Ephermera

Ephermera: 

things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time.

"there were papers, letters, old boxes—all sorts of ephemera"

I love this word and what it conjures up apart from 'a short time' as feel that the fripperies that I make can be kept as keepsakes for a long time. As you can gather been making more fripperies this week, firstly some rose gift tags:

Vintage image mounted onto kraft card, decorated with lace, chandelier and dress form die cuts, roses, butterflies and faux silk ribbon. A perfect thank you gift or thinking of you.

Had a card making session, not made some in a while to sell mainly for friends and family. Have been asked lately for some, thought about time made some for my stock.

As you can see not done much this past week, next week pretty much the same. Have workmen in doing the hall tongue and groove, changing the doors for oak ones etc. I will be in charge of the dog, now that is going to be fun.

Have a good week

Paris, Diamantes, Roses and Pink!!!

A productive week interspersed with some lovely long dog walks, when blue skies and dry although cold was the forecast. Not good on these dark, wet and dismal days. I do not like it very hot but love to see blue sky and the happy face of the sun. Energises me to do so much more. 

Lee even managed to do a high cut on the back lawn, which atm still resembles a meadow.

Tete A Tete, Crocus, Snowdrops are appearing along with 2 flowers on the Magnolia, the others have decided not to be so adventurous.

Makes this week. In a sort of clear up found 2 wood letter racks, not sure how long have had them but a fair few years and never done anything with them. Well this was the week, paint and Mod Podge to hand, foam brushes, Paris papers, roses and lace. Not forgetting the faux silk ribbon and Eiffel tower charm. Really happy with how they turned out.

Not wanting to waste any of the paper covered these new tobacco tins, again found in a box and think been around as long in my workroom as the letter racks. Adding pearls and diamantes. 

Now what to put in them as seems a waste of a pretty tin to leave empty? Tags off course a digital download again with pearls, roses and diamantes, finished off with the pink faux silk ribbon.

Also could not resist these Anna Griffin prints to cut out and make into cards (old stock again). Using kraft card blanks with matching envelops (love kraft card so vintage) stitched on some vintage style lace, another digital download. The birds and flowers took some cutting out detail but with my Pergamano scissors could not be better.

Joining in with handmade Monday over at Lucy Blossom Crafts this week, just click on the image below

That's all for this week folks, will be participating with Workbench Wednesday with the Professional Crafters Guild on Facebook this week, plus getting ready for the CraftFest event on the 26th.

Have a great week and stay warm and safe

Vintage collection 2016

Still making but have now launched my new products for 2016 on my website. The latest makes a gift wrap bag including tags, string, brown paper and fabric flower toppers. The tags are prety enough to replace a card

A lace patterned knitted scarf, with added embellishments of a diamante pin and a cameo and butterfly pin with faux silk ribbon. These scarfs are decorative rather than for warmth. Have enough wool to knit another the same design, then will move onto something different.

Currently working on a selection of Swarovski earrings Enjoying making them but not going to be cheap as plan to start with 12 designs, stock including the display pair 6 of each, eek!!!!! My sister has offered to give selling them a go, fingers crossed.

This year I am giving a final push to make this business work. At the end of 2016? well will have to do some soul searching. I say this every year and every year my passion for making drives me but tbh after running a business on and off for 37 years think it may get to crunch time. I know we all do it spend money on new ideas and directions but comes a time when you have to step back and be sensible and say 'enough is enough'. The vintage style is my way of going out possibly with a bang.

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