During this month and last I have needed cards for two birthdays and two wedding anniversaries. As is my usual custom, I made them myself, plus an extra card commissioned by my Mum.
The first cards were for my sister's birthday in June. I made two, one from me and my husband and the other for my Mum.
I saw the swirly ladies at the Creative Stitches and Hobby Crafts show I went to in April and though these would be perfect for my sister. As well as the lady cut outs the cards are decorated with butterflies, buttons, embroidery, lace, fabric flowers and other card embellishments.
The next card was a birthday card for my Father. I always have more trouble deciding on a design for a card for a male as I'm more restricted in the motifs I can use (golf, football, etc aren't right). So I was pleased when I remembered I'd also bought some bird cut outs at the Creative Stitches show.
I created a triptych shaped card, using the birds motifs on the inside and out, with architectural drawings also on the inside.
Now for the two wedding anniversary cards. These were for my Mum and Dad and my sister and her husband, whose anniversaries are both on the same day. This first card was for my sister and her husband.
This second one was for my Mum and Dad. For this card I reused a vintage anniversary card, sticking it onto the front of my A5 card, but leaving it so that you could still see and read the original greetings on the inside. I then decorated the card with paper flowers and buttons, the back has some floral stamps, with the inside having more paper flowers.
Since making these cards I've sort of picked up the paper crafting bug, so I continued to make more. These cards, including those below are available to buy in the Elsie May and Bertha shop, pop over and have a browse.
TTFN
Louise
Yesterday (Sunday), Elsie May and Bertha was at the Leigh Network fun day.
The Leigh Network was founded by Faye Wylie in 2010 after she was diagnosed with Leigh Syndrome, a mitochondria illness. Leigh Syndrome, is a rare and debilitating illness that affects Faye's energy levels and causes health problems including dystonia, headaches, speech and swallowing difficulties, as well as limiting her mobility.
As the syndrome is rare and little is known about it, there was very little information available to reassure or inform Faye about her future. So she decided to set up the Leigh Network in order to bring together people who have the same condition so that they could support one another in coping with day to day life and to raise awareness about mitochondria illnesses.
To raise money for the Network's work, holding meetings where families can share their experiences and maintaining its support system, the Leigh Network fun day was born.
Held at the Leasowe Castle Hotel, there was a full day of shopping and entertainment.
As well as Elsie May and Bertha, there were stalls selling jewellery, chocolates, cards, paintings, a white elephant stall and a raffle.
The entertainment included, Star Wars storm troopers, Gromet from Wallace and Gromet, the Spartic Gymnastic Club did a display, a bouncy castle and firemen with their fire engine.
Here are some photos from the day.
The Elsie May and Bertha stall:
Star Wars
Spartac Gymnastics Club.
The raffle table.
Lots of people came and had a really good time and loads of money was raised for the Leigh Network. I am sure there will be another fun day next year!
TTFN
Louise
Karen Valentine is hosting a web event called 'Where bloggers create' over at her blog My Desert Cottage. I'd found out about it via one of my favourite blogs, Karla's Cottage as she had posted lovely pictures of her studio (which I am soooo jealous of) as her contribution to this year's event (this is the fourth year that it's been going).
I thought, I could do that, take some pictures of my work space and pop them up on the blog?
That was until I started looking at everyone else's studios, they were so tidy and chockablock full of lovely stuff (I didn't think that they could be as wowing as Karla's, but lots are. In consequence of this, I have started a major tidying up and doing up of my 'studio' (or top floor room as it's normally called).
Part of my problem is that because of my chronic fatigue, somedays I'm too tired to get up two flights of stairs. So a lot of my 'stuff' has migrated downstairs to a corner of the living room as these pictures testify.
Most of my lace, buttons, ribbon, vintage lace and embroidery are on this corner cupboard.
Some of my craft books.
This is my work tray, all the bits and pieces I need for what I'm currently working on are on here. The original idea was that I would just carry this up and down, getting what I needed for what ever I was doing if I wanted to work downstairs. Instead the tray and my stuff came down.
This morning I did start my room redo so here's what I've done already.
This is my table, it's actually a stag dining table with only one of its leaves up. As I didn't want to damage its surface, I placed an M&S picnic blanket (it was free a while ago) on it. If I want to a bit of paper crafting the machine is popped under the table.
The wall behind the table has a collection of postcards and pictures attached to the wall for inspiration, a little bit of mini bunting given to me by Mrs Marmalade. In front, there's boxes with my sewing cotton in on the left and the metal cabinet with little drawers for the little things, like beads, paper flowers, card toppers etc etc. This area just needed a bit of a tidy.
The little drawer unit was already labelled but I've added a couple of vintage crochet mats to the top to doll it up a bit and reorganised my paper crafting stuff in these blue trays.
I can't show you any more at the present as the rest of the room is such a tip! I'll add more photos once it's done.
To see photos of lots of lovelier studios/workspaces Karen has a special page on her blog here http://www.mydesertcottage.com/2012/06/anybody-want-to-party.html the list of the blogs participating are on the right.
TTFNLouise
