Craft Your Stash Challenge

Like many of us, I was considering my goals for the year; lose weight, eat healthier and exercise toward a hopefully healthier lifestyle. You know, the typical type of goals or resolutions we usually make at the beginning of a new year...but I felt that this was lacking.

Life is a challenge, it usually is, but the last seven years has driven this truth home in many ways. There are so many things that are outside of your influence and control when others are involved. It is so difficult and heart breaking when it involves someone you love and can’t save. You can only be supportive and hope for the best. I am not really ready to discuss all the details at this point, but needless to say, it has been emotionally and physically draining.

As a result, for some time I have been feeling lost. I attempted to change this through emotional eating as well as buying things to feel better. One of the many things that I would buy were craft supplies, because in the past it would lead to what I considered a passion of mine - creating. The sad thing was I was not creating and was unsure why. Any crafting I did do felt forced and difficult for me to focus on. As I write this, I feel part of this is because of the emotional drain this situation has caused...it has been difficult to be positive and find my inner joy.

SO...what do you do when you are faced with a stash of craft supplies that has developed a life of its own and the need to regain what you feel you have lost? Hmmmm... Sounds like a crafty challenge to me, and I love a challenge, especially a crafty one. I am a firm believer in the healing powers of creative focus and connecting to that joy you find in creating. OK, a new goal this year will be to craft my stash and create the treasures I enjoy. More importantly, I believe a part of my healing process is to share the story behind my family’s challenge these past seven years.

I hope you join me in my new crafty adventure and find what you need in the stories I need to share.

A Paper Dilemma

To Hoard or not to Hoard....that is the question. Has anyone else have this dilemma?
Some papers are SO beautiful it is hard to work with them. That was my major problem with papers like Graphic 45.
I use to HATE Graphic 45. YES, I know, I know.....now before all of you papercrafters out there start a riot and send me horrible hate mail, please let me explain. I LOVE Graphic 45 paper but it confused me. The beautiful images, graphics and vivid colors were amazing but I did not understand what to do with them. I was use to the 'simpler' paper pad designs that I used to create my greeting cards. When I started to look at some of projects done with Graphic 45, I was shocked. "WHAT!! you want me to CUT this beautiful paper into pieces!"
The ramifications were horrifying. I was already having issues working with the beautiful designer paper collections I had in my stash. Every time I would look at all of that paper, I would be upset because I had so much but depressed because I really 'shouldn't' buy more but wanted to and cried because I didn't want to 'ruin' the paper I had by using it. It was a vicious cycle.
Fortunately, I realized that the true purpose of paper was to cut it. To use it with all of the other elements in my supplies to create and bring ideas to fruition. This has created a whole new way of looking at this paper line and others and what they can do for my creations. It has 'broken' through my creative block I have had for some time now. Talk about an explosion of possibilities!
It is SO exciting! I have had to redesign my craft room so I am taking this opportunity to 'purge' the useless or unneeded supplies I have accumulated. Yes, I am even going through my paper stash, books and magazine collections. Things are a little bit of a mess but it is progressing along nicely and I love how my new crafting area is looking. I will keep you posted on that in the future. Time to get started.
That being said, the new Graphic 45 collections coming out in February are amazing! Be sure to check them out at your favorite local scrapbooking store or online website. Yes, I already have mine on preorder.

Let's Get Crafty

cre·a·tiv·i·ty

ˌkrēāˈtivədē/

noun

noun: creativity

the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.

synonyms:

inventiveness, imagination, innovation, innovativeness, originality, individuality; artistry, inspiration, vision; enterprise, initiative, resourcefulness "her agency is a hotbed of youthful creativity"

Over the years I have talked to many people about this passion of mine and most say they wished they could do the same thing...be creative. I always shook my head in dismay at their statements, because I think everyone can create or be crafty. Many people argue with me and say not everyone can be creative or that creativity cannot be taught. WHY NOT? We are all inherently creative and innovative as children. How did we lose our creativity? Did someone come along erase it from our memories?  or did they come by with criticism to dash the inspiration away? Sometimes I believe it is the latter. Criticism crushes creativity often before it even starts, until it is left whimpering in the corner somewhere sad and alone.

I am a firm believer that there is creativity in all of us, just waiting. Sometimes it is hard to draw it out but it is still there.

I use to be an instructor at the Non Commissioned Officer Academy on Fort Meade, Maryland. I taught Multimedia Illustrator course for my Military Occupation Specialty (MOS). During each training session there is a portion that other MOSs in the building come into another section to learn about that particular MOS. It was during one of those change overs that I encountered a Soldier who said those very words to me "I am not creative. I cannot draw." I said, "Let me show you how you can."

I took a sheet of clear acetate with a grid drawn on it and had everyone in the class select an image or picture from a magazine. I showed them how to place the acetate over the image. "It is all in how you look at it. Take it one square at a time and draw what you see." At first everyone was skeptical and unsure of the technique but did it anyway.

Afterwards everyone was surprised. The one Soldier was amazed at what he had created.  As a class, we took it to the next step. "Here are some art supplies that you can use. Pick one and try it. These are my favorite colored pencils and this is how you can use them to get the best effect." At the end of the class he had a colored image that he was so proud of he framed it and gave it as a gift to his son. How amazing was that? What would have happened if I had accepted his statement or criticized his work?

Being creative doesn't have to be hard, large, or expensive. Just be crafty, try something new, seek inspiration wherever you can find it.

Let's get crafty! It will be amazing and fun.

Back to School Card

I decided on signing up for a card swap, mainly as an inspirational, motivational opportunity. The only problem was coming up with a design when you don't have all the elements you need.
The theme for this card was Back-to-School and I did not have much to work with. I started with a regular white card base pre-made 4.25 by 5.5 which I bought at Michaels. That was the easy part.
I am a big fan of BoBunny paper. There are a few new paper pads that are on my list to buy for my Halloween cards this year. I had the Surprise paper pad 6X6 in my stash. It is so cute and the ABC was perfect for what I wanted.

Next I used a stamp from C.C. Designs called Bauregard's Pencil. He is such a cute character and I have never had an opportunity to use him before. Bauregard is colored in Copic Markers and I really happy how well he turned out. I still need to work on the skin technique a little more but I think the hair is coming out very well. I love Copic Markers. His shorts and shirt is done in colors to match the paper.

I used the Stampin' Up Label Bracket punch for the sentiment which is from the Gina Designs stamp set called Country Roads.
I am very happy with how well the card turned out considering I had no Back-to-School stamps or sentiments to use for this theme. Sorry I didn't take pictures at each step but I will work on that for the future.

Copic Certified

     Since discovering Copics last year I have been looking for anything and everything I could find to develop my skills. YouTube is an excellent source of information but I have always preferred the hands-on classroom instruction, especially for getting ideas and one-on-one feedback on how I was doing.
     Imagine my delight when I discovered Copic Marker held certifications. The cost was a consideration, but what really help me decide to take the classes was that with the certifications I could teach others on how to use Copics. How awesome is that!
     After what seem like an eternity of patiently waiting, I signed up to attend the Standard and Intermediate Certifications with Sherrie Siemens as our instructor. The classes were held this past weekend in Tempe, AZ. Yes, it was a 3 hour drive (left my house at 5am) but it was worth the wait and the nail biting that I did to get through Phoenix morning traffic.
     The Standard Certification was held on the 1st. I was early as usual and sat up front so I would not miss anything. As the time grew closer, others started to arrive. Each was excited as I. The room was filled to capacity with other people who had a passion for coloring. The whole day was a lot of fun. (photos of work to be posted later). I would recommend this class to anyone interested in learning more about Copics. Needless to say, I was very impressed with the details and the materials.
     The Intermediate Certification was held the next day. The class was smaller group in attendance but there was no less enthusiasm for all involved. My only complaint would have been not being able to color all night with my new friends. HMMMmm maybe that would be an idea that they might consider in the future....a pajama party with the goal of having fun and coloring all night.
I will be posting some of the projects we worked on but none of the class material since it is copyrighted.

Decisions, Decisions

Welcome

I have been sitting on the sidelines for some time now, looking from the outside in. I have visited and enjoyed many blogs for awhile now. Often looking for inspiration and ideas. I went to a couple of classes this past weekend and realized that I was behind the power curve. Many of my classmates were bloggers using their blogs to connect and be creative.
Time to take charge and move forward in my creative outlet. My hope is to share ideas, demonstrate, and just be creative. Show some of the things I love and enjoy doing. I hope you enjoy this as much as I will. Lets take the plunge together.