Craft Guru At Your Service !

Before Christmas Brenda had asked me if I could show her how to make her own cards.

I’ve been making greeting cards for many years now, but even so was not so sure I would be any good as a teacher.  Never the less, I agreed.

Unfortunately that’s where the story ended as, up until now, due to the problems I’ve had with my chest and the side effects of the nasty steroid tablets I’ve been taking, I just didn’t feel up to doing anything.

I finally started to feel ‘normal’, and with a lieu day owed to me from work for some overtime that I had done, I messaged Brenda to say how about coming over to have a try at making some cards.

Brenda arrived with loads of old Christmas cards that we could up cycle into new card toppers for matting and layering projects, and the kitchen was overtaken with stuff from my craft room.  

The first order of the day however, was to make an acceptance for a wedding card.  Brenda needed something unusual, and I think we managed it.

Then it was time to explain matting and layering, adhesive types and choices, pairings and basically the fact that you can never make a mistake in card making, only a happy accident that can be transformed into something else.

That said, Brenda got stuck in, and was soon engrossed in her tasks.

and soon, a very proud Brenda was able to show off her first card projects.

She did such a great job, and had some wonderful cards to take home with her.

Great day Brenda, thanks for the company x

Jo Anne

 

Crafty Companions

It was a long time coming, but finally the day arrived for Tracey and I to attend the local school Summer Fair.
The plan was to sell all of the cards that we had been creating, and building up our stock especially for.
We had both worked really hard to build up a good range of cards to cover every occasion possible, and the plan was to make loads of dosh so that we could have a spend up on more crafty items!
I had arranged to finish work, charge home to let Fred out for a wee, and then throw the paste table and all of my cards into the boot of Tracey’s car.

We arrived at the allotted time, and set up our table, beneath some pretty gruesome black clouds.  I had thrown in a lace cover, and Tracey had grabbed an old duvet as a pretty cover for the table.

All of our wares were laid out, and then had to be re-arranged as the wind kept blowing them down!
Thankfully, Tracey’s husband, Adrian, had the foresight to find out his tarpaulin, just in case it rained……

and we needed it!

The cover came on and off through the afternoon, but that did not stop the fun and games for the children.

There was a coconut shy, Rat down a drainpipe……

hook a duck, cakes and candy floss.

We both managed to sell some cards, but to be honest, not enough to cover the cost of the table which they priced quite highly to get money for the school.
Despite the comedy of the two of us covering and uncovering our stock, we enjoyed ourselves, and are now considering doing an indoor table at the local car boot.  Perhaps we will have more luck?

Jo Anne

Terrible Trio!

Another day with friends today. Tracy, Alison and I have been planning and looking forward to this since Autumn last year. It's Craft Show time once more at Westpoint in Exeter.

There are to be a lot of suppliers there that we are wanting to visit, along with some new ones too.

Alison is after knitting wool, fabric for some dresses she is making, and some cross stitch kits if any take her eye, Tracy and I are after various card making accessories be it card stock, double sided tape, glitter, nestabilities, CD-ROMS, or whatever else catches our imagination.

As the show is in Exeter, and is not far from a very large trading estate containing many, many car sales establishments, Paul has agreed to drive us all up to the show, and then go off car hunting (see previous post) whilst we shop.

The hour and a half drive was a breeze, as he roads were nice and clear, and we arrived just before the doors opened at 10am. After a loo stop, and a quick coffee and cake, we headed off on the rounds, winding our way up and down each aisle and inspecting each stall as we went.

Suddenly it was 11.30 and we were only half way round. Paul was collecting us at 1.30pm, so we needed to get our finger out and start buying instead of pricing up LOL.

Alison started off first with some lovely wool, quickly followed by an art deco cross stitch of a lady with a lurcher dog. It was all black and white and very elegant.

That gave Tracy and I the push that we needed and suddenly there was no stopping us. I managed to get a Debbi Moore magazine that included a CD-ROM worth £6.99. The magazine contained loads of backing papers and toppers and only cost £4.99 - Bargain!

I managed to get some Hunky Dory die cut sheets, a lovely floral CD-ROM by a company I'd never heard of, but the images are stunning. I then managed to get the glitter with tubs, glue and double sided tape that I was after, all on a special craft show deal, I even managed to get a nestability set at a very reduced price.

There was a stand selling some cleaning product that I had bought from Ideal World many years ago, and was so good I was upset when I ran out. Tracy and I bought 4 tubs to split between us, as she had borrowed some of mine a while ago and was just as impressed.

And finally...... there was a stand selling Pandora charm beads at stupidly cheap prices - Yes I know these last two things are not craft items, but we could not say no a the prices LOL

All in all a great crafty day with my friends.

Unfortunately Paul did not do so well, and found nothing in any of the 15 different dealers he visited!

Time for a relaxing evening now and a glass of something nice to finish the day off!

Roman Blind Making

Right then - This is the blind that we have in place over the one window of our living room currently. It was originally made, along with the full drop curtains, for our old house.

These window decorations have worked hard for us over the last 11 years, and we have certainly had our moneys worth out of them, however it is time for a change, and something that will match the decor (once it's complete) in our current lounge room.

It all began with some floral wall paper, and an idea at the back of my mind, that I could DIY the blinds!

I managed to find some curtains in Trago, (as I have already told you in a previous post), and the colour was an exact match to the green flowers in the paper.

My first task was to undo the tape header that was on the first curtain. I was taking it easy on myself, and using the current blind as a template, although I do have some pretty good instructions to follow (message me if you would like a copy of them).

I then unpicked the hem and cut the surplus fabric from the bottom, and then refolded and ironed the new cut line into place just below the line of the current lining.

All of this had to be done by hand, using a hidden stitch that would not show through onto the good side of the blind.

I laid the blind out onto a sheet on the floor and placed some tubes of fabric that I had run through the sewing machine. These tubes are then measured at intervals and will hold the doweling that allow the blind to fall in folds when pulled open.

Again these had to be stitched by hand, so that the stitching would not show through to the good side.

I pinned a few tubes at a time, as this took a while to do.

Once all of the tubes were stitched in place, the original baton was used for the top of the blind, and was attached with Velcro, which I was able to sew on using my machine thankfully. The side of the Velcro that went onto the baton was self adhesive, but we ensure that it was stapled in place too, just to make sure.

Finally the baton was fitted above the window once more, and the doweling rods inserted into the tubes. I stitched the ends over to hold them in place.

I sewed some small rings along the tubes at intervals for the cord to run through, and then ran the cord up to some screw rings in the baton and hung them down one side as the pull cord. The blind put in place on the baton using the Velcro.

Not bad for a first attempt, just one more to go!

Hectic Day

The snow finally disappeared last night due to the rain, and I was able to get my car out of the garage for the first time in over a week!

Not that the car was snowed into the garage - it's just that the garage has a slope away from it towards the one behind it and there was compacted snow and ice causing my little rear wheel drive sports car to slip slide all over the place. There was no chance of getting it out of the garage gully way and down the hill to the main road that was pretty clear, and even if I did manage to get it off the 'estate' there was no way it would get back up the hill to come back on!

At least I was able to get to Falmouth today for a much needed mooch, and a craft demonstration at Trago I had been looking forward to.

I arrived early (9.15am) so that I could look through the fabric and curtain section before the craft demo at 10am. I need some fabric for some new lounge curtains, but as the windows are so tiny on the side and front normal ready mades don't fit.

I had an idea! OMG Not a good thing for me!

I would buy smallish ready mades (If I could find a matching fabric colour) and then split the pair to make two roman blinds. No I haven't done it before! It can't be that hard can it?!

The rear french doors are also smaller than average, so I have bought some 90 x 90 and will take them up and hope for the best, as I need an 83" drop!

Having found a perfect match for the colour, I purchased the correct sizes for what I needed, with a little help from one of the ladies working there. She was so helpful, and gave me some great money saving tips.

The 90 x 90 fully lined curtained cost me £49.95 and the 44 x 54, that I shall be cutting up, were £14.99.

Considering the cost of curtains made to measure these days, I reckon, if this works, I will have a bargain........ IF IT WORKS!

I wandered back downstairs and found Sarah from Do Crafts, and as I was the first to arrive, sat and had a chat. She remembered me from the last time I had been to one of her demos, which was nice.

I had an hour with Sarah and some other ladies who had arrived to join her, to get some new ideas, and then headed out to put my things in the car.

45 min's left on the meter meant that I could treat myself to a cup of tea and a tea cake at the water sports centre (or yacht club as I like to big it up as). Very enjoyable.

Then it was off to Truro. I had a wasted journey, could not get what I needed, and ended up in loads of traffic.

I finally walked through the front door at 3.30pm!

Having grabbed a toasted sandwich for lunch, I was now time to make some Christmas cards....

I managed to do 4, and then gave up. This cough I have left over from the flu a few weeks ago has been tiring me out, and the 2nd lot of antibiotics are not helping, so it's an early night for me..... after Strictly Come Dancing and Merlin of course!

More Ancestry News

I've found another family member and been in touch with them, this time in Australia!

It was so worth paying for the years subscription on Monday. Since then I've been able to add just shy of another 100 people to my tree, all of which are blood linked with me!

Nothing else seems to be getting done, although I have managed to complete another 7 of the wedding invitations that I am making for my friends. - They are nearly all completed now.

I have some more birthday cards that I need to make for up coming birthdays in November, but I'm sure that I can manage to tear myself away from the PC long enough to get them done. Honest!

TTFN. Jo x

Crafty Savings.....

I've been really looking forward to this weekend, not only is it all that bit nearer to the 7th and my birthday, but it is also a weekend away in our Varacan, stopping once again at Barley Meadow, on Dartmoor.

The reason for the trip? There is a huge craft show on at Westpoint Arena in Exeter, and I need to buy lots and lots of card stock, brads, vellum, glitter card and much, much more!

No! I'm not going mad! I'm very excited to tell you all that I have been asked to do the wedding stationary for some friends of ours - my first ever bulk card order for one single event. My only guidelines were that it had to include a particular colour - No I can't tell you, you'll have to wait until November next year LOL. They had seen the samples, and decided on the design and now it was time to buy the stock to make them all.

Anyway, getting back to the story....

We arrived on the camp site at 3.30pm on Friday afternoon, after an uneventful drive up the A30, and settled in for the evening, relaxing in readiness for the events of today.

The show opened at 09.30, and Paul pulled up outside the arena to drop me off at 10.00am - I don't think I even said goodbye to him - I was off like a shot!

There were coffee bars, doughnut stands and crepes for sale outside, but I had come prepared with a ham salad wrap in my handbag for my lunch.

Inside it was heaving with people already, and my first task of the day was to wander up and down each aisle to establish what was on offer and which Companies were in attendance.

I'm glad to say that within 10 minutes of arriving I had found the item I had thought I was least likely to be able to get.

My searches continued to bring me luck, and I was able to call Paul to come and collect me for the 1.30pm time slot we had originally estimated.

Paul, in the meantime, was spending some quality time with his favourite canine chap, Fred. After dropping me off at Exeter, they then headed back down to Fingle Bridge, and a lovely walk that they had both been looking forward to.

Whilst there he managed to get these lovely picture on his Blackberry Curve Smart Phone - not bad for 2 mega pixels if you ask me.

From Exeter, we drove across to Newton Abbott for the obligatory trip around Trago Mills

We had an hours wander around, and then drove back to our varacan for some supper and a chill out in front of the TV.

A great pre-birthday break with loads of crafty savings on the stock I needed for the wedding stationary - Woo Hoo!

Do Crafts Demonstration Day

I was really looking forward to this day - I had received my email from Do-Crafts to advise me of the craft event at The Range in Truro, and had advised my husband that I would really like to attend it, so would he mind fending for himself that day.... (I think he was relieved to be rid of me for a few hours!)

The event was running throughout the day, in-store, and began at 10.00am, running on until 16.00pm.

If I was able to watch a few demo's I would be a happy girl.

I arrived just after 10.00am and found a seat around the table with some other eager crafters, and was immediately enthralled by Tracey and her enthusiasm for her products.

Tracey was very kind and allowed me to take pictures of a couple of the cards she made whilst I was there. The above card was made using an 8x8 card folded across the diagonal, and then having a 6x6 page placed over it with the images added - so effective.

This one was using the Born To Shop range and hot foil for the edging strip - very clever.

She then went on to show us a very clever little card using circular cutters and adding dangling bits in apertures. She had already blogged how to do it, so I knew that I had something to refer to when I got home. They were lovely and I wanted to try doing them.

Tracey broke for lunch at about 13.15pm, and I decided that, as much as I wanted to stay, I needed to get back home and start getting the holiday bags ready...... or perhaps craft a bit more...

I got home and had some lunch with my man, and then we headed in to Falmouth for some retail therapy, searching out some more craft equipment.

On my return, the living room was transformed into a war zone (spot the laptop with the instructions just on the edge of the picture!) and I became a little crafty minx, making the swing cards that Tracey had shown us earlier in the day

The result? Not bad if I do say so my self

I have now made four of these and have evolved them each time.

I had a lovely day, and learned so much from the lovely Tracey.
a great first day of my two weeks holidays!

Birthday Meal

It's been a manic week this week, in terms of card making - I've had loads of orders for the imminent Mother Days on 14th of March, and so have been holed up in my spare bedroom clipping and cutting and creating to my hearts content.

Unfortunately most people have asked for 3d decoupaged cards and these take time and patience, especially as most of the ones chosen have about 9 or 10 different layers to them - it's been enjoyable, but very tiring on the hands and eyes LOL.

The cards will soon be visible on my card blog, so keep an eye out.

In the meantime, it was Mikes 65th birthday yesterday, and we took the opportunity for a lovely meal at the Arms in the village last night....

We all ordered the scampi, as it's very good there, and then followed it with some very yummy puddings - us girlie's had Baileys Cheesecake!

It was a lovely meal, and great company as usual. By 10.30pm we were home again, and I was back at the craft table trying to finish a card that was to be delivered today!

I managed to finish it finally this morning, before I went to work, and thankfully all of the ones I took in today were instant hits.

Now all I have to do is finish the rest of my orders!

Impromptu Afternoon and Evening

This afternoon Paul decided that he wanted to try towing the caravan for the first time. Mike had said he would join him as moral support, and so off they went, with Paul looking a little nervous to say the least!

In the meantime, Sally~Ann and I stayed home with the 2 dogs, and I made the engagement card to beat all engagement cards for Jamie and Phill.... Hope you like it guys, I can't wait to be able to blog a picture of it LOL

Having worked out the card and put it all together I then finished off Mike's birthday card. All the time Sally~Ann gave her expert opinion on my creations, and offered some advice on them.

At a quater to 5 we hit the gin bottle! - well the sun was over the yardarm somewhere in the world! The awful part is that I insisted on commenting on poor Pams blog after my first glass of gin - not wise - Sorry Pam, I'm such a naughty girlie when I'm inhebriated LOL - no you can't go and see what I put, it was not suitable for public viewing I'm afraid!

The lads arrived back about an hour and a half later - by this time we were more than half cut on gin and the lasagne we were having for tea was willing me to stay sober enought not to burn it!

Mike and Paul had had a good experience with the van and Paul was far more relaxed about the idea of towing it to a holiday destination for us. They were even more relaxed after a little of the Chateau Portreath Red that was opened when they got back

We all sat to supper and stuffed our faces with the aforementioned lasagne, salad and garlic bread, and then watched the Dance for Sport Relief show, whilst we chatted about how good or bad the contestants were.

The evening drew to a close very quickly, as all good things generally do.

A great day guys - thanks and Happy early Birthday Mike x

Thank You Jordiegirl

Oh My - I can't believe how NORMAL I feel today!

The tablets finally kicked in, and I only feel my internal stitches if I happen to try and do something silly - and as you all know me I can't help doing silly things!

Anyway, I am sat in my recliner, laptop on lap, with the help of my little laptop table that Sally-Ann and Mike bought me for my birthday, and have been checking out some of the latest blogs updated on my blog-roll.

As you can see from the title of this post, I have been inspired. and as such, have created a new blog to showcase some of the cards that I have made over the years.

http://www.cardcraftbyjo.blogspot.com/

I have started with Kelly's Birthday card, and Dylan's Godson card, and will slowly upload some of my past works.

Please feel free to follow me on the other blog. Your comments on my creations would be very welcome, as this will steer me towards using some designs again and again if they are liked.

I have been card making for many years, and as such, will only select perhaps some of my favourites to date, but from now on will add pictures as I create a card.

Photo's

OK - Now don't laugh - but someone asked me to do this for her husband, who loves cows and is a dairy farmer - LOL

And Nanny, is not a card you can buy in the UK, Grandma and Nan, but not Nanny - Oh well, I can fill that gap in the market ....


Now, these are just a taster of what I've been creating - 43 cards later - phew!

I love little Orville the chick here...

and this one with the gem stones in the flowers is a favourite of mine

but I'm most please with my Mothers Day cards....

I need to give myself a little craft sabbatical now I think - a few days to recover before starting all over again.

OOPs! Sorry it's been a while.....

I know, I know - I've been very naughty and not kept you up to date on everything.....

Well I've been really really busy (just for a change)

We've designed and planned a new kitchen, and ordered it in the sales - It looks lovely on the sketches, but who knows what it will be like when it arrives.

We had a call on Friday to say it was all ready for delivery, however we have to wait until the 24th April as that's the earliest time slot they have from the distribution centre !!

I fitted in a sight test, and ordered new glasses - oh dear - another disaster no doubt when they arrive!

A couple of weeks ago I had a major card craft fest at home, and the girls at work talked me into taking them in to sell..... I did, then I sold loads, then I got stacks of orders!!!

I've been on holiday since I broke up on Friday 20th. We had a few days at BAH, then came back Wed evening as Paul had to work on Thur and Fri. I spent those 2 days making cards to cover the 40 odd that I was asked for.... Mainly Easter and Mothers Day cards. I worked away frantically and have finally completed the ones that I was asked for along with plenty for stock.

Meanwhile, it was Paul's 41st Birthday on the 22nd (whilst we were at the van), and bless him, I had to buy his card (mainly because he would have seen me making it, but otherwise because I just did not have time to go out and buy man type toppers for it).

He did have a nice day though, we went to Raleighs Cross for a meal again - as usual it was lovely.

The 22nd is also the anniversary of my Dad's passing - 9 years this year - I cannot believe that I have been without him for so long now, but I have to say that this year, for the first time, I did not cry, I just reflected on the good times and laughed about some of his antics...... Love you Dad x

We went to St Ives yesterday, as you have already seen.

So, it is now Saturday, and I'm planning a trip over to Trago in Falmouth for some more card supplies - the house is a disaster zone and Fred is feeling miffed that I am ignoring him, but considering my self confidence is non existent, it's nice to know that people 'like my work' so to speak.

Anyway - photo's will follow soon on the kitchen plans and some of the cards that I've been creating...

In the meantime - KEEEEEEP Crafting (in a Bruce Forsyth type voice style LOL)

Card Crafting

I've had a couple of use 'em or loose 'em days to take from work holiday wise, so I decided to build up my card stocks again, - it's always good to stay ahead of the game and keep your birthday list to hand to ensure that you have enough to get you through the next few months...

Puppy dogs are the theme of the day......

Are you getting the idea that I like dogs yet?.....

I love this one - it's just like Fred racing around the garden, barking and wagging his tail!

OK - running out of variations on a theme now!