His Valentine Card!!

So, I did relent and make a Valentine Card for my other half. And here it is. I'm quite proud of it - not cutesy or even a predictable Valentine type card. I based it on a layout I saw in a Docrafts magazine a couple of years ago - one of those images I cut out and stuck in one of my many ideas books.

For any crafty types reading the blog, it's an 8x8 base card, covered in a sheet of paper from Papermania's V&A Quilts 8x8 pack. It's been distressed around the edges by sanding, and edged with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

The hearts are cut from Bazzil cardstock (not sure of the colour names - they were off cuts in my odds & sods box) using my Craft Robo, and the letters are also Bazzil cardstock cut using XCut Die-Licious Alphabet Dies (Smoothie) and my trusty Cuttlebug.

The bottom mat is from DCWV's Luxury Cardstock Stack, and the other is Bazzil card. Ribbon from my stash, along with a flourish stamp and sequins finished it off nicely.

Have a few more recently made cards to post - will do so one at a time so as not to bore you non-crafting friends who I know read my blog out of a sense of duty and friendship!! God bless you all!!!

Things have been a bit quiet since Christmas, I have tonnes of cards waiting to be made - loads of new stash that I think people will love when I've had a chance to work my crafty (although hopefully not too inky) fingers on, and transformed into cards.

Problem is (and believe me this is a problem in the most good and positive sense of the word), I keep getting commissions to make. Shouldn't complain, as I do love making special cards. But all my good intentions of having time to play and create seem to just pass by. And now with Spring just around the corner, my garden is screaming for some attention.

My lovely husband is in the process of putting up a greenhouse for me, and over the winter he dug up a (small)section of the lawn to extend my veggie patch. So, am torn between planning the months ahead for my garden, and making cards and playing with messy, inky stuff.

Plus, I've just remembered I've got tags to make for a swap that need doing this week. Oh dear - my work is never done!!

So, better sign off here, and make a plan of what to do when. (You may notice that I am a bit of a planner - rather compulsive one I suppose).

Bye for now
Cxxxx

Love is in the air...

..... everywhere you look around. Well, the Valentine's stuff is anyway, although my other half insists there's nothing in the card shops yet!! Mmmmm. And when I suggested (sarcastically) that he might want me to make my own, there was a split second when I could see he was seriously thinking about it. But, luckily for him, it passed. Whether I get a card though, still remains to be seen.

Anyway, as it's fast approaching, I have rustled up a few cards which are now on the website in the "Love and Valentine's" section. (And no, I haven't made HIM a card yet - maybe I will just buy him one this year!! That'd give him a lemon!!)

I've tried to be a bit different and offer something other than the usual hearts and flowers - although there are a few of those in there too!! Here's a few of them to whet your appetite.....

Visit http://www.papercraftbycarole.co.uk/ for the full range.

Haven't yet got round to putting the bookmarks on - but am now considering putting on a section where people can commission cards. I appreciate that in this time of economic hardship, handmade cards are perhaps a bit of a luxury, but we all have special occasions that need to be marked, and this could be the way to attract more interest in the rest of my stuff.

Just a thought - let me know what you think!!

Cxxx

Cxx

Website Back Up and Running!!

So, Christmas is over, the family has all been fed far too much food - and work is beckoning. I have finally got the website updated and back on line - and looking forward to the new year.

In the coming weeks, I shall be making a whole host of new cards and extending the range to include cards for men and children. I have a load of new resources ready and waiting to be made up - and the living room is beginning to fill up again with all the crafting boxes creeping back in. I am also considering putting the fridge magnets and bookmarks on the website - maybe even the notebooks - although I'd have to think about postage costs for them.

So, will keep you posted as things progress.

Cxxx

Will be glad when it's Christmas!!

I am kn*****d. Why do I have these bright ideas?? Having worked all weekend, I spend my two days off making commisions (OK - fine - guaranteed income) and then creating new stuff for the Christmas Fair on the 11th.

80 Christmas Gift Tags later (which have actually turned out much better than I thought they might - and therefore am in a dilemma over how much to charge for them), I have made a start on the bookmarks. These may be quicker to make than I thought. They take the paint really well - and then it's just a case of stamping something creative, and a bit of ink. Oh, and the ribbon - think I'll do that to the lot at the end.

What with the grungeboard being made of recyled paper, and the acrylic paint being "eco-green" (yes that's actually the name - they are produced in a very environmentally friendly way - and also not toxic to the user in any way) -these bookmarks are turning out to be a very environmentally friendly product.

Will have to work on them in the evenings. Still have the fridge magnets to do - but am waiting on some gilding flakes for them - to add a bit of glitz!! And if I get all that done, the paper is cut for some notebooks. Phew.

After the 11th, I'm going to have a break until the New Year. Think the other half will be glad too - I've somewhat taken over the lounge at the moment. There's hardly a spare surface anywhere. The only bonus from his point of view is that there is nowhere for me to put the Christmas tree up!! Mmmm - will have to work on that one. Can't be in December with no Christmas tree up!!!

Here's a peek at couple of the Christmas Tags:

Cxx

.... and finally it's done!!

OK, so after the last post, I decided to go back into the website and perservere with getting the cards on the website. And, by doing one at a time, I have managed to get the rest on.

So, for the time being, the website is complete!! Yay!!

So, if you're looking for a special Christmas Card - go on over to the website and have a look.

Speak soon

Cxx

A Partial Success!!

I have managed to get quite a few Christmas cards onto the website. It has been a battle - but I suppose some is better than none.

The answer to my problem, apparently, is to use Firefox, instead of Internet Explorer. That would solve the problems I've been having. But I really can't imagine using anything other than Internet Explorer, and so I will have to battle on and add the remaining 15 or so when the site is being more co-operative.

Have had a busy couple of days off of work. I've ordered a tablecloth, and managed to get a table runner that was reduced coz it wasn't in its original packaging. I've made a start on the biggest of the commissions, and have plans for a couple of others - should be able to get those done soonish. And have ordered some stuff for another. I'm going to have to watch the spending, as I'm already making good headway through what I put into the account. That said, the money has been going on the table etc, and on a load of new stock for cards to make in the New Year - so they haven't been totally frivolous purchases.

I've also made good headway into my Christmas shopping - mostly on-line. The couple of times I ventured into the shops, it's been hell on wheels!! And it's only November!! As much as I looooovvveeee Christmas, I do struggle with the pushing, shoving and queueing that goes on in shops during the festive season!!

It's back to work tomorrow!! So probably won't get much of anything done for a few days.

Speak soon

Cxx

Easier than easy MY EYE!!!!!

So, if anyone's been onto the website looking for Christmas cards, you probably noticed that they are not there!! It's not for lack of trying believe me - and all I can do is apologise - and post a few more taster piccies!!

My lovely website host claims their software is Easier than Easy!! I think I'd term it Slower than Slow or Cr****r than Cr*p. It's become a daily battle to get the Christmas cards on - I still have 40 odd to go, and with the site freezing every 2 or 3 cards - sometimes crashing and losing the stuff I've just tried to input - I am not a happy bunny!! Grrrr!!!

I have now e-mailed the support desk, and hopefully will have a solution to what going on tomorrow. Then I can get on and get the cards on the website this side of Christmas!!!!!

On a more positive note, I have a table booked at Putlake Farm Christmas Fayre (Langton Matravers) on Saturday 11th December - runs from 4pm to 7pm I think - no idea if there is an admission charge - but I know my table fee is going to charity!! Apparently there were 3000 people through the "door" last year!!

In anticipation that, whilst people will pick up the odd card or two at this type of thing, they may well be looking more for gift ideas - so have plans to make some bookmarks, fridge magnets - and maybe even some notepads. Just depends how much time I have. Meant to start the bookmarks today - but spend it battling with the website.

Since I have had a reasonable amount of sales recently (and I have another 5 commissions waiting to be completed), I have invested in a proper table for when I go to crafting events. It's 6ft in length (generally the maximum table length you're allowed at these kind of things - and the average size of your common or garden trestle table), has very sturdy legs witha wipeable, white plastic top. And best of all, as well as the legs folding down, it's foldable in the middle so will fit in my little car. Now, I'm sure many of you out there will think this deathly dull that I am talking about a table - but I am chuffed to pieces with it. Feels like I'm taking the business thing a bit more seriously.

I now need to invest in a decent table covering. I'm thinking a white tablecloth type covering, with a green and/or beige runner down the middle to go with my logo. May need to get the sewing machine out, as it might be cheaper to buy the material and hem it myself. Mmmm - yet another project.

To go with all this, I've been investing in a few other bits and pieces. Alongside the postcards I had printed recently, and the business cards with the new website address on, I have bought a small banner - to put on the wall behind the stall (if there is one), and a couple of more frivolous things - a mug and a keyring - both with my logo on!!

Am now trying to work out how to make best use of the table space. I rescued a leaflet display rack that was going to be thrown out at work a while back, and with the help of my lovely hubby, this is going to be transformed to sit on the floor at the front of the table. I will then have to play around with the stock I've got and see what I can put where. At the moment my lounge has been taken over with the table, all my boxes of stock and the many display racks, baskets, trays and boxes I have acquired.

Hopefully next time I post, it will be to say that the Christmas cards are online!!!! (Just don't hold your breath!!)

Till I post again,

Cxxx