Tuesday 21 December 2010

Tuesday Taggers - Best Of 2010

Morning there! Are you ready?  

If you're anything like me you're still making presents for delivery tomorrow! Every year I say I will have everything done in plenty of time and every year I fail miserably!

To be accomodating TT have decided to make it easy and all we want you to do is to post your favourite projects of 2010 on your blog, visit the Tuesday Taggers DT team and leave a comment then leave a link on the TT blog, with your fave creations.

I've had such an exciting year, my son got married, I got married, I have become a contributor to the Craft Stamper and had a few projects published, I started a new venture running Craft retreats and workshops with my lovely DT buddy, Janet, we've opened a new crafting bits and bobs shop, and produced the first of our new stamp sets.  WOW what a year!

Our new shop
is sponsoring the challenge this week too, with the offer of our very first, limited edition stamp set so I guess my fave projects are those I made with the stamps




This is a little project similar to the one published in Craft Stamper using the Lovin' ink Stamp set called Compo's Matchbox.

Dad and I watch this together after dinner which he has at my house every evening. We've seen them again and again but he laughs every time and has even bought them on DVD now!  I designed the stamp set with this in mind but it makes me smile with so many family memories attached to it.

I don't know if any of you have read the book Now We Are 6 by A A Milne? It's a poetry book filled with the most wonderful poems about the childhood of Christopher Robin and his friends in Hundred Acre Wood. I used to read it to my brother when he was little and he loved it, particularly one poem called Alexander Beetle. It goes like this

I found a little beetle, so that beetle was his name,
And I called him Alexander and he answered just the same.
I put him in a matchbox, and I kept him all the day...
And Nanny let my beetle out
Yes, Nanny let my beetle out
She went and let my beetle out-
And beetle ran away.
She said she didn't mean it, and I never said she did,
She said she wanted matches, and she just took off the lid
She said that she was sorry, but it's difficult to catch
An excited sort of beetle you've mistaken for a match.
She said that she was sorry, and I really mustn't mind
As there's lots and lots of beetles which she's certain we could find
If we looked about the garden for the holes where beetles hid-
And we'd get another matchbox, and write BEETLE on the lid.
We went to all the places which a beetle might be near,
And we made the sort of noises which a beetle likes to hear,
And I saw a kind of something, and I gave a sort of shout:
"A beetle-house and Alexander Beetle coming out!"
It was Alexander Beetle I'm as certain as can be
And he had a sort of look as if he thought it might be ME,
And he had a kind of look as if he thought he ought to say:
"I'm very, very sorry that I tried to run away."
And Nanny's very sorry too, for you know what she did,
And she's writing ALEXANDER very blackly on the lid,
So Nan and me are friends, because it's difficult to catch
An excited Alexander you've mistaken for a match.


And here's Alexander in person
Click on the pic to get a better view!


I made this box for my bro' for Christmas, it's pretty safe posting now though cos he's oblivious to the world of crafting!

Away from Bugs and beetles now, another project I like quite a lot is one I made when I applied for DT at Elusive images, Using their stamps of course, and I particularly wanted to post these today as I'd like you all to send positive vibes to Glenda and her staff at Elusive images.

They produce some of my very favorite stamps and I'm sorry they are going through such a rough time. Here's waiting for the phoenix to rise from the ashes, more beautiful than ever!


Fabulous stamps are they not?  The bottom one is a Darcy's stamp I think.

Anyway, just a few of my special crafting moments, I've had so much joy this year, not just from the things I have made, but with the special people I craft with and with you who share so much and support so well.
Have a Happy Christmas
x Michelle

16 comments:

Sandra Hall said...

Michelle, what a fabulous post! I loved reading the poem and the background of why it is special to you. Plus your shadow box is gorgeous! I'm sure your brother will love it - special memories and all. I didn't know you'd opened a shop (I'm living two lives at the moment and feel like I'm run ragged sometimes!) I'm going to check it out now...Happy Christmas! x

Julye said...

It just makes some images extra special when they invoke memories and thankyou for sharing some of your special thoughts and memories with us,merry christmas and a happy new year too.

Gez Butterworth said...

Hi Michelle I have loved seeing all of your beautiful artwork this year & seeing your blog go from strength to strength. I have loved reading your projects in CS. :) Very well done & Thank You so very much for sharing your talents with us all.xx
I just love your new shop & wish you & Janet every success for the New Year.xx I am looking forward to placing my first order with you.
Wishing you & your family a lovely Christmas & Best wishes for health & happiness for the New Year. Gez.xxx

lisa said...

A great post Michelle and here here to EI. What a sad time for them.
Your artwork is simply stunning as always, you are such inspiration to us.
Wishing you and Janet every success for 2011 and to all your family I send Christmas Wishes. Enjoy!!
Hugs Lisax

Bee and Dee said...

It's wonderful and really clever, sure he will like it. Hugs Bee

Daniele said...

a wonderful array of creative projects loved the visit hugs from Daniele

Meggymay said...

Love your fantastic selection, the poem is brill. xx

themessycraftroom said...

Hi Michelle, I love your beetle poem and your brother will just love is shadow box, it's fantastic. I have so enjoyed visiting your blog this year. You are one very talented lady. You are such an inspiration. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy, healthy, prosperous New Year. Hugs x ChrisB

blackdragon said...

I adore this matchbox michelle.... and shall order the stamps from you after christmas.
I wish you and janet every success with your new venture.... love you both lots.
lynx

Cazro said...

Fabulous samples from 2010 Michelle. The ATCs are stunning. Wishing you and yours all of the very best, season's greetings.

craftimamma said...

Your blog is always a delight and an inspiration to visit Michelle. I've been so behind with everything at home that I've not been visiting anyone much recently and I've missed so much.

This post is an exceptionally lovely one. The poem is great and I can just imagine the memories the shadow box will evoke for your brother.

I didn't know about your shop either so off to pay a little visit in a mo but buying will have to wait till after Christmas (I'm sure to see stuff I wa .... er, need. The jolly fat man in the red suit has all my pennies for now for the stuff he's bringing my two little granddaughters, Lol!

Love the ATCs you did for the EI DT application. You're right about it being a sad time for them but ................ watch out in the New Year. Glenda has far too many creative ideas still to share.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Anne (cornucopia) said...

These are all lovely but I especially like the match box!

Unknown said...

loving them all, hugs to glenda too. Have a good one. Emma xx

sammi said...

Michelle, there are all gorgeous! I can see why they are your favorites!

Annie said...

Fabulous work - love your stamp sets - am becoming a follower.
Ann xxx

Barbara Sproatmeyer (LM2) said...

Limited editions are very fun and I love how you made boxes with them!