Project 33 - Day Two

Today was a really good day.  I often find the day after my birthday to be the equivalent of being kicked in the junk.  It's something of a let down to go back to being ordinary.  Thankfully - I didn't feel that today which could be chalked up to the mundane number 33.  Who the heck knows?  So instead of wallowing - I took a nap and then started crafting.

I decided to go small today.  I made an ATC using a technique from this new book by Tim Holtz called double distressing.  I used grunge paper and this Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I then inked and embossed a bird cage from Maya Road.  I stamped the bird on an old dictionary page .  I attached the bird cage with a decorative brad and printed out my statement.  I then cut the statement out using postage decorative scissors.  I really like the outcome.  I highly recommend trying out new techniques on tags or ATC's - much less daunting.  Here's a closer look at the finished ATC.

For the magnet - I finally used a product that I've had for a while - my acrylic cupcakes.  I had to have them about 8 months ago and haven't used them until today.  The magnet was super easy to make.  I alcohol inked the cupcake then stamped my sentiment from Basic Grey on white paper.  I glued the acrylic cupcake to the white paper, added a brad and put two magnets on the back.  I used diamond glaze to glue the acrylic and paper together. I loved the finished outcome.  I wish I could show a close-up but the flash leaves a glare. 

Final thoughts: An ATC is an amazing little canvas to try new techniques.  It's a lot less daunting than looking at a larger blank canvas or 12X12 sheet of paper.  I didn't feel nervous when I started.  These small projects leave me rejuvenated creatively and excited about what will come tomorrow.  I decided to leave the table when I was still enthusiastic instead of crafting myself into oblivion.  I'm hoping it helps me be primed for tomorrow.  Reading about crafts and creativity is going to be a huge part of the next 31 days.  I've decided to focus on one book at a time.  I have chosen this book to start - I've had it for a while.  Finally - I like the blog being private.  My friend pointed out that I post more when the blog is private and I think that's proven to be true.  I like things this way.  That's it for now.  I hope this day has been great.  Until then...Happy Creating!

Project 33 - Day One

It's the first day of Project 33 - otherwise known as my 33rd birthday - and I'm not sure what to do.  I started  an art journal page - but it isn't shaping up the way I had envisioned.  Beginning a new thing never does.  Which leads me to the question - is trying art journaling the best thing to do when I'm working on a daily project.  I personally think the answer is no - so today is going to be a pretty low-key day.

So there's been a major change.  Project 33 is no longer a project a day challenge (I wrote the first paragraph in the morning).  I started to feel overwhelmed on the first day and that's just not okay with me.  So - Project 33 is now larger in scope.  I want to focus on a few things; techniques; creativity; writing; balance; and simplicity.  The more I get to make projects the better - but I'm not going to make it a daily requirement.  It's just not the right thing for me now.  I do have some project plans in the works - so there will definitely be new stuff on the blog and in the flickr gallery.  BTW: I think my uploading limit is full for this month.  I might change to 2Peas or SIS because they don't seem to have uploading limits - we'll see.  So that's all for now folks.

Oh - one more thing.  I had a really lovely birthday with friends.  We had sushi and cupcakes which is a surprisingly good combination.  However, I would think cupcakes and anything was a good combination.  My friends and I had a lot of laughs.  Tonks was even on her best behavior.  It was such a nice day.  I hope a good time was had by all.  So that's really it for now.  I hope everyone had a lovely day.  Until then...Happy Crafting!

Product Love

Just in case you're wondering - Product Love is the new name for Monday Madness.  The big change is that my product parades are no longer relegated to Monday.  No more rules.  I've been doing a lot of coveting since the CHA Winter 2010 products have started to come out.  I had a hard time choosing what to put on the blog today.  I have a lot of picks from Stamping Bella.  Unfortunately - I can't put the pictures on my blog.  So - I will probably link to my faves at some point this week.  After a little anxiety - I have decided to go with Crate Paper.  They have the most amazing new paper lines.  I'm not usually a big fan of Crate Paper but they really did something special this year.  So without further ado - here's a sneak peek at the lines.  Click here to get a full picture of each line.  Trust me - it's worth it.

Aren't they yummy.  I love each line so much.  The Paper Doll Collection has a variety of multicultural dolls - something I just love.  It's hard to find diversity in scrapbook paper and stamp images.  I'm always ecstatic to find any images.  Take a look here to see cool samples using these three lines.  So very cool.  I can't wait until CKC.  I'm hoping to get my hands on these three lines for me and my sister.

Today:  I plan on going to the local big target.  I'm also going to prepare my calendar for Project 33.  I was inspired by the calendars I found here.  I plan on writing down the project for each day.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to paint.  My plan is to start doing an art journal during this project.  I bought this watercolor journal yesterday to prepare.  I plan on looking at my art journal books to prepare.  To be honest, painting/art journaling scares the begeezus out of me.  I'm still going to give it a try.  Well that's it for now.  I'm getting a little word heavy.  I hope today is a great day for you!  Until then...here's to simplicity.

It's Simple

You might have noticed the blog has been given an overhaul once again.  Truth is - I haven't been satisfied with the blog for a while - since I lost the cupcakes.  I decided I needed something simple.  Mainly because this is what I'm wishing for my life right now - simplicity.  Honestly I'm not sure if I'll be back blogging at full force again.  I'm not sure I'm there yet.  The past few months have been really hard and I feel a little lost.  The last thing I want is another obligation.  But...this was a place for me to be more of myself and contribute to the crafting world in my own way.  I feel terrible that it turned into one more thing hanging over my head.  My hope is that I will start to pick up the pieces of this thing I've created and come back new and different.  I want to be able to be more honest.  Which is why the blog is going private again.  I'm not sure that many people are checking it - so I think it's okay to take a step back into privacy once more.  I will finally be able to reinstate some of my posts.  For me - this is a journal of sorts - albeit a little more public.  I want to get back to that.

In other news - I have a birthday coming up.  It's rather minor - 33 - but I've been dreading it.  Let's just face it - it's not a great sign using my numbers theory.  But - I'm not gonna let that get me down.  I'm starting a new project on my birthday.  I'm calling it Project 33 since I'm not rocking in the imagination department right now.  I'm going to do 33 projects in 33 days.  How am I defining a project?  It's pretty simple - a project is ANY artistic product.  It could be a blog post with my favorite pictures from free photo sites.  It could be an ATC, card, magnet, collage, scrapbook layout, altered photograph, etc.  I have just three rules.  First, I can only use one sketch a week.  Second, I must enter one challenge per week.  Third, I don't have to follow the first two rules if I don't want to.  Nice, huh?

So that's it for me now.  This week is Spring Break and I'm keeping my vampire hours for now.  I'm seriously a night owl which interferes with my work days.  I'm allowing myself to keep these hours until next Thursday and then I'm slowing moving back into my school routine.  That's it for now.  I hope this Sunday finds you well.  Until then...here's to simplicity!