Summer Workshop Calendar

I can't believe I am typing this.......the Summer Workshop Calendar is NOW available. Summer!!! Well, I am sure after the Easter holidays the sun is going to shine down on us and inspire us to craft till all hours of the evening!

Please click on the leaflet image above which will take you to your printable leaflet so that you can print it in the comfort of your home. If the technology is too much for you copies are always available on request in the shop.

Take care to go through it carefully and check out our new Saturday workshops which will be running from May. On the blog earlier in the week I added the recent Newsletter from Lynn which you should have received if your are on our e-mail list. I have put lots of links to our new workshops so, you might want to refer to the Newsletter on the blog. Or, you may want to go straight to workshops title at the top of the website, click through all the workshops and see what takes your fancy.

Lynn and the girls are looking forward to seeing you at the Workshops throughout the next few months and they are working on lots of exciting projects hoping to inspire you and get your creative juices flowing!

Winner of the ProMarker Challenge Club

Derrin Harvey was the winner of the latest ProMarker Challenge Club and won some ProMarker pens to add to her collection. Well done Derrin love the colour combo and cute stamp.

Here are the next entries for the latest challenge set by Nicky which was "Something for Mum". It is lovely to have these entries but Nicky would have liked entries from everyone who attended the recent club. So, come on girls put a big smile on Nicky's face and let's have entries from everyone who attends the next ProMarker Challenge Club.....it's just for FUN.

Card#1

Card #2

Card #3

Card #4

You can either leave a comment below or pop into the shop to
cast your vote.

The next ProMarker Challenge Club is on :

Saturday, 1st April

2.00 'til 4.00

(click here for details)

Napkin Art and Jo Sonja Paints

Lynn has been playing with Napkins and paints. I sneaked these out of the shop to photograph when she wasn't looking.....aren't they great.

If you are interested in creating one of these wonderful projects please e-mail lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk.

Lynn doesn't know I am putting this on the blog and if you leave her a complimentary comment below it would make her day!.

Also, you may be interested in the new Jo Sonja Craft Club starting on the 2nd Saturday of each month from May onwards, if so, check out this link.

Newsletter - 24th April

Hi Everybody

Well, what a few weeks it has been! Between all the computer problems, not being very well (quite a shock for everybody - I gave in and had a couple of days off sick!!), the weather not knowing if it had turned into spring or still wanted to be winter - things have been very busy.

Bridie is having a great time. If it was not enough that the frogs have appeared in the garden pond, she is now having fun with the beautiful Mummy duck that is trying to make a nest under the Euonymus. The Mummy duck has stood her ground and Bridie is beginning to accept her appearance, but it has been amusing (and noisy) to watch. Hopefully we will have some little ducklings for Jet to see on her next visit. How cool that would be?

Talking of Jet, she has reached that horrible age where she does not like being told 'no'. Oh the tantrums! Nanny and Grandfa experienced it first hand the other week. Luckily Jet has very strong minded parents and she is not getting very far with the screams & tears. Poor little girl!!

It is lovely being a grandparent, when the going gets tough you can sit back, smile and think 'been there, done that'. Marvellous!!

Anyway, down to business. What has been going on in the shops? Well, let me start with the papershop:

The Wild Rose Studio stamps went down very well - as did the paper stacks that came with it. For those of you that missed it we have got the next batch due in sometime over the next few days. When they arrive there will be 20 different stamps and all the different paper stacks (I think there are 6 of these in total!)

We have also got in the Olivers Orchard stamps from Buzzcraft, together with the Stamp-it sets - so many great designs to choose from, they are gorgeous. You ladies are spoilt!!

The HunkyDory and Buzzcraft 3D sheets are all just about in - a few bits are due by Friday. There is a mixture of decoupage and pyramage and so many styles for the men. The designers have really pulled out all the stops this year. Make sure you check out the HunkyDory backing steets, lovely pastel colours.

Today has been spent moving things around for the new albums that have arrived. There are some lovely small event albums - I am looking for a prom to go to so I can make an album (or is it just so I can get dressed up?)

Oh, and while I think of it - I am gradually going to be stopping stocking the Bazzill cardstock and moving over to the ColorCore range. We love the colours, with the core change it is more versatile and the supply is more reliable. Sorry if you love your Bazzill, but please give it a try.

In the bead shop we have got masses of new beads in lovely spring and summer colours (the warmer weather WILL come soon, I promise). The Chinese crystals have been restocked and there are some beautiful large, colourful beads on the centre table. Also I have changed all the displays. Come and check them out and be inspired.

Also, if you like the necklace display busts that we are using let me know - I am getting them in stock for sale. Perfect if you sell your jewellery and want to display them.

So that is the shops, now for the workshops!!

The new workshop listing, for the summer term, is now available from the shop and a downloadable version will be available on the website within the next few days. Keep an eye on the blog, Joanna will let you know when it has been put on there.

Remember that you can also find us on Facebook and Twitter, the quickest way of finding out when the blog has been updated. And also, if you leave comments on the blog it helps with our listings on Google as well as making Joanna feel all her hard work is worthwhile.

The Easter holiday Kids Kraft Klub will be running on the Tuesday and Thursday of each week during the Easter Holidays. Ruth is coming up with some great plans.

And then what is going to be happening next term for you all? Loads of exciting things. On top of the usually, regular class we have also got a new range of workshops on a Saturday starting in May.

The first Saturday will continue to be Kids Klub in the morning and Promarker Club in the afternoon.

The second Saturday in the month will be Jo Sonja's Saturday Craft Club with Lynn (that's me!). The first one on the 8th May will be decorating some plimsolls for the summer!!!

The third Saturday in the month is going to be Rubber Stamping Club. Perfect for those of you that love stamping and want to share stamping techniques & ideas. It will run similar to the Promarker Club.

And, finally, the forth Saturday is going to be about Jewellery Making. There will be a different theme each month and it will be run as a drop-in session, who knows we might even find a guest or two for you. Look in the shop for further details.

Well, that is an awful lot to digest in one letter - but I still have more. Sorry!

Look out for the Craft Car Boot Sale, on the 15th May, in support of Cancer Research. Full details will be available over the next week or so, but it will be an oportunity for you to find new homes for your craft stash, make a bit of money for yourself and raise support for Cancer Research. So remember to put the date in your dairy.

Also, I am still being told that not all of you have received the details of the Christmas Craft Retreat taking place in October. Give me a nudge and I will let you have all the details.

Goodness, this must be nearly ended now. Just two more things to mention.

First one is to wish Catherine good luck and great joy. Those who have watched her blossoming waistline over the past months will know that the baby is due any minute now. As Catherine has got more and more tired and fed-up with waiting for the baby, Ruth has got more and more excited at becoming a Granny again. It won't be long now though and then Catherine will be back in the shop on a Saturday, you never know she might even bring in the baby for us to have a cuddle.

Secondly, because of the new classes that we will be holding at the weekend and the fact that I will be busy playing with Jo Sonja's I have asked a lovely lady, called Lee, to come and help me on a Saturday. Treat her gently when you come in, certainly until she has got used to you all!

Now that has really got to be it, nothing more to say (until someone reminds me about something that I have forgotten!) - sorry I did not warn you to make a cuppa and put your feet up, a bit late now I suppose!!

Have a good week, weekend and Easter. Enjoy your crafting and remember to come look at our new fat-free goodies.

With best wishes

Lynn and the Girls

JUST REMEMBERED! Good luck to Tracy and Karen, whose new shop opens in two weeks. Good luck girls!!

Easter Holiday Kids Klub

Wondering what to do with the Kids this Easter Holiday?

Why not click on the poster above and take a break for 2 hours
whilst the kids are playing with beads and papers!!

Ribbon storage!

Well, I popped into the shop last week and Lynn has sorted out her ribbons!!! Look at this wonderful storage solution for all those gorgeous ribbons.

Here is a close up of the yummy ribbons that have just come into the shop.

Now the question on my lips is how do you store your ribbons at home? I still haven't found that perfect ribbon storage solution, please give me some ideas rather than them been stuffed into a drawer.

Christmas Crafts Retreat

Why not spoil yourself and book your place onto the

Christmas Crafts Retreat

(click here for more information)

NEW Decougape Sheets

We have so much NEW crafting stock coming into Flutterby Crafts at the moment that you really need to keep checking the blog or even better visit the shop so as not to miss anything!

New Die-cut Decoupage sheets celebrating the work of some of our most valued Public Services named "At Your Service" have just come in featuring the Army, Air Force, Navy and Police from Craft UK.

Nicky has made this card using the Police decoupage sheets with a paper weaving technique. So if you are stuck for ideas why not try these "Die Cut No Scissors Required" sheets.

We also have some "Die Cut No Scissors Required" sheets for Easter. They are "Happy Easter Bunny" and "Happy Easter Chicks".

Come and join in!

Workshop Tomorrow

13th March

(click here)

Pepper and Friends Collection

Recently I promised that I would show you some quick, easy samples Nicky has done with the Pepper and Friends Collection. Hope you like them, how cute are they!

So, next time you are in the shop don't forget to look at more samples on the display boards in the shop.

New Survey

Please check out the new survey at the bottom left of the website and cast your vote.......

Many thanks.

Jo Sonja Paints CP Training

Recently Flutterby Crafts was happy to host a training session for the Jo Sonja Creative Possibilities Teachers. It was very interesting and such fun.

Look at the state of that workshop table!!

We started Friday with Liz Black holding an information session where the teachers were able to share experiences with running classes in their studios - a few tales were told there!! After lunch, Nicky was persuaded to hold an inpromptu demonstration of rubber stamping techniques before Fiona Jones gave a demonstration & workshop on the use of the Jo Sonja Crackle mediums.

All tutors very engrossed in a discussion about the size, quality
and uses of different brushes.

On Saturday we played with the Glass & Tile and Textile mediums, using the serviette art techniques. Great fun!! We decorated glass dishes and plimsolls, all to great effect. It is quite encouraging to know that I am not the only crafter that creates a mess, before creating a masterpiece.

Stunning!

A great weekend was held and I, for one, went away well inspired - as you will all see later in the week.

Lynn x

New goodies!!

Hi Everybody

(sorry, Joanna, just hi-jacked the blog!!)

You should see the new STUFF that has come in. Olivers Orchard clear stamps (divine - and that from someone that is not a stamp officiado!!), Stamp-it and Woodware AND Wild Rose - what more could a Stamping Girl want?

Pyramage - Xpression, Fusion and At-Your-Service for the men. Paws-fur-a-moment, Fairy Doodles for the cutsies and Xpressions for the Ladies. Stunning!

I have also brought in a range of the Siesta design boards for the Parchment Ladies.

So much. I spent best part of yesterday evening re-arranging the shop to get it all in - and we still have the Hunkydory to come!!

Oh, just remembered the new ribbons and ric-rac - does your fun never end?

Got to go and finish tweaking the displays.

See you all soon.

Lynn x

Winner at Flutterby Crafts!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer the recent questionnaire sent out by Lynn. We will be collating all the answers and let you know the outcome in several weeks. The winner was Val Leaver who enjoys jewellery making, so the Desktop Daylight Craft Light was a perfect prize!

Newsletter - 4th March

Hello Everybody

What a beautiful day it has been. It was a gorgeous morning - frosty, crisp and clear - when I walked the dogs, and it just got better as the day went on. Such a good day that I was able to break open all the doors and windows to get some fresh air through the house. It has made such a difference. I have just come in from walking the dogs (again!) and it is a clear, crisp, starry starry night. Wonderful!!

What a lovely start to this newsletter. Hopefully now we are on the upward surge to summer. I have got a lot to tell you all about, so settle down - maybe even make yourself a cuppa before you start.

It has been a very busy few weeks since I last wrote and so much has happened. It started with the amazing response that I had to the news about the Craft Retreat in October. Thank you all that responded. If you requested it, you should have had your info pack by now. I understand that a lot of people did not receive the Craft Retreat newsletter, so if you want it please let me know.

Places are starting to fill for the Retreat (I am not sure if it is the crafting or the idea of the spa that is the draw!) and at the end of this month the details will be sent out on the general web, so if you are thinking about it - now is the time to get in there.

Anyway, I was just getting the Retreat info packs out when my computer in the office blew up. Not just the usual power pack giving up the ghost, but it took the motherboard with it. Nightmare! I didn't realise how much I rely on the 'puter for running the business until I was without it.

Luckily I know a very nice man who came, recovered my hard drive and loaded it onto my lap top while I decided what to do. Thank goodness I have a spare PC at home that is going to, magically, become the shop PC. The only problem has been the accessing of emails. So if you have emailed me over the past two weeks and I have not replied, I do apologise. Things should be back to normal by the end of this week.

In the meantime loads of things have been happening. Firstly we had the Half-term Kids Klub and there were some new faces amongst the youngsters. As usual they had some great fun making jewellery and a mini-scrapbook (pictures on the blog). Remember that this coming Saturday is Kids Klub Saturday morning (10.30 'til 12.30 peace and quiet), get your youngster booked in and they might make something good for you for Mothers Day!!

Talking of this Saturday, it is also Promarker Club in the afternoon (2'til 4) - I am not sure what Nicky will be teaching this week but I am sure it will be a lot of fun. Last months club was very well attended and the challenge was 'Too Cute for Words'. We have had some beautiful cards entered in the challenge and Joanna has posted them on the blog for you to vote for your favourite. http://flutterbycraftsberkshire.blogspot.com/2010/02/great-response-from-you-ladies-now.html is the place to vote, just click on 'comment' and let us know which is your favourite. There is a prize at stake here, so it is important that as many votes are made as possible, so please press the button (you will also make Joanna VERY happy if you leave a comment on any of the blog entries - it makes all of her hard work feel worthwhile).

Talk of the Promarker prize leads me nicely into the prize draw for the questionaire. Thank you to every body that took part and answered the questions. We will be working our way through the answers over the next few weeks. We had the prize draw on the Thursday of Half-term. We had a very complex system for picking the youngster who picked the number that related to the email address (follow me?) for the winner of the Desktop Daylight Craft Light. And the winner was (roll of drums, please) Val Leaver. Well done, Val. She collected her prize on Saturday and a photo should be up on the Blog by the end of the week.

Val is a regular in the Bead Shop and when she was in on Saturday she was able to see all the new beads that have come in over the past couple of weeks, pictures of which are on the blog. Mind you, judging by the response we have had so far, you need to get in quick not to miss them. There are some gorgeous big feature beads and loads of packs of glass pearls in all sorts of colours. So much to see.

Oh, while I remember, just a very quick mention for the Parchment Club that usually meets on a Thursday morning. They have changed their time to Thursday afternoon, 1 'til 3 pm. I did say that I was going to announce the change in time, from morning to afternoon, with mention to the fact that they wanted it in the afternoon so they could spend longer in bed in the morning - but I won't do that, that would just be too horrible a thing to say.

All that you have just read was written on Monday evening. Now I am writing on Wednesday evening. What happened? Another computer problem!! Can you believe it? Only this time it was not MY computer but the main server that runs the website. I think there is a conspiracy going on.

Anyway, I will now continue on with the next part of the newsletter (I did say it was going to be long!).

Actually this could be good, because more things have occured since Monday. Just need to remember where I was......I've lost track so I will go on with something new.

We went on our annual trip to the trade show last week and we have come back with some exciting new bits and pieces. Firstly we had the Wild Rose Studio range of clear stamps come in (and go out), there are still a few bits left - so watch out for more of the same.

On the clear stamp line we have got some of the Woodware sets due in tomorrow (Thursday) along with a few other new bits of Woodware products (look out for the new brads!). We are expecting in Olivers Orchard and the Stamp It ranges of Clear Stamps along with the Pyramage die-cuts from Buzzcraft. AND any time now, we should have Hunkydory card and decoupage in stock. Oh, and we have the new In-Service decoupage in from Crafts UK. Add to that lot all the new Stix 2 products and you have got a pretty full shop!!! Does your fun never end??

What else is there to mention?

Watch out for the new workshop brochure, we hope to have it out in the next week or so. I am going to be putting in some new workshops for the summer term. So if you are interested in learning about the serviette art or trying a bit of decorative art, watch out - it is all coming to Newbury!!! Keep an eye on the blog, I have a feeling that Joanna will be putting some new pictures up next week that will give you an idea of things to come.

Also, look out for some exciting news about our online shop - due in the next few weeks. So, if you have trouble getting to the shop - this will be for you. Mind you, to help matters along we need Catherine's Baby to sit tight for a few more weeks (sorry, Ruth, I know you are longing to have a cuddle of the little darling!).

And we now have a Facebook Fan Page and a twitter page. How up-to-date is that?

Well, I think I am just about written out now - and I am sure that you have well finished your cup of tea. So remember - if you want information about the retreat, give me a blip (email or phone) or if you have any questions about anything in this newsletter let me know. Remember to vote on the blog for the Promarker Challenge and check out the other entries to find out what is going on (please leave comments - easy instructions).

Have a good week and we will see you soon (Saturday if you like Promarkers!!).

With best wishes

Lynn and the Girls

Kids Kraft Klub

The recent Kids Kraft Klub during the 1/2 term was a resounding success and Ruth was kept very busy with a full house of kids on both days.

They made this adorable matching necklace and bracelet.

The kids also made a pocket sized brag book so they could add photographs of their favourite pet, special outing or pictures of their family.

Nicky made the above sample for one of her workshops and Ruth so liked the idea she used it for the Kids Kraft Klub.

If any of you kids attended the 1/2 term Kraft Klub and made a Brag Book we would like you to take a photograph of your finished article and e-mail it to Lynn at lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk as she would love to see your project.

Just to remind all you Mums that the Saturday Kids Kraft Klub is on this Saturday, 6th March (click here for details). I believe they will be making a lovely necklace with Ruth. Just give Lynn a call or e-mail her to book your child's place as there are a few places left, but hurry.