Playing around with photoshop – learning a new skill

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Having left my old place of work at the end of last year and currently looking for something new I’ve decided to take the chance to learn some new skills, and something I’ve always wanted to do is learn a bit more about photoshop.

Cath Kidston Bag Collage

Remember this post? where I talked about making the bag from the kit that came with the Cath Kidston book, Sew? Well, Dave challenged me to make a collage out of the images – I’m quite proud of it actually, as a first attempt it isn’t too bad!

I want to make a few more banners and things for the blog, and may even try my hand at a design for the very top, so keep your eyes open.

hobbies

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My name is Becca and I am a craftaholic.

I collect crafts! Over the years I have attempted the following:

  • cardmaking
  • cross stitching
  • scrapbooking
  • jewellery making
  • sewing
  • painting
  • drawing
  • photography
  • writing
  • crochet
  • knitting
  • making stuff with fimo
  • baking

etc etc etc

The list goes on and on and I’ve probably spent a fair bit of money on various craft pursuits… I think it is because I need a creative outlet.  I think this is also why I like love stationery so much.

But I constantly find myself wanting to “make things”. I’m currently in sewing mode, and I’m actually going to have a go at quilting, something I’ve always been quite scared off, but I think I’ll really enjoy.  I may even attempt to blog my journey in quilting/patchwork.

 

Do you have hobbies? What about making things? How do you channel your creativity?

30 by 30 challenge – Make a useable handbag

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As a part of my 30 by 30 challenge (an update soon!) I set myself the challenge of making a useable handbag.

I started with the bag kit that came with my Sew! book by Cath Kidston.  I’m not very good at following instructions that are written down, but I went through this one step by step and I’m seriously proud of how it came out.

The only bit I messed up was the buttonhole, which was a rouleau (?) loop – I could not for the life of me work that out – so I sewed a couple of big poppers inside instead.  I also sewed the straps to the bag permanently and used the buttons as decoration, rather than attempt buttonholes.

 

I’m really proud of it actually, and I’m going to use it, regularly.  I’m also going to have a go at making it again, with different fabric, just to cement the techniques in my mind.

Linkage

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For all you crafty girls (and boys!) out there I wanted to share the following with you!


Craftsuprint - The Worlds Largest Legal Craft Download Site!

I hope this works!
Craftsuprint is a lovely little website for getting inspiration, and buying products as well, you can pay to download the images you like and the artist who created it gets a commission.  As well as this they run an affiliate programme, which I have signed up too.  So if you buy anything through any of my links then I will also recieve a small commission, which is lovely for me too.

If you are an artist (I know many of my friends are!) and would like to, you can also submit your designs to the site for people to buy. How cute is that?

Finally, there is also a competition, regularly, to find crafty bob, he is hidden somewhere on the pages and if you are the first person to find him you can win a cash prize! So if you are looking for somewhere new to find craft inspiration and decoupage sheets please check out craftsuprint through one of my links!

Bitten by the crafty bug!

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So you know I make jewellery right? Well just recently I’ve come over all crafty licious! I’m dying to turn my hand to all sorts of new things, this doesn’t bode well for my bank balance, or my time, but it’s one of those things that happens to me every now and then.

So, I started off with my mini clipboards which I adore, and can’t wait to send one to Han in her next letter (it’s not a secret so I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing! My sister will also be getting one as part of her belated birthday presents. (again, not a secret!)

I’ve also been perusing loads of craft blogs – there are soooooo many ideas!

One of my favourites at the moment is dollar store crafts I’m a HUGE fan of the pound shop (our UK equivalent!) and am so jealous that they have so much cooler stuff in there dollar stores over in the States, but there are so many cool ideas of things to make whilst spending very little cash… check it out!

I’m also loving Chic’ n Scratch which I found whilst looking for coasters to decorate. The woman who runs it is amazing and also a stampin up consultant… Must… resist….stampin up…

Finally I love the UK Craft Forum for chatting with like minded UK based crafters, I’m sparklybec if you fancy finding me!

So hopefully look out for some new projects soon, and maybe I’ll even brave a tutorial at some point!

I’ve also booked in to do another craft fair in Norwich on 17th July! Fingers crossed this one goes well 🙂

Day 27 of 1001

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So, it has been a while! We’re now into Day 27 of my 1001 day challenge, and where are we?

I think I can tick off number 2, Han has said that she will be my penpal, her first card and birthday present are winging their way to her as we speak.

I’ve got a few things that need to be done for the one a month things, including having a date with Dave, taking a photo of us together, my laptop regularly backs up, which means that one is on track too,

As for learning to drive, its ok, I’m desperate to book my test now, and then I’ll feel really good, but I still need a lot of practise, I’ll get there I’m sure, I just want to be there already!

I’m doing my first craft fair on 9th May:

I’m both nervous and excited, but need to get loads of stuff made, as currently I’m down to about 10 pairs of earrings! But I’ve got a day off on Friday, so will hopefully get some bits made then.