A fun and arty packed weekend!

On Saturday I was teaching at Art from the Heart's preview day, what a lovely bunch of ladies too, we had lots of inky fun making this lovely Match Book below. I love preview day, the shop and studio is buzzing with excited crafter's. It's always a great atmosphere.

Managed to get a quick piccy in of these lovely ladies.

Kate Crane, me, Gillian Simson, Dyan Reavely & Darcy Wilkinson

Then it was off on a road trip to PaperArtsy headquarters with Darcy and Gillian.

It was so hot driving down to Essex, we were nearly boiled alive in the car. 

We had such a giggle though.

We arrived at Creasey Farm, home of PaperArtsy and the lovely Franich Family who run it.

Here's Mr PaperArtsy, being cool as cucumber in their amazing workshop.

They were so generous to put us up for two nights.

Here's the view I woke up to in the morning, gorgeous or what!

No time to take in the views we had work to do. 

We were there in a training/work capacity and we had lots to do.

As soon as we landed we helped set up the venue for the trade event which was going to happen all day Sunday.

We were so hot and tired after setting up that me and Gillian couldn't resist a dip in the swimming pool at the venue.

We got back after setting up and Mr PaperArtsy put some great sausages on the BBQ from a local farm. 

Oh they were tasty washed down with some well earned G&T.

Those kiwi's know how to do a BBQ.

Sunday was brilliant, lots of familiar faces.

Karen Daniell, Gabrielle Price and Suzie Candlin.

I spotted Helen Chilton, Helen Pigott, Nina and Neil Walker. There were loads more peeps I couldn't put faces to names.

Darcy and Anita 

Mrs PaperArtsy, Leandra doing her thang, showing us all the great techniques she knows.

Gillian with Bora Bora Fresco Finish paint all over her lip! I know you were hungry Gillian, but's that's just crazy.

The food was amazing at the venue, really tasty, but I had to take a pic of the cakes, they looked yummy.

Love my camera sometimes!

By the afternoon the table had lots of great tags with tons of texture and techniques all over them.

Then we had another great evening of more sausages, Prosecco and G&T.

Leandra Tweeting our dry ships!

Then everyone Tweeting! 

Not a great action shot granted but we were being particularly rowdy between tweets!

Then there was the drive home, we were surprisingly chipper seeing as we were functioning on only a few hours sleep. This moment was helped by Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody coming on the radio! Love Darcy's face!

A whirlwind of a weekend, nearly 560 miles driving but every second worth it!

Can't wait till we can do it all again!

Phew you made it to the end.

You deserve a cuppa and a slice of cake.

Michelle xx