Thursday, December 29, 2011

challenge yourself to dream big

How was everyone's Christmas?  Hope you guys got lots of freebies in your footwear from the Jolly Fat Fella.  :)

Over the last week or so, there were discussions of how to improve my blog, specifically how to increase traffic and interest.  I had initially wanted the blog to be about creative pursuits - scrapbooking, card making, papercrafting, cooking, cake decorating, etc. - but a couple of guys commented on how concentrating on crafty goodness does nothing to pique their interest.  Talk about an arrow to my crafty little heart.  I guess the male variety had expected me to divulge profound thoughts and drop pearls of wisdom liberally throughout this blog.  In order to appease those loud masculine voices whom pointed out that a blog full of crafty goodness automatically eliminates half of the population, I shall have to muster up a semblance of something thought-provoking, intellectually-stimulating, interesting, etc., every now and then.  Let the feigning begin.

I want to say I eschew all things reality TV-related just so I can hang with the cool intellectual crowd. But I would be lying.  I love the "Amazing Race" and am fascinated by the recently resurrected "Fear Factor".  I will admit to watching "Survivor", although I am by no means an avid fan as I consider it more of something to while away the time.  With that said, I glimpsed something that really spoke to me during the "Survivor" reunion show.  One of the older contestants, Dawn, was asked what she took away from her time on the island and she said something like this:

"How important it is to challenge yourself. No matter what age you are...I think my experience on the tribe...taught me you have to face challenges. Big ones. And the bigger the better. And I explained to you (the host) that 'Survivor' to me was just this big goal out there dream goal. And it was really too big. I had no right asking for that goal. And I went for it anyway. And the kind of joy and growth that came from that made it all the better. So it’s about challenging yourself." 

What she said resonated with me.  It made me ponder the myriad imaginary fears I have conjured up throughout my life; basically excuses I have used to prevent myself from achieving my biggest dreams and realizing my greatest goals.  I would like to think when I hear or read insightful things like this that a part of me would suddenly awaken from a deep coma and spring forth into action. What can I say except hope burns eternal.  Thoughts?

Thursday, December 15, 2011

get your merry on!

Hi, everyone!  Guess it's time to dress up this bare bones blog, eh?  Let's get our merry on by dipping our toes into the festive spirit creatively.  I finished this gift box yesterday for a Christmas contest which calls for use of We R Memory Keepers tools and/or paper.  What do you think?  Does PINK have Christmas written all over it or what?  LOL



This 8 x 8  inch box was created with a Martha Stewart Scoring Board.  I used the We R Memory Keepers "Merry & Bright" paper collection for the lid and most of the decor on it.  The origami or tea fold Christmas tree was basically square pieces of paper in decreasing 1/2 inch increments (not sure who came up with this idea, but it's super cute!).  The bottom of the box is Colorbok whiteboard.



A different view of the box so you can see the handmade bow using Michaels "Celebrate It" ribbon.  Notice the tabs on the corner of the box added for interest.  The hand sewn green scallop that runs the perimeter of the box lid was created with the  WRMK Sew Easy tool, the Scallop Head piercer, and the Granny Smith green floss.



Please ignore that little piece of rubber sheet sticking out on the bottom of the box on this last picture.  I assure you it has its purposes.  :)

Update 12/29/11:
Just wanted to let everyone know my project was one of the 12 WRMK projects featured.  I won some crafty goodies, including a pink "Brad Setter & Piercing Tool".  Yay!


Monday, December 12, 2011

Act 1

Hi, everyone.  My first attempt at blogging.  Just testing out the water to see how this is done.  Hopefully I will be able to master this in no time so others will find it somewhat useful. Curiosity brought me here, but I am hoping crafty goodness will keep me here.  :o)  Thanks for stopping by.