A Grand Day Out

I wish I lived closer to Harrogate - I just love the Art From the Heart Studio with the wonderful Dyan and her eclectic style - I would love to be able to attend more classes there but I can't as it's just too far to go more than a couple of times a year. Well yesterday was one of those visits as Dyan was having a workshop taster day and I had signed up to a couple of worshops. First one was with Sandra Hall, unfortunately all I got was a picture of her back - sorry Sandra. We made an ATC Holder and a matching ATC (pictures to follow later as it is getting late) but needless to say I got very inky/painty hands and we got to play with Dyan's new stamps and stencils.

 

Here's a picutre of the wonderful Dyan with her singing Deer's head, she couldn't wait to get home to put it up in her 50's lounge.

 

On to the second workshop with the lovely Kaz Hall and we made a hanging tag with 3 stamped hanging attachements (I still have to attach my hangers so I will post it when finished)- again we used the New Dylusion Sprays (note to self - must put on my birthday wish list)and Dyans new stamps. We were in great company as the super Katie Crane was also in the workshop.

 

Here's a picture of Kaz helping the two ladies seated opposite me (I'm sorry I'm rubbish at remembering names) Kaz also unveil a hidden talent in keeping a malteaser in the air by blowing and then catching and eating it. I was very impressed in fact I was so impressed I forgot to take a photo!!!

 

Finally a photo of Katie and her piece unfortunately she had attached one of the hangers back to front - it just goes to show it can happen to the best of us. We had a great laugh and the conversation was hilarious. I had a very enjoyable day at AFTH and met some lovely ladies now I just have to decide which workshop to go on later in the year

 

Treat for Tomorrow

I have taken Thursday and Friday off work and have been so looking forward to this long weekend. I have a treat in store for tomorrow I'm off to Harrogate - not to the Great Paper Show that is on this weekend but to Art From The Heart Studio for the Workshop Taster Open Day that Dyan is running. I have booked two of the workshop tasters for the afternoon which I'm so looking forward to, it is always so inspirational and it makes my brain go into overdrive and I drive Barry insane on the journey home by babbling on and on and on about the afternoon. LOL Will post again later this weekend to let you know what we got up to.

The bad news is I have a hospital appointment (an old gyni problem has flared up) in the morning before we can set off - I was really shocked when the hospital rang yesterday and said they want to see me and could I come in at 9.30am on Saturday morning - I didn't even think they had consultations over the weekend! Wish me luck I've got my fingers crossed and hope everything is ok.

Distress Butterflies

I had a bit of an inky afternoon yesterday and played with my distress inks and a few ideas I had. A couple of weeks ago I spent a great morning at Inspirations in Preston where the wonderful Hels Sheridan was demonstrating her fantastic distress techniques - check out her amazing blog here. Hels is also running a couple of classes at Dawn Bibby Studio in Oswaldtwistle on Sat and Sunday 24 & 25th March and I'm going to the Sunday Class and I'm so excited - I can't wait.

I really enjoyed making this card. I used TH Distress inks in Barn Door, Wild Honey, Marigold and Black Soot. I cut several Movers & Shakers butterfly die and TH Butterfly Stamps. The expression rubber stamp is one I have had so long I can't remember where it came from!

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:-

The Stamp Man - Vintage
Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes
Totally Papercraft 107 - My Favourite Things
Bunny Zoe Challenge - Shabby Chic
Simon Says Stamp & Go - Anything Goes
CAS-ual Fridays - Sentiment as Focal Point

 

 

Zentangle ATC

Thought I'd show what I have been playing with just recently - I have been trying my hand at Zentangling - is that a word!!! I have had a great time just doodling away it is sooo relaxing the time just flies past. I've got a lot to learn yet but I will just keep practising until I can draw a neat line or a round circle.

 

 

 

 

Oophs I forgot to post this last week

Yes it's was show time on last Friday I took myself off the the Creative Craft Show that was on at Event City at Trafford Centre Manchester last week. The weather was really kind to us - there was none of the horrible black ice that had caught so many people out on Thursday and fortunately the snow bypassed the North West. Barry dropped me off and I had a wonderful day. It was not just papercrafting there was beading, knitting, cross-stitch, quilting and machine embroidery - there was so many things to look at and every stand appeared to have some sort of demonstration taking place.

I had a fabulous day and managed to buy a couple of new stamps and a couple of new dies all of which were Christmas related and I will be playing with over the next couple of weeks.

Here are a couple of Valentine Tags I was playing with just before Valentines Day

 

I would like to enter this in the following challenge:-
One Stop Craft Challenge - Create your own Background
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Distressing
Southern Girls Challenge - So Distressing
Totally Paper Crafts - Ribbons

 

I also made a Little Valentine ATC.

 

Have a great week

Have a Heart !!!

I have a couple of Valentine cards to show you today. I really enjoyed making these it is absolutely ages since I have done any iris folding and what I love is it is always a surprise when you finally reveal your finished design. I cut the heart using my trusty Big Shot and used a selection of pink/red papers to fill the shape. I then mounted on mirror board and onto kraft card - a very enjoyable and productive couple of hours spent in my craft room

 

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:-
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Romance is in the Air
Fussy and Friday - with all my heart
The Kraft Journal - La-La-Luv You Challenge
My Craft Spot - 43 Valentine's Day

 

 

Craft Stamper Free Heart Stamp

Well Here we are in February and I have not blogged since my blue phase! - I realise I was in a bit of a down mood. But it has passed, my mojo has reappeared and I have managed to get down and inky with the free stamp from last month's Craft Stamper to produce a little wall hanging based on the design by Sarah Lawrence in the magazine.

 

 

I would like to enter it in the following challenges

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge - #38 Hearts, Valentines and/or Lace
Everybody-Art-Challenge - No 179 Love