Let Leonie Loose with Craftascope & Some important Information

WOW, Well what amazing Let Leonie Loose show's yesterday, Amazing demos and such different ways of using the Craftascope goodies. I have always wanted them to be versatile & designed them to suit different styles of crafting. I was thrilled that she shared totally different ways and such a lot of inspiration from the design team too. There were 8 sell outs on my Etsy store overnight, I have managed to add a little more, but please don't miss out if there is anything you want. I am afraid the Retro Banner has gone, but the stamp set is a wonderful alternative or addition if you are lucky enough to have the die.Take a look at all the wonderful photos from the shows yesterday. Also important information about Stamperama In Stevenage.

I am busy trying to get ready to travel, so I cant be around too much to answer but I will as soon as I can. I am on Hochanda on Tuesday 13th August at 12 and 4.

But first stop is Stamperama in Stevenage on Sunday 11th August. It seemed a long time coming but now it's here at last. We have a super Make and Take, please book (£10 Charge) as soon as you can as each one is limited to 6-8 people. You will have the chance to design and take home your very own mug using Craftascope goodies. It's very exciting.

I really cant wait to see all of you amazing creations. I will also be doing the draw for the new Regal Rose Collection after setting up the Craftascope Stand. If you have left a review for any of your Purchases on my Etsy store, if you haven't already you still have until Saturday Morning when I will be closing this giveaway.

Don't forget to check out whats left on Etsy, there are some items that I can't restock. For no take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Simply Cards and Papercraft Magazine GIVEAWAY

Sometimes it's easy to forget the things that are important to us, to loose sight of what you are all about. Life gets in the way and takes us off on a tangent. I wanted to start this blog by saying Thank you, I was incredibly touched by your uplifting comments, heartfelt messages and emails.They really helped my get up and brush myself off and see whats important to me. I really had no idea how many of you cared not just about me and what I share, but it showed me what wonderful, generous and precious followers and friends I have. It does mean a lot to me and no words can really tell you how much. Todays post is different, I am sharing some pages from this months Simply Cards and Papercraft magazine, which includes a Craftascope Giveaway. There are 2 chances to win, see the Simply Cards and Papercraft website for details and good luck.

A friend suggested that the comments I received would be  great added to a journal, I thought this was a fantastic idea. So thats what I am going to do and if I ever get into such a mess again I can pick it up and know just how many of you care.

I have just had a look at some of  the Design Teams samples for my New Collection and I have to say they are amazing, I am so excited to share them with you all. The collection is being launched next Sunday at Stamperama in Stevenage and I hope that some of you will be joining me, It would be great to see some friendly faces.

In this months Simply Cards and Papercraft Magazine,there is a 20% discount code for readers (SCPMAG20) that can be used against any thing in my Etsy store.

Thank you for taking the time to join me today, I hope you will join me again very soon. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

SURPRISE, Time For A Lift

Morning Friends and Crafters. So much has happened since my last visit to Hochanda. I don't often share my woes, normally because I try and muddle through as best I can. There's no denying that it's been a struggle this time, I really don't know what else could have possibly gone wrong, it seems everything has been passed my way, so touch wood that things will improve. This is the first post for a while, today I am sharing a journal I have stitched, covered and decorated with something from my New Collection & A Surprise. My post is fairly long but I needed to set a few things straight, so feel free to skip it all.

It's not often that things get on top of me, but the last few months have been incredibly difficult, a few personal issues, my health and of course the weather hasn't helped much either. I have mentioned one of the things before.I have been really upset by some comments and even worse a few cutting messages. I have to say they are very hurtful, maybe more so at the moment with being unwell, it's really got me down and I have found it hard to pick myself up this time.

There are only a couple of things that have got me through the last unpleasant weeks, one has been my new goodies. 'The Regal Rose' collection is very special to me, It's dedicated to my Nan, she adored Roses as do I, so this is all about roses, beautiful words and phrases. Apart from the main collection, there are also some wonderful extras that will compliment it, but work beautifully on their own.

The Lady Marjorie Swag: An open design with very fine, delicate lines. There are so many options with this one, evolving from one of my stamps. It will give a lot of versatility.

Then there is the Lady Elizabeth Bouquet Die, a beautiful bouquet with wonderful embossed detail. I managed to get it to work on my foiling machine as well. This will not be available on Hochanda and there is very little stock left. The packaging has the incorrect name, obviously it doesn't affect the die so if you want it pleased order now.

There are 2 additional shows on Wednesday 7th, do watch out for them (IT'S A BIG SURPRISE). After a lot of requests I have now created a stamp sheet of Retro Leaves and styalised trees, again very versatile. Also on the show a couple of New items, one of which is an alphabet to either coordinate with the Retro Banner die or for any of your other crafting projects.

All of the new goodies have been added to my Etsy store (LINK HERE), Unfortunately the Regal Rose Collection has sold out, but I will try to add some more stock next week. For now all the stock I have was added to the store, dont delay if you want anything. I really hope you will love it as much as I do.

Before I go on I would like to thank you ever so much for your support and wonderful comments and messages on Facebook. This is another thing that has really kept me going. I really appreciate how much you care, it does mean a lot to me. Much more that you could ever know. Without it I really don't think I would be continuing with this journey. I have to say sometimes It's something I wouldn't be doing if I didn't know how many of you enjoy what I share and bring for you.

I want to take this opportunity that I only recommend quality things to to help others, products and items I believe in and that exceed my expectations.I can assure you that I don't receive any payment for this at all,it's really not what I would ever do. If you know me, you will know that I am Honest and Truthful. I'm a genuine guy who likes to help people whenever I can. It's where I started, long before I ever had my own craft range and it will always be my top priority. I want people to enjoy their crafting and have fun while doing it. Some of the remarks have been downright spiteful, they really have got to me this time. I do hope you never feel obliged to visit my blog or that I bombard you with advertising for Hochanda or my Etsy Store.

I have only shared things, so people dont miss out, when stock runs low and I cant replace. Lately I have been on the receiving end of some very spiteful remarks and abuse, comments and messages, some of which were from people I thought were nice people, they have now been blocked. 

It's important to note here, that I can only make one order for my collections and once they are gone they are gone, I can't get more. Minimum orders are fairly hefty, so to get the best possible price and value for you I need to place large orders, to buy less means the prices are just too high.

For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xxx

Beauty In Seasons

Hi Everyone, Another lovely day her in Bulgaria, the humidity has dropped at last which is so much easier. The heat and humidity just makes every little thing such a chore. Preparations are now in full swing getting ready for Stamperama in Stevenage on the 11th August and then my Hochanda shows on the 13th August. Unfortunately I cant bring the Small Rose Petal stamps back to Hochanda this time, but I do have a very small amount left on my Etsy store, but once they are gone they are gone, for now at least.

You Will Need:

Craftascope Floral Companions Stamp Set

Craftascope Floral Harmony Stamp Set.

8 x 8'' Clarity Black Card Blank

Clarity White Card Blank (cut to 7 3/4'' square)

Distress Inks: Mowed Lawn, Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey and Mermaid Lagoon

Versafine Clair Black Ink Pad

Clarity Stencil Brushes

Basic Square Die approx 2 1/2''

Copier Paper

Temporary Adhesive Spray

Black Fine Liner pen

Step 1: Roughly stamp out 3 of the leaves onto copier paper and cut out.

Step 2: Cut out a piece of copier paper to 7 1/2'' square. Cut 4 squares out of this, evenly spaced and keep both the inner and outer cuts. Cutting the copier paper smaller than your card makes positioning much easier.

Step 3: Use temporary adhesive to secure your copier paper in place.

Step 4: Stamp a leaf and positive word in 3 of your squares and your sentiment in the 4th, Use the leaf masks you made earlier and secure them in place with your temporary adhesive.

Step 5: Mask off around your square to make sure you get no colour in any of the other squares or the edges of your card. Take one of your stencil brushes along with a distress ink and gently blend across your first square, blending form deeper at the top and lighter towards the bottom.

Step 6: Repeat step 5 with each of your remaining squares.

Step 7: Remove your large square mask and move very slightly left and down by approximately 4-5 mm  giving you a little backwards 'L' in the corner. Now use your smaller squares to mask off your coloured area. Take another stencil brush and using Hickory smoke, add colour to the space you have left. This gives a wonderful 3D look when you card is complete.

Step 8: Remove the masks and gently remove any excess adhesive with a soft cloth.

Step 9: Use a very fine liner to draw a line around each of your coloured boxes (not the Hickory Smoke part) Draw another line about 1/4'' in from the edge of your card. Mount your finished card onto the black card base, giving you your finished card.

Thank you so much for joining me this afternoon for this step by step. I hope you like the end result. If you missed my exciting news the other day, I will share it with you here. I am so happy to let you all know that I have been nominated in the Crafts Beautiful 'Best Of' Craft awards, so I am over the moon to have got this far. Thank you ever so much for your support, it really does mean a lot to me. My collection will be added to their website on the 15th August, when the voting begins. For now Take care and Happy Crafting.xx 

A little bit of news.

Hi Friends and Crafters.

Just a little bit of news for you. I have been able to add some more of the Craftascope Rose petal dies to my Etsy store at last after they sold out on Hochanda. Also I have listed a few items from my New August Launch, including the whole Regal Rose Collection, please do be quick if you would like anything as it seems to be going very fast and there is no more stock until the August launch and Stamperama in Stevenage. The link for my Etsy store is at the top on the blog page.

Thats really all for now as I have been told to rest for a few days, and I want to be back to 100% as soon as possible. So take care and Happy Crafting.xxx