Learning so much

 I have made sure that I have a little time each week to relax, enjoy and learn from other Artists. This is my first year taking part in LIFEBOOK 2022 and I’m really learning a lot. I’ll share some more but this is my latest offering painted after a wonderful class by Tamara Laporte.

Not sure I’m brave enough to hang my own work on the wall yet but hopefully won’t be long.

If you haven’t tried a course yet then LIFEBOOKc 2023 is now available to buy and spans the whole of 2023 with a fantastic eclectic mix of artists from around the world. Would make a nice Christmas present. 

Time to stop procrastinating

 and start using my blog again. So much to share and so little time but will do my best over the coming weeks.

I get very little time to craft for myself but lets start with a few of my recent makes and take it from there.

Don't forget I make loads of cards and scrapbook pages in my classes as well so I never stop creating really. Lets hope I don't get a creative block lol.

You can find some of the makes from my classes on my Ladies That Craft Blog and on my facebook pages. Have a creative day xxx

What have I been up to ?

Since March and the arrival of the dreaded Covid-19 I have been teaching online and doing my best to keep everyone motivated and occupied. Card classes started almost immediately as the face to face classes stopped and they have been taking place once per week until last week. Here are just a few of the cards, tags and projects we have all had fun making together

Only a few of them but you get the idea and they were mostly taught live first on the ladiesthatcraft facebook page and then as Christmas grew nearer I opened a Christmas Crafts Group also on Faceebook to do tutorials for all of this years festive fun.

The new classes for 2021 will be launched this coming week on ladiesthatcraft Facebook Live and details will also be posted on here.

If you would like to see more pictures of our makes watch out for my facebook live for both the Cards and the scrapbooking examples I have done.

I hope you will all have a very Merry Christmas however you choose to celebrate and a virus free 2021. Lets hope we can all get on with our lives again when its safe to do so. Hugs xxx

Join Me

Long time no see.

I have been teaching free online Card and Scrapbook Classes on my ladiesthatcraft Facebook Group for the last 15 weeks infact ever since our first lockdown due to Covid-19.

Today was my first Card Class in the new group Christmas Crafts and we all had a great time.

If you would like to craft along with me every Thursday from 11am to 12noon then please click HERE for more details. I hope you can join me. xx

Beautiful music

I had great pleasure in playing with the new Musical release from SamanthaK. It was a last minute thing and not a lot of time but here's what I came up with

and as always it was a real thrill seeing them on Hochanda today

All of SamanthaK's new MDF music range proved to be very popular. Love this MDF xx

More Mugs

Ok more mugs but I need to get them out of my system. They are so addictive once you get the hang of it.

It is unfortunate that some of the Pink Ink stamps are so large that I can't use them on mugs but there is nothing to say I can't use them on plates lol

I have decorated many more items which will soon be appearing in my NuMonday shop. x

Stamping on mugs

When we can all go out again I will be teaching a painting your mug class at Crafty Friends in Rainham, Kent. I want to make a selection of examples and these are the two I have finished so far.

The other side of the Ostrich mug is a pink version.

They are so much fun to make and can be hand washed after use.

I know that a lot of you have asked how I have made the mugs but I promise once all of the classes have finished I will do a video along with a kit to get you started. Obviously you will need to purchase your own Pink Ink stamps. Watch out for more xx

Vintage Photo Frame

Now this is definitely one I wanted to keep. The beautiful MDF Fob watches are just the right size to put photos in or you could use Tim Holtz images if you haven't any suitable/

I heat embossed the front of the watch frames and then after sticking paper to the back piece, stuck the two pieces together creating the watch.

The MDF tree was also in this release by SamanthaK and the little ladybirds were Sam's stamped images coloured and then 3d using Glossy Accents.

Don't forget you can see all my class samples at www.ladiesthatcraft.blogspot.co.uk

You can buy all of SamanthaK's MDF HERE.

Tick Tock

Was really delighted when I saw this kit from SamanthaK a few months ago. I am a big fan of steam punk and with the clock base in the kit as well there was no choice lol

I didn't put a clock mechanism on this one but it could easily be done.

I made the clock base and stuck on the cogs then painted the whole piece in black gesso.

When dry I rubbed white/gold wax into the whole piece. One of my favourites this year.

Embrace

I keep forgetting to post pages from my new hardback book journal mainly because I cant stop playing which is the point really I suppose.

So how did this come about? Well i got hooked on a trip to see my friend Mags Woodcock about a month ago. One evening she showed me the book she had been creating in and I loved it so much I decided to start my own.

The book was £1 from a charity shop and was a bit brown and well thumbed. I only use my stash  and no specially bought products so its just a bit more "mine"

This double page started because we were all talking in class about the poppies for Remembrance Sunday and I had a few small circle punches in my craft bag.

 Initially I started with just a few circle flowers

but then I sort of got carried away.

 

This has become my go to book when I want to clear my mind and just play. Hope you like it xx

Alchemy

This was a fantastic release from SamanthaK and definitely one of my favourites. I made two layouts for this show. This is the first

I absolutely adore the little MDF bottles and Samantha even provided the tiny labels in the kit

There were some lovely words and a load of science shapes and science table printouts to use.

You can find SamanthaK's shop HERE where you can find all of her MDF releases.

Another page in my journal

Sometimes its really nice to be able to step away from preparing classes. On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend a Tracy Scott class at The Artistic Stamper in Faversham and I had a great time.
This is my take on Tracy's page and I'm really please with it. 

Different colours for me but that was the point, taking myself out of my comfort zone and learning a few tips along the way. Here is a bit more detail.

The stamps we used are 

PaperArtsy - Rubber stamps - E3 Tracy Scott 28

Had an amazing time and was so pleased with the result. x

Tag Box for SamanthaK DT

I have got so many projects to share with you which I have made for SamanthaK's Design Team that I don't know where to start so I am going back to the tail end of last year when I made this lovely Tag Box

The whole thing is made using this set from SamanthaK's MDF

which was sold on Hochandatv. I don't think this kit is available at present but you can still buy the boxes HERE

The whole box was covered with soft sage green and grey papers and then decorated using painted MDF Herbs and a small amount of lace around the bottom.
I made some card tags out of purple cardstock and placed them in the slots on the top of the box.

Such a pretty gift for family or friends. One of my favourite collections.

Just for me

Every so often I come across a 12 x 12 paper that I can't get in quantity for a class but is crying out to be used. I fell in love with this paper which was part of a paper pack and decided to have some me time making a layout.

The face was part of the paper so I used a feather napkin to fill the bottom of the page and then stamped and coloured feathers using Distress Oxides.

 I also used some foil to add a bit of sparkle.

Really pleased with this one and definitely one for the album. x

Picture for Samantha K Design Team

Made for Samantha K's Design Team in 2018.

If you haven't used Samantha K's MDF yet then you are really missing out. These amazingly intricate Mandalas are a joy to use and take colour beautifully.

And if you want to have a go at making this picture you can find the step by step instructions  HERE. Links to products are HERE

Aladine

So excited. A few weeks ago I was asked to join the project designers at Aladine. They have great projects suitable for mixed media and right up my street. Aladine have a stand at Creativation in Phoenix this week so I was excited to see one of my projects on the stand.

Here is my journal page on canvas.

I originally did the double page with the book laid out in front of me but imagine my surprise when I turned the page and saw a dancing flower girl. Can you see her.
Here are some more photos of the stand and the other wonderful projects made for the show

I really enjoyed using these products.

Poundland Upcycle project 2

Those of you that know me know I love a bargain and Poundland is a favourite haunt of mine when I need inspiration. I came across this Kindle Cover over a year ago and used it in my Art Journal Class (Pictures to follow) so this time I thought I would use die cuts instead of stencils to alter it.

Here is the finished cover

and if you want to have a go yourself here is the link to the VIDEO I made today.

If you enjoy it please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Have a great weekend xx

Powertex Class

Late last year I was lucky enough to take a Powertex class with Tracey Evans. It was fantastic to be a student for a day and boy did I learn a lot. Here is the Unicorn that I made. It is sitting on my sideboard at home and is about as tall as an A4 picture frame.

I still can't believe I made it and I am forever grateful to Tracey for her time, patience, creativity and for sharing her vast knowledge.

 

I loved stamping into the clay and the process of painting and highlighting the mane.

I made a flower saddle to finish it off.

Can't bare to put him into the garden so he will stay in the house taking pride of place. Thank you Tracey for an amazing day. Off to finish my second piece so watch this space. xx