...Cor blinking blimey and thrice!!! I am not quite sure I can believe this but... today is an anniversary... nay, more than that... it's a Craftiversary! Today marks 12 years since I first dipped my toe into the this world of crafting for a hobby. I took up crafting under sad circumstances and it wouldn't be right for me to not mention the reason why I first took to sticking bits of paper to more bits of paper. My little cat Poppy had got really sick over Christmas 2002 and the V E T advised me she had renal failure, she was only 7 years old. Seeing her deteriorating quickly, no matter how many different special diets I tried her on, no matter how many injections to try and perk her up, I had to make that most dreaded decision... it was time to say goodbye. Poppy was more than "just a cat" to me... she had seen me through some pretty dark and hard times; helped me recover after major spinal surgery and she became the reason for me to get myself up and out of bed every morning. Then my life took an upturn, I started training to do my dream job, driving trains, I met Grim, became a train driver, fell in love, got married... it was almost as if she knew her work was done.
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| Here's a scrapbook page I made in her memory |
To say I was devastated was an understatement. She was my little baby and losing her fair broke me. But, I had another constant companion who knew me, who knew that the following months would be unbearable for me... and something to occupy my mind might help. So, he sent off for a TSV from QVC... a cardmaking bundle, which arrived on this day 12 years ago. And I got cracking... I had watched Dawn Bibby making cards and decided I too could make cards. Little did I know that it would become an obsession, fill my life, my house, my head... So this is a big, big thank you to my lovely Grim... not sure he is thanking himself seeing as his wife is always talking about ink and stuff but...
Sadly I haven't got any photo's of the cards I made back then... actually, it is probably a good thing as they were pretty dire... but we all have to start somewhere right? So, this post is peppered with photo's of things I have made that are my "favourites"... The above ones are my Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 creations... and here are some arty things I made using my fave Tim Holtz goodies
And here is my fave creation from 2014...
If someone had said to me 12 years ago that I would still be crafting, still be making stuff and been completely obsessed with anything inky, I would have laughed... I thought it would be a whim... a passing phase (just like that counted cross stitch that I still haven't finished... that I started in 1995!) I guess I am lucky that my lovely Grim was so thoughtful and bought me that first kit... although I do remember hearing Dawn say I would save money making my own cards... ahem... yes, quite! As ever, thanks for looking... if you pop back tomorrow you will see a brand new Compendium of Curiosities challenge... tis a lovely one this time :O) TTFN
Hels x
24 comments:
Happy Craftyversary Hels!! A fabulous 12 years. Lovely to hear how you got hooked. Poppy looked a real sweetie, now I'm looking misty eyed at Alfie dog and hoping he'll be around a while. I love visiting your blog, it's always inspiring so, thankyou!! Ruth xx
So glad you took up crafting and it developed into that obsession as you are definately an inspiration to the crafting world and you make me smile! And I now know what having a four legged friend in the world means thanks to our little terrier Molly! Thanks Jenny x
Congratulations on your crafting anniversary. Your work is always amazing.
Happy crafttversary Hels! I loved reading your story of sweet Grim and his clever idea to help you deal with your grief. Thank him for facilitating your gift of art that you share with us each week!
Xo
Vicki
A sad, but happy story, it had me sniffing. A beautiful pusscat. Congratulations Hels, may you continue to inspire for may years to come. AND don't forget to show lots of pictures and tales of Sir Alfiecat and his adventures. x
Happy Craftyversary Hels
I LOVE your work. your the crafting queen in my eyes. I get so much inspiration from your blog. Just need some "me" time to craft myself
Wendy
Happy Craftyversary,
Love all your favourite things, your blog is always full of beautiful inspiration. I too started watching Dawn on QVC and got into cardmaking, not sure that I've improved enough to get to your standard though! Thanks for all the ideas.
What a beautiful post, Hels! Congratulations on this special anniversary! You are one of the most talented women I know! That Grim is a wonderful guy!
And aren't we all so glad you took up this crazy addiction which keeps us all absorbed through good times and bad. Here's to the next 12 years of crafting xx
I also had a cat who died at 4 with renal failure. I still miss her everyday. Happy Craftaversary to you and so nice seeing all your inspiring projects. Beautiful work as always Hels.
Julie x
Happy Craftyversary Hels, love the pics and your story, thank you for your inspiration, hugs Carole Z X
12year craftyversary is that the inky one? LOL. You may have started crafting out of sadness, Hels but 12years on you fill lots of crafter's with laughter and smiles.Not to mention lots of inspiration, long may it continue. Hugs to you.Sue Balawajder (craftywaj)
Congratulations on your craft anniversary. Thank you for sharing your story. Can you really drive trains? I am so impressed. Have you always been crafty or did your talent come out of the blue? Thank you for the being the inspiration that you are. Have a great weekend. Hugs Jackie
happy craftaversary Hels, cannot believe its been 12 years and may I just say how far you have come since the Dawn Bibby TSV days xx
Happy Craftiversary Hels,
Dear little Poppy, bless her. I understand how awful it is to say goodbye to a little furry companion. Thank goodness you had your lovely Grim in your life...your knight in armour & You the queen of ink & long may you reign!..love your inspirational artyness & creative thingybobs. Also bless little lord Alfie your...err...lovely craftyroom assisstant xxxx
Happy Craftiversary Hels, Sorry, I had to skip past your first bit, I get really upset and it brings back my own upsets with my pets, loving your tribute to Poppy, she looks stunning.
It was Dawn Bibby on QVC that got me into crafting too, I bought a craft kit and I was hooked !! although I wouldn't like to see again the first cards that I made haha.
It is inspiration from my crafting Gods and Godesses (you being one) that have certainly helped me improve my crafting, and my thanks go out to you.
Lots of love from Patricia xx
Oh my! Talk about mixed emotions .... That was a real toughie to read. what a lovely cat, and how dreadful to have to make that decision (been there.) However, it is so good to read that such very positive things can come from a sad situation. You have certainly inspired me hugely, so I have benefitted! Thank you! (Oh, love that comment from Dawn! I sometimes remark that we haven't bought a card for five years!! To which OH responds with a Paddington Hard Stare!!)
Happy craftyversary Hels you've come a long way since that first kit. Thanks for sharing your journey. Poppy looked like such a lovely girl.So sad we have to lose our furry friends. Take care x
Happy Craftyversary lovely lady! I have you and Kath Stewart for getting me interested in craft so I thank you for that. As for saving money making our own cards, ahem - really! This is the best obsession ever though! I love seeing all your beautiful makes and your post is a lovely tribute to Poppy and your wonderful Grim. Hugs, Anne xx
Happy Craftversary lovely lady. Ever inspirational. I also had a cat, a beautiful pewter Persian, called Harley, who died of renal failure, and your posting is a lovely tribute.
Valxxxx
Hels, I cannot believe this, I also started 12 years ago too, after having my gorgeous, wonderful, ever playful fur baby Chan " put to sleep" due to kidney failure? Heartbroken I was and I got a Dawn Bibby Kit from QVC to start me off and fill the empty aching hours-only diff I did not have a Grim and had to buy my own!! And there the similarity ends, Just wish I had half your talent!!!
Happy Craftyversary! Thank goodness for all of us too that Grim bought you that kit! You have taught us so much, thank you! xxx
Hi Hels Poppy was a beautiful little cat.So hard to say goodbye but you have to think about Poppy and her suffering and not about yourself unfortunately.I follow your crafting adventures and enjoy every minute.Missing your talents on the tv.Bring back Melt Pots !!
Happy Craftaversary Hels!
I've learned so much from your TV demos and I love getting your blog emails. I absolutely love your style of crafting and I aspire to create similar things.
I think a lot of people take up craft in sad or difficult circumstances. I have always drawn and painted, I learned to sew and crochet as a kid but started papercrafting in hospital with the OT's as all the other ladies in there could get around easier and I was limited to being indoors. I was obsessed and soon as I left hospital I brought a magazine and made that year's Christmas cards. A little over 5 years later it has taken over my life. If I'm to ill to craft, sew or paint sitting at a table I do things like knit, sew or crochet sitting down, I can colour, draw or bead on a tray on my lap. I watch, look at craft blogs or read about craft if I can't even manage that! I think it should be prescribed on the NHS as a tonic for many things. Without craft I don't know what state my mind would be in as I always have something to look forward to doing when am in a better physical state.
I wish you many, many more years of crafty fun and success
T x
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