Beamsley Babes Craft retreat 14-16th March 2014

Sorry these are late - its been a busy and tiring week following an exciting weekend.

The retreats with the Babes are always very special as quite honestly they are some of the most wonderful people on this planet. All busy ladies who want time to play and experiment with the supplies they buy. this retreat we focussed on Ranger - playing with paints, stains inks and sprays, masks, dies, stamps and embossing folders in many different styles.

In their goodie bags the ladies received

Worn covers file folder and book rings

12 plastic pockets

pk 20 size 8 tags

Some crackle paint

a Tim holtz stencil

some linen ribbon

numbers rub ons

Gorgeous grunge stampin up stamp set

Muslin bag containing ideology and other trinkets

watercolour paper

grungeboard

and stickyback canvas.

We set about playing - here are some of the results

 Pams gorgeous tag using the birds and the Bees stamp - she also embossed this - the texture gives it a real wow factor.

 This is Liz's tag - experimenting with the different paints and stamping.

 and would you believe it - I bought special napkins with friend sentiments for us to have with our cakes - before I knew it these were snaffled for crafty projects too!

 On Saturday night Liz gave a workshop on zentangling - this also incuded a goodie bag with a pink pig zentangle pad and a fab zentangle pen.

 Linda really enjoyed playing with her worn covers book - making some fab alterations she added in a die cut from the lucky dip bag - she got the movers and shapers friends die.

 Here are a few of her lovely tags too. Fab use of the masks

 (they all got a different one so they could share them around too!)

 This is Siobhans gorgeous book

 Look at that fabulous giraffe tag! I lov how Siobhan also customised inside her book. Linda did this too getting us all to sign the book as a weekend momento.

 I think this tag is Margarets - love the fab mask detail

 Another gorgeous book revamp - this time using a UTEE piece Pam gave as a momento - stunning colours!

 I think these tags are Julias - beautiful use of colour and fab stamps too!

 Another revamp in progress

 and some tags of Annes.

 The weekend flew by in a blur of colour and friendship but we did laugh lots and enjoyed being together again.

On Sunday Morning Anne did a workshop with Ikea mirrors and texture paste - some amazingly varied results - I will share pictures next time.

It tells me how much fun the ladies had when the next retreat is full already! Roll on 28th September when the Beamsley Babes reunite once more>

Happy crafting xx

Janet

Scrapbooking Posse

When I first began crafting scrapbooking was my passion. I wanted to share that passion so I started (with lots of encouragement from Dy Reaveley) a scrapbooking group in Skipton.

I met with some of the girls to craft on a more regular basis and Jo, one of my original ladies emigrated to Australia 5 and a half years ago.

One of Jo's sons nick named us the scrapbooking posse so we took on the name and

 laughed and laughed as we crafted.

Today I met up with Elaine and Jo for the first time since Jo emigrated 

(Though I still see Elaine fairly regularly to craft in the various groups we go to)

- it felt like we had been together forever.

 We went on a trip to Ilkley so it would have been rude not to drop into Bettys for a light lunch.

 Here are the girls - all smiley and giggly as ever.

 and of course some English tea !

 Our attempts at Selfies !

 After a little wander round so Jo could get some shaving brushes 

(a little behind with the techniques in Aus even if the sun does shine a lot !)

 We headed into Costa to laugh some more. Poor Jo was frozen as the North wind was definately blowing today.

Loved meeting up again - and we laughed as we always used to - though back in those days we never went out for coffee just crafted at each others homes.

Back tomorrow with some retreat pictures - Gosh I have had some fun the last week.

Thanks for stopping by x

Janet

Ok so what is happening this month...........

Before Christmas I was asked to do some workshops at Samuel Taylors in Brighouse - you know the one at Kershaws garden centre? Well that took all of 2 seconds to think about as the ladies over there - staff and customers - are soooooooo lovely.

My first workshop last month was full and we had such fun revisiting embossing.

March class is this.

Inspired by the advent calendar in Decembers Craft Stamper I immediately saw it as a family history piece of home decor. 

The issue came out when I was in the midst of my marriage breakdown and Mum, in desperate need to see me smile, bought me the Artful dwellings die. I could not wait to play with it.

as you can see I have chosen Mum and Dad as my theme - but the sky is the limit with the idea really - whole family, friends, new home gift with inspirational quotes - yes you could indeed do many things with the idea.

I love the little quotes - all what we feel about family and home.

and of course my Dad as the best Dad ever - a girl should always feel that way about her Dad.
If you fancy booking to come of the workshop its on March 29th, 10-4pm in Brighouse. You can book through the shop by ringing

Kershaws Garden Shopping Centre 
Halifax Road 
Brighouse 
HD6 2QD 
T: (01484) 401419 

Would be fab to see you there x
Janet 

ok so I am a bad blogger........

Life has been full of twists and turns but to be honest its been nothing as complicated as life that has kept me from blogging. I take all my photos with my phone camera and in January I upgraded my phone so have taken this long to work out what to do. The plug in and go of my last phone has been taken over by far more complicated procedures that went way over this gadget fearing gals head.

Finally I have worked it out.

Its also about the same time Mr MoJo semed to have come out of hiding and not before time either as I have a sudden rush of commissions for cards and gifts to fulfill and also my first class retreat with The Beamsley Babes. 

so what are we doing?

For a start we will be playing, exploring and experimenting with all things Ranger.

I have been playing myself catching up with my creative chemistry homework 

(dont tell Tim, it was months ago I went to class)

I have to say stains and paints in the distress line have been duly played with and I have fallen in love with them (after firmly deciding to stick to my distress pads)

and I am more than in love with all the things you can do with the layerng stencils - as you can see I have given them some hammer.

The ladies at the retreat will all have some of the Ranger products in their stash and also a chunky goodie bag as part of their retreat but having time to play and experiment can be a challenge to us all - so a weekend of playing is just the thing to bounce us back into creativity again.

I am lucky that 2 of the ladies are also doing workshops at the retreat. Liz will be doing some Zentangle basics and Anne will be doing a texture shabby chic mirror. So we have lots of creative fun in store.

Thanks for sticking with me and stopping by hope I am better at blogging from now.

Take Care x

Janet 

Happy New Year ! a crafty start.

Hello folks - are you still with me after all my doom and gloom in October and November?

I do hope so because I am ready to start the brand new year filled with creativity!

Christmas came and went with lovely time spent with my family - It was great having them all under one roof for a few days so they could chat and re-connect following the news.

We ate, drank, made merry and of course played games - what every family Christmas has been to us Despite everything it was a happy and joyful time.

New year - Megs and I were on our own again as our Tom lived it up at the street party in Edinburgh and James and his band had a New Year Gig in london - so we decided to celebrate how we like to spend our time and we crafted. Megs had a couple of commissions to complete - family pet portraits - one line drawing and one water colour - she also has her main piece to complete for her Art A level so she has worked on that too - Pictures to follow.

I had a magazine commission to complete and also wanted to get the first project for stamping club completed - A Molly blooms hanging.  I was inspired by Clares own make from last year which you can find here.

As crafters we are also always giving our creations away so I wanted to create something we could keep. This weekly to - do calendar has a laminated front which can use a whiteboard pen to make notes on. teamed with the cute Molly and George stamps I am pleased to have this hanging in my craft room.

The base is a piece of Christmas packaging - just a bit of corrugated card - which works well giving it a sturdy feel. The rustic look of string also gives a lovely feel.

So this is fridays project - Hope the ladies enjoy it !

Thanks for stopping by - hope the cheery post is much more exciting to read !

Love Janet x

I am blessed - I truly am

Yesterday a work colleague helped me turn a big corner in how I have been looking at life the last few weeks. She gave me a little "just a note" card - here is the inside.

I was moved to tears - what a beautiful gesture. In the midst of the turmoil my life has been the last few weeks this was just what I needed.

How blessed am I to be surrounded by kind, thoughtful and loving people?

This is day one of the new stronger and ready to face the world Janet.

First stop - Manchester - 2 days in a lovely hotel where I get to meet with folks I have never met before at the Stampin up Convention.

Its going to be Fab!

and to top it off I think the hotel rooms has  big bath in the en suite. We only have a shower at home so I will be having bubble baths twice a day just because i can !

best get my team swaps finished then hadnt I ???

Hope your day is feeling positive today.

Thanks for stopping by x

Janet

In the midst of upheaval a welcome bit of birthday crafting..............

 Today it is my beautiful Niece Rebeccas 8th Birthday so even though crafting is furthest from my mind, at the moment, I headed to the craft room to make something worthy of my youngest crafty fan and where better to start than with my Molly Blooms and a craftwork cards diorama card.

On opening it Rebecca was confused as to why it did not open but once I explained the 2 little girls were her and her best friend Ella she didnt mind a bit.

She was also thrilled with the Sizzix boutique I had bought her along with some embossing folders - this will work really well with her cuttlekids die cut machine so i am sure i will see some great crafty Christmas cards from her.

Its stamping club tomorrow so I will be playing with my crafty chums for a few hours. In the midst of the turmoil my life seems to be in this bit of normality will be a welcome break.

Thanks for stopping by at least some crafty project to view this time x

Janet x

I dont like being a grown up

And so the saga continues - unhappiness, solicitors, legal rights, who pays for what, who can claim what from the other. I cannot imagine why folks go through this more than once.  My stress levels this week have been through the roof - a rollercoaster of anger, hurt, sadness and despair. Which minute will find me in which emotion is unknown.
Amyone who knows me will also know this is driving me insane.  I like to plan, know whats ahead, I am flexible about the plan but I still like the security of it being there.
For the last 3 weeks there has been no plan. No certainty ahead except the passage of time.  Going to work is a welcome relief - at least I know what is happening there, I know the plan, the routine even, with all its moving to plan b,c, m, z at least its there.
I am still beavering away with the craft fair idea and am really grateful to my friend Barbara for taking the heaviest part of the load.  Our session on friday making cards went really well and it was a welcome relief to have mindless chatter about nothing inparticular to help sooth my overloaded brain.
Those ladies rock ! I felt cared about and loved - such welcome feelings amidst such negative ones.
One of my closest friends is ill in hospital and despite the horrors she is facing she sent her hubby to join us crafting too.  Its hard to keep sight of in these rollercoaster days but i am quite blessed - especially with the lovely folks who surround me and uphold me with their friendship.

Thanks for stopping by - sorry there is no cheery news to share.

Janet x

explaining ...........

The last 2 weeks have been horrid - the worst of my life - beaten only by the death of my father and brother 18/19 years ago.

My husband Tim, of 27 1/2 years, decided he wants us to separate.

 Tim had a breakdown 2 years ago which has changed him enormously - I suspect he is not yet recovered but he feels he is ready to make this big decision. No one to blame - no specific reason except he has changed. Its been awful.

This weekend we told our 3 children and other members of our family.  Its been very very difficult.

I suspect it will become more and more difficult over the coming weeks - so please expect a craft hiatus from me whilst I get myself together.

Janet x

Creative moments - Halloween/ anything goes

This challenge was perfect for me as I make a halloween decoration for my niece and nephew each year.  The stamps are a combination of my collection of halloween stamps and worked perfectly for this inchie type project.

The sparkly spider is from Asda a few years ago and the die cut bats are from the TH die.

Why not stop by and check out the dt projects for some more inspiration here at Creative moments

It also fits the challenge over at Little red wagon which is halloween

Thanks for popping in x

Janet

Something simple............

 I am needing simple in my life right now - so this little fella from an old stampin up set was perfect for a little simple card or two. Coloured with SU markers and gel pens its also got a bit of sparkle.

Quite a plain card from me who usually chucks everything on.

hope all is well in your corner of the world x Thanks for stopping by.

Big waves to Edna who managed to leave a comment via her Grandson xx

Janet x

Curve balls

Its been a tough week for one reason and another and although I have had 6 days off work I have had zilch mojo or concentration.

When I go into the craft room and nothing happens I find it so frustrating - i guess every crafter feels like that. When tidying up i found this image coloured possibly 18 months ago so I decided to turn it into a simple card just so I had done something.

 Image is of course forever friends by papermania - a cute little fella which reminds me of cold wintery days when a hot chocolate would just warm you up.

Papers by craftwork cards and red card stock from my scrapbox and now it looks like I did the whole thing on purpose not faffed around months nay years apart.

I have been featured in Novembers Creativity magazine as a talent spot - cant wait to see the article as I did love playing with the bits I was sent to make projects from.  Its due out on 1st November - something to look forward to x

Thanks for stopping by x

Janet

In memory of a very dear lady.......

On the 8th november 2012 a very dear lady from, my crafty circle of friends, passed away from Cancer.  She had fought tirelessly with the nasty disease and throughout was brave, kind, gentle and funny.  I will remember her always.

As a craft group we have chatted together about holding a crafty event, on the anniversary, as a tribute to our lovely friend who left such an imprint on our hearts. So the 8th November will be Maries crafty day.  Held at our local shop - Samuel Taylors, Embsay her crafty chums will gather to craft, laugh and be together - just as we used to when Marie was with us.  This time we will be making things together to sell at a craft fayre.

We would like to donate a bird table to the hospice where Marie spent so much of her last days - watching the birds and squirrels feed at the table just outside her window gave Marie more pleasure than I can say. It made her laugh out loud - you know the squirrels were soooooo cheeky and the daily vist from the robin how she loved his visits. So thats our aim - to raise money to buy a bird table with Maries name on it to help someone else who needs those cheeky squirrels and robin visits to help their days be bearable.

So I began this last summer

 at the Claxby craft retreat. A forlornly single tea cup longing to become useful again.  I added a cushion of material - stuffed with toy stuffing. I have sewn up the underneath and squashed it into the teacup.

 An old lace doily was sewn ontop with a crochet flower. I knew it needed some pearls so yesterday I added a pearl to the middle of the flower

then some pearls at the end of each point of lace. Its now a beautiful vintage pin cushion.  I hope to sell this at the craft fair along with some other bits and pieces I have made.

This is also my DT piece for Creative Moments - the midway inspiration for our lace challenge.

Do stop by as my team mates have some fabulous things to inspire you with.

I forgot to mention - we want to buy the bird table from another local charity who makes them - there are a few so I would be thrilled if we could buy more than one table to help more than one charity to help more than one person.  That would definately be a great tribute to Marie - she was a nurse - so helped many many folks who needed her care. She was one very special lady.............

Thanks for stopping by today x

Janet

Stamping club project........

 This is a sweet little project to give as a gift or instead of a card - and works just as beautifully for everyday as for Christmas.

The die is a discontinued one by cuttlebug - although why such a lovely die should be stopped i have no idea! Sentiment stamp inside the box and the birds are by stampendous - such beautiful stamps in detail and i love how easy they are to watercolour.

The image has been stamped onto mixed media board that my local craft shop sells in a pad - its a little thicker than card and gives a nice thickness to the jigsaw.

The round stamp is one of the stamps on creative stamping - I love round sentiment stamps and have quite a few.  i have also used the Merry and bright stamp from the free set on the jigsaw inside but you cannot see it in the picture.

I hope my stamping Club ladies enjoy making the project on friday!

I am entering this in the Everybody Art challenge which is Ribbon and Craft room challenge which is feathered friends

Thanks for stopping by x

Janet x

More Molly Blooms

and for something completely different - this is Meghans birthday card.  It folds flat but pops up like a box. great for a WOW factor. i saw this great card shape on the internet and just knew it would be a perfect Molly card !

 

As I always love playing with my Molly stamps Megs birthday was the perfect excuse to play. The first time my fab donkey has been inked - shame on me x

love the stamp at the back which enabled me to detail her 18th birthday - can't remember the make though so sorry about that.

Thanks for stopping by x Please say hello if  you have time x

Janet x

Woodware santa

Back to Woodware again - boy do they have some fab stamps out this year.

This little fella I think was released last year.  He is a dream to colour in and is such a happy chappie don'tcha think?

Again papers by dovecraft.

sentiment stamp is by papermania - a very old one.

And being a good gal - as they were pushed for time I made all the bows and stitched on a bell for each student.
This is perfect for Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas challenge which is anything thats a square. So I am entering this into challenge 146.

Thanks for dropping in x

Janet

From Santas Kitchen

The ladies love Molly blooms just as much as me so it made sense to make a Molly Blooms card.  This jolly fella is from the new release - I bought him at Port Sunlight.

Can you see the stamp to the right at the back? Thats one of the free gift stamps from Simply Homemade.  I cut the Santa off another set from Dovecraft.

The lush papers are by Echo Park - I bought them in the sale at the local samuel taylors - why on earth these didnt sell I dont know as they are fab.

Other stamps used - stitch stamp by blonde moments, Cooking stamp (bought from sir stampalot) and the sentiment is a SU old favourite - long since retired.

So what about the shaped card ? This is from Craftwork cards - a fab shaped stepper and a perfet size. In the gorgeous biscuity colour cardstock too.  Must buy some more as I used them all up on the class.

Hope you like - thanks for stopping by today x

Janet