General Chat

MGM What did you buy at Lakeland? Has anybody ever bought via internet? We have a good site here where you can bid for things - new items. I've just made a bid and it's been accepted. The site is www.marktplaats.nl and click on "Diversen" Sylvia xxx

Sylvia, I always buy from Lakeland online. I usually find their website very good (maybe it was having a slow day when someone else tried!). They also deliver within a few days, free postage over a certain amount as well. Went to my little craft shop down in Dorset at the weekend and they had the embossing heat tool reduced so I bought one - just about to try it out, so if you hear screams from Somerset, you'll all know I've burnt myself lol. Mandy :)

I decided last year that the boyf and I would make our christmas cards... NEVER AGAIN! I quite enjoyed it and they were greatly received but the boyf seemed to lose all artistic flair and get in a mess. The one card he did finish he showed to his dad who laughed thinking it was a joke one! Hence the boyf sulked for the night and the handmade cards were all handmade by me! becx

Hi Liz, how are you? Many thanks for the tip. I use tweezers when I'm spraying glue, as that's the devil to wash off your hands! Am getting the Lakeland wirework tool and accessories for Christmas from hubby! Going to order the snappy tray now as well! How many Christmas cards have you all made so far? I've done 30 and just about to start on another batch. Mandy :))

Hi everyone, I too am an avid card maker, I've almost finished making my xmas cards for family and friends, had to start early as I also make them for other people and that's when it begins to get hectic, I get great satisfaction creating my cards with recycled materials I don't throw anything away that can be made use of! incidently has anyone had a chance to visit the Knit, Stitch and Craft show at the Bath and West show ground Shepton Mallet Somerset, it's on for three days each April, it's worth a visit and the other show held there, usually in May is the Stamperama show, it's a stamper's paradise but also offers a lot, lot more.

Thanks for that Audrey - I only live a few miles from the Bath & West showground but didn't realise they had any sort of craft show there (probably go around with my eyes shut!). I will look out for it in future. Have just had my first go with the embossing tool - wow, wish I'd got one sooner! It really is dead easy but the results look so good. And I didn't burn my fingers Liz lol!! Mandy :)

Hi Mandy, do try and go to either or both those shows, both great day's out, click onto 'the Bath and West showground' site and it will give you their diary dates on coming events. I have been up to the N.E.C Birmingham to craft shows but I find it rather a long day out and a bit pricey. Re: heat gun - aren't they marvelous, they're a revelation as far as I'm concerned as I also make a lot of 'special' cards ie wedding, christening and 'milestone' birthday's, embossing them this way gives them that extra special look don't you think.

I bet none of you suffer from the same problem as me! Nah! you can't do, only I've just spent the last couple of days, wait for it .... DECLUTTERING my little craft room! aaah! and double aaah! it 'was' a very painful job as I hate throwing anything away, tho' some things did manage to find themselves back onto the 'might be useful' shelf (oops! must try harder) I didn't notice there were so many bits of paper, card and whatever all over the place after making the many xmas and other greetings cards for people, and now my little room is a much tidier 'mess' ... for how long! it'll be due for another declutter after xmas no doubt, but who cares.

Yes, you don't have to worry about the mess when making cards. I just throw bits of paper etc. on the floor and clear up when I feel like it. It's a good job that I have my own hobby room! I often have bits and pieces sticking to my clothes too! Never mind, it keeps us all off the streets! Sylvia xxx

Hi Sylvia and Molly, all I can say is .... thank gawd I'm not on my own, it did sound as if I was having a moan about my 'mess' but in actual fact quite honestly I don't really care all the while I'm creating it as I get so engrossed in what I'm doing, it's when I have a 'free' moment I have to 'force' myself reluctantly to - dare I mention it ... DE-CLUTTER! Bin bags are soooooo useful .... aren't they girls! have fun.

Pleased to see this thread has gone on while I have been away. Good idea to exchange ideas and maybe take photos of cards we have made. could send the photos by e mail if we don't want to put them on the site. Anyone interested can have my e mail addy, just send a message. I now have to get back to mine as 3 weeks away means I am way behind. Ann Glos

You all sound as though you have too many hobbies like me. I don't know what to do first sometimes. I want to finish my last cross stitch picture and then my husband can help me frame them. He is better at measuring than I am. I have lots of letters to write to people who don't have a computer. Like to come on this Board now and again. I also make lots of different cards. Glad you had a nice holiday Ann. Sylvia xxx

Hello Ann, nice to see you back! I finally finished last night - 75 cards altogether (some for me, some to sell for the hospice) plus 25 tags that I did with the wonderful embossing tool! Why didn't I buy one before?? Hubby has already bought me the wirework tool and set of coloured wires for Christmas, can't wait to get my hands on them Christmas Day! I started off taking photos of the cards I'd made but didn't keep it up, so now I haven't got a clue what my cards looked like! Mandy :)

Mandy I am envious of the number you have made. What design did you emboss on your tags? I am assuming you used a stamp? or maybe I am wrong. i am not very good a stamping, could do with a lesson or two i think. My daughter is really good, but then she is good at all the types of card she makes. Marly, my trouble is, family history causes clutter as does card making and it is difficult to find room for it all. Most of my craft stuff is in drawers Ann glos

Hi Ann, it really was so simple - honest! I think the trick with rubber stamping is to tap the ink pad onto the stamp, rather than banging the stamp onto the pad, which gives you extra ink all round the edge of the pattern (we've all done that, haven't we!). It was a Christmas snowflake design and I'd got some nice silver glitter embossing powder. You just shake some powder over the ink while it's still wet, tap off the excess (onto a sheet of paper or little tray, so that it can go back in the pot), then heat it with the tool. It gets much hotter than a hairdryer and doesn't blow as much, and you can see the pattern raising and going shiny. Really simple but very much admired! Go on, have a go! Mandy :)

Ann, I've just had a thought. I can't remember whereabouts in Glos you are (sorry!) but are you far from Cadbury Garden Centre at Congresbury? If you type it into google, their website has a list of all the craft demonstrations and it includes various types of cardmaking. Mandy :)

Mandy, you are mass producing your cards. Are you selling them or for your own use? Sylvia xxx

Hi Sylvia, no I only mass produce at Christmas! I sell my cards in the staffroom at the school I work in, and in aid of our local hospice. They are popular because it saves a mad dash out at lunchtimes for the staff, and they are contributing to charity at the same time. We send out over 100 Christmas cards, so I've tried to make about half of them, including the 'special' ones for close family and friends. Mandy :)

Can I just say - how very much the recipients appreciate the hard work and thought that has gone into making a card? I still have a beautiful 'retirement' card displayed and keep meaning to buy one of those 'deep' frames to preserve it forever! Keep up the good work, all of you! I prefer dressmaking and have a super tools box from MFI for all my bits and pieces. What to do with remnants is a problem. Can't bear to throw them away!

Grannylonglegs, You could make a patchwork quilt or even a patchwork card - all the rage now! Sylvia xxx