Monday, June 27, 2011

1300 Subbies! Giveaway Time!

Hello everyone!

Wow! Who would have thought it? I have crossed another milestone over on YouTube! 1300 plus subscribers! I cannot believe it!

THANK YOU!!!!!

Details for the little giveaway I am hosting can be found below in the video. I will leave the giveaway open until 7/5/11. You can earn up to three entries.... post a comment on my YouTube channel- on the Giveaway video...Scotia9338. You can become a follower on my blog, and post a comment here on this post, and you can follow me on Twitter, and retweet the giveaway details.Please include me in the tweet. LaurelDeViney on Twitter.

1300 Thank you's!!!!



Hugs,

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Appreciation and Friendship

Hi Everyone,

I have been thinking a lot lately about friendship, appreciation, humility and a lot of similar topics.

I feel it is very important to appreciate your friends and acquaintances, always remember to be humble and grateful. There are so many wonderful artists in the community, that I have been fortunate to interact with, and some I have met in person. Recently I have been approached to be a mediator, or a shoulder to cry on, by several people. I always do my best to help friends build a bridge, or lend an ear.

As I am thinking about these people, situations and topics, the advice of my dear ole Dad creeps into my mind...

1. What does it cost you to say Thank you? Absolutely nothing, and you gain so much.

2. Don't sweat the small stuff. The older I get, the more I realize how true this is. It just ain't worth it.

3. When irritation comes, breathe in deeply, exhale, and smile. Take a moment and decide if it is worth your energy to get worked up over. Usually not worth it.

4. Everyone loves appreciation, and it is so easy to give, and the most often forgotten.

5. No one likes a know-it-all. There is one in every crowd... it is exhausting to be inundated with a singular opinion, that you may or may not agree with.

6. This is my hubby's best advice: No one ever got in trouble keeping his or her mouth shut. ( enough said, I think)

7. Be Grateful, and humble. Appreciate those around you, your family, friends, your position, everything....there are so many affected by real problems, and injustice.

8. Be Genuine! Most misunderstandings start because of miscommunication. Say what you mean, Mean what you say.

9. Don't forget where you come from. Everyone started somewhere, and had a village around them supporting their experiences and success or failure. Contrary to popular belief, you can go home again. I think it is more important to never leave home by staying grounded, as your life teaches you things through experiences.

10. Talk it out. There are multiple sides to every story. If you encounter mistreatment from a friend, don't clam up, talk it out. Clamming up harbors resentment, and frustration builds. Make sure it is positive conversation. If nothing positive can be gained from talking it over, than I wouldn't. Just let it go...but really let it go. It was probably petty in the first place.


I know we all know these things, but sometimes seeing it acts as a great reminder. Also to the easier said than done bunch.... it really isn't. It is easier to do than reassemble the pieces of friendship following an argument.

I am proud to say, that in my friendship of 24 years with my husband Keith, we have had one argument. It was a dozy. Lots of drama, so much so, we never had another one....and we don't plan on it. One aspect of our partnership is, we don't hold it in, and we don't yell or raise our voices. If either of us has an issue we refer to #10, and we pretty much abide by all of the other suggestions. We both are pretty laid back people, but let's face it, we are from NJ. Known for it's temper tantrums. I can't remember my last one. Healthy debate? Had one last week.

So that is my two cents. If I can ever be a help to any of you, please let me know. I appreciate each and every one of you so much. Thanks for watching my art journey, and reading.

Big Hugs,

Ustream Fun with Friends.....

Hi Everyone!

Today I had a marathon stream over at Ustream, where we completed a mini album from beginning to end. It was inspired by Kathy Orta;s duct tape technique, which is really helpful in making a sturdy binding. We took some help from the store, and used some Michael's Recollections cards and envelopes, as well as the Tim Holtz Crowded Attic Paper Stash. I had made a similar album shown at the beginning of the Ustream class using G45 Magic of Oz papers. Also a lot of fun. I think my favorite project was a triptych I made using the Tim Holtz Cabinet Card die and Mini Cabinet Card die. Added some beautiful papers ala Rach0113 technique of misting and scrunching, ironing and stamping, and a few Tim Holtz images and some beeswax and there you have it!

I can see myself making a lot of these little shines.

Video of the finished projects below:



Thanks so much for reading and watching... I hope you will visit my YouTube channel and catch me on Sundays at 11am EST over on Ustream.

Hugs,

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Rolodex Swap Update

Hi All!

Sorry to have not been in touch, life happens!

To give an update on the Rolodex swap. Seems as though a Canadian Postal Strike is giving our participants some trouble with the mail. So, deadline to mail to me is now 7/15/11. Just want to give everyone a chance.

Also, Please make 20 rolos, we have had some add ons.

Mailing Status:

1. Laurel (me:)
2. Julia- Received
3. Darlene-Artedar-Received
4. Michele-AnMiSu-Received
5. Linda-Lindalap- Received
6. Diane- Received
7. Sheri- Received
8. Beth-Received
9. Kerri
10.Lisa-Received
11.Clare- Received
12.Ketsia
13. Carol Blais- Received
14. Sarah
15. Mandy
16. Sandi
17. Martha-Seekingforart
18. Debra-Received
19. Jean Musicscrp- Received

I really appreciate everyone's participation. BTW- Here is my address:

Laurel DeViney
307 Kirklin Ave
Linwood, NJ 08221 USA

I am looking forward to seeing everyone's finished rolodex cards!

Hugs,

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Update... Rolodex swap, and me....

Hello Everyone!

You may think I have gotten lost lately, and in a sense I have. It is the start of our season at the hotel, and my day job has taken over! I literally have worked every day this past week, and have six more days to conquer this week.

One of the things I have been doing is playing host to several exchange students from China. We as a company are participating for the first time this year, and getting them settled has been a large task. I have a total of 8 students arriving this past week and next. I had to stop and think about what would a person need to get settled in the US for the first time? Well, it is everything from accommodations, to bank accounts to maps. It takes a lot of effort. It also reaps wonderful rewards. So far 5 students have arrived. I have managed to get them settled into our hotel temporarily, and they will move nearby today. They needed tons of things to meet their basic needs of cooking etc. I have managed to show them the beach, boardwalk, an American yard sale, a nature preserve, and the general area.

Still tons to do this week. I have 3 more arriving this week, and the process repeats itself, along with a trip to Social Security on Thursday. It is amazing to see your own backyard through someone else's eyes, that have never been to America.

So that is where I have been....

I have received the first rolodex swaps. If you are in need of my address, please e-mail me at ldeviney@comcast.net , and I will provide. There has been a lot of discussion about how many to make etc. If you can make 20, that is great. Then I will sort out all of the late folks, and get them swapped out by July 4 weekend.

I have not created anything in a week.. I think I will start out with a card kit to get back into it. Thank you for all of your support and lovely comments for my Wild Orchid Crafts submissions. I was not selected as part of their design team. A few of my good friends were though! Congratulations to Sarah! Way to go!

I will do a show today, just me arting around... not sure where it will lead.

Thanks for all of your patience and support!

Hugs,