Hochanda

Hi John, thank you for taking time out to answer a few questions for us. We love watching you on TV, you have such a great way of demonstrating and teaching. How did you get into working on the telly? Sue Wilson came across my blog John Next Door whilst I was living in Spain and we started to correspond. I loved her stamps, dies and all her work ( she is still a Craft Idol for me lol) she liked what I was creating. I joined the Design team at Creative expressions on my return to the Uk, and when Sue found out I did amateur dramatics then the deal was sealed, she realised I could work on stage, so TV should be possible. I know you are busy up and down the country - do you still love running workshops and doing the retail shows? I love meeting all the people who attend the workshops, demo days and retail events I can’t get enough of it! I find that working with other crafters gives me fresh ideas and perspectives on my work. Like all crafters I find I thrive in the company ...

We missed our normal blog candy give-away date!!  To make up for it, we have an extra special card, signed, and made, by the wonderful Sue Wilson.  It's a beautiful card, and deserves to be framed by the lucky winner.  All you need to do in order to be in with a chance, is leave a comment on this blog post, and we will pick your name at random.  Please do watch out for a message from us on the blog post announcing the winner, as we have a couple of cards that haven't been claimed.  Anyway, this is the card that's up for grabs: Tune in to Hochanda every day 24/7 for lots of fun and crafty demonstrations! Watch our programmes live >  Hochanda.com You can also tune into Hochanda on Freeview channel 39, Sky channel 663 or Freesat  817.

Don't you just love getting to play with new paints.  The first thing I do is dip my finger in!  That's completely normal - right? I was really happy to have a go with the gorgeous paints from Imagination Crafts.  These have a fantastic sheen, which is due to the finely ground metal sheets which the paints contain.  They are a waterbased paint, but will work on a good variety of surfaces.   Before I decided to use them in a project, I had a quick play, and wanted to share my results with you: First, ribbon.  One white grograin ribbon, metallic blue looks rich, and you have that wonderful sheen of the silver.  One the black, the same paint just shows that fantastic silver pops.  It dries so you still have some flexibility so perfect for using with your cards.  Talking of card making, and making sure all your embellishments match tonally - you will need gems.  The paints cover the gems perfectly, dry, and still have...

The wonderful John Lockwood launches beautiful dies from Sue Wilson, as the One Day Special this evening.  I managed to grab John on his way in (he didn't even manage to get in the studio) and get one of his lovely cards as our give away.  It's extra special as it's got Johns signature on it :) If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this lovely card, then add your comment to this post. Tune in to Hochanda every day 24/7 for lots of fun and crafty demonstrations! Watch our programmes live >  Hochanda.com You can also tune into Hochanda on Freeview channel 39, Sky channel 663 or Freesat  817.

I had to use that beautiful die set again.  And I wanted to show you a variation on the technique I covered in the previous post. I'll start with my shopping list: Sue Wilson Poinsettia Die: Sue Wilson Poinsettia Couture Creations Joy:  Joy Die Pine Cones:  Finishing Touches Cosmic Shimmer Glitters:  Glitter Jewels Set Double sided Adhesive Sheets:  Double sided adhesive sheet And this is where we're headed: Have a look at the post previous to this to see how to make the lovely sparkly poinsettia, it's precisely the same process - but to set the colour I have simply applied ink to the sparkle after I have die cut the petals.  This allowed me to graduate the colour a little.  I used a rich red brilliance pad, and just sponged the colour on.  As it's a brilliant pad it will dry on the glitter.  I decided not to use the edge die for this one, just to see what it would look like - and I'm really happy. Cut the Joy shadow...

Hi again, it's Jenny back with you.  And I am utterly loving this set of dies from Sue Wilson.  It's one of  those sets that goes with so many other die collections, stamps and papers.  It's a must have. Now, if you would like to add the dies from Sue to your collection, you can find them here: Sue Wilson Die Collections I have teamed it with quite a few products, I'll do a shopping list for you: Couture Creations die:            Merry Christmas Die Cosmic Shimmer Snow set:    Glitter Shimmer Set Double sided adhesive sheet:  Double sided adhesive sheet Sue Wilson Embossing Folder:  Poinsettia embossing folder This is the card I have made for you today: Really happy with this card, and it's nice and easy.  First take a sheet of double sided adhesive, and peel one protective layer off and stick it to a piece of paper.  Take the second protective sheet off, and cover it with some of the spr...