Workshops
The Studio is reopening!

Posted on 13th July 2021 by Neil

Following a tough 16 months of closure due to the coronavirus restrictions nationally and locally, and the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, I am delighted to announce the Studio is able to reopen from Monday (19th July).

In an abundance of caution, there will be a few changes to my sessions. I am reducing the maximum group size from eight to four per session to allow more space between attendees. The windows will be open throughout, so, if it’s due to be chilly, bring layers. I will sanitize all surfaces but as I can’t wipe down all the kit between sessions I will be supplying hand sanitizer for use at the beginning and during sessions at each workstation. Face coverings will be optional, in line with national guidance, though I’d still recommend wearing one if you’re not fully vaccinated. Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell, particularly if you have symptoms of coronavirus. I will, of course, keep everything under review and let you know of any changes.

If you’re at all unsure about being in a group again, contact me and we can work out a time for a one-to-one session.

Session timetable changes

Due to the reduced numbers at each session, I will be trialing the following:

All sessions must be booked in advance to ensure space is available right up to the start of the session, though I’d prefer a little bit of notice – you will be able to do this via email or text/phone/Whatsapp/carrier pigeon (I’ll give you my mobile number if you need it).
Come & Craft/Stashbuster Clinic: every Tuesday evening 7:30-10 pm or Wednesday afternoons 1:30-4 pm.
Art Journaling: 1st and 3rd Monday evenings of the month 7:30-10 pm. We’ll be using the same theme at both sessions.
Bible Journaling: 2nd and 4th Monday evenings of the month 7:30-10 pm. We’ll be using the same theme at both sessions.
Stitch and Quilt: Wednesday afternoons 1:30-4 pm.
Other times may be available by arrangement.
All sessions remain at £5 per session.

I know these changes will make the dynamics of the groups different from a year ago, but I hope we’ll adapt and that you will be able to come back to the Studio.

Card Craft
LIM DT: Christmas in July

Posted on 10th July 2021 by Neil

Don’t forget that in the crafting world, new Christmas releases occur from any point in June to the end of July. I’m not entirely sure why, but, presumably, it’s like fashion, a season in advance. Thus, the Less is More challenge this time is ‘Christmas in July’. I’ve created two cards: initially, the watercoloured card, which I decided wasn’t clean and simple enough, and then the snowflake and sentiment.

Christmas in July: snowflake and sentiment

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Card Craft
LIM DT: Monogram OLC

Posted on 26th June 2021 by Neil

Oh, this one is a real toughie! I don’t think it’s a secret that the design team were all scratching their heads with the latest challenge over at the clean and simple card challenge site, Less is More. We could think of several ways of making a monogram, but most weren’t only one layer. That ruled out die cuts, cutouts and all sorts of other clever stuff.

Anyhoo, I scratched my head successfully and came up with three designs. The first, the N, technically didn’t fulfil the definition of a monogram, being a single initial. Then the stencilled and embellished A didn’t fulfil the definition either and turned out not to be a favourite. Finally, the graffiti monogram meets the definition, but might not be considered a traditional monogram.

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Arts in Worship
Bible Journaling 13: Chronicles

Posted on 15th June 2021 by Neil

Flicking through my Bible where I do my journaling, there are some books that don’t seem to have very many illustrations. I guess they are the lesser read books or those which are lists from which little is quoteworthy. I find Chronicles (1&2) to be in these categories, so have spent a little time finding little nuggets and illustrating them. A free downloadable PDF of the illustrations can be found here if you’d like to trace your own versions.

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Card Craft
LIM DT: Pale Blue and Yellow

Posted on 12th June 2021 by Neil

Challenge time again at Less is More, the clean and simple challenge blog. This time, it’s a colour challenge: use pale blue and yellow, and black and white are allowed. It took me a little while to come up with my design – a couple of the design team had already posted their cards and I didn’t want to do the same or a similar card. Here’s my final take on the challenge:

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Reviews
Review: Cricut Tools

Posted on 11th June 2021 by Neil

I’ve been asked to review the basic tool set from Cricut. There are five tools designed for use with the Cricut machines and cutting mats: spatula, weeder, scraper, scissors, and tweezers. All of the tools have end pieces suitable for hanging and any metal components are well attached to the plastic handles. I’m going to look at each, in turn, discussing their use(s), before giving my overall impression.

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Card Craft
Craft Label DT: Oh So Sweet II

Posted on 2nd June 2021 by Neil

I took a couple of hours over the weekend to make a series of cards using the new paper pad from First Edition, Oh So Sweet available from Craft Label. I’ve already made a scrapbook layout with a description of the pad contents here, so I won’t repeat it again. Though I love the pastel colour palette, I did find it missing some dark contrast pages and had to add distress ink to some of the edges to get that contrast where I wanted it.

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Card Craft
LIM DT: My Favourite Technique

Posted on 29th May 2021 by Neil

One of the joys (and tribulations) of being a mixed media artist is that you have a great deal of choice when coming to the question of a favourite technique. The fact that the latest challenge at Less is More is conventionally a card craft project helpful narrows down the choice. I found it hard to pick a favourite, so here are two cards based on the effects I most like the results of.

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Art Journal
Bible Journaling 12

Posted on 24th May 2021 by Neil

It’s been a long long while since I have done any Bible Journaling – probably since COVID started way back last year. Actually, now I come to think of it, I did some for New Year 2021. I had got into the habit of creating illustrations ready for my Bible Journaling classes each month, but as classes weren’t happening due to the virus neither was my own journaling practice.

Yesterday and today, however, were spent illustrating, drawing, colouring and painting with even a little gilding for good measure. Here are five more illustrations, and there is a free downloadable PDF featuring the designs in my store (Bible Journaling 12).

Card Craft
Craft Label DT: Bon Voyage

Posted on 22nd May 2021 by Neil

New in at Craft Label are the First Edition Bon Voyage paper pads. They feature two canvas designs, three spot UV designs and half the 48 sheets are double-sided. The pads are printed with soy inks and being acid and lignin-free are perfect for scrapbooking. I’ve also used the papers to make cards, five of which are featured below. I think the papers are also perfect for more masculine cards as well as travel-related projects. Here are six projects for your inspiration:

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