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!


Tuesday 31 August 2010

The Cupboard - Past, present and future!

When you have been doing something for awhile, you can easily reach a stage where boredom, lack of ideas, stalemate sets in.  Earlier this year I was beginning to feel this way and began looking for other directions in which to take my crafting and renew my enthusiasm - was I a lucky girl because what should come along was being invited to join the Elusive Images design team.   However, from the beginning, my aim was to make a blog that illustrated, shared ideas and news of how to get the best use from the Bug, so whatever other elements of crafting appear in the Cupboard, I will always include some an idea, technique on die cutting or embossing.  So what to do  next???? 

When I started this blog in Feb 2009, I had no idea where it would take me, nor just how popular and helpful it would be to so many!    I have covered many, many subjects and have tried to catalogue them as I went along, but  now feel with so many, that many are getting lost as they get pushed further and further back in the Cupboard archives.  Since I now have a very extensive guide to die cutting and embossing that is hard to find elsewhere in one place, I feel something needs to be done to simplify finding information, techniques, ideas, and hopefully inspiration!

Over the coming weeks I will be re-organized the Cupboard, it will take me some time and with my EIDT commitment my time is limited.  I thought about setting up a challenge, but this would take even more of my time and stop me bringing you new ideas and after all there are challenges out there anyway.  What I will continue is my Friday Followers Gallery, and I'll be pleased to exhibit your cards - I know I'm not the only cuttler coming up with new ideas!    What I will do  is improve my labelling system.  Until then you can continue to use the label search facility on the sidebar - not perfect but hopefully it soon will be.  I've made a start on grouping together dies by shapes, sizes and manufacturers. I will follow this up by cataloguing any cards, tutorials, or general info that relates to the subject.  My idea is that if you have a particular die, and/or you are looking for inspiration, techniques or  news - this labelling system will take you there!  Since today is my 304th post you will understand the task I have set myself!  I know I can rely on your support until I get there - I need you to visit often, comment often on how you are finding things, and of course spread the news of the Cupboard.  By just by being there even though my posts may not be as regular as usual will help me make the Cupboard an even better treasure trove of goodies that will help you and new owners of die cutting machines find what that "something"!  I can assure you that "something" is there!!


If you feel you have any other ideas, or suggestions that I can use to help and improve the Cupboard, please, please, leave me a comment.

In the meantime,  my thanks to you all for your continued support without which I think the Cupboard would not only be a lonely place, but the shelves would be empty!   Your enthusiasm keeps me going, so you have my thanks for visiting so often and for all your supportive comments and encouragement. 

Now what was I doing?   Oh, yes....back to labelling!

15 comments:

Julia Dunnit said...

Ooh Ikki - publicly commiting to this - how intrepid. Far as I'm concerned, you're just polishing the silver - it's all good!

Noreen said...

Wow, 304 posts, you've certainly set yourself a huge task there Ikki. Good luck. Your cupboard is such a veritable mine of infortmation, thank you so much for doing this, it's certainly helpful to all cuttlers, & for inspiration in other ways too. xx

Cheryl W. said...

As others have said, your Blog is a goldmine of information and inspiration. I will continue to visit daily and use those days when there are no new posts to mine a little of that gold that is in its depths. Thank you for always striving for excellence with a lot of humor and inspiration worked in along the way!

Aquarius said...

Good luck with the labelling - I will keep coming back

craftimamma said...

What a mammoth task you've set yourself Ikki. Good luck and I'll keep visiting.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

mrs ann said...

Sounds like a great idea to group the dies together and ideas for that die etc. I look forward to seeing what you have in mind and thank you.X

Val said...

Ikki - you have certaibly set yourself a heavty task here. I have found your gallery so useful for ways to use my bug. Thank you so much.
Hugs
Valxx

Jackie said...

OMG IKki, that sounds like one helluva task. Once again I would like to say a huge thank you for all your shared ideas and tutorials. You deserve a medal :o)
Jackie xx

sucor said...

Wow, that's a big job! Just want to thank you again for all you share!

Janet said...

Best of luck with the labelling. Your blog has been so helpful to me and I thank you.

Janet xx

Bets said...

You've got a really long job to sort this lot out!....... best wishes & good luck with it!
I am a fairly new Bug user, and having had your blog recommended via a craft forum, have found so many ideas for using my bug that I would never have thought of alone!Also, for showing me the marianne creatables, the first of which I have just ordered. I hadn't come across these at all until now......Thank you!
Long may your blog continue!

Max said...

Good luck with your assignment ... GULP ... sounds like torture to me but I'm sure I will be even more appreciative than I already am when you have all your information sorted, labelled exactly how you want it and easy for us followers/visitors to access at a click.

Luv'n'Stuff
Max
xx
Max's Craft Creations
Bah! Humbug! Challenges DT

Kathleen said...

i use the labels on my own blog all the time - i find it a great way of easily finding for example all the tilda cards i've made, so i agree that a good labelling system is essential!!
it thoroughly frustrates me when i visit a blog that doesn't use it properly!!!
so, good luck with the task i hand and i look forward to seeing the new and improved blog in the (not-so) distant future!!!

Deborah Morelli said...

Wow - your blog is sensational. I am so impressed. I have been searching and searching for months.
Thank you so very much for sharing.

Unknown said...

Your blog is inspirational. I've had it in my favourites for some time but as I am laid up with a broken ankle I have really had time to look at all your lovely cards and tutorials. I have had my bug for some time and can't wait to get back and start musing it. Can't put my foot to the ground so can't carry anything or move stuff around.
Thank you for keeping me occupied so enjoyably.