It's a lot easier to iron if you bring the equipment to a spot where you can watch an old movie while you work. I watched "Bells Are Ringing," a musical about an answering service. It takes place before people had answering machines, voice mail, or text messages - if the phone was ringing and you missed it, you just didn't get the message unless you hired an answering service to pick up the call and relay the information. The movie made me realize how much we all rely on the devices available to us today to keep in touch and make our lives easier.
You may wonder why I have a photo of an Advent Calendar box here - Christmas is over and Advent started almost a month ago... This isn't even my calendar, it is one that I helped a friend make because she doesn't have a Silhouette machine so she couldn't cut out the drawers. I have two of the same calendars to make - and I am planning to start them as soon as I can in January to avoid last minute crafting pressure. In fact, another goal of mine is to do a much better job of scheduling my crafting time to be sure that I finish the things I really want to make and don't get sidetracked when I see or hear about other projects that seem like fun things to try.
What are your crafting goals for the coming year? Are there any particular types of projects or new techniques you'd like to learn? Do you have tools that you may not be using to their fullest potential? Do you want to learn more about technology and how it can help you craft more easily? Are you interested in trying to "catch up" with your scrapbooks (a goal that many have and few complete!)? I'd be interested to know if there are areas you'd like me to write about in the coming year. I have some plans but also appreciate feedback so I can keep things interesting for everyone who reads my blog.
Do you recognize the items in this photo? These are some empty reels from my ATG refills. Much to my husband's dismay, I have a habit of saving things that I think have crafty potential and I wanted to tell you to hang on to any of these that you might usually throw away...I think they will be perfect for a project I'll be trying soon.
I do have to say that my husband is very patient with my crafty hoarding and sometimes he even encourages it. He brought home some empty decorative boxes from a "tower of treats" that was delivered to his office for the holidays. They are cute just as they are or could be altered for a fun project. I told him he was lucky to have a wife who loved empty boxes - just think about how much money he can save when the boxes don't need to be filled with anything and I am still happy!
I am also thinking about trying to do Project 365 this year. If you aren't familiar with this, the idea is that you take a picture every single day of the year and put them together into an album that represents your real life - not just special events and holidays. I already take pictures almost every day and I think I may try doing this project digitally to make it easier to keep up on a daily basis.
There are variations on the idea including doing a weekly or monthly page if a daily commitment seems too overwhelming. Some people also start a separate blog for their daily photos. Well, I have another day or two to think it over!
On more thing I want to mention...
The Creative Memories Year End Savings Sale has been extended through January 1, 2012. You can see the items on sale on my CM personal website by clicking HERE. There will also be a sale on albums in January.
I hope you have a great Friday!
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I have been doing the Projrct 365 for 3 years now. Last year I took a break, but realized that I really missed it. So I started again June when I retired.
ReplyDeleteHey, Diane! Long time, no comment ;-)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your ATG refill roll project b/c Santa brought me one of those guns so I'll have those coming down the pike.
In 2012 I'm going to perfect the ability to applique on my sewing machine after cutting shapes from my Cricut. Santa also brought me a new sewing machine that makes the Buttonhole applique stitch and other snazzy stitches so I can now make cute projects to share. I will need to learn the best techniques for cutting fabric on the Cricut.
Hope you have a wonderful New Year -- blessings, Jill
Hi Diane,
ReplyDeleteYou have some very productive goals for 2012.. I very much admire that. As always, I will use your blog for inspiration for my attempt at my 2012 goals which include: 1) trying to make some organizational sense of my scrap/craft space, 2) putting completed scrapbook layouts into their proper albums instead of just in a pile here or there, 3) do more scrapbooking to try to catch up, 4) use and "master" some of the scrapbooking "gadgets" I have purchased and never used, 5) try to do at least 1 Christmas themed project per month of 2012,
6)I have heard about Project 365 and have wanted to do it.. Maybe 2012 is the year for it.. I will give it a try with you!! :-)
Thank you for all of your amazing tips/techniques/experience you offer through your blog. It is so very helpful!
Happy New Year!!!
Trish
I have MANY ATG plastic holders saved for many years and like to use them to wrap ribbon I have which then I hold them on a clothes hanger where all my stashed ribbons are. Anxious to see what your idea is.
ReplyDeleteWhew, I'm worn out just reading what your 2012 goals are. After I retired from a very busy elected position I decided I wasn't going to put any more pressure on myself and I haven't. I get up early, eat a leisure breakfast, sit at the computer reading blogs for several hours, play with my craft toys for the rest of the day, eat dinner, read in bed and fall asleep. Ahhh, those are wonderful goals! I get so much done and haven't any pressure.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, Haven't heard of 365 so looking forward to your progress. My goal is to make more cards more often, start Christmas projects tomorrow, master the Cricut Craft Room, and now that I have the Sihlouette Cameo, focus on mastering the many functions. It cuts beautifully, but does so much more, I don't know where to begin. Is there a "Silhouette for Dummies" book? Wishing you success in all your goals for 2012. Thanks for your inspiration, helpful tips and techniques, endless creativity, and for always being there for all of us! Jan
ReplyDeleteOh Diane I am so with you in the hording of things...and drives hubby crazy. The best part is my kids now save things for me that I might be able to use in a crafting project :) The biggest crafting goal I have is to complete some books of my youngest...and I have to finish by June for his graduation! The other big goal is to learn the Imagine machine - yes, I finally have one thanks to my crazy hubby on Christmas! Now I can make my own pirate in the snow! LOL Happy New Year from you MN friend, Tina
ReplyDeleteI did a a "project 365-ish" thing this year. I used free digi templates from The Shabby Princess. I did projectSCRAP2011. I kept up with it until October! They provide a free 2 page spread to keep up with your digi scrapping all year. The link below is for the December templates. I hope they do it next year!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/blog/index.php/2011/12/15/project-scrap-nov-check-in-dec-templates/
No plans yet to craft. Trying to get the house back together after the holidays. Just wishing you a most Happy Fulfilling New Year!
ReplyDeleteI have been having an issue trying to sign on to biltsy, I've tried several x's but no go;(! IN ANY Hoo
ReplyDeleteI can just begin to imagin the ways u will use those items! Way cool R those box's Yup ur Hubbie
sure must know how LUCKY he is 2 have such a wife who "finds JOYs" in the simple things! I would B estatic 2 if I had someone come hm w/such a treasure! Most of us have to PURCHASE these @ M's or other craft stores, say nothing if found on sale, we would STILL need 2 but the paper to cover the boxs! & they have fitting covers! I bet someone got some CANDY! teehee
Listen Have Ur-self & U's a most bless 2012, may u&Ur's know that it's the moments in time which make thebest memories 4 us to look back on. May U & Ur's also know of the strenth Ur joys can give U so the when hard/sad time come you may B held 2 move forward by the hope of the joys which u KNOW will come again