Out and about!

Today is Sunday and the sun has been shining brightly! Have I made the most of it? Nope, today has been a very relaxed and chilled day and I can't believe where the day has gone - well okay, the 3 hour much needed afternoon nap didn't help!

Yesterday I was at my favourite craft shop - Coleman's Craft Warehouse in Rushden which is in between Milton Keynes and Peterborough, just off the A45 teaching a group of lovely ladies various techniques on how to create backgrounds - it was a very messy day! Here are a few pics, although it doesn't look very messy!

Anyway, I posted the pics on Facebook and somebody asked where I was doing demos/workshops so I promised I would put some info on my blog.

Please note that dates are subject to change at short notice, so I suggest you contact the venue nearer the time - obviously I will keep you updated on my Facebook page as well!

April

25th - Pantiles Books & Papertole, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - a free demo in the morning 9.30am until midday and then workshop in the afternoon from 1.00pm until 3.30pm - please contact Val 01892 618191 for prices and availability 

May

10th - Poppy Crafts, 33 Victoria Street, Sheerness, Kent - an all day workshop. Contact Denise 01795 666976 for prices and availability

23rd - Pantiles Books & Papertole, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - same details as 25th April

June

12th & 13th - Clarity Open Day, Crowborough, East Sussex - 2 fun filled days of demonstrations from Barbara Gray and some of her design team - this is a ticketed event and costs £5 per day - more information HERE

20th - Pantiles Books & Papertole, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - same details as 25th April & 23rd May

July

4th - Coleman's Craft Warehouse, Rushden - Big Demo Day - a great place to visit for the day and watch free demo's from several demonstrators

11th - Pantiles Books & Papertole, Tunbridge Wells, Kent - same details as 25th April,, 23rd May & 20th June

18th July - Coleman's Craft Warehouse, Rushden - morning workshop and afternoon workshop - please contact Coleman's direct for pricing and availability

If you know of a local craft shop that is looking for a demo or workshop, then ask them to get in touch!

Happy Crafting :-)

Paul x

People..............

........... who need people

are the luckiest people in the world

we're children, needing other children

and yet letting our grown-up pride

hide all the need inside

acting more like children

than children

Okay, so some you will know that these are the words from my most favourite song, People sung by Barbra Streisand. The song has so many memories and meanings to me, but it also sums up people!

I am member of various forums, Facebook pages and this weekend I have come across rather unkind comments about other people. Now don't get me wrong I am all for people having an opinion, after all that is what makes us what and who we are. The internet and social media is now a big part of our life and some rely on it more than others for one reason or another which is great - I have made so many new friends/connections as a result. 

Sadly, when I come across these types of unkind/negative posts, it makes me think (yeah, scary I know, you really wouldn't want to be in my head at times!) that someone feels the need to be so negative as to shout about it in such a public place (the internet) The written word can be read in so many different ways, it all depends on how you are feeling at the time. I know that if I am feeling a bit low or grumpy, I will read something and feel grrrrrr and other times I can read the same thing when feeling happy and the sun is shining and I feel awwwwwwww. It is the same as watching a TV drama or a film, there is a few films that I can watch and feel really happy and it lifts my mood and other times I can watch the same film and end up blubbing like a new born baby!

Before I move on to things crafty and less deep, would you say the same thing to the actual person if you met them face to face? How would you feel if the same type of things were being said about you? This part of the blog has taken me nearly 3 hours to write, as I wanted to get it right, so rather than just blurt it all out, I wrote it out on paper first. When I look back at it now, this part of the blog has changed a lot, my anger has subsided and I am typing it whilst listening to the song. If you have never heard it, here is a link, crank the volume up, close your eyes and just listen to the words................

Okay, so now on to all things crafty!

Here are some samples from the Clarity Stamp TV show that was broadcast on Sunday 5th April 2015 on Create & Craft

This was my favourite card, I am really into the faux parchment look and I take my hat off to all those people that spend hours and hours and end up with a piece of totally amazing art, sadly, time is not on my side, so I choose the quick option - now when I say the quick option, this still took about 3 hours to complete. I used the spectrum noir pencils behind to add the colour - just love it!

Here are few more, can you tell which was my favourite stamp?

Well I hope you have enjoyed todays blog

Happy Bank Holiday Monday, Happy Crafting and Happy whatever makes you happy

Paul x

Bad Blogger!!!

It has recently been brought to my attention that it has been a long time since I last blogged (June 2014!) I really have no idea where the time has gone and why I have not blogged.

So, for the first blog of 2015, I am just going to post a load of pictures of samples I have made and I promise to try and blog more frequently. Over the next few weeks/months I am going to try and post a few Step by Step projects.......

All of these have previous appeared on my Facebook page, but if you have any questions, drop me a line

Happy Crafting!