Mrs Birks Blogs

As my blog has reached its first birthday, I decided it was about time I finished this blog post which I started ageeeeessssssss ago.  What's it about?  Blogging! When I wrote my welcome post a whole year ago, I mentioned that I have taught about blogging for several years and watched as students created their own blogs.  I was always put off creating my own blog because I didn't really think I had anything to say and I couldn't decide what topic to blog about.  I am typically one of those people who put off doing things because I don't think it will be good enough or that it's too difficult so why even start? I listen to what Julia Cameron in The Artist's Way  describes as "creative blockers".  When I finally started blogging I discovered that I have quite a lot to say and quite a lot that I'm interested in - who said a blog had to be about just one topic?  I'm really enjoying reading blogs about my interests (the...

We are not the sort of family who can afford to spend loads of money on Christmas and with that in mind, I always try to add something handmade to gifts that we might have bought.  In the past I have made Christmas stockings filled with little goodies but this year it was the turn of the scrabble and button picture.  Scrabble pictures/coasters/mugs/cufflinks/rings are everywhere at the moment.  What I like about them, is that you can make them really personal and decide exactly what your picture/brooch/coaster is going to say.  I combined my scrabble words with textured papers, photographs, glitter and feathers to create three different frames, each one completely individual to the person it was intended for.  I haven't photographed all of them but here is one made for Auntie Vicki which is very pink and fluffy!   As I say, cost is always a factor, so I was pleased to pick up these photo frames in IKEA for £3.50.  I had seen others in Hobbycra...