SPOOKY CRAFTER

Made it after all to Dawns today for the demo weekend.

Look who I saw. This spooky crafter did remind me of someone, but I wonder who?

She was very good at demonstrating Ranger products and had some fantastic cards etc on display. Her finger nails left a lot to be desired though as did the spiders dangling in her hair.

I wonder if Tim Holtz knows of her!!!

Wow! thank you so much Lindsay. I am really humbled that you even considered including me in your thoughts. Of course, Terry would say he deserves all the accolade he gets - which isn't usually much!! only joking. He too loves coming to your demonstrations and having a natter, if only to tell everyone how much I spend on craft. Such a darling!! Anyway, it's down to you, and your colleagues up and down the country, that I have this crafting passion and am finally making decent cards and ATCs occasionally. So another big thanks to you.
How difficult to pick 5 blogs that mean something special. I follow several and am amazed by the creations I see. However, after much deliberation I decided on these:
1. http://leoniepujol.blogspot.com/ Without Leonie, I would never have started my passion for ATCs, nor would I have made special friends, especially Sylvia, who mean so much to me.
2. http://thecraftgarden.co.uk/ A new shop on the web which used to be an ebay shop. Selling the gorgeous Prima flowers, this lovely lady offers free p&P on orders over £10. Why nominate this blog? Well I think everyone deserves a break and besides, I get most of my flowers there and her service is first class all round.
3. http://didosdesigns.blogspot.com/ A blog by a lady, Hazel, who at the moment needs a hug. Ever so talented, she finds the time to include her work on her blog whilst doing all those other things in her life.

4. http://alwaysaboutcolour.blogspot.com/ A blog by Chris who inspires me with her beautiful cards. I pop on regularly for a 'fix' !

5. http://lapeyreweb.blogspot.com/ This blog is my little comforter. Have a look and if you know me you will understand.
Even more difficult is choosing 5 things about me. Crickey! I'm not interesting but here goes:

1. When I was 11yrs old, I won the Blackpool Evening Gazette Young Seasiders Award. I made a felt toy which was a red indian chief on a rearing horse. Wish I still had it today.

2. In my early teens I represented Lancashire in a womans amateur athletic associations event. So I can say that I've run for my county.

3. I've driven a car at 110mph.

4. I've seen the Beetles perform live at the ABC theatre in Blackpool and owned their autographs, but they were stolen.

5. I am really good at learning foreign languages. I took French for 5yrs and can now say bonjour! I also studied latin for 2yrs and my last exam result was 11 out of 110!! That's good, isn't it??

INKY NOEL

I had a play with alcohol inks yesterday in order to make bases for a batch of ATCs.

I used stream, denim, stonewashed and silver which I dabbed all over the cards. I then stamped the tree and word using archival ink. The beads were white so I coloured those with the alcohol inks and stuck them to the bottom of the card with glossy accents. I managed to find enough oil on water effect snowflakes which again I stuck down with glossy accents covering the little hole in the middle with a seed bead. I then fastened the snowflake brad using my crop a dile.

As usual, I made a mess and had fun.

JUST RECEIVED

Our post has just arrived and so have my 'witchy' ATCs from Heathers swap.

They're fab.

MORE TV CRAFT PROGRAMMES

I've never really been a fan of Create and Craft. Nothing to do with anything in particular, it just never 'hit the spot' for me.

BUT now - watch out, 'cos our very own Leonie is joining their team from next month and will be presenting, getting her hands dirty and generally making some fantastic, exciting programmes. I can't wait.

Come on QVC, take this opportunity to up the game and get the 'umph' back into your craft shows which have become rather flat and monotonous. Us crafters need all we can get.