A few of you have been asking if I’m still doing Newsletters (soon I promise!) and others have asked if I’m ok (thank you!). So I figured it’s time to explain… and this is where I’m going to be very real with you. The last year has been really challenging with a lot of stressors that have made me time-poor which means I had to choose what to tackle with what little ‘fun’ time I had….

First the good news… yes I’m still designing crochet patterns and doing card making tutorials… and yes, I will get the newsletter going again soon. So then why the silence lately? There have been a few factors going on in my life that have slowed me down.

For some background…. why do I do this crafty stuff to begin with? As most of you know, I do this crafty stuff for fun. It’s not a business. I do the tutorials because I am a teacher at heart and tend to always teach what I learn or create. I design crochet patterns and card designs because I need creativity in my life to provide balance, to reduce stress, and create joy. I also like making surprise gifts for the people in my life! I don’t really do this as a business. In fact, I donate much of any profit that I might make to Dachshund Rescue Australia. For cardmaking, I’m what we call a “Hobby Demonstrator” for Stampin’ Up! I joined Stampin’ Up! really just for the personal discount (which is totally worth it and you should totally consider it! Click HERE if you want more information). So I rarely do any card classes or any sales-generating work. I do card making tutorials because I’m a teacher at heart and usually end up teaching things I learn or create. I love to design for crochet – something I consider my primary hobby – but designs can take months (or even years) to perfect, write down, get tested by others, revise and then get ready for publication. If that’s all I posted here, it wouldn’t be as much for you all! So in between crochet designs, I put out cardmaking tutorials but even those take a lot of work to plan, test, video, edit, write, photograph, etc. It’s all time consuming but when you are doing something you love, and you know others appreciate it, the time isn’t an issue. And I really do love doing this!

That said, a few challenges have really slowed me down. Firstly, I work full time. I’m a Professor and work in senior management at a university as well as engage in teaching and research. So that’s pretty full on. I really love my ‘day job’ but sometimes the hours can be pretty long which means I get home too tired to play in my creative space. Secondly, I got covid for the first and only time in January, 2023 and it now seems I have long covid. Then in July of this year I went down with another serious respiratory infection that landed me in hospital twice and had me on leave from work for 4 weeks. So again, the creative pursuits were mostly put on hold. I have also been allegedy stalked by a person with mental health issues for just over a year now. I am working through the police and the courts to get that person the help they need but that process has really taken a toll on me too. All of these challenges meant I had to make a choice between using what time I had to create new projects, or do a newsletter. I figured creating was more important, so the newsletter got pushed to the background.

I can tell you that there ARE several crochet patterns in the final stages of testing and writing and you can expect to see some great projects released on this blog and in socials between now and the end of the year. The photos throughout this post will give you a sneak peek at some of the upcoming projects. I’m currently working on a great fun fold design for Thanksgiving Cards for my American family and friends which I will share with you all in the next couple of weeks. Hint: the fun fold can be used for any occassion! After that I will be working on Christmas Card tutorials for you all. The new Stampin’ Up! September to December Mini Catalogue and the companion Scrapbooking Catalogue – yes you heard me right… Stampin’ Up! are now bringing out scrapbooking products! – will release on 4 September and I have to say… the products in them are FABULOUS! As an Independent Demonstrator, I was able to pre-order some of the products which will feature in the upcoming card-making tutorials. Both catalogues will be available in digital form on this blog on 4 September. The newsletter will start up again in September too. In the meantime, be sure to follow or subscribe to me on socials… Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Ravelry, and Pinterest. That way you’ll never miss a design, tutorial or news about my crafty exploits.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for hanging in there with me. Thank you for understanding that this is my hobby rather than a business and sometimes I have to prioritise my job, my health, or even my dogs, ahead of doing a newsletter or filming tutorials. Thank you to those of you who reached out to see if I am ok. I can assure you I am … and I can’t wait to share some more creative goodness with you! I really appreciate you all and am thankful for your support!

Happy making!!!

Marcus, Polly and Hugo, the dogs of Drunk Dog Creative, want to remind you to subscribe to this blog, share with your friends, and follow Drunk Dog Creative on all the socials.

Woof woof. Sit. Stay. Follow us. Good human.

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Need supplies?

You can shop for Stampin’ Up! products at https://bridgeta.stampinup.net. You can also click on any of the items in the supply lists in tutorial posts. A percentage of any profit from my SU sales is donated to Dachshund Rescue Australia, so you get great products at a good price and help gorgeous dogs like Hugo find their furever home!

Join my team!

If you spend over $169 why not consider joining my team as an Independent Demonstrator? You will get $265 worth of your choice of products for only $169 and be entitled to a minimum 20% discount on your future orders. Many people join just to be Hobby Demonstrators for the personal discount!