Mmmm.. aint this true?!

I've just found this through a link someone gave.. I read it, and thought.. mmm.. isn't this so true! So thought I'd share!

I have never made anything perfect. 

 Nope, not once. I might have come close a few times, but there was always the stamped image that was just a little crooked. Or the bow that didn’t come out totally right. You know. Life-or-death stuff.

I have, however, made some really great things that made other people happy and were fun to do. For example, I sewed a scalloped baby quilt that had some wonky spots at one edge. Does my daughter care? Not a bit. Do I wince a little every time I look at those spots? Well… I’m trying not to. 

Here’s an equation for all of us who worry too much about perfection in our crafting:
Being creative ≠ being perfect.

Being creative is about renewal. And having fun. And feeling connected to the generations of women before us who did the same things. Only today we have even cooler and more diverse materials to work with, unprecedented ease of communication, and a modern design sense to bring to the table. Hello! What an incredible time to be a crafter.

Simply Handmade exists to celebrate making useful, pretty things by hand. And to provide you with exactly what you need – step-by-step instructions, helpful patterns, and lots of pictures – to recreate these same projects yourself… or to simply get inspired as you come up with your own lovely creations.

I’ve been excited for this magazine ever since it was a little seed of an idea being tossed around among our editors. This is what I love. If I were a kid, this would be my candy store. So I am thrilled to be in a position to share these beautiful things with all of you. Let’s create.

Dog days..

I have now recieved my kit for the upcoming shows on TV, so I'm well and truly into making my samples for that - I'm not revealing anything about the shows, but they are amazing products I'll be using.

Anyway.. here's a little card I ran up the other day and forgot to post it. It's another one that I took up to Sheila's crafty class.

Isn't this doggy just the cutest?

I have a bit of a passion for doggy stamps - in particular those that look like spaniels. lol. So, when I came along this little Hels Cuppleditch stamp in our local shop, I knew I just had to have it! It is soooo cute.

here's a close up.

I coloured the doggy in promarkers, can't remember what colours (but I can check if anyone needs to know).

The 'idea' was embossing, so I used the whitewash coredinations cardstock with the embossing folder, then rubbed it over with a file to bring out the colours. The hearts were from my ever growing die collection and the frame is a nesty.

The one thing I love about the image is the little hearts on the dogs body. Simply scrumptious!

Well.. time's a flying, and I should be up and about by now. So have a great day whatever you're doing. I'll be crafting after I've done the essentials.

Until next time!

Love and Romance...

Ahhhh, how romantic!

Valentines Day is nearly upon us for another year... and am I prepared? No! I think it is too much over the top - and why do the prices of things always go up just for this one day? And it's been snowing! I forgot to tell you yesterday, we had snow for Thursday - and fog! I love snow. I just hate that it gets all slushy, then icy, then dangerous. Boy, aren't I full of joy this morning? lol.

However, to get me into lovey-dovey mood, I hosted a swap over on the In love with Stamping site and here's a sneak peak of my card.. sssshhh.. don't tell anyone!

I decided to go with my first choice of colours for this, pretty pinks and blacks. The background stamp is from Stampin Up, Bella Toile. Isn't it lovely? This is just part of the stamp as it's such a whopper for it's price. Absolutely beautiful, and it stamps amazing!

The greeting is also Stampin Up. The image is SU too (watch me go with everything SU!) and is from my all time favourite set, Fun and Fast notes.

Here's a little close up for you. The glitter on the cake isn't showing up too well, but hey.
At least it's a card that I'm more than happy with - makes a change from the last couple of days eh?!

Cuttle-y-buggin....

Not with the actual Cuttlebug, you understand.. but just my plain ol' sizzix. I must admit, I dream of getting an electric die cutter, but I never use this one... so can't really talk myself into it.

Anyway.. firstly, the cards for today -

I was helping my good friend, Sheila, run her card class yesterday and we were using the machines! The ladies there were playing with our embossing folders, dies and other goodies that we took along, and this is just one of the samples I took along.

I got the idea for this card, from this amazing lady, Julie. However, I really do think she is the Queen of this style of work, and mine just doesn't cut it somehow! It didn't turn out as bad as the one yesterday, but it could have been much better.

Here's the original from Julie's site.

I used the same inks and powders, but think I over did it.. lol. I must admit, I don't really go alot for this grungy type of work - I know Sheila does, and she's ace at it! But I much prefer the clean, crisp type of look.

This was another try - (why oh why do I bother?!)

Anyone want to buy any sizzix dies? Machine? Embossing folders? Just to put me out of my misery? lol.

Mmmmm.. babies with beards. I'll leave you with that thought! Hehe

Whoo hoo..

After a few days rest, I'm all fully refreshed and raring to go again. This last few weeks has been busy, but this week I decided I was going to take a bit of time to myself and get some things done.

The first thing that needed to be done was to go and get my nails done. (aaaah, the life!!!) so now I fully back to how they should be. I've got another couple of shows booked on TV for the 15th February so they really needed to be done for then. There's loads of prep to sort out for those, so Friday onwards will be really busy.

Anyway.. onto what I have to show you.

Before I get to my card for today, I really want to show you Scooby from the other evening.

Now is this chilled or is this chilled?

Hubby and son were putting the TV back on the wall when we turned around and saw this! What a nutter. How he can think that this is comfortable is beyond me! But hey, what do I know.. I haven't tried it!

So.. here's what I was upto earlier this week.

Wedding Stationery!

I got an order for some stationery before christmas, day and evening invites etc, and when I dropped these off, I was asked to do some place names. They were delivered on Monday along with the table names, seating plan and other bits and pieces. I don't like the names off to the right, so next time will make them more central.

I have also been making some cards for the commission I got from Creative Cardmaking magasine, but obviously can't share them. Today is write up day.. so computer specs on and typing fingers at the ready.

Now, look at this...

For those that come to my demo's and think that everything always goes right for me.. check out the above card! What a disaster. Now I realise why I never use my sizzix and embossing folders!!

I really do think this card is naff, but thought I'd upload for the laugh. LOL.

Right.. that's me off for another day.

Check back later for more projects.
Jo xx