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Hello all, it's a dreary day here at the moment, but I had a really good trip to Darlington over the weekend and, apart from a little rain, it was the perfect weather for wandering around the town on Friday afternoon. I am usually sat down designing, demonstrating, travelling.....so when the chance arises I like to really stretch my legs and I'll walk for hours. My legs could do with stretching that's for sure!
So I travelled up to Darlington on Friday and, having had a discount voucher from the rail company, I had been able to get a first class return ticket for less than the normal "cattle class" price. So, nice and quiet, a couple of complementary coffees and more leg room....I could get used to it! It was really sunny when I arrived there and I dragged my bags to the hotel - uphill most of the way, but not that far. I was staying at the Bannatyne (owned by the dragonmeister, Duncan, himself) which is a lovely hotel with exceptionally friendly and helpful staff.
My room wasn't quite ready so I left my bags and set off for an afternoon of walking and shopping....and searching for teeny things for the Shadow Box workshop this coming Saturday. I called in lots of charity shops without much success on the nick nacks front, though I did find a very inexpensive Blue Ray Disc for David to add to his collection. I managed to get a few things though - some coloured pebbles with words etched onto them, a stone heart and some nice marbles that put me in mind of fortune teller's crystal balls. I called into the market and discovered a cake decorating stall where I managed to get some really dinky crowns as well as a bag full of hearts, horseshoes, ballet dancers etc. So, not too bad really.
A visit to Past Times forced me into another purchase, which, if you know about Cherry, our greatly missed white pussycat, you will understand. It was the dinkiest necklace with a teeny crystal cat and, the fact that it was in the sale was the deciding factor! I've taken it off the chain and am going to have it attached to my charm bracelet....been looking for a little Cherry charm so I'm really delighted with it.
I spent about five hours wandering about so, once the feet started to complain, I went back to the hotel. I've stayed there before (not expensive if you book online) and last time I left some good comments for them on a travel review site...the manager contacted me and asked me to book through him next time I was planning on staying, which I did. Imagine my delight when I went to my room and found that he had upgraded me to a huuuge suite! It made for a really comfortable evening, though it was just a shame that David wasn't with me to enjoy it too! There was a large fruit bowl, magazines, chocolates and drinks to welcome me, a lovely snuggly bathrobe (no, I didn't pinch it!) and the comfiest sofas I've ever sat on. Just shows that it pays to say something nice when you get good service. As promised to the ladies at Darlington on Saturday - here's a piccie of just one part of the room!
I had a great night's sleep and then, after breakfast, walked round to The Art Shop on Bondgate. If you don't know this store, it is excellent - really helpful staff (must be a Darlington thing!) and Ian and his team always look after me. The first arrival to my table was Beverley, who had emailed me previously to ask about my Fairy Doors which I brought for her to have closer look at. Beverley generously brought me some Maltesers, and, even more generously, a gorgeous canvas that she had made....you can see it resting against the choccies. Isn't it lovely? Thank you so much Beverley, I shall treasure it. I've also included a card and tag in the photo which Sheila kindly sent me a couple of weeks ago and the card on the right which was from Joanne just before Stitches. All of these were complete surprises which made them even more special...thank you ladies. Btw, I brought the Maltesers home, unopened, to share with David, as they are one of his favourites......needless to say, the box you can see there is empty! So David says thank you as well Beverley! 
There was a lovely surprise of a different kind too, when I looked up and saw Joanne and Terry (PegLeg) standing there.....a big surprise as they had been down in Newport Pagnall where Joanne had been attending the Tim Holtz workshops and, instead of going straight home they had come up to Darlington to see me. I was only sorry that I couldn't spend more time with them, but it was lovely to see them both.
I had a great night's sleep and then, after breakfast, walked round to The Art Shop on Bondgate. If you don't know this store, it is excellent - really helpful staff (must be a Darlington thing!) and Ian and his team always look after me. The first arrival to my table was Beverley, who had emailed me previously to ask about my Fairy Doors which I brought for her to have closer look at. Beverley generously brought me some Maltesers, and, even more generously, a gorgeous canvas that she had made....you can see it resting against the choccies. Isn't it lovely? Thank you so much Beverley, I shall treasure it. I've also included a card and tag in the photo which Sheila kindly sent me a couple of weeks ago and the card on the right which was from Joanne just before Stitches. All of these were complete surprises which made them even more special...thank you ladies. Btw, I brought the Maltesers home, unopened, to share with David, as they are one of his favourites......needless to say, the box you can see there is empty! So David says thank you as well Beverley! There was a lovely surprise of a different kind too, when I looked up and saw Joanne and Terry (PegLeg) standing there.....a big surprise as they had been down in Newport Pagnall where Joanne had been attending the Tim Holtz workshops and, instead of going straight home they had come up to Darlington to see me. I was only sorry that I couldn't spend more time with them, but it was lovely to see them both.I had made two more Shadow boxes for my demonstration - here's a picture of the smaller one which I used the TH Vintage Shabby papers and Symphony Tissue Tape to cover. I didn't put quite so many things into this one and I included the acetate sheet at the front, but I quite liked the slightly less crammed look for this smaller sized box. This size would also make a great gift - a new baby box could include a little bootee, dummy, wrist band etc, or an anniversary box could have the hearts, anything made from the relevent year's material (silver, pearl, gold etc), numbers etc. They are a very gratifying project to make. I left this box at The Art Shop, so, if you missed my demonstration, do have a look if you pop into the shop. I have another box, but will save that picture till after this Saturday's workshop. 
Here's a picture of what turned out to be the most popular card that I made on Saturday. I used Adirondack Colourwash Dyes sprayed over PI 300 gsm card and spritzed with water. I then applied a second piece of card over the wet dye and heat set them both to get two different backgrounds for the price of one as it were! I chose this one for the card, as the depth of colour and the way they had spread was just what I wanted. I stamped the trees from Darkroom Door set DDRS018 Trees, using Archival black ink. I used a Le Plume black pen to add a simple base to "root" the trees to, fading it out a bit at the base so it looks a little as if the trees are on a river bank (use your imagination a bit!). I painted water in a circle to create the moon, dabbing off the excess water which lightens the colours. I trimmed the card and matted it onto black. I liked the way that some white areas of the card just add to the watercoloury effect. I stamped the bird from set DDRS057 Love Birds partly over the moon. The sentiment is from the Trees set and was stamped onto gloss card, torn round and edged with a touch of Tumbled Glass Distress ink.
I took a large card blank (8"x8") and lightly spritzed with Colourwash dyes and water. The card looks a smidge warped because I would normally either iron it after dyeing, or flatten it under something heavy. As I made this on the day, I didn't get chance to do either, so please forgive the bending! As you can see, I have somehow managed to let some purple and blue creep back in! Must make one of these using some orangey tones for a sunrise/sunset look! I left this card in Darlington too, so do check it out if you are there.
Here's a picture of what turned out to be the most popular card that I made on Saturday. I used Adirondack Colourwash Dyes sprayed over PI 300 gsm card and spritzed with water. I then applied a second piece of card over the wet dye and heat set them both to get two different backgrounds for the price of one as it were! I chose this one for the card, as the depth of colour and the way they had spread was just what I wanted. I stamped the trees from Darkroom Door set DDRS018 Trees, using Archival black ink. I used a Le Plume black pen to add a simple base to "root" the trees to, fading it out a bit at the base so it looks a little as if the trees are on a river bank (use your imagination a bit!). I painted water in a circle to create the moon, dabbing off the excess water which lightens the colours. I trimmed the card and matted it onto black. I liked the way that some white areas of the card just add to the watercoloury effect. I stamped the bird from set DDRS057 Love Birds partly over the moon. The sentiment is from the Trees set and was stamped onto gloss card, torn round and edged with a touch of Tumbled Glass Distress ink. I took a large card blank (8"x8") and lightly spritzed with Colourwash dyes and water. The card looks a smidge warped because I would normally either iron it after dyeing, or flatten it under something heavy. As I made this on the day, I didn't get chance to do either, so please forgive the bending! As you can see, I have somehow managed to let some purple and blue creep back in! Must make one of these using some orangey tones for a sunrise/sunset look! I left this card in Darlington too, so do check it out if you are there.I'll finish with a few more images of some of my new stamp sets. The first two are Easter themed, one cute and one traditional. This first set is one of only a few outright cute sets that I've designed for the Spring release. I'll post pictures of cards made using the Easter designs after the weekend. I made a new baby card at the show for my friend Elaine using the Cute Easter set. Elaine had just become a great auntie, so, with no baby stamps to hand, I used the large chick and the cracked egg (cut into two pieces) and added the words "newly hatched"!
So, details of these are....Easter Cute PICSA6209 and Easter Tradititional PICSA6210. Both of these should be available next week from any PI stockist as the Easter and Mother's Day designs are being released first. 
The next set is called "Sending Words of Love" PICSA6200 and is one of several verse sets that I have designed. This one should be available in about three weeks or so, as will the remainder of my new clear stamp sets. 
The verses are ideal for card inserts, but equally suitable for making a focal point on a card front.
So, details of these are....Easter Cute PICSA6209 and Easter Tradititional PICSA6210. Both of these should be available next week from any PI stockist as the Easter and Mother's Day designs are being released first. The next set is called "Sending Words of Love" PICSA6200 and is one of several verse sets that I have designed. This one should be available in about three weeks or so, as will the remainder of my new clear stamp sets. The verses are ideal for card inserts, but equally suitable for making a focal point on a card front.Well, another long post! I'm working at home for the rest of this week, making some workshop samples and also starting work on a new collection of stamp designs. If you would like to come along to any of the workshops at Dawn's this weekend there may be one place left on the Easter cards class on Saturday morning and there are a few places left on the Shadow Box afternoon class on Saturday, as well as the Guardian Angel mixed media picture and Mermaid Art Doll classes on Sunday. Contact Topaz directly if you'd like to join in the fun! Okay folks, that's all for now! Lindsay
Not stamps obviously, but I wanted to share this picture of one of the displays from the PI stand....look at all those lovely Petaloo flowers! Looking forward to using some of these. 
Next is a card which I made using a background stamps from my new set, below, which is called Rose Galore (PICSA6202).
I repeated the background stamp several times around the card using a Sepia Archival ink pad and then smudged over it with Tumbled Glass Distress ink. The message is stamped using my new Sending Words of Love set, which has three verses in it. They can be used inside cards of course, but I do like to use verses on the front as well. I alcohol inked the Petaloo flowers and simply added them at the base of the panel. 
The next set is called Tattered Butterflies (PICSA6213) and comprises four various flutterbies and three text images. This is quite a delicate set but not too tricky for cutting out the images.
I'd suggest stamping one image directly onto a card and then cutting off the antennae from a second butterfly to overlay the first one. This is what I did here, though I must apologise for the terrible colours here! The actual card is in delicate mauves and pinks but, for some reason, my camera has taken to intensifying purples into blue instead. Even some altering of the colour hues didn't help, but hope this gives you an idea of the way I used the stamps anyway. 
Next are three sets that are designed to work either alone or in tandem. These seemed to be the most popular of my new sets so hope you like them. I wanted to do some more quirky designs this year, and images that you might like to use on journal pages too. The first set is called I Dreamed of Castles (PICSA6206) and is designed so that you can build up a small or large castle in any combination you fancy. It looks good stamped over book pages, as per my sample, but works equally well for a glittery, princess card. If you leave tabs at either side of the main castle you can bend these under and attach the image to the card with them, enabling you to curve the image. 
Next is a set called Hoist the Flags (PICSA6207) with some matching buildings, quirky characters and bunting - I've used this set on the card below as well as using the buildings on the card further down.
For this card I stamped onto Gloss card, coloured in using Le Plume pens for a really vivid look. I decoupaged some of the bunting, the kite and balloons.
The third set in this series is called Keep on Smiling (PICSA6208) with a larger character, various trees and the gothic style arched door. 
I used the trees on the following card, mounting all the images over a Distress inked background. Notice the text on the castle from the book pages which I adhered to plain card first to give strength. The castle was coloured by lightly scribbling Le Plume pens across the book paper. I cut out the extra towers and curved each around a pen before adding them using 3D foam for dimension. 
These are just a few of my new designs, but if you'd like to see more, please go to 
Well, I have been making a couple of Shadow Boxes today, which I'll photograph and show you after the weekend as they are packed away for my demonstration at The Art Shop in Darlington on Saturday. I'm travelling up there tomorrow and will be scouring some of the Darlington charity shops for some extra bits and pieces for next weekend's Shadow Box workshop. Fingers crossed that I find a few unusual little nick nacks!
Each tier was put together seperately, with the cards being stuck together round decreasingly smaller circular bases and more ATC's stuck flat around the top. I could then place each tier inside a larger one for easy transportation. A few people at the show were sure it would come cascading down as they thought I had simply stacked it like a house of cards! So, thank you again to my lovely friends for all your help - your efforts helped to make a really eyecatching display that brought many "ooohs" and "aaahs" from both customers and exhibitors. 
I was also busy making other samples (photos to follow in a few days) for the show and one was this configurations box which Dawn asked me to make for the Tim Holtz hours on QVC this week...we thought it would be nice to have a more girlie version! I had such fun making this, though it did take just about all day, rooting about for little treasures to include. If you fancy having a go at making one of these (though it won't be the same of course, as every one is different) then check out my dates at the left where you'll find details of my "Shadow Box" workshop. 
Next is a closer picture of the three canvasses which I made on the Ranger/Personal Impressions workshop on Saturday. It was so lovely to be sat down making something for a change instead of being the one doing the teaching! We made the centre canvas first with Tim, using his new Distress Stains (coming soon and they are just brilliant) as well as various dies, grungeboard and Ideaology items. The stains were just great for using over the wings which had been painted with Rock Candy crackle paint...the ink just sank into the cracks beautifully. The left hand canvas was designed by Dyan Reavely who had printed out the main design onto sticky backed canvas. We painted the edges of the box canvas with the new inproved paint dabbers....so much easier to use now, with softer bottles and an improved cap. On the right is the third canvas we made, again with Tim, who had designed this one in Claudine Helmuth's style using her paints and new stamps. They look great don't they? I'll try to bring at least one with me to my demonstrations! 
Here's me and Tim after the class...the annual picture! 
Next is a shot of the side of the Ranger demonstration area on the PI stand. You can just see the gorgeous rose ribbons that have been stained to match the mannequin dies (canvas) and tags using Distress Stains. And on the counter you can just see the printer's tray which was just crammed with all sorts of new Idealogy pieces. Tim was demonstrating his latest products all day on Sunday - not that I got much chance to see what he was up to as I was too busy! 
Here is the view of the side and back of my demonstration booth, with new stamp designs on the wall as well as two giant Gorjuss girls! More on them later! Sunday was the first day of the show itself, and I was demonstrating until about 2.30pm, when Dyan took over my area to demonstrate her new Dylusions stamps and Andy Skinner and myself went off to do the first of our workshops together. It was great to be teaching the class together, especially as we try to cram a lot into a 45 minute class...not very long by the time all the introductions have been made. There is a very fast turnaround of workshops at the show, so there is only fifteen minutes to clear up and let the next person come in to set up before the next class starts....whew! I'll post pictures of the project we did, but you can check them out in Andy's blog (look at my blog list at the left). Andy is extremely talented and his new stamp designs will be a must have for those of you who love to create collaged or grungy styles.
Here's a closer look at the new designs from myself, Andy Skinner, Paula Pascual, Marion Emberson and Sue Dix to name a few. As you can see, I have designed six new sets of fairy silhouettes, along with other new designs which I will post larger pictures of as soon as I can.
Here's the front of my booth...posh eh?! I have a tall bar stool to perch on whilst demonstrating and I could have done with some step ladders to get up there I think....let's just say it probably wasn't the most elegant sight! 
Also demonstrating on the PI stand was my buddy Rachel Greig who is the owner of, and talent behind, Darkroom Door. You'll know from previous posts that I'm a huge fan of Rachel's designs and, as well as being super talented, she's also one of the loveliest, smiliest people I know. Such a shame that we only get to see Rachel once a year!
Of course, Sunday night was the annual PI trip to the Wing Wah Chinese restaurant which has become a real highlight of the show week. We always have a lot of fun and it's a chance to relax after a busy couple of days before the next two begin. Here's Rachel, Richard, who works on the stamps and website (amongst other things) and is one of the loveliest men that I know, next is my mate Jan who is the area manager for Scotland, next is Elaine who seems to organise just about everything at PI! She's a lovely, lovely lady and became a great auntie while we were at the show! On the right is Monica who represents the north of England for PI and she keeps me busy with lots of demonstrations! 
Who'se this? Tim and Rachel taking photos of themselves between bouts of hysterical laughter at the expressions they were pulling! 
Andy made reference to Tim doing a "magic trick" that evening, so here is a snap of Jan having the "fluence" put on her! Rachel and myself have experienced this in previous years, and I can't explain what Tim actually does, but Jan nearly jumped out of her skin at the sensation which shot through her hand!
So, it was time to go back to the hotel for an early-ish night before the long day ahead of demonstrating and teaching on Monday. We also said cheerio for another year to Tim, Mario and Alain as they set off down to London for Tim's midnight TSV launch. Elaine had been saying throughout the show that I was the image of the Gorguss Girl characters......mmmmmm, long hair yes, but that's the only resemblance I can see! It became a running gag though, and a few customers that I know came up to me saying "Oh you are so like the Gorjuss Girl!"....of course, they had been primed by Elaine! Well, what do you reckon? Gosh...we could be twins! Lol! 
And look who came along to say hello to us all from the Sizzix stand.... .....the lovely Paula. (Note to self....try not to stand next to Paula on photos....she's far too pretty!). This picture was taken on the final day, Tuesday, when I was demonstrating for the whole day.
Rachel taught a class in the morning and took over Tim's booth in the afternoon making beautiful cards with her stamps and phot images. David arrived in the afternoon and, amazingly, managed to park quite near the loading area.....very often there is such a snarl up of traffic at the NEC so this was quite something and, after the hard work at the show it was great to be close by. All too soon it was time to pull down the stand and pack away. Isn't it odd that it takes days and hours to set up but hardly any time to tear it all down! It's always sad to see the beautiful displays being pulled down and packed away. So, I'll finish with a picture of the whole team looking far less tired than we all felt! We are missing Jayne though, as she went down to QVC with the Ranger team. From the left, Jan, Ray, Monica, yours truly, Malcolm, Kathy, Billy, Elaine, Leanne, Richard, Steve and John. Not long after David took this photo we all said our goodbyes and were homeward bound. 
You can see why I enjoy the show so much, catching up with friends from home and abroad, meeting customers, using new products and having great fun. It does leave one cream crackered though!!! 
Here are a few pics from today, but I'll skim through what they are or my time will run out! Here's a view of part of my demo stand...in the background you can see some of the new stamp designs and there are some of my cards at the side. 
Here is the view of the PI stand as it looks for most of the day before the show starts....doesn't look like it will ever come together, but it always does!
Here is a pic of Elaine, Amy, Dyan, Dot and myself at the end of our Ranger workshop. We made three canvasses in three hours! 
Next is a shot at the other end of my demo area which shows a view of the display which I had so much help from Chris,Elaine, Gez, Joanne, Kathy & Sheila in making. Thank you ladies & I will post more piccies tomorrow. Everyone was really impressed though so be pleased with your efforts!
Right, better post this as it expires in five mins!!! So check back tomorrow for more pics! Lindsay
Well, I am signing off for now and will be back tomorrow night....hotel wifi connection allowing! have a great weekend everyone. Lindsay 
Also, look who popped by just to see if she could help! This is Speckle who is one of Fred's offspring - Fred is our most long standing visitor and my favourite. I think Speckle thought I was in dire need of her assistance given that she actually came in through the window and perched there, checking all my work! 
Well, this is just a quick post as the evening is wearing on now and it's time to relax for a bit. Just a reminder that after Stitches is over I shall be back on the road, or rail, and travelling up to Darlington for my day at The Art Shop on Saturday 26th. So, hope to see some of you there again for another day of creative ideas.
....mmmm, they don't look too enthusiastic today. I think they are just deciding what to do.....
......I don't know about you, but I think lots of packages look far more interesting before they are opened. However, this was a much anticipated one and look what was inside....new stamp sets, new packaging and, not really very exciting this one, a new batch of my promotional cards. The stamps are some of mine and some by Andy Skinner, who I am teaching workshops at Stitches with this year, and whose designs I know you will just love. Not all of the stamps will be in rubber, these are just samples for me to work with. The stamp set at the front isn't a new one, it was sent to show me the new packaging for my designs which is in one of my favourite colour combinations of aqua and caramel. So, you'll be able to spot them easily enough!
All I have to do now is make oodles of samples from them! Talking of boxes, I had been saving two rather snappy ones that contained Christmas gifts. I tried my pens in one, but they were too long, I tried Grungeboard in one, but there was too much for the lid to close, I tried flowers, but they kept spilling out.....etc etc. The boxes are really sturdy ones though, and too good to put in the recycling bin. Today I finally found the perfect items to go inside one of them though....
....if you look at what my Distress inks have been sitting inside I think you'll agree that the ribbon bedecked pink and black number is far more suitable! Not very grungey, but they fit inside nicely! (Well, some of them do anyway! Lol!) So, my table will look a little posher than it normally does for my demonstration at Martins Cards & Crafts tomorrow. The shop is on Linacre Road in Liverpool, so hope to see some of you there if you are in the area. By request, I will have one of my Art Journals with me if you'd like a closer look. I'll be demonstrating a mix of Darkroom Door stamps as well as Perfect Pearls Mists and Crafter's Workshop Templates.
Next is a baby card! I don't do baby cards! However, this DD set (Hello Baby) is gorgeous and I love that teddy image. David was extremely impressed (no pun intended) by the quality of the image. I stamped him onto PI's coated gloss card and just added a hint of colour using Le Plume pens. I stamped a mixture of the other images from the set using Weathered Wood Distress ink onto the 300 gsm card. A little grunging with a slightly mucky foam applicator (!) gave it just the look I wanted and I wrapped the ribbon, parcel style around to finish it off. As often, quite a simple card as I aim to show the techniques in the main. I'll have to do a little girl version now! 
I'll finish with a second sneaky peek at the mystery object which I posted last time! Ooh, maybe I'm showing too much there! Well, it is starting to take shape now and I will show you the finished thing in a few days. 
Many thanks to those friends who are helping me with this, I would have struggled to get it done on time by myself! Right, I had better sign out now, or my R&R time will all have gone! Have a great weekend everyone and hope to see some of you tomorrow. Lindsay