Day Ten: Looking Forward

Today was a somewhat eventful day - but good overall.  I'm trying a new thing now.  I'm not starting the day with any expectations.  I start the days with no strings attached - with no preconceived notions of good or bad.  I try and remember to take things as they come and then give it my best shot.  It got me through these last two days.  I hope it continues.  So...there's a lot of things I'm looking forward to at this moment (no expectations).  I'm looking forward to... 

*CKC tomorrow
*My good friend visiting for the first craft weekend of 2010
*Opening my box of Stamping Bella goodies!
*Starting my crafty swaps
*Getting to spend time with friends
*Seeing two of my favorite boys.  Are they not two of the sweetest boys you've ever seen?  Can't wait to see them in June!

It seems like it's been too long since I've looked forward to anything!  So happy with this feeling!  Due to the upcoming festivities - I will not be posting until Sunday (sorry).  However, I have a few layouts to share from earlier in the year (January).  I've been thinking I haven't been scrapbooking but I've done eight pages since the first of the year.  It's funny how the brain works or I should say doesn't work.  I hope everyone has a nice weekend.  Until then...

Day 8 & 9: Can I get a refund for Tuesday?

Okay.  So I'm not even going to speak of Tuesday - otherwise known as the day that shall not be named - except to say that I did get a chance to write in my journal and believe me it's counting for creativity!  I've decided to start today with no expectations, no strings attached.  I'm hoping that will make things better because I really need a break over here.  Believe it or not - I still have some creative things to share.  I did my my 33 at 33 layout.  This is my first layout of this kind and I'm pretty happy about it!  It's word heavy and I'm not thrilled with the finished product - but that's okay.  I'm happy I documented the things I wanted to do in this birthday year.

You might notice that I use this picture of myself a lot.  It's my favorite self-portrait and I like playing with it on Photoshop and befunky.com.  The bird cage and bird are from Tim Holtz's new Alterations line.  It's a die cut.  The paper is from Dear Lizzy at American Crafts.  It's unbalanced and sort of a mess when it comes to the embellishments but I need to concentrate on the fact that a girl does the best she can.  So that's it for now.  Hope everyone has a nice Wednesday.  Until then...

P.S. Three more days and CKC!

Day Seven - Catch-up Day

So - I'm finally going to get a chance to write about something I've had planned.  Praise God.  For a long time I've had a pretty consistent style when it came to buying crafting products.  I usually went for more graphic papers and worshiped at the feet of Basic Grey.  However - in the last year I've noticed a few changes.

*I wasn't getting every single Basic Grey paper line anymore.
*I began to make cards with a vengeance and started buying 6X6 paper packs like they were going out of style.
*I found new product lines to love like Cosmo Cricket and Pink Paislee.
*I embraced all things small which just means I started doing mini-books instead of just buying them.
*I started stamping which again means I started stamping with the products I had plus bought lots more.
*I love dress forms, sewing machines, sewing images on patterned paper, and vintage cooking images/paper!  What?

Which believe or not leads me to the point.  Styles can change.  And although I myself am adverse to change, my sense of style is not.  I came to this realization on one of my most recent shopping trips when I was buying Prima paper and stamps (see pic above).  Yes, Prima!  Totally not my style at all.  Very whimsical, feminine, romantic and the like.  Things I usually avoid like the plague.  But boy do I love it.  So much that I made a layout about my amazing friend and my biological clock which seems to be whispering 'have a baby' every friggin' minute of the day.

When I look at this layout - I see a lot of traditional me in it - clean lines, flowers, journaling.  But then there's the mask in the corner and multiple photos and a paper unlike any I have ever scrapped with and I'm faced with the reality that my style is changing.  And you know what - I'm really glad it is! 

Today: I have just a few things to say about my day which will give you an idea of how it was.  I spent two hours at the DMV (two trips, one hour each).  I spent 30 minutes at the County government office waiting when I didn't need to.  I spent $113 at Jiffy Lube on things I actually needed.  And after all that came home to an apartment where the air condition still wasn't fixed.  Nice eh?  But after all of that - I got myself a nice lunch and came back and took a nap.  Feeling a little better now.  Here's hoping you had a great Monday.  Until then...

P.S. CKC in four days!  Can't wait.

Day Six - Today was NOT a good day!

I've been waiting for this day. The day during the project when I don't feel like doing anything. The day when my creative flow seems gone. The day when everything in my life seems disjointed. And today was that day. Not much to report here. Frustrated and ready to face a new day at the DMV. Still have some layouts to show. Today didn't seem like the day to post those. I hope tomorrow shapes up better. Here's hoping. Until then...

Day Five - It's All About Sam

So I've had big plans for my upcoming posts - but they were blown out of the water today by my new guy - Sam Worthington.  I don't think he's a household name yet - though he should be.  In the last year, he's been in Terminator Salvation, Avatar, and Clash of Titans - which I saw today.  I was introduced to the Aussie actor when I saw Avatar and have been a little smitten since.  It's a little embarrassing to do a post like this - but it's true.  I think he's quite yummy.  I had a hard time choosing Sam pictures to put on the blog - so there's quite a few.  BTW: before you go bashing my new love - I know he isn't someone I'd necessarily take a second look at on the street but that would be my loss.  Love him.

Today: I did a little shopping.  I got a hero arts stamp which I've been wanting for a while.  You can check it out here.  I also ordered an album and extra pages from 7 gypsies for my upcoming circle journal.  Yes, I got in!  I'm so excited.  I bought a tray I had seen in a magazine I'll be talking about in the next few days.  The tray is the perfect size for ATC's.  Can't wait to make it into a decorative element in my home.  Also went to see Clash and had some yummy cinnabon bites.  Good day all around.  I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing Saturday.  And just for good measure, I'm leaving you with another amazing pic of my boy.  Until then...

Day Three - Swap City

I finished reading Collaborative Art Journals and Shared Visions in Mixed Media by L.K. Ludwig yesterday and it got me so geeked up to try something new - swaps.  This morning I went on several different websites and decided to ask to be a part of two swaps.  The first swap is on 2 Peas and it's a circle journal.  There will be ten participants and each person gets to choose their theme.  Each participant provides a 6X6 or 8X8 binder to reduce costs.  Each book travels to all ten participants.  My theme (if chosen) will be about inspiration.  Where do the participants find their inspiration.  I haven't gotten approved for this one.  Keep your fingers crossed.


The second swap was on a new site I found ATCs for All.  They host a variety of different ATC swaps and I've already been accepted for one!  Yay!  The focus is on six word fiction - also known as flash fiction.  One example of six word fiction cited on the message board was by Ernest Hemingway.  Hemingway reported it to be his best work.

For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

I think this story is amazing.  So much said in so few words.  I'm excited to take a stab at writing and making art.  I'll be sure to post my progress with my stories and my ATCs.  I think it's a little strange to sign up for a swap after making my second ATC ever - but this is what Project 33 is about.  Stretching myself creatively.   There was another swap called The Happy Cupcake swap but I don't think I'm artistic enough for that swap.  They don't want images embellished with markers and glitter.  Pretty much leaves me out.  

Today: I started a layout "33 at 33."  It's a list of 33 things I want to do while I'm 33.  I also went to a new restaurant with two friends to celebrate my birthday.  I found a new book which I want very much.

It doesn't come out until June.  Until then...I'll be wishing and hoping.  I also bought a book on Asperger's Syndrome to help with my job.  I hope it meets my needs.  Well that's it for now.  I hope you had a wonderful Thursday!

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!