Halfway There

 The Sunday Song and Rhyme for November is based on this rhyme by A.A. Milne

A.A. Milne is best known for writing Winnie the Pooh, but he also wrote several books of rhyme.  This rhyme was first published in his When We Were Very Young collection in 1924.  It was then published in a double collection, along with And Now We Are Six, in 1959 called The World of Christopher Robin.  I still have my 1975 copy of the book.

It was difficult to know what to do for this challenge, my first thought was a Christmas staircase that I have a cutting die for, but someone else created a similar design.  Then is discovered a quote by Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), "Believe you can and you're halfway there."  It's a very clever quote and fits well with the rhyme.

I found a cut file on Cricut Design Space, created by a user called Whizz Art and Craft and made this framed quote;

The lettering is cut on my Cricut Explore 4 in glitter card and mounted on card with crystal and fabric flowers added, then framed with a white mount in a black frame.

Due to issues with my webhosting, my website is moving, but the address will still be www.craftyjanes.co.uk.  My craftyjane's email will change at some point.

My Challenge

The rhyme for Outlawz Sunday Song & Rhyme for April 30th was chosen by me. As most of the challenge period was in May I chose

May Is Pretty, May Is Mild
by Annette Wynne

May is pretty, May is mild,
Dances like a happy child;
Sing out, robin; spring out, flowers;
April went with all her showers,
And the world is green again;
Come out, children, to the glen,
To the meadows, to the wood,
For the earth is clean and good,
And the sky is clear and blue,
And bright May is calling you!

May is pretty, May is mild,
Dances like a happy child,
On a blessed holiday,
Come out, children, join the play!

I had lots of ideas about children playing, but decided on a stitched card of the birth flower for May. Taking inspiration from the words May, green, pretty, flowers,

The pattern is from Form-A-Lines Birth Flower collection stitched in green and silver, backed with green and mounted on white card. I have made most of the cards in the collection, they are beautiful and effective.

Love Birds

Created for Outlawz March progressive challenge. The image we had to use is a digital stamp called Love Birds from Sheep Ski Designs, I discovered they are based in Leeds. I left the image largely uncoloured then cut it with Creative Expressions Papercuts Entwined heart die, I used card with flowers and leaves for outer layer, then a pink paper and a pink card, finished off with Happy Anniversary peel off and a few fabric flowers. A lovely simple image that could be used for Anniversary, Valentines, Wedding or New Baby.

Mother's Day makes

Here are the cards I made for Mother's Day, using patterns from Embroidery on Paper for Every Occasion.  I really enjoyed making them and was very pleased how they turned out and the recipients liked them too.

I also made this picture for my Mum using buttons and mounted in an Ikea box frame.

My Mum had an unexpected Mother's Day present getting her plaster removed on Friday, only 5 weeks after breaking her ankle.  She got to have her first bath on Mother's Day morning, bliss!

It was a day of mixed emotions as both my Mum and Mum in Law have lost their Mum's since last Mother's Day.  We visited the garden of remembrance to visit my grandparents and met up with my Auntie and Uncle who were also visiting their son, my cousin, no mother should have to lose a child, but many do and I can't begin to imagine how painful Mother's Day must be for them.  I must go and kiss my 'baby' goodnight now.

Dark clouds and Sunshine

No its not the British weather I am talking about its me.  Yesterday was a very dark and gloomy day, I felt like I was under a big black cloud.  I did a lot of writing, its all pretty depressing, but got it out of my head and I was able to share it with Rob.  I am not sure if I will be able to share it online though.  part of me thinks I should, but there is a part of me that is not ready for that yet.  There is also the issue of typing it up, I need a secretary!

Today I woke feeling brighter, having some sleep does help, the night before I had none, so it was kind of set to be a worse day.  Emily was singing You are my Sunshine, so I joined in. When she went to school I felt inspired to make a sunshine picture for her.

I have also finished my Dad's birthday card, but won't post a picture until after his birthday.  Its unlikely that he would see it, but don't think its fair for other people to see it before him.

Saw some lovely craft flowers on Bugs and Fishes blog. Lots of different ideas, all with instructions to make.  Think that the Felt poppies are my personal favourite.

Meet Margaret

Thank you Margaret, we love your craft fairs, flower arrangements and plants.  Margaret also runs flower arranging classes at Rivers Meet

What is your craft?

I’m not sure it counts as a craft, I’m a gardener, garden designer, florist and craft fair organiser! I have – as they say – a portfolio career!

How did you get started and when?

Well I used to have a proper job as a Client Relationship Director of a multinational translation company. Foolishly I left and got what seemed like a wonderful job at Red Letter Days setting up their new operation in the north….it was a bit of a dream job. But after only 3 months the company went into liquidation, was bought out and was downsized. So of course I was out of a job. I felt I’d had it working for other entrepreneurs and decided I wanted to be my own boss. Gardening was always a passion and so I went off to study garden design, took classes in wedding floristry and off I went. That was 8 yeas ago. If only I’d done it sooner

Do you have a business name? What is it and how did you choose it?

Yes, Ready Planted. Because when I started out I was just looking at gardening and wanted to provide a ready planted garden for those who weren’t confident gardeners themselves.

What is your favourite part of your craft?

Making something look fabulous! Whether its flowers for a wedding or a garden makeover nothing is more rewarding than looking at your handiwork and being pleased with it. Apart of course from the client saying how lovely it is too!

What is your least favourite part?

The sheer physical hard graft. Which is why I wish I’d done this sooner. Sometimes a hard day in someone’s garden, even with an assistant is totally knackering. Even a big wedding is remarkably tiring. I think people imagine that a little flower arranging is a rather ladylike affair….I wish…..

Do you have a favourite thing that you make? Do you have a picture of it?

No. I love every bouquet I make, every border I transform, every seed that germinates…but I’ll send some pictures.

Do you have a website or Facebook page? If so what is the URL?

Yes. Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ready-Planted/91232997662 and I have a wordpress account : www.readyplanted.wordpress.com

Do you sell your makes? If so, how and where?

Just give me a ring! But I also organise the craft fairs at Rivers Meet Craft Café in Methley so people can find me there and lots of other lovely crafters who come along with all their wares.

What is your favourite craft product?

Buttonholes. I love making buttonholes. They are like little works of art…and I don’t mean one carnation and a bit of fern.

What is your favourite craft supplier?

Nature….she is very clever.

Personal Details

Name: Margaret Fiddes

Age: older than my teeth

Location: Knottingley