There is nothing like a reminder

to get using your Blog again, like the

YEARLY BILL

going out of your

BANK!!!

So instead of wasting £120 a year,

I am determined to make the most of it this year. If I don’t Blog for more than a week

– give me a nudge will you?? xx

So what have I been up to? Too much to tell you in one Blog! It all started with me booking a few trips here and there over the summer holidays. Mostly in my Caravan at the Lake District – and Beadnell Bay. Two of my favourite places. Then my friend Barbara Gray Invited me to America for 3 weeks, WHAT! We did so much I can’t even fit all the memories in my head yet!! But at least I can nip into Barbara’s Shac posts as a reminder of the schedule and dtails of the Road Trip.

So, from about the middle of July I haven’t been at home much. Which is kind of how I like it. Although I could probably make my own, “Home Alone Movie” because I do usually spend a lot of time in it, You know that empty nest syndrome!

Of Course Skye is always with me x

Don’t get me wrong, I do like my home, I don’t mind being alone, most of the time, but I do like to be out and about and amongst people too. You have to find that happy medium. I love staying in my Caravan and I love that Crafting is Portable and I can take it to my Caravan with me. But if I am having a great time out and about, or chilling with family who are there too, I don’t always get around to the crafting. So, I live in the moment but I usually catch up eventually.

So now that I am back home, I have been designing on Procreate, but first I decided to sit down for a few days and learn all the parts of Procreate I really feel I need. Basically so that I can bring my designs to life, and to look more professional. For me I find it easier than drawing with a Pencil. I have been trying to self teach it for years, and years!

But if you self teach, sometimes you don’t see what is available to learn, I think I’ll make that a Phrase!! I tell you what, I am tired, but 2/3 days of online study from very generous people who share their knowledge, and my Procreate designs have massively improved. I still have more to learn though, always!

I am not a picture maker, I am more of a pattern maker. I even considered going to do a surface design course at college this year, I also wanted to go for media studies. But really you can do these things from home and all I could find was 3 year degree courses, I just wanted Night Classes for adults. Print Making patterns, running workshops online that kind of thing. But I also like to see my designs on useful items for myself. So all knowledge helps. I particularly love playing around on Vista Print because they let you manipulate your designs yourself. Then you can order them and/or sell them. But I just like designing them.

I am not looking to open a business, I am on the @claritycrafts Design Team and that is plenty good enough for me. Its a Privelage to be a part of Claritystamp, and great opportunities are given to me by Barbara , I just have to try and stay focused.

BELOW IS ONE OF MY FIRST WRAPPING PAPERS THAT I MADE ON VISTA PRINT.

It was made from a DT Card I made for Claritystamp.

Whereas on Procreate I can make a real repeat pattern of any size.

Ah, talking of remaining focused, that is partly where I have been too over the years since I lost Paul. In my own head, in sleepless nights with Bereavement PTSD, in an achy body some days, but full of life and motion on others. So if you wonder why I somtimes nip in and out, there is/has been so much more going on in the background. But that is not what I want to focus on in this Blog.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like a bit of Chit Chat, but I really want to share my Craft Work with you. So please come back to me!! and for those who stayed and have thought one day I might deliver my promise of online classes, I apreciate your support and your Patience.

So I think we have established that I am easily distracted………

But I think its time now to do my regular blogging again, it will help me, I hope it will inspire you, or that you will just enjoy some Chit Chat.

OK – so I am going to re-design slightly and change up some pages. So, lets have a an actual “Chit-Chat” page and a “Craft Along Page” leading to my Youtube Chanel – and how about a “Clarity DT work page. Then you can decide what YOU want from my Blog, if anything! This Blog was always intended for “How To” tutorials alongside Youtube videos, and I still would like a Members page for workshops/ Live maybe? – eventually. Does anyone know how to set that up in a reasnable amount of time, with limited frustration?

Its a Deal Then, I seem to have just come up with a Plan (see above) and I will be noting it down in my Mrs Hinch Book, adding it to my diary and putting it on my Daily and Weekly List of things to do……… Then I will set it in my reminders to check my lists on my phone, So that lot should keep me focused shouldn’t it?

So, how have you all been?…… Please subscribe and comment, its been a while hasnt it. x

Bye for now

Sam Crowe –