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