Put aside your inner 'bah humbug' and let the 'ho ho ho' begin!!

I'm in the middle of teaching Christmas themed classes at the moment... which is a lot of fun... !

I don't want to start a panic but there are only 74 days left until Christmas day which sounds quite a lot but its only 10 Saturdays!! The shops are starting to release their Christmas decorations and products - I found myself eyeing up a Christmas tree yesterday! (its ok, I spoke sternly to myself and closed the web page before pressing 'buy')

My next class is at Blade Rubber Stamps in London this coming Saturday (17th October) when we'll be making cards with the latest JOFY festive stamps, a touch of bling and a lot of ho ho ho!...

Come along and release your Christmas spirit!! There are a couple of places left - contact the shop to book a place.
I look forward to seeing you - I'll be the one wearing festive antlers!!

x

I'll be getting 'buzz-y' at Blade Rubber Stamps...

... this Saturday with a workshop decorating a canvas and cards..

There are still a couple of places left so if you fancy an inky painty creative day then contact the shop to book your place..

Hope to see you there

x

Countdown to Christmas: Day 6

Today was quite a festive day - spent running a christmas card workshop at Blade Rubber Stamps in London... we made more cards than expected and was lovely to see familiar faces and meet some new people too.

The window at the shop has a very festive feel - lots of inspiration and goodies for christmas crafting...

Pop along to the shop or go online to see what is available.

xx

There is still time for a some festive card making....

.... and to get the cards in the post in time for christmas!  On Saturday 06 December I'll be at Blade Rubber Stamps (a lovely shop in the centre of London) running a workshop of clean'n'simple (but no less festive) christmas cards..

There are a couple of places left so contact the shop to book a place in this workshop - christmas the JOFY way!!

Ho-ho-hope to you can join me!

x

The same, but different...

... and by different I mean better... nicer... more enjoyable...

On saturday I packed my bag.. or the (smallish) suitcase that was needed because I decided it was easier to pull rather than carry a bag containing 21 stamp sets and misc' other bits & pieces... (you know- those things that you pack 'just in case')

(& yes I realise this is quite a plain suitcase, no artistic embellishment -  this is because my husband also uses it for business trips! when I find the photo (or suitcase) I'll show you how I customised my large suitcase)

.... and boarded the train to London to go work... I used to do this all the time - 10plus years commuting to London doing jobs I mostly enjoyed (I say 'mostly' as the year spent in a merchant bank was NOT my cup of tea at all lol).. so the journey/commute to London is all very familiar - but the job is much more enjoyable... and the weekend commuters are slightly more relaxed.. ;o)

I spent the day running a workshop at Blade Rubber Stamps, situated near the British Museum, in the Bloomsbury area of London. They have an amazing selection of rubber stamps - especially wood mounted - its lovely to see them all lined up on the shelves, like little pieces of art (which I suppose they are really aren't they).
I visit this shop quite regularly as its close to the hospital I visit once a year - its my 'treat' after the visit (any excuse really!)..and so it was a pleasure to be teaching a workshop here.

The class was an newly updated version of my recent 'Book of Blooms' project (using new stamps and paints) - and this is the creative bombsite of a table - creativity in full flow.... so many stamps and paints to choose from...

and here are the lovely ladies responsible for that creativity with their projects... a pleasure to teach them....

.... and to create 'aprons' for 2 of them to protect their clothes from paint and creativity! lol  I thought it was a resourceful use of bin bags! :o)

This was a much nicer working day than my previous 9-5 - though maybe not as clean an tidy.. :o)

Thanks to the ladies for coming along, and to Deidre and staff at Blade Rubber... Hope to see you again soon

x

Oooh didn't I have a lovely time....

... the day I went to London...

I worked in London for 10 years & really enjoyed it, but when I worked there I don't think I really appreciated what a great city London. Now when I go into town for pleasure rather than work its really nice... I have time to look around rather than rush from train to work, work to train & home.

I have a routine when I go to hospital appointments in Holborn (an area where I used to work) & do things so that the day isn't just about going to the hospital - it generally goes like this: I go to the hospital, then I pop to Blade Rubber Stamps which is a great rubber stamp shop very close by (the only one of its kind in London)... sometimes I pop into Cornelissens (http://www.cornelissen.com):

(photo: cornelissen)

in Gt Russell St - its an amazing traditional art shop - all wood shelves and bottles - like stepping back in time... its just along from the British Museum where I've been know to go into too - amazing collection of artifacts (lets not think too hard about how we came by them and whether or not they should be returned to their rightful owners...) .... Holborn/Bloomsbury is such an interesting area, lots of places to see and well connected to the rest of London.

During my last visit to London I had to go further West up to Bond St - I like travelling around London on the bus if I have time - more interesting than the tube/underground as there's lots to see and it seems to change such a lot... but this stands firm:

This is Selfridges (located towards the Marble Arch end of Oxford St) (ok, I know its not the best photo but it was drizzling and I had to be quick).  I wanted to take a photograph as I plan to use it on a scrapbook page because I'm currently reading the biography of Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridges... and here he is- the real Mr Selfridge...

The book (Shopping, Seduction, and Mr Selfridge by Lindy Woodhead) is fascinating - not just about the man (who died penniless, which I found quite sad & shocking) but about shopping in general at the time (early 20thC) - so many changes that were his doing (most of which we take for granted now).
Well worth a read.

I wandered down Bond St/Old Bond St - very posh with shops with doormen that 'buzz' you in - to Piccadilly - & look at Fortnum & Mason!! Most shops just put up sheeting when they're having work done - but not Fortnums who covered themselves in this:

 ... how cool is that!! ... got to love Fortnums!

I find being in London really inspiring, my next planned visit is in July - hopefully the weather will be better.

So, that was my little day out - I had thought of going to the theatre but couldn't decide what to see.. (too much amazing choice!)

xx