29 December 2016

It's a record!

Far too long away again but I have been busy!

Today's news if you haven't heard already is that just before Christmas The Quilling Guild were officially awarded the Guinness World Record for displaying the greatest number of quilled flowers in one place that we attempted in York.

The record is officially 6,241 - not bad as we started out aiming for 1,000.

Well done to Genevieve who had the idea and did most of the collating and organising and many thanks to everyone that donated flowers to me to add to the record, quite nice to say you were part of it.

22 October 2016

Quilled Santas

Some more quilling - hooray!

It's our Somerset Woolavington workshop this weekend and I've resurrected a santa pattern that was one of the first projects I did when I joined the group 25 years ago!!


I've updated the repertoire as you can see in the picture - I will work out how many feet of paper are in these little chaps, I did years ago.

Hopefully this will keep everyone busy tomorrow, not that this is the only thing we have in store!

Most of these are made with 5mm paper in various colours which was supplied by the excellent JJQuilling.

16 October 2016

Back again for colouring in!

Apologies for the disappearance again - I thought I would go 'mobile' for a few days but it turns out Apple isn't so keen on the blogger app any more and I struggled to even put a note up saying it wasn't going well!

I still have lots of quilling pics to share but will start from a non-quilling workshop I did last week.

I was in the Lake District for a few days and managed to catch a workshop at the Paper Warehouse in Kendal with the lovely Clare Rowlands.

We did these 2 projects:


I wouldn't normally go for these colours but they are on a Christmas paper pad and something a bit different.  My Copic bag got to go on holiday too so I enjoyed a bit of colouring in.

These 2 pics (sorry for the reflection) are either side of the bauble.


We got to use a bit of shrink plastic too and I love the pom pom idea for snow.


Thanks to Clare again and the lovely staff at the Paper Warehouse - workshops include a little buffet lunch too so it's a super few hours.

25 September 2016

Winning Quilling

My next update has some quilling that I have actually done myself!

I'd had an idea in my head for a while and started this a few months ago.  I lost a chunk of time to being ill and considered saving it for another time but it was getting so close (a bit too close as I was still making grass the night before the competition) that I entered it and it didn't fair so badly.

I've just realised when I took this picture I forgot to put the little sign in front of it which said Mr McGregor's garden - spot the rabbit!


Because I had more in my head I wasn't 100% pleased with this as I considered it unfinished but I'm growing to like it more!  I had hoped to have some garden utensils and a watering can etc but it's amazing how long everything takes.


This is the back of the shed!


A view from the front.  The entire piece is made from paper, even the base.  I've also used 2mm paper for everything except the fence and raised bed - one of the reasons it won for intricacy.
I also to have to thank the ever amazing & slightly bonkers Diane Boden for inventing fairy dust that I used for the grass and soil - I was making it to the last and there still wasn't really enough.

I have come away very inspired to try again with something next year though.
Jill

23 September 2016

Quilled Flowers record attempt

I have done quite a bit of quilling in the recent madness but some of it I couldn't put on here so I shall now try and catch up a little!

I'll start with telling you that we did indeed put together a World Record attempt for the largest amount of quilled flowers in one place last weekend.
We had the Sheriff of York and his Lady as officials and an independent person to assist.  It was all videoed and photographed and will now be submitted.  Genevieve did a super job of putting all the flowers together, storing them and then putting this attempt together.

This picture doesn't really do it justice but gives an overview of the flowers:


Thank you to any followers who submitted flowers - they are there somewhere!

I spent more time the following day looking at them all and taking photos for inspiration.  Maybe your flowers are in one of these pictures:

 


The count came in at 6,421 - considering a year ago we were aiming for 1,500 this is pretty amazing.
Fingers crossed we get a certificate for our efforts!

20 August 2016

Quilling Workshops

There are 2 spaces left on the Quilling Butterflies workshop  at Yandles on 3rd September 10 til 12.30.

Hot off the press is a new date of Saturday 19th November for a Christmas Quilling workshop.
There are 2 workshops on the day but the afternoon will repeat the morning class.

Morning class will be 10 til 12.30, the afternoon will run from 2 til 4.30pm.

Please book directly with Yandles Hobby Shop on 01935 822571.

£15 for a workshop to include all materials and refreshments.

8 August 2016

Baby Bear Girl


As this recent commissioned card has a few too many non-current Stampin' Up! items on I thought I'd put it over here which, yet again, has been a little neglected.

I have been doing some quilling recently although some of it is secret for now but I will report on it later in the year.

This fab bear is Baby Bear from Stampin' Up!.  The thinlits she's mounted on are discontinued but were ideal for this card.  I've used the set Something for Baby for the background and the sentiment is also from the bear set but the die cut letters are non-SU.

17 July 2016

A Doodling Birthday

And another sample from club:


Using another of my favourite set of stamps, this one is Huge Happy Birthday from Woodware.

I've simply stamped it in black and used a different colour fineliner and Zentangle pattern in each letter.  This was a really popular stamp on the night.

13 July 2016

Doodle Owl

Tonight at Craft Club we had a go at Zentangle.

This owl is a Woodware stamp and I have copied the zentangle design from a book I have which saved thinking!


I've added a little pencil shading that was in the book too.  The sentiment is also in the stamp set and I've just layered up and added some little sparkles to finish!

4 July 2016

Anyone for Basketball?

And another one ... this time for my nephew.
He is a very sporty type and is pretty good at Basketball.  You wouldn't believe it (!) but I found a set of stamps the other week that I bought cheap at a show - found just in time although I had forgotten I had bought them!!

So, I used most of the stamps on his card!


I've stamped some on orange card and cut or punched out, some are 3D'd on to the card, some are stamped straight on the card.  I also cut out different numbers from the stamp for the top as he was 10.

He thought it was amazing so I was pretty pleased with that.

29 June 2016

A card!

And another month bites the dust!

Posting regularly on my sister Stampin' Up! blog & Facebook (in between sickness!) has taken its toll on here I'm afraid.

Quite a few commissions I have done in the last few months have used pictures of the recipient and because they are more personal it doesn't seem right to put most of them on here.

That said I made one for a friend last week who then wished some of her pictures weren't available for me to steal on Facebook!


This picture doesn't show it that clearly but each picture was printed twice and the second layer had a letter cut out which spells out 'Forty' going down the card!  Rather fun for something different.

1 June 2016

Pack up your troubles

This was the second card we did with Debbie at Liberty Craft In Exmouth recently:


Using a couple of Woodware stamp sets, maps, inks, crayons and shrink plastic we had great fun and it's good to do something a bit different too.

23 May 2016

Wine down and relax

I snuck back down to Exmouth recently for another workshop with Debbie at Liberty Craft.

This is the card we made in the morning:


It all seemed rather daunting before we started!
The stamp is a Woodware one called Time to Wine Down, the sentiments are also in the same pack.

We've stamped it and coloured it with distress inks.  The background is also inked and stencilled.

The wood effect on the front was done with wax paper and an embossing folder, a great technique.

We had a well deserved lunch break after this but it was a great project.

13 May 2016

Mr & Mrs


Happy Wedding Day to Katie and Dean today.

This is a gorgeous die.  Sadly I have come by it from one of my crafty friends that passed away but I have given it a good home and will certainly give it lots of use.

I've cut the image on some pearlescent card.  It is a Taylored Expressions die and actually cut superbly.

I layered it on some coloured card and another layer of the pearl with some ribbon tied round it and finished off by adding pearls to all the flowers.

A happy and sad card all at the same time.

11 May 2016

Fabric flower

The final card we made at Exmouth used the same stamp as the last post:


This time we used the new Woodware craft iron and fabric - another great idea and really effective.

9 May 2016

Whimsical spotlights

To finally continue, this is another card I made in Exmouth, this time with Debbie:


This is made using Woodware Whimsical Flower Sally Anne stamp, another great stamp designed by Jane Gill.

We used some masking to 'layer' the flowers and have spotlighted elements which I think looks great.

Thanks to Woodware for another great stamp and Debbie for a super card.
As part of the workshop we got to keep the stamp too so I can make many more.

26 April 2016

Sew Wonderful in Exmouth

Recently I went to a crafty day down in Exmouth organised by Liberty Craft and run by the lovely Debbie and Janet.

This is the card we did with Janet which uses the Woodware stamp set Sew Wonderful.  This great design was one that Jane Gill (Woodware Designer of this stamp) came up with.


This is the card ready to go in an envelope.  This picture doesn't really do the colour on the machine much justice as it has a lovely sparkle as we painted it with Gelly Roll pens.

The second picture is then the 'full' card when you pull the ribbon.

Isn't it great?

All the stamps are in the one stamp set and we got it as part of our day too.

Do check out all the workshops they do in Exmouth - contact Liberty Craft or check out the shop and 'Creative Days with Exmouth Crafty Ladies' on Facebook.

I'll be back to share Debbie's cards next time.

19 April 2016

Baby Boy

It's about time I added some pictures of all the things that have been keeping me busy since I last posted!

My other blog www.jillstampsup.blogspot.co.uk has been taking up a bit of time and I've launched a Facebook page to go with this if you are social media savvy.

But I have also been up to lots of other things.  This card is new this week and a request for work.


The stamp I've used lots before is 'Huge Baby' from Woodware and I have paper pieced it.  The extra words are also in the stamp set.

I've finished with some punched stars, peel offs and a name added in little peel off letters on card candi.

29 March 2016

Still quilling

In amongst my stamping exploits I have been quite busy quilling as well which has been nice.

You may remember after I demo-ed the Royal Flower at the AGM last year I made a few cards using it and they have been so successful that I'm still going!

This card was made for an Anniversary request at work and I'm pleased to say they were delighted with it:


Sorry the light is a little peaky!

I have another under construction in between planning the next workshops, some plotting for the next AGM and our Somerset workshop in Woolavington on Sunday 3rd April - contact me if you would like any details.

Jill

24 March 2016

Quilling Workshops

Thank you to the lovely ladies who have been to one or all of my recent quilling classes at Yandles Hobby Shop.  Extra thanks to Val who bought in a lovely selection of quilled flowers for the Guinness world record attempt for most quilled flowers in one place, much appreciated.  

Do pop over to see Val's recent quilling and craft exploits on her blog, her recent bunnies and alpaca are super: http://www.aquarius-aquariusblog.blogspot.co.uk

I'm afraid workshops, samples and commissions have depleted my blogging a little.

This is a taster of some of the butterflies that were options for the last workshop which I shall be repeating (and adding to for the ladies that wish to come again):


Dates for the next workshops at Yandles Hobby Shop, Martock, Somerset TA12 6JU are:

Saturday 21st May - Beginners Quilling
Saturday 25th June - Quilled Butterflies
Saturday 30th July - Quilled  Flowers

All workshops cost £15 and include a cuppa and fresh scone.
Book your place by calling the hobby shop on 01935 822571.

Contact me at Jill.Lackford@me.com if you have any queries or questions.

I must share some pics of the workshops next time.

13 March 2016

Too busy crafting!

Many apologies for going missing for so long.  Ironically it is crafting that has kept me too busy and doing a bit more work for Jillstampsup.

I have even done some quilling which I will catch up with reporting on.

To start with this is a Mothers Day card which I made a few of for sale at work.
It uses the Woodware stamp - Bubble Blooms Clarissa.


The picture was taken at night so the light reflects off the candi a little!

I love these stamps and I've filled the spots with a mixure of card candi from my large stash and some stickles and liquid pearls.
The leaves are coloured with copics.

Sentiment from SU and punched out with matching punches.

I've been busy prepping today for my Quilled Butterflies workshop next week at Yandles - it is fully booked but we are just sorting out some new dates for the future.

7 February 2016

Craft4Crafters Quilling

Another busy weekend saw me at Westpoint near Exeter on Saturday for the Craft4Crafters show.

I was on The Quilling Guild stand promoting the craft and we were really busy again which was super.

This was the stand before the show opened:


We had lots of work from many members from cards to pictures and 3D items.

We had a make and take table where you could come and have a go - many chicks, flowers and other animals were produced on the day.

I had a lunch break (with a quick nosey at some stands too) and Philippa kindly said she would keep an eye on helping too and this is what I came back to - I couldn't get near the stand!

Thanks to everyone that came along.


1 February 2016

Beginners Quilling

I was lucky enough to have a full workshop on Saturday at Yandles, Martock for my Beginners Quilling workshop.

The 7 ladies that came along all made a quilled shape sampler then had a choice of cards which used the basic shapes but meant they had a card or two to take home.

These are some of my samples:


(sorry, yesterday it seemed to be dark all day which wasn't ideal for pictures!).

Everyone took one or two cards home and most are coming back for my now fully booked next course - Spring Quilling.

Thanks to the ladies for coming and you can see Val's frog card she made here.

22 January 2016

Free Quilling demos

Are you going to visit Craft 4 Crafters at Westpoint on the 4th, 5th or 6th February?

If you weren't you should definitely consider it!

The Quilling Guild will be there on stand 88 with lots of inspiration and ideas and we are doing free make and takes all day, every day.

I will be there on the Saturday but if you are going please pop past and say hello to whoever is there - and have a go if you have never tried it before.

It's also JillsQuills first outing on Saturday 30th January this year for Quilling for Beginners at Yandles, Martock.  This will be followed in February by Spring Quilling and March by Quilled Butterflies.

Hope to see you at one of these events.

Jill

20 January 2016

Decorated gift book

Well, a super evening - not that I didn't have enough to do but I got tempted to try the first franchise of Jennie Maizels Sketchbook Club that has started in Sherborne at Butterfly Bright - visit Jennie's website here.

Tonight we did Zentangle which is sooo relaxing - I'll share some pics when I've finished some modules!

What I can share today is a gift I made my niece for Christmas.  She loves all things stationery like I do so I decorated a book for her and added some matching paper in the pen.

I'd forgotten about the black elastic to hold the cover closed until I'd decorated it but nearly got away with it!

I've got a few of these and it almost seems a shame to use them!!



18 January 2016

Happy New Year

I am back from my extended Christmas rest and ready to get crafting.

We had 10 days in the Lake District which we really enjoyed - I did my bit for the Cumbrian community to help out after their recent flooding!

Typically the weather turned just as we left and they've had some super blue sky days with snow which is what we fancied.  There was snow on the high fells when we there, the initial snow gave scenes like the one below:


For anyone in the know this is from the top of Seat Sandal with Ullswater in the far distance.  Dollywaggon Pike (part of the Helvellyn range) is on the left.

It was very chilly at the top but rather lovely with a light dusting of snow.

I'll be back tomorrow to share some crafting.
Jill