Finding My Crafting Mojo

It sure is hard to get back in the stamping / crafting groove. But one of the best things to do is Just Do It. I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch to create a birthday book (this project came straight from Nichole Heady's blog from last year). I loved how it turned out and it will be displayed proudly in my studio; AND it will store birthday cards so I know where to find them. Not to mention, it will help me with one of my goals for this year, which is to send out cards and crafty projects to my friends and loved ones in a time manner.

I paired Fred the Bear with some retired Stampin Up papers and I dug out my Snap Stamps for cover and for each month in the book. The chipboard binder and calendar pages are from Papertrey.




And here is a picture of the inside of the book, which shows the January birthday page.

Thanks for stopping by and **fingers crossed** I hope this is the first of many projects I will be sharing.

Feeling Flakey

I updated my blog background last night and, kind of like picking out nail polish when you get a manicure, I love the name of the background just as much as I love the design. (You can find really cool, free backgrounds for blogger, here.)

Speaking of flakey ... did any of you watch the Bachelor? My sister sucked me in to yet another season of the show. It will be interesting to see if this guy can actually choose someone this time. One of the strangest moments of the night was the woman that calls herself a "manscaper" ... she actually waxed part of his forearm. Why he didn't pull his arm away is beyond me!?! Even more shocking is he kept her around ... WWWHHHAAAATTT?? And he kept the girl with the fangs. Hmmm.

I did get a chance to stamp last night though, while I was watching, which is great. Another one of my goals for this year is to **make** time to create, as well as sending out cards and other projects to my friends and loved ones in a timely manner. I am happy to report that the cards I made last night will be in the mail tomorrow. So this weekend I will share what I made, I want to make sure my cards are received first.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by.

New Year - New Blog

It's a new year and one of my many "goals" is to start blogging again. But this time, I will be using my blog not only to share the projects I create but also as a way to share every day life kinds of things.

Here is today's little ditty that I found when I was looking at Val's blog, who has always been one of my crafting idols:

From Dear Abby's column in Saturday's paper, a little reminder on how to live, Just for Today:


DEAR READERS: Welcome to 2011! While the last year has been arduous for many of us, a new one has arrived, bringing with it our chance for a new beginning.

Today is the day we discard destructive old habits for healthy new ones. I will share Dear Abby’s often requested list of New Year’s Resolution. Many were adapted by my mother, Pauline Phillips, from the original credo of Al-Anon:

JUST FOR TODAY: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I’ll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will do something positive to improve my health.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

Latest Addition to My Craft Room

Thanks for the positive feedback on my craft room. Still trying to get things moved in and organized. I LOVE sitting at my "desk" and knowing where everything is and then putting it away when I'm finished.

Okay, on to the latest addition. I bought this 2 tiered tray at Target last night. It will be perfect for displaying completed projects or holding parts of projects that I am working on. I love it.

Making Progress

Granted it's a little slower than I would like, but still I am progressing nicely in relocating my craft room to a different bedroom in my house. It's working out great so far. I bought 6 more crafting cubes in different configurations from Michael's last weekend and set up the 2nd side to my main work area.

I decided to take a little break from organizing and allow myself to work on some projects. In the past week, I made a mini album from my 4th of July weekend trip to Maryland, AND a little birthday calendar book, AND a few bookmarks. I need to take some better pictures of those projects before posting them here though.

Time to Get Organized

Just thought I'd pop in and show a picture of my new crafting space. My daughter moved into a bigger place, so she was able to take additional furniture from her bedroom at my house. So now I'm shifting all 3 bedrooms around. Of course the priority is re-vamping my crafting space.

Here's a brief glimpse at my favorite addition ... a Closet Maid cubbie with 9 compartments. On the very top is an adorable cupcake themed cookie jar my sister found for me at Kohl's in February. Next to that is a sketch book I made with my Bind It All when I was in Maryland for the 4th of July weekend. And next to that is my Nesties to Go tag book my sister made me that I posted about here.

Holiday Planner

I wanted to share a little Holiday Planner I made this past weekend. Isn’t it cute? Almost everything is from PTI (www.papertreyink.com), except the patterned paper is from Imaginesce. I think I’m going to make more of these up and give them out as little gifts. Of course this one is for me for next year. I already altered a little $1 notebook from Michael’s that I’m using to help me plan for the Christmas holiday this year.

Can you believe Christmas Eve is only a month away? Yikes!!! I sure can’t. Where has this year gone?

Supply List: Holiday Button Bits and Take Note stamp sets, Poppy and New Leaf buttons, Spring Rain cardstock, lined note pad all from Papertrey, Inc., patterned paper is from Imaginesce’s Polar Expressions line, sheer dotted ribbon from Hobby Lobby