Hello all, and welcome to new readers of my blog who I have met these last few weekends. I've had so much positive feedback from people lately that it has really warmed my heart. Many thanks.
On Saturday I was demonstrating at Craftzone, in Pontefract. I felt like I was on the stage as there were so many chairs set out for everyone in front of me, a lady from DoCrafts (whose name I never got chance to ask!) and Wendy, the owner of the store. I was demonstrating a mix of things including my new clear Christmas sets, Nit Wit cardstock, Hero Arts stamps, MS punches and, of course, my favourite Ranger products. So, I had plenty to keep me busy...just as well because everyone there was so keen to see technique after technique! I was also trying to show that it's possible to combine whimsical images with more inky and distressy techniques. This first card features Vanilla and his snowman which I coloured with ProMarkers and decoupaged. The background is simply made using Versamagic Dewdrop ink pads sponged over a white card which I've masked with a punched out circle (stuck down with repositionable adhesive) and a piece of torn paper. I like to use three colours to get that slightly "aurora borealis" look to the sky. Once the top area is inked I move the paper down, and angle it differently, before stroking a very light amount of ink just above it. This gives a nice snowdrift impression. I also like to sponge light colour where I'm going to place the image and maybe another area to the side to give some depth to the snowy look. A simple greeting from one of my Christmas Words sets, the decoupaged image and a ribbon finish this simple card. 
Here are just a few of the cards that I had on a display board - bit of a mix as you can see! The tag features a snowman that is made using a Martha Stewart punch - really cute, as you get the arms, hat, scarf etc, as well as the snowman himself, in the one punch.
This next card actually looked much better than it does in this picture! I made the tree using Best Creations Christmas paper, combined with one from the Nit Wit range. The torn strips are overlaid onto a triangle of card and I then decorated it with Suze Weinberg Beadazzles (Tango...I think!) applied over Glossy Accents. The card was distressed with Shabby Shutters and Brushed Corduroy Distress ink pads as they really toned in with the papers. I then cut out one corner of the BC 12" x 12" paper and applied it to the card. The greeting is one from my Christmas sets.
The last picture uses my favourite Distress inks to create the landscape - the trees, snowman etc created by painting with water to bleach the ink out. I matted it onto BC paper, and added Vanilla dressed as Santa and another of my greetings. This is what I mean about combining distressy with whimsical! Hope you like them as much as the ladies (and gents!!) at Pontefract did. 
On Sunday, David and I went to the car boot sale - my first time this year as I get so few free weekend days. We spent three hours looking around as there are hundreds of stalls to look at. So, did we get any exciting things....poor David didn't find the elusive tool he was after for a job that he needs to do, but we did pick up a few bits and pieces. A few tubes of assorted glues and sealants (how exciting!), some clips for sealing bags with, a full box of incense sticks that were a real bargain until I lit one and discovered that they just don't work! They were the boring things but I also got some Mac eyeliner, two metal boxes to decorate, a cat sticker book, a lovely teal glass, silver lined bead for my new bracelet and two watches to make Grungeboard straps with. Well, that was the plan, but when David got them both working for me we decided that one was too good to take the bracelt off, so I am keeping that one as it is. The other one has a lovely face but the casing is very tatty, so I'll tickle it up with some alcohol inks! So, I think I definitely did better than David! It was great fun and I got to stretch my legs too, which I always enjoy after spending so much time seated.
So, onto next weekend now! There is a really fun and interesting weekend planned at Topaz Crafts (DB Design Studio) over the Saturday and Sunday. I'll be there on both days and Amy will be demonstrating too....sorry folks, I got that bit wrong, Amy won't be there! There will be lots of other demonstrations from Brenda, Jo, Jane etc but don't quote me on who exactly is doing what! It is going to be a tips and techniques weekend, so a good chance to come along and get some great ideas to spark your creativity. There will be some bargains to be had as well and refreshments of course. I'll be doing all sorts of incredibly messy things (just for a change) including Beeswaxing, using Colourwash dyes, maska, paint dabbers, stamping, inking as if it was going out of fashion etc etc! You'll easily spot me...I'll be the one with the purple, green, pink and blue hands (and possbly face!)! So, hope to see you there on one or other of the days. Lindsay