Me Time

Christmas time means no classes and a bit of time to craft for myself. One of the things which caught my imagination was Marta's 10minute challenge. Admittedly I didn't do it straight away after watching her video and when I did eventually sit down to have a go, it took me more like 50 minutes but I had so much fun and I really like the result.

There is still a bit more to do but I have hung it on the wall and am giving myself some time to decide what else I want to add.

It was a great way to finish 2016 and a fantastic way to kick start my creativity for 2017.

So looking forward to starting the Mixed media classes in 2017. Bring it on xxxxxx

New Blog

You can now find all of my class work on my Blog

www.ladiesthatcraft.blogspot.co.uk

A Weekend with Marta Lapkowska

If you ever want a great weekend crafting then look no further than Art Workshops run by Sue Tucker and Deb Martin. The atmosphere is brilliant. the people really fun to be with and the Art is to die for.

This weekend it was Marta's turn to bring amazing creativity to the Art Workshops and she didn't disappoint. From start to finish it was amazing. The only down side was that it flew by and none of us wanted to come home.

So what did I make. Well the first class in the morning was a vintage heart

In the afternoon we all made a beautiful card and tag.

Then it was back to the hotel for a meal and sleep......lots of sleep lol

Sunday morning started at 9am but as the clocks went back Saturday night, I had an extra hour in bed...much needed lol

The first project this morning has to be my favourite of the weekend, learning to make Marta's mini masterpieces. Fantastic technique and apart from one of my wings refusing to stick, a brilliant result. This is something I will do more of, perhaps on a bigger scale but loved it

After lunch it was the last class of the weekend and we made a lovely book cover. Marta was also good enough to share some of her tips for making the inside pages which will be a work in progress this week.

There is another event going on on line soon which is taking place in Coventry so don't forget to check it out. (Follow the link to find the details HERE
I can, hand on heart say, that if you are looking for a workshop to go to, look at Art Workshops first. You won't be disappointed.

Ooh and Marta's lovely daughter chose my raffle ticket and I won one of the main prizes

And on a personal note I met up with my facebook friends Mags Woodcock, Katie Skilton and Marta  and we had a great time. Here is a picture Marta's husband took just before we left.

and a group photo after one of the classes

Says it all sigh.....Going to have to book another one xxx

Things To Alter

A few months ago I was given a selection of dies-cut MDF shapes from Jaqi at Thinks To Alter. Unfortunately due to personal reasons I wasn't able to complete my project in time for the August DT spot but I kept everything safely in a box (because I normally loose anything that goes into my craft room) and today I actually managed to finish the project I have had in my head for so long.

Things To Alter MDF shapes are beautifully cut and so easy to use and there are loads to choose from. Even better this is a UK Company which I am happy to support.

I used an IKEA frame for the base but took out the glass.

It was great to get more than one size in each shape and each with so much detail.

The lettering comes in a variety of sizes and is great for canvas work, picture frames and scrapbook pages.

I added tiny pearl beads and micro beads to give a rich finish (remember when using micro beads apply with a spoon to glue and make sure unused ones go back in the pot.Never apply with a brush or wash away.  Do not put these down the sink as they are harmful to the environment).

I am teaching a Scrapbook Canvas class this weekend so for those of you coming along, we will be using some of these techniques in our project.

If you like to buy any of the MDF shapes  please visit Things To Alter xx

Ladies That Craft

I have had a few enquiries lately about where the classes are based and what we do so I thought I'd take a few minutes to give you a bit of information.

Most of my classes take place at Parkwood Community Centre in Rainham, Kent and normally last two or three hours. The exception is the Crops which are all day and the Special classes like Creativity 101 or Special Edition Scrapbook Classes. These can last from 3 hours to all day depending on the project.

We do have loads of fun and you get to chat, drink tea and coffee and make new, like minded friends.

If you scroll down the pages of this blog you can see some of the many, many layouts, cards and projects I have taught (I have been teaching since 2005). I teach Scrapbooking, Card Making, Stamping, Art Journalling, Mixed Media, Mini books and loads more.

I am happy to travel to teach groups of people so if you have a crafty group and would like to have a chat please either complete the contact section on the right or email me at ladiesthatcraft@live.co.uk with your contact details and I will be in touch.

A couple of years ago I started this Blog to separate it from my personal one but you can still find more inspiration there as well www.newnanny.blogspot.co.uk

Thank you for visiting Ladies That Craft and if you have attended a class and would like to leave a review please use the comment section on this post. xx

Penguins and Presents

My friend Stickerkitten (sarah) has just brought out her second set of 6" x 6" papers, this time with a christmas theme. Penguins and Presents is a wonderful mixture of traditional and modern with some really cute penguins thrown in.

The collection also includes standard and lovely shaped sequins and some lush wooden buttons.

There are loads of ways to use them but I am currently obsessed with the Snowflake Circle Die I just bought lol. Here they are seperately so you can see a bit more detail

The little penguins look great on the paper but they can also be cut out and used as a focal point.

and the greeting was also cut from one of the papers.

There are some lovely modern prints in the pack as well. Although you can't see it very well the paper I have used for the die cut has lovely circles on it.

and those little black trees are in the sequin pack. Love them.

Finally card three because I just had to use those penguins again.

If you want to buy these wonderful products made by a new British designer then head over to Sarahs Shop. You wont be disappointed xx

Deer Deer Rustic Gate card

There is a lot of hard work goes into preparing a card commissioned by a magazine. This month my Rustic Deer card appeared in the Docraft Creativity magazine (the magazine is really good with loads to try out and step by step instructions)

There is a lot of trial and error, preparation and experimenting before the final project is accepted so I just wanted to give you a little look at some of the tried but not used cards that fell by the wayside.

My first challenge was to make a body for the die cut stags head and then to add some detail (I had to add an eye. Nothing looks right without an eye lol)

and then the gate shape.

and of course the backgrounds but I had to use the little mushroom die in each one (well its so cute).

And then adding the greeting

Hope that gives you some idea of the amount of work that goes into each commission, but I will say I love the challenge. It makes me think and stretches my brain and crafting skills so if you ever get the chance to have a go, don't hesitate. You wont regret it.

You can see loads of wonderful inspiration from myself and the really creative Design Team over at Docrafts. xx

Dad Canvas

This is one of the projects I made for DoCrafts DT a coupke of months ago. I rewally enjoyed experimenting with the Ariste paints to get the effects I wanted.

Amazingly the paint covered the metal embellishments as well, infact I will definately use this paint again for canvas work

Here is some of the detail

Instruction for how to make this canvas will be on my Docraft Gallery soon. Enjoy the sunshine xx

Birthday Dinos New Release

Recently I was given an amazing opportunity to be one of the first people to play with a brand new range of papers by Sticker Kitten (Sarah Douglas) and her husband James.

They are super cute and so easy to use.

I wanted to make three cards using just the paper pack and this is what I came up with. This one is a bit similar to my friend Mags card but great minds obviously think alike.

Just loved using these great designs.

Still got loads left to use so watch this space and if you want to get your hands on this lovely set then follow the link HERE

Can't wait to see what fantastic ranges this clever couple have up their sleeves. Xx

Crop/ Social Saturday 16th July 9.30am to 4pm

Just a reminder that the Crop/Social is taking place this Saturday at Parkwood Community Centre in the Bowen Rooms from 9.30am to 4pm.

There is tea/coffee and cake just bring along something to do e.g knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, cardmaking.......anything really, and spend the day crafting with new and old friends.

Not sure if you can make it yet.....then come along and pay on the day, you will be very welcome.

I will bring along some of the cards and scrapbook pages from previous classes so that you can finish off those unfinished projects if you want to.

It will be a nice relaxing day. Hope to see you there xxx

Finnabair class

Ever since I met Finnabair at a trade show I have really wanted to take one of her classes. I have waited patiently and at last I managed to get a place at Art From The Heart. It was a long old journey for a half day work shop and was it worth it? Oh yes with bells on. That lady has serious talent and I can't believe how much I learnt in a small space of time.

 This is the finished result and in only 4 hours too. I think that when I make the next one I will take a bit more time and change a few things but overall I am really chuffed at the result.
Here is a bit more of the detail.

It was an amazing process from start to finish and Finnabair was patient, thorough and explained how everything worked as we went along. If you get a chance make sure you take one of her workshops. I am certainly waiting for the next one. xx

Tim

This is one of the layouts I made as part of the DoCraft Dt in March/April this year. The papers took me right out of my comfort zone but I liked the finished result.

Here are a few more picture showing the detail.

The papers and embellishments are from the Capsule Geometric Mocha range. You can see more of my work in the DoCraft Gallery by clicking HERE.