Cards, WIP's and prizes!

For some reason i feel the need to, yet again, address the negative aspect of my personality before i get onto the creative side. Although, there is a fine line between depression and creativity in most cases; they appear to go hand in hand with each other, perhaps showing that there is a profound beauty to be found even in the most chaosed mind.

This week's little tidbit about depression is actually slightly more positive than previous posts, as it is about the little things you can do to stave it off. I have had many many days where i literally do nothing but go on the internet or watch television, too mentally exhausted to do anything. This is what depression does to a person; it is a vicious cycle of self loathing. You fail to see the point of doing anything and then feel guilty because you haven't done anything. Well, the other day i was surfing (that's the internet not the sea) when i came across something called no more zero days. The basic premise is that, even if it is the smallest thing that you can do, to make sure you do something towards whatever targets you have during each day. So, for example, if you are trying to save money have a no spending day, or if you are trying to lose weight walk to work instead of driving or taking public transport. For me, it either means crafting or writing, so, even if it is just a sentence, it is still an accomplishment. The worst judge that anyone has is themself, so in doing this every day i am appeasing my inner Simon Cowell (couldn't think of a judge who is more negative in opinions than him)

This week i have been mostly making cards, as i have a fair few birthdays coming up.

The first was made using Fairybelle background which came free with a magazine, then Gorjuss decoupage over the top. I also added a few flowers (am loving the flowers at the moment) and some black beads.

The second has a background made from Tim Holtz patchwork embossing folder, inked with tea stain and faded burlap. I used some stamps from Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine (believe it or not they are christmas ones, but i covered up the bauble she was holding with a second stamp) and coloured them with promarkers. The edging is coloured with rose distress stain, then more flowers (!) and some Bobunny lace at the top and bottom.

The third one is my favourite of these three. I stamped a postcard image, from Madame Payraud, in brown ink then used rose distress to colour it and tea to edge the sides. The background is a Madam Payraud paper which has it's edges inked with faded burlap. I then cut a grungepaper swirly shape (very technical term for it there) in half and used chipped sapphire and peacock feathers to colour it. I added a rose and the letters for happy birthday onto the postcard and then grabbed a couple of plain tea roses, which i inked with chipped sapphire and plum preserves.

I have now finished the first page of the photo stitch, and i have started (just in time for summer) the Bothy threads christmas cupcakes kit.

I have done one of these photo stitches before, but i still marvel at how much like photographs they look. 

One more thing before i sign off this post, i got my prize from Papercraft Inspirations magazine for winning the reader challenge!

Next time there will be more cards (sorry but i have quite a few birthdays coming up) but hopefully some other stuff as well.

Until then, happy crafting!

Emma