Hello? Helloooooo?!
I don't know if there's anyone reading this but I just made a card for the first time in four years, and I wanted to tell someone about it!
This, I warn you, is not a card using the latest and newest craft items... but come and see:
I don't know if there's anyone reading this but I just made a card for the first time in four years, and I wanted to tell someone about it!
This, I warn you, is not a card using the latest and newest craft items... but come and see:
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Let me explain: Four years ago, I was ill and overwhelmed and gave up pretty much everything in my life to retire to a white room where the monsters couldn't get me. During this period, my husband decided to sell all my craft stash to free up some space and I agreed to it because I didn't have the strength to resist. (Don't worry, he is still alive and I've forgiven him!)
I made the polka dot stamps out of die-cut rubber off-cuts years ago. I have no ink pads but used markers to ink them up (hence the, ahem, 'texture'. But we can say that adds character - right?!) The label is from an ancient retired Stampin' Up set called Punches Three and heaven only knows where the birthday sentiment is from!
When the sudden urge to make a card hit me, I ransacked the house and this is what I found, left over from my previous life as a Stampin' Up demo:
Some bits of patterned paper
Some card stock
Some ribbon and bakers twine
Some mini punches
Markers
Re-inkers
About five Christmas-themed stamps
A few odd stamps
Aaaargh!!!
What do I miss the most? I desperately miss my ink pads and stamps - they are the things I love most about card-making. I also miss my punches when I'm wrapping gifts as I always loved making tags. It's not all bad of course. I am currently busy with plans to rebuild my craft stash and maybe try something new - I've been looking at stamps from Avery Belle, Concord and 9th, Mama Elephant, Alte and New, WPlus9, Winnie and Walter and Newtons Nook. I can't tell you how excited I am! All advice gratefully received :)
What do you think you'd miss most if someone came and stole away your stash?
If you've visited here today, thank you! I'd really love to catch up with friends from the crafting world so please leave me a comment in the box below :)
VICKY!!! I have missed you and your amazing creations! Now look how flexible you are, creating something out of nothing, just a few little scraps of rubber and a few bits and bobs! I can't wait to see you back in blog land. Glad you are feeling better! There are some amazing companies out there, you'll be overwhelmed, so just take your time. I would be very sad if someone came and took away my Big SHot and dies! :(
ReplyDeleteHi LeAnne! Gosh has it really been four years? How lovely to hear from you! I know what you mean about the Big Shot but I always ended up cutting things out by hand because I couldn't be bothered to get the dies out ;)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you've been making...
OHMYGOSH!!! I stopped in to get some inspiration--as I usually do!!--for a card I need to make and here you are!! I am beyond excited to see you back here! AND, I'm totally going to steal (I mean borrow) your card idea--so cute!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I would for sure miss my Tim Holtz Distress Inks.
SO glad you are back! You have been missed!!!!!!
Aw, thank you Cynthia. I'm so excited to be back! I've heard wonderful things about the Tim Holtz. Inks so I definitely understand that :)
DeleteWelcome back to addiction! What a gorgeous card to make with no stamps or ink pads.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, you're right, it IS addiction - but I can think of far worse things to be addicted to!
ReplyDeleteWell isn’t that the joys of a blog reader feed (when it works properly!) So lovely to see you pop up in my list this morning Vicky - welcome back to the world of crafting! I think you can take your time with your purchases; you produced a great little Birthday card out of practically nothing, it just goes to show how resourceful we can be if we need to! That said, so many wonderful things to choose from these days, so I’m sure there is plenty of shopping fun to be had. If pushed, I think the things I would most struggle to live without are a good trimmer, my alcohol markers and my stitched shape dies. Whilst the thought of a mass cull fills me with dread, there is a small piece of me that is quite envious of your husband’s clean sweep of your craft room - how liberating! Hope that beautiful daughter of yours and handsome dog are doing well too - so nice to see you back doing something you are so good at!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a positive way of looking at it Joanne. I'll have to let my husband know that I'm delighted he sold my craft stash (but can he not do it again please!) I agree about a good trimmer - and actually, I still have my trimmer AND my guillotine! - also alcohol markers are great fun. But dies... they're so popular I know, but they don't make my heart sing! Lovely to hear from you :)
ReplyDeleteHi Vicky
ReplyDeleteWow ! What good news to have you back... you was always an inspiration to me... your cards were amazing...
I have thought about you often... I was going to Email you ... but wasn't sure... if anything had happened to you... or to your family... hope you children are all well...
Are you going to be doing SU Again ?
Once again great to have you back...
lots ofLove Sylvie xx
Oh Sylvie, its so good to hear from you! I have missed my crafting pals. I've not been so well but I'm ok now and all my gorgeous family are happily growing up and leaving home! I'm not going to be a demo this time, just stamping for the sheer pleasure :)
DeleteSending hugs xx
Oh Vicky I had no idea you were so ill. I hope you're feeling much better now.Judging by your beautiful card,you're creative spirit is still strong,well done you. So pleased to see you back X
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynne! It's great to hear from you :) Can't wait to see all the lovely things you've been making! x
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to see you back to blogging, Vicky! I hope you build your stash quickly (with contributions from your hubby). What fun to have all that new stuff to look forward to. I always loved your CAS style and this card is brilliant. Not having a large stash of tools and stamps can't stop you! Welcome back!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bonnie! It's lovely to catch up with my blogging pals and I'm determined to get my craft square metre up and running again! :)
Deletegolly 4 years to the day -how brilliant is that. lovely lovely to see you blogging again Vicky - I for one will be an srdent followerx Jan
ReplyDeleteHow odd and just a coincidence too! Thank you for your support my lovely. I will be asking for your help with an ink pads order very soon! xx
DeleteOH! Vicky so good to see you back, your videos come up each day on my YouTube and each day I have been wondering how you were and if you were enjoying your retirement from crafting. Seems there was another story? I hope you will let us know what supplies you buy, I would love to know more about inks without buying and wasting them. How exciting for you. Keep well
ReplyDeleteFaith x
Oh it's lovely to see you here Faith! I've not been well but I'm ok now and excited to be crafting again. I'm going to be getting SU ink pads as I already have markers and re-inkers so it makes sense to stick to the same colours. I always loved the inks and the way they store upside down to keep juicy, and they've now made the pads stackable I'm delighted!
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful to see you back Vicki.
ReplyDeleteI followed you when I took up paper crafting and learnt so much.
I was so disappointed when you stopped , with no idea that you were ill.
Welcome back, so pleased you are feeling better & happy crafting from the other side of the world.
Mary - Melbourne.
Thank you Mary, all good now :)
Delete*waves hello to Melbourne*
How lovely to see your pop up in my emails today! Loved following you in the past and now look forward to following you again! I would miss all my craft stash!!! Jan x
ReplyDeleteBless you Jan! I know what you mean about your whole craft stash. I went to look for some Crystal Effects today... Gone! :(
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight to see you in my inbox this morning! At first I thought blogger feedblitz was having a malfunction! So nice to see you crafting again and what a testament to your inventiveness that you managed to cobble together some stamps and ink from practically nothing! Your great cull might actually be a good thing because you’ve done what most of us long-time crafters can’t – namely get rid of things we should have got rid of a long time ago! I’m a little envious! Things have changed a lot in the last four years so have fun checking all the new things out. As for my stash, I suppose I couldn’t possibly do without my inks, stamps, and at least some white paper.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Joanne also said this, and I'm beginning to think you might be right. NOT the inks though!
ReplyDeleteVicky! GREAT to see you back in the saddle, so to speak. I love the card... and you! Hugs xoxo
ReplyDeleteBless you Em :) Now that WOULD be a challenge - riding and card making at the same time! Sending hugs x
DeleteYou're back - so good to see you again. I've missed you! Looking forward to catching up and seeing all your gorgeous crafty makes - Jacqueline xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you! Have missed you too and can't wait to see what you've been up to! Xx
DeleteOh what joy Vicky is back. I have truly missed you so much I can't say and I'm so sorry you have been really ill.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to let my other half see this post as he's been desperate to evict all my craft stuff from the house and I don't want to give him any ideas. Your question made me think a little more as to what I'd actually miss and there's so much I think I'll have to get back to you on that one.
Sometimes I think there is too much choice, but your crafty square meter always inspired me and it will be lovely to see it again.Just have fun and I look forward to a Crafting Clare inspired future.
Tracey.x
Aw Tracey, you are lovely! Haha, tell OH he's going to have to build you a playhouse a la Darnell and then he can get all your craft stuff out of the house! x
DeleteYOU'RE BACK!! I was so excited to see a new post from you! And I hope you can enjoy picking out a whole new collection of craft supplies :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara! It may not be quite as simple as that... but I'll get there I'm sure ;)
DeleteWhat a delighted to be able to have Crafting Clare back in my day. I am delighted that you are being creative again, long may it continue x
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! x
DeleteOh my gosh!! My heart skipped a beat when I realized you were posting again!! I have missed you so and I’m sorry for the difficult years you’ve spent, but SO HAPPY you’ve surfaced again!! Bless you!! Elisha Smith - Wapakoneta, Ohio USA
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Elisha! It's so lovely to see you here :)
DeleteSo excited to see you back Vicky! I like others thought I was seeing things when I saw your post in my inbox. So happy that you are better now and back on the crafty trail. I am in the process of a huge clean out of my craft stash - I only wish I was not in Australia as would love to give you some of the stamp sets I have. My daughter is moving to Cambridge soon to start her PHD - so maybe I could sneak some in a suitcase on one of my visits :-) ( 4 years is a long time!). I am sure you will have fun building your supplies again. I don’t know if you ever discovered Jennifer McGuire - but I love her organization and craft room! She also does a review of her ‘favourite things’ each year. You might enjoy this to see some of the new supplies out there. I just have SU supplies mainly as I find it gets a bit overwhelming with colours and papers otherwise. I too want to change to the new stamp pads - the ink formula is perfect now and I too love the way they stack! Have fun and enjoy , cant wait to see what you get up to -you are such an inspiration! Louise xx (Brisbane, Australia)
ReplyDeleteApologies if this has posted a few times - but couldn't seem to post from my iPad....it kept disappearing! :-)
Not sure where my original comment went in the ethers!
ReplyDeleteSo I will just start again... as it is so lovely to see you pop up into action again... I am really looking forward to seeing your creativity going forward ... wherever it may take you! Enjoy the shopping... but particularly enjoy creating again...
Thank you, I will! :)
DeleteSo glad to see you're crating again. And isn't your husband lucky to be still alive. I'm glad I caught a post from you today. I have quite some cards made by you somewhere on my Pinterest boards. I always admired your style.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eveline, that's a lovely thing to say!
DeleteI'm not sure OH appreciates just how lucky he is ;)
So good to see your blog alive again with such amazing CAS creations :) Love your style xx
ReplyDeleteAw, bless you Jenny, thanks xx
DeleteMy visiting, company, and twink-sitting have all been completed and I'm here at last, Vicky! I've read backwards through each of your posts, thoroughly enjoyed all your works of card art, your chit-chat, and others' comments as well! An hour well spent!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are sharing your beloved Eva! As someone previously owned by a Golden, they are special to me! And I'm sorry to hear about Tuppence although the old girl had a long and happy life, didn't she? Your kids are now young adults and it sounds like they are doing well!
I'm so sorry to hear about hubby clearing out your hobby stash. You are doing fantastically well with what you have! You have a good eye so I'm sure you will soon rebuild with the things you miss most and will enjoy.
It's lovely to see you back playing in challenges, too! That's a benefit to all of us! I think you will enjoy Loll and Bonnie's stable of challenges: CAS Mix Up, CAS Watercolor, CAS Stencil, and CAS Christmas. And it would be silly of me not to market my own fun Twofer Card Challenge! I'd love to see you play there!
Enjoy your week, my friend! Hugs, Darnell
So lovely to welcome you here Darnell!
ReplyDeleteI am delighted to hear you're a member of the Golden Club - they are the best dogs in the world and they choose their humans VERY carefully! We do miss our darling Tuppence but she did have a really good and happy innings
I'm rather enjoying rebuilding my stash (as you might imagine!) so it's easy to forgive OH. And I am LOVING reconnecting with my crafting pals and joining in with all the challenges :) Thank you so much for those recommendations - I can't get enough! I did try to do your fab Twofer challenge this time but haven't quite rebuilt my stash enough to incorporate 'nautical'! Next time...
Enjoy your week too!
Hugs, Vicky xx
Welcome back! You have been missed and glad you are feeling well! Looking forward to seeing what you create in the future!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I will never get tired of hearing the phrase 'welcome back'. I am loving the likeminded crafting friends and the creativity of being back in Blogland and if anyone likes to come and see what I'm up to here, I consider that a massive compliment :)
Delete