On the Saturday......

 I played with some of the other girls Christmas stamps.  I do actually have this one but had forgotten to take it.  Once I got in an Elfie mood I just could not stop.

 This was also me experimenting with my distress ink pens which I love.  I have been meaning to play with some cute colouring using the pens and this was a perfect opportunity.  I loved the ease of the colouring with them and the lovely effortless blending I could achieve - it made me feel very artistic!!

 This is a Lindsay Mason stamp set which my pal Georgina let me borrow - I have since bought my own from Sir Stampalot.  I love his cheeky grin.

 and here is his pal from the same stamp set.

and the cute saying from a Darcies set I have echoing the sentiment from the film Elf!  Love that fabulous feel good film!

Playing with these elves earned me 3 commissions over the weekend as one of the ladies had Elvington as a last name and thought these elves would be good for her children.  I loved playing with the inks and look forward to doing more colouring with them.

Thanks for stopping by x

Janet

Craft retreat first night project

 This was actually a last minute project which I packed just in case I had time but as I thought about doing it for the whole journey to Claxby it was the one I began with.  Gorgeous image from the Molly Blooms collection coloured with promarkers. 

Lovely papers left over from last years retreat makes and the sentiments are from an old K&Co alpha sticker set which worked well.         

This box was given to me - I suspect it originally held cheese.  I had such fun playing with it..

Thanks for stopping by.  More makes to share tomorrow as I spent Saturday experimenting!

XXX Janet XXX

Away for the weekend

On our annual Christmas retreat at Claxby in Lincolnshire.

As always a warm and hearty greeting awaited us from ladies who have become very dear friends.  This year our "Christmas day" fell on 25th November which was extra special here is a few pictures.

 Busy working space!

 The lovely tree

 These makes were from 2 new ladies to the group Rudi the Reindeer was a new crafty recruit!

 sing along tunes

 Handmade decorations

It was a wonderful time.  I will share some of my makes over next few days.

Thanks ladies your company was as ever fantastic!

Janet x

some more little gifts

 Got these cute little calico bags from crafty individuals a while ago which were perfect for prettying up. 

  here is George carrying a lantern

 and Molly too.  Perfect images to house this sweet little votive and candle.

These were such fun to make I think I will play some more with the larger size bag that was in the pack!

Happy Wednesday xx

Janet x

Better to give than receive........

I am by nature generous, some would say far too generous but I do love giving gifts and thinking up ways to give something homemade is something I love about this time of year.

Last night I picked up this forlorn looking box which has been gessoed then put to one side for inspiration to strike.

 and strike it did.  I messed around with some Christmassy ornaments, gorgeous papers by echo park and my collection of Christmas stamps.

It was great fun. and the perfect box to present this candle in.

A mistletoe fragranced candle mixed by me.

Got a very special lady in mind for this for Christmas!

Thanks for coming to look today - if you could leave a comment that would make me smile.

XXXX Janet XXXX

Experimenting with Sloe Gin

I make lots of Christmas cakes between September and November and this year has been no exception.  My papercrafting is interrupted by the mixing of all the cakes and caring for them once made which is a crucial part of them tasting just right.

This year I also had a glut of other dried fruits - dates, figs, apricots etc so decided to put a twist on the recipe I have used for the last 25 years.  I also had some homemade slow gin given to me by my lovely crafty pal Glynis so I decided to experiment.

 I used the base recipe for the Christmas cake but instead of black treacle used maple syrup and instead of the traditional fruits of raisins, currants, sultanas and mixed peel I used up what was in the cupboard.

I must say I was thrilled with the outcome and made two 7 inch cakes.  One for Glynis and one for testing.  I sent out to 10 different testers - some I have never met but chat to on facebook and so far the feedback has been very pleasing.  Here are some comments.

Patricia

O M G my cake arrived and i have died and gone to heaven lets just say the piece is not big enough i need the whole cake lol it is absolutely fantastic, eaten half soon as i opened it, going to make a cuppa and relish the rest. Thank you so much Janet and also for the lovely card. xxxx

Margaret

mmmmmmmmmmm it was absolutely scrumptious. so fruity and moist and the alcohol taste remained in my mouth. i was going to give the dog a few crumbs but forgot as it tasted so good. huge thanks, and btw the little red heart is now permanently hanging from my curtain hold back. thanks again xxxx

Denize

 Oh wow thank you so so much for my cake parcel received this morning Janet! What an absolute treat for my dessert with my lunch! It was absolutely delicious. I was going to save some for when my daughter got home as I know she would love it but temptation beat me and I scoffed it all myself with a nice cuppa! Thank you so much Janet! Totally totally scummy :) xxx

Carole

 Mine arrived today, and was scoffed today. Now I have to say, that I am really funny about fruit cake. I don't like it dry looking, and if it even looks dry, then I won't eat it. Yours Janet Clarke - looked beautifully moist. I also liked its colour - I thought it would look much paler, but it looked just right. I took a small 1.5cm x 1.5cm corner sample first, and thank god I did ! It was beautifully moist on the tongue, and then within seconds, the taste hit me ! Wow ! Sorry, but after that, it was literally demolished .... in like seconds .... I didn't stop until it was gone. The taste was heavenly, and I couldn't tell that it was sloe gin that had been used. It just tasted delicious. The fruit blended well with the sloe gin, and there was no after-taste like you get with supermarket christmas fruit cakes. The sloe-gin definitely complimented the fruit, of which there was ample, but not overloaded so that it was all fruit and no cake. ( I'll still have to have my 5 a day) !!! As I say ... more or less after the first sample, it was gone ... so if you want a more in-depth analysis, then you will HAVE to send me more :) Thank you also for the beautiful packaging that it was sent in as well, that melted my heart before the cake did ! Thanks for letting me take part in the cake tasting event - it was mucho enjoyed - love 'n' hugs xxxxxxxxxx

I must say its been one of the most fun experiments I have ever done so thanks for playing along to my 10 official testers - still waiting to hear from a few!

Hope your weekend has been fun.

Thanks for stopping by

Janet xx 

Life with Lovin' Ink

Has gone from strength to strength and we have outgrown our little shop blog.  So with a spit and polish and some new photographs we now have a new home and some fabulous candy giveaway.

You can find out all about it in Lovin' Inks new home here

2013 looks to be full of excitement and we cannot wait to get started on new rounds of workshops.

Take a stroll around the new blog.  Find out how we met and how it all began.  Look up our retreats and our gallery of projects and contact us if you have any thoughts you would like to share.

You can find us on Facebook and subscribe to our posts via email.

Looking forward to growing the online community of Lovin' ink too

Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the prize draw.

Janet

Christmas al la Tim

 For our last workshops of the year Michelle and I decided to introduce Mr Holtz products to the classes.  We also found some amazing LED Christmas trees just begging for an exploding box makeover.

 So with some embossing folders, distress inks and a touch of glitter we have also revisited techniques from the last few months making this a revision piece too!

 Here is the view from above.  I love those Christmassy colours of peeled paint and fired brick.

This class will be held at Embsay on Saturday 1st December.  If you fancy a play then you can book through Samuel Taylors here

Last few hours to get the candy

We all love candy right?

And what better than stash candy - all the pleasure and none of the calories!!

This particular candy is available till Midnight so check out what you have to do in the draw here

Someone is going to be a very happy crafter!!!

Good luck x