Creative Craft Show

Morning all.
I hope the weather where you are is better than my hometown today. It's a blanket of white outside and the snow is falling so I'm going to use it as a valid excuse to stay indoors and have a whole day in the craftroom!
If you like to go to the craft shows, you might already know that The Creative Craft Show (follow link for info)

is happening at Event City Manchester this weekend and as luck would have it (!), Jo and the LuvCrafts team will be there with the most amazing goodies and bargains so , if you can, pop in and say hello from Thursday to Saturday.
Jo is very happy to answer any crafty questions and hopefully inspire you with some crafty demos too.

Have a lovely day and stay safe and warm, wherever you are.

Lesley (DT) x

Diary Amendment!!!

Hi everyone.
Just a super quick post letting you know that Jo's LuvCrafts show, due to be aired on Hochanda on 29th Jan, has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances but it is currently being rescheduled for a date in February so we'll blog the update as soon as we can.

That's it for now.
I'll pop some inspiration photos on here for you before the show as soon as I've uploaded some!!!

I hope you're all having a super-crafty-productive day!

Hugs
Lesley (DT)

Hochanda 29 Jan

Happy Monday everyone!
Here's a quick post to let you know that Jo and Luv Crafts will be on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 29th January. (Time-slots to be confirmed)
As you may have noticed by now (lol) we absolutely adore the Studio Light products (which are available through Hochanda and Luv Crafts) so Jo is going to demonstrate the new line - DENIM SATURDAYS, as shown below, and she'll bring some amazing makes from our fab DT.
All these products can be used alone or with all your existing stash to make really amazing and modern cards and home decor. Imagine using them on scrapbook layouts or even in your journalling!
I haven't used stamps and dies quite like these before, to me they really are different and, as a crafter, that's what I like! Unusual and useful stash!

So, please make a note in your diary to tune in and enjoy an hour or two of fun crafting with brand new products.

Have an awesome day

Lesley x

HOCHANDA 2019!

Hi everyone.
Hope you're all well and getting back into the swing of things as the New Year starts in earnest.
Jo has her first shows of 2019 on hochanda tv tomorrow  (9th January) at 12 noon AND again at 4pm so be sure to tune in and grab some fab cardmaking kits and super duper adhesives (which we can't live without!) at great prices.

My new year has started well and my craft room is clean once again!
(I should have taken some pics!)

I've managed to find homes for all my Christmas stash which can stay hidden for as long as possible as far as I'm concerned as I think I've had enough of Christmas for now!!!
Isn't it surprising what you find when you actually tidy the room? I've found several mini dies which I thought were long since gone - usually by falling into the bin off my desk!

So, at last, the crafting can begin again and I hope you can all join in when Jo's on TV and, hopefully, get a little inspiration too.

Have a great evening

Hugs
Lesley x

HAPPY 2019 EVERYONE!

Hi everyone!

Lesley here today and, as the festivities are finally over, the washing up's done and the tree's safely stashed away in the shed for another year - 2019 can begin in crafty earnest!

I hope lots of you had some lovely crafty presents this Christmas.

Personally, my family won't buy me any as they prefer to surprise me with things I didn't know I needed and do you know what? 

I always do!!!

Apparently, I have too much "stuff", according to them, so no crafty stash has come my way but that's not a problem as I know this will happen so I always treat myself to something anyway! Hahaha!

So, my quick post is just to wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year and I pray that 2019 brings us all a little peace and light into our lives.

From everyone at LuvCrafts

See you very soon!

It's CHRISTMAAAAASSSS!

Hi everyone!
I'm just stopping by to wish all our lovely crafty friends a very merry and peaceful Christmas.
I'm sure Santa will bring you lots of crafty stash to play with and I hope you can join us in the New Year for more inspiration here, on Facebook and not forgetting on Hochanda too.
Have THE BEST Christmas and New year celebrations.

Hugs

Lesley (DT) xxx

Hochanda Show

Hi all.
Well, if you were lucky enough to catch the show on Hochanda this Tuesday, you'll have, hopefully, bought the super duper card kit books and paper pads as a Christmas treat to yourself! Or maybe the flowers - just WOW! they are amazing! and that ribbon........LOADS!!!
These products are just so versatile and really good fun to play with.

The DT had some amazing samples and they just blew my mind as it opened my own eyes to how to use them in ways I hadn't thought of, and that's what crafting is all about in my opinion. Learning then sharing as much as possible.

So here I'm sharing a collage of my makes which I made for the show.
Hope you like them and Have Yourselves a Very Merry Christmas!!!

🎄🎄🎄

See you all in the New Year!

Hugs

Lesley xxx

Almost Christmas!

Hi all!
Lesley here today with news that our Jo will be on Hochanda next Tuesday (18th) at 11am and 3pm with some super "Big Save" Bargains!
We've all been creating some gorgeous cards to share with you and hopefully to inspire you too.
Here's one I made earlier, and you might notice how pretty it is, which is different for me, but it's made so much easier and fun when using the fab StudioLight 3d die-cut books!

I hope everyone is getting ready for Christmas and for Santa's visit. I'm absolutely nowhere near yet but it usually all comes out ok in the end!

Have a fun and crafty weekend

            Lesley x

Anyone for Coffee?

Today I thought I would share a card suitable for a coffee lover, male or female.
I made it for Jo's last show using the Studiolight Just For Men Card book (stansbloksL28) and a Studiolight, mixed media A5 stamp set (NR. 218) for the background. I also used papers from a Studiolight Paper Pad set.
I added fresh coffee beans to give dimension and a fabulous smell!
This really is a quick and easy card to try and perfect for a variety of people and ages. If you have any questions please find me on the Facebook Group Luv Crafts, Crafting and Mixed Media Group

Enjoy and happy creating

Denyse

Hochanda Day!!

So today Jo is back on Hochanda with some FAB stuff!!

These are my samples from the show.

These ones are from one of the card bundle books called Beautiful Flowers

you can get it HERE

I have also used some of our Metallic Magic for my layers. 

You can get that from a pick & mix HERE

The next samples are from the Vintage book HERE

Also we have some great Stamp set on the show.

Here are a couple of samples made with them

The banners are a fab idea for any ages you can get them HERE with another set of stamps.

The gorgeous butterflies. This is a set of  laying stamps & dies. You can get your hands on them HERE with some pretty flower ones.

Hope you can watch the show.

Thanks Tracey

Winning ways!

Hi everyone.
Today I've popped in to write a quick post with some lovely news!
I entered the Cardmaker of The Year 2018 competition, sponsored by the craft magazine industry, and I've been lucky enough to be selected as one of the 10 runners up!
How about that then!!!!
I found out a few weeks ago but haven't been able to blog it until now as the winners are all announced in this months issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine (190).
I had to send in 3 cards and this is the one they selected as a favourite....

 I used a TiddlyInk image, Wryn on Cloud 9, as she's one of my favourite digi images!
(As a DT member for LuvCrafts, I did actually use our own products too - I used 3d glue gel and foam pads!)

To go with the accolade (!), I also won a lovely Go Press and Foil Deluxe machine which I haven't had time to use yet as I've been busy with all the lovely DT work for LuvCrafts!

Which reminds me to let you know that Jo and LuvCrafts products will be on Hochanda on Monday 26th November at 12 and 4pm.
She's bringing some cool stuff for you to play with and not a Christmas bauble in sight!!!
Here's a little peep at what's to come!

Myself and all our lovely DT members can tune in, sit back and relax until next time :)

Hugs
Lesley x

Remember, remember.....

Hi everyone.
Hope you all had a really great bonfire night last monday.
We went to the fireworks display at our local park and I just love to listen to everyone  "oooohing and aaaahhhing" everytime the really big fireworks explode in the night sky!
I took lots of photos too so the time will come when I look at them for inspiration for colours and patterns which I might use in future projects.

Here's one of  my favourites!

Back to business!
This week has been, as usual, a busy one for us all.
Jo had her show on Hochanda last Friday, well, 2 shows actually, and we're now prepping for another show on the 26th.
Again, we will be using loads of amazing StudioLight products and I'm pretty sure we'll be having fun with them so make sure you pop it in your diaries - Monday November 26th :)

Be sure to follow this link HERE and have a mooch around the website where you can purchase all the goodies the DT uses and HERE to check out which Luv Crafts products are also available through the Hochanda website.

Here are a couple of cards which I made for last weeks show but you might not have caught them on TV!

For more inspiration do have a look round at all the DT's blogs and pages - they're listed on the right of this post!

Have a super safe and crafty week everyone!

Hugs n stuff
Lesley x

Studio Light Industrial Range Samples by DT Lynda

Good afternoon folks. Well, actually there's nothing much good about it as it's pouring with rain outside. I should be walking my dogs but they look less than enthusiastic and so I thought I would pop by and share a quick post here instead with some of my samples for the next Luv Crafts shows on Hochanda. Jo will be back on screen on this Friday , the 9th November at 10am and 3pm with the brilliant Industrial range of stamps and dies from Studio Light. They are just fabulous for cards and projects for those tricky men in our lives.  She's also bringing some beautiful botanical stamps and dies. I'll pop back tomorrow with my samples for those. 

My first card is one for those that love motorbikes. I created the background paper myself with inks, and stamps from the range.  The bike itself was stamped and heat embossed and coloured with Studio Light markers.  To finish I added a sentiment, and some of the die cuts in silver before mat and layering. Really quick to do and very effective. 

My next project is a notebook. I just adore the light bulb dies. I painted the cover with Shimmer Magic, and stamped with Metallic Magic. The words were stamped and heat embossed on card and adhered over the top.  A unique book for those crafty barin waves we all have now and again!

My third project for today uses the hexagonal cog die set and Rusty Magic. If you love that vintage rusty texture then you really need this in your stash. It's so easy to use, dries mega fast and is all round awesome! Again I used the numbers background stamp on my card, with the train stamp coloured and fussy cut. To finish it off I cut the pile of suitcases stamp and added a Tim Holtz paper doll. 

That's all from me for now as the rain has stopped and the hounds are starting to look eager for a walk so I guess that's my cue to go. 

Don't forget to watch the shows if you can. If not then you could always record or get them on catch up afterwards via the Hochanda website.  You are also welcome to join our Facebook page Luv Crafts Crafting and Mixed Media Group and share your creations with us. We love to see what you have been making. 

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Lynda

xx

Happy crafters!

Hi all!
So, judging by this photo, all is going well at the NEC in Birmingham for Jo and the Luv Crafts team today.

Plenty of clever crafers milling around and purchasing oodles of good stuff from the Luv Crafts stand at the show.

The show is on until Sunday, so don't forget to pop along and have some fun :)

Have a great weekend

Lesley x

PS- Here's another photo of the "goings-on" at the NEC !

...........and Jo is trying her best to hold it together! Despite "outside" influences!!! Lol!

Don't worry, they're not some random shoppers just passing by! Say hello to Raymond and Nigel!

Jo's Dad and Fiance:) x

NEC Birmingham

Hi everyone!
Lesley here again just giving you all an update on the "what's on" diary right now!
You may, or may not, know that Jo is currently strutting her stuff over at the NEC in Birmingham alongside oodles of other crafty stallholders too.
Jo will be there until the 4th (Sunday) so if you have a chance to go, do stop by and say hello.
As always, she'll be giving some great demos and answering any questions you might have (craft-related only..... she's not an Agony Aunt!!!).
I do believe a couple of the Design Team are attending the event too, so there's every chance you might bump into them also!

The DT are currently working with some fab goodies which Jo will be bringing to you via your TV screens on Friday 9th November on Hochanda. As soon as we can, we'll bring you a sneaky peek at some of the makes and if you also log onto our Facebook page you'll find inspiration from all of us and you can upload and share your makes with us too :)

We always love to see how you use the same products as us as everyone has a different style and imagination so it really is great to see what's out there!

So, for now, here's a sneaky peek from me.........

Intrigued?

then don't forget to join us and tune in!!!

Have a great day 

Lesley x

Creative Crafting

Happy Fri-yay everyone!

Yes, we made it through to the weekend and it has been a very busy week at Luv Crafts HQ as Jo and the team have picked and packed and trekked their way up to Glasgow for the Creative Crafts/Crafts for Christmas show at the SEC!
Jo has created a super stand at the show and, as she'll be there until Sunday, then you'll have no excuse to walk on by and not say hi!
Just in case you don't recognise Jo from her Hochanda TV shows, here she is in front of some of the brilliant MDF goodies all created by our fab Design Team and the superb paints and pastes that they were made with!

Bellissimo !

SO, if you're at a loose end this weekend, or maybe you'd like to avoid the horrible weather that's forecast, then you can't go wrong by taking a huge shopping bag with you to the show and getting involved with all the other canny crafters taking advantage of some great bargains to be had, especially as Jo will be doing some demos and answering any crafty questions you might have.

Oh, and while I'm at it..........Jo won't forgive me but ,apparently, a filter works wonders for photos...

 tee hee!!! 

So I hope you can all go and say hello and don't forget to tune in for more posts next week :)

Hugs to all

Lesley x

Snow Globe fun!

Morning all!
Lesley here today to share another fab MDF snowglobe with you .
I think these are such fun to do and pretty quick to make so you could be gifting these for Christmas to just about anyone who needs a pretty snowglobe in their homes!

I used Shimmer Magic paints directly onto the mdf , (no need to prime with these!) in turquoise and antique gold, by dabbing it on with a sponge. The paints are so creamy you really don't need to use much at all.
To make the bauble, I used the same colours but I watered down the turquoise a little before adding the snow and the snowy hill using Luv Crafts Let It Snow 3d paste. I let this dry for a little while (about half an hour I think) . My reindeer is part of this set here and I coloured him with the antique gold shimmer magic paint. The whole thing was finished using a few items from my stash and a little of the silver shimmer magic.

All in all, a fun project and I think all of my future creations will have the shimmer magic paints in there somewhere! They're just so sparkly!

Wishing everyone a fun and crafty day :)

Lesley x

My Christmas MDF Tree

Hi this is Tracey one of the DT.

I have made this cute Christmas Tree for the last Hochanda Show. Wanted to show you. I'm very new to mix media so this was out of my comfort zone. 

But LOVED MAKING IT!!

Here is my tree!! I have used 2 of the chalk paints from the set which you can get on Hochanda HERE. You also get that FAB holly stencil which is great to use on MDF or cards etc. 

I have used a circle of mirror card for my embellishment. Has a Newbie to MDF I didn't know if the chalk paint would work using the stencil on it. But you can see work great & added crystal glitter over the top. I have then added the some of the extras MDF Festive-Embellishments. Also using the Chalk paint with crystal glitter added. 

A pretty centre piece for any Christmas table!!

Thanks for looking 

Tracey 

Super Sleigh!

Hi all!
Lesley here today with a little post showcasing the Festive Sleigh by LuvCrafts.
Jo was on Hochanda last monday demo'ing some lovely products including the fab MDF snowglobe , Bauble Tree, and, of course, the Festive Sleigh .
If you missed the show, which also had oodles of other goodies on to decorate these items with, then just follow this link here!
Along with our Design Team, I created a Bauble Tree and a snowglobe but I just hadn't had time to make the sleigh so, this weekend, I decided to get stuck in and do it!

I started by dabbing on a layer of white puff paste which, when heated with a heat gun, puffs up and gives the surface a bobbly texture!
Onto this  I added Chalky paint - a mixture of blue and white sponged on top and finished with lots of dabs of Shimmer Magic in silver.
For the snow along the surfaces, I squeezed on some Let it Snow paste.

Et Voila! There we have it.

I created the embellishments with white cardstock painted with some leftover blue and silver paint and some just from white card then I made some little gift boxes to pop into the sleigh for fun!

Hope you like what you see and, if you follow the links to the products above, you'll find great prices on really great products...so, have fun and have a fabulous crafty week!

Hugs
Lesley

Christmas MDF

Did you all manage to catch the recent Luv Crafts show on Hochanda featuring the beautiful festive MDF and awesome chalk paints? I enjoyed working with these so much and thought I'd pop by and share my samples.

Firstly here's is my take on the Festive Sleigh. I think this is my favourite sample from this time around. To decorate it I painted the sleigh body with Luv Crafts Viva Decor Chalk Paints and the runners with Shimmer Magic paint. Once dry I added more texture with a crackle stamp and Archival ink. I inked two reindeer from the Festive Embellishments set and created a poinsettia flower with stamping and embossing. Once the sleigh was dry I added the embellishments, along with some sisal for texture, and finished off with Festive Magic to add a snow effect.  

I really like these sleighs. They are a great size to add a small gift in, or some nice pot pourri maybe, or even just left as a stand alone decoration. 

I also used the chalk paints on my tree. This time I chose grey and white for a classy muted effect. 

Once the trees were painted, distressed and dry I used the same grey I used as a base layer to stencil a holly pattern on.  On the smaller trees I stamped a script across. I then added a layer of Structure paste and the Festive magic over the base. To finish I decorated a Studio Light bauble with a beautiful shrink wrap ( I love these so much. I think my own tree may be covered in them this year!).

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my projects. Don't forget you can join the Luv Crafts Crafting and Mixed Media Facebook group where you can share your own mixed media projects and see what all my DT mates have also been making. 

Have a great week

Lynda

xx