Cheeky Monkey

The third card I have made so far using an image from the DigiStamp Boutique 'Funky Monkey' set.  This one took inspiration from a recent Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge.

 

This weeks market

In the past week I managed to crochet a few more things to bring to the Country Market on Friday (two days ago).  One Coin Purse (lined):

 Never made one of these before and sewing in the frame was difficult!

 And some brightly coloured birdhouse bunting.  I rather went to town on this (1.8m long, bows, flowers inbetween the houses) and buttons added.  I did have fun making it though :-)

Having fun making the things is what it is all about I think.  Not sold much yet (11 cards over 2 weeks isn't going to be enough to live on!).  Got some ideas for projects in the next week...  watch this space :-)

Clever Funky Monkey

Another monkey from the DigiStamp Boutique set.  Thought this time I would make an exam congrats card with 'Clever Monkey'.  Again, inspiration for the card came from an old RetroSketches challenge.

 

Hello Funky Monkey

I bought the new Funky Monkey set from DigiStamp Boutique the other week and got them out to play with recently.  This is the first card I made using 'hey there' monkey.  I took inspiration for the layout from a recent RetroSketches challenge (keep doing sketches after the date of the challenge at the moment- will catch up eventually!).  The background is a bit different for me- made up using Stamplorations stamps and distress inks.

Notice the mistake I made stamping the top????

Bee mine

I got this valentine's image from DigiStamp Boutique a long time ago and had never used it until now (I don't really have call for Valentine's cards- lol!).  But I wanted to test it out on a simple, but bright card.

 

Sketch Saturday #413

This weeks Sketch Saturday layout was designed by Niki and our sponsor is The Paper Shelter.

I have used the super image 'Soccer Star' on my card along with Papermania 'Spots and Stripes' Christmas papers!

Hope you are inspired to join in.

Country Markets

I have finally taken the plunge into trying to sell some of my craft work.  After all I have boxes of cards I have made with no homes to go to (as yet!). I remember going to the Country Market in Bentley Heath as a child- it was then the WI market (changed to Country Market in 2004 apparently).  The set up suites me- no pressure to produce loads each week (there is actually a limit on the max number of things you can bring along) and a chance to 'test the water' to see if I like selling, plus a chance to get to meet other crafters :-)
I have done my two week 'just helping out' trial and tomorrow is my first 'selling' week.  I have been crocheting like crazy the past 2 weeks:

 Phone cosies :-)

 Cotton bags (made two of these before- one for a present and the other for my Mum.  They both went down well.)

 Finally got the motivation to finish this summer shawl (4 ply wool and so hopefully just right for a summer evening when the sun ahs gone in).

 An impressive 160cm across at it's widest!

 A baby blanket (actually made this a while ago but all my friends had baby boys and so this was redundant).

 And of course I will also be bringing along some of my card stock pile:

All a learning curve in packaging, labelling and pricing...
If you are interested it's Fridays 9:30-11:30am Bentley Heath Community Centre.  Lots of food (cakes and savouries) and plants as well as craft.  Maybe it will inspire you to check out (or join) a Country Market near you?

Farmyard cheer

Nothing like a cow, sheep and pig to wish you congratulations is there???! 

As you might have guessed, the images are from DigiStamp Boutique and I have used my favourite NitWit papers (see the chickens in the background?). 

Craft Stamper does Digis!!

I was thrilled to see that the freebie with this months Craft Stamper mag was a digi (two in fact)!  I got given a subscription of the mag for Christmas and am enjoying it ALOT :-)
I made this fun, colourful card using the shoe digi this month.

 

Lets Party

I treated myself to some more patterned papers the other day when I was in the Works (they do quite a good range now, don't they?).  I made this card using a LoTV image.

 

More Sewing!

I wanted to make my brother something for his new flat for his birthday.  Not sure he has invested in any 'soft furnishings' and so hopefully these will brighten up his sofa.

 Two cushions and a large version of the 'owl you need' sewing buddy to be a 'owl you need' sofa buddy!

 Perfect for holding Tv remotes, phones, pens etc as shown above!  (I made cardboard versions so Chris can see how to use it!)

 And Mr Owl on his own without any extra bits stored away.

The black and white fabric was from IKEA while the rest was bits and pieces I had plus an old duvet cover I cut up.  The cushion covers are 'envelop' style with buttons to join the opening on the back.

Sketch Saturday #411

This weeks Sketch Saturday layout was designed by Kathy and our sponsor is StarStampz.

I have used the super image 'My Sweet Rose' along with some papers I got from the Works and some hand made flowers. 

Hope you are inspired to join in.

You Gnome me so Well!

Sally-Ann at DigiStamp Boutique was kind enough to offer a Bank Holiday discount to everyone last weekend.  I used the opportunity to get some new digis of course!  Not sure how I missed this super gnome set when it was first released but I have it now!  I made this card using the Mojo Monday layout.

 

Cute bears

I loved this image and when I saw it was on offer before Christmas, in the LoTV discontinued sell off, I just had to buy it.  So cute and I think could be suitable for a few different occasions.

 

My Owl Sewing Buddy

I have been playing around with my new sewing machine.  Starting simple and making my way (very slowly) through a learn to sew book.  As a detour from the book I found this little owl pattern online and just wanted to give it a go.  I'm really pleased with the result :-)