Saturday 19 March 2011

Meet mojo

Sorry I have been MIA - it is all go at the shop - work has finally begun this week (photos at end of post)

On tuesday Anita, Margaret and I did some crafting, we were all working on this and that and then I found some beer mats/coasters and challenged the girls to do something crafty with them, here is what I made with mine.



The coasters had the usual ugly motif on the front so I covered it with some Bo Bunny patterned paper and then set to work adding some pretties, the frames are Spellbinders, I think they are mainly used sideways to house titles and greetings but I wanted to try something a little different and couldn't resist using the fancy bit at the bottom to hang a dangly. I can't wait to see what the others have made ( don't worry Nicki I saved you some xxx) The flowers are all handmade and the lovely lace at the top was a gift from Margaret - thankyou xxx The hearts are chipboard and have been painted with Tim Holtz crackle paint and then inked ( Frayed Burlap) Greetings are all computer generated.


 Next I have my ATC's for next months Stampman swap ( yes you read that right I am a whole month ahead lol), the theme was birds and I remembered having this Crafty Individuals stamp which is perfect for the theme.


I created the background by blending four shades of Distress ink ( Old Paper, Weathered Wood, Bundled Sage and Scattered Straw) I stamped the image in Black soot, the flowers were all made in the same way, but I used a dotty texture stamp before punching out with a Martha Stewart punch. The centres have a little dot of Distress Stickles and I have coloured the foliage in with my Polychromos pencils.



  Now it is time to meet Mojo, I made this little guy this morning and Amy chose his name. He is my first ever sock monkey and ended up much larger than I planned, and don't look too closely at the handstitching, please be kind because we already love him dearly ( so much so we put him on a pedestal )



I can't decide whether he looks more like a monkey or more like an extra member of the Simpsons !!!

I have been asked by quite a few people to share progress of the shop renovations so here goes, this was at the end of wednesday, just before we left for home I took a couple of photos ( Amy buried her head in her homework to avoid being snapped  - must get the camera out more often !)


The first one is from the back of the shop facing forward and the second is from the opposite end, we have had a massive clearance sale which was a huge success, we managed to halve the stock, making it much easier to empty the shop ( and made lots of room for all the gorgeous new products) You can tell from these photos just how bumpy the floor had got.


And this was at the end of thursday and my little army of helpers had packed up and removed all the stock and shelving - thankyou all sooooo much xxx



And the next two photos were taken at the end of friday, after the builders had removed all of the wooden flooring - what a mess !!!!!! You can see how deep it is -  the wheelbarrow is almost lost !


 At the end of today, all the wiring had been sorted, the rubbish removed, the hardcore laid and the damp course installed.  Massive thanks to the builders who all worked their little butts off and also to my landlord Jaz who has been  fantastic, thankfully none of this part of the repairs was my responsibility, it's so reassuring to know you have a landlord who you can rely on - so thankyou Jaz.
As my customers all know the insurance side has been long winded, we were unfortunate in that it happened in one of the busiest times they have had, all the cold weather at the end of last year caused millions of claims so it has taken longer than usual to sort out but at long last we are on  our way to a new and improved Running With Scissors, thankyou all so much for you patience and support xxx

36 comments:

  1. Gosh it looks like a big job Tracey but will ne soooo worth it when its done!!! Can't wait so we can come down for an all day class!!! (Don't forget)

    Love the atc's and the beer coaster project just love all the detail and wonderful colours!!

    Chanelle xxx

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  2. Great projects Tracey!!and I lurve your sock monkey he is a handsome chap no wonder you love him already!!
    Your shop will look wonderful when its all finished and your customers are so lucky to have you..most of our craft shops have closed down..so its mostly shopping on line for me now, will be great to see the shop when its all done
    hugs
    laney

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  3. OMG Tracey I love the live, laugh, love project ( I don't what to call it) It's gorgeous ! wow.

    How funny is that you created a sock monkey the same week I googled for the first time in my life "sock monkey" Your is totally awesome. I know I can't do this I'm hopeless when it comes to projects like that.

    I can't wait to see the "after" pics of your shop. good luck with it hon !

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  4. Hello there, WoW you have been a busy bunny:0) Great coasters, love the little crackled hearts! Your ATC's are great and your monkey is a darling, love his pale blue colour:0) Good Luck with the shop, looks like a very big job, hope it's finished soon:0) xxx

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  5. oh wow tracey hun you never fail to amaze me with your talent,oh gosh how amazing is your shop going to look gosh wish i Could come and play,as for your coasters,hun well talk about detail,and brilliance,wow,love the atcs,just stunning and as for the sock,wee,chappy oh how adorable is he,just love it fab inspiration as always hun,love hugs cheryl xxxxx

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  6. Hi Dear Tracey, I love your beer mat conversion. You always add the right touches. I have had a look at your past blogs that I missed while sick (bronchitis and viral pneumonia) I can't believe how much you've done. Good luck with your renovations!
    Hugs, Chris

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  7. What a beautiful banner Tracey! Love all the gorgeous embellishments especially the altered heart! Good luck with your shop!

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  8. Love what you've done with Leffe beer mats - note to self - get a move on!!!
    Never known you to get ahead of yourself, can't wait to add one of your gorgeous atcs to my collection.
    Mojo is dead cute, hope you sewed up the hole in his you know where, lol.
    Yayyy, all systems go at the shop, can't wait for the work to be done.
    Anita xxx

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  9. You've certainly been busy! Love your coasters, gorgeous flowers on these.
    The atcs look lovely too, great background and more lovely flowers and as for the little sock monkey - so cute and cuddly.
    Good luck with the renovations as it looks like a massive job and looking forward to seeing the finished shop - also wish I was nearer so I could come visit!
    xx

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  10. Fabulous creations as usual Tracey, the mats and ATCs are gorgeous and that monkey or Simpson is so cute.
    Wow what a huge renovation you are into. Good luck with it all. Hopefully we will see more pics as work progresses.
    luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

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  11. Glad the work is finally under way.
    For us Insurance People this has been the worst year for ages, it is so frustrating. We get shouted at by angry customers all day & life is pretty miserable.So I can see from both sides.

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  12. So many wonderful projects here.. I just love your little hanging.. And your ATC are so pretty.. Good luck to you on your renovations..
    I bet it will look wonderful when its done.. I can't wait to see... TFS....

    Hugs, Linda

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  14. I love stopping to look at your inspirational blog. The hanging is gorgeous and the sock monkey is a real cutie. Would love to visit your shop, you are doing so much work on the renovations.

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  15. Oh wow! I wish you much luck on your shop! That is so fantastic!!!!! It looks beautiful, and so is your work! I wish I wasn't on the other side of the world!!!!!!!! Much success to you! xOxO

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  16. Wow, your live, laugh and love project is just fantastic, also the others pieces are. You've been very creative these days.

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  17. i hope your ok with all the mess..i hate builders..
    But i love your sweet blue Monkey Mojo so sweet.Cool coasters to lovely soft colors.
    Take car with the shop byeee,Lean

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  18. wow honey your projects are amazing. I adore the live, laugh, love coasters .. that's my favourite quote. And aawww mojo is a cutie that's for sure. Good luck with the shop, I'm sure it's going to look amazing - thanks for showing us the building process. xxx

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  19. Gosh it seems like forever since i last visited, and i see you've had plenty plenty to keep you busy!! crikey!
    Loving your sock monkey, and what a perfect name too :D
    And wow thats some work going on in the shop, hope it all runs smooth and your back up and running with scissors soon x

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  20. Amazing what you can make with some coasters! Love your birdie work too.
    Great to see your shop and looking forward to the "after" pics.

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  21. thanks for visit my blog you have also beautiful projects i love it greetings janneke

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  22. Hi Tracey! Love the altered coasters and bird ATC's. Mojo looks absolutely adorable in argyle! Hope the work goes quickly on your shop ~ Can't wait to see it finished!
    Nancy xx :D

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  23. hey sweetie wow what a major renovation lots of success!!
    If I few days away from your blog you have
    stunning ...wonderful projects.. you.. have then made.Hon!!
    Hugs carla

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  24. Hi Tracey,

    Thank you for the lovely comments on my blog. The shop looks very exciting. I can't wait to see the end result.

    Love what you have done with the coasters, they look fab!

    Love Kerry xxx

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  25. WOW! Tracey, what a gorgeous projects you have here. I love the ATC looks fabulous and I love your cute monkey. You're so talented, I love all all your amazing creations.
    Tracey, I wish you much luck on your shop. I can't wait to see when it's done.
    Have a wonderful day to you and your beautiful family.
    Hugs, Rleen

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  26. You have such a great space in your shop - it's going to look fab when it's done.
    I love Mojo! How cute is he!!
    The ATCs and Beer mats are fabulous too.

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  27. Hi!!! I MISS YOU!!!! This looks like quite the job for sure, but I know you will be so happy when it's done!!!! I LOVE your coaster banner, it is so pretty!!!! Thanks for the support on Speckles!!! Your shop reminds me of my lss, the set up and all!!!! I knew we were "sisters", so many similarities over the years!!! LOL!!!! You're the prettier sister!!! Hugs!

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  28. Wow Tracey the shop is going to be fantastic,
    love your ATCs and Mojo is just way to cute xx

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  29. So creatively done! I really like it. The details and the colors are so perfect.
    baby crib

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  30. Hi Tracey, Love your ATCs and I think Mojo the sock monkey is so cute. Gosh I didn't realise it was going to be such a big job with the shop. Really missing my Saturday mornings....x

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  31. Love the beer mats ( so what goes on in that back room? never happens when I'm there haha) Love the ATC's how's Amy? Mum & Dad? hope everyone is ok have a good week-end. Love Mad

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  32. I so love your home decor piece.... Beautiful work.
    Your atc's are out of this world. Gosh hon.... all this renovation... wishing you all the luck!!!!!!

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  33. Gorgeous coaster hanging, love how you have used the fancy tags from Spellbinders - how did you get your letters to line up underneath one another - mine all go wonky.
    The shop looks as if it is going to be 'ab fab!' Bet you are pleased - well, will be later.

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  34. That is a very creative way of using coasters, your banner looks so beautiful =Di-TST

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  35. Hi! I like yourlast layout a lot!
    Nice progress in the shop!
    Regards,
    http://bellaideascrapology.blogspot.com/

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  36. I'm starting a series with sock monkey, may I share yours and your blog address on my blog? email me, kcdoe27@hotmail.com THanks! :))

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