Sunday 10 February 2013

Handmade Monday 102

Welcome to Handmade Monday.  Come on in, make yourself comfy!

This week, I had a long list but didn't manage to actually make a lot.  It's been one of those weeks where family stuff kind of takes over and leaves little room for much else.  A real muddle of things:

  • BT being unable to repair a phone line for my elderly parents (it took 9 days and lots of highly frustrating calls on my part)
  •  training mum (85) to use a mobile phone so we could speak to her (with limited success)
  • selling a car (I can recommend AutoTrader - I could've sold about 30 cars in 2 days)
  • and, sadly, a death in the family - my lovely Auntie Joan lost her battle after a long and painful illness 

Then Craftseller magazine arrived to cheer me up a little!  I have two features in this issue.

My heart photo frame...

I used dotty denim and lace trim from Wholeport

and my Top Mum bird plaque...


both bring a flavour of spring and both make great ideas for craft sellers to stock their craft stalls for Mother's Day sales.

The templates and instructions for both are in the magazine, as are the vintage-style papers I used for the bird plaque!  The double-sided free papers come as an insert and are great for other stuff too, like card making.  There's also a free tote bag this month if you need an extra incentive to buy the magazine!

Anyway, it's over to you now for Handmade Monday.  I didn't do very well this week with visiting and leaving comments - sorry.  Hopefully I'll be better this week.  You know what to do...

25 comments:

Chrysalis said...

Hi Wendy - can't believe I'm the first to comment this week. Sorry to hear about your Auntie. I'm off to my Mum (89)next weekend, and hope to install a new, cordless phone and explain it to her. At the mo, she misses most of her calls as the phone is in another room and she doesn't hear it.

My Craftseller arrived this week, too, and I love your heart and plaque. Thanks for all your inspiration, and for Handmade Mondays - one of my fave treats of the week! Take care, Chris x

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your Aunty Joan, always sad to lose someone in the family.xx Your photo frame and mum plaque are both lovely items for mothers' day. I must really sort out getting that magazine. x Ali

testing said...

Lovely features for Craftseller, I esp like the photo frame. I can't believe its nearly mothers day too, I better get pepping, time is flying by.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Highland Monkey's said...

Sometimes real life is more important than crafting! Sorry about your aunty. I hope your mum manages to come to grips with the mobile I'm sure once it clicks she will never be off it lol. Lovely makes again.

Planet Penny said...

So sorry to hear about your Aunt, what a difficult week. I've just about got my mum trained to text on her mobile, but she's very nervous about using it as an actual phone!
Hope the coming week is less stressful, P x

Handbags by Helen said...

So sorry to hear your sad news

adaliza said...

Oh dear - a week that matches the weather. You've made some lovely items and the articles look brilliant. The little birdie plaque is so pretty. I never did manage to teach Mum how to use a mobile - she found a cordless home phone enough of a challenge! Sorry to hear about your Aunt - it's 3 years since I lost my adorable Aunt Bertha. I planted a silver birch in her memory and love to see it grow each year. Hope everything perks up this week.

Free Spirit Designs said...

I'm sorry to hear about he loss of your Auntie Wendy and the phone debacle... sounds like a trying time!

Both your featured items in Craftseller look absolutely fantastic and full of some much needed spring cheer :)

I especially love the spotty branch with colourful leaves and flowers on the plaque - so cute! A great use of those pretty craft papers too :) x

Blue Forest Jewellery said...

Sorry to hear about your loss. Sounds like you've had so much on your plate this week that you deserve a bit of me time now. Your makes are so pretty as always.
Take care,
Alison x

Anonymous said...

Sounds as if you have had a difficult week.
Congratulations on the magazine appearances - your photo frame looks amazing.
Hope this week is a bit better for you. xx

Lilly's Mom said...

I am so sorry to hear about your Aunt. May her memory be eternal. I love your blog and Handmade Monday. Thank you for providing such a wonderful site for crafters!

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear your sad news.

As per usual, the Craftseller projects are just great. I particularly like the frame.

Claire x

Sarah - The Lilac Dragonfly said...

Am so sorry to hear of your loss Wendy, and all your problems with BT.
I loved your items in this month's Craftseller, especially the photoframe...really lovely in a non traditional non red valentines way!
Hope you have a more peaceful week xx

Fiddly Fingers said...

Not to worry! Some weeks are like that, you just have to go with them :)

fatmonica said...

Sorry to hear about your aunt,not an easy thing to deal with on top of everything else.Love your posts in Craft Seller-I must check that out more.Glad to be back here-it seems like ages since I got round to posting.

CatkinJane said...

Definitely a week for family first - sorry to hear about your loss, hopefully the happy memories will help.

Mrs Pink said...

So sorry to hear about your Auntie - sending a big hug.
I hate it when stuff gets in the way of "work". I'm finding it so tough at the moment to keep up with orders and do general things. If I went off to an office to work, I'm not sure I'd find it so stressful.
Well done with BT too. Our phone has been out for 11 days now and there is no sign of it being repaired! Husband was on his mobile to them for an hour on Friday to try and get something done to no avail - huge backlog, blah blah blah. Oh, and the offer of £1 a day compensation!!

Jan said...

I have lots going on this week but I'm not as organised as I should be so I haven't got a post this week but I will try and get around a few blogs for a read. Have a good week.

Sorry to hear of your loss, ((hugs)) sent your way.

Jan x

Oopps it looks like a rogue comment has crept in above.

Ali said...

Hi Wendy

Sorry to hear your news. I don't why so many stressful things always happen at once. I hope this week is a better one and your makes in craft seller are lovely. Take care of you.
Ali x

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about your loss and your terrible week. Even when someone has been ill for sometime, it still comes as a shock when they finally pass away. Take time for yourself to remember your aunt.

I'm loving what you had to share with us. As I'm typing I'm watching the birds on our feeder so will definitely be keeping an eye out for your card in Craftseller.

KirstyX

Natalie Jones said...

So sorry to hear your bad news - what a week you've had. I've received my Craftseller magazine (I subscribe) but haven't looked at it yet as once I open the front cover I'm generally lost to the rest of the world till I get to the back cover! I'm looking forward to looking at both of your projects. Despite the weather, here's to a better week xx

Helen said...

So sorry to hear about your loss. But well done on getting the two projects in the mag - will look out for them! Btw similar problem with BT for my dad this wk, luckily he has a mobile!

Christmas Pie Crafts said...

Sounds like a tough week and very sorry about your Aunt. BT, like computers, can be brilliant - go wrong and they are the pits. Good news about the car. Hope this week is calmer for you and your parents.

Myth Illogical said...

My condolences too. Sorry to hear your bad news.

It sounds like you had rather a tough and stressful week, hope the coming week is a bit more plain sailing.

Lovely heart frame.

Stephen @ Soy of the North said...

Sorry to hear about your aunt. Your week kind of puts mine in perspective. Hope your next week turns out better for you and your family.