Out with the OLD---In with the NEW



Hey !!! It's Gloria and the Card Making Cuties

 

Want some new ideas ? How do you take the stale out of your hobbies or out of your life for that matter? What about gathering new information about the various styles in card making in another hobby or in life in general.
 In the corporate world these ideas would be called,  "Sharing New Intel."  At the end of the year it is a good time to check your inventory at the door and see what else might be out there. Right?

Learning something new is always a part of life, isn't it? Some times sharing change and learning new information isn't always the easiest thing to do. We seem to cling on to what we have been doing in the past and make ourselves content with it. Even when the way we were doing things doesn't work any longer.  I know the hardest change to cope with is when people have  some real health issues. We learn to expect some of those issue to arise. We hope you only have to take change in the pleasantest of ways. I never like changed change, but I have learned once we accept it, the change can inspire us, no matter what.

A Valentine For All OUR GALS!
 Some of our wonderful and talented gals are now in the midst of their own life changes. We learned we are not only labeled  Seniors Citizens but as a result of our health (and age) we are embracing  a new category, affectionately, called -- home bound or shut-ins.
  The  gals we love so much and have appreciated so greatly are no longer independent  enough to walk about or to drive to where they wish. They can no longer gather at  our studio, which has caused us a real loss and we miss  them, as well as they do for our friendship.

We miss them and they miss us. As a result, we began to consider a new plan of action where we might continue making  our handmade cards for Operation Write Home (www.operationwritehome.org.) as our parent organization. This change brought us to a brainstorming idea which lead us to  consider developing  a  mobile unit for our card making gals called " Card Makers to GO!"

A  Change for Us
We're currently making new plans at our studio to travel to our shut-ins and our home bound ladies. It's a pick up and go--- operational change.  We've seen it work with our product demonstrators who bring their whole catalogue stores to us (e.g. demonstrators  such as Stampin' Up or Close To My Heart). So why wouldn't this work for us. We asked "why not---become mobile! This is our cry for 2014.  Card Makers to GO!        Varoooooooom!


In with the NEW
Change , at its best, is an inspiration for us. Just as change, at its worse, teaches us to evaluate life in a new perspective. We can embrace change as positive or negative. Think of change as the one thing that will happen --its part of life.

So, how does change work for us in a positive way with our card making. Change up your color palette--but how do we do that? What if you created a color challenge for next month using colors from your sewing box or your fabric or yarn stash?

 Why not take  something familiar to you and creating some new image for your theme. Using colors from our thread box  for Valentine's cards what could your come up with?

Here is a creative way of using some typical

card colors with new interest. The "bird foot" banners or ribbons are very in this year. Make your favorite Valentine a cards of flowers or roses and not just hearts.

Try Something New with the Old Stuff

I know it's easier to stick with what has always worked for us, "I've always done it this way"..or just go with the status quo. 

When we say these things or think this way, we are the ones miss out on the greater variety life can hold for us.

 There may be some tried-and-true methods that work for you when you're working on your cards. However, trying something new gives you a different perspective on the variety that exists. Trying new products like new glues may not always work for you and you might go back to the old product you prefer, at least you did try it.  Who knows you might like the new product better!
        Magazines are great places to start some of those changes. I try to change my subscriptions every two or three years. Pick up a new card magazine and try some new ideas here. See what you can find through this website link  www.splitcoaststampers.com . If you have never been on a search for card making ideas, this  link  on Splitcoast Stampers is like the card makers "mecca." for new designs and ideas. You might also try the www.spottedcanary.com website as well. Both sites can inspire you to get a card made before Valentines Day is here.

Remember too--- Old is not Old--- its VINTAGE!

I've found some wonderful sites that share their designs through free digital printouts if this is for your own personal use. One outstanding site like that is where I found some vintage valentine cards like these:

                                          

I can see this little smoothie Valentine has an idea that is already peculating in my mind. I think I have some stamps with ice cream scoops and I will have to look for a dish. With a saying like: You're an old Smoothie---(inside--"Be my valentine") The hearts and the lacy topknot for whip cream and all will be cute.


To that vintage card ass this one with a stamp of a girl and place a die-cut pair of scissors with a heart
arrange in side them.

Remember I said, Vintage, not old. Some how old means something that needs to be thrown away. It's useless, it is just refuge, not good for anything and should be discarded.

 I choose to believe rather, the concept of Vintage, not old. It may be old but we can change the way we look at the project, situation or even people for that matter. Vintage has something to offer us, still. It can change our mind about what we believe to be disposable in our lives. It can change our mind about what is worthwhile and valuable still.

Thanks for checking back with me. I hope this gets you started for your New Year. Happy card making.  Gloria 



Wonderful Spring Beauty

I just love our card booth!
I think of how much fun it was to work in the paper crafting and cards. I thank you all for all the work that we did on this. It was great!

I'm having some problems getting inspired, our weather has been so great, so  I haven't wanted to stay in and work on cards.
 I have however, looked at all the different techniques and the new challenges in making cards on OWH         ( www. operationwritehome.org . Take a look, they have some great ideas. Cards, tags and more.


I loved the idea of these newly laid eggs on Easter morning---a friend sent me this photo and it just seemed to say Happy Spring! Happy Easter! A real, for real  surprise Easter eggs! I love it ---thank you for the picture Cinder.

I could see some thing like this picture or with a stamp of a nest of bird eggs ( e.g. Stampin' Up has one) that could be in the center of this sketch and add the light blue paper to the background or light green and a darker blue or green in this banner, with the sentiment line saying "Spring is here" or "Missing you".

        Speaking of "Missing You," How about using this sample colors and stamps from OWH archives. It's cute and it would say so much to a friend far away.

This is a different spring-themed card, with a few adjustments, I think it would make a wonderful  "Happy Mother's Day" card...remember we have some amazing women in our lives; some of them are our mothers, others are daughters, friends, and mentors ...whoever they are they can be celebrated for the love we share with them.
      Our card making group, Card Makin' Cuties, recently sent our hand made cards to OWH's for their Mother's Day deadline. The deadlines help our deployed soldiers have time to choose a card and send it home all free of charge to them.
I am so very grateful and very fortunate to have a group of women who works along with me on these challenges because they care so very deeply for our troops.
   New Challenge:
    How many themes can you think of for Father's Day cards? Golf as a theme has been the toughest stamps for us to find. We must be looking in the wrong places.
       What themes did you think of? Sportsman? Wood hobbiest? Mr. Fix-it, Grilling chef?  (oooh! Get out  the red, checked paper!)

 Now, take a look at this little "free digi" find. What color would you use on the back ground to make it pop? Look at the shape and where would it set on the card? Would you want to stamp a fishing pole behind the digi? I think there's room for a hook in this fish's mouth. 

This is another sample sketch for a good card arrangement from a website called,  The Cat's Pajamas. They might sound familiar to you if you go on www.splitcoaststampers.com
( this is the egg Mc Muffin of the stamping ideas sites). The Cat's Pajamas has their own link on their page and they have some really cute ideas and products. I think I might use the above sketch for Fathers Day with the number #1 in each of the banners, the fish digi inside the circle. To the card front, I'd add a darker blue( 3 3/4"x 5") card stock and attach it. Then, to the background cdsk, add a light lime green ( cut it 3 1/4"x 4 1/2"). Use a butter lid for the circle if you don't have a punch that size, and copy the free-digi in a download and print.
 Once you have the digi glued in place on a white circle, add the front banner across the bottom edge as seen on the card.  Then place "Happy Father's Day" on the inside as a sentiment placement.
   Ok, this is what I needed to get me up and running again.  Use this sketch, your own theme and tell us how many themes you thought of...we'll visit soon.(Check the corner box over on the right hand margin, if you want to become a follower. It will guide you on how to go from there.)
Happy Spring! Happy Card Making!

Getting Your Stuff Organized

Garry and friend at the grill

Whether your off having the summer bar-b-que or you're  on vacation, we all have to get some things organized to really enjoy our time. Right?

I came across several tips from an article written for Creative Keepsake Magazine/March/ 2009 issue. The article had "31 Tips For Organizing" and getting your crafting stuff organized. Among the most effective tips for me was the idea start somewhere! It doesn't make much difference where you begin, if it is a box or a drawer, just start there. Take small steps so you're not overwhelmed in the beginning.  I think this is a tip we all can use, whether we are card makers and stamper or into crafts or not, we begin to reduce stress when we start with small steps and keep moving forward. We will eventually make progress.

I noticed with our Card Makin' Cuties, we have to make a new spaces for all the card making tools. One of the tips addressing this was getting your organizing style established. Are you a visiual organized person? If so, then put all your stuff where you can see it in clear boxes and bags. Maybe you'll want your things out of sight? If so invest some cabnet or closet space for this purpose and buy baskets or decorative boxes. 

                    Another tip was label everything. Label, label, label. ( I must admit, I'm don't do very well at this and I put things away where they don't belong.) The article drew attention to labeling once a "home" or place could be established for like items or tools. Get all your things in order.   Especially, 

begin by having the things you use most frequently close at hand. When these items are placed where they are easily accessible we tend to spend less time running around        trying to find them. (A waste of a crafter's time.)

Where do you go for inspiration and creativity? 

I was on-line looking, when  I found most manufactures want to inspire us with ideas about their new products so go on their websites for a card gallery of ideas. A tip from our article was, " make a date to go to your magazines or on-line and view new ideas."

For our new assignment with Operation Write Home, www.operationwritehome.org (click this web link for summer deadlines and new ideas, too), we are starting our fall designs and a few Christmas ideas. OWH has a some ideas for their fall cards and do take note about their advice for Halloween cards. Look over this information and their instructions on their blog.

         Our July group took another field trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to a small shop called Stamping Day and Night, www.stampingdayandnight.com, just connect to Sarah's link and see the wonderful card samples we were treated too. (We wanted to say thanks so much for the wonderful day with you and Lana.) Sarah Kimber is the owner of SDN. She shared some new coloring techniques with colored pencils that were fabulous! We are so grateful for the "show and tell" with you Sarah. 

She pointed out that everyone can use help along the way, how to use the tools in our tool kits or help learning a new skill or art form. We can all use help in staying organized and inspired to create the new images in our stamps. 

I personally think stampers and card crafters are the nicest, most hospitable people I've ever met in all my years of crafting. You guys are great!!!

Well, until later, I'll be organizing my label's labels.

Gloria J.

Sending Out Encouragement Cards

We found sending cards of encouragement help others so much. I must admit I only think of doing so when I hear someone is ill or in some type of distress. Just recently, I was reminded  there are many people in the service- related industry that would love to have some type of tangible encouraging message, like a card,saying-- " well done," "continue your good work" or even, "You make my day!"  Cards of encouragement are great.

       Just recently I was introduced to a wonderful group who were helping any one with children of Autism. The struggle the family goes through is a "journey" all unto itself and they need our encouragement.

Hands in Autism is one resource center  available in our local area who are part of a whole resource agency-- IRAC located at www. iidc.indiana.edu/irca . This website can answer many questions about autism and it can get you started in the right direction if you think your child has this neurological disorder.

    Soooo--------Why am I talking about this our blog site? Well, it is directly related to military families and our card making for OWH .
Did you know there are approximately 8,800 children of retired military families who are not currently covered under TRICARE, which is the Department of Defense's health care program? Congressmen John Larson and Walter Jones have introduced a bipartisan legislation which is aimed at resolving this issue for children of retired militarywho have children with Autism/  Asperger'sSyndrome.
   The bill was introduced on June 22,2011 by these congressmen as the Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act. You can read more about this legislation by clicking onto:  www.autism-society.org.
I am passing this information along to you not only as awareness in their resources, but also as a way for you to encourage people you know in service-related areas. ( Autism Society/ 4340 East-West Hwy, Suite 350/Bethseda, Maryland, 20814).
     Let me pass along this sketch. Isn't it perfect for  a card of encouragement?... I think it is too.

 I'm looking forward to  other designs and sketches too. Be sure to sign up for the free newsletter to Paper Crafter newsletter. It is a great way to look at new products, give-aways and designs.
It's been great to chat with you all.Last, let me say be an encourager to others,  you have all been an encouragement to me,.... so until later.  Enjoy the summer. Leave a comment.