Project: Choices

Created this sign for our new ADON.  His office is covered in multiple signs with appropriately sarcastic comments.  I thought I would add one to the mix.

Project: Coffee Sign for a friend

I promised my co-worker Stacy that I would create a sign for her when she moved into her new office.  Can you guess the theme of her décor?

Project: Paper Pieced Lion

I am working on a scrapbook layout swap.   The theme is the Wizard of Oz, and I needed to create the Lion.  Each of us had a different Character to create, and then we will mail the pieces to the hostess and she will mail all of the pieces back to us once she has received them all.

Supplies:
Colored Chalk
Liquid Glass or Glassy Accents
Print and Cut Feature with my Silhouette Cameo
Copic Markers
White Ink Marker

Project: Card for Women in Blue Jeans Day

Wear them with a nice set of heels ladies!!

Who doesn't love a comfortable pair of denims?

Storing Vinyl and HTV

I have been playing around with different ways and ideas on how to store my Vinyl, HTV and supplies.  I think I have finally figured out the perfect way for me.   I spent this afternoon, separating the items into storage boxes by color.  I then created color coordinating labels for the boxes using my Silhouette Cameo. 

First, I created my labels and colored coded them

to remind me which vinyl color goes where on the mat. 

Then placed the vinyl exactly as seen on the computer screen.

 Labeled the boxes with the colors or supplies inside, and then stacked them up in the closet.

Below is a close up, I combined colors based on how much I use them.

Supplies Used:

Vinyl:  permanent 651 - choice of colors

28L Storage Boxes:  23inches x 16 inches

Silhouette Cameo

Project: Wine Glass for a Friend of a Friend

Had a friend over the other day to work on a gift for one of her friends.  After some trial and error with the size of the font and getting the vinyl to weed properly,  here is the final project.

Supplies:
Vinyl in black and scraps for the dots.  I prefer 651 Vinyl for items that are going to be washed.
Transfer Paper
Silhouette Cameo (or any cutting machine)
a straight pin to help weed the smaller areas
Weeding tool of choice

Subscription Box: Silhouette Life Inspiration Box

I am always excited to receive this box.  It either has fun items that I have been wanting to try or supplies to replenish my crafting stash.  Just looking at my supplies makes my creative juices run rapid with fun ideas.   But I will wait to see what the Ladies at  the My Paper Craze Blog has in mind.

Besides the items shown, there are coupons for discounts on crafting tools, a free font and a  free Designs & Font Bundle.

 Eye catching color and design.

The box is very sturdy and I use it to store crafting supplies.

 Cameo Inspiration

List of supplies

FUN !!!

Small mirror

Pattern Vinyl and Mirror HTV

Clear Tumbler
Decorating with Vinyl and Glitter Overlay

Glass etching cream and scrapper
Glass Etching Tutorial

Cork coaster, hot fix crystals and glitter flex HTV
Coaster Tutorial

Black cotton canvas zippered bag
Make Up Bag with HTV Tutorial

Jute twine and coupon codes

8x12 Teflon Sheet

Cardstock and Vellum
Card with Vellum overlay Tutorial.

#SilhouetteLife

Subscription Box: FabFitFun Editor's Box

I am really enjoying my FabFitFun Subscription Boxes.   This is an add on item, the Editor's Box.  And the only reason I got one was for the additional scarf and lotion.  But the cost of purchasing the  scarf and lotion was the same as getting the Editor's Box, plus I got a few items to add to my gifting stash.  Plus it is fun to get surprises in the mail!!

The cost of the Fab Fit Fun Editor's Box is $49.00 plus shipping, and I believe that I got that value back and more.   But if you are interested in purchasing one for yourself, I have a link for $10 off  the cost of the box.  Shipping in the continental US is free.

 When you first look at the box, you have fun items to color, which is a  great stress relief.

 Catalog with descriptions and suggestions for recipes and activities to try.

Listed below each picture is the suggested retail value.

The necklace will be going into my gift stash. 

I have a few people in mind for upcoming birthday gifts.

Jook and Nona Tag Necklace:  Inspire  $65.00

I not a big fan of hair oils, with my hair type it ends up being greasy for a few days.

So this will go into the gift stash as well. 

Marrakess Aragon and Hemp Hair Oil $23.00

 Keeping this, love lip stains.

Manna Kadar Liplocked priming gloss stain  $24.00

 Another item for the gift stash.

Zoya Nail Polish  $10.00

I received the facial peel in the Winter Box and love it. 

Will be keeping this item as well.

ORG skincare Mineral Peel Face  $44.00

I have enough coffee cups, so this will be in the gift stash as well.

The Created CO Coffee Mug $19.00

The item I wanted most !!!!!!

Received one in the Fall 2016 Box and every time I wear it I get compliments.

ModCloth Lock and Key Scarf in Black & Gray  $35.00

 And the second item on my wish list. 

The moisturizing effect of this butter cream is amazing.

Anderson Lilly Beach Butter Body Cream  $24.00

And a coloring book with colored pencils to stash in my purse or tote for some downtime fun.

Coloring book and pencils $14.00

Scrapbooking Layout: Christmas 2016

Every year since my oldest was a baby, I have created a Christmas layout and it is placed in a special Christmas Album.  It is of my children sitting with Santa.  As you go from front to back, you can see their growth and changes over the years.   It is one of my favorite personal items that I have.

I am waiting on a picture from my daughter and her boyfriend, need to resize the Squad's photo to fit and add some journaling.

Composition Notebook Cover - holds 3

One Word: I Choose to Be

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. From my own personal experience, it can be a catalyst for enriching your life.

Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2017?

It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought, or a feeling, or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet.

In 2017, I will select one word for myself — a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. This word will become a part of my life in one way or another. It will be imbedded into who I am, and into who I'm becoming. Could this be what I've needed (and didn't know I needed). To help me to breathe deeper, to see clearer, and to grow.

 Because I kept wanting to return to words from the past years and use them again. I think this will let me center on goals for this year to be healthier, financially responsible, creative, family orientated, and to be  motivated and inspiring.

I wanted it to be front and center, in my face......This is my planner cover, it was created with canvas that is painted and then decorated with my words from the last 8 years onto the cover. It holds my planner, my project planner and Cache style journals

My word for 2017 is Choose or Choice

Definition:

verb:
1:  Pick out or select (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more choices.
2:  Decide on a course of action, typically after rejecting alternatives

transitive verb

1a: to select freely and after consideration

1b: to decide on especially by vote : elect

2a: to have a preference for

2b: to decide

intransitive verb

1: to make a selection

2: to take an alternative —used after cannot and usually followed by but  - when earth is so kind, men cannot choose but be happy — J. A. Froude

Synonyms: cherry-pick, cull, elect, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, prefer, select, single (out), tag, take

Antonyms: decline, refuse, reject, turn down

This is my new work out shirt.  I wanted something light weight and that would reflect my "One Word" for this year.  This reminds me that it my choice.

Goals and Resolutions

Prepare Myself: Good plans shape good decisions. And a good plan starts with goals and an action plan. I have to decide what I want to accomplish, and need to develop my action plan. My goals need to be  specific, realistic and attainable. Then I need to develop some short term goals to help me reach my long term goals. I need to begin, be flexible, in case something doesn't work and might need to be adjusted to benefit the process of achieving my goal. "Expect the unexpected." Recognize areas of difficulty and prepare a plan t work through those obstacles.

Ask for Help:
I need to surround myself with supportive people & the tools to encourage success. Assertively ask for assistance, as I need it. Speak up. When I make an effort to ask for what I need, I will be more actively thinking about achieving.  (tough one for me, I usually give help, not ask for it)

Managing My Thoughts:
Positive Thinking causes positive results. Reflect on what I can do, praise myself for what I have done.

Manage My Feelings:
Working through my emotions without over eating or over reacting. Make myself aware of the feelings that trigger these reactions. Discover healthy ways to handle emotions.

Take Care of Myself:
I deserve some attention too. I need to value myself more and my personal needs more. Make time to do the things that I enjoy. I need to learn to say "no" and to not feel guilty about it. (Though there are a few people I can never say "no" to.)  When I make a habit of taking care of myself, I will feel empowered and rejuvenate. My goals will become more important to me as an individual.

Managing My Environment:
Surrounding myself with means and motivation to be successful. Minimize the "triggers", and minimize the temptations to stray.

Monitoring Myself:
Awareness works and can motivate me to succeed. Keep track of what I am eating and doing. This will help me rein myself in, when I get off track. It will help me to sense patterns and triggers Help me to be prepared. Success is the sum of small parts, repeated daily.

Learn from Experience:
Mine and others; past, present and future. When I recognize what works and what doesn't, I can move forward accordingly. Recognizing my "failures", as feedback and understand the benefit that they have to offer. Make adjustments as needed. Don't be afraid to start again. Learn from the past, it empowers us to make better decisions in the present. Be aware that every experience is valuable, when we are able to pt them into context. Understand the behaviors that encourage me towards my goals and helps to create a confidence that reinforces your progress and success. When I evaluate my past, I empower myself to repeat the success and avoid the obstacles

My goals for this year are to be healthier, financially responsible, creative, family orientated, and to be  motivated and inspiring.