Roll on 2009

Well it's New Years Eve- eve and the first time I have blogged in a fair while. I am not a one for New Year so I will be going to bed early. Think I would be with me being Scottish and all that but it brings back too many memories of people I have loved and are no longer with us so it's bed for me!
Hope you all had a happy Christmas. The TV was rubbish so tended to go to bed ( notice a theme here) with one of the books I got as a Christmas present.Love reading- especially crime novels and my daughter gave me a good one by Stuart McBride - Flesh House. I would recommend it if you like cannibalism!
Must start preparing for next terms classes. I have been asked to run two five week papercraft taster courses. Hopefully it will lead to something more permanent.
Two of my other classes may have to be cancelled. The numbers are not looking good.
Anyway be back soon and wishing you all a Happy New Year

A tale of Christmas past.

This is another card sample using the Split Negative technique. The stamp is "Four Little Birds"by Stamps Happen.

We started a tradition in our household three or four years ago where my husband makes the Christmas cards. Although he is very artistic we decided that in view of the number of Christmas cards we needed he would use rubber stamped images and each year we buy a new rubber stamp just for that purpose. Last year we bought the "Four Little Birds" stamp.

So I left hubby with the stamp, some white card, watercolour pencils and the trusty Staz-on to return a few hours later, thinking he would have completed quite a few of the robin images. I found to my surprise that the robins had changed to Birds of Paradise and taken on every colour the box of watercolour pencils could provide. Needless to say this year I am making the Christmas cards.

Split Negative Technique

I saw this technique done by Lori Craig on Splitcoast Stampers and just had to try it out in my card making classes. They loved it and came up with some excellent ideas and I will post them in a day or two.

Still not mastered the camera and neither it seems has my daughter, although she is still better than I am!! She took this photo in fading light with the flash but there is a lot of reflection. Sorry!

Baby Step/Stair fold card

Just finished this stair/step foldcard for a member of my class. Used my Cricut Create and Don Juan cartridge for the lettering. I need to spend more time working out the pressures and blade depth. The letters are not as crisp as they should be.

Also need some lessons on taking and editing photographs. The image is a little dark and blurred. In fact, I need to go back to school and learn all the computer technology they teach the kids now!

And what about my efforts in being more self-disciplined. Well, I did manage to reach my craft room by 9 o'clock this morning but unfortunately I am still sitting in my pyjamas.

Hmnn! I suppose one out of two ain't bad. I think there's another song in there somewhere.

Self-discipline failure

Well so much for day one of self-disciplne! I intended to start work, fully dressed and breakfasted at 9am, but I switched off the alarm clock, turned over and went back to sleep. If it hadn't been for the phone ringing I might still be in bed.
I actually managed to drag myself into my craft room at 10.am, still in pyjamas, hair dripping wet and starving hungry. Not a good start!
Just means I will have to work an extra hour at the end of the day. Must go and get some cereal now.

Self discipline in the craft room!

Its Sunday and I have just finished my preparations for my Monday class and my weekly accounts so I am quite pleased with myself.
I have decided that if I want to make more of my business I need to be more self-disciplined. Hmmn!
I have been reading a few internet articles and found an excellent business website www.sparkplugging.com/craftboom which offers some really good advice for people working from home.
I am determined to put some of that advice into play. I am going to work set hours, deal with things as they arise instead of putting them off and try to make the most of my opportunities by trusting my instincts. Sounds good .Well thats the plan anyway.
Only time will tell if I can pull it off.

Surprise Pop-up Card

I made this Surprise pop-up card for my class tomorrow. I got the instructions from the Splitcoast Stampers web site. I am not very happy with my sample but time is getting on. Will probably try again over the weekend and post the image.