The Craft Cupboard Trilogy

The Craft Cupboard Story

Some months ago, I set up a private group on Facebook, for fellow crafters to sell their unloved craft materials & equipment. The maximum number of members at anyone time is 250, so it's small enough to get to know a lot of the members, especially the regulars that come in at least once a day. They come in to sell & buy, but also for the chatter with like minded people! When I started the group, I only ever expected to have the one. However, after it had been open for a while, it became obvious that there was a growing need to offer somewhere for this friendly group to showcase what they made. We need the feed on the group to keep flowing, so that members can readily see what is on offer to buy & sell & the general chatter & members were by this time wanting to show each other what they had made, or show how something is used on their projects etc. 

So, the second Cupboard group was created & only open to members of the original group. It's a very busy & fun group, that offers support, tips & tutorials, along with where to buy, as well as linking to outside soarces etc. something that's not allowed in the Cupboard. This second group is called the Craft Cupboard Show & Tell, it's a lot more relaxed with fewer rules & regulations. Oh, & there is so much talent in there, just when you have finished looking at one amazing item, another equally brilliant piece appears on the feed. 

The Show & Tell group also has a monthly prize challenge, where the winner is chosen by the members themselves, the only time that admin step in, is if there is a draw, we then have to choose the winner! 
Thank goodness, so far we haven't had to step in, because it would be such a hard choice.

Then, we began to notice that members were starting to ask if something was for sale. This prompted myself & my admin team wondering how to take things forward? Members are only allowed to sell craft materials in the Craft Cupboard & no selling is allowed in the Show & Tell. That's when Tracey on of my senior admin members rang me to suggest opening a third group, so after a lot communication with my admin, we put it forward to the members themselves to see if the need was out there?  
It turned out that many of the Cupboard group members already sold things that they create. So, after a lot of preparing & setting up of rules, plus working out how we should run this third group, TCC Marketplace was born.

The TCC Marketplace is an open group. This mean's that anyone on Facebook can find us & can apply to join, whether they are there to sell, buy or just look at what's on offer & everyone is welcome. 

I have to admit to being very proud of 
The Craft Cupboard Trilogy

~*~

Jane :) x

First one under my belt

 The first Christmas card I have made this year, all it needs is the greeting, I will add that when I decide who get's it. Made using Moreheads die cut decoupage, freebie papers from last months Cards & Papercraft magazine, & a Nestie Die, Glamour Dust & Stars that I bought from lovely members of The Craft Cupboard, my group on Facebook & Ribbon from my ribbon box!

thanks for visiting my blog
toodle pip
-x-

The Miners Woe

There's a cry in the valleys,
Tears in the West,
Mourning the heroes that wear the pit vest,
Underground grafters always put in a shift,
Below the hillside in the deep dark drift,
They're not coming home to their children their wives...
The mine once again takes cherished lives....

♥ R.I.P the 4 Welsh Miners who lost their lives ♥

Back to school .... hoorah

Twas the night before school started, when all through the town,
the parents were cheering...It was a riotous sound!
By 8, kids were washed and tucked into bed...
Where memories of homework filled them with dread!
New pencils, new folders, new notebooks too!
New teachers, new friends... Their anxiety grew!
The parents just giggled when they learned of this fright
- and shouted upstairs: Go to bed. its a school night!

These aren't my words, they were being passed around on facebook! I thought you might enjoy them, I know I did & brought back many memories of when my 4 sons were still at school :)

Thanks for dropping by

Jane ~ xXx

Simple Card

This card looks so much nicer in real life, I just can't get the editing on it quite right today & the light for taking photo's is not good either.
I still need so much practice with my promakers, but I am beginning to get the hang of the blending of them.
For this card I have used Basic Grey Papers ~ sweet threads range
plus paper & lace from my odds box.
Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
Gems & Crystal Pin from my Duck Pond Craft Kit
Nestie & Promarkers
I am entering this card in the the I <3 Promarkers Challenge

Thanks for dropping by
Jane ~ xXx

My August Blooms Kit

Lots of yummies arrived on my doorstep a few days ago, in the form of my august blooms kit from Karen owner of Duck Pond Crafts
The blooms kit always comes delivered in a pretty chiffon bag & when you open it all the lovely blooms & ribbons come tumbling out. Karen pops the pins, charms, buttons & gems in a little cellophane bags to prevent them from damaging the other more delicate contents!
As you can see the August kit is made up of pinks, blues, black & creams .... so pretty!
In the cello bag this month you will find buttons, crystal topped pins, gems, charms & dew drops, I am really looking forward to using the kit. The blooms kit retails at £11.00 incl P&P
Karen also produces cardmaking kits too & stocks a large range of charms, she prides herself on trying to find charms & other items for her kits, that are just that little bit different.

A little card for a friend

At last I am wanting to craft again, I made this little card for a friend. I have also discovered promarkers & am slowly building buying them & hope to have the complete set soon. I am OK with just colouring with them, but need a lot of practice with the blending. So, I think this image still looks a little flat ... Still, I had fun making the card & there was a lot of love put into it too & that's the main thing, plus it brought a smile to it's new owner :)

Someone gifted me the stamped image, so I don't know the name of the stamp, but I used Basic Grey papers & flowers purchased from Wild Orchid Crafts I used Stickles for the wings & of coarse nesties to cut out the circles!

Thanks for dropping by
Jx

Meet my new Grandaughter

This is Yasmin, isn't she just the cutest little darling ever.
Welcome to the family princess, you have your big brother Mason to protect you, a Mummy & Daddy to comfort, treasure & guide you, so many lovely cousins to play with & huge adoring family to love you.
Yasmin you have the whole world to explore in time & Nanny Jane knows that you & Mason will conquer it together
<3 <3 <3

End of an Era for Wiltshire

I had a few tears this morning :( being silly I know but, it's always been there, all my life & part of the Wiltshire sky, everyone knew Fat Albert, as they were fondly known as round these parts. .... Yes, I am talking about the closure of RAF Lyneham Wiltshire ... Fat Albert is the Hurcules aircraft that has always supported the Troops & Repatriations as well as Relief Aide air drops around the world.
Staff & personel are moving to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, as part of the MOD cuts. The Wiltshire skys just won't be the same anymore!

When I moved back to Wiltshire 2yrs ago after a 10yr break, I saw a Hercules in the sky as I came off the M4 motorway & instantly knew I was home, now all that will be gone.
I have just seen 4 of the planes fly past now, that's what brought the tear to my eye. What a spendid sight it was, as they reached the open fields over the road from my bungalow, they banked, all 4 of them turning on thier side together ..... wonderful.!!!
You will all probably be familiar with the the repatriation ceremonies, with all the crowds come out to pay thier respect, as the funeral cars pass through Wooton Bassett, all that will now stop, because the repatriations will take place in Oxfordshire. However, I am proud that the town of Wootton Bassett now has Royal status.
Sorry if this is boring, but I was born & bred here in Wiltshire & my children & grandchildren, so Lyneham & the Hercules aircraft are part of me & I will miss them along with so many other people!

Where were you then..?

Where Were You When?

Where were you, when the world stopped turning that September day?

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger

In fear for your neighbour

Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride

For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love.

Where were you, when the world stopped turning that September day?

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger

Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political manI watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is loveI'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political manI watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

The greatest is love

The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

song and lyrics by Alan Jackson