Keep going you fool!

A phrase that has always tickled me and seems appropriate this week! On Friday I took the train down to Norwich and it was an especially good journey. This is a good time of year to see interesting sights through the "wide screen tv" of a train window! The first notable image was of a field of ducks - not a field with a few mallards toddling about, but hundreds of ducks waddling about or sunbathing. I don't think these were domesticated, so I guess they were all on there way somewhere and decided to stop off for a rest. That was my idea anyway!
Further along I spotted another deer - a little one, all on its tod. Then a lovely view of a long stream with swans carefully watching three huge Shire horses on the banks, one craning over to take a drink. As the landscape changes, so does the wildlife, and I saw a large Buzzard wheeling around as the train ventured further south. The trees themselves change too, and the rounded tops of Chestnuts, Elms and Oaks gave way to pencil straight pines that looked as though, if one shifted slightly, they would all topple in a continuous cascade like a row of dominoes. At Ely, I thought I saw a hare, but it could well have just been a big rabbit if I'm honest! No Kingfisher as we pulled into Norwich this time, but I had been treated to some lovely sights.
I spent the afternoon walking around the city's streets, both large and small, though I must confess that it wasn't as enjoyable as usual due to the oppressively humid weather. It wasn't just me - everyone was saying how heavy limbed they felt. However, I still managed about five hours of wandering which meant I slept reasonably well despite the heat.
Next day I was at Jarrolds famous department store where I had a busy day getting very inky...which caused some humour when someone remarked how "clean" all my samples were, as I had been pointing out all my inky fingerprints on everything just before! Hello to all the ladies and, yes, a few men (!) who I met on Saturday, some for the first time. It was lovely to meet you all and I hope that you have all been having fun making those landscapes!
The day sped by and I was soon dashing down to the station for the four and a half hour journey home. It was a nice, quiet train journey and, coming back a slightly different route, I saw hundreds of Norfolk's famous piggies...all living outdoors with their own stys (styes, sties...?!) you'll be pleased to know. Made me feel guilty about my cooked breakfast at the guest house though! I spotted a Heron too, but then, of course, it was beginning to get dark, so my viewing pleasure ended with glorious views of the sun setting over water and some spectacular clouds.
I got home late and, before I knew it, it was Sunday morning and we were off to St Helens to teach a full day of workshops. Here is the well behaved table...all inking, colouring and sticking very nicely..... .....this is the self confessed "naughty" table, though they behaved quite well I have to admit! Here they were making their own decorated paper for the Triptych that we made in the afternoon. In the morning however, everyone had a go at faux bleaching using water over a Distress inked background. Nearly everyone felt a little worried about painting their own scene, but I think all of the finished results had real charm and character....Jacqui's ...........and Christine's snowmen were especially folksy and characterful.... ....they were all brilliant. I haven't got photos of my finished workshop projects yet as the camera batteries have died, but I will post these later in the week.
Here are more background papers being inked after stamping first with Andy Skinner's "Let the Festivities Begin" set. These papers formed the inside covers of the Triptychs. And here are the ladies (some, very naughtily hiding....come out from the back there please Sheila and Kath!) with their Triptychs as they looked at the end of the day. These are a work in progress, so I'd love to see any piccies of extra embellishing that any of you have done. It was a really fun filled day as you can hopefully see! More workshops are available, so check the left sidebar for details. So, after a windy day, but not exactly on a hurricane scale here, I am all packed up again and ready for my trip to Whitley Bay tomorrow. I'll be demonstrating at Papercuts in Roxburgh House...a mix of stamps, papers, punches and lots of inky techniques. Not sure that I'll be having a paddle as I did back in March when I was there for the shop opening day! You never know though...I'm pretty game for tippy toeing in even the coldest of sea, so I'll let you know!
I was about to say "have a great weekend" and then realised it's only Monday and I have a trip way up north and then one way down south before the weekend gets going! (Hence my post title!) I'll post more pictures later in the week. Take care everyone.

Quick post before my travels

Just a quickie post tonight - bags are all packed, full and heavy (no change there then!) ready for my trip to Norwich. Fortunately I'll be able to drop my case off at Jarrolds en route to my hotel, so not too far to lug it around. I always enjoy going to Norwich with it's eclectic mix of new and old, lovely atmosphere and interesting little shops. I always stay at the same little hotel, where possible, which is only a few minutes from the centre of the city whilst being really tranquil and quiet. It's straight through on the train as well...great as there are no changes to worry about, but it does make for a looong (four and a half hours) trip.
Anyway, I just wanted to answer the ladies who have been asking if I'll be going back to Weavervale Garden Centre, in Northwich, before Christmas....yes! The date will be Saturday 3rd December, so keep that day in your diaries - it's going to be fun! More details nearer the time.
Also, for those of you north of the border who have been asking when I'm coming back to Scotland (not been up there for over a year) I can now confirm that myself and Andy Skinner willbe going to The Papeterie in Aberdeen for the weekend of November 26th and 27th where we'll be demonstrating and also hosting a day of workshops. So, hope to see some of my Scottish friends there and really looking forward to it.
We still have a place left on Sunday's workshop, so let David (via my email) or Craft 4 U 2 Do, if you'd like to come along.
Right, that's me done now, and I'm off to relax for the evening, so will wish everyone a great weekend.

My last demonstration before Christmas

Hello folks, me, signing in from the library again! So, no pictures yet I'm afraid. Hope that everyone has been keeping warm in the cold weather and not too many of you have been snowed in.

I'm off down to Norwich tomorrow...thankfully the trains seem to be back on track (!) so it should be a straight run. I'm taking extra gloves, a woolly hat and a shawl though, just in case! If you are in the area, do drop into the new Hobbycraft store on Saturday where I'll be demonstrating and hosting an informal Make n Take where you can make a decorative tag to take home.

Last weekend was a busy one as I was demonstrating on Saturday and then teaching two workshops on Sunday. The double class days are hard work but great fun too. We made Fairy Doors and Christmas decorations...pictures will follow as soon as I am back on track with a computer. It was great to meet some new crafters as well as catching up with Chris, She, Kath, Elaine, Caitlin, Tracy, Paul, Edna and Gill. Joanne and "Peg Leg" dropped in too, so it was a busy old time. Thanks to everyone for cards and gifts which are so appreciated. I have made a start on my Christmas cards....finally! Paul....the hot chocolate was delicious - can I put in a repeat order?!

I have been busy all this week on two projects for Crafts Beautiful magazine which will be in issues next year. I do a regular project each month for them and, of course, always have to be working several months ahead of the publishing dates....so it can be very odd, thinking about Spring time themes when there is snow everywhere and Christmas Carols in the background! I'm also working on designs for next year and having to re-do some things which were stored on the computer...gggrrrrrr! I have another week of trying to get all of the work finished and then I might be able to start relaxing and thinking about Christmas. I'm looking forward to an afternoon in Norwich tomorrow though, so that will be fun.

Unfortunately, it does mean that I have to miss the last Christmas bash at Dawn's Studio this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. I would normally be there to join in the fun, but it will be a good weekend if you can make it. I believe that the usual mince pies, hot mulled wine and chocolates will be on offer along with demonstrations by Dawn, Amy and the team and lots of last minute special offers! There are Make n Takes as well as demonstrations and a gift wrapping service too...how posh! Hope it's a great weekend and just sorry that I'm missing this one.

Since the trees were cut down next door (see my rant blog for that story) we've been making an extra effort with the birds and wildlife to make sure that they are well fed. With the icy weather I've been putting fatty food out at night so that there is something for the shivery little birds when they wake up. Did I say "little" birds? The latest visitors this week have been seagulls! just shows how cold it is as we never normally see them, but they are obviously needing some extra food too. Our regular foxes have been calling earlier than normal and asking "can I have some more please?"!!! A new addition was a Robin who we saw every day until a few days ago, so hoping he hasn't succulmbed to the cold. It's amazing just how they survive these temperatures isn't it? So, as Joanne said on her blog, remember our feathered (and furry) friends and put extra rations out for them. I grilled some sausages the other day and drained off the fat from them into a tin plate, poured in some bird seed, stale cheese etc and then let it set in the fridge. Saves having to dispose of yucky animal fat, saves buying fat balls or lard and was so quick to do. The birds loved it!

Well, my case is packed, so I am all set for my last trip for 2010. Am going to go back home now and have a relaxing evening before my early start tomorrow. I'll take some pictures and hope to share them with you before next year!!! Have a great weekend everyone and a special greeting to my new followers - welcome. Lindsay

New stamps and a list to tick off

I'm ticking things off my to do list one by one this week! I've done the latest Crafts Beautiful project.....tick, paid some bills.....tick (& yuck!), made some samples for a forthcoming demonstration.....tick and now, finally, getting round to posting here. I'll tackle the next round of tasks tomorrow!

Talking of tomorrow (notice the smooth way that I dropped that in there!) my new stamps will be on QVC in Dawn's hour at 2pm, "crafting with colour". I hope that you like them, I have lots of ideas how to use them and have made a few samples for Dawn to show tomorrow. After the stamps have aired I'll be able to post pictures of some of the samples on here. Even though I've been designing for many years I still get a thrill when I see my artwork made up and packaged! I guess the day that one doesn't feel that excitement is the day one should call it a day.

Well, it was a really busy old few days one way or another. Hello to everyone that I met at Sugar & Spice in Billericay and at Sew Simple in Norwich. I travelled down to Basildon on Friday and was looking forward to a relaxing night before my two days of demonstrations. However, I had a bout of sickness (don't think it was anything I ate, but who knows) and hardly slept at all! Thankfully, the cramps and nausea abated throughout the next day, but it wasn't a good start to my weekend! However, I must tell you a hilarious story from my friday, pre sickness, evening. I was on the second floor in the hotel and access was via two lifts, apart from the emergency staircase. I was going out for a bite to eat so I called the lift, which took an age to come down to me. I got in and when the doors opened I stepped out, only to see that I was in the first floor as an elderly couple had also called the lift. I stepped aside so they could get in and then got in myself. I pressed for the ground floor and down we went, the doors opened three inches and then shut again. The gentleman immediately decided that we should press the alarm bell, so I assured him that all was okay and pressed the first floor button. Up we went and the doors did their three inch trick again before the lift shot down to the ground floor, then straight back up to the second floor, whereupon the doors opened. I stepped out and said that I'd call the other lift. The gentleman then said to me "When you go down, can you tell them that my wife and I are stuck in the lift on the second floor." Er.....it took a few moments for the full hilariousness of the situation to hit me! And, yes, they did stay in the lift that I had just departed! You couldn't make it up really.

Saturday was, as I said, a bit wobbly to start with, but Marion and her staff did make me very welcome in her lovely shop. It was nice to see a few men at the demonstration too...and I always think that I've cracked it if the husbands are impressed!!! Also met some familiar faces, which is always nice. Straight after I'd finished Marion took me to Billericay station and I set off to Norwich and then on to my hotel at nearby Taverham. I slept like the proverbial log and had a much needed extra half an hour lie in instead of breakfast, before the fifteen minute walk to Sew Simple which blew the cobwebs away. I had a lovely day there, enjoyed using some wooden stamps (I still love them!) and was so annoyed that I hadn't taken my camera, so will have to re make some of the cards to photograph. Duh! Then it was back to the station, a quick bite to eat and finally I was on my way home.

Not much to report in the wildlife stakes this trip....I saw a heron and some Egrets which were the highlight of the nature watch. There were some extremely pretty white cattle too, though the bulls were massive! Thankfully though, the trains were very quiet, as I notched up nine seperate legs over the three days. I was so glad to be home though.

So, yesterday, David and I went to our usual car boot haunt and, whilst rummaging in a box of old watches, got into conversation with a fellow rummager who, it turned out, was also rooting about for things to include in her artsy pieces! So, hello Chris, I hope that you found plenty more treasures. I also met someone I know through crafting, so it is a small world for sure. So, what did my rummaging bring me this time? Well, apart from the watches, I got a box of old dominoes (great as I had run out), which I am looking forward to altering. Also quite a few little treasures for the matchbox shrine workshop....mini figurines, a tin horse, some poker dice, a bottle of tiny coloured shells (they were a bit of a rip off at 10p mind you! Lol!) and a brand new ATC folder for 50p...a brand new one that has nine wallets per page, a great find! David was pretty disappointed...all he got was a belt, some miniature men's fragrances and sore feet! The weather was amazing after the previous two days and we were walking around for over four hours (it's a biiiiig field!) so we called in at a coffee shop on the way home and had coffee and a Scicilian Lemon Frappucino (guess which one I had?!), lovely.

So, that's me up to date I guess. I've been straight back to work today and feel good having ticked some things off that seemingly never ending list. I've also been catching up with everyone's blogs, so, even though I may not have commented I have been lurking! So, if you watch tomorrow's craft show, at one, let me know what you think and I'll post tomorrow with some pictures of my samples. Hope everyone had a great weekend! Lindsay

Candy & Pages

Hello all, well, we've had to re-draw a blog candy ticket as the original winner didn't contact me. So...I sprinkled all the folded tickets into a pile, as you can see....

......then, with Peggy the cat as the official scrutineer, to ensure fair play, David delicately plucked one name out...... ....... and unfolded it to reveal that the new winner is..... Jovick. Well done to you. Please email me on ljm.design@ntlworld.com with your name and address and I'll get the Candy sent out to you. Hopefully, Jovick will see this, as we don't want to have to draw a third name! I'll organise some more Candy before too long.Meanwhile, I had a lovely time in Norwich. I got there on Friday afternoon and had a wander around the city centre shops and looked at the many churches and old buildings. It's a really lovely city with a very positive atmosphere. Unlike many of the places I visit, which can look very similar...same chain stores etc...Norwich has lots of small, independent shops which makes for an interesting few hours of browsing. Next day I was in the craft department of Jarrold's department store where I was using lots of Tim Holtz and Ranger products as well as my clear stamp sets. Hello to everyone that I met there. I'll be back down in Norwich (at Sew Simple, in Taverham) in a few weeks time, so hope to see you again soon.

The journey down was very uneventful, especially as I didn't have to change trains...hoorah! I spent some time drawing, but also a lot of time wildlife spotting. There wasn't a great deal to see though...all the animals seemed to be sleeping in the undergrowth as they were very scarce indeed! However, about ten minutes from Norwich station the train stopped beside a stream and I noticed some dragonflies zipping about. I was just admiring them when a flash of electric blue came into vision and, yes, I had a grandstand view of a Kingfisher as it flew down the length of the stream and out of sight. It was a most marvellous sight and, because of the position of the train, I was looking at him from above and for his full flight. It made the whole journey for me - anytime I see the Fisher King I feel very privileged indeed.

Coming back, the weather was a little weird, with a misty rain combined with sunshine which created some unusual light effects. I wished that I had taken my camera, as one part of the journey was just so other worldly. The rainy mist created a strong haze and. looking through it to the trees and shrubs beyond, the landscape transformed into a fairy tale one, complete with what looked like castles, turrets and magical creatures. It really was a breathtaking sight, but, with no photograph, you will just have to imagine it from my description!

The spell was broken once the train got to Nottingham where a group of males boarded...a real mixture of ages, but they acted like one entity, rather than individuals. It was the good old footie fans needless to say...the bane of my travelling life. The smell of booze was heavy in the air and it wasn't long before the swearing started. Across the aisle from me was a mother with her small daughter who was laying across her lap. The mother had her hand over the child's ear. This was too much for me to stand, so I went over to the seats where the "herd" were, and, quite politely, asked them to tone down their language as, not only did I find it very offensive, but there was also a small child right behind them. "Oh sorry love" came the reply, but no sooner had I sat down they started up again, and then began to chant at such decibels as to make one's ears hurt. Well, thought I, I'm not telling them again, let someone else do it this time. Of course, nobody did and even the offended mother didn't acknowledge me when I caught her eye. Thankfully they alighted at Sheffield, but, of course, my wonder at the landscape had been shattered.

David thinks it would be a good idea for me to have a "Rant" corner on my blog, to get out all the frustrations which I have...such as why the train guard was completely absent after those guys (I won't honour them with the word "men") got on, or why other people don't back one up in these situations, or why train companies allow their passengers to be subjected to all these ingrates. I may well give the rant corner a go - at least it would feel as if I was getting my opinion out there to like minded people. Well, back to more arty things. Several of Heather's book page swappees have posted pictures of their progress, or, in some cases, completed pages...the swines! So, here are some of the ones that I have done so far, though the pictures are not very good, maybe the poor light today. The first one, above, is Heavy Metal. I've used TH paper to cover the board and attached cletter charms to a chain as well as a dictionary definition. I applied Claudine Hellmuth Multi Matte Medium around the edges and in "drips" before using PI Pewter Shimmer powder to emboss it. The bottom left is a few layers of the powder just very casually stamped into to give texture.

Next is "I dreamed a Dream" which I really enjoyed doing. This one features TH paper again and a vintage lady image (from Heather) which I then beeswaxed within an inch of it's life! I've added some alcohol ink dyed velvet ribbon, an adage ticket and some broken jewllery. The little frame has a vintage photo added to it (someone asked me on Saturday if that was Tim Holtz, which tickled me!) with Glossy Accents over the top.
Next is "Take Flight" and, well, I couldn't resist doing a distressy sky for this one! I stamped my fairy silhoutte in one corner and Tim's tree stamp below. Water bleaching just adds some stars and some atmosphere. You can't tell here, but she has a second, acetate wing to give more dimension. Lastly, this is "Ghost in the Machine" which I never thought I was going to get done! Again, it's a rubbish photo! I've used film strip ribbon with a ghostly face behind, an old gramophone image that I found and the ghost is from a Best Creations Halloween paper - it was white, but I decided to grunge it up a bit! The backing paper is another of Tim's. Oh, lots of Beeswax again - love it!

I have also finished "Vintage Journeys" but forgot to take a piccie!

We are supposed to put a flat backing on the pages, and I haven't been able to resist decorating them with doodles and colouring etc. I like some of them more than the fronts! Anyway, hope the recipients will like them...everyone seems to be very nervous about their creations but they all look so different and so creative that I know each book will be treasured by its' owner.

Well, I had better sign off now....oh, except to say that we went to the car boot sale again yesterday and I had some luck in finding mini treasures for the Matchbox Shrine workshop that I'm teaching next month. I found mini bottles, some little ornaments, old brooches etc which those of you who are joing me will be able to choose from. However, if you do have any tiny treasures that you'd like to use, or even donate to the pile, then do feel free!

Lastly, "Peggy" the cat was a birthday gift from Joanne and Terry and I named her that because, as some of you will know, Terry has been named "Peg Leg" after several mishaps. So, Peggy the cat it had to be in honour of a lovely gentleman! Cute isn't she?!Lindsay

Lots of pictures to share!

I have put the pens and pencils away for the rest of the evening and thought I had better upload some new pictures as promised. I'm still behind on my new design schedule - first time I have missed a deadline...ever! However, I'm on track for the new dates so wish me luck!

First up are some pictures from Dawn Bibby's residential weekend which everyone really enjoyed. Having said that, everyone round Amy's table looks a little glum, but I think they were just concentrating on their crafting! I was only there for the Sunday when there were around ten Make n Take tables for everyone to go round making a different project at each one. Below is the ultra talented Jane who makes lots of the cards that you see on QVC - she is a very versatile crafter and works away like a trouper behind the scenes. So, here she is at her table where the ladies were using hair gel in their cards!Next you can see Dawn who was using Distress inks and Ink Potion no 9 on her Make n Take project. As you can also see...even broken arms don't stop keen crafters!
Here's a face that QVC viewers will recognise! Craig (QVC presenter extraordinaire!) came along to the weekend with his friend Angel and they joined in all the fun and the crafting. I missed the Saturday night party, but am assured that he is a very talented dancer! Craig was absolutely lovely, one of those people who makes you feel as if you have known them for years.Here he is showing the watercolour stamped card that he made at my table.
And below with me and my friend, the lovely and talented Sarah who now has her work featured in Making Cards magazine....well done Sarah! She is modelling one of the new Dawn Bibby Studio aprons whilst I am wearing my Ranger one!
Now for a few of my recent creations! I made the frame below using a K&Co base which I covered in K&Co paper from the Que Sera Sera collection - I simply glued the paper on and cut it fairly roughly around before sanding the edges. This is a great way to work as it means you don't have to be too fussy with the cutting. I inked the edges and then did the same thing with three Maya Road chipboard birds. I used Ranger crackle paint on a couple of Grungeboard swirls, letting them dry naturally until the paint began to crack and then heating to speed up the process. The chipboard word was painted using Adirondack acrylic dabbers. I then simply glued everything onto the frame using good old Glossy Accents and added a handful of Petaloo flowers as a finishing touch. Great fun to make and it didn't take too long either...Christmas present ideas I am thinking! PS the kittens are anonymous ones....I just needed a picture to pop into the frame!
Next is one of my favourite cards that I've made this Christmas. I used alcohol inks on gloss card and then cut it using a circular Nestie, matting onto a scalloped circle after adding a swoosh of white card for snow. I stamped, coloured and added the smaller version of my scribble snowman from PICS01 Christmas set 1 clear stamp set. The gorgeous Snowflake by Sue Dix is from the same set and I used Distress ink pads Faded Jeans and Dusty Concord to stamp it onto the background card. Clear gems added to their centres just add that necessary touch of bling! My favourite element here is the ribbon. Why? Because it was just a boring white sheer ribbon until I ran my alcohol ink applicator tool along it so that it perfectly matched the rest of the card! This is one of my top tips - just buy plain white ribbon and then colourise to match your card....job done! Saves scratting around looking for that elusive piece of ribbon to match your project that's for sure! Here is a card made using Tim Holtz stamps...they are fabulous to use, just about fool proof as they seem to stamp perfectly every time, even the tiniest details show up. I used a large square card and made my background paper with Distress inks (there's a surprise!). I spritzed Perfect Pearls around the edge of the card blank and generally distressed and spritzed everything in sight! The butterfly was just a metallic piece that I found in my oddments box of bits and bobs.

Next is a little house that I made using Maya Road chipboard pieces for the sides -

again, paper covered, sanded and inked

as for the frame.

I added some paper grass and some acrylic square windows.

I simply folded some card to make a box base and attached a house shape to two sides.

Some Maya Road tree and bird stamps were the finishing touch. Voila! A dinky holder for ATC's on my demonstration tables!

I had a lovely trip to Norwich, travelling down on Friday meant that I had a chance to look around the city and do some window shopping....no buying when I know that I have my demonstration baggage to take home with me! Here is the Arcade which is a genuine Art Nouveau building and was, as you can see, beautifully adorned with trees and lights for the festive period.

And here is a very inviting looking window of a shop that had made such an effort with their display that I had to take a picture - this was the handmade chocolate shop and, no, I didn't indulge...in fact, the delicious aromas that emerged as people entered and left the shop was enough to get a chocolate overload on! Finally, here is a shot of Jarrold's department store where I was demonstrating the following day. The photo does not do justice to the dazzling lights that adorn the building. I must say that Norwich have made a really big effort with their Christmas displays and, as the afternoon grew darker, the atmosphere became more and more festive, so I had a really lovely wander and ended up walking miles. Hello to all the ladies and gents that I met on Saturday. Everyone was so enthusiastic and friendly that it was a pleasure to talk to you all. One comical thing was that I was positioned right in front of the lifts on the third floor and I was working on a little kidney shaped table that was on wheels. Let's just say that I had to keep my knees pressed against the sides of the table to avoid finding myself on my way down to the first floor!
Again, apologies to my neglected friends and those who I am owing ATC's etc to....please bear with me. It's a very busy time here and things have been rather difficult for one reason and another, but I shall rectify the situation asap - promise! Lindsay

Absent without leave

It's been a bit of a disastrous week here! After a very busy day at Wickfords near Basildon on Saturday and then a lovely Sunday at Dawn's residential event, the plan was to spend this week working on new stamp sets which I need to have ready veeerrrry soon. However, all plans were scuppered when I woke up on monday morning with a nasty bug which got worse as the day went on. My eyeballs felt as if they were being pushed into my head and I just couldn't get on with anything - nightmare! So I've had three enforced days off which I couldn't afford right now and am now running way behind schedule and have to play catch up very quickly. I'm off down to Norwich tomorrow morning for my Saturday demonstration at Jarrolds department store (if you're in the area I think I'll be on the third floor!) so will be taking my pencils, pens and paper along with me and doing some sketching on the train!

I'm doing a, mostly, Ranger product based demonstration on Saturday, so have, today, made a few new non card samples, so will take photos whilst I'm away and post these, and ones from last weekend, next week (?!).

Apologies to Joanne, Helen, Sheila, Hazel and everyone else who I have been remiss in replying to...will catch up once I have caught up! I'm now all packed up ready for my early train tomorrow so I'm going to spend a bit of time on the drawings before dinner. Lindsay