Weekly Catch up

Good afternoon crafters. I hope my update finds you in pretty decent spirits. I’m in a grump today!! But I’m attempting to pretend I’m jolly 😂👍. Hoping the pretence rubs off into reality!

It is much harder trying to remember what happened last week with no TV schedule to look back on! I have to rely on my memory which is, at best, appalling. So what has happened?

Last Sundays Facebook live I gave a sneaky peak at the new stencils. I love these stencils, they look so classy and the designs are timeless but definitely have a retro vibe. I do love the work from Khaki Finch and will definitely be bringing more of this to you .

On Monday we had a really exciting day as the whole Craft Colllective descended upon Highlight Crafts and took over. Sarah went first with Funky Fossil and had our Janice presenting. it was then my turn with Art Inspirations, and Miss P presented! Which was really good. Next. I also downed my presenting hat and Erica brought us Stampanory. The time flew by and the team did so well Highlight Crafts are really trying to give us a great platform..

Tuesday was a sorting day and then Wednesday I got back into doing my regular Let Leonie Loose spot at 3pm on Facebook and YouTube.

A lot of people have really appreciated the lives on YouTube as it means they can watch on TV, which is a lot nicer than watching on your phone or computer. Unless you’re trying to watch sneakily whilst at work!!

Thursday and Friday were days in the “office”! It is a lovely spot to work. I’m so lucky I got that when I did. Funny how things happen isn’t it. 

Then Saturday I had a lovely day with some old mates from the original create and craft. We visited the Christmas market at Nottingham - which was marvellous. We did a lot of chatting and maybe a bit of shopping. I was good and only spent money in a card shop. On cards! Haha. I know, I know. What on earth. But funny/rude/insulting cards just make me giggle!!

The White Stuff….and mulled wine 😬😂🤦‍♀️

We were supposed to have our Charlie at the weekend - well, it’s not the weekend to be honest, as he always gets picked up early on Sunday morning. So it’s just a day really…with breakfast. If I was them I’d be making the most out of the ability to have a lie in and a chilled morning. They’re more “morning” people than me I think. Anyway, poor Charlie wasn’t too well, so there was no early game of football to help me wake up!

Righto folks, that’s the week wrapped up nicely. Tonight I’ll nip onto Janice’s live to say hello at 6pm, and then we have our regular live at 7pm. I look forward to seeing you this evening.

Take care folks xxx

My Facebook live will be here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JqXYiffxJ/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Or watch it on you tube:

https://youtube.com/@leoniepujol?si=5gNj-ZiKKwmPRV7k

And you can see Janice’s fantastic lives and her interviews, here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/19XAswcDwN/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Lamali Journals and life!

 Hi there folks. I generally do my weekly catch up at the weekend, but I thought I’d pop a little note on here, as I missed last week.

First, I’m going to start with my pooches. The weather has been lovely. Chilly and full of autumn colours. And the girls are most definitely loving the fact I’ve been at home more. As I type they’re bookending me - it’s cuddles galore. So at least they’re happy.

The change of events has also made me use my planner more than ever. I didn’t think that was possible. I didn’t want to sit around and do nothing. After all, I’m self employed and a freelancer. As such I know being out of the office means no wage - so I can’t take the risk of seeing what happens. I need to make things happen. And they are. Which is actually really exciting. Life is about change, growth, new challenges. And I quite like that. Granted, there are better ways to kickstart a major life shake up - but there’s no way I’m sitting around feeling like this is a holiday. So, the planners looking just peachy.

And then of course, the journals! Oww, these are a thing of beauty. Most definitely one of the most popular things we bring you here at Art Inspirations - they fly off the shelves. Which makes me think of Harry Potter. They look like they belong in a wizarding classroom. Anyway, we launched them this week on what would normally be a Let Leonie Loose show. I say normally. Currently create and craft isn’t broadcasting live. We’re stood down just waiting to see what happens. Apparently there are investors interested - so we’re all standing by to see the next chapter of this story. In the meantime I wanted to just touch base with my lovely customers and do some crafting. Which was great actually. For my pages I used loads of goodies. Ink from Hero Arts, the stunning Art Inspirations Nikolas Tower stamps, sticker from The Happy Planner, one of our Art Inspiration stencils from the new Rodrigo Assi collection, lovely waxes from Pink Ink, and cool rub one from Funky Fossil. I’m so pleased with the results. If you do want to see the demo, you can find it here

As I said, I’ve not sat around just eating and drinking…..granted I’ve done some of that. But I’ve also been chatting to folk, making plans. Lovely Paula did some new photos for me as well, which i just might need for a cheeky announcement at the weekend…….😃🤗😚

Workshops for 2019

Another birthday then.....

First, I’d like to say thank you for all the lovely comments regarding me joining the clarity team. It’s so exciting, and couldn’t come at a better time. I read all your comments, thank you 😊

Before I crack on with work, this weekend saw another birthday. It’s a birthday month for our little family. Charlie, my auntie, me, then mum. All within the week. And of course the first lot of birthdays without my sister. It was a tough one. Thankfully I spent a full day with Charlie. He’s such a wonderful child, and he made me realise I want to be the best person I possibly can for him. I want to have adventures, explore and make sure he’s a happy bunny. I’ve also taught him great stuff like cold beans, blowing bubbles in his milk shake and dipping crisps in his soup!! Haha, his dads loving it!!

I did have loads of fun with the girls as well. I’ve said it before, and hopefully I’ll never stop saying it...I’ve got some good mates. Such a tonic.

Now, work. I’m sitting to design this evening, and have a great LLL show planned for this Wednesday, so will be back in my lovely workshop here in sunny Brighton, to prep. 

In the meantime, I figured I’d share some photos, as I know Ive been rubbish putting my makes on here recently. This week I’m going to try a bit harder....go on, put on your bets. Let’s see how many days I can achieve!

Here’s some cards made using the fabulous stamps from AALL and create. I love their designs, they’re so cool. 

Joint workshop - success!

Summer finally hit us! Thankfully we didn’t get any sunburn, as Mandy and myself were tucked away running workshops - first we trotted up to Guildford, and then Sunday we had our first joint workshop in Rottingdean. I’m pleased as punch to say they were a great success. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and the finished samples were fantastic.

Our hall in Guildford was lovely. It was originally a work house, so has quite a lot of history attached to it. Now it’s a wonderful venue, with light airy rooms. Perfect for a rather warm crafty day! I was lapse with the photos this time, and forgot to take pics of everyone’s creations, but I managed to get a few, along with the group photo...of course! 

Our second workshop on the Sunday, took us to our local haunt of Rottingdean. It was our first split workshop, in the morning the talented Anne taught us a little Zentangle. I loved it. Really relaxing, and the possibilities are enormous. Anne will be doing more workshops in Rottingdean, so please watch out for them, they’re definitely worth attending.

The mood changed for the afternoon, from chilled and relaxed....to me! The project did take a little longer than expected, but I was so pleased with everyone’s results,  they looked amazing. I didn’t get as many photos as I wanted, but here’s a few to show you the project we managed to finish! 

We have another joint workshop coming up, and a few places left, so please book soon if you like the look of the project...I better share the photos then eh 😄

Let leonie loose...Carabelle and the wonderful Gelpress

Carabelle....how much do I love these stamps.  The designs, the quality.  The variety.  They're ace.  This weeks LLL show was made up of good worker stamps, you know, the sort that will be a good background for all your other stamps, dies, stencils...all your stash.  Use them with clay, angelina fibres, texture paste or lashings of paint.  Whatever...they will work.

I had my first proper play with the Gelpress.

Addicted.

Honestly, I'm having withdrawal symptoms...I had to do "other stuff" today, and quite frankly didn't want to.  Well, I say this, I wanted to combine it with the other stuff to be honest! Block printing on top of these backgrounds....that is definitely going to happen!






The joy of all the pieces is how easy they are.  I had to have a play to find my feet first of all, but when I got the hang of it, there was no stopping me.  The stamps are amazing, as you lift the paint off the Gelpress, and then take a print.  Layering, and adding more detail, colour and texture adds such depth to each piece.



It did help having a block of card stock at hand.  The Clarity card is perfect, it prints beautifully, and has been cut to the perfect size, so you can easily print in precisely the same place - making the ability to layer your images really simple.  I also used the paints from Barbara, these were the Viva Decor acrylic, and of course the Gel Press.













I used the stencil below, from Indigo Blu, quite a lot, as it's perfect for pulling out specific words, or using it for the full verse. 











Many of the layers were also using the bird stencil from Carabelle, which again is such a handy tool.  I also reached for my Mamma Makes stamps - always handy for journaling and art pieces.



Homework for myself.....who fancies a GelPress workshop next year?  :)