Sunday 19 February 2012

My crafty Story

Hello my dear blogger freinds...


My story has been featured on the Crafty bloogers Network, make sure to pop over and join in the new challenge going Live on monday....

I have recently been inspired to write a bit more about myself and my crafty life, so I thought I would share my crafty story with you today...





My crafty story started 8 years ago in 2003, shortly after I had my eldest baby, Emma. Now Emma was a very good baby, but she was a terrible light sleeper. At the time, my husband, Kevin, was working nightshifts every other week, so needless to say he would sleep during the day. Now, back then, we lived in a very small bedsit in Dublin, so during the day when the 2 of them were snoring their heads off, I had to be quiet. Now I love reading, do puzzles, crosswords ect, but to do this for hours on end every day, well lets say I got pretty bored. When Emma was about 4 month old, my sister came over from my native Denmark for a visit, and she told me she had started to make cards after having gone to a beginners class. She had brought over a few bits to play with when Emma was having a nap, and lets put it this way, it didnt take long before a trip to the shops were needed. We started in the pound shops, but soon found a craftshop, and before the day was over, we had a huge shopping bag full of goodies.

I strait away fell in love with making cards, and over the next 2 years I would slowly build up my stach. Kevin helped me to find more crafts shops, and gladly took me the long drive back and forth.


 

Then in 2005 my little boy, Michael, was born, and crafting became much needed me time. We had moved to the VERY rural Donegal, Kevin's home, but Kevin was still working in Dublin, so I was alone with 2 kids during the week. Once the babies was in bed in the evening, I would pull out my craft stuff and happily work away for a few hours. But mind you, it didnt take long for them to join in..


This is Abbie at 9 month..


Now over the next few years, I crafted when I could, made a few crafty buddies here in our area, but nothing more then just saying "hello" at the few craft events we have. I just enjoyed crafting when I could.
In 2008 I added scrapbooking to my "me-time", after once again, my sister showing me what she had made. The pages just looked so beautiful and much more alive then just looking at a photo. It took me a while to get the hang of it, but once I got going, that was it.

I tried to persuade our local stationary/craftshop to start a crop, but we werent sure the interest would be there. In the end we agreed for me to hold a scrapbooking class in the shop one evening, and it was a huge success. Eveyone really enjoyed it, and I got the taste for teaching. One of my "students" offered me to do a one-off card class for her and some crafting buddies of hers, Also a great success.


Kevin and I, together 11years, Married 9 years.


Here I must add that in 2010 we had our last little baby girl, Abbie. She is a wee delight, such a happy baby, and spoilt, not only by Kevin and I, but also by Emma and Michael. Like the 2 bigger ones, Abbie loves colouring, and everytime I sit at my craft table, She will point at her colouring box and want to join me.

Since doing the classes, I  now dream of a career in the craft industry. I would love to become a demonstrator. But for now, while the kids are smaller, I have joined several cardmaking Design Teams. I currently work on 6 teams pr week, so I keep busy. Using facebook and the DoCrafts forum, I have meet so many wonderful crafting buddies all over the world. They all help me try new things, there are always someone to talk to, and to bounce ideas off.

I also decided to start this blog. I found blogging hard to start of with, as I still doubt if anyone would really bother to read it, but I have found the joy of showing of my creations. Even days when I only get few comments, they really make my day. Just knowing that someone took the time to appriciate what I have made, is really special.

I have recently been invited to do a demonstration at our local  stationary/craftshop. Our usual demonstrator could not make it up, so the girls asked me to step in. I have gotten a load of goodies to play with so I am currently working on samples for that. We are also in the prosses of starting our own crop. I will tell you all more about that, once we get up and running.

I still scrapbook, its a real passion of mine, more personal, but I mostly make cards. With Kevin still working away from home, being alone with 3 kids, crafting is still my "me-time", but it has slowly turned into a way of life. I ttook me down a path I never expected, But I love every moment of it.


Emma & Michael. 5&3 in this picture..


Now that is my story really, I hope it was worth the read.
Thank you for stopping by my blog, and an even BIGGER THANK YOU if you took the time and left some love.

Hugs to all, Marleen xxx

14 comments:

  1. That is amazing Marleen you are so talented xxxxxxx Love it xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  2. enjoyed reading your story Marleen x

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  3. Beautiful shabby chic album Marleen. Love the colors and papers you used. Loved learning some inside details about you and how you started creating masterpieces.

    Hugs

    ~Kristen

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  4. Wow, that's fantastic and what a gorgeous album! Claire x

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  5. This is just some gorgeous, love it. xxx

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  6. what a fabulous story Marleen, I did read it all and thoroughly enjoyed it. You have a beautiful family and I love the book. Keep up the good work I'm sure you will end up where you want to be - how could you fail with your wonderful imagination xxx
    Big hugs and love - Lynne xx

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  7. Enjoyed reading your story Marleen! Thanks for sharing it with us!
    Hugs
    Dawn xx

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  8. fab hun ur a star and have 3 gorgeous kids hun and hopefully one day u will have ur dream job in the mean time keep up the good work and sending hugs to u in that wonderful country

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your scrapbook pages are beautiful and I hope the crop works out. Love Bex xxx

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  10. I have candy if you're interested??
    Hugs
    Dawn xx

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  11. Thank you for sharing your story with all. You are very talented.

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  12. Oh what a lovely story amd an excellent book.

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  13. Wow! This is really gorgeous hun, and the photo's are lovely too
    Lindsay xx

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