2nd workshop ...

 ... done and dusted.  Finally got round to photographing the first one's makings along with the second.  Workshops have a new format.  We're now making 2 cards per workshop.  One is designed by Clair and the other by her daughter, Sharni.  The workshop is now split in 2 and each lead the half with their card design.  We're also told where we're sitting each time so we don't choose for ourselves.  We get to sit with different workshop members each time which is fine.  Only problem Cally & I have is that we don't get our 'catch up' time if we're not near each other.  We have the trip there and back in the car - and that's not long *sad*  Spend more time with others than we get with each other now - *ROFL*  Still, we've a play day at Greta's this week.  An 'au revoir' meet up before Kim departs for pastures new.  She's off to live near Prague.  We don't want her to go *sad*  We'll see her again in June for our annual Crafter's House Party though *woo hoo*

In the meantime, workshop cards .....
Those made in January - 

Clair's design - MFT stencil andstamps, Mama Elephant dies

Sharni's design - MFT dies & stamps

This weeks workshop cards ...

I've adapted Clair's design slightly.  She had hers mounted straight, I've got it on a jaunty angle.  Clair had coloured the background buds and leaves.  I decided to leave the as black and white line images, however I've mounted the image in such a way that I can colour it if I change my mind.  I also added some crystal for a bit of 'bling'

Clair's design - Stampin' Up & MFT stamps, Sue Wilson dies

My version of Sharni's design looks as though it's got some mauve sequins on.  It hasn't but they are iridescent so take on lots of different colours in different lights.

Sharni's design - Stampin' Up stamps, Sizzix embossing folder.

Last week I finally managed to blag some photos taken at our workshop craft day in November with John Bloodworth.  Clair had arranged for a local guy to come and take photos for a local website.  That guy is my window cleaner *ROFL*.  I've asked him a couple times for some copies, particularly one of the group with Maisy.  He sent me that one and a few more last week.  I checked with him for permission to share them with the workshop group and he kindly agreed I could, so I did, except for one *wink*  I'm sure he won't mind me sharing a couple here.

The Motley Crew

Really think I should have combed my hair after we'd been outside but it didn't see a comb all day *shock!*

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Lovely day ...

... yesterday.  Took myself to the theatre.  Sunny Afternoon, the Kinks story.  You've got to have been a fan and like/d them, both now and back in the day.  Theatre Royal hasn't put on a panto for a few years now, instead they've put on alternative 'family' shows.  Have to say I think they've failed this year.  Enjoyable as it was it's not really a show I'd like to take younsters to and for one reason only ... the language.  Quite a few profanities used and, although it's to keep things real, it's not language I'd like our little ones to hear because of us.  They hear enough without parents or grandparents seeming to condone it's use.  Old fashioned idea???  Probably but there is no need of it, to my mind.  Having said that, the show is excellent.  The language relevant, to keep it real, and the lads taking the parts are excellent in their roles.  Certainly a trip down Memory Lane for me.

Night had fallen when I left the theatre (I did a matinee) so thought I'd take a look at Brighton's Christmas lights, such as they are.  Quite pretty, especially Bond Street and around the Clock Tower ...

The area I spent the majority of my working life in, inlcuding the building (blue lights) where I had my very first full time job.  It was a bank then.  Now it's a Wetherspoons pub/restaurant

Mid November - a very special weekend, craftwise.  The 2nd full weekend of crafting hosted by John Bloodworth for his All Counties Challenge in aid of MIND.  This weekend was different to the April/May one in that we had to choose our workshops from a selection.  John was dedicating his time to teaching the Scan & Cut (his forté) but to support him and for those of us that don't own a machine there was Leonie Pujol (using her own range), Paula Pascual (Tonic Studios), Jenny Meyes (Hobby Art), Sarah Milsop (Beads Direct) and Dean Wilson (DIY).  John's report of the weekend is here

Kim & I chose Leonie, Paula and Jenny as our choices for the weekend.  The results .

Leonie's - backgrounds with sparkle pens and some mixed media

Paula's - crepe paper flower, tissue flowers and wreath, card - all using Tonic products

Jenny's - using Hobby Art stamps,  Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens and other 'stuff' - loved those pens 

...

.Great weekend and learnt a lot.  Waiting for the next one to be announced now *wink*

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Still no time ...

... to blog properly *sad*  So much has been going on this past month and I seem to be chasing my tail.  Since I last blogged I've done lots of crafty things but still have projects to finish, let alone photograph.  Then there's also real life getting in the way.  I will be trying to catch up soon but have to now get Christmas sorted out before it's here and nothing has been done.  In the meantime, one of the crafty things was an all day workshop with Clair's group on the 24th.  What was different about this one was that it was hosted by John Bloodworth - Gentleman Crafter as part of his All Counties Craft Challenge.  I'm cheating but John blogged about it a few days ago and his post is here.  In addition Clair has vlogged about it and her vlog is here, below.  I'm so glad I suggested she contact John and that she did.  It rounded off my crafting workshop year brilliantly but there were a few more to cover from the week before ..... and a whole weekend in Godalming doing crazy crafty stuff *grin*

The photo below is not the best pic of me *cringe*  We'd been outside to have a group photo taken with Maisy and it was not only f-f-freeezing cold it was also blowing a hoolie.  Should've made sure I'd brushed my hair when we got back inside and pulling a silly face hasn't helped *ooops!*  Oh no, that's a normal face *ROFL!*

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What a way ...

... to finish a month and start another.  April into May and a weekend of crafting.  Not just any old weekend of crafting.  A weekend with John Bloodworth, The Gentleman Crafter, and friends as he starts his All Counties Craft Challenge in Maisy, his home and workshop for the next year.  John has given up his home and .... well, pop over to his blog and read all about it.  Donate to his cause, book a workshop either as a group or individually, or join one of his that are cropping up around the country.

Cally and I booked into the Surrey All Counties Craft Challenge workshops.  Yep, multiple.  We could have done just one, two or three but we went the whole hog and did the full weekend, staying at the venue as well.  Good decision as it turned out.  It didn't seem particularly cheap but as the weekend progessed we felt we had really good value for money.  Would we do it again?  You betchya .... we're waiting to see when he gets near-ish to us again (hopefully another where we can do a craft and stay weekend *grin*) and Clair has emailed him to see what the chances are of getting him to do a day with our group.

Here's a few(?) ... could be more, a lot more - lol! .... photos from the weekend

JOHN'S WORKSHOP DAY - FRIDAY 29th APRIL

A small workshop - just 6.  Plenty of room and very friendly

The 6 of us, our finished projects and how they started out.

My completed projects from John's workshop.

Our hotel room ....

... and the view from our window.

Hotel front and Maisy - John's home for the next year.

Hotel rear (John enjoying a coffee and a smoke).  Our room was right in the centre at the very top.

SHEENA DOUGLASS' & DONNA RATCLIFF WORKSHOP - 30th APRIL 

Donna & Sheena

Workshop under way.  20 today - cosy *wink*

Who'd have thought a £1 shop, white plastic owl could end up looking so lush!

Paint fusion to transform a plain black Hobbycraft special offer scrapbook.

Finished projects - one success, one fail but can be covered *wink*  Enjoyed it though.

JULIE HICKEY (Craftwork Cards) WORKSHOP - 1st MAY

Julie & John

Workshop under way.  Just 8 today.  Plenty of space again *grin*

Another £1 shop find ...

... and transformed!

A Craftwork Cards kit ...

... and the end result.

Plenty of tea, coffee and cakes over the whole weekend and the food was superb.  Hot and cold buffet Friday and Saturday for lunch and delish desserts.  Sunday we chose lunch from a menu.  I had the best fish & chips I'd had in a long while!

A wip and a muffin

Fish & chips, or more technically - Tempura plaice with Asian salad ... and fries (not in pic)

Cally's Sunday lunchtime choice

Glazed tarte au citron and berries.  This was Julie's.  I forgot to photograph mine. Mine didn't have the berries on top *sad*

A wonderful weekend to finish April and start May ... if only I'd have stayed away!

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