Saturday 30 November 2013

what a week!

It's been a hectic week where I trialled a new job, sadly it wasn't the one for me and I had to make the tough decision not to continue with it. It was madness going out the door before 7am and not getting home again until after 6pm. The last thing I felt like doing when I got in was cooking the evening meal and crafting......however, today has been much nicer, I went to the Clarity East workshop and got to play with some lovely Clarity Stamps and stencils. The classes are really good, we learn new techniques and ways to use the stamps while crafting, then there's the chance to have a chat over coffee and cakes.

Most of the Clarity stamped cards that I make are given to my nearest and dearest, however, several times a year I co-host a workshop with two other ladies and I am in charge of the stamped cards. Last month I decided to use a Clarity stamp I received as a member of the New Design Club for one of my cards. I kept it small and simple with a distress ink background and then embossed a snowflake stamp in the middle to tone with the mirri used to mat and layer it. Quick but effective, we also made it in green and red, both of which looked stunning. A variety of colours in a handmade box made a nice gift for a local charity tombola as well.

I've decided to enter it in the Clarity Blog challenge. For November it's a Christmas theme, so this should fit in nicely, the other entries are fabulous - as always, go and take a look, you won't regret it :-)

http://claritystampchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/challenge-9.html



Monday 18 November 2013

Ok, I have been very neglectful of my blog, despite my good intensions. I find there are not enough hours in the day with being a full time Mum, grandmother, crafter and worker...until recently when I was made redundant. Who knew finding a new job would be a full time role in itself!! I'm still unemployed, but hopefully that will change soon.
In recent months my son has married, my grandsons are growing quickly (and a joy to spend time with) and I am crafting whenever I can. I am a big fan of Barbara Grey and have many of her stamps, however, like chocolate, a girl can never have too many :-)
As well as watching Barbara on tv and her fantastic DVD's, I have been going along to the Clarity East stamping classes, run by the very lovely Janet. I have learnt so much from the classes and made many new friends into the bargain. The crafting world is certainly full of some wonderful people.
Barbara recently started a blog and I have been following it daily, but been unable to leave any comments. Until today...when I logged on with my laptop rather than the ipad.....problem solved :-)
One of Barbara's posts included a challenge, to get up to speed with the blogging world, and post a link to her blog, so other people can enjoy her posts. The bonus is a chance to to win a fantastic giveaway. It got me thinking it was high time I dusted off my blog, made it feel a bit more loved and got to grips with how it all works.
So here I am, ready to have a good look at what needs updating, what's new in blogger world and to have a peek around the blogs I have previously enjoyed visiting...maybe even find a few more :-)
I suspect my day is about to disappear into blogland, but with the miserable weather outside...why not  :-)
If you haven't already visited Barbara's blog, go take a look, I promise you will love it, the link is on my sidebar