Crafty Bloggers Network

Challenge #15 - 'Spring time'

2012-02-27T08:16:00.002Z

Thanks for all the great projects entered into last weeks challenge, and, as always, we enjoyed looking at all of them, it will be hard to choose a winner, but we will and let you know on Wednesday. Look out on Friday for our the winner of our 'Blog of the Week' that we run on the Face Book group.

The theme for this week's challenge is

'Spring Time'

Here is what our DT came up with, hopefully, to give you some inspiration.

Debbi

Michelle

Marleen

Emma

Donna

Angela

Rachael

Suzee

We hope that we have given you some ideas and we look forward to seeing all your entries and remember, your entry must follow the theme, if it doesn't, it will not be included.

Have fun and good luck everyone xx

Challenge #13 - 'Love is in the Air' - Winner

2012-02-22T06:34:00.001Z

Thank you to everyone who entered the challenge, as usual, such wonderful creations and we really enjoyed looking at them all, it was a hard choice because they were all brilliant,

but ...

The winner of Challenge #13 - 'Love is in the Air',

'Bella'

with this project

Congratulations Bella

if you contact me for your badge for your blog.

Please visit Bella's site and say hello, such a talented crafter.

http://bellasbastelecke.blogspot.com/2012/02/auf-die-liebe.html

Challenge #14 - 'Shabby Chic'

2012-02-20T08:37:00.001Z

Thanks for all the great projects entered into last weeks challenge, and, as always, we enjoyed looking at them all, it will be hard to choose a winner, but we will and let you know on Wednesday. Look out on Friday for our the winner of our 'Blog of the Week' that we run on the Face Book group.

The theme for this week's challenge is

'Shabby Chic'

Here is what our DT came up with, hopefully, to give you some inspiration.

Debbi

Michelle

Donna

Marleen

Emma

Rachael

Angela

Suzee

We hope that we have given you some ideas and we look forward to seeing all your entries and remember, your entry must follow the theme, if it doesn't, it will not be included.

Have fun and good luck everyone xx

The Story Of Marleen Gallagher

2012-02-18T22:25:00.000Z

My crafty story started 8 years ago in 2003, shortly after I had my eldest baby, Emma. Now Emma was a very good baby, but she was a terrible light sleeper. At the time, my husband, Kevin, was working nightshifts every other week, so needless to say he would sleep during the day. Now, back then, we lived in a very small bedsit in Dublin, so during the day when the 2 of them were snoring their heads off, I had to be quiet. Now I love reading, do puzzles, crosswords ect, but to do this for hours on end every day, well lets say I got pretty bored. When Emma was about 4 month old, my sister came over from my native Denmark for a visit, and she told me she had started to make cards after having gone to a beginners class. She had brought over a few bits to play with when Emma was having a nap, and lets put it this way, it didnt take long before a trip to the shops were needed. We started in the pound shops, but soon found a craftshop, and before the day was over, we had a huge shopping bag full of goodies.

I straight away fell in love with making cards, and over the next 2 years I would slowly build up my stash. Kevin helped me to find more crafts shops, and gladly took me the long drive back and forth.

Then in 2005 my little boy, Michael, was born, and crafting became much needed me time. We had moved to the VERY rural Donegal, Kevin's home, but Kevin was still working in Dublin, so I was alone with 2 kids during the week. Once the babies was in bed in the evening, I would pull out my craft stuff and happily work away for a few hours. But mind you, it didnt take long for them to join in..

This is Abbie at 9 month..

Now over the next few years, I crafted when I could, made a few crafty buddies here in our area, but nothing more then just saying "hello" at the few craft events we have. I just enjoyed crafting when I could.
In 2008 I added scrapbooking to my "me-time", after once again, my sister showing me what she had made. The pages just looked so beautiful and much more alive then just looking at a photo. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but once I got going, that was it.

I tried to persuade our local stationary/craftshop to start a crop, but we werent sure the interest would be there. In the end we agreed for me to hold a scrapbooking class in the shop one evening, and it was a huge success. Eveyone really enjoyed it, and I got the taste for teaching. One of my "students" offered me to do a one-off card class for her and some crafting buddies of hers, Also a great success.

Kevin and I, together 11years, Married 9 years.

Here I must add that in 2010 we had our last little baby girl, Abbie. She is a wee delight, such a happy baby, and spoilt, not only by Kevin and I, but also by Emma and Michael. Like the 2 bigger ones, Abbie loves colouring, and everytime I sit at my craft table, She will point at her colouring box and want to join me.

Since doing the classes, I now dream of a career in the craft industry. I would love to become a demonstrator. But for now, while the kids are smaller, I have joined several cardmaking Design Teams. I currently work on 6 teams pr week, so I keep busy. Using facebook and the DoCrafts forum, I have meet so many wonderful crafting buddies all over the world. They all help me try new things, there are always someone to talk to, and to bounce ideas off.

I also decided to start a blog (http://www.marleens-crafty-space.blogspot.com/). I found blogging hard to start of with, as I still doubt if anyone would really bother to read it, but I have found the joy of showing of my creations. Even days when I only get few comments, they really make my day. Just knowing that someone took the time to appriciate what I have made, is really special.

I have recently been invited to do a demonstration at our local stationary/craftshop. Our usual demonstrator could not make it up, so the girls asked me to step in. I have gotten a load of goodies to play with so I am currently working on samples for that. We are also in the prosses of starting our own crop. I will tell you all more about that, once we get up and running.

I still scrapbook, its a real passion of mine, more personal, but I mostly make cards. With Kevin still working away from home, being alone with 3 kids, crafting is still my "me-time", but it has slowly turned into a way of life. I ttook me down a path I never expected, But I love every moment of it.

Hugs to all, Marleen xxx

Challenge #12 - 'Pink and Blue' Winner

2012-02-15T13:27:00.004Z

First of all thank you to everyone who entered the challenge, we really enjoyed looking at them all, as usual, it was a hard choice because they were all brilliant.

The winner of Challenge #12 - 'Pink and Blue',

Cabio

with this card

Congratulations Cabio

if you contact me for your badge for your blog.

Please visit Cabio's site and say hello.

http://cabioscraftcorner.blogspot.com/

Challenge #13 - 'Love is in the Air'

2012-02-13T08:23:00.001Z

Great challenge last week, thanks for all the great projects entered,and, as always, we enjoyed looking at them all, it will be hard to choose a winner, but we will and let you know on Wednesday. Look out on Friday for our the winner of our 'Blog of the Week' that we run on the 'Face Book group'.

Right, onto this weeks challenge,

The theme for this week's challenge is

'Love is in the Air'

Your project must be all about love.

Here is what our DT came up with, hopefully, to give you some inspiration.

Debbi

Michelle

Marleen

Emma

Nicola

Donna

Angela

Rachael

Suzee

We hope that we have given you some ideas and we look forward to seeing all your entries and remember, your entry must follow the theme.

Have fun and good luck everyone xx

Challenge #11 - 'Oriental' - WINNER

2012-02-09T11:06:00.002Z

First of all, sorry it's late this week, my future father in law got taken ill and was taken to hospital, he is ok and thank you for all the best wishes, I have passed them on. The winner of last week's challenge - 'Oriental' is ....

Tina

http://toniscraft.blogspot.com/

with this card

***************CONGRATULATIONS***************

If you contact me to collect your winner's badge for for blog.

Please check out Tina's blog, she is a talented crafter and does some lovely work.

Challenge #12 - 'Pink and Blue'

2012-02-06T05:49:00.002Z

Great challenge last week, some really great projects and we enjoyed looking at them and, again, its going to be hard to choose a winner, but we will and let you know on Wednesday.

Right, onto this weeks challenge, we think you'll enjoy this one.

The theme for this week's challenge is

'Pink and Blue'

Your project must be made using shades of blue and pink.

Here is what our DT came up with, hopefully, to give you some inspiration.

Debbi

Nicola

Michelle

Emma

Marleen

Suzee

We hope that we have given you some ideas and we look forward to seeing all your entries and remember, your entry must follow the theme, if it doesn't, it will not be included.

Have fun and good luck everyone xx

'Blog of the Week' winner

2012-02-02T05:38:00.000Z

We would like to introduce you to our guest blogger this week, the lovely Jackie Wiseman, who was the winner of our 'Blog of the Week' that we run on our Facebook Group. Jackie is another talented crafter and Jackie has kindly answered some questions for us to help you get to know her, thank you Jackie.

I've been married to Graham for 30 years ( I was of course a child bride!) and we have 4 grown children and 2 grandchildren which are our pride and joy.'

When did you start crafting and why?
I started crafting as soon as I was old enough for my mum to teach me how to knit, and then I started sewing and used to make my own clothes for years. From sewing I progressed into cross stitch and I used to make up samples for a craft shop for a number of years.
I started card making about 10 years ago and have been collecting my 'stash' ever since much to Graham's disgust. It has spread itself over the whole house, even though I have a craft room!!

What made you decide to set up a blog?
I decided to set up my blog after seeing all of the lovely blogs that are out there, and to show off some of my work. I really enjoy entering the challenges and seeing the different ways we interpret the themes.

Whats your favourite technique, and why?
My favourite technique at the moment is stamping, I really enjoy the colouring. But I also enjoy decoupage and using my very large collection of CDs.

What are your top 5 crafty products and why?
My top 5 crafty products are:

1. Hougie Board - I use it every time I make a card, a box. I also use it under my cutting mat if I want to craft on my lap.

2. See through metal edged ruler, I couldn't be without it as I prefer to use a craft knife rather than a guillotine.

3. Promarkers and Spectrum Noir markers, they make colouring easy.

4. Ribbon - I collect ribbon, and I'm training myself to use it and not just look at it!

5. Craft Robo - I can spend hours playing with it and trying to make my own designs.

5. I'm inspired by of the many beautiful cards I see on the blogs I look at.

Thank for sharing this with us Jackie and good luck with your blog and everything you do.

Please visit Jackie's blog and say hi.

http://jacqueline941.blogspot.com/

Winner of Challenge #10 - 'Distressing'

2012-02-01T08:45:00.002Z

Once again, It was a hard choice for the winner of Challenge #10 - 'Distressing', thank you so much everyone who entered, we really enjoyed looking at all of them, as always.

The winner is

Melly

http://melscraftroom.blogspot.com/2012/01/gone-beady-xxx.html

with this card

Congratulations Melly.

Contact me to get your badge for your blog.

Please visit Pauline's site and say hello.

Challenge #11 - 'Oriental'

2012-01-30T08:08:00.001Z

Another great challenge last week, some really great projects and we enjoyed looking at them and once again, its going to be hard to choose a winner, but we will and let you know on Wednesday. Again, look out on Friday for our guest blogger, the winner of our 'Blog of the Week' that we run on the Face Book group.

Right, onto this weeks challenge, we think you'll enjoy this one.

The theme for this week's challenge is

'Oriental'

Self explanatory really, your project must be oriental themed.

Here is what our DT came up with, hopefully, to give you some inspiration.

Debbi

Nicola

Emma

Michelle

Marleen

We hope that we have given you some ideas and we look forward to seeing all your entries and remember, your entry must follow the theme, if it doesn't, it will not be included.

Have fun and good luck everyone xx

Introducing Lindsay

2012-01-27T10:19:00.000Z

We would like to introduce you to out guest blogger, the lovely Lindsay Elise Jolly, who was the winner of our 'Blog of the Week' that we run on our Facebook Group. Lindsay is a talented crafter and, I'm sure you'll agree, an inspiration. Lindsay has kindly answered some questions for us to help you get to know her, thank you Lindsay.

Why and when did you start crafting?

I have always crafted in one way or another, my first attempts were at after school clubs and play schemes (going back a little further than I care to remember lol). As I got older I began to love painting and drawing as well and always enjoyed anything creative but it wasn't until much more recently that I really found papercrafting. I have had M.E. (or CFS) since I was 14 and had a particularly nasty case of glandular fever, I had my ups and downs over the years but about 2 and a half years ago I hit my lowest patch ever and was so unwell that I became very isolated by my illness and lost all confidence in myself. It was then that I decided to join a local arts group to try and regain something of myself that I felt I had lost, the group were very understanding about my illness and a couple of ladies in particular helped to encourage me to join in even if I couldn't always make it to event's and workshop or had to leave earlier than everyone else. I found arts and crafts to be extremely good therapy and they helped me to escape a little from the pain and discomfort of my illness. It was also through this group that I met a lady who gave me a lot of advise about a diet that might help to improve my condition and I am very happy to say that things have been slowly but surely getting better for me both physically and emotionally ever since.

What made you decide to set up a blog?

I haven't actually been blogging very long at all, I stumbled across the world of internet crafting by accident (and boy am I glad that I did). I subscribed to Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine in summer 2011 and after doing so I liked their page on facebook, it was in September that I was a post on there about a DT call for PanPastels, and I thought I would like to try and apply for it, at this point I knew absolutely nothing about blogs and when I got the information about applying I had about 3 days to get a blog set up for the applications. So I found out a bit about blogs and set myself up on wordpress, I didn't expect to get chosen for the DT but I wanted to try. I was so shocked and over the moon when I found out that I had made it on to the team and I am so glad now that I did try as I have so many great new crafty friends because of it. When I got to know a little more about blogging I moved over from wordpress to blogger in November 2011 and I really love being a part of the blogging community.

Whats your favourite craft technique/s and why?

I don't really have a favorite technique, I am not much of a favorite things kind of person, I like to try everything and some days I will be in the mood for some in embossing others I like stamping and colouring or decoupage etc etc. Sorry not a very helpful answer but what I can say is that I almost never make a card with out using some sort of die cut or another and I wouldn't want to be with out my dies and die cutting machines.

What are your top 5 crafty products?

Hmm this is a tricky one as I wouldn't want to be with out any of my crafty stash lol but I think my top 5 would have to be;
!. Grand Calibur and Dies
2. Promarkers
3. PanPastels
4. Collal Glue Gel
5. House Mouse, Magnolia or Lily Of The Valley Stamps (sorry I know technically thats cheating but I can't pick just 5 things lol)

Who inspires you?

Another really tricky question, I could give you a list as long as my arm Sue Wilson from spellbinders, Ally from Stamps away, Nikky Hall from Polka Doodles and of course all of my wonderful bloggy friends. I would also like to say thanks to all of the people that have made me feel so welcome in the blogging community and you all brighten my days on a regular basis with your lovely comments and I am so glad to have gotten to know you all.

Thank you Lindsay for sharing this with us and good luck with your blog and everything you do.

Please visit Lindsay's blog and say hi, like I said before Lindsay is very talented so go and check out her work.

http://craftymonster81.blogspot.com/

Winner of Challenge #9 - 'Mono chrome'

2012-01-25T06:14:00.001Z

It was a hard choice for the winner of Challenge #9 - 'Mono chrome', thank you everyone who entered, we really enjoyed looking at all of them.

The winner is

Pauline

http://craftingwithcotnob.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-top-of-news.html

with this card

Congratulations Pauline, if you contact Jo Austin she will get your prize out to you.

Contact me to get your badge for your blog.

Please visit Pauline's site and say hello.

Challenge #10 - 'Distressing'

2012-01-23T08:05:00.004Z

A huge thank you to everyone who entered last weeks challenge, again, fantastic projects and its going to be hard to choose the winner, as usual, but a winner will be picked on Wednesday, so keep an eye out. Also, keep an eye out for our guest blogger on Friday.

This weeks challenge is 'Distressing', your projects should be made using distressing inks and techniques. Here are what our DT came up with to give you some inspiration.

Marleen

Debbi

Nicola

Emma

Michelle

Don't forget, your entry must correspond with the theme.

We look forward to seeing all your great entries, good luck everyone x

Could it be you?

2012-01-20T09:20:00.003Z

Hi everyone!!

I just wanted to pop on and say HI and I hope you're looking forward to the Pick of the Day next week on Ideal World... how exciting is this going to be?? I know I can't wait!

I also just wanted to say that our Challenge blog is looking for some new Design Team members. Could it be you?? If you're interested, then please express your interest under this post, with a link to your blog.

Our Challenge blog aims to bring people together with their crafting, giving ideas and inspiration each week on themes, or sketches.. We don't supply products to work with, but love to share our ideas. If this sounds like something you'd love to be a part of.. then please leave a comment. xx

Winner of Challenge #8 - 'Anything but Square'

2012-01-18T11:44:00.002Z

It was a hard choice for the winner of Challenge #8 - 'Anything but Square', thank you everyone who entered, we really enjoyed looking at your work.

The winner is

Barbara

http://u-inspire-me.blogspot.com/

with this card

Congratulations Barbara.

Please visit Barbara's site, so talented.

Challenge #9 - 'Mono chrome'

2012-01-16T09:33:00.013Z

First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who entered last weeks challenge, fantastic projects and its going to be hard to choose the winner, but a winner will be picked on Wednesday, so keep an eye out.
Now to this weeks challenge, 'Mono chrome', your projects should be made using only one colour plus your base colour. You can get some really effective designs using this simply technique. Here are what our DT came up with to give you some inspiration.

Emma

Debbi

Marleen

Nicola

Can I just mention that if your project does not correspond with the theme, your entry will not be counted.
We look forward to seeing all your great entries, good luck everyone x

2012-01-09T08:35:00.000Z

Challenge 8 - 'Anything but square'

Welcome to the first CBN challenge 2012, a nice an easy one to break you into the new year. The theme for this challenge is 'Anything but Square', basically, your project should not have any squares.

Here are the DT's make, hopefully they will give you some inspiration.

Emma

Debbi

Nicola

Marleen

Michelle

There are lots of shapes out there, so, get your thinking caps on and we look forward to seeing all your great projects.

Good luck everyone.

An Interview with Rachael Housley

2012-01-05T21:10:00.000Z

Hi Im Rachael Im 32 and I blog over at www.angels-23craftcorner.blogspot.com. Im married and have a beautiful 14 year old daughter Bethany. I work full-time as a Town Centre Community Warden. I enjoy socialising with family and friends and I have interests in spirituality. I'm very new to crafting and I try to craft whenever I get the chance to.

When did craft become a part of your life?

I got into crafts in August this year by booking myself and my daughter onto a cardmaking class. My daughter Bethany has very good artistic flair, so I thought she would enjoy this. It turns out I enjoyed it more. I found myself in absolute ore. I loved it and from then on Ive been hooked.

Your faviourite craft project to date?

This will have to be my Santa claus card I recently made I love it, I enjoy stamping and using my promarkers.

Who Inspires you and why?

I gain lots of inspiration from The Crafty Bloggers Network Blog and facebook group. There are so many talented people on there. They are a family community and they help when I need any advice and give lots of encouragement all the time. I go on there daily as I love looking at all the different projects that are uploaded.

Whats the three websites/Blogs you visit most often in a week?

My first ever website I visited was www.docrafts.com this is where I started out, by joining the community gallery and forum and suscribing to Creativity Club. I love watching Creativity Club Tv, Ive been uploading my work from day one. Then I discovered the Facebook group Crafty Bloggers Network. I also met Jo Austin at a demonstation once at The Range in Rotherham and since then I became a follower to her Blog Timeless Expressions http://timeless-invites.blogspot.com/, another blog I like to visit often is Dawn Lancaster at www.dawn-dawnscrafting.blogspot.com.

Have you made any close friends in craft?

I have made lots of friends since crafting, particularly cyber friends. It's great networking, what would we do without technology.

Ever thought about making a business out of crafting?

Definitely, I would love to do this full time and make a business from it. I know its tough competition with so many talented people out there. My daughter loves to draw and she has been designing some art work that she would like to use to create digi stamps and clear stamps, maybe in the future.

You can visit Rachaels blog at angels-23craftcorner.blogspot.com

Challenge #7 Winner

2012-01-04T10:21:00.002Z

First of all we would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing all your crafty projects in 2012. Thank you everyone for all the fantastic projects that was entered in the challenge, we found it hard to choose, but, we finally made our choice....

....the winner is ...

Lindsay

with this wonderful project

Congratulations Lindsay.

To see more of Lindsay lovely work, please visit her blog

http://craftymonster81.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-gift-made-using-panpastel.html

Don't forget to join in the first CBN challenge of 2012, it starts on Monday 9th January, we look forward, as always, to seeing your projects.