I've had a serious case of Crafter's Block since Thursday. Despite all the fabulous inspiration I see every day on Instagram, Facebook and various blogs, nothing is forthcoming. What to do? I wanted to make something, so I grabbed some scraps of water colour paper and a brush and did some washes of all my Spectrum Aquas so I could compare and make better use of colour combinations. I also drew them straight onto water colour and plain white paper to see how they differed. I like it.
My next thought went to ink swatches, but I wasn't quite sure where to start, so I stopped by Michelle Short's You Tube site and found the one I needed! She uses a 2x2 card system like Stephanie Klauck and also Jennifer McGuire, who has created a whole host of free downloads to make it easier to create your swatches (links to Stephanie and Jennifer's videos and downloads are on Michelle's video post). I don't have a printer, or I'd have used them! I also don't have many inks at present (but more than I thought I had!!!), so it wasn't too strenuous hand writing them. I used a stamp from the Clearly Besotted Mr & Mrs set that I thought worked well.
I had SO much fun, just stamping! I also had no idea I had so many blue and green inks, then I looked at our carpets and they are blue and green - must be subliminal!
Sorry there's no card today, but I hope you found this useful. I managed to find a UK supplier for the album and the pockets via Hey Little Magpie - I need another store selling goodies like a hole in the head of course!
Here's to crafting when my mojo returns :)
Hello! I got a bit carried away last week and made quite a few purchases. I love Michelle Short's haul videos over on her blog, The Card Grotto, and whilst I can't compete with her on quality of blog and video, I can express the same enthusiasm for buying new things.
I have coined a new phrase: The Impoverished Happy Crafter. I am she. I suspect at times you are too. There is so much out there, so many lovely things I could use, and so little money in my bank account. I would rival Carrie from Sex and the City's shoe purchases with crafty ones if I could afford it!
So, here we are, my Make the Day Special Lawn Fawn and Mama Elephant purchases. I didn't get the Up and Away dies when I bought the stamps, but should have really. I've wanted the Let's Polka paper range for ages - Let's Polka and Let's Polka Mon Amie, plus some stitched square frames, and last but not least, the Best Pun Ever stamps and dies just had to be mine. I've been on the look out for a decent teapot and cup and this was it. Lovely!
One of my earlier posts was about the Ranger Dye Inks. I had a couple of questions from some bloggers about them. I'll pass my answers on: They didn't bleed when brushed with water and you will need a decent stamp cleaner, because the stamps I used have stained. I know Stazon cleaner is what a lot of people use, but I have heard it can damage clear stamps over time, so I haven't bought any yet. I need to do some research on stamp cleaners, otherwise everything I own will be stained!
Still, I bought the rest of them for the rather reasonable price of £3.75 each from Inkylicious. They were also selling all twelve for £42...
I also bought some Wink of Stella pens - a brush and a fine. I've seen them used on projects a lot, so I thought it was time to try them out.
I'm off to do a bit of crafting now the kiddies are in bed. Can't wait. I've been like an overgrown child at Christmas today - desperate to open those last two packages!
Thanks for reading. Happy Tuesday :)
Hello! Many moons ago when I was in my teens I did some crafting. Anything I could try really, from making clothes to playing with Fimo. I've always enjoyed the creative side of things.
A Hobbycraft has recently opened up in our town, and I found myself in there last October looking for supplies to make a card. It's quickly becoming an obsession and I've spent a lot of time on various blogs learning about paper, stamps, inks etc. I particularly appreciate Michelle Short's blog, The Card Grotto for its excellent videos and inspiring cards. I've also spent a lot of cash getting a small stash together from various sources and am finding out what I like and don't like. Card making isn't exactly cheap, but it's so much fun!
I've named this blog after the fact I don't get much time to craft being a full time mum, busy with an enquiring 4 year old and an exploring 10 month old. Nap times are best!
Hope you enjoy. Advice is always welcomed!
