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

I'M BACK!

 Well, sort of...

Was a crazy couple of weeks getting ready for the conference, speaking at said conference then taking a few extra days before coming back to crazy town. 

This is Bob's last week home and we are trying to cram in vehicle repairs, food stock up and general maintenance around here before he heads back out a week from tomorrow.

Creative update!

I've been working on the Pink Ribbon journal and kits for the Etsy shop. Slower progress than I wanted but at least I'm getting there. Depending on time with Bob, I hope to have something in the shop by the end of the week.

I'm also still working on Stampin' Up!. I'll be taking part in Virtual On-Stage next month and hoping to build a presence from there. I just can't let go of Stampin' Up! I love the products and their products allow me to bring quality merchandise into my shop.

For now, Bob is waiting on me to have coffee with him before we start our day.

I hope to have something tomorrow.... time allowing today. If you've ever had to take a vehicle to the garage for repairs, you can see where my time line is for today. 

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

COMPUTER ISSUES, CONSTRUCTION AND SINUS'

In case some of you thought I'd vanished beneath the construction rubble... I'm still here.

Two days after the construction began I got hit with a horrid sinus infection that lasted 6 weeks! I've never had vertigo or thought it was really a 'thing'. I am now a true believer. The cursor on the computer would make me nauseous. LOL I've spent less than 10 minutes a WEEK on line until yesterday.

I've also had to continually work out things on this new laptop. But at least now my head is up to the challenge and things should run more smooth.

I had planned to post pics of the build in progress but by the time I fed the crew lunch, I just wanted to go to bed... and did as soon as they were done for the day.

Those of you who've been with me for a while know I LOVE  to decorate for Christmas.This year my decor consists of a new 4' pre-lit Christmas tree and 2 gift bags to be decorated and used in place of stockings. With the construction and my being ill, the house is a disaster. At this point I just want to get business caught up before I lose my hard-earned contacts. Everything else will fall into place - or off the counter.

And to top off my holiday season... I am not making Christmas cards this year. I want to enjoy the process, not be stressed out trying to get them made and in the mail. My work space downstairs is buried under items I've either purchased or been working on as part of the new space organization.

But, as my husband said, 'next year - look out!' LOL Christmas in all it's colorful glory will return to our house and mailboxes nationwide.

My biggest thing I'm looking forward to is that in the new space I'll be able to display my Christmas Village on the big work island I've not unpacked my village with the exception of a few pieces a couple years ago, in over 8 years. And I can shut the cats out of the studio so they won't be playing Godzilla through the snowy set up. hehe

Playing Catch Up

Well as you can see, nothing posted the whole time my granddaughter was here. I wound up with a head cold and didn't do much of anything the whole time she was here except watch Bambi, Cars or Nemo over and over and over and ... well, you get the idea. Lots of snuggling. Lots of napping when Grandpa could take her out to blow bubbles and hike in the woods. She loves to take timber walks.

She left on Sunday and hubby left on Tuesday. I feel better but I spent Tuesday, Wednesday and part of Thursday finishing up 2 swaps. One was a 6x6 Tea Time Recipe swap. I created recipe cards for 2 categories - Vegie salad on toast points and mini Eclairs. Wouldn't you know it, I put both in the mail without taking any pictures. So I'll have to post those when the swap comes back in a couple weeks. I'm only signed up for 1 more swap between now and June. I don't plan on playing in any others. I have plenty of other projects I want to work on - not 'have to get done' things.

I got the kitchen curtains made. I'm hoping to get the blog back on track on Monday and keep it up to speed. I'll have 2 weeks to practice before Bob comes home and we tear into a living room remodel. LOL

Isn't it always something?

What are you working on?

Closing out 2010

Okay, it was brought to my attention I've not updated this blog since September. It's just been a really crazy, unusual year for me all the way around. But things are FINALLY settling into place and I've learned some things along the way.

Beginning the first week of January I will have specific types of things posted every day. Some days will have pictures, some days not. This will have to be based on the days I'm able to travel to WiFi. I hope you'll follow along on my new journey. I look forward to sharing it with you.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Creative Juices Flow

Wow!

Once I'd finished the Handy Manny headboard, I spent the final four weeks between then and July 4th soaking up all the grandma love I could get before my granddaughter moved to Nashville with her mommy. The house has sure been quiet without her giggles and constant activity.

The day she left, I dug into the office/ creative space. I love my daughter to pieces but she leaves behind a real negative energy sometimes and my space just needed a good cleansing and reclaiming. I needed to make it something it hadn't been in over eighteen months - MINE.

I started on the office side, emptying out the filing cabinet, sorting everything as I went, and donating it to my hubby for the hard work he had ahead of him. I designed a low, deep bookcase to replace the stereo cabinet and the filing cabinet. I wanted a smooth line from my counter top desk across that whole South wall to the book cabinet.

So on the way back from a writers conference, I stopped at the home improvement store for the lumber he would need. In the process of getting into the back of the truck to secure the load, I tried to blow my left knee cap. By the time I'd gotten home my knee was the size of a large cantaloupe. So for the next 3-4 weeks I spent lots of time with it elevated... not making trips up and down the stairs to the 'dungeon'. Although I still have to watch how I step, the knee is better. I'm slowly making progress in the office and hope to finish it up this week.

I've also been getting some creative time in, which I hope to show you pics of soon. But for now, I just wanted to let you know that posts will becoming through on a weekly basis again. Sometimes even more if I have the opportunity to upload pictures of a project. So check back on Saturdays to see what's going on in the dungeon.

Creative Blessings
Kelly

Returning to Normal

Whatever normal is or as close as it will be for awhile.

I'm finally making time to play with my toys again. The keyword there is 'making'. I have to make time to play, to read, to watch my favorite TV show... whatever.

With that foot-to-the-floor decision came a sense of peace. Ink on my fingers, hearing the blade slide through the paper trimmer... ah bliss. Well, as peaceful as it can be with 70s music rockin' on the XM Direct TV channel. hehe

I'll have pictures to post in a couple days and as promised, a couple people to introduce you to. So hang with me. It's going to be FUN!

Happy 4th of July!

I hope today's post finds all of my friends enjoying a safe and happy holiday weekend. It's quiet here in the central Ozarks. Hints of storms loom overhead, threatening to wash out any fireworks displays. I would like to have taken my granddaughter to see some tonight - our first 4th of July together. Instead, it sounds like an early night for her and a writing night for me.

I wanted to play with the layout. I hope you like it. I've finally made time to add links of some of my stampin' friends. These are gals I go to when I need a little inspiration. Next time you find yourself wanting to play with something different than the 'same old same old', check out their sites and you'll be back on track.

One of my favorite places to go for inspiration is www.splitcoaststampers.com If you've not been, you're in for a treat. Start with the GALLERY. More ideas there than you'll use in three lifetimes. Such creative people at SCS. I say people because you'll find some really talented guys as well as gals posting their samples at SplitCoast. SCS also has a wide variety of forums - everything from introduction to stamping/scrapping, tutorials, challenges and swaps just to name a few. A wealth of inspiration and information - FREE! You'll browse for hours so tuck the kids into bed, hand hubby the remote, grab your favorite beverage and take some personal time.

I have some things I'm playing with and hope to post early in the week.
Until then...
Creative Blessings!

I'm back!

First off, I have to apologize for being MIA. As most of you know, my daughter and 18mo old granddaughter moved in with us in March. It has been quite an adjustment from being in this house with only animals for company 3 weeks at a time. What a drain two extra people can make on your creativity! But I wouldn't miss this opportunity to get to know my only grandchild for anything in the world. She's a grandma's girl - when grandpa isn't home. hehe

With May being graduation month, I've had to make time to get some cards done and I think that is the key. Like my writing, if I want it I have to MAKE time for creativity or anything else I enjoy. So here's hoping I can be back in here on a regular basis and build the blog to theinteractive venue I first invisioned.

So here's to a fresh start in Creativity!

Creative Blessings!