Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Make A Play Date!

Today I went to a class at Melissa's house. She is a fellow SU! demonstrator - I met her on the plane ride on the way back from convention. I had a lot of fun and check out these cute cards she designed for the class! My favorite technique was using Crystal Effects to attach beads to the top of the cupcake on the birthday card! Very easy and what a great result! I'm learning to love Crystal Effects more and more each day :) So the next time you find yourself dragging in energy or creative, make a play date! You'll have fun and learn something new :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Sometimes It's Wonderful To Break A Habit!

I have a pretty set routine every morning that goes something like this: get up, shower, give the cat fresh water, check email, walk the dog, feed the birds, water the garden, feed the dog...you get the idea. This morning I was waiting for the roofer to arrive so I wasn't able to follow my usual routine. I got to the check email part and then realized that I needed to wait for the roofer before I could go walk the dog. So, I switched things up and went about doing other chores and I must say, there was something refreshing about changing my habit and trying something different. Kind of reminds me of my camp days when we would have "backwards day" and you got to do everything backwards - walk backwards, put your clothes on backwards, eat dessert first. So today, see if there's a habit you can break - you may just like it!

I have been really anxious to try this faux leather technique and I finally got around to it! I thought the faux leather would look great on a little notebook. The word "notes" was created with rub-ons that I picked up at an office supply store. Of course, the notebook was created using my bind-it-all (I am still loving that machine!). Hope you like it!!!!

Just a quick and simple anniversary card for a friend who is celebrating her 6th wedding anniversary this weekend. I used irridescent ice embossing powder on the number 6. It's amazing what a little paper piercing and scoring can do!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Crafting Is Good Medicine...And So Is Exercise!

My new life has begun! I am finally starting to wind down and come to grips with my new work status - contractor...it has a nice ring to it, don't you think? Michael has a cold, but he has been visiting me in the craft room and I think it's been great medicine! In the craft room his body gets to rest and there's great creative energy - what better medicine is there?! I also went to the gym for the first time in about 2 years yesterday! I was quite reluctant, but finally went and I am so glad I did. My body has that good sore feeling today and that soreness is my reminder of the steps I am beginning to take to take better care of myself. This is an exciting new beginning!

Today's photo is of a card and "bouquet" that I made this morning for my cousin Karen for her birthday. Years ago I gave her a flower pen and she loved it so I thought it was time to make a whole bouquet for her :) I placed them in a paper "vase" made from the new fancy favor die and made a matching embossed card with the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. I sponged some Old Olive on the embossed roses to give them some texture. Hope you (and Karen) like it!

Today's Lesson From Oh So Far Away From The Craft Room...well, actually Houston, but it feels really far away: Approach What Lies Ahead With Open Arms

Today is my last day as a full-time employee at my company! In just 3 short hours I will go from being a full-time employee to being a contractor. As I begin this transition into the unknown, I pray that my arms remain wide open as I await what the Universe has in store for me. I know that growth comes from a willingness to move into the unknown - to stretch myself in ways that I haven't stretched myself before. I don't know what this new journey will bring, although I expect I will grow and learn a lot - something I look forward to. Thank you for sharing this journey with me! I'll see you back in the craft room later this week - I can't wait!!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Dance In The Car!

I went to see Julie & Julia with a friend today (great movie!) and on our way there my friend said, "Look at that!" So I turned my head to see the back of the driver next to us - he was bopping around in his car like nobody's business! I have no idea what he was listening to, but whatever it was it had him dancing in his car without a care! When was the last time you danced in your car? If you haven't tried it in awhile, go for it! The driver I saw put me in a great mood just because he allowed anyone who was watching to see him dancing without a care :)

Today's card is for my cousin's - seems like everyone is having their anniversary in September! I used the new Medallion stamp for the background and jazzed up the die cut letters with SU's new champagne paint (it's in the Holiday mini catalog). The silver slide is a piece of hodgepodge hardware. Hope you like it!