The Introverted Crafter

This week I tried to make a simple card, using some stamps in my stash. I tried to stamp the diamonds evenly but didn't get it quite right! I'm working on my colour coordination, which is improving, but still needs improvement.  I've also been working on the stitch, doing the half stitches in the sky. They are slow going and bloody awkward to do! I'm pretty sure I'm gonna run out of at least one colour too.  Until next time Ems

Made a bit of a niche card this week. Niche cos a lot of people won't know the reference, but its for my older brother, so he will. There's a series of videos on YouTube called pitch meetings, and one of the things said is "actually it was super easy, barely an inconvenience" which has become one of my brothers favourite sayings, so I decided to make a card about it.  I used tim holtz paper dolls, and his tailored dies to try and make the people more like they are on pitch meeting. Also, the background paper is willy wonka, cos another thing we've been laughing about is that awesome/awful willy wonka experience that hit the headlines recently. I've also worked on the stitch. Here's this weeks progress. It's becoming easier to figure out where I am in it. I'm tempted to try some half stitching next week and start the sky. Until next time  Ems

I've been feeling down a bit lately, giving up on things when I don't see results straightway. I think its part of the human condition, the need for instant gratification, especially in the age of social media. Weirdly I was cross stitching yesterday, when I realised I need to take the attitude in life that I take towards cross stitching. Cross stitch as a rule takes a long time to do and sometimes it doesn't feel like you're getting anywhere, but you persevere because every single stitch IS progress. Every little stitch takes you one step closer to your goal. So, that's the attitude I need to take in life, each little thing I do may not seem like it makes a difference at the time, but its one stitch closer to my goal.  Speaking of stitching, here is my latest progress.  I've also made a couple of pairs of earrings this week, practicing my beading.  Until next time Ems

Well it's Easter, and the weather is miserable. I swear you can look out of the window at ten minute intervals and the weather changes wildly from blue skies and sunshine to freak hailstones. Ah well, good thing I didn't make any plans! I have been working on the aurora stitch. Haven't finished one colour yet cos I switched to black, hoping it would help me map the area better.  It's not bad progress really for two weeks. Still, I'm on the easier part of it at the moment.  I've also made a couple of necklaces, one using purple and silver beads, the other using multistrands The second one looks better on.  Until next time Ems

 I've been working on the new stitch. I'm hoping that I can do one colour at a time, at least to start with, so that it's easier to do subsequent parts. The colour I'm doing at the moment is for a lot of snow, including on the trees, so if I do it right, it should set me up nicely.  I've also made a pair of earrings using the chainmail method, where you loop a third jump ring into two using a Venn diagram. I think it would have worked better with thicker jump rings. Until next time Ems

Finished a cross stitch!!!! I love these photo realistic stitches. Mainly because they just use whole cross stitches, and my current one uses....all kinds of stitches.  I'm sticking with the whole stitches for now, leave the more complicated stuff for later.  I also made a necklace and matching earrings.  Until next time Ems

 I've made a platform pop up card for mothers day, using mainly lawn fawn products, with some tim holtz ephemera for the butterflies.  I've also been working on the stitch. About 1000 stitches to do till its finished now.  Until next time Ems

I've made a birthday card this week, using the Lawn Fawn platform pop up card. It wasn't my original design, as I wanted something a bit more fantastical, a bit other worldly, but my original plan didn't pan out.  It still looks good I think. It's all Lawn Fawn, aside from the balloon, which is Tattered Lace, and the sentiment, which is Tim Holtz.  I've also been working on the stitch. 95% done now and I really wish I'd kept the Labyrinth stitch out rather than packing it away where I can't find it! Until next time Ems

You might have noticed that I didn't post last week. At 430am last Sunday morning, I lost my cat Lucky George. He was almost 20 years old, and named after my grandad. We got him when my grandad was dying. He was an amazing man, given two days to live but he held on till after his 57th wedding anniversary. Ironically, G died the day after what would have been grandads 101st birthday. He may have been Lucky, but we were the luckiest to have him in our lives.  Here's the update on the stitch. Over 90% done now I've also made some jewellery, a matching necklace and bracelet with a geometric fox charm.  Until next time Ems

I've made a pair of galaxy themed earrings this week. I used gold seed beads, small hematite stars, a purple teardrop bead, a mixed green and purple bead that reminded me of a planet, and a cracked bead that reminded me of a meteorite.  I've also been working on the stitch. 85% done now. I'm slowing down a bit cos my other full stitch one is packed away, so the next kits available to use are really hard ones.  Until next time Ems

I've made a birthday card this week, with pizza as the inspiration. I will tell you that cutting and sticking those tiny letters was very annoying! I've also been working on the stitch. Over 80% done now, but progress was a bit slower this week.  Until next time Ems

Decided to make a necklace this week, using primarily red beads.  I've also been working on the stitch. 80% done Until next time Ems

Just a quick one this week. I tried to make some beaded earrings.  I've also been stitching. Think it's 78% done now, which is weird when there are still so many white spaces. Until next time Ems

I've made a 30th birthday card for a colleague this week, using Mary poppins stamps. Ironically, they don't like hot drinks at all, but I had this pop into my head and couldn't get rid of it! I've also been working on the stitch. Here's the update Until next time  Ems

I've been making jewellery again this week. I made a vintage style pair of earrings, then decided to try a beaded bracelet, doing a little bit of a pattern rather than straight beading.  I've also been working on the stitch. 70% of the way through now!  Until next time Ems