26 February 2016

Stitches 2016 Part One - The Tim Holtz Experience

Hi everyone and welcome! Oh boy it's been a fast and furious weekend (well I say weekend - make that early Saturday through to late Tuesday!) as the annual UK trade show affectionately known as 'Stitches' got under way at the NEC in Birmingham.


The weekend started with a retailer workshop with the awesome Tim Holtz, a chance for us to get the low down on the new products launched by Ranger so we can share them with everyone and spread the love. These things are always done at a break-neck speed as there's a lot of ground to cover in a short space of time with tons of product knowledge to absorb and test along the way. This experience was made extra special by the fact that I got to share it with two of my crafty besties Anne and Kath - special memories I'll treasure.



We got to use the new Framed Panel, which could as easily form the basis of a journal or scrapbook cover as well as the more obvious framed collage or picture. The Collage Medium is brilliant with 'a drying time of NOW' so if you're not one for waiting around this is definitely for you! We also got to play with the 'Crazing' version, fabulous for adding the finest of cracks to projects (depending on how thickly you layer it). And of course the star of the show, the product everyone has been clamouring for - Distress Crayons -  they certainly lived up to the hype and I may just have to get these on permanent order so I never run out!!!!



Tim took time to answer every question, share more product knowledge, get feedback from us on these and other products and praise our newly emerging creations (Anne and Kath got bucket loads for theirs of course!)


Having 'known' the virtual version for so long I finally got to meet the super-talented Kassa Haylesden! and the lovely Sandra Botham who'd sped down from Art from the Heart to join the class. Tim even persuaded his bosses to get involved (see them working away in the corner!) There was a ripple of hysterical hilarity in the room when we were tasked with using the Splatter Brushes with Distress Paint but there were no major dramas and as the lovely Kath demonstrates beautifully here, a few baby wipes can do wonders for those mucky paws!!!


And of course there was chance to take photos with the lovely Mario and Tim, always so patient and generous with their time. Feel free to add your own captions but please, be gentle (and clean)!!! Thank you so much to Tim, Mario and the Notions team for all their hard work and effort.






So at the end of it all what did I create? Here it is, my Framed Collage Panel! I would have loved to have phaffed for longer with the background collaging (instant crafting is not the norm 'chez Marples') but I did get to learn so much more about the Collage Mediums and Distress Crayons which was, after all, the whole point of the exercise. And my honest reaction to the crayons? I'M IN LOVE!!!!!!!!! There's pretty much nothing they can't tackle and achieve, apart from make a cup of tea!


So that's if for the first instalment of catch ups. Over on the IndigoBlu blog later this morning I'm sharing lots of photos of what affectionately became known as 'home' for three days. Then later I'll have instalment number two here, with news of the Craft Stamper stand and so much more.

For now, have a great Friday and take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

29 comments:

  1. Hi, Jenny great project looks like you had a wonderful time, I received my distress crayons last week and tried them out on Tuesday not sure about them yet, have tried them on different card types and taking away the colour with a baby wipe through a mask which works well. thanks for all the lovely inspiration. x

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  2. Love,the piece of art you created Jenny and it was fabulous to read all about your day, felt like I was almost there with you. So pleased you, Kath and Anne got to spend some time together. Tracy x

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  3. Love this gorgeous X haven't got the crayons yet ! They are on my long wish list xx

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  4. What fun! And I'm glad to hear your review of the Distress Crayons; I was wondering if they were worth the expenditure and studio space. Guess I'll have to think seriously about them now. Your collage is wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  5. Thank you for sharing your great day and lovely project. I have the crayons on order and keep checking the post as soon as I get in, Can't wait to get them I'll be picking your brains about how to get the most out of them. I wasn't sure about the new collage mediums as I seem to have so many different ones, but I like the sound of the fast drying time as well as fine crackles.....looks Like I'll be adding them at some point. Lovely photos of you all too ! Toni xx

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  6. Wow Jenny, looks like you had a great time! I was mentioning to Anne that I wish Canada would put on one of these craft show type things. I feel so left out in the cold up here. tee hee. Beautiful project, seriously curious about these crayons. hugs :)

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  7. What an incredible day you must have had! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. Your completed project is AH-MAZING! Utterly love the way it turned out. Can't wait to try out those crayons. <3

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  8. Oh my gosh, it looks like so much fun!! I would so love to take a class by Tim!! The products look fabulous!! Beautiful pictures, too!! And wow, your collage looks amazing!! I love the design and details!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  9. What a sweet post...from friends to fun to crafting!!! I love it! Great project too...yours is different! Cheers!

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  10. It seems you had such a wonderful long week end with the masterr class. Your canvas is beautiful!

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  11. What an amazing day for you all with wonderful keepsake memories and fab photos. These new crayons look fun and your Tim project is fabulous.
    Have a great weekend, Julie xx

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  12. oh Jenny - you are one uber talented and lucky lucky lady! Wow!!! Hugs Rachel x

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  13. Sounds fabulous.... wish I was there. I bet it was amazing!! Love you snaps with Tim and Mario, and how wonderful that they took the time to answer questions for you, so lovely!! xx

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  14. Looks like you had a great time Jenny and learned lots. I am like you- a slow crafter but sounds like you did great! So nice you got to see Anne and Kath too!

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  15. Wander down the road of fun with good friends. I know you all enjoyed every minute of this workshop. Wonderful pictures - I have one of those TH splatter things and I cannot get it to splatter worth a toot
    You and Anne both made such wonderful projects - thanks for all the pictures!
    sandy xx

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  16. Looks like a fun time. Love how your project turned out.

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  17. Fabulous post Jenny x great photographs of you all and I so wish I could have been there too.....it looks like you had the best time. Tim and Mario are pretty special and Tim's personality just enthuses you

    Your collages project looks wonderful.
    I hope to play with my new TH stencils and crayons this weekend. Hopefully my crazing and vintage products will arrive today.

    Have a lovely weekend and thank you for the lovely kind words at AVJ x hopefully we can catch up next time you are all getting together

    Hugs Annie x x

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  18. Love the photos and your project. Looking forward to your workshop at Daisy's
    Carolyn x

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  19. Brilliant to see all you lucky ladies having a great time. So pleased for you but a bit jealous too!!! Your project is wonderful. Thanks for sharing all the deets. Nicola x

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  20. I've no idea how I missed this post yesterday, but what a great time it sounds and I love the photos!!

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  21. Ha ha ha - made me chuckle your lovely post :-) took me back to last Saturday (deep sigh!)
    Did we say we looooooves the Crayons?
    We loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooves! the crayons :-)

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  22. All I can say is that it was the best day ever, with the best crafting friends ever and being taught by the Master was the icing on the cake!! Anne xx

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  23. What a great post Jenny, super photos (I was so, so happy Anne could make it) and it's lovely to see you all so happy together. Your finished piece looks super too!! I can't wait to get my hands on all those new goodies, I ordered them from Linda and a friend is bringing them over in about 10 days time. I look forward to seeing what else you will do specially with the crayons!!

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  24. Such a fun post, Jenny! How wonderful that you get to spend a day with crafty friends in a class taught by Tim. I can only imagine it's like a dream come true! Love your project! It's so pretty! Hugs, Sandra

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  25. Oh my gosh, I am quite green with envy reading your wonderful post, how fabulous to get to craft with your besties, meet blogging friends, say hi to dear Mario and learn from the master himself, Tim Holtz! Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all, thanks for sharing your pictures Jenny and love the panel you created, can't wait to get my hands on those Distress crayons! Deb xo

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  26. Super fun post! I see lucky ladies in these pictures! A class with Tim is my big dream! Barbara

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  27. Totally amazing project! The day looks delightful!

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  28. I'm sooooo jelly!!!! You look adorable. Everyone in the photos look adorable. Everyone looks like they're creating their hearts out....WOW, what a time! Thanks for letting me share that vicariously. :D
    BIG HUGS!
    Lisa x

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  29. So great to see you all enjoying - just wish I could have been there too . Fab photos of you all and a wonderful project - one I'm sure you will treasure , along with the memories , forever .
    hugs x

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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