Monday, 24 March 2014

THE FREEZER PAPER DEBATE.

Hi crafters
Over the last few days at the NEC many people asked about using freezer paper on the back of fabric before putting it through the BSC.
So, I thought I would try it and give you my personal opinion.
I have ironed the paper on with a very hot dry iron and left it to cool. Then placed it fabric down on to the standard mat and putting the pressure on 5 and the standard blade on 5( this was with a new blade...you may have to play with this depending on the age of your blade) and speed on 5 it cut beautifully. There was a little fraying but I guess that would be on the seam allowance.
I cut all the shapes from one of the quilt blocks and a circle.
For more complex shapes I would absolutely recommend that you use Heat n Bond lite if you wish to see through it and ultra if not.
I hope that helps
Hugs
Melanie xxx

Saturday, 22 March 2014

chatter chatter chatter!

Hi crafty friends

For the last three days I have done nothing but chatter as you can see from these pictures!    Lol.x


Wednesday, 19 March 2014

PRIMED AND READY FOR ACTION

Hello
We have just arrived at the hotel ready for four busy days at the NEC craft show. We will be on the Brother stand G10 in Hall 11. Please pop by and say hello...I don't get let out very often!
See you there
Hugs
Melanie xxx

Saturday, 15 March 2014

A few words of wisdom

Hi
I received this email last week and it made me smile all day.
I thought I would share it with you all. Whether you believe in a higher being or not I still think we can all learn from this lady.x


"7%"
Written by a 90 year old
This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!!
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy clothes. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.
I'm in the 7%. Friends are the family that  you choose.
Its worth reading.

Zentangle samples

Hi my crafty friends

Here are the samples from yesterday's entangle show.


Here,with the sailboat I have used gentleblends to colour through the stencil..
Then used the Picasso dream weaver stencil to create the clouds.
Finally I zentangled the sail.


For this sample I used the large Zen flower stencil and gentleblends for colour.
After letting this dry thoroughly I drew through each section of the flower stencil.
Next I placed the crusade stencil Over the top and drew the lines that are  inside the  flower sections.
Fill these in with a black micron pen and allow to dry.
Then place the Zen flower stencil back over the art work and ink through with a versmark ink  pad. Remove the stencil and then pour UTEE over the top and heat. Repeat this process.





Tuesday, 11 March 2014

PICK OF THE DAY

Hello my crafty friends
Please tune in tonight for a fabulous POTD. We are selling Spellbinders, Martha Stewart and EK Success products on a 3 for 2 offer. These are not old designs but some of the CHA launches which are still exclusive to Create and Craft.
If you shop clever and buy three of a similar priced item then you will get great bargains.
It is also a really good chance maybe try products that you haven't tried before.
Hope you can join me.
Take care
Love and hugs
Melanie xxx

Thursday, 6 March 2014

BACK ON AIR

Good afternoon
Just sat in the hairdressers which means I have at last found some time to blog!!!!!!!
Wanted to let you all know that I am back in air next week.
I am on on Monday for craft clinic at 11am for two hours of the Brother Scan and Cut.

Then on Tuesday I have four hours 8am, 1pm, 3 pm and 7pm and then on. These include Brother, Project Life and Martha Stewart clay then on to  Ideal World for a bargain packed pick of the day!!!! Can't say anything else yet!

On Thursday I have two Brother hours and on Friday I am bringing ZENTANGLE back to air with fabulous new stencils and brown fineliner pens to give a fabulous new look.

If you an please join me for lots of new ideas and demos and a good dose of fun too...lol.x

Also if any of you live near Jo Channons' shop in Lincoln, I will be there demonstrating stencils and embossing paste on Saturday with some great techniques so pop along if you can.

That's it for now.

Take care
Love and hugs
Melanie xxx