A Little Bit Of Christmas

 

Last time I posted, I was feeling a little bit down about everything I do.

 

I'm not going to lie, I still am a little, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, get creative, and get myself out there ready for Christmas. After all its just 3 months away.

 

Like many of you crafters, I've been working on Christmas since June, and have been getting a little fed up of red, green and gold.

 

So I created something new this week.

 

Its some really, really fab of black and white cards.

 

 

Rather than going out and buying lots of new items, I've just bits I already had in the craft room. White card that I've embossed with an every day folder, and ribbon that I believe came from some packaging last Christmas.

 

I would like to enter this card into this weeks Anything Goes Challenge, over at http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Hopefully, as I update some more this week, I will be feeling a bit better! Damn these early late nights!

 

Lel



Feeling Down Today

Today feels like it is a tough day.

 

I haven't had a stall for a couple of weeks, as I've been on holiday, and so I haven't really sold anything for a while.

 

I am confident in the knowledge that I make some fab cards, that I would want to buy. The problem is finding others that want to buy them too.

 

There are so many other people out there selling handmade cards, that I feel I am getting lost in amongst everyone, and am struggling to make myself stand out.

 

Usually, I feel so ok with everything that I am doing ~ and today I am just not.

 

I really need to find myself somewhere new to get myself out there!

 

Lel x 

Some Time Off.

 

The Mr and I have been married for two years on Monday, and are celebrating by taking a short break.

 

I can not wait.

 

We haven't been away as just the two of us since our honeymoon, so it will be nice to spend some quality time with each other.

 

It does however mean I am away from crafting for a week, and haven't had a chance to enter any challenges either. Which is a massive shame, as I won this weeks on handmade harbour.

 

So I bid you all adue, and will see you soon!

 

 

Lel x 

Pretty In Pastels

 

 

Just popping in quickly to show you all my entry for this weeks Pan Pastel Challenge, which has a pastel colours theme.

 

 

http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/challenge-34-pastel-colours_25.html

 

 

I've made a pretty pastel butterfly card, as I haven't used a butterfly in a while, and am feeling a little lost without them in my life!

 

 

Lel x



A New Colour Combination.

 

For me any way, and inspired by me watching Project Runway Australia! Navy blue, and Raspberry.

 

This card has been made for the Handmade Harbour Blog, Anything Goes Challenge that can be found here:

 

http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/midweek-papercraft-party-2.html

 

Its a new blog that I have stumbled across, and one that I think I am really going to Love!

 

 

To make the card, I have used the fab cupcake freebie that is currently up for grabs, and coloured in using only magenta and midnight blue promarkers.

 

The image is then matted onto blue glitter paper from pondskipper crafts (from when they were still little local craft shop. www.pondskippercrafts.co.uk if you want to have a look) and a raspberry paper from the same place.

 

The image is then layered onto a pink floral paper from Fizzy Moon, and matted again in the same navy blue.

 

The card is finished with a gold Happy Birthday and three small gold hearts.

 

Simple.

 

Hope everyone is doing well!

 

Lel

 



Something New At Lel's

 

For most of this week, I haven't really made any cards.

 

That's not to say that I haven't made any. I have. It's just that I have spent the week adding to my range of products, and getting a little more prepared for Christmas too.

 

I started by making some Santa and Snowman gift tags. These were one of my best sellers last year, so I though it would be silly not to make them again. I have tweaked them though, they are now a slightly different style, and there's no colouring involved this year, so they are a little easier too.

 

 

These come in sets of 10, and are available from www.facebook.com/craftylillel for £1.65 posted.

 

I've also made some pretty post it note holders, that I think will be perfect as a stocking filler!

 

 

 

These measure 10.5 cm by 10.5 cm and are £3.00 posted from www.facebook.com/craftylillel they come in a variety of designs!

 

And finally, I've been making some pretty corner bookmarks too!

 

 

 

These also come in a variety of designs, and as a set of three for £2.40.

 

You can also find these at www.facebook.com/craftylillel

 

I have to admit, its been nice to be making something a bit different. After all, a change is as good as a break. But I am sure I will be forging ahead with the card making again this week, and will be entering a few challenges along the way as well.

 

See you then,

 

Lel x



Christmas Is Coming

 

Ok, so I know it is only August, but I have spent my entire day making Christmas Cards.

 

From pretty buttoned cards in a variety of styles ~ Christmas Trees, Baubles, Christmas Wreaths, as well as some mini cards ready to go into packs.

 

That coupled with the 130 odd gift tags I made on the side lines at football yesterday, means I think I am slowly getting myself ready to face the Christmas season!

 

There may be hope yet for me to feel festive this year.

 

Hooray to that!

 

And so I leave you with some of my cards from today.

 

Lel

 

 



Have I Finally Gone Mad?

 

Well have I?

 

I've finally decided that I actually LIKE Mondays. It means a new start to the week, so wipes away any chaos from the week before. It means fresh possibilities, and new starts, and anything could happen.

 

 

For example, this week I have decided that I am setting myself the target of making 100 cards. Yes, you read that right, 100. I'm not sure why, I just want to see if I can do it. And I really want to get ahead of myself for Christmas as well! Fingers crossed I achieve this, as although I have no incentive to do this, secretly I will be rather gutted if I don't!

 

I've made a good start already this evening, having made my first 7, and have more to do, so I guess I better get on, but before I do, I wanted to leave you with a couple of cards.

 

 

The first, is this weeks entry into the PanPastels UK challenge blog:

 

This weeks theme is cute and cuddly. This is something a bit different for me as I don't usually use decopage, but I got some new goodies yesterday, and the kit for this was in there. Its using the Fizzy Moon For Boys kits.

 

 

 

If you want to have a go at entering the challenge, the link can be found here:

 

http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/challenge-32-cute-and-cuddly.html

 

 

My second card I want to show you, is another first for me. I have recently been given some twinkling H20's, and this is my first attempt at playing with them! I'm definitely looking forward to getting some more use out of them in the near future!

 

 

Lel x

 

 

 



Not Just Plodding Along.

 

I don't know about you, but I am an avid reader of Card Making and Crafting magazines.

 

I'm not fussy, I don't care which magazines I read, and I don't have a favourite. Hell, as long as it has a good freebie on the front, I will probably buy it. But this months Card Making and Papercraft Magazine has really got my attention.

 

Because it has the card maker of the year competition in it.

 

And I really want to enter.

 

I know I don't really have any hope of winning any of the categories, I've seen the quality of the cards out there on the internet, and mine do not match up to the intricate designs people create, but I think I definitely have my own definite style, which I think may be fresh and inspiring to see.

 

So I'm going to do it anyway. After all, if you don't try, you don't know. And I'm getting a bit bored of just plodding along, creating cards to sell, and not pushing myself enough. There's a big wide world of crafting out there, and so much more for me to learn!

 

Wish me luck.

 

Lel x

 

 

 

 



Monochromatic Cards

 

Just popping in to add another card for another blog challenge.

 

This card is for https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.632667030086123.1073741875.397294816956680&type=3 

 

cards with a monochromatic theme.

 

 

Personally I love this card, and wish I could get more of these peel offs, so if anyone has any idea where they are from, then please let me know!

 

Lel x 



My First Ever Blog Challenge Entries.

 

So here is to new beginnings!

 

My first ever blog challenge entries are below. Fingers crossed for some beginners luck.

 

My first card is to be entered into the PanPastels Challenge Blog, over at http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/ . This is one I have followed for a while after starting to use chalks, and so is one which I would REALLY love to win the prize for.

 

This weeks theme is florals, so a perfect occasion for me to use the new peel-off stickers I got this weekend!

 

 

I have quite a simple style, and this is no different. I've used a metallic gold base card, which I have matted with a floral printed paper from Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine. This is then topped with three floral peel offs which have been coloured with both Promarkers, and Spectrum Noirs. The card has then been finished with peel off corners, and a gold sentiment.

 

Card Number Two:

 

This card is to be entered into the http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.co.uk/ blog, for the 1,2,3 challenge.

 

My 1 image is a cute dragonfly peel off, the 2 patterned papers are a holographic paper (used as a matt here) from Southfields the paper people, and a purple spiral print paper from The PaperCrafter Magazine, and my three embellishments are gold corners, gold stars, and gold glitter (underneath the purple patterned paper).

 

 

I know this card looks a lot more basic than the others already added to the challenge already, but we all have to start somewhere!

 

So, fingers crossed that I've some good luck headed my way, and if anyone knows of any other good challenge blogs, then please do leave me a comment and let me know!

 

Lel x

 



Making Some New Decisions.

 

I had a stall at a pamper night on Friday night, and whilst I was there I had a one card reading done for me.

 

 

It was quite an eye opener.

 

(I know there are a lot of you out there who do not believe, and who are complete skeptics. But I like to think that there are some truths in the things that are said to us. Particularly when you are told things that there is no way a completely random person could know.)

 

And it make me concentrate on the fact that for the last couple of months, I have felt that I am just coasting along. And so has led me to making a couple of decisions, and to doing something new.

 

And so over the course of this next week, I am going to start entering some card making challenges!

 

It may seem like it is just something small, but I like to do something new every now and again to wake myself up a bit, and stop things becoming monotonous. And every big thing, has to start from a small thing somewhere!

 

So off I go to find myself some challenges to enter, and hopefully I will be back later on today to share my very first entries with you!

 

Lel x  

 



A Little Quiet, but things a~new a~head.

I seem to be neglecting the blog this month.

I promise, I really am not trying to, I am just getting on with lots behind the scenes, and like I suspect many others are, getting on with creating Christmas stock.

There's lots of new going on again as well.

I am in the middle of creating a new website through Weebly~ I do need to learn how to move this blog from here to there, so if anyone knows how, then please give me a shout!

I really don't like the layout of the current website I have, so have been looking for one with better ecommerce applications for a while. Hopefully I will finally have the website that I want! I will let you know when the website is a~go!

I have also got my cards into a new shop in Kent. Its a brand new shop opening in August, and I am excited about my cards being there. Can't remember the details off of the top of my head, but I will post them later on in the week for you all. I am also looking at looking at stocking them somewhere else, closer to home as well. Obviously this means I am doing a lot of creating at the moment so that I also have stock to sell myself.

Christmas is coming along nicely here as well. I've booked in for my first few Christmas events, and have a market night of my own in the pipe works. I've started making stock, and have added some new ranges of items to those that I had last year as well. Fingers crossed it will be a brilliant season for me, and bring some new customers my way.

So that's just a quick update from me, I will be back towards the weekend with lots of photos from some goings on I've been at, and some new products.

Lel x 

July is Slipping Away.

 

*Slaps self on the wrist*

 

Its been a long while since I've blogged. Naughty, naughty me.

 

I don't have an excuse, not a valid one anyway, I've just been working away, getting lots of stock made, and designing lots of lovely items ready for Christmas. I know its July, but there is only just over 4 months until the big day, and I have lots that I would like to make to sell in the run up.

 

I have had a mini break away in the last couple of weeks. A lovely family trip to the beach at Ingoldmells. The weather was incredible, we couldn't have asked for better. We went for the long weekend, so had time to pootle around Fantasy Island market (they need a craft stall, desperately!) as well relax in the sea and on the beach, and play on the 2p machines too.

 

It was a well needed trip and so I will leave you with a few holiday snaps, before I go back to doing some more work.

 

Oh, and quickly, I seem to have really nailed heat embossing now!

 

 

Don't foget, that to keep really up to date with me, I can be found at www.facebook.com/craftylillel

 

Lel x

 

As promised.

 

A couple of my cards using my new stamps for Bugaboo, from the blog challenge win.

 

I've just got the Kenny K ones through as well, so will be using them over the next couple of days, with the Lili of the Valley bits and pieces which should come soon.

 

 

Lel x



Jolly July

 

Just popping in quickly with a photo today.

 

As I recently realised that I haven't put up a picture on here of my little business Crafty Lil' Lel. So here it is, all set up today at Folksworth Fete.

 

 

I will be back tomorrow with some fab new cards to show you, using some of my prizes for the Blog ~ A ~ Day.

 

Lel x



Learning A Lot About Myself.

 

I promised I would write this post yesterday, but as usual, I just couldn't find the right words. So I started it, and deleted it three times before turning away from it.

 

But here I am, finishing what I started.

 

The blog a day in June, has really helped to open up my eyes into myself. The prompts have made me take an honest look into myself, and at the things that I both want and need in my life.

 

You see, I really am not very good at saying aloud the things that I really want, or at telling the people closest to me how I really feel. Usually I just shut off and clam up, and although it seems quite contrite to say it, its much easier to sit here behind my screen, and say how I feel, without worrying how it is going to be received.

 

This last month has made me realise quite a lot of things about myself.

 

Like how I really love to write

. Its brought back a lot of ideas about things I wanted to do with my writing when I was younger, but which I never got around to doing. I love writing childrens stories, and had forgotten that. So watch this space, as I will hopefully have something to show you in a couple of weeks after I have a weekend away with the Fox cubs.

 

Its made me think about just how proud I am of Crafty Lil' Lel.

Usually I am too involved in the day to day, and things I need to be doing for it, that I forget to step back and see just where I am going with it, and just how hard I am working for it. Its been nice to look back over it and reflect on all the good things I am doing for myself.

 

Looking back through my blog posts I can see just how determined I am. I've always been a little stubbon as well, and I think this helps. Because it means that I won't give up until I manage to do something. And I've finally managed to get heat embossing to work for me!

 

I've also seen how the things that I want are not unachieveable. If I continue to work hard, then I can earn the things on my wish list, and know that I have done it for myself. I've also learnt that I am quite good at taking my own advice. Something that has definitely changed for the better in me over the last few years!

 

If theres one real thing though, that I think has really stood out to me, is that my desire to learn really is still there. I thought this had hidden away after finishing university, so to realise that that passion for developing myself and aquiring knowledge and skills is back, is a great feeling. And one that I have missed.

 

And so as I sign off for the day, and tootle off to make some more cards for this weekends event, I can do so knowing that no matter what the day might bring, I will get there in the end!

 

Lel x

 

 

 



Day 30, What Does Crafting Mean To You?

 

Last Day. Wow. Where has June gone?

 

I know its only been a couple of hours since I posted my last blog, but apparantly I am over tired and can not sleep.

 

So I thought I would get ahead of myself.

 

 

So what does crafting mean to me?

 

For me its twofold. It means a business. And it means being completely selfish, and doing something that is just for me. But the two link into each other.

 

I am incredibly proud of where my crafting has got me in the last couple of  years. And I owe it all to my lovely husband, Foxy.

 

Afterall, if he hadn't proposed, then none of this would have happened.

 

I would never have made everything for our wedding, and I would never have got into card making from there. And I would never have started my own business. Crafty Lil' Lel. I am incredibly proud of the things I have done in the last year. No, I can't be seen in magazines, and on t.v, you do not know my face on my name in the crafting celebrity world. I have a lot to learn, and a lot of skills to gain to be able to better myself.  But I am making pretty items that people can afford to, and want to buy again and again. And I am doing it all both by myself, and for myself.

 

So you see, Crafting to me, means having something tangible that is mine. Something that I know I did, by myself.

 

And there is no greater feeling then that to me right now!

 

Lel x

 

Oh, and PS as its the last day of blog a day, it would be rude not to add photos of todays theme. Craft something for an age.

 

Oh, and pps, I have a fab idea for tomorrows blog post too. I shall be writing about my experiences of the last month, and the things Ive learnt along the way)

 

 

These are all made with vinyl bin numbers believe it or not.



If You Could Do It All Again, What Would You Do Differently? Day 29. Craft A Day

So the penultimate day.

 

And its been a Looooooooong one as ever. I have just got in from doing two stalls today as well as a market night last night, and right now I need a bath a sleep.

 

 

I dont care in which order.

 

Understandably, im not crafting today, but I have been crafting as much as I can whilst I've been doing my events, to replace stock as I went. Quite difficult when you think that I didnt take very much with me that I could use.

 

 

But once again. I digress.

 

So what would I do differently?

 

I have to honestly say. Nothing.

 

I am a firm believer in that things happen for a reason! That you learn from the mistakes that you make, as if you did things perfectly first time every time you woudlnt gain anything from it.

 

I might however, be a little more confident in the things that I did!

 

 Lel x 

Day 28. What Are Your Three Wishes, Craft Something For A New Home.

 

Theres only two days left of the craft a day blog. Boo :(

 

 

Before I let you know about my wishes, I HAD to show you this. I've been heat embossing again today, and I finally seem to be getting somewhere!

 

Ive used a Kanban stamp, which I have repeated on a chalked background, and embossed in black. Ive then inked around the edges with a black promarker too. This does loosely fit to the home theme too, as a couple of people have suggested it looks like a canvas. So, definitely something to think about turning it into.

 

 

But I digress, and so on to todays post. Three Wishes.

 

Wish Number One.

 

I wish that I could go to Rome! Hubby and I have been speaking about it for a long time, and it is still yet to happen! There is always something else that comes up that needs paying for. Actually, I wish in general that I could travel more, but time and finds seem to be lacking for this to happen.

 

Wish Number Two.

 

I wish I could stop saying 'I Will Do It Tomorrow', and actually get around to doing things instead of procrastinating!

 

Wish Number Three.

 

I wish for my own little family unit one day. Hubby and I are fab as a two, but I would love us to be a three or a four someday!

 

Simple things, all my wishes. But you might have learnt by now, I'm a simple kinda girl!

 

Lel x

 





Day 27. Three Best Projects.

 

I have to admit, I completely forgot about blogging yesterday.

 

I'm just so tired still! Should probably go and find out what it is that is causing it, but its probably just the change in my work patterns, so theres no need to bother the doctors surgery that I cant get into anyway.

 

 

I'm really struggling to think of my three best projects!

 

The more I think about it, the more I realise that I am not very good at making things for my home. I have lots of things I want to make, that I still haven't got around to.

 

But I will get there eventually.

 

I can't help it. I'm easily distracted.

 

But I will leave you with my three favourite cards I've made instead.

 

Lel x

 



What Do You Wish You Could Do? Day 26

 

Like I mentioned the other day.

 

I wish I was good at heat embossing. Its a very definite work in progress for me, and something which seems to be taking me a long time to learn.

 

I have a heat gun, and lots of different coloured embossing powders, but I just can't seem to get it to work properly consistently. Every now and again I find I make a really good image, but then the next one will be rubbish!

 

I'm not sure if it is the stamps I'm using, or maybe the paper.

 

I had a fab idea of making a kind of silloheute with white and black, instead of black and white.

 

But the powder would just not melt!

 

So I will keep playing, and I will persevere! After all, you don't learn anything if you can do something straight away!

 

 

But I know it is late, and I will leave you with some more of my new cards to brighten up my page.

 

Lel x

Day 25. What advice would you give a newbie?

 

I am still a newbie. Ive only been crafting seriously for just over a year now, and I still have a whole lot to learn.

 

But my best advice is this. Find something that you love to do. Because it will soon take over everything.

 

Find your own creative style, and try to let it influence everything you do. That way you will have something that people will start to recognise, and which may eventually become your kind of 'brand'.

 

and finally,

 

Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Its the very best way to learn!

 

Lel x 

Day 24. Your Crafting Wist List/ Craft Something For A Birthday

 

I can't believe there is less then a week to go of the blog a day! Its 6 months until Christmas Eve today as well. This year is flying past to quickly.

 

I'm cheating a little today, as the cards I am showing you are the ones that I made last night. But they are new, and have only just gone up on www.facebook.com/craftylillel as well.

 

I spent the night making cards for boys, as I don't really seem to have many left. I've got 4 events this week, so need to get a wiggle on and get some more made. Fortunately, I had a very lovely surprise this week, in that one of my friends quite randomly left me cardboard box FULL of coloured card and pearlescent paper at our local pub. Which means I really don't need to buy any for a long time.

 

Which means that as I sell some cards, I can buy some of the things from my wish list. Rather then the necessities.

 

Like some more promarkers and spectrums. I bought my first spectrums this weekend as my very lovely grandad gave me some pennies when I visited him. I bought the pastel set, but would very much like the brights now.

 

I would also like to invest in some twinkling H20's.

 

And my first spellbinders die.

 

And some Penny Black stamps.

 

Best get selling me thinks. After all, no one is going to buy them for me.

 

Lel x



Day 23. Things You Struggle With, or Craft Something For An Auntie.

 

The things I struggle with. Hmmm.

 

Right now I'm struggling with this topic. Do I be really honest, or do I wimp out and tell you the things that I struggle with in my crafting?

 

 

As you might be able to tell from that, I struggle with telling my honest feelings when it comes to myself. It's quite easy to sit in front of a computer screen and put words on paper, so to speak, . But to actually form the words, and say them outloud. Thats another matter.

 

So to honesty. I struggle being the only one of three sisters who doesn't yet have a child.

 

I am the middle of the three, and happily married to an amazing man, whose baby I would love to have. But we aren't lucky enough for it to have happened for us yet.

 

 I struggle with the number of people who ask me 'when are you having one'.

 

And I really struggle with the thought of 'what if I can't have one'.

 

But thats life. Every day I remind myself that I have two beautiful nieces, a sweet little brother and sister in law, and a monkey of a nephew. Who get my full attention whenever they want it.

 

And it will happen for me one day.

 

But to lighten the tone a little....

 

I am struggling with heat embossing. I MUST be doing something wrong, as I just can't get my powders to melt without burning the paper, or without the ink i'm using drying before it can stick.

 

Have bought myself an embossing stamp pad to help with that yesterday, but if anyone has any pointers, I could do with the help.

 

Lel x

 

 

 

 

 

 



Day 22. Whats You Fav Crafting Season, or Craft Something Using Silver

 

Like what I think will be for many others, my favourite crafting season is christmas.

 

Now this is a little strange, as those that know me well, know that I am not actually a massive fan of christmas itself. I'm not sure what it is, but I never seem to particularly feel christmassy. Apart from for about an hour on christmas day maybe.

 

But I do love making christmas cards.

 

I think its because it is the time of year where people tend to put a lot more thought into the cards that they send, and love to find something that is different to the repetitive rubbish you find in the shops.

 

Its great for my creativity too. You can make fab cards out of odds and ends from the bottom of the craft box, theres a massive choice of embellishments to use, and theres no end to the colour choices to use.

 

I tend to make a lot of traditional type cards with reds, golds and greens, but I also love to make really modern ones in silvers, blues and purples.

 

It also means I spend a lot of time using buttons and snowflakes.

 

Whats there not to love about that?

 

So before I sign off for the day, I will leave you with some really rubbish photos of the christmas cards I've been making today. Using silver to fit in with the craft theme today too!

 

 

 

Lel x