Tag Archives: Cards

Anniversaries

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I seem to be coming into the anniversary season in the next month or so. I was in need of a card at short notice the other day but I found I had nothing available in my collection. So it was time to find some more of my mojo and make something quickly.

I spent a good hour or so routing through my card and paper stash but I couldn’t find anything to spark my imagination, until I discovered my remaining crochet hearts. I thought simple was the best option and using my hearts I looked for some co-ordinating papers to set them off.

Crochet Hearts

Crochet Hearts

For the first time in a while I enjoyed putting papers together and finding matching colours. I put together a small collection of six cards, all different colours with some marbled paper inserts. I hope the recipients like them too.

Happy crafting
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Looking for my Mojo!

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Today I have been to collect Guinness’s ashes from the vet which was quite upsetting. So I decided to take him for a walk around Bury. It’s been nice that the sun was shining and I felt better in the open air. I took a detour into TK Maxx, I always find it a great place to lose some time. I’ve noticed recently that they have been offering some craft items at pretty good prices, so I thought I’d have a look. As I am still looking for my mojo, I thought the selection of craft materials might inspire me to make something.

I found a collection of products from Papermania this time. It was a bumper pack of the Sew Lovely range – a sewing inspired paper range including ribbon, papers, decoupage and glue. So I bought the lot and came home to have a play. It’s pretty hard when you can’t find any inspiration, so the little inspiration card on the decoupage was a Godsend. I don’t do much decoupage normally, but I found the cutting out and putting pieces together very therapeutic. The kit is lovely. The papers all have a look of handsewn items – quilts, patchwork etc, and there were loads of little extras on the sheets – buttons, roses, pins. I’ve put together three decoupage elements and made them into some different cards for me.

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Thank You Sew Much

Thank You Sew Much

It was great to find my craft space again and to actually make something. These cards are a completely different style to anything I’ve made before. The colours in this kit are great, so bright, yet very subtle. And the extras like the tape measure ribbons and card buttons are great to work with. I will be looking for ways to use some more of these in future projects.

Happy crafting
x

Origami

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This weekend I’ve been having a go at some origami.  I fancied doing something different after spending all my time crocheting!  It’s a craft I used to love when I was a little girl but other than a brief go a few years ago making little origami Santa’s for some Christmas cards, I haven’t done any since.

I thought it would be a good idea to find something for some men’s cards.  I always find it difficult to make cards for the men in my life.  I have a pad of football shirt papers and decided to have a go at making some of them.  This I have to say I have found incredibly difficult.  They don’t seem to work properly without a collar on, but the papers don’t lend themselves to having a collar!  And you tube didn’t help either! Very annoying.  Anyway I managed to make a few.

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These are most definitely works-in-progress. However, I have also been making some shirts with collars, which work much better. I’ve loved looking through all my A5 papers for different patterns. It was fun to do with my daughter too as she was quite wacky in her choice of patterns. ( I shall leave you to decide which ones she chose) Now I just have to add some embellishments. I’m thinking bling for buttons, co-ordinating paper ties and maybe a pocket or two!

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I’m going to try and master a handbag or something else girly next!

Happy crafting
x

Another Sales Outlet

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I have been looking for somewhere to sell my cards / gifts – a physical shop – for some time. I have asked around a number of retail spaces but have been struggling with finding the right location. With some gentle encouragement from a friend, I have now found a local outlet. My local newsagents is now stocking some of my cards!

First card display

They stock quite a good selection of cards, and mine now add a ‘handmade’ alternative to mass produced printed cards. I have a small display stand which I am updating on a weekly basis, trying different styles to see what works.

This is quite a nerve-wracking experience. Seeing my cards on display in somebody else’s shop is great, but now comes the hard bit – what if they sell too quickly and I can’t keep up with demand? Or worse, what if they don’t sell at all?

As this is a completely new venture for me, I have put together a list of the cards I have taken to the shop, giving them all a reference number to aid with identification. I have also set out a couple of terms and conditions for an agreement. They are basically being sold on a sale or return basis and I have set a flat fee commission for the shop. This makes it far easier for me to keep track of. So my fingers are crossed and hoping that my weekly visit to the shop will provide a few sales, or at least some feedback for me to work on. My first comment from the shop owner’s young daughter is to make some cards with butterflies on! I will need to get busy!

Wish me luck.

Happy crafting
x

Family Birthday

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This weekend as well as being Valentine’s Day, is my Mum’s birthday. A big one this year, 70! She’s not particularly impressed with being 70 but we’re all going out for a family meal which will be lovely. Three generations of the immediate family, Parents, Children and Grandchildren.

70th Birthday Handbag Card

We also have a 4th birthday, a 44th wedding anniversary and a funeral to attend, so it’s a big weekend of emotions for us.

So hopefully to help cheer Mum up about being 70, I made her this handbag card. She’s a huge fan of shoes and handbags and I thought the colours would brighten up the day!

I hope she likes it.

Happy crafting
x

My Valentine

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With less than a month until Valentine’s Day I’ve been thinking about my new collection of cards for this year.  As I’ve become somewhat addicted to crochet, I wanted to make something a bit different.  So I decided to add my crochet hearts and flowers to cards.

Starting off with my Valentine’s cards, I made a collection of 3 in a different shades of red.

My Valentine Dark Red Crochet Heart

The colour of the yarn really stands out on a simple plain white card.

These three cards proved popular last night on Handmadehour over on twitter and have now sold out. I am now making them to order though, so if you would like one of these please let me know. They are priced at £1.50 or £2.50 including UK postage.

I hope you like my cards and I would love to know what you think.

Happy crafting
x

January Sale

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I have been having a good clear out for the New Year and decided to have a January Sale of my cards in order to make some space for new makes this year.

I have put together a collection of cards and made an album on my facebook page. All cards have been reduced by between 20% and 50%. Here’s a couple of the cards that are being included in the sale

Heart Flower

Heart Flower

Gentleman with rose

Gentleman with rose

Orange / Yellow Get Well Flower Card

Orange / Yellow Get Well Flower Card

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In addition to the great bargains, if you require the cards to be posted, the charges will be £1 per item, to a maximum of £3 for 3 or more cards. To have a look at the album, click here

It’s a great opportunity to pick a collection of cards for the year, as they cover all occasions, including Valentine, Mother’s Day and Birthday as well as Christmas.

Happy Handmade 2015
x

Christmas Cards

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December is here already. Where has 25014 gone?

I have been frantically trying to make enough Christmas cards to put on a stall, but so many have gone already that I’m only left with a few. So here’s a selection of the cards I have made using some recycled bits and pieces.

First up I have 4 robin cards.

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I rescued these little robins and they are so cute with their little legs that wobble. These cards are available individually or as a set. These are a limited edition of 4.

Next up are a new design of button baubles.

Button Bauble Cards

Button Bauble Cards

I have made 4. However, I can make more although they would be slightly different depending on the buttons I have available. I really like this look and it’s quite different for me. Again these are available individually or as a set.

Finally I have one set of the snowman tag cards. These are made using white buttons and are mounted on Christmas papers.

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I would love to know what you think of these cards. I have a few other packs and individual cards left, pop along to have a browse and let me know your favourites. Christmas Cards

Happy Christmas
x

A ‘Frozen’ Christmas

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My daughter and many of her friends are still mad on Frozen, so instead of letting it drive me mad, I’ve decided to go with the flow and take some inspiration from it for my Christmas cards this year.

There seems to be no let up in the popularity of the film and I have to admit to liking it too, although watching the dvd twice a week is starting to get on my nerves a little bit now! I love the snowflake symbol on all the merchandise, so what better then using snowflakes on my Christmas cards and in some of my crafts too?

Mixed snowflake cards

I bought a lovely little snowflake die from X-cut and went a bit mad cutting out snowflakes from different papers and cardstock. I think they work particularly well cut from holographic card. I’ve tried to stick to traditional icy colours – mainly white and silver. But I thought I’d try some in a more vintage colour palette too, so out came the kraft card, cream mottled parchment and a darker cream cartridge paper.

Mixed vintage snowflake cards

I also used a nesting punch set from x-cut to make some mounts for the snowflakes. They are the postage stamp style punches and they work nicely to add a hint of extra colour to the design. I’ve used a selection of cool blues, kraft card, white cardstock and some recycled paper. The blues really make the snowflakes pop out.

My daughter particularly likes the pale blue as she thinks it looks very like the ones in Frozen. What do you think?

Happy crafting
x

Anniversary

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Today is my 8th wedding anniversary.

Traditionally it’s a bronze anniversary, so I made this card for my hubby.

Anniversary card

We went for a lovely meal at weekend and I’ll be cooking tonight.

But look what hubby brought home!

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Something tells me this is going to be a well used book! The recipes look amazing. I’m hungry already.

Happy Anniversary
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