MONDAY MUSINGS

 Good morning all.

I hope you had a lovely weekend?

Before I retired, I worked at the NHS in Research and Development which I really enjoyed.  Because of the nature of my work it was really useful to work with two screens, something which I missed greatly when I finished work.  So I have been on the lookout for an extra monitor to add in to my existing set up.  Well, that was the plan!!

Why is nothing ever easy eh?  On Friday we found a monitor being advertised locally at a really good price so arranged to go and buy it.  Hubby spent hours trying to get the computer to recognise the second monitor - but nope - Computer says No!

So off he went to good old You Tube to see if he could find a solution.  It is now 4.30 on a Sunday evening and I am still only using one monitor!!  Best laid plans eh?  I am sure we will get there but just not as quickly as I had envisaged! Hey ho, such is life I guess!

***

So, what do we have on this week then?

No TV for Lisa this week so that should give all the bank balances a bit of a rest shouldn't it? Lol

I will be live this afternoon at 1pm in the CWLH group and I will be using the gorgeous Balloon High Stencils, Embossing folder and die set to make a gorgeous sparkly card.  

Tuesday Claire will be live at 2pm in the CWLH group, not sure what she is doing yet but I am sure it will be something clever as usual.

Wednesday we will have another Project for you here on the Blog so remember to pop by and have a look at that.

Thursday I will be live again in the CWLH group at 1pm

Friday, Lisa will be live at 7pm as usual.

(Links later in the week)

***

So finally, another instalment of Meet the Team and this week we have the pleasure of getting to know the lovely Maria Moorhouse.

How many jobs did you have before you found your Dream job?

I knew I wanted to be a nurse from the age of 5, but sometimes life has other plans for us doesn’t it. Turns out that being a craft tutor is my dream job, but I’ve done a ton of jobs including bingo caller! 

Chinese or Indian

Indian definitely 

Fish and Chips or Pizza

Fish and chips AND mushy peas 

Surf or turf

I best stick to turf, in my youth me and some friends were asked to leave a seafood restaurant for racing lobster casings tied together with shoelaces! 

Dogs or cats

Dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, owls, I love them all! 

Sport or not

Not these days, I’d rather be crafting.

Music whilst crafting or not

Music goes with anything! It can distract a troubled mind and soothe the soul. 

Favourite film genre

Sci FI, fantasy fiction

Favourite music genre

Any except jazz or rapping 

What is your MOST favourite LHC product

Ooh tricky, if I can only pick one then it has to be the Floral 3d alphabet and numbers collection.

What is your dream for the future. 

To be around for as long as possible so I can see my kids grown and settled with a happy life.

So there you go then, that's Maria, our little animal lover. 😀  

I hope you are enjoying this little feature?  I know I am.

Right, best get on.

TTFN

xx

FABULOUS FRIDAY

 Hi all

Well, I don't know about you but this week seems to have passed by in a bit of a whirlwind.

First we had Lisa's fabulous multi sellout shows - no surprise there then!

Then we have the lives that Claire and I do in the group. The project on the blog on Wednesday - and wasn't that a beauty?  I am so tempted to give that a go one of these days.

Then, before we know where we are it is Friday again and we are all off round to Lisa's place for another fabulous Friday night live.

Phew, I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

****

Hubby's appointment went without a hitch - so another follow up in twelve months time.  He seemed happy with what was discussed so that in turn makes me happy.  Is it just my hubby or do men generally get themselves in a bit of a tizz before follow up appointments at hospitals?  Please tell me it isn't just him! Lol.

So, if you missed my live yesterday, then here is the link to watch the edited version on our You Tube channel.  Please subscribe whilst you are there, if you haven't already.  There are lots of exciting things coming in the future and it will really benefit you if you are a subscriber to @Lisahortoncrafts on You Tube.

So, Lisa will be live tonight at 7pm as usual in her fabulous new Studio.  Doesn't it look brilliant?  I do love that mood lighting behind her don't you?

So you can watch either:

on You Tube

on Lisa Horton Crafts page on Facebook

or 

on Crafting with Lisa Horton Group on Facebook.

As always, You Tube is the best option for Lisa but she can see anyone's comments whichever way you to choose to watch, so nobody misses out.

Remember there is always a couple of giveaways.  

One for a You Tube commenter and one for the Liking and Sharing on the night.

So, what's not to like eh?

See you later at Lisa's place

TTFN

xxx

PROJECT WEDNESDAY FLORAL WREATH WITH FLOATING SENTIMENT

Hi everyone

Well, what fabulous shows weren't they?  You really did want these new flower blooms and foliage elements didn't you?  I don't think I have seen a faster sellout than 5 minutes!!

It just goes to show why Lisa is Designer of the Year doesn't it?

Then again, it wasn't just the new release you all bought into was it?  You went for virtually everything, lol.  I guess that is because we are constantly growing our following.  I mean, we are fast approaching 12,000 members in our CWLH group now - how awesome is that?

Thank you all for your continued support of Lisa Horton Crafts - I can tell you it means the world to Lisa and Danny.  

***

Moving on - if you missed my live on Monday here is the link for the edited version on our You Tube channel.

So, it being Wednesday let's get on to the Project shall we?

This week our lovely Mary Kelly has brought you this amazing project. 

Floral Wreath with Floating Sentiment

You will need:

LHC Ultimate

LHC Flower Blooms stencils, dies and embossing folder

LHC Foliage Elements stencils, dies and embossing folder

LHC Rustic Hessian slimline embossing folder

LHC Bold Phrases dies

LHC Scalloped and Stitched nested circles

LHC Blending inks – Sugar Candy, Spiced Plum, Woodland Green

Water reactive inks

White card – 300gsm

Purple card

Die cutting machine

Scissors

Acetate

Red liner tape

Scoring tool

Foam pads

Pokey tool

Glossy accents

Glue

 

Step 1: Cut a piece of white card to 6 x 6 inches and score at 3 inches.

Step 2: Take the two larger scalloped circles and lay them on the folded card as should. This will be the size of your wreath – if you want to make sure it fits in a particular size of envelope then mark the point where the wreath needs to be. Mark both circles lowest points. Centralise the smaller circle as shown in the middle picture and cut on the folded side to create a semi-circle.

 

  Step 3: Run the base of the card through the die cutting machine in the Rustic Hessian embossing folder. Lay the scalloped circles down on a piece of white card. When you are happy with the position tape them together and cut two scalloped circles wreaths.

Step 4: Before you glue the two scalloped circles together to create your wreath cut yourself a piece of acetate 4.5 x 0.5 inches. Using red liner tape secure the acetate strip across the centre of the scalloped circle. Lay the second scalloped circle one top and glue to create a sandwich. Tip: Rotate your second circle to get it to match the other.

 

                                                                                                                                                        

Step 5: Attach the wreath to the base card. Make sure the wreath lines up with the semi-circle on the base.

 

 Step 6: As we are going to add weight to the front of the card when we decorate we might find it can’t stand up so we need to make a little prop. Cut a piece of white card to 3.5 x 1 inches. Score at 0.5, 1.75, 3.0 inches, fold and burnish. The two 0.5 inch tabs are to attach it to the card as shown. Make sure it remains flush to the bottom of the base.

Step 7: Cut the ‘Especially for you’ sentiment from purple card twice and glue together. Cut the matt layer in white and add to phrase. Add red liner tape to the reverse of the sentiment and attach to the acetate strip.  You may decide to do this after you have decorated your card.

 Step 8: Time to decorate! – using your Ultimate and the Flower Bloom and Foliage Elements stencils, dies and embossing folders create lots of elements in your chosen colours.  Lay the element down to see how they look and attach some with glue and some using foam pads for added dimension. Add glossy accents to the centre of the flowers to finish.

 

Remember, if you decide to give it a go, please share it into the Crafting with Lisa Horton Group as we love to see your makes.

 See you Friday.

TTFN

xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONDAY MUSINGS

A very happy Monday morning to you all.

I hope you had a lovely weekend despite some of the awful weather we have had.

I've got to be honest, I hate Bonfire Night. If we are commemorating the successful foiling of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament why are we celebrating the fact with, essentially, explosives?

 My poor cat, and I'm sure so many other pets, has been really scared and on edge for the past few days.  I mean, Bonfire Night used to be November 5th and that was that.  But, these days it seems to start the week of Halloween and then just go on and on and on. 

Now we have fireworks for any occasion it seems.  Don't get me wrong I like to watch the colours and the displays I just don't see the need for such loud explosions to accompany them.

Anyhoooooo, moan over, lol.

So what have we got on this week?

Monday 7th November

Well, our lovely DESIGNER OF THE YEAR Lisa Horton (just in case you hadn't heard! Lol) will be on Create and Craft this evening at 6pm and 9pm for her One Day Special.  

                           

           

Now you all know the One Day Special is the gorgeous Flower Blooms and the Foliage Elements, and on top of that we have the Modern Berries Die Set.   They are such gorgeous Embossing Folders, Stencils and Dies and will be useful in soooo many ways.  I know a lot of you have been shopping ahead of the shows so I hope you will all be able to purchase what you want. 

As well as the new release, Lisa will also be showcasing the fabulous Lily Bloom Layering Stencils, Embossing Folder and Die set so I though I would use it in my live later today.

I do hope you can join me at 1pm in the CWLH group.

Tuesday 8th November

Lisa will be back on Create and Craft today at 10am and 2pm with the One Day Special (if she has any left that is, lol)

Claire will be live with you at 1pm over in the CWLH group.

If you missed last week's live from Claire, here is the link for the edited version on our You Tube channel.

Wednesday 9th November

Project Wednesday here on the Blog.

Thursday 10th November

I will be live in the CWLH group at 1pm

Friday 11th November

Lisa will be live at 7pm for her usual Friday night Live.

Links later in the week.

***

Finally, the next instalment of our 

Meet the Team feature.

This week we are getting to know the lovely Mary Kelly

How many jobs did you have before you found your Dream job?  

I always wanted to be a teacher and have been for 24 years. If I could have a craft job of my choice it would to teach craft or write and design for a crafting magazine.

Chinese or Indian?
Chinese

Fish & Chips or Pizza?
Fish and Chips

Surf or Turf?
Surf

Dogs or Cats?
 Neither!  would love a hedgehog though 

Sport or not?

 Love to watch it especially tennis

Music whilst crafting or not?

Either that or something from LHC you tube

Favourite film genre?

Romantic comedy

Favourite music genre?

Popular

What is your MOST favourite LHC product?

 Tough question, nested scalloped rectangles I think

What is your dream for the future?

Health and Happiness for my family and friends and to see LHC reaching more and more crafters

So, that's your lot for today.

See you Wednesday

TTFN

xx

FABULOUS FRIDAY

Well, good Friday morning to you all.

What an absolutely fabulous day yesterday was.  I am beyond thrilled for Lisa being named as Designer of the Year - an accolade she so thoroughly deserves. Her designs are brilliant, the Ulti-Mate was ground breaking and has helped soooo many people and what's more, she has come up with the Ulti-Mate 2 to cater for her USA customers who were unable to purchase the original Ulti-Mate due to Patent Issues.

The Ulti-Mate 2 will be available to the USA very soon and I know that it will also be available here in the UK too.  So for those who could not use the Ulti-mate because of the magnetic plate - you will finally be able to have a platform that you can use with no worries about pacemakers etc.  How fabulous is that?

I know that the decision to "go it alone" was huge for Lisa and she took a while to finally make that leap of faith - only to be faced with a Global Pandemic and the fallout from the sale of Create and Craft.  But - like the trooper she is, she weathered the storm and has come out on top.

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

LISA HORTON 

🎉🎉🎉🎉

The links for the edited versions of Claire's live will be up soon.  

If you missed my live yesterday then here is the link for the edited version on You Tube.  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you thought if you do go and watch.

Don't forget that our lovely Designer of the Year will be live tonight at 7pm.

You can watch Lisa on

Lisa Horton Crafts on You Tube (the best option)

Lisa Horton Crafts on Facebook

Crafting with Lisa Horton on Facebook

Don't forget, there are always two giveaways.  One for completing a little task on You Tube and one for liking and sharing the Friday night live.  

So why not come along for a chat, some fun and be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize.

Short and sweet blog today as we had an extra one yesterday with that fabulous news.

So, see you all later round at Lisa's place.

Don't be late now!

TTFN

xx

A THURSDAY EXTRA

Happy Thursday everyone.

Lisa with you today - a special little blog post from me to you!

 Hope you are all well and staying safe and warm after this rotten windy and rainy weather of late!  At least it is a good excuse to get crafty eh?  Not that you need an excuse!

I have been bursting to pop on today because I have some AMAZING news to share with you.... I am so happy I am finally able to "spill the beans"!!!!!! 

You know what I am like, I cannot keep a secret for toffee, get told off all the time because I tell you all things I shouldn't and get very excited when I tell you LOL!!!

So you will know how difficult a secret this has been to keep.  I have been wanting to shout it from the rooftops I can tell you.

I am absolutely delighted to share with you the most incredible news.  I can announce I have received the following awards in the Best of Craft Awards 2022.

• Best Brand for Crafts - HIGHLY COMMENDED!
• Best Regional Independent Store - Southeast of England - HIGHLY COMMENDED!
• Most Inspiring Blog - WINNER!
• Designer Of the Year - WINNER!

I am just so grateful to you all.  I won't lie, when I got the call, I burst into tears.  I was totally overwhelmed but incredibly happy.  I think Lily and Danny thought I had lost my mind !!

I can't tell you how hard we have worked, how many sleepless nights we have had and how much stress that comes with it.  We had some pretty scary moments during lockdown and the sale of Create and Craft, but there was no way we were giving up and actually, I think this made us work even harder to succeed.  We are learning every day and still have a long way to go but with your continued support I am sure we can go even further together!!

I have to say though, to be up against such stiff and talented competition and to win the Designer of the Year and the Blog, was just the best feeling in the world.  There are so many wonderful crafters in the industry, and to be in the same category as them is incredible, let alone win!

I do believe though, that without Danny and Lily, and my incredible friends (you know who you are), and my AWESOME design team, I would not be in this position.  I am really grateful to everyone who has played a part in this amazing result...... thank you everyone.  

I am now off to do (another) little happy dance!!

Lots of love.

Lisa xxxx

PROJECT WEDNESDAY

 Happy Wednesday everyone.

Well, I don't know about you but I feel like we went from Summer to Winter overnight!!  All the beautiful Autumn colours look a bit drab and dreary and the nights are certainly darker.

My poor little kiddos went Trick and Treating on Monday evening and they got absolutely drenched through to the skin.  Bless them though, they had a great time and got home to Hot Chocolate, a hot bath and bed.  Shame it was on a school night really but them's the breaks I guess. Lol

***

So, if you missed my live on Monday here is the link to watch the edited version on You Tube.  Those of you who did join me know I was a bit aggrieved that my card wouldn't stand up.  But, as I said during the live - I did add an extra piece of card to the inside of the "box" part and hey presto it stood up on it's own.  So, I would use a heavier cardstock than I did and you shouldn't have any problems at all.  I think the larger the card is made the less likelihood there is of it standing up properly.  Lesson learned.

Claire's edited live will be linked as soon as she can, probably at the weekend as she is away.  

It was a great live and if you missed it you can still catch it in the CWLH group.

***

Project day today here on the blog and this week's project is brought to you by the lovely Natalia.

WATERCOLOURING AN EMBOSSED IMAGE

Box kit

Watercolour card

White card 

Texture Yellow card

7x7 Base card

Distress Oxide Cracked Pistachio, Mustard Seed and Picked Raspberry

Versa Fine Clair Nocturne ink

Corner punch

Watercolour brush

Emboss watercolour card

Using inks watercolour the embossed florals.

TOP TIP To watercolour the little florals is best to use little brush.

Cut the watercoloured embossed card into four squares measuring 5cm by 5cm. Matt and layer with yellow colour card squares measuring 5.5cm.

Cut yellow card measuring 15cm by 15cm and white card 14.5cm by 14.5cm. Punch the corners on both cards. Matt and layer them together and adhere to the base card.

Position four embossed cards to the centre of card before gluing them.

Stamp a sentiment and cut into square measuring 4.5cm, punch the corners. Cut a 5cm square from yellow card punch the corners and matt and layer with sentiment.

Add the sentiment to the centre of the card with 3D foam pads.

Fussy cut out some of the watercoloured flowers and leaves and adhere to the sentiment.

What an absolutely gorgeous project.  Thank you Natalia.

Remember, if you decide to give this a go, please share your makes in the CWLH group as we do love to see your take on our projects.

So, as Lisa hinted at earlier in the week, keep your eyes peeled for an extra special blog post tomorrow.

It's a good one! 😉😉

TTFN

xx