Fighting and feeling inspired.

A flu style bug has hit the household, and honey and lemon have become good friends, along with Twinings Defence Tea  . Our beds has become a crafting zone and a writing zone. My son writing Pokemon bits and pieces and i'm reading and cutting out 3D decoupages , saving for another time to make them up. My reading material is everything from card making, papercraft and cross stitch, and now the latest Simply Homemade, with a free embossing and stamping set.

Simply Homemade covers so many different crafts, it always has the power to inspire, and i'm certainly that from reading the first few pages. Weaving anyone? I'm certainly interested in the whole idea of it, and it would be good to use some of my yarns i have stashed for supposed knitted projects, but also the Bear cushion is too cute to ignore! Plus button jewellery and father's day cards, along with the other projects to tease the crafter in all of us. And of course i have fabric in this house, various pieces of all manner of sizes and colours so a quilt is never far from my mind, though i think i don't quite have the sewing machine skills quite what they need to be. Seriously, i need to get my crafting area sorted! I'm eager to explore the crafting part of my mind, and talking mind, yes i'm still fighting demons and dark places, so crafting has certainly become a everyday thing to help.

But right now, tissues and warm/cold drinks take the importance away from crafting, and resting when we can has become important too. Kiddo is on half term at the mo, so it's going give him chance to recoup and recover before facing his final term at this school. He's growing so fast and it will be mum getting her crafting brain on for his final presents for his teachers who have helped him so much, and to a head teacher who runs such a wonderful school. It will be a big change for both of us, with tear shed along the way.

Happy Crafting, where ever you do it.

Vintage Times.

Right now i'm taking a timeout, a breakdown on Friday has left me raw, tearful and fighting a deep depression, so my son and my crafting are my focus. And order from Abel&Cole was a surprise, before 7am and the fruit and veg was so fresh, the smell of the oranges and apples alone a real highlight today. I'm definitely happier with the quality but also saving some money along the way. Another help in this tougher times we are going through. Anyway, crafting..

http://thegraphicsfairy.com/

This site has helped me out many a time. They have the most amazing images for free! But that's not the best bit, the images are. So many treasures from yester-year  and seeing the fashions, be it clothing or home items, it's a haven for those of us who like some of the olden times. The vintage ladies are certainly a favourite for me, but today a wonderful clock face ( public-domain-pocket-watch-image ) has put an idea or two in my head, so i feel i have a small mission today, as well as make homemade potato salad. Will be a steady day, with plenty of rest and some crafting through the day.

I'm currently working with angel-hair paper, it's fine fibres perfect as a background for some of the designs i'm working on. One is a vintage picture of a bunch of tulips. I've printed the picture out twice and cut them both out, but the second one i have removed the background enough to help make the image 3D. I've used deckle scissors around the edge to make a more interesting border, before placing onto of the angel-hair paper. HINT: Do not use deckle edges scissors on angel-hair, you end up with a mess and snagged scissors!

Anyway, the finished topper is now awaiting the right card to go on, i've run out of hammered cream blanks at the mo, so the topper is being kept safe.

The image of the tulips i found looked more vintage when it was printed onto cream textured card, like it had seen the ages slowly. The colours worked really well too. I printed it on the printer set as 4 images per page, but also had the paper being set at A5 size. I made sure it printed 2 of  the image, and you will find they will be the perfect size to use as a topper, without too much wastage too.The image is from The Graphics Fairy. Some more wonderful flowers on the site. Seriously this site is a gold mine for us crafters.

Anyway time for me to sort some bits out so i can have a brief crafting session. Happy Crafting

Bitter pill to swallow

This morning we wake to the news that the evilness continues. I am beyond broken inside and the fear of what is ahead can not be put into words. This country will be brought to it's knees and carved up and sold to people already too rich, and i hope those who voted for them, will enjoy watching the nhs being carved up and an american medical service will come to exist. I hope those who voted for them, will enjoy watching men, woman and children being made homeless and to starve. I hope that they can handle the fact they have signed the death warrants of anyone sick, disabled or poor.

Sorry no cheerfulness here, i'm broken beyond words and fearful of what is ahead.

Barriers

More than ever i'm fighting barriers, be they physical or emotional. Today i'm feeling both, the cold dark weather not helping much, plus the fact i've so many pictures i want to share, but no longer feel i can anymore, except on here. This is my area, to write my thoughts and share moments which make me smile, but also to show my moments of creativity, without being made to feel i'm not good enough, or it's become a competition of who is the best.

This is our quiet space today. The rain is battering down and the blossom of the cherry tree falls like pink snow with each hard gust of wind at various times. Believe or not, even on this cold, dank day it's still a beautiful sight and our garden is slowly coming together. Herbs and wild plants are happily taking their places on the back area, and the bird feeder is much loved by the local birds, especially the pigeon you see in the photo. Even on a blustery day he comes for his daily breakfast.

We're planning on more plants and veg being planted, some tomatoes and peppers in grow bags being our veg patch. More herbs and butterfly/bee friendly plants as well as a possible fruit plant/tree in the near future. The idea is to turn this space into an area that i can get used to the open air and space, without being fearful of panic attacks and my other fears whilst in the outside, but also a space to get a dose of vitamin d from time to time.

My other space is a work in progress, a crafting zone to create whatever is in my mind/heart at the time. A place to try and escape the pain, both physical and emotional, that challenges me every day. I admit to being very lonely and online has become a place that i can type my thoughts, but social contact seems very far apart. I tried reaching out but when you call people, and they never call you back, it hurts beyond words. So i'm only ringing people who ring me from time to time. But i've distracted off my topic, the crafting space. I've two storage units which are full of various bits, and another unit which i share with my son, again crafting stuff. There are boxes awaiting sorting which contain various bits, and by the computer desk are containers full of beads, charms and various jewellery findings for when my hands want o work. There is also a cupboard full of crafting goodness. Yes i have a lot, but it fills the life i don't have, and helps ease the fact that i am a single mum who rarily leaves our home due to agrophobia and fibromyaglia. My son of course is wonderful company, but i can't talk to him when things are troubling me, he is only 11 and i want him to enjoy the world safely. I try and make his life happy.

Happy crafting, whomever you do it with

Soul saver

As i type, this is the view on the sofa, a cat dreaming of who knows what. He is nicely chilled and has been wonderful company whilst my son is at school.

He may not give hugs, but as i stroke his fur, it's someone helping my mind go elsewhere whilst my depression is in full takeover mode. He's 'helped' with my ribbons as i tried to sort out the chaos that is crafting supplies. Later i hope the chaos will be nicely finished and i can start on enjoying some time to make cards.

Card-making has been a savior these last few days. Not really on FB anymore, it's not helping my head right now, so a break i have decided is the best course of action, and concentrating on home is more important. I've been slowly exposing myself to the outside world, by doing small amounts of gardening, nowt heavy, just a prune here, a tidy there and the odd plant being planted.

I've also been trying new things in the cooking area, more fresh veg and fruit to try and remove this extra, i have gained. At the same time i have been dealing with the side effects of medication, not agreeing with me. Cotton wool brains and a bobble head is not good when you are a mum! So the tablets have been put back to the lower does, and i find my head starting to clear in my creating again.

A simple card of elegance, a picture from days long gone, and the statement of love which i hope she got to find and enjoy in her lifetime. She was a beautiful lady when the photo was taken, and i wonder what she saw in her lifetime, how much change, how much happiness?

So now i must depart, chores and sorting need doing, before my young lad comes home.

Happy Crafting, whenever you get the chance

Time out...and change

A break from the normal is what is needed sometimes, and the last few weeks have been tough on the body and soul. My health has hit the stairs in another fall, and right now i'm recovering from cracking a rib whilst fighting fibro and depression. Pain is quite high, and to say i'm dizzy would be an understatement. As i sit here and type the world is spinning quite well. Thank goodness for gravity!


Our garden is a delight , the cherry tree in full bloom and from my pink themed bedroom, the view of this tree is a daily delight, especially first thing in the morning, when the only sound is birdsong and the odd car passing by.

Today i have been resting, but also crafting. Punching out flowers and then making little blooms for future cards. I guess the spring feel to everything is coming into my crafting too. It's been lovely to see the sun, and the bite there was in the air is starting to slowly move away. Even the cat is liking outside so much more now, and right now, his main resting area is in the herbs that get the sun in the afternoon. Sadly the greek oregano has become his bed for reasons only a cat would understand, and i'm hoping that the twigs i have put around it will save it's fate and a summer of herbs will be well ahead of us. Nothing like a greek salad with fresh herbs and some crumbly feta on a summers evening.

And talking salad, we've made a change in this house, and now buy our fruit and veg from a company called Abel & Cole. All the items are organic and only what is in season is delivered. You can choose a box for your household size, but also decide whether certain veg that you really can't palate, will not be included. No artichokes here! We have been really enjoying the surprise of opening the box and seeing what is on the menu this week. Purple sprouting broccoli anyone? Have to say it's lovely and fresh and oh so tasty! I feel it's a good change and with the fact that fruit and veg from the main supermarkets seems to have such a short life once you bring it home, i felt the change was needed. Not disappointed so far.

Now it's time for me to rest myself some more, the evening drawing to a close and bed is calling, though sleep will be sometime away.

Happy crafting, even if it's in your dreams

Just a card.

As a reader and crafter, the Mollie Makes magazine has opened my eyes to other crafters, whose livelihood depends on people buying their art and creations. I'm a big fan of Etsy too. There are some very talented people out there who create beauty in so many forms, each one made with love.



So the  Just A Card campaign is something i feel passionate about. Too many big firms have started to add their "handmade" style in their products, which is taking people away from the smaller businesses which depend on every single sale they make. Both my parents had their own businesses, and to this day, my mum is still doing hers. Imagine a day where you just made enough to pay the rent for your stall, but haven't made enough to cover the fuel to get there, and no extras for every day things.It's a tough life, and getting harder into today's climate.I have often been told my makes are good enough, it's my mental health which is making me fear the thought, that maybe, just maybe they are something people might want. I admit i have no confidence even though each project i do, is filled with love, and the urge to create something so beautiful. Yes i enjoy crafting, but for me it is so much more, it's a chance to forget the pain for a little while, it's a chance to take my minds of the bad thoughts that linger in my head on a daily basis. A chance to forget the fear of the outside world, and just create.

Happy Crafting , whether it's for yourself, a love one or to sell.