About Blackbutterfly Cards



I started making cards for pleasure in 2007, and quickly found my home was becoming swamped by cards everywhere. I decided to put some of them up for sale on a webpage in an effort to recoup some of the costs of my hobby. I called the webpage Blackbutterfly Handcrafted Cards, and it can be found at http://www.blackbutterfly2007.co.uk/

I try to take my cards to a couple of table sales or craft fairs a year, but make my cards mainly for friends and family. I would love the website sales to take off, as I nowhere near cover the costs involved in this all absorbing hobby, but for me the main thing is the pleasure I have in making my cards.
Recently I have decided to expand my blog to cover my other interests too. It's a sort of substitute for going to work and chatting to people, as due to ill health I was unable to work, and since the beginning of 2014 I am officially a pensioner.
Although I'll still show my cards, I'll also be covering my other interests and how I attempt to make ends meet day by day.

In fact anything that crosses my mind will be on here, so be prepared for waffle and a wasted five minutes as you read.
Make coffee and settle in, why don't you?




Monday, March 14, 2011

Candy available


A quick post this morning just to let you know there is some candy being offered on Crafty Sam's blog. If you follow this LINK, you can see what is required to try for it!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Mother's day Order

Just a quick post as I'm struggling with my M.E. today. Obviously I've done a little too much lately and its come back to bite me!!
(Note to self: "Don't go madly working as soon as you you feel fine")

This is the bespoke Mother's Day card I mentioned yesterday, finally managed to get the camera battery charged up, but in trying to get two reasonably clear picturees, I think it's nearly flat again. heh heh.........oh well..........
I was asked for "a card with a Robin on, and some flowers........what ever you think really" It's actually quite hard to find a Robin image that doesn't look as though it belongs on a Christmas Card, but I hope this swings it!






I've matted and layered the image onto silver mirri card, and then some glittered vellum. The base Rose embossed paper was from a 12 x12 pack I bought ages ago from Create & Craft. Beautiful papers which I should really use more often.
I added some swirls from a Marianne Die set ( I think it was called dreamy) & the large white flower was from a box I got from Joanna Sheen, and the Roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts (of course!).





The insert I edged with some of the base paper cut on a border punch from Easy Craft, it was a multi shaper punch, and I bought 3, but they were a little disappointing. They weren't as strong as I'd hoped and I rarely use them now.

I edged the join with some Anita's 3d border glitterations. I've had these 'forever' and never used them, but now I have I think I need to get some more!! I really liked the effect.

I really have to go now tho......a little lay down is needed. Hope you enjoyed seeing the card.


Saturday, March 12, 2011

Oh The SHAME!!

Oh the shame of actually posting a set of New Year's Resolutuions and IMMEDIATELY failing in all of them!! I really don't know where I've gone wrong this year, and I meant to be so much more organised. So from now on, I'm not promising to post more regularly, and we'll see if that makes a difference.







I've been keeping busy with jobs other than card making, although I have made several of those too. I've been getting involved with Resident Committee's and meetings with our local housing association. Mostly to do with Estate Services, but also with the planning and execution of a Community Garden. Also I'd like to do a bit more work on my own little patch of ground, but money is very tight at the moment. If I'm very careful, and don't splash out on any craft stuff, I should be out of my overdraft by June!! LOL. ..............but Lilli of the Valley have so many nice new stamps out........*groans*

I had a stand at the Local International Womens Day Event on 5th March. It was held at South East Essex College, and I shared a stand with my neighbour who makes Jewellery. She only found out about it quite late, and couldn't get a table, so we shared. Unfortunately, the tables were exceptionally small compared to last year, so we were quite squashed up!The event wasn't that busy, but I did manage to sell 7 cards, which is really good for me. I forgot my camera, but my neighbour remembered hers, so I've pinched a couple of her pictures!!




Looking at my picture here, and my profile picture, it's quite obvious that I need to update my profile. On the other hand, perhaps I'll keep it as inspiration to lose weight!! When I can take a "thin" picture, then I'll change it, LOL.

This picture is showing the full table ( small, as I said) but I think I have a couple of close ups of each side which are clearer.




































We had a really great day with ( hopefully) a couple of leads to more craft stands later in the year. At least, they took business cards..........I just have to hope they DO get in touch.


I've been busy making a bespoke card for Mother's day, which I was going to show off, but its going to have to wait. Unfortunately the camera is out of battery. Still, at least you know there's a card to view soon! Going to cook lunch now.......see you later......