I'm back!!!

Hello followers and thank you for bearing with me! I am now back and madly creating cards for all sorts of events for many different people. I have also made three new cards for my course and I have added their photos below... I hope these are fine for my next unit!!

I have made so many cards recently I have lost count of them! I have been trying to find new ideas and techniques and the telly seems glued (excuse the pun) to Create and Craft TV. I have gained so many ideas from them and not to mention spent more money (thanks hubby).

I just love the Meet The Meerkats designs - so does my son and ended up with one from us for his 16th Birthday recently - (can't believe he's that old!!!)

I have also branched out my interests... to jewellery making. I am a novice at the moment, but keep coming back as I will soon add some piccies of the things I have made. When I get them good they will make great gifts - hey I will even make the boxes for them!

Until next time.... keep crafting

Mel x

My first ‘proper’ customer!

Well there you go, it just goes to show that if you try hard enough, you can succeed! I have only been making cards for a very short time, when my husbands line manager asked if I could make him a card for a forth coming wedding! Now this in itself was a new thing for me( not the wedding – I am married) but making a wedding card. I have made plenty of cards for birthdays, Easter, etc but not one for a wedding… and this was my first commission!

Well the long and short of it is that I managed to put together a truly beautiful card – well I thought it was lovely anyway. I even had the confidence to make a box for the card using my Crafting Companion Ultimate Pro, this was something else I was proud of, I only hoped the customer would be pleased too.

And he was.

I had a text from my husband to say he was gobsmacked (the customer – not my husband!) .More than that my husband said the card and box would cost him £4.50 and he gave him a Fiver!

On top of that he has asked for another card for a new baby girl (it is due in 5 weeks) and has already given my hubby the fiver for it…

It does so much for my confidence and just proves how far I have come since beginning last December.

Until next time…

Mel x

I did it !!!

After an absence of too long, I am adding this blog! I have had my first unit assessed for the Certificate in Paper Craft and I’m over the moon that it passed!!

My lovely assessor Jackie, needed to clarify only 3 questions and was happy to pass it. She says I’m doing fantastic – woo hoo!

My husband and kids are so proud of me and I am proud of myself too as it is the first thing I have done like this since leaving college ahem years ago…

I have been busy doing Christmas cards – I know it’s only June but us crafters have to start early and oh yes I needed to avoid the Isle of Wight Festival as well!

AND And… the most surreal thing happened this week… I noticed there were some vehicles parked outside my house I did not recognise, when suddenly a film crew jumped out and started walking down the road to a neighbour, filming Peter Andre !!!!! I went outside to be nosey and when he had finished the interview he came and shook hands and chatted to me, my hubby and my neighbour!! How cool was that?? He was so down to Earth too…

On that note, until next time….

 

Mel x

Flower Power!

Now I might live on the Isle of Wight and the Festival is underway (nope never been) but this is not all hippy…

It’s my latest creation using many elements I have learnt recently! My flower card will form a Thank You for my son’s teacher at the end of term.

What you think of it? Comments welcome!

I have also been busy this week with another design for the Certificate in Paper Craft course I am doing. I have just sent it to my assessor so I am waiting with bated breath for the verdict.

Yet again I have been buying craft tools – I have been treated (much to the delight of the local craft shopkeeper) to a Crafters Companion Ultimate Pro. I have seen this used so many times and heard such good feedback for it that I just had to have one. Even my hubby didn’t moan – think he does it for a quiet life!

Once again, until next time…

Mel x

It’s finally happened!

It had to at some point, it was like some cartoon where the room was filled and the walls were expanding! I have finally had to buy another piece of furniture to store my craft stuff in….

I managed to find a writers bureau in a second hand shop, that I thought was perfect (well truthfully my husband found it – he won’t do that again!).

The thing is I wanted to put it in the living room and needed to move the room around to accommodate it… which basically meant turning the room upside down to do it. Cue another spring clean, stuff in the loft, kids helping, me telling hubby to keep out of way (told you him finding it was a mistake!).

The upshot is I now will be able to craft away without having to take over the kitchen table and also have loads of natural light as well, so in all it was worth it.

By the way did I mention it is not going to be delivered for three days?

Well, I like to plan ahead!

Until next time,

Mel x

The results are in… well almost!

I have had my assessor contact me and she sounds lovely! I have been asked to submit another card for my course to cover other criteria… and I now think my head is going to explode with ideas!!! (Hope not though, it will make a mess of my cardstock). I will get another card in this week and if you are good even put the photo up here of it. When I get the assessment I will let you know!

I have been spending on craft materials again and brought loads of lovely stamps, some card stock and a great punch as well. I think I really need to get an extension to keep it all…

I think I must be driving the family mad, half-term and the television is constantly on Create and Craft TV. Still it’s Fathers Day soon and they need ideas for it!

Well that’s my excuse anyway!

Until next time…

Mel x

Collision Course!!!

I have just sent off the first unit of my course Certificate in Paper Craft to my assessor… that’s it now I have officially got all my fingers crossed (well okay I haven’t as I wouldn’t be able to type) but I am bricking it!

I know I should be pleased and in a way I am but at the same time this is the first course I have taken since leaving college, BLEEP years ago!

I am told I will hear the result of it in a week and I bet this week is longer than the last.

I had to complete three card designs and list the methods I had used for each as a ‘Recipe Card’ and as it was the first unit also fill in a workbook. It is amazing how much work can go into a card – and you don’t even realise it until you have to break down each element and write up the methods etc.

So here’s hoping for good news at the end of the week… then the hard work starts again for the next unit!

Until next time…

Mel x

Cutting It!

The last few days I have been mainly cutting! Not the grass (although looking at it it could do with it), no I have been cutting out various different designs for decoupage.

Now you might think I’m weird, but I don’t mind cutting out using scissors, my blade and cutting mat. Sure I have many (hubby thinks too many) die cut decoupage sheets, but not all the designs I like are die cut.

So intricate cutting around allsorts of designs has been my week! At this rate if they are ever short of micro surgeons I might have a job!!

Monday is my Birthday and I have set hubby the task of making me a card of his design… I reckon if he starts Saturday morning, he might have chosen a design by Sunday night….

Until next time…

Mel x

Jade Magic

I have not long finished making a card from the beautiful Jade Treasures Collection designed by Audrey Jeanne Roberts for Docrafts.

I actually got the package as part of a delivery following joining the Creativity Club website for Docrafts. I think personally it is really worth it and I am looking forward to further offers from them! Even my hubby is impressed!

The card I made is this one:

Very sophisticated… what do you think? Seems a great card for my sister actually… the amount of shoes she’s got!!!

Until next time….

Mel x

A Huge Thank You!

I firstly want to say a huge thank you to all my new followers, it is so nice knowing that what you are writing is being looked at, not just lost in cyberspace!

I have been asked for more cards to be made via my husbands work, it seems I am getting quite a reputation for my cards, considering the last one he took in made the lady cry – it was only a thank you card!

One of the nicest things was when my hubby’s line manager asked him to bring in a price list for my cards. I have only been doing this seriously since the beginning of the year so this was a surprise! I must be doing something right.

It just goes to prove doing the Certificate in Papercraft is well worth it and how much I have learnt so far.

I will be looking at your own blog sites for those who have them and follow you…

Until next time…

Mel x

Hello it's me again!

I know, I know there has not been an entry for a while and it is with good reason... so so busy ! I have been making cards for my course and spending more of my husbands money - it's OK he knows!

It had been birthday time in the house which meant a nice card suitable for an 11 year old boy (my son) and on the exact same day my nephew who was 14. In addition to that I made a lovely card that had pressed flowers on it for a friend who helped my eldest get work experience for the summer, before his college - now that's scary!

I have been on the Internet again and using the Do-Crafts site and yes it is my second favourite design (at the moment) good ole Tatty Teddies or Me to You Bears x x  I have got the goody bag and some other bits form the Do Craft site, even joining as a member... you could say I'm obsessed (hubby does).

Until next time...


Mel x

Another Busy Week!

I have had another one of those busy weeks - but it has been productive! I have had my hubby around this week so while he was playing with Lego on the floor with the kids (he may be 40 but still not grown up), I got on and made loads more cards...

I think I have now made the decision to what cards I am going to use for my course - I have taken photos for them and now I'm waiting for a bit more info about Angel Policies - as soon as I have what I need i'm going to send them off to my assessor.... scarey stuff!

Until the next mad blog...

Mel x

Going Oriental

In my efforts to wean myself from all the Debbie Moore cards I have been making I have decided to make a load of oriental cards for a change! This I have really enjoyed as it is something different. I have found some really lovely decoupage to make up in a shimmery design. I think these will be used for my family this year!

I have also had my parts for my Cuttlebug through, I am very pleased with the company used – The Crafty Devil… well recommended!

Until next time…

Mel x

Debbie Moore Mad!

That's it! I think I am addicted - not alcohol (only the odd glass), not choccy (Thorntons is exempt) -  no I love and think Debbie Moore designs are the best and most intense coloured card designs of the moment!

I am doing the Venetian and Art Deco designs at the mo and adding gems to them for extra sparkle. I cannot wait for my next magazine to be delivered...

I have also finished off all my Easter cards for friends and family and at last sorted out and labelled my craft drawers. My husband has threatened to buy me a magazine rack - he actually means the type they have in WH Smiths ( I think he is trying to tell me something ).


Mel x

A Busy Week!

Flipping Heck! Okay I know I haven’t blogged since Monday but I have been so busy this week. Now I know that is not an excuse but believe me what with the kids off for Easter and trying to get on with crafting … I’m surprised I have any hair left!!

So as I have been doing lots here is what I have been up too..

• Spending (again) on craft materials from my local shop.
• Spending (I know, I know) having set up an account on the Internet for a subscription to Debbie Moore magazines – the only magazine my local shop seems inept to get – and my fav mag!
• I went into t’ capital of the Island to another craft shop to try and get a C adapter plate for my Cuttlebug and low and behold they didn’t have any so…
• Set up another internet account with another company and ordered one (and some more B plates while I was there)
• Today I went to a Do Crafts demonstration and got loads of hints and tips from the lady from Do Crafts (thank you Di). Oh and I brought a few more things…
• In the middle of all this I made my 1st course card and I am really pleased with it!! (Thank you Debbie Moore)

Right now off to sort out my craft bits…. and see if there is any overtime available for my husband lol.

 

Mel x

Already making Christmas cards!!!

I have been sitting making Christmas cards already because I have so many to make for my kids for school, family and for my husbands work friends. They are all going to need to be different so people do not get the same card I need to make sure the children get more kiddie type ones and the adults get more grown up ones. There also has to be some in the middle for the teenagers because there are so many in my family!

What Mel did next...

What have I been up to latley? Well as I sat down to write this blog my mind went blank, but after a mental telling off, I have realised I have been busy!
Firstly I have again visited my local craft shop and brought even more craft bits - even the shop woman thinks im obsessed - I actually think she feels sorry for my husbands wallet!!

One of the things I purchased was a Debbie Moore mag as I think they are so beautiful. Clutched in my hot hand I rushed home and started to put some designs together... The results will be on here as a photo post soon!

I also joined the Craft Forum, hopefully they are a friendly bunch and I can get plenty of advice, tips and ideas for future ventures!! (What time does that shop open again....??!!)

Until next time... keep crafting!

joined forum

Mothers day cards

 

My three boys made me homemade cards for mothers day.using my craft and card making stuff …

I think they are cool!!!

The story so far ….

 

At the start of the week I visited my favourite local shop spending my hubbies hard earn cash!

I bought some Debbie Moore designed decoupage sheets because I love the colours of them.

I also started some Easter cards …. what do you think ?

They just need finishing!

Here we go!

Well I have done it! I have enrolled on the Certificate in Papercraft Course, my first learning experience since 1993... and I admit it was a big decision!! I have read the course notes and decided the units I have chose are the good ones for me.

I think the best thing for me is to do lots of research (better put the kettle on) and read mags and blogs... please follow me and I will gladly follow you!

You never know if I survive this I might just be able to talk my husband into paying for the Diploma Course!!!

Until next time.... keep crafting x