A new world of craft

Well guys and girls, it's been a while!

Things have been hectic over the last few months but I thought it was time to resurrect the Twinkle Twit blog and tell you what's been happening.

Up till the end of 2012 my main craft love was all things papercraft - card making in particular with a little scrapbooking thrown in for good measure, however 2013 has seen me take on a whole array of new craft projects.

It all started earlier in the year when I was put on anti-depressants by the doctor.  Yes, I'm not afraid to admit it.  I was suffering terribly with anxiety and panic and got to a point where I couldn't socialise or even visit friends.  When I began the new meds they really knocked me for six.  The side effects were horrendous and these went on for many weeks.  During this time it was difficult to commit to anything but on the odd occasions when I felt better I wanted to do things that would occupy my mind.  My first project was to be an Easter tree.  I took a slow walk with Mom to the local playing fields and chopped off a few willow branches to start work on my project.

After this I began experimenting with wooden plaques.  My bro is an expert in the carpentry department so he cut me some various blanks and I spent time playing around with them to find the best materials and supplies to use.  The plaques became popular and many of my friends were asking if they were for sale so I decided to open up my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/twinkletwitcrafts and also list items on my Facebook and Instagram feeds.

I've also been learning to crochet and I have to admit, I think I now have an addiction!!  I never really got into knitting although both Mom and Nan were avid knitters, but I love the fact that with crochet it's not all about cardi's and scarves!  You can start a little project such as a brooch or hanging item and have it finished in a few hours.  I'm by no means a expert and not very quick but I love the things I've made so far using lots of fabulous resources on the internet. We're really lucky to have a fabulous wool shop in Halesowen called Withit Witch I popped in this morning as I've decided to make a little something for Mom to hang in her hallway.

I saw a sign recently that said creativity is not a hobby, it's a way of life, I really think that's true.  My mind is constantly in craft mode, if I see an idea or project then I have to give it a go, or spend time thinking about how I could do it differently.  The crafter's mind never stops!  I have to say, I have trouble getting to sleep some nights (oh dear, now I really do sound like I have problems).

I'm so pleased that I decided to stray from papercraft, as although I still love it and try to make cards for all my friends and relations, I've found this whole new world of crafting that means things never get stale or boring.

I have a couple of crochet projects on the go at the moment so piccies coming soon!!

Flowers and fairy - Get Well Soon

Another of my friends from choir has recently had a serious operation and is currently recuperating and unable to come back to choir.  I'd got a lovely stamp that I'd found online, coloured and filed away some time ago so thought this might be the ideal card to use it on.

Hubby bought me a super little sewing machine for Christmas as I was really keen to try stitching on my cards.  I'm embarrassed to say that this is the first time I've used it.  Anyhow, I'm pleased with how my first 'stitching' attempt has gone but I think I could still use a bit more practise.

I used pink cardstock to layer my sentiment and stamp and the mats for the stamp were made using my Xcut dies.  The paper flowers were from my stash and the stamp was coloured using Promarkers.

Thanks for stopping by! x

House Mouse Gingerbread Xmas

When I subscribed to Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine at the end of last year my free gift was a super House Mouse pack including 2 stamp packs and a set of decoupage sheets.  As it was a little late last year to use the Christmas goodies I've been waiting till now to get them out and try them.

The stamp is Christmas Gingerbread House from Joanna Sheen and I have coloured the image using Promarkers.  I fancied making something a little different so I looked to Youtube for inspiration and found a great card layout by DaisieMae12.  The papers I've used are Papermania Mistletoe Kisses and I've used my Marianne snowflake die with a button and bakers twine to embellish the bottom corner.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

I <3 Promarkers - #139 Anything Goes

Charisma Cardz - #41 Clean and Simple

ABC Christmas Challenge - U for Up to you

Christmas Crafting Challenge - #15 Buttons and Twine

Thanks for stopping by! x

Special Friend card

Mom-in-law asked me to make her a card for a special friend of hers recently and here is the finished result.

I love these papers from Pink Paislee.  They're called 'Spring Jubilee' and the chipboard tag matches the collection.  I've used my Martha Stewart punch along the yellow cardstock and then embellished with pearls from my stash.  The pink 'lace' butterfly embellishment (not sure what else to call it!) along the left side was in a collection from someone's craft clear out I bought a while back on Ebay.  I've been waiting for ages for suitable project to use it on and finally the colours matched perfectly.

Thanks for stopping by! x

Edwardian Lady - Thinking of you

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine lost her Dad who's been unwell for some time.   She's not been well herself over recent years and I do think of her a lot and hope that she's doing ok.  I made her a 'Thinking of You' card rather than the normal sympathy card.

I used paper and a stamp from my Edwardian Lady collection and coloured the stamp using Promarkers.  I've layered the paper and stamp onto green cardstock and also the sentiment which I found on online.  The ribbon and lace were from my stash along with the mulberry flowers, gems and pearls.

Thanks for stopping by! x

Craft Room Door Hanger

A while ago, after seeing an idea in a magazine somewhere I asked my 'handy' brother if he would be able to  cut some blank door hangers for me.  After some debate as to what material to use we decided to try first with some thin MDF.  He cut me a few blanks, most of which have been sitting in my craft room ever since, waiting for me to find the time to do something with them! However, a couple of months ago I decided to play around with one of them and here is the result.......

What you will need:

• Mod Podge
• Co-ordinating Backing Paper/s
• Ink pad
• Ribbon
• Flowers / Letters and embellishments

I started by covering the door hanger on both sides using paper from my stash (I think it is My Minds Eye) and Mod Podge.  To do this I laid the door hanger onto the reverse side of my chosen paper, drew around the edge then cut out. I coated the door hanger with Mod Podge and then carefully lined up the paper and smoothed down.  (I don't have a brayer but this would be helpful for smoothing).  Once the paper was dry I then trimmed around the edge with a craft knife and lightly sanded the edges.

Once I'd finished adding paper embellishments I then inked the edges of the hanger.  I coated the whole hanger with a mixture of water and Mod Podge (about half and half) to help protect the finished article.  I added ribbon along the edge where my two papers joined, added Papermania letters and decorated with mulberry flowers from my stash to finish.

Thanks for stopping by! x

Macmillan Charity Cards

Last Saturday we held a Coffee Morning at our work premises in aid of Macmillan's 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' event.  I decided to make a few 'quick' cards along with selling a few from my stash to help boost donations.  Last year, sales from my cards were extremely successful so I thought it was definitely worth trying again.

A few of my cards were made using designs and a free gift from 'Quick Cards' and they certainly proved very popular.  These ones were snapped up first!

I also made a more detailed card with a 'Flower Fairies' stamp that I'd coloured a while back.  I only wish I'd had more time to make a few more as the ones I did make went really well.

Thanks for stopping by! x