Claim My Space

Claim My Space?  What exactly does that mean?  Well, as the new year approaches, one of the biggest changes I want to do is to claim my space.  We bought our house almost six years ago and at that time we put our life’s savings into the deposit.  We didn’t have money to upgrade or splurge on new appliances; we were just so happy and thankful to buy the house.  Over the years I have decorated and we have bought new furniture pieces, but I have realized that we haven’t really stepped it up.  My house is very neutral and clean which is what I like, however it doesn’t have a lot of pizazz.  I want to challenge myself to actually paint the walls and upgrade and update some of the rooms and bathrooms.   

The two rooms I really want to focus on are the guest bedroom and my craft room.  The guest room is filled with the kids’ belongings, but I want to update and decorate that space without a cartoon character comforter. The second room I want to update is my craft space.  Holy Guacamole can this room use the help.  I do have a lot of over sized furniture from IKEA along with patterned cubes that dictate the color scheme.  I would really like to change it up.  Normally I like things tucked away and not on display (i.e. coffee mugs, hair dryers, toasters, etc.) however I am toying with the idea of installing a peg board on one of my craft wall.  I saw this picture online and it has inspired me to change up a bit. 

  

CHANGE IS A GOOD THING! I believe this in all aspects of life, so why can’t I incorporate this mantra into my home decor? 

So this is my challenge to myself.  Here are a few pics of my virtual idea board.  I am collecting ideas and will put the best ones into use.  

 My challenge to you is to visualize what would your dream space would look like?  Do you like a lot of colors or patterns? Do you like bright and whimsical or do you like muted and neutral? Do you set up stations for specific activities such as a stamping or die cut station?  Do you de-clutter or do you hoard?  I would say at current my room is a mixed bag that includes everything. 

Just a little food for thought as we progress into 2015. Well until next time my friends, everyone please have a safe and happy holiday!

A Little Office Fun

One of my favorite things about working in an office is secret Santa, you've been Boo'd, and other little occasions where you mysteriously gift your coworkers. This year I decided to silently and anonymously put this on our receptionist's desk. It is funny to hear her keep asking who is responsible. I know she loves it and it made her feel special that she was thought of.

For this project I bought a mason jar, covered  the top with Christmas washi tape and filled it with M&M's. The tag is a printable I found online, that I attached with some raffia. Top it all off with some ribbon and its complete. What do you think? 

Just a little something to keep the atmosphere light and fun.

That's my project share for today, I hope you all like it. Until next time, have a happy holiday season! 

Jazz Up Store Provided Wrap

For this project I will show you how to jazz up the free wrap given by some stores. Because I am frugal and don't like to spend money if I don't have to, I will use bags, boxes, and ribbon if provided. At Bath and Body Works, they provide free bags, tags, and ribbon and I will use it. For today's project I am making a teacher gift for my niece's kindergarten teacher. I used the bag and ribbon provided, but I also attached a handmade tag I made using Stampin Up stamps and tag topper punch. I also added a jingle bell for a little extra Christmas joy. Here it is!

And that is it. Just a few small handmade touches really adds to the packaging and gives it a more loving vibe. I think this is thoughtful, considering the fact that the receiver of the gift is a warm and loving woman who inspires small children all day.  So that is all my friends, see ya next time. 

Alternative Christmas Packaging

Today I am scrap lifting a brilliant idea from my friend Leticia "Crafty Amiga". For today's project I am making a teacher gift for my nephews teacher. This year he has a male teacher so the standby Bath and Body works gift won't work. For this gift I put together a great gift for a coffee drinker.

I used a disposable food container and jazzed it up a bit. I adhered some patterned scrapbook paper to the top of the container using Mod Podge and then added some curling ribbon to the inside for padding ( I didn't have any shred). With that just little bit of prep, my package is now ready. To finish it off, I added 4 K-cups of coffee, some sugar packets, closed the lid, tied more curling ribbon around the container and attached a tag. And voile!  Project complete.

There you have a festive, yet not too girly gift perfect for a teacher, co worker, or anyone else you want to thank this holiday season. I hope you have enjoyed my alternative gift packaging. Once again, thank you Leticia for such a great idea. I'm so happy with my take on your brilliant idea. 

Until next time my friends, have a great day! 

Quick and Easy Tags

Here are some of my quick and easy tags I made using various stamps, card stock, and some Stampin Up punches. I think that you can make tags from free printable's you find online, journal cards from Project Life kits, and also the cut apart sheet found in most collections. My quick share is here to inspire you today to do a simple DIY like tags. They look great on packages as well as on platters of goodies you may bring to a holiday party.

This tag is attached with an eyelet and I just used some simple bakers twine to add the perfect finishing touch to it. 

See what a little fancy eyelash yarn and self adhesive bling can do to jazz up this tag? I love this project because it is fast, easy, and of course these tags are one of a kind.  

That is all for today, but I hope I have inspired you to do a little something creative his holiday season. 

Blogidays...Coming Sooon

Stay tuned for my holiday  blog series.  This year I will share with you simple craft ideas to decorate your house, simple wrapping solutions, and easy to entertain recipes. The holidays can be so crazy and stressful so it will be my joy to share all my shortcuts.  Stay tuned!

Halloween Tag Swap

Since I am on hiatus from school until February, I decided that this would be the perfect time to revisit my crafty life.  I joined a Halloween card/tag swap on YouTube and here is what I came up with. 

I made tags using the Prima tags as my base and covering them using paper from the October Afternoon Witch Hazel collection. Each one has a little flyer and a tag with a stamped sentiment tucked inside.  I then used the Tim Holtz die and put a tree on the back of every tag and left space so I can personalize each tag.  So what do you think?  Originally I started on a more creepy project, but I decided to scale  back a bit and make something a little more cute.  I am pleased with how they came out.  I love the vintage postcards and of course I love all October Afternoon products.  

 Some of the supplies include:

Stampin Up Scalloped Tag Topper Punch

Tim Holtz Branch Tree Die

Crafty Sprouts Totally Witchin Stamps

OA Witch Hazel 8x8 paper pad

OA Witch Hazel word stickers

OA Witch Hazel little flyers

OA Witch Hazel designer brads

OA Witch Hazel miscellany pack

OA Witch Hazel postcards

black and orange tulle (Hobby Lobby)

black versa fine ink

Stampin Up sanding block

Black Soot distress ink

So that is all for today.  I am going to package these up this week, but first I need to stuff the envelope with candy for each of the ladies and of course a thank you card for the swap hostess.  I had a lot of fun making these, and I am looking forward to making more Halloween crafts.  Until next time my friends.
Love, Michelle

Girls Weekend!

Hello friends!  I say this every time, but long time no post!  As we all know, life gets so hectic that tending to my blog becomes more of a chore than fun, but I want to change that. So just to fill you in a bit, as you know, I graduated and finished my degree which was huge in my life. So now I am finishing up some loose ends and embarking on trying to incorporate some fun in my life. But on top of that, I am trying desperately to incorporate exercise into my lifestyle.  I have been going for one month already and I am doing aquafit aerobics which I absolutely love.  I have broken down two barriers so far: being in a bathing suit in public, and going to an actual gym.  I am terrified of both of those things, but so far so good.  I have been doing pretty good and I am so proud of myself.  So I thought I would share a couple of pictures from our girls trip to Lake Arrowhead.  We had so much fun, and we are headed back up in September for an end of summer trip.  Even though everyone who knows me, knows how close I am with my husband, but it is still good to get away with the girls. We stayed up so late, ate cupcakes, drank wine, it was fabulous.  So I will leave you with some pictures from my trip and hopefully soon I will start on my holiday cards and other fun things.  Until next time, have a great day!

Long Time No Post...

Well hello old friends, it has been a while since I have last posted.  I have been beyond busy, but I have tons of crafty ideas rolling around in my mind.  Right now, we have a girls weekend in the cabin planned for June and I am gathering ideas for gift bags for the girls.  Pinterest has been my friend lately, but I am overwhelmed with possibilities.  My idea is to make each girl a box that contains a mini bottle of margarita, lip gloss, sleep mask, lotion, spa socks, and maybe some chocolates.  I am waiting for Bath and Body Works to do the 3 for $6 mini sale so I can get my shopping started.  Personally I like the ideas of the mini margaritas, maybe even the mini Skinny Girl margaritas or little bottles of Moscato, I just don't know 2 of the women going and I don't want to insult anyone.  I will keep you posted on my progress. I also have some other goals for projects to update my blog which include seasonal kits, cards, vinyl wall decor, scrapbook layouts, and small projects.  I am a busy girl, with big goals and I feel excited when I get to update my blog.  Well until next time my friends, you all have a great week. 

why oh why has Shell been missing in action?

HB2U

Card making is not my specialty, but lately I have been on a kick.  Here is a birthday card I made for my brother.  For this project I used papers from the Basic Grey 6x6 paper pad Bowties, a label sticker form Jillibean Soup, and Sizzix's Instant Photo Frame Die.  Thats it, just short and sweet.  Inside I made a pocket with the negative from the die and stamped it with Happy Birthday.  I hope he likes it.

As I said earlier in a previous post, I have been working on my design team submissions, and my craft room is a disaster.  I just love to share the effects of my creative tornado's:

 In the middle of all of it, I can see what remains of my McDonald's Diet Coke from last night, and all the rest of my nonsense.  That is OK, later today after Superbowl I will come in here and clean from top to bottom.  If I don't get in here today, I won't have time until Thursday after work, and I can't have disarray all week.  Oh no- step in now OCD.
Until next time my friends- you all have a great day. 

Jillibean Soup Design Team

I tried something new today...I actually tried out for a design team.  Jillibean Soup has a call for a design team and I thought I would throw my hat into the ring and try out for one of those desired spots.  They are looking for 2 layouts, 2 cards, or 1 project.  Not too bad right?  Well here is what I submitted:

 

 

I am so proud of myself for actually trying out for something.  Yay Shell! This is going to be a new year for me.  I am actually going to put myself out there and try out for some design teams and submit a few layouts for publication.  Not sure if it will go anywhere, but it really does feel good to try.

One of the things about paper crafting is that we all have different styles, and diversity is welcome.  I love and appreciate all the original thoughts and designs I see out there.  There is no wrong way to craft, and there should never be any pressure to conform or feel embarrassed when things come out less than perfect.  Everything I create is for my personal albums, or for my friends and family who already think I am pretty creative and talented.  =)

Well thank you my friends for taking a look at my submission. If any of you are interested, the design team call is still open- so I encourage you to try out.  You never know unless you try! http://www.jillibeansoup.typepad.com/

Thats all for me.  I need to hurry up and get myself ready.  Superbowl party at my dad's house in a few hours.  I don't know anything about football, I am just in it for the fellowship and the food..oh, and of course those wonderful commercials...and maybe for Bruno Mars.

Until next time my friends- have a great day. 

It's a new year!

You know what time it is...time to make new year's resolutions!!! Ok, so just like the rest of the world, I will diet all of January right up to Superbowl and then blow it all until Easter.  Oh well, so aside from losing weight, hitting the gym, and cooking healthier, these are the things I resolve to accomplish this year.

1. Complete my PHR Certificate
2. Read at least 25 books (non school related)
3. Watch the following shows on Netflix- start to finish- Breaking Bad, Shameless, Sons of Anarchy, Scandal, Orange is the New Black, and Downton Abby.
4. Cut my craft budget by 50%
5. Pay off more debt- including the motorcycle and my 2 credit cards
6. Stop going to the movies for full price, and start indulging in the $1 theaters and matinees. 
7. Revamp my wardrobe and donate clothes I continue to hold on to for no reason.
8. Try a different hairstyle
9. Eliminate all paper bills by switching to paperless billing, and  eliminate all misc. paperwork that accumulates in this house. 
10. Finally redecorate the kids room into a pretty, peaceful, adult spare bedroom. 

This list seems daunting, but I know that this year will fly by so fast.  I need some direction, and I know I will be able to accomplish some of these items.  Above all else, I also vow to have some fun this year. 

Highlights of 2013

 Halloween Night with my zombie baby!

 Family Trip to Tombstone

 More Arizona fun with the big family

 Family BBQ time

 Big Daddy and bro Daniel

 My favorite thing to do is hop in the car and head anywhere

 Vanesa's Sweet 16 party

 Sami and Julia at the party

 Sisters in matching dresses and of course Nick's famous photobombs

My love on Valentine's Day- I love, love, love his forced cheese smiles.