Hi

Hi, Thanks for dropping by.

My name is Eileen but to friends in the card making world I'm known as 'ikki'. (which is pronounced I-KEY) From where or how this came about I'm not sure - it just got shorten from my original craft name of Ikemo by various friends along my crafting way! I started crafting whilst recouperating from an accident, and from my first attempts with peeloffs and paint - I was hooked! Now my passion is my BUG! and now BEADING!

In the Cupboard you will find ideas, news, tips and techniques to help you get more from this fab little machine. So come in - join the fun and Cuttle with me!


Monday 14 September 2009

Carry on Cupboard

Well, what can I say but thanks to all for your comments - I certainly got the message that you want me to continue!

I found in reading your posts that many of you voiced what was in my head, and these were questions that I needed to find an answer too. To those of you who asked if my dilemma was over family issues or health, then No this was not the reason for my uncertainty. "Sharing with the world" is also not a problem for me because sharing crafting ideas and skills is a pastime I enjoy. If you find my work an inspiration, I have no problem in you using the ideas in your own crafting, only that you do not enter the work as your own in any form of publication or challenge, and I would also add that if possible you link back to my blog so any new owners of the Bug can also find and share this information. So, my dilemma comes down then to TIME! At the moment, blogging is conflicting with my other hobbies and life in general, and I have fallen into the trap of routine and pressurized myself. My hobby has become a job! The pressure to find new ideas has actually brought my cuttling craft to a halt - mojo gone! Enjoyment restricted!

I have, however, decide that I do want to continue, but I have to change something. So I hope you will bear with me until my head and cuttling returns. I will be posting tutorials and tips, but for the immediate future I cannot guarantee that I will be able to do so on specific days (Monday and Thursday). If you are a regular visitor and blog owner, why not become a follower and this way you will know when I post. My head is full of ideas, but somehow I cannot sort them out and get on with them, NUT when I do, I would like to share them with you. AND, Christmas is coming and I have just received some Christmas Spellbinder Dies from my supplier that are just brill! So watch this space!!!!

Just a note to my many followers who are not blog owners and are unsure of how to leave comments. Knowing how to do this is a useful aid, so .... all you need to do is to look at the bottom of this post for the word "comment". Click and it will take you to another page where you can write your message or question. Below the comments box you will see various options to select - click annoymous and then post. You will not see the message immediately. There will be a note at the top of the page saying "waiting owners approval" (this is a way of preventing scam mails), when I receive the message I will post it. Hope this helps - why not try it now - you will not do any harm and when you have succeeded you will be more confident and do it again, and again. I hope!!!

I thought today I would show you these two cards which I made awhile ago. Christening and Naming day cards can give you a headache trying to find something appropriate. These are simple, but effective cards using the CB Swiss Dots folder embossed straight on to the card. This folder is particularly useful because you can emboss from the top, turn it and do it from the bottom, or sideways which is the way this is done. Then with a scoreboard you can add a couple to lines below the embossing to give a crisp, professional finish . The sentiment was done on the PC before the embossing, and the images are clipart just matted and layered. A double silver cord with the bow tied inside completed the cards. I have my blogging mate Barbara to thank for the first one - she used this image for a Mother's Day card - it was beautiful. I like the grey image the best, but both look good. What do you think?



Be back soon.....

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Take your time and just do what you can. I've turned a hobby into a chore before now and regretted it. I think we should all learn to say 'no' occasionally.
Have fun with your new goodies and we'll be waiting to hear from you. I alraedy get RSS feeds so will be sure not to miss anything.
Thanks for all you do.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ikki, Thank you so much for all the time and hard work that you put into your blog, also for all of the great advise and inspiration you give us, thank you for continuing.
Liz G (do crafts) x

Judith said...

Oh yes I like those I love my swiss dots. x

Anonymous said...

So glad you have decided to continue with your blog Ikki, I can imagine what a commitment it must be though. Try not to stress about it and Im sure the creative juices will flow again. Have fun playing with the new goodies.
Julie Mae (DC)

Lynne K said...

Only just seen your previous post, so I'd just like to add my voice to those that say, yes, please do continue.

Blogging can certainly be addictive. I started mine to have somewhere to display my artwork, and hopefully to get some feedback about it, and it's wonderful that people take the time and trouble to comment on it. However, I had to resolve from the start that I wouldn't let the blogging take over my life, but only post when I had something I really wanted to show, or say, and not to worry that my blog friends would abandon me if I didn't post for a while. They certainly haven't, and I much appreciate their support.

You have some fantastic ideas, Eileen, and it's very generous of you to share them with us all. I look forward to seeing whatever you come up with, whenever you'd like to show them to us.

PS. I love these two cards. So simple, but so effective. x

Anonymous said...

Dear Ikki
I have visited your cupboard very often for inspiration and "how to's", although I am a 'bigshotter'(phew - glad I didn't make a mistake with that one!), and have you as one of my favourites. I have never left a message before because I don't have a blog and didn't know how to.
I am so glad that you have decided to carry one and would like to thank you for all of the wonderful things you put on here to help and inspire us.
I do appreciate the time and effort that goes into this. Carry on cuttling, but when you WANT to not when you feel you have to and long may you reign.

Kind regards, Dianne

Merry said...

So great to see you posting. Love these cards witht the embossed lines.

1CardCreator said...

Love your Christening cards, I just love the Swiss Dots. I hope you find a balance, but whatever you do, enjoy it! ~Diane

Andrea, said...

Oh these are gorgeous Eileen, they may be simple but they are so effective and very stylish. I'm glad you like the snowflakes, I still like the holographic ones though.

Unknown said...

Hi Eileen, I am pleased you have decided to carry on and I agree that you need to post when you can rather than on set days, that puts you under enormous pressure and takes the pleasure out of crafting. You give us all such inspiration and its much appreciated but we all know where you are coming from, so take it easy and just do what you can when you can.

Love these 2 cards, the swiss dots add such simplicity and elegance, well done. Hopefully see you soon
Barbaraxx

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you are staying I know it's a lot of work so I will be waiting for your next inspiration when you post it
Pat