I seem to be pretty good at finishing card crafts this year - maybe because they are so easy and quick! I'm all for the quick gains. And I am definitely stocked for years to come with cards - albeit very beautiful semi-handcrafted cards. With school starting, I'm hoping these crafting days will be more regular. My neighbor and I like to get together and craft - usually beading is involved, but I've been on other kicks lately - knitting, crocheting and card-making. And it is always easier to get together when the kids are in school - at least most of them.
So.... here is a set of beautiful glitter made butterfly cards. So glad I finally got the chance to make them. I can't wait to send them to someone.
Here's the picture of the package - I think they turned out better than the ones on the package - probably because I had glitter from all the past Martha Stewart cards that I've made - more choices of colors.
And there's been this feeling floating around in me lately. I think it started because I decided to clean and organize my beading area. And much to my husband's horror, I had my beads spread out everywhere and I have a lot of beads!!, which I don't often show here because, well I do sell my jewelry creations on Etsy so I have a different feeling toward that hobby/moneymaker.
But, overall - I'm just tired of all the stuff - all the toys, all the books, all the clothes, all the craft stuff, all the useless house décor items in our basement, all the time it takes to sort through and move around items to get around the house and I've really been starting to purge a lot - A REALLY LOT!!!!!
I only say start because it is a process. Clean out some and then more gets unearthed and its time to reevaluate and get rid of more. My family is contemplating a move in the next year or two and I keep imagining what it would be like for someone to walk through our house - who would want to buy this house with mounds of crap everywhere? And how many pounds is it/how much would it cost to move this stuff? This is our first house, so we previously moved with a Uhaul truck and a bunch of friends 10 years ago. But with 3 kids added to the mix, I know that won't be possible the next time.
So this is the beginning of the crafty purging....
Can you see the date? It's a 2008 calendar - opened and looked through, but none have been done. Previously, I always felt like I would like to make these - for more cards ?!? Really, would I rather twist paper or play with the kids? Enough said.
And this one - I bought to do with my daughter 2 years ago. She was a little young to be able to get the crystals in place and got frustrated easily, so I put it away for awhile. And then, last year, she went to visit her cousin and they made one - the exact same one! And why am I still holding onto this? The plan is for my daughter to give this to her BFF.
And then, today my neighbor commented that she thought the butterfly cards were beautiful and she would like to find something like this to do. Again, with the magic cape.....
I whipped this glitter kit out and gave it away...
(This picture is from ebay - I gave it away before taking a picture of it.)
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Projects finished: 14
Projects given away: 6+
Weeks: about 26
OK. I'll admit it.... I broke down and bought some crafting supplies - but these were some completely new and different supplies, not just a variation of other supplies, e.g. different yarn or beads. And it was for a good cause.
A good friend of mine ran a race with me and I wanted to make it fun for both of us.
Last year, my husband and I ran the Warrior Dash - and while he was great at running and doing the obstacles, he didn't always stay with me nor did he do the last obstacle - climbing through mud with barbed wire over your head - because he didn't want to get that muddy!
So I needed a new running mate for my once a year challenge of running a race (Mudathlon) and my good friend from college offered (or did I cajole her into running - don't remember now), but she ran it and didn't complain. And we had fun with matching outfits, including tutus. A tutorial online showed me how and it was pretty easy but I did have to purchase the tulle and elastic for it.... So this may have set me back in acquiring more supplies but this kind of craft was worth it. And somehow I think this is how it should be with craft supplies - I should buy what I need when I need it and then do the craft. Because I can bet that if I was really bored and wanted a craft to do, I could always walk into a Michael's or Hobby Lobby and find something new and exciting to do.
If someone happens to look at this photo and go back to the tutorial to figure out how to make this - keep this in mind - when she says 10-12 yards of tulle - that's of the tulle by the yard, not the spool kind. I probably used at least 65 pieces of 6inx36in tulle to make these - and probably could have used more like 75 pieces of tulle to make it really extra fluffy. Also, if you use the glittery kind - the glitter gets everywhere!!!!
Wow! How time flies.... How nice it is to enjoy summer and swimming and going to parks and running a race. And still... I was able to get some crafts done.
I have a friend who is having a baby soon, so I knit and crochet some items for her.
And as much as I wanted to - was craving to - go to the craft store and buy New Fresh Yarn to knit her something, I pulled out yarn from the store in my basement, aka the huge tubs of yarn down there, and luckily had enough for some beautiful (and fun) projects...
And long car trips also really help with getting knitting done - as long as its not bad weather. Last year, we went North in February to visit family and ran into a snow storm and all my stitches during that stressful time were really, really tight - so lesson learned!
These are the latest...
Projects finished: 13
Projects given away: 3+
Weeks: about 26 - halfway through the year!!! I think this blog is also giving me a reality check of how many crafty projects one can really get done in a life full of kids and other demands!
