Distress results from our Inks Course

One of the classes we have been teaching up at Cold Harbour Farm is all about discovering inks. Sorting out the notes has been a voyage of re discovery for me.

Many of you will not be surprised to know I have spent far too much time looking at Tim Holtz website and blog http://www.timholtz.typepad.com/

When really I should be getting on with typing up the notes and preping samples and idea cards for the courses not to mention all the work still to be done for the TV show in just over two weeks. After spending Tuesday to Saturday pretty much a permanent fixture in the studio, (which one of the gang has re named the Tardis!) I have spent Sunday and Monday wrestling with forms and spread sheets and trying to find someone to make me a small cardboard box......you would think it was not that difficult, anyway after two days of being welded to one keyboard or another I thought I would share with you some of the results from the inks course. We looked at Dye Inks, Pigment Inks and Permanent Inks, Plus two specials, Versamark and Distress Inks.

Here are two backgrounds from the distress part, one of my students, who I am very pleased with as this was a big leap of faith for them and they had never done anything like this before. No names because I would be lynched if I did but I think they did very well. So lets just call him Tom Stopz!

Ok now for the good news

I know you have been waiting a long time, I have been extra busy, what with the move to the studio and my other news!!
We have been talking to Ideal World and I now have a date I can share with you for our first show. All being well, we should be featuring on Create and Craft's "NEW AT NOON" slot on 30th June, so not long now.
I still have loads to do like finding the right packaging for embossing powders and filling in lots of forms with product details. I have a few folks helping me with samples up at the studio. I hope this explains why I haven't put on so many courses this summer. I still have the rest of the business to run and new stamps to designs. We have a few places left on all the June and July courses so if you haven't boooked yet please phone or email me.

even more busy!

New projects are coming along all the time at the moment, which is wonderful. It doesn't help me keep up with important stuff like the blog though.
The hard part is not always being able to share what is happening with you from the start of each project as the first few steps are often uncertain but possibly the most exciting.
Since moving into the studio and writing that class timetable so much has happened all of which will become clear hopefully over the next few weeks.

I can tell you I am off to see Gwen at The Stamp Pad on Saturday 27th June. By then a lot of the new stuff should have fallen into place. Demonstrations will happen between 10am and 3pm but check back nearer the date for more detail or talk to Gwen
Anyone who has been to see the studio yet and would like to visit or know more about the classes for June and July should contact me lynnda@oakhousestudio.co.uk or 0750 896 2552

Busy, busy, busy

We had a great time at the opening event for the new studio, a big thank you to everyone who came along and all your encouraging comments. Classes at the studio begin in June by which time we expect the builders to be well on the way with the other studios.

A timetable for the classes should appear on the Oak House Studio website soon. www.oakhousestudio.co.uk

Well as promised photos, if were expecting views of my table and stamps I hope you won't be too disappointed with these. Yesterday the sun came out and I met Pete who has the studio next door to me, more about him later...

Tillie one the dogs at Cold Harbour Farm came to see me as soon as I arrived and took up guard outside my door, and the the cows were out enjoying the sun. This view of them is from my door way. I know I am a lucky lucky girl and tomorrow I will makes some cards honest!! I will also get to work on some pack to go out to the retailers

Cold Harbour Farm

About three years ago I was moaning to my mate Kay that I didn't have a place to work at home particularly to craft, she didn't sympathise at all and just said "well why not", so I took over a room at the back of the house that leads to the garden, my father in law laid a laminate floor, the boys erected shelves and I settled down in there on Boxing Day that was over a year ago and I haven't made a card in there, I have done the odd bit of work in there but some how the light isn't right.
So when I needed to make a mass of samples, I called the girls and took over the dining room, but all though there is more space in there, it faces north and still not ideal despite buying fancy lights bulbs etc.
Then whilst working with Tracey at Craftworx she told me about her move the Cold Harbour Farm, how wonderful I thought, I would love that but still didn't even think about asking for details just started to talk to Tracey about borrowing it for workshops....
Then in another of those conversation someone said "why don't you have your own?" So I contact Tracey for the details still not expecting or hoping anything. Two weeks ago I met Heather whose is the power house behind the project to build studios at the farm.
On Friday I moved into my own space there, it feels like I have come home, my "tools" are still spread between, the warehouse, my office, my craft room, the dining room, and the new studio, but I didn't want a pile of boxes to arrive the first day that I never got to the bottom of.
So I am steadily taking boxes each day emptying them and finding homes for them.

The plan is to test the products and make samples at the studio, to teach some workshops, and arrange retailer training. I am sure it will find a host of other jobs along the way.
So a huge Thank You to Heather for making the decision to go there the easiest move I have ever made. I promise to post photos soon.
In the mean time the open day will stretch to two days 1st and 2nd May 10 am to 3 pm.
there will be a chance to try some new designs, check out the location and find out about workshops and classes.
Oh yes and I finally got round to fixing a date with Gwen to go to the Stamp Pad at the end of June. More details soon.

Cold Harbour Farm

Well it is official from 1st May I shall be working in a studio at Cold Harbour Farn which is near Bishop Burton. This will be the place I do all my inky stuff! Like teaching and testing the new designs. I will still do my computer work at home all the officey jobs like updating the catalogue and website etc.
I like to do these things is style so we shall hae an openning event on Friday 1st May and Saturday 2nd May 10am to 3pm everyone is welcome. By then I hope to have the start of a teaching timetable and some dates for workshops etc. The new stamps should be ready to pre-order as they are due to be released at Port Sunlight on 10th May.
I'm not quite sure what we will be doing on these two days other than putting the kettle on and having a good catch up but I am sure to think of something.

Check back nearer the time for more details and directions on how to find us.