Friendly Plastic..... thats just what it is!

What a fantastic day Saturday turned out to be..... I was lucky enough to get a place on a workshop with Liz Welch at the Rainhill Stampers. I had never used FP before and it was magic... its is so versatile, forgiving and best of all great FUN. We softened, shaped, rolled, stretched, stamped, oozed (!). There were gasps of delight coming from all sides of the room, amazed at what you could produce with hot water, a skillet and a heat gun. Liz showed so many techniques with foils, slivers of this and that, you could truly make works of art....... you don't waste any of the FP you can even use up the tiniest of pieces.... The girls were great fun as always, helpful and encouraging...... The pictures don't really do justice to the colours or the techniques. Try it if you can, it really is worth and Liz is a great teacher. Thanks Liz. Ciao

If you are curious to find out about colour.....

Here is a great read... this book tells the stories of how colours came into being. Who would have thought that people would kill, steal and other terrible things to get their hands on precious minerals so that the world would have beautiful paintings to adorn homes, museums and galleries. I'm reading it for the 3rd time.. it is absolutely fascinating.... Hope you are all enjoying the summer.... wish we had air conditioning! Ciao

Yippee, Dina... here we come!

Yippee..... whoops of joy unconfined. Just booked a place for Dina's workshop on Sunday 8th August.... my heart is beating so fast, I cant believe it!!!! that is going to be some weekend. Silverstone on Saturday as a flag marshall, then up early o'clock again for Sunday......... hope to see you all at AFTH. Ciao

What kind of card?....

What kind of card do you make when a child has died? That was the sad news we got on Friday... a cousin of my husband her youngest son died last Wednesday. He was only 11, he had the brightest smile was full of fun but was suffering from an extremely rare condition called Williams Syndrome but he didn't die from that , he had a blood clot in his brain. I have no idea how what they are going through, how they will cope in the future but they have 2 other beautiful children to care for. It is not the natural way for a child to go before the parent, unfortunately, life is hard and we are given mountains to climb. This is some mountain. I know they will get plenty of support from family and friends.
I wanted to make a card that was different, a card full of vibrant colour to show that we are celebrating the life of a bright, vibrant young man So I hope it brings some comfort to his devastated family and reminds them that they are in our hearts........... Ciao

Vintage finds....... buttons & bows ...

Wednesday was a fun day out.... my crafty friend Suzq picked me up and off we went into Cheshire to do a 'little' shopping for vintage supplies. We weren't disappointed. We found cabinet cards, vintage buttons, postcards, ribbons, empty containers, books and my prize ... an American Cigar Box! I nearly had a fit when I found it perched on a top shelf, I think I gave Sue a heart attack I shouted so loud. It was such an amazing day, even the rain didn't spoil how great I felt.... trouble is the other half is making noises about the bank balance.... I'm bothered, don't think so. Of course we had the obligatory coffee and cake. We were out for hours, came home, split some of our finds and Sue toddled off home with a big smile on her face, hope she didn't get lost on the roundabouts! Of course, we are going to do it again........ Ciao

Carolyn Quartermaine.... a feast for the eyes....

This is a beautiful book...... this picture doesn't do the book or photos justice. I have wanted this book for such a long time, so I decided to take the plunge and got a secondhand copy. I first read about Carolyn in Somerset Studio and was enthralled with what I saw, so began the search. The colours throughout are just out of this world, combination of colours are magical, the way the scene's have been dressed are delicious eye candy, many of the photographs were taken in her home, gorgeous. Ciao

Added a little something.....

I decided to add a little something to a friend's book bra as the ribbon looked so lonely..... we have put in for a house, we are just waiting for all the usual paraphernalia (OOH) to be cleared and hopefully we will move later in June, so my get together in St Ives with some other girlfriends looks to be a no go! ah well will try later in the year.
I hope everyone had a great weekend, the weather was fantastic to say the least... I was a flag marshall (yes you read correctly) at Oulton Park Car Race Circuit in Cheshire.. it was a Vintage Car Meeting and was tremendous fun... I got to wave the yellow flag (obstacle on course/car spun/watch out, I think!) a few times and the red flag to stop a race.... trouble was, no shade so even with sunscreen I burnt... we had on heavy, special clothes, boots, safety stuff (whew) so I was in over heat mode... so I am sunburnt on my face from the eyes down (hat on) forearms and front of my neck... so sexy dont you think? Anyway had an amazing time with my son, former hubby, my other half stayed at home and looked after the dogs and changed the oil on the car!!! he thought that more exciting than coming out with us!! Hoping to be flag marshall again at the Bentley meeting at Silverstone in August.... bring on the sexy gear!! Ciao

PS My Readers Share story is on Crescendoh.com this week, so please pay a visit.... dont be shy in leaving comments..