Cleanin' out the crap

Today I finally got tired of trying to move around the messes in my craft room. Bryan left our "original" dresser we bought when we moved to Phoenix over 28 years ago and I want to utilize the drawer space in my craft room, so....
I AM FINALLY CLEANING OUT SOME OF MY STUFF!
And April will be taking home an additional Christmas present of my unused stuff. I already have a box almost full and I've only been working for half an hour. I'm making lists of what I had intended to use some items for and am going to work on the list to complete some new projects and learn some new techniques since I have all of the items to work with.
I'm off to bake with a friend and her mother (who came in from Sweden). It will be fun to make some different traditional holiday treats.
Happy Holidays!

OK Liz, you win!

Liz scolded me today at lunch and I really do need to blog more often. Thanks, Liz, for getting me back on (and for the yummy lunch today). April, Liz, Teresa, Amanda, and I went to Claim Jumpers for lunch and then shopped at Hobby Lobby this afternoon. It was good to see Liz again (last time was at convention this past fall). Lunch was great, Hobby Lobby not so great. They don't use scanners to enter prices in their registers so my entire ticket was wrong. Had to wait in line at the refund counter to adjust the prices. I can't believe they expect the cashiers to memorize every sale item. No wonder the refund counter was busy!
In the morning April and I went to Recollections to stock up on their going out of business sale. I got lots of adhesives, embellshments, and some unfinished albums to play with.
All my holiday shopping is done (gotta love the internet!) and only have to wrap the few gifts I did buy.
So, April, what are we having for dessert on Tuesday?

Quiz

I was tagged by April to answer these questions:



Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both, and cards to hold the gift cards

2. Real tree or artificial?
Started out real, got sick, then fake, it broke, now nothing

3. When do you put up the tree?
Used to put it up at Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?
New Year’s

5. Do you like eggnog?
Tried it, but never got the taste for it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Barbie’s Dream House

7. Do you have a Nativity scene?
no

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Husband – he always asks for things like a new motorcycle or computer, I’m a teacher – I can’t afford those things!

9. Easiest person to buy for?
April

10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received?
Some Secret Santa crap

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Home Alone, Holiday Inn

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Beginning of December

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Buns from a tube for breakfast

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
We used both, but some of them had to blink

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Jose Feliciano’s version of Feliz Navidad

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We have gone to California for several years, but probably home this year

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Probably not without cheating

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Don’t remember, something glittery

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Day.

22 Most annoying thing about this time of year?
We have no snow! And Black Friday with all the stupid people waiting in line for days just to save a buck.



Guess the only person I can tag is Liz!!

OOPS!

OOPS! I just read my second to last post and realized that the orange and green bracelet never got posted, it was taking too long, and then it crapped out on me the other day and I posted before I actually uploaded Michelle's bracelet. Anyhoo... here it is.

More Bling!

I have been working on this "blingy" bracelet for several days now and finally finished it tonight. It is made following an idea found in "Stringing Beads" by Jean Campbell. It is made primarily from findings. I attached all of the beads to either headpins, lever back earrings, or five hole connectors. I couldn't find some of the findings mentioned in the instructions, so I substituted some butterfly charms (with wrapped loops like the silver pearls) and a couple of dragonfly charms. In the middle I placed a Libra charm. I learned a lot making this bracelet and can't wait to wear it to work tomorrow.

Another bracelet

The green and sherbet colored bracelet is one I made for my good friend, Michelle, at work. This past Saturday I went to Bead 101 class at a fabulous little bead store in Surprise, Confetti. I made the black and crystal bracelet for myself and learned exactly what wire to use. So... I need to get Michelle's bracelet back to redo it RIGHT! I went shopping today and bought tons of bead materials while the sales were on.
I am presently working on a totally intricate bracelet almost entirely made from findings. I have made some beaded bling, but had to stop and finish school work. Hopefully I will finish it this week. The supplies were rather expensive, but it looks great so far.

Busy, busy, busy today

Browsing through my newest Paper Trends magazine I saw an art journal and immediately thought of Karen, our new art teacher at school. She had commented one day at lunch that she hasn't had time to draw or sketch for a long time and that all her art supplies are still packed from her move from Michigan. Since my latest swaps are completed, I decided to work on this sketch journal. I used a pre-made HOTP journal with DCWV Far East paper pack. All the ribbon is Stampin' Up, flowers are Prima, and chipboard (colored with SU marker) from Lisa Bearnson. I made the tabs using the SU punch on scraps. We have art tomorrow so I will give it to her then.

My next project is a green and coral bracelet for another friend at work.

Bracelet making

Last weekend I made a couple of bracelets, one for myself and one for April. One of the ladies I work with liked the ladybug design and asked me to make one for her daughter. I finally made it yesterday. Michael's had most of their bead making supplies on sale so I got some findings to make some different styles. My problem is I don't know how much to charge for this one. Help!

I've been Tagged!

I've been "tagged" by Liz and have to post 7 weird or odd facts about me:

First of all, everything about me is weird, but here goes with the top 7:
1. I absolutely love eating raw hamburger out of the package!
2. I have a "ghost" who follows me from home to home marking on my feet.
3. According to my mother I was born with a "caul" over my head which means something, I'm not sure what!
4. When I was little I saw a scary movie about a headless horseman and had to sleep under the covers so I wouldn't see him in my window. It took me over 20 years to kick the habit!
5. I hate Oreos, Milky Way bars, and sickly sweet frosting.
6. When I chew gum, I must have at least 3 pieces in my mouth all at once (might explain the arthritic jaw, no?)
7. Emus scare me, at the Wildlife World Zoo one attacked me over the fence!

I don't think I know enough people to tag!!

October Craft Class

So, a couple months ago I got the idea to have a monthly get together at my house and make some crafty projects with my friends. Last month we made a small box container and 3 3X3 cards to go inside.
This month we made a "french fry" container with candy corn, a tiny box with wrapped Hershey's Nuggets inside, and a fall card.
Rita, Alice, Karen, April, and her niece Kyler showed up and we had a good time.
I failed to take pics last month, but got some shots of the "girls" and their projects before they left today.
I promise for next month: NO more little boxes, although it went much more smoothly this time! We are looking at putting together french style bulletin boards (made with pressed board) for November's project.
Great job today, ladies. Can't wait until November!

Liz's card

Coffee or tea for Liz? This is the card I made for my secret pal over at Secret Scrapper. I used fabric with Wonder Under type product to iron it to the paper, Stampin' Up stamp and ink, paper from HOTP over at Paper Wishes (I think from Earth Elements collection). I have other fabric and should work with it again on cards. Enjoy, Liz! Hope you are feeling better!

I finished the book yesterday afternoon. I can't wait to give it to Lillian. She was generous and gave me a wonderful stash of authentic Japanese rice paper. Her husband is military so this paper actually came from Japan.
The photos show (in order): the front cover, the spine, a few inside pages (with chopstick and twill binding), the inside back cover, and back cover.

I missed Lillian's birthday as it was the first part of the school year, so this will be a belated birthday present for her. I thought it would be meaningful to incorporate some of the paper she had given to me. I chose the paper with the least busy design as I wanted to accent with patterned paper. Basic Grey's Infuse line complimented beautifully. The stamps and ink are from Stampin' Up, cardstock from Bazzill, who knows where the rest came from. (You have to see my room to understand!)

The book pattern came from a class I took at Scrap Happy Sisters over a year ago. Georgia Hauglid gave monthly classes called The Cutting Edge. The entire book is made from paper, chipboard, twill tape, and wooden skewers. I loved those classes and miss them!

Artist's Block.... arghhhh

I am currently working on a hand made book for a friend at school. I am blocked right now. The cover is almost done, just looking for that perfect touch. I'll let it sit, watch CSI and come back to it. I'm hoping to finishi it tonight so I can surprise her at work tomorrow. When I am finished, I will post some pics.

Secret Pal

Liz: Just wanted to let you know that a card is on its way exposing me as your Secret Pal over at Secret Scrapper. Will post the card after you receive it. What fun would it be to see it here first?

Party On!

Party on, dudes..... these are my two children, April and Bryan at my birthday party last night.

Lots of friends, lots of food, and fun!

Birthday gift

Above are the pictures of Miranda's card tin for her birthday. I used one of my favorite lines: Urban Acres Boulevard by Heidi Grace, the pearl centers are from Stampin' Up's Pretties Kit, the tin is from Provo Craft, and the ribbons are a combination of Making Memories, Stampin' Up and my stash. I plan to fill the tin with some cards that I have made so she can use them.

Even though it's World Card Making Day, I haven't been able to try any of the challenges that April has posted over on the Secret Scrapper website. I've made a couple of cards that I started last night, but spent most of the day making food for the party tomorrow night. I am in the process of creating a decorated card tin for Miranda's birthday gift so need to finish that to give to her tomorrow. When I finish I will post some pictures. Happy World Card Making Day!!

Finally, I am posting some of my work. Every month I receive a card kit from PaperWishes including enough supplies to creat 10 cards. I love working with the embellishments that come in each kit. I have fallen in love with the products from their catalog and order quite often.

Below is the outside and inside of a thank you card I gave to Sharon at work for honoring me with the wonderful surprise as school yesterday.

Yesterday was my girlfriend's birthday and her first day back at work after having her second son. Below are the cards I gave to Miranda celebrating her birthday and the birth of Troy. Congrats!

A Day Made Better

A Day Made Better

Sponsored by Office Max

What a surprise this morning at school! Little did I know that the assembly called for fifth and sixth grade teachers was to award me with this fabulous cart of goodies ( and the leather chair I am sitting on)! Our office manager, Sharon Prochello, had nominated me to receive over $1,200 in classroom supplies provided by Office Max in their A Day Made Better promotion in conjunction with Adopt-A-Classroom. 1,000 teachers were surprised at the same time all across the country. What a feat that must have been!

I am rarely surprised by anything, but they certainly kept this news under wraps until this morning. I felt like a celebrity and my students enjoyed the recognition as well. I am truly grateful for Sharon's faith in me as an educator. This is a great award because I get to share with my students.

Thank you to Office Max, Sharon, Marilee Timbrooks (our fantastic principal), and to my studen ts. What a day!!

Holy Moly! I'll be 50 soon!

Well... next Sunday is the "big one". 30 didn't phase me, I was raising the kids, 40 didn't bother me, I was starting my teaching career, but 50, now that's a different story.

My body is telling me that it knows I am almost 1/2 century old, but at least I'm on the top side of the grass....

Best wishes to anyone hitting a milestone this year (especially Miranda at 30 in two days!)

Here's hoping I have enough breath to blow out candles!!!

What does your creative process look like?

Been thinking about the creative process lately (see my earlier post about endorphins) .....

Talked briefly with a crafty friend at work whose process seems to be similar to mine...
When I begin a project, it usually takes on a life of its own before completion. I believe the term I have seen used is "the muse takes over."

• I start with an idea in mind
• I carefully gather the materials I think I will need
• And begin.
• But, wait.... don't I have a great "so and so" in my supplies that would go perfectly with these __________ (fill in the blank: colors, brads, beads, papers, etc.)
• Once I find those "perfect" items, my imagined project takes off in a whole new direction.
• And so on until it is complete.

My finished item barely resembles the sketch (either on paper or mental) that I started with.

I used to get bothered by the changing plan, but have since just tried to "follow the muse to whererver she takes me at the time" and have become more happy creatively.

So..... back to my post title:

WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

1. Are you happy with it
2. Does it produce satisfying results?

A work in progress

Thanks ladies for your support. I am working on the projects for the craft class April and I do once a month as well as my ATCs for her swap. As a teacher, my week is pretty full... in fact I spend two hours one night a week tutoring for a great fifth grader and so far her improvement is nothing short of amazing!! What a great job I have. How many professions other than teaching can make you feel so blessed!
As for the title to this post, a friend and I were talking at school this afternoon and I commented that my teaching, as well as my life in general, is continually a "work in progress." So this blog fits perfectly into that idea, doesn't it? I most likely will not get any photos of my work uploaded until this weekend. That is usually my crafting, "down" time....
Tidbit: it has been proven by research (sorry, can't quote the source) that the creative process releases endorphins in the body. These are the "feel good" chemicals that produce a "runner's high." So...... that being said...
CRAFT AND CREATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!! It's good for you!!

Just Beginning

I decided to make a blog to archive what I do in my craft room up here at the end of the hall. I feel the need to record my projects as I go. I rarely take pictures of my cards, books, etc. and this will give me the impetus to do so. Sometimes I think back to a particular project and think, "Geesh, why didn't I photograph that before I gave it away?" I look forward to reading my daughter, April's blog and thought, hey.... maybe someone would like to read mine as well. So here goes nothing.