Men at work

The boys from Jones Crafts hard at work.   Stavros taking an order whilst Darren is online placing one for another.  Me.. I'm taking a picture lol

New Collection preview

Just a quick post tonight as it's been a busy day and I'm off to bed shortly as I've got another long busy day ahead..  lots of fun things to do including packing 2 demo kits and my wee overnight case. 

So without further delay I present to you another little sneak peak at some of the new KaiserCraft Basecoat Christmas collection.   Now if you look at all the little snips you'll see what I was doing when I nodded off last night with the scissors in my hand lol.  

If you're a retailer in the UK then orders can be placed via Jones Crafts Nottingham or alternatively if you're a consumer and wish to know your local stockist simply ask Jones Crafts and they will be happy to advise you. 

Righty ho bed is calling so I'm off. 

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Naughty peek

G'day all..  being a little naughty as many of you will not yet have seen the newly released ranges from KaiserCraft so I thought I'd share one of my projects made for Jones Crafts.   There's more to come but being as the show isn't until Sunday & Monday I can't share everything just yet. 

This one is a Candy Box Crafts sleigh which I've filled with some presents & messages for the recipient.   Wouldn't this be a wonderful gift for someone..  It could contain sweets for the kiddies,  handmade soaps for friends and can you imagine it could even be used to hide that very special surprise engagement ring for the Christmas lovers.   One little sleigh that holds so many possibilities.   Better still is that the recipient will be left with a beautiful gift that can be displayed year after year.   Now that's a gift that keeps on giving!

Well it's been another busy day in the shop and I actually nodded off on the sofa only to awake with a pair of scissors in my hand doing some cutting for another project so I think I'm being told it's time for bed lol.   Now I've posted my chores are complete so off for zzzzzz's I go. 

Happy crafting
Xxx

What a day!

It's the wee small hours again and I'm only now getting a chance to post.  

Had a mega busy day in the shop as expected with all the stock arriving in advance of the weekend.   Can't actually remember what all came in but I do remember Sweet Poppy Stencils, DO Crafts & Creative Expressions.    

Got home from work just after 6.30 then had a quick tidy up, paid some bills and organised dinner.   Took a little time out to chill and started again on samples about 10pm.    All cleaned up and time for bed now..  Thank goodness for that!   Strangely enough I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be a repeat of today lol. 

Off to let the bed bugs bite so Toodles.  

Xxx

Perfect by the sea

Well folks yet again the time has flown by since my last post..  The old saying is oh so true.. The older you get the quicker time goes by. 

Anyway last week was filled with work,  in the shop during daytime then working on samples in the evenings.   No rest for the wicked eh!

A few months back Rob had booked us a wee overnight stay at The Marine Hotel in Troon so we were looking forward to a brief 24 hours of relaxation.   Sadly on Friday morning we received word that's Rob's uncle had passed away of a massive heart attack whilst sharing breakfast with his loving wife.  They were on holiday in Italy at the time but thankfully his wife comes from the Netherlands so her brother made the long drive down to be with her.  Now the legalities begin to arrange for his body to be returned to the United States for burial.   Needless to say there's a lot of daily communication with the family back home at present.

Finally mid afternoon Friday we set off on the quick trip to Troon where we enjoyed a nice night in the bar and restaurant.   Saturday after packing our bag we set off to the harbour and went on a little exploration of the rock pools etc and I collected some shells which are now on my kitchen window ledge.   Finally we returned home and normality quickly resumed..  I've spent the last 2 days working on samples for the upcoming trade show! 

So my alarm is set for the morning as I'm in the shop and it's gonna be a busy day as it's the Extravaganza weekend this coming Saturday & Sunday so there's lots of stock going to be getting delivered.   Guess that means it's time to sign off then eh as I'm currently looking at 5 hrs sleep lol. 

Toodles for now
Lorraine xxx

My view on Saturday morning

Hello!

Well goodness,  gracious me have I been naughty or what.. A whole week has flown past and I've completely failed to post.   Promise I've not just been lazing about doing sod all, rather the opposite in fact!

Last Monday & Tuesday I was working on Britannia samples for the upcoming extravaganza weekend at Craft World on 6th & 7th Sept.  Sadly I can only do the Saturday due to a previous booking.  

Wednesday,  Thursday & Friday I was working in the shop and boy did we have a busy week as the new Sue Wilson dies arrived so it was time to pack all the pre orders that were awaiting dispatch which meant we lost a member of staff to that which kept the rest of us busy on the shop floor.   This week will be the same as the new Spellbinders will be the focus and no doubt the new stock will start arriving for the extravaganza weekend.

Saturday morning I was up and at it again, this time I was off to help Debbi Moore at one of her workshops..  If I were to say there were a few laughs it would be a complete understatement!!!   What a fabulous bunch of women and hopefully we'll be repeating the fun again in November. 

Finally we've reached Sunday & Monday,  my days off.. eh... NOT.   I've spent them working on samples for the trade show in Perth at the beginning of Sept where I'll be working with the fun loving guys from Jones Crafts, Nottingham.   Last year they led me astray by teaching me how to play poker so hoping they're better behaved this year but I'm not holding out much hope for them  lol.

Today's card was for my little adopted daughter who's birthday it was last weekend.  Card went down an absolute treat as did her tshirts and fabric paint.   It's the adopted sons next weekend so here's hoping that goes as well.

Anyway it's midnight now and I've got work in the morning so signing off to go for a wee chill out hour before hitting the hay.   

Happy crafting
Lorraine  xxx

First demo kit neatly stored away

Afternoon all just a quick post as I'm a busy wee bee organising stuff today.  

Bought some storage containers yesterday so here's my first demo kit all neatly packed away..  Indigo Blu.  

Now who's next!  Lol 

Xxx

Bright & beautiful

Howdy doody folks it's been a few days!

Head, neck & shoulder pain has taken over from the back for a few days so dear hubby has been massaging his fingers to the bone trying to help me and I've been rather unsociable too which is not like me.  After having a nice hot shower today I decided to give my back a wee stretch but instead of pulling out my actual recline stretcher I decided to simply use the side of the bed.  All went well with the stretch as I slowly eased myself over the side bit by bit and finally when I decided that was enough I pulled myself up off the floor..  well at least I attempted to before the duvet gently slid to the side resulting in me crashing to the floor head first!   Guess you could say that it really wasn't my day today lol.

Anyway I've managed a few cards along the way and one of them was for my friends little girl..  One of my surrogate children lol.   She's bright, she's beautiful and she's just reached double figures.  Indigo Blu provided the perfect stamps for me and using my DI I set about creating.  Forgot to take pics in daylight so I've taken a snap shot just now under my craft light just so you can get a sneaky peak. 

Can't believe it's 3am and I'm sitting typing!   Think I'm gonna swallow a few pain killers and see if that helps ease the pain a bit so I can hopefully catch some zzzzzz's before the sun rises. 

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Birthday tag

Sorry I missed a days post, should have been done in the evening but we  I got home from work I had to push on with prepping some Britannia samples and by the time I finished my back had really flared up again.   Think I'm going to have to admit defeat and get the doc to take a look at it in a few weeks at my next appointment.  

Well it's been a very busy day in the shop.   Customers galore, lots of sample boards being made up and displayed not to mention deliveries.    One things for sure when you work in such a large craft shop is there's always something to keep you busy.  Stock takes, restocking,  ordering,  pricing, advising customers, cleaning,  phones, Internet orders,  tills and that's just the basic day to day running lol.  

Anyway tonight I've succumbed to relaxation simply because it was after 11pm before the house phone & mobile actually stopped ringing and pinging.    Have to say it's been most enjoyable, well apart from my hubby's shocking event.   He sees a wee 14 year old girl turn the corner, pull up her tshirt to wipe her face but the problem is its a wee cropped top so there she is walking down the street wiping face with her black bra on view to anyone in the vicinity!   Needless to say hubby dearest was less than impressed but also shocked that some kids these days have absolutely no self respect.  

Righty Ho it's time for bed so I'll leave you with a birthday tag crafted using Indigo Blu stamps with distress inks.   Fab quick make which you could mount on a card or use as a gift label.  

Nighty night all
Lorraine xxx

Dream time

Oopsie just realised I won't be posting during the day tomorrow because I'm working in the shop but I'm lying in bed just now so will keep this one short as need me beauty sleep. 

Excuse the damage on the right hand side bit again it was a sample that got slightly damaged before I got to take pics. 

Another quick make using Indigo Blu stamps.   Sometimes we're tested with projects taking us time to make but when you're doing demos people ain't interested in watching you drag a project out for hours on end.   They're interested in seeing something completed in a short space of time.  Thus my personal projects tend to be much more intense whilst work related stuff are always quicker makes. 

Anyhoo time for sleep so nighty night peeps.

Lorraine xxx

Nature's beauty

Happy Monday all.  Never quite got why people moan about the start of a new week as it means the start of new possibilities in all areas of life. 

Today I am going to switch off to the phone and get the ironing done then some crafting.  Back at work tomorrow for a wee catch up with the girls and see what all new has been delivered in my absence. 

Keeping this short & brief today as nothing much happened yesterday and I want to get on without rambling on about nothing then hopefully I'll squeeze in an extra project to share with you later this week. 

In the meantime here's another Indigo Blu card. 

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Soaring high

Afternoon all.  Have had a lazy start to the day and hubby found it rather amusing when he tried to wake me with my morning coffee.   I was out cold and he decided to gently tap me on the nose.. OMG.. I near shot through the roof!   Poor cat bolted off the bed and thankfully I didn't send the cup flying out of hubby's hand. 

I know the rains are covering large parts of England just now so hope you all stay safe.  We've had some mild rain since around 5am this morning, enough to keep the ground wet but certainly nothing major.  Will see what the rest of the day brings right enough as it heads upland. 

Now I apologise for the blurred photography and I can't even re shoot as it's now displayed in the shop but this is a little tag sample I made using some of the new Britannia dies.  These were skyline, Sleigh,  Reindeer and small pine cone.  I have to say I'm loving these dies so much.  Simply cut a pile of shapes in good old white card, ink and create scenes.  

I've got hubby kicking about the house today so that always interferes with the crafting so focusing on the washing etc then will get inky tonight & tomorrow.  

Hope you're all having a fantabulous weekend.

Love
Lorraine xxx

Thank You

Afternoon all that's one job done so time for a wee break before deciding what to start on next.   Obviously I can't share the design itself as it's the last part of a wedding order and those I never share cause some peeps just take your ideas and sell them as their own.  I know it's sad but it is true.  Sixty thank you cards all ready to be packaged up & delivered to the bride.  

Yesterday was a wee day at home but I also had an unexpected visit from my adopted sister Gail.   We miss each other so much as she lives in Durham but we're hoping that one day soon she'll be coming home to stay.  In the meantime we make do with whatever time we can share.   We first me in the dentist in 1987 and have been through thick & thin with each other.  So many tragedies have affected us but together we've come out the other side stronger than ever.   We may not be blood sisters but when you have a bond as strong as ours does that really matter. 

Now today what am I going to do.  Hhmmm I think I'll start with a nice hot bath as this stupid back is playing up again.  Need to pop to the shops for some bits & bobs and mum coming for a visit.  After that I'll be pulling out the inks and getting creative again. 

Hope you've all got something nice planned for the weekend.

Hugs
Lorraine xxx

Fly away

Afternoon all.  Golly gosh I decided not to post in the wee small hours of this morning as I was off today so had time to fit it in at a decent hour of  the day and golly gosh would you believe I slept for a whopping 9 hours last night!   For those of you who don't know me well that normally 2 nights sleep to me lol. 

Anyways I decided to take a night to myself and I simply sat and vegged on the sofa doing sod all but watching tv and playing on my tablet.  Must have relaxed me eh!   Not stressing today either and just going at a slow pace again as my backs a little sore again but nothing major at present so going to try gently ease it away.  Housework is being broken doing in segments this weekend.  Today it's downstairs,  tomorrow upstairs then the rest of the day will be spent crafting.   There's quite a list to tackle.

1.  Thank you cards
2.  Britannia samples
3.  KaiserCraft samples
4.  Candy Box Crafts samples
5.  Indigo Blu samples

Hhmmm think I will be rather inky the next few days lol. 

In the meantime today's share is a little tag using some of the new Britannia dies.  Snow flake, Robin & large pine cone.  These are such fun dies to play with and they co-ordinate beautiful with each other.  Oh and little Robin red breast does actually have an eye now,  I just happened to take the picture before I added it lol. 

Right I'm off as lots to do and the energy is bubbling.  Back laters!

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Slowly goes it

You must all love when I post at this time of night as it's kept short & sweet lol.

Not much to report tonight as I was working in the shop then home for dinner and some work on the thank you cards tonight.   Didn't manage to get them finished as I was a bit tired so on a go slow.   Nice wee busy day in the shop with a few spells where it felt like a bus had stopped outside and opened the doors.   Even customers were saying how busy the car park was.   The journey home.. well..  that took me over an hour to drive 20 miles and the bulk of that time was spent sitting in traffic in the first mile of my journey.   Why when it's obvious that there's an issue with traffic do people insist on blocking roundabouts.  It only slow the traffic down,  it doesn't help you get anywhere quicker!  Then the amount of horns that get honked.. well that's just down right stupid. 

Thought this card was rather appropriate for tonight's post as it's travel related lol.  Another Indigo Blu sample. 

So that's been my day and heading off to bed now as up in 5 hours for another full day.

Nighty night
Lorraine xxx

Work work work

Well folks it's a quick post tonight as it's been a long day & I'm yawning my head off which is great news for me as hopefully I'm gonna get a good sleep which is very unusual for me.  I may even manage more than my average 4 hours lol. 

The day started with a 7.30am alarm, followed by work till 5.30pm and home just before 6.30pm.  Done a quick run around with the hoover and folded up the washing before organising dinner.  Took some time out to chill then settled down around 9 pm to start on work again.  There are now 60 Thank You cards all prepped ready to be constructed tomorrow night.  Put my feet up to relax for a while before bed and oopsie..  I nodded off lol.   Soon as I stop typing this post I'm off to get my pj's on and fall in to bed as I hopefully have another wee busy day ahead in the shop tomorrow.  

So before I go a little about today's card.   This was another Indigo Blu sample I made and please ignore the damaged blob at the top right of the corner.   One of the joys of passing samples around I'm afraid is that they can get damaged.   At the end of the day they are there for people to handle so you have to expect things like this happen.  

Right I'm signing off before I fall asleep typing.  

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Home bound flight

Where oh where do the days go?   It's a true saying that time passes quicker the older you get. 

This weekend I've been tuning in to the last of the Commonwealth Games and have to say I've been impressed at how well organised Glasgow has been to keep the city flowing as best it could and create a warm welcome to all our international visitors. 

Nowt much else has happened apart from the usual humdrum known as housework and washing.  Well there's not been much time actually as the games only finished on Sunday lol.  This morning I awoke with the most terrible headache and terrible feeling of sick so bad in fact that I did actually end up hanging over the bowl awaiting that dreaded event.   Thankfully it wasn't too bad so I had a little porridge and over time it seemed to settle.  Phew... was worried I had a nasty bug but seems to have passed now. 

Tonight I've been working on some project sheets as a follow through from my recent demo at Stampers Grove and also made a start on 60 thank you cards for an order.   Guess I'll be working day and night this week lol.  

So, what am I sharing with you all today?   A nice little wooden plaque which I covered in Kroma Crackle before stamping and adhering some elements.  Just have to attach a hanging hook to the back then it's ready for hanging. 

Well it's past bedtime so gonna sign off as have work in the morning.  

Toodles for now
Lorraine xxx