WOYWW #777

 Good morning, crafty friends!

I do love that number!~ 

If you're in to numerology, here's the meaning behind 777:

"linked to self-discovery and personal growth. Take time for yourself and embrace the solitude. Tune out distractions and contemplate your direction in life."

Go create and spend time with your best friend - YOU!

Remnants of the Make It - Mail It post I did on Monday. You can see them by clicking - HERE

I didn't get pictures take of the Clematis today. Will try to do that for next week. I went back to bed this morning. LOL

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

MAKE IT - MAIL IT MONDAY (photo heavy)

Good morning, crafty friends!

Remembering I had this post to write is the only thing that got me out of bed this morning. Earth Day 2024 and we started out with 32*F!!  I've heard it's what they call a 'blackberry winter'. Yep, mine are blooming. So are two of my Clematis. I'll have to check them after bit. Little Duckling hasn't bloomed yet but I'll need to walk out after bit and see how the other two fared.  

A few weeks back, I showed a tub of misc. card kits from when I was part of the Card Chicks group. Every month, each of us would take turns sending a kit (standard sized envelope's worth) to every member of the group. For the next several months (yep, I have that many left to work on), I'm going to be pulling one envelope at a time and seeing what I can make from the leftovers. 

This week's kit came from Terry Serman in Cranberry Twp. PA August 2020.  

I know I made 1 card from the kit as there was a single sentiment cut out from that particular image sheet. Here's what was left in my kit:

Lots of happy colors to play with. In the back you'll see I selected some Stampin' Up! cardstock colors I thought would pair well. I did not use them all. They were Pool Party, Pretty Peacock, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry.

Let's take a look at the cards:

I started by cutting the larger of the pattern papers to 4" x 5" and matting that with black (to bring out the zebra a bit more). then mounted on a Crushed Curry card base. I fussy cut the sentiment from one of the pattern sheets then backed with Crushed Curry. I raised that up with dimensionals. The red ribbon was from my stash. 

Card 2:

I used the balloon paper as is straight onto the Crushed Curry card base. Then I used a remnant of the pattern paper and glued that near the bottom. The sentiment is from a stamp set called One Liners.

The lion was fussy cut out. I matted him to a piece of Pool Party then Whisper White. The lion and the sentiment are both popped up with dimensionals.

Card 3:

This one I had to play with a bit more to get something I was happy with. The sentiment was from the kit. I punched it out with a scallop square punch then layered on whisper White. I used Stampin' Write markers to color the lion. He has dimensionals to pop him up from the Crushed Curry mat. The dots were from the kit.

Here's a product list from the kit of items I used:

Lion: Taylored Expressions Mane Event

Pattern Paper : Pebbles happy hooray, party animal, candy shoppe.

Balloons Paper: American Crafts Balloons

Enamel Dots: The Paper Shoppe

I did note this was the kit that introduced me to wobblers. 

That's it for me today! I am working on our pantry the rest of the day before I get in a large grocery haul this week. With Bob retiring in less than 18 months, I'm on full out mode to stock the pantry with lots of shelf-stable foods we love. 

I probably won't have another post until Wednesday then hopefully, a video link up on Friday.

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

WOYWW #776

Good morning, crafty friends!

776 - has a nice ring to it. 

My post is sparse this week, which I know Miss Julia prefers but we have so much fun getting to know one another in longer posts.

A bit blurry this morning as I haven't even had my lemon water yet. 

the remainders of a video I did yesterday for #TryItTuesday showing how to use your Nuvo Drops, Liquid Pearls and Stickles. You can see the full video ---> HERE  The Stampin' Blends are from a recent order and need labeled then put in their slots. The overall table really needs a tidy but I've been so busy finishing up the 533 stamp sets (yes, I added a Sentiment collection from Stampin' Up! on that order). I'm down to just labeling the dividers and putting them on the shelves. I'll link that video below:

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list. 

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

 

TRY IT TUESDAY - Make Your Own Enamel Dots!

 Good morning, crafty friends!

For Try it Tuesday, we're making our own enamel dots using products you probably already have in your stash.

You'll see in the video the ones in the jars are made from sparkly colored glue sticks run through the glue gun. The others are made using three different styles of 'drop' mediums. 

I hope you get out your toys and play! Then let me know how you did in the comments below either here or in the video.

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

MONDAY!

I'm coming in way late today. I got so focused on FINALLY getting the winter holiday stuff packed away (mind you've I've only done the bathroom today. Laundry room is tomorrow) that I let time get away from me. Life happens.

Notice the subject line doesn't say the usual Make It- Mail It. I promise that series is starting up next Monday.

I finally finished the stamp cataloging last week. I'm going to put the short video down below. Keep in mind, I still have to label the dividers. I have them all cut, just need to label. I hope to finish that tomorrow.

I spent Saturday and Sunday on a course on building my YouTube channels for both my author and creative channels. I was in class from 9-5 both days. So much information to take in. Let's just say I'm glad I have life-time access to the material, videos and coaching with the presenter, Jenna O'Malley and her Soul Bard Academy.

I have a project drying, hopefully ready tomorrow for Try It Tuesday. Not sure how what I have in mind is going to work out but we shall see. If it works, you'll see a post at some point tomorrow - with a short video.  Otherwise, I'll be back here on Wednesday.. I've missed the crew at What's On Your Work Desk Wednesday.

Thank you for your patience while I got this first big studio project behind me and the house back in order. 

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

MAKE IT-MAIL IT MONDAY - New Series

 Good morning, crafty friends!

No card today as I'm elbow deep in getting these stamp sets cataloged and in the new storage system before Bob comes home on Wednesday.

As I've told you, my #wordoftheyear is FINISH... I have a sterilite container in my studio full of envelopes containing remnants of Card Chick swaps.  

Here's the container of envelopes:

The dimensions and full info is in the video:

Every Monday I'll be showing a kit then the card/cards/ masterboard I've created. I have no clue what is left in each envelope. Going to be FUN!

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

WOYWW #770

 Good morning, crafty friends!

Will you look at that number! 770 weeks of coming together to say hello and show what we're working on.

My desk as I left it yesterday. All those pretty colors are book pages dyed with Easter Egg dye. 

I'd recorded a 58 minute tutorial video on Sunday forgetting that my phone and laptop will not talk to one another if the videos are longer than about 25 minutes. So instead of a premiere this past Monday, I'm having to do two separate videos showing the twenty different configurations making pockets for your junk journal from book pages. I'm uploading Part 1 now then will record Part 2 this afternoon for tomorrow. Friday premiere will be embellishments.

For those of you who guessed the number of stamp sets last week... are you ready for the answer?

Yep, you read that right. This doesn't count the handful I have from Spectrum Art Creations including three G45 sets. So probably 595 all total.

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

#TryItTuesday - Twist on a Gatefold Card

 Good morning, crafty friends!

Last week, I jumped into the hashtag, #TryItTuesday. Madi started doing it and I thought this what a great way to tag team... then she didn't do one last week! There are several creators using the hashtag, though, so do a search on social media to see what everyone is up to.

I needed a card for Madi's Spring challenge and one for my SMMR COTM group. 

I started with THIS <--- click  - video from Junebug Creations on YouTube. She need a simplified version of a gate-fold card. These go together really quick. You could use up patterned paper quickly doing Mass Makes - then just add the sentiment as needed.

First, the stamp set I used:

I've had this set about 10 years or more. If you recognize the company, please let me know. 

Then I chose this 6x6 paper pad a friend gifted me last fall:

Apologies for the glare. Overcast here yesterday morning meant I had to use all the lights. There isn't a company name on the pad and the papers are one-sided.

This is the card I made:

One of the things the gal from Junebug did was when she cut her DSP, there was a strip left, just enough to decorate the envelope. (since there technically isn't an 'inside' to this card.

Using the same concept, I made this card for the Spring Challenge in the Spectrum Art Creations & Friends Facebook Group:

I used paper and journaling card from Graphic 45 Fairy Wings, blue braid trim, butterfly from trim and Sunburst stickles. For each challenge item we must use at least 3 items from our SpectrumArtCreations purchases. 

If you want to see how this came together, along with another card I made and the measurements, check out the video below.

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

MAKE IT - MAIL IT MONDAY! - Catching Up On Cards

 Good morning, creative friends!

NOTE: I had this drafted to post February 26th but it never posted so I'm ahead of the game this week! LOL

I finally feel as if I'm back on track. You know, because we're almost through the first two months of the year!

My first goal was to get caught up on swap cards for the Missouri Stamp Group I belong to. I'm determined to stay on track this year. I was behind on December, January then this month so I have three cards to show you today.

All of the cards used the same technique: stenciling with my new 5x7 Geli plate. I don't remember who's video I first saw the idea but she was using her geli plate to HOLD her papers in place while she worked with them, NOT as a base for applying ink or paint. When I saw the video I immediately went in and ordered the 5x7 from Spectrum Art Creations. Keep in mind, I have a large one that hardly ever sees the light of day... twice, maybe, since I bought it almost 12 years ago. 

Click HERE to purchase

All three stencils were purchased from Spectrum Art Creations. If they are still available, I will link them beneath the photo.

All the sentiments were from Tim Holtz - Noteworthy

You will find the video where I showed how I applied the backgrounds to all three cards HERE.

I started with the December card:

I started with a Real Red card base and mat for the sentiment. I used Real Red ink and a stencil from Ciao Bella.  I thought the image resembled a poinsettia.

For the January card, I went with a winter theme.

This was also a Ciao Bella stencil called Fluid Art. I used Uncharted Mariner ink, Seas Side Spray cardstock (SU retired) and a dual punch from SU (also retired)

Now that I'm caught up, here is the February Card of the Month (COTM):

I used a Powder Pink card base (retired Stampin' Up!), Picked Strawberry Distress Ink and a floral stencil from Spectrum Art Creations (Their own design). The heart is from the dual heart punch set from Stampin' Up!

I have all of my posts and videos for the rest of this month and into March as I get back on a posting track. The second and fourth Tuesday of each month I'll be taking part in #tryittuesday. I have the video uploading now to show you a tag book I created for the Spectrum Art Creations and Friends FB group - winter themed challenge. I'll drop the video link in here tomorrow morning.

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

WOYWW #769 - Photo Heavy

 Good morning, crafty friends.

If you recall from my WOYWW #767 Post, I talked about the program I'm taking called Your Path Forward... a game board strategy for getting big projects out of the way. 

Before Bob left last week, he helped me set up the two tables I needed to begin the project.

Monday, I dove in to the first actual step... sorting the gazillion stamp sets into categories.

The following photos are NOT for the faint at heart but it's why I've started this program.

I've had most of my stamps in a tub since I rearranged the filming corner 2 years ago. Since then I've also added new stamp sets that were available for a limited time through Stampin' Up!  This is where I am:

lined up in front of the sofa

on the sewing table and in 2 cubbies behind

on the step ladder

(i'd moved them from the sewing table looking for a stamp set)

After 2 hours of sorting by category, 37 photo boxes and 6 stacks later, this is where I stopped:

Alpha numeric, celebration, mixed media, mixed holidays, ocean/ water

4 stack collection top left is all Christmas. Then there's food, garden (the 2 towering stacks plus smaller one to the right, Halloween, mixed holidays

Large multi-stack of sentiments are on a table all on their own. 

Stamp set count: .....

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR GUESS IN YOUR COMMENT. 

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

via GIPHY

WOYWW #768

Good morning, crafty friends.

I'm on a slow start this morning. Bob left yesterday so I'm back to my personal schedule.

I have two desk pictures this morning.

First, my actual desk:

Apparently, I held the camera wrong this morning. LOL. But, as you can see not a lot going on. But that will change once I've finished my coffee. I have a video to record for Friday.

Here's the 'staged' version.

This is the chair at my filming table. I have the three projects for the video staged on the chair so I can reach back to grab the stack I need for each project. 

Friday will be Part 2 of last week's video on using the 5x7 gelli plate. I'm LOVING this smaller size. I see more play in my future than the larger one I've had for at least 14 years and used twice!  TWICE!

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

WOYWW #767

Good morning, crafty friends!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

We have sunshine this morning, the snow from Monday is nearly gone and Bob is home for this special day. I am making him butter brickle brownies in a heart pan later this morning and he is taking me out for all you can eat crab legs! He knows my passion lol

Here's my desk this morning:

I took a course a couple of weeks ago called 'Your Path Forward'. The concept is built on a game board strategy of choosing one project you want to accomplish, then breaking the big picture down into small steps that create a 'domino effect' - meaning you can't do this step until you do this step.... and so on. What steps need to be taken to get from Point A - The Beginning to Point B - The Finish? 

I created a game board on an 11 x 14 canvas using the game board from the workbook as a template. The inspirational sayings in each square are from the Tim Holtz set - Noteworthy. I simply typed them into my word program, sized to fit inside the game board squares then printed on clear sticker paper. 

I've put the steps I need (one for each square on the board) onto sticky notes and have them on my KanBan board. The game board is a colorful visual for my desk.

I'm uploading a video for this now and will be on my AUTHOR YouTube channel about noon CST US. 

If you have a project you can't seem to start, I highly recommend this course. You can use the concept over and over again so it isn't just a one and done kind of course. 

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

 

WOYWW #766

 Good afternoon, crafty friends!

I'm way late coming in. I spent my morning at the dining room table with Bob playing cards and Yahtzee.

There really isn't much to tell on my desk but I did have to clear everything off after I took the picture so I could film my premiere video for Friday (2-9-24)

The pouch with the scissors inside holds scissors/ adhesives when I'm working anyplace other than the filming table on projects. Technically, I've not unpacked it since last month when I went on a self-imposed planner retreat.

The 3 pretty red pieces in the center are part of a candle pedestal I need to glue back together before packing away the hot cocoa bar. I'll try to remember to take a picture of that before I pack everything away. 

The item in the package is a face roller from $ Tree. I show one out of the package in my premiere video on Friday. and lastly, I FINALLY broke down and bought one of the finger xacto knives. Even found one in teal. 

If you'd like to have the opportunity to chat live or see what I got in a Spectrum Art Creations haul this week, I will be in a chat room alongside my YouTube video on Friday 9, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. EST. I think that time allows for at least some of my friends across the pond and in Canada to join in. Set your timer and come chat. I'm only there for a little over 15 minutes so don't be late! Otherwise, the video will always be available on replay. 

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly 

MAKE IT - MAIL IT MONDAY - Sort of...

 Good morning, crafty friends!

Well, the card I'd hoped to show today didn't work out. I'd planned to use a card kit from Hunky Dory only to discover the 'kit' was only card bases... not all of the elements.

Of course, last weekend was Bob's first one home so I didn't do any crafting to have anything ready for today. 

Here is the card bases/ envelopes I ordered from Spectrum Art Creations, with the intention of pulling items from other papers. I guess I forgot that part. LOL

TWIN FOLD OUT

They are called 'Luxury Fold' card bases. Similar to a pop up card but everything is revealed as you open them 'out' and the bases are pre-cut/ scored so all you have to do is cover in pretty papers of your choice. 

Click HERE to see the wide variety of HunkyDory products. I ordered mine from Spectrum Art Creations. They bring products in from all over the world and offer the best prices you'll find anywhere! Also, if you don't see what you're looking for in their store either on-line or Etsy, just send them an email and they'll do their best to find it. If you love something, others probably will, too!

This is Bob's first full week home but I've talked to him about a working schedule for me so we'll see how that goes this week. No post tomorrow but I should be back Wednesday for WOYWW. I missed participating last week nor did I accomplish much in the way of tasks on the office. If I remember right now, I curled up with a book I needed to post a review on for my author channel. I hope to be more regular with postings from here on out. 

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

MAKE IT- MAIL IT MONDAY! Plus Bonus items!

 Hi everyone!

I finally got to spend all day yesterday creating! Felt good to play with stuff again.

I took part in the TEA CHALLENGE in the Spectrum Art Creations FB group. Did you know, January is National Tea Month?  

I chose mostly items from Stamperia to work with, predominately from their Alice line.

I rice paper sheet with four teapots from the Alice collection started it all... so I made 4 different items. Each piece enters me into a drawing for a $5 GC from the Spectrum Art Creations on-line store.

We were required to use a minimum of three items on each piece we made.

Since this is Make It - Mail It Monday, let's start with the card I made for a friend:

I used a Merry Merlot card base with a Very Vanilla mat (Stampin' Up!) then used one of the rice paper panels on top of the mat.  Aside from the rice paper, I used chip board elements from the Stamperia Alice collection and Stamperia lace.

Next item:

I've been making items during challenges and tucking them away for a future Alice journal.

This one used all Stamperia items (background paper, rice image, chipboard elements( plus I added a metal spoon I'd purchased from Spectrum Art Creations (SACs for short). The lace and ribbon were from my stash.

Next item:

I'll try to incorporate at least one memory dex card from each themed challenge, or at least one per month.

Thie background paper on here was from Ciao Bella. The rice paper and chip board items were Stamperia and the brown braid trim from the SACs on-line store. You will find the trim HERE in a wife variety of colors. I have most of them LOL

Next item:

For my final tag, I knew I wanted to incorporate a shaker element:

I used Stamperia paper for the background and the front rim of the shaker. I used trim and the metal spoon from Spectrum Art Creations. For the shaker part, I used snowball micro beads from Stampin' Up!  Guess you could say I made Bubble Tea ;-)

There's one more item not part of the Tea Challenge, but separate.

Madison owns Spectrum Art Creations. She is on the autism spectrum. Such a delight, very talented and smart. Wow, what a memory that girl has. Every once in awhile she will drop something in our shipping box for a 'Madison Challenge'. This time she gave us circles. I think there were five in the baggie.

At first I thought about a mixed media piece but then I remembered my craft Christmas tree. Most of the ornaments are from the Christmas Notebook ornament swap going back twenty years. I decided I wanted an ornament from Madison. She is sending me a copy of her handwriting. I will shrink tht and add it to one of the leaves of the ornament. Madison will always have a place of honor on my crafting tree.

That's it for me today. My left eye is giving me issues. May have gotten some cat dander in it. 

I'll be back Wednesday for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday and show off my new cat.

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

WOYWW #764

Good morning, crafty friends!

Okay, so it's almost 6 p.m. for my buddies across the pond. I've been doing author work this morning so running a tad behind.  

Here's what I'm tackling today:

As you can see, I've not put some of the things away that were there last week and added to the collection. LOL 

The rub ons and the stencil were from last week. The red pile of rubble in the back is a candle pedestal I need to glue. Silly me tried moving the cart with the hot cocoa bar items and one of the pedestals hit the floor. No worries.

I've also added one of those finger cutting blades to my list of supplies. I see planner peeps using them and they appear quite handy.  The Stampin Up stamps in the back are possibly for a future project so I pulled them out while I could find them.

I hope to have more progress and pretties to show next week.

Before I go, I have a question. Do you tend to buy things you already have because you either can't find them or forget you have them?

If your answer is yes, I invite you to my premiere on my YouTube channel Friday the 26th at 11:30 a.m. EST US. I'll let you figure out all the conversions.  Friday's video is by request from one of my subscribers where I will be talking about how I know what's in my studio. Mind you, that wasn't always the case! LOL.  I will be in the chat while the video runs so if you have questions or comments I'll be there.

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

 

TUESDAY - Getting Back on Track

 Good morning, crafty friends!

Okay, I know that's not the brightest title I've ever used, but it's true. I'm finally seeing myself back into a routine. 

I've discovered as I get older, that cold, gloomy days are not conducive to me accomplishing much. I even went back to bed for an hour yesterday morning before I attempted to accomplish anything. Something, that with the exception of a few minor household tasks, I failed miserably.

The studio is back to the UGLY stage again. No, I'm not going to show a picture. I'm still trying to figure out how I went from my beautiful empty sofa for Halloween to the UGLY chaos again.  But I'll get there.

This week is all about putting things away that are in front of me. I'm using Sarra Cannon's HB90 system to do two things. 

1 - Set tasks that will move me towards the goal of having a workable space again

2 - Use the Pomodoro timer method to work on each task. 

The Pomodoro method is doing things in 25-minute increments. Take a 5-minute break then dive back in for another 25. You can do this as many times as you want and they can be done on and off throughout the day. If you only have 25 minutes to work on something, so you only get that 1 task done. That's still progress.

That's my plan for today.  Seeing how many of those 25-minute sprints I can get done until there is less chaos.

I'll be back tomorrow to show you progress for WOYWW

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

WOYWW 762

 Happy New Year, friends!

I've missed you all but I've just been really busy. 
I took November off from all things creative except to finish the draft of Book 2 in my series. Then December was all about decluttering the three main rooms of the house to surprise Bob when he came home on the 22nd. He was home for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years in 2023. We will celebrate Christmas after the new year next time around as he will be working for Christmas. I really wanted our big tree with the family ornaments up but I just ran out of steam.

I'm back in the studio, which is my decluttering focus for the next 21 days as well as back to work on blog posts, FB and YouTube (I'll have my first premiere of 2024 this Friday at 11 a.m. EST).

I did do a little crafting in December and lots of things just landed on the filming table. Maybe I'll have the final pieces finished and can show you next week - that is, if you're not tired of Christmas. LOL

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly