General Chat

Funnily enough my friend Gill and I are getting together today to make some Christmas cards. I love making a mess with card, glue and loads of bits. We are like a couple of kids and we do have a laugh. Jo.

Thanks for that Joanne, I think that will go on my letter to Santa now! I do belong to Docrafts, their newsletter email came yesterday but I haven't read it yet. And thanks for that little tip on hairdryers - I did once buy a small pot of powder and tried it with a hairdryer, and of course it didn't work. Now I understand that the embossing tool is just hot rather than hot air. Thanks again, Mandy :)

Hi Liz, hope you're ok? The tray you're talking about - is it advertised in Lakeland as an actual embossing tray? Then I will know which catalogue number to put on my Christmas list lol! Mandy :)

I started making cards about 20 years ago. Mine are all cross-stitch but have taken a back seat of late due to work and tracing my family tree which since things went on line, seems to take more time! Mine are mainly for special birthdays and celebrations and to my own design. Winter months usually sees the sewing bits coming out for an airing. I have tried to sell some but to find a price that is will cover some of the time put in and still be reasonable, seems difficult. Jacky

Mine are moslty cross stitch, like you Jacky. I had a break last year from making any, and everyone asked why they didn't get a hand made one. I've about 10 done so far. Dificult to sell because of time spent on them, although I am forever doing larger pieces and gicing them away. Rebecca

Thanks Liz, have written it down and will add it to my order! Glad you're feeling better. Take care xx

I am a great crafts fanatic and I have an under the stairs craft cupboard. I have a shelk fitted across the width of the cupboard for storing large sheets of paper and card flat. Under this I have a series of labelled stacker boxes in which I store a variety of materials and tools. I have shelves above also for organised storage. I embroider cards to my own designs. I have been doing them for years. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it. Rose

Thank you for all your replies, I have enjoyed reading them and now know where to go for advice. ZOE There are a few postings on here about embossing and why you need a heating tool which should answer your query re your Mum's Christmas present. Having got ten made yesterday I must have another go today and add to the collection before I go on holiday. Ann glos

cheers for the advice re: embossing heat tool. I suppose if I'd known embossing involves an actual powder then I could have figured it out in the end. Basically - I'm gonna need to buy the heat tool for mum and put the hairdryer on my own christmas list LOL Zoe

Yes, we must keep this thread going. Like others, I used to cross stitch all my cards, but find cutting out etc. a lot quicker. It's like being at school all over again. When I used to spend my winters in Spain I used to go to a class where we made different types of cards. Our class was made up from different nationalities so came up with lots of new ideas. This year, on travelling back from England, stopped in the shopping centre in Calais and find some odds and ends for card making. Always on the lookout for new ideas. Sylvia xxx

Never knew there were so many card makers on Gc, yep I'm one too, just started this year. It is addictive isn't it. I can't pass an art or craft shop, I love just even having a look at all the "stuff", there is such a good selection. But, have you ever looked at the American craft sites on the internet. The prices are sooo cheap, but then you have to pay the carriage costs, and they can be so high! I just look and drool!! Thanks to Mandy I got some great offers recently from Lakeland, and I never knew they had a craft section, well worth a look. I always check the bargains and offers on their website. Thanks for the thread Ann!

I haven't tried card making yet but I've seen it on QVC, It looks very interesting with all the different papers and stamps that are available. Are the finished cards expensive when compared to shop bought ones? Heather

Heather, I think us card makers probably spend more money than we should, as we are so attracted by all the pretty bits and bobs!! I sell mine at work in aid of our local hospice, so I only keep enough to cover my costs (no profits) and send the remainder to them. I sell them cheaper than handmade ones in a shop, as I would rather sell plenty of them and give a good amount to the hospice. I did a quick calculation when I started, and sell them for £2 each. People are more than happy to pay this, as it's quite cheap, saves them a trip to the shops, and I send 60% (ie £1.20) to the hospice. I might be giving away a bit too much, but some cards are cheaper to make so it probably evens out somewhere along the way. Mandy :)

Mandy, You are lucky that people will buy them for £2. I suspect that is because it is for the hospice. When my daughter and I tried selling them at a local fete people wouldn't pay more than a pound. Whoever asked about cost, they do work out dearer than shop bought ones because you buy those in bulk. But the pleasure is in the making and knowing that you are giving something orignal. I love receiving handmade cards and I know my friends like getting mine because they say so. It is a craft like any other, do it for enjoyment, not because you want to save money. Ann Glos

Hi Pat! Yes, I had heard about Stamping Ground but forgot all about it! Must write myself a note .... ! Ann, I worked out the cost carefully and also looked at what 'handmade' cards cost in the shops. Mine might not be quite up to the standard of Marks & Spencer's handmade ones, but they charge anything from £2.75 upwards! But we did have a member of staff who sat and looked through my whole box, admiring each one greatly, then told her friend that she would never spend that much on a card, even for a friend - we did laugh! I think you are right about it being for a good cause, but what they also like is not having to trail to the shops for a card when there are nice ones in the staffroom!

Thought I would let you all know that the Lakeland Craft catalogue arrived today - yes, a whole catalogue of craft items! I'm not working on commission lol! But they have got some seriously lovely stuff, not just for card making but some cross stitch stuff as well, plus other crafts like eyelets, quilling, etc. And their Christmas bits are gorgeous! No, I'm not lending it out to anyone :))

MGM I agree with you, I only give my "hand made" cards to those I know will appreciate them! I remember attending a craft class once and the instructor saying how people begrudge paying for the work you have put into something. She also said that a lot of people have the attitude they wont pay because they could do that, not realizing the effort and time you have put in to produce something which is well made, and hand-made (as opposed to home made). I know someone like this who handed my husband a card she had made for a very special occassion. She clearly hadn't a clue what she was doing, the card was uneven, opening it up the the glue or paste she used had created a rippled lumpy surface on the inside. I would have been embarrassed to hand it to anyone. Dont get me wrong we all have to learn, but.... MANDY dont want to borrow yours, mine arrived today and yes it is brilliant!!LOL

Ann, what do you think of the wiring tool? I've looked at it a few times and wonder if it might be a good thing to put on my Christmas list! It looks fairly simple but would give effective results, and I've seen cards in the shops with wirework on them. Have just made 30 Christmas cards today (she says smugly) LOL! Mandy :)

Yes, you can add me too.! Don't you think we should all do a big kind of swap?? !!i have e-mailed Ann about this already. Mine are only photocards but have been doing it for years... I'd be fascinated to see other people's work.!! Best wishes, cathy

hiya all, they have some lovely card and craft ideas at WWW(.)BAKERROSS(.)(CO.UK). dont forget to remove the brakets Debs