Hello Everyone
My name is Billie, a 50 something, who has been crafting on and off, since 2003. I started off making cards, love art and paper crafting, from there things just grew. Thanks to the internet and You Tube, I have learnt so much, I wanted to share that and help others find information about these hobbies, in one place, rather than have to spend hours searching. I started this blog to share ideas, finished projects, tutorials, and reviews. A place to talk about the process, the people, the websites and items that have helped, in my creative journey.
What is the blog about?
If you are anything like me, when you start a new hobby, you want to find out all about it. Perhaps you are looking for books, supplies, reviews or tutorials, well thats what this blog is for. Hope it saves you a ton of time, instead of searching all over the internet.
The main hobbies I discuss are; Art, bookbinding, papercraft and rubber stamping, currently reading about Paper making, always been fascinated by the process. There is also some poetry from time to time.
Read on for what to expect on the site, going forwards. For the longer history behind the creation of this blog, bring a brew, put your feet up, as I’m not known for short posts am I?
Coming soon
2023
Its definately time to Kon Marie this blog! I’m in the process of going through the main pages and updating the links, to https, and removing dead links. Where the blogs are no longer active, but are still a useful resource for inspriration, they are in the archive section on the relevant pages.
Discard, then sort, then store. Joy Rising
Marie Kondo, from The Kon Marie Method of Tidying Up.
New section called ‘Archive’ on the pages, for anything in-active, or no longer available. 😴
After that, we can all start again, from a fresh perspective.
No expectations, no deadlines, I will do what I can when I am able to, and hope you wonderful readers will have a look around the new look site and new pages, to see what burried treasure you can find. I have certainly been pleasantly surprised at the sites I had long forgotten about. Its an interesting journey, revisiting them.
There will be some new sites to add here as well, so lots to come back for.
Where have you been?
When I’m unable to craft, I can usually be found surfing the web, listening to, or reading a book and more recently, writing poetry. I have to do most things, one step at a time, not for long and with a lot of recovery time due to health issues. What I can do and when, is dictated by the level of pain! See ‘Life as a Spoonie and Zebra 🦓’
I have to warn you, that I do have dyslexia, so if the words go astray that is why. Its great for ideas, but the ideas tend to come all at once, so settling on just one, now thats more difficult. Having a notebook close to hand, helps to brain dump, so I can come back to the ideas, gradually. 😵
I haven’t forgotten about this blog. I do plan to post here again, as soon as I’m able. It’s just that at the moment, life is preventing me from doing so, a lot of the time.
I will be back, I still love to craft, when mojo and pain allows.
Here is a link to the social pages, and other sites around the internet, where you will also find me.
Life as a spoonie and Zebra 🦓
Health and mental health seriously impact on what I can do, for how long and how much recovery time I need afterwards. These are the main reasons, that I haven’t put up much content in a long while. It would be great ,if this blog can still be a useful research site for anyone interested in similar topics, so thats why, for now, I’m focusing on the updating links and navigation, ahead of new content at the moment.
If you have your feet up with a brew, here is some background on the history of this blog.
History
In October 2007, I started to learn bookbinding and I am loving it. As you read this blog, you will tell, I am a technique junkie and love learning new ways to use my products and try new ones. I have tried Pyrography and when I can get the wood, like to do this. Currently I am trying to get into collage, using stamps and incorporating that, into my books.
In 2009, I purchased my first video camera, this has allowed me to create more involved complex tutorials and upload them to You Tube and publish them on here too.
In 2010. My first published work, being invited to create a piece Ampersand Art’s Stampbord. Sadly the page about it has been taken off their site now, which is a shame. So that is a link to my post about it.
Not sure on the year but several mention’s on Seth Apters blog, and a quote of mine is also to be found in Seth’s book ‘The Pulse of Mixed media; 100 Artists Revealed’.
Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon
Billie 🙂
This page has the following sub pages.
Hi billie
yesterday I was searching information to make japanese stitching on a artist book of mine.
I had picture in some books, but it was not enough (for me) to figure it out how it work.
I make some research on the web and I find this tutorial on youtube via your blog.
so, like I say in my blog, without living my studio, i just find out what to do.
after that I was looking around in your blog and find many many very good informations!
thank you and keep doing what you do, so well !!!
guylaine
ps: I’m still amaze that you write to me in french !!! so wonderful !
Billie,
Thank you for the lovely words about my home. Should you ever find yourself in Southern California let me know.
I am amazed at the riches I find here with you. You have so generously provided access to a lifetime of how to.
Thank you
Laura
Hi Laura
I wish I could visit, you live in my idea of paradise, a beautiful house and all those amazing views. It must be so peaceful there. Planes scare me silly though 😦 so can’t see me ever getting there.
Best wishes and thanks for your nice comments about my site, glad you find it helpful
Billie 🙂
I am not sure where to get a hold of you so I will post here. I thought you should know that the link to the Art Journal Mag crashes my computer every time I try it. It could be something on my machine and if no one else has said anything it probably is, but just in case…
You have a great site. Oh ya the link I am talking about is from twitter. Thanks, Kelley
Hi Kelly
The Art Journalling link on Twitter was a re Tweet, a copy and paste of someone elses Tweet link. The link works on mine here, but if you are still having problems here is the direct link Art Journaling Digital Edition you should be ok.
Thanks for the compliments on my blog 🙂
Best wishes
Billie
UPDATE https://stampington.com/art-journaling/
if this is moved in the future go with the home page of https://stampington.com/
So glad you stopped by I hope to see your button up soon!! :0) GOOD LUCK! I hope my directions get you a button faster than it took me to learn how to do it…about 2 days of brainracking!! LOL
Hi Starla
Thanks so much for your tutorial, its been lots of help. I’m still kicking round designs but I’m nearly there now. Doing mine in Photoshop then onto Photobucket. Just need to see which code from Photobucket I need to add in. So many options for various platforms.
Many thanks, best wishes
Billie 🙂
Yeah!! Great Button Good Job!!
Hi Starla
Thanks 🙂 DH had to modify the code to get it centered but pleased with the results. Thanks for getting me started 🙂
Best wishes
Billie
Billie, I left you a comment somewhere else, but I am trying this for the first time, and I don’t know how else to reach you. I just received a used DreamKuts by Zutter and really enjoyed and appreciated your very clear video on YouTube. What I really need now is the chart that tells how to make all the different sizes that comes with or is on the box of a new machine. Cutting 3 by 4″ or 4 by 6″ pieces are great, I know most of my uses for this machine will be cutting 12 by 12″ paper into 12 by 6″ paper to fit my Cricut Personal cutter, but I’d like to get more use out of this great machine than just that one job. Can you help me? I seem to be chasing this information all over the globe!
P.S. I do like your blog site very much, and hope to come here often.
Cathy
Hi Cathy
Opps! I just replied to you on You Tube, but misunderstood that you wanted to cut 3 x 4. I’ll try to get a photo of the sheet that came with the machine. I’m afraid that I’ve thrown the original box away now. Leave it with me and I’ll post a picture as soon as I can.
Best wishes
Billie
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