Secret Diary of a Crafter...

Crafting as Therapy After A Horrific Three Months

2011-06-21T21:29:00.000+01:00

Hi Everyone,

I know I have been gone for so long. Apologies for that. It's been a horrific three months and my health has taken a real beating. However, I'm taking each day as it comes and sometimes I have good days and sometimes I have "not-so-good" days.

I've been off work since the end of March really but I went back to work last week on a phased return. Each week I am increasing my hours a little and hopefully (fingers crossed) I am hoping to go back to work full time soon. My Doctors have said it is good for me to do things that relax me and calm me down so my card making has taken on a therapeutic element. I decided to concentrate on my colouring skills and develop my use of Promarkers since this is something I can do in one place.

Trace bought me one of those laptop tables so I can have a steady surface to work on when I'm in bed or on the couch. Unfortunately now it's covered in ink but its wonderful for colouring on. I'm a messy crafter anyway so that's no surprise to Trace.

Anyway, I've put together my first card using a Promarker coloured image with the new skills I've been practising. There is so much inspiration out there and I have been like a sponge trying to absorb it all. Here is my latest card.....

I have decided to start listing my cards on eBay as a way to earn a bit of spending money. Trace also thinks its a good idea as I am still trying to shrink my stash size. I still have to go to the Doctors quite regularly and a counsellor as well but everyone seems happy with my progress so far and as long as I don't try to do too much too soon I should be fine.

Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #50

2011-03-12T17:41:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Card Sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is Pretty ~ any how, any way! Using the sketch I thought it would be nice to keep this card simple. Here 'tis....

Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out the other takes on the Sketch from the rest of the Design Team B. Then upload a link to your own. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Challenge 48 at Craft Your Passion

2011-03-12T17:35:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Challenge is now live over at Craft Your Passion. This week we were lucky enough to be sponsored by two sponsors ~ Fanyella and Wags N Whiskers. I got to play with one of the Wags N Whiskers images. The challenge this week is Anything Goes! Here is my card.....

Head on over to Craft Your Passion and upload your own creation using the linky tool. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Girly Time Over at Craft Your Passion

2011-02-28T07:03:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

This week's Challenge over at Craft Your Passion is now live. The Challenge this week is to create a project with a Girly Girl Theme. We got to play with Lauretta and Corrine's images this week. Here is my card....

I'm trying to improve my colouring with Pro-markers. I look at some of the colouring on people blogs and its so beautiful. I feel I just need to really work on my shading, highlights and low lights. I also got to play with another new purchase ~ some nestibilities. I still have a lot of playing to do but I did enjoy what little time I had. Watch this space.

Head on over to Craft Your Passion and check out the other gorgeous creations from the Design Team. Then upload your own Girly Girl creation using the linky tool. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #48

2011-02-27T21:29:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

I've been so out of it lately. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day. The frustration is rising and I feel like I sooooo need a break. Unfortunately, I work in Local Government and we are facing huge job cuts at the moment so I cant take any time off. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to April! A new financial year and a week off to spend with my son. Unfortunately Trace couldn't get the same time off but I'm hoping we can spend some quality family time after she finishes at 3 o'clock every day. I feel that my family is the only thing keeping me going at the moment.

Anyway, the latest card sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is fold ~ any how, any way! I went back to my tea bag folding days for this card. Here it is.....

Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out the other gorgeous creations from the Design Team. Then upload a link to your own creation using the sketch provided. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Dude Time at Craft Your Passion

2011-02-21T07:34:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Challenge is now live over at Craft Your Passion. This week we got to play with some fab images from Dude Time Doodles. Their male images are such fun to use. Therefore it was only natural that the Challenge should be to create a Male Themed Card or Project. Here is my card.....

The girls have made some fantastic Male Themed creations. Head on over to Craft Your Passion to check them out. Then upload your own Male Themed creation. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Distressing Times at Twisted Sketches

2011-02-20T19:54:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Card Sketch is now up over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is distress ~ any how, any way! The girls have done a fab job with the sketch ~ absolutely stunning! Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check them out then upload a link to your own creation. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

A Bit of Whimsy at Craft Your Passion

2011-02-16T19:20:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

This week over at Craft Your Passion we are privileged tobe sponsored by Whimsy Stamps. I got to play with a gorgeous image from Meljen's Designs. I love their images and find them so great to work with. Here is my card.....

This week's challenge is to create something using the colour Pink. Upload a picture of your gorgeous creation to Craft Your Passion using the linky tool and you could win yourself some gorgeous digitial images. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Hearts all a Flutter at Twisted Sketches.

2011-02-12T08:41:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Card Sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This weeks twist is heart ~ any how, any way! I thought I'd make Trace's Valentine card ready for Monday. Here is my card.....

Trace is not the kind of person who likes a lot of fuss so I tried to keep it simple. I did however get to play with one of my latest purchases ~ a new cuttlebug! Couldn't resist the new design! It looks like a little handbag! I'm loving the embossing folders and am looking forward to purchasing some Nestabilities with some of my birthday money.

Anyway, head on over to Twisted Sketches to check out the other gorgeous creations by the Design Team. Then upload a link to your own heartfelt creation. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Anything Goes at Craft Your Passion

2011-02-07T20:06:00.001Z

Hi Everyone,

This week's challenge is now live over at Craft Your Passion. We were lucky enough to be sponsored by Stamping Dragon Designs, Didge's Doodles and Pizzaz Aplenty! The Challenge is week was anything goes! Here is my card....

This image from Stamping Dragon Designs is so cute! I just couldn't resist. Anyway, head on over to Craft Your Passion and check out the other gorgeous creations from the Design Team and then upload your own. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #45

2011-02-07T19:58:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Card Sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is two ~ any how, any way! Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out the gorgeous creations from the Design Team. Then upload a link to your own masterpiece. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Bling on Your Love at Craft Your Passion

2011-02-01T06:42:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

This week's Challenge over at Craft Your Passion is called "Bling on Your Love!" You have to use Bling and Red or Hearts on your creations this week. The Design Team got to play with some gorgeous images from Glitterbabe this week. Here is my card....

In addition to the gorgeous images we got to work with, this week we are also being sponsored by the Ribbon Girl who is offering a prize of some gorgeous ribbon. So head over to Craft Your Passion and check out the other gorgeous creations from the Design Team. Get Crafting and upload a link to your own masterpiece. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #44

2011-02-01T06:31:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Card Sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is twine ~ any how, any way! As soon as I saw this twist I knew exactly the twine I was going to use. Here is my card....

Then I just couldn't resist having a play with some of the Prima roses and leaves I got just after Christmas. Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out the other gorgeous Design Team creations. I never knew there were so many different things to do with twine! Then upload a link to your own creation. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Paper Piecing it Together at Craft Your Passion

2011-01-25T06:25:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Challenge is now live over at Craft Your Passion. This week's Challenge is Pattern - Use Two Patterned Papers. We were lucky enough to play with some images from Daisy Doodles this week. I decided on this cute butterfly and got my paper piecing head on. I think I may have gone a little overboard with the patterned papers though! lol. Here is my card....

I thought a simple generic card with no sentiment would be best for this little butterfly. I also raised each level of this wings to give dimension. Head on over to Craft Your Passion and check out the inspiring cards from the other Design Team members. Then upload your own patterned creations to the blog. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #43

2011-01-23T10:27:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Card Sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is "bling" ~ any how, any way! The cards produced by Team A are stunning! Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check them out. Then upload a link to your own blinging creation. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Craft Your Passion is Sooooo Tweet!

2011-01-17T12:00:00.002Z

Hi Everyone,

This week over at Craft Your Passion we were lucky enough to play with some images from Purple Panda! The Challenge this week is to use buttons on your creation. Here is my card....

I decided to use buttons for the middle of my flowers to give a little dimension. The image I decided to colour brightly and match as best I could with the papers from Cherry Arte. The sentiment I printed from my PC. Head on over to Craft Your Passion to check out the Design Team's gorgeous creations using the Purple Panda images. Then upload your own buttoned creations. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #42

2011-01-16T11:23:00.001Z

Hi Everyone,

What a manic couple of weeks the last few weeks have been. I thought it was supposed to slow down a bit after the festive season? Not a chance! It seems I'm busier than ever! Got a lot to look forward to though so although I'm tired I'm in a happy place.

Anyway, the latest Twisted Sketches Card Sketch is up over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is "diecut" ~ any how, any way! Here is my card....

I dug out my build-a-flourish set from quickutz and had a play. I thinking sometimes its good to get out stash or equipment out that you haven't used for a while. It can be quite inspiring. Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out the gorgeous creations from the other Design Team members. Then upload a link to your own diecut creation. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Tasty Times at Craft Your Passion

2011-01-10T13:09:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest challenge is now live over at Craft Your Passion. This week's challenge is called "tie one on!" Basically, create a card using ribbon, lace or in fact anything that you can tie on. This week we've been lucky enough to play with some gorgeous images from Shelly's Images. I got to play with a gorgeous cupcake image. Here is my card....

I just had to use some of my new stash that I bought just before Christmas and when I saw this gorgeous paper from Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry paper pad I just had to go with it. Trace has said she really likes this card and has asked if we can give it to her neice for her first birthday since it has one candle on it. I, of course, said yes!

Anyway, head on over to Craft Your Passion and check out the other gorgeous creations from the Design Team. Then upload your own "ribbon bound" creation. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #41

2011-01-09T22:49:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest card sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is Ribbon ~ any how, any way! You'll be amazed at how many different things the ladies have come up with. So head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out their gorgeous creations and then upload a link to one of your own. We'd love to see what you come up with. Take care. x x

Get Yourself Some Attitude at Craft Your Passion

2011-01-03T12:00:00.001Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Challenge is now live over at Craft Your Passion. This week we got to play with some sponsor images and some more goodies from Pizzazz Aplenty. I got to use a gorgeous image from Digis with Attitude. Such a funky image ~ I loved it! Here is my card....

I thought the silver flatbacked pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty looked a little like rivets and the little set of Angels wings I was given was perfect for this card.

The best thing is that the Challenge is an Anything goes Challenge this week so go wild and upload your creations to Craft Your Passion. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #40

2011-01-03T10:27:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Twisted Sketches Card Sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is "hope" ~ any how, any way! I was lucky enough to have some new stash to play with when I created this card since I got some Christmas money. Oh stash shopping how I've missed you! lol

Anyway, here is my card....

Apart from the Martha Stewart punch, the rub-on flourish and the cardstock, I think the rest is all new stash of mine. I made this card for my friend whose Birthday is at the end of January. We'll be away for that weekend so I'm trying to get organised (before you ask it's not a new years resolution - it's a year round resolution which I consistently fail to achieve! lol).

Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out the other gorgeous creations from the Design Team. They're such a talented bunch of ladies. Then upload your own take on the sketch. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Its a Colour Challenge at Craft Your Passion

2010-12-27T20:47:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest Challenge is now live over at Craft Your Passion. This week's challenge is a Colour Challenge. You need to create using the colours Red, Green and Cream. This week I decided that I wasn't going to go down the Christmas route and tried to think of a different card to do. Here is my card....

I think this little gnome is so cute! Head on over to Craft Your Passion to check out the gorgeous creations from the Design Team, then upload your own using the colours listed. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #39

2010-12-27T20:40:00.001Z

The latest card sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is faith ~ any how, any way! Head on over the check out the inspiring cards by the talented Design Team. Then upload a link to your gorgeous creation based on the sketch provided. We'd love to see what you come up with.

Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Its Christmas Time at Craft Your Passion.

2010-12-22T00:25:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest challenge is now live over at Craft Your Passion. This week's challenge is to create a Christmas Themed Creation. Here is my card...

I decided I didn't want to use traditional Christmas colours and instead went for a really bright feel. Head on over to Craft Your Passion and check out the other creations from the fab design Team. Then upload your own ~ we'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x

Twisted Sketches Card Sketch #38

2010-12-22T00:24:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

The latest card sketch is now live over at Twisted Sketches. This week's twist is Chipboard ~ any how, any way! I was forunate enough to be asked to create a very special card for one of the ladies I work with. One of the members of her family was turning 100 and she asked me to create a card to celebrate this. I was very honoured to do this. Here is my card....

Head on over to Twisted Sketches and check out the sketch. Then upload your own creation and post a link on the blog. We'd love to see what you come up with. Thanks for stopping by. Take care. x x