Newsletter

Hi Everybody

Have you noticed the sun shining over the past few days? Wonderful, isn't it - mind you it has come with a major drop in temperature, the wind up at the shop was cutting straight through us. Still, the sun was shining!

Yesterday morning when Grant and I were out walking the dogs - at some unearthly hour of the morning! - the sun was just rising and it was beautiful. The dogs were running around getting up to all sorts of mischief, even they were pleased the rain had stopped.

And to add to the pleasure this week, we have won the lottery!! How wonderful is that? But before you go thinking we are moving the shop into the big barn, let me burst your bubble of excitement and explain that it was only £29. Never mind, it gave us a giggle and it is easier to spend £29 than £2.9 million!!

Anyway this is a VERY, VERY quick letter. I just wanted to remind you all that Tracy arrives tomorrow and that Nicky, Tracy and I are going to be running a Christmas Gift making weekend this Saturday and Sunday.

There are lots of photos of the things we will be making (see earlier blog entries below) and on the website - they look gorgeous. (Thanks, Joanna). So if you are interested in attending any of the workshops to making any of these items, give us a call - there are still some spaces left (and I understand that the rain is coming back, but we will be enjoying ourselves!!).

Talking of Joanna, she will be coming into the shop on Tuesday and we are going to be putting our heads together to sorting out the calendar for next year - so the next newsletter will contain details of the new workshop brochure.

The new year workshops will probably start on the second week of January, mainly because we will be closed on the first week of January for stock taking - how boring is that?

Remember that next Saturday 5th December is Kids Kraft in the morning and ProMarker Challenge Club in the afternoon (is there no end to fun!!).

Right, I promised this would be very short so I am going to end it now!! Just one quick update of toys that are coming into the shop in the next few days - we are expecting our first delivery of Whiff of Joy rubber stamps hopefully tomorrow and the next delivery of Toho beads are due into the Bead shop on Monday (together with some Czech crystals and flower beads).

Have a great weekend and remember to look at the bits we are making this weekend, then come and have a play with us.

Bye.

Lynn and the girls.

Christmas Gift Weekend Workshops

Just to remind you that there is a Crafting with Nicky workshop on Friday, 27th November. Nicky says she will be showing you how to make an advent calendar with lovely Christmas papers. The advent calendar is a good enough reason to spoil your other half, kids or grand children with this FUN gift.

Also, as promised I have some further photographs (only peeps) of the Christmas Gifts you will be making this weekend, 28th and 29th November. On Sunday, Lynn will be showing you how to make this Flower Pot Bell which includes a lovely ding a ling!!!! She will be demonstrating Napkin Art and using Jo Sonja paints to decorate your unique Christmas Bell.

On Sunday, Nicky will show you how to make a CD gift box and a simply gorgeous decorated Pillow Box. The box is quick, simple and cheap to make which could include your jewellery bits for the perfect personalised Christmas gift.

Also on Sunday, Tracy Watkiss will be showing you how to make a desk calendar. I have made one of these on a previous workshop and they are so easy but great fun to make utilising all your favorite bits of decorative papers.

I know the choice is so hard but the Sunday workshops look great as do the Saturday ones too.....what a dilema!!

If you would like to book your place on Crafting with Nicky on Friday, 27 November and any/all of the Christmas Gift Weekend workshops held this weekend on Saturday, 28th and Sunday, 29th November give us a call on 01635 860900 or e-mail us on lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk

Jewellery Making with Lynn

Here are the lovely jewellery designs that Lynn demonstrated in her Jewellery Making workshop last Thursday evening.

Which one is your favourite?

Click here if you would like further details on the Jewellery and Beading workshop with Lynn and Ruth.

Christmas Gift Weekend Event

At the Christmas Gift Weekend on 28th and 29th November, Lynn, Nicky and Tracy shall be making quick, last minute gifts.

Here are a few tantalising photographs to give you an idea of the lovely Christmas gifts you could be making. Nicky has designed a gift card holder and voucher wallet for those all important gift cards and vouchers that our kids and grandchildren so, so want!!!!!

Tracy will be helping you to make something special with this lovely notelet set and a desk calendar.

Lynn shall be making handbag & mobile phone charms and bell flower pots (check out the blog for photos to follow later).

Click here for more details of the Christmas Gift Weekend Event. There are still a few more places so why not book your place and give us a call on 01635 860900, pop into the shop or email us on lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk.

I am so fed up with the rain!

Hi Everybody

This is the third time that I have started this newsletter!! If you received a blank email from me that was the first time - I pressed the wrong button and sent instead of saving, der!!! The second time I lost power and lost the newsletter, no I had not saved what I had done!! Hopefully, this is third time lucky.

I am going to start with a big whinge about the rain. My heart is going out to all the people around the country who are being affected by the floods. I cannot believe how much rain has fallen over the past week or so and it looks like it is going to carry on for a while yet.

Although we have had lots of rain, we have be lucky because we have not been affected by the flooding - although the high winds did give us some fun last weekend.

We were very lucky last Saturday to have the lovely Michelle from Stix2 and she arrived at the shop just as we had a big power cut!! We could not greet her with a cup of tea, the temperature dropped like a stone because the electric radiators could not work and she was having to demonstrate in the dark (glittering by feel!!). It was very late morning before the power came back on. But she did a wonderful job showing all of us how to get the best from our sticky stuff and she demonstrated the new Stix2 photo canvass (check it out in the shop, I made a canvass with a photo of my favourite little girl on it!). Thank you, Michelle - hopefully we will see you again soon.

Talking of my favourite little girl, can you believe that she is old enough to have started nursery school!! Now her life is full of glitter & glue (that's Nanna's girl!!), sand pits and friends. Too much to do and not enough time to do it in.

And, while I am on the subject of the family, here is a quick update on Katie (I keep being asked how she is getting on - we are missing her visits to the shop). Katie is doing very well at her new job and her first designs will be in 'New Look' within the next week or two and, so I understand, she has some designs going into River Island in the new year. Knowing Katie all you have to look for is a ribbon bow to know which designs are hers. God bless her!!

Also, my little sis (Vivien) is having a good time down under in New Zealand. She gets a bit homesick now and again, but they are beginning to go into their summer (lucky so and so's) and I think that helps. She still has not got her finger out and set up a blog, but I will be giving her a nag next time I speak to her.

So, that is the family news out of the way and now I will get on with the important business of the shop.

The details are up on the website about the Christmas Gift workshops next weekend (shh, don't tell Joanna, but I have activated the page on the website!). The idea behind the weekend is to make quick, last minute gifts - check out the handbag & mobile phone charms and the bell flower pots. Tracy will be helping you to make something special - check out the notelet set & the desk calendar. And, if you give money or vouchers, check out Nickys money pouch & voucher card (perfect for the itune gift cards).

We are going to be running all three workshops three times during the day (confused, we will be!) so no excuse for not getting on the workshop that you want and there is a wonderful Christmas present for those that attend the whole weekend. Check out the details here then contact us to book your place.

This will be the last chance to make Christmas gifts with us this year, so make the most of it.

We are coming to the end of the listed workshops on our brochure and I am hoping to start preparing the one for next term sometime this week. I will be discussing it with Joanna when I see her next week (sorry, Joanna, I should have mentioned it BEFORE I announced it in the newsletter). So watch out for the new brochure soon.

It has been a very busy term with workshops and we have introduced some new groups which are going very well. The Friday morning Craft Club and Jewellery mornings are beginning to develop very well and there have been some great things made.

Ruth's Tuesday evening beading class is doing very well (this week we will be making a Peyote stitch bracelet) and the Thursday night jewellery class has not suffered too much from me taking over from the lovely Katie!!

Nicky has been making some gorgeous cards with the Tuesday afternoon ladies and the Wednesday evening group and the ProMarker club is going great guns (well done to Rose Hogg for winning the first ProMarker challenge).

Talking of the ProMarker challenge, we have the latest challenge entries up in the shop - so remember to vote when you are in the shop.

Have I remembered everything? Probably not, you know what I am like. But I think this has been long enough.

Oh, I know. For those of you that love your rubber stamps I have some good news and some sad news. I am going to start with the sad news.

If you know Mike & Jill from Stamps Unlimited, it is a with sadness that I have to let you know that they have closed their premises in Kings Road. We are waiting to find out what will happen to the manufacturing side, Mike is hoping that he will find someone that will take that over. In the meantime, I am sure you will join me in wishing them well. Hopefully Mike is going to take it easy and enjoy some retirement time (he will still be organising the Art Stamp Shows, so you will see him next July at the Racecourse.).

So, that is the sad news - what is the good news? We are bringing in a new range of rubber stamps (well, new to our shop). Check out the Whiff of Joy range. Absolutely beautiful - my favourite one is 'Willow holding the baby' and look at the wedding carriage. They should be in stock before the end of next week, but as Tracy is arriving on Friday I don't think there will be much left by Saturday (Tracy and Nicky are addicted to Whiff of Joy).

Remember that the best way to keep up to date with events in the shop is to watch the website www.flutterbycrafts.co.uk and the blog www.flutterbycraftsberkshire.blogspot.com. Joanna is doing a great job keeping the blog updated with photos and news, it is a great place to get inspiration and your comments are always welcomed.

Now, I think that really is that. Come and join us next week for the Christmas Gift workshops - it will be great fun and the tea-urn needs a reason to boil. Contact us and book your place now.

Have a good weekend and keep dry.

With best wishes from

Lynn and the girls.

PS, today I have seen the new Dovecraft range. Watch out for them in January, the stamps & decoupage pad are gorgeous. Tempt, tempt!!! xx

Christmas Gift Weekend

We have a great Crafting Weekend coming up!

Saturday, 28th & Sunday 29th November

There will be 3 workshops on each day!

10.00 'til 11.30
12.00 ' til 1.30
1.30 'til 2.30 hour break
2.30 'til 4.00

Saturday
Nicky will be making Gift Card/Voucher holders which are so much more personalised than the one's you get in the shops!

Lynn will be making handbag/mobile phone and keyring charms.

Tracy will be making her Notelet set.

Sunday
Nicky will be making a CD gift box
and decorated Pillow Box.

Lynn will be making Flower Pot Christmas Bells.

Tracy will be making a Desk Calendar.

The cost of each class will be £10 and if you book all 6 workshops you will receive a free crafting goody bag worth £20 which will include some Jo Sonja products plus bits n'pieces from the shop!

To book your place give us a call on 01635 860900, pop into the shop or e-mail us on lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk.

Keep checking the blog throughout the week for samples of the gifts you will be making at the Christmas Gift Weekend.

Thank you to all who popped by!

A great time was had in the shop on Saturday when Michelle Johnson demonstrated the great things you can do with Stix2 products. Michelle answered lots of crafting sticky questions!!! She has left lots of Stix2 goodies in the shop, so why not come and have a look for yourself!

Last Sunday, Lynn had a busy time at the Wickham Christmas Fair and Decorative Arts Showcase. She would like to thank all of you who popped by on Sunday to say "hello" and to all the Creative Possibilities Tutors who do amazing work with Jo Sonja paints......"it was great to see all of you".

Jewellery Making with Lynn - 19 Nov.

Here is a little peep at what you will be making with Lynn on Thursday, 19th November.

These two necklaces are adorable. They are the same design but made with different colour beads which gives a completely different look. The orange design can be for day or evening wear and the white maybe for a bride!

Click here if you would like more information and to book your place on the Jewellery Making workshop with Lynn.

ProMarker Challenge samples

Here are a couple of samples Nicky has designed using the stamped images at the last ProMarker Challenge Club. Just to remind you that this months ProMarker challenge set by Nicky is to use the colours blue and brown with either of the stamped images.

The stamped images are, Cowboy and Indians from the Ollyfant range of clear stamps and, Henry Mouse with Christmas Bauble from Whiff of Joy stamps. Both designs by Nicky are stunning especially when coloured in with ProMarkers, don't you agree?

All entries to be in by Wednesday, 18 November, 5.00pm.

Craft Events - coming up!

Hello Everybody

It is raining!! How British is that? The weekend is coming and so is the rain. Never mind - we have the answer for you, come and enjoy a day of watching the lovely Michelle Johnson, from Stix 2, demonstrate and answer all your crafting sticky questions.

I do have a strange mind (please do not answer that statement!!), every time I say that we are going to be having a demonstration here, I picture placard wielding ladies marching around the farmyard!!!

Anyway, Michelle will be here tomorrow between 10am and 4pm. Actually, Nicky has just reminded me that we only ever have events in the rain - we have just done away with the tent bit!!

Come and join us. I will have the kettle on, biscuits at the ready and in traditional fashion we will be giving double loyalty points.

Also, tomorrow afternoon, Nicky will be teaching adult colouring up in the workshop and there are still one or two places left.

A full weekend ahead. Then, just think, you can have a quiet Sunday crafting away having been inspired by Michelle and Nicky. How wonderful!!

And if you do not want to craft on Sunday, come out to Wickham Village Hall (just past Stockcross) and see me at the Christmas Craft Fair and Decorative Arts Showcase - 10am 'til 4pm.

Monday will find me sitting at home with my feet up!!

At this point I should be mentioning the things that are going to be happening over the following few weekends, but I think that this is enough for today. Come and see me over the weekend and I will tell you what is coming up.

This must be just about the quickest newsletter I have ever sent! Promise I will make up for it next week.

See you all tomorrow

Lynn and the girls x

ProMarker Challenge Winner

Rose Hogg is the winner of our 1st ProMarker Challenge with this lovely topical design. Well done Rose and the next time you come into the shop please collect your ProMarker Challenge Club prize!

Thank you to all the other contestants which was a very close fought contest! We hope you will enjoy the next challenge set by Nicky which is to use the colours blue and brown with the stamped images given at the ProMarker Club. All entries to be entered by Wednesday, 18 November, enjoy colouring!

UPDATED Workshop Brochure

Hopefully you have all received Lynn's latest Newsletter, if not why don't you sign up to receive all newsletters by e-mail. If, for some reason you have not received your copy, you can click here to have a quick read with a cuppa in hand.

The Workshop Brochure has had a few extra workshops and events added by popular request. You can collect an UPDATED copy of the workshop brochure from the shop or print your own copy at home if you click here. Please would you complete the very short survey at the bottom left hand side of the website so that we can get an idea if this process is successful.

Shortly, a list of opening hours over the Christmas and New Year holidays will be published just in case you want to sneak out of the house and get your paper craft fix!

Jewellery Workshop

This is a gorgeous sample of the necklace made in the Jewellery workshop with Lynn last night which uses stone effect glass beads.

Remember Lynn has a NEW Jewellery workshop fortnightly on Friday mornings, click here for more details.

NEW WORKSHOP
Friday am Jewellery with Lynn
20th November, 10.30 'til 12.30

This class has been arranged by request to suit those of you unable to visit any of the evening classes. So why not get Lynn out of the shop and a chance to show you some of her lovely designs!

Goodbye My Darling Kes

This weekend we had to say goodbye to our darling Kes, the oldest of our two Labradors.

Those of you that have been coming to the shop since we began will, no doubt, have met Kes at some point. He was the most gentlest of giant dogs. He was a tireless worker and the perfect companion, loved by all that knew him. He won the hearts of everybody that he met, even non-dog lovers loved him.

Kes came into our lives when our children were almost grown up so he did not mix much with children, but children never had a thing to fear from him. The moment that he met Jet, he became protector and he laid there pacifly while she used him as her armchair and pillow - never moving or complaining.

Kes was a dog of a lifetime and we will miss him terribly, but he is now out of pain from his arthritis and the stars are a better place for his joining them.

Goodbye my darling Kes.

xxxx

ProMarker Challenge Club & Metallic ProMarkers IN STOCK!

The winner of the October ProMarker Challenge will be announced at the next....

ProMarker Challenge Club

7 November, 2-4pm

To book your place give us a call on 01635 860900, pop into the shop, email us on lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk or for further details of the ProMarker Challenge Club click here.

Remember, there is a full selection of ProMarkers in the shop, so many colours to choose from it's worse than choosing the right pair of shoes to buy! Just arrived, we have the new metallic Gold and metallic Silver ProMarkers in stock which are so luxurious you won't be able to stop using them on your Christmas cards this year!!

Candles and Bowls - Napkin Art

Just to let you all know that Lynn shall be giving you your last opportunity before Christmas to make candles and bowls. Using the technique called Napkin Art it is truely addictive and is perfect for your Christmas gifts! This is by popular demand so please don't leave your booking too late! The workshop will run on :-

Saturday, 21 November 2-4pm
and will be £15.00 inclusive of all materials.

To book your place give us a call on 01635 860900, pop into the shop or email us on lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk

Demonstration at Flutterby Crafts

Come and join us for the Stix2 Demonstration by Michelle Johnson, Saturday, 14 November, 10 'til 4pm.

Michelle knows everything there is to know about the Stix2 products and she will be here to show you how to stick things together and how to do other wondrous things with glues and tapes and glitters.

Don't forget we also have Colouring in for Adults on the same day which is 2 'til 4pm click here for more details.