Challenge #2: Create a shaped card

Hello Everyone,

Today on my Ustream show, we made a shaped card. So my challenge to you, is to do the same. Take an A2 sized card base 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches and turn it into something else, what ever you want! A bird, a baseball mitt, a car, a flowerpot, you name it. The shape you come up with should be recognizable as the object, and it should be a functioning card. It can be any occasion you like. The video below shows the birdhouse cards I made, and an example of a flowerpot card.



You can film a video response and enter via YouTube or you can use the linky tools here to upload a photo of your shaped card. I will choose a few winners next Sunday of some goodies from my stash, most likely stamps, and that sort of thing.

Have fun, and be creative!

Thanks for watching!

Hugs,

Kicked while I'm down

So today was not a good day at my day job.

It was a great day for my Mother, and she used a wheel chair for the first time, managed 3 hours of physical therapy, and made a lot of progress.

Just goes to show you, there is always something to be grateful for, and if the bears at work have decided to descend upon me, at least my Mom sounds encouraged, and even a little happy for the first time in weeks.

I'll take it as one for the good books, especially if it means she is closer to recovery.

My future employment is now in the hands of my team. Considering they have let me down as of late, it is hard to place your trust in them. I know I am a good manager, and have produced fantastic results in the past. It is just a matter of doing it once again. and it is about priorities, and as much as I take my job seriously, my family comes first.

Frankly, if that is'nt good enough, then I don't want to work there anyway. But I find myself stuck in the place that many of us face, I have to work, and I like it there. Quitting on a sound principle isn't the answer, and won't help my bank account.

So, today I was "documented" for the first time in a 20 year career. Mostly for things that are not my direct responsibility, and mostly because it says General Manager next to my name. So it is all my responsibility ultimately.

Sometimes I hate being the boss. Today was one of those days. Through it all, and it was not pleasant, I find myself very grateful for the good day my Mom had.

Pardon the expression, but everyone else can kiss my ass. I know how hard I work, and it has to be good enough, for today anyway. Because today it was Mom's turn for a good day...

Hugs,

Update... 7/27/11

Hello everyone,

As many of you are aware, My Mother was hospitalized last week, and I really want to THANK all of you for your patience kindness and support as we navigate her illness.

I have gotten a lot of questions, so let me try and address them. My Mother is a type 2 diabetic. Last week her sugar bottomed out, and she encountered her legs locking up, and excessive swelling of her lower half. She has experienced very painful neuropathy in her legs for the past 2 years, which has exhausted her, and impeded her ability to walk very well. She requires a lot of assistance. The wonderful doctors and nurses at South Jersey Regional Medical Center, managed to stabilize her, and get her treatment for what was believed to be a blood clot. The clot dissolved, and they changed her medication, and she is making her way back to becoming more active in her life.

Yesterday, Tuesday, after a week in the main hospital, she was transferred to the rehabilitation hospital, and she starts her physical and occupational therapy, which is intensive, to gain back her ability to walk and care for herself.

I am an only child, so the weight of her care has shifted from my Dad, to me. We have been doing our best to keep up with preparing thier condo for receipt of a wheel chair and other medically needed equipment, seeing all the doctors, getting the things she needs, etc. My parents live a 1 hour drive from me, so I have been commuting as well. It is really worth it, but I am becoming very tired, and I am trying to meet the demands of my job as well. A special thank you to everyone over at the hotel, for all you are doing in my absence.

I have received many questions regarding the rolodex swap. I am still waiting for receipt of 3 girls cards, upon receipt I will swap out everything and get it mailed out. I hope to have everyone's cards this week.

I am still working on my art room, literally a box at a time. If I manage to get a box done a day, I am happy. If only I did not have 1000 boxes....

I am trying to remain positive in this impossible situation, get as much rest as I can, and do the best I can for everyone. My art friends have become an invaluable resource, and I have realized, that art and the community is truly my solace.

Keep a good thought, and I hope to be back soon, with My Mom's health restored, and my employment intact, my studio completed, and having had a good nap.

Big Hugs to you all,

7/15/11 Rolodex Swap Update

Hi All!
As of 7/15/11, here is the received:


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- Received
10.Lisa-Received
11.Clare- Received
12.Ketsia- Received
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,

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,

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,