Joy Christmas Stamp-a-Stack Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes We Organize Because We Need To Get Organized...And Sometimes It's Because We Are Avoiding Creating

I notice that sometimes I organize the craft room because it has just gotten totally out of control.  I also realize, however, that at times organizing the craft room is just an excuse for not creating.  I have a few excuses for not creating:  1) I need to organize first or 2) I need to go out and buy some craft supplies (if you saw my craft room you would know that I don't need to go out and buy ANYTHING!).  Sometimes it's just easier to do everything other than sitting down in the craft room and facing that blank card front or that mass of items and embellishments waiting to be cut, scored and adhered into something new.  Why are we so afraid of the act of creation?  What scares us?  I ponder that question a lot and it seems that often my response is that I am afraid of what I will create - I am afraid it won't be (fill in the blank) - you can fill in the blank with "good enough," "pretty enough," "worthy enough," "impressive enough," etc. etc. etc.  The list goes on and on.  Yet if we don't try to create - if we don't go through the process of trying and trying again, how can we expect ourselves to create something beautiful?  You can't hit the home runs unless you are willing to get into that batter's box and give it your best shot.  So the next time you decide you have to organize or head to the craft store...ask yourself if you really NEED to - or if what you really need to do is sit down and create! :)

This card is one of the cards from my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack class.  I have had this class set up for 3 weeks in a row at the house to accommodate snowstorms and illnesses.  I have to say that a part of me is really looking forward to cleaning up after the class tomorrow and finally being able to enjoy the dining room and living room again :)  Now stop reading this and go create something :)

Pennant Die Christmas Tree

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Never Know Who You Will Touch

I volunteer for the Audio Information Network of Colorado.  It is a reading service for the visually impaired here in Colorado.  I read two different programs and have been reading for a number of years.  I record the programs at home, on my computer, and then send the electronic files in to AINC, where the recording is then magically transformed so that listeners all over the state can tune in.  Last weekend I went to the volunteer appreciation brunch and I was really amazed when one of the speakers indicated that there are over 20,000 listeners across the state!  Sitting here, in the privacy of my home, doing the recordings, it is hard to remember how many people might be touched by the minutes I spend recording.  I have the same thought about this blog - is anyone out there?  Who am I touching?  There are so many blogs that I like to check out on a daily, weekly or every-once-in-awhile basis and I know how inspired and uplifted I feel when I make those rounds.  I hope that something I have posted or written has inspired or uplifted you in some way!  Just knowing you may be out there keeps me going! :)  Whatever it is that you are doing in service of what you love - don't worry if you don't think anyone is watching.  Trust me - someone is out there and you are making a huge difference in the lives of people you may never know!

I saw a tree made from the large pennant die on one of my recent blog tours.  I decided to try making one with the small pennant die and added a bunch of "bling" for ornaments.  Hope you like it!!!!

Stamped Tile Trivets

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Give It Time, It Will Grow On You!

I began making these trivets yesterday.  I pulled out a retired SU! stamp set that I thought would look quite beautiful on the trivets and began stamping away.  I made the olive one first.  Once the solid image was stamped I stamped the line art image and thought "ugh - that doesn't look too great."  But then I kept staring at it and it began to grow on me...and it grew on me so much that I decided to stamp 3 more in different bright colors!  Then Michael came home and when he walked by the craft room and saw them he said, "WOW!  Those are great!"  It's funny how my first reaction was "ugh" and his first reaction was "WOW!"  Yet, once I gave it a little time, my "ugh" turned into a "wow!"  I wonder how often that happens in life - where our first reaction to something isn't too great, but if we give it some time, our impression changes.  I used to believe that my first impressions were always right - now I'm a firm believer that with time, some things can grow on you :)

These tiles are 6"x6" and are perfect to use as trivets.  I love how you can use one for smaller dishes, or put all 4 together for larger hot dishes.  These will definitely be a part of my upcoming gift-giving workshop!  I can't wait to make them to give as gifts!  Hope you like them!

Butterfly Mirror

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Change Your Routine

I have gotten into what I consider to be a bad habit.  Every morning I begin my day by feeding Willow and then sitting down at my computer and checking a few websites.  I've decided that not only is sitting in front of the computer a "downer" way to start my day, the other issue is the sites that I check - in particular cnn.com.  I'm not sure what news I think I'm going to miss.  What I do know is that seeing all of those stories about who has died and who has killed and who has gone missing does not set me up for a positive and creative day.  If anything, it drains my energy and makes me depressed.  So today I decided to change my routine.  After feeding Willow I went outside in the snow to fill up the bird feeders and then I sat down on the porch, with Buddy by my side, and watched the magpies swoop and land in the yard to eat the fresh peanuts and seed.  I have to say, this was a much better way to start the day :)  Now it is almost noon and I find that I had the energy to go into the craft room and create this frame - the idea came to me while walking Buddy this morning.  I am now in front of the computer...and am still following through with not checking on the news :)  Hopefully I can hold out for the entire day :)

This frame was so easy to make!  I am experimenting with additional gift-giving ideas for my upcoming gift-giving workshop.  I have a feeling this might make it into the finals :)  I used craft foil and the SU! exclusive Butterfly die in my Big Shot.  I also used SU!'s embossing folders to emboss the foil.  I love how this turned out - I've already hung it in the house!  I hope you like it!!!

Coaster Calendar

 

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Your Mind Continues To Create, Even When You Are Sleeping!

I have finally been catching up on my sleep and sleeping peacefully since I am at home and not jumping on another airplane in the near future.  I'm finding that my dreams have become much more peaceful and fun, as opposed to stressful and troubling.  This morning I almost woke up laughing because in my dream, my mind had created a joke!  That's never happened to me before!  Of course, you will likely not find the joke funny...but I will share it with you anyway since I am really amazed at the ability of the mind to create, even when we are sleeping.  Here goes...What did the kidney bean say to the lentils?  You're a dahl!  (a little vegetarian humor...for those of you who aren't laughing yet, "dahl" is an Indian lentil stew)...are you laughing yet? :)  Somehow my mind put this together in my sleep - who knows what I'm in store for tonight!

Today's project is a cute little coaster calendar that you can set on your desk.  These make great teacher/friend gifts!  This will be one of the options at my upcoming Gift Giving Workshop.  Hope you like it!

Joy Banner - Pennant Die

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Feel The Joy!!!!!

It is sooooo good to be back and blogging!  I slipped away for a few weeks - I had 3 back-to-back work trips and when I got home earlier this week I was fresh out of blogging and creating energy.  Yesterday, though, I went into the craft room to clean...or so I thought.  All of a sudden I was taken over with the urge to create!  It just called to me and I decided to go ahead and allow myself to feel the joy of creating again.  So, one "joy" banner and a few altered clipboards later, I'm back!!!!!!  I hope you can feel the joy of creating in your life today!

This banner was so easy to make!  I used Stampin' Up's exclusive pennant die (which you can purchase on my site at www.m.stampinup.net).  The die is so versatile because it can cut through card stock, felt, fabric, craft metal, vinyl - AMAZING!!!!  I pulled out some glittery felt that I had and it cut through it like butter :)  I also used the scallop circle die and the simply serif alphabet for the letters.  I hope you like it!!!!