Monday 18 April 2016

The LAUNCH

Gosh. Here we go!! Another new adventure - this year is already proving to be thrilling, and we have only got to April! 

As a lot of you know, I've been a crafter basically, forever. I crafted as a child, and continued whilst employed in "proper" jobs. Finally I took the plunge to give up the proper jobs and try my hand at making a living doing what I loved. I've been very lucky indeed, and have taken one stepping stone after another to find myself working for Hochanda, a brilliant, brand new tv channel dedicated to all things craft, hobby and arts. They have given me the freedom to actually be creative again- and to top it all off, I'm being supported by one of the biggest names in the industry, crafters companion! That's pretty good for a northern lass who just liked messing with fimo!

As a crafter its natural to be constantly bombarded with ideas, what ifs, and "that would be ace!"....these ideas have ranged from different techniques to products I'd actually like to design, produce and ultimately work with. To find I am now in the position where I'm launching my first range of products is amazing! It's a dream turned into reality - even more so as I've got the help, support and knowledge from the brilliant crafters companion team!

Now, I don't just get ideas, I get obsessed with stuff. I had the concept for my first range some time ago, and figured it could be brilliant. When it was delivered, the actual stamps I had drawn and the masks I had written - I couldn't wait to put those thoughts and ideas into practice. It was a good job it worked, as I had a week to get the finished samples done for the packaging....no pressure!

The concept is pretty easy. I love pattern building. Stamps. Masks. Stencils. Ink. Colouring. It's all those things. I love the whole mindfulness concept, and getting lost in the moment, and us crafters don't need to be told - we know we loose days, not hours, in our craft room. I have designed masks that you glue in place. Ink round your mask, and then start to build your design with the little intricate stamps. Each time it can be different. The variations achievable are immense. Stamp directly over your mask. I do love this process. It's wonderful seeing the pattern build, and seeing the stamps work together so well. The best bit however, is removing rhe mask. The white space jumps out at you, making the whole piece come together. And now you have a beautiful design you can spend time colouring with your favourite pens, pencils - sparkle pens....lots of glitter :)

That's the concept, but of course there are so many ways you can use the kits, and my design team have sent some incredible finished samples, which I will share with you.

I will share lots of photos from my finished samples as well, and this will give you a guide as to some of the patterns you can create.

I hope you will be able to join me this evening for the 8pm launch!! 






29 comments:

Always Learning said...

Can't wait to see the show tonight. Really enjoy watching you and the gang at Hochanda. Love Karen x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Leonie can't wait to see the show. Of course I'm forcing hubby to watch aswell lol. X

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, due to the 'freeview blip' and lousy broadband in my area I won't be able to watch the launch, but wish you every success with this new adventure. Your ideas are brilliant and I can't wait to be able to buy them. Mind you don't send Hochanda into meltdown ;)

Linda Simpson said...

These look fabulous Leonie and wishing you all the very best and good luck for tonight's launch!
Hugs
Linda xxx

Pen Sunshinepen said...

Wow wish I could see the launch this evening but due to broadband speed its a no go. I am a freeview watcher BUT I see its scheduled for early hours. 😊

Good luck and big crafty hugs Pen x

Groovyquail.blogspot.co.uk

Sarah Brennan said...

Can't wait. Programme ready to record (Stoke at home to Spurs tonight so will be at the match.) Will tune in as soon as I get back. I really love what I've seen of the samples so far. Hope it's not sold out!!!

KREWELLA said...

Finally !!! Its been a long time coming can't wait for the show tonight. You are one of my favourite presenters of craft because it's so obvious you are a crafter and often get lost in what your doing. Well Done and hope it's a sell out :)

Welsh Dors said...

Hi Leonie,
Good luck for the launch tonight, I'm sure your range will be a winner, you deserve it.

Crafty Gran said...

Good luck for the show tonight. Your masks look brilliant. You have been a real inspiration since joining Hochanda I've hauled out all my old stamps and melt pot, I'm having a great time doing all my favourite things which for some reason got pushed aside. I'm now attempting mixed media. Keep up the good work and enjoy. (Also spending a fortune) but who cares.

Karen Petitt said...

These are beautiful samples and I can't wait to see what the products are like. It's fantastic to see you being the star and the designer Leonie. I hope it all takes off for you huni because you have worked hard to get there and you more than deserve it Karen x

Anne said...

These look great, Leonie. I will have to record the later repeat.
Good luck - I am sure it will go really well.

Anne (Northampton)

Unknown said...

Good luck leonie for the launch tonight, I shall be watching and most likely ordering.The masks look fab,can't wait x

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Already lined up to record the launch show. Hope all goes well with it. You deserve huge success with this, you're so inspirational. Have fun x

Unknown said...

Will be there how exciting xxxstill exciting cannot wait xxx

Janet Pring said...

Good luck with the launch, Leonie! It sounds like a brilliant idea xx

Baroque duJour said...

I am so gutted! I generally don't watch Hochanda cause the streaming is rubbish for me - anyhoo, went on to watch cos I love you on the telly,and so excited for the launch of your new range. See the stamps !! Oh Leonie, they are fantastic - so I went straight away to buy them and OMG NO!!!! only sell to UK or Germany, I swear I nearly cried!. Please tell me I can buy them somewhere else - pity to miss out on the fun and the good prices, but I desperately need these.
Congratulations on your launch, I knew it would be fab, I love your crafting and your are brill!

Welsh Dors said...

Hi Leonie,
CONGRATULATIONS. Fabulous launch show.

Starang said...

What a great show you have just done. Your product launch is fabulous and I can't wait to give it a go.
Hope it's not long till everything comes back into stock too - for those who weren't able to watch or order at the time.
Well done Leoni - success breeds success so onwards and upwards for you. Xx

Lynette said...

Excellent, love the products and I will be buying them. What are you bringing out next?

Unknown said...

Fantastic Leoni. OMG shut the front door. These products are amazing. I love your crafting style and your one liners, your soooooo funny you have ne in hysterics, but you are so talented my friend. Love love love your products. Just ordered the stencils and masks but missed out on stamps! Hope you find extra stock. Well done you deserve it. Keep up the fab work.xx
Sue

carol edwards said...

Hi Leoni, congratulations on your first launch. Everything is great x

hollyberry said...

Watched the launch show and it was fantastic. Love the masks and the stamps. Seeing you demonstrate with them was so inspirational, as well as a giggle.
They were a great success,so no more thoughts of running away when your products are going to be on!Love,love,love them. Congratulations Leonie!

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Wow Leonie.
Thank you so much many congratulations.
Brilliant designs Brilliant show,
Brilliant products.
Thank you good luck have lots of fun Kitty.

CraftySuetoo said...

Hi Leonie. A HUGE well done on your design range, your show last night was fabulous, unfortunately work means I won't be able to watch todays shows live but the box is set to record them. You deserve all the praise that's coming your way and I hope that we get to see/buy more of your designs in the future. Loved the bit of your show when you said that your demo might take longer as you couldn't decide what colour to use - faffing about trying to decide on colour and then going off on in a completely different direction to what I had planned is my major problem when crafting! Best wishes for today. Sue XXX

BridgetCG said...

Hello Leonie, Congratulations on your launch, and thank you for all the inspiration. Your samples look beautiful. Bx

Anonymous said...

Fantastic stencils and especially the stamps. They will be so useful, loved the demos too. Congratulations Leonie, so glad you had the 'time off' to enable you to develop this range. You deserve your success.
Hampshire Honey.

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Leonie, Wow !!! I had to watch the Launch on Catchup last night, (I have been spending most of the days at the hospital with my hubby), and was loving everything you had created. Your first range is stunning !! Fabulous demo's. Congratulations to your lucky Design Team Members, and their samples are fabulous.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Rustic Pumpkin said...

Brilliant demonstrations of what I think will be my new favourite products to use. Thanks Leonie for bringing something so creative and arty to the stamping table!
Crafty hugs, Deborah xoxo