Are we really THAT old!!!

Is coming to the Ricoh Stadium Coventry

A couple of years ago we were on the famous open top London bus tour when at 7pm prompt the bus ground to a halt, the driver got out and told all of us passengers that we'd have to get off as he'd finished for the day. It was really odd but we did as he asked along with about 50 foreign tourists who were all really confused.  The driver had stopped outside Hyde Park and who should be playing but Bruce Springstein.  How fluky, Andy is one of his biggest fans so we stood for a while and listened before wandering off to grab some dinner.   He's always wanted to see him but never thought he would so hearing him was a second best. 

At the weekend Andy happened to mention that Brucie was coming to the Ricoh, Coventry on his World Tour this week, and one of the guys was going from work.  Little did he know I'd booked tickets for us both to go on Thursday.  Whoooopeeee!!!  REally excited we told the children.  They said WHO's THAT!!!!!     

Are we really that old lol!!!!  Anyway we're really looking forward to 4 solid hours of Brucy babe (The Boss)!!! 

The Ali-Craft Blog Challenge

Hi every one 

Some of you will have spotted that May 31st saw the launch of the first Ali-Craft blog challenge but if you haven't the theme for this first challenge is "Anything Goes". 
To find more about how to enter, read the rules and upload your entry just click the link below.  The closing date is 29th June so there s still a few days left to get crafty.  This months fabulous prize is a 12 x 12 and 8 x 8 Secret Garden paper pads by Graphic 45.  WOW!  says the G45 DT member :-) 

  The Ali-Craft blog Challenge No 1 

Here's some ideas from the design Team to get your thoughts going.  

Altered Canvas by Heidi 

Blog Card by Ali 

Challenge Card by Andrea 

Challenge card by Barbara 

Challenge card by me AKA charliejones2686 :-) 

Good luck guys if your entering :-) C

Really Useful Altered Art

Perpetual Calendar - French Country Collection by Graphic 45 

Well it's back to work Monday everyone, how time flies.  I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.  
Here's a really useful altered calendar to make so you can keep track of the date.  It's really quick to make, easy to cover  and small enough to use up left over papers from other projects. 
I picked this wooden calendar in Trago Mills the last time we were in Falmouth.  It 's a great place to get hold of cheap blanks to decorate and if you're down that way worth a visit. 
The blocks were stained with watered down green acrylic paint which give them a worn look.  Distress stains also work really well as they soak into to he wood leaving the numbers to stand out. The main frame was painted with black acrylic paint and once dry covered in  papers from the 8 x 8 French Country collection by G45 and the co ordinating 6 x 6 patterns and solids that go with the collection.  

Workshop Pics from Robs Showroom

Rob painting our egg racks ready for decorating 

Thanks to every one who came along to the Graphic 45 and MDF workshop at Robs showroom on Saturday located in the beautiful surroundings of Pleasely Vale Mills.  We had a great day covering his fabulous blanks.  Thanks also to Rob and Ally for all their hard work that went nto making the day a great success.

We'll be arranging another workshop so keep an eye on my blog for details :-) 

Altered art by the Twinlets

Ladies Diary Picture Frame by Sian and Aime

Had a lovely eve last night with Andys Twins, Sian and Amie.  They wanted to decorate a picture friend for their cousin who's getting married later this month and had asked if I'd help them decorate it.  Siany had been onto the G45 blog done her research and found some inspiration from some Ladies Diary projects and wondered if I had the papers. ?????  Of course I said, new pads haven't long arrived in our DT Box, so we took the frame apart, raided my stash and this is what they made.  Gorgeous isn't it. xx 

 Have a great Wednesday everyone :-) 

Graphic 45 2013 Design Team Introduction

Kraft Reflections Album - Graphic 45 

Where did that weekend go?????  Am I the only one who thinks the year's flying by way too fast.   It's only a few days until Mid Summers Eve and we've had next to no summer, or have I just missed it because I've been crafting lol!!   
I did get to really chill out this weekend, which after a really hectic week of work, college, awards events, meetings and oodles of e-mails and phone calls was just what I needed. A fabby G45 Dt box also arrived with all of the new paper collections in too, and after much stroking I couldn't resist getting out the scissors and making a start on my CHA projects for the G45 stand over in Vegas in July.  I was hoping to go this summer but due to other commitments it doesn't look like thats going to happen which is a shame.  Would loved to caught up with so many people, but there's always January so fingers crossed.
Anyway today is my turn to be officially introduced onto the 2013 Graphic 45 Design Team and I'm really excited. Kelly, Graphic 45's wonderful wordsmith has been working her magic again writing and introducing each one of us along with all the other posts she writes and publishes. I'm sharing a couple of my Final entry projects and a very detailed album made from the Kraft Reflections collection I bought before I joined the design team.  To see pics of all of my projects and the album above in more detail just click the link below to head over to the Graphic 45 blog 

Graphic 45 Blog 

Have a great day whatever your up to :-) C

Bohemian Bazaar and Steampunk Spells arrive in the UK

Steampunk Spells Card - Graphic 45

What a fab surprise to come home to tonight.  A totally amazing DT package from Diane, Charee Amie and the team.  The two new collections that arrived were, as I'm sure you know if your a G45er Bohemian Bazaar and Steampunk Spells.  Each very different from the other, a new colour pallet for Bohemian Bazaar and a new halloween collection with Steampunk Spells.  The detail in each of the papers is once again incredible. These collections are a definite "must have" to add to your stash.

I had an uber creative moment earlier after a ropey start to the evening, and, starting with 

the cut apart of the Steampunk lady from the 8 x 8 pad made this card to get a feel for how the elements worked together.  I should know they always do lol!!!   For a closer look at whats coming our way here in the UK click the video link below.

Have a great weekend every one :-)

Come along to a Home Decor Graphic 45 Workshop

It's confirmed :-) Rob, affectionately known as Mr MDF has invited me to host a Graphic 45 workshop at his new showroom in Mansfield.  During the day we'll be altering an egg rack (similar to mine above), letter rack and tray with Graphic 45 papers adding a little bit of gilding with the fabulous IndigoBlu mega flakes and Rob will be sharing some of his altered art techniques with us all too.  You'll also be able to shop till you drop and stock up on his quality MDF blanks too. 

Here's the details for the day:

Date:  Saturday 15th June 2013

Time: 10am - 5 - 5.30pm ish

Venue: MDF Man Showroom, Unit GB, Mill 3, Pleasley Vale Business Park, Mansfield. NG19 8RL

Whats included: 

All MDF Blanks

Choice of Graphic 45 papers to cover your blanks with

Buffet Lunch

Inks for edging 

What to bring: 

Pencil

Ruler 

Paper Trimmer 

Craft knife if you prefer to cut with one and a cutting mat 

everything else will be provided for you so no need to bring your craft kit this time

Cost: £50.00   

To book your place contact Rob direct on 01623 810110

Looking forward to seeing you there :-) C

A G45 Workshop at Suzicraft Crafts

Curtain Call Guest Book - Graphic 45 

Hi every one, just a quick post to let you know Susan at Suzicrafts Crafts has invited me along to the shop to run a Graphic 45 workshop on Saturday 29th June.  We'll be making one of my Zig Zag albums. 

If you'd like to join in the fun and would like more information about the day just contact the shop direct on 01642 605117 or Susan on 07754 659780.

The shop address is:
5 Portrack Lane 
Stockton on Tees TS18 2XB 

I thought I'd add a shout out to Joan and Janella who I understand had a big shock in the shop today.  I am really coming up to see you all and will be bringing some of my altered projects that have featured on my blog and You Tube channel along with me.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

:-) C

Backgrounds Galore

Happy Wednesday everyone,

Congratulations to Sue the Iron, No 24 who was this months winner of the IndigoBlu blog challenge and scrummy prize.
Here's the link to her blog and wonderful altered heart.

A new monthly challenge starts today, and its all about "Beautiful Backgrounds".  Just click the link here for more info on how to enter and the prize this month.

I really loved making the sunflower card using the IndigoBlu stamps and took the theme a step further to make this altered gift box. The box is made out of chipboard 6 x 6 squares (the lid is a little larger), painted with black acrylic. Then I covered it with stamped white card panels, inked with Mowed Lawn and Vintage Photo distress ink and then stamped with black Versafine ink. Stamps used were:

Script Background
Crackleglaze Background
Sunflower
Nature 1 - Butterfly
Poppy Meadow - tag detail

I used yellow and orange Copic Ciao Markers and a walnut stain distress pen for the brown centre to colour the sunflower, and then added a few layers of glossy accent dots to the brown centre to give a textured finish.  I had to add a sprinkle of brown art glitter to finish it off lol!!

Let your imagination run wild, get out your inks, paints, pastels and stamps and have loads of fun getting creative :-)

Picture Perfect cards for all Occasion

Secret Garden Card - Graphic 45

Kelly's been busy again writing todays post over on the Graphic 45 blog. Click here to take a look at Susans Olde curiosity Shoppe easel card, Arlene's Little Darlings card and my card made from the new patterns and solids 6 x 6 pad that complements the Secret Garden collection. There's instructions on how to make it yourself too.

Happy crafting everyone :-)

Simple Home Decor with Graphic 45

Simple Home Decor with Graphic 45 

If your a G45 er you'll know that the gorgeous papers Diane and the team design are great to use to up cycle home decor pieces.  Simple projects are just as effective as those that have all the bells and whistles added :-).  Here's a wooden key cabinet I altered using two 8 x 8 papers from the French Country Collection and inky pool PaperArtsy fresco finish chalk acrylic paint.  It matched the inky blues in the paper perfectly.  It really doesn't take too long to transform an item into something you'd like to have around the home either.  

Happy paper crafting everyone :-) 

Have fun with Altered Art

Secret Garden Altered 8 x 8 Match Book Box - Graphic 45 

Happy Saturday everyone
Not the sunniest of days for May here in the UK but its not raining... yet!!!  Anyway as it's been a while since I shared a Graphic 45 project with you all I thought I'd take some pics of one of my demo pieces I made for the Create and Craft shows last weekend.  I went lilac using papers from the Secret Garden collection that matched perfectly with PaperArtsy's Pansy Fresco Finish chalk paint.  

First I altered the box by cutting along one of the lower edges of the outer cover, and then sticking the inner box down to the base.  I angled the two right hand edges and added a magnet (hidden under the papers) to keep the box closed.  then I painted it all over with Pansy paint and when dry used one of Ali Reeves Brick Wall masks and Brushed Corduroy distress ink to highlight the uncovered sides and inside cover of the box. 

The inside was covered with one piece of cream 12 x12 paper and the front decoration includes one of the new pockets and tags, hinges, stamped buttons, brads, staples ribbon, chipboard pieces, cut a parts and violet sprays cut out from the 12 x 12 paper.   
Here are a few close up shots. 

Have a great weekend :-) C

A fab day had by all

Getting Creative With Clare Charvill at a Graphic 45 Workshop

Hi everyone
Here are a few pics from our fabulous Graphic 45 workshop today in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.  It was lovely to meet you all. Andy and I would like to thank you all for making the day such a huge success.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.  What busy bees :-) I think we've caught every one hard at work int he pics below.

Sue, who runs the Redditch Craft Club was with us today.  Here's the link to their web site.   The club meets once a month, and if you fancy joining other crafters for a day of creativity just contact Sue at sue.gadd@redditchcraftclub.co.uksue.gadd@redditchcraftclub.co.uk.

Lovely to see all the ladies from the Moxley Massive Crop too.  Their fabulous crop runs on the first saturday of the month. If you're local and would like more info about the club just click this link.

I still have a few places left for my next Graphic 45 workshop on Saturday 6th July and IndigoBlu workshop on Saturday 3rd August .  For more info on both just click the link (top left) to my On Line Workshops and Events page.

Happy paper crafting everyone :-)

Just got home

Altered Gift Box - Various Graphic 45 Collections 

I'm just home after todays Graphic 45 sell out shows on Create and Craft TV.   It was great fun meeting and working with Hayley and Genevieve and meeting Emily the producer,  Di, Annaliese again and the rest of the floor crew who all did a great job packing up all my samples at the end of the day.  I've never know hours fly by so fast as they did today. 

Thanks also to every one who mailed into the shows. Lots of mails made their way into the cup but sadly there wasn't time to read them all out.

Congratulations Jean on winning the card which C & C will post out to you.  

Enjoy crafting with the papers and embellishments you've bought today and if you're in need of some inspiration, stop by my You Tube channel, the Graphic 45 blog and Pinterest 
board. 
Happy paper crafting everyone :-)