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Monday 23 June 2014

CREATIVE BLOG HOP (or all about me)

Hellooooo!  Something a little different from me today.  Instead of showing you what I have made I am giving a little away about myself for a change.  I was nominated to join in with this Creative Blog Hop by my fabulous and very talented bestie friend *Kaz (Slightly Wonky Crafts)*.  I admit that I don't normally do this sort of thing but I also realised that most of you know nothing about me really!

I first started crafting when I was about 6 when my Mum taught me how to use her new sewing machine.  Very brave of her I think as I won't let anyone use mine haha!  She loved to try out new crafts and I grew up going on her journey with her.  But what I remember most of all is the joy of having my Gran teach me to crochet, knit and form patchwork when I was around 8 years old.  I was an only child until I was 16 so I would happily spend my time making something and watching Blue Peter :-D

Due to an injury I had to give up my job in my 20's and so I took up my sewing again and became a seamstress for a few years until my daughter came along.  Its a bit hard sewing with a little one around hahaha!

The kind of crafting that I do now all results from developing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 10 years ago.  My neighbour made cards for a living and I asked her to make me one and she said no...have a go yourself hahaha!!!  So I did and that opened up a whole new world for me.  I found a forum to chat on so I didn't feel so isolated and 'met' some lovely people.  I entered challenges and eventually got onto Design Teams.

I am now very happy playing with paints, chipboard & stamps.  I am on the  *Tando Creative* design team and through that have been lucky to go to Trade Shows and to demonstrate.   I have a fantastic husband who supports me all the way and 3 loopy cats who I adore!  Life is good!!!! 

When I started on this journey I had all my crafty bits in one box now look...I have a whole craft room...


The other end is my sewing area which in reality is where I do my ironing YUK!!! You don't want to see the mahoosive pile shouting at me.
 
What am I working on at the moment?
I always try to work ahead so that if I feel unwell I can just rest for a few days without worrying.  I have a guest spot at *The Craft Barn* coming up using some fantastic new fabric paints so I am trying out some ideas with those.  Lovely colours (I love lots of colour, purple being my favourite).  I shall use a mask/stencil with them and layer up some stamping for the background I expect.
 
How does your work differ from others in your genre?
er...not sure that it does hahaha!  I do like to use colour and which ones depend on my mood at the time or what leaps out at me from the prompt I am given.  I tend to make up the 3D items at Tando, which I love doing and try to show people that if I can do it they can too!
 
Why do I create what I do?
Because I love it!  Its therapy! I love painty hands!!! I enjoy making things now as much as when I was 6years old.
 
How does your creating process work?
Slowly hahahahaha!!!!!  I just go with the flow!  You would be amazed how much ends up in the bin!
 
SO, now I need to nominate a few people to carry on with this hop...its hard to choose as there are so many excellent crafters out ther!  But I choose..
 
Dawn, my Pesky Sister  she does amazing journaling and even makes her own fantastic books (and mine).  She is a lot cleverer than she realises!
 
Diane (Diane's Mutterings)  she is a patchwork/quilter who does beautiful work and is on her own journey.  I admire her and her humour very much!
 
Gay (Crafty Musings)  she does the most beautiful CAS cards I have seen.  They are so clean and neat, a wonderful crafter!
 
Take a look at the above blogs next Monday to see what they have to say.

I hope that you have made it to the end haha!  Thank you for coming to see me, HUGS xxx

7 comments:

Kaz said...

Fab post my lovely, I would love to have a rummage through those shelves of yours!! xxx

Cocofolies said...

Hi Karen, thank you for this wonderful post, full of so many details of your life... I can read that some are very good, and some others a lot less pleased.. As you know, you have all my friendship! I have the feeling that if we had met, we would have become real friends. Hugs, Coco xxx

Diane Warburton said...

I loved reading this, well I enjoy reading all your posts but this one was particularly personal. Thanks so much for being such a sweetie and saying nice things about me. Now I have to write a similar post. I'm off camping with the WI at an event called Tea and Tents (and before you say anything, we've cancelled all rain for that weekend!!) from Friday until Sunday and a mad busy time this week and next, so doubt I'll get chance to do this blog hop credit but I will try. xxx

BJ said...

Wow a whole craft room - bliss and so nice to have you share a bit of yourself with us I enjoyed reading it all. BJ

Traceyr said...

Do you remember how we used to play "I Spy" in your craft room on the forum Karen? hahaha

:)

Dawn said...

What a fab post my lovely, beautifully written and very insightful. Lol you are way too kind hee hee, always a pleasure making for you darling, you are more than worth it.
Luvs ya x x x x

Gez Butterworth said...

I spy! Yessss! I was just thinking how easy I could get lost in your craft room and never been found again, BLISS!

Beautiful answers darling xxxxx