Lots Of Crafty Stuff From The Studio

Well January has been a bit of a mixed bag so far. My lack of blogging has been due to a broken laptop which has gone away to be fixed so I’m left using my tablet for writing which is a slow process and my phone for photos. I’m getting a bit fed up of one fingered typing. My fat fingers keep making mistakes and the auto correct changes my text into something altogether rubbish, sometimes totally inappropriate too.

That’s not good…… Hopefully it’ll come back soon before I go bonkers.

Meanwhile…….having a bit more time on my hands meant I could have a bit of a tidy up in the studio and as a result came across a pile of leather pieces. I’d almost forgotten about them in the back of a cupboard. Given to me by my friend Lena, they originally came from a sofa swatch book so are mostly A4 size but with odd holes and stitching where they were held into the book.

They’re just the right size  and stiffness for making into notebook covers like this. I broke four needles sewing the strap on but it was worth the effort.

I’ve made this green one big enough to take four to six notebooks comfortably with a wrap around and button closure. I love it. I might make some more this weekend.

One of my goals for this year is to journal more so last Friday in the studio I did just that and had a blast. I missed the paints and inks alot last year so I intend to bring my journal out as much as possible in 2018.

It was a perfect opportunity too to use my house stamps. After stamping and cutting them out I was happier to leave them uncoloured againsed the crazy background and I think it worked.

For this Friday in the studio I’ve turned to the journal in my travelers notebook where I’m going to start documenting the months. I’ll add some photos, notes, ephemera and stickers and keep it sketchy and informal. It’ll be a place where I can highlight everything which happens during the month plus I can add some arty backgrounds in too.

That’s it for this week. Have a good one and I’ll speak soon.

Jaine xx



Wednesday Update

The November issue of Craft Stamper magazine came out last friday 7th October and this one is a special gift making special for all those people who love to hand make little gifts for Christmas.

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In this issue I’ve contributed to the 3d challenge feature with a wooden frame I’ve given some mozaic treatment to.  You can buy the magazine here in the online store.

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As well as the frame, I’m also given a spot in the Cafe Chat page where I’m giving away two of my Town House stamps to a lucky reader, the Georgian House and the Row Of Houses.

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Have a good Wednesday what ever you’re doing.

Jaine x

Messy Monday in the Studio

What a crazy weekend it’s been here. Saturday we visited a balloon festival which was practically on our doorstep. We’ve been to this event before in Luxembourg but that was years ago. As well as the balloon competitions they were holding a fireworks and lazer show in the evening which we definitely didn’t want to miss. It was an amazing spectacle as you can see from these pictures.

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Brilliant night.

Sunday was just as full on but in a totally different way. After years of being nagged by the girls into getting a dog we finally caved in and on Sunday went to look at some gorgeous Australian – Shepherd – Collie puppy’s. It was love at first sight and we were all completely smitten by these little balls of fluff. We did decide on one though and in a little over a month this little ball of fluff will be coming to live with us. Isn’t he adorable?

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I’ve decided he’s going to be my personal trainer so this morning I took my bike out into the forest for an early morning ride. Just to get used to getting up early and going out as I think that’ll be my job.

As it’s Monday it’s back to the studio and I’ve actually opened the journal after many weeks/months.  I’ve missed it but I’ve been too busy to think about painting anything. This background was one which I had already painted ages ago (just goes to show what a great idea it is just to make backgrounds) so I just finished it off with my new Houses in a row stamp and some off cuts of patterned paper.

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I hope you had a good weekend too?

Jaine x

Monday In The Studio

I think I should rename Messy Monday to Manic Monday that’s how it’s felt for the past few weeks. After lots and lots of dental treatment mixed with a sinusitis, ear infection and struggling with weeks of deafness in one ear, things are starting to look up and I’m feeling a bit more like me again. Hey, yesterday I opened my journal and put some paint on the page and that’s not been me for ages.  Add into the pot some truly dreadful weather, not like Summer at all and a broken laptop thanks to a glass of water and I think the start of my Summer has been at times depressing.

Anyhoo it’s nearly July so things have got to get better, haven’t they?

Big big big news, I have my stamps all ready here to go in the shop. Woo hoo.  I just need to package them up and we’re good to go. Here’s a little peek at one of the sets.  I couldn’t resist having a little colour in.

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The August edition of Craft Stamper magazine came out last week and I’ve a card featured in the 3D Challenge pages this time. To be honest I’d forgotten about this one seeing as we work so far in advance for print so when it came it was a pleasant surprise. The whole mag this month is full of cards just to show that mixed media isn’t all about canvases and journals.

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As I said the weather has been absolutely apalling in June so every minute without rain was a minute spent out doors making the most of it. It’s always more enjoyable to take everything outside to work. The sun seems to make planning days much easier.

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Basement Studio also received a party commission last week to cut shapes to be used in table decorations for a Vegas themed party. I cut 400 shapes to glue onto 200 stems of wire  and wired up 100 playing cards. Plus they were all glittered too so as you can imagine there was glitter everywhere. It felt like Christmas.

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Hopefully I’ll get time to finish that journal page this week before next Messy Monday.

Have fun

Jaine x