Operation Valentines

In my binge YouTube watching, I came across a video that mysisterscrapper posted about Valentine cards that she was making for a great cause I'm Mel B's channel. It's called Operation Valentines. Here is a link to Mel's video. This really got me excited!! I jumped up and ran to my craft room and got some ideas! I have a cute stamp set from SP&Co called "Candy Hearts". Now I've been watching a lot of Kristina Warner & Sandy Allnock. They use Neenah card stock for their Copic coloring and it just so happens that my Walmart has started carrying it. So I bought a pack to test it out. So I grabbed a sheet, stamped a bunch of hearts Using Memento ink in "Tuxedo Black", & colored them with my Copic markers.

I have to say that coloring the small ones seemed fine but when I colored the bigger ones, it didn't seem like the color went on very smooth. Anyhow, I spent about an hour doing all the stamping and coloring then it was most definitely time for bed! So after I awoke this morning and got some housework done, I sat down to start cutting (I don't have a die for the hearts). It took me about two and a half hours!! This included stopping to walk the dogs and put away laundry.

I used my memento marker to clean up the edges. Then I went to my paper stash and found a yellow paper that I liked. I used the 1/2 inch side of my corner chomper just on the bottom corners of the card and patterned paper. Then I used my Tombow multi wet glue (also new to my Walmart) to adhere the hearts to the card. The sentiment on the front of the card is from another SP stamp set called "Love Rocks" and the inside sentiment is from the candy heart set. They are both stamped in Ranger Archival ink in "Red Geranium".

Now all I have to do is wait for Mel to email me back with her address so I can send them to her! I really enjoyed making these cards knowing that they were going to a great cause!!

First cards of 2016

One of my goals is to have more cards on hand! Last weekend we were "snowed in" (we could have left the house, it really wasn't bad) so I decided to use the day to make some cards! I tootled around on Cricut Design Space and found a bunch of images. I created a few card bases and loose images. The great thing is it is all stored on my CDS account so I can recreate them if needed! Here are the five that I completed!

So far so good!!

So I have to say that I am VERY proud of myself! So far I have kept up with everything pretty well! I'm striving to put things away as I finish using them. I have made it a point to put EVERYTHING in my planner and check them off as I do them! I've started writting out all my bills on the "morning" section of my payday so that I can sit down THAT evening and pay them all. Once I've paid it, I check it off. Once it clears the bank, I draw a line in it! I use little post its for reacurring things like checking ads, making cards, or ordering pics. I used a Scentsy star punch and some red glitter washi to mark days that I need to look at the daily layout. I've also kept up with laundry!! When it comes out of the dryer, it gets put away!!! I feel so much better each day coming home from work, knowing that I just may need to tidy up and then can relax! I've watched the CHA videos and ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WAIT for the new Happy Planner stuff!!

2016 Goals

Happy new year!! I failed at accomplishing my 2015 goals but I'm going to try even harder this year! Last year I wanted to be more organized, keep up with my scrapbooking, spend less money, make more cards and build up my Scentsy inventory. Scentsy is the only thing that I really succeeded on lol! I have more specific goals this year! Un-crafty related, I want to be a better housekeeper- I need to put the laundry away as soon as it comes out of the dryer. I need to toss the junk mail right away instead of letting it pile up on the table. When I receive an online order, it needs to be put away and the box tossed out.

Use my planner! I want to write all appointments, trip, etc. in my planner! I believe this will help me to not over commit and stress less. I tend to commit to projects and things and not realize how they overlap.

Put things away when I'm done with them or at the end of the day. If I haven't finished a project, I leave all my supplies laying out. I want to try putting everything away each day. Even though I will have to pull it all back out, I think this will help me stay organized.

Use what I have and spend less money. I have loads of paper and embellishments. I need to use up what I have before buying new stuff!

Keep up with my scrapbooking. Maybe not on a weekly basis but I definitely need to scrapbook once a month! I'm going to use the "Collect" app on my phone to help with this!

Make and send more cards! These are just a few cards that I've received over the years. I save every card that is sent to me! I cherish them! I want to be more thoughtful of others and send cards at random, not just for family members birthdays.

This is the BIGGEST! Stop hoarding so much! I save every little scrap of paper! My goal this year is to stop saving all those little 1/8, 1/4, 2 inch strips of paper. If I'm not using it right then and there, it needs to go in the trash!

So what are your goals for this new year? I pray that you all are well, warm, full, and blessed! Happy New Year everyone!