My Crafty Space

Hello friends

I'm talking about my craft space - the reason is that at some point today my 

craft room is going to pop up on this brilliant blog - Crafty Storage.

If you haven't come across this blog before be prepared to sit for hours and

be inspired by so many ideas.

When I first started crafting I never thought I would have a proper craft room.

I would find beautiful rooms on the internet and sit and drool! 

Like most crafters I started by using my dining room table, that's not so bad 

when you have a small craft collection but then everything grows -

your stash, your ideas, your 'crafty needs'! 

In my little VT I moved from the dining table into the conservatory - perfect lighting but ....

a bit chilly in Winter!

It was at this point I began to work with Design Teams and realised I needed a place 

that was far more organised and a tad warmer!

My first proper craft room was on the second floor of an office centre - 

I was in heaven - so much space!

But give a crafter space and it will be filled with more stuff and...

...more crafters! My first step into running classes.

Within six months I began to look for different premises and, as many of you know,

this is when I found my little studio/shop.

Now my craft room is the middle room, I miss having a window but I'm pleased I chose
a bold wallpaper to brighten the room.

 My quiet corner with plenty of storage.

 My desk looking VERY tidy, that's a rare thing nowadays!

 And within a few steps I'm in the studio/shop and that's definitely a happy place to be.

I hope you enjoyed my little crafty space tour today.
I will be back very soon - have a brilliant weekend dear friends.

With Love...

Hello friends

Today popping in quick to show a technique card - 

this card is being featured in the Q and A section

of Cardmaking and Papercrafts magazine that has just been published.

The question asked about different ways of using an embossing folder and I explained 

a few techniques.  Embossing envelopes is one of my favourite things at the moment. 

I have good intentions of doing this with all my Christmas card envelopes this year even

if I end up buying the cards!  It would be nice to add a crafty touch even if it is just the envelopes!

I also explained in the magazine about embossing die cuts with a pattern

and inking embossing folders. 

 I've used Distress Ink - Aged Mahogany - it really does have an inky distressed look -
I must have felt like emphasising the distress that day! 

The M-Bossabilities™  folders are: Awesome Blossoms and Enchanted.

I'm back in my London job for the next two days, it will feel nice

to be back into some normal routine.  Things are still progressing well at home,

we are back at The Royal Marsden next Tuesday but I will be back with lots more 

craftiness and news (lucky number news!) before then.

Take care friends and thank you for all the lovely comments, messages and emails - 

you are all amazing.

Seaside and Sunshine!

Hello friends

The sun was shining yesterday and although there was so many things

I should have been doing (shop door did get painted but could do with another coat!)

I decided a day at the seaside was in order. We piled into the car - 

myself, Elliott, Mitchell (his girlfriend too) and not forgetting Bella!

Whitstable was our destination and it was glorious.

Whitstable is famous for its oysters and they have put in place a recycling point for oyster shells!

It seems they are doing a grand job.

The town is quaint and full of lovely little shops and restaurants.

We discovered this particular eatery!

We had lunch outside the Tudor Tea Rooms ('outside' because Bella was with us!)

Everyone that walked by stopped to make a fuss of her, she totally stole the show 

and was very happy.

We all had a lovely time and when I got home I felt energised enough to 

do my garden, something that was well overdue.  

Elliott is progressing well with his mask at home - I feel we can surround him

with positively and by taking little steps we will eventually get there.

I will be announcing the winning number for the September Charity Add-On Kit within

the next couple of days - just a tiny delay as I've just received in a couple more orders.

The lucky winner will be selecting 6 stamp sets from Waltzing Mouse Stamps! 

Look out - October Charity Add-On Kit is nearly finalised thanks to my little workers (aka family!)

Now, as I've talked about seaside and sunshine how about a Christmas tag?!

Yes, I'm still sharing projects that I created for Make Christmas Cards magazine.

A simple design using Labels Four for the outer tag shape and also for the 

green criss-cross paper.  Wrapping a tiny piece of lace to the bottom section 

(never throw little pieces of lace/ribbon away!) 

Classic Hearts and Create A Flake complete the design. 

Take care friends and I do hope there is a little bit of sunshine in your day today -

it makes a world of difference.

Sunday - no longer a day of rest!

Hello friends

Send me sunshine today please!

I have a task that is going to take from dawn to dusk - I need to paint the shop door.

I know, it's only a little door - the actual painting will not take too long but the paint I've 

selected says it takes 16 hours to dry!  This will necessitate the door being left open otherwise

it could be tricky trying to open it the next day!

 Giving the shop a facelift has been Mitchell's project but I've chosen to get a involved today 

as I find painting therapeutic.  

I also think we may not have many more dry days so a little bit of a rush to finish the job.

I will post some pictures soon, the colours are very similar but it will look nice and fresh.

While I'm waiting in the shop all those hours I intend to have a good tidy up,

and Elliott is going to join me  - we have a little crafty plan up our sleeves...

more news on that soon :) 

Talking of Elliott, things did not quite go to plan at the hospital on Friday.

The upshot is that the radiotherapy will definitely have to be postponed while

Elliott receives some special help with his anxiety issues regarding the mask he has to wear.  

Those of you who have contacted me, left comments - thank you so much.  

You appreciate how much of an ordeal this is for him.  

I have a great deal of confidence in the Psychology Department at The Royal Marsden, 

we are going to be back and forth a lot over the next few weeks.

We will get through this but like most things, it will take time and some careful handling.

We actually have the mask at home now so we can build up Elliott's confidence -

Bella is definitely wary of it!

Now to some craft!

How about a little decorated organza gift bag - all achieved with one die,

Rose Creations. Plenty of layers cut from burgundy felt, a rhinestone brad to the centre

(these dies create a hole to the flower centre, perfect for inserting a brad).

The finishing touch is green felt leaves. 

I made a base for the bag to keep it upright but of course if you 

fill it with goodies that will keep it standing perfectly! 

I attached everything to the bag using Fabri-Tac - this is one amazing fabric glue!

Adapt this little bag to any colour-way, perhaps for a Ruby Wedding Anniversary or...

Christmas!  Yes, I managed to mention Christmas again - 

love Christmas!!

I do hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

Take care friends.

It's a Bird!

Hello friends

Yes it is the coffee/tea cup - we haven't seen that for a while! 

A round up of news today so pop the kettle on.

Firstly, special thanks to Hazel who has voted for me in the 2013 Craft Awards - 

I blushed when I read that! 

In case you are not familiar with the Craft Awards, it is a chance for you

to vote for your favourites.  You can select your favourite products, blogs and more.

It is in the form of a really easy survey, some names are stipulated or you can 

tick the 'other' box and type in your choice. 

Spellbinders®  is mentioned so if you feel inclined to tick that box.... :)

All the details are here.

On one of our many hospital visits this week we were at King's College Hospital so we 

called into the Ronald McDonald House in Camberwell.

Some time back I mentioned about Elliott progressing to a bird on the tree of life

and this was our first opportunity to visit, drop in a cheque and select a bird.

Here's the boy himself with his carved bird.

A close up.

And a smiley face although very tired eyes, he's not getting much sleep bless him!

We are now on our way to having Elliott's name on the tree trunk!

Tons of thanks to you all who have donated and purchased kits -

both the Recipe/Notebook Kit and the September Add-On Kit -

the kits are ongoing and there will always be spares available.

I will just mention there has been a slight 'teapot delay'!

I had to order some extra teapot charms and they did not send enough but 

they are rushing them through especially fast now.  

So, if you are awaiting a September Add-On Kit I promise it will be on 

its way to you within a day or two.

Now how about Christmas...yes when the sun is shining I'm still thinking of Christmas!

This is one of the cards featured in 'Make Christmas Cards' magazine.

It is rather geometrical and a little different to my usual style but so simple to produce.

The white background is created with Graduated Dots, Classic Heart and 

Create A Flake dies.  The rest is achieved with the papers that come

from the magazine and just a little bit of green dotted ribbon.

Today we are heading off to The Royal Marsden to see if Elliott's 

relaxation techniques will help, fingers crossed.  I'm thinking we will 

be stopping at McDonalds again!  I've progressed to eating their salads - not bad!

Take care friends - have a wonderful weekend.

Thank You, Thank You

Hello friends

Today a Thank You, Thank You Card!

This card has just appeared on the Spellbinders®  Idea Gallery and it features 

the Enhancing Elements die - Gold Ovals One.

Teaming these dies with your classic Nestabilities® means you can layer up a card easily. 

In case you haven't seen it Spellbinders have created a 

Nestabilities Compatibility Chart - you can view it here.  This is so useful - 

I've printed it off to keep above my craft table - a great reference guide.

For the last day or so we have been to and fro The Royal Marsden and this 

afternoon we are at King's College Hospital.  Elliott has been seeing various 

psychologists and we have learned a great deal about breathing and relaxation 

techniques.  Truly hoping this is all going to help with his radiotherapy and anxiety.

(I can confirm the relaxation therapist was very good - 

I nearly nodded off when I should have been making notes!)

I will keep you posted when I can, my posts tend to pop up at different times at the moment, 

I grab a few minutes here and there to type one up.  As always thank you, thank you for 

your comments and messages - I'm a little delayed in replying but I will get there :)

Take care friends.