Staying Up Way Too Late!

Yes, I'm staying up WAAAY too late... but it's for good reason!  Chick-Fil-A, in our town, has asked to include me as part of their 'Family Night'!  So, this coming week I will be sharing an easy-to-assemble craft with them!  I'm SOOOO excited!

Watched a couple Harry Potter movies with one of my favorite people as we punched out scalloped circles, hearts, and postage squares, trimmed the cardstock to 4-1/2 x 4-1/2, and scored the necessary lines.  Now, it's time for bed!

BUT WAIT!  Take a look at some of the projects that the kids were able to do at today's Kids Club!!!

 From a Goals Chart to Build-A-Bear diecuts...a blast was had by all!

Now, my pillow is SCREAMING my name!  Make it a great night!

Jenn

{Fomenting Friday} #2

{Fomenting Friday} #2...

this is exciting for me to say because, as I spoke about not knowing what my goals are last Wednesday, I realized that I'm slowly starting to fulfill them.  Even when I get a small stomach bug (I apologize for missing you on Thursday, but there was NO WAY I was going to type with my headache), I can still pick up and move on.  It's amazingly-freeing to know that I'll be, and am, accomplishing goals that I've dreamed of...and it's not as scary as I thought!

Sharing with people, teaching, laughing, and making life enjoyable.  It's exactly what *some* of my goals are, and I'm doing exactly that.  It's exciting!  Perhaps this 'goals thing' IS what everyone says it is:  a great idea.

I just need to ask your advice in this one area first:  It took 558 minutes to upload.  Can someone share with me what I am doing wrong?  I'm using my Canon camera, saving it on the little SD card, and then uploading it to YouTube.  Five hundred and fifty-eight minutes later, I've got an "Upload Complete" message to wake up to.  I must be missing something!

Today's {Fomenting Friday} tutorial is an interactive Valentine.  Remember the maze games that we used to play?  You know, the one you would move your whole body with just to get those tiny silver balls into the center?  Well, that's what you'll get a chance at again!  :)  It's fun, quick, and easy.  Whoever is on the receiving end of this Valentine will LOVE it!

Here's what I've used in the video:

Heavy-stock cardboard from a Stampin' Up! Specialty Paper Pack

12 x 12 First Edition DSP (Designer Series Paper)

12 x 12 Everyday Enchantment DSP

8.5 x 11 Whisper White Cardstock (to punch my 2-1/2" circle)

2-1/2" Circle Punch (I love Stampin' Up!'s punches!!!)

White Baker's Twine

Snail Adhesive

Totally A-Maze-Ing Stamp Set

Basic Grey Classic Ink Pad

Crumb Cake Classic Ink Pad

Stampin' Sponge

Alright!  Here's the link to your {Fomenting Friday} #2!!!  My wonderful, young daughter held the camera today, so have a little grace...haha!

Enjoy and make it great!  I'd LOVE to see your work and get your feedback!  Please leave me a comment here.  You can email me at StampinJenn@ymail.com and, if you give me permission, I'll share your work in my future posts!

Make it a great day!
Jenn

*Shh* Whispering Wednesday

Another quiet evening in the Martin household.  All are tucked in, pups are down, lights are low, and here I am...

How was your day?  Did you decide to make it a great one?  Did you allow people's problems and attitudes to bring you down?  Or, were you able to remain the light to people?  Were you able to bring a smile to someone's face?  Better yet...did you love on those that were unlovable today? {Easier said than done, I know!}

Whatever you did, wherever you did it at...I hope that you decided to make it great.

I remind myself that my attitude makes or breaks not only me, but also my family.  How I react to things causes smiles or tears.  What I say to people lifts them up or tears them down. {It's in the little things that I'm most taken aback}.

So, make it as great as you can.  Decide to enjoy yourself and others, be an encourager (even when you need the encouragement), and love people right where they're at.  Some of them need to know they're loved.  Be the one that makes it known.

 

Make it a great day!

Jenn

{TONIC TUESDAY} #2

WOOHOO!!!  It's {TONIC TUESDAY} #2!!!

So, remember the card you made last week?

Good --- now, go grab yourself a clean, glass jar that it will fit in.  This will make a fantastic gift to anyone on your Nice List!  ;)  Three or four to a jar would make a perfect "Cards In A Jar" gift!  Make these for your next gathering!

Here's what you do:

**Personally, I leave the cards unmade and offer it as a "kit" with all of the supplies needed inside, for my crafty friends! Otherwise, I prepare the cards.**

Here's a close-up of the fabric.  I really, REALLY like it, and I'm not the flowery type!

 

Moving on...

 

I suggest trimming your fabric ends after you've tied them.  You'll see, in the next picture, that I've trimmed it with a "banner" end.

Here's STEP 5 (because I didn't write it on the note card for you!)!!

...

That's so easy to do!!!  Love the simplicity of making something so pretty!!!

Alright!  Super easy, super simple, and it'll make ANYONE'S day!  These make great hostess gifts, new home gifts, long-time-no-see gifts...the list goes on!


Please take pictures of your work!  I'd love to see them!  You can forward your work to me at StampinJenn@ymail.com and I'll include some of your work in my future postings!


Hope you've enjoyed today's {TONIC TUESDAY} Tutorial!  I look forward to next week!  We'll be getting to "gnome" each other!!!

Until then...keep checking back and make it a great day!
Jenn

Monday, Monday!

Monday is over now, technically, but I haven't even gone to sleep yet.  SO, MY Monday is still going.  ;)

However, I'm heading to bed.  I'm SUPER EXCITED about bringing you {TONIC TUESDAY} and playing off of the card that we made last week.  I really think you'll enjoy putting this "GIFT" together!

Make it a great night, all!  Until tomorrow...rest well! 

Funday Sunday! #2

WOW!!!
Today marks my first week in the world of blogdom.  It's been a fun go so far, and I can't wait to share my {Tonic Tuesday} Tutorial with you!  It'll play upon the card that you learned to make last Tuesday, so pull it out!

SATURDAY is my "day off", and I enjoy focusing on my family, planning our week, and reconnecting with them.  I hope you enjoyed the same.

SUNDAY is my Funday...really!  I'm blessed with being able to sing with the Worship Team and lead others in song.  THAT is awesome!!!  Afterwards, my family and I either head home or go out for a bite to eat.  Whichever we choose, we always have fun.  Our kids are at a great age to be with, and they're rather funny, so they make great company!  We continue getting our plans together for the week, enjoy friends, and then make it an early night.

With that being said, I'm going to retire for the evening.  I'm quite exhausted and have several items on the agenda for tomorrow.  One of them:  making sure your {Tonic Tuesday} Tutorial is just right!

     Remember to pull your card out...you'll use it on Tuesday!  :)

Make it a great one!  See you soon!

Jenn 

{Fomenting Friday} Tutorial #1

Happy Friday to you!  I'm so excited to share my first video tutorial with you!  You'll laugh, but I was super nervous doing this.  It'll get better as we go on!

So, we're going to make the Faux Patchwork Quilt.  It's super easy and well laid-out.  

Here's what I've used in the video (my sample):
12x12 Beau Chateau DSP (Designer Series Paper)
18" strip of Beau Chateau Fabric, wrapped into a rosette
1 Antique Brad
5-1/2 x 4-1/2" piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
Crumb Cake Classic Ink Pad


Here's what you'll do:
Trim your DSP into 12 squares, 1-1/2" x 1-1/2".  To your side, layout the squares in the pattern that you want.  Take your 5-1/2" x 4-1/2" piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock and, with the Tombow Glue, make sure to cover the entire surface and pay extra attention to the edges (you don't want the paper to separate after running it through the Big Shot with the Top Note die).  Immediately start placing your 1-1/2" squares on the cardstock, making sure to line them up properly.


Once that's complete, grab your Big Shot, the Top Note die, and the sandwich plates.  Put it all together and run it through.  Voila!  You've got your Faux Patchwork Top Note to use and embellish any way that you desire!


Here's the link to the video! It took forever and a day to upload, so I apologize.  Our internet service has been a little wonky these past couple of days!  Hope you enjoy and leave me a comment!  Thank you!

A Fantastic Bit of Early Morning News!

GOOD MORNING!!!

Okay, so I'm SUPER EXCITED to share the {Fomenting Friday} tutorial with you, but that will come later today.  Right now, I want to share some things with you, before I forget.  So, grab your morning drink and enjoy the information!

FREE MDS TRIAL!
MDS stands for My Digital Studio, and starting February 1st, you'll be able to download a FREE 30-DAY TRIAL VERSION!!!  Don't worry - I'll be hosting some instructional classes, so this is the PERFECT TIME for you to try it out! 

Keep reading for some more great information!

This is JUST ONE STAMP SET (of MANY) that I received, FOR FREE, that will be available in the (US/CAN) NEW ANNUAL CATALOG this SUMMER!  It's already making waves in the UK!

 CATALOG CHANGES!

The Idea Book & Catalog will now be known as the Annual Catalog.  It's a great change for all of us!  It's going to have fewer pages AND still have the fabulous samples and Stampin' Up!® stamp sets, paper, inks, and accessories that you already know and love!  The Catalog will be active from JUNE 1, 2012 --- THAT IS THIS YEAR! --- to May 31, 2013.  Make sure you got that!  Stamp sets and accessories - even the 2010-2012 In Colors - will be leaving us May 31 of THIS YEAR! {That means retirement --- I'll let you know more information as I receive it, so keep your eyes here!}

There will also be TWO mini catalogs for your shopping enjoyment, and they'll be larger!  Just like a magazine, you'll be able to have better visuals and EIGHT MORE PAGES to look through in our 8.5x11" pages!  Spring will run from January - May, and Holiday will run from August - January.  You'll have FIVE MONTHS (instead of four) to love the products for all occasions!

DECOR ELEMENTS!

Our Decor Elements and Simply Adorned lines are going to be discontinued on May 31, 2012.  If I understood correctly, they will keep a limited supply on hand.  I'll update more as information comes available.

I do think that is it for now...let me wrack my brain for a minute...OH, OH, OH!!!  Okay...

I LOVE OUR SIMPLY SCORED board!

It makes perfectly straight lines EASY to cut and fold on!  My creative side has definitely been satisfied with this wonderful tool!  SO, the new news on it?!  Well, WE WILL HAVE A DIAGONAL SIMPLY SCORED INSERT FOR IT!  YES...I said INSERT!  It will fit directly into the Simply Scored board that you already know and love from Stampin' Up!® It will be available for you to purchase starting March 1st and ONLY costs $11.95!!!  How's THAT for AWESOME!!!

Come back later for {Fomenting Friday}!

Until then, make it a great day!

What a Thursday it has been!

Yes!  Full of laughs, fun, getting crafty with some fantastic women, and worship practice this evening, it has been a VERY full Thursday!  I'm exhausted!

Truly, I can't wait to bring you your first {FOMENTING FRIDAY}!  It will be a short, probably 5-7 minute video of a fun project that I put together for you.  The first few will be easy, and you'll really enjoy them!  As I foment over the weeks, though, they'll get more detailed.  No matter what, I really hope you'll enjoy it.

With that being said, and as I mentioned above, I'm exhausted!  I have a lot going on in life right now (doesn't everybody!?), and it's starting to wear on me.  I have skin cancers that I deal with on a case-by-case basis, so as the removal from my calf still heals, I have sutures in my lower back that cause distress while I *try* to sleep.  Then, the thoughts of my upcoming removal from my abdomen and three biopsies that will be happening in February...well, they weigh heavy on my mind, too.  So, if you pray, please pray that my body would be completely healed.  Not just for my sake, but for my families sake, too.  Thank you.

Before I head off, I'll leave you with a picture from a Stampin' Up! Workshop that I did today!  We had so much fun!  Everyone earned FREE Stampin' Up! products from our Sale-A-Bration promotion!!!  I was SOOO happy for them!!!  Enjoy it, and make it a great night!

*Shhh*...Whispering Wednesday

You know, it's the end of the day that really makes me thankful for a loving, supportive husband and wonderful, rather obedient, children.  You may be asking yourself "why?", but I tell you it is because, though I cherish the quiet, it makes me miss them.

Even though they're only a room or two away, I miss their laughter, their jokes and, perhaps, even their sibling bickering (just a little).  It's also the end of the day, though, that I'm able to hear the still, small voice that calms me.  The voice that tells me that it was a productive, healthy day.  The voice that helps me realize:  I am one step closer to achieving my goals and dreams.

My sister, Jessica, took this picture of a tree root at my mother's house.  I miss seeing all of the clover.  "Kinda looks like a bird's foot", my daughter said.  What do you see?

In all of my days, I can't remember ever thinking that I'd be one day closer.  But earlier today, my Stampin' Up! up-line, Michelle, called me and asked what it will take to get me to my goal.  Sheepishly, I told her I didn't know and balked at the idea of having to give her my "plan".  I also told her that, while at my Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference, I had taken a Title Benefits class with Bonnie Thurber.  Bonnie asked us to write out a 6m goal and plan of action.  I winced at the thought of writing it out.  So, I took the majority of my time just drawing the frames around the 8 rectangles made from folding my sheet of paper, while the other ladies matter-of-factly made their schemes.

What is it about WRITING OUT GOALS that scares the bejeebee's outta me?!  I think that, because I know myself rather well, I am afraid of the commitment that is attached to them.  Writing it down makes it so...well...permanent.  I thrive in fast-moving, ever-changing environment.  Goals...

Don't get me wrong.  I'm all about rest and relaxation.  I'm all about enjoying a Saturday afternoon at the park with my family, watching the kids running around and swinging on the swings.  We're engaged.  We're having fun.

Having fun.

I guess that was the goal.  It was accomplished, and I didn't have to write it down.

My mind wanders...

Why must I write a goal down if I can simply accomplish it without?  I believe the answer lies in my mind, itself.  I didn't know what the goal was.  It just happened.

Did you see what I just admitted?  I didn't know what the goal was.

Do I even know what my goals are?  I jest and say that I want to have my own private island villa on the outskirts of Italy.  But, truly, it is what I want.  I can picture it.  I don't even have to close my eyes!  I have no idea how to get there.  No idea...

...and I don't want my life to "just happen".  I want to live on purpose.  Don't you?


So, guess what I'm doing tomorrow?