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!

Stamp Organization

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take Time To Get Organized!

Sorry I disappeared for a few days - it seems the chaos in my craft room led to a migraine headache yesterday...at least that's what I'm saying caused the migraine :)  I was down for the count yesterday, but am back on my feet today.  I have spent a lot of the day trying to organize the craft room and have begun creating a notebook that will help me keep track of what stamps I have.  When I'm creating I don't have a quick and easy way to remember what images I have except for digging through all of the stamp boxes - so now this notebook will be my new "helper!" I'll give you a peek once I get it done.  I'm amazed at how long it is taking me to make, but I know I'll be a happy stamper once it's complete!  What are you doing to stay organized????

Four Seasons Frame

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take A Deep Breath And Tell Yourself You Are Amazing!

I am learning a lot about myself as I transition into my new life as an independent contractor.  One thing I'm learning - that I'll share with you - is that I have a strong need for external validation.  I keep searching outside myself for praise and affirmation.  I want to continue to remind myself that what is outside of us we cannot control - we cannot control whether others will like us, or like what we do.  What we can control is what we feel and what we tell ourselves.  We can control how we feel about ourselves and what we do.  So today I am turning my search for validation inside - and, if I do say so myself - I am Amazing :)

Today's project is for my November gift-giving class.  We will be making a frame using the Season of Friendship stamp set.  All supplies are included.  I can't wait to hang this project in my house!!!!  Hope you like it!

Fall Flair Thank You

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: Never Miss A Good Chance To Shut Up :)

Today's Lesson comes from a great little book called Don't Squat With Yer Spurs On!: A Cowboy's Guide To Life by Texas Bix Bender. I love this little lesson - one that I wish I could observe more often. It seems that much of what I say on a daily basis could really go unsaid - I could conserve my energy and my words and only speak when it really mattered. I think it would be embarrassing to record everything we say in a day and play it back and listen to it. What would we think? Today I am going to explore the power of silence and recognize that my words are powerful and can be reserved for moments that really require that power. How about you?

Today's card was inspired by the scene outside my window :) Lots of falling leaves here in Colorado! I did a little gold embossing and cut out and popped up a few of the leaves. Hope you like it!

Circle Circus - Birthday Celebrations

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If It's Important To You, Make It A Priority

It seems my to-do lists are never-ending...and yet, those things that are really important to me don't seem to make it onto the to-do list...or even into my day.  Today I am committed to changing that.  If something is important to me it will now be a priority and I will do it today!!!!  What is important to you?

I had fun with Circle Circus today - I love these fun bubbles!  I colored some of the bubbles in with Melon Mambo and then coated them with Crystal Effects.  I know just the person who will be receiving this card!  Hope you like it!

Halloween Treat Container Video

Hope you enjoy this latest video!  I uploaded it in widescreen so a bit of the video is getting cut off...I'll see what I can do about that to fix it.  In the meantime, feel free to watch it here or on my YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/mwecksler.

Halloween Treat Video Coming Soon!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The More You Do It, The Easier It Gets!!!!

Today's video came together much more quickly than the first few!  I am finally making progress on my learning curve and I am so happy to report that I had zero frustration with making this video - yeah!!!!  It can be so easy in these days where we have come to expect instant gratification to expect ourselves to be experts in a snap!  I heard a story on NPR last year about the number of snowboarding accidents being incredibly high and the reason for the high numbers was that people thought they could just jump on a snowboard and go down the mountain!  So today's lesson is patience - after all, the more you do it, the easier it gets!  Hope you enjoy the video - I will post it here tomorrow, once it has a chance to upload to YouTube!

Stamped Candle Video

Hi Stampers!  Here is my next video in the Something Else series.  In this video you will learn how to decorate a pillar candle!  These make great gifts.  Enjoy!!!

Step Away For A Moment

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes You Need to Step Away and Take a Break

I've been working on my next video today and I have to say that I have reached my limit just now...it's time to take a break, step away, and come back again when I'm not frustrated.  I'm just so anxious to get the next video posted!!!!  Hopefully it will be by tonight...it just depends how long of a break I need to adjust my frustrato-meter :)  Hope you are all having a wonderful day!!!!!

Halloween Treat Container

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take Baby Steps

I sometimes wish I had a teleporter that could "beam me" from here to there in a nanosecond!  Then I realize that teleporting would take away the journey - the slow growth that happens by taking baby steps - one at a time - allowing things to happen as they will.  So tonight I will go to bed reminding myself that by taking baby steps I will move forward in my own time - and that's just perfect! :)

Aren't these treat containers cute????  My cousin made a bunch of them as a thank you for a charity event and I couldn't resist the urge to give it a try!  Inside I put a mini candy bar - it fit perfectly!  You will need designer paper or thin card stock, sticky strip and a crimper.  You can embellish any way you like (I like the look of the eyelet, elastic cord and punched tag).  Hope you like them! :)

Giving Thanks Stamp-a-Stack 2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Cleaning...Even A Little...Clears Space In Your Mind

I have been feeling really scattered lately.  I'm not sure why.  I have some theories...jetlag, fear of the future, a long to-do list, utter exhaustion.  It could be any of the above or none of them.  What I do know is that I decided to sweep the hard wood floors and that little bit of cleaning cleared space in my mind and calmed me down.  Believe me, I'm not Betty Crocker and I don't wake up in the morning joyous for the opportunity to clean.  And yet, I still get a huge sense of relief and clarity when the space around me is a bit cleaner and a bit less covered in cat hair, dog hair, Michelle hair, and tiny pieces of card stock :)  What little bit of your surroundings could you clean?

These are the final 2 cards for this week's Giving Thanks Stamp-a-Stack.  It seems I have to create 10 cards to be able to choose 5 that I like!  I am quite pleased with this set and hope those who attend will like them too!  I'm considering doing a "by mail" option for the stamp-a-stack.  If this is something you might be interested in, please leave a comment below or email me.  I would love to hear your thoughts/ideas!

Giving Thanks Stamp-a-Stack

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Laugh Until You Almost Pee :)

Sorry for the crudeness of today's lesson - I just couldn't capture the nature of my laughter today without using the explicit reference :)  Today I used oovoo for the first time.  It is a free video chatting application that you can get at www.oovoo.com.  I have to say it was a riot!  I spoke to one of my friends and we discovered that the little downward arrow on top of the video chat image allows you to apply all different types of effects to the video of you speaking.  If you have a chance, I highly recommend you do a video chat with one of your friends and choose the "pinch" effect and see how hard you can laugh!!!!  I dare you to laugh until you almost pee :)  It was the highlight of my day and I truly believe laughter is the best medicine!

Today's cards are for my Giving Thanks Stamp-a-Stack this week.  I used fall colors, inspired by the changing leaves outside and the briskness in the air!  The card on the right (the tree) was inspired by a card by Andrea Walford, another SU demonstrator (thanks Andrea!)  I used a few different stamp sets (Season of Friendship, Upsy Daisy, and One of a Kind) and some brads.  The left hand card is faux stitched and uses The More the Merrier and Thank You Kindly sets.  Hope you like them!  Now go and do some laughing :)

Greetings Earthling

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  There Is A Feeling Of Calm That Comes With Focus

I am sooooo happy to be back in the craft room after my trip to London!  The flights home were long and filled with creative anticipation :)  Today I took Buddy on his morning walk and I was once again struck by my Zen dog :)  He has the ability to sit at the base of a tree, motionless, and watch and wait for the squirrels.  It is such an intense and pure focus.  Sometimes I will walk across the park and sit under a tree and look back at the place where he remains sitting, motionless.  I wish for moments of such intense focus and calm - and those moments are the ones that seem to come in the craft room.  I think that is why I crave spending time in that special room.  Although it can look like chaos, I know that when I am in the act of creating, I am in touch with a feeling of calm and focus that is unlike any other.  Where do you find your focus and your calm?

This card is one of the cards we will be making during my upcoming Giving Thanks Stamp-a-Stack.  These robots are so cute (from SU's Greetings Earthling stamp set)!  The robot was stamped with Staz-On and colored in with markers.  Crystal Effects was applied over the entire robot to give him that special shine.  The designer paper is from the Holiday Lounge collection (I love the futuristic/modern look of this holiday paper!).  Hope you like it!  I plan on being back in the craft room tomorrow and will be sharing more of the stamp-a-stack cards!