All good things must come to an end....

I have one week left of being unemployed.  I was offered a short-term assignment for a company who needs someone to fill in while their regular person is on a medical leave.  I am glad to be going back to work since I really like to spend money!!!  Although, I really like staying home, too.  But, since I need to feed my habit of buying crafty items, I guess having a paycheck will help to feed my habit.

I am very excited to start this new chapter.  The hiring manager is letting me work flex hours.  I have worked a 6-3 shift for 20 years and I don't think I could adjust to working a regular 8-5 job.  I tried a few years ago and was miserable.

I have pretty much figured out what items I want to make for my church's craft fair in October.  Now I need to start making my items to sell.  The hard part for this little venture is determining how many of each item to make.  I have no idea what will and won't sell.  So, I think I will stick to about 6 of each item, since I have so many different things and then take orders if I run out.  My last small dilemma is trying to figure out the best way to show my items.  I'm seriously thinking about buying a Clip It Up unit to use as a display, that way customers can see my cards and then if they would like to purchase one, I can pull from stock.  I'm still mulling all of this over.  I want people to be able to see what I'm selling, but want it to be organized as well.  Most of my stuff will be cards, but I have a few home dec items as well.  Last year's craft show was very successful, they have moved it to a larger room and are expecting more people.  This is the first time I have ever done anything like this, so hopefully the day will be a success.

Well, I'm off to start working on my cards.  I have lots to make and not a lot of time now that I will be working full-time again.

Getting Organized

My room makeover is nearly finished.  I got my pink chandelier hung and working.  This is probably my favorite thing in my room (next to my pink chairs).

I am almost finished converting my wood-mounted stamps to cling.  I had over 80 sets to convert.  I have 35 sets left to convert.  It will still take me a little while to get it all done, but The stacks are getting shorter.  Once I have everything converted and placed where I want them, I will post pictures.

Being home full time allows me to spend just a little more time working on these things.  I'm still looking for employment and I'm trying to learn a new programming language as well as a new application.  So, I spend most of my time working on these 3 things in the morning and part of the afternoon.  Then I allow myself to play from about 1pm on.  Last time I was unemployed, I spent all of my time volunteering at a local hospital and was also on the volunteer board there.  But my health got in the way of volunteering, so I had to step down.  I could go back, but I have a lot on my plate right now, so I'm going to concentrate on my current activities first.

Hope everyone has a nice Sunday.  

I love the World Wide Web

You can find so many awesome things on the world wide web.  I find so many talented designers and crafters by searching blogs.  I learned about a really kewl new tool called the Envelobox Creator.  You can find it on the Crafter's Companion blog.  There are times when I make a bigger card and the cricut just can't cut the size of envelope I need.  I don't think I would have that problem with this handy tool.  You should go check it out.

In the meantime, I am no longer employed, so while I search for a new job, I will be able to spend more time in my craftroom getting more organization done.  I have also decided to work on some of my cards and home dec items to sell at my church's 2nd annual craft show this fall.  I have had too many people tell me I need to sell my stuff, so this is my opportunity to see what kind of response I get.

I can't believe this is the first day of August.  My son starts 2nd grade in 22 days.  I'm trying to figure out where the time keeps going.  I keep trying to slow down and the world keeps getting faster and faster.  Hopefully this school year will be better than last year.  The "boy" had his teacher's number and knew how to push all of her buttons, which he did on a regular basis.  The last half of the year was a little trying since she just didn't know how to handle him (nothing like getting a brand new teacher who is still wet behind the ears).  I can only hope for a more seasoned teacher who won't allow him to push buttons.  We shall see.



My Final Card for Card Camp

Well, this is the last card I'll be submitting for the online card camp.  We are in the final week.  I have had fun with this class and learned a few new tricks along the way.  I also found several new blogs to follow.  So many uber-talented ladies taking this class.  What an inspiration.  Here is my 2nd card:

I beleive the stamp is from Hero Arts, but I can't remember.  The cardstock is Bazzill Bling- I LOVE the Bling cardstock.  Thanks for looking.

Week 4 Card Camp

Can this week really be the final week of the online Card Camp?  Where has the time gone?  I must say, I'm proud of myself for actually submitting at least one card each week.  I've taken a few online classes in the past and never submitted anything, just worked on my lessons on my own.  I created 2 cards this week.  I had to dust off some of my stamps.  When I saw the colors, I new immediately one card I wanted to make and the stamp is one of the very first stamps I ever bought.  Here are this week's colors:

These are some of my all time favorite colors.  Having just returned from Hawaii, I thought of the ocean and array of these colors in the water and sky. 

I really dug into my stash and used SU cardstock as well as the stamps.  I had issues stamping the large background stamp.  My hands just weren't working too well this week, but I'm still happy with the result.  Thanks for looking.



Week 3: Online Card Camp - 2nd Card Entry

Here is the 2nd card I created for Week 3's Online Card Camp:



Recipe:

Cardstock: SU Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Crumb Cake, Creamy Vanilla

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip

Embellishments: SU eyelets in burgandy, water  color pencils, then blended with a blender pen

Stamp Sets: SU Fun Filled and Background Basics

Week 3: Online Card Camp - 1st Card Entry

I am half way through the online card camp.  This camp has been a lot of fun for me.  I was able to complete 2 cards this week.  I actually sketched out 5 ideas from existing cards I have made, but decided to save the others to see if they would work for next week.  Here are this week's colors:

Taupe, Brown, Chocolate, Red and a neutral like White or Cream.  Here is my first card.

Recipe:

Cardstock: SU Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Real Red and Sahara Sand

Stamps are by Deadbeat Designs and Texana Designs

Ink is from SU: Chocolate Chip and Real Red

Ribbon is from my stash.

Flying Unicorn Blog Hop Grand Prize Winner Announced

I participated in a blog hop last weekend with the Flying Unicorn.  The grand prize was a Silhouette SD.  The winner was drawn today.  Congratulations go to Amanda!  She is one lucky gal!  All of the participants and creative team had such a good time throughout the week and seeing everyone's projects.  If you get a chance, go check out the Flying Unicorn.  Ms. Alda's store is amazing and she has really great monthly kits.

In the meantime... I am still waiting to hear back on the status of the job I interviewed for.  Hopefully I will know something this week.  God willing, this will be good news.  I could really use it.  I also keep praying for peace in my head as the waiting is really testing me.

I have been busy overhauling my craft room.  I don't want to post pictures yet as I am waiting for a big item to arrive.  It won't get here until August.  By then, I should have almost everything done.  I love the way it is turning out and love being in here.  Since it is the breakfast nook, it is basically in my kitchen which keeps me near my family.

I have Week 3 of my online card camp getting ready to start.  Hopefully I will be able to come up with something creative.

Summer Card Camp - Week 2

I guess there is something to be said for having insomnia... I was on my laptop when the new colors came in for the Card Camp I am taking.

I love this color combo, too.  Even more so because I had made a card yesterday using these colors.  I was missing the dark green, so I added another strip of ribbon to finish it off.  Its a very simple card, but these days with everything that I have going on, simple gets the job done.  Here is my card:

All of the paper and stamps are Stampin' Up (as well as the light green ribbon).  The dark green ribbon is from DCWV that I have had in my stash for years and years.

Busy, busy weekend

I have had a really awesome weekend (so far).  I participated in the "Shimmer, Stripes & Shine - CT & Members Unite Blog Hop" at the Flying Unicorn.  The design team is wicked talented.  I was blown away by their entries.  The grand prize for this hop is a SILHOUETTE SD.  I love to read through blog hops, but many of them have so many hops and I run out of time to really participate.  This hop was the perfect size and there was eye candy galore.  My entry for this hop is so simple compared to the other entries, but it is "all me" and I am happy with the results.

To be qualified to win the Silhouette, we were asked to create something that inspired us (could be anything). It has to have some shimmer, strips and shine.  I re-purposed some chipboard letter canisters and made them holders for my Viva Pearl Pens since I now have quite a few of them.  Here is what they looked like before I got my hands on them.

I decided to make my "stripes" by added 3 different pieces of cardstock to the cans.  I took a sheet of white cardstock, flood filled it with hot pink ink on my Imagine, then I went back and used 2 different images from the Teresa Collins Black and White Imagine Cartridge.  I repeated this again on white cardstock (no color).  Then I modge podged my layers onto the can.  I did find out that printed paper from the Imagine and Modge Podge don't play real well in the same sandbox (my color started bleeding a little bit), but I was able to work around it.  I should have used vinyl, but I didn't have enough and didn't really want to drive all over town to find some.  Here is my finished product:

The cans are a little taller than the pens, so I took some empty SU containers and put them in the bottom so the pens show just a bit.  I also put a dot of color on top of the lid so I know what color I'm grabbing.  I am slowly converting my craft room to pink and black with flourishes, crowns and chadeliers, so I felt that these holders fit in with the decor very well.

I need to work on some b-day cards tomorrow (so glad it a long weekend) and get ready for Week 2 of my Summer Card Camp.  So many projects to do and not enough time to do them!  Happy 4th.