In with the New!

So with that title one would assume I was presuming "out with the old."   Not exactly.  I like old stuff.  Having said that, I do realize this blog needs some revitalizing..... desperately.  So much happened in 2013 which, well, pretty much affected everything.  You know how that goes.   Major job change was the biggest thing!  I left my agency job several cities away, but I mainly left the COMMUTE!  I miss many of the people I used to work with, but change in lifestyle has been nothing but good!  That move alone gave me at least 2 more hours at home a day!  Unbelievable.    It has been an awesome change, but also a struggle.  Starting my own practice has been awesome and also challenging.   I trust that it will all work out as it is intended.   I like to say I have the best business partner ever (God) so it really can't fail.  

So with that major change one would think I would have actually more time to blog, craft, etc..... that didn't actually happen.   I am still adjusting to the changes, and actually I found that my 2013 year of craftiness was pretty "all over the place."  I was a vendor at a local very fun and charming store, selling my crafty wares along with great finds I made over or altered.   I loved doing that and will probably return to it again in some form, but I needed to pull back, to focus on what I really wanted in my life and how I wanted to spend my precious crafty time. I did a ton of custom albums for people for $ and as gifts.   I did minimal layouts (which will change this year), and I did many, many altered projects, including furniture!   I even missed a great many of my favorite USTREAM classes (I especially miss Kathryn from Katheryn Scrap's) but again, I just needed to kind of hoard my time for a bit.   I do miss my online friends though and am working on building that back in, at least on some kind of basis. 

I branched out quite a bit in 2013 in terms of my interests and  projects.  I am actually considering renaming the blog... or at least giving it a sub title......   Maybe something like Scrap4Therapy & All things Supporting a Creative Life!   I reunited with an old love of mine.   Journaling.   I missed it.   I needed it.  Which lead to a new discovery.... the art journal.   I am just beginning to dabble with it.   The biggest lesson I have learned so far is that it can be whatever I want and I don't have to do it like (the extremely beautiful) versions I have seen on YouTube.  It is MINE.... my expression of whatever, and I can express anyway I want to.   I tend to love magazine collage so that is where I am experimenting now, along with a bunch of mixed media which has been fun for me and taught me about not giving up, letting go of perfection and staying with it until it just feels right.  Sometimes that means walking away and coming back later.   Whenever later ends up being.   It has been freeing, and I suspect as I continue, I will learn more about myself and my own creative process.

And I also met a new friend, or perhaps a cousin of a best friend--- the Filofax world.  I have always been a planner.   I have always had a calendar and actually have been using the same system for years now.   And then I found the Filo-faxer"s on YouTube.   I still do not own a Filofax of my own.  ( I want an A5 size in a pretty color preferably a Malden).  I could not believe the many many videos dedicated to organization of ones life on paper.   Part of me was in love and enthralled and part of me was thinking... with all this planning, when is there time to actually "do" all the stuff?   I realized I am a planner, and I like to enjoy the process, but I am not a super detailed person when it comes to that.   Maybe I will add my system to the mix of YouTube video's.  It's pretty basic.   Filo-fax lead me to discover the Midori Travelers Journal, or the Faux-Dori's out there and I will be trying my hand at making one of those too.  

My journaling has never been subject to rules of perfectionism which is why I think it has always been such a friend to me.  I do it whenever, however, on whatever.  No RULES!  NONE!   Well, I guess there is one and that is No Judgement.    Since journaling is so powerful for me, I decided to use it as a tool to help me strengthen my spiritual life.   I watched lots of video's offering formulas and prompts etc, and eventually ended up with what works for me.  I have tied it into my work and actually, that would be a good YouTube video to share (once I make it).   

I'm not sure where this year will go (as none of us are), but I do know that the many big changes, challenges, and joys of last year will settle into something new for this year.   I'm excited to see what adventures I can create and what His will has in store for me and my family!

See you again soon my friends.  PS  I really want to learn to become more successful at the YouTube thing.  I really would love to share more!   I will be searching out easy tutorials next!

Yep, I'm still here....

Yikes.  I'm not even going to talk about how long it has been.   I am posting my entry into Kathryn's challenge.  It is about pop-culture.  Ours is all about the WWE!  My son has gotten the both of us totally hooked and that is what these two layouts are about.   I am entering only one into Kathryn's challenge and will attempt to video the other, but will write about both here.   I have a favorite WWE star and I like him so much that I got a "standee" of him for my birthday.   "Standee Randy."  Unfortunately he is the closest thing to a boyfriend I have these days......   good news is he is quite lovely to view, bad news... he's sorta one dimensional.  (Not to mention married in real life with a darling little girl).    Anyhow, he was a super fun gift and best of all, I love doing something with my son that we both like.   Come on over to our house on any wrestling night (Monday night RAW, Wednesday Main Event, or Friday night Smack down, sometimes even Saturday morning slam) and listen to us cheer, boo, and scream!   Such fun!

Hello my Friends!
Beware, long post to follow with several pics!  I keep forgetting to take pictures of my before and after's with the makeovers!   But I do have some afters today.

I am working on my December display for Nested Treasures.  I'm by no means finished, but here are a few of my pieces.

I have made some fab finds at my local thrift stores.  I hit the jackpot this month with jewelry boxes and just boxes in general that were screaming for makeovers.  But first, my versions of Jim the Gentleman Crafters rosette tree's.  He modified the directions on the Archiver's website, and I made a few additions too.   I followed the archiver's instructions on the first and Jim's measurements on the second one, but I added a skewer (spelling?) for more stability.  I haven't glitzed up[ the second one yet, it got dark and I do all my glittering outside! 

 I have another project up for grabs at Nested Treasure in December and I used the Graphic 45 Nutcracker Suite paper.  I used it to spif up this display box.   Each little space has it's own treats to show and even remove (can you say chocolate goodness ?)!

And then my favorites, again one done in Graphic 45 papers and one done in a paper I did not identify before cutting it up (from my stash).   I love doing these projects that have both beauty and function!   I will post more, as I have done quite a few traditional scrap projects lately as well!

And lastly, using my cricut, I made several fun blocks with inspirational words or phrases.   These are always fun reminders to have around.

 
I hope all of you are having a wonderful holiday season filled with happiness, contentment and most of all, love!   Happy Holiday's to all!

Deb

Well, I've been busy.  I have been putting my paper and scrapbooking supplies to use, just not for traditional scrapbooks.   I've done a lot of "altering" type projects and to my initial surprise, they have been selling quite well at Nested Treasures!  I mean they have been super cute, but I never know if others will like my stuff as much as I do....  I especially loved altering a jewelry box I got using Graphic 45 papers (it is on the 2nd shelf from the bottom in the white case).   The doors open to reveal more drawers which are all covered with beauties.   It sold on the first day.   I was so excited to set up the first time at the store I forgot to take individual pics of my projects.   I am setting up now for the October sale, so I will be better about capturing the projects!   For now, I have a full view of my space from September.   Of course, October's space is totally decked out for fall and has different furniture pieces as well.   Pretty much everything is different.  Enjoy and thanks for dropping by.  I'll be positing again soon!   <3    Deb

A New Venture

Good Morning.....  A quick little post before I head off to work.  I am so excited to start a new adventure.   I will be selling some of my handmade items, and some of my up-cycled (re-done) furniture and home decor doo-dads at a great local shop called Nested Treasures!   It is such a fun place that makes my heart skip a beat when I get close to it.   So much talent under one roof!   All the things I (and apparently many others) LOVE!    There is an old world, shabby chic, vintage, CREATIVE vibe that I just love.  I will post some pics of some of the things I will be opening with soon.   It is open 3 and a half days a month so far with the rest of the time being open for designers/clients by private appointment.    Super EXCITING!    Stay tuned....   

Oh, the open house went GREAT and we all had a blast!  I have lots of projects to share from that as well and it looks like the monthly workshops are a go!    The dates are set and that should be a hoot too!   

A Little Sneaky Peeky...

Well, it has been a challenge getting back into the groove of work after vacation.  I am really working on finding a way to bring the spirit of freedom I so strongly felt on vacation into my everyday life.  I'm not exactly sure of how to do this, other than being sure that I stay aware of my choices and not fall into the habit of a daily grind without creating and drawing my attention to moments of rest, inspiration and CREATIVITY!  

I'm preparing for my open house where I will launch the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter catalog along with some ready made projects and some make and takes for those who come.   I love sharing everything about this passion so I will have supplies out for my guests to just play and create with as well.  What I know for myself is it is great to follow a project at times, but sometimes the best learning and creativity is born from just messing around and giving yourself the freedom (there's that word again) to just have fun!

Here is a sneak peek of a mini album I created with the new Cricut Artiste cartridge {Z1790, $99}, the album pages dimensional elements {Z1791, $4.95}, the La Belle Vie Workshop on the Go {G1048, $29.95}, and the Bonjour {B1414, $9.95} and Jardin {D1528, $17.95} stamp sets.  Of course I have TONS of supply left from the Workshop on the Go set, and I just LOVE the stamp set included with that set.   I also embellished with some supplies in my stash, some CTMH and some additional do-dads as well.  Most of you know I am not a purist or committed to any one brand of, well, anything (except mayonnaise...I'm a Best Foods girl all the way). 

Thank you for looking and make the most of your day!
Deb

It's That Time Again.....

Time for the new Close To My Heart Catalog!   I gotta share that this one is my favorite so far.  I love pretty much everything about it!  I am especially happy that the individual color paper packs are back (they are a staple!)   But I am in love with so much of the new product as well.  I could go on and on, but instead of doing that, I thought I would share some of my work from the paper lines that are being carried over from the last catalog, and also share my date for my launch party for the new catalog which will be August 11th (although the catalog is available to purchase from on my website, or your consultant on August 1st)!   I will have some make and takes, projects for viewing, and of course yummy snacks!  Also, if you live near me, and want a catalog, let me know and I will bring one over to you! 

Above I used the CTMH My Creations Card Box (Z1647, $4.95) and the Pemberley Paper Line (X7148B, $9.95) along with some extra embellishments to create this card box and set of cards (below).  I still have left overs for more cards or layouts (below also) so the paper pack goes a long way (especially if you are a paper conservator [sounds better than miser] like me).   For the feet I used little ball feet from the craft store (under $1.00 for the package) and flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and the pewter finding on the top is from CTMH (Z1487, $4.95) which comes in a package with several other pewter pieces.

These are the four cards in the box close up (sort of).   You can't see it, but I used one of my favorite products- Stickles to add soem extra flair and eye catching bling.  These are very simple cards that I made SUPER quickly, using the paper pack and the Pemberley Stickease Assortment (X7148C, $4.95). 

This is a layout I did with the same collection of my son and a friend of his (face covered cause I didn't get a chance to ask if I could post her pick) of them when they were little (picture below) and then one of them more recently (above).  It too is a very simple page (not a lot of foo foo), but sometimes I really like a streamlined look.   There is more dimension in person, and of course, I am a fan of something handwritten on most pages (not all) and in this case it is the journaling to the side.

A couple more layouts below using the Victory Paper Pack and the Florentine Paper Pack:

 My son's fourth grade play on California Missions.   I really wanted to focus on the pics so this too is a very quick and simple paper piecing page focusing on my "farmer."  It used very little paper (1 1/4 sheets) from the Victory collection (X7150B, $9.95)  I also used the Cork Alphabet (Z1450, $5.95) and Milepost shapes (Z1464, $4.95).

This is one of my favorite collections, Florentine.  I scrap-lifted this layout from the previous catalog and made some of my own changes.  I used the Florentine paper pack (X7153B, $9.95) and the coordinating Timeless Charms (Z1689, $5.95- you get a pack, I only used two), Opaques Adhesive Gems in pearl (Z1336, $2.95), Sparkles Flourishes (Z1744, $4.95) and Glossy Accents.   I don't think the pearls or glossy accents show well in the photo.

Well there is a little sneak peak of some projects..... my make and take sneak peaks will be up soon as well!

Thanks for stopping by!
Deb