Birthday Crafting Party

This year I celebrate a significant birthday and when my husband asked if I wanted a party I said I wanted a crafting party.  Even though my birthday isn't until the 24th the party was on the 5th as co-ordinating diaries wasn't as easy as I'd hoped.

So, on the 5th five crafting buddies settled down to complete two Andy Skinner workshops.  We were so busy talking I forgot to take photos of the day.  The first workshop was covering a paper mache book box with embossed card and masking fluid, and then painted using Andy's various paint methods.  It was amazing how different each box looked even though we all followed the same instructions.  For the second workshop we altered the front of a note book using embossed card and structure paste.  This time, after reading Andy's instructions,  we all went off piste and did our own thing.  Again five very different book fronts.  I really enjoyed both techniques and will use them again, and not only because I have loads of masking fluid left!

At the end of a lovely day crafting, and yes there were a lot of carbohydrates involved, we all went to a local Thai restaurant to round the day off.  I'm very lucky to know such kind, generous and funny people.

The first picture is of the book.  When finished I felt the orange 'holes' needed something so added the text.  I think this makes it look like it means business and is to be used.  The book box is nearly finished, and yesterday my stepfather fell in love with it so I suspect it will be going his way. 

New Year Resolution-get on and use it!

Like every crafter I know, I have a pile of unused, untried, stuff piling up around my fairly decent sized craftroom that sometimes it's hard for me to squeeze in.  So new year's resolution is ... USE IT.  My resolution is to make at least two cards a week using previously unused stuff - including the boxes of inky backing papers.  Once I've used the stamp, die of whatever if I like it, it can stay.  If I don't it's in the swap box.

The second part of my resolution is that if I buy anything new it has to be used straight away, to the same rules as above, otherwise it is likely to sit gathering dust like the rest.

Wonder how long I can keep it up?  Probably about as long as the healthy walks and giving up chocolate!

So I start the year with this stamp which must be quite old as it has a sale sticker on the packaging and it must have sat on my shelf for a year.  I like the stamp more than the card but feel it has limited use, so the swap box it is!

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 495

I haven't been able to craft much lately as my mother, who has dementia, has reached the final stages of the disease and I'm spending a lot of my time caring for her along with my sisters and stepfather.    But..... I had already planned to have a Christmas card making session yesterday with three friends.  We have all known each other approx 40 years and have taken to meeting up monthly for coffee and laughs.  None have crafted before so I was delighted when they wanted to make cards.  It was just the tonic I needed.  We all had a hoot, and my friends were thrilled with their cards.  Apparently we are now going to do this every month!

We made two cards, one a Clarity with a glittered stained glass window effect, and the second a layered die cut card using a Sue Wilson edge die and sentiment.

So, what's on my desk today?  Everything that was dumped on it yesterday.

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I thought I would share with you the finished results from yesterday - I don't know who is prouder them or me!  Believe it or not, this is the best photo of six.  It was like herding cats trying to get them all quiet and looking at me.  Crafting and friends - the recipe for happiness.

Marython part Two

Second part of Marython cards finished. As before a couple have been altered/amended as some parts didn't survive the journey home.  Really pleased with the cards, given me plenty of ideas for making quick and easy cards that look good.  I've also made great inroads to my card making for this year.  Unfortunately the ironing still hasn't been done!

Children in Need

On Thursday and Friday of last week a neighbour, who is a talented singer, took part in a 24 hour Gigathon.  Kim was aiming to do as many 20 minute slots around the Southampton area as possible.  She was joined at each gig by other singers, musicians, and dancers.  She completed 22 gigs in 24 hours and raised nearly two and half thousand pounds. A fantastic amount.

I made this card and the Close where we live signed it to let her know how proud we are of her.  Everyone made the right flattering noises about the card and Kim was thrilled.  I say thank goodness for Creative Stamping magazine.

Marython part One

A couple of Sundays ago I attended my first Marython organised by Kraft Crazy in Amesbury.  This is a day is held in memory of a lady called Mary where you can make up to 25 cards and the day raises money for a local hospice in Mary's memory.

Some people made their cards from start to finish on the day, but as I'm a slow worker I just did the stamping and die cutting for the cards and left the construction to do at home.  Well, I've been constructing all day and have only just about done half.  Which is a shame as I was going to finish the ironing tomorrow!

I'm very pleased with the cards so far, there are many different techniques and styles of cards and I've been taken out of my comfort zone a couple of times - there's even faux stitching (my pet hate).

If at first...

After my first post back in April gremlins got into the blog and I was unable to add any further posts.  But yesterday the lovely Julia from WOYWW came to my rescue.  After a few minutes head scratching I'm up and running, well running as fast as the creaky joints will allow.

In honour of Julia sorting me out I felt it only right that my first post be WOYWW.  Not the best of photos (I will get better) but my desk is covered with Christmas cards to be finished from a marathon a couple of weeks ago and cards made at the latest Clarity workshop.  These may get their own post when I've finished them.  Also a Clarity die that a friend has lent me which I'm itching to use.

So big thanks to Julia, who also designed some of the cards for the marathon, for coming to my rescue.