My Quarterly Resolution Review

Another quarter is ending in the year 2014.  Here is how I've done on my New Year's Resolutions.

1)  Only buy what I need and not EVERYTHING I want.  On May 23, I fell off the wagon.  And then the wagon backed up over me.  And then the wagon rolled forward and over me again!  I bought the Cricut Explore.  In my defense, my Cameo has been acting up and I had a coupon for 15% off.  Then there was Craft Day on HSN.  I bought the Evolution.  I don't even want to talk about that.  Then I bought the Boss n Cut.  And then I went to Ikea and bought the Alex rolly cart.  I have now drug myself back up on the wagon and I've handcuffed myself to the rail of the wagon.

2)  As far as crafting:

                    a)  Keep up with  Project Life - Epic FAIL  My plan for recovery is to print every
                        picture off because I have been keeping up with putting my pictures in my Collect
                        app. Then put them in pockets with some pretty 3 x 4 cards and 4 x 6 cards.

                   b)  Catch up on my scrapbooking of vacations and trips - I'm doing really well at this
                        task.  I've done Washington D.C., Chicago 2011 and 2012, Disney, Mom and Dad's
                       Anniversary Album and some others.

                   c)  Make lots of cards for Operation Write Home - Eh!  I haven't made the progress
                        I did last quarter, but I am working on it.

                    d)  Use up my stash!  I have been using my stash.  You know, in addition to my new
                         stuff.  ;-)

                    e)  Participate in challenges in order to accomplish my goals.  The BIG Zero on
                         this one.

3)  Get organized.  Every week I want to clean out a drawer or a corner of a room.  I am going to work at it small pieces at a time.  And hopefully by the end of the year - I will be decluttered.  On this task I have made great progress.  I have actually made some space in the basement because I have cleaned out some stuff.  I took 15 large Rubbermaid totes to Goodwill and I've listed lots of stuff on
Ebay.  Gold star for me on this one.  :-)

4)  Spend at least 5 minutes a day (not nearly enough) nurturing my faith either by devotion or reading the Bible.  It is a small small amount of time for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me.  Using my Bible app this goal is very doable and I have been good at averaging 5 minutes a day.  If I miss a day, I make it up the next day.

That is my progress report.  I am doing well on some of my resolutions and not so well on others.  Let's see if I can improve at the next quarterly check up.

If you made new year's resolutions - are you keeping them?  Have you done a check up?  Tell me how you're doing on yours.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

John 13:34 - 35  "A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Box Cards Theme Continued....

On Monday we saw a box card that was purchased from SVG Cuts.  Today we are going to see a box card that was purchased from the Silhouette Store and cut out on a Silhouette machine.

There are many different box cards to choose from.  This just happens to be the one I picked.

I just love box cards.  So much dimension and it fits in an a2 envelope.

Now for my comparison between the box cards from SVG Cuts and the ones from Lori Whitlock at the Silhouette store.

SVG Cuts
I LOVE the variety of cards available at SVG Cuts.  They are so pretty and that is probably the reason for what I don't like about the box cards from SVG Cuts which is the size.  They do not fit in a standard a2 envelope when not altered from their original size.  To their defense the cards do come with envelopes to cut.  And when I say I don't like that it is because I do mail my cards and I know with a box card that fits in an a2 envelope - I can use a Forever postage stamp to mail it.  I am pretty sure a Forever postage stamp will not work with the cards from SVG Cuts.  But if that is not true - I will let you know.  The only other thing I don't like is that the inside pieces don't go fit the length of the box.  They are just like tabs that go from the top of the inside of the box down about 3/4 of an inch.  The full piece inside makes the box more sturdy.  I think I can modify it so it will cut out the inserts the full size of the box by welding a rectangle to the inserts cut.

Silhouette Store Box Cards by Lori Whitlock
The box cards in the Silhouette store come in a great variety as well.  However, you won't find one in the shape of piano.  They are all shaped the same shape for the most part, but there are a variety of styles that come on the standard size box.  For instance, there is a get well box, a gardening box, a birthday box, a wedding box, etc.  I like that the cards fit in an a2 envelope.  This makes sending them in the mail easy with a Forever stamp.  I also like the fact that the inserts are the full length of the box which makes the box more sturdy.

Would I pick one over the other - definitely not.  Both have their benefits and I will definitely be using both.  :-)

Have you tried making box cards?  You don't have to have an electric cutting machine - you can cut them out with dies, too.     Or just trace one.  Do you like different shaped cards or do you stick to traditional shaped cards?

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April
Romans 8:37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

WOYWW 264 - IKEA!!!!!!

This weekend I made my first trip to Ikea.  But before I get into that - it's Wednesday and that means that Julia is hosting a world wide blog hop to visit desks from around the world.  Go check it out.  :-)

So back to my work area - I have been trying to make more floor space as I was feeling quite crowded.  I still haven't figured out how to create more counter space, but I digress.  So at Ikea I found a solution that helps me clean up desk top space, create more desk top space and it fits under a table so it does not interfere with my floor space.

Here is how it started:

And this is the after:

That is what I spent some time doing on Sunday.  This cart it too cool!

I've already put some no slip liner in the bottom of the drawers and loaded it up.  When I need more counter space, I can pull this cart out and use the space on top of the cart.  And I cleared up some other counter space by putting what was on the counter top in the drawers.

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Proverbs 21:21  Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

My New Obsession - BOX CARDS!!!!!

I am obsessed with box cards.  They are fun to make.  They fit in an a2 envelope.  And I can cut them out with either my Silhouette or my Cricut Expression.

SVG Cuts has some cute box cards as does the Silhouette store.

Here is an example of a box card from SVGCuts.

Since this is the theme for this week - you know what's coming on Friday.  :-)  That's right!  A box card made on my Silhouette from the Silhouette store.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Galatians 6:7 - 8  Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

My Children's Replacement and This Week's Theme Continued

I tease my children that my yorkie Gracie has taken their place.  She stays home with me and is always there when I need her.  And though she could never replace my kids, I do think she is absolutely adorable and she is going to be my theme for this week.

How could you not love that face.  Believe it or not I brushed her hair that morning.

So, this week I am going to focus on cards with dogs.  I have again been stalking Mary at Cardztv.  She found a cute little puppy with some balloons at the The Silhouette Store.  And since I've been CASEing her for the past few weeks, here is my next tribute to her version of the card:

I decided to use a Happy Birthday theme for my card.  I used a 'print and cut' puppy instead of the cut that Mary used.  Thank you Mary for all your wonderful ideas.

Do you give your kids grief for growing up?  I'm glad my children have grown up, but sometimes miss when they were cute and little.  But now I have time to make more cards and catch up on all those moments I want to scrapbook.  :-)  

This card is going to Operation Write Home where it will be sent out to our service men and women who are serving away from home.  They can use cards to stay in touch with their loved ones.  If you're interested in donating your cards, check out OWH today.

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Proverbs 15:1  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

WOYWW 263 - One GIANT Mess!

It is one day past WOYWW, but that's not going to stop me!  Go to Julia's Blog to have a round the world tour of desks.

I didn't have the energy to go downstairs and take a picture yesterday.  There is nothing wrong with me - I'm just lazy.  And that laziness extends into my craft room.  It is a mess.

No wonder I don't have any table space.  It's full of goodies!

Even my cutting area is over crowded.

I have no space on the top of my cabinets.

I have no space on top of my chest of drawers.

So after I go to Ikea this weekend (yeah - like I need more furniture) I plan on working on cleaning up my mess.

Well, I'm off to visit desks.  I'm not too lazy to do that.  ;-)

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Psalm 119: 114  You are my refuge and my shield;  I have put my hope in your word.

This Week's Theme - Who Let the Dogs Out? Who Who Who Who Who

Who can resist adorable puppies?  Certainly not me.  We tease our girls and call our dogs their sissies.  My poor kids - they have furry siblings.  lol

This is my children's replacement:

The adorable pooch below is from a Cricut Cartridge - Four Legged Friends.  I used my Cricut Explore to cut out this cutie pie.

Then I made 4 variations of the same card using the yorkie I cut out.

I think these cards can be used for both guys and gals - who doesn't love a puppy?

Do you have a favorite theme for your cards?  What is your favorite color to use on your cards?

These cards will be going to Operation Write Home to be sent out to our nations heroes who are serving away from home.  They can send these cards to their loved ones at home.  If you would like volunteer your cardmaking services to this charity, go to OWH to get the details.

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

James 1:21  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Where The Boys Are - Here My Cards Come

In continue with my theme this week - I have another group of masculine cards.  I always create cards in groups.  If I'm cutting out images on my machine I figure - I might as well cut out 8.  :-)

I've been stalking Mary at www.cardztv.blogspot.com.

I couldn't find the blog post for this card - so I am just going to include her video:

DAD YOU'RE THE BEST Video

Mary makes the cutest cards.  Here is my CASE of her card:

I'm using my New Cricut Explore.  I am enjoying not having to separate my images on my mats - the Explore does it for you.

I saw a similiar card on Pinterest like the one below.  I thought the sentiment was cute.  I got the sentiment stamp from Cardztv.  Mary has the greatest sentiment stamps.  I cut the guitar out using my Cricut Explore.

Do you create in themes?  Do you find creating masculine cards difficult?  If you have some masculine card ideas I can CASE - include the link - I need all the help I can get.  :-)

These cards are going to Operation Write Home where they will be distributed to our service members who are away from home.  They can in turn write notes to their loved ones in order to stay in touch.  If you're a card maker and you are interested in participating in this endeavor, go to OWH and get the details.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Romans 3:23 - 24  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Masculine - Let's Hear It For The Boys

Masculine cards are my nemisis.  I know men like flowers, too.  But for some reason, we need more manly cards for our guys.  I  started on my masculine mission last week when I made high top tennis shoes in manly colors.  And I continue down that path this week with more masculine cards.

During the Memorial Day Blog Hop, Sandy Allnock did a technique video for making metal cards.  Check out her blog post and video at Sandy Allnock's Blog.

I used her technique and some Hero Arts shadow ink to create some guy cards:

Here are the tools that I used in addition to the Hero Arts ink to create the cards.  Tim Holtz stamps, Hero Arts and Unity Stamps sentiment and Bo Bunny paper.  

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

1 Peter 2:24  "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."

Kicks - This Week's Theme

I am working on themes as I've been crafting in themes as of late.  I can't tell you why - I don't know.  But I thought it would work well for my blogging.  If it works, don't question it - right?

This week's theme has been kicks or sandals or things that cover your feet.  :-)

You know I LOVE flip flops so I have been using my flip flop Stamps of Life set like crazy.

Last week I did flip flops in red, white and blue.  This week - I am expanding my horizons using other colors and styles.

I did some watercolor painting in the background of this card.  Then I put lots of ink on my waterbrush and flicked it to make splatter.  Then I blew on the splatter to make streams of splatter.  I used Tim Holtz distress inks for the water color background.

I also made the feminine version of the high top tennis shoe card.  The background was made using my new Craftwell airbrush system with Tombow markers.  I am going to like that airbrush system.  It isn't complex and it is perfect for my needs.

Is there something that flips your flops?  I am a sucker for flowers, too.  What are you a sucker for?

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

Stay tuned next week - I'm going masculine in honor of Father's Day.  :-)

April

Ephesians 4:25  Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

WOYWW 261 - Oops I Did it Again!

Yep!  I rearranged my craft room again.  I blame my parents.  Until I was 14, we moved at least every 2 years.  I've lived in my house for about 20 years so I think I rearrange my craft room because I 'need' change.  lol

Enough of blaming my parents for my problems!   ;-)  It is once again Wednesday and that means that we share our work space with the rest of the world via Julia's Site - The Stamping Ground.

My desk is a little messy as I am not finished with my rearranging.

Ok - so it's very messy.

Here are a couple other views of the rearrangement.  Is that a word?

I still need to move stuff around and create some more floor space.  I would love some more tabletop space, but I will never have enough of that as I have said a million times.  :-)

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April
Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man of measure of faith.

The Theme is Kicks - And I've Been Stalking Again

This week's theme is kicks, sandals, or something that covers your feet.  :-)  I've been stalking Mary at Cardztv.  She makes the cutest cards using her Cricut and her Silhouette.  I've been trying to make more masculine cards and she made a card that fits the bill.

If you want to see the card that inspired these cards, go to All Star Kid Blog Post.

Here is my version of the card she made:

I used the same Cricut Image from the Paisley Cartridge to make cards for boys and girls.  Yay.  So that leads into next week's theme - Masculine.

These cards are going to Operation Write Home.  If you're a card maker and want to send your handmade cards in support of our troops, check out the OWH and find out how you can donate your cards.

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Deuteronomy 6:4  Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.