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.

ProMarker Challenge - "Too cute for words"

A great response from you ladies, now the challenges are getting underway! We have had 6 entries for the ProMarker Challenge that was set at the recent ProMarker Club. To remind you Nicky's brief for the challenge "Too cute for words" was:-

1. to use no words or greeting
2. use a cute image to be coloured with any of your ProMarkers
3. use at least on other product from Flutterby Crafts, which does not include your ProMarkers!
   

Card #1

Card #2 Card # 3
Card #4
Card #5 Card #6

Please leave a comment below with your vote or pop into the shop to vote for your favourite card.

The winner will be announced at the next ProMarker Club to be held:-

Saturday, 6th March - 2.00 'til 4.00

Please click here for further details if you would like to book yourself on the next ProMarker Challenge Club.

Beads, beads and more beads!

Wow, a huge order of some of the most delicious beads have arrived in the shop! The colours are gorgeous. They are perfect to mix and match with all your jewellery and beading projects. Here, are a few samples but why not pop down the shop and feast your eyes on the full collection.

If you are interested in making some beaded bracelets and necklaces using these NEW beads why contact us at lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk. Just mention to Lynn and Ruth that you would like to book on a workshop using these sequined and corded beads.

Winner of the ProMarker Challenge Club

Winner of the "Thank you" ProMarker Challenge
is Kirsty Cook

We had a record turn out at Flutterby Crafts for the ProMarker Challenge Club last Saturday. The word is spreading that it's such a FAB Club not to be missed with Nicky giving tips and tricks on how to colour in with your ProMarkers.

Well the winner of the last ProMarker Challenge "Thank you" was Kirsty Cook and she received a lovely Crafters Companion bag (plenty of room for her growing supply of ProMarkers!). Well done for a delightful card and thank you to all the other entries which makes it a FUN challenge to take part in.

REMINDER for those of you who want to enter into this months challenge "Too cute for words" your entries need to be in by Saturday, 20th February which is the closing date, so get colouring!! The challenge set by Nicky was:-

1. to use no words or greeting
2. use a cute image to be coloured with any of your ProMarkers
3. you need to use at least one other product from Flutterby Crafts, which does not include your ProMarkers!
4. please mark your name and products used on the back

Next ProMarker Challenge Club
Saturday, 6th March - 2.00 'til 4.00

Please click here for further details if you would like to book on the next ProMarker Challenge Club.

Glass dishes for Napkin Art

Lynn mentioned in the last newsletter that some lovely new glass dishes had arrived in different shapes and sizes. I have taken some photos of them which was trying mp patience at the time with the light etc! Anyhow here are some samples, but to do the dishes justice you will need to come into the shop to see the selection.

Lots of new serviettes are due within the week, but Lynn was itching to have a go at this unusual long dish. It is on display in the shop and looks gorgeous.

We are trying to get Lynn to do a workshop using Napkin Art on these new dishes, so if you are interested would you e-mail Lynn at lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk and badger her to organise a workshop before the dishes are SOLD OUT!!!!

Valentines and Love!

For quick and easy cards/layouts Nicky has used one sheet of Around The Block, Love Sentiments and has made at least 6 cards and scrapbook layouts using one sheet of sentiments! Here are some samples but why not come and check out the display boards in the shop for more ideas.

Around The Block - Love Sentiments

If know what love is, it is because of you.

In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.



Scrapbook page and 2 more cards!

The sheet is 75p and is great value for lots of love sentiments for those men in your life that need sweetening up!

Newsletter - 10th February 2010

Hi Everybody

I hope you all survived the last lot of bad weather. Apparently it is due to come back at the end of this week, but I am told that it will not be as bad as before. Mind you, if we were in Toronto wanting to take part in the Winter Olympics, we would be glad to see the snow!!

I have been a bit lax on the information updates lately, I am sorry. Grant and I have been busy with the decorating and it was a big job. We did a job on the hallway and landing that we have been meaning to do since we moved into the house. Well, when I say 'WE' I really mean 'HE'. It needed the walls stripping right back (all those years of painting over the wallpaper was very hard to get off), coving & dado rails put up - the works. But it does look gorgeous. Just needs a few bits of nicky nacks to finish it off. He is a wonderful husband - but don't let him know I said that.

Anyway, back to getting mind onto work now.

Thank you to everybody that returned their questionaires. There is one more week left for anybody that still wants to return it. All returns, received so far, should have received their 10% voucher and the draw for the Craft Lamp will take place on the 18th February. I am going to ask one of the children from the Half-term Kids Klub to pull out the winning name.

Once the draw has taken place we will be going through all the answers and, hopefully, it will help us to sort out things that you ladies (and gents) would like.

The workshop programme is now well underway and things are livening up. Nicky's Tuesday afternoon Cardmaking Club has got a lovely group of ladies coming to it and the club was selected as Craft Club of the month in last months Quick Cards magazine. How cool is that? They have won a Big Shot, so I am looking forward to seeing what they make of that. There is still room for more, so come an join them and make some gorgeous cards.

The Tuesday evening Beading Class is getting back into a swing after the New Year break. Ruth has got some beautiful designs for us all to stitch. This class is my personal relaxation time. I sit and make with the rest of the Ladies. Great fun!

The Ladies that came to last Saturdays Promarker Club had great fun learning how to get the fur/texture effect with their Promarker pens and a new challenge was set. The winner of the last challenge, set on the December meeting, was Kirsty Cook and she won a Crafters Companion craft bag. Well done Kirsty. Her card will be put on the blog over the next day or so.

The rest of the classes are building well and we are having a good laugh while making something to cherish or give to someone special.

Remember that it is half-term next week and we will have the Kids Kraft Klub. Ruth is going to get the Kids making some jewellery on the Tuesday and a mini-scrap book on the Thursday. Fantastic way of keeping the kids occupied while you have a bit of peace!!

Please note that we have changed the days from Tuesday/Friday to Tuesday/Thursday. This will become the standard for school holidays. Every Tuesday and Thursday during the holidays.

The weekend at the end of half term is our traditional weekend away meeting all the Trade Suppliers and seeing all the new crafting bits & pieces that are coming out this year. Nicky is going to find out about all the new papercrafting bits and Ruth is going to check out the bead suppliers. And Me, well I am going to play Lady Muck and swan around 'networking'. My job is to find some nice suppliers who will help sponsor our new project.

Would you like to know what our new project is???

Well, I am going to tell you. Hopefully you will find this exciting.

We are going to be having a Craft Retreat in October. A whole weekend of staying in a 5* hotel, being waited on while having a great time crafting, do more crafting and THEN doing even MORE crafting. How does that sound?

Nicky, Tracy and I will be running it, Joanna will be organising it and the rest of the girls will be taking care of the shops while we have fun.

The Retreat will take place on the weekend of the 8th - 10th October and we will be starting with a dinner on Friday followed by crafting playtime before bedtime. Saturday will be full of workshops (with a bit of SPA time in the afternoon) followed by a Gala Dinner and Craft Quiz evening. Sunday will have much of the same (yes, even MORE crafting) before heading back home to reality. But, you will take away a goody bag with loads of great pressies.

We will be basing the crafts around the event for that time of the year (shhh, that means using the 'C' word!) and we will be using the latest products. This retreat will be based around gift making within the papercrafts with a bit of playing with beads and, maybe, some paints or something. I am not going to give too much away just yet! Joanna will be giving out snippets of ideas on the blogs nearer the time.

Interested? Want to know more? Fancy a weekend away having fun? Contact us now and we will send you out the details. Call me on 01635 860900 or email me at lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk and I will arrange for an information pack to come out to you.

If this retreat goes well then we have plans for future ones further afield and taking in other crafts. So come and join us.

So, what more have I got to say? Have you seen Pepper & Friends? Pepper & Friends are the latest designs from Dovecraft and they are gorgeous. We have had some great fun with them. There are loads of new card and scrapbook samples in the shop at the moment.

Ruth has got some new beads to play with in the Bead shop this week. Spring colours if I remember rightly. Large and small. Some beautiful feature beads. My imagination is flowing, I just need time to play.

And today we took stock of some new glass dishes, lovely and different. Loads of new serviettes are due in next week, so I will be having fun big time.

And watch out for new things once we have been to the trade show next week. I will keep you updated as the weeks go on.

Well that is it, time to stop talking and time to make someone I know (and love) a very special Valentine card (can't really go to Clintons can I?!?!?!).

Have a good week. Keep safe. Keep snug. Keep crafting.

With best wishes from

Lynn and the Girls

Remember to contact us and get your Craft Retreat info pack!!

Half Term - Kids Kraft Klub

Ruth is going to get the Kids making some jewellery on the Tuesday and a mini-scrap book on the Thursday. Fantastic way of keeping the kids occupied while you have a bit of peace!!

Click on Poster above to enlarge detail.

Watch out for updates

We are in the process of setting up a feed to twitter and facebook, where you can follow the going's on here at the shop...

Watch this space!

Spring Accessories

I have loads to show you on the blog at Flutterby Crafts because Lynn and the girls have been very busy whilst the ground was thick with snow. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the shop last week was that Lynn has been reorganising the shop!! You don't need to worry, everything is still there but MORE! Just visit the shop and you might see something you need that you haven't noticed before.

There are these lovely gift bags which include ribbons, flowers and gems which would be an ideal gift for your crafting friends.

So come on and take a visit, the snow is far from our thoughts and spring accessories and new stamps are beckoning you to the shop!

Saturday, 6th February - Workshops

Just to remind everyone that the Kids Kraft Club starts up again on Saturday, 6th February, 10.30-12.30. Just click here for further details.

Also, the ProMarker Challenge Club will be back in full swing, on Saturday, 6th February, 2.00-4.00pm click here for details. If you want to learn more about ProMarkers and colouring in your rubber stamped images why not come and join Nicky at the ProMarker Challenge Club. You will be in for a treat!!

What would you like to see!!!

Well the trade show is coming up soon, and we have pennies to spend.  What would you like us to stock.

Please tell us as we will buy the whole show at the rate were are going LOL!!!!

Tracy XXX

Pepper & Friends

When you walk into the shop you can't fail to notice on the wall the amazing display of the Pepper & Friends collection at Flutterby Crafts. They are a must have for all animal lovers!!

There are some most adorable wooden and clear stamps, paper packs, decoupage sheets, ribbon, chipboard and other embellishments to name but a few!

I am sure Nicky will be coming up with some beautiful designs for her workshops. Come and check out the blog during the next few weeks and I shall showcase some of her cards using the Pepper & Friends collection. Even better, why not treat yourself and book into a class, click here for workshop details.

Jewellery Workshop with Lynn

We have a great selection of Metallic beads and Puff Hearts which are new in the shop...aren't they gorgeous?

Lynn will be making this stunning Metallic bead necklace at her next Jewellery workshop. If you would like to book your place why not call us on 01635 860900, visit the shop or e-mail lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk.

Jewellery Making Workshop
Thursday, 4th February - 6.30 'til 8.30 pm

For more details of our Beading and Jewellery Making Workshops during the next few months click here.

ProMarker Challenge - Thank you

All the entries for the ProMarker Club Challenge have been submitted. Now all we need is for you to vote so we can have a winning card. The challenge was to use any stamp with your ProMarker pens but the theme was "Thank You". Please check out the lovely cards below and cast your vote leaving a comment below stating your favourite card. The winner will be announced at the next ProMarker Challenge Club, so hurry up and vote NOW.

If you don't know how to leave a comment below click here for instructions ....it's so easy!

Card #1

Card #2

Card #3

Card #4

Please click here for further details if you would like to book on the next ProMarker Challenge Club to be held on Saturday, 6th February between 2.00 and 4.00 pm at Flutterby Crafts.

Rubber Stamping for Beginners - Stazon

Just to let you newbies know that Nicky has a Rubber Stamping for Beginners Class on Saturday, 30th January followed by a Colouring for Adults Class on Saturday, 13 March at Flutterby Crafts.

Nicky will teach you how to get the best from your rubber stamps and then a few weeks later (once you have had time to practice) she will teach you how to colour in your images.

Rubber Stamping for Beginners
Saturday, 30th January - 2.00 'til 4.00pm

Colouring for Adults
Saturday, 13 March - 2.00 'til 4.00pm

Cost £12.50 per session and all materials are provided.

If you book into both workshops you will receive a free Stazon Ink Pad of your choice.

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

Snow or no snow

We are such a perverse lot!! When the winters have been warm, we have all moaned about the good old days when you knew the difference between the seasons. Summer was summer and winter was bloody cold!

So this year we have a VERY cold snap. The ice arrives. The snow comes. And then we all start longing for it to warm up and melt!!! Ho, hum, life cannot win.

Over the Christmas and New Year period it looked beautiful as we stood in the shop looking out over the Kennet Valley. The fields and hills were covered in pristine white snow, it was gorgeous - but dangerous to move around in.

Today the snow has been melted by the rain and winds that came over night. The temperature (out of the wind) has risen to a balmy 4 degrees. It is now safe to come out of our shells into the open air. The only down side is that it looks dull and grey out over those same hills.

Thank goodness spring is just around the corner - the eveenings will be getting lighter, the trees will be turning green and the daffodils will be turning their little yellow heads to the sun. There, that thought has just put a smile back on my face.

Have a good weekend and enjoy lots of crafting.

Lynn xx

Snow Family been down the pub!

You may remember I posted an entry of our snow family made by my children during the last snowfall. As the thaw is beginning to set in we all had a giggle as they opened their bedroom curtains this morning.......

......Thomas exclaimed "they look drunk"!

Newsletter - 8th January

Hi Everybody

Happy New Year to you all and what a start to the New Year.

Can I just say - Yea! We finished the stocktake this afternoon - at 2.55pm to be exact!! Considering the problems that we had with the snow this is quite an achievement and I want to thank all the girls very much for the hard work that they put in this week. They have all struggled to get in through the snow and the only day that we could not work was Wednesday, when we did not have any electricity or telephones at the shop.

I have a question for all the card makers amongst you: how many peel-offs do we have in the paper shop (to the nearest 100)?

And for the beaders - what is the total weight (in Kg) of seed beads in the sweet jars behind the counter?

Have a go at answering the questions - there is a prize on offer for the winning entry!!!!

Anyway, it means that the shops are now back open as normal. I have so missed you all. I hate the shops being empty. It's like cooking a dinner and finding that no one has come home to eat it!!

What a week it has been with all the snow. I expect a lot of you are becoming stir crazy with being stuck at home. I hope that you have all been making the most of the enforced home stay to catch up on some crafting. If you have and you are beginning to run out of supplies, do not worry - we are accessible. The A4 is pretty clear and we have a wonderful farm manager (we love you Nick!!) and he has done a great job of clearing the snow from the driveway & the farmyard. And, remember, it is due to snow (again!!) on Sunday so it might be an idea to get stocked up before the bad weather hits once more.

I have put some photos of the shop in the snow on the blog. Scroll down to older posts to see them!

Although the shop is accessible, I am worried about the stairs to the workshop and especially as the new term is due to start next week. It might be an idea to give us a call before the class just to check that we are able to use the stairs to the workshop.

So, here goes to this year and what it has to offer us. There is a copy of the new workshop listing on the website. Click for a copy.

Next week Nicky and I are going for some previews of the new Trimcraft products (hey, WE get to play!!), then in February we will be having our trip to our big trade show. Here come the girls, we are going to have fun!! Then we come back and let you all in on the secrets - hee, hee, hee.

The latest Promarker Challenge will be closing at the end of next week, 15th January. So there is still time to get your card in. Remember that the challenge was to make a 'Thank You' card using your Promarker pen. I did not give any further instruction other than that. So, make that card and get it sent in - thats an order!!

Deborah Foulkes won the last challenge with her card featuring the Indian Squaw stamp from the Ollifant set. Well done, Deborah!

What else? Well here is an idea that I am just throwing into the air. I did not run the coach to the NEC last November, mainly because of the lack of support that I had the previous year. But, I am willing to give it another go this year. If you would be interested in my running a coach for the Hobbycrafts show at the NEC in March and/or the one in November, can you let me know - depending on the response I will find out some details and see what can be done.

Next week I am hoping to get a questionaire out to you all. I need some input from you to enable me to make some decisions for the coming year. I am wanting to find out about which magazines you all read and where you look for your crafting inspirations (apart from your favourite craft shop). What type of classes would you like us to run and what time of the day/day of the week. Things like that.

I will send out the questionaire as soon as I have written it. Everybody that responds will receive a voucher and their names will be put into a prize draw to win a desk top magnifying lamp (worth £35). So get ready to answer those questions.

So there we go for now. Read it all over again and remember to send in your answer to the questions about the stock. You never know, you might be the winner. And watch out for next weeks prize draw questionaire.

Have a quiet weekend and take care in the snow. Happy crafting.

With best wishes

Lynn and the Star Girls.

Snow family!

I know the novelty of the snow may be wearing thin for some of you but the kids just love it.

My children have relished every day they have checked on-line to see if their schools were closed. So, this week they have had the best week ever. My three children aged 5yrs, 9yrs and 11yrs made our family out of snow!

They range from Daddy who is 6ft 6ins.....it took four kids and a teenager to put the head on the body to make him tall! Then me, whoops I didn't check, there was talk of them putting boobies on me! Then Thomas, Alice and the smallest snowman is Matthew. We were running out of carrots and had to substitute them for parsnips! It certainly kept them amused and quiet for several hours. Hopefully it has made you smile before our next snowfall!

I said it is beautiful

Here are some photos of the shop in the snow. How pretty it looks up here. Lucky for us, we have a wonderful farm manage (Nick, we love you!) and he has done a fantastic job of clearing the snow from the drive and the farm yard. So it is no problem getting up to us to have your fix of craft goodies.

xx

How beautiful it all looks!!

Hello, Everybody.

Well, it LOOKS lovely out there. I hope you are all safe. I managed to get to the shop, briefly, this morning - but there is no lighting, no phones and no computer. So I have come home and I am working from here. Joy.

I am sure nobody is trying to get to the shop. My advise is stay at home and do some crafting. We will be up in action asap.

Take it easy.

Lynn x

ProMarker Challenge Winner!

We have a winner for the ProMarker Challenge Club that was set by Nicky on 7th November.

The winner is Deborah Foulkes - Card #1

Deborah was in the shop last week to collect her prize of ProMarker pens.

Nicky had given the members of the ProMarker Challenge Club some stamped images which they coloured in using the colours BLUE and BROWN with their ProMarkers. Thank you for all the entries and well done Deborah!

For more details of the ProMarker Club click here. Another challenge will be set at the next :-

ProMarker Challenge Club
6 February , 2-4pm
£7.50 per person

If you would like to book your place at the next ProMarker Challenge Club call us on 01635 860900, pop into the shop or email us on lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk.