I have been having a lot of fun recently, making my cards everyday. You can follow along on Instagram #todayscard. Getting back into card making, made me consider my old Stampin Up! demonstrator status, and how much I truly enjoyed it. Since there are many changes coming up for me in the new year, I have decided to leave the shop at Teaberry, it has been three fun years, but the cost is out weighing the benefit, I thought I might need a little crafty something to occupy my time.
I recently attended a Scrapbook Expo in Somerset, NJ. Inside the program was an advertisement for a company called Fun Stampers Journey. I did not pay too much attention at the time, but pursued some research. I learned several great things about this company.
1. They are partnering with Spellbinders, and have many wafer thin nesting and shape cutting dies.
2. Their stamps are red rubber cling, manufactured by my favorite company...Stampers Anonymous.
3. They offer Fusion ink, which is a blend between dye ink and pigment ink. Quick drying, and vibrant colors.
4. They have many other things, that I like very much, such as gingham ribbon, and glitter.
5. They are a new company, with a fabulous offer for their Founding Coaches (first 500 to sign up). The starter kit contains a Journey Grand Die Cut machine, similar to a Spellbinders Grand Calibur machine, and 2 totes, 1 on wheels, 1 shoulder bag, and 4 inks, paper, stamps, tape dies... it is very generous.
6. They are not so hung up on virtual presence, certainly promote the company, but if you happen to use another product than theirs, it's not the end of the world. They even encourage a virtual party.
7. Prices are lower for purchase than Stampin Up!
8. Their quarterly sales minimums are half of what the requirement is with Stampin Up! Only $150/sales per quarter, as opposed to $300.
9. With all this quality, they are growing rapidly. A good ground floor opportunity for someone like me.
10. They provide a free replicated website for your orders, and an easy back office.
After a lot of thought, I decided to give it a try. I signed up last week, and I am Coach #336. I encourage you to take a look at their catalog, and consider the offer for Founding Coaches. http://www.funstampersjourney.com/coaches
I can't wait for my kit to arrive, and to start sharing my journey with you. I think this will be a lot of fun and creativity. As such I am going to start labeling posts on my blog relating to Fun Stampers Journey
-FSJ and the title. I will do a similar thing with my YouTube videos. Also I will be hosting some virtual workshops on my Ustream channel. Right now the company only ships in the USA. Canada is on tap soon. I hope you will join me!
It's been a little while between posts, so indulge me for a minute while I update you.
Last post I was auditioning for NSK Natasha's Scrapbook Korner, Guest Designer, and I am so happy to share that I made it! I will be creating for NSK in the new year, so stay tuned for some fun projects.
A big THANK YOU, to Natasha and her team of wonderfully talented designers. I am very grateful for the opportunity to craft with you.
I am still really busy with work, and Habitat for Humanity Atlantic County. At work, the hotel began it's renovation of all the rooms , a few at a time and the public space, in January, and most recently, we have begun our budget process. Not so fun, and very draining of my energy. But , although I have a few long days of number crunching in front of me, I will persevere!!
I am still trying to keep up with the shop at Teaberry, and managed a little yard saleing, this past weekend. Great time with my friend Beth, but I managed to catch a cold, which has me a bit down. This to shall pass, but I HATE being sick.
My family is doing ok. Parents are getting ready to move to a new apartment, and Keith is still searching for work. Geddy the Wonder cat keeps us all sane.
Back to the crafting......
So a few days ago, I was reviewing my YouTube subscriptions, and Dawn5377. a Stampin Up! demonstrator, I have followed for years, made this gorgeous card using the Ornamental Pine set of stamps. I loved the results so much, I placed an order with her. I later found out that Dawn hit her $1 million dollar milestone in career sales! Not from my order, but from another. I was so happy for her! I used to be a Stampin Up! demonstrator, years ago, and I loved the cards I made using her technique, that I am actually considering signing up once again. But, I truly do not need one more thing to do....
I played with the cards, and my stamps and I came up with the following cards:
This is the Reindeer card I make from start to finish on this video, about 25 minutes in length.
This is the card I made live on my Sunday Ustream show, that Dawn inspired. About 40 minutes in length. I loved the technique so much I could not wait for my order! I used my own stamps, and luckily had some of the Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder on hand! I'm glad I made the order for some more.
I am trying to keep up with my Ustream show on Sundays at 10am EST over on Ustream.tv under LaurelfromNJ. I would love to have you join the fun!
Watch out! This technique is pretty addictive! I have made about 10 cards in 3 days.
Thanks for reading along, and I hope to see you soon!
Today as I was watching some of my subscriptions on YouTube, I came across a Guest Design Team Call for NSK- Natasha's Scrapbook Korner, and I thought I might try submitting.
One of the requests was to create a video with a brief introduction, and resume of my crafting, and post it to YouTube. I have complied, but please excuse all of the funny faces I make in the video. I usually do not show my face on camera, and I am still uncomfortable doing so, even after all these years!
Here is my video:
Part of the submission was to share a project, and I have been working on a GumBall Machine for a few weeks now. I made it using Graphic45's Raining Cats & Dogs paper, which I really love. The colors and the content, I really like. I am working on a tutorial to share here on my blog so mother's could make one as well. It takes very little to make it, just some time, and a few items from the Dollar store and possibly your local craft store such as Michael's.
I had a lot of fun making it, so I hope you like it as much as I do.
Sooo.... the magic number of cards to make is....6.
Please complete your cards, and postmark them to me by 10/15/14. Please include return postage. Mail Cards to:
Laurel DeViney
307 Kirklin Ave
Linwood, NJ 08221 USA
Please enclose a note with your return address, makes the return post easier for me.
Have Fun! I look forward to seeing your creations!
Hugs,
Hello Friends!
Happy September! I had a super busy Summer at work, and I missed everyone and everything crafty.
I have a confession, I am addicted to Halloween stamps. There, I said it. Truth is, I really love Halloween. I am the weird lady that decorates the entire house, that everyone whispers about. I don't even care if they talk. I make sure I have the best treats for the smaller and smaller groups of trick or treaters that come around every year. My neighbors think I'm crazy, and so does Keith, but I don't care, I just love it.
This would explain my love of purchasing Halloween stamps, and dies, and colorful paper. Yet, I sit and admire it, and rarely make anything. So I am here to remedy that!
Are you a Halloween stamp addict too? Do you have stamps and dies rattling around in your drawers itching for their chance to shine? Well, this is it!
Here are the ground rules:
1. Make a series of Halloween Themed cards ( They do not all have to be the same). Number to be determined after sign ups close.
2. Use whatever medium you wish, stamp , paint, draw, gelatos , sprays, die cuts, whatever.
3. Can be any size card you wish, you must send an envelope to fit. Break out that punch board, you know you want to:)
4. Must be postmarked to me by 10/15/14. Please include return postage. Whatever it cost you to get it to me, it will cost me to get it back to you. If purchasing stamps is a problem or you are international, I will provide my PayPal address so you can just send me the cost of postage.
5. Please do not sign up unless you can fulfill the deadline, and will not flake!
6. I will take sign ups by asking you to comment on this post until 9/15/14. Please send me an e-mail as well with your e-mail address and contact details- address, twitter name, etc. ldeviney@comcast.net
7. I will post number of cards to make by 9/16/14.
8. I will swap out the cards, and return them to you in time for Halloween!
Sounds fun? Sign up!
Come be a Halloween weirdo like me!
It's been quite awhile since I have posted, so I will try and catch you up!
Started a new job, local to me in April. So far so good. Season is bonkers but that is par for the course. I really like it so far, if you rule out the meeting with a Senior VP that I messed up on Friday. My boss blew it too, so at least we are in trouble together. Just more to fix, and then move on.
Still house hunting for my parents and us. We managed to get an extension on their move, so just to find the right place. I bought a new car, which I am thrilled to pick up on Monday. So, Life is good!
I'm just sooo busy, with everything and life all at once.
I managed to make my November cards for the swap I am in this year with the Maryland girls..... So I am finished for the year. Just have to complete a gift for the hostess, and mail them out.
I found this cute card on Pinterest:
And I loved it so much, I bought the dies, 2 for a mere $12! and set out to make my version of the card using the supplies I had on hand.
I really loved the dies, which I purchased from EllenHutson.com, and they are Impression Obsession dies. Cut through card stock like butter, literally. Finished my card with Distress stickles dry glitter in Clear Rock Candy, topped off the stenciled trees in the background with my Wink of Stella pen, and I was all set!
I did not have the square dies that Kittie did, so I hand cut the square layers. Don't look too closely! I would have loved to have done a similar bow, but alas no red gingham ribbon ( every other color though!), so I used Bakers twine.
Now to decide if they need a sentiment or not. The theme was Sparkle Snow- Snow Scene. My friend Beth suggested: Merry Christmas, Dear but I'm still thinking it over.
I was so impressed by the service from Ellen Hutson- ( got my order in 2 days from Washington State- and I am in NJ), that I made a YouTube video about it.
Check them out! High quality products, really great prices!
Hello Friends!
Just continuing on my organizing campaign! I created these Ribbon Organizers from 1 sheet of chipboard and 1 12 x12 sheet of card stock, a little hot glue, some Scor-Tape, and some paint.
I have two bookcases that are near to my desk. They surround a window. I kept staring at the unused space between the window and the side of the bookcase. These can be mounted to the side of a bookcase using, heavy duty foam tape or Velcro.
I am trying so hard to get my surfaces clear of supplies, and use any available vertical space I have. Thank you to my friend Mitzi, who reminded me of the gutter ribbon storage idea, and to use the space on the side of my bookcase.
Here is the Supply List/ Cutting Guide:
1 sheet of 12 x 12 Chipboard
1 sheet of 12 x 12 Cardstock
Scor-Tape
Hot Glue
Paint
Scoring Board, Paper Trimmer, Scissors
Cutting Guide:
From Chipboard you need the following pieces:
(1) 4x9- This is the back
( 1) 4 1/4 x 9- This is the Bottom
(1) 2 1/2 x 9 This the Front
(2) 3 x 4 1/4 These are the sides
(1) 1 x 9 This is the Ribbon trap on the front
(4) 1/2 x 1 These are the spacers behind the Ribbon Trap
(1) 1/4 x 9 This is the spacer for inside the box to push up the rolls of ribbon
From the Cardstock:
These are all hinges and are all 2 inches wide, scored at 1 inch.Run Scor Tape on the interior, both sides of the score line, on one side of the paper.
(2) 2 x 9
(6) 2 x 5
I took this video to show you how to put it all together. I apologize for the length, and all of the flipping around,
So Far I have made 4, Three still need paint, in the course of 1 hour. So once you get started, they come together very easily. I am doing a similar organizer for washi tape.
Thank you for watching, and reading. Please be sure to leave me a comment, and subscribe to my blog.
Hello Friends!
Since I got an extra snow day today, I thought I would continue to try and make some cards, out of my box, so to speak. I see a lot of my favorite YouTube crafters are creating "One Layer Cards". This is something I have never been very good at, So here goes.
I started with some white card stock and a series of stamps and a pallet of Distress Inks. I like how the composition has depth, even though it has no layers. I mounted the panel on Kraft card stock, and went over the images with my Wink of Stella Clear pen, so in person it is very sparkly, in a subtle way. Technically, the sentiment makes this not a one layer card, because it is a separate piece, but I still think it qualifies. Very simple to do.
Vicky over at Clips-N-Cuts is having a fabulous giveaway and she reminded me about using the Inlinkz tool to list your supplies used on your blog posts. I had first been introduced to this when I was with Lindy Stamp Gang's Design Team. It is very simple to use. You can find out more about the giveaway, and Inlinkz here:
Hello Friends!
I have been busy getting things ready to start my new job this week. This included getting my home in better order, meal planning, shopping and some various projects. While I am at work, I always use a to-do list. It's form is a steno pad, with a date on the top. Whatever is not accomplished one day goes to the next, and so on. I seem to have better success when I actually check things off as I accomplish them. It dawned on me that I should use a similar method at home, to become more organized in various aspects of my life.
So, I began watching some videos by various ladies who use a Life Planner, Home Planner, or a Filofax. This lead me to determine what kind of things do I want to become better at. For me, my main problems are time management. I can get sidetracked very easily. I have since implemented the planner, and so far so good!
The areas I want to track, and improve are:
Time Management at Home: I am really great at work, but once I get home, all bets are off. By implementing a daily calendar , writing down appointments and tasks, I seem to be getting better about using my time.
Finances: I swear I just don't know where my money goes. I have implemented a monthly budget, and have begun tracking receipts. This has helped me to cut down on the impulse type buys. It also is helping me actually save some money.
Meal Planning: This is all about the finances. I used to spend far more than necessary at the grocery store. By planning out my meals 2 weeks at a time, this helps me use what is in my freezer. It also helps me to start using coupons again, and stay on track at the grocery store by shopping from a list. Also, if I plan my meals, I can take advantage of bulk purchases at Sam's Club, and discount grocery stores like Save- A Lot.
Blog/YouTube: I used to post to my blog and make videos with some sort of consistency. In the past year, my blog has suffered. I really enjoy my Ustream shows, and making YouTube videos, but I need a schedule. If I attempt to keep up with these things, without a schedule, it never works.
House Cleaning: When you work as much as I do, cleaning seems to be last on my list. Having not been here in NJ for the past 7 weeks, has left a lot of much needed re- organizing, Keith does well on the dishes and trash, but the dusting, and organizing- not so much.
I made a little video to show you my planners for Home and for work:
While I was busy making my planners, and using them, I discovered a few projects I wanted to tackle around the house. The first of which was our pantry. This poor thing had been neglected for a long time. It was not functional at all. I cleared it out, checking all the expiration dates. I made a huge pile of trash, and learned my lesson. Procrastinating these tasks does not help anything. The whole remodel took me 2 hours, and that included a trip to the Dollar Tree for some bins. I don't know why I put these things off. The other lesson I learned fits right in with my meal planning and finance, namely shop with a list!!! I had a great tendency to overspend at the grocery store, and never use the stuff. Now I only have to remember the huge amount of groceries I threw out, for no other reason than a lack of planning. Pantry is completed! It is clean and organized. Next I am going to tackle my kitchen drawers and cabinets, perhaps one a day until completed.
While I was at the Dollar Tree, I found a great organizer for my Distress Inks and my craft drawers beneath my desk. I have gone through 3 drawers and used them to section things off, and it has helped tremendously. Now when I open the drawer, things don't move around, and the drawers can open and shut easily. 2 more drawers to go in this unit.
I got to thinking about all the organizers I have bought over the years to house my craft supplies. I have found only a few things that have really worked. Using Baseball card sleeves in a fat 3" binder for my clear $1 stamps, worked very well. Repurposing Priority Mailboxes into Paper Storage, worked very well too. I have been watching a lot of my favorite crafters on YouTube dive into using Avery Elle Stamp Pockets for thier 4 x 6 size stamps, and storing them in bins so they may be flipped through. I am really liking this idea. I am planning on converting my stamps that are currently in huge binders, and everywhere to this method, next month. I think it will help me house my collection more easily, and I will use them more. I did place my Stampers Anonymous stamps on their cards, in a photo box, so that I can flip through them. I am liking this method a lot better than the binders I used to keep them in. In one photo box I have 33 sets of stamps, that used to be in 4 mini binders. I have room for more as well. I could easily fit 50 sets in one box. My plans for next month's conversion include purchasing a few Fridge Binz from the Container Store and I believe these sets will fit in one of those as well. Now what to do with all the wood mounted stamps I still have.....
A few side organizing projects I have undertaken this week are: Card Boxes with dividers by Theme of cards I make. One for Home and one for Work. I usually have a photo box full of birthday, thank you, congratulations cards at work.
I also have taken on putting together a Survival Kit for the office. I saw a video by At work with Nikki on YouTube where she explains the idea, and I thought it was awesome.
She has sectioned hers into muslin pouches , which are labeled. She put together things for when those little emergencies pop up. For example, she has a pouch labeled clothing. Inside that pouch there is a lint brush, shout wipes, a sewing kit. She has a pouch labeled Oral care. Inside that pouch she has toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss. Altogether she has about 10 pouches. with everything from hand lotion to q-tips, to band-aids. I loved the case she used, which was a Caboodles train case. They sell it at K-mart for $33. I have been putting together various items to make my Survival kit. I have to go to Michaels $1.50 spot to get the bags. Currently , my items are in ziploc bags, which is ok, just not as pleasing to look at.
Let me know how you store your crafty things, and household items. I still have a lot of closets to get through!
Today I am also sharing my cards that I created for a card swap I participate in. This swap provides us with a theme or technique each month. I have been working ahead, due to my previous travel work schedule, and now since I am starting a new job in a week, I figured I will maintain my lead.
Themes for the months were as follows:
April: Emboss Resist and More: Any Embossed Resist technique or dry embossing. May: Sing the Blues: Use Monochrome Blue ( may use black and white as a complement) and incorporate a piece of music sheet or a music stamp. June: Sail Away or Under Sea: Use a water technique with any of the following: Gelatos, watercolors, H2O's, Distress paints, Distress Inks, or Distress Stains.
Since I was itching to get back into crafting, I thought I would use the cards as a way to jump start myself.
Here is a video of the cards I created:
Please leave me your comments. I appreciate your feedback! Thank you to Nancy Parker, and Martha Lee for including me in the card swap this year!
Hello Friends!
I am Home at Last!!! Quietly navigating a little jet lag this weekend, but I was anxious to make something!!! I had been away from my supplies for nearly 7 weeks....
While I was away, I did take advantage of a few sales I had found on two daily deal scrapbooking sites. The first item was from Flowers to Flourishes.com One day they had the Amy Tangerine Calendar stamp. As I recall it was under $5. I like that the dates are in a stack, making them easy to switch out, and that it has a case and a grooved stamp handle that accepts the tiny stamps fairly easily. Total stamp area is 1 1/2 inches by 1 inch. Tiny, but it has some good uses to make birthday cards, document specific days in your journal, or perhaps a desk calendar for holiday gifts. I think it was a great value and design.
The next few items came from Blitsy.com Blitsy posts weekly deals and they stick around for several days. You can find a number of craft supplies on the site, not just scrapbooking. The site does require membership, which is free. Here is my referral code:Blitsy.com
I purchased 2 things this time, all glue products. All from Adhesive Tech. The first is their Fine Line glue, it has a very fine point, and the claim is you can write with it. I have yet to try this out, but will share the results when I do.
The second item was Adhesive Tech's Gloodle system. This consists of a gun, that utilizes a plunger system, and a 2 oz glue refill that comes with 4 tips. I found the system very easy to set up, and easy to use. The consistency of the craft glue is very creamy, dries clear, and very quickly. The cons: The glue gun is much larger than I thought, and there is no cap provided to place on your tip once the gun is set up.
Overall, I like the product and the entire purchase was under $12. Refills are less than $5, which is perfect for me. The refill is 2 oz , same size as a Scotch Quick Dry glue. This will work out well for me, as I sometimes have difficulty finding Scotch Quick Dry locally, and it is often priced over $5.
Here is a video I created discussing all of the products I purchased:
I had high hopes of keeping up this blog during my time here in San Francisco, but alas, work intervenes.
Many of you have been so kind to send me e-mails, and tweets to keep tabs on me while I have been working out here. I thank you all so much. My life is set to change again. So perhaps I should catch you up....
Back in October of 2013, I learned that the hotel I managed in NJ had sold. My company sent me to Texas on some task force type work, I was there for 7 weeks, assisting the Fairfield Inn , Weatherford, Texas. I met some fantastic people, who have graciously kept in touch with me. I returned home to help with transition day of the sale at the end of November. The new company did not take any of the existing staff. So, I was out of a job. Nothing was available in my local area, so I had a few offers to travel for work. A few short term offers from my current company, to go to NY or PA for a few weeks, or I could join an old friend, here in San Francisco. The work in California was more long term, and more interesting, so I opted to begin a fairly tough travel schedule of 3 weeks in California, and a week at home each month. It was set to last through a renovation project, for approximately 9 months. I was flattered my old friend would provide such an opportunity, so I jumped at the chance.
I have really loved working with the folks out here. I also met my Mom's 1st cousin, connected with some friends from Ustream, and visited a lot of tourist stuff. I took a class with Dyan Reaveley! I biked the Golden Gate Bridge! I mastered public transportation, I helped out a few Hotel GM's, with various needs, and met a great group that I will surely miss.
All the while I have been out here, I had previously placed my resume with a local hotel company back in NJ to manage another Marriott brand hotel, that is located 2 miles from my house! Well, 3 weeks ago, they called, and I got the job. I am set to start in early March. I am very excited to be able to work so close to home, for a brand I love, and with some old friends. It will be an exciting new chapter in my life.
I am sad to be leaving all of my new friends and family out here in California, but as they say, there is no place like home... I will be very happy to be near my parents, and at home with Keith and Geddy. I have not been home since 1/9/14! I am going a little crazy in the hotel room I call home in California. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity, but I am very ready to be home.
So, I will be flying back to the cold climate of NJ, this Friday. I have a lot of work to do in getting packed up out here, and finishing my work. I am so grateful for all the support my friends and family have shown me through these last 5 months. I have made some family connections and friends that will last a lifetime.
I hope to be able to return to my YouTube videos, and my Ustream show in mid March.
Thank you all for following me, through these journeys. Your support means the world to me!
Hello Friends,
Looks like you are getting a twofer today..... I managed to complete the Vintage Typewriter, so I thought I would share my progress.
I really love Kathy Orta's PaperPhenomenon's Tutorials. She puts a lot of detail and time into them, and makes it easy for us! My typewriter is almost complete. I just need some bobby pins for the striker keys, and I am all set. I foresee a trip to CVS in my future
Hardest part for me was attaching the rounded piece at the front. I had to resort to Hot Glue, and it just got everywhere. But it's in there.
I encourage you to check out Kathy's website.http://paperphenomenon.blogspot.com/ She has a kit club for new projects, a trinket shop, and a tutorials page. I was fortunate to pick up a few tutorials and trinkets on Black Friday, when it was all half price. I keep an eye on her YouTube and Ustream channels, because she is always creating something amazing.
Hello Friends!,
I am having a pickle of a week. The arctic blast affecting the USA right now, set my travel plans back to return to work in San Francisco, an entire week. Monday was the first of many disappointments that followed me this week and its only Wednesday!
I figured I would get to creating on my free week, and since I had dutifully shipped a box of art supplies, and favorite tools to work on Monday, it has left me a little challenged. I did manage to make a mini album yesterday, with a ton of pockets. The base was created out of Michael's Celebrate It brand paper bags.
Inspiration for the basic album came from Ginger, at My Sister's Scrapper on YouTube.
I created a YouTube Video to take you through the album.
I am now off to pursue creating Kathy Orta-Files Vintage Typewriter....wish me luck. So far my luck this week is nil.
Keep warm my friends!
Hello Friends!
How much do we love Pinterest? I have recently jumped into the Pinterest pool with both feet. I find it to be an awesome , inspiring, and vast community. You can view so much, and learn so many things, and get lost for hours and hours...
I was watching a YouTube video tonight, by CanadianScrapperGirl, where she and a friend, are challenging each other to utilize thier stash to create cards and other items. It was mentioned that they use Pinterest as inspiration for the card layouts. So, I got to thinking....
How many things do I pin in a day? A Lot. How often do I go back and implement a pin? Not too often. How great is the cool idea I saw if I don't try it out? I wonder how many other people are in the vortex of pinning, and not implementing? Why is that? Because they spend all of their time on Pinterest!
I am laying down a challenge.... Implement 3 pins a month. It can be anything. A great recipe you are dying to try out, an upcycle project, making cards, mini books, scrapbook layouts, paint your nails,learn to draw, learn to paint, organize your house, your craft room, your blog, the list is endless. Just revisit your pins, and pick 3 pins you really want to try out, and as Nike says...Just Do It!
Caveat is, don't spend any money on craft related pins. The only thing you can buy is consumables. If you are a paper crafter, that's cardstock , tape, glue, if you are a beader that's wire and jump rings. Whatever your craft requires, as core items, that's what you can buy. Go shopping in your craft room! Try and utilize items you thought were cool, and never got around to. Use it or lose it. If you stumble on items you are going to use on your crafty pins, and you don't, give them to someone who will. We all know someone in our respective craft circles who is not as fortunate as we are. Just throw the items not used in a box and send a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) to that lucky recipient. Give yourself a time limit...for example: I am taking the Pinterest challenge, and I have amassed 10 items from my craft room which I have not touched ever. If I don't use them within 3 months, I am sending them to someone who will use them.
Pretty good twist there at the end... I have created a YouTube video about my challenge idea...
And I have created a Facebook Group, where you can share your success stories, photos and links to the pins that inspired you. I hope you will join the group, and that you will take on the challenge. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1441301386082665/
In the video I mention that I am giving you the first pin, which is the 52 week savings challenge. I will be creating my piggy bank tomorrow 1/6/14 at 11am EST on my Ustream channel : http://www.ustream.tv/channel/laurelfromnj I hope you will join us!
I managed to get a few extra days at home before returning to San Francisco for work, so I thought I would tackle the swap cards for the month of January, prior to leaving.
I have participated in a card swap with a group of friends from Maryland for the past year or so. We are given a series of themes at the beginning of the year, along with due dates. One of my resolutions for the year is to be ahead of schedule, and participate! So far, so good.
January 2014's theme is Movement. Create a card with movement, such as a pop up, waterfall, pocket, etc. I had many ideas, but decided to dive back into my Stampin Up! bag of tricks, and review a few of my favorite SU! demos on YouTube for some reminders.
I have followed Dawn5377 for many years, and she never fails to come up with cute ideas. She makes me want to be a demo again. If I only had the time and money!
Thank you Dawn for the easy tutorial.
I believe she calls this the Surprise Pop Up Slider Card. She has a very good tutorial on her YouTube channel.
I started off by using 3 of my favorite older Stampin Up! sets: Background is created by collage stamping with Natural Beauty in Chocolate Chip ink on Ivory cardstock. The main image is from: Measure of Life, also stamped in Chocolate Chip ink. I went over the main image with my Sakura Gelly Roll Clear Pen to add highlights. Card base is made from Papertrey Ink's Hot Fudge Cardsock. The quote is from Measure of Life, and the sentiment is from Sincere Salutations.
I had a lot of fun re-visiting my Stampin Up! stash. Some quick cuts and folds and here is the result
.
I made a YouTube video about the cards:
Thank you for watching! Please leave me a comment, and share!
Hello Friends!
Happy New Year to you and yours! I am sure looking forward to a creative, and inspiring year! 2013 brought a lot of changes for me, professionally, and personally. Most occurred for me in November and December. I am hopeful to build upon the changes, and have a great year.
This year, I was fortunate to participate in the 2013 New Years Eve Stream-a-thon. This is a fantastic event, organized by Jenn, Ozegran, where all of the crafty gals provide 24 hours worth of Ustream shows, ringing in the New Year, starting in Australia, and following the New Year celebrations across the globe. It as really well organized, and I made it through watching all of the shows, and mine was at 2am EST on 1/1/14
I did a small project, a little 6 pocket wallet inspired by my favorite YouTuber papercrafter45.
Here is the video recording of my show.... You can find the pdf on the Facebook site for the NYE Streamathon.
While I was watching the streams all day, I worked on a few projects. I have been participating in a card swap with the Maryland girls for the past year. I want to fit it in this year as well. It will be tough with my travel schedule, but I want to try.
I was staring at the Tim Holtz Picture Wheel die, trying to come up with a card with Movement, which is January's theme. I saw a Ferris Wheel. So, I made one.
Now I have visions of an entire amusement park in my head...lol.
I made a YouTube video about the Ferris wheel....
Sorry about the volume....
I thought it was a neat idea. I love the use of dies in different ways. There is something to the amusement park idea...I may have to work on a few pieces of that, since my return to San Francisco has been delayed until Monday due to weather!!! Score!!!
I am happy to have a few days extra at home to get my life back together.
Also, for Christmas, Keith had asked me for a fancy blender. I picked out the Ninja blender system. Wow, it is really cool! We have been living on smoothies ever since, and I am happy to report we are feeling better each day. Our fruit intake was minimal, and now it is over the top.
So that leads me to a "resolution". I am going to try and become more healthy. I think the blender is a step in the right direction.
I also saw the movie out a few years ago, Fat Sick and Nearly Dead.
It is really interesting. Makes you think, and I may even try a juice fast. I think it is worth watching. Check it out on NetFlix. Here is the trailer:
I wish you all a happy and healthy and creative 2014!!!
Hugs,
