So simple collage...

 

I posted yesterday evening that Debbie and I had a brilliant day out and went on a USArtQuest workshop with the company owner/super talented artist Susan Pickering Rothamel and her equally super talented sidekick Frankie, it was absolutely FAB:))) 

I've known Susan and admired her talent for many years, unfortunately I haven't seen her for a few years, so it was fantastic to see her again, to have a big hug, and to learn even more techniques with her great products.

She worked us hard, we completed 4 display boards each full of 4 of techniques along with instructions that you can see for yourself soon when you visit our shop.   I got all inspired with the old products again and was truly wowed with the new ones, so I'll be showing you some things here.  There's also a lot of techniques that you can use with your Cuttlebug:)  I feel there's going to be some great new technique classes coming on with all these great materials...

The piece shown above was so quick and easy to make,  but look how complex it looks!! It is laminated and made mostly from leftovers from other projects.  This was made by Susan along with other pieces I took photos of to show you.  Susan used papers, fibres, metal leafing and mica pieces to make it.  Unfortunately some of the photos haven't come out very well but I'll be showing what I have and also the pieces I made at the class.

The photo below shows a similar technique.

I've started adding more USArtQuest products to our website, the products are all the best quality materials you'll find.  I'll post more about them but for instance the dicro fibres are much finer and softer than any I've seen on the market and therefore finished artwork is of a much higher quality.  The adhesives do so much more than just stick things down, I'll attempt to describe all the uses another time.

I've made some introductory offers on some of the kits on our website for a limited period, so it is an ideal time to try them or perhaps someone would like to treat you for Christmas, I've got my eye on the Napkin Collage Kit, wait until you see what you can do with that!!!!

I hope you've had a good weekend!

Jill

Rotherham - Skipton Coach Trip

Forty plus ladies visited us on a coach trip last Monday, they all joined in Make and Takes with Janet and Michelle and made beautiful cards.  Some of the ladies hadn't stamped before or even embossed, they did a fabulous job with their first try at it all.

While half of the ladies made cards, the other half shopped and had lunch.

The weather on Monday was awful, lots of wind and rain, not a great weather day for travelling but I think the ladies enjoyed their day out.  We had a problem with the toilet...  We won't go into too much detail, but it couldn't have happened on a worse day!

Well, this is my first post for over a week, naughty, naughty!!!  I'm hoping I'm now over the horrid bug thing!!!

Debbie and I had a brilliant day out today and went on a USArtQuest workshop with the company owner/super talented artist Susan Pickering Rothamel and her equally super talented sidekick Frankie, it was absolutely FAB:)  I haven't seen Susan for a few years so it was lovely to see her and learn even more great techniques with her products.  She worked us hard, we completed 4 display boards full of techniques.    I got all inspired with the old products again and wowed with the new ones, so I'll be showing you many things here soon.  There's also a lot of techniques that you can use with your Cuttlebug:) 

I hope you are all having a great weekend too!!

Jill

New challenge - Christmas - Anything Goes

 I used the following products to make this card



Tim Holtz stamps, Santa's Wish

Starburst Stains Holiday Wreath set

Distress Inks On the main image

Moonglow Embossing Powder Holly Berry Red Gold  to make the 2-tone red/gold heart embellishment, which was then stamped with Aspect of Design 62 Artistic Elements  with heart wings stamp

Nestie: Classic Scalloped Heart I cut the heart embellishment with thick card, the thickest I could cut with my nestie

Nailheads



White Webbing Spray over the Starburst Stain background, (this is only available at the shop as we cannot post the aerosol spray).



The picture below shows the embellishment that I've built up with about 2-3 layers of of the embossing powder.  When using more than one layer of Moonglow EP you really get to see the 2-tone effects.

 Finally a picture of the white webbing spray, it really stands out from darker backgrounds

If you wish to join our challenge, please click here, don't be shy, we'd love you to share your work with us:)

Jill

New stuff from Tim!!!

Have you managed to get your Tattered Florals die yet?  Or any of his new ones?  We have a delivery today that contains some of Tim's new products, we don't have many so don't hang about!!

Then there's the new MINI baroque and ornamental dies!

New on the edge dies...

And new embossing folders...

You'll find them HERE

I decided that when we had our few and far between deliveries of the Tattered Florals dies that were delivered over the last months that it would be unfair of me to grab one when I know they have been like hen's teeth to get, I've finally felt we have enough now for me to have one, phew, it's been a LONG wait!!!

I'm saving mine to use for the first time at Saturday's workshop, then the ladies that are coming can share in my delight:)  How sad am I?  Now come on, I know you know what I'm on about!!!!

Jill

PS:  If there are any tattered leaves dies left by Saturday, then I may not have enough will power to resist one of them joining the florals!!

Extra workshop dates, come and get messy for a day:)

I've added some general techniques workshops up to Christmas that are ideal for anyone who wants to come and have a play with a variety of products.  The first one is this Saturday...

We will be using a combination of products from 

Moonglow:  The 2-tone Embossing Powders, Starburst Stains, Moonshadow Inks/mists, fusible webbing etc...

Ranger:  UTEE with the Hot Pot, distress inks etc

Cuttlebug:  Embossing Folders and Nestabilities

Mica powders:  Learn about their many uses

It's an ideal opportunitity for beginners or those that have so far dabbled in these things to come along and play with all sorts of different products and learn new techniques.  We'll cram as much in as possible to ensure you learn as much as possible in a day.

Click HERE for workshop information

Click HERE to book

If you have one, bring an apron as thing could get messy:)

Jill

Another new Design Team member!!!

Yes, ANOTHER one!!!

It is Sarah Anderson, the art of moodling, she is a dear dear friend of Ian and I, who we have known for years.  Sarah is the most happy smiley person.  People that know her will agree, I'm sure, that when Sarah enters the building, laughter and giggles just happen, and continue...  it's infectious, then when you see her work and how talented she is, then I'm certainly left in awe, and I'm sure I'm not the only one!!!

Sarah taught classes with us years ago, we'd been chatting about her joining our DT but we never actually sorted it out, but we have now:)  That's down to Vix stepping in and getting us organised.

Sarah is very talented and just loves splashing around in ink and paint, remember this photo from our demo weekend, yes this is Sarah!!!

If you haven't visited Sarah's blog before, here's a link, you'll not be disappointed! 

This is a journal page Sarah started that weekend that made those hands so messy at our open weekend with one of the designs from Tracey Coates' Butterfly Beauties stamp sheet, it's stunning, and she did most of it in 6" of space at the end of Vix's demo table!!!!!!  Click here to read more Sarah's day visiting us.

So welcome to Sarah, we're all thrilled you are joining us:)

*  *  *

Well, Halloween is over now, I didn't intend to, but I think I not only scared the small children that called round but also a dad!!  The outside light bulb has gone, and it was pitch black outside.  Ian had gone to bed early with this bug and had said to me to make sure I got my door keys ready in case anyone called, I hadn't, so it took ages to get my keys when they called.

Our dog was going bonkers barking (shame he didn't do his howl), and I knew I'd never get him shut in the kitchen without a battle and I'd left them waiting ages.  So, I had to leave him in the living room and close the door to the hall in order to open the door, there is no light in the hall and I had to unlock the door in the dark.  

Ian has fitted 2 really strong bolts to the front door which REALLY creaked and groaned and took me ages to unlock, my keys were also jangling about and I think I was getting scared myself!  I opened the door and could only see silhouettes, handing over the treat was fun and after feeling about in the dark I eventually found a tiny little hand.  

I did apologise that I couldn't put the light on as the bulb had gone, as they walked away I heard dad say, that it was the spookest one tonight!  I felt quite proud, although I hadn't really tried to be scary (they were actually lucky the light was off, me having a bug isn't a pretty sight!). 

I locked and bolted the door again, and another group knocked straight away, so same procedure...  I'm not convinced it wasn't some of the first group coming back to have me do it all again.

Our house is 100 years old, on a hill which makes it imposing, with lots of trees and bushes and I have a feeling that for a few years there will be some little children in the village running past our house on their way into school.   I wonder if they will come back next year, lol!!

Oh, I do waffle don't I...

Jill