Closing the blog

Hey everyone, I know I have been slack but so many things have been going on here at Particraft and then I have been poorly too - I know ahhh! I will be closing this blog soon as all updates and PartiCraft goings on will be reported on our forum

New FREE project sheets

So what is new here at PartiCraft? We have some FREE project sheets available for you on our forum, all of these projects have been made by a couple of our demonstrators, Michelle and Gladys so a huge thank you to them. Here is just one example:

The projects have been made using the FREE Host gifts that you can receive for hosting a PartiCraft Party

Hope you enjoy the FREE projects - there are more to be able so be sure to come back and check out the updates.

Scene-velopes

WOW - I love the New Scene-velopes from Sue Wilson. They are so different and just fit my crusade for doing more than just a card!

Problem is I just cannot decide which is my favourite! I shall be introducing my Craft group to the Seasons Scene-velopes tomorrow so I am really looking forward to that.

If you click on the picture you will be taken directly to the product description on the PartiCraft Website. Ordering direct from PartiCraft is easy, just add all the items to your basket, chose a demonstrator and you will be contacted directly by them to sort out postage etc...

PartiCraft Magazine - Issue 3 Out Now!

Issue 3 of our PartiCraft magazine is out now - it is filled with great projects and information. Lizze Tovey brings you a great Master Class on Brayering we have a wonderful article by Kristine Fowler from Craft Critque on Alcohol inks. There is a Bear-iations gallery and so much more Click here to get your subscription now

I'm Back!

You thought I had deserted didn't you?! Well not exactly I just took a week off. I know, me time off? It was fab and I have come back after some much needed family time feeling refreshed and energized - admittedly today has been more about catching up with emails, orders, our new demonstrators and the like but it is good to get back into the swing of things and when I have caught up I shall be releasing the next batches of exciting and new things happening within PartiCraft. I tell you it is just like a great big bundle of celebrations here! There is one surprise after the other and then to top it off we have more exciting news to tempt you!

Hopefully many of you have had a browse through our new forum

We will be adding new sections and updating on a regular basis so do ensure you check in regularly. You also have the opportunity to ask questions direct to the demonstrators as well as finding out about Parties and Workshops but do not forget that we have an Activities area on our PartiCraft website which will enable you to book a place on our Demonstrator's Workshops, Craft Groups or Parties direct, click here for more info.

If you have not registered on our forum yet click here

Free Project on our PartiCraft Forum

Well the forum is coming together and we have added a free project for you - this is a great simple card that will appeal to many age groups - you will find step-by-step instructions on the forum along with a linked list of products used

Hope you enjoy all we have to offer on the forum amd we look forward to welcoming you

New Forum

Move over there is a New Forum in town! OOOOOh yeahhhh the PartiCraft Forum is up and running click here to find out more.

The forum will not only cover items such as Cardmaking, Rubber stamping and Scrapbooking but you will also have the opportunity to find out more about PartiCraft and our Demonstrators.

We are really looking forward to welcoming you

New Hostess Rewards

Welcome to our new Hostess Rewards we have five for you to choose from - contact your local PartiCraft Demonstrator to find out more information or check out our website

Bear-iations now available at PartiCraft

That is right Sheena's fab Bear-iations are now available at PartiCraft including the fab Santa setHow cool will these be with your Standing bear set

Click the pictures to take you to those particular sets and click here to see more of our range of stamps including the remaining Bear-iations - all Internet orders will also receive a complimentary catalogue.

Junkitz Workshop

We measured, we cut, we stuck, we inked, we stamped and besides all of that we also had loads of fun! And yes we did have a few biccies, except I obviously kept all busy as not many of the biscuits were eaten! Well we had so many pages to do for the album after all (36 to be precise!) and of course there were a few techniques to be taught too so after all of that they all went home with a fabulous Junkitz album ready to add all their precious memories and moments.

So what else is happening at PartiCraft? Well we have Issue 2 of our magazine out now and available on subscription click here for more details

The magazine not only has the Card Making, Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking Master Class but you will find some fab projects including a FREE handbag album template - we would love to hear your comments so do write into us all the details are in the magazine - we look forward to hearing from you

Photography

My passions include many crafting subjects but as my passion for Scrapbooking grew so did my passion for great photo's, which then led onto wanting to know more about the Why's and How's of photography; well it would be fair to say I am still trying to work all of those out but I wanted to share a picture with you that I took on the train on the way home on Friday - I was playing around with the shutter speed and the aperture on my camera and managed to get this shot
I loved it - it was just what I was aiming for; Kiesha's reflection but I still wanted the blur of the trees so you could tell the train was moving, it was quite tricky as it was dependant on getting it in between the sun being behind the trees and actually waiting for there to be trees there!

I know, I know

I know, I know, lack of updates! But that really is because as much as I would love to think that everyday of my life makes exciting reading, the reality is that some days are just the mundane day-to-day running of the business. Lois is on Holiday so I have had the great fortune of already speaking to some of you while I have been at HQ and then the rest of my time has been spent preparing for this weekends workshop which is fasting approaching, I cannot wait to see you all!

Well back to the grindstone there are still a few workable hours before my eyes become a blur and bed time becomes a must!

Project Kits

One of the great things about PartiCraft is how much it is evolving, I mean of course that was the plan all along but it is wonderful to see it come to fruition, so we have another "first" coming up - so far we have released our first issue of the PartiCraft magazine, we have released info on our first workshop and not forgetting we released the first online video tutorial which paved the way for the other releases and now I am giving you a look at one; yes just one of the many, first project kits we are putting together, all of them are exclusive to PartiCraft and all of them are on a while stocks last basis, you will see project kits being released for all budgets, tastes, occasions and crafting styles so make sure you keep checking the website for more information.

Online Craft Video - Post it Note holder

I have created another video tutorial and this is a perfect project for your children to make for their teacher or to do in the summer holidays and no it is not reserved just for children! It is a fab little Post it note holder project that is so quick and easy to make but a great gift to give to friends and family.

Hope you enjoy it

The Door

I have been working hard today but mainly on the computer which does not make for very good reading I know, but it is such an integral part of the business. I have also created some more projects but ones that I cannot show you just yet.... Ooh I know so much secrecy but it is all for the greater good and I know that when the next issue of the Magazine comes out you will all be loving the projects so it is happy days! I wanted to share this picture with you that I took while at Ripley Castle when we went to Harrogate the weekend before last, I adore pictures like this and every time I look at it I have a curiosity to want to know what is behind that door! And with my imagination I could then create a whole world just from the picture of that door and that is how I would tell Kiesha stories when she was younger and occasionally still today, books are fab but your own made up stories can be just as good if not better! Better still is if you create your own story book with the characters of the story being your children with their pictures etc... It is something that is great fun to make, loads of fun to read and a keepsake that you will treasure forever.

Craft Workshop update

Just wanted to let you know that the details of the workshop are now up on the homepage, we still have a few places left for anyone that would like to come and join us for a fun filled educationally packed crafting day, for those of you who are visiting my blog for the first time - welcome - and here is a pic of the Junkitz book we shall be making in the workshop

Click here to see the older post on this workshop.

Hope to see you there!

PartiCraft Magazine

Today has been spent with my daughter at my side (as the school is on strike today and tomorrow), making projects for the PartiCraft magazine, typing up the articles and just generally doing what the editor does - why does that word sound so much better than the reality it brings? Ok I love it you know I do, it is challenging and it gives me the opportunity to bring you loads of amazing projects, share tips and hints as well as share the knowledge on crafting products, afterall that is what PartiCraft is all about sharing, educating and inspiring. Now it would not be me if I did not give you a few sneaky peaks at the project I created today which I cannot wait for you to see - it is great and will be something for many people to treasure so make sure you get your copy on August 1st.

Junkitz Book Workshop Details

Junkitz Book Workshop details

Date: Saturday 2nd August 2008
Time: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: Thrapston Baptist Church
33 Huntingdon Road
Thrapston
Northants
NN14 4NF
Price: £25.00

There are limited spaces so it will be on a first come, first served basis and payment will be at time of booking call Lois at head office now on 0800 195 1155 to secure your place

I cannot wait it will be fantastic! Not only are we going to be using some amazing scrapbooking papers but we will also be using Adirondack paint dabbers, some exclusive PartiCraft stamps that will be launched on the 1st August, meaning you will be the amongst the first people to use them! And of course I shall be showing you some nifty ways to create more from your pages. It really does not get much more exciting than this!!

Album Workshop

OK It is official I am completely psyched about an up and coming workshop that will just be fab! Well of course it will be I'm taking it!!! LOL alright I am not really blowing my own trumpet but as many of you who have attended my workshops before will know you come, you have have fun, you learn loads of techniques, you get shown how to use products in different ways and yes we usually push a few boundaries style wise too. I also have so much fun while taking workshops, I love them and this one I am particularly excited about..... When? Where? I hear you ask...... watch this space! But I will give you a few sneak peaks!

Inspiration

I get asked where I get my inspiration from a lot so I thought I would blog about it. This weekend was a perfect example, I went to Harrogate for my Brothers Wedding and managed to get to take a look around Harrogate and what a beautiful place it is. There are so many great buildings, signs, churches etc.... I find them all inspiring in many different ways and then you turn another corner and find a beautiful display of flowers, again I find these very inspiring. It got me thinking as to what I find most inspiring.

That is such a difficult question to answer but after careful pondering I would have to say time.... I know that is a strange thing to say but when I have time I walk and when I walk, I look around and notice so many things and yes I usually have my camera as I did this weekend, I have taken so many pictures but they are on another computer so you will have to be patient!

So my little piece of creative sharing is to take time out to look around you, you will be amazed at the things you had never noticed before that will inspire you for a particular Layout or card. I found many older items this weekend which has really got my creative mind working and I spotted some amazing jems that if I had not taken the time I would have missed.

I found this quote but I do not know who it is from sorry :(
Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.”

Grungeboard

I am in my element I am working on a project using a few of the techiques I learnt at Ranger University and I knew just the product to help add the finishing touch - Grungeboard - I love it - I ordered some and it arrived this afternoon so quite timely, it works so well with a number of our products, I used the distress inks and Cosmic Shimmer powders to create an aged finish. Here are a few sneaky peaks at the project

bet you can't guess what it is about! LOL

Alcohol Ink

I have just finished a quick card for a friend of ours using one of the techniques I learnt at Ranger U, I have to say it is one of my favs as it is yet another technique you can do using the Alcohol inks but instead of using them with your applicator you watercolour with them - I know how cool is that and yes we will be teaching these techniques in our up and coming workshops so make sure you keep checking the website as as all the info will be put on there soon!

New York

Wow we did New York in a day and yep I am tired now it has to be said but I do have some amazing pictures and sooooo many ideas of what I will be doing with them but for now I just wanted to share this one with you and then I will give you more details later as Sheena and I have a very early flight home

Ranger - It's been emotional

Wow what an amazing fun filled, educationally packed 3 days - it has been emotional! Today was a mix of whooooo off we go again and OMG this is the last day :(

I cannot even begin to explain how much fun we have had and how many tips, techniques and inspiration has flown around the room, oh yes you can expect some pretty spectacular workshops coming from PartiCraft soon! I cannot wait to pass on the knowledge and get you as fired up as we are!

and as promised some more pics - Bernie, Claudine, me and Dyan

and Mr Holtz and inspiration to say the least!

Ranger = Happy Days

Ok so have I come back down from cloud 9? Ummmmm No...... infact just no way, we are having so much fun and playing with so many products it is just full on all the time that coming down is just not an option, today we were playing with my second favourite product in the entire world..... Distress inks, well not just the inks, the crackle paint, the distress embossing powders etc..... oh yes happy days.

I cannot wait for tomorrow but also will not want it to end as that will be the last of the training :(

I wanted to share a few pics of us hard at....... well I can hardly say work when it is this much fun so we will say hard at play!