How I've Grown

Hi All 

Hope you are all well? 

Strange yet interesting thing happened yesterday. I was scrolling through my old cards that I have taken pictures of and noticed my crafting has changed and become better with age. 

I started making cards back in 2008. It was my mother in law who introduced me to crafting really. She has her own craft space and made cards before I knew her and she let me go in there to make cards for family.

I started to get the bug and got a few things by myself and borrowed bit from her room if I could not find what I was looking for.  

Looking at my history, my first card I made was for mothers day's in March 2008 so here it is. 

My first card ever back in 2008

I did laugh at my self as it shows that I knew nothing about crafting and in crafting terms such a child at the start.

8 years later and this is what I have my mother in law and my mum for mothers day.

Mothers Day Card 2016

My Jewelry has had the same experience.

I made all these when I was in class for making custom jewelry in 2008.

Now a days I watch a lot of videos and read what others are making. But when I do make pieces they look like this. 

Self evaluation...

I have grown up in my crafting and I am so proud with myself as 8 years ago I did not believe in myself and getting praise for my work still shocks me. 

I have been very busy this week and I cant wait to show you all in the next few days. 

enjoy your Sunday. 

Mel xx

Mothers Day Presents

Evening all

Hope everyone is ok?

This week I have been working on mothers day stuff. My cards are drying so I will upload them soon. But what I wanted to show you today is something I saw on a website Beads Direct. This video inspired me to make something extra for my mum.

In the video it went on to say there is a kit you can work with but I have so many beads in my craft room I just got the bits and used what I had.

So here it is my complete bag charm for my mum, I hope you like it.

 

 

 

 

I made 2 of them. 1 in Pink the other Purple. Both have the same charm at the end.

 

Each took me 30 mins to make. Once I got the hang of making the loops for each bead I got quicker making them.

 

I also found it easier to make the beads and set out which each chain was going to hold then I stared to build on to it.

 

It was so much fun.

 

Well its Friday night and Mr Selfridge has started. See you guys soon. 

Birthday Cards

Hi All

If you saw my post yesterday I was talking about how I started to improve on my digital crafting using CraftArtist 2 software by Serif.

After I had a play following the steps on the mother's day theam I started to have a go for this months birthday cards.

My first one was for my Aunty Maureen. I have gone with the same design as my magazine.

The design from Serif Software

Final card

My second was for my Mum. This time I went with flowers.Now you card see it but I have added glitter glue on the flowers. 

                                 

My final card was for my Dad. I used the Roald Dahl collection to make this.

 




















So I hope you guys like these. I know my family will. Next month I think I will do more jewelry pieces and print our my mother's day cards. 

Have a lovely weekend and happy crafting. 

Latest card creations

Evening all 

I do hope everyone is well?

I know its been a while since I posted anything but after the Christmas break I have been busy at work that I have not managed to create anything for me to share. 

However this week, Its been nothing but crafting with was very nice. I cant wait to show you guys. 

I was reading my latest Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine and saw an articular on how to use CraftArtist 2 software. I have had this on my laptop for ages when I needed it for the Roald Dahl CD-Roms but I couldn't understand how to use the elements to make a lovely card so I just used it for basic toppers. 

sorry waffling on again... the Magazine it was well presented an I was able to follow the easy steps and made a digital card with shadows and tags. I was very proud of myself.

I might change it a bit, but I was very happy to have these steps to help me along the way. 

I have not printed the card yet but when I do I will share it.

I have done a few more but have not taken pictures as waiting for some of the embellishments I have stuck on to dry. 

Visit to York - Day 1

Hi everyone hope you are all ok?

I have not been crafting this week as I am in York for a Christmas break with my partner.

The weather has been ok. Not that I was expecting snow or anything but there has been floods.

 
 

 

 

I really do love York, I try to come here every year for the summer. This is the first time we have come during the winter period and I love this place even more.






Tomorrow me and Dave will be taking a walk around town and have a look at the Christmas market. My friends who live in Leeds agreed that it's the best thing to do when in York is the St. Nicolas Fayre.

 
I am very excited about going, I have no plans of what I will be getting no doubt I will spending lots of money.

Also I will try to get better pictures.

See you soon.

Mel

Nearly there

Hi All 

This week I have been on a happy high, because I have the week off with hubby Dave.  

Monday      We had a new fridge delivered. John Lewis came in took the old one and the packaging from our new fridge. 

Tuesday      Family Christmas cards Check. 

That's right for the first time in a long while I have completed the important family Christmas cards and its November. I'm a very happy lady, All that they need is add an insert which I am working on now and then come December I can with confidence send them off to the right family members on time and not the day before we leave for there house for a change.

Salt & Good in Stevenage 

Wednesday Chill out 

Went to the cinema and watched Spectre and went out for dinner to a new street food restaurant. 

Movie was great.Not going to give too much away just in case. 

So dinner it was an all you can eat restaurant but they offered Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai, and American food. It was really nice indeed. 

New Bond film

Thursday     Birthday cards and anniversary card



I am on a roll as I have also completed 2 birthday cards and anniversary cards ready for the people in December. 

I have always found it hard to do these as Once I get to the end of November to think deign I am not inspired and then always disappointed that its Christmas related when I do get to make these cards. However I am getting the Autumn feeling instead but I think I managed to get over it. 














Friday          Nearly forgot to do this one. 

So Friday morning I wake up thinking that its, I am carded out now. Then as I was tidying up the living room it hit me. 

Baby card for my friend and his wife.using my new Crafter's Companion Create a card accordion die. This is what I made is the main template and added loads of girly embellishments. I was very happy with the result.

Also Dave bought a guitar and is planing to learn how to play. He now knows how to tune it and watching loads of videos on how to play. This afternoon he suggested we both learn how to play Aubrey by bread. He plays the guitar and me on the violin. I feel sorry for my neighbors, I have not played the violin in years and pretty sure I am very rusty. 

All that needs to be done is the Christmas presents. This year I am going to make my friends children bracelets and homemade sweets. not sure what sweets I will make it will either be marshmallows or chocolate fudge.

I do hope you enjoyed the cards I have made this week. 

Mel 

Autumn Half Term

Hi all hope you are all well?

It's the autumn half term. I am so excited. I have 2 weeks of quite time and 1 week to get everything back to scratch (no pressure) I walked through the college building and it was so quite with most tutors in training. 

So just to recap crafting wise. Last week I made a bracelet for wear it pink. It had such great reviews that I plan to make Christmas bracelets and working on the next week. I can't wait to show you all. 

I also wanted to share a birthday card I made last week but forgot to share on my blog. 

Fairy birthday card

Oh I nearly forgot...

During my week off next week I am planning to make my Christmas cards for the family. I am really excited about this as I have everything I need just need to cut stick and put together. Then a bonus came through my door. My monthly craft magazine arrived and part of my free gift.

a free gift from Cardmaking & Papercraft

A free Partridge in a pear tree die cutting stencil. I am buzzing with ideas my scrapbook of thoughts is filled with sketches.