Wednesday 29 December 2010

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I enjoyed seeing my family and friends, it flew by as ever, but really crammed as much as I could in. Got a fantastic camera as well, just need to learn how to use it!

I'm back in Peterborough, work tomorrow, and I pick up my keys for my new pad! Oh my word, really excited. Getting abit worried about leaving Canterbury as well, know it'll be a huge wrench, but I'll be fine, having my dogs back and my new massive garden will make up for it.

Did everyone have a good do? Did Santa bring lots of goodies?

Well, I'm going to have a ridiculously early night! Hooray. The next few weeks are going to be rather mad I imagine, so I'll try and build up some much needed energy.

Xxx


- Leonie

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Craft club

Hi gang, now I wanted to let everyone know that we will be having a craft club on Monday, that's the 13th. I hope everyone will be able to make it, and if you haven't been before of course you are more than welcome. We hold the club at Jubilee Hall, which is on the corner of Cow Lane and Wincheap road (just as you pass the Kings Head and the pedestrian crossing if you were coming from Canterbury, you will see it tucked behind the car park). We start at 7.30. There will be refreshments, and of course it's Christmas, so I'll bring along mince pies. I'll be making Christmas decorations with my wonderful scented glitter (mmmm). I'm hoping people will bring along tips and techniques to decorate the house and tree for Christmas. I'll be bringing along some crafty bargains as well, because I need to organise myself and do a little bit of sorting - ready for my big move!

The big move, well I'm very very sad to be saying it will be my last proper club night in Canterbury. I really hope the ladies will keep it going, as it's a great place to come along to share idea's, and I hope I'll get invited back to maybe do classes or workshops when I visit. Sob, yep I'm leaving Canterbury. I'm leaving with a very heavy heart. We escaped to Canterbury after we lost Jacob, to try and start again, and I really fell in love with the city. It's so friendly, there's loads to do, brilliant pubs..........sob. My new job of course meant I wasn't here much - to be honest this hasn't really been a problem, I've enjoyed coming home and going back to work - but the real problem has been the fact I haven't anywhere to live with the dogs when I'm in Peterborough - and the recent event with my dog walker really forced my hand to make the move. I've found a lovely house in Peterborough, with a big garden which I know the dogs will love (so will I, it'll dull the sadness of leaving my brilliant allotment). It's close to work, so I'll be able to nip in on them if I've a long day.

I'm really really going to miss Canterbury, and I'm promising myself I'll be back. I will be visiting of course, so I hope I won't loose all my crafty friends I have made - and you never know I may make even more when I do classes.

That's my news, all of this will be happening in the new year, so I'm attempting to organise myself, do lots of visiting, along with everything else of course! Always something to keep us busy eh! Can't wait to get my dogs back though, and I hope to see friendly faces on Monday...... xx

Craftaganza Weekend

As promised here are the cards I made for the fantastic weekend I spent with the Crafters Companion team and the brilliant crafters. We had such a good time, and I got loose with glitter (poor poor hotel!!).





The first project I prepared was a tag, which could be used as a topper for a card of course. This was easily made. First the base was created using Spellbinders Labels 12 dies, cut the largest then the next one down, then cut a frame using both of these dies. I used the wonderful watercolour card to cut out my frames, and used the embossing mat to make an embossed border.

Now, ink, my favourite! I used Distress Ink Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey. I stamped using the beautiful stamps designed by the very clever Jayne Nestorenko, the Cute Companions Christmas Delights range (if you haven't tried these yet, get them, they are really delightful). The image I used was the rabbit reading a Christmas wish list. Simply stamp in the darker Distress ink, and using a damp paint brush gently blend some of the ink from the image. This gives your picture tone and you can even create a base. If you need more ink, simply dab your Distress ink pad on a mat or plastic bag and pick a little ink up with your paint brush - mix the ink with water to dilute the colour. Using the Rusty Hinge stamp the Yuletide Greetings word to your tag.

Using a cut and dry sponge, pick up the Distress Ink Wild Honey from the pad and start to blend the ink round the edges of the stamped card. Add a little of the darker Rusty Hinge round the edges.

The largest label can be coloured using the rusty hinge colour, when covered I used a splash of water to give a little texture. I only added a small touch of colour to the frame, as you want to keep some white to allow it to lift the top label from the bottom, and not blend into the layers. I wrapped a piece of ribbon around the frame and then glued the frame to the largest label, I then stuck the smallest label on the front with 3D foam. I tied a piece of cinnamon stick to the top of the label.

To finish the tag I mixed some ground cinnamon with fine cut glitter. I added a larger proportion cinnamon to glitter - until I was happy with the fragrance and colour. Using a quickie glue pen I applied glue to the embossed edge of my labels, and covered with your wonderful smelling festive glitter.

Why not try adding cinnamon to embossing powders, I haven't tried it yet, but it's on the "to do" list!!





Next is the snowy Love card. The base of this card was made using the letters from the Adorables CD (fantastic for the paper selection as well!). I printed the capital L as large as I could, twice, and then the rest of the letters the next size down, just once. Print them off and cut them out.

Go round each letter with a white gel pen. Now stamp using a black staz-on the cute figures, again from the Cute Companions Christmas Delight sets. I used the snowman, mouse with her little toy, broom and quite a few snowballs. Colour the images in using you preferred medium - I used watercolour pencils for this card.

Now it is simply a case of putting the card together. The letters actually form the card, so first you need to stick the two L's together. Put them one on top of the other, the back one you need to score and fold, then attach them using double sided tape. The L's will now open like a L shaped card. Now build the rest of the letters and figures to the top L. Design the card first so you know where you want to put your characters, you can have them over lapping, interlinking, some flat and some attached with 3D foam. It is important all the letters are straight, so the card will stand up. It is also important all characters overlap to keep the card together. This will form the front of your card.

The back of the card, so give stability, I have used a little torn card to resemble a snowy hill, attach this behind the back of the second L. You can add more "snow", if you feel the card needs an extra layer.

Try using this method to create personal cards with someones name, or a message. You can have your figures dotted all over the card, and using the CD's means you can alter the colour and pattern to make it different every time.

A touch of glitter glue adds a lovely finishing sparkle.

Tuesday 30 November 2010

Craft Club, Crafty Girls go on Tour!!!!

Hi one and all, how are you? I hope you are well, either enjoying the weather from the inside, or having fun out and about. I like snow, touch wood it's not held me up to much, so I'm not going to complain. I love the seasons, and like any excuse to wear loads of layers and a dodgy woolly hat. oooow, talking of wool, me and my mum went in Clarks Crafts in Ramsbottom yesterday, they have some fantastic wool. I NEED to knit, that's it, no more excuses.

Anyhow, sorry to the Craft Club ladies for cancelling Monday. I hope everyone read my blog and realised. I generally send an email, but I haven't been home, left my contact book at home (obviously!!) and couldn't seem to find my emails with everyones details on. Bit of a mess really. I have rescheduled though, so the next craft club will be

13th December

I hope everyone can make it, I'll mix up some glitter and cinnamon to make it smell nice, and I'll bring some mince pies!! It can be our little Christmas party.

Now then, talking of parties, I need to thank everyone for the fantastic warm welcome they gave me at Craftaganza, organised by the hugely talented Meg (dunno how she does it), and all the Crafters Companion Team. It was such a good weekend (well, Friday night and Saturday). Thank you to Sara for inviting me along. It's great to be in such talented peoples company, who are so friendly. Brilliant. I will as promised put the cards on my blog, along with the instructions, but they are on my phone and my computer makes all the computers in Dee's house crash when I put it on - so I'll have to wait till I get home, so I don't break anything! It's not just me that gets distracted by squirrels Claire - my computers bonkers as well.

We've also got the breaking news that we are taking "Crafty classes by the lovely lasses" on tour. Oh yes, it's a crafty holiday, it will be fun, you will most definitely learn something as there's 7 brilliant tutors (well ones okay with the gift of the gab and an ability to spill glitter at the drop of a hat!!), and the best bit, we're going on the road with it. We are going to try and tour as many places as possible over the year(s), which I hope will mean those of you who maybe miss out on these things will be in with a chance of coming along. Okay, you might still have a little journey, as we can't be on everyones doorstep, but hopefully this will only be a short train or even bus ride, rather than a hike. We are finalising the remaining details, and then I will be able to announce dates, price and our first location. We want to try and visit Scotland, up North, Midlands, down South, East and West. We also want to visit Ireland and Wales, and would love to get over to the Isle of Mann. We have a big itinerary, lots of exciting plans and launches which will be made specifically on the tours (hopefully a new one each tour), special guests, and fun. Of course, there has to be a giggle or two thrown in there. Now I have been getting lots of suggestions on Facebook as to where our little tour should travel, I'd like the same here. We'll see where the hot spots are, or the closest to make as many people as possible happy, then get booked, packed, and erm, craft! (won't do the Peter Kay version). I am so exciting. Not telling you the tutors yet, it's a surprise! Wow. I will be running regular poles for idea's as to what our crafters would like as part of their crafty holiday - so we can try to get it right first time (hahaahahaha.......I think there will be room for a few teething problems!).

Well, that's all my crafty news. Had a lovely weekend, got treated to a fantastic day out visiting the Ingleton falls, really beautiful. Then we had lovely homemade warm soup to warm us up and cake. The dogs were very happy as well. Even went to a pub with my favourite beer on draft, perfect.

Back in Peterborough now, ready for our Christmas do. Having my hair done tomorrow, I was going to change it with the seasons, but missed Autumn, so have to go straight for winter - it just goes to fast doesn't it. Mind you, red on the dodgy bleach could have been abit of a disaster. See what happens tomorrow, if I'm sporting a new hat on Thursday morning and my eyes look puffy you know it's a bad un!

Better get my bath and bed, got loads to do tomorrow (besides colouring my head). Remember to let me know where you want the Crafty Road Trip to visit - lets get the wheels on that crafty bus rolling girls and boys. Hey, one last thing, have you seen the Ideal World Christmas video yet? I think it's great. My favourite bits either Nigel or Ben (he's doing the groovy dance with a trolly thing). Love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDWdQS9b6KM

Friday 26 November 2010

Damn fine day!!

Okay, today's a good day (thank goodnesss for work to keep the ole spirits up!). Get my schedule:

working with my chum Nikki from Polkadoodles with her fabulous CD's but now STAMPS - haven't had a nosey in studio yet, can't wait to see them!!

The lovely Anthony, Mr. Princess Pinflair, is up next, with some beautiful new products - they're always good!

Then, my other very good friend Sarah Lawrence. I'm so so chuft Sarah is joining us, she's lovely and soooo talented. It's her first time here at C&C empire, so I really hope everyone gets those welcomming emails in.

And to end the day - talk about going out with a blast, we have got a world exclusive, can only get it here, and we are talking about the georgous Forever Friends!!! It's our pick of the week, it's bumper, and I recon it'll be a flyer.

That's a blinking good day I think you'll agree - better go and put the slap on then hadn't I.

Hope you can all tune in and keep out of the nasty chill.

xx

Sunday 21 November 2010

Not good karma for crafting!

Meant to be crafting today, but my mojo's not working. Got home last night and the RSPCA called round. Apparently someone had reported that my dogs had been abandoned. I was so upset. I new there was something wrong when I got home, they had left stinky presents around the house which they never do, Teela was shivering and molting which she does when she's scared, and she didn't bark once (which she never does!). I felt awful. Obviously they were supposed to have a dog sitter, who was meant to be staying with them and walking them everyday. The leads were where I left them, no hovering had been done, but there was no mud on the carpet (pretty impossible when the weathers wet!).

I don't really know whats happened. She did say she had to see her mum on the Wednesday as she had to go to hospital, and I said I completely understood and for her to let me know what was going on as we could arrange something. The day after she said her mum was back home, so didn't say she couldn't see to the dogs. And when I got home there was a note to say the dogs had been really good, and she was sorry for rushing off to see her mum who still wasn't very well. After the visit from the RSPCA officer I was of course really emotional so text her (couldn't ring!!), and she said her mum had died, which must have been on the Saturday as she left the note saying she still wasn't to good Saturday morning (I presume, but who knows). I just don't get it - obviously you don't like to say you don't believe it -who would lie about something like that, that would be disgusting. I suppose it's more like she had a lot on her plate, made sure the dogs were fed and had water, and figured they didn't need a walk. Why didn't she tell me though so I could have made other arrangements, why would you do that - unless she didn't want to loose the money. I dunno, but I'm so relieved I came home. I was supposed to be visiting my friend, but had forgot until I had got down the motorway. Imagine if I hadn't got home until the evening!!! Jesus. My door would have been put through wouldn't it, and my dogs taken. It doesn't bare thinking about. My faith in some people has been abit shaken, but at least I know my neighbours are observant and have effectively let me know my dogs weren't being taken care of properly, otherwise I'd have never known and used her again.

Anyway, this has killed my mojo. Everythings sitting out waiting to be done and I just want to eat chocolate! The dogs funnily enough have had a good long walk and are not happy again. At least they'll be in safe hands with my mum next week.

Okay, put down the chocolate Leonie, pick up the stamp and DO IT!!!!!.....

Friday 19 November 2010

Workshop

Evening one and all, well it's the start if the weekend, hooray. For me its a day at work, but that's no hardship, smashing good fun. Can you believe last night I dreamt about pull bows! Dream interpreters out there, what does that mean? Wasn't doing anything weird with them, just wrapping.

Now then, we were supposed to be having our craft club not this Monday but next Monday, and unfortunately I'm not going to be here, so I'll make an executive decision to postpone it, I'll ring my hall lady and confirm the new date asap.

Also need to ask who would be interested in workshops in the Peterborough area, we're putting lots of plans together but want to start a list of people to invite when they get up and running. If you would to be one of the first to be invited (as spaces will be limited) then please email me to leoniepujol@hotmail.co.uk

They will start early in the new year, and keep watching this space as we have some very exciting news for more plans......oh what a tease! Xx


- Leonie

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Xmas video day

Hehe, girls are looking and laughing......who's rooms getting the giggles I wonder?!


- Leonie

Monday 15 November 2010

Whaaahey, name on the door!

Well, I've been in the Create and Craft family for just over a year now, and look, my names on the door!!



Hooray, isn't that exciting. Next should be the photo on the walk of shame - there's big photo's of all the presenters when you walk to either studio. I'm not looking forward to that one going up actually!

Now I've been meaning to put these on my blog for ages, they are my little samples from when I played with my sealing wax for the sealing wax show:













I'd definitely recommend using the wax gun, and if you can get a couple then do it, as then you can mix colours. Obviously you can sink your seals into the wax, ink them up first for a different look. You can sprinkle glitter in, mica powders anything light. If you want real dimension then first you need to create a base of wax to put your feathers, cinnamon sticks - whatever you fancy. Then apply another application of wax to either add more dimension or apply your wax seal. I loved playing with my Christmas scents, and added powder cinnamon and nutmeg to mine,smells great.

Try using your rubber stamps as well, ink them first and then sink them into the heated wax. It works like triple thick embossing powder, but has a different look and texture with being a wax. If you sprinkle embossing powder onto the top of the wax it gives a pitted texture. You can also sprinkle your gold flakes in for a touch of luxury.

Try waxing - and not the painful variety!!

Have fun.

Monday 8 November 2010

NEC - home again

Had such a good time, a massive thank you to everyone who visited us - and I'm so sorry for everyone I missed at the main stand. We were so busy on the cake stand, I didn't get over very often to see everyone else. Thank goodness for Nicola who demoed the Cricut Cake almost continuously, and did an fantastic job of answering questions and not sitting down, eating or taking loo breaks!! A true star, she should be on our screens I recon.

I loved meeting everyone, it's great, lots of new faces - but it's always good to see the familiar ones. Got to do a little bit of shopping in the crafts for Christmas bit - flew round. Didn't have a look at the food hall - really wanted to, sounded great.

Now I'm trying not to talk to anyone and actually rest my voice. I'm going to the doc's, so hopefully I'll finally get rid of this cough and stop sounding like a bloke (see dad, eventually I've listened to you!!).

I don't know how Steph is working this morning, I'm shattered! Got some crafting to do, but today I fancy chilling out as long as poss in my jammies.

Hope everyone who visited the NEC had a great time, did you all shop till your arms ached? If you missed out, then don't worry, I'm sure you'll see lots of pics and hear loads of news.

Righto, another medicinal cup of tea and a spot of honey xx

Saturday 6 November 2010

NEC

Having a brill time, spot any familiar faces?









It's a bunch of mates - said it before and I'll say it again, what a fab job I've got!

Been in the cake hall today. Cake. It's another world, really interesting as it is completely different, alot more international and alot of people with their own businesses. As usual, loads of stuff I want, nothing changes! Here's a pic of John and our very own queen of the cake, Nicola




This stand is the reason I now sound like a husky man - we did an awful lot of talking (noooo!).

So, it's been brilliant so far. Tonight we have had a great meal then played on the dodgems. It's just like real driving but no one asks for insurance details, miles more fun.



The gang.

It's been great seeing the crafters of course, always is. Do you know it's been a year since I joined c&c! Can't believe it, it's flown! Loving every minute. What a brilliant gang.

It's interesting going to the shows on many levels, including the goss! Now this is one that's been knocking around for some time which,up till now, I've choose to ignore because it's so incredibly ridiculous, but I think it's time I attempted to knock it on the head. Whoever has started the rumour about me leaving Qvc and Dawn as I was having an affair with Jj - sorry but come on, get real! How do people come to such conclusions, it's hilarious. Really, the talent for story telling is obvious, and a serious ability to use imagination, but stick to crafting.

Anyway, I have complete and utter respect for Dawn, so wouldn't treat her with such indignity. Nor would I have cheated on my own partner at the time, who quite frankly I have been through enough with without insulting him by having an affair, and do you think it's that easy to walk into a presenters job, as if I could just leave one tv channel and hop easily onto another, they're hardly ten to a penny. Whoever started this one really hasn't a clue. It's a classic, I think you need to stay away from solvent based products. I don't generally take any notice of the gossip, but it's been going on long enough. People get new jobs, and sadly marriages break down, there doesn't have to be a sordid story behind it - life just isn't that much of a soap opera, thank god. I know the majority of people who have heard this one will be able to work out it's a load of rubbish, so this message is aimed at the person who dreamt it up, news travels fast so I'm sure whoever you are will get the message. I know we all love abit of gossip, and thankfully I'm sure no one will have been hurt by this one as I think we all knew each other enough, and trusted each other, to know something like that just wouldn't have happened, but I felt it was time for me to stick my nose in!! I admit everything seemed to happen around the same time - but how on earth did you come to this conclusion. Brilliant! 2 and 2 really does make 85 for you doesn't it. I just got offered another job - how very boring eh.

I need to get some sleep, it's late again, rubbish, what happened to my early night!

Wednesday 3 November 2010

More NEC stuff

Okay, need to pack up, it's got late, love this little machine though - put it down!

Nite all x
















Tuesday 2 November 2010

NEC here we come!

Well, it's almost upon us, the NEC, can't wait. I've been playing with the imagine (lucky monkey arnt I!). It's so easy to get used to, like the designs, but only have one cartridge, I want them all!! Yep, like it. We'll also have the cake, want that as well!

I suppose I will now have some space to fill my house with cook machines as my friends started on the first leg of their fantastic adventure to New Zealand (starts with a trip up north!). It'll be strange without a full house, enjoyed having them round, and Dylan was getting on really well with his brother (awww).



Dave and Dylan.

It'll be strange without little Juliette around as well. Funny having a little one around the place, emotional, but good.

Anyway, the craftings been a good diversion today, and has also helped to keep me away from my stupidly addictive game on my phone! It even tells me how many hours of my life I've wasted on it!









Righto, back to the sticking and inking.....hope to see lots of folk over the next few days in the flesh!x

Halloween

Bit late, but thought I'd nip a couple of photos on my blog from halloween, had a brilliant time with ms Tod!












Sunday 17 October 2010

Craft club

Just to let you craft gang know the club will be proceeding tomorrow evening, hooray. Come along with your craft to share, anything you are working on at the moment, or anything your stuck with. For anyone who hasn't been before the club starts at 7.30 at jubilee hall, cows lane, Canterbury (easy to find, head towards wincheap and its the turning towards homebase).

Thursday 14 October 2010

Tickles and the like

Hats off to the wonderful Wendy who stepped in not only to guest but also present the show today! poor Wendy, she was saying she was abit nervous, and then I go and have a coughing fit and leave her standing there. She did a brill job, and I really really loved her stamps as well. Haven't put my order in yet, but I want them all, so need to get sorted (bet I'm to late with the first set, they will have definitely sold out). I am lucky to have all Jaynes Adorables. What fantastic designs. It's been a cracking day all in all, apart from the coughs and splutters of course.

Now then, to all craft club members, I have sent an email, but just in case you haven't recieved it, I am not going to be able to make Monday - and my right hand lady Lesley is also unavailable. If anyone would like to be responsible for opening and locking up, and taking the cash then please let me know - otherwise I will have to cancel this one (should be on Monday). I have my sister and friends visiting from up North - and I can't drag them along!! It would be chaotic.
xx

Monday 11 October 2010

RADLEY

URGH computer is playing up again today, either everythings shouting, or all small case. anyhow, wanted to share this with you, a big thank you to Ann who is radleys mum. Ann wrote to me to say her very cute little puppy is a fan of mine - how cool is that. he actually likes my voice - i think it's because i sound like a northern farmer. anyhow, had to share the picture with you, he is so cute........

Sunday 10 October 2010











Thought I'd pop a few photo's of some of the work I did when I did the demo the other week - sorry for the quality of the photos, and also for the typing that follows, my computer is on the blink and is refusing to do capitals. so annoying. i was chuft i actually remembered to take photo's, and then actually remember to put them on here. hooray. it was of course, messy, inky and fab. lots of distress inks, and some fantastic stamps. had a play with grunge paper as well, which was great.

had a great day today, been out with my friend Karen for lunch, then came home and watched the rest of Barbara greys show that i missed earlier today. she's just fantastic isn't she, and such a brilliant person. love talented people who are down to earth and normal, and funny. it made me laugh when she stamped a beautiful frame then folded it to bin it - steph almost had kittens. i completely related to steph. anyhow, if you missed it make sure you tune into the clarity shows, they are on once a month - always Sundays, which is completely unfair as I'll never get to work with her - least i get to watch though. anyhow, need a mega early night as my brain has shrunk to a slight pea shaped dried out prune.

hope all's well with everyone, ooow, remember to get voting on the crafts beautiful web site, it's craft award time again and i keep forgetting to tell everyone on the box. get your votes in.

xx

Wednesday 29 September 2010

MacMillan Coffee and Crafting evening

Well we did it, thank you everyone who helped and came with cake and crafty goodies. I would have liked more people to come along, but we still did amazingly well - hooray. From the evening we made £409.20, we had £50 donated, and the craft club also contributed £140 - so the total raised was £599.20! Pretty good I recon. There's some raffle prizes left (we had such an amazing response there we would have been picking out tickets all night!!) - so I'm going to have a think of how to do it via my blog, and raffle the rest off for MacMillan as well.

It looked like a proper craft fair, which I was really happy with. We also had Olwen who is an image consultant, definitely someone I'll be seeing again!! And Natalie our hairdresser, who was really busy even doing hair cuts. The cakes were fantastic - and can you believe it, I had tooth ache so couldn't eat any!!! I was appalled. The timing is just wrong. All I could do was look on and drink my boring water. Oh well.

I'll share some photo's with you. So, it's tidy time. My car is still full of stuff that I need to find a home for again. Got ironing and packing to do again today. Also got my little Teela in the vets. She has a cough that keeps coming back, so she's having x-rays. Poor Dylan missed her awfully on the walk. He kept lying down to wait for her (he seemed to forget she didn't actually come with us - he must of thought she was making her own way there and meeting up with us! Awww, dog of little brain!). It made me sad. She'll get a good greeting when she gets home though.

Righto, lets get on with the boring jobs of the day. Again, thank you to everyone who helped, it was a lovely evening and we've had a request to do a Christmas Fair, so keep having a nosey at the blog for details.


























xxx

Monday 27 September 2010

MacMillan Coffee and Crafting evening

Wow, just have a look at some of the lovely stuff Vix sent me to sell for tomorrow! How wonderful. Got lots of stuff - thank you to everyone who has contributed. Come back to see more photo's of the event tomorrow. Need to organise my cards now, just allowing the day to completely slip away so I can have a mad panic! Great......x