Totally Awesome Amazing, Fantastic and downright brilliant Blog Candy!

Right folks time to have a Massive giveaway. This bundle has been put together for one lucky winner who will be drawn on the 28th Feb. So what do you have to do to be in with a chance to win this fabulous bundle?
Firstly - add the picture to your sidebar with a link to the Lovin'ink shop and mention the coming craft retreat 25th-27th March 2011.
Secondly add the Lovin ink button to your sidebar with a link to the shop which is here

Thirdly become a follower of the Lovin' ink shop.
and finally leave a comment here to let us know you have done this.
And now to the BRILLIANT giveaway prize.
2 FREE places on the
Lovin Ink CRAFT RETREAT on 25th - 27th March 2011
at Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire

You and a friend could have a weekend away for free!
To win this prize all you have to do is follow the 4 steps above and also make a blog post advertising the retreat .When you comment let us know you would like to win this prize which is worth a whopping £330!
Here is a little about the retreat

Lovin' Ink craft retreats began because of Michelle and Janet's love of crafting with friends and sharing ideas together. Having met the most amazing people at other retreats we wanted to continue building friendships with the most wonderful people out there - crafters
The March retreat is packed with workshops all using stamping and inking techniques to build your own unique embellishment box.
All dietary needs are catered for and all you need to do is come along and craft for the whole weekend with the friendly bunch of people who come to the retreat regularly.
Workshop materials are provided however you will need to bring your basic craft kit and any small projects you may like to fit in between workshops (some people like to craft into the night!)
Rooms are of shared occupancy and the whole building caters for those with disabilities.
A light and airy feel to the whole building and the surrounding area means this retreat is fun packed and yet a peaceful getaway

So folks what are you waiting for? It would be fab to meet you!
Both draws will be made at random. if you are already booked on the retreat you will of course have your payment refunded should you win.

More of Meghans art journalling

More of Meghans art journalling book. She just uses pencils as her medium and goes for it.
She has only done a short art journalling course with Michelle and I but uses the concept for her own ideas - I love the fact she is so free about what she does - I really hope it contines.
Being the holidays she has begun quite a few sketches including one of the cat asleep - as yet its un finished but it really is looking great.
I am so proud of her x

Yep you guessed it another birthday LOL

This time my SIL Linda - who last summer got herself 2 chickens and she adores them! stamp by Crafty Indivividuals and papers by my minds eye. She's coming round today and I have a few egg and chicken surprises for her!
Got 2 commission cards to do today which Im a bit stuck with so maybe I will be back later :0)
Have a great saturday x
Janet

Swilrs and Curls for The Stamp Man challenge

Go On then who was inspired by The King of Distress Mr Holtz on TV on Tuesday? I was gutted not to hear more from him but there again he must have fired up my creative juices as I attacked my Alcohol inks for the first time in ages.

Another birthday card made for the oodles of birthdays in February and March. I used alcohol ink on some frosted plastic and the stamps are from the shabby french set stamped in black archival and also embossed in silver. I have used only edges of the flourish on the set and the wording is also from the same set - Fabulous value for the amount of stamps on the sheet.

These gorgeous buttons have been in my stash forever but I love the shape and they have lovely edging around them. Some black organza ribbon and its complete. Do stop by The Stamp Mans challenge where my team mates have produced some stunners. There is also direct links to the products used and with free p&p on orders over £10 which is perfect if you are in the mood to spoil yourself.
Michelle and I are also running an alcohol ink workshop on Saturday April 9th at The Stamp Man where we will be using alcohol inks on a variety of surfaces to make cards and gifts. Booking is essential as places are limited - to book email me here

Have a fabulous day x Janet

Special Friends

Such special people- Friends - they enrich your life without even trying much. I am extremely lucky to know some fabulous people - you know the ones who don't mind if you have not time to ring as often as you would like but know they are always there for you no matter what. Yes I am blessed with lots of that kind of friend. I think its really neat that I can not see someone for months maybe even more than a year but they know they can ring me if they need me for anything at all and I for them - that's what friendship is to me - loving someone, appreciating them for who they are but not expecting anymore than they can give. I can't tell you how much Friendship means to me - One of life's truly priceless treasures.
So this card is not for a birthday - its not for any occasion at all - Just me telling one of my girlfriends their friendship is so precious to me. This particular Friend sends me text hugs EVERY week - sometimes more than once but always when I am feeling a little low and need a lift - she has a gift for knowing when this is even though we are miles apart - see each other 2 times a year if we are lucky maybe at a show - but always always her love is there in the words, gesture and her presence in my life. Yes my friends are very precious indeed and I love them very much xx

Told you there were lots of birthdays!

This time my God Daughter who like Meghan is Horse Mad.

Stamp by Crafty Individuals, papers basic grey and image coloured with promarkers and distress inks x Thanks for stopping by today -

If you leave me a comment it makes my day x

More birthdays

Here is a close up of another birthday card I have made for a special friend. I do struggle a bit with cute - Love all the cuteness out there in Blogland but when I come to assemble them I find I cant add as many embelishments.

I just LOVE this cute Tilda stamp - I do lots of home baking so thought this one was a good investment for all the home made gifts I make especially at Christmas. Think I like this colour combo for the skin tones which is blush and pastel pink - what do you think?

Papers are by Craft work cards - a little Cath Kidstonish I thought - ticket stamp is by pink gems, heart a sizzix diecut and the heart charm is from the lovin ink shop.

I'd like to enter this into the Just Magnolia challenge again - second card this week!

If you came here looking for the Try it on Tuesday post its on my other blog - not a Christmassy theme I just made it that way for my DT entry!

Tons of birthdays coming up!

So the perfect excure to join in the just magnolia challenge which this week is Love. I certainly love all my girlfriends - There are not enough hours in the day to spend with everyone I care about so I am taking the opportunity to let them know on their birthday that I think they are pretty special!
Image is a donated one - hangler and stangler I do believe - how I wish I could get hold of their stamps - If anyone knows of a legit way (not images from ebay please as thats just not fair!) to get some I would be eternally grateful! Papers are by basic grey - an old set and I am down to the last few pages! Think its called Eva. The with love is from stampin up as is the gorgeous punch. the heart on the greeting and her bag have been high lighted with glossy accents which you cant quite see here. Still experimenting with promarker face colours and I like the hair better on this one than I have for a while. I keep watching the tutorials on Utube hoping to grasp the shading lark maybe one day I will LOL!

Stampin up

Last Thursday saw me host a stampin up party at my house for the first time. We played with these little projects of an altered note pad, nail file holder and a receipt clip. My idea being this was a ladies handbag accessory kit. Colours are melon mambo for the card and ink and I think pretty in pink is the papers. We had quite a laugh and from this I now have 2 card classes running at my home - wait for it - based on making your Christmas cards all year! Its been such a hit I have only one place left! Brilliant - doing what I love and playing with folks who love it too is my favourite kind of crafting. Maybe one day I could give up the day, evening and night job I seem to have at the moment!

Its been a while

Since I shared some Rocking your Friday news but truely things have exploded at this end and I have been putting extra time in at work s0-

1) For family and friends- this week saw our 25th wedding Anniversary and I have been astonished at the folks who have been kind enough to send cards and gifts even though we have just celebrated privately. A personalised bottle of Champagne arrived unexpectedly on Tuesday Morning from Tims Sister which we are going to save for our next celebration.
2) Lovin' Ink - the partnership with my pal Midnight-Crafter has gone from strength to strength since it began but has really taken hold since Christmas. We have had requests to host retreats for people and also for classes at certain times it feels really good that we have finally begun to realise what was once a little dream, a mumouring back in the depths of time. Of course its not all plain sailing as real life follows you everywhere you go but we enjoy what we do and folks coming to us seem to as well. The Inks Masterclass earlier this month was a Joy to teach we loved it so much and hope to do it all again soon.
3) Staying with Lovin Ink - I would like to say how much we appreciate our crafty friends for supporting us in our venture and feeling that we have something to give them too. It means a lot to us to know such supportive people . You know who you are xxx
4) I hardly dare say this so should maybe just whisper - I have not had a vertigo attack since June 25th last year. I can hardly believe it but my driving license is looking ever so much closer than it was!
5)All you folks in blogland who make my day when I post especially Susie J who comments without fail each time - Susie you brighten up each day for me xx

Babssys commissions

Babs at work keeps my brain cells going each year with some fabulous commissions with all manner of criteria to fit. This one is easy - a card for her 6 year old Niece. Someone sent me this image so I am not 100% which company to credit any ideas then do let me know. The papers are all old stampin up supplies but are really bright and cheerful. Lots of glitter on her wings and a fairy for a lovely little girl. I could possibly trawl the challenge sites to find one it fits however I am pushed for time so will just leave it as something I created xx

Have a fab day and thanks for stopping by x Janet

The skys the limit

Over at Try it on Tuesday we are hoping for lots of blue sky this week with projects that include lots of sky in them. Here I have used some previous un inked crafty individuals stamps to make a little postcard. 3 different distress inks on here broken china, stormy sky and tumbled glass.
The project is free choice this week but you must include a chunk of sky on your entry. I love my team mates work at the best of times but they are stunning this week so do stop by for a look x Happy Tuesday x Janet

A wonderful time

We had a fabulous time in Dumfries visiting these 2 lovebirds. Janet and Chris are old friends - I met Janet when our children were at toddler group and we just clicked. Life has not been easy for them but here they are after 23 years of marriage canoodling in their sitting room watched by their furry babies - 2 Guinea pigs and a Gerbil!

After a slap up meal we went back to the hotel to indulge

The glasses were a wedding present 25 years ago from My Mum and Dad - lovely to feel I had a bit of my dad with me. The chocs were from my Chief Bridesmaid Alison who arrived unexpectedly last week with cards and pressies and her Mum too. The Asti was from my Godparents - Note the little lilac bow around the bottle neck - Auntie Ann adding that little detail was lovely as this was the colour of our bridesmaid dresses. In fact it was surprising who did add that little touch - Mum made a gorgeous cream, lilac and pearl 3d card all touches from our day 25 years ago. My FIL - a man of few words also surprised us with a similar touch on the card he gave us too - how very thoughtful and its these little touches that have made it so special. My facebook page was also filled with lovely messages so we do feel very lucky to have such thoughtful people in our life.
Thanks too for all your good wishes and lovely cards from Yvonne, Rita, Caz and Elaine

all gorgeous cards xx

Lovin' ink in every way!

Yesterday saw another fabulous workshop at The Stamp Man hosted by Michelle and I. We spent the day in fabulous company exploring the possibilities with the different types of ink pads on the market and playing aound with Tim Holtz stamps. Altogether we covered 16 techniques putting together a booklet to remind us of our findings and also why somethings just don't work. It was great fun and as always our ladies were up for a laugh throughout the day. Thanks for another fab day and we have lots more ideas for future add ons to this "Masterclass" approach.

To day hubby and I are off to Dumfries to visit my lovely Pal Janet and her Hubby Chris, meet their first grandchild and have a little catch up. We are also taking the opportunity to be away overnight as tomorrow we celebrate 25 years of marriage. So are booked into a hotel for the night. I have been amazed at the folks that have remembered this as on Monday I had a visit from our chief bridesmaid and her mum, who iced our wedding cake, with cards and gifts. We have hardly seen each other in the last 25 years but they remembered which is a lovely thing to do.

Mum is paying for us to have a romantic meal tonight so no excuses for the lack of romance! Right best get packed for when OH comes back from taking Meg to her riding lesson - then we are off!

Have a great Sunday x Janet

Yeeeh ha

I saw this stamp at a craft shop on Monday when I was invited out for coffee with some very nice crafters who let me play out with them for the day. It just reminded me of my Sis Amy and her love of line dancing.

While she was out last night I had a play around with it. The papers are lush and can be purchased from the Stamp Man here

I even found this cute wooden button charm in my stash. Its going to be a hanger for her room eventually but is still just a topper at the moment.

Id like to enter this into the ABC challenge which is N for neutrals.

Lovin' Ink Blog Hop with Try it on Tuesday!

Wecome to my Play space xx I just love visitors especially to play a game like we have on Try it on Tuesday this week. You should have come here from the lovely Blackdragons blog if not then go back to the Try it on Tuesday blog to start the hop and find out the details

So here is my hearts and flowers tag actually all made up of leftovers. the UTEE heart is from the last Stampers club where we explored embossing - it has a flower impression from the Kay Karley funky flowers stamp set which I have highlighted with perfect pearls. I am loving Kraft card at the moment so this corrugated stuff gives not just fab texture but also great colour. But hey you are here to hop so leave me a comment and let me know you have been - if you like what you see maybe become a follower too? (but thats not part of the hop instructions) So the next link I share with you will take you to a page where you will see this heart along with a letter. Collect the letter as it will help you work out the answer in the anagram when you have collected them all email TT with the answer and you may be the winner!

So here is the Link to where you can find the heart

It would be great if you would like to follow Lovin' Ink too as we have exciting plans afoot this year and would love to share them with you.

Thanks for playing along and now you need to go to visit our lovely Yvonne

Something from my girl x

Up to the age of 12 my daughter Meghan used to scrapbook and card make alongside me but she decided it was not for her and has leaned more to art journalling the last 12 months or so. She does some lovely sketches in her sketch pad usually staying in pencil but she has done this one with a little colour which i thought I would share. The horse proportions are brilliant - she does draw more horses than anything else - aside from music horses are her passion. How fabulous at 15 to know what you feel passionate about! The words behind this page are the lyrics of a song - for no other reason than she likes the song. She is one clever gal and I am mighty proud of her x

Door hanger/ treat holder

Made this last night as a prototype for my next craft club sessiojn in March all products are by stampin up except the eylet ribbon which is available here for 10p per metre!

and the back - a perfect pouch to add some treats for a loved one/ kids and I have seen them all decorated up for Easter too. I went with a theme I could do for my Hubby when we wake up on our 25th Anniversary in 9 days time - Yikes! He plays clarinet and saxaphone as well as a military flute in the british legion band so music is a big part of his life.

Hope the weather is not too blustery with you - our fence has been blown down and blocked the back street so thats a job for OH and No 1 son later today!

Happy Saturday x

sorry this is a day late

1st of the month sees a new atc swap beginning at The Stamp Man - sorry this one is late being posted - I have a hectic week this week at work and I did try to be organised but of course still forgot my post! I will apologise now for not visiting blogs too as I will have no time until Friday evening to even glance around blogland! boo hoo
The theme was chosen by the lovely Julie who joins in our swaps from Belgium. Julie always sends the most beautifully decorated envelopes too - always a treat to receive them.
Well this certainly challenged me! I have never done STEAMPUNK before although I had heard of it so I hope I have done the theme a little justice!
Cuttlebug embossing folder cogs and gears was fabulous for inking with black soot distress and with a few bits of metal work and this across the miles stamp set I thought it worked ok.
Do stop by The ATC Stamp Man blog where my team mates have done some fabulous stuff!

Tuesday Taggers - Feel the lurve

You may have noticed its my 25th Wedding anniversary on 14th February so this is a perfect excuse to make the OH a card.

I have used Tim Holtz seasonal pad for all the letters, numbers and papers and its almost too simple a card LOL but it does say what Iwanted as we are Valentine Sweethearts awwwww

Hope he likes it!

We have decided to go away on an overnight stay to visit some friends in Dumfries that we haven't seen for some years. so we will visit them in the afternoon, have a romantic meal in the evening which Mum is treating us to (thanks Mum) and stay overnight before making our way home stopping off somewhere picturesque on the way.

Nothing huge and fancy just the way we want it.

as always my Try it on Tuesday chums have been busy too with some fab creations so do stop by for a look - and the heads up on the next altered challenge theme too!