Oh how exciting - my recipe is a feature!

Just got the link from the  wonderful Cafe Primrose and I am featured as guest with a recipe!
This is a really quick post as I am desperate to share with people. Sooo chuffed!

Do you keep a journal?

I do. I have been looking back at is this morning and seeing about decorating some more of the pages. I try to have half a dozen done in advance so that I don't waste my journalling time on that and I can concentrate on the fun part.

If you keep a journal is it an artistic journal, a place for life thoughts, ideas for a project ? I would love to hear about your journals, see some photos of them and tell me, how do you decide on your entries? 

I use the pin in the dictionary method sometimes and just see what comes to my mind from a random subject - it can often trigger different thoughts and maybe an idea for a future entry. Then, on other occasions something may have taken place to give you the urge to write. 

This happened to me on Sunday. I have recently submitted a couple of pieces to possibly be included in blogs and websites I follow. I really enjoyed the writing and spent time making sure it was humorous and fun to read but also informative. This made me think I should do more actual writing, hence today's post being a little less show and tell.

Hope you have enjoyed today's post. xx

Valentine cards - last stock left.

Do you celebrate St Valentine's Day? Me and my other half tell each other every day "I love you" but it is nice to do something special, too, sometimes. Even if it is having a date night without the children and being all romantic and slushy! But sometimes a card is all you need. 

 

Here are the last of my handcrafted cards that are available. Once these are gone that is the end of the stock. See what you think of my Valentine cards with a vintage feel. Prices are listed individually with the picture of each card but are either £1.50 or £2.00.

Love is in the air so don't miss out! 

Just to say thank you!

This is exactly what it says above -  a thank you post!

Last month I had 249 lovely visits to my blog! This is the most I think since I started back in May 2012. I hope you like what you see, but could I make a little request? If you visit, could you find the time to "follow" my blog. I have lots of visits now but not many followers - I follow other blogs, make comments and it helps more lovely people find my blog as well as enjoying other ones.

I am trying, now and then, to promote other blogs I love and today it is Just something I Made. These fantastic freebies from Cathe are just amazing for using on craft projects but this is a fantastic blog for many reasons. Stop my some time!

Catch ya later.xx


   

Change of heart - 

the right decision for me and mine!

Oh dear, you think you've made the right decision and then you realise it was the completely WRONG thing for you. 

After thinking I could make a go of a paper craft business I have decided that it isn't that I couldn't do it, but that I don't WANT to do it - I am no where driven enough for that. I love being at home, looking after the house and my men, cooking and baking. I could not do all of that if I had to really concentrate on promoting my handmade things to the extent that is necessary to make a success of things.

I am happy to craft for pleasure and take part in the fantastic events put on by the amazing Saddleworth Creative Network. The next event is the Spring Craft Festival in March - more details will follow! I'll be there supporting their fantastic promotion of local crafters and artisans, whilst selling cards and paper craft lovelies along with cakes and preserves - for fun! Hope to see some of you there!

My blog will not really change as it is what it says, ramblings of a non-blonde blonde who loves creating and baking. I really think my blog represents me as a person more than Paper Craft Junkie as a business ever could.

Hope you will continue to stop by now and again to see what I'm getting up to and whatever it is I am rambling on about!

Catch ya later!xxx

Organised to achieve more - hopefully!

Well, after deciding to give it one last go at making money from my crafting I realised, even though I am a very organised person in general, I can get a bit distracted when I am in the chill room. 

(This is what we call where I craft; it has all my craft supplies plus the computer, which can be a bad thing in itself plus my other half's guitars, household paper/documents stuff and a very comfy sofa!)

I also thought I needed to tidy/pretty up my environment, so decided to re-hang my bunting for a bit of brightness on a January day! Here is my little crafting space, and I love it!
Please don't mention the sewing machine! I am so determined to get to use it, at some point but I also would like to try harder at crochet projects, too. So many things and so little time!

So, I now have a timetable that plans the tasks I need to do that I am going to do my very best to stick to. I need to split my time between crafting, especially if I am working on an order as I am doing just now, social media catch up which can be a real distraction and then there is this, my blog. Plus, I have to get my house work planned in, baking and things to be ready for tea. I only have until just before3pm when I fetch the boys from school so I have to be quite disciplined to make sure all that needs getting done gets done.

Right, hopefully I will get back to you next week and let you know how I am getting on. Catch you later and thanks for stopping by.xx

New Year, new plans!!

Well, here we are then! My boys are back at school and I am almost in my regular routine and looking forward to working on my decision to give it one last go at making some real money from my crafting. This is my new business card I have on order.
 
 I have been looking at lots of things today including trying to find a bulk supplier of the journals I use and failed, gift bags for my first order of goodie bags for a friend who runs a wedding and party planning business - eek - and expense spreadsheets, just stuff!

I am gradually trying to promote myself more using pages on Facebook and also looking at some online free business directories, but you really cannot beat word of mouth so now have a "tell your friends" button on my Facebook page, too.

I see lots of other blogs promoting blogs they themselves enjoy so I am going to try and do this myself now and then. I am starting today with  Henhouse.

I saw this love lady in Home Style magazine and thought she was very talented, plus she loves decorating at Christmas, and so do I as you know!

Well, must dash and get some crafting done now I have finished my R and D few hours!