When I was younger I used to collect stamps - following in the footsteps of my Dad and Grandad. After a long time away I'm starting to come back round to the idea again. Getting the monthly stamps (but only the ones I actually like or find interesting) is just the sort of little positivity thing that I need. It has to be something small and not too demanding or require too much concentration but pretty and holding some interest for me.
I bought the Portraits of the Queen stamps in a presentation pack: http://shop.royalmail.com/her-majesty-the-queen-six-decades-of-royal-portraits-/royal-portraits-presentation-pack/invt/sku20130502/
I'm a monarchist and patriotic and thought it was a nice commemorative item. I enjoyed reading (in stages) the little bits of information about each portrait and it is on my to-do list to go and see the one in Colchester Town Hall, maybe even to have my photo taken.
This month the stamps are beautiful butterflies: http://shop.royalmail.com/issue-by-issue/butterflies/icat/butterflies
I just bought the individual stamps in their strips and managed to walk away with the card from the inside of the first day cover as well which shows each butterfly with it's wings closed. It also gives the details of the issue and artist etc so I was pretty chuffed! I did see a Comma in the garden today and took a photo of it settled on a leaf (wings closed) but it didn't come out very well and I didn't manage to see it with wings open. Something for me to look out for though and keep a bit of interest in something nice going.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Back home again
I haven't done anything crafty today as I've been travelling but do have photos of cards from the other day to share. I've been settling back into my room and my own space and trying to organise the clutter around me and file and sort everything. I do get frustrated about living with my parents and having a small bedroom with all my stuff in. It's a constant struggle to have the space to do the crafts I enjoy and store all the different bits and pieces. I currently have some of my filing and folders on my little sister's desk (as well as a few piles of stuff that are waiting to go elsewhere) but I need to move it all as she is due back from France quite soon. There are also a couple of large cardboard boxes of knick-knacks and cuddly toys at my parents' bungalow and most of my pretty dresses - perhaps five - that just don't fit in my wardrobe along with the rest of my clothes and shoes etc etc. Of course up the loft there is also some of my kitchen stuff and probably some boxes of paperwork as well as a bookshelf on the landing because I don't have room for it in my room and another box of books downstairs and both my bowling balls hidden under the stairs. I need a house.... Come on Mim, get better, get back to work and put down a deposit on a house so you can spread to your heart's content. In the meantime - make cards and stop ranting!
Decoupage from the same 'Home to Nest' range again. The image is quite dark and needed lifting so it has been given a silver backing and a lilac card.
Some more of the FF pack from a while ago: the sheets of die-cut images. I've trimmed the card and used a corner rounder as well. The main image is mounted on sticky fixers and I quite like it even though it isn't really me.
This card was trickier as the decoupage is actually quite large and the colours limited the choice of card blanks I could use. I'm not sure whether I really like the decorative edge on this card but it was already there and I couldn't be bothered to chop it off. It adds some extra interest anyway.
Decoupage from the same 'Home to Nest' range again. The image is quite dark and needed lifting so it has been given a silver backing and a lilac card.
Some more of the FF pack from a while ago: the sheets of die-cut images. I've trimmed the card and used a corner rounder as well. The main image is mounted on sticky fixers and I quite like it even though it isn't really me.
This card was trickier as the decoupage is actually quite large and the colours limited the choice of card blanks I could use. I'm not sure whether I really like the decorative edge on this card but it was already there and I couldn't be bothered to chop it off. It adds some extra interest anyway.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Inspiration
I have made a few more cards and done a little bit of cross-stitch but having travelled down to spend the weekend with my boyfriend I have been so very tired so haven't done much. I've also been trying to do a bit of CPD which has taken up time/concnetration instead.
I've felt much more like myself today and have been on Pinterest today getting some inspiration - beautiful hand drawnings/paints, brambly hedge style drawings, amazing ribbon flower embroidery, sewing bits and pieces..... so many beautiful things out there. For one of my next positivity blocks I need to do a garden scene with lots of gorgeous ribbon flowers.
http://catherinestudio.blogspot.co.uk/
http://pinterest.com/craftyjenny70/
I've felt much more like myself today and have been on Pinterest today getting some inspiration - beautiful hand drawnings/paints, brambly hedge style drawings, amazing ribbon flower embroidery, sewing bits and pieces..... so many beautiful things out there. For one of my next positivity blocks I need to do a garden scene with lots of gorgeous ribbon flowers.
http://catherinestudio.blogspot.co.uk/
http://pinterest.com/craftyjenny70/
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