I was asked by my sister to make some cards for her to give to someone as a Christmas gift, and here’s what I came up with.
8 Doily-themed notecards in heavy Champagne Laid acid-free card stock, with 8 Pistachio Matrix Embossed luxury envelopes.
Presented within handmade boxed-packaging made from heavy leaf embossed stock.
I was pleased with how these turned out so I decided to make them available in my shop.
I had a go at stamp carving last night. I think my first project was a bit ambitious however, I wanted something big and a little detailed for my Christmas cards.
I’ve wanted to make something fairly large scale by using small paper cuts and saw an opportunity as a Christmas gift for my mum and dad. They live in the country, where its quite likely, pheasants outnumber humans in their village, so I thought these big beautiful birds would make the perfect model. Its the first time I’ve made something like this, so I’m sure there’s plenty of room for improvement. However, I don’t think I did too badly for my first attempt. See what you think…..
8 Handmade Gift Tags featuring a seasonal reindeer punched-shape made from 220 gsm red acid-free card stock.
Each tag measures 10.5cm x 5.5 cm.
A pack of gift tags is presented in a handmade envelope, made from acid-free luxury patterned paper.
Available to buy at my Etsy store here.
So, my husband said to me the other day “What are you going to do with all your stuff you make cluttering up the office?”
“Um” I look up at the ceiling. “Keep it?” I replied, with uncertainty.
“Why don’t you sell it? It needs to go somewhere.” He said, with vigour.
“Oh…yeeeah…I guess so” I said, hesitantly.
And so, there we have it. My Etsy shop was born, that same night. Not quite on the same scale as the upcoming celebration as the birth of a certain religious man (if you’re a Christian, of course) in a stable, however for me, quite epic.
I’d thought about it before, and put it off. And then I’d thought about it again, put up some more mental barriers and then put it off. Again. Talking it through with my husband on Monday night, it made more sense and I realised I had built it up in my mind to be something big and scary and grown up. And, of course, its  not like that at all. Plus, I already have a mortgage. Financial commitments don’t really come much bigger for the average person. A few clicks later, my first item was and is for sale. Some gift tags. And now, as of tonight, my Mr Owl book plates.
For those of you who don’t know, Etsy provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors to sell their handmade creations, vintage goods and crafting supplies. Perfect for someone with a little hobby like….um….oh yeh…..me!
Whenever I have something new for sale, I’ll publish it here on the blog, so you know its also for sale at my Etsy store. And of course, I hope you stop by my shop for a little online meander.
Jack Frost was super-busy last night. He gave our village a full-on dusting.
All these white-themed photos were taken this morning on our way back from walking to school.
I love that this cobweb is like lace.
I made this little decorative gift tag from air-drying clay at the weekend and thought it looked pretty hung in our Greengage tree.
The roof of our neighbours car was sparkling in the sunhine.
This photo doesn’t do this tree justice – it was even more immense than usual this morning.
This is our washing line – coated in frost.
And this is our trampoline net. I’d like to think it looks a little like Tiffany diamonds.
This plant looked so pretty, with the outline of frost on the jewel coloured leaves.
This Scots pine tree always leaves me standing and staring in awe.
Its magnificent.
I don’t know about you, but from the middle of December, all panic sets in. Ten years ago, it was Christmas Eve when that happened to me. Not going to work every day does make it easier, of course, since I have more time to consider how many baubles we should hang on our tree, or should I use brown or patterned wrapping paper for our gifts. Actually, I don’t think like that. I just see how I feel. The problem is though, that you get things done for everyone else, and then there’s no time for your own things. Like, I haven’t even thought of a design for my own Christmas Cards yet. How lame is that. This week will be the week though. I haven’t even started my Sketchbook Project which is due January 15th. I don’t want to rush it but ordering it late is my fault, so no one to blame but me.
I find people turn into maniacs in December. Its a month of rushing about, and stressing, for a couple of days of applying food to ones face (thats a Nigella-ism that I’ve borrowed – thanks Nig). Don’t get me wrong, I do love it. Even more so now our children a little bit older. Its just other people, with their crazed looks in their eyes and their internal monologue failing drastically. I don’t need to know where you have to get your bits and bobs from to sew onto a nativity costume, I really don’t. Oh dear, I do sound mean, but it has to come out somehow. Ok. What would the Dalai Lama do? Of course, he’d be patient and kind and sympathetic. Ok. That’s what I’ll do. I can do that.
I haven’t got alot to show for the last few weeks. The winter weather is tiring and early nights have been slightly more necessary than making, otherwise I feel like a granny (which I imagine feels stiff, slow but always smelling of roses). For now, here are a couple of cards I made.
By the way, do you like the snow? (Its chaos-free snow. Very spesh)
Lovebird Stationery 