Happy Christmas everyone

Here's a suitably chilly photo that I took at the beginning of this year to say "Happy Christmas" to anyone who I don't have an address for or whose card may not yet have turned up! I've just finished all the cards that we're hand delivering, wrapping gifts and getting the last few things organised, so excuse this being a brief post!

I'm signing off for a week or so now, but hope to come back feeling refreshed and ready for the challenges of the coming year. So, wishing everyone peace, friendship and happiness. Lindsay

Christmas card apologies...

Here's the thing. I made almost all of my cards. I used A4 folded card. I added a small gem to each. I tied a ribbon round each spine. No bow. Just tied it round. I used my Post Office size guide. I pushed a card through the standard slot. It went through. I tried a second one. It went through. It didn't struggle. Just went through. I stuck the stamps on. David posted them.

How sublimely simple that was. Or, at least, I thought it was. Today I had to send a few parcels, plus a couple more of my cards as described above and some that I had made seperately. These were thicker cards so I knew they would need large letter stamps. The nice man at the Post Office took everything off me and said he'd price each item and stick all the stamps on for me (I must have looked even more tired than I feel!). He did all the parcels and then moved on to the cards. "All of these are large letter rate" he said. "What?", said I. "I've just posted all my cards with ordinary stamps on....they went through the slot.". "Well, they don't go through my slot" said he. I felt like telling him just what he could shove through his slot, I can tell you!

The upshot is that, if the postman/sorter is feeling all Christmassy and charitable, you may just get your lovingly made Christmas card from David and I. If, on the other hand, he is related to a certain seasonal Dickensian character, you may just get a card from the postman requesting your presence at the local sorting office where you will be asked to part with at least a pound of your hard earned money to retrieve something which may, or may not be, our card to you. I say may, or may not, as it's as likely to be a card from anyone who is as confused as I am about how the Post Office decide what will and will not cost less than a side of salmon to deliver these days.

Annoyed? Me? Never been known. Lindsay

Dates for next year's diary!

Hello folks, sorry it's been a while, but what with the computer problems, working hard to get designs finished by the end of this week and sorting out Christmas cards I have struggled to have time to post on here!

Anyway, I had a very eventful time in Norwich at the weekend....yet another horrendous train journey on the way down, which I will post on my rant blog as soon as I can. Let's just say that it involved two females who were drinking and getting drunker and more foul by the minute, and a ticket collector (I won't use the word "guard") who was unwilling to put the rest of the passengers first. After checking into my hotel I spent six hours wandering around the city centre and on walking back, I managed to find what was probably the last remaining piece of ice in Norwich and do a spectacular dive through the air that ended with me skinning my elbow and knee!

Saturday, at the new Hobbycraft store, was a much more pleasant experience however! Hello to everyone that came along - hope you are getting on well with the distressing, the punching and the stamping! The day went by really quickly and I then looked forward to getting home...I had a four and a half hour journey but, as it was on one train, I didn't have any lugging bags about to bother with. Instead, the train had no heating! Oh well, guess I had to finish my 2010's travels with a humdinger of train journeys!

So, to the title of this post...I will be adding some dates to my sidebar and these will include workshops at Dawn Bibby's design studio. I spoke with Amy today, so we have arranged the first set of classes. Those who were asking (you know who you are!) will be happy to know that we have included the all day journalling class. There will also be a couple of two hour card making workshops as well as the normal three hour classes, including making jewellery using Ranger products, a Shadow box, mixed media Guardian Angel and a Mermaid Art Doll! Please check the sidebar for more details, dates and prices. All classes are booked through Dawn's Studio...there's a link in my sidebar. I have some demonstration dates around the country...I only have dates and places at the moment and will post more details next year - yikes, that sounds terrible! Keep your eyes peeled for some special guests at Dawn's in February too!

Many thanks for all the Christmas cards and gifts we have received. I can't tell you how fortunate we feel to have got to know so many special people this year. Our cards are either on their way, still being made, or about to be posted! Hopefully they will all arrive before Christmas....fingers crossed and weather allowing!

I have a few more days of intense work and then can start thinking about relaxing for a couple of weeks over Christmas. I always start to feel really drained in December, so that little break is just what's needed...guess most of us feel that way.

So, I'll sign off and get the dates onto the sidebar as promised! Lindsay

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

Technology!!!

Hello all, just to say that I am sat in the library typing this, as my laptop has officially died! Well, David is, as we speak, trying his best to resurrect it, but, at the moment it is looking grim.
So, just wanted to let you know that I will not be able to reply to any comments or emails for the moment until we sort something out. Nightmare!
Also, just to say that tomorrow I'm at C J Cards in Edgeley, Stockport, from 10am-4pm where I'll be demonstrating the Meltpot, Beeswak and UTEE, Darkroom Door stamps etc. At least if it's chilly I'll be able to warm my hands over the Meltpot!
On Sunday I'll be at Dawn Bibby's Design Studio with workshops in the morning and afternoon - Fairy Doors and Christmas decorations. I do know that, as of Tuesday at least, there were one or two places available, so do call the shop if you would like to book a last minute place.
Look forward to seeing everyone this weekend and hope you all travel safely and are keeping warm.
Sorry for any errors in this as the library computer will be ejecting me in a couple of minutes, so no time to double check my typing!
Hope to be up and running again soon....Lindsay

A mini hibernation!

I've been noticeable by my absence this week, as I needed to recharge my batteries after my very busy weekend in the North East. It was a really good few days and I must say big "hello's" to all the ladies that I met in Darlington and Chester-Le-Street. Thank you for the very kind emails and comments which have been much appreciated.

I didn't take any photos as I had so much gear to carry that my camera was just one extra weight and I decided to leave it at home this time. I must admit that my bags were the heaviest ever and, going up the metal stairs of the railway bridge at Chester-Le-Street, in the rain and the dark, I almost fell backwards down them. (Get the violins out please!) Anyway, I survived all the travelling and the friendly enthusiasm from everyone made it worthwhile. Special thanks to the owner and staff at the Art Shop for the huuuuge box of chocolates that they gave me.....I do meet some lovely people!

I've had some time off and have also been progressing with some designs that I'm working on for next year and, this afternoon, David announced that we were going out in the car. Unbeknownst (?! that looks wrong!) to me he had bought some bags of birdseed and we ended up at Redesmere reservoir where we haven't been for, shockingly, almost two years. We were greeted by looooaaads of geese, ducks,coots, swans and moorhens, all charging up to us, making the most hilarious racket of quacks and honks! I had ducks standing on my feet, pulling at my tights and skirt to get my attention...it was absolutely, to quote Wallace "A grand day out!".

Anyway, just to let you know that I have squeezed another couple of demonstrations into my calendar before Christmas. Check out my diary dates on the left. The first is this Saturday when I'll be at the opening of the relocation of The Craft Shop in Congleton. The second is another opening event, this time at Hobbycraft in their latest store in Norwich. More details will follow about this one nearer the time.

So, apologies to anyone awaiting an email from me, I shall rectify that very soon! Lindsay

Travelling North.....East

It's Thursday again...I can't really believe it...which means that I am off on my travels again tomorrow, this time to Darlington and Chester-Le-Street up in the North East. Bet it'll be a bit nippy up there! My bags are really heavy because I'm packed for two demonstrations and have punches as well as paper stacks and card....surprising just how heavy card is! Anyway, I'm pretty tough, so it will just give my muscles a good work out!

Last weekend I was in Bury St Edmunds which is one of my favourite large towns to visit as it has interesting little shops as well as a lovely area of parkland and gardens behind the Cathedral. I had a less than relaxing jorney down there as my train was running late and I knew I would miss my connection with a looong wait for the next one. I was willing the train to speed up but we seemed to be going very slowly all the way. After being given wrong information by everyone that I asked, it then transpired out that I could pick up my connection from a later station. So...it turned out okay but meant that I had been "on pins" for no reason. Oh well! There's not much wildlife watching to report from my journeys at the moment, but I saw quite a few dead animals and birds on Friday's trip. I think they must have succulmbed to the storm the night before, poor things. Hopefully I'll see some more uplifting sights tomorrow.

I had a very busy day at The Stamp Hut where I was using the Melt Pot - great fun! I hope the ladies who were making Christmas wishes will be receiving Melt Pot shaped packages from their husbands....I did drop plenty of hints to them on your behalfs! Thanks to Paula and Dot for looking after me and keeping me hydrated with fruit tea as always!

I have a few new pieces to share with you tonight. Well, the first two are actually only partly new! I have been trolling a Grungepaper flower tag around with me as well as one that was unmounted. So, I decided to give them a new lease of life and made two new tags. They are both covered with TH paper (Retro and Vintage Shabby) and both feature alcohol inked velevet flowers and ribbon. I've used a Timepiece and Game Spinner on one and some pleated Symphony Tissue Tape and a new (for me) MS punch called "Modern Garland".The next photo really doesn't show this tag very well, so I will take a better one if I get a chance. Here it looks quite flat but it's actually very dimensional. I used the Vintage Shabby paper again and a mix of Bundled Sage and Victorian Velvet Distress ink to smudge around the edges. to make my rosette I cut a full strip from the VS paper stash and then scored lines along the length using a ruler and ball ended tool. A bit laborious, but not too bad! I then concertina folded the strip, stuck the ends together and flattened it into a rosette. I stuck this onto a punched circle as a base to keep it in place, added it to the tag (after sticking some Tissue tape across the bottom) and then glued one of Tim's buttons into the centre. I carefully piped Diamond Stickles around the edge of the rosette....I chose Diamond for the golden glint it has which tied in nicely with the button. I dyed the ribbon and Jewelled Florette flowers (Petaloo) in my usual way! (ie alcohol inks) and added these. The butterfly is a Grungeboard element of two seperate wings which I lightly inked and curled before glueing the into place. I cut a simple body from a scrap of Grungepaper and wrapped it in Tissue Tape before glueing it over thewings. I cut the antennae from more Grungepaper and slidd them under the head before adding more Stickles. A few MS Opal gems filled in some blank areas to complete. My final photo tonight is of a card featuring my Fairy Silhouette stamped onto an alcohol ink monoprint on gloss white card. I then stroked Paint Dabbers over a page from my charity shop bought copy of Grimm's fairy tales (no wonder they were the Grimm brothers - some of the stories are positively horrific!) and cut out three rectangles and three triangles which I glued down to create towers. I added details with my fine black pen. I dyed and added some flowers at the base and then popped blue gems to their centres. I drew two of my "grown up stars" with an Inkssentials white pen and then covered the fairy image with Stardust Stickles to give her a softer look. I have done a similar thing with the "Paint Dabbers on book page" towers on a recent Journal page which gave me the idea for this card.I'll have all these, plus lots more of course, with me over the weekend, so do come along if you are in the area. On Staurday I'll be at The Art Shop on Bondgate, in Darlington. I'll be using lots of Ranger products including TH stamps and papers, Idealogy and inks etc. Then, on Sunday, I'll be at Lambton Garden Centre in Chester-Le-Street with similar products as well as my stamps and cardstock. I'll have MS punches with me at both as well. I'm looking forward to this trip, as it's a while since I was in the North East and I always enjoy my time there.

Okay, better sign off now as I have some emails to send and train times to copy out before we have dinner. So, have a great weekend everyone. Lindsay