Nearly there!

Hi everyone!
A super quick post with a couple of updates today.
1 = It's nearly Christmas
2 = I'm nowhere near finishing my Christmas cards/presents/shopping......or anything else really!!!
What a palaver!
Anyhoo, there's no specific reason except I do find myself faffing about when I know I should be making and creating and, just because Christmas comes nearer every day, I seem to faff more and more!
I have been a bit busy really. Our Jo from Luv Crafts is back on Hochanda next wednesday and I've been making DT samples for that and I've had my usual monthly project for Papercraft Inspirations
to make too and that is usually a tricky one as I like to create something a little different to the normal cards and stuff!
So, as for Christmas? Maybe I could do better next year?
(I seem to remember thinking something similar last year!!!!)

Have a great Run-Up-To-Christmas and I hope to come back with some pictures and creations etc before the big day!

TTFN
Lesley x

Woohoo! It's a Win!!!

Hi all!
I cannot believe I have not blogged since Halloween!!!!
I have been really busy with my DT work for LuvCrafts and, if you've a mind to, you could pop over to the blog or Facebook page and have a look at what we've been up to lately!
So, todays post is a nice one! I have won a prize in the Card Maker of The Year competition, held every year by the Craft magazine industry.
I was selected as one of the 10 runners up in the comp and, although it's not the main prize we all aim for, it is a good one!
My gift was a Go Press and Foil Deluxe machine and, as I don't already own one, it will come in very handy :)

I sent in 3 cards for the chance to win and this is one they picked as their favourite .....

I used a TiddlyInks image here ,Wryn on cloud 9, as I used to do some DT work for them and I just love these "Wryns" so it made me really happy to see I'd won a prize with her!

Winners are announced in this months issue (190) of Cardmaking and Papercraft.

So, there's my news in  a nutshell!
I'll enter again next year and hope my work has improved for an even better result!

Don't forget to pop over to the LuvCrafts blog or Facebook page and have a look at what I, and the other DT members, are getting up to lately!

Have a great weekend

TTFN
Lesley x

ps - my crafty FB page is here!

Spooky days are here again!

Hi all.
Yes, it's Halloween 🦇 today.
The day for all witches and warlocks to dress up and pretend they're children collecting sweets at your front door. Don't trust em I tell ya!!! They're 😈 evil!
Especially the really cute ones who usually have a front tooth missing 😂😂😂
MUAHAHAHA!

OK, so I've lost the plot.... Again!

Back to business -

Here's my Halloween card which features my hand drawn and fussy cut tree branch with Tattered Lace skulls dangling from it.

Hope you like! 😊

Have a scarily fun Halloween 🦇

TTFN

Lesley x

Snowglobes are fun!

Hi all!
Just letting everyone know that my new post on the Luv Crafts blog is up today and I featured this uber lovely snow globe!

If you'd like to find out the details how I made this and where to purchase the products, then pop on over by following the link (here) and make some fab Christmas goodies too.

Don't forget to share your makes with us as the DT always love to see what you've been creating too.

TTFN
Lesley x

Luv Crafts update!

Hi all!
I completely forgot to post the photos of my projects which I made for the Luv Crafts show last week.
I did put a sneaky peek on my original blog post but not the full pictures.
Here's the Mdf Bauble tree which I painted black and silver :-

The next one is a snow globe and I've decorated it with Studio Light paper collections, front and back.

The final item is the Mdf sleigh which, sadly, I didn't have time to make for the show but I've finished it this week and it's quite cute! Painted with Luv Crafts puff paste, shimmer magic and viva decor chalky paints. 

That's all for today folks. 

I'm off for a busy day as today is my birthday 🎂 and I'm going to eat lots of goodies lots of times! What else can a...?? year old do  🤣🤣🤣

TTFN

Lesley x

2 Published pieces!

Hi all!
So, my subscription mags arrived this morning and I'm happily in both of them!
In Papercraft Inspirations (issue 184 December 2018) this months theme is Gatefold cards and my card, along with 2 others by the Reader Tester Team, is featured and it just shows how much fun you can have by playing with different card folds from time to time. Stepping out of the old comfort zone and spicing things up can be fun! LMHO!

the inside image - stamped and hand
coloured

At the same time, I sent a little card to Creative Stamping Magazine (issue 63) and this is also published on page 9! I used a paper pack by Kaisercraft (Holly Jolly) and an altenew santa stamp, both from 2017! I think it turned out quite lovely :)

I created the background using a stamp by Chloe Endean with embossing powder and distress ink over the top :)

Now, don't forget to tune in to Hochanda TV on Monday 8th October (4pm) to watch our JO from Luv Crafts bringing you some lovely MDF Christmas goodies to play with! There's only 1 hour to grab the best bargains around and you can enter this fab competition too!

Hope you all have a great weekend :)

TTFN
Lesley

Exhausted!

Hi all!
Well, as the OH had his op (previous post) and came home on Saturday (3 days early for being a good patient!), I have been running around a little like the proverbial headless chicken trying to care for him, do the usual day to day stuff and fit some crafting in where possible! Life just seems to be one mad round of eat, sleep, headless chicken, repeat!!!
However, (!) next Monday, on Hochanda TV, the lovely Jo Luv has a LuvCrafts show and she has some fabulous MDF for you to play with .
Our DT have been busy creating some super items to share with you and I managed to chuck a couple of my own in, in-between the headless chicken routine!
I have a little sneak peek for you here to gaze at!

Tee hee!
I hope that intrigues you enough to join us on Monday 8/10 on Hochanda!

TTFN
Lesley x

Sometimes life sucks......!

Hi all.
Just a super quick post today as my head has not been "in" the right space for a while as my OH's operation date was nearing and he had it on Tuesday.
Bless him.
He has never complained in the past of pain - of any sort. Even when he was having his heart attack he wouldn't say how bad the pain was! However, he has told me of the excruciating agony he is in now and how he wouldn't recommend this surgery to anyone! Of course, it isn't something anyone would select optionally is it?
He was on the Intensive Care Unit for a couple of days and thankfully he's now been transferred to a Coronary Care ward where, at least, he can watch what's going on in the world on a TV over his bed!
I can only hope that it's onward and upward now. Every day he can only get a teeniest bit better so that by the time he comes home next week, he'll be ready to start a full recovery. I'll probably be running around like a mad woman but that's the price we pay when our loved ones need us.
So, that's it for now.
I haven't done too much crafting, sadly, only a tiny bit, but not enough to share really . I'm hoping to create something soon, just for a little therapy for me!

Have a great weekend, wherever you are :)

TTFN
Lesley x

Sheepishly here again!

Hi all!
sorry to have been MIA for a while- again! but, I've come to the conclusion that I can't manage more than 3 things at once any more! Like breathing, thinking and crafting all at the same time!
anything after that goes out of the window! Social media (blog, Insta etc?) no chance I can fit them in!!!
I even forget to eat sometimes and it's only when my tummy rumbles and I'm lightheaded that I realise I've not eaten since the day before!
You'd think I'd be skinny with the amount of not eating I do but nope! Not a chance. I'm never that lucky! (It sucks!!!)
Anyhow, I have had a few days locked away crafting like mad on some lovely things which i'll reveal in a later post, but today I have received my issue of Papercraft Inspirations magazine (iss 183) and my latest make using the new Slide and Reveal Die created by Angela Poole, is in the Reader Tester Section.
I made a snow globe card using Angela's lovely and nostalgic images which are printed from her Beautiful Moments CD.
All these products can be bought from Hochanda .

As mentioned, I do have some fun stuff up my sleeve at the moment but, I'll try and be good and remember to post the good stuff when I can!

Hope you have a great week :)

TTFN

Lesley x

Brand New blog!

Hi all!
Today sees the launch of a brand new blog for Luv Crafts where you'll be able to catch up on all the new releases and fab inspiration from the Design Team.
Headed by Jo Bell, Luv Crafts is a crafters emporium of goodies to purchase and mojo to pop in your basket for later!
We're all a super friendly lot and you can also find us on our Facebook group - Luv Crafts Crafting and Mixed Media Group.
Stop by for a chat or even for some inspiration as there are lots of like-minded crafters out there who share their projects and wouldn't mind if you asked a question or two about their makes.
Our Design Team are lovely ladies and we are all very different in our styles so pop over to their blogs and say hello to :

- Diane Williams
- Denyse Coughlan
- Lynda Hall
- Tracey Mowbray
and Emma Blake on Instagram

I hope you can find time to join us occasionally (every day even!!!) and don't forget that Luv Crafts do have shows on Hochanda TV from time to time and Jo demo's around the country at various events so if you want to come along, check the blog for future notices.

All in all, I hope you have a great weekend!

TTFN
Lesley x

Great Show!

Hi all!

So, the 11am show has aired and it was lovely to see Jo demo'ing the fab MDF products (available at LuvCrafts....).
I fell in love with the metallic magic paste/paint! It's a great product and I'm gonna have to get me some of that!
A couple of my cards were shown and one of my favourites was shown and loved by Leonie and Jo.

So, I'm very pleased with the show and here's to the next one at 3pm.

Don't forget to tune in as the DT have made some really awesome stuff.

TTFN

Lesley x

LuvCrafts Show = Hochanda today!

Hi all!
Today, Jo has another 2 shows on Hochanda featuring loads of superb crafty goodies by Studiolight et al!
The design teams have been busy working away, myself included, and getting some fabulous creations ready to show just exactly what you're able to do with all the lovely products that LuvCrafts have to offer.
My samples are below and I've used Studiolight 3d sweet winter seasons collections to create these awesome cards!
The fun cards at the end have been created with craft embellishments available for all types of crafts, not just cardmaking.

 

 

4 x Fun embellishment cards!

Don't forget to tune in at 11am and 3pm today!
Hochanda

Have a great day!
TTFN
Lesley x

August bank hol!!!

Hi all!

Well, don't know about you but my august bank holiday is a wash-out! Wet and windy (typical!) and it doesn't exactly make me want to rush out and do something - so I haven't!!!
I decided to crack on with some DT work as I haven't been able to do too much recently.
My darling OH had a "diabetic hypo" yesterday morning and we had to get the paramedics out to him as we couldn't get his sugars to come down and, well let's face it, we were a wee bit scared! I cannot believe the change that came over him, just because his body doesn't produce enough insulin - it's so horrible.
Thankfully, within half an hour he started to react to the meds etc and we got him back. So, today, he's putting his feet up and doing nothing at all and I don't blame him one bit.
Anyhoo, I also missed posting this lovely little card out to a friend of mine who had here 80th birthday yesterday but it's not a major problem as I will be seeing her tomorrow when we're all out for a lovely birthday meal.

I've made it as simple but as pretty as possible as I know she doesn't like fussy stuff!

Hope your day is better wherever you are :)

TTFN

Lesley x

Monster Printables!

Hi all!
In this months issue of Papercraft Inspirations (issue 182), you'll find fab printables to make cute as pie monster cards/gifts etc!
Here are my samples - the box is in the magazine :

Hope you're having a fun and crafty weekend!

TTFN

Lesley x

Online winner!

Hi all!
In my last post "Thanks", I added a picture of my tulip card which I then entered into the online cardmaking challenge over at Cardmakingandpapercraft.com.
It was chosen as the winner!
I love a good win and I love receiving prizes in the post too!
I also love this stamp of a simple tulip by Veer Moon and I 've since made one or two more cards using this for my DT projects with Luv Crafts.

Here's the card again, just in case you missed the last post!!!

Yet again, my mojo went out of the window today so I spent the day tidying my craftroom and now I'm paying the price.................back pain!

Have a great evening peeps!

TTFN
Lesley x

Thanks!

Hi all!
Well just a couple of cards for you today as I managed to just have a "play" in my craftroom instead of "working" (!!!!) on my projects for a change!

I saw a couple of lovely videos on You Tube by Jennifer McGuire  (Jennifer McGuire Ink) and  Lydia Evans from Altenew ( Lydia Evans Designs).
 I subscribe to a few channels and every now and then find time to have a mooch through and see what's occurring in the crafty world and I saw how to make some lovely cards using die cutting and stamping.
So I did!

My first card is stamped using the Altenew Beautiful Heart stamp and coordinating die set and it's layered with enough "gappage" to make it see-through!

This next one is stencilled using the fab feather stencil from Studio Light, (which I used this week on the Hochanda samples). I die cut the letters from  a feathery patterned paper and layered them onto more die cut letters in a cream cardstock for the shadowy effect.

I used the already die cut feather paper for this card and layered it onto cream cardstock again but just offset it a little so the cream just shows behind the letters. No wastage here!

This last card was made using a floral panel die which I die cut 3 times into the lilac card then trimmed it all to fit the card front. I added the tulip stamp to a wonky rectangle card then wrapped some vellum around the bottom with the sentiment stamped onto a stitched circle die cut.
I entered this one, and the first one, into the online card challenge over at Cardmaking and Papercraft.

Hoping you all have a good weekend, whatever the weather!

TTFN
Lesley x

Luv Crafts

Hi all!
Well, today's the day!
Don't forget to tune in to Hochanda TV at 12 & 4pm (BST) and watch our lovely Jo showing you the fab products by Luv Crafts.
It will be a fun couple of hours!

Enjoy!

TTFN
Lesley x

Super busy again!!!!

Hi all!
Well, as things never seem to be normal in this house, this past couple of weeks haven't been any exception!
The OH is still having to adjust to life as a diabetic - which means I do too...........- and he can't even attend the dentist for treatment without the hospital being involved! (because of the diabetes and his heart probs :(. )
I must have been really bad in a previous life as this one's turning out grim!!!

Anyhow, onto nicer things.

I mentioned, a few weeks ago, that I was trying out for the Design Team over at Pinflair creative crafts..
Well, I was selected (woohoo and I couldn't believe it!!!) I've also joined the team at Luv Crafts and I've just finished my first projects for them which are to be included in the TV show on the Hochanda TV channel next Wednesday at 12 noon and again at 4pm😁
The DT members are a great bunch of loons! Hi to Tracey, Denyse, Diane and of course Jo Bell, (Princess Pinflairs lovely daughter!). If you watch Create and Craft, and obviously the Pinflair shows, you'll know exactly what I mean :)
I'm very proud to be a member of these teams as I do love the Pinflair and Luv Crafts products (everybody should own the book binding glue by now!) and I've bought quite a few over the years!
I made the Christmas Tree surprise a couple of Christmasses ago, and I brought it out last year and intend to bring it out this year too! It goes down really well when it's full of sweet goodies!

Here's my cards for the TV show

I've also been busy with Papercraft Inspirations too.
This months edition (issue 181 - available now!) features the superb Crafters Companion music stamps and I chose to make my cards with the Music Time A6 rubber stamp and the Violin solo stamp.

I really enjoyed making these cards as I loved the stamps!

 Music Time

Violin solo

I hope you like them!

Obviously, I can't post my current projects (as I've mentioned lots of times!) until they are published ,but I do enjoy seeing them in the magazines once they've been printed and are available to purchase!

If you have any comments, good or....indifferent!, please don't hesitate to leave them in the comments box below.

It would be lovely to have some feedback from time to time as, believe it or not, I am VERY unsure of my own work ALWAYS!!! I am uber critical of myself too and tie myself in knots sometimes when inspiration doesn't immediately come through. Much to the chagrin of my family who have to put up with my Prima-Donna-like behaviour! Stressing, not caring about food and drink and locking myself away for hours on end in the craft room! Hahahaha!

Not caring about food and drink? Yeah right! As long as it's somebody else who's making it I'll have anything! lol 

So, there you have it. I think I have one or two cards to photo before I'm up to date but I'll pop them on here soon.

Have a great week everybody :)

TTFN

Lesley x

Mad as a ......???

Hi all!

Recently, the sis-in-law wanted me to make her a hat suitable for a Mad-Hatters tea party themed hen-party today in Manchester!
So I did!
She bought the little black hat from a local shop and brought it to me for decorating.
Which I did!
And, here it is in all its' glory.....

Apart  from ribbons, shiny things and peacock feathers, I added quite a bit of Graphic 45's "HAlloween in Wonderland" collection to it.
I fussy cut lots of elements from the pack - the Mad Hatter, the queen of hearts etc (you can't see her very well tho :( ), and added some of my own stash too. The key, the lock, the clock....in fact there's so much on here it's a long list !

Hope you enjoy my creation!

TTFN
Lesley x