Wild About Crafting: As Seen On TV

I think it was in June when I saw a post from a member of the Tattered Lace team, Sarah Trebilcock, on Facebook sharing information about becoming a member of a design team. I had recently applied to Kanban crafts but had heard nothing back so decided to have another go with a different company. It really was a rush as I saw it at the last minute and so quickly sent of the email. It said it wasn't die cuts so I sent them a picture of a card I'd created for my husband, Michael's, birthday.

I sent off the email and then waited a couple of weeks but didn't hear anything back. Ah well. I would keep trying if I saw any other positions come up but knew it would probably be quite difficult to get on these teams. They do seem to be unpaid positions but they are a fantastic outlet for my hobby.

Anyway, life went on. I had a fantastic summer and beautiful holiday in gorgeous Spain. Imagine my surprise when, having forgotten about my application, a couple of months later I got an email from the head of the team saying that I had made it through to the next part of the process. She wanted me to send her a project to show what I was able to do. I actually squealed with delight. Although I wasn't on the team I was a step closer to doing something I really wanted to do. It took me ages to decide what to send as I wanted it to be eye-catching and show off all I was capable of. Eventually I came up with a butterfly, shaped easel card.

I turned 40 on the 15th of September and had an amazing few weeks celebrating with family and friends and had given up on the idea that I would make it any further on the team. I was so delighted then when I received an email on the 16th September apologising for the lateness in response but letting me know I had made it onto the design team for 3 months in the first instance. I was over the moon. I would be working with Tattered Lace products (my absolute favourite out there) and creating cards that could possibly be used to promote their products on their website and on Create and Craft (I know - CREATE AND CRAFT!!!)

A couple of days later I was asked if I could make some samples and having responded saying that I could I received a couple of new trio designs. To say it was a bit daunting is a complete understatement. I sat and looked at these for quite a while it has to be said. What could I do with them that was original and worthy of such an amazing company?

Well eventually I came up with about 5 cards to send off to them. I checked the TV schedule, saw when the programmes that were selling these products were and set up the planner to record them - just in case. The first programme aired and there was no sign of my card. I was a little gutted but then thought about it realistically. It would be amazing if my first set of samples went straight through and made it on air. Ah well, I thought. Maybe next time.

Later that day a link was put on Facebook to the Pinterest page where samples of these cards could be found. I nearly jumped for joy as there in full, glorious colour was one of my cards.

Of course I started texting and phoning everyone lol. I was so proud of what I'd achieved and it felt great to know that I was doing things they appreciated and that might inspire other people and their card making. The next day I watched the programme again to see if things could get any better and there it was...... one of my cards was featured in the display of cards (circled below). I'd done it - I'd made it on to Create and Craft. Who would have thought that a couple of years ago I didn't even know Create and Craft existed and here I was on the channel.

When the next email came to ask if I could do some more samples I responded immediately. What would I get to play with this time? A couple of days later the package arrived and I had been sent a couple of over the edge dies and a border die. At first I found it tricky because there was no real focal point with them but after a few days of cutting and sticking I'd made nearly a dozen cards to send off. I was very proud of them and hoped that I would again see them on the TV.

this time the products were part of the 'Pick of the Week' but the dies I had been given were not part of the main bundle so I didn't expect to see any of my work. I checked pinterest again but they weren't on there until I looked through cards that had been made for another collection and there they were - TWO of my cards this time.

Eventually the 'Pick of the Week' sold out and so on the last day of programmes they moved on to other dies - including those I had worked on. It wasn't until I looked more closely that I could see all my cards in front of the presenters as they did their demonstrations because they were hidden by the titles and product details. I was a little disappointed that they were there but couldn't be seen. However, this disappointment turned to complete excitement when the presenters Dean and Rossella were asked a question and they used one of my cards to answer it with. I was over the moon. they both commented on how beautiful it was and I swelled with proud. I know it sounds ridiculous - it's just a card for heaven's sake - but again it is something I love doing and they are being appreciated.