Kraft Kabin

My new place

2011-01-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

For 2011 you will now find me over on http://niamhsnookofinspiration.blogspot.com

Goodbye

2010-12-01T08:08:00.000-08:00

I've decided to close down this blog and create a new one, that I will update. So over the next couple of weeks I'll be closing down and moving over to http://niamhsnook.blogspot.com

On the move

2010-11-30T11:38:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of creating a new blog and will be closing this blog very shortly. Watch this space for updates.......

Xmas Wreath

2010-11-30T11:36:00.000-08:00

I bought a couple of polystyrene rings and here is one that I made into an xmas wreath.

Altered Frame & Bare Basics Box

2010-11-30T11:29:00.001-08:00

I bought a set of Bare Basics boxes over the weekend, along with this beautiful scrapbooking paper. I wasn't quite sure what to do and had gold acrylic paint, so decide to alter the box above and went on to alter this IKEA frame I had bought a number of weeks ago. I bought the ribbon used from CnS www.cardznscrapz.com I'm now just waiting for a few more items to come from CnS to alter like these.

Back to Crafting

2010-11-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

This week I went back to crafting, haven't made any paper crafts in ages. I've started college this year, studying Counselling & Psychotherapy and so packed my craft goods away. I then realised that I was spending my free time snacking rather than crafting and as I'm losing weight at the moment this wasn't helping. So a couple of weeks ago I went back to making jewellary and this week I made cards. I'm loving it and realising that's it is an integral part of my life and lifts my mood. I just love crafting so from here on in I'm not going to neglect it, especially as I have room full of craft goodies looking to be used.

I'll be heading to Kings Hall Belfast next Saturday, just me and mum. She's getting hooked on card making and I'm just going for a browse and to do 2 of Debbie Moore's workshops, looking forward to it. Now I say that I wont spend any money, but show me a crafter who says that and stick to it, cause I doubt there is someone out there lol

Flag Card

2010-11-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

Here is a Flag Card, the idea I saw over on http://www.cardmakingparadise.com/ The idea is that when you open the card two little flags (you can have as many as you like) pop up to reveal the message. This isn't the best one I've made, but it gives you an idea any way :) I just love this image, again it's one saved from last year and I've used Flower Soft around the rim of the coat, but you can't really see it on here clearly.

Some Christmas Card

2010-11-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

This easel card with a wreath on it is my favourite card. It's using MS Snowflake punch and I've just punched a load of snowflakes and placed them on a circle, then layered and decorated with gems. Very blingish, very girlie!

This card is using Do Crafts scrapbook paper and punched snowflakes using the MS Snowflake punch. Stamped image is coloured using MS watercolour markers.

Last but not least is a window card, using a template from http://www.cardmakingparadise.com/ and an image saved from last year. I've glittered it using Stickles Star Dust glitter glue.

2010-08-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

I've started making my xmas cards early this year. I've over 30 to make and last year I was snowed under with orders that I ended up rushing my own, don't want that to happen this year so am making my own cards first. I've only made 10 so far.

Recent Makes

2010-08-14T02:54:00.001-07:00

Mondello - A race day

2010-07-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

As part of my Christmas present in 2009, my wonderful husband bought me a race day in Mondello. I finally got around to doing it last Saturday, with my brother in law. The rain was pouring down, but it was a great day. I love anything fast and this was fantastic. 12 laps in a Mazda 3, my fastest lap was 1:21 in the rain. I almost did two 360 degree spins, but thankfully got control over it again. I knew it was bad when the instructor said he had gotten an awful fright, but I had handled it well. Talk about an adrenaline rush!! :)

2010-07-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

It's been three months since I made a handmade card, I've been so busy of late. I got busy yesterday evening when I had a little energy from being sick this week and have really enjoyed it. I made the Fairy stamped cards yesterday and the other two this evening. I'm going to make another one now and possibly start my Christmas cards. Yes, my Christmas cards, in July. lol

Piece of jewellery I made

2010-07-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

This is the piece of jewellery that I made at the workshop I won a place on. We had to bring some old hall marked jewellery with us, which would be melted down, so MIL gave me a ring. Thanks Maggie!

We melted down the jewellery and then made something from PMC clay and moulded the two together. This is what I made, can you see it's a dolphin in the water??

What a week

2010-07-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

Well thank god its Friday, it's been such a strange week and I'm really glad it's over. I've had ups and downs and downs and ups, but the week is over and my emotions have been due to a shift in energy and the weather we have. But thankfully have been speaking to a lot of people who have felt this shift in energy to.

But I've had some good ups and one of them was winning a place on a jewellary making workshop tomorrow. The email arrived in my inbox the other day, it was a newsletter from Beads and Bling and part of which had a competition to enter. I though nah I wont bother entering it, sure I wont win. Then I thought sure I've nothing to lose, so sent in my details and thought nothing more of it. I went into my inbox yesterday and saw an email from the shop. I had won a place on the workshop tomorrow and I'm sooo looking forward to it.

The workshop is being given by Cormac Cuffee and will be working with hallmarked jewellary, semi precious clary called PMC (I think) and sterling silver. Can't wait to see how we work and what I come up with. So watch this space......

2nd Love of my life

2010-06-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

With it being such a beautiful day yesterday I brought my camera out and took some photos of Angel, which are long awaited. She is such a wonderful part of my life and brings a smile to my face everyday.

Some Holiday Pic

2010-06-23T13:52:00.001-07:00

This year saw us visiting Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal and Quebec City. What an amazing experience it was, even if there was a bit too much driving involved - drove about 2000 miles in total. I love it and can't wait to return to Canada.

Bling

2010-06-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Here are some jewellery items that I made today. The first is a pearl necklace and earrings set, using silver seed beads, cream and pea green pearls. The second set is made of silver seed beads, blue glass beads and blue pearls. Don't know who is getting them yet but I'm getting hooked on making jewellery.

Beads & Bling

2010-06-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

I bought loads of jewellary making goodies when I was on holidays in Canada. Well in fact I bought them in NY when we nipped across for a quick shopping trip. I went to a jewellary making workshop back in January and while I enjoyed the workshop I didn't really like what I made - I liked the colours but couldn't wear the necklace because it was too heavy. I then went on and made a few pairs of earrings, but needed more. So I bought myself two jewellary making books while in Toronto in a fantastic shop called Indigo and when in NY went to Michaels and shopped shopped and shopped some more. It was brilliant.

So I've been busy making bracelets, earrings and necklaces. I'm really getting into jewellary making and love it. Getting great compliments about what I am making, which is very encouraging. But now mum is wondering will I continue making cards or is that being left on the shelf. Nope I'm intending on making more cards and will be getting back into it, just need to sort out my craft room, so there is room for my card making stuff and now my jewellary making stuff.

Being a crafter is an addiction, so be warned, you will get hooked wahahahaha!!!

Jewellary

2010-06-20T13:14:00.003-07:00

Here is some jewellary that I've made from my holiday buys, I'm hooked on jewellary making. Wonder when the cards will get a look in again :)

Canada

2010-06-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Well I'm just back from one amazing holiday in Canada. It is a place that I've always wanted to visit and I'm so so happy that we went, it was amazing. Canada is a wonderful place to visit, the people are just wonderful and it felt such a safe place to visit. We visited Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Quebec City (the old part) and back to Niagara Falls where we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary - can't believe we are married 8 years. We also visited NY a couple of times to go shopping where I spent a small fortune in Michaels craft store, buying mostly jewellary making stuff (which made the above jewellary) I really want to go back, heck I seriously want to live there, just need to finalise a few things before applying for Visas (as I thought we had done so before - long story).

Wonderful Day

2010-05-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day it was today and I don't just mean because the weather was glorious again. Mr Postie dropped by just before 9 and I had a large envelope addressed to me. Looking at the contents I was over the moon to see that I had received a Diploma in Counselling Studies. I was so unsure of the course and didn't know if I would pass, I'm absolutely over the moon that I have woooohooooooo and my day got better from there.

Angel Charms

2010-05-24T03:28:00.001-07:00

Here is something that I made this weekend, 30 in total but only showing 1 of them :)

Some Recent Makes

2010-05-23T14:33:00.001-07:00

Here are only a few out of 30 cards I made in the last week, which I'll be selling at a craft fair next week.

I'm back

2010-05-23T02:07:00.000-07:00

While I'm back, I've not really been gone anywhere. I've just been so busy that I've not had the time to blog. But I'm back and have so much to tell you.

Back in April which I think is kinda around when I last blogged, I went off to the Arthur Findlay College in Standstead. It's a college of Medium & Psychic development - yeap revealing another side of myself. But I can assure you I am genuine. I know when it comes to the words "Psychic" and "Medium" there are so many mixed emotions and feelings around this. I've heard so many people say it is real, can you really do it. But I tell you now, I'm taking a huge leap of faith revealing another side to me. I promise you, if this was not genuine then I most certainly WOULD NOT be revealing it to the world, because this type of work involves working with people and their emotions. I know what its like to have been spun a yarn or two over the years and its not nice, so if I wasn't genuine at what I do then I most certainly WOULD NOT do it. At the end of the day, you have got to think of the people you are reading for and NOT hurt their feelings or tell them lies. So I promise you, if you ever want a reading from me then I'm the real thing, working for Spirit, through Spirit and all for YOU!!!!! :)

Ok so that was a bit heavy, but that's where my life has been since April, developing my abilities as a Medium and Psychic.

Also since coming back from the college I've been purusing other interests, still crafty interests but in other areas. I'm devoted to my Angels, just love their beautiful energies and at the start of the year I said that this was the type of crafts I wanted to do more of. So guess what, Ive been busy making Angel and Fairy crafts (Fairies are our animals Angels). So I've been busy making crafts - cards, candles, charms, wall hangings to name but a few.

I'm holding a stall in the Ardboyne hotel next week selling my crafts (which my wonderful BIL's girlfriend will be doing for me) and I'll be offering readings to.

In the post above, you will see some of the cards that I'll have on offer. Need to take a few more pics, so once I do I'll upload them.

Some Poetry I've Written

2010-03-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

Love - One Little Word

LOVE
One little word
That means so much
To each person
That it does touch
But for the one
Who feels love most
Cannot feel like dying
For it is the word
The feeling
The sense
That carries us more
And helps us to live
So everyone become familiar
With this beautiful word
For to be loved
To feel loved
Will carry you in this world
Copyright Niamh O’Grady 2010

Creativity In Me
To be creative means to tap inside yourself
See the things that make you happy
To do the things that pleases you.
To be creative means to unleash the side of you that you may fear
We all have a creative side,
No matter how good or bad you think you are.
Sit down and spend some time
Take a piece of paper and take a coloured pen
And see where it takes you.
When you see it forming an image, realize you are creative
And enjoy seeing that image of yours
Forming a piece of art.
For every person in this world has the magic in them
To be creative and to love what they have made.
Where does it lead you from here,
Who knows?
So sit and spend a while and enjoy the gifts that you have
Creativity is inside all of us.
When we unleash it whoever knows,
But enjoy it as you create it.
For you will love what you do and will want to do it more and more.
To spend the time sitting on that floor, bringing yourself back to childhood
And remembering the great times you had, colouring and creating
For we all still have it inside of us.
Copyright Niamh O’Grady 2010

2010-03-26T04:40:00.000-07:00

Here is the long awaited Ribbon Slider Card tutorial. This is my first video tutorial, so have had to put it in three segments due to not knowing how to use the video record on my digital camera. Hope you enjoy!!!

2010-03-26T04:35:00.001-07:00

2010-03-26T04:34:00.001-07:00

2010-03-26T04:33:00.001-07:00

Ribbon Slider Card

2010-03-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

I first made this style of card back in January, I made two of them and just haven't had the time to make them since. I just love it, it's so different and so straightforward to make. The stamp I bought as part of a pack of Angel stamps while in Florida at xmas. I just love Angels and find it so hard to buy Angel stamps and crafty bits, that I jumped on them when I saw them.

My Baby

2010-03-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a random picture that I took tonight of my baby, Angel. She is such a sweet little girl with a huge personality. Her personality is so big that I forget just how small she is at times. But being a long haired Jack Russell she is tiny.

Crafty Day

2010-03-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

Well what a crafty day I've had today. I've been busy organising a class for Friday night and have had lots of fun arranging the kits. We will be making a combination of stamped cards and cards that have movement, so a nice variety. In January I made a gorgous Ribbon Slider card which turned out beautiful. I promised I'd do a tutorial on how to make one, but haven't actually made one since January, I've been so busy that I've completely forgotten. So today I finally got around to making one, which we will also make in the class and I've made a little video on how to make the card. So once I'm sorted for Friday night, I'll be popping it up here, along with the other cards that we will make. I'm really looking forward to the class, because stamping is so beautiful and brings you back to your childhood of colouring in. It's also great fun to have cards with some type of movement. Something different! Just hope everyone who attends enjoys themself to. Oh, I nearly forgot. One of the cards I've made, which we may make on Friday night, turns into a fridge magnet. How cool is that!!! Rightio off to do some more stamping, wonder what I'll make this time. See you soon crafters. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Clonakilty - West Cork

2010-03-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

I was in Clonakilty last Friday with my mum, sister, her partner and many of our family to attend my cousins wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, everything about it was amazing and the surroundings gorgeous. I forgot to bring my camera to the wedding itself, but we went for a walk on Saturday morning and I took it with me. Here are a couple of photos that I took of the surroundings.

Some Poetry I've Written

2010-03-21T14:59:00.001-07:00

Here are som poems that I've written since Christmas. They cannot be used or copied in any way and are copyright of Niamh O'Grady. To use, please seek approvl first.

Forgiveness the word so true
To those around us, But who never knew
That although the time, the hurt had passed
That you still hung on to it but from that past
The harmer, the person who caused it all
Doesn’t remember, doesn’t care
For it has passed
But why so is it that you still feel hurt
The guilt that remains with you on this earth
Surely you are the one who shouldn’t feel guilt
Shouldn’t feel the hurt or the emotions from the past
So sit for a while and keep your mind still
Start to forgive and you will learn to love yourself again,
Rid the pain and the will, to carry that negative energy forever more
So tell yourself, that it is now the time that you will feel the strength,
To look inside your heart and say,
I start to forgive myself from this day
© Copyright Niamh O’Grady, March 2010

Loving Child Above
(In loving memory of my niece Emily)

Loving child above
awaits a home to be
Know how much you feel
Always remember me
For once we met,
even if for a glance
But God called upon me
Telling me it was not my time
So with a heavy heart
Mammy you realised
that now was not my time
Even though you got a glance
You saw my smile
And realised my life
Could not be mine today but soon
So as you and daddy held me tight
The beauty of Gods hand took mine
And we said our goodbye
Mammy I once saw your smile
Daddy I knew your dreams
Please smile and dream again
For love is not lost at all
I promise you this my dear family
We are going to be a family again
You can smile and dream
And hold me in your heart
For I am coming again to this
wonderful place called earth.
Copyright of Niamh O'Grady 2010

I do have some more, just can't put my hand on them at the moment.

March Makes

2010-03-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

These are some cards that I've made in the last two weeks. I will of course be making more and will add them. The easel cards are so addictive and I had great fun using my stamps and MS watercolor markers. The last card I entered in a challenge over on CNS. It was my first attempt at doing a distressed card and I really enjoyed it. The flowers are embellishments that I cut off hairbands that I bought.

Snow in Feb

2010-03-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

A week ago we had such a beautiful Saturday, the sun was shining, it wasn't cold and it felt like Spring. Later that night I looked out side and low and behold we had snow. Here are a few pics taken that night.

Some Recent Makes

2010-03-01T09:04:00.001-08:00

Sarah Kay does such beautiful stamps that when I got this one, I just couldn't help myself. I've more made with this tamped image, just have to add them on here.

Altered Items

2010-02-15T14:05:00.000-08:00

I bought this frame plain and decided to embellish it with mulberry flowers that I bought in Michaels in Florida, stuck a few dimantes on top to give a little bling. To decorate the inside of the frame I mounted pink card on top of green, stamped the pink card with beautiful rose bush stamp and coloured with my MS watercolour markers. Then stamped my fav Angel stamp and coloured in my fav colours using MS watercolour markers. I just love MS.

This altered candle is something that I have made to give my aunt as part of her birthday pressie in a few weeks. Mum brought me home the stamp from Florida and the minute I saw it I knew what I was going to do. The candle is from Celtic Candles in Baldoyle, they sell candles really cheap and I buy loads of plain candles from them so I can alter in my own way.

Angel Cards

2010-02-15T13:57:00.000-08:00

I just love this stamp that I bought on holidays in December and realising that I don't stamp enough, decided to get stamping today while on a days leave. Here are a couple of cards that I made. I also decided to use a sheet of 12 x 12 K&Co scrapbooking paper as backing paper.

Crafters Poem

2010-02-15T07:40:00.001-08:00

Crafts are here, crafts are there.
My craft supplies are everywhere.
I really should clean this mess,
But I like it, I must confess.
Floor is littered, chairs are piled,
Kitchen’s looking pretty wild.
On the table counter too,
Seems that any place will do.
Hall is stacked with cartons high,
Filled with things folks like to buy.
Garage is full, but so far …
There’s still room to park the car.
I never have an idle day,
New ideas come my way.
Don’t know yet what I’ll create,
But at least my imagination’s great.
My family smiles, they don’t complain,
Although at times I am a pain.
But when all is said and done,
I really am a crafty one !!

Friday Night Makes

2010-02-14T13:28:00.001-08:00

Here are three of four cards that we made on Friday night. I put the fourth down and don't for the life of me know where I left it.

Retail Therapy

2010-02-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

Browsing through Cardz n Scrapz (www.cardsnscrapz.com) I've been looking at a number of really beautiful acrylic stamps. I really love stamping, but don't do enough of it and want to do more. I now can't decide what stamps to buy. Here are the ones I've been looking at.

These are the goodies sitting in my basket, waiting for me to decide what to buy before checking out. Hmmmmmmm what does a girl do.

Instructions for Valentine's card / mini album below

2010-02-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

Take 3 pieces of coloured or plain cardstock and cut down to 6 inches wide each. Then fold these in half.

Using ds tape or glue, affix to the left hand side of one side of the folded card from above.

Place the right handside of a separate folded card onto the left hand side that you have just ds or glued.

Repeat until you have two covers either end.

Taking a separate coloured card, cut 6 squares 5 x 5 inches each and tape 4 of them on the inside.

Take two piece of ribbon and affix one piece to each of the covers backs, I used ds tape to do this and placed some ds tape over it to secure it. Then affix this to the covers and place on the outside of the cards.

Decorate as you wish.

2010-02-11T13:53:00.000-08:00

Here is a Valentine's card that I made for my wonderful hubby. I had started off trying to make a star card but it didn't work out. So I went ahead and made a mini album, that holds four photos of us and a poem that I made up, which incorporates crafting with memories in the photos. TYFL

Wedding Card Bookmark Style

2010-02-10T05:38:00.001-08:00

I was asked to make a wedding card in the style of a bookmark card and this is what I made.

Martha Stewart Baby Card

2010-02-10T05:34:00.000-08:00

I love love love love MS punches and this punch is just the sweetest punch ever. In fact, I've used 2 MS punches here, one for the border and one for those cute little trains. I wanted to make a simple elegant card and so this is what I made. TYFL

Jewellary

2010-02-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I carried through on a new years resolution and attended a jewellary making workshop. We made a necklace, as seen in the photo above and a pair of earrings, not in the photo above. The earrings in the photo are a pair that I made the other evening. The necklace has 200 beads on it and it weighs a tone, so much so I had to take it off after ten minutes of wearing it because my neck really started hurting me.

Blogging

2010-02-04T11:25:00.000-08:00

Well I've realised this week that although I've been busy crafting and doing other bits, I've become brutal at blogging. I will spend ages making a card, or altering a notebook, making a pair of earrings etc. and simply give them straight to the recipient without taking a photo of the creation I've just made. And so I'm left with a dilemma, I've nothing to show for my time of crafting.

Yes that's right, all my efforts and all the fun, sweat and tears and I don't remember to take a photo. What makes it worse is that when I do remember to take a photo my camera isn't around, and so the circle continues. Am I not supposed to take photos or is someone playing tricks with me. As the week comes to an end I've tidied my craftroom and plan to make another three cards and some earrings and who knows what else. I will indeedy remember to take photos and will take photos of the craft items I've not yet given away.

Weekend Workshop

2010-01-23T12:24:00.001-08:00

Today I followed through on one of my new years resoultions and attended a jewellary making workshop. It was very interesting but hard work, but I'm delighted with the finished products. Haven't taken photos yet but will do later and pop them up here. I made a necklace and a pair of earings, can see myself making the earings again but the necklace was hard work, especially as it kept going wrong. With it being our Christmas do next week from work, I am hoping to wear the necklace. Can't wait to try a few projects of my own and hopefully they will go much better than today. Where was the workshop? It was held in Beads n Bling in Bedford Row.

Snowy Days

2010-01-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night sitting in the living room with my husband we saw it had started snowing. It was really beautiful to watch fall and so I grabbed my camera, it was 12pm so dark outside, but I love these photos the way the camera has the glisten of the snowflakes.

Mix & Match of Cards

2010-01-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

You can't really see it, but the above card is actually on a spring and so moves. It is a pretty cool card and one that would suit my sister down to the ground.

I was dying to try out my new Martha Stewart border punch and this was the finishing result.

For those who don't know it, it is said that if you find a white feather it means that the Angels are thinking of you.

This is a beautiful bookmark card. I saw the image and just couldn't wait to get creating with it.

Altered Candles

2010-01-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of altered candles I made between Wednesday and last night. This is one craft that I'm becoming so hooked on, its fabulous.

2010-01-13T06:50:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Snowy Day Makes

2010-01-10T02:51:00.000-08:00

What better way to spend a snowy Saturday afternoon than making handmade cards. So I got stuck in and made the above cards yesterday. Two of them are slider cards which I've wanted to make for a while but didn't want to use the plastic bag approach, these are made with ribbon and are so much fun to make. I think I'm hooked.

Phone Call

2010-01-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

I got a phone call from a friend this evening, asking me to help her do the covers of her mass booklet. She gets married later in the summer. I'm absolutely delighted she asked me for help and already the ideas are running through my head. I offered to do some altered candles for her as favours on her wedding day, my gift to her and she is has agreed. It was such a great phone call and the ideas are already running through my head, just need to get them on paper and do roughly to show her.

Twilight Altered Items

2010-01-07T14:31:00.001-08:00

I made this set for my friends birthday. Admittedly it was her birthday in December, but as I was away on hols and kept forgetting to give it to her in work, I finally gave it to her today. Thankfully she was very happy with it.

Snow Angel

2010-01-02T13:12:00.000-08:00

This week I can't believe how bitterly cold it is and now the snow has arrived its even colder. Oh how I wish I was back in Orlando, they complained it was cold but I could still wear my t-shirt and shorts in 70-80 degrees heat.

Angel was missing her walks yesterday and kept running to the door. Feeling guilty I decided to bring her out and oh how she loved it. She bounded in the snow and rolled around in it. It was so sweet to see and she was like a puppy all over again, even if she was a bit wet and cold afterwards. I find it so rewarding at the age of 3 to see her still acting like a puppy at times, especially consiering she is a rescue dog and the sorry state she came to us in.

Well hopefully the snowy and icy conditions wont remain for too much longer and everyone will remain safe.

Crafters Poem

2009-12-30T03:02:00.000-08:00

If people say "You're stuck up"

They mean you've split the glue

If they remark on your sparkling personality

You've split the glitter to.

You would go and make a cuppa

If you could only see the floor

Trying to manoeuvre round the obstacle course

You think what is it for

Well, it's for the joy of others

When your card comes in the post

And it never seems like hard work

For you enjoy it the most

(this is a poem that I saw on another site)

Resons For Being A Card Maker

2009-12-30T02:54:00.000-08:00

It helps keep the economy going. It is ones duty to support card craft manufacturers, timber paper mills, craft shops and Internet sites.

It is less expensive and more fun than psychiatric care.

It is participation in a contest - The one who dies with the most unused peel offs, toppers, etc. wins.

Craft bits keep without refrigeration, you don't have to cook them to enjoy them, you never have to feed them, change them, wipe their noises or walk them.

It's not immoral, illegal or fattening. It calms nerves, gratifies the soul, and makes one feel good.

It makes good use of your imag-e-nation.

Why is it?

2009-12-30T02:53:00.000-08:00

Why is it so hard to keep a craft room tidy? I spent three hours on Monday sorting through my craft room and getting some order in there. I made some cards last night and didn't think the room was that bad. Oh I was so wrong LOL I peeked in there this morning and its upside down. Just have to be extra tidy from now on. Do you have any tips on keeping that craft room in order?

This evenings makes

2009-12-29T15:38:00.001-08:00

Tonight I decided to try out some of my new toys purchased on holidays, brads, embellishments, ribbon and Martha Stewart punches. Above are the projects I created.

Workshops

2009-12-29T04:11:00.000-08:00

Last night I set up some new class dates for 2010. They will be held on a Friday night and will run from 7.30-9.30 and we will aim to make up to 4 cards. Last year we only got 3 cards made a night because of all the chat and crack. So lets see what happens in 2010.

Along with evening classes I will be holding a full day workshop on the 30th January and we will aim to make up to 6 cards. The day will cocentrate on Angel Greeting Cards.

For more details on my workshops visit www.cardsbyniamh.com

Hello

2009-12-29T04:09:00.000-08:00

I arrived home from Orlando last Wednesday and what a fantastic holiday it was. While there I just had to pop into Michaels and Walmart and pick up some fantastic crafty goodies. Essentials I called them, but then isn't every crafty item considered an essential LOL

I bought ribbon and lots of it for 49c a roll and loads of other bits to. I will take a photo of these bits later and post them up here for you all to see. I feel so spoilt with everything that I bought. One of my best purchases was a gadget called a Bowdabra, that helps you make bows which I'm usually rubbish at. So you can expect to see more bows on my cards from now on LOL!

Altered Candles

2009-12-03T14:22:00.003-08:00

Here is another craft that I find myself getting into more and more. They are such an easy thing to do and look so effective to. Will be making several more for Christmas so will be sure to add them on here.

Crafty Week

2009-11-06T04:29:00.000-08:00

Well my crafty week started last Friday and has swept across the week. Having been to the Knit & Stitch show, it was only right that I came home and spent some time with my goodies and thats what I did. I bought a lovely cd that has musical images decoupage and pop ups, so tried making a card for my niece - it was a trial run and now I'm going to do the real thing. Saturday night I spent up in mums putting decoupage together. Sunday I spent making one of my kits for the class I will hold next Friday, the same on Tuesday and the same today. So have all 30 kits made and can sigh relief.

I've also spent my free time this week working on some of my card orders, an order for 25 cards which is now just down to 15 so relief there to. I am already planning for my next class on the 27th, which will be token gifts for Christmas.

So all in all I've been very crafty this week and loving every minute of it.

Knit & Stitch Show

2009-11-06T04:26:00.000-08:00

Well this day last week I went to the Knit & Stitch show with mu. I can't believe a week has gone already and so much has happened. I had an enjoyable time at the craft fair and although there wasn't too many cardie stalls, I did still manage to spend a small fortune, picking up lots of goodies. I bought papers, ribbon, cds, stamps to name but a few of the items. I commented to mum on the way out that there can't be a recession on with so many spending. I really have to give it to us Irish, we don't let anything knock us down and stride to enjoy ourselves no matter what.

This Week

2009-10-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

What is in store this week? This week will be about me and switching off from organising classes, my next one is in three weeks. I've a couple of projects I want to finish and some I want to start. The Knit & Stitch show is this weekend and I can't wait to buy more crafty bits, not that I need anything but that never stops us crafty girls. I will post pics of what I buy up later on in the week.

Loving Thoughts

2009-10-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

I made this card today for my aunt, who faces an operation this week. As I don't live near her and can't just pop in and say hello, I thought this would be a nice surprise. You can't see it but there are little dimanets on the front. It was my first time to make an envelope card but not my last. I enjoyed making it.

Card Class Makes 23rd October

2009-10-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

Here are the cards that we made at my class. They went down really well.

Christmas

2009-10-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Christmas is only around the corner and I've started making my Christmas card orders. Here is the first order that I have fulfilled and had loads of fun completeing. I took information on each recipient and made a card to match them. Here is what I made.

This Week

2009-10-24T03:01:00.000-07:00

The past week has been both stressful and enjoyable. College on Monday night was great and I learnt an awful lot, touched on some things I already knew but found some interesting points to. I'm wondering now if I will do my assignment on Person Centered Awareness / Therapy. Hmmm me wonders!!

I got an order for Christmas cards I've been working on completed and I am really happy with the final projects. I will be uploading photos here later, so will include those to.

Then Clare K in work took me aside and gave me a little lesson on the two approached to the Gi Diet. I was trying to answer a members email and she helped me, I learnt a great deal and this will help me on a personal level and work level.

I went to Curves on Thursday and got weighed. I love going to Curves, a 30 minute work out and you feel great. I love seeing the calories that I burnt, but most of all loved being weighed and learning I had lost another 1lb, making it 8lbs in four weeks.

Last night I gave my card class and this is where the stressful part comes in. Nomarlly I am organised and would have all the kits made with a week to go to the class, but not this week and I paid. I went to print off what I needed on Wednesday and my internet connection was down. We are with NTL and I'm sick of it, nothing but problems. While OH rang NTL, I had a melt down, seeing how stressed I was he rang dad who organised for me to use his internet connection wireless. Both dad and OH came up trumps and I've very appreciative of them. And of course mum who gave me a loan of her credit card to download two items.

Thursday night up to 11pm I was printing stuff off to finish my kits and finally put everything together. Was feeling great and then disaster struck again, I made a mess cutting something out, went to print it again and didn't have it. I lost the plot and had to redo it and print it off again. Stress stress stress and all before the class.

The girls came to my class and we all got making cards following the demo I gave. Never realised how much cutting I had involved in the kits, will have to make sure that I don't give them as much next time. But the cards we made where lovely and I think everyone enjoyed them. I'm delighted that everyone had a great night and the stress was worth it.

But the moral of the story is be organised and stress wont follow.

Wednesday Evening

2009-10-14T12:29:00.001-07:00

Well today is Wednesday and the week is nearly over Hurrah!!! I've spent quite some time this evening sorting out my website with new photos and a new workshop date. I'm not off to cut out some decoupage to try and finish my own cards before starting my Christmas orders. I finish work for the week tomorrow and have a fun filled weekend ahead. I'm attending Yvonnes workshop in Kilcoole Saturday and then off to a wedding fair on Sunday with my lil sister and mum. I will of course get some room to make more cards and upload them here. Happy Crafting everyone!

Card Class 9th October

2009-10-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

I gave my second card class last night and it was a great success. Everybody enjoyed themselves and really liked the cards that we made. Below are the cards we made. A princess pop out card, a book mark card and a baby boy card.

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2009-10-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Its A Boy

Friday Evening

2009-10-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Well hasn't today been rotten, all that rain and the grey sky, how depressing. But I've spent the afternoon getting ready to give a card making class tonight and so I've not had to be out in it, lucky me. We will be making three varied cards tonight and I can't wait. We will be making a baby card, a princess birthday card and a bookmark card for any occassion. I'm looking forward to the class and hope everyone is looking forward to coming. I will pop up the photos of the cards tomorrow.

Getting Sorted

2009-10-08T13:01:00.001-07:00

At the moment I'm getting sorted for my class tomorrow. I've got all the kits made and ready to hand out, a sample card on the ready to show everyone and am now cutting out as much I can, so its ready to just get up and go. There will be lots of cutting out tomorrow night, so I wonder how many people will love me after the class. LOL

The Knitting & Stitching Show

2009-10-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

The Knitting & Stitching Show!Date: Thursday October 29 to Sunday November 01, 2009

Venue: Hall 1 (Main Hall)Opening

Hours:Thurs/Sat: 10.00am - 5.30pm Sun: 10.00am - 5.00pm

Click HERE for full information

Saving book scheme with advanced booking list HERE

Pre-book a ticket HERE

Crafters Companion will be at the Show for the first time in Dublin

Thursday WooHooo

2009-10-08T00:52:00.000-07:00

Thursday sees the end of my working week and the beginning of my weekend, at 6pm this evening. I love working a four day week because it gives me so much more time to craft at the weekend. I've a busy weekend ahead of me. I will be giving another class tomorrow night and will be getting more Christmas cards made - I might even pop some of them up here. Then of course there are the usual household chores, but who wants to know about those LOL

So far this week I've made over 60 kits and 8 Christmas cards, so have been kept busy. Thats only on the crafting side of things.

Watch this space for more of my cards.

2009-10-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

2009-10-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

2009-10-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

This wedding card was made at a class I recently gave. The image is from a card kit that I purchesed through the Aimee Asher website. I didn't like the actual card kit itself when I downloaded it, but loved the image and so thought I'd make a card of my own design. This was the end result and has become a real jaw dropper!

Projects Underwraps

2009-10-05T13:19:00.001-07:00

Well I've been keeping busy of late and have been keeping out of trouble LOL

I've started holding cardmaking classes on a Friday night, which have been a great success. The class takes up to 8 people and we make at least 4 cards on the night. We make for a variety of occassions and the night is great fun and a great way to meet like minded people.

I've also started making my Christmas cards and starting Christmas card orders. I don't yet have any photos of these cards, but will be sure to add some to the blog. So keep an eye out for those.

I'm also looking into making handmade wedding invitations, which I may have to put on a hold for a while.

Hello

2009-09-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Kraft Kabin, a place for me to share my love of crafting. While I'm mostly a cardie by heart, I do make invitations, stamped candles and altered items. I've been making handmade cards since Feb 2008 and my love of crafting has just grown from there. Any spare moment that I have, is spent crafting.

I use a number of techniques when it comes to my cards, but mostly stamp, use decoupage and use my Cuttlebug, which is the best purchase I've ever made.

When creating my blog I didn't know what to call it and so my dear friend Saff over on Walk With Spirit (www.walkwithspirit.com) suggested Kraft Kabin. I thought it was a great name.