Can you believe it's nearly August?!

Happy Sunday!

I hope you're all well and keeping safe.

Look at me actually writing my blog on a Sunday evening!

This week has been a strange one for the weather hasn't it? But my garden is loving it and all sorts of flowers are blooming, my courgettes have the biggest flowers, my cherry tomatoes are growing in abundance and my cucumber is now about 3 inches long! How exciting!

Craft wise I have been playing with Life is Beautiful and had a 1 to 1 class yesterday at my home. I am starting to do small classes, keeping socially distant and being sensible but it is so nice to be able to demonstrate in person again!

Here's what was made, aren't they gorgeous?!

Today, I held a Facebook Live. I love going Live as it makes me feel like I am connecting with you all, even though I can't hear you, I know you're there. And I love the comments that come through!

Today I used the Framed for You stamp set, what do you think?

If you haven't seen my Facebook Lives before, I would love it if you could join me, Sundays at 3pm over on my Facebook page @craftingonthegreen

I am currently uploading a new video to my YouTube channel too, I hope you will stop by to take a look and maybe subscribe too!

It is almost Newsletter time too, 1st of each month. If you don't currently receive it and would like to, please contact me by clicking here.

It's a short and sweet one from me today, I have a lot of tutorials to write, an Etsy shop to stock, classes to plan and a Newsletter to write, amongst other things!

Thank you for reading,

Dawn x 

A change of scenery

Hello everyone, 

Happy Monday!

I hope you're all well and keeping safe.

I'm only a day late this week with getting my blog listed, but I have a fabulous excuse this week. 

On Wednesday, I decided to move all of my crafts into the spare room, so now I have a craft room! How exciting is that?! See, it's a totally fabulous excuse for being a day late this week!

I don't understand how though, that I now have a bit more room, and yet still have no space! Haha. 

All weekend I have been trying to find new homes for everything, and I'm pretty sure that I will be moving things around for quite a while until I find suitable forever homes for everything. 

In between the moving and sorting, I did manage to make a few cards and boxes. I also managed to set myself up on Etsy (and took myself off of NuMonday) so if you would like to see what I have for sale, all handmade by me, take a look here - https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CraftingontheGreen

I have now moved my Facebook Lives to Sunday at 3pm as I am opening back up to do classes on a Saturday. Only smaller, socially distant classes which mean only 2 people at a time can come...so I am doing 2 or 3 classes a day depending on interest. 

If you'd like to know more, you can email me at dawn@craftingonthegreen.co.uk

Here's some photos of the bits and bobs I made this weekend, what do you think?

Here I used the Magic in this Night Suite which is perfect for making Halloween decorations and party kits (I now have a party kit listed on Etsy too!) The suite comes with stamps, dies, an embossing folder, ribbon, DSP, Black Glimmer Paper and embellishments. 

Isn't is lovely! A must for any Halloween fan.

Then I used the Life is Beautiful stamp set and showed a few ways to make quick gorgeous cards with only a couple of colours, there's also a video tutorial on my You Tube channel of how to make the card with the autumn leaves, check it out here

So that's me for this week, I'm off to play with Shrinkies! If you're not sure what they are, I'll hopefully show you next week...or on my social media throughout this week so be sure to follow me on Facebook or Instagram @craftingonthegreen

Thank you for reading, have a great week and stay safe.

Dawn x 

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Yes, I know, it's not Sunday, I'm a bit behind lately, there's so much going on! But it's all good things...

So just over a week ago, I had a Virtual crafty retreat. Usually we would meet up in Birmingham and spend a glorious weekend crafting and having lots of fun. However at the moment we can't do that, so it became a virtual weekend, and it was wonderful!

8 Projects, lots of live videos and classes, and a Zoom room to chat in whilst we crafted. I made some amazing things, but I still have a lot to work on before I share them, so you'll have to wait for those photos!

Over the weekend, I learned to make an album, a lot more involved than any that I am used to, it's going to look so pretty when it is finished. 

I also took a virtual masterclass in photography, which was much needed with me, so hopefully I can apply the tips and tricks I have learned to make my photos look a little better (You'll have to let me know what you think of the photos in today's blog!)

Finally, with my retreat, I am so excited, I won a big prize in the raffle, and in August I will be the (very proud) owner of the new Stampin' Up! Die cutter! I really am so chuffed :)

This weekend just gone, I didn't get much crafting done. My housemate moved out so I spent the weekend helping them, cleaning and sorting, and getting my home back to how I like it (To be fair there wasn't that much to do!) 

I also held a socially distant workshop! We all had masks at the ready, hand gel and our own tools and it worked so well. I'll be holding more as of the 1st August so watch this space for more info.

Last week I placed a pre order from the new Autumn/Winter catalogue (One of the perks of being a Demo!) and on Monday it arrived...

This evening I finally managed to have a play, and I asked you on Facebook and Instagram to decide whether I should play with the Life Is Beautiful set, or Yuletide Pasture.

Life is Beautiful won, and here's what I came up with; 6 very similar cards but each is unique. From simple stamping, to heat embossing and using a baby wipe technique for the ink... what do you think?

Aren't they pretty? I think this is going to be a favourite set for all times of year.

I also got a few Halloween bits, as I have decided to have a Halloween party this year, and what better way to decorate and make goodies than to add a handmade touch? How amazing does this set look? The suite also comes with dies and embellishments, definitely worth a look!

Finally, I treated myself to a little pressie, just for me, I got a mouse mat! I have been after one for a long time and then I saw this... isn't it perfect!

It's been making me smile whilst I work from home, so money well spent.

Well that's all from me for now, I will try to be better this weekend and update on the Sunday... I promise I'll try!

As usual, I hope you're all well and keeping safe.

Take care,

Dawn x 

Exciting times!

Happy Sunday! 

I hope you're all well and staying safe. 

So this week we had a heatwave, and boy was it hot! I love the sunshine and warmth, but once it gets too hot I just become a melted mess who can't do anything... I'm sure I'm not alone in that!

And then the temperature dropped and we had a few storms and strong winds... I keep checking my garden often to make sure nothing has broken or blown away, am I the only one who does that?! 

I received a gift this week, and I am so excited by it, a David Austin rose called Darcy Bussell. It hasn't bloomed yet but I can't wait until it does. The Darcy Bussell rose is such a deep burgundy/maroony/red... It's beautiful and now I am the very proud owner of one! As soon as it blooms I will take some photos to show it off and will no doubt put some on here too, hopefully by next week! 

No doubt you have all been paying attention to the news surrounding the lockdown restrictions and what is being lifted. It does seem like we will be resuming a different type of normality very soon, but it's still going to be very strange isn't it! 

As long as things go well, I am planning on holding workshops again. Only for now they will be a maximum of 2 people at a time, and there will be a time slot which will need to be adhered to so I can have time to clean in between classes. I am hopeful that this will go well and it will be so wonderful to see you all! Even if not all of you at the same time. 

This week I persevered through the heat, sat at my desk and created a few cards for my Live yesterday, and I also uploaded another video to YouTube! 

I now have 15 subscribers on YouTube and I'm so happy that the numbers are sneaking up! I really hope the videos are useful and enjoyable. If you ever have any feedback, or requests, let me know and I will do my best! 

So, the cards for yesterday. I used the Celebrate Sunflowers stamps and dies, the Birds & Branches stamps and dies, and the Peaceful Moments stamps. Here's what I came up with;

I wanted to use dies and punches for this, no fussy cutting (for a change!) and I'm pleased I did. The dies that come with these stamps are fantastic. If you saw my Live yesterday (or on replay) then hopefully you'll agree that these cards are so pretty, and once you have done all the die cutting they are nice and quick to put together. 

Next Saturday I am not going to be doing a Facebook Live. I have a Virtual Retreat planned (As we can't get together in person) and I'm really excited! Other demos from all over Europe all received a box of goodies (That we aren't allowed to open until Saturday Morning) and we will have a weekend packed full of lives, instructions, projects and fun... I really can't wait! (And somehow I have managed to not open my box of goodies yet... must resist temptation!)

So that's it for this week, next week I will hopefully bring you pictures of my blooming rose and photos of my Virtual Retreat.

Have a great week, stay safe, and thank you for reading.

Dawn x 

Not sitting in a muddy field

Hello everyone!

I hope you've had a good week?

This weekend I should have been sat in the middle of a crowded muddy field listening to rock music, but due to the current situation, as with everything else, the festival was cancelled. 

For anyone who knows me, you know I love my live music and festivals, so I was really down that I couldn't go this year. 

I know in the grand scheme of things it isn't high on the list of priorities, however it has highlighted to me how much I miss normality, seeing my friends, going to gigs, just being able to nip to the shop... it's a strange world at the moment isn't it!

I can't wait until the day when we can have our hugs, cups of tea, craft workshops, gigs, festivals, football matches... I intend to keep making an effort to see everyone and appreciate you all as you deserve to be appreciated!

I do have some positives from the lockdown too... I have been making more of an effort to speak to friends, family and neighbours. My garden has had a facelift and I have been finally getting around to having the HUGE sort out in my house that I have been wanting to do for a long time. The lockdown has also forced my hand for Stampin' Up! and I have had to learn how to move more online and I have found I am really enjoying it!

I now have 12 subscribers to YouTube, it might not sound a lot, but even those with thousands of followers once had 12 too...

I am doing a weekly Facebook Live and I feel great doing it, whilst I can't see you all I know you're there and it brings me comfort knowing we are still having our classes, just in a different way!

This week I prepared a pack for some of you to build the World of Good Mini Album along with all you needed and a written tutorial. The book will look something like this;

I can't wait to see what you all come up with! (If you didn't get a pack but would like one, please do send me a message or an email and I will get one put together for you!)

I'm also selling the tutorial without the pack on my NuMonday shop, just in case you're interested!

This weekend's Facebook Live saw me play with some of the new In Colours and stamp sets. 

I love how these cards came together, and the colours, wow, just stunning!

I hope you have all been enjoying my lives, tutorials and blog posts. 

I really can't wait until we can have a crafty afternoon again, but until then, I will keep going online!

As always, I'm here if you need me...

Dawn x 

Aloe, Aloe, Aloe (Ha!)

Happy Sunday Everyone!

I hope you have all had a good week.

I have been super busy this week, I have started a mega Spring clean, having such a big sort out. I sorted all of my retired stamps and accessories ready to sell. I have been working on a Mini Album for which I still need to finish a tutorial. I have uploaded more videos to YouTube (and now have 8 subscribers!) and I have been making Waste Paper Baskets out of waste paper!

I feel so busy at the moment but I really am loving it! 

And in case you were wondering what the title is about this week, here's a photo that should help; My window sill full of Aloe's! 

For my Facebook Live this weekend, I played with the new Birds & Branches stamp set, and the Birds & More dies. Oh my goodness they are gorgeous! If you didn't get a chance to watch, you can still find the video on my Facebook page, and I have uploaded individual tutorials to YouTube.

Here's some photos of the cards I made

Aren't they lovely? The top card used Vellum and lots of die cutting, whereas the second card was a simple stamping one to show it can be nice and quick to make a special card.

And as for the waste paper basket, here's a photo of the inside, it's quite big now and the perfect size!

How pretty does that look?! I will be giving it a couple of coats of Mod Podge, then it will be shipped off to its new home! (I'm now making these to sell on my NuMonday shop!)

Anyhow, That's it for me for this week, lots to do still!

Thanks for reading, and as always, stay safe

Dawn x 

Blooming fabulous!

Hello everyone, 

I hope you're all well and still keeping safe!

Hasn't the weather been gorgeous this week? I'm loving being in the garden, and I'm sitting outside with a big cup of tea whilst I type this, its glorious!

I love this time of year, all my plants are starting to bloom and I have bursts of colour coming up all over the garden, take a look at this beautiful plant; aren't they lovely!

I have also been busy with my veg garden, and I'm so happy with it, even more so because a friend gifted me a few labels, so I know what I have planted; how wonderful is this

I have of course ordered some more for the rest of my veg too! 

This week I have been busy with crafting too. 

I'm still working on my big bowl made out of old catalogues, it's getting bigger but I haven't added to it as much as I was hoping to this week. 

I have added a couple more videos to You Tube and now have 6 subscribers, woo!

I did the Live catalogue launch on Facebook where I went through the catalogue and demonstrated a couple of cards and a tag. If you missed it, you can find it on my Facebook page, and it's also on YouTube!

Here's a couple of photos of the bits I made;

Now I am working on making another mini album. This time using the World of Good suite from the new catalogue and will do this as an online class and send out all the material to everyone who signs up. Let me know if you're interested, I will be posting photos of the album once I have finished it!

With it being June tomorrow, there is a new Host Code for shopping, this is updated on the right of this post, if you are going to be placing an order online up to £150 then please use the code and I will be able to send you a free gift in the post in July. 

And just a reminder, you only have until midnight on 2nd June to order any of the retiring products, on the 3rd, they are no longer available to order! Take a look at my shop to see which products are going so you don't miss out. 

Right, time for me to re pot my aloe vera, it's so big! 

Have a great week, stay safe, and remember if you need me I'm here!

Dawn x 

Winds of change!

Hello everyone,

I hope you're well and keeping safe!

It's been a rather blustery week hasn't it?! I've been checking on my garden every five minutes making sure it can get through the strong winds, and I'm pleased to say that everything has so far survived! Yay!

I thought I would try to get a photo of a pretty flower for you today, what do you think?

I love this time of year, that everything in my garden I have been nurturing for months is starting to bloom... I have so much waiting to burst into colour! Exciting!

So, craft wise, what have I been up to?

Well, let me tell you! 

I did another Facebook Live on Saturday afternoon, I'll be keeping this up for a while. I actually really enjoy it! I hope you managed to tune in? If not, the videos will stay on my page so please do check them out. You'll get to see me putting these together;

Yes, it's a bowl! Made using a leftover catalogue to save it going in the recycling, I recycled it! Currently working on a bigger one too!

I uploaded LOTS more cards to NuMonday in the hope people will buy a few bits now and again! I did have my first order today (Very exciting) and the buyer asked that I write a message in the card and send directly to the recipient... I felt like Moonpig but better, Ha!

I had two more exciting things happen this week. 

First, I received a personalised stamp, it's amazing, now I can put my mark on the back of each card I make! What do you think? This makes me so happy!

Secondly, I did as I said I would in last week's blog... I'm on YouTube!!! 

I uploaded my first video yesterday, it's an introduction to me... check it out!

I will be aiming to upload a tutorial once a week, I really hope you will subscribe to my channel, and I hope you enjoy them too!

So as you can see, I've been busy and productive again, I like being productive, especially when crafty things are concerned! 

Thanks for reading again, I'm off to try and film a tutorial for YouTube (I have a YouTube channel don't ya know!) and see if I can get it uploaded tonight too... 

Take care, stay safe, and don't forget I am here if you need me.

Dawn x 

What a week!

Hello everyone,

I hope this post finds you well. It's a bit tough at the moment isn't it!

So this past week, I managed a little crafting, I was determined to play with some of the retiring sets before they're gone forever!

I finally set myself up on Pinterest (craftingonthegreen) AND I now have another online shop (courtesy of NuMonday) where I am selling my cards and gifts. Be sure to check this out - https://www.numonday.com/shop/craftingonthegreen-store/

Starting with Friday evening, I did my first ever Facebook Live! How exciting is that?! I filmed myself unboxing my preorder of lovely new products that arrived the same day, there's some gorgeous bits and pieces in there, if you would like to check it out, head over to my Facebook Page.

Here's the cards I made yesterday; There are 2 of the brown cards at the bottom as I used 2 different backgrounds. The browns used are Early Espresso and the new Cinnamon Cider.
The gorgeous blue card is using Night of Navy and the new Misty Moonlight (isn't is a gorgeous colour!)

As well as doing my first live, on Saturday, I did my second! I'm starting to feel like I am getting the hang of it, still a few things to work on but I am quite chuffed with myself!

For the time being, I will be doing a Facebook Live every Saturday at 2pm. Once things get back to 'normal' and I can hold workshops again this will most likely move to a Sunday. I really hope you can join me!

Also, on 30th May I will be holding a virtual Catalogue Launch Party, this will also be at 2pm. I'll be running through some things in the catalogue as well as giving a few demonstrations for the new lovely things!

Today, I have been sorting out my craft space (again), only this time with the help of my organising superman housemate Bernie, and it looks amazing, who knew I (he) could find so much space!

Last week I finally got around to working out and setting up host codes...
What's a host code? I hear you ask! Well, let me tell you!
When you shop with me online, up to £150, at checkout you make sure to enter the Host Code for this month. The next month, you will get a little something from me. You can order as many times as you like in a month, and for each order I will send you extra somethings!
I'll try to make sure the host code for each month is added to the side of my blog should you need to find it! (Or you can message me)

As you can see, I have had a very productive week trying to conquer the online world. Next stop, YouTube!!! (Hopefully I'll have figured that out by next Sunday!)

For now though, I must carry on with listing my hundreds of cards on NuMonday, make some dinner, get the new catalogues ready for posting (If you'd like one please email me) and so much more! Busy busy busy!

Sending love, hugs and positive thoughts

Dawn x

How time flies when there's no routine!

Hello!

I hope this finds you well, especially with all the difficulties we're facing at the moment.

As you may have noticed, I've been terrible at writing a blog for the past month, having little routine disagrees with me!

Since my op, I am back on my feet (a little), although still on crutches for the most part. With this, means I am now back working, albeit from home, but now I have a routine again! It's amazing how much of a difference it has made. I've been back working a week now, but I already find myself having a proper bedtime, getting up early, having set meal times and making time for all my craftiness (and blog writing!).

Over the past month I have been quite busy. I figured out that I can do a bit of gardening as long as I take lots of breaks and sit to do said gardening where possible. I have put so much time into that, now sporting a lovely tan, and my garden has never looked so good!

Here's my first rose of the year!

It was also my birthday last month. It was rather strange not seeing my friends as usual, but I still felt very loved with all the beautiful cards, messages and gifts! My housemate and I celebrated by having a BBQ. It was a lovely day. 

Here's one of my gifts, how amazing is this! 

So, back to crafting...

The new Annual catalogue is on its way, as is my little pre-order! How exciting! 

The new catalogue goes live on 3rd June, if you would like a copy sending out, let me know and I will add you to the list!

But before the new catalogue, we still have a few weeks left of the current catalogue. So naturally I've been having a play. 

Some sets and colours are retiring, so if you have been thinking about treating yourself, now is the best time. You may miss out if you leave it much longer! (As always, I am here for advice if you need it)

One stamp set that I didn't get a chance to showcase is retiring. It's called Capture the Good. I had planned on using it for classes over the past couple of months, but due to current issues I haven't been able to. So before it's gone for good, I wanted to make a few cards. 

Here is a monochrome card that I managed;

I think if I did another I would add a black background to the camera as well as the wording but overall I am quite happy with it. 

I also played with Grace's Garden, which you'll be pleased to know isn't retiring! Yay!

From this set I only used the cat and the Hello stamp, as well as a few blends... What do you think?

Finally, I played with A Little Lace. Also not retiring! 

I wanted to make a few note cards that could be given as a set, I'm intending to make a little gift box to put them in for a gift, but what do you think of the cards?

I also used the subtle linen embossing folder to give it an extra bit of detail. 

Well that's it for me for now, I'm going to get back to the craft table and see what else I can come up with ready for next week's blog. 

Until then, keep safe, keep crafting and don't forget, I am here if you need anything during these testing times (And after!)

Much love, 

Dawn x 

Spring is finally here!

Hello everyone,

I hope this finds you all well, especially amongst all the madness that is surrounding us at the moment.

I'd like to apologise for the couple of weeks where I haven't posted anything on here, I've been recovering from an operation on my heel, and it's wiped me out a bit more than I thought it would!
Never fear though, this weekend I have made it back to my craft desk and oh how much I have enjoyed it!

I have been wanting to create some storage for a while now to hold my embossing folders and dies, so first I focused on that.

I have 2 cats, and as such I get through a lot of cat food. And would you know it, the boxes the food comes in, are the perfect size for my folders and dies!

It took 2 sheets of 12 x 12 DSP to cover each box (including a fair bit of the inside) and I chose to use the gorgeous Golden Honey DSP (Which is only available through the Sale-A-Bration, which happens to end on 31st March!).

I also used the Honey Bee stamp set with a bit of fussy cutting to add a bit of detail.

What do you think? (Please excuse the photos, I can't make it to the light box to try and make them a bit clearer!)

Covering a cat food box turned out to be a great choice, very sturdy! And I do love the Bee DSP.

I also finished decorating a notebook, as well as making a birthday card. Mainly I used the Special Someone stamp set, it's so adorable!

Aren't they just the cutest! I used the masking technique in a couple of these, totally worth the little bit of extra effort, don't you think?

And the card; it was so quick and easy to make up.

I used Pretty Peacock on this one, the lighter balloons are stamped off  first without re-inking (2nd generation). Simple stamping at its best! No cutting needed. Just stamping, then sticking the layers down. I will be making this in other colours too (But of course!).

That was it for my weekend of crafting. Mainly because I got out into the garden and managed to pot some plants (Thanks to my wonderful housemate for helping, I did need a lot of help!). It's surprising how tiring it is sitting and potting, or sitting and crafting. I guess I need to ease myself back into it!

Last week I had a pink cast, this week a blue one. I wonder if I should get a white cast this week...although you know I'll have to test stamping on it... ha!

Until next week, stay safe, keep your distance from others, and if you're isolating please get in touch. I'm on Facebook, Instagram and email

Love and hugs (Well, virtual hugs at a safe distance!)

Dawn xx