Life Changes

Well, it has been an age since I posted on here. I have been making things but not consistently, and anything I HAVE made has gone on my Facebook page rather than my blog. Life has been funny lately. I finshed my job as a WeightWatchers leader yesterday, after nearly 21 months. I will now have time to craft more, until I find another job. I finished WW because I can't control my weight unless I can concentrate completely on myself. Much as I have loved the members and clerks at the meetings, it was physically hard work and took up the majority of my time and emotion. My son is looking forward to spending more time with me (he is nearly 11, so that will change soon no doubt!) and I hope to have more energy and verve. I am determined to update this blog more regularly and be a more active member of the crafting community. I would love to design more beading patterns, and set up an online shop selling kits for them.

Yum, New Books

Yes, it was the time to buy more craft books (one can never have too many I find!) I bought these and am currently drooling over them. I even bought them at full price in the shops, rather than buying them from Amazon - I just could not wait for them to be posted!

So Much Going On...

I am really sorry that I haven't been around at all. I have been training to be a Weight Watchers Leader - which I have now finished - and it has been a little bit stressful! I passed the assessment though and spent most of today drowning in 30 boxes of 'starter' kit!

Despite not actually doing much crafting, I have ordered lots of clasps and a new beading book. I will post pictures when they arrive. I have also packaged up some vintage (1950s) buttons from France, which will be going on my Folksy shop as and when I get 5 minutes to sit down!

I am really trying to keep in touch with everyone else's blogs, but it is not as easy as it sounds. I have just made a whirlwind visit to some of my favourites, but didn't have enough time to have a good mooch. I think that craft may be taking a bit of a back seat for a few weeks!

Cards, Cards and More Cards! (part 3)

Some more cards for my friend. I am over half way through them now!

New Ideas

I don't know about you lot, but I find it hard getting inspiration for things. I love looking through Folksy to see what other people come up with but it can then be hard to think of something original that doesn't look like you were copying. I have had so many ideas lately and have tried to get them to become something concrete, but something always goes wrong between the germ of the idea and putting it down on paper! It is so frustrating. I desperately want to come up with my own things and really admire people who are ahead of the trends.

I would love to know how any of you get your inspiration for the work you do, so please do leave me a message.

Well Done Gill!!!

Gill at Hollingdale Designs has come third in the Delphi Art Glass Festival 2009, with this wonderful piece...

She is an amazing crafter and person and I just wanted to say WELL DONE GILL!

Garden Swap

Kerry at PennyDog has organised the above swap. My partner is Paula in the US.

The rules are:

You must make one handmade item in a garden theme, this can be something for the garden, or something with a gardeny theme- insects, flowers, etc.

An item of a crafty nature that your swap partner can use in their own crafting- fabric, buttons, stickers, etc

An edible treat- chocolate, cake, etc

I am really looking forward to this! I already have lots of ideas but am going to mull them over before finally deciding.

Christmas Giveaway on Craft Matters' Blog

See http://craft-matters.blogspot.com/

And, good luck, although not enough to stop me winning!

Ahem (Blush) - My Craft Space...

Another blogger posted how untidy her workspace is and I realised that mine is even WORSE! Here it is in all its glory...