Backwards and forwards!

What I mean is having a look back over the last few days and a look forward to the next few! It's been an unusual one for me as I normally work at home during the week and get out and about at the weekends, but this week I was down in Oxfordshire, but more of that later.

Last Saturday was so enjoyable. I was at Crafty's in Liverpool and the day just flew by because it was so busy and so much fun. I was mainly demonstrating Martha Stewart punches but with lots of inks and stamps thrown into the mix as well. Everyone was really enthusiastic but thankfully no fights broke out when certain punches were running out! Thanks to Elaine and her lovely staff for making it such a fabulous day.

On Sunday we went over to Thornton, near Blackpool and I must apologise to those who came along wanting to buy the products I was using, but there had been a delivery problem and things hadn't arrived in time - ooops! Hopefully you have all picked up the things you wanted now. Hello to everyone I met at the weekend anyway - familiar friends and new faces.

So, on Tuesday I travelled down to Abingdon for a special trade event the next day. Although it was only for trade customers I thought you might like to see what we got up to! The day was organised between Personal Impressions and Country Love Ceramics and was to show how inks, stamps etc can be used with bisque, paints, texture mediums, various varnishes and non-fire glazes to create exciting results. I was working alongside Andy Skinner who is their resident ceramic artist and expert. It was a very inspiring couple of days as Andy had some amazing samples and lots of tips and techniques. We are still discovering the different effects and what works with what. Do check out Andy's website http://www.andyskinner.org/ and have a look ate some of the terrific things he's made. Anyway, here I am teaching one of the make n take workshops yesterday afternoon - the picture was taken by my lovely friend Paula Pascual who took a moment off from creating a plaque to be the official photographer! Thank you to Paula for helping me to get set up and handing things out too. Here's a picture of one of the projects that we made on the day. The Script Robin was coloured with Le Plume pens, spritzed with water and then stamped onto the bisque tile. You may also recognise one of my favourite MS punches, the Pine Forest edger and Best Creations gorgeous Snowflake paper from their Frosty Christmas range. Here's the corner of one of the tables...look at all that lovely creative "mess"! But have a look at some of the things which Andy has been making over the last couple of weeks..... ......none of these have been fired, although you would never guess. Andy's used Gesso, Texture Mediums and Varnishes to create these pieces which he's coloured with Distress inks, Perfect Pearls etc and embellished with stamps. Aren't they fabulous? Here are a few more of the pieces that Andy made..... .....watch this space as I will also be bringing some Bisque ware into my samples.

I got back late last night feeling pretty tired so have spent today catching up and preparing for the coming weekend. So, on Saturday I'll be at Houghton Hall Garden Centre in Carlisle and on Sunday I'll be at Strikes Garden Centre in Northwich. I'll have Christmas themed stamps, my seasonal cardstock and toppers as well as MS punches, inks, Best Creations papers (sumptuous!) and Spellbinders dies, so there will be plenty to peruse!

I'm not sure if I'll have chance to post tomorrow, so will wish everyone a great weekend and am off now to colour in some stamped images ahead of my demonstrations. Lindsay