Vintage Typewriter

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.

 My typewriter keys, were in my stash. I had purchased them a few years ago on Etsy from the Pork Chop Show. They are all laser cut wood, and are still available here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/150753926/wooden-black-typewriter-keys?ref=shop_home_active


 I made a YouTube video about my typewriter:

I really had fun creating it. I will post some new pictures after I get the hair pins in it.

 Thanks for watching! Hope you got some creative time today!

 Hugs,
 

Snow Day crafting....

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!

Hugs,

Pinterest Challenge......

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!

Also, here is a link to the blog where I found the printables for the 52 week Money Saving Challenge:
http://lifeasyouliveit.blogspot.com/


Thanks for reading!

Hugs,
 

January 2014 Card Swap Submission..Theme: Movement

Hello Friends!

 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!

Hugs,

 

Happy New Year!!!

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,