Happy New Year

I would like to wish everybody a very Happy New Year. I wish you all good health and prosperity during this coming year. May 2011 bring us all good joy.

With best regards

Lynn xx

See You All Next Week

Have a very Merry Christmas, Everybody.

I am about to go off and play Santa Claus, before going and putting my feet up.

I will be back in here on Wednesday.

With love from Lynn x

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year
from
Lynn and The Girls

Hi Everybody

Well, this is different from our normal newsletter, isn't it? To say we have been having a problem, over the past few weeks, with our website and email, would probably be the understatement of the year!!

Thanks to the lovely Karen, though, things are now being sorted - but it does mean that I am having to get used to a different newsletter system, thats the bad news!, the good news is that more of you should be receiving this. More of you can sit and read my ramblings!!

Can you believe that the end of the year is coming around again, so fast? It seems like only yesterday I was sending out the last Christmas wish. And what a busy year it has been.

We had the birth of Freyja earlier in the year, which was wonderful - Ruth got a pink grandchild at last and Catherine got a daughter to dress up!! The on-line shop went live around this time (www.themulberry-bush.com), which gave added fun for Catherine. Between Freyja and the website, Catherine has been kept very busy with both her babies growing by the minute.

Tracy opened her shop, with Karen, down in Plymouth. We had the Retreat in early October (that was such fun!).

And then, of course, we had the birth of our baby - only this one is growing faster than anything I have ever seen and you cannot contain him in a playpen!! I am talking about Buzz, our new Labrador, who was 6 months old yesterday and makes a shire horse look small!!

I am not sure who is the most mischievious, Buzz or Bridie. He is certainly keeping us all on our toes. Poor Kip (our old Lab) is definately not impressed and we have had to change our Christmas decorations this year, the tree is up high on a unit so that Buzz does not pull it to pieces.

It will be fun on Boxing Day, when Jet and Helen arrive. Jet, presents and Buzz. Hmmm....I don't think any snoozing on the sofa will be going on in our house!!

What else has gone on this year? We have had workshop, demonstrations, shows - so much going on and all too much to mention. Our workshops this term fizzled out at the end, mainly due to the weather and everybody being busy, but we did finish it with a wonderful demonstration of the Efcolor Enamelling System with guest demonstrator, Fiona Jones.

And here we are again, back to another Christmas and it is going to be a white one!! How wonderful.

So onwards and upwards into 2011, but first I had better mention when we will be closed and open over the Christmas period:

24th December - 9.30 'til 1pm (closing early!)
25th until the 28th December closed - feet up, wine flowing!
29th December - open 11 'til 3pm (see SALE details)
30th December - open 11 'til 3pm (see SALE details)
31st December 'til 5thJanuary CLOSED for Stock Taking (yuk!!)
6th January all back to normal (hooray!!)

Did you see the mention of a SALE? Yes, we are having a two day sale!!!! There will be 25% off of all Christmas stock (get yourself sorted for next year!) and 10% off of all Jo Sonja's stock, 50% off of the decoupage sheets (including the Paper Nations), and an extra 10% discounts on the rubber mounted stamps.

Also I will be running a prize draw - if you come into the shop and let me know how many times I mentioned the word 'Christmas' in this email, your name will be put into a draw to win a Photo Storage Case, priced in the shop at £12.99!!

Now for next years workshops. The new brochure is available, Joanna has done another wonderful job on it. We have got copies in the shop and it will be available from the new website once we have learnt how to upload information!!

We have got some new classes starting in January and a new pricing set up for the beading classes, so read it very carefully.

There are two things that have not been mention in the brochure. One is the Parchment Club on a Thursday afternoon. There was a slight blip a few weeks ago when we thought it would be closing, but I am pleased to say that the Ladies are going to be keeping going with it. So Thursday afternoon, 1 'til 3, is still Parchment Club.

Secondly, on the 22nd January we will be having an Enamelling Workshop with the lovely Fiona Jones at the helm (check out Fiona's work at http://www.projects4crafters.co.uk/)

Fiona came to demonstrate the enamelling a few weeks ago and has agreed to come back to run a workshop. Again, the full details will be on the website in the next week or so, but basically it will be from 10am 'til 1pm. Fiona will teach you for the first hour or so and the next two hours will be play time. The guarantee is that you will go home with a minimum of 5 completed pieces of enamelling. The cost will be £20 and places are limited. So email or call me to book yourself in.

After the workshop has finshed, Fiona is going to sit in the Bead Shop and demonstrate the use of Fimo for making beads and embellishments.

So maybe it would be worth bringing your packed lunch on that day!!!

What else? Well I think I have written myself to pieces and bored you all for long enough. It is time I went and finished making the Christmas pressies for everybody. If you did not make yourself a drink before you started reading this, you probably are desperately in need now!!

So have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Come and see me next week. Remember to count the Christmas words!!!

With love and best wishes

Lynn and the Girls. x

Jo Sonja's paints and Napkins!

Look at this stunning bag made by Maria who runs our Jo Sonja Workshops each month. She has used Jo Sonja's paints and mediums together with napkins on what started as a plain canvas bag.

Maria has decorated the bag with a stamp from her craft room and some rhinestones for the bling effect!

If you would like to know how to decorate your household objects, bags etc. why not join our Jo Sonja Workshops run by Maria (on the 2nd Saturday of each month), starting again in the New Year.

Don't worry if you can't make a Saturday, there will be a mid week Jo Sonja Workshop run by Lynn, so check out the new workshop calender which should be out by the New Year.

Efcolor Enamelling System

Joanna asked me to write some words about our Efcolor enamelling demonstration that was held last Saturday, but I disappeared and had a few days off – so it has taken a little while to get it sorted out. I am sorry.

We had the lovely Fiona Jones come along and demonstrate the versatility of the Efcolor.


It is so simple to use and is fantastic for making jewellery, embellishments and all sorts. Fiona had a range of examples that she has made. They included the gorgeous Gecko, which she has used to decorate the front of a notebook.

Fiona showed the enamelling being done on mountboard and chippies as well as the copper blanks. She also showed how you could add pieces to the enamelling to give textures as well as patterns.

A great day was had and we managed to eat many mince pies as well as drinking much mulled wine.

So this weekend I am going to be making loads of last minute Christmas pressies all with an enamelled theme.

Have a great weekend. See you all soon.

Lynn x

Decorated Platter with Jo Sonja's paints

If you are stuck for last minute ideas for Chrismas gifts why not visit the shop and see what items you could decorate for your friends and family.

Lynn has decorated this lovely platter using Jo Sonja's acrylic paints and mediums together with napkins.

If you pop into the shop, we have a huge amount of napkins that you can purchase, together with lots of wooden shapes and articles.

If you need some advice and ideas to get you started, chat to Lynn who will be more that happy to advise you exactly what products you need to decorate your project.

Latest Newsletter

Hello Everyone

I hope you have all kept safe during this all this cold weather. Can you believe it? I know that we (technically) are in the Winter, but did we have to have the snow this soon? And, so I understand, we are only going to get a very quick respite of warm weather before the ice and snow comes back. Ho hum!! Still it will soon be Christmas and if we ask Rachel nicely, she will tell us EXACTLY how many minutes we have got to go.

This newsletter is going to be another quick one. For those of you that have been in the shop recently, you will know that we have been having issues with our website server. This has resulted in us nearly loosing our database. The site has just been re-instated, but we are not sure how long for. So I am trying to get this out before it dies again.

I am going to start with the important business, because I am running short of time to let you all know.
I should have got this information out to you last week but, when I tried originally writing this, the website was not working - so I am sorry that it is a bit late. Anyway, here goes: We are launching our new product range - The Efcolor Enamelling system. It is fantastic. I have had such fun with it. Because I think it is such great fun and I think you all will like it, I have arranged for Fiona Jones to come to the shop to demonstrate the system.

Fiona, the author of Papercraft Weekend Workbook, has just launched a new website http://www.projects4crafters.com and she is the UK demonstrator of Efcolor Enamelling System. Indeed, some of you might have met Fiona at the NEC last month or when she visited us couple of years ago.

Fiona will be with us this Saturday, the 11th December from 10am 'til 4pm. She will be demonstrating the Enamelling system and she will have details of the Enamelling workshop that she will be running, for us, later in January.

Enamelling is a great technique for all crafters. It is a good way to make very individual pendants for your jewellery making, it is great for making individual embellishments for the Cardmaking and for scrapbooking. If you are not sure, look at the projects Fiona has put on her website http://www.projects4crafters.com/userimages/Enamelling(2043211).htm

The other new thing that we have in the shop is Fimo – I know it probably is not new to you, but it is to us!! At the moment we just have the colour blocks in and, in time, we will be getting in the tools required for playing with it.

Also, remember that it is the final Jo Sonjas Saturday workshop for this year. 1pm until sometime hours later up in the workshop. Ideal place for making the last few Christmas pressies.

For those of you that are waiting for the new workshop list, it will be out soon. Joanna has been working on it, but she now needs some input from me before she can finish it. I will try to get it sorted over the weekend.

Also, watch the blog for the Christmas closure times. Basically, I will be closing up shop at lunchtime on Christmas Eve. I will open the shop from 11am ‘til 3pm on the 29th & 30th December (Wednesday and Thursday), then we will be closed until the 6th January. Watch out for some special offers occurring on the 29th and 30th. Further details will be on the blog. http://www.flutterbycraftsberkshire.blogspot.com/

There is probably a lot more that I can say, but I need to get this out while the website is still viable.
Have a wonderful weekend and remember to come to eat a mincepie with us on Saturday (oh, and watch Fiona!!)

With regards

Lynn and the Girls

Website Problems

Hi Everybody

Just a quick hi-jack of the blog.

We are experiencing a problem with the server that runs our website, as a result our website is not working at the moment. The lovely Karen is trying to rectify this as we speak. Whatever happens we will be having a new website sometime in the near future.

In the meantime, if you keep in touch with the blog you will be kept up to date with things that are going on at the shop.

Tallking of which, remember that it is Mince Pies and Punch this Saturday (11th December) and while you are partaking of said tasty treat you can watch Fiona demonstrating the new enamelling system. How wonderful is that!?!

See you all on Saturday.

Lynn x

Napkins and Jo Sonja paints

We have some lovely wooden monograms in the shop at the moment and they are perfect for decorating using your Jo Sonja paints and napkins. With the addition of embellishments such as pearls, flowers and ribbons they would make a gorgeous Christmas gift.

Catherine has decorated this lovely wooden HOME monogram with napkins, of which we have a huge selection available in the shop.

Here above, is a close up photo of the crackle she has created using Jo Sonja paints and mediums.

The wooden monograms we currently have in our shop are BABY, HOME, LOVE and our latest delivery, NOEL.

We would love to see your NOEL creations, so why not drop them into the shop and we will showcase them here on the blog.

If you would like to order through our on-line shop take a look here.

Mince Pies & Punch with some Cold Enamelling

What more could you want?

Hi Everybody,

I am hi-jacking the blog because I cannot get onto the website to get a newsletter sent out. I think Karen (the web Lady) is trying to force me to make a decision about the new website and she has stopped the old website from working. Ok, but it means that I cannot send out newsletters.

Karen - I promise I will pull my finger out.

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know about next weekend.

We are launching our new product range - The Efcolor Enamelling system. It is fantastic. I have had such fun with it. Because I think it is such great fun and I think you all will like it I have arranged for Fiona Jones to come to the shop to demonstrate the system.

Fiona, the author of Papercraft Weekend Workbook, has just launched a new website http://www.projects4crafters.com and she is the UK demonstrator of Efcolor Enamelling System. Indeed, some of you might have met Fiona at the NEC last month or when she visited us couple of years ago.

Fiona will be with us next Saturday, the 11th December from 10am 'til 4pm. She will be demonstrating the Enamelling system and she will have details of the Enamelling workshop that she will be running, for us, later in January.

Enamelling is a great technique for all crafters. It is a good way to make very individual pendants for your jewellery making, it is great for making individual embellishments for the Cardmaking and for scrapbooking. If you are not sure, look at the projects Fiona has put on her website http://www.projects4crafters.com/userimages/Enamelling(2043211).htm

So, come and have a look. Be prepared to love it. Enjoy a Mince Pie and a glass of hot punch (non-alcoholic, because if I cannot partake in the hard stuf, neither can you!!!)

See you there, next Saturday.

Lynn x

ps We, also, now stock Fimo!!! Does your fun never end?!?!?

Beaded Christmas Bauble

Here is the Beaded Christmas Bauble that Ruth designed for last Tuesday's class. It's beautiful and quite easy to make.

Sorry, the photo doesn't do it justice because I couldn't avoid getting my reflection on the bauble whilst I was photographing it! However, if you pop into the bead shop you will see how stunning it really is.

Scraps of ribbon

You may remember an earlier post here, when Lynn made a card decoupaging ribbon. Well, she pondered over what to do with the left over bits of ribbon.

Now, Lynn like most crafters does not like to waste anything so, she came up with these quick cards using some of her scraps.

If you still need some Christmas embellishments such as these Die Cut Banners in silver and gold, and don't want to venture out in the car please take a look and make the most of our on-line shop.

Newsletter - Nov 2010

Hi Everybody

I hope you are all very well.

I am sorry that I have not been sending newsletters out as regularly as I should. I have been so busy trying to organise so many things and there are still a lot of things that I keep forgetting to do. Ho, hum. I will catch up soon.

Anyway, I have just been sitting here decorating a bauble with some beads (I know, I should have been sending out logos for ads & sorting out the new website etc, but.....) and I thought 'better whip out a quick newsletter' to let you all know about these beaded baubles. If you have been into the bead shop recently you will have seen some samples of them.

Ruth designed the pattern, she is a Christmas Star, and tonight (Tuesday, 30th November) she will be teaching how to make them. So if you are not doing anything and you fancy having a go, come and join us up in the workshop - 6.30 'til 8.30 - it is £12.50 and includes all beads, baubles and pattern. They are easy peasy but so effective. I am sure Joanna will have a picture on the blog very soon.

The other thing that is happening this week is the arrival of two new things. Firstly we are about to become FIMO stockists - Fimo beads here I come!!

Secondly (and you are going to love this) we are going to receive our first order of Efcolour Enameling system - I cannot wait to get my hands on this!! This is a 'cold' enameling system (which means you do not have to spend a fortune on a kiln) and is great fun. I have had great fun playing with it already.

Does your fun never end?

And to introduce these two products we are going to have a Mince pie & Hot Punch Day on Saturday 11th December, when we will have demonstrations going with the Fimo and the Enamelling. How great will that be?

Both these products are great fun and both can be used for all the crafts that we cover - jewellery making, card making and scrapbooking (and gift making for this Christmas). So everybody is welcome to come and see what it is all about (who know, this could answer the Christmas Fairies prayers!)

Also, watch out for news coming up about the Jo Sonja's New Vintage Collection background colours - I will tell you more in my next newsletter which will be out before the week is out.

So there you are, just a quick one. Time for my bed now. Hopefully we will not be too snowed in and we will see you at the beading class tonight and on the 11th!!

Have a good day. With regards

Lynn & Girls

Decorate your tree with ornaments!

It's official.........today I have seen the 1st Christmas tree up, lights on, but no decorations hung yet!!! Maybe I should tell them where to go for Christmas Ornaments...........that is Flutterby Crafts.


We have a wide range of Kaisercraft wooden shapes in stock at the moment. Above is one of the undecorated ornament shapes ready to be decorated using Jo Sonja paints. They can be covered in paper or napkins too!


Lynn has decorated this ornament using paints, napkins, gems, ribbon and beads.

If you would like advice on how to decorate your Kaisercraft wooden shapes why not speak to Lynn when you visit the shop and she will who will point you in the right direction.

Painted glasses

These beautiful glasses and tumblers were painted by one of our Jo Sonja Creative tutors using Jo Sonja paints.

Be warned they are all stunning........

Don't forget, Flutterby Crafts are the UK Distributor of Jo Sonja acrylic paints and mediums. If you have chance to come into the shop, have a chat with Lynn who runs our Jo Sonja workshops and she can give you lots of advice on decorating your projects with these truly wonderful acrylic paints.

Decoupage using ribbon

Lynn has made this card decoupaging ribbon with a Poinsettia design onto the square shaped topper.

These new photo corners have just arrived together with lots of glitter card, ribbon, and Christmas peel offs.

Prince William and Kate

Just heard the news.....Congratulations to Prince William and Kate. What wonderful news and what a wonderful morale boost. We wish them all lots of best wishes and hope that they have a lovely wedding & a great life together. It is a moment to celebrate something good.

Lynn x

Painted vase and new flowers in stock

Lynn has decorated this vase using Jo Sonja paints and mediums. If you would like to have a go at a similar project why not come to one of the Saturday or midweek Jo Sonja workshops (click here for workshop brochure).

Here is a close up of these gorgeous netted Ponsettia's that have just arrived! The vase would make a lovely Christmas gift, so if you have some time free and need some Christmas gift ideas why not join Lynn at the....

Jo Sonja midweek Club
Wednesday, 17th November
12.30 'til 2.30 pm

To book yourself a place on tomorrow's Jo Sonja midweek Club, just give us a call on telephone number, 01635 860900.

This afternoon was manic but fun!!

Shhh!! I am hi-jacking the blog, but I just had to let you all know what fun we had this afternoon.

It was the Jo Sonja's class and we playing with napkin art on glass bowls & vases, candles, wooden boxes, canvass bags - you name it, we did it.

We painted, we crackled, we had a great time.

Thank you, Maria, for all your help and inspiration. Thank you, Ladies, for your laughter and enjoyment. See you all next month.

Lynn xx

Adorable gift boxes

We have these ribbed kraft gift/favour boxes that come flat packed ready for you to put your special gift or favours inside. All you then need to do is fold the boxes and add your embellishments.

Catherine has made these boxes decorating them perfectly with ribbons, flowers and embellishments found here at our on-line shop (take a look in the wedding section too).

The boxes found here come in all sorts of different sizes which are a perfect accompaniment for your handmade jewellery Christmas gifts and wedding favours.

Jo Sonja and Serviettes!

Lynn has been decorating flower pots again using Jo Sonja paints and serviettes.

As Flutterby Crafts are the UK Distributor of Jo Sonja paints and mediums we have a large collection in stock together with serviettes (at our bricks and mortar shop). We also have serviettes and Jo Sonja paints at our on-line shop if you are unable to call in.

Jo Sonja Saturday Craft Club

Saturday, 13th November

2.00 'til 4.00 pm

Jo Sonja midweek Club

Wednesday, 17th November
12.30 'til 2.30 pm

If you wish to learn how to decorate these flower pots why not book onto one of our Jo Sonja workshops and make some lovely Christmas gifts (more detail here).

Die cut ornament boxes

Nicky has made some lovely ornament/gift/favour boxes which come flat packed, printed and die cut in different designs exclusive to Flutterby Crafts.

Add a few embellishments and they will look as stunning as these......

Ornament #1

Ornament #2

Ornament #3

Ornament #4

Why don't you let us know
which is your favourite ornament ......#1,#2,#3 or #4?

Woodware Christmas stamps

Have you seen these new Woodware Christmas Tree stamp sets which are now in stock?

Woodware Patchwork Christmas Tree Stamp Set

Woodware Tipsy Christmas Tree Stamp set

With this card Nicky has coloured the trees from the Patchwork set using her ProMarkers which are available at our shop or online.


This is a close up showing one of the border and corner Martha Stewart punches with glossy accents used on the tree.

Here Nicky has paper pieced another Xmas Tree from the same set using the Karrs speciality paper pad. She has stamped the greeting and the bows....what a versatile set!

And finally, this card uses the adorable Tipsy Tree from the other Woodware stamp set with the same speciality papers which has also been paper pieced.

We have lots of Christmas papers and pads including Karrs embellishments here for you to see in our Christmas category on-line.

Is this enough to inspire you to start making your Christmas cards!