Queen of hearts to visit Coleman's Warehouse

Whose Making Tarts?

Queen of Hearts Mixed Media Workshop

Well I can honestly say that it took some starting but once I got in to the groove I thoroughly enjoyed the process.

A bit "girlier" than usual but I love the colours.

Its a bit of a beast measuring 30 x 80 cm.

If you would like to do this workshop it is probably the best value workshop you will do this year! only £40 for a full day

If you are interested contact Coleman's Warehouse, Rushden.

Perks of the Job

Yorkshire Retreat

Lovely Surroundings, Lovely Workshop

There are some lovely perks to what we do, we get to visit some amazing places and meet some lovely people.

The weekend just passed we had the pleasure of teaching a workshop just outside Skipton.

This was a bi-annual retreat held by a lovely group of ladies in a converted de-commissioned Methodist church.

Out in the middle of nowhere in North Yorkshire.

Looking forward to going back again soon.

Thanks for looking 

John & Heather x

Baby Avadrew update

Progress Report

Just thought I'd give you an update on the first Grand child.

As you can see she is doing well and coming on in leaps and bounds.

She had her first sleepover at the weekend and only dragged us round the car boot on Sunday before walking us around Rufford Abbey in the afternoon.

Thanks for looking

John & Heather x

What the devil.....old chap

I Say Old Boy

Well it seems that while I have been sourcing props/costume bits for my Steampunk outfit/costume, Heather feels the need to take pictures and post them on the blog?

Anyhoo, I picked this Victorian brown Derby up at a local car boot and incidentally the wire rimmed glasses also came from the same car boot just at a different time.

I quite like the sourcing process, although I'm not sure how much of a "twonk" I'll look when I've completed the look.

I suppose like any good steampunk costume I will have to make a few bespoke pieces?

Thanks for looking 

Stan Laurel x

Powertex Mushrooms Workshop

Right Conditions for Mushrooms??

It seems Crafty Moments in Market Weighton had the perfect conditions for growing Toadstools and mushrooms this week.

A lovely little group of 6 ladies made for an enjoyable half day of toadstool/mushroom building.

Using Powertex Ivory fabric hardener and Stone art powder each lady made a lovely mushroom/toadstool cap from Powertex clay.

Take no notice of the clown in the top left picture he always seems to show up .

Thanks for looking

John & Heather xx

First World War Reminder

Time to Reflect

Sometimes when things aren't going entirely to plan its nice to take a minute just to reflect on what could have been.

Especially on this weeks anniversary of 9/11.

All those people went to work that day after making plans not only for the rest of that day but for the rest of their lives.

Not one of them would have thought on their way to work that day that they weren't going home at the end of the day.

We don't know what is going to happen a day, a week or a year from now.

I bought this postcard last week and I must admit on reading it I thought to myself  what do I have to complain about really? Compared to some, I have everything I want and  I am surrounded by people I love.

When times are rough think about the good things you have in your life. We seem to be so caught up in material things and have a live to work mentality.

If material possessions are more important to you than the people around you, them I am sorry I pity you and I hope you realise before its too late.

The picture below is a postcard from the trenches of the first world war to the sweetheart of a young man sent overseas to fight for his King and Country.

These were embroidered by the Belgium and French women and sold to the English and American forces to send home to their loved ones.

If you can read the postcard try and imagine what this young guy must have been thinking.

Sleepy Center and Grumpy Glossop

What a Cheek!!

Heather has only gone and bought these for the van ?

Apparently I am always Grumpy ( how rude ) and I know she is always Sleepy.

 They sit nicely behind the head rests and look quite cool, 

but we are not and I repeat not having a sun visor that says Grumpy and Sleepy.

Thanks for looking 

Grumpy and Sleepy x

Heather Center Powertex Owl Lady

Owl 1 and Owl 2

I know, 2 owls. She has been at it again.

Heather has made a new owl. Both owls are made in roughly the same fashion.

Owl 1 is made predominately using stone art clay, while owl 2 is made predominately from Powertex  Bronze hardener and fabric.

Crafters companion workshop

Lovely Afternoon Crafting

A great Sunday afternoon with 4 people completely new to Powertex.

A lovely group of people and all the projects turned out fab, well done guys.

I hope I have inspired them to do more with Powertex.

Sutton on Trent Festival and Steampunk fair

Steampunk and Classic Cars

Another great weekend of fine classic cars.

Well we fell lucky with the weather yesterday, it was a glorious day in Sutton-on-Trent.

The weather was fantastic and so were the classic cars displayed.

I of course had to sample the local alcoholic beverage as well, surely for purposes of research.

There was some great Steampunk costumes on display as well and lots of Tea duelling.

All in all another fantastic day out.

Granny Tourisimo and the steampunk collective.

Ever Growing Garden Update

Its now getting smaller!!

Its been a while since I updated you on the "Ever Growing Garden".

I know its taken awhile but since I finished working for Creative Expressions I have been so busy with other projects and ventures.

Well. here goes, I finally got all the brush cleared and this weekend started putting the retainer/divider wall in.

Oh my has anybody put one of these thinks up before? they weigh a tonne.

By dividing the garden into two, it actually looks like its getting smaller now.

Lots and lots of hard work but I know it will be worth it.

Get all this finished then I can start thinking about a studio.

Thanks for looking

Heather & John