A PLACE WHERE CHAOS OFTEN PREVAILS!

Tuesday 27 May 2014

Shadow Box

Evening all.   Well you got a sneaky peek last night so here's the finished project in its entirety.    Sure hope you like it..  I know some who've already seen it do lol. 

Anyway products used are as follows

Candy Box Crafts 8x8 shadow box kit
Graphic 45 papers
Acrylic paints
Grunge Paste
Stencil
Idea-ology bits & pieces
Glitter
Glass vials
Distress re-inker mixed with water to create a liquid potion
Paper flowers

Think I'm well and truly addicted to all things MDF made by Candy Box Crafts and Jones Crafts Nottingham have created a paper fiend lol. 

Now my next big decision is what's my next crafting project..  hmm I think it includes Graphic 45 again combined with Marion Smith.   Sounds good enough to me and you'll be able to make your own judgement soon.  Lol. 

Happy crafting all
Lorraine xxx

Monday 26 May 2014

Shady days

Evening all..  A quick post again as I'm not usually one for long stories when I'm having to type..  when it's face to face that's a different story as I could talk for Britain  rofl. 

Had a fabulous day yesterday at the Sincerely Yours show in Edinburgh and even managed to have a few wee chats about some demo days which is always good and a quick chat with some lovely crafters I know.   Needless to say they were just quick chats as you never get time for anything more at these shows.

Today's been a wasted day but I won't bore you with the specifics as don't want you falling asleep whilst you read  lol.  Anyway, here's a wee sneaky peek at part of a project I've been working on.   Just got some finishing touches to add to it which will hopefully be done tonight then I can share it with you all tomorrow. 

Well I'm off again.   Time to sort the hubby's hair then give my wee mum her night time call.   Till tomorrow..  Toodles! 

Xxx

Thursday 22 May 2014

More Candy

Well its been a few days and I've only got one project to share so far..  not very good is it but I've been a busy wee bee personally so it's kept me from my crafting. 

Mums been having a down in the dumps week,  between different commitments I've not seen too much of the old hubster but on a good note the ironing pile is non existent lol. 

Bank holiday weekend has just about arrived and it's gonna be a fun one.   Tomorrow will be about the boring chores to get them out the way,  hubby working Saturday so I'll get to have a play in the craft room hopefully unless something pops up,  Sunday I'm working at the Sincerely Yours  show in Edinburgh then Monday I may manage a wee bit of chill time with the old yin as he's off work.   Then..  done a shift swap next week so I'm off Tuesday too.  Gonna be a quick week, work Wed & Thurs,  off Friday,  work Saturday and then I'm on holiday for a week to look after poor hubby who's going in for an operation.   Bet he milks this no end  lol. 

Anyway, on to my wee project.   I took a Candy Box Crafts 'mini candy box', painted and covered it in G45 papers then added some bits & bobs.  The wheels are bobbins, metal cogs and a key then a mini vial with some glitter enclosed were attached to the outside.  In one end I've put some twine & wooden buttons then in the other end I've filled more of the vials with glitter to represent precious metals having been mined from the earth.   You see I wanted something different from my little box and I had a vision of one of those old carts that's went down the mines, you know the ones they filled with coal etc to bring it back to ground level.   I may even need to roll some wonky shaped pieces of clay to create the coal  lol.  

Well I'm sure you've had enough of my garbling for now so will bid you all farewell for the night and head off to my crafty stash.   I feel the need to get creative!  

Toodles for now
Lorraine xxx

Sunday 18 May 2014

Sea life

Just a quick post this afternoon as my head is thumping because of hayfever and staring at this screen doesn't help. 

Anyhow, I had little time to myself last night so decided to paint this wee seahorse ceramic that I bought months ago.   It's been a while since I've tackled any ceramics so felt a little rusty in the old brush techniques lol.

Sea horses are one of my most favourite sea creatures..  I think they have somewhat of a mythical appearance, don't you!  

So I've had a lazy start to the day, been to see about a new car and now vegging on sofa waiting for pain to disperse so I can cut the grass in the back garden.   Not a job I'm looking forward to whilst feeling like this but no option really as rain forecast for the rest of this week.  

Happy crafting all
Lorraine xxx

Friday 16 May 2014

Chests away

Afternoon all after a lazy start to the day..  been in my pj's for the last 3 hours lol. 

Nice wee day off work so intend on getting some gardening done as the grass has fair sprouted since its last cutting.  Wish my hair grew as quick!    Hubby is off to an appointment just now so I'm catching up on this week's soaps before I start.  Eastenders done and one more episode of Corrie to go.   Few calls and emails to deal with this afternoon too relating to work so fingers crossed the diary will have another few days marked off shortly. 

In the meantime I thought I'd share another creation, this time around a cute storage chest of drawers.  Love the top of this where you can display a variety of those nic naks that we all have lying around.   When it came to decorating it there really was only one choice of papers. .  Graphic 45 Botanical Tea.    Aren't these just the prettiest papers and they so remind me of a quaint English country garden where I can visualise a wrought iron table and chairs where's there's a beautiful China tea service complete with cucumber sandwiches, freshly baked scones, clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam.   You catch my drift? 

Sadly I'm at home so think it's time for a coffee instead before I start the housework & gardening.  Lol 

Hope everyone has a fun weekend ahead!

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Wednesday 14 May 2014

Bits and bobbins

G 'day all.   Today I wanted to share this fab Candy Box Crafts ink storage unit.  They come in 2 sizes, one stores 32 inks whilst this one holds 40.  The more the merrier as the saying goes lol. 

Sadly the pictures do not pay it justice as it is a fab construction of high quality MDF which fits together perfect.  I chose to cover it in Graphic 45 papers and added a few bits and bobs which you'd be likely to have lying around your craft room.  It's currently on display in the shop but I may have to glue it down as the boss is desperate to pinch it for herself lol. 

For any retailers out there, you can contact Jones Crafts in Nottingham if you require to place a trade order for either the MDF kits or G45 papers. 

Well it's almost time for bed so gonna bid you all farewell till tomorrow.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Labelled inks

Ink storage unit

Monday 12 May 2014

Trug time

Afternoon all.  What a fabulous weekend we had at the Craft World Extravaganza.  Lots of customers old & new and what amazing feedback we got from them all.   Thanks to everyone who kept us demonstrators busy, without you these events would not be possible.  

So its time for another sample to be revealed and here it is..  A Candy Box Crafts Trug combined with those amazing Botanical Tea papers from Graphic 45.  The hardware is by Hobby House Crafts.  Hope you like it! 

Anyway, I'm off to get organised around the house and sort some stuff for hubby's birthday tomorrow as well as visit the cemetery as it was Dad's anniversary yesterday and I didn't get to visit..  17 years since I last had a gooshy cuddle from him and I miss him every day. 

Toodles for now
Lorraine xxx

Saturday 10 May 2014

Botanical Tea Time

Evening all..  quick post tonight after a very busy fantastic demo day at Craft World.

Thought I best not delay in longer and get a picture up of one of the Candy Box Crafts samples.   This is a fabulous MDF apron which I have painted and crackled before cutting out and layering on some of the gorgeous Graphic45 Botanical Tea papers.  Don't you just love the little pocket on the front too that you could use for storing recipes or you could even use it as a mail box for the daily mail.  

We had a fandabbydosey day with customers galore, some of whom are returning tomorrow again for more  lol.   We've worked non stop but the feedback makes it all worth it. 

Anyway I'm off to chill and ready myself for tomorrow.  Catch you all again laters.  

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

A little haberdashery

Jodie Johnstone will no doubt get the first of the crowds tomorrow as the 1st demo day begins at Craft World but hopefully they'll be able to drag themselves away to visit the rest of us lol. 

Anyway it's 1 am and I'm heading to bed as a long busy day lies ahead but wanted to share one last sneaky peek with you before the big event begins.

The Boss sent us all a text tonight to say the shop is ready and set to go in the morning so it's now down to us demonstrators to please the crowds. 

Thankfully that means I'll be able to share some proper pics with you soon.  

Had my bloods done this morning to check my thyroid, glucose, full blood count and a few other things I can't remember..  nice way to start the day eh..  They were fasting bloods and my appointment wasn't till 11.40! So lay in bed to avoid the temptation to eat or drink coffee.  Felt like I was well and truly drained when I left the surgery so straight back home to be fed and watered  lol.  Fingers crossed they come back ok then I'll need to get full hormone checks done.  

Well it's for bed so will bid you all sweet dreams for now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

Thursday 8 May 2014

Craft World Extravaganza Weekend

List of demonstrators

Candy Box Crafts

Apologies in advance for the picture quality but have just taken it and it's almost midnight so not exactly good lighting lol. 

Now I may be unable to share pictures of finished projects just yet.. not long to go though!  But thought I could at least share a picture to give you an idea of the kind of bases I'll be working with this coming Sat & Sun at Craft World.

These are gorgeous high quality Candy Box Crafts MDF kits that fit together beautifully.   There are a range of designs available including Candy Boxes (as shown in pic), ink storage units, carousel, handbags, birdcage,  shadow boxes etc..  take it you get the idea  lol. 

Due to their high quality you can throw a whole load of products at them and they'll look fab... paper, stamps, paint, UTEE,  texture paste etc.

10 demonstrators in the same building for 2 whole days.. why 5 years down the line after 10 of these extravaganza weekends do I still get excited???   That's easy to answer..  its the customer reception & feedback that makes it for me.  

Anyway it's been a long busy day,  got home from work around 6.15pm and was back out the door again at 6.50pm for a meeting which I didn't get home from till 10 pm so off to put my pj's on now and chill for a half hour before bed..  another busy day is on the horizon! 

Happy crafting all
Lorraine xxx

Monday 5 May 2014

Time flies

Well I was surprised to see its been almost a week since my last post. .  Funny how time flies when you're having fun. 

So what have I been up to..  last Tues, Wed & Thurs I was in the shop and boy did we get hammered with deliveries!   You see we've got one of our big weekend craft extravaganzas this coming weekend (10th & 11th) so there will be 10 demonstrators, including myself, beavering away from 10 am - 4 pm both days.  Now can you get an idea of just how much new stock we've had delivered lol.

Friday I done some chores, followed by a little crafting then a hospital appointment and dinner out.   Saturday hubby was at work so got the washing done and made a start on another sample.   Sunday I didn't do much at all as I felt pretty unwell most of the day and had a little temperature followed by one of the crapiest nights sleep..  I woke up every 60-90 minutes the whole night long.  On to today..  well I only went and pulled a damn muscle in my back which is so tickly I can't even cough without being in agony.  Hubby & I also took mum out this afternoon for a wee coffee & bite to eat then when we returned I got stuck in to my sample again..  can't afford to allow the back pain to get in my way so big girl knickers were pulled up nice & tight.  So I sadly can't share the finished project in its entirety just yet but here's a wee sneaky peek for you to peruse.   Can't wait till Saturday when I can start sharing them all with you.

Well I'm back to work in the morning so just about ready to eat a mahoosive pain killer and hit the sack in hope it feels better in the morning.  Hope you've all had a fantabulous weekend.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx