4th year Blogiversary

Oh my word, it's Sum of their Stories' 4 year blogiversary this week. How is that even possible?

It's got me reflecting on the changes that have happended around here in the last 12 months. Sum of their Stories has had a blog makeover from the lovely Linda from My Fairy Blogmother. I was lucky enough to win the makeover in a competition Linda ran back in March this year but she offers a quick and comprehensive service to both Blogger and Wordpress bloggers.

When I had the makeover I did keep my original blog header though, every time I think it needs an update someone leaves a message saying how much they like it and so it stays!
In November last year I took over the hosting of Handmade Monday from Victoria of Lucy Blossom Crafts. I hadn't really planned it but it ended up just happening somehow and after a very steep learning curve on how to host a linky I have to say, it is a lot of fun. 

The downside is I feel very responsible to make sure I write and schedule it in time so it goes up at 5pm Sunday UK time, glitch free. I also find it ridiculously difficult to pick features, most weeks I have at least 6 or 7 things I really, really love to choose from. Kind of 'Sophie's Choice" but not quite so dramatic! The upside is I get to see loads of great an inspiring blogs every week, and have made some great bloggy friends. I've even been lucky enough to meet some in real life. We have a Facebook group and a group Pinterest board and are trying to build a supportive and collaborative network where we share hints and tips, interesting things we've found as well as each others posts. Do join us if you fancy it! Being a blogger now feels like part of who I am, there is still so much to learn, things are always changing (social media algorithms I'm looking at you!) I always feel like I'm playing catch up. 

These last 4 years have flown by, here's to the next 4! Thanks so much for stopping by.

3 Year Blogiversary

It's Sum of their Stories' 3 year Blogiversary this week!

Sometimes I feel "Wow, where has the time gone" & other times that I've been doing this forever! One thing is for certain, I still only know a tiny a fraction of all the things you can learn about blogging. 
It's hard to know how to celebrate a Blogiversary, different people do all sorts of different things. I know a giveaway is popular, lists - what you've learnt, advice for newbies, fascinating facts etc - are also lots of fun. I read a brilliant post from Pam at Threading My Way just the other day talking about her 5 years of experience with her blog and how things have changed.

During this last year I added something new to my long list of creative pastimes - hand-lettering.

I don't really have time for another hobby but it was all the fault of the lovely & super talented Dawn from By Dawn Nicole! This time last year we were both guest contributors over on The Pinning Mama and Dawn had started her Art & Hand-lettering Class on Facebook. If you fancy having a go this is such a great place to start. Dawn has free downloadable practice sheets, freebies by email every month if you sign up, advice on what supplies you might want to try and loads more. There are a couple of Facebook and Instagram Daily Prompt Challenges each month and a really lovely supportive bunch of participants of all different levels. I've dabbled in the Monthly prompts a couple of times but haven't actually managed every day yet...

I had an interest in hand lettering years ago, I had this book back in the late 90's. 

It's been so much fun to revive my interest and attempt some once again. The styles have changed a bit now and there is so much inspiration around - I'm looking at you Instagram!
One of the best things about it is you can start with stationery you already have and then build up to fancy pens and the like later. 
I don't share much here because I don't think I'm very good (yet) and don't practice everyday either, even though I know that's the way to improve.

Another first this past year was my invite to the Bloggers Breakfast at the CHSI In Stitches Show. It was great to meet some lovely fellow bloggers and see all the new innovations in the crafting world.

I participated in Me Made May for the first time this year too. It's a pledge to wear things you've made and share on Instagram.

You set your own pledge so it can be as much or as little as you want. I pledged to wear everything "me made" that I still have and I almost managed it. The weather wasn't playing ball though and a couple of summer dresses just never made it. The whole thing was so inspiring and I found a whole load of amazing sewists to follow for year round motivation. The only downside is taking all those photos of yourself in the garden feeling just a little bit silly. 

Thanks for visiting, I hope your last 12 months was filled with as much time for being creative as you would have liked. Here's hoping for the same in the next 12!

I'll be sharing over at these Link Parties

2nd Blogiversary

I can't believe another year has gone already.

Today is my 2nd Blogiversary - well that went quick!

In this last year there have been a few changes:

I've become a contributor on The Pinning Mama. That has been a fabulous experience, the lovely Kimber (the Pinning Mama) is so generous with her experience and expertise and I've thoroughly enjoyed sharing just a few of my ideas with her readers.

I finally took the plunge and joined instagram. Turns out it's not just for celebrity selfies! It's fast becoming one of my favourite social medias, it's so easy to loose yourself on their for 15 minutes. (who am I kidding, more like an hour!) 

I've been a regular participant in the Pinterest Challenge, where a group of craft bloggers share something they've made inspired by something they saw on Pinterest once a month. I love this sort of collaborative thing, other craft bloggers are so inspiring.

I've tweaked rather than changed my blog layout. I know lots of people regularly change their look but I'm really loathe to change my header, it was the first thing I did in preparation for starting the blog and it still says everything I want to about Sum of their Stories. I also get compliments about it and that's always nice! One person who was especially generous in giving their advice on achieving some things I have tweaked was the lovely Jennifer from The Life of Jennifer Dawn. Thanks Jennifer x

Most things are exactly the same though. I'm just sharing the projects that I've enjoyed doing and hope you might feel inspired enough to try making something yourself. Thanks for stopping by!

Late to the Party!

I've finally joined Instagram! Whoop Whoop! 

Maybe a little late to the party but better late than never. 

I'm slowing working out what to do, with the help of some of my very lovely blogging friends (honestly craft bloggers are just great people). It's visual and I like visual so I have high hopes for liking this as a social media.
If you have any fabulous hints or tips do let me know by leaving a comment. Like how to I get my images on that grey box up the top for starters? 
You can find me here, if you want to follow (that's a thing right?)

To start things off I'm joining in with a fun sewing themed photo challenge from The Daily Seam

I think it's fun to participate with others, especially when starting something new. Hopefully by the time the month is up I'll be an Instagram expert and will have found lots of like minded folks to follow. (Yes I know, good luck with the "expert" thing!) 

I think it's unlikely I'll manage a photo everyday but it will be fun to try.

So please, pass on your Instagram wisdom, as usual there is lots to learn.

I Didn't Throw it Away!

Do you have anything you have kept for more than 20 years? I do, so when I was invited by Agatha to join the Blog train from Green Issues by Agy sharing things we have really hung onto my only problem was narrowing it down to just a few items!
I've picked just three things to show you, two that I know to be useful and one that I believe to be beautiful.


First up is the imaginatively named Ted. 

Apparently he was given to me when I was born, which makes him WAY more than 20 years old! He was my most favourite cuddly toy and he went to bed with me every night. His poor forehead is worn away because I used to kiss him a lot. That bit actually wore away when I was still a kid because if you look closely you can see some pretty terrible repair attempts.

He didn't have a mouth when he was new, I remember asking my mum to sew one on him for me. I don't think I actual see what he really looks like when I look at him, to me he is beautiful.

Next up these fabulous cake tins.

These were my mum's and I love them. The little arm thing is such a good idea, I don't need to line them with baking paper, I can just grease and flour them just like my mum used to.

You can see them in use on my chocolate cake recipe.

My final choice is my brilliant 3 tier cooling rack.

I bought these about 25 years ago from a UK company called Lakeland Plastics. They are just called Lakeland now and still sell a similar one (but obviously mine is better!) It is such a great space saver in our pretty small kitchen, I use them every time I bake without fail so they must have been used literally 100's of times.

The box is pretty mashed up, as I photographed it I did think maybe it should take a one way trip to the recycling!

You can see this cake rack in use in almost all my baking related posts.

This post is part of a blog train hosted by Agatha from Green Issues by Agy on "I Didn't Throw It Away".

We have become such a throw-away society, but there are some things in our households that we still keep. Why is that so? Perhaps this blog train can unlock the reasons behind it! Follow the daily posts on this blog train and read about the stories behind the things we have kept for many years and why we didn't throw them away.  

Tomorrow it's the turn of Mira from Fafafoom, her site is a feast for the eyes with fashion, DIY projects, Japan fashion and culture, and travel stories. 

Why not check out some of the previous posts in the Blog Train, see what other people have been holding on to for years?

1 Dec  Green Issues by Agy
2 Dec  JoeyCraftWorkz
3 Dec  Gingerbread Mum
4 Dec  Mum in the Making 
5 Dec  Dominique’s Desk
6 Dec  Prayerfull Mum
7 Dec  My Lilbookworm
8 Dec  Simply Me
9 Dec  Mum Craft
10 Dec Mad Psych Mum
11 Dec Growing with the Tans
12 Dec Mums the Word
13 Dec The Kam Family
14 Dec PeiPei.HaoHao
15 Dec Xavvy-licious 
16 Dec Adopt an Ami 
17 Dec Angel Hearts Crafts
18 Dec Lapis William
19 Dec Rhinestic’s Knick Knacks
20 Dec Hello, Mrs Tan

Christmas Break!!

2 Jan  Rude Record
3 Jan  Refab Diaries
4 Jan  Creating My Way to Success
5 Jan  Recycled Fashion
6 Jan A Vintage Crafty Adventure 
7 Jan Cucicucicoo
8 Jan Sum of Their Stories
9 Jan Fafafoom
10 Jan Vicky Myers Creations

Do you have anything you have kept for YEARS? Is it just really useful and well made or more of a sentimental thing? 

Popular Posts of 2014

Can you believe 2014 is nearly over?
In a moment of reflective pondering I am taking a little look back at the most popular posts of 2014 here at Sum of their Stories. 

1: The most viewed post in all of 2014 was in fact the very first one I publish back on 4th January! I had been playing around making grey crochet flowers and adding just a little touch of super bright wool for contrast.

2: I love crochet, you all seem to love crochet, another most viewed post was the blanket I made for my cousin's baby (as I write baby is due any minute - literally!)

3: In August I got all super romantic and made this coin special date key ring for my hubbie for our anniversary.

4: I went back to the 80's/90's with my Tetris Inspired Tote bag, apparently I'm not the only fan of those nice simple games we used to play back in the day!

5: I love Doctor Who, always have, always will. In 2014 we welcomed Mr Capaldi as our new Doctor but I had another trip down memory lane and made knitted bracelets inspired by the scarf of the 4th Doctor.

6: My Nan was a great cook and used to make these biscuits for us often. They are a family favourite in our house and are really delicious although I'm pretty sure it's not really the proper way to make shortbread.

7: This next post features an embarrassing number of pictures of my face as I played on the computer for fun ways to alter photos to make a greeting card to go with a gift of earrings.

8: I love making clothes and don't find the time nearly often enough. This top is so easy and quick even I could fit it in.

9: You just can't have too many reusable shopping bags, but they don't have to be plain and boring. Here's how I added frills to a promotional bag that are reminiscent of Cornishwear pottery.

10: At Easter time I shared how to make these little carrot shaped treat boxes that we used to make when I was a kid.

It's funny, when I have an idea, make something then write a post I have no idea whether it will be a popular one or not. To be honest I just make things I like, share them and hope someone out there finds it useful or interesting. 2015 is likely to be much the same!

Happy New Year!

The Blogland Tour continues

I've been nominated by Meegan from What Meegan Makes to join the Blogland Tour.

Meegan is a lovely creative lady who shares her craft and DIY projects, recipes and beautiful sense of style.

What Meegans Makes is such a pretty blog with loads of ideas for creating a cottage style. Visit her to see beautiful photos of beautiful things as well as craft and DIY tutorials, her thrifting finds and recipes.

You can visit Meegan's leg of the blog tour here.

Now my bit, first I answer four questions:

Question 1: What am I working on?

I always have at least a dozen things on the go at any one time! Here's a sneak peek of what I've been up to recently: 

I've been doing a bit of  crochet too and thinking that it's ages since I did any knitting, so I think that needs fixing some time soon. 

Question 2: How does my work differ from others of it's genre?

I don't know! I'm not an expert on anything, I guess that's different.

I just have a ridiculous ability to get super enthusiastic about everything, honestly it's exhausting!

I like trying new crafts, I like rediscovering old crafts. I guess, at the end of the day, I just like making things. This little doodle sums me up!

Question 3: Why do I write/create what I do?

I started this blog as a bit of a tribute to my mum and grandma's who were so different in many ways but who all liked being creative. They each taught me different skills and I wanted to share with others what they shared with me. 

Print available from Pin Wheel Designs Etsy shop

Question 4: How does my writing/creating process work?

I try loads of things, if they come out ok then I share them with you. 
This is the process: 

• I have an idea (from magazines, TV, pinterest, walking down the street...)
• I start playing with relevant craft materials to see if it's a good idea
• I try to remember to take photos as I go along
• If it turns out ok I celebrate with a nice cup of tea
• Then I start editing photos (and cross my fingers that I didn't miss important steps)
• Meanwhile, in my head, I think about what I'm going to write. This usually happens in the car, in the shower, whilst cooking dinner etc 
• Then I start writing the post adding photos as I go. I currently have 17 in draft form
• When it looks ok I publish
• Then I check it and see loads of typos!
• 6 months later I notice more mistakes (sorry about that) 

Now the fun bit, I get to introduce you to some other blogs that I love. Check them out over the next few weeks when they will be continuing the blogland tour.

Kate from Crafts on Sea has all sorts of crafty goodies to share. Mostly, but not exclusively, she shows us lovely things to make with young children. There have been some fab projects with book themes this summer in conjunction with some other great blogs. Elmer, Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs and my favourite picture book of all time A Squash and a Squeeze. She also hosts Tuesday Tutorials link party, has recipes and crafty ideas for grown ups too!

I discovered Clare Willcocks about 6 months ago when I was looking at paper cutting ideas. Clare's work is AMAZING! Not only does she do the most beautiful paper cuts she also does cute little doodles that are just adorable. Then just a little while ago Clare revealed that she can also do the most lifelike drawings too. Her pictures of pets are just brilliant. You MUST visit her site if only to be in awe of her talent.

My last nomination isn't for another craft blog but just a bit of flagrant nepotism - sorry! My daughter is a photography student and recently started her own blog Carla Nyanyo Photography. (actually I'm not even a bit sorry, I think she's fab)

Thanks for joining me on my leg of the Blogland Tour, I hope to see you again soon!

You might also be interested in:

Tetris Tote Bag

Circle card Crazy

Personalised Wedding Picture

Crocheted Owl Brooch

I'll be linking up this project at all these lovely link parties, pop over for a look at loads of projects from other blogs