Happy New Year 2010!

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope that you celebrated in style and had a safe holiday! I'm not much of a partier so I treated it like any other night -- went to bed by 10:30pm. I know, so exciting...

Any New Year's resolutions? I always make the same ones year after year, with a few new ones added in once in awhile. Typically my top goal is to get in the best physically shape of my life. Well, it's still a goal and especially important to me this year. I'm officially in the worst shape of my life AND in November I found out that my cholesterol is elevated. Cholesterol levels are a good motivator for me!

I'm also working with a life coach nowadays. She has been instrumental is opening my eyes in helping me think broader and with a different perspective. With her help, I hope to keep my New Year's resolution of great physical health but also to improve in many other areas of my life. If you don't know what life coaching is, I strongly recommend that you research it online. It isn't counseling (been there, done that). It's a way to move forward FROM TODAY. Yes, you refer to your past now and then, but it's most important to deal with the here and now. I'm thoroughly enjoying it and looking forward to what my future holds!

Card Contest Entry

This is my entry for Sarah Bertein's Christmas Card Contest. I was thrilled that she created the contest and couldn't wait to receive my "kit"! She sends a blank white card, couple of circles and scallop-circles and 2 pieces of decorative paper. That's it; so simple.

This contest made me step out of my routine of Christmas-card-making and try some different elements. I've never made a card like this one and it inspired me to create others that are similar -- love that!

If you get a chance, hop over the facebook.com/sarahcrafts today and put in a good word for my card! Check out the other entries too! Lots of good ones!

Chipboard Scrapbook Makes a Great Gift

Chipboard Album

This was a fun album to make! I was really in a creative groove when I put it together. I just love it when things flow and new ideas come together! Created from sturdy chipboard and covered in warm colored paper, this album has many surfaces ready to be decorated. Add your own pictures and journal and you've got a keepsake. Makes an unforgettable gift!

3 Rings on both sides of album are embellished with fun ribbons. The front leaves room for a title, picture, or date.

The first panel on the inside has plenty of room for journaling. The middle section has a file folder with pockets, tags and more room for pictures. The panel on the right has multiple flaps, hinged at the top. Add photos and journal on both sides of each flap and you can add LOTS of greatness to this album!




The back is blank along with one other back panel. Add a great photo or leave it blank, you decide!

Please visit my Etsy store for more information on this product and others.

Finished My Etsy Christmas Albums!

cow, cat & goat


birds

more farm animals

The finished album!

At the end of October I posted a sneak peak of my "repurposed" Christmas tag album. Well... drum roll... I finished it! Yea! It's a terrific reflection of the tradition of Christmas with its rich colors and images. I bound it with a fun, silver, twisty wire -- make it any shape you like! I aged the tags with a little bit of watercolor spotting and it really brought the whole thing together.

This is a 4-fold Christmas album from my past. I used to love to make these and then I stopped for one reason or another. I had never completed this one so I decided to make it happen! I added ribbons, a buckle, the letter "C" and presto... Scrapbook Completed!!! Makes a great gift!

New Christmas products listed on Etsy!

I'm proud of myself for getting my Christmas tags listed today in my Etsy shop! I'm working on a cellophane gift bag for each listing too -- that way they can be given as a gift. So fun!

Getting ready for the crafty holidays!

It's hard to make Christmas crafts when we're celebrating Halloween, but it must be done! Don't want to get too far behind the other crafters!

I have posted a few cards in my Etsy shop, some new, some old. I made some Christmas tags today too! Can't wait to add ribbons and package them in cellophane! I'll bundle them by the dozen!

Tags glimmer with the addition of glitter!

I'm almost finished with a repurposed calendar/new scrapbook! It's an experimental scrapbook but I'm thrilled with the way it's turning out! I've had this old calendar for YEARS and finally decided to do something with it! Hope you like it! I will most likely post it in my Etsy shop.

Cover: hasn't been bound yet.

One of the inside pockets; each have a removable tag.

Giveaway from Off Switch!

Check out this great giveaway from Off Switch: Roadside Photographs! You could win the "instant roadtrip: 6 postcard set". Jen will pick a winner on 10/8, so hurry and enter (3 ways to win!).

http://tinyurl.com/y8qdqgm

She's also offering free shipping from her Etsy shop, Roadside Photographs. Does it get any better than that!?

http://tinyurl.com/qj8d59

Back from vacation!

Having a week off is always refreshing -- although I'm a bit tired! A trip to Seattle followed by a few days in Leavenworth. Leavenworth is such a fun little Bavarian town! Lot of fun shops and great German food! I would recommend spending a day there (2 days was too much).

When we returned to home, we spent one night in our own bed

(thank goodness!) and then we headed to Bozeman to see my cousin get married. I haven't seen her since she was a child so it was exciting to see her all grown up. Beautiful outdoor wedding! It was actually a lot like ours -- I was thrilled! It was fun seeing other relatives I haven't seen in years including the parents of the bride.

New Cards (and I'm ready for Fall!)

I've been in my craftroom more and more and I was able to produce a couple of Fall inspired cards. The first one is a collage and although I don't collage much, I really enjoyed making this card.

The second one, "Discover Fall", is simple and just a nice way to send a note to your favorite person. I find it so much more meaningful to receive a handmade card from someone vs. a store-bought version. Also, I would much rather receive snail mail than e-mail. I know it's a lost art but I hope you will do your best to keep it alive -- send a handmade card to a loved one or friend today!

New Cards!

Okay, so I haven't been tending to my Etsy shop AND it shows! I recently added these floral cards as a kick start. The floral image is hand-drawn then watercolored and I've used it on many cards because it brings me pleasure. Each card has a 3-D element to it to bring up the oomph factor. Check out my shop sometime and pick out your favorites!

I also posted some "destash" bridal items. I thought I was done with that area of inventory and then my parents call. "We're bringing over some of your things." Okay. I listed some bolts of bridal veiling and sold them immediately -- THANKS CHARLOTTE! I also listed a beautiful bouquet that I used for my bridal displays years ago. It still looks as beautiful today as it did back then!