66th Australian Jazz Convention

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, we certainly did.

Are you a music fan? Looking for something to do between now and New Year? Did you know we have the 66th Australian Jazz Convention happening in Bundaberg right now?

No? Thats the reaction I've had from a lot of people.

This afternoon there's a Sundown Family Concert in Alexandra Park for free. It starts at 4pm and goes until 5.30pm and I believe it will feature our local talent.

The rest of the week is jampacked as well so if you're interested head down to the Civic Centre and have a chat to the people on the registration table who will be able to explain whats on and how much it costs.

Or have a look at their website. Although I will say to get a breakdown of who is playing where you need the program which is at the Civic Centre.

Christmas Ornament Swap

The last swap for the JAV group was in November and it was an ATC that you could hang on your Christmas tree and a Christmas card.

Anyway I drew my friend Vicky and I decided to paint her a Santa face on a round wooden ornament. Great theory.

However when you haven't picked up a paint brush in a while and you've developed a trigger thumb on your right hand it proves to be a little more difficult.

So I decided to use one of the Christmas stamps and make a fabric ATC/ornament. Here's how it finished up.

The photo is a bit dark as I finished it at night and wanted to wrap it up to send.

Bundy Pride

Last Tuesday I attended the official launch of the Bundy Pride website at CQ University and heard some very inspiring guest speakers as well. On the very same day Bundy Pride was being showcased in India at a Food Expo.

What is Bundy Pride?

Bundy Pride is a collective group of manufacturers, processors, tourism operators, professionals, marketing group of growers, graziers, forestry and seafood businesses.

Bundy Pride is designed to promote quality products that are designed, developed and manufactured in the region. And also to promote quality fresh products grown and/or harvested in the region.

The Aim of "Bundaberg Made & Bundaberg Grown"

The “Bundaberg Made and Bundaberg Grown” initiative aims to showcase the Region’s competencies through the use of an innovative branding campaign and the development of a website and Regional marketing plans. The branding and logos have been designed to be highly visible. They can be used as stickers and labels which can be applied to packaging and products made and grown within our region, as well as incorporated on letterhead, email signature blocks and other stationery.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF THE REGIONAL BRANDING INITIATIVE:

Promote our Region’s businesses, producers and manufacturers at a local, national and global level

Highlight our Region’s capacity and capability

Engender pride in local businesses and encourage referrals to other local businesses

Attract and retain skilled workers

Position the Bundaberg Region as 'the home' of premium producers and manufacturers

Encourage customers and consumers of Bundaberg Made and Bundaberg Grown products to look at what else is available from the Region, creating a multiplier effect

Emphasise the Bundaberg Region as an attractive place to work, live and play .

The website can be seen here http://www.bundypride.com.au/

You can also follow them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bundy-Pride/133952363381930

This is a great initiative for Bundaberg so lets all get behind it, if only to "Like" them on Facebook.

Last PCYC craft market for the Year - Bargains to be had

Just a quick reminder that this Sunday will be the last PCYC craft market for the year and I've be having a bit of a clean out.

So that means BARGAINS for you.

Some of the stock on sale will be selected HERO ARTS stamps down to $15. WOW!

Darkroom Door down to $24.95.

Assorted mini stamps down to .50c

Assorted flowers down to .50c

And more so don't miss out on the opportunity to grab a present for that crafty friend or yourself.

See you Sunday.

Original Artwork by Vicky

Are you looking for something original and unique for a Christmas present?

A friend of mine who lives on a property in northern NSW (which is currently flooded) sent me a few items to put on my Lorna Blue website.

Vicky Phelps is a very accomplished folk art teacher that also paints in a range of different styles. She has had many of her pieces published in art magazines and has taught classes overseas in England, Ireland and New Zealand. Her blog Outback Folk can be viewed here.

Funky Girl 4"x4" Canvas

Arabian Nights 4"x4" Canvas

Arabian Nights Journal

Tuscany Journal

Cooktown Orchids 8"x8" Canvas

You can see these (and a few more) in person at the PCYC craft markets this weekend, don't forget it's the last one for the year.

I'll also be in Hinkler shopping centre on the 17th and 19th up near Kmart.

Card ideas

As you know the craft group I belong to do a monthly card and embellishment swap and the theme for the last card swap was love/romance.

I decided to make a C&S (clean and simple) card using the new Enchanted stamp from Bo Bunny. The prices on these stamps have all come down with the dollar so its great value and I've priced down all the old stock to reflect the new price as well.

I inked up the Darkroom Door French Script Background stamp in grey pigment ink(you could use a Marvy Marker) and stamped the card, leave to dry or use a heat gun.

Then I swiped the card with a Stop Static Pillow. Ink up the Enchanted stamp with Versamark Embossing Ink (or similar) and stamp your image. Pour over Superfine Black Embossing Powder, tap off the excess.

I used a large acrylic block and placed the top border and cupid on it and stamped them at the same time (then the embossing powder) before stamping the corner flourishes (one at a time and do your embossing powder) and added the wording last.

Check for any stray bits of powder floating and remove with a small paint brush or cotton bud before using a heat gun to melt the embossing powder.  

For this card I've used Darkoom Door Christmas Reindeer stamp set and their Dear Santa Wordstrip  .

Start off with a red card as your base then cut some light green card to 140mm x 96mm and attach with double sided tape or adhesive. Then cut some dark green printed card to 133mm x 90mm, (you could use a plain piece of card and clear emboss a design onto it). Attach to the light green. Using a piece of red card and a punch make a decorative edge and attach.

Ink up one the Reindeer stamps with embossing ink and stamp on cream card and cover with Copper Pearl Embossing Powder, tap off excess and heat unitl the powder if melted. Cut around design and stick  down using a glue pen. Add a bit of Xmas Red Stickles to the tip of his nose and if you like dot with a black pen to create the eye.

Cut words from the Dear Santa Wordstrip and attach with Magic Mount to give it some height. 

These three are on a similar base but I've used images cut from a Christmas 12x12 sheet that I stock (sorry not available on the website), the Darkroom Door Christmas Wordstrips, Magic Mount and Stickles. 

12x12 cardstock, double sided, good quality and value at $1.80 and you get quite a few cards from these. 

27-11-11 PCYC craft markets on

Hi, just a reminder that we're having a second market this month at PCYC so come along tomorrow and have some breakfast or a coffee and a shop around. It's open between 8am and 12pm and if you come and see us in the hall we're air-conditioned.

I'll be having some sale items tomorrow as I know we all like a bargain especially at this time of year. There will also be a few gift lines available, some are mine and some are from a painter friend.

A girlfriend of mine is having a pre-loved stall outside and I've given her some of my books to sell so if you're a Christine Feehan fan you'll find some of those there and assorted others.

See you there.

Willy Wag Tail

A Willy Wag Tail has built a nest in the trees in our back garden and they have such a beautiful tune that they sing. It's a clever design for the nest because it blends right in with the branch but it does look a bit small.

We try and stay away from that area as she gets a bit worried and agitated so I had to stand a fair way back to try and take my photos.

I'm in Hinkler Shopping Centre tomorrow

Just a quick reminder that I'll have a table in the centre aisle near Boost Juice tomorrow along with Christine from Adele Collections (she sells handbags and jewellery).

I'll have limited space so I've packed the stamps, 12 x 12 Scrapbook paper, Christmas Photochips and a few other things.

Hope to see you there.

Hero Arts Christmas cards

I took some photos of the card examples in the Hero Arts Christmas catalogue just to show you how they use some of the stamp sets. Forgive the poor photography I was in a rush.

Classic Holly stamp

Seasons Greetings Stamp Set

Enjoy the Seasons

Christmas Reindeer Stamp Set

Merry Christmas Trees Stamp Set

Christmas, Christmas

Well I've uploaded more Christmas Stamps to my website if you're looking for a new stamp set to do your Christmas cards with.

There's some lovely designs out there and it's always hard to decide which ones to stock and naturally I find it difficult to resist wanting all of them for myself.

One of the sets I ordered for myself is the Hero Arts Christmas Tag and I've made a few tags from the birdy design and love them. When I do some from the other two I'll post a photo.

If you like any of the Christmas stamps please be aware that I only carry in stock 1 or 2 of each so if you want them quickly if might be an idea to grab them. I do re-order when I sell down but as most of these are from overseas it can take a little time to get here.

For anyone local you know that I carry a small range of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper and I now have 3 Christmas designs in that you might like. They are all double sided so that's a great way to co-ordinate your scrapbook pages or cards and at $1.80 a sheet good value and quality.

This Saturday I'll be in Hinkler shopping centre sharing a site in the middle aisle (we're not sure if we'll be in the food court end or the Kmart end yet) and I'll be on one table so I'll be taking limited stock. The stamps and 12x12 paper will be on there but if there's anything you want to look at in particular let me know by Friday afternoon. 

We also have a second market this month at PCYC on the 27th and there's some great stalls (including me :)

 If you're looking for a pudding or cake for Christmas we tried some lovely samples last Sunday.   

Christmas Cards

If you're like me you've been watching the Christmas decorations go up in the shops and muttering under your breath "you've got to be kidding me...already".

However now it's the 1st of November and I've been receiving in christmas stamps etc I think a gremlin (or an elf) must have whispered in my ear because I found myself making christmas cards from the Darkroom Door Santa Photochips and it was easy and fun.

For this one I started with a green card base then cut a piece of red card a little smaller which I stamped with the Darkroom Door Star Background Stamp and Versamark Embossing Ink just to give a subtle 

 background. I then attached it to the green card with double sided tape.

Then I cut a piece of cream cardstock long enough to fit the Santa Photochip in the middle and punched out the star design either end (It's a Martha Stewart paper punch) before attaching the photochip to the cardstock with double sided tape and then attaching it onto the red card.

The words were cut from the Darkroom Door Dear Santa Wordstrip and attached with Mini Magic Mount.

This one is a similar idea except I left the red card blank and attached it to the green card.

I then punched the star design in the cream cardstock and inked it up around the edges with Antique Linen Distress Ink using the Tim Holtz Blending Tool.

Then I attched the Dear Santa Photochip onto the cream card with double sided tape and stamped the Christmas greeting.

Then attach the cream card onto the red one and you're done.

Stampendous stamp ideas

You know how it is when you're sitting at the computer supposedly working but the need to browse crafty web sites takes over and you end up frittering away an hour (sometimes two!)?

I guess I can justify it by saying that I was looking for ideas on how to use some of their stamps that I stock.

Anyway I found a few that I thought you mght want to see and if you go to the Stampendous website you can see a lot more.

I've also added the links to the stamps on my website, just click on the names under each card.

Chickadee Stamp

Agapanthus Cluster

Chickadee Stamp

Agapanthus Cluster

Nesting Bird

Bird Frame

Childers Craft Bazaar

I've had a few outings for Lorna Blue in the last couple of weeks.

First of all was PCYC Craft Markets on the 9th. It was a little quieter than normal but I think with so much going on for the CRUSH festival people are having to choose what they attend. After I had packed up I went down to have a look at the BRAG markets that were on until around 3pm and it was great to see local artists and crafts people set up in the gallery. Last year they held it on a different weekend than the PCYC and I had a stall which was really fun.

Next was the Bargara Home & Life Expo on teh 15th. It was a shame the weather was a bit iffy, we had showers in the morning which put off a few stall holders and some customers but overall it was a good day. It's such a shame the council can't make some more accessable parking out there because the centre itself is lovely.

Lastly I went down to Childers on the 18th for the Craft Bazaar. As always this was a great day with lots of people coming through. I had a lady next to me that makes flowers and gold fish out of coloured stockings. They are beautiful. My Aunty used to do that when I was little and I haven't seen then since. My in-laws came down and they had lunch with some friends at the Hotel next door and they were all very impressed with the quality of the meal.

I've also been receiving in some new lines so it's worth a peek at the website. Of course we're all starting to think of Christmas so more stamps will be arriving so keep an eye out for those.

Coral Coast Home & Life Expo on tomorrow

This is where I'll be tomorrow along with a lot of other stall holders. It's a great location and last year was the first year it was held so this year it will be even better.

By the way it starts at 9am not 10am as the poster states. Just in case you want to make sure you get a gift bag.

Where to find me this weekend.

This weekend I'll be out and about both Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday I'll be in Hinkler shopping centre near Boost Juice along with Christine from Adele Collections (she has jewellery and handbags). We'll be there from 9am and we'll start packing up around 3pm.

On Sunday I'll be in my regular spot in the hall at the PCYC craft markets.

If you haven't had a chance to see any of the new lines that have come in recently this is your chance to see them "in the flesh".

Stampendous Loopy Blooms $26.95

Bird Post $11.50

Carte Postale $11.25

Girl in Pink Dress wooden embellishment $1.60

Skateboard Boy wooden embellishment $1.60

Chicken Wooden Embellishment .90 cents

September ATC's

Remember the three mysterious parcels that arrived packed with goodies to make ATC's? I thought I would show you the results.

                                              This parcel was named Vivid.

This parcel was named Antique.

This parcel was named Jovial.