I'M BACK! - With Video Link

 Good morning, crafty friends!

I'm finally back in the studio and doing fun things again. The office isn't much farther than the Disaster Video but I'm making progress.

I've mostly been busy pressure canning foods for the pantry. I brought back #40 of potatoes from the retreat. I still have about #8 to work through. I've also canned baked beans and have apples in the crockpot as I type to turn into apple butter.

But today, I have a couple of things to share. 

I'm planning a patriotic journal for this month. I've picked up these pairs of earrings at Walmart for $5. they do these seasonally for all types of themes. I've picked up hearts for Valentine's Day, bunnies for Easter, shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day.... you get the idea. 

While these are post-backed, they can be broke down into individual charms. I plan to use the star on a tassel and the smaller individual charms for page edges. 

The other thing I have is an on-line haul video from Rebekah Wills. She was one of my table mates at the retreat and does lovely handwork as well as sourcing vintage items. Drop back by later today for the video link or just go to my YouTube channel around noon CST and the video should be the first one in the list. 

I'm off to plant flower beds and hang laundry before I come back in to curl up with a book I need to review on my author blog tomorrow.

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

CREATOR'S CORNER - Ardyth

 Good morning, everyone!

I've been inspired by today's guest for a couple of years now.  I love how she offers a tip in each of her videos. She is also the reason I got inspired by the stencil wheel from Penguin Palace. Check out their videos on their YouTube Channel. 

Here's a bit about Ardyth:

Ardyth is a cardmaker from Toronto, Canada. She loves clean design and bold colours, and especially enjoys getting more from all her crafty supplies by using them in unexpected ways to create something completely different!

Let's step inside her studio before we learn more about Ardyth.

Notice all the essential tools at her finger tips and that natural light!

What got you started on the creative path?

I started card making at a Stampin’ Up! Party in 2006. I love the idea of a small project that makes me happy, and can be shared to bring happiness to someone else! 

How has your creativity evolved?

When I started, I wanted to try it all! Over time, I’ve figured out what my style is, and I’m more selective in what I buy. I notice that I’ve moved from cards that were primarily stamping/colouring to messier background techniques (stencil, gel plate etc) with die-cut sentiments. Maybe that will change again….

What do you enjoy most about your creative path?

I love that feeling I get when a project turns out even better than my expectations. I love that there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s new products or skills. And of course, I love all the crafty friends I’ve made through the years.

What inspires you?

I get my inspiration pretty much anywhere. I love to work with bold colours and geometrics, and while I love lots of white space, I’m pretty happy to use messy techniques as well.Rather than rushing to purchase new products, I love to 'get the look' of any inspiration, using products I already have. I developed a simple, 5-step LIMES method to help analyze an inspiration piece and then translate it into something completely unique. It's easy to remember, easy to use and easy to create something that is beautifully your own!

When did you move from hobby to business and what initiated the transition?

For me the transition was very slow and organic. I was more focused on expanding my skills when I started my YouTube channel in 2017, and that’s grown to become a revenue generator, as well as a good resume, for anyone who is looking to work with me.

What do you love most about your space and would you change anything?

I’m lucky to have a small ‘extra’ bedroom as my craft space. Over the years it has changed as the products I needed to store changed (remember wooden stamps?!) or different functionality (I do all my card photography and YouTube video editing in it as well!) and I love how adaptable it has been with minimal changes in furnishing. The only thing I would change is better air conditioning in the summer!

What 3 things do you feel are important when planning a space?

This is a hard one for me - I’ve been in my room for so long and it’s evolved slowly over the years - most of what I have is ‘leftover’ furniture from other areas of the house, with a desk, and a couple of extra pieces specifically purchased for a crafty space.

* Know what you’ve got, and what you use most.

* Keep containers/furniture flexible when you can, so that they can serve multiple uses and last as trends change. 

* Invest in the basic tools that you’ll use for years - ‘trendy’ tools like stencils, stamps and dies will come and go, but trimmers, stamp positioners, die cutting machines are things you only want to have to purchase once so quality is key.

What is your best organization tip?

Know what works for you - some of us like things to be visible, some like them put away and out of sight, some don’t need to be organized at all, they just ‘know’ where everything is.

I’m someone who likes to have a place for everything, but I also like it to be visible, so I have lots of open shelves and cubbies. If I can’t see it, I’ll forget to use it. But if it’s not put away, I start to feel claustrophobic and not at all creative.

What is your best tip for anyone wanting to turn their craft into a business?

Be yourself in this industry, you are the brand you’re trying to sell and if you’re authentic, you’ll find your customers.

Don’t be afraid to invest in the learning you need to do it well - there are so many resources available to coach you in designing and producing a product or service, marketing and delivering those products, and also the back-end - including the financial part of running a business. Finding help can reduce frustration and shorten the time to success!

Great tips and advice, Ardyth. Thank you so much for joining me this month. It's been a pleasure sharing your talent with my followers. 

Hey folks, be sure to check out Ardyth's links down below and LIKE/ FOLLOW. 

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   YouTube   IG   

FREE RESOURCES

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

CREATOR'S CORNER - Tiffany Solorio

 Good morning, crafty friends!

I am super excited for today's guest. Tiffany Solorio is my go-to creator when I want to play with my Lindy's Magicals. 

Before we go any further - I want to remind you of the Card Maker Summit THIS WEEKEND! If you've not signed up yet, please use Tiffany's Link HERE and come join the fun. Need more info about Card Maker Summit - Check out THIS VIDEO from Tiffany.

Okay.. let's get to know Tiffany:

I am a mom of 2 and I love creating. I started back in 2008 (ish) when I went to a Stampin' Up! meeting. I was hooked from the beginning. Even though my style has changed my love for learning new techniques and helping others to create has not changed. 

Here is one of the shots of Tiffany's inspiring space:

Thank you for joining us in the studio today, Tiffany. I can't wait to share your talent with my readers!

1 – What got you started on the creative path?

 I was invited to a Stampin' Up! party by a mom in a mommy and me playgroup I was in. I was hooked right a way!

2 – How has your creativity evolved?

It has taken so many turns. I fell in love with stamping. I made cards at first and then dabbled in a little scrapbooking. I then quickly found my love for mixed media and altered projects. After many years of creating 3d projects and more in depth projects I came back to card making, 

3 – What do you enjoy most about your creative path?

I am going to get a little vulnerable, which I don’t often do. When I was young I always felt artistic or the urge to be creative. But I was never able to draw or paint “correctly” and I always got bad grades in art class. In high school I remember the teacher telling me I wasn’t trying hard enough and I would almost fail each year but I stuck with it because I loved expressing myself through art. I also loved cooking and was actually pretty good at it and I thought maybe that is the “art form” I was supposed to pursue. I almost went to culinary school but life took me a different way. In 2008 I found paper crafting and over the years I obsessed in learning new techniques. People would often call me an artist but I felt so uncomfortable when people would call my projects art. Or tell me I am a good artist. It wasn’t until this year 2023 that I finally embraced the fact that I am an artist. 

4 – What inspires you?

I am inspired by so much every day! A color can inspire a project or the sunset can make me want to get in my room to create. 

5 – When did you move from hobby to business and what initiated the transition?

It was kind of by accident or maybe a natural progression. I have been creating YouTube video since 2008. Back then there was no money in it at all. I was always on some sort of design team but they didn’t pay. Just offered free products. It wasn’t until 2020 I took a course on how to build a better YouTube channel and my whole mindset shifted because I started implementing these things and I could see the potential. I started getting paid sponsorships and was asked to join summits and teach classes. 

6 – What do you love most about your space and would you change anything?

Recently I purged a lot of stuff out of my room and no matter what drawer I open or bin I dig in everything inspires me in my room. I think that is the thing I love most. For too many years I was so unorganized and I felt overwhelmed. I don’t have that feeling anymore. I would only want to somehow add a little hangout area for my kids. They often sit in my room with me but there is no couch or anything. 

7 – What 3 things do you feel are important when planning a space?

Don’t compare your space to other peoples

Make it functional but also have things out that inspire you. 

Keep your most used supplies closest to you

8 – What is your best organization tip?

I think the thing I stress the most is before you organize you have to purge. Not just a few items but have an honest conversation with yourself about what you haven’t used and won’t use in the future. 

9 – What is your best tip for anyone wanting to turn their craft into a business? 

Have multiple revenue streams and always learn how you can do better, whether that is with marketing, YouTube videos or other things. 

As you may have realized from these Creator's Corner interviews, getting to our 'Dream Studio' is much like finding Planner Peace. There is a process we must travel to find what works for us. Dream Studio is NOT about size but how we work with the what we have.

Tiffany gives us a tour of her dream studio in this vide:

I hope you've enjoyed this visit with Tiffany Solorio. Remember to check out the Card Maker Summit details coming up this weekend. This event is FREE (however, you can purchase lifetime access)

Here are some ways you can connect with Tiffany:

WEBSTIE   YOUTUBE   INSTAGRAM   REDBUBBLE

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

CREATOR'S CORNER - Gayle Agostinelli

Good morning, friends!

If you work in mixed media or make junk journals, then you are probably familiar with today's guest. 

Gayle Agostinelli

Gayle is one of the most creative ladies that I follow on YouTube. I think one of her favorite things to work with are 'make aheads'. These are basic items you can make up ahead of time to either just pop into a journal as needed or, with a little extra embellishments, can be tailor-made to a specific project.  Let's hear from Gayle!

In 2016, my business transitioned from a bricks and mortar vintage shop, CinnamonT, to an online Etsy shop, CinnamonT.  I began my YouTube channel at the same time to share mixed media and junk journal making videos.  My guiding principal with my YouTube was to share kindness as well as creativity.

Gayle has such a sweet voice, highlighting her 'kindness'. 

Here's one shot of Gayle's studio:

Welcome, Gayle!

1 – What got you started on the creative path?

I’ve always created for as long as I can remember.  I did the usual kid art, drawing , cutting snowflakes and making clothes for my Barbies.  My parents always praised and showcased my creations.  I loved having their approval of what I was making!

2 – How has your creativity evolved?

I did decoupage and wood burning as a teenager.  Then crocheting and quilt making as a young adult.  I made my kids’ clothes as they were growing up.  I tried scrapbooking my kid’s photos, but it was too precise for me and I gave it up.  After the kids left home, I began jewelry making and mixed media art.  When I first saw junk journals on YouTube, I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it (remembering my failed attempt at scrapbooking), but what I found was I could incorporate every craft I ever done into the making of journals.  I love it!

3 – What do you enjoy most about your creative path?

I’d have to say I enjoy the incredible community of creatives that I’ve discovered through my YouTube channel.  They are my friends and my crafting buddies!  I didn’t realize when I first started my channel how incredibly important they would become in my life.

4 – What inspires you? 

That’s a tough one as SO many things inspire me!  The world around me inspires me.  Nature inspires me.  Funny story…I used the restroom at my hairdresser’s and the wallpaper was incredible hues of purple and grey.  I went straight home and took out my gelli plate to make some prints with the color combination in the wallpaper!  There is inspiration everywhere, if we are open to seeing it!

5 – When did you move from hobby to business and what initiated the transition?

As mentioned in my bio, 2016 was the year I went online.  I retired from my career in 2016.  When space and time open in your life, there is room for something wonderful to come in.  For me, it was time to devote to my art full time.  When my husband looked at all the mixed media canvases and journals I was making and said in dismay, “are we going to have these all over the house?”, I decided I’d better open an Etsy shop and sell my work!

6 – What do you love most about your space and would you change anything?

I just rearranged my craft room to have my journal making area under a window and have the space to pull everything I need during a video close to me.  Best thing I’ve ever done!  I also have a separate filming area for mixed media.  I love having the two areas to film!  I can leave the mixed media area all painty and messy without the possibility of ruining one of my journals.  My craft room is my happy place and, yes, I love it!

7 – What 3 things do you feel are important when planning a space?

1.      A place for everything and everything in it’s place.  I can’t create with chaos around me.

2.     Having what you need as close at hand as possible.

3.     Having good storage containers such as project boxes, project cart, bins, shelves, rolling carts, etc.  With good storage options, keeping like with like is so much easier.

8 – What is your best organization tip?

Tidy up often.  I tidy my work space at the end of every crafting session.  And I do a major tidy and sort after I complete a project.  I love to start every day’s work with a clean slate of a tidy work space!  I also put things away as I’m working, so my work space doesn’t get out of control.

9 – What is your best tip for anyone wanting to turn their craft into a business?

Work hard and be yourself.  It takes time and effort to create a successful business of any kind.  If you begin an online business, give it time to grow and don’t give up because it doesn’t happen overnight.  Engage in others’ online presence to support and learn from them.  Put your good energy out in the world and good things will come back to you.

Thank you, Gayle, for joining me in Creator's Corner today. You are always a pleasure. 

For a complete walk-through of Gayle's studio and her methods for organization, check out this pair of videos: 

Part One - the tour:

Part Two - at arm's length (within reach):

You can catch up with Gayle by clicking on any of the links below:

WEBSITE   ETSY   PATREON   YouTube  FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM

MERCH SHOP 

Please remember to check out those links and subscribe to her channels. You'll love the content!

Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

 

 

 

WOYWW #690

 Good morning, friends!

Where was everyone last week? Just busy, I hope. Let's get back to crafting!

Can you believe that we've been together (well, not everyone every week, but still...) for over 13 years!!!

My goodness, that's a lot of blogs, a lot of friends and a whoppin' amount of inspiration and creativity!

So what's on my desk this morning....

I'm getting closer to completing the bee journals. I finally got the new sewing machine out yesterday, figured out how easy it is to thread and the needle went through the two layers of manilla envelope, two layers of fabric easily.   That's my signature to the right of the cover. The cover is surrounded my this and that and elements of construction - except for the playing cards. They're left over from the mixed media ATC class. I just haven't gotten down on my kneeling bench to put them away. 

This week on the organization front, I'm talking about GLUE. I've had several questions about not only the glues that I use on a regular basis but how some of them work compared to others. I hope there's information in the video that helps you. Also, please share your favorite glue in the comments below.

Here's another tidbit for you before I go.

If you haven't already, I hope you'll subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Friday at 11 a.m. EST I'll be having my weekly premiere - but this one is SPECIAL!

I'll be unveiling the FIVE give away packs in honor of my 500 subscribers. I'm working on something now that I might even be able to offer something to NATIONAL Subscribers. Cross your fingers I can make that happen. 

In the mean time...

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

STAMPIN' UP! FREE SHIPPING! - Today Only!

 

Good morning, crafty friends!

Just a quick post to let you know Stampin' Up! is offering FREE SHIPPING, today only (4-21-22) on orders of $75 or more (before tax).

Now is the perfect time to grab the retiring In-Colors or any of the Retiring items from our January-June/ Annual catalogs AND Clearance items!

Beginning this Friday, I'll be using the HEART & HOME as well as a couple retiring In-Colors & Designer Series Paper from the catlogs for the #A2ZJJJC with Dear Julie Julie. If you want to play along, NOW IS THE TIME to get those items ordered. I'll be providing the links here every Friday to the projects for each week as we walk through the 26 letters! 

Items for the FREE 8- week class: 

Honey Bee Home Bundle

HEART & HOME Designer Series Paper

Heart & Home Memories & More cardpack

Heart & Home Doilies

Hive 3D Embossing Folder

Blessings of Home stamp set

Flowers of Home dies

Cinnamon Cider cardstock

Bumble Bee cardstock

Basic Black cardstock

Evening Evergreen ribbon

Classic Mat Dots OR Matte Black Dots

Tombo Mono Liquid Glue

Stampin' Dimensionals

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Here's the short details video:

I'll be back tomorrow to share our first items. Mind you, they may not go in alphabetical order - just whatever I pull from my sticks jar or am inspired to do, but we will work through all 26 letters!

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly 

WOYWW #635

 Good morning, crafty friends!

Somehow, Wednesday has rolled around again and that means we're peeking in on desks all around the world to see what everyone is up to.

The work desk is still horrible but the filming desk is useable on a repetitive basis. This morning, I'm working on the CEO Strategy Planner for Creative Entreprenuers to put my 3 businesses in order. You see, Bob and I have determined I'm 'diversified'. LOL or may be just nuts! 

Just prior to the trip to OK last weekend I made the decision to come out of Hobby Dem status for Stampin' Up! and see if I couldn't get a cash flow... at least enough to help off-set the items I love to buy. LOL

I also have the Etsy store and the Author business.... neither of which are very productive at the moment. I'm hoping by putting a plan on paper and into action, that will change. I know if I have items in my shop, they will sell - a 'Build it and they will come' sort of process.

I'm going to put the remaing of the 3rd quarter business strategy into a video for my KellysCreativeDreams channel today then I'll be writing blog posts the rest of the day. Pretty much all my hip wants to allow (except pain eds and sleeping) since yesterday mid-day. Grrr... 

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 #632

 Good morning, crafty friends.

I can't believe it's Wednesday already. Where has the week gone? As you can see, we are at week #632. That's 632 consecutive weeks that we've been snooping in spaces of other craft friends. 

I have 3 pictures for you today.

First... a reminder of what my Filming areal looked like before:

I've totally emptied out the filming table and the shelf to the right which is below a large sliding window.

Initially, in the design, that shelf was to be my working area so I could look out the window. The book case area (which you'll see better in future posts) was my cutting station where I had my vagabond, cricut, sizzix platform... all set up and ready at a thought's notice. Sadly, the number of stamps I have had me rethinking that design.

Next:

The filming table completely empty, and you can see the photo boxes with my stamps on the bookshelf behind. The shelf below the window to the right isn't completely cleared but will be by later this afternoon (crossing fingers)

I used the filming table yesterday to break down eight Project Life kits and file them in their cabinet (I'll show that in a video/ photos soon). I've since taken the table down so I can vacuum that area really well. Then the table will go back into place and I'll start breaking down all of my PaperCrafting & Cardmaking magazines.  They are all stored in those six magazine holders on the second shelf. You can see them on the far right shelf in this picture:

I plan to use that shelf for all of the Stamperia and specialty papers I've been ordering from Madi & SpectrumArtCreations. 

The shelf to the right of that is going to hold CURRENT SU papers and hopefully CURRENT stamp sets. (Two of those shelves are removeable so I can make them deepr to be the same size as the magazine shelf.) We'll see how many of the latter I have.  Probably more than I think or will fit on that shelf. lol.

Bob comes home tomorrow and I've already warned him I'm no where near done. I worked 2 hours in the early morning of Monday planting 32 of the tomato plants. I was out of commission the rest of the day on Monday and most of  Tuesday. Ugh. Gorgeous out there this morning and there's more I could do but I know if I go out there then nothing will get done in here. I'm hoping BOb will be up to doing some of the heavy lifting for me when he gets home. 

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 #630

 Good morning, crafty friends!

Here is my desk in all it's glory. Actually, this is the aftermath of a haul video I filmed last night. I needed to re-record a haul video from a previous shipment of goodies from SpectrumArtCreations then bring in the box that just arrived in the mail yesterday. Lots of scrumptiousness to play with, don't you think?

I'm also sharing a video with you today. By request on my YouTube channel I am doing an organization series. But before I can show how I put stuff away, I have to do that task. So video 1 in the series is entitled ... The Ugly Truth.  If nothing else, my video will have you come to realize your space isn't so bad. 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 

GETTING BACK ON TRACK! Really!!

 Good morning, crafty friends!

Life has just been nuts. I had 2 conferences the same weekend a couple of weeks ago - Thankfully on-line so I can go back and catch the recordings on one of them. Bob and I were busting tail to get garden beds done before he left.  Okay, to be honest, he built 99% of them while I was at a hotel for a writer's retreat and those two conferences. Now, I just need a little less humidity to get them filled and plants transfered out of pots. I finally got the zucchini in their bed one morning last week and they're doing fine... except where the deer are nipping off the tops. 

If you'd like to see a video of the new garden beds on a budget, check out my first 'garden tour' video HERE

I've been asked to do an organization series on my YouTube channel so I decided the best way to do that was to showcase my own disaster and how I'm getting my studio back in shape. If you'd like to come along for the ride, check out the video below, subscribe to my channel and click the little bell so you'll know when new videos in the series go up. I'm planning to do them on Saturdays beginning July 9th until the room is done.

I've been making cards but most have been for the collabs I'm involved with on YouTube. You can always check out my channel to see what's going on.

I hope to be back here tomorrow with either a Color Challenge or a Teapot Challenge. I also have three (?) Card Chicks kits to catch up on. They're sitting here beside me - not lost on the worktable. ;-)

Creative Blessings

~Kelly

#CraftyGoals

 Good morning, everyone!

Thank you for your patience as I attempted to get through the studio disaster last week. The progress was slow as I spent four days inventorying my napkin stash.  If you want to see why I took four days, you can check out the video HERE as part of my Organization Series

I came across THIS youtube channel a couple of weeks ago. The video I watched, Amalia was talking about her December crafty goals.  There were several others in the collab and she invited anyone who wanted to join the collab to jump right in.

Well, you know that while I do 'jump right in' to a lot of things, there is also prep involved. My OCD won't let me do things small. :-)

I'm going to include my video at the end of this post as to how I've set up my creativity planner to help me track my goal for the year... but what are my goals?

My list encompasses several things that may not necessarily be 'goals' but items I want to be more aware of this year. So let's take a look at my list:

Track 'craft' finances. 

     This includes my spending as well as everything related to my Etsy shop

5 New items in the shop each month

10 Christmas cards per month minimum

Monthly birthday/ anniversary cards

House scrapbook

Girls' 2019 albums (there is one for each of the girls as well as mine but all similar in layout)

52 Hat/ scarf sets

Take part more in the Splitcoast groups - check in at least 2x per week

Finish the twins' afghans (by April)

Reindeer Club

I'm also either directly in some Collabs or at least playing along:

Monthly Junk Journal challenge

#52tagshannemade - a handstitching challenge on a 2x4 (approx) tag

#Canned Pumpkin - using up our Paper Pumpkin kits

#Case on the 5th - find a card to case. I'll be exploring past SU catalogs

10 on the 10th - Christmas cards

#roxysweeklychallenge - junk journal type of items. 

Smash that Small Paper Pad - 6x6 use it up with Deb Houck's Crafty Cottage

I know that is a lot, thus the reason for the actual planner to help me track them, especially where collabs are concerned. So I don't have to keep referring to the Creativity Planner, I've made it so I can just move the current month into my everyday planner. 

For the rest of the month I want to catch up on the #52 tags as well as Roxy's weekly challenge, since they are quick tag challenges. My first actual collab commitment is due on the 25th with the 6x6 collab then the Paper Pumpkin on the 31st.  I hope to get those items done up this week and videos uploaded.

Here's the Creativity Planner video.  

I will see you back here tomorrow with my first card of 2021.

What are your crafty plans for the year? Please share in the comments below.

Creative Blessings

~Kelly

10-MINUTE TUESDAY - A 20 Minute Card!

 Good morning, crafty friends!

Yeah - for some reason this card took twenty minutes! I have no clue why. The dimensions were figured out ahead of time and everything was right there on the desk in front of me.

This card is actually a Card Chicks kit from February. I kept losing track of Barb's envelope! So glad I found it as I used the cards as birthday cards!

I started with a 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" Blushing Bride cardbase

The Sahara Sand cardstock mat is 5-1/4" x 4"

I cut the first DSP paper to 2-1/4" x 3-1/4" 

The next piece of Sahara Sand is cut 3-7/8" x 2-7/8"

Layer with a piece of DSP cut to 2-3/4" x 3-3/4"

Image is trimmed to 3-1/4" x 2-1/8" The Blushing Bride mat is trimmed to be 1/8" wider all the way around. I did this by gluing the image onto the mat, then trimming to 1/8" on all four sides. You want just a shadow to let the image stand out from the card.

Watch the video to see how the pieces come together to make the card:

Remember the Designer Series Paper sale on Stampin' Up! through October 31st.

You will find me by Find My Demonstrator and putting Kelly Henkins - Birch Tree MO in the search box.  

I'll be back tomorrow with Part 2 of the Editorial Calendar video.

Creative Blessings

~ Kelly

FRIDAY FREEBIE - Ephemera Folders

Good morning, everyone!

I'm still in the process of trying to get things straightened out on the personal level. I hope to have things in place so I can better focus on the creative stuff next week.

In the mean time, I've been working on putting together Ephemera Folders to house all the little bits n pieces - primarily my Tim Holtz Ephemera. 

I've put together a video of my process. Later, I'll be posting a video of how many I wound up with and a closer look inside. 

Have a safe weekend! Creative Blessings!

MIXED MEDIA MONDAY - In Progress & EXCITING NEWS!

Good morning, everyone!
I hope that in spite of the lock down, you all found something to enjoy for Easter. While things were definitely not normal, there were still plenty of blessings in each of our lives. Focus on the Positive!

My positive today is all about the junk journal stuff. things I have in progress and some exciting news to share... later. ;-)

First off, a few pictures.

This first one is a book page, folded into thirds. This works great as a belly band or a side-tuck on a journal page.

 Here it is, open, with the notebook paper glued to the inside for journaling:

Next, making a pleated ruffle with book paper is easy. I've made mine from the blank border on either side of a printed page, gluing lengths together.

Once the pleats are made by gluing them into place, flip them over and attach colored paper scraps. This will be one of several 10-minute tutorial videos beginning next week on my channel.

For the mini challenge due today on Dearjuliejulie's AlphabetA2Z Junk Journal Challenge, we are to make a coin envelope as well as a bank envelope plus embellish them and add things to the pockets. A bank envelope has two pockets and the coine only has one.

I've made these coin envelope pockets from book pages. I just need to embellish - Today LOL

Here's a bank envelope I have on hand. I haven't chosen the paper yet to make mine from.

Finally, here's my work table today. I want to finish adding my personal touches to the sewing journal today then I can clear everything off so I can start fresh. We're already two weeks in to the A2Z Challenge!

Now for my Exciting News!

I've been helping to moderate Dearjuliejulie's YouTube live streams for a couple of weeks. During our Saturday gathering, Julie announced that I am now a member of the Dearjuliejulie Design Team!

I'm super excited. She creates some of the most beautiful digitals for her Etsy shop.  Right now, all of her digitals are 50% off so we can craft til our little hearts content. 

Off I go!

Be smart, Be safe - CREATE!