Using My Stash

 

Today I created 10 notecards from a pile of misc. crafting supplies I left out on my desk last week. I mostly used die-cuts, ATCs and stickers, so it went pretty fast. The history behind the cards is interesting...

I have a habit of naming the New Year. 2024 is the year of Whole Health, I joined a program offered by my hospital and they offer so many programs that touch on the concepts of whole health: physical health, emotional health, personal development, weight loss, mindful meditation, sleep therapy, spiritual awareness, kinesiology, surroundings and social activity.

I even have a coach who guides me to plan out how to reach my goals, which also means accountability. If I don't reach my goals in the time allotted, we revise the steps I need to take to succeed. For the next two weeks, I'm working on my surroundings. 

My house has become a storage building, holding furniture, collectibles and items from my mom's and my gram's houses, which my sisters and I cleaned out and sold after their deaths. Most of my basement and garage are filled with furniture and things that my sister can't let go of, but doesn't have room for.

I admit that the rest of the overcrowding is from my ever-growing stash of craft supplies. This situation is making me feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. My mission is to declutter, organize and label my crafts, creating order out of the chaos. I listed the craft supplies by category; for instance, this first week I went through my alpha stickers, printed images, 12x12 papers, diecuts, lace, ribbon, trim, buttons and envelopes.

I emptied 12 containers and bins, and found a ten year old girl whose passion is crafting. Her mom works with my sister, and she has received a large bag of craft supplies from me. She and her mom created a vision board together and had so much fun. I have filled another large bag with papers, stickers and card kits I made for some workshops. And I am just beginning!

So now you know how I came to create these notecards. I also made 9 birthday cards which I'll post another time. Meanwhile, happy crafting, y'all!

'There is Nothing More Deceptive than an Obvious Fact.'

One of my favorite crafts to create is an ATC, or Artist's Trading Card. I have made tiny cards for co-workers with them, as well as showcased them on full-sized cards. They measure 2.5x3.5 inches and are tiny masterpieces of creativity.
ATC's are what you need to create to join in the Ike's World Challenge blog this week. I used an Ike's Art image called Sherlock, but you don't have to use one of her images. However, if you do, you will be entered into the prize drawing twice. Twice is nice when we're talking prizes, don't you agree?!
If you join the Ike's Art Fan Page, there are several FREEBIES posted. I love her images and "collecting all Ike's Images" is on my bucket list.
Hope I'll see you at Ike's World Challenge blog this week! Have fun, crafters!

Easter Thanks

My daughter's boyfriend, Justin, went on a 2 week tour of Europe with his mom over spring break.  Not only did he bring home some macaroons from France, a sweet treat my daughter loves, but he also thought of me and brought me a box of "biscuits and chocolates" from England.  That was really sweet of him to remember me, too, so I in turn made a sweet Thank You gift for him.

I used an ATC and some orange-colored raffia and filled a tin with Mint Chocolate-covered pretzels for him.  And I gave it to him at Easter dinner when he came by.

I love the versatility of ATC's, whose initials stand for Artist trading Cards.  they measure 2.5x3.5 inches, and are tiny card fronts.  You can trade them, use them as tags, on cards, on canvas and on altered art.  AND you can make them into tiny little cards for your friends or co-workers.  One year I made abunch of Christmas ATCs and made them into cards with matching envelopes.  They all loved theirs!

So, whatever you do, and however you do it, keep on crafting, friends!