Creative Adventure With My Brother, Zee

So, my youngest brother came to me for some creative counsel, wanting to make a t-shirt to wear to a basketball game he is playing in with the Kinesiology Club at one of our local community colleges. Why make and not purchase? Because it would be about $10 dollars cheaper to make. Bonding time was an added plus! He purchased some dark tee shirt transfers from Walmart, a black tee from Hobby Lobby (yay! for 40% off coupon!), and according to his ink readout from his inkjet printer, the use of ink was minimal. Here is the fruit of our labor:

What is Rainbow Dash? In case you hadn't heard (and until a couple of months ago, I hadn't) The My Little Ponies of yester-year have been totally revamped! My Little Pony Friendship is Magic is an animated show that teens, female and male, and even adults are becoming avid fans of - including my brother. Surprisingly, the show emphasizes a lot of values like teamwork, kindness, friendship, clean humor, etc. I do admit, some of it has made me laugh. Okay, enough admitting for one day.

At B&N: Gathering Project Inspiration

One of my favorite ways to gather project inspiration is to visit my local my local Barnes & Noble with my hubby and look through crafting books and magazines. Because they are too expensive to buy (lol), I do what any other crafter on a budget would do - take pictures!These were taken from various magazines (can't remember exactly which ones), but the ones I was flipping through include Cloth, Paper, Scissors; Somerset Studio; Molly Makes; Art Journaling; and a couple more that I can't remember the titles of.

More Altered Mini Composition Journals (On Sale)

Something I've really enjoyed lately is altering composition journals, like the teal and brown journal I altered in December.

So far, I have yet to make one for myself. I've altered/decorated two as gifts, and have two mini's on sale on my Etsy. I've used scrapbook paper on most, but love the texture on the Heart's Journey journal! I used gesso, paint, cut out a little window, and made a puffy heart by hand-stitching red satin ribbon, and glued some buttons on the side! Stay tuned for more of these, they've been a favorite project of late! (sorry the pics are a bit blurry!)

"Dreams" visit my etsy for more pics! - http://www.newthingdesigns.etsy.com

 

 

mint green -"Heart's Journey" http://www.newthingdesigns.etsy.com

After a Long Absence ...an Altered Composition Journal

Lately so much has been going on - work, family crises (yes, plural), and visiting relatives - that my creations have been on the back burners. For stress relief, I've been working on little projects here and there, and as time has permitted I've also been working on my other blog http://proverbs3130gal.blogspot.com/ . I've also been taking more time to focus on my health, joining a gym to help me lose the 26 pounds I've put on the past 2 years (I've been sitting a lot at work! and for more than 8 hours a day most days), and I've been going an average, 3 times per week. This doesn't seem to be enough to shed the pounds though. No weight loss yet, but I have noticed an increase in strength! I've also been sick a few times this year, and it has forced me to rest more than I'm used to, which leaves so much less time for all that I'd like to do. On top of these things, I've also been taking some time to learn about therapeutic essential oils and have become a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils (contact me if you'd like to learn more or become a distributor - or enter my #1307904 if you'd choose to sign up!). I've been also taking more time to soul search and spend time in the Bible and I have been journaling again...Wow, no wonder I've been resting so much!
So, here's one of my creations from December - My first altered journal!

with added "hinges"

pockets on back cover

backside with logo

So, it has been a while, but I think I'm ready to spend 1 day a week blogging...I'd so much like to keep up!

My first Toliet Paper Mini!

So, it's been a while since I've posted anything, I thought I'd better put something up. This TP mini album marks the beginning of what I call "from scratch" scrapbooks. I don't know what the technical term is, but I know I don't like postbound albums. I prefer being able to touch and play with my scrapbooks. When I was little, I used to have dreams that I was unfolding and unwrapping colorful papers in books, and with every page I turned, with every envelope I opened - It was like discovering a treasure. = )

My first Video (March Haul)

First 2 Etsy Sells!

Does everyone get this excited over their first Etsy sell!?!? : D

Yesterday I discovered that 2 pairs of my earrings sold! Upon opening my email, I began to make some exclamatory sounds (kinda of sounded like squeals), and a nearby friend wanted to know what all the commotion was about. I began to share about my shop and sells, and she excitedly asked for my ETSY shop name. She added to my joy by purchasing her own pair of earrings!..She was right in front of me, so she bought directly = ) ...I'm not quite sure how to mark the pair she bought as sold on Etsy, but I'm not sure I need to, since I do have a second pair of that item. I should probably still learn....

Now to make more jewelry to replace the others!
Thank you to my first 2 customers!!!
- Jen