Stamped Coasters

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Use Your Words For A Kind Purpose

I remember a story that was once told to me by a rabbi.  It went something like this:  There was a man who spoke badly about another person in his town.  In reflecting on his gossiping he decided that he wanted to see if there was anything he could do to repair his wrong.  So the man went to the head rabbi in the town and asked what he should do.  The rabbi told him to go and find a feather pillow and to come back once he had the pillow.  The man went and got the pillow and returned to the rabbi.  The rabbi then said, "Do you see that high mountain over there?  Go and climb to the top of that mountain and when you get to the top you need to cut open the pillow and shake all of the feathers out.  Once you have done that, return to me with the empty pillowcase."  The man agreed and went out and climbed the mountain and followed the rabbi's instructions.  He returned to the rabbi with the empty pillow case and the rabbi said, "Now I want you to go and retrieve all of the feathers that you have scattered far and wide.  For when we speak gossip it is as if we have scattered feathers across the land and our ability to repair what we have done is like trying to pick up all of those scattered feathers."  I hope that I can remember this whenever I am tempted to gossip about someone or say harsh words.  I hope I can remember to use my words for a more noble purpose.  I wish the same for you :)

Copper Mirror

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Experiment!

When I was setting up for last night's workshop, I decided to play a little.  A few people were coming to make the butterfly mirror that I posted on my blog a few weeks ago and as I set out the mirror for the class I was inspired to create.  I pulled out the Big Shot and some dies and some copper and went to town!!!!  Here is the creation that resulted from my experimenting!  I love it!!!!  Wish you could see it in person - it has a ton of dimension.  I realized that the copper was probably 9 years old and had been following me around from creative space to creative space waiting to be used.  Yesterday the day came and I'm so happy I decided to experiment a little.  What can you experiment with today?  You might LOVE the results!

Holiday Gift Class - Stamped Coasters and Trivets

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Never Know What You Can Achieve Until You Try It!

Tonight was the first Gift Giving Workshop.  My favorite part of these workshops is when people who have never come to a class, or have never really explored their creativity, come to the workshop.  They show up and say things like, "I'm not really creative" or "I've never done anything like this before so I'm sure I won't do it well."  I begin to smile inside because I know the transformation I am about to experience!  It happened again tonight - watching someone move from nervous and uncertain to proud and excited!  It's like watching the butterfly burst out of the cocoon!  Yes, these are my favorite workshop moments!  These are some of the coasters and trivets created by tonight's workshop participants!  Just looking at the color and the creative exploration makes me smile :)  You never know what you can achieve until you try it!

Holiday Tags

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The Tortoise Went At His Own Pace And So Must We

I have been engaged in a mental battle lately.  It's not one that others can see, but it's one I am very acutely aware of.  I feel like I "should" be doing a lot in each day.  I feel like taking it easy and lounging and enjoying is not what I'm "supposed" to be doing.  Maybe my body is trying to tell my mind something - that the tortoise was smart - he went at his own pace - and my body is trying to go at its own pace as well.  I think I'm scared that if I lounge I will not step up the pace again.  That a body at rest will stay at rest - and that scares me.  At the same time, without rest, I can't rejuvenate and listen to the inner voice that seems to be most wise.  I have a feeling this mental battle might continue for a bit...I'm hoping the tortoise wins! :)

This tag and tag container (made from a cd tin) are experiments for my upcoming Holiday Tag workshop.  It's been fun doing a bit of playing in the craft room today...not sure which tags will "win" and get to be on the menu for the workshop...I'll be posting some more the rest of this week and we'll see which turn out to be the finalists!  Hope you like it!!!!

Footsteps on the Moon - Greetings Earthling Stamp Set

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Don't Tell Me The Sky's The Limit When There Are Footsteps On The Moon!

I saw this quote on a t-shirt when I was traveling over Thanksgiving.  I had never seen the quote before and, after a bit of research, came up with "anonymous" as the author.  That "anonymous" sure does come up with a lot of great quotes!  These little aliens from the Greetings Earthling stamp set make the cutest companions for this computer-generated greeting.  Hope you like it!

Memories Sympathy Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Enjoy The Time You Have With Your Loved Ones

I spoke to a friend today and he told me that his dog, Wilson, passed away on Thursday.  Wilson was only 5 years old.  A beautiful golden retriever who developed cancer.  For those of us who have animals that have come into our lives and become a part of our family, the loss of our family member leaves a giant gaping hole in our hearts.  I am sad for my friend and glad at the same time that Wilson chose him to spend his 5 years with.  They made a very special pair!  Today, enjoy the time that you have with your loved ones.  Be grateful for every minute that you get to share your lives together :)

This card was made with an embossing folder.  I stamped the "m" with the Contempo Alphabet set and the definition of the word "memories" came from the Define Your Life set (I use this set ALL the time!).  I hope you like it!!!

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!!!!

Bashful Blue, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes You Just Have To Put On Your Cloak Of Positivity!

Have you ever known someone who walks around with a dark cloud over their head?  That person is the first to point out what is wrong with the world, or the day, or whatever is in front of them!  That negativity can have a very powerful pull and if we're not careful, we can get sucked into its vortex!  So put on your cloak of positivity!  Let all that negativity bounce off of you.  It's a good thing I remember to pack that cloak with me wherever I go :)

This card was inspired by a card in an old Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog.  The inspiration card was made with colors that are now retired, so I chose colors that are current that provided the same feel.  I hope you like it!

Snow!

Today's Lesson From Far Away From The Craft Room:  There's A Little Bit Of Magic If You Look For It!

I arrived in London today and just woke up from my catch-up-on-my-sleep-after-my-flight nap and I looked out the window and I counted 12 cottontail rabbits in the field outside my window!  That's a lot of cottontails!  It all seems quite magical.  I've also heard the word "magic" used a number of times today, from people here, in casual conversation - saying things like "wow, that's magic!"  It seems to be a substitute for the word "excellent" - I like it :)  And then there was little bit of magic waiting for me in my email from home - this beautiful picture of the snow as it begins to accumulate in the front yard of the house - it's magic!  Where do you see magic today????

I am going to try to play more with My Digital Studio while I'm on the road - we'll see what I can come up with!  I may try a scrapbook layout - or maybe a calendar - so many choices, not sure what I want to create!  Hope you are having a day of magic!

Holiday Stamp-A-Stack

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Find The Pollyanna In Every Moment!

I always loved to watch the movie Polyanna whenever it came on the television.  Somehow that young girl has the ability to find the silver lining in any moment.  It's not that she is being naive, she just chooses to look for the gift in whatever she is experiencing.  I need her help when it comes time to leave home.  I'm heading out on a trip to London and I always seem to get a bit sad and anxious when the time comes to leave home.  I worry about whether I will be safe and whether I will return to the people, creatures, and place that I love.  There is a snowstorm that will be moving in tonight so I will likely miss our first big snowfall of the season - something I like to be around for since Buddy gets crazy happy in the snow!  So where is the Polyanna?  I will have quiet time on the plane - time where I can contemplate how to build my Stampin' Up! business.  I will have quiet time to watch movies and rest.  I will get to meet new people in a different culture and also visit with a long-time friend in London.  Yes, there is some Pollyanna in every moment - I just have to stop and look!

These are some of the cards we will be making at the November Holiday Stamp-a-Stack workshop.  I'm having a hard time not putting some type of glitter on every single card!  It's just a glittery time of year :)  Hope you like them!

Glitter Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The Only Way To Drive Cattle Fast Is Slowly

I turned to the book Don't Squat With Yer Spurs On! by Texas Bix Bender for today's lesson.  This book cracks me up and has some incredibly important messages for life.  I was waiting in line the other day at a craft store and I could feel the woman behind me getting frustrated at having to wait in line.  It seems we  live in a society where the concept of "waiting" has become obsolete - or at least we want it to be obsolete.  We want it all now and waiting is not an option.  Why are we in such a hurry?  What has happened to enjoying the journey and focusing less on the destination.  Today I hope that I can go slow and enjoy the drive :)

This card came together very quickly.  I used the Big Shot and the Simple Alphabet dies to cut the letters.  I used heat and stick powder to adhere the silver glitter.  The greeting is from the Happy Everything stamp set (#115235) - I just got this set and I love how it has a greeting for just about every occasion!  I cut the prongs off of the rhinestone brad and adhered it to the card with a mini glue dot.  Hope you like it!

Video: Stamped Tile Coasters

Stamped Tile Coasters

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Play With Those You Love :)

Today's lesson speaks for itself - when was the last time you took a few minutes to play with those you love?  Your spouse?  Your family?  Your 4-legged family members?  A little play everyday is absolutely essential for your soul :)

These stamped tile coasters are very easy and economical to make.  What a great gift for the holidays!  My technique video will be posted shortly....stay tuned...

Big Shot Pennant Die

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Time Flies When You're Having Fun!!!!

Today my friend came over to make up treats for her son's upcoming birthday party.  Since we had some leftover designer series paper we decided to try out the SU! exclusive pennant die to make a sign for her son's party (which he can keep in his room after the party).  It came out sooooo cute!!!!!!  It was very quick to put together and with a few eyelets and some ribbon it is ready to hang!  By the time we looked at our watches it was time for her to head out and pick up her son from school.  Time really does fly when you're having fun!  What fun did you have today????

Happy Birthday To Me! :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Celebrate Being Born!!!!

Today is my birthday and I am so grateful to be here on this planet!!!!!! A big shout out to my mom and dad for having me :) Today's card says it all - "happy everything!" May we all appreciate everything wonderful in our lives!!!!!

Today's card was quick and fun. I used a pencil eraser to make the dots on the bermuda bay cs and coated them with crystal effects. The alien was cut out and colored and covered in crystal effects. Hope you like it!