Celebrate You Box

Hello Everyone!

Here is my first project of 2015!!  It's a box! 

One of my mentors had a birthday, and I had a bracelet made for her.  I thought a plain ole jewelry box would be boring, so I made one!  I had just received a Stampin' Up order, and I was dying to use my new stuff.  I thought this would be a great time to use it. 

To create the box, I used the Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlet die.  You have to cut it out twice.  I used the Sweet Taffy paper for one half and Tempting Turquoise paper for the other.  This is also the box I featured in a project my mom and her stamping crew made in this post.

While the box looks small, it fits pretty good size things.  It's hard to get everything in there and fold up the sides, so you have to grow a third arm to hold everything while you assemble the box.  Don't worry, you can do it ;-)

To create the tag, I used the Cupcake Party stamp set and the mini banners framelet die.  I used two different sizes to create the banner. 

I hope ya'll enjoyed this super simple project.  Have a great day, and I will see ya'll soon.



New Years Resolutions 2015

Happy New Year!!


I'm hoping that 2015 is going to be my most balanced year yet.  I find that I am focusing a lot on work and doing virtually nothing for myself or my family.  So, I am hoping to gain more balance and be more productive in my life.  I know people who don't like "new year's resolutions," but I always like to take the time at the new year to reflect on where I am and where I want to go.  The reality of this past year is that I am actually no further this year, with the exception of my promotion, than I was last year.  I am trying to structure my life to help me get where I want to go.

I will start with my crafting goals because this is my crafting blog.  Although, I am thinking about making it my "everything" blog and talking about my crafts, fitness, personal stuff blog.  Crafting has always been my stress outlet.  It is something I do to unleash some creativity and use a different part of my brain.  I want to do something crafty at least once per week.  However, I want to post on my blog more often.  I have lots of projects that I haven't posted that I need to.  Maybe I have enough to kind of get my started while I do some of these things.  My paper pumpkin subscription will help out with this too.  Everything is pre done and I just have to put it together. 

I also have a plan to take a picture everyday this year.  I saw this go around last year, and I thought it was a cool idea so I remembered it... for a whole year.  Every week I'm going to upload these pictures to shutter fly, put together a book, and then order it at the end of the year.  My spouse does not think I am going to last, but I have faith.  I think this is a really cool concept.... and I'm excited to try it. 

I want to read at least 20 books.  These can be personal or leadership related (but the CARF manual won't count).  I think this one may be hard because I have so much of a learning curve at work that I will have to take stuff home to read and work on.  But, I also need to make time for me so we are going to try it.  Once I get into a book, I can usually finish it pretty quickly (if I like it).  Then, I can write my book reviews on my blog.

I also want to get healthy.  This includes working out and eating right.  I'm going to do body revolution, make meal plans, track my calories, and do all of those things I know I am supposed to do.  I really need to do this.  More details about my fitness goals will be on my fitness blog, and I don't want to make this post hella long. 

I also want to do well in my new position.  I am going to have a plan and really work on developing my leadership skills.  That is where a lot of my focus and attention is going.  I know I am going to be consumed with this in the next year, so I am going to do my best while remaining balanced. 

To do all of these things, I need to start finding my motivation because I lost it somewhere along the way.  I think I'm going through a funk because of some stuff going on throughout my life.  I think the above is what is going to get me out of the funk, it is just a matter of getting started. 

Happy New Year!!!  Thank you for reading my blog and following me.  I appreciate everyone and look forward to the new year!!