Saturday 10 March 2012

Remember Me?!

Wow. I cannot believe it has been a year since I last logged on and posted to my poor little neglected blog! So much has happened in the past year and so much has changed, I just don't know where to begin.

First things first though..... how are you all? I've so missed seeing your beautiful creations every day and checking in with what is going on in your lives. So, what's the gossip?! What have I missed?! I need updates!!!

I bet some of you are wondering where I have been. Well, it all started this time last year when I applied for a promotion at work which I never thought I'd get. Weirdly, I got the job! Whilst this was (and still is) great news, it has consumed my life ever since as we have been in the middle of an enormous restructure of the entire university and I've had to work silly hours just to keep my head above water. Also, as I now hold a management position and have a team to look after, I feel mega responsible for everyone and everything. Consequently, very little time has been left for crafting :o(

On top of that, Alistair also changed jobs.
On top of that, we both had to buy new cars.
On top of that, I turned 30 (eek!).
On top of that...... we decided to make our lives even harder by buying our own house! It was a very quick 6 week turnaround and we moved in just before Christmas. We absolutely love our new home, but my absolute favourite part is that I now have my very own craft room! It is built on the side of the house and was previously used as an office. NOT ANY MORE!!! It is ideal for me as it has kitchen cupboards on the walls which most of my stash fits in to and I managed to find a fab desk on ebay for £10 to accommodate the rest. It is my own piece of heaven and I can't help but smile when I'm sat in there.

My fab new room was the final shove I needed to rekindle my crafting obsession. I was missing crafting more and more as the months went by and I was craving the escapism and relaxation it gave me. So, that's how I've come to find myself here on a Saturday night, tapping away on my netbook, updating my lonely little blog!

However, given that I've had a year away from my beloved crafting, I need a crash course from you guys now!!! So.... Who are the hot new stamp/digi designers? Who is producing the funkiest papers now? Are Nestabilities up to 'Labels 85' yet??

Can't wait to get back in touch with you all. And you never know, I might even have a card to share in the near future....!!!

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13 comments:

Julie said...

lol Stacey! as if you need a crash course! you certainly didn't after your last break and I'm sure you wont this time! The latest craze where images are concerned seem to be the Saturated Canary images, great big doey eyed girlies. Haven't sucummed myself yet as I don't seem to have much time for playing other than my DT cards at the mo. Ladybug Crafts now do digis and have just released some gorgeous "Garden Delights" Twill seems to be the "in thing" at the mo too. Lovely to have you back! Julie.x

Beth said...

Oh my god I'm so glad you're back...and well...and happy!! I've just come in from a night out so not best equipped to fill you in so I'll be back! ;) Yey!! xx

Victoria said...

Great to see you back Stacey! The main thing that's happened for me in the past year is that I got married. It's my first anniversary next week! I can't advise you on digistamps or new nesties, but I can definately recommend Stampin Up. I have been a demo for over a year now, and just love their products. I have some virtual catalogues on my blog and if I can be of assistance with anything just let me know. I can't wait to see some of your new creations!
Welcome back again!
Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Mary J said...

How fabby to see you back Stacey!! What a whirlwind life has been for you but you sound energised and raring to go on the crafting front! I am currently sorting out my own craft room to get it re-decorated and can't wait until it's finished!

Trend-wise, there are tons more new digi designers out there - and tons of challenge blogs still! One of the newer digis that I totally love is MilkCoffee who you can find on Etsy and Torico (illustrator for TSG) has ramped her Birdie Brown range also on Etsy!

But the good old staples are still out there - CC Designs, Kraftin Kimmie, MFT, Stampin Bella, Kenny K to name just a few - all going strong! SCACD and Whimsy have some totally new sweet lines like Sylvia Zet and Elisabeth Bell.

Paper-wise, digi papers have become popular too - I get mine from Sweet Shoppe Designs. 6x6 pads are more common now - Echo Park, My Minds Eye, Cosmo Cricket, BasicGrey, Prima, etc.

Dies have hit the shelves with an explosion! There are lots more cheaper versions than Nesties (our purses sigh with relief!) and MFT have an amazing collection! And Nestie has brought out Grand Nestie for the mega dies - they are fab! And expensive!

Whew! Lots have changes in craftland, but then again not lot has changed either! If you've got any questions, pop on over to my blog and I'd be happy to answer!

Welcome back!

Mary J xxx

Jackie said...

Welcome back Stacey. There are so many new versions of nesties nowadays that you will need to go exploring and believe me, you'll need lots and lots of pennies :o)
Jackie xx

Julie said...

Hi Stacey, it lovely to hear that all's well with you and that it's been good stuff keeping you away from crafting. I'm sure you'll soon catch up and look forward to seeing whatever you create.

Kate said...

Hi Stacey, my 1st thought was you have to check out Krista at Saturated Canary, but Julie has beaten me to it!

Looking forward to seeing what you create in your new craft space.

** Kate **

Edna Siu said...

Heh, it is good to get your feet back in the craft room again. Well, Spellbinder is only up to 25, you are way too ahead to the 85, Laugh out loud.

~amy~ said...

((Waving wildly)) hey girlie...soooo good to see you back in bloggie land!!!! You've been one busy chickie!! Can't wait to see your new crafting space (hint hint)...

Shazza said...

wow you have been busy. Lucky you having your own room now. Check out Saturated Canary for fabulous digis and Sugar Nellie have great new rubber too
x

Sarah said...

Hi Stacey,

It's so good to see you back! I used to check by periodically to see if you had reappeared.

Congrats on the promotion and the house move. So pleased to hear you have your own crafty haven now.

I was never one to advise on craft trends as I was always way behind the times anyway but I'm sure you'll pick everything up again very quickly!!

So good to have you back.

Sarah xx :0)

Michelle Short said...

Congratulations on your new house and promotion first of all. As for crafting, well Saturated Canary images are hot and I still love Some Odd Girl too. Still in love with MME papers - there have been a lot of scrumptious ones out recently. Loving MFT die namics as well xx

Janet said...

Welcome back sweetie....I wondered where you had gone lol. Sounds like lots of exciting things been going on for you x