Project: Motivational Sign for my office

I have been slowly redecorating my office, and want to include wooden signs with fun and/or motivational sayings.   This is another PVPP project.     (I am also thinking I need this rug in my office.)

Stages of Learning

Beginner: 

Take baby steps: don't focus on those whose skills are far beyond your own.
When you are new at something, or haven't tried it in a while, it can feel impossibly hard to get it right.
Every misstep, feels like a reason to quit.
You envy everyone, who seems to know what they are doing.
What keeps you going?
The belief that one day, you will also be like that: confident, elegant, capable, experienced.
And you can be.
All you need now, is enthusiasm.
A little bravery.
And, always, a sense of humor

Getting Easier:

It is all about getting the hang of things.
Easy does it, take it easy.
You will figure out something in time.
But for right now, just keep trying.
Pay attention and avoid temptation to go farther then you are ready.
Talk less.
Observe and listen more.

Still Learning:

You are getting better, smarter, quicker and faster.
And yet you know just enough, to realize how much you still have to learn.
Now is when you are ready to take chances.
To figure our just how far you want to go.

Experienced:

You know enough now that you don't need to follow someone else's patttern.
Or to keep repeating your own.
You can break the pattern.
Or improve it.
Perfect it.
Change the plan.
Adapt and improvise.
Make what works best, work for you.
Now your skills and knowledge base, will take you where ever you want to go.

Self: Journaling a few things about me

Self: Figuring it out

Well it needs to be figured out, and no one else is going to do it.

Others are going to be making decision based on what they want, and how it effects themselves.  Always.  even when the seem genuinely interested in you nd your life, they will always make decisions based on how it effects their personal lifestyle and goals.  So I need to figure out what works for me, then make sure that any decision I make, no matter how small, is taking me in that direction.

Figure out who I am and what I want.  Their decisions will work for them, but I need to make my decisions for myself and make it work for me.  I am not defined by others, but my own decisions and actions.  those in my life will make decision based on their own needs and judgements, not always reflecting on how their personal choice effects me or others.

I need to make a firm decision, no a choice, of where I want to be, where I am headed and what I am going to do or sacrifice to get there.  

Don't just latch on to whomever seems to be around, but take heed and precisely surround myself with others who support and lift me up,  Do not compromise myself to be surrounded by others or to gain their approval.

The only approval that is needed is my own.
The whole beauty of self acceptance,  Is the fact that we, our selves, choose to be happy.

Weight Loss: Day 1 at the gym

Life is finally going to start to slow down.   Which means, I really have no excuse to not spend at least an hour 3 times a week on my health.   Today, I just went to the gym and walked 45 minutes on the treadmill.   Next week, I will try and get at least one class in.

Above:   is me, 4 days ago.   200 pounds, a size 14 dress.

Below:  me, today.  198 pounds, a size XL leggings and XL t-shirt. 

30 days to make it a habit

1. November 1:  No Soda
2. November 8:  Drink 60oz of water each day 4 days a week
3. November 15:  Gym is now open, at least an hour, 3 times a week.
4. November 22:  Drink 60 oz of water every day

Project: Rhinestones for the Brides

Working on the Brides' casual wear for the post wedding dancing and their honeymoon.

To be placed on white pants and jackets

 Purple for Alisha

 And black for Veronica

Project: Bronco Bow for Cierra

Project: Sign for the Conference Room at work

Gray and White Wash paint with royal blue logo

Technique:  PVPP Tutorial from the Silhouette School Blog

Subscription Box: Silhouette Life Inspiration Box for November 2016

Yeah!!  Another month of craftiness just arrived on my doorstep.  I am so excited to open it up and see what surprises are in store.   I am hoping it will be a combination of Fall, Thanksgiving and the beginning of Christmas......

I like how they include a list of supplies and vendors. 

It gives me a minute to let my imagination run a little wild with possibilities.

 Now let's dig in and see what we have.

 Vinyl:  Red Glitter HTV, Black Smooth HTV, and Transparent Adhesive Vinyl

Sponsored by Chemica US and SewingMachine.com

Burlap Pillow Wrap:   Hmmm.... maybe used with the HTV?

 Gingham Print Kitchen Towel:  Maybe for Thanksgiving??

Sponsored by All About Blanks

 A Santa Sack!!!  I have been wanting to try these. 

Hope there are more in the Silhouette Life Inspiration Box Store, I will need at least 6.

 Wood slice and an 8x10 wooden plaque.

Maybe Mod Podge and a PVPP project or two?

 I think it is great that they include all the basic supplies as well, allows me to get right to work.

Photo Paper:  maybe for a mod podge project with one of the wooden pieces?

I think this monthly craft box is well worth the $34.99 monthly subscription cost. And provides me with opportunities and the supplies to try projects that I might have envied, but never taken the time to try.  If interested, please check out the Silhouette Life Inspiration Box or My Paper Craze Blog for free tutorials through out the month

Project: Just Keep Sippin'

Whether it be coffee or wine, "Just Keep Sippin," - Sometimes during a meeting, I will reach for my coffee cup to help me keep my mouth closed and stop me from volunteering and/or making an inappropriate comment.  So I decided that I needed this cup for work and maybe a few other times in my life.    I purchased my cup from the Silhouette Life Inspiration Box Store and the permanent outdoor vinyl from Expressions Vinyl.  Although it is outdoor vinyl, I would recommend hand washing.

I am not going to walk you through the entire process because there are a lot of amazing tutorials out there.  I personally love the Silhouette School's  How to Apply Vinyl Tutorial. 

But I want to share a few tricks and hints that I have learned along the way.

First, be patient and take your time, especially when working with thin fonts.

I always use a cup stabilizer.  A friend made it for me in his shop, but you can also find these on Etsy or Ebay.   It allows me to have my hands free to help straighten my designs.

Clean your item with alcohol, to remove dirt and finger print oils.

 I like to use the mini alcohol wipes, that you can get at the pharmacy.

 Play with the design and figure out exactly where you want it on your cup.

Once you figure out your alignment, gently apply it

and rub it in place with the pad of your finger.

Working from the center out towards the edges.

Then get slightly aggressive and rub your design into your mug. 

I used a bone folder, but you can also use a scrapper.

(Suggestion: the Pampered Chef little brown stone cleaners).

 Rub the design in until you can clearly see it through the transfer paper
Working from the center out towards the edges.

 Gently pull the transfer paper up.  I like to pull upward and sideways.

Use your finger to gently press the design in place as you pull the transfer paper.

 Then I gently rub my finger over the design, rubbing out any air bubbles.

And finally, blast it with a hair dryer or heat gun to help set the adhesive.

My finished project, perfect for meetings.

#JustKeepSippin
#SilhouetteLifeInspirationBox
#SilhouetteSchool
#SilhouetteU
#ExpressionsVinyl