Artstamps Edinburgh 2012

Evening all.. I've been asked to do workshops again at next years Artstamps show in Edinburgh so I need to start planning them soon.
If there is any kind of workshop you'd like to see, please let me know and I'll see if I can incorporate them for you.

That's all for now as I'm off to craft. Lol

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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The snow is coming

Morning all.. Let's hope my subject line isn't too true for us eh but we did have a wee flutter of the white stuff here yesterday!

It was a bit of a jingle jangle day here with lots going on so the only thing I actually managed to make was this wee snowman and he still has his sign to be written but that will only take a minute or two so I'm not fretting over it.

Today is starting just now with hubby in the kitchen making me a fry up, then the housework has to be done before the girls arrive for afternoon coffee.. We don't know if this will be our last get together before Marie emigrates to Oz as Angie lives in Scunthorpe so it's not like we can organise get together's any old time.

Well breakfast has been served so best sign off now and eat it whilst it's warm.

Have a fab day everyone.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

I can share

Woohoo... Just been given the go ahead to share my news with you all..

I'm over the moon as this morning I was asked by the lovely Lynda Chapman if I would like to be on the Cupcakecrafting Design Team.. Needless to say the answer was yes and I'm now looking forward to getting stuck into the sample making.

Phew.. I'm glad to have that out in the open as I've been bursting to share with you all for the last few hours. Lol

Off to have a wee coffee for recovery purposes now and if you haven't already seen what all is available from Lynda then pop over to the website at www.cupcakecrafting.co.uk where there are also some real bargains available at the moment.

Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Tree decorations..

Morning all and it may be a miserable autumn day outside by there's plenty sun shining indoors today thanks to 2 lovely ladies.

Firstly the one I can share with you just now is that I've been asked to do workshops again at the Artstamps show in Edinburgh so need to get the thinking cap on and get some workshops planned.

Secondly.. Sorry I can't share the details with you right now but I will do in the very near future but I can say it's another one I'm very excited about.

Anyway, here's just 1 of the tree decorations I made yesterday.. Believe it or not the rest aren't quite finished as I need to get a new detail brush to do the eyes so soon as I've got that they'll be finished and ready to hang.

What's on today's agenda.. Well I'm off for a shower just now then need to pop to Asda as the girls are coming round tomorrow so need to stock up on cake.. Then I'll just see how the day works out as I had great plans in place yesterday and umpteen things threw spanners in the works.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

It's that time again

Yes folks, christmas is now fast approaching and it's that time again when the hands are working non stop getting the cards and presents all ready for the event of the year. I feel as though I'm behind this year so I'm doing my best to focus and squeeze as much in whenever possible so yesterday I managed to spend a good few hours sitting making a pile of easel cards.

Today I think I might put my efforts into painting some ceramics so I can get the snow on them ready to cure overnight and being as its not the most pleasant of days outside it does give me a good excuse to stay snug as a bug in a rug indoors.

This week started in the normal fashion with Monday being a house sorting day then Tuesday started off with going to Country Baskets with my friend.. A few hours later I ran back in the front door, grabbed my kit bag and scuttled off to ceramics group (an hour late), left there and went straight to asda for the shopping finally getting home around 4.30pm just in time to prep the evening meal. Then you know what I was up to yesterday and I suppose it really is time to get my finger out and get crafting the day away today again.

Hope you're all hustling and bustling too.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Christmas collection

The silk journey

So many stunning tops, waistcoats, jackets and coats from www.thesilkjourney.com

Greedy sheep eating coconut buttons

Fabric bag, knitted fingerless mitts and some coconut shell buttons

Hand knitted bag & scarf

Sheep candles. Lol

Wee hot water bottle cover

Felt pictures

www.moymackay.com

These are simply stunning and are all done by hand by the amazing Moy Mackay who is based in Selkirk and Peebles.

Well worth a look.

L x

Finger licking good

Evening all and I hope you've all had as good a day as I have.. Met so many lovely people today at the SECC and can't wait to meet many more tomorrow again.

Apologies that I forgot to take any pics of the lovely goodies available but I did manage to get one of Elena when she was trying to eat some lunch, and the proof is in the picture that it really was finger licking good. Lol

We're starting at 9am tomorrow as we need to re-organise the stand a bit to replace all the stock that was sold today then doors open at 10am for the fun to begin again.

If you've never attended a Country Living show before, all I can say is it's well worth a visit if there's a show near you.

Right, time to get hubby to order me a nice chinese takeaway whilst I go change into my trackies and put my feet up for the rest of the night. Will do my best to post pics throughout the day tomorrow.

Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Busy bee time

Well the week is just flying by yet again.. True what they say, the older you get the quicker time passes.

Had a busy wee day so far and I'm now working at the country living fair at the secc tomorrow as well as at the weekend so need to make use of my time today.. Starting off with this cute little snowman. After that I've got some candlestick holders to do and more cards to prep.

Oops.. Washing machine has just beeped so best go hang the washing up before I start then it's head down for the rest of the day.
Hope you're all having a wonderful day.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fairs 2011 - Visiting the Christmas Fair in Scotland

http://www.countrylivingfair.com/xmas/Content/Visiting-the-Christmas-Fair-in-Glasgow/4/

Evening all and apologies for my absence over the last day or two but hopefully things will be back to normal again now. In the meantime I thought I'd give you all a reminder that the Country Living Fair is on at the SECC for the next 4 days (Thurs - Sun) and is well worth a visit.

You may or may not remember that last year I done some decopatch workshops on behalf of Damselfly Crafts, very scary with the large screen behind me and my microphone on my head so everyone could hear me. Lol.

This year will be a little different for me. I will definitely be there at the weekend assisting the lovely Elena Costella who has some absolutely gorgeous products for sale and I'm on emergency stand by Thurs and Fri just incase the crowds get too much and I'll run to the rescue as I'm only 20 mins from the venue.

If any of you are going along I hope you'll stop by and say hello and if you've made any purchases I'm sure to want a nosey in your bags. Lol

Off now to prep another few things for xmas cards before heading to bed as I've got the hairdresser at 9.30am tomorrow and I'll be so relieved to get this mass of hair chopped and styled again. I normally get it cut every 4 weeks but due to the recent shows I've had to wait a whole 7 weeks so I'm feeling really weighted up top. Roll on tomorrow morning is all I can say. Will be back to share more with you tomorrow.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Holidays are coming..

Afternoon all.. I'm currently in my ceramics class and today I'm making a start on Santa with the kiddies.. Well the holidays are coming according to the Coca Cola ad.. Lol

Off to get back to my painting now before I get into trouble for lagging behind and it will soon be coffee and cake time too.

Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

New curtains

Defo not the best picture as it's dark outside and had to use the flash on my phone but it still give you an idea of what they look like.

The background is a slate grey with red and black flowers outlined with sort of a charcoal grey.. All I need now is fresh paint on the walls and a beautiful new grey carpet and I'll be a very happy bunny.

My living room was previously brown and beige and although these colours are much darker than before it's quite amazing just how much brighter the room actually looks now.. Wish I had done it ages ago.

Off to hang the 2nd curtain now before we toddle off to see Brianna and Gordon in their new flat.

Toodles for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

New cushions..

Afternoon all, well I managed to get some new cushions yesterday, and though I saw curtains I liked I held off on buying them just to be sure.. You may well guess.. Got home and kicked myself for not having just bought them when I saw them. Also managed to get a new display shelf for my craft room even though I was looking for a storage unit. Lol

Just getting ready to go out again, got the weekly shop to do and may pop back for my curtains too.. Might be pushing it for Ikea as we're going to visit the kids tonight in their new flat.. Rob's already been up whilst I was working but this is the first chance I've had to go visit since they got the keys 2 weeks ago.. Also need to remember to take up her filing cabinet (she's so organised).

So, without further delay I must sign off otherwise I'll defo not get to ikea!!! Hope you all have a lovely day.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Pony ride..

So loving these Kanban cards for the kiddies.. Quick, easy and they'll love them too

For the kids..

Morning all, and boy am I late today.. It's almost lunchtime!!! I've been sitting here trying to think of what all I need to get done this weekend whilst hubby is off work and what can wait till next week.

As you know my new sofa arrived a few weeks back so we need to try and sort the living room now, what colour is going on the walls, new carpet, curtains, blinds, cushions etc.. I also need to get a new storage unit in the craft room as I passed one of them over to Brianna for her new flat which means a load of my stash is lying on the floor and my desk just now. Really looking forward to tomorrow too as we're going to visit Gordon and Brianna in their new flat so I can't wait to see what they've done since they got the keys. All I know right now is their feature wall in the living room has been painted blood red. Feel awful I haven't visited already but between both of our schedules this is the first we've been able to sort something out.. Hope she's got good coffee in for me. Lol

Well, guess I better go have another wee cuppa then make a move on the day and get some chores scored off of the list.. Toodles for now

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Stamps for nesties

Afternoon all... for all you nestabilities fans out there I thought I'd share this website with you which a lady very kindly told me all about last week at the NEC... they have designed a selection of stamps which are compatible with your nestabilities so well worth having a look..  what are they called... Waltzing Mouse how cute a name is that lol.

Hope you enjoy a browse.

Love 'n' hugs

Lorraine xxx

Snowman rocker

Well I'm sitting here in a relatively clean house.. Just not finished sorting through the paperwork.. Lol. But I've got the kids to get from the school bus in an hour so I'm making a start on the kiddies christmas cards first.. Lovely Kanban rockers to keep them all happy.

Back to speed crafting I go. Lol

Toodles
Lorraine xxx

11-11-11

In Loving Memory of my Great Grandfather who perished on 10-12-1917

My great grandfather was 1 of 4 sons all of whom perished during WW1... Let us all pray today that the world will find peace in the very near future.

God bless those who have lost and will lose their loved ones before that day arrives.

Love 'n' hugs

Lorraine xxx

 

NEC and nestabilities

Evening all... well it's very difficult to tell just what exactly was the favourites at the NEC as the nestabilities were simply flying off the stand at a fast and furious rate.. right enough they were selling at 2 for £30.

This cracker of a snowflake.. although not new to the range is however still proving to be very popular with the public and was managing to keep up with all the new dies so if you don't already have it in your collection it may be worth sparing it a thought as it's as popular today as it was at launch..  one of the best things about it too is the fact that it has an extender included so allows you the option to increase the size of your snowflake if desired... perfect for window and christmas tree decorations don't you think.

If you're looking to add to your collection of nestabilities there is a large range to choose from at Craft World so why not pop over and have a nosey.. you never know what else you might find.

Toodles for now

Love 'n' hugs

    Lorraine xxx    

SECC favourite

Afternoon all... thought I'd give you a wee update on what was the most popular stamp this year at the SECC..  it was Frosty... and is it any wonder.. front and rear option of frosty himself, 3 sentiments and 3 background stamps...  that's 8 stamps in total for only £9.99!!!

If you'd like to purchase frosty or take a look at the other stamps in the range then simply visit The Art Of Craft website.

Toodles for now and happy crafting

Love 'n' hugs

Lorraine xxx  

JO CHANNON'S CANDY GIVEAWAY

Finally I managed to get the picture uploaded... lol...  please see the post below for the link over to Jo's blog.. 

LET'S CREATE: Blog Candy Time!!

LET'S CREATE: Blog Candy Time!!: Hello Blogger Friends, I hope everyone is having a good week. I thought it was time to put a few bits and pieces together and offer as Bl...

NEC goodies..

Morning all.. Well you know how I said that it was so busy at the NEC I didn't get time to shop for any goodies.. Here's the proof in the pudding.

What you see in the picture is all the goodies I came home with!!!

Thank goodness I had the Artful Splodger on the stand next to us, so late on Sunday afternoon I was able to stick my head round the corner and grab a couple of bits and bobs.. Not many but at least I didn't come home completely empty handed. Lol

Well I'm trying to decide what's on today's agenda.. Got a few things I need to do like the washing, shopping etc and may even treat myself to a little bit of crafting in front of the tv as I'm still catching up with everything that was taped during my absence. Hope you all have a wonderful day too.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

My Timmy Tote

Morning all and I'm pleased to say I'm feeling a little more refreshed today.. Fell asleep somewhere around 10pm and slept right through till 9am!!! Going to take it somewhat easy today again, another good sleep tonight and we should be full steam ahead as of tomorrow.

Today is beginning by catching up on Kirstie's handmade britain then I'll do the whole shower thing. Lol. Should be going to ceramics then from 12 till 3pm which will be nice and relaxing and the only other thing I plan on doing today is a wee tidy around the house and having the washing machine going non stop. Tomorrow I'll tackle the house from top to bottom and the ironing but least said about that the better. Lol

Wow.. What a hard decision it was trying to choose which Timmy tote I wanted to bring home with me and in the end the decision was made for me.. I had been humming and hawwing trying to make the decision and one night after the show closed Gaynor gave me the most wonderful surprise.. She had made the decision for me and she gave me this wonderful tote as a gift from her to me.. I was so touched that words really did fail me. Now it's going to be travelling all over as I set about the job of showing it off to everyone no doubt beginning today with the ceramics group. Lol

So, I'm afraid I must sign off as my coffee cup is empty and Kirstie is calling for me too!! Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

My treat

Well good morning all on this lovely bright blue skied but very chilly day. We finally got home around 6.30am, I've had a wee nap for an hour, a chat with hubby before he left for work and now I'm planning on channel flicking the tv all day. Lol

It was an incredibly busy show at the NEC and I honestly didn't have the time to get any shopping done but I did manage to grab this gorgeous new jacket. Every morning when I entered the hall I saw it but never had time to pop by to buy it, then yesterday morning the stand holder walked through the door right in front of me so I nabbed him right away. Lol. A quick try on of the garment and in a bag it went. So glad I managed to catch him too as I got the very last size small that he had.

I did manage to grab a couple of bits from the stand next to us and Gaynor gave me a lovely pressie too so will upload pics of them later.. Right now I'm off to boil the kettle again as my body is in serious need of caffeine.

Toodles for now

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

HOME!!!

Woohoo.. I've just got home but poor Donald, Gaynor and Michael still have another bit to go before they're home safe too.. Off to get myself a wee cuppa and put my pj's on. Lol


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We're on the move..

Yay.. We're now in the hire car and making our way back to the motorway to continue the journey home.. Feeling okay considering we've been up for 21 hours. Lol

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The true Gaynor..

She wasn't happy that she looked so happy in the last picture so had to take another showing how she truly feels.. Lol.

Poor Gaynor..

Well we've encountered a small break down on the motorway.. Ie the gear box has gone. After sitting on the hard shoulder for an hour and a half the lovely ever so moody, can't be bothered RAC man came to help us with a very unhelpful attitude. Right now he's in his van making calls and we've taken cover in Tebay service station but it's a little chilly so Gaynor is keeping snug wrapped up in her quilt. Lol.

Home time..

Stand has been dismantled.. Van packed and we're on the M6 heading for home..

To all the wonderful people who popped by the stand to say hello and to all the lovely new people I met too over the last 4 days I'd just like to say a huge thank you.. You helped to make the last 4 days nothing less than awesome.. Then again I always have a ball at NEC. Lol.

It will be nice to be home but at the same time I'd have loved it just the same if I still had another 4 days to go as there's nothing better than show time.

Sorry for the lack of pictures but it's honestly been non stop from doors opened till we got thrown out in the evening. A true tribute to all those in attendance.

Right I'm going to sign off now and I'll catch up with everyone soon.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Only 4 left!!!

All cuttlebugs were gone by yday morning and I've only got 4 grand caliburs left for today!!! Wonder if they'll last till lunchtime. Lol.

Last day

Bye, bye bed.. Almost time to head back to the NEC for the last day of the show then tonight we're travelling back home.. Hope the last one's a stormer too as the last 3 days have been awesome.. Xxx

Dinner time

Peachy keens for dinner.. Yummy

Hotel

This is the outside of the hotel.. Taken just before I jump in the van to head to the show..

H08 is where you'll fine me if you're coming.

Must dash

L xxx

Set to go..

Here's my demo table all ready to go with hundreds of dies and embossing folders to sell..

Managed to vacate the hall about 8pm and we're currently sat in Nandos waiting on our dinner to be delivered. Think we'll be straight back to the hotel for an early as its been a long hard day.

Hope to see some of you of the coming 4 days.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

10am unloading

This was the view from the back door this morning when we arrived to unload at 10am..

My view

This was the view from my room window this morning.

Morning..

Well folks its just a quick pic from me this morning.. We arrived at the hotel in the early hours.. Then Gaynor and I ended up chatting so it was 2.30 before we were getting our heads down to sleep.. Now we're both up, getting ready and heading off to set up shortly.

Oh yeah.. And I'm cramming a coffee down my neck at the same time.. Lol

Take care folks

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

NEC here I come..

Afternoon all.. Everything is in ship shape order here.. House has been cleaned from top to bottom, washing all done, clothes ironed and packed now I'm just waiting on the van to pick me up and I'll be off heading down the motorway to Birmingham. Big set up day ahead tomorrow then so many crafters to meet over the 4 days at the show. Then, on Sunday once the doors close, we'll be breaking the stand, loading the van and setting off on the journey home again.. Will hopefully get back somewhere around 2am and no doubt I'll have a wee lie in on Monday. Lol

Sorry I didn't manage to get any pics at the SECC but will do my best to get some at the NEC.

Take care all and happy crafting.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx