Something to think about..

I was reading my PTI News letter today and they were asking Stephanie Ellis some questions about her stamping, style, people who inspire her etc. One of the questions was 'What is the most important thing you've learned about crafting?' She had three things but this one hit closest to home with me and something I totally agree with:

"First, when something is handmade, it will most likely have a flaw or two, and that's OK. Handmade doesn't mean perfectly straight stitches or solid inked images. It means that I thought about someone and made something just for them with my own two hands. It means I made something with thoughtfulness, love and admiration. If I wanted straight stitches and solid inked images, I would simply buy pre-made cards and gifts"

I know I'm guilty of being a perfectionist at times but then I remind myself that it doesn't have to be perfect. It's the thought that goes into it that counts. Ok, there are limits I will let something get passed quality control, LOL, but I have managed to relax a bit when I've committed an 'artisic error'!

Catch ya later x

Day off

I had a day off from packing today. My hand and shoulder were really sore last night when I went to bed so I decided today I would do other things. First off was taking the dogs a walk then banking and the post office. Back home to tidy up then meet 2 friends for a bite of lunch at D'Lish (remember the 2 cappucino's, 2 latte's, 2 banana breads and a scone post??!!). It was really good to catch up as I hadn't seen Jackie and Linda for quite a while.

The rest of the day I spent looking at the stamps and packaging thinking I really need to get it done LOL but I'm going to get back into it tomorrow. Annette (of 2 cappucino's, 2 latte's, 2 banana breads and a scone post!!!) is coming over tomorrow to help and Elaine has offered her services for Saturday if there's anything left to do.

I haven't made any cards in ages and I'm having withdrawal symptoms. Once everything is packed I'll have more time and there will be no stopping me.

I'm off to do my ironing...hopefully I'll have more exciting things to say tomorrow!

Catch ya later x

Fairy Godmother Fee!!

What a day Fee and I had today!! Between the two of us we managed to make quite a dent in the packaging of Nikki. I cut and Fee scored, folded, matched stamp to acetate image, bagged and stapled....hmmmmm....reading over that it looks like I got off lightly LOL but I can assure you I didn't!! I'm sure I've got RSI in my right hand and I've got a knot in my right shoulder that would choke you! Oh, I forgot, Fee also arranged them in the boxes....look for yourself...

Didn't we do well?? And I'd already packaged 148 for an order!! I've still plenty to do but there's no way I could have done this on my own. Fee was fantastic so a big thank you to you Fee!! We did manage to have an apple and cinnamon scone to keep our strength up and when we felt it was starting to wain (sp?) we forced ourselves to have homemade chicken and potato soup with a fab doorstop of a tuna crunch sandwich (1/2 each) for lunch.

I've got to do some ironing and then make the beds...I know it's almost 10 pm but I've been busy LOL!!!

Catch ya later x

Are you still out there????

Apologies for my lack of posting....I don't know where the days are going. I really think there should be an extra 2 hours added to each day so I can get more done! I can't believe it's going to be October this week....someone has definately pressed the fast forward button.

I met up with Fee last week at Braehead. This was her enjoying her grande hot chocolate!!! It didn't take either of us long to scoff our drinks and cakes ; ) We'll have to do it again soon.

I had my workshop yesterday and it all went well though no matter how hard I try to make sure there's enough of everything I always end up short on something. We did the address book that I had posted earlier but I changed the image to Nikki on the phone and changed the paper. Unfortunately I never got to finish mine because this was the project I was short a few things. I'll finish it this week and post it for you.

This was the 2nd project we did. We did a gift bag using the base a few months ago but I came up with the idea of making a drawer instead of a handle and making a set of cards to put in the drawer. I loved this Crate Paper as soon as I saw it and bought the last 12 pieces when I was in Craftology the other week. Unfortunately I think it's discontinued as I scoured the internet for it and came up with zilch.

I actually changed the card a bit for the workshop. I traded the jute tie for brown ribbon and it's much nicer. I suppose I should actually show that one since I'm happier with it LOL. The girls seemed to like both the projects though when we were making the address part, one of the ladies (mentioning no names....Annette!!) got a bit hot under the collar and turned the air blue when she was gluing the letters to the acetate. I think the glue was getting the better of her but she ended up showing who was the boss by the time she finished LOL.

I have been working like a Trojan packaging the Nikki stamps. Unfortunately I didn't get much done for the workshop but Annette had been looking at the store on my blog and printed out the pages of stamps and brought them with her (no I didn't pay her LOL!!). I'm happy to say the girls seemed to really like them and a few were sold. So a big thank you girls!

It doesn't look like I've made a dent in packaging the stamps which makes me wonder how the heck I'm going to do this if Nikki really takes off!!! Fee has kindly agreed to help me with the packaging on Tuesday, forfeiting our Last Tuesday of the Month (LTOM from now on) projects till next month. We've also decided that we're only going to do one project as sometimes the time is tight to fit 2 in.

I didn't get much sleep last night thanks to the boys...that deserves it's own post lol...so I'm going to get the dogs out and get to my bed. I'll say goodnight...hope you've all had a good weekend and ....

I'll catch ya later x

Take a look at this baby...

So what do you think?? I went to the printer's today to pick up the packing cards for the Nikki stamps and decided I wanted business cards. Scott and I designed and printed this up in less than half an hour!!! I love love LOVE it!!! It's so much nicer in person and I can't wait to hand them out ; )

That's it for tonight. I'm packing everything for the workshop tomorrow and I'm always terrified I'm going to forget something!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Catch ya later x

I wanna be 10 again!!!!

If only so I can understand how to use a computer properly!! I have spent the last 2 hours trying to add 'add to cart' buttons and failed miserably so in the end decided I would put the Nikki's here http://ladybugcraftsink-store.blogspot.com/ as a post and if you wish to purchase any of the cling stamps email me at ladybugcraftsink@aol.com and I will contact you. I can then send you a Paypal invoice and do it that way until I can get my buttons on properly. If anyone knows how to do this and can give me idiot proof instructions I will be forever greatful : )

I just realized that I didn't explain the stamps are cling polymer and all that's needed is an acrylic block which makes storage easy peasy. When you first get your stamps gently rub them with a good quality eraser to remove any of the factory residue.

I'm still as high as a kite...more so that usual lol...and I'm looking forward to getting the packaging from the printer's on Friday. Scott at Print Central has been fantastic with his ideas and suggestions and I would highly recommend him to anyone needing any kind of printing.

My workroom is beckoning...I'm still in the middle of making the kits for Saturday's workshop. Also I ran out of pp for one of the projects and Fee is coming to my rescue tomorrow. We're meeting at Braehead for the 'handover' of the pp and because it would be rude not to, we're going to have a quick bite at Starbucks before we go our separate ways : )

Catch ya later x

Nikki is in da house!

To say I am squealing like a stuck pig would be the understatement of the year! I don't think the City Link delivery guy will be the same again lol. I all but hugged and kissed him when he came to the door with my box of Nikki stamps.

He did let me take a picture of him though and I'm sure he must think I'm a weirdo but it WAS a momentous occasion! I was that excited I didn't even get his name but I don't think he'll be too bothered do you LOL???

And here they all are!!!...OK this isn't a great picture and I'll never win any photography awards but once they're all packaged I'll be able to get a better picture.

I'm exhausted now with all the excitement...think I need a lie down lol.

Catch ya later x