Looking for Sparks of Joy in 2016

How many organization ideas have I tried?  How many have failed?

On my last trip to the bookstore (and by the way I am not a paid sponsor for this book), I came across this book:  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, so I thought I'd take a peak.  The first thing that caught my eye and spoke to me was this quote:

We should be choosing what we want to keep, not what we want to get rid of... take each item and ask:  "Does this spark joy?"  If it does, keep it.  If not, dispose of it.

As one of those "creative types" -- I hate to throw anything away for fear that later on I could use it in some clever way.  But, the time has come to start purging... so I bought the book (kind of ironic that I added one more thing to my home when I should be purging, huh?)

With that, I have purged one thing from my closet so far... lol.  My journey continues.  I am determined, nonetheless.

Have you purged lately?  What successful technique do you have for organization?

Wishing you joy this 2016!

Up to 60% Off on Stampin Up Products

The end of the year Stampin Up sale is winding down with only a few more items left.  If you are looking to get a head start on next year's Holiday preparations, or if you are looking for a great deal, you will want to check out the sale.

Even though some items may look like they are strictly holiday season-ish, they can be used for so much more.  One of my favorite products introduced  (and now on sale -- was $5.00 now only $3.50!) was this black glimmer paper.  At first, I thought it was only for Halloween themes.  

But, when I saw how it could be used for a dark sky, the impact of the glimmer was stunning.  The photo of the "Oh What Fun" card does not do the glimmer paper justice.  It really makes a "WOW" impact - take my word!

I also made the base of this card clear to add extra shine.  Can there be too much shimmer and sparkle for one card?  Nah!  :)

Anyway, go check out the sale for yourself.  You may just find something you could use to finish off that project that has been sitting around for too long.

Have a creative day!

Sigh... Christmas Is Only 363 More Days Away

The festivities are winding down as my sweet Rexie cozies up on the tree skirt quilt.  What a whirlwind.  Every year I say I'm going to get my Christmas cards made in July.  Sigh...


Here's an cute and simple idea that I found on Oakfield Crafts.  Since, I am loving everything hexagon this year, I was inspired to make my own version:

When do you make your Christmas cards?

Side Note: Hexagon Quilt Update

So, a couple of months ago, I decided to start a hexagon quilt.  My first thought about hand sewing a hexagon quilt was that it would take too long to complete that it would wind up in that unfinished project pile.  But, I found that there is something very meditative about sewing these pieces together.  There is no deadline.  There is no pressure... and I love it.

Here's my update on this quilt.  Since October's post, I've been able to create 300+ hexagon basted shapes:

And, after deciding that I want to have a value quilt (i.e. light color that goes into darker shades), I started arranging the hexagon pieces into flower shapes to be sew together.

And, for the sewing... So far, I have about 50 heart flower shapes sewn together.  They are sewn into these shapes because it is so transportable this way and easy to group 7 hexagons together at a time.  When they are finally all put together as a quilt, there should be no sign of a flower shape, since I'm (for the most part) randomly placing fabric patterns together.

Until the next update...

My Little Appreciation Gifts

What do you get for a wonderful group of people who take care of tweens & teens during lunch time?

I wanted to create something from the heart for all that they do and if money was no object, the sky would be the limit.  Unfortunately, the purse strings are tighter this year.  So, here's my version of "Homemade Christmas Fudge."

I printed the Christmas Fudge Poem (circulating on Pinterest) onto Stampin' Up card stock (of course).  Then I used the Delicate Ornaments Thinlit Dies and cut each poem into an ornament shape.  I hoped a carefully cut ribbon and an ornament would add that special touch.  Inside… well, a helping of chocolate kisses for the recipient.

Thanks for stopping by.  I am attaching a link (below), so you can print the fudge poem on a large sheet of card stock.  Try Pear Pizzaz Cardstock for a light enough shade of green whereas the black ink will be displayed well.

Merry Christmas and Enjoy!

Free download of poem.

Festival of Trees in Glittery Glimmer and Shine

Nothing quite makes a card as special as glitter!  But, the spare getaway flecks also makes my face, fingers, hair clothes shine in ways I don't want, which is why some of my favorite Stampin Up products are the shades of glimmer paper.  No glue, no mess and lots of shimmer.

So, here's how this card was made:

1. Punch a large circle in Lost Lagoon.
2. Punch a large circle (edge only) from Glimmer paper.  Trace a hill and valley (on the back) and trim.
3. Punch a tree from the Glimmer paper
4. Stamp two trees and sponge the outside of the circle.
5. Adhere the Glimmer hill to the bottom of the circle.
6. Use a dimensional to adhere the tree to the circle... with part of the tree over the edge of the circle.
7. Add a star punched Blackberry Bliss panel (along with a silver baker twine & charm) to the Lost Lagoon base of the card.
8. Adhere the circle to the card with dimensionals.
9. Add a sentiment and enjoy the sparkles.

Thanks for stopping by.
Enjoy and happy paper crafting!

All is Bright Stamp Camp Project

If you missed our Holiday Stamp Camp in November, here is one of the projects we made using Stampin Up's Festival of Trees stamp set.  I punched out the trees then sponged a lighter shade from the center of the tree to give more depth.  The red tree in the back was punched out, so that it looked smaller in the distance.

I love texture, so I used the lines stamp from the Gorgeous Grunge set to criss cross randomly on the hill.  Afterward, I sponged the edge of the hill.  A sparkly banner on top and a chunky one on the bottom finish of the card.  I enjoyed using trendy colors instead of the traditional red and green.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you found some inspiration here.  I appreciate your comments.

Have a wonderful day,

Luci

Delicate Silver Foil Ornament Hanging with a Burlap Ribbon

I ventured out to the mall briefly to return something, and while I should not be surprised, my eyes were dancing around all of the Christmas items already in the stores.  As much as I don't want to rush the holidays, there was something happy about seeing cheery, warm and sparkly things.

At the same time, my Stampin Up order came in and what should my wondering eyes see?!  Those incredible Delicate Ornament Thinlits Dies!  So, here's the result of my play time.

This quick 2 minute video runs through the project:

I hope you will consider consider following me here, on my new YouTube channel, or on Facebook.  Hover over the image and you will be able to pin to your Pinterest board for future use.

Thanks for visiting.  

Maybe you will find your own play time today!

Hexagon Quilt Between Stamping

Many of my readers know me as a stamper... who dabbles in photography... who dabbles in just about anything I can create with my hands and a few simple tools.  I thought I would take a little time out of stamping to show you my latest journey.

Lately I've been under the weather, so I decided to treat myself to some creative therapy to get over the hump.  I've heard of people using humor to feel better, so, I decided to live vicariously through creative people by looking through their blog posts.

I came upon a my other love... quilting.  The unfortunate thing about me and quilting, is that it just seems so daunting of a task, and an overwhelming process, that I don't usually see one from start to finish.  But, I love every single step of quilting, from the design, to the fabric (oh, do I love fabric!), to sewing, to quilting, to binding... OK... see where I'm going... I'll never get to everything, I'm just going to stop here.

And that's where I usually end my process.  Until now.

Through my journey across the boards of Pinterest, I found what is called a hexagon quilt.  Normally, I would have kept going -- but hexagons have been quite the design inspiration lately.  I took a second look.  One thing I have come to realize is that a hexagon quilt is right for me at this time.

1. It is very transportable and can be done anywhere.
2. It can use up bags of fabric scraps or old clothing.  Better yet, it gives you a reason to pick out pretty fabrics from your favorite shop.  What is it about feeling soft, luscious fabrics?
3. It's time consuming.  Who cares!  Accept it & don't fight it.

So just a little back story with few details, because everyone has their struggles - and who needs to hear all the details, right?  For our family, we've been in and out of doctor offices & hospital rooms lately.  Each time, we hope for the last visit and the bill for full-quality-of-life-restored.  Whether that happens or not, I cannot spend more time on worry, nor on watching walls and another talk show.  

Enter my hexagon quilt.

Here's a little tutorial, in case you want to start on your own.  I hope you will visit again to see the future of my hexagon quilt, and how it takes form.  I hope you accept #3 (above) with me.  I don't know when I will finish this quilt, but I will do my best to keep you updated.

Here are some other links you might find helpful:

• The hexagon graph generator - for creating templates, or for making graph paper to design the quilt.  My template is set to create a 1" hexagon.

• Stampin Up's Blushing Bride card stock that I used to print my hexagons (Note:  I had enough of this color - but any color would work.  Most printers will send card stock through if you use your manual feed.  Check your printer manual.)

• Design a pattern for the big quilt - using the hexagon graph paper.

• Quilt measurements - to determine how large to make a quilt.

• Stampin Up's hexagon collection - for use with hexagonal paper crafting.

• Bruce Seeds - over the top hexagon quilt inspiration (Note: I wish my quilt could look just a little bit like this.)

UPDATE:  I found another fantastic tool!  Here's the link to a hexagon quilt calculator:

• Hexagon calculator - to calculate the number of hexagon needed for a quilt.

Enjoy.  Thanks for stopping by.  Please leave a comment - I appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,

Luci

A Few of My Favorite Things

The end of summer always brings a sense of sadness followed by excitement of the upcoming colorful and creative seasons:  Fall & Winter!  (...Well, the beginning, less-colder part of Winter - that is.)

So, I went to my Stampin Up Holiday Catalog 2015 and started making my wish list based on some new products and inspiring ideas.  <<< Downloadable folder of projects in the holiday catalog.  

Enjoy these videos from Stampin Up as they demonstrate new products and the projects you can make:

If you are interested in placing an order for your favorite things, click here and use this hostess code before September 30 for a special offer (see below):

TX4RQWN6

October Stamp Camp 

(date to be announced)

Holiday Theme Stamp Camp 

Materials: $15
Special Offer:  Receive a $5 coupon toward your next stamp camp, if you place a $35+ order prior to September 30 (use hostess code above).

Thank you and
Have a great day!

A Whole Lot of Wonderful

Here is a window card inspired by the work of Deb Valder.  The card reveals the vases through a clear sheet, which then opens to the design on the inside of the card.

I liked the idea of making the vases look like they were filled with water.   So I used a pen to draw in the rest of the stems, then filled the vases part-way with Pool Party marker coloring.  (As you can see if you look closely, it occurred to me by the 3rd vase that I should not fill the vase all the way to the top...)

How about that cute bow?  It was made with the envelope punch!  The pearl in the center was colored with a permanent Sharpie marker to match the other polka-dot colors.  I had fun making it - hope you will too!

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stamping!

Luci

Elegant and Easy

Collage cards are one the most pleasant cards to make because they have an eclectic & detailed design, yet can be easy to make.

This butterfly thinlit has to be one of my favorite new items of the catalog.  I have yet to see a card that I did not like with this butterfly!

The background is randomly (well mostly random) stamped with the Butterfly Basics stamp set.  The only non-random (sort of) stamping was to eyeball the fern and flower to the center of the card and butterfly.  The Hello Honey butterflies and Sahara Sand netting stamps were then randomly stamped around.

The birthday sentiment (looove!) is stamped on vellum and attached with a sparkly faceted button (which pictures do not do justice).  These buttons look like glass and add an elegance of shine to your design.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stamping!

Luci

Tassels are the thing!

I've been seeing tassels everywhere... earrings, necklaces, bracelets, belts.  So, why not on a card?

I'm thinking this very 3D-kind-of-card may not be the kind of card that gets stuffed into an envelope.  But, why should it?  If you give your cards away (gasp... lol), your cards can be the gift or the "bow" on top of a gift.

The tassels are made from strips of designer paper (loving the blacks & whites).  Use your fringe scissors to make multiple cuts easily and quickly.  Tape a piece of cord at one end of the strip, use a dowel (I use chopsticks) and begin rolling.  Adhere closed.  Repeat on the other side of the cord and dangle your tassels on the side of the card.

SIDE NOTE:  So I was trying to balance the card and my napkin holder seemed to do the trick.  And from the way it is displayed, doesn't the white loop give the impression that this is a gift bag... which makes me think those tassels would make a fun and easy way to add something special to the handle of a bag!   

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stamping!

Luci

Tree Builder Punch

The tree builder punch is so versatile, with so many shapes in one punch.  Here I have to "loving" birds, but if you want to have them facing opposite directions, you can change the sentiment of this card to "I'm sorry."  LOL!

Just a few side notes... The nest is made from two scallops of the cloud part of the punch. The washi tape was another way to add design to an ordinary button while adding a little more bright color and design.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stamping!

Luci