Cake lace mould results...

Okay, considering this was my first go, pretty chuft with the results. I tried acrylic paint; polymere; pva; cosmic shimmer coloured pva; iridescent medium; embossing powder. They worked. Gesso and air dry clay didn't (air dry could have but was fiddley). Here's some pics of the results:

Acrylic paint

Iridescent medium:

UTEE:

Iridescent medium:

Cosmic shimmer pva:

Cosmic shimmer pva:

Regular pva:

Next time I know I need to scrape off the excess as the detail of the moulds is incredible. I used versamark on some of the butterflies to help release, but to be honest, I didn't need it.

The mat took the heat of the heat gun as well. I sprinkled the embossing powder in and heated it, adding more where I needed it. This way I could be very specific where I put the powder.

Beautiful mats - I want them all now!!

Morning

Stayed up ridiculously late last night helping my sis with her etsy account - and watching a ridiculous amount of American horror story...which means lie in!! This is how I've been eventually woken up:

Haha. Dylan and dave are now play fighting - think it's a subtle way of telling me to shift :)

Prepping

Well, Friday night and I'm sat in prepping for tomorrow's show. Slightly gutted as one of our friends is having her leaving do this evening, ah well, least I'll be wide awake and hang over free tomorrow morning :)

Now, I've been given the beautiful Cake Lace butterflies mat to have a play with. I've tried UTEE; air dry clay; polymere; pva; cosmic shimmer pva; acrylic paint; gesso....waiting for things to dry!!

The UTEE  worked perfectly. I actually sprinkled it into the mat and heated with my heat gun. This allowed me to control the UTEE so it didn't over spill excessively. Any spills were trimmed off whilst the UTEE was still warm. It's picked up the detail of the mould wonderfully.

The cloud clay has picked up the detail, but was a little tricky to work into the mat, I think I needed a few attempts to get the correct amount of clay, as I did tend to over fill the image.

The polymere clay worked perfectly - you simply need to trim off the excess when removed from the mould. The detail is picked up perfectly.

The acrylic and glues need time to dry - I have had to walk away from the mat as I keep sticking my fingers in to see if it's ready!!

Join us tomorrow to see the results and obviously see just how amazing these mats are when used by the expert!!

Wednesday crafting

Morning crafters. Long time no post...again. I realised I've been managing to update my Facebook page whilst neglecting my blog! How very rude. 

I had a really lovely day at work yesterday. We had the wonderful Jo bringing us tonic delights, with her semi's and flaps (you couldn't make it up!). 

Stunning detailed dies.

I then had the very talented Christina demoing moulds from Katy sue. Love her work, really makes me want to take up cake decorating:

...I didn't even want to eat everything, just craft! That's saying something.

I then had my first ever show with Lucy, from sweet poppy stencils. Really really wanted a two hour show. Loved that show:

Brilliant ideas and products, and Lucy is such a lovely person. 

I also met the competition winners who had won the day with dawn. We had a natter and some cake.

Finally my day ended with the ever fabulous Mel. We had a good giggle and she taught me more new stuff that I could get up to with my brother scan and cut.

All in all, a very super day. Now, I'm walking the dogs, nice and early, as I have the 8 and 9am shows!! I'm awake, promise :)

Thursdays day

Morning crafters, hope alls well. It's another early shift for me, so I'm writing on the hoof (walking the dogs). It's so peaceful, and I swear the rabbits are getting braver, managed to get quite close today. Thankfully the dogs don't seem bothered about chasing them.

Well, yesterday was another lovely day, so I thought I'd share a few photos. Leanne and myself kicked off the day with brand new dies from crafters companion. Had a smashing show. Love working with Leanne, it's always fun and energetic. 

Next was the lovely Liz, with the ace new gadget from our steph. Have you seen it, the bowmaker? Honestly, it should win best new product of the year, it's such a good idea. 

I did two screen tests, really nice ladies who were both really really good - even got given my own manga bunny!! 

Finally my first show with Christina. It's been her very first week on air, but you definitely wouldn't think so, she has done amazing. And obviously the dies were beautiful. I've popped loads of photos on the c&c Facebook page, but wanted to share a few here for the folk who don't use faceache :)

Alice and Leonie's London Adventure

Off our ladies trotted, surprisingly on time, to get their train.  Gin in the tin suitably chilled, tickets printed....of sorts!

The gin fizzed, as did the Pimms - all over Alice's dress unfortunately.  There began the days stainage.

Our adventurers formed their plan, and set off to The Underground.  They managed to alight and depart their carriage without incident - unlike the lady who misjudged the ferocity of the doors which clammed her in place by her buttocks.  Her friend pushed and shoved without success, and eventually she had to reverse and give in.  Alice and Leonie did find exiting The Underground a little tricky - but managed to find light after a few circuits.

Wandering

They meandered, taking in lovely shops, glow in the dark ducks, badges, dresses, frozen yoghurt, strawberry bellinis, and eventually came to their first destination. Waterloo Station.  The art installation they had decided to visit had, of course, finished, days earlier.  However, they snook into the venue, stamping themselves to prove they were allowed. They chanced upon a fabulous chair, surrounded by space.  And a strangely illuminated table.

Chair (behind Alice)

Table of light

Stamping

They had a little look at the fabulous street art, and breathed deeply to take in the paint spray fumes, then skipped out of the tunnels.

Alice, fumes, stainage and street art

Luckily they chanced upon a very lovely Cafe Bar, which had two perfect seats in the sunshine, right next to the rubbish bins. A few beers later, and plans in place for their very own amazing and quirky bar, off our ladies set, to Somerset House.

Near death by taxi reminded our girls, London can be a scary place! 

Eventually access was gained to Somerset House.  The Posh(er) tickets allowed our ladies to obtain free drinks.  They dined on expensive, but rather delicious,  houmous, breads and cheese, then took their places (and a little more prosecco) to shake their thang to the amazing Kelis.

All the boxes of empty food

Kelis - funk and souling it up

A jolly smashing time was had, but the clocks chimed and our girls had to leg it to catch their train.  Without a moment to spare, they managed to clamber aboard, popping themselves in first class, to catch their breath....the nice ticket man seemed fine with the tiny photograph of the tickets purchased, hooray! A relaxing journey home.

First Class joy...!!

Our ladies had a little meander to Asda, with the hope of a 24 shop, but were met with shutters.  No party could be found at the home of Matteous, so home our girls trotted, not taking up the rather obvious advances of a fellow drink hunter who stopped his car for a little chat!

Hot chocolate, with a cheeky Baileys chaser, rounded off a very wonderful adventure.

Petal of love

Thank you London.  Thank you Kelis. Thank you Miss Alice, my wonderful partner in crime.

Today I am a Little Greek.

Catch up, then back to work...

Just a little catch up with blogger land. I've had a brilliant few days, feels like I've crammed tonns in. Eer, I have I suppose, that'll be why!! 

We had a send off for our mate Georgie (part of the brilliant c&c team craft), she is working in America for a couple of months - literally swapping over to team Camp America. She'll be missed, but will be back!

I then tootled up north to spend Sunday with my sister, Carl and our mate Marie - and her adorable little boy Jacob. We had such a nice day at tatton park - and it was sunshiney!! Love that sunshine. Caught one arm. Just the one. Not even the full arm - just the forearm. I must have been walking really weird for that to occur?! 

Whilst up north I visited my lovely little gran, 92 next birthday. She's funny, she says she can't walk round the shops and stuff anymore, but honestly, she's amazingly mobile - and trots around the house without her stick. Longevity in these northern bones.

I then visited the lovely Anne-Marie and baby Joseph. Oh man, he is adorable. I had a cuddle, and me and Anne Marie had a good catch up. She's looking amazing. Mark even plays his guitar to Joseph - how cute is that.

Then....I know, there's more!! This is only from Friday night, and I worked late on Saturday!! Anyhow, then me and mr Frisby trotted off to London Town. Had a bloody marvellous day. We had street food in borough market, wine, beer in soho, then went to see the fabulous Angela Lansbury in blithe spirit. What a damn good play. All the actors were amazing. I loved it.

See, crammed!! And now I have to go to work. I don't think I've the energy....shall I ring in sick :) 

Wine o clock:

Awww, lovely little family :)

Baby Joseph in his new swing 

Home....I often forget how amazing it is in rossendale valley. It even smells fresh! And it was pure joy to walk the kids without seeing litter every 100 yards. The dogs had an amazing time.

Marie and little Jacob....haha, he hated having to leave the train

Saturdays fab creations from the clever Katherine 

Me and our sheila :)

awwww, Anthony and his lovely wife

Just one of the beautiful creations from Anthony 

Sunshine and zombie bears

Evening crafters. Loving the sunshine, how nice is it to actually feel the summer sneaking on in! Amazing. I've had a lovely few days as well. Yesterday Kathryn and myself had a brilliant spa day. I absolutely loved it. The treatments were brilliant - I picked it just for the mud, if the truth be known, which was really funny (and my skin did actually feel nice as well!).

I got home and made my zombie bear! Had to do a zombie bear....I mean, who doesn't want a moulding, bloody, and mad zombie bear! I also decorated a watch and a stripey monkey. All in the name of work. It was fun actually.

And then today, another lovely day. Myself and Alice had a walk in the sun with the hairy kids, saw lots if baby birds from ducks, swans and geese. Followed the rules of "sunshine = pints", then had a very lush selection of nibbles. New obsession - fruit in my salad. Looks pretty and tastes damn good as well!

I'll share some pics for you...prepare for scary birds and mud -