clipboard.

Then at the back of a rarely opened cupboard I found a chipboard sign that I bought a couple of years ago so I decided that needed a makeover too

So as I said, it's all Lindsays' fault!!

Opposites....

Attract....

Well it had to be Black and White didn't it!!

I fell in love with this Woodware stamp set as I do have liking for tree stamps.

By heat embossing the bare trees in white over the black negative image works really well, but you MUST have the black ink dry before you proceed or the powder the stick to the black ink too and ruin you image.

It's such a simple card to make but very effective, well I think so!

Let me know what you think

The wording stamps so crisp and fine. 

Visit the Craft Barn blog for all the how to make it details 

                                                    http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

If Music Be......

Play On...

That's on a Candy Box Crafts Piano of course.
This is one of the samples I did for the demo at the Craftrange for Jones Craft and I used the new Cherry Blossom Collection from Kaisercraft.

I've added hearts and flowers as I thought it could be used as a Valentines gift

I made all the roses by using a Tim Holtz Tattered Floral die and added a few Kaisercraft paper blooms too.

The hearts are Kaisercraft too and I've embossed them.

As like all the other Candy Box Craft items this was easy to assemble

So let me know what you think, I hope you like it and pop over to the Jones Craft Facebook Page and have a peek at more designs and products

What's The Time....

On the clock.....

Time to get the stencil paste out

Christmas gifts under a tenner was this weeks theme for the Craft Barn so I used two Crafters' Workshop stencils on this fab wooden clock. It's got a great smooth white coating on it so no need for any preparation.  Some gold and black paste along with some Kaisercraft paper blooms are all it's taken to achieve this

Always remember when adding dimensional items to a clock to allow for the movement of the hands

Want to see what else is on the blog this week?

                                                      http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

Maskarade......

Ooooh!! Where to start!!
The imagination started to run wild with this one. What theme to go with, do I want something exotic, bejewelled, weird and wonderful or simple but elegant.
Well this is what I finally came up with.........
As my Craft Barn DT Teamie Gio called it ... typically Venetian and being Italian she should know!

Some Distress Paint in Tarnished Bronze, Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms, heavy lace and some flourishes of black gems.

I gave the mask a base coat of gesso first then two coats of the paint, but you can pop over to the blog for                                                                      all the step by step details.

                        Keep looking on the blog this week as you will be amazed at the other DT projects

                                                        http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

Textures.....

Of Christmas
Buttons and ribbons were the items to be used for this weeks theme. What would us crafters do without them???
I thought I would use them to decorate a Christmas tree - with a contemporary feel. It's a great design to use up all your leftover bits of card. The stamping add a bit of texture to the strips

For the background I've used the Kaisercraft Diamonds stamp with mica powders in gold and copper for a natural look and I've stamped the tree strips with one of the stamps from the Edges set.

There are so many possibilities for the background with this design!! and just think how many trees you can make from colouring one panel of card!

 With a little bit of doodling around the edge to finish off and there you have it!!

Okay so now you've got the idea why not pop over to the Craft Barn Blog for the full "how to" details

                                                       http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

A Do Not Disturb....

Door Hanger Lindsay Mason Style.....

After seeing the lovely Lindsay Mason again recently and telling her I had never designed anything in the style she was demoing, at the NEC, she set me a challenge to do just that and to show it to her on the 27th November when we are both at the same event at the Craftrange.
Well I had so much fun and loved every minute of it.
This is what I did...

I don't think it was too bad for a first attempt, but there is room for improvement

Well that started the ball rolling and I then went on to having a couple of bestie friends round for a crafty night in. My friends had a go at Christmas designed canvasses and I did another favourite, a notebook.

I was really pleased with how it turned out and will show it to you very soon.

Now onto something completely different. On Saturday night I went to the 40th Birthday party of a very lovely friend. This here party was to be fancy dress. After some serious thought about what to wear we, that is my best friend Carol and I, decided there was no alternative but to go as the ugly sisters!!

OOohhh I can hear you say!! She couldn't possibly be an ugly sister!! but......

OH, YES I COULD!!!!!!

We even got gifts for the best fancy dress

It was a great party and have to admit I did enjoy the dressing up 

Can't wait to hear the comments !!!

Hanging Frames.....

Okay Bloggers, once again I have a Craft Barn DT design for you. The theme for this week is Stocking Fillers under a Fiver!! So I've used the Hanging Frames

You can use these in soooo many ways! I've painted and gilded the frames then made little tiles to go in the middles by stamping into ultra thick embossing with a Tim Holtz stamp. I put some thick black card behind them to set them off better

So join us on the blog this week and see what Stocking filler ideas the other DT members have come up with

and as usual with the Craft Barn projects all the instructions on how to make this  will be there for you to see

http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

Is There Anybody There......

Yep, I'm here AT LAST!!!

I've been so caught up with workshops, demo's and DT stuff that I've been guilty of neglecting you guys (hanging head in shame). Well let's catch up.....
Last Saturday saw me do my first workshop at the Craftrange in Burnley and it was just fabulous! We were using Brushos and I've been asked to do a part two which will be on the 6th December. I will be using Brushos again this Saturday at Daisy Jewels and Crafts in Coventry. There will be a demo in the morning followed by a workshop in the afternoon.

Then on the 20th I'll be back in Kendal where we will be using Kaisercraft stamps and some WOW products too, but more pics with them after the class.

Then I've also been busy with the new Off The Wall Collection from Kaisercraft for my first Jones Craft DT project for November. Such great papers in fab blue colours

So I hope I'm forgiven for my absence and I'll be back on the 13th with my next Craft Barn DT project

Framed.....

Craft Barn DT time - You've Been Framed

A while ago I used some DecoArt Interference Paints on some roses I made so I decided to give them another airing and used them to do this canvas. The remit was to use die cuts on a board canvas so I set to work painting it with black gesso first, added the die cut trellis and when dry I painted the whole thing with three colours of the paint

The how to details are all on the CB Blog in PDF form for you to use

http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

Some of my lovely Tim Holtz dies were put to good use on this canvas

I so enjoyed making this canvas, hope you like it xx

Good morning.......

And Happy Wednesday!!

Well I'm trying to sound cheerful on this grey morning, bit different from yesterday when the sun was shining beautifully, but hey ho it is almost November.  This brings me on to the start of my monthly visits to Burnley and me doing workshops for The Craft Range. This all came about from me doing a demo for Jones Craft and being asked to come back. I had such a great time and if you haven't been there yet I can recommend it.
November also brings the start of my new role as a demonstrator for WOW Embossing Powders, another great opportunity for me.
All the dates for the workshops and demos will be added to the list over on the left as they are booked.
Looks like I have a lot of sample work to get cracking on so off the craft room it is - at least I can get through the door now I've had a bit of a tidy up. I say tidy up and yes it is tidy but I daren't open a drawer or cupboard for fear of what will fall out!!
Tidy is one thing but getting rid off the stuff stashed away for the last three years is another!!

Wish me luck, I'm going in........

The Witching Hour......

Twit Twoo

It's The Craft Barn Witching Hour Theme this week over on the blog so I've gone for a card designed with two Lavinia Stamps

How fab is that owl!!

As usual all the how to details are on the blog along with the other DT designs

http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

Happy Halloween 

Helidots........

I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Helen Meighan, from Helidots, when I did the extravaganza at The Craft Barn. If you've not seen the range yet have a look and see what Helen does, it's a really clever idea using black peel offs.  I can hear you groaning at the thought of using peel offs, but this is more than adding a gold or silver greeting to a card it's all about picture building.
Now Helen has gone a stage further and brought out a matching range of rubber stamps and it's one of the stamp sets that I've chosen to use for my Craft Barn DT Design for this week.

                                            http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

It's a sweet little set and, as with all the DT projects, full instructions are available on the blog. So if you like it go take a look of how I made it.

Now for my latest news that I've been longing to tell you about. It's now official and I can finally say

I am now a Demonstrator for WOW !!

I was sooo thrilled to be asked and have even got my first demo booked in for 

29th November at The Crafty Bunch, Telford

Nowhere.....

To go......Q and L time again with the Craft Barn and we've got the words hugs and nowhere this time.
I got out the Kaisercraft stamps and the IndigoBlu Leafy Flourish for this one.
The quote comes from Metallica.......
"How can I be lost, if I've got nowhere to go" and it reminds me of being back at school when my teacher used to pull us up if we said "I've got nothing!" and she would say !if you've got nothing you must have something"
So now I've totally confused you all, here's my design :) x

Now last week I informed fb followers that I have now finished my term with IndigoBlu and I've only just remembered that I hadn't put it on here to inform the rest of you. Sorry about that xx
So what now you may be wondering????? Well there is a little secret I'm keeping but I've not finalised anything yet so you will have to wait just a little while but I can say that I'm very excited!!!

The other news I'm excited about is that I will be doing workshops and demo's at The Craft Range, Burnley starting on the 8th November with a Brusho workshop and I'm really looking forward to it.

More dates will be added shortly plus dates for 2015

It's Only Words......

Where would we be without our word and message stamps!! I for one just can't do without them. So for the latest theme for the Craft Barn we've been asked to use quote stamps from either Riley or Art Impressions and I've chosen one from Art Obsessions.
It was time to bring out the Jofy14 stamp set too and a bit of colour with Distress markers.

Once again, as usual, you can get all the details of how to make this from The Craft Barn Blog

http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

Blog Hop....

Well what d'ya know!! I've been nominated by my pal Hels Sheridan (she who must be obeyed) to take part in this here Blog Hop from her friend Lisette 
Take a look at Hels Blog It's jam packed full om the most amazing designs 
http://pinkleart.blogspot.co.uk

So here goes...

1. What are you working on at the moment?
I'm doing the last final touches to a Graphic45 Typography Album I've made for a workshop at The Crafty Bunch, Telford on the 25th October - sneaky peek -

Then I have my DT projects to do for Jones  Craft and The Craft Barn to complete. Plus I have some Brusho workshops and demos coming up so need to get more samples done  

2. How does your work differ from others in your genre?
Oooh I don't know that it does, there's a lot of talented people out there, other than I find my designs have to follow a co-ordinated theme. I struggle to do random ( ask Hels Sheridan!) I just don't get it!!
Also I can switch from card making to scrapbooking to mixed media etc I'm not limited to one style

3. Why do you create?
That's an easy one to answer. Because it makes me happy to produce a project and take it to other crafters and be able to demonstrate and teach them how to do the same.
 My work also is my hobby and it's what I do to relax.

4. How does your creative process work?
If I'm working with a paper collection I look at what's printed on the paper and it usually tells me!! I look at what can be cut out, as in borders to build up around a layout, or flowers to layer on a page.
If it's a stamp I think about placement and backgrounds (I love to do the masking technique) and colours. I love vintage and shabby chic 

That’s enough about me, now to the best part of this blog hop and that is to introduce you to a creative friend of mine:

PAULINE BUTCHER -
Such a talented lady, who I have known for a few years now. She is on the Design Team for several leading stamp companies such as Visible Image and Lavinia. Her designs always amaze me and you will enjoy visiting her blog - http://paulinescraftyhaven.blogspot.co.uk

So after all that chatting I better throw a bit of inspiration in

This is a Brusho Design I've done using acrylic cardstock and a die cut poppy

                                                   This one's done with the JOFY14 set of stamps

This is a design used in my IndigoBlu Christmas Designs workshop at Craftique

Well it's been fab chatting to you, hope you can drop by again

P xx

                                                  

Sketch Take Two....

It's reminder time on the IndigoBlu Blog so that means another design based on the sketch. I've gone with a masculine theme this time.
The stamps used are the Bare Forest, the Map and the clocks from the Good Times  set.
If you haven't entered the challenge yet why not have a go this month

 http://indigoblublogchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/10/challenge-20-sketch-reminder.html

Today's The Day.....

The Teddy Bears Have Their Picnic.....

I recently did a demo day at the Craft Range, Burnley for Jones Craft and one of the projects I started there was this lovely cupboard from Candy Box Crafts which I decorated with the Kaisercraft Teddy Bears Picnic Collection. It is just adorable and a must for any bear lovers, and I've made it like a cupboard you would store your teddies in.
Hope you like it x

A Faux Effect........

What a joy the Paper Crafters Crayons are to use!!
When we were asked to use them for our Craft Barn DT projects I have to honestly say that i thought I was going to be doing some colouring in. Well no such thing for me!!
They are wax in a fab twist up casing and I got my little crafting iron out for this one - I say crafting iron but it's actually a tiny weeny travel iron from good old M & S but I can't imagine it ever being able to iron clothes in under a week per item!! but for crafting it's just brilliant.
Anyway, back to this project, I got out some heat resistant acetate and set to work with the crayon and the iron. So you melt the wax onto the tip of the iron - please don't use a steam iron - then you swipe it across the acetate or swirl it around.
Keep repeating with as many colours as you want, I used the neutral set for this one, until the acetate is as you like it. So my faux finish looks like tortoise shell!! SO COOL!!
Next I turned it over and stamped my Kaisercraft Crackle stamp in Versamark and heat embossed in gold.
PLEASE REMEMBER - If you heat emboss down on your work surface, even on a heat resistant mat, the wax will start to melt and stick to the surface and it will remove for the acetate. SO HEAT IT IN MID AIR
I then stamped some wording in the gaps using StazOn Ink
Attach it to a card blank and add a big ribbon and bow. I do so love this effect.
As usual all the step by step instructions are on The Craft Barn Blog

http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

A Friend Is.....A Winner....

Q and L time again over at the Craft Barn and this time the words are Destiny and Gift so the quote of
                                            "A Friend Is A Gift You Give Yourself"
was the one I chose to work with. I've worked in my journal on this design. It's been ages since I did any work in it.
There will be the other DT designs over on the blog for you to check out too

I got out the Jofy14 set of stamps to use on this design. This border stamp is ideal to use on journal pages. I've used a multitude of Liquid Pearl colours for the starburst centres and the background is made with my new love .......  Brusho

Why not have a go and join in with the challenge over on the Craft Barn Blog

Okay now for the exciting bit...... THE 100 FOLLOWER GIVE AWAYS
So here goes....
Prize number 1 ... From Jones Craft - The Graphic45 By The Sea Paper Pads
JOYCE EGAR

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:59Powered by RANDOM.ORG


Prize number 2... From The Crafty Bunch - A selection of Wooden Products
PAM HEWETT

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:86Powered by RANDOM.ORG


Prize number 3... From The Craft Barn - Sizzix Die and Sizzix embossing folder
ELIZABETHR-THE CRAFTYROBIN


True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:82Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Prize number 4 .... From The Paper  Warehouse - A selection of premium pearlescent Cardstock and a die and stamp set, car stock and inks from Inspirations
JAYNE BEDFORD
True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:19Powered by RANDOM.ORG


Prize number 5.... A selection of crafting goodies from me
RACHEL FISHER

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:8Powered by RANDOM.ORG


Well done winners

Thank you all so very much for your never ending support and comments. Each one is valued and enjoyed

Charmed.....

For out DT project this week, over at The Craft Barn, we've been asked to make a charm or item of jewellery. I decided to use a Rue Romantique Bezel and I coloured some card with Distress Ink then stamped it with Kaisercraft stamps. I've sealed over it with Glossy Accents, or you could use Ice Resin. Fill it to its capacity so it domes slightly. I've also rubbed the edges with Treasure Gold in Onyxite, which is my new fave colour.
All the full details of how it's been made are over on the Craft Barn Blog as are the other DT projects for this week


http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/blog/

Now an update....
I have all my donated prizes in and I'm ready to draw the winners from Random.org. I say winners as I've decided to draw more than one !! YAY I CAN HEAR YOU ALL SAYING
The prizes are.....

Jones Craft - Graphic45 12x12 and 8x8 By The Sea Paper Pads
Crafty Bunch - A selection of Wooden items
The Craft Barn - Sizzix Die and Sizzix Embossing Folder
The Paper Warehouse - a selection of packs of Premium Pearlescent cardstock
Inspirations - A Die and Stamp Set, Cardstock and inks
And From Me - a selection of crafting goodies

So stand by .......... Pics and winners to follow shortly

Popping Up........

With a Wedding Anniversary box

This is another DT design for The Craft Barn and the theme is Wedding Anniversaries. Now it don't take much brain work to see that I've gone with Silver.
I do love these little pop ups as you can do soooo much with them.

This is the template I work by for this box but you can make them any size you wish

Pop over to the Craft Barn Blog for a PDF download and step by step instructions.