A SUNDAY HUG

That's what I've just had from the ever lovely, jovial Leonie Pujol.
Leonie is demonstrating today at Inspirations in Preston, so I just had to pop along to see her work her magic as I missed her the last time she was here.

Fantasy fibres, magic plastic, stamps, moulds, Leonie was 'playing' with it all.

I've never used the plastic but was amazed by the little embellishments she was making. The fibres and plastic used with a cookie cutter were the best. Leonie made some tiny flowers and they looked like they had beads stuck to them. The result was spectacular.

Were we all in stitches at some of her stories of craft that 'went wrong' and she is still the lovely bubbly person she has always been. I believe she will be 'up north' again soon, ie next month I think, so hopefully, I shall see her again then.
What a lovely day.

INSPIRED BY GENIOUS

I mentioned yesterday, that I had made a tag inspired by Hels, it's this one.

I wanted a kick start to make something really nice and the tag that Hels had made did just that.
She was using new papers and stamps which obviously weren't tucked away in my work room, but it gave me the opportunity to use some lovely bits I already have - that's the name of the game anyway isn't it?
I covered a tag with paper from Tim's shabby vintage stash, gave it a watered down coat of traditional tan Studio paint and dried it. I smooshed some distress stains onto my craft sheet, sprayed them with water and pressed the tag into them. What an amazing effect this is. I even made another tag with the left over ink and that is just as lovely. I then used the sequin waste and dotty stamps from the Artistic Stamper, plus sable brown Stazon ink, to stamp over the top which I quickly wiped over with a baby wipe - after I had spent 20mins looking for the wipes - so much for the big clean up in January!!

How can you lose such a big box? It was actually staring me in the face in the cupboard above my head!
I then used black Archival to stamp Tim's swirl and the long words from his Stuff to Say stamps on the tag and then made a little matt with the saying on to sit over the top. I scribbled zig zags all around the tag and set it to one side whilst I made all the other bits.
Using Tim's flower ribbon and distress stains, I made the bit for the bottom of the tag and then ran the stains over 2 pieces of straight ribbon for the top. I then cut out about 7 flowers from Tim's tattered florals spikey flowers using his shabby vintage paper again, spritzed them with heirloom gold and edged them with walnut stain DI. The first flower is from my stash and is black card stamped with the sequin waste stamp. I rolled and bent the petals and held them together with a long fastener through one of Leonie's little wooden flowers.

Out came the box with my silicone glue to stick the flower down and all the bead pins etc. I fiddled with a couple of beads and made the 2 dangly ones at the top which are fastened on with one of Tim's mini safety pins.

I really enjoyed making this tag because I learnt some new techniques and the final result is lovely. I'm not taking credit for it because that belongs to Hels for sharing how she made her tag in the first place.
Got another to have a go at today so see you later - if I can concentrate on it instead of trying to work out the answers to Lindsay's quiz!!!!!!

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

I've tried to be 'clever' and made an ATC with a different approach. It hasn't worked! but, it's not bad for a first - and possibly last - attempt. I am in complete awe at the incredible pieces of art I see over on Laura Carson's blog - Artfully Musing.  She is one of the most clever crafters I have ever come across. Her gorgeous ATCs are up for grabs every month and I was lucky to win one in January. She puts so much quirkiness into each one that you just cannot help but be 'gob smacked'.

Anyway, I would never pretend to be able to make cards like hers but she does inspire so I tried to have a go at making an ATC that looked different. Not sure you will agree I got this one right, but as usual, I had fun.

I want to put more detail down the side but as I haven't got a clue what to do, I've left it alone.
The golden arch is a peel off stuck to thick acetate and cut around the edges. I used a tape roller to stick it down as the glue is almost invisible. A few black sticky gems finished it off.
The background is cut from a 12"x12" K&Co paper.
The lady image is one that Laura had previously posted as part of her generous free downloads. I simply cut her out and added a bow from my stash. The metal corner is another little treasure from my stash.

The flowers are from a local trade store and were cream until I coloured them with a gold dabber and a red Copic pen. The leaves are punched from gold embossed card with a Martha Stewart frond punch. The beads are simply threaded onto coloured wire and the little metal flower is one from Leonie Pujol's ATC pack, again coloured with a gold dabber.

Nothing like I would have wanted, but it's ok - I suppose.

BACK ON TRACK AFTER LEONIE HUGS

I not only got a big hug 'hello', but another big hug 'cherio'.
The lovely Leonie - now with a sexy deep voice!! - was up to her elbows in distress inks, cuttlebug embossing folders and Spellbinders die frames.
These were some of her examples.

Some are made with grungepaper and some with card, all were gorgeous. The ladies around her demo table were well impressed as was I.

Oh! there's me stood in front with the blue coat on. You can see how big Inspirations is from this photo. Here's another.

And another.

And last one.

Leonie looked the happiest I've seen her and talking to her, she is.
Well, I've  no excuse now so will get cracking with some crafting.

I NEED SOME CRAFT MOJO

I just can't get going at all. I've tried reading some magazines, even went to a couple of craft stores yesterday - big mistake 'cos that cost another £19!!!! - had a look through some photos of cards I've made - this one was for an ATC swap buddy -

and I've tried to make my 3 ATCs for Heather's swap this month - even frightened myself with this one!! -

So, as a last resort, I'm off to see ickle Leonie, who is demoing at Inspirations today. That should do the trick.

A FABULOUS DAY

It could have rained all day because I didn't care or notice. I met my lovely pal, Sonia, at the train station and we scurried along to Inspirations - the new Cardcraft Plus store - to see our Leonie.

The car park is massive, but we couldn't find a space, so DH dropped us at the door and we fought (not literally) our way through the crowds to where Leonie was sat. I think I choked up a bit because it's ages since I've seen her.

She was demoing distress inks and alcohol inks and every single example was a masterpiece. Both Sonia and I picked up some new techniques and I hope to make some ATCs and/or cards using them in the next day or two.

When Leonie finally saw me she jumped up and gave me a big hug - I deffinately choked up then. She looks really well and is all smiles and her usual bubbly self. Her new job is a big success and everything is on the up. Wait while she tells everyone on her blog about her new digs!!!!!!

I managed to persuade her to make me an ATC and I swapped 'Friend of One-Eyed Peg' with her. All in all a fabulous day.

MORE STASH

I was bad again yesterday.

I am lucky enough to live close to Cardcraft Plus in Preston. They are printers for several well-known craft companies such as:

Kanban

Hunkydory

Towards the back of their shop is a large pigeon hole rack which is 'stuffed' full of seconds or trial pieces of card and paperstock. An A4 box (depth 4cm) full of your choice is a mere £4.99!!!!!!

Just look at my choice this time. Coloured mirri card, shiny 320gsm card, glitter card, foiled card, Hunkydory toppers, foiled paper inserts, foiled aperture card, etc. etc..

Some of this card was on Create and Craft today presented by Leonie. The card samples were amazing.

All I have to do now is try and find somewhere to store it!!!!

AUTUMN CLEAN

Time for a clean up in my workroom as the dust has gone grey and fluffy!!

I thought I would hang my Martha Stewart punches from beneath my shelves. They are out of the way but still accessible plus, being next to the wall allows the light to shine through the slats on the shelves so I can see what I am doing during the long dark days of winter. Look good eh?

Once I had made space and done all the polishing (yak, I hate housework), I made another 'witchy' ATC for Heathers swap. That's it though now. I've posted all 4 this afternoon. Roll on the next swap. I used to participate in Leonie's Fab Friday challenges, but since she started uni. she has been so busy that she can't manage them now. I love this sort of thing because it makes you think and allows you to learn so much when the professionals run these swaps.

My next task is to use up all the prepared Xmas toppers I've made and then to have a really good clear out of craft booty and get it on Ebay. Oh! does that mean more cleaning? Think I'll just let it accumulate a bit more.

CRAFTY ATC

I was looking for some inspiration yesterday and came across Tim Holts' 12 tags of Xmas 2007. Another set of fantastic techniques made into exquisite tags. Anyway, I decided to make an ATC based on one of these tags but with a crafty theme. Who better to front this theme than our very own Leonie.

Without her I would not have enjoyed the ATC experience, nor would I have made such lovely friends.

What do you think Leonie?

BEAUTIFUL QUILT

Just have a look at this.

My ATC friend, Sylvia, who I met through Leonie's club, is not only a very talented paper crafter, but she can turn her hand to almost anything, including HAND SEWN PATCHWORK QUILTS.

Isn't this just gorgeous? She is now in the process of piecing another quilt which she is entering in a competition. I'd give her 1st prize ever time.

SUNBATHING

Not had chance to blog lately because the sun came out!!!

Being a rare sight I just had to make the most of it and now have a lovely tan, (got a lot of white bits still though!) I tried to compute outside and despite being in the shade, couldn't see the screen so I gave up.

I've managed to complete my stack of cards for the troops and have made 51 A6 to go abroad and 38 to sell for funds towards our returning injured lads. I'll take them to Dawn's next weekend when I go to Lindsay's workshop.

Having read Leonie's blog about her piece in the Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine, I bought it. However, it led to a bit of a spend becaue I fell in love with Sugar Nellie stamps. Made by Funkykits they are gorgeous. Must have more!! I bought 2, Fragile Beauty and Country Garden and spent some time yesterday simply colouring in the images. I'll pop on a photo of a card I made later in the summer because it's for my lovely step daughter and she will see it before she should if I show it now.

We have had the most amazing time for over 12months now, feeding birds in the garden. The number of different species visiting us is unbelievable. There are 2 pairs of blackbirds coming, both of which appear to be on their 2nd batch of young. Mrs Blackie was also inspired by the sunshine to do a bit of bathing in it!!

DAWN'S DEMO WEEKEND

Here are some pictures of some of the unbelievable cards Dawn was making yesterday plus one of Lindsay and another of Leonie.

My head is spinning with all the things I saw and unfortunately, now want. Been out this morning to buy a packet of straws. I guess I shall be blowing ink all over the place later. Also managed to book Lyndsay's workshop on 14 June. Can't wait for that. And, my melting pot may get it's first use following Dawn's demo, in which she made it look easy and not so daunting - she says!!

Can anyone tell me how to upload photos inbetween paragraphs or at the end of a blog? I only seem to be able to make them appear at the top.