Project: Reuseable Cards

I have not taken the time to create cards in a while,

but saw these cool "reuseable" cards and had to give it a try.  

 They have a clear acetate pocket, so that you can see what is written on the index card

 You  can replace that inner card and reuse the outside pocket card

Then I created a silhouette cameo file,  so that I can easily make these cards again & again.

Project: Personalized Planner Dividers

This last weekend I finally got time to play in my craft room and create something for myself.  Using the April's Silhouette Life Inspiration Box as my jumping off point.  I worked through the tutorials and created the dividers.  Using the Print and Cut feature of Silhouette Studio, I was able to easily design, color and cut the dividers.   Just took a while to choose the quotes and titles.   The one thing I would do differently the next time, is to print the tab title onto the divider.  I think it would of given it a cleaner look.

"Notes" Section

"Family" Section

"Project" Section

"Finances" Section

"Self" Section:  Diet and Fitness

"To Do" Section

Enough

Project from the Past: Bracelets

A year ago, I took a class at a local craft store and created these 3 bracelets .  

Reminded me of making macramé plant hangers back in the 1970s.

Project: Pillow Cases for a Couple of Friends

Created these a while ago, but my friends just sent me a picture of them in use.

Project: Table Runner

Yesterday, I worked on the table runner from the March Silhouette Inspiration Box (a monthly crafty goodness box).  I had a hard time designing actually what I wanted to do.  Did not want anything that was specific for a holiday, but something that I could use year round.  

I googled searched a variety of images and clip arts and decided on a Celtic Heart design.   "Snipped and Cut" and then uploaded into my Studio Design Software.   I traced and cut the design, enlarged it, added the initial in the middle, created a compound path and then sized to fit my work area.

After reversing the image (important to have the lettering going in the right direction) and then sent it to the Silhouette Cameo to begin cutting it out.    (Silhouette cutting setting:  Blade 3, thickness 10, speed 8 and double cut)

I have learned by trial and error to use a Teflon Heat Press Pillow when working with the glitter HTV.   These can be purchased on both Amazon and Ebay.  I have come to the decision that things adhere better with the use of the Teflon pillows.

Supplies: 
Table Runner:  All About Blanks Website
Silhouette Cameo
Siser Easy Weed Glitter HTV
Teflon Heat Press Pillows:  Ebay: Just Perfect Amanda
Silhouette Life Inspiration Box  (#SilhouetteLife)

Inspire

Project: Easter Baskets and Bags

It is amazing how your adult children still expect Easter Baskets.  And of course they need to be home made and/or themed.   This year they received some #LastMinuteCrafting Holiday goodness thanks to    Silhouette Life Inspiration Box  for March.

Supplies:
Siser Easy Weed Black HTV
Chemica Pink Flocked HTV:   SewingMachine,com Website
Bunny Baskets and Bags from Amazon

#SilhouetteLife 

Project 12 Scrapbooking: April

Today is a day of celebration. First of all, it’s our very first Dozen Day, which we will celebrate on the 12th of every month.

Twelve Photos:

1. What you are wearing
2. Your cell phone
3. 3 things together
4. something blue
5. a bedroom, before you pick it up
6. a snack
7. the view out a window
8. looking down
9. a smile
10. weather
11. homemade
12. shoes

12 page ideas

1. Three decades of you - find 3 pictures from different times, at least 10 years apart.
2. begin a layout of one picture of each Holiday in 2012
3. Where do you spend most of your time and why?
4. take 12 pictures of your everyday routine
5. Whati s the favorite thing you like to do every January?
6. Who is your best friend and why?
7. Create a layout inspired by an advertisement, a song, a book, or a movie
8. Make a list of the things that interest you right now
9. Photograph something that has personal value to you, and list why.
10. Create a layout of the day you purchased your current home
11. Scrapbook your current life season.  What is your current life focus, and how well are you doing.  What do you feel is most rewarding, what to you hope to achieve.
12.  Pull out a product or tool that you thought was super fun.  And create a scrapbook page with it.  What is it, why did you buy it, what are you going to create or have created with it.

Right here.... Right now

 What if we made a decision, right here...right now...that taking care of ourselves and putting our needs first...was to be a top priority?  Novel concept, eh????

 Day in and day out, I speak to women whom are hanging on to their sanity by the tiniest filament of thread...how each and every day is a struggle for them to find that place of peace...unable to carve out time that is simply their own...or even to find a place...where they can just sit...and be...And I wonder...if...just maybe...possibly...we were to give ourselves permission to tend to our own needs...that it might be easier for us to find the time for sitting with ourselves...and extending the compassion and care that is so needed in the tender places of our soul...that we would be able to better navigate through the roadblocks and demands of our day????

 I don't know where we women got off track...I don't know if it was the women's movement of the 60's & 70's...or the "you can do it all" movement of the 90's and beyond...but somehow...as a gender we have lost our way...and in the process, I feel that we have lost touch with the most essential part of our nature and what it means to be a woman.

 I struggle with "doing" as opposed to "being" on a daily basis.  I am the woman that has worked three jobs at one time...attended all the proper functions and sporting events of my children...tended (the best I could) to the needs of my husband...all while trying to carve in a piece of sanity and soul nourishment into my day.  Unfortunately,  it took me many, many years to realize...that doing more and trying to have it all was contrary to my essential "being" as a woman...What I was really yearning for was the time to just sit...and feel...to be fully present to the messages my soul was sending me...

 I searched high and low for validation...I looked for it in other women...in society...by measuring the financial success of myself,  creativity...and you know what...the harder I looked, the more elusive the validation seemed to be...so I worked harder...took on more responsibilities...and the more I put on my plate to prove my worthiness...the less I felt worthy...and one day, I could give of my self no more...so I ran away...and I drove...and I drove...and I drove...until I found myself at the Beach  looking out at the rolling waves...

 I could not get my bare feet into that ocean fast enough...I parked my car...threw off my flip flops and ran into the cold water...feeling nothing but a vast emptiness...and a gut wrenching sadness...where was my peace?  my feeling of belonging??? my self worth?????  Here I was standing at the edge of the ocean with the cold water lapping at my feet...and I felt nothing but loneliness and isolation...and the sadness that comes with both...disappointed...I walked to dryer ground...and I sat down and I cried...

 Weeks later...I can now look back on that day and discover the gift in my solitary journey to the sea...the gift I gave to myself...out of necessity...was the gift of saying "no more"...no more woulda, coulda, shouldas...the time is now...you need to go...so that you might learn the importance of paying attention to the messages in your soul...so that you might find the space...to sit with yourself and just B E.  For you see...it is in the "being" that we women, allow ourselves the time and the space to F E E L.

 When we get so caught up in caring for others, buying into the societal dictates of what makes a woman worthy, or being swallowed by the drama of our daily lives...we forget what it means to be a woman...a feeling creature...a person that operates from her heart space.  And so...I say to all of you...if you have been feeling disconnected from your self...your life purpose...your worthiness...stop everything...and do whatever is necessary to find the space for "being"...and once you find that space...allow the emotions to come forth...to be felt in their entirety and intensity...for only then...when we can be truly present to our selves and our true nature...can we start the process of healing and living a life that is honoring of us and our gifts...

  Start today...don't waste another minute searching..."all you need lies deep within your soul"..."waiting to unfold and release itsself"...if you will only pause long enough to listen...

Project: FAMS t-shirt

Created this shirt for a friend's daughter.

It is sequined material and embroidery .

Silhouette Life Inspiration Box for April

I am in love with the April Box for Silhouette Life Inspiration Box.

 

To say the least, I am a planner addict.  And this box will get a lot of use.  The goal is to create an individualized planner with dividers and goal foil highlights. With labels and planner stickers to help keep you organize.

Planner:  mint green/blue

Head band to be used as a decorative band

Repositional Tape runner

Adhesive for the foil

Paper Clips to create page markers

Cardstock - paper

Sticker Paper & Faux Leather paper

Vinyl

Transfer Paper

Gold Foil

I wish you enough.....

.....   is said, we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them".

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye

Link to Silhouette Cameo Short Cuts

On the last page of the user manual there is a table of short cuts to use with the Silhouette Studio Program.   I would recommend printing it out and laminating it.  Keep it  some place close to your machine.

Here is the link: 
file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/Silhouette%20America/Silhouette%20Studio/Resources/Resources/SPEC_SS/manual/manual.pdf

Project: Prescription for stress relief

8 ounces orally, every 2 hours as needed, for stress

240 ml PO

q 2hrs PRN

r/t Stress

translated  into plain English

8 ounces orally, every 2 hours as needed, for stress