Hunting and collecting.

I think people get it into their mind that crafting is expensive and you need to head off to craft and paper shops and spend a fortune. But really women have been making things beautiful forever using what they had or could come by and their creativity.

One of the sweetest examples is when I see old jars or canisters that someone has painted then they have added a cut out flower to make it a pretty container for their kitchen. I could cry that is so sweet! Another is true patchwork when women turned outgrown clothes and the remnants from sewing them into gorgeous patchwork quilts. They way they did it the fabric was essentially free. They were making something from nothing really. How beautiful.

Things fall at our feet all the time that we can use. Just now autumn leaves are about to fall at our feet literally! Pressed these are so beautiful and have so many uses.

All year I collect bits and pieces that could be made into my card supply. Pretty images... these come from all over the place, catalogues, magazines, old cards, wrapping paper... then I find sheet music a help due to the aged paper, music notes, gorgeous vintage titles that sound romantic... I get books of music for 50c to $1 which gives you a dozen pages or so. This makes amazing wrapping paper too. (tied with a black ribbon)

Lace, ribbons, broken jewellery and here a discarded hair clip from my daughter...  I have used buckles from shoes, belts, bits from old hats, pressed flowers, stickers, glitter, leaves, feathers, fabric scraps...

Last night I dragged out my current collection and worked it into groups of colour and theme. As you do this it brings ideas together. 

I could just as easily be covering boxes to use as gift boxes or decorating gift bags. All the time you get things in gift style bags, if you make them over you have amazing free gift bags. I noticed to buy these they are expensive and gift boxes are too. You never have to buy these things at all. But lovely cards are so expensive. I go looking at them it seems each one I like is $8 or more...  Making your own you can give $10 looking cards to everyone plus you can use them very generously as thank you notes, I hope you are feeling better notes, use them to write your letters. We all just love pretty things in the mail! Mail someone a hand made card and say "I am thinking of you" or "thank you for your wonderful friendship" and see how you go! I buy packs of 6 blank cards and envelopes for $2 in cheap shops and these are the base of the cards. So mostly the end result is less than 50c per card. 

If you get really stuck into it you can make up packs of cards into groups of six or so and package them up. I use cellophane bags and tie them up with ribbon. I pack of lovely cards is a gorgeous gift. I make these for my Aunt knowing she loves to write letters and cards are so expensive that surely a supply is a very handy thing. When a birthday comes around she has some cards to use. 

When we go away for a few days I pack up a supply of cards and letter writing paper, stamps and my address book as sitting and writing is so lovely and I will have time to relax and write letters. I love that. Away from the computer and TV I will write and relax. Longing to do that!

Later in the week I will show you how some of these turned out and how they look packaged into presents. Just think if I made 50 they are worth close to $500 if I bought them. Isn't that crazy? So many things we make are like this, especially if we are using what comes to use or what's around us. Amazing! I love how abundant it feels to have a big box of cards ready to use.

I hope you are having a lovely Sunday and some rest and relaxation. xxx