Harry Potter's Marauders Map

Hello crafters 

About 7 weeks ago I realised something wasn't right with myself and went and saw my Doc. After a bit of a lengthy discussion, tears and anxiety attacks, it was realised that I was not coping. My doc put me on medical leave and we arranged for me to see my ever-so supportive and helpful psychologist to work on the depression and related issues that have been causing massive problems.

While on medical leave, I have been getting into doing different projects and stepping out from the usual work I have been doing for the past few years. This has included making the mini album and also doing some garment/clothing design and sewing. I am also going on adventures during the week when I would otherwise be sitting at home alone designing. During the start of this treatment and therapy I rewatching the Harry Potter movies for the upteenth time and got an itch to make the Marauders map. After some research I found two really good available versions which I have linked below.

Making the Harry Potter Marauder's Map was a hell of a lot of fun. Also gave me a good opportunity to test out my new A3 printer, which did a splendid job.

The smaller map is from here

The Larger map is from here (this is a french site so use a translater)

Sympathy Cards for Heidi Swapp

Hello crafters 

Many of you would know that Heidi Swapp lost her second eldest to depression a couple months ago. I was devastated to hear the news as I suffer from depression my self. 

I like many all over the world made a couple cards and send this through to Heidi Swapp's family and her eldest son.

I decided to be a little different and rather than doing the standard sympathy card, I chose to make something with an uplifting feel. I went with a steampunk theme with gears, clocks and hot air balloons.

I did get a message from Heidi a few weeks later thanking me for my letter and the cards. 

Down the Rabbit Hole Book

Hello crafters, so nice to see you today. I have a treat for you.

I made up one of the Down the Rabbit Hole book Kits and I just have to share it with you. As you made be aware I am an avid photographer, taking photos throughout my day as positivity markers. This is all part of managing my depression, which is very important to me.

Over this weekend I printed out the Down the Rabbit Hole book kit on my inkjet Epson printer and set to work on putting it together. I was contemplating doing a coptic stitch binding and all that goes will it but decided to just do a simple string binding.

Here is the making of the book in its various stages.

It was great timing too because my current photo journal is almost full and I was in need of a new book. I have a full shelf of completed books now which is wonderful, because I can grab one and sit and have a cup of Chai tea and flip through it and remember happy times.

I would really love to see what you create with this book kit so feel free to share a link to your project in the comments below.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them below and also remember to sign up for my newsletter either through my blog (top right corner) or facebook page for new releases, discount codes for my webstore, and freebie.

On my Craft tablet

Hello crafters.

I have had a MASSIVE few weeks and I most certainly did burn out mentally, physically and emotionally. The latter is not a good place to be for someone who has depression. 

Over the Easter weekend I was in no so great shape and noticed I had this layout sitting on my craft table which has been there for over a month. With the intention of trying to get myself back in a better mental state I actually got it finished and I LIKED IT! 

Over the year there have been many studies talking about art therapy helping people with depression and other mental health issues. I for one find it deeply beneficial as it was the entire reason for starting scrapbooking. I have been doing art all my life from painting to textiles and fashion and jewelry. Scrapbooking for me indulges my  Stationary Obsession as well as the creative expression. With scrapbooking you are usually working with a photo, I tend to emotionally connect with the image and the moment or a memory around the photo, for me this helps focus the mind. However it is important to choose the right photo as scrapbooking a picture of my dead mother would have been a disaster.  

The weekend after I did this layout I did two other layouts which I still need to take photos of, hopefully this weekend. 

What does scrapbooking or paper crafting do for you, tell your story, I would love to hear.

Photo Journal #2

Hi Crafters

Back in March I showed you my first coptic stitch bound photo journal which I was very proud of and really enjoyed the entire project from making the book to filling it and completing it. I had to do it all over again only this time I wanted to make it bigger. Little did I know HOW MUCH BIGGER it would be.

Here is a video of me talking about the project and going through the second photo journal.

I hope you have enjoyed this and are inspired to maybe give it a try your self.

Leave a comment or any questions.