Christmas is coming..........

Well not long to go now, are you all ready........I am not!!! Some things are not going to get done either with this snow!!
I do hope we have a white Christmas though, it's been ages since we had one. I know it causes lots of problems but it's soooo pretty!!!
Thought I'd post this card as it is a Christmas card and was made with the lovely Marianne Design little poinsettias. The holly leaves are also Marianne Design, they come with a holly circle. They are so nice and cut really well. I have used Spellbinders Labels for the centres and the papers are Craft Creations.
I love using dies and have been very naughty and bought the Grand Calibur so that I can use the bigger Grand Nestabilities. Haven't had a lot of time to use them yet but after Christmas...........

See you soon,



Jane x

Just watching 'Celebrity Get Me Out of Here', shame Gillian has been picked again..ha ha. Does she not realise she is so funny to watch. I can't believe that she is so scared of so many things but still went in the jungle. Should they ever ask me I would say definitely 'NO WAY'. I know I couldn't do it. I would never do those eating tasks or touch snakes Yeuch!!! Well no worries, they are hardly likely to ask me!!
Yesterday I spent a really nice morning with the ladies at the craft club I was involved with until earlier this year. They are all so lovely and we had a very enjoyable few hours doing decopatch.
The photo shows the before and after, it is so easy and relaxing to do. I meant to take some photos of all the finished boxes but completely forgot to get my camera out!!
I am going back in a few weeks and we will probably do another decopatch item as they all enjoyed it so much.

See you soon,

Jane x

Today I am adding another of my die-cutting cards. I used Spellbinders wavy rectangles to make a frame. The middle is the winter cuttlebug embossing folder with silver mirri card. This is great for cutting into seperate words too. Add a few Marianne D snowflakes and a few small Woodware punches and finish with gems.
I love snowflakes, think I must have just about every die/punch/stamp that has ever been made!!! And there is still room for more!!!
Well this is just a quickie tonight, must go to bed....... thank goodness it's Friday tomorrow, last early morning before the weekend.

See you soon,


Jane x

Gosh, it is soooooo long since I was here last. Have been really busy without trying to do too much.

Had a fantastic holiday in Lanzarote, just relaxed and did nothing. It was great, just what we all needed. Trouble is when you come home it all gets forgotten too quickly.

Well I have been die cutting for the minifest which was at the beginning of November and what appeared at the shop the day before............. The Grand Calibur. Well of course I had to have it and some dies!!! It's really nice, will tell you more another time.
Thought I must post some of the samples made for the day.
Here is a box I started with. The top and bottom is made from Nestabilities Labels 16. Then I made a small box to fit and added a flower and a few ribbons. Easy peasy!!
Hope you like it.

See you soon,



Jane x

Hi everyone, had to show you this picture tonight. I had these letters on my table for the weekend and had lots of lovely comments about them. I bought them from the Craft Barn months ago intending to have them all finished for the June extravaganza but never got round to it. Last week I still only had one ready!! My lovely, lovely friend Debbie took the rest home with her and decopatched them for me!!! How kind. She had them ready for Friday and I just had to decorate them with the butterflies (also from the Barn), the little dots were made from Paper Pen and Gloss Gel by Viva.
So thank you Debbie, they looked great on the table and I remembered who I was all day.
Just a quickie tonight, have to do some mending for my daughter!!
See you soon,

Jane x

Phew!! What a busy weekend!! Two days of demoing at The Craft Barn. It was so nice to see all you lovely ladies, I have missed not being there for a while.
As usual there were lots of demos to inspire everyone and we were kept busy both days. Unfortunately it meant I didn't get time to visit the other ladies to see what they were up to but I'm sure I will see the samples at the shop and on the blog.
I was demoing Papersoft Color and using my Cuttlebug with various dies by Spellbinders and Marianne D.
The card I am posting tonight is my version of the tent card, with snowflakes stamped onto the white card and embossed with clear embossing powder. Papersoft Color in Light Blue and Cobalt Blue was used. I had cut out the aperture with one of the labels nestabilities. The same resist technique was used for the wording and the label cut with another die, I think it is from Nellies oblongs. Ribbon was used to attach it to the card. My snowflake in the middle was one of the Marianne D snowflakes, cut from glitter card four times, scored in half and all stuck together. I hung it using jump rings and attached it to a cocktail stick up in the top of the card. Really simple!! Not sure how I would post it though!!!
The little silver domes were metallics, think I may have lost one in transit!!
Well, I'm off to bed for an early night.
See you soon,

Jane x

Sorry!!!

Sorry I have not been around for a while. Think I overdid it a bit coming back to work and lots of other things going on all at the same time. One was having to say goodbye to our eldest dog who had had to have a toe removed last year due to cancer but had done really well until recently when she had another tumour appear in her neck area. At thirteen years old which was a very good age for a Rottie we decided not to put her through chemo, radiotherapy etc - I did ask the vet if she had chemo, would all her hair fall out like mine? Have you ever seen a bald dog, apart from a Chinese Crested? Anyway, apparently it doesn't affect them like it does us. Perhaps I should have had doggy chemo!! She is in doggy heaven now, bless her.
Unfortunately I seem to have chemo fatigue, that's what they think anyway. Thank goodness for school holidays, not having to get up early every day. I have no energy at all and haven't even been out in my shed to make any cards for weeks. Really trying to get some inspiration for some samples for this coming weekend.
Don't forget it is 2 days of demos at The Craft Barn next Saturday and Sunday. There are lots of demonstrators so will be definitely worth a visit. Come and be inspired.
I will be demoing the fabulous Papersoft Colors and using the cuttlebug and various dies!!! Well, that is hopefully, inspiration and energy willing!!

See you soon,

Jane x

Hi everyone,
Just to let you know that The Craft Barn website Sale starts tomorrow. Go and grab yourself a bargain while stock lasts.

See you soon,

Jane x

OMG how long is it since I was here last!!!! The Extravaganza went well, we were all kept very busy, particularly the girls in the shop. It was a fantastic weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I was sooo tired after!! Next one is in September so I have a little time to recover. Sandy is already booking demonstrators and it is looking good!!
I was demoing the lovely Papersoft Color. It is so nice to use and I have now had to buy all the colours and all the stamps. I'm working on collecting all the matching Paper Pens and Gloss Gels now too, lol is there ever going to be any money in my bank account????
I've also been working hard on the Artymiss Website adding products which has kept me very busy for the last few weeks.
At the same time we are having a koi pond built in the garden so there is teas and coffees to be made constantly or cold drinks as the weather has been so hot. The builders are doing a fantastic job and have worked solidly through all this heat. I was worn out just making the drinks!! I'll show you some pics when it is done, the neighbours think we are mad and say it should be a swimming pool not a pond. If the summer was always like this I might agree.
I am going to put some of the cards from the extravaganza on here to show you the lovely colours of the Papersoft Color. Remember all you need is white card.
The first is using a Crafty Individuals stamp for the main image and a little border stamp from the Papersoft Color range. The colours were violet and lilac, probably a little rose in there too. The second card is using cobalt blue and magenta, stamps again from the Papersoft Color range and a peel off. So quick and easy. The little dots are Glossy Gel in Graphite.
See you soon,

Jane x

Hi Everyone,
It's getting nearer to the Extravaganza, only a few more days to go!!! I popped into The Craft Barn today and the girls were unpacking boxes Then the delivery man came with another ten boxes. Don't know where they were going to put those!!!
I've been playing with the lovely Papersoft and there is so much you can do with it. I'm giving you a few little pictures to see tonight. Can't give away too much.
Hope you are all coming it's going to be good, just hope it's not too hot. I'm having so many hot flushes at the moments from the Tamoxifen that I get hot very quickly.
Good news for me today, just to let you all know, my scan showed my neck nodes were all clear. Three weeks of worrying now over. Phew!! I can concentrate on making cards, cards, and more cards!!! Oh and other things as well!!

See you soon, hopefully at the weekend,

Jane x

Hello everyone,
Been playing with my new toys to get samples made up for the extravaganza at The Craft Barn soon.
I'm demoing Paper Soft which is sooooooo nice, I've got nearly all the colours now as I just had to keep going back and get more!!
It's a water based paint in a jar which you apply with foam applicators and use as much or as little to colour your card. Its used a bit like distress inks. There is a range of very inexpensive clear stamps and stencils which can be used with it and these give a variety of different finishes. It is already selling like hotcakes and is going to be big for the summer I think. I'm alright cos I've got mine!!!!
I've posted a the first card I made with it.
Take a piece of white card and colour it whatever colour you want. On the card I used Apricot and then used Walnut Brown around the edge. The image is a Crafty Individuals and so is the script stamp which was stamped using the paint. No ink used at all!!! The flower was also coloured with the paints and Tim Holtz scrolls cut and coloured too. I didn't colour the button, thought was brown to start with!!
I've used one of the border stamps down the side and again stamped it using the paint. I've used Paper Pen in Walnut Brown to create dots in the border.
Sorry about the picture, it wasn't the best photo in the world, I took it rather hurriedly in the shop before they closed!!

See you soon,

Jane xx

Hi everyone, just popped by to tell you about The Craft Barn's free postage on all UK orders until midnight Monday 31st and also that they have a fun Bank Holiday quiz with two £30 vouchers up for grabs. One for a shop entry and one for an email entry. So local ladies if you feel like a trip out over the weekend you can pop in or otherwise take part from the comfort of your armchair!!
I shall be there tomorrow demoing decopatch which is nice and easy to do. Using a paper which is a bit like tissue paper, you glue it on to whatever your project is and then add some more glue over the top. This gives a nice varnished look to the finished piece. You can use it on most surfaces and doesn't take long to do. Looks especially good on papier mache shapes that are so popular at the moment. I will take some pictures and show you next time.
Anyway, head on over to The Craft Barn Blog using the link at the side and have a go at the quiz. Good Luck to you all.

See you soon,

Jane xx

Sorry, haven't put anything on here for a while. I've been pretty busy but haven't actually got much to show for it!!!
I am starting to get back to work again which is good. It's my one year anniversary this week of my diagnosis, can't believe a year has gone already. Just waiting on some test results and then I hope that will be it for a while. I think I have visited just about every department of my local hospital!!! It will be nice not to have to go back there for a while. I really apreciate everything they have done for me and the NHS have been absolutely superb.
Well, I am playing with a new product that I saw being demoed at the NEC earlier this year. It's called Papersoft and it is a paint that is used to colour paper and card but it gives very soft colouring. I will get some pics of the pots and applicators which will be easier than trying to describe it to you. I need to do some work with it for the extravaganza in June which is coming up fast now. Don't forget to come on June 12th and 13th there is a fantastic line up of demonstrators from all over coming.
The card I am showing you today is the 21st card I made for my niece. A very pinky girl!!! Sorry it's an easel again but they are just my favourite and she hadn't seen one before.
Enjoy the sunshine,

Jane xx

What a busy weekend, don't know where the time goes. Can't say I've got anything to show for it either!!
We were going to get on with digging the pond ready for the brickwork to be started.
I use the term 'we' loosely as, of course I am not able to get stuck into the digging or soil shifting. I'm pretty good at supervising though!! Unfortunately the weather was against us and it is no good digging clay when it is wet and gooey. The hole is nearly finished so hopefully with a few more dry days it will be done. Really hope to get the pond sorted for the summer - if we have one this year.
Well I grabbed an hour in my craft room this afternoon and had a little play with flower making. I had a quick go at these last week. They are so easy to do and look so pretty. This one was made from copy paper coloured with distress inks and punched with a flower punch. Quick scrunch and voila!!!

See you soon,
Jane xx

Hi everyone,
What lovely weather we are having at the moment, don't suppose it will last for the bank holiday weekeend.
I have another Stamping Bella card for you, using the lovely new Basic Grey papers.
Definitely my favourite paper. They are all so lovely and inspiring to work with.
Sorry it's another easel card again, they are my favourite at the moment.
I've used a Martha Stewart punch for the corners, it cuts through Bazzill so easily.
There are so many to choose from at the moment. I want them all but that would be greedy. (I'm also collecting nestabilities and other Spellbinder dies at the moment.)
I've coloured the image with Copics but there is not enough room on the stamp for shading, it's a bit small to get the best from the pens but come in such lovely colours to blend with the papers.
The message is one from Hobbyart, their clear stamps range. They're really nice to use.
A little organza bow and it is finished!!!
Will try and come up with a non-easel card for the next post.
I'm hoping to get a bit of time to play with some distress inks and a paint brush over the weekend. I've been dying to have a play but haven't had chance yet.
Watch this space......
See you soon,

Jane x

What a lovely day today, so warm too. Can't believe how cold it felt yesterday and then how warm it is today. Well that's British weather for you!! Just makes you want to get out and play in the garden. My garden is terrible at the moment. Loads of work to be done to make it presentable for the summer.
My hubby's parents have just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, the picture I have posted is of the card I made for them.
The card itself is just a cream square, layered with gold glitter and mirri card. I cut the numbers with my faithful Cricut. The envelope is vellum folded and decorated with peel-offs and brads and finished with lots of ribbons. Its an easy card to make but everyone loves it. I have done a few for special birthdays, anniversaries and they always look really special.
I'm off to Ally Pally on Saturday, can't wait. I've never been before so am quite excited about it. An early start that morning and an early start tomorrow morning too. I am collecting a new addition to the family .......an African Pygmy Hedgehog!!
Will tell you all about him next time with hopefully some pictures.
See you soon,

Jane x

Win a Goody Bag

Hi everyone, hope you're not too full of chocolate!!
I am thrilled to say that today was my last radiotherapy session - YAY!!!! No more going to the hospital every day. My next appointment is not until the middle of May. What am I going to do with myself???? Enough of that I have something for you to do and you may be lucky enough to win the prize.......
The Craft Barn have a £30 Goody Bag up for grabs for a lucky person. To have a chance of winning all you have to do is head over to the The Craft Barn Blog and sign up to become a follower on their blog. You will also some really nice ideas for cards and more there too!!
Good Luck,
See you soon,

Jane x

Another Stamping Bella!!

Hi everyone, I thought I better post another card as the last 3 pictures all have the same Bo Bunny papers. I do use other papers!!!
The card today is another of the lovely Stamping Bellas, this time one of the tea-cup girls. She is coloured with Copics and I've used Basic Grey papers, which have got to be my favourite of all papers. (Bought some lovely new ones yesterday from a new collection and can't wait to use them). I've used a Martha Stewart punch on Bazzill Bling and the greeting is from Penny Black.
I made another easel card which is such a lovely design to work with. To finish the card I stamped and coloured some more of the little butterflies from the image and decoupaged them.
These are cards I made for The Craft Barn Minifest last weekend. It was a lovely day and nice to see so many ladies that I haven't seen for a while.
Tomorrow is my first day having Radiotherapy. I have to have 15 sessions which means 15 trips to Guildford which isn't exactly down the road. Never mind, it has to be done. I'm sure it will go really quickly.
I have to start thinking of projects for the June Extravaganza on the 12th and 13th. If I start now, I should get some done!!
See you soon,

Jane x

Stamping Bella

Hi everyone, sorry not to have been here for a while. I have been getting out and about a bit more just lately. I was lucky enough to go up to Birmingham NEC with Sandy and Kati from The Craft Barn. We had three days at the trade show and I thoroughly enjoyed myself even though I got very tired. We got to see a lot of new products which will be arriving in the shops soon and I watched some really interesting demos by top crafters from the UK and America.
A week later I had my first visit to the show at Farnborough but luckily we didn't go Sunday when the show was cancelled!! Another good day even though I believe the show was smaller than usual.
Well today I am posting a card and a tin decorated with Stamping Bellas. I love these stamps and they are only available from The Craft Barn in the UK. I have coloured them with Copics. The card is an easel card made with Bazzill Bling. The papers are Bo Bunny. I used the fab Martha Stewart punches and the flowers were also coloured with Copics to match. The greeting is from Personal Impressions.
The tin is from Woodware and supposed to hold A.T.C's. I put Velvet paper inside on the base and lid to finish.
The card was posted yesterday on The Craft Barn blog so don't forget to take a look over there.
See you soon,

Jane x

Happy Birthday Debbie

Hi everyone, I thought I'd show you the card I made for my good friend Debbie for her birthday. Its one of the fabulous Stamping Bellas 'Ketto's Dolly', she is so gorgeous. I coloured her with copics and the outside of the image is chalked. I now like to use Versafine ink and clear embossing powder with copics. It gives an edge to work to and takes away the worry of whether the ink will bleed. The papers are Bo Bunny. I punched some small circles from the papers and made the centres for the flowers by using an embossing tool to form half circles. Stick with a blob of silicone glue.
Happy Birthday Debbie!!! Glad you liked it, looking forward to our outing on Saturday.
See you soon,

Jane xx

Coming Soon..........

My visit to The Craft Barn last week coincided with the arrival of a box from Canada containing the fabulous Stamping Bella stamps. I had already put in an oreder for some of the stamps I wanted!!! So I had to stay and help unpack the box so I could bring home some goodies - well wouldn't you????
I have had a little play but am still a bit slow and my brain to arm doesn't always work too well!!
I hope to be demoing at The Mini Fest on the 6th March and will be using the Stamping Bellas and the wonderful Copic pens. So try and come to The Craft Barn and see all the demos going on. They will all be in the shop so you don't need to walk down the road to the hall.
Anyway, as soon as I get something to show you I will post the pictures.

See you soon,

Jane xx

Happy New Year

A very belated Happy New Year to everyone, sorry its a little late. My new years resolutions are to put more posts on here and get crafting again as soon as possible!!!
Its my last chemo next Thursday (yay) and then I have a break before starting radiotherapy. Hopefully I can start getting back to normal after that. Normal, whats normal?
Anyway, I want to put lots more on here and get back to working at The Craft Barn.
See you soon,

Jane xx