Tinkerblue

??? sleeps until Christmas

Not enough.  I can't believe the year is already half way over.  Where did it go?

I'm still working my way through that Christmas list of mine.  This was my May project for Christmas in Progress.

Originally I was going to bundle these up, tie a ribbon round them and give them as gifts.

But if I give them at Christmas, then they won't get used until next year.  Maybe I'll use them instead.  Or maybe I'll gift them in November as a 'get ready for Christmas' gift.  However I did have one friend tell me she'd be insulted if I gave her a bundle of cards.  I didn't ask why.  Would you be insulted?

The first group of cards I made in a card making class that a girlfriend and I attended at a local scrapbooking store.

They look pretty but they are time consuming, fiddly and somewhat bulky.  Look closely (or click for a larger image).  There was stamping, inking, crinkling, distressing, brads, ribbons, stickers, diecuts, pop up dots, glue, double sided tape, and little beads.

The rest I made up as I went.  I use these 5 stamps a lot.  Every Christmas.  I think my family and friends are sick of the seeing them. They are made by a local company - The Old Island Stamp Company.

Christmas Message, Peace Forever, Bethlehem, Snowman Scene, and Mountainscape (this one has been discontinued). I have a bunch of other Christmas stamps, but they don't get used anywhere near as much.

I like the stamped cards because they are simple and quick to make. I can make 10-20 in one sitting. The pink snowman was my version of the blue one made in class.  You can see larger images by clicking on the photos below.

Do you make your own cards?  Do you buy your cards?  Or do you not send cards?

Blah, Blah, Blah

 

This has been around a lot.  I've seen it here, here, and here.  I'm nosy.  I have enjoyed reading everyone else's answers.  Here's mine. More than you ever needed to know about me.

1. Do you promote your blog?

Not really.  I post comments on other blogs.  Does that count?  I emailed my friends and family when I first set it up, but that's it.  For some reason I feel odd/shy about telling real world people.  If I say anything I say, check out my website, rather than check out my blog.  Why?  I dunno!

2. How often do you check hits?

Not very often.  I haven't really looked into anything other than posting.  It's for self preservation mainly.  If I start checking hits, google searches, where people are posting from, I'd spend even more time on the computer than I already do.  I also don't want to be disappointed if there are no hits!  What I don't know won't hurt me!

3. Do you stick to one topic?

Me, me, me.  Well I post about crafting, flying, reading, traveling, but it's all as it relates to me (and hubby).  I set my blog up mainly as a way to keep friends and family overseas up to date with what we are doing because I haven't been very good at the old snail mail, email or phone calls lately.

4. Who knows you have a blog?

Not many people.  I know my mother in law reads it.  Hubby doesn't.  A couple of friends do.  And their are some other bloggers.  I remember the first time someone added me to their blogroll.  How exciting.

5. How many blogs do you read?

Too many - over 100, but less than 200.  Some crafty, some travel, some food, some friends, some design, some wine. I seem to add one or two a week.  In real life I erase people from my address book if I don't hear from them once a year.  So maybe I'll do the same with blogs.  If a blog hasn't been posted on in a year, then I'll drop it from bloglines.    I like the blogs that have the full post in bloglines.  The ones that are set up to only have a line or two in the preview annoy me. 

6. Are you a fast reader?

Yes,  when I read a book or magazine, hubby always "tests" me , because he doesn't believe I've read anything.  He thinks I skip huge chunks.  I just read quick.  I always have done.

7. Do you customise your blog or do anything technical?

No.  Cause I can't without reading the how to section first.  And if I can't do it right now it's not happening.  I use the standard templates.  This is the second banner I've had and they have both been from typepad.  The thought of trying to customise it, makes me cringe.

8. Do you blog anonymously?

No - I use my name.  I post photos of hubby and I.  I try to be careful about how much information I give away.  Other than that I keep my toes crossed that nothing bad will happen.

9. To what extent do you censor yourself?

Quite a bit.  I don't for one moment pretend my life is all rosy and fair.  But you don't need to read about any family squabbles or annoyances.  I don't post about work, and I don't mention friends' last names.  I don't want to post anything that will insult a friend or I  may regret later.  I've typed venting posts but not actually published them.  Just typing the words is good enough.

10. The best thing about blogging?

Reconnecting with old friends.  Finding other like minded bloggers.  Learning.  Discovering. 

and I added #11 - Why did you start blogging?

Because Lori told me I had to.  And I always to as I'm told!  Yeah right.

E = Etsy (warning - lots of photos)

I discovered Etsy late last year.    What's Etsy?  The place to buy and sell all things handmade.

(alphabet card from Lineacarta)

My first purchase was a clay pendant and buttons from MommyCoddle.

(red flower girl card from boiledart)

My most recent purchase was a pink stained glass silver art pendant from WhisperDesigns.

(goldfish pouch from Piddleloop)

I have 6 pages of favourite sellers.  Here are some highlights:

(small linen tote bag from Raspberry Fairy)

• boiledart - the cutest letterpress cards.
• paperedtogether - more letterpress stationary
• Modern Art Everyday -I can see the big red fork and spoon in my kitchen
• Two Trees
• Artsycraftsybabe - bags and pouches
• Piddleloop - pouches, pouches and more pouches
• Creative Thursday - new art work every Thursday
• Paper and String - felt creations. Sarah also has adorable felt christmas decorations at her website   
• Art Quirk -  I have my eye on Rooftops in Prague
• Green Leaf and Owl - pendants inspired by nature.
• PataPri - Teatowels -the penguins are calling my name
• Every Jot and Tittle - hand made tags
• Old School Acres - stuffies and such.  I have the cutest easter chick. 
• Young and WithIt - cards. More than one person will get the gnome birthday cake card.
• Kirsten*Can  - felt flower brooches
• String Theory - bakers twine.  In red and white!
• Turtle Papers - stationary
• Innocent Charms - Jewelry by Kara in the UK
• lineacarta - alphabet cards
• Dornick Designs - Jewelry.  Love the necklaces.
• Raspberry Fairy - totes.  I have one coming my way.  Should be here any day now.
• Kathryn Reichert - customised silver cuffs. I see these making great gifts.

(Simply Beachy Necklace by Dornick Designs)

Between Etsy, Ebay, Amazon, the sewing machine and the scroll saw I am going to get most of my Christmas shopping done without leaving the house.  Well, of course, I'll have to go the fabric store, and the hardware store to buy supplies.

(lambswool felt brooch from Kirsten*Can - this photo from etsy store.  Mine is actually yellow and green).

There are many, many more.  Do you have an Etsy Store?  What are your favourites? Go on, support hand made crafts.

(Photo Custom cuff courtesy of Kathryn Reichert Etsy Store.  Not mine.  But when I save the $ and decide on a quote, it will be mine, and a second one for a friend.)

If I don't hear from you within a year....

I will erase you from my address book.  It used to get really full, of people who never responded to letters I sent.  So I started erasing people if they didn't reply after a year.  I still use a 'real' address book.  I write names and birthdays/anniversaries in pen, and addresses, phone #s and emails in pencil so they can be changed.  I list people under first names - incase they get married/divorced etc and change their name.  Well really I list them under first name, because often I can't remember the surname until I look it up.

I haven't updated my blogroll in a long time.  I was avoiding doing it.  There were so many to add.  But then Sarah at Paper and String had a much better idea.  She added a link to her blogline feeds.  What a clever idea.  I borrowed her idea.  In the right  hand tool bar, scroll down and you can click on the link to my blogline feeds.  Now you can see all 88 (and adding all the time) of them.  And I promise, I will only delete you, if you haven't posted on your own blog for a year.