Neighborhood Girl's Night Out

Something about me - I love where I live, the small town feel and the Mayberry mentality. Well that's my perception of it and it makes me happy. Often times, I find myself yearning for a simpler time before internet,cell phones, etc. Seems to me there is so much more pressure and stress that revolves around keeping up with all the technology, all the things we 'have' to do and supposed to do. Just a lot of pressure - Yuck!

I'm always striving to find ways to manage the everyday stress and pressure of life and a few weeks ago I thought about just getting back to the basics, simplifying. Kinda the "Everything you need to know in life you learned in Kindergarten" I guess.

So, I've decided the first thing I want to work on is building relationships and what better place to start than at home - my neighborhood? I want to get to know my neighbors and build relationships and friendships with them. I'm that person that has several ideas but not as much action which is something else I'm trying to improve. I've tasked myself with a call to action - I'm going to start hosting a monthly Girl's Night Out for the women neighborhood.

Think I'll have some light refreshments, chocolate, some music and they'll get to go home with a thank you card - what do you think? Want to start building and growing relationships in your life? Challenge yourself like I did and let me know how it goes!

Pinterest inspired cards

OK it's official - I'm a Pinterest addict! At least I'm not alone, most of my Facebook friends are self professed addicts too. I've had a busy week at work but was able to spend most of the holiday last Monday in my craft room just creating and having fun. Here are a few of the cards I made using techniques I've been wanting to try and other inspirations. What do you think?

This card was totally inspired by a beauty I found on Pinterest. I used all Stampin' Up products of course. I stamped the doily image and sentiment with Versamark then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  

This card is a different color scheme and it's the notecard size.

This card is my take on a swap card I received at Convention. I used the images from Everything Eleanor - love the way it turned out!

This card is inspired by this Vera Bradley print "Out on a Limb" (I think). I used the Daydream Medallions set and one image from Lacy and Lovely to create the background paper. The colors are Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade and Pool Party.

 

This last card is using the Everything Eleanor set again (love it) and a very 'hot' stamping technique called Triple Time stamping. You can learn more about this technique at Dawn Olchefske's blog by clicking Here.  Dawn is super inspiring and talented and I'm so glad she shares that with everyone!

 

Please comment - I'd love to hear from you! 

 

 



Technique Club

I'm excited to share with you that it's time to start the monthly Technique Club! Yay!

Here are some important details:

• We'll meet monthly for six months - each club member will be the hostess for a month
• Each month there is a required order of $25 (this will allow the hostess of the month to receive $25 in hostess benefits)
• Each club member has the option to host a party of their own (a week before or a week after club) to increase their hostess benefits
• I will need a method of payment and a "Just in Case" order to keep on file
• Guests are welcome to attend for a flat fee of $10/club
• Club will meet in my home and I will provide light refreshments
• Club will last approximately two hours
• My team members get to join club and attend for FREE

 

I will be the hostess for September and the technique theme will be "Fancy Folds"

 

Our first club will meet the weekend of Sept 21st. I'd like to take a poll to help decide which day works best for the majority. The choices are Saturday (3p - 5p) or Sunday (2p-4p) .

 

*Please keep in mind this is a commitment so everyone has the chance to be a hostess and receive benefits

I'm very excited to start this club and I'm so happy you are interested in joining me in sharing creativity!

A teacher gift and two quick and easy projects

After a long, challenging and stressful week at my J-O-B I knew I needed some creative time in my craft room. Of course Friday afternoon I was just waiting for the clock to strike 5:00 so I could start my weekend!

I crept around on Pinterest which I hadn't done for awhile ( ok a few days ) to get the juices flowing and then set off for creativity to strike. Here are a few things I came up with. What do you think?

August and September make me think of school starting so I knew I wanted to create using my new SchoolTime Designer Series Paper that I got for FREE at Stampin Up Convention.

Here's a pretty crummy picture of the teacher gift I'm giving to Maisie's kindergarten teacher. She's a wonderful teacher and Maisie has adjusted well to All Day kindergarten thanks to her! I used all Stampin Up products (love love LOVE) except for the jar and pencils, of course.

This last project took me all of five minutes at the most. I used Stampin Up glimmer paper and followed a super simple tutorial on YouTube by Connie Stewart. She has fantastic ideas that I can copy! I'm really not that creative but I can copy like nobody's business...LOL

 

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Changes and adding new blog elements

I've updated my blog and i think I'm pleased with the results, finally! Take a look around and follow me by email. That would be great!

I created my blog header with my FREE trial of MDS2. This online digital creating software was released by Stampin' Up on Aug 1st and it's fun and user friendly.

I plan on updating my blog about three times a week with the latest projects I'm working on as well as information about clubs or special classes or parties I'm having.

I'm going to leave you with a fun video from Stampin' Up Convention 2012. Let me know what you think - leave me a comment. Enjoy!

Layout Change

What do you think of my new blog design? It's courtesy of The Cutest Blog on the Block.