#TryItTuesday - Masking Technique #CHALLENGE #DRAW #CREATIVE #ISCRAPNSTAMP

For those of us working on getting kicking off our fall and winter with a health dose of Creative in it, this one's for you! 

Starting today, I'll post each week with a technique video or technique tutorial for you to try!  The #Challenge comes in when you dig out your supplies and create something using that technique!  

This week's Technique - Masking! 

I Challenge You..... to Playtime!

Are you in a Slump? 

It's okay,  you can admit it -- we've all be there -- in fact I sometimes joke that I live there..   thankfully it never lasts for *too* long.  

As many of you know, this last year has been riddled with a boatload of medical drama across my family,  followed by the passing of my Dad which aside from the obvious added a whole new level of drama to my world.  I am fortunate that I have a pretty fabulous support system in my hubby, and the family that he happily shares with me - including his parents who are more like best friends that in-laws - we are truly blessed.  I do not know where we'd be without them.  I hope we don't have to find out for a long LONG time!

When things start going haywire it's not uncommon that the things we love to do get pushed aside, and sometimes forgotten altogether.  As a demonstrator, we often fall into a habit of preparing for classes, and upcoming events but forgetting to take time to just sit down and P L A Y! 

I sometimes find myself overwhelmed in my craft space.  I look at all of the wonderful new toys, and tools that I have brought in with my Club orders, pre-orders, and supply orders --so many things I haven't even breathed on yet - let alone gotten all inky..    I get to feeling like a waste of a craft room..  

I promised myself several weeks ago that I was going to work on making cards and dig back into my much neglected (almost abandoned) scrapbook, and CREATE.  

I challenged myself to dig into my Retired paper stash, and start getting it made up into cards and favors so that I can make room for the beautiful new colors that join us from the new catalog.  I cannot wait to show those to you ~ some wonderful old favorites are returning, and the new in colors are fabulous!  

I think that someone out there heard my plotting, because this past week on our Team group, one of the ladies posted a challenge for our group.  (Thanks to Crystal for running this one - it was just what the "doctor" ordered!) 

We were given the week to come up with a card and post.  To be honest, I was really excited about this challenge but then in the hustle and bustle of a crazy-busy week I forgot about it.   I was puttering away in the craft room in the midst of what I was calling my "Retired Sunday" when I remembered and thankfully inspiration struck quickly.  Here's what I came up with: 

I decided to play with my two newest butterfly punches (you know how I LOVE butterflies!)  and layer them.  I made use of some retired paper that I bought when I was in Vancouver looking for a way to be crafty when I hadn't brought anything with me.  Turns out much of the paper I bought was labelled incorrectly and quite a bit wasn't retired at all - BONUS!   In any case,  I also decided to do a no-stamping card this time, mostly because I was having fun making butterflies and wanted to use them on a card..   as you can see there were many more of them.. :) 

I cannot wait to see what this week's challenge will be.  I thought that I'd post the challenge here for my readers and customers, so we could play together and encourage each other to take some time each week to CREATE!

Did this challenge inspire you?  If you make something with this week's challenge photo,  please share a link to your blog post, or e-mail a photo to iscrapnstamp@gmail.com.  I'd love to see it! 

Team Challenges are just one of the perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator - I just love the chance to share ideas and inspiration with our team, and with my own down-line.  Thinking about taking the plunge?  Ask me for more info!  The get more special on til the end of the month gets you an additional $40 in FREE products when you buy before May 30th!  If you're thinking about it, get in touch ~ I'd be happy to set up a time for you to come and take a look at the products and see what you'd be getting into first hand. 

This week I challenge YOU!  To dig out and dust off those toys that may be hiding in the back of your craft cupboard that you haven't used for a while - perhaps a stamp set or tool that you bought but haven't even unwrapped yet ~ now's your chance!  Choose something that you haven't used in a while and make something..   Share your creations ~ Let us inspire each other! 

Happy Monday everybody!   Happy Memorial Day to our US Friends and Family! 

A thoughtful Thursday..

Somewhere after 3 AM and I'm awake again and there's no good reason why.. but alas here I am.

I've been thinking a lot this week about plans and planning.  It's sounds funny to admit that though I am a big fan of planning things out that not much in my life has gone according to plan...  somewhere in there I suppose there's some twisted irony in that..  but at this moment it escapes me somehow.

Not just in life but in crafting we make decisions daily based on our hopes and dreams - what we tell ourselves we want to do..  

As I've been sorting through my craft area over these past several weeks I can see much evidence of this.  A variety of papers, stamps and other tools bought in Ebay tours and other travels.  The eyelets in every shape and size, the pearl-ex powder that someone told me that I'd love if I tried it ~  I got a large lot of it from a woman online for a fraction of what it would have cost me new.  A friend recently told me that I have more than enough there for my kids, my kids kids and their kids to use and there may still be some left over!!  I still haven't taken the time to dig it out and play with it.

I remember making my wish-list in my early days of being a Stampin' Up! clubber and desperately wanting the light table.  Of course by the time I got to that point on my wish list it had been discontinued.  I lucked out and found one on Ebay,  and here we are many years down the road and I'm not sure that I've ever even plugged it in.

To say nothing of the well intended gifts of my teddy-bear for bags, and toys that were bought to surprise me.  I have truly amassed a *lot* of "stuff" -- and that's just my paper crafting supplies, I haven't even delved into the bins of fabric, yarn, beads and other notions of days gone by.   I also bought out the stock of a retiring CM demo at one point, and had bought a pile of paper from CADD as it transitioned to TLC and then folded into something else entirely and did away with its consultants..  but there's still an awful lot of product that I just haven't gotten to use.

All items of course that were bought with the best of intentions, yet so many are still in their original wrapping waiting for their chance to be loved.  Many more punches, dies and other items are castaways from my long-ago daycare mom days.

Not just in life but in crafting we make decisions every day based on what we think -- what we hope -- we'll do on some fictitious someday.   I've heard rumors of crafters out there who set out with a project in mind - and like with a recipe pick out those things, complete the task and move on to the next.  This is definitely not me -  though I can honestly say that there is HOPE.

For me a lot of the issue has been medical issues.  They really do have lousy timing and get in the way of so very much.  Spending most of 2008 in hospital, then not being able to get the the basement for a time afterwards really put a kink in the plan - many of my toys and tools I just couldn't get to let alone use.  Seems like every time I get my ducks in a row, the domino effect comes into play and though it is tiresome there does come a point where you start to roll with it and hope that you can make it ahead of the next wave.  After a while it becomes an art in and of itself..

Now that I'm a demonstrator for Stampin' Up!  I am constantly adding to my library so that I can keep offering my customers a selection of all the great items we offer.  I have managed to organize all of my toys and tools over two large shelves in my livingroom.  We have recently begun the integration of livingroom takeover,  to a basement craft room makeover and integrating everything..  

I have begun devising new and creative ways to use up my retiring and retired card stocks and papers,  as well as my "other company" products as I work on my storage area and plotting how best to sort and store everything.   I'm working on my own Scrap From my Stash Challenges, as well as some Scrapping challenges in hopes of keeping myself on track and spending much more time at the crafting table.

My teddybear and I have been working on some other ideas as well, and I am looking forward to sharing those with you over the coming weeks and months.

I'd love to hear your ideas also..   feel free to leave a comment and share as we embark on this journey..

Wednesday Morning Reflections

These past few months have just flown by - What started with falling down the stairs at my inlaws and cracking a rib, traveled along the road to getting a nasty cold/strep that seemed content to remain and for several weeks our Internet/Voip was on the fritz.  


We were in 3 weeks of not being able to use our home phone when the tech called to say that he had it working now, and then we realized that the multitude of messages that we could see on the phone had been reset.  He said he thought we had heard them.  When the phone hadn't worked in weeks I'm not sure how but I lost all the saved messages as well as new messages that had been left over that whole time period.  They laughed when I told them that they were playing with their lives.  I guess he didn't realize how serious I was when I told him it was perfectly acceptable to separate a girl from her phone *OR* her internet for a short time,  however more than 3 weeks of being removed from BOTH and subsequently e-mail too..    it could prove fatal.   

I *So* wish, I could have had a look at the guy's face when I said What part of my voice sounds like it's kidding?    LOL    It's all good now but I was NOT a happy camper there for a bit.. 


Thankfully we get e-mail notifications for messages, so I've been able to reconnect with everybody.  If I've missed you, please give me a call or drop me an e-mail and we'll get things back on track. :) 

As many of you know, we were off to Montreal yesterday for my Uncle's funeral.  For those that know us well,  you've likely heard me speak of Uncle Calvin  ~  He was the eldest sibling in a family of 12 (my Dad being the youngest boy with one sister younger than he).  He was a Veteran, a member of the Black Watch, a Retired Drum Major.  He would have been 88 this coming Saturday. 


I remember growing up, going to the cenotaph with my Dad and hearing my Dad tell me proudly how his Dad (my grandfather), and his "Big Brother" fought in the war..  I've never put a poppy on without thinking of those early (often cold) mornings with Dad.  


In my mind, Uncle Calvin was immortal.  I know that sounds crazy..  but I've been hearing stories about him since I was just a little kid,  I remember "meeting" him at 8 years old when my sister was born and we came home to Montreal for a visit.   We used to talk almost daily via MSN before his eyesight got really bad ~ it was always entertaining.  Every so often he'd say something and I'd have a quirky goosebump moment when he'd say something and I would stop in my tracks because he so totally reminded me of my own Dad.  

We seem to go through life running with the assumption that there will always be another tomorrow, yet when suddenly that tomorrow is taken away and we lose someone we loved we're shocked and angry that life ends.  Surely we're not so naive to think that we're all immortal ~ yet life gets busy and we perpetuate the myth until sadly one morning we wake up and another door closes,  and we're sad for what has been stolen from us and later disappointed for all the chances we didn't take.  


I'd like to leave you with a challenge - Right now.. I'd like you to take a few minutes from your busy day.  E-mail a friend,  call someone you haven't spoken to in a while - say you're sorry.  Tomorrow was never promised.  Enjoy today, it is truly a precious gift.    <3  

Scrap Happens - Challenge - My Take...

Hey Gang..  Over the weekend I'd posted this photo as a challenge for those of you like me who really need to step outside the box and try to get back to playing.  For me it's a lot about finding better organization solutions for my toys, both old and new, but mostly about making time to sit down and just create.. 
When I saw this photo I can't say why exactly, but my mind immediately spat out Chocolate Chip and Vanilla which in itself is kind of weird, because they're not normally my "go-to" colors as far as playing goes.  Though I'd completed my color family and wanted a good excuse also to open up some new untried colors so Here I went.  


 

First I chose a sheet of Vanilla Card stock as my base.  I stamped the flower from my new favorite hostess set (Sumer Mini) in Early espresso three times on the page down one edge.  Then I chose 3 other shades chocolate chip, soft suede and river rock and stamped until I had a full sheet of flowers.  I carefully cut out one of the flowers and then started sliding it around the page to see how it looked with the other flowers.  I am always amazed at the ideas that come along simple because you allowed yourself to just play with it.  

The beauty of Stampin' Up! is that since all of the colors came from the same color family , they all coordinate beautifully.  I'm so glad that we moved things around and made some more room to play.  I'm envisioning many long afternoons and evenings in the cool basement when it's hotter than blazes outside.  


I ended up stamping 3 flowers on the base of the card, Early Espresso, Soft Suede and River Rock.  I used a pop-up to make the flower i'd cut out pop-up, and then embellished the card with our new baker's twine and then added some pearl bling to my popped up flower. I'm thinking I might make another one and pop up all 3 flowers.  If I do, I'll post so you can see it too. 

So what did you come up with?  I'd love to see! 

Scrap Happens! Scrap From Your Stash - Challenges!

My apologies if you get this through syndication twice..  I'm getting weird errors so I am trying to put it through again..   ~ Tammy 

I've decided that I'd like to devote some more time and a section of my page to something that I affectionately call "Stashbusting". 

I'm finally at a point past all of the medical ups and downs, well into reno-recovery, and looking eagerly forward to the days that come next.  With that in mind I'm moving forward...  I don't know what your craft area looks like, but if it's anything like mine, there are many toys, tools, paper and other assorted bits and pieces that seem to multiply when you're not looking.  I thought that if I posted some regular challenges to my blog then I would have to be accountable for having made my plans and maybe others might decide to go on a road trip with me.  

I started with first sorting all of my supplies and since starting a few weeks ago I've already found myself re-thinking the "plan" a few times and re-doing things.  

Ultimately I need to find more time to play with my toys, and in order to do that I need to get more organized. While the first thing that comes to mind is downsizing, I find myself more concerned about the sheer volume that I'm carting around needlessly whenever I host an event - more aptly my loving teddy bear is carting unnecessarily..  so I've really had to re-think the way that I'm packing those bins and boxes.  So much so, to the point that I asked my hubby for his input.  I figured since he's the one carrying them that asking him what would make it easier for him makes sense, right?

Over the last few weeks there have been many discussions about storage solutions and different ideas for repacking things.  I never take for granted the wonderful blessing I have in having such a supportive teddy bear.  I even overheard him up-selling product at one of my events recently.  It was certainly a big "aww"  moment in my world.  

So I welcome you to a corner of my world, as I try to find a quiet place to play, and challenge myself to step outside the box in playing with different color choices, old forgotten tools, and new toys that haven't been used, or even visited in way too long. 

I have a feeling that much of this is going to feel like visiting with old friends..   for those of you who are joining me on this journey.. Welcome to my Scrap Room!  I hope that you enjoy your visit. :) 

As always, I want to be a gracious host, so let me know if I can be of any help. :)


Happy Monday! 

Scrap From Your Stash Challenges

I've decided that I'd like to devote some more time and a section of my page to something that I affectionately call "Stashbusting". 

I'm finally at a point past all of the medical ups and downs, well into reno-recovery, and looking eagerly forward to the days that come next.  With that in mind I'm moving forward...  I don't know what your craft area looks like, but if it's anything like mine, there are many toys, tools, paper and other assorted bits and pieces that seem to multiply when you're not looking.  I thought that if I posted some regular challenges to my blog then I would have to be accountable for having made my plans and maybe others might decide to go on a road trip with me.  

I started with first sorting all of my supplies and since starting a few weeks ago I've already found myself re-thinking the "plan" a few times and re-doing things.  

Ultimately I need to find more time to play with my toys, and in order to do that I need to get more organized. While the first thing that comes to mind is downsizing, I find myself more concerned about the sheer volume that I'm carting around needlessly whenever I host an event - more aptly my loving teddy bear is carting unnecessarily..  so I've really had to re-think the way that I'm packing those bins and boxes.  So much so, to the point that I asked my hubby for his input.  I figured since he's the one carrying them that asking him what would make it easier for him makes sense, right?

Over the last few weeks there have been many discussions about storage solutions and different ideas for repacking things.  I never take for granted the wonderful blessing I have in having such a supportive teddy bear.  I even overheard him up-selling product at one of my events recently.  It was certainly a big "aww"  moment in my world.  

So I welcome you to a corner of my world, as I try to find a quiet place to play, and challenge myself to step outside the box in playing with different color choices, old forgotten tools, and new toys that haven't been used, or even visited in way too long. 

I have a feeling that much of this is going to feel like visiting with old friends..   for those of you who are joining me on this journey.. Welcome to my Scrap Room!  I hope that you enjoy your visit. :) 

As always, I want to be a gracious host, so let me know if I can be of any help. :)


Happy Monday! 

Wow.. It's the weekend again already? Weekend Challenge

I have decided that I truly have to stop the practice of blinking at any point during the beginning of my week immediately.  Seems that I do, and immediately things get crazy busy and before I know it, another week has gone by and I'm looking back at it wondering where the time went.  This week was certainly no exception.  Made much headway in my progress to reno-recovery, among other things and got a lot of spring cleaning of the electronic variety taken care of in my efforts to take a minor step back and plot ahead again..  


A comment my hubby made to me the other day got me thinking.  Until he'd mentioned it, I hadn't really thought about it much but much as I hated to admit it, he had a point. (Shh.. I didn't say that out loud, right?)  He said he often sees me in preparation for classes, or workshops,  planning items for swaps with other demos but it's not very often lately that I sit down just to play with my toys for nobody else but me.  


Like I say, I had to admit he's right.  Sometimes you just have to take a step back from all of the crazy hustle and bustle in your life, put in the brakes and say :"This moment right here.. is MINE."  pick a project and go after it with all the gusto you've got.  It is with that in mind that I started looking at hosting a few small swaps, and challenging myself to create something daily.  I also want to step out of my regular comfort zone and routines.  I find that I always gravitate towards the same colors and there is a whole color palette to choose from.  


I decided that I was going to start posting weekly challenges on my blog.  I thought it might be fun to have others join in and share what they've made.  


So earlier in the month I was talking to a lady about - yep, you guessed it - Girl Guide Cookies - I understand that there was a real shortage of them in our area this year and many that wanted didn't get them.  That conversation led me to trying to find the group closest to me, and in that trek, I came upon the photo I have displayed here.  Somehow my brain jumped to the new chocolate chip ink pad that I bought recently and I thought that it was the perfect challenge to start with.  


Do these colors inspire YOU?  I'd love to see what you've come up with.  Please post a comment with a link to your project so we can take a look too!  I'll play around a little with it this week and post some samples too.  


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