I love school holidays!

Whilst many mums dread the summer hols, I love them. It gives me a chance to chill not having to whizz all over getting the children to clubs and parties. It also means I have more time to let them go mad in my craft room and do some stampin'! So much so that Charlie decided that he would do a picture for the ladies and gentleman (yes I've had my first man or should I say the dashing Paul is my first and very talented male customer!). Charlie also wanted me to tell them how to do it just like his submarine picture and I just managed to persuade him that I didn't need to rush to a copy shop to produce a copy for the guests at the workshop! As you can see he had lots of fun creating and I'm glad to say he received several very favourable comments written on the back of his picture from the workshop guests. Thanks everyone he was thrilled.

He's also been to a session at our local library to learn about and meet a hedgehog called Zippy; so called because sadly at only 4months he had unceremoniously been unzipped by a strimmer. He is recovering well though and entertained many children with his tales of life thus far. At the session the children were all able to make a cute hedgehog and learn a little about mini beasts and in particular the ones that Zippy likes to eat.

Meanwhile Olivia has been busy earning more skills as Drama Queen Extraordinaire!!! She's been at the drama club summer school learning circus skills, musical routines and stomp music, Morris & Modern Dancing, mime and voice exercises with the week culminating in a play in a day production of Alice in Wonderland. Olivia was the queen and shouted that famous line ' Off with her head' often and loud!

I have managed to craft also and here is the card I demonstrated at my friend Maria's workshop for everyone to try as the make and take. As usual I found that everyone gave their own interpretation and I've made a note of things I might try in the future. That's one of the main reasons I love being a demonstrator because I can always learn something from each workshop even though folk think I'm an expert. We all are as there is no right or wrong way to make cards. They all create a special joy for the recipients as they are individually handcrafted.

Maria has recently invested in our Many Marvellous Markers and asked if I would show some uses for them. I coloured the stamps with the markers to get different colours across the flower and stems.

The recipe for this is :-

Stamp sets - Live your dream & Circle of friendship

Designer paper - Haiku

Cardstock - so saffron & old olive

Punches 1'' & 1 1/4'' circles and spiral

Markers - really rust, pumpkin pie, so saffron, old olive

Ribbon - pumpkin pie1/4'' grosgrain

I love how the spiral punch offers a different decor element to the scallop edge. We had a great discussion about individual preferences over this.

Moving into the weekend and I'm hoping the weather will let us get out in the garden. So wishing you a good one too I'll close.

Have fun

Zoë x

Time for challenges at last!

After last week's sad news it always seems slightly odd that the world carries on as normal. Of course it does and the moment passes although the memories linger.... You find yourself contemplating your own position in life and reassess what is really important, but in the melee of school finishing, booking holidays, catching up with chores etc. life goes on more rapidly than we might sometimes like and time for reflection is limited. We will say our farewells and give our support to Ann-marie on Monday. Hopefully all the family and friends around her will help her to get through this nightmare.
The opportunity to pursue card making and relaxing sessions in my craft hideout have been limited since term ended. However I have finally managed to find a few minutes to put together a card which I hope satisfies two challenges this week. One is over at The Corrosive Challenge Blog and the other at Stamp with us. SWUS have a colour challenge based on the picture below

Whereas The Corrosive Challenge is a sketch shown below.
My recipe for my card includes
bashful blue, pumpkin pie, real red and whisper white cardstock
summer picnic designer series paper
boho blossoms, 1/4'' circle, corner rounder punches
Garden Whimsy, Basic Phrases and Live Your Dream stamp sets
old olive brads
gel pen
dazzling diamonds
I don't have nesties and so I cut two ovals one slightly larger and used my corner rounder with the guard off to achieve the scallop edge. I'm really pleased with my card and found it fun to do. I've got a hankering to craft a bit more now so maybe be back with more soon.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs
Zoë x