I have always loved crafting, it didn't matter what sort as long as it involved creating something. I started with knitting and crocheting as my mother taught my siblings and I how to knit at a very young age, including my brother who will never admit to it. I started to delve into different crafts when moving to my present location and meeting my beloved husband and having our daughter. It was having her that rekindled my love for creating as when you have to keep a toddler amused the best way is to craft. So I discovered toy making from paper mache and cutting and sticking and all the usual things that can get you messy and covered in glitter. I then got a job working with young children and my enjoyment for crafting grew. As she got older the cutting and sticking waned and and then evolved into the art of burning wood, which after a few mishaps was given up as a way of making a small business as the burns were becoming bigger and the price of plasters went up! I was asked by a friend if I could teach her how to crochet so I agreed and together we made a winter wreath which led me on to needle felting as we made a needle felted robin for the center. Whilst I still enjoy this hobby again it involved sharp things and I was frequently seen supporting a plaster or two.
I lost my beloved horse, Beauty, to colic in September 2016. I was devastated and went into a sort of catatonic state and just went from month to month in a daze. My husband and my friends tried all sorts to pull me out of the dark place I was in and failed until a close friend got an embroidery machine and asked me to figure out how to use it and then to show her. Well that was the start of my recovery. I got so fasinated by the craft that I had to have one! That got me started on my embroidery road and that got me back in touch with my sewing and so then I had to get a sewing machine and that introduced me to Harris Tweed. This in turn got me into bag making and boy did I love this material and bags! I made so many and as I got more skilled in bag making I was asked to do some custom made ones and started to sell them. I then combined the embroidery machine, Harris Tweed and my love for sewing and that is how I ended up doing craft fares.
From the craft fares I made new friends who introduced me to my local Craft shop on the near by RAF camp which was manned entirely by volunteers. As I was no longer working and had many, many craft things just sitting around I went along and started selling items in the shop. I then decided to volunteer there to get me out of the house and I also have made friends there and really enjoy the chat with the customers.
Then Covid happened and the shop had to close temporarily and we were all confined to our homes. My manager in the shop is a Stampin Up! demonstrator and I have always admired her makes and the products. Over our confinement I got involved in her online classes as all the necessary equipment was posted out to me and I could do the class from my own front room and not have to venture out. I enjoyed my first class so much I signed up there and then for my second class. I trolled YouTube for all the videos on card making, and whilst there are many good ones out there I couldn't help but notice that Stampin Up! had the most professional looking cards and quality goods. I discussed this with the lady who did the classes and lo and behold I am now an Independent Stampin Up! demonstrator.
Whilst I still have my love of knitting, crocheting and crafting in general, I have to say that I am in love with the art of making cards and there are many new techniques out there which I need to learn and incorporate into my life and to share with you all.
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