January 31st: Sizzix Projects #8-11

Happy Friday!

It is time to share our projects. This was a fun week for mas as I was able to use some never before used supplies.  That always makes me happy, especially when I have owned some of them for years. :)

Project #8-You Inspire Me
I have been so busy working on clean and simple cards....I need a creative break.  I would NOT say this is clean and simple. :)  I was only planning on one card this week, but I really wanted to do something with the Tim Holtz embossing folders I own.  I have been tempted to buy some new ones, but I just can't when I have so many I have NEVER used.  I used two of them on this card.

Supplies:  Dies (Sizzix/Tattered Flowers), Stamps (Just Rite Stampers), border punch (EK Success), shipping tag, embossing folders (Sizzix), circle punch, ink, lace, rhinestones, brad, clock face, corner embellishment, metal flower, cards stock, pattern paper, netting and pop-dots.

Project #9-Note Card

One of the things I love the most about Sizzix dies is that they can cut so many different materials.  I used the tattered flower die for this card.

Supplies:  Dies (Sizzix/Tattered Flowers and Scalloped Circles),  fabric, netting, card stock, pattern paper, embossing folder (Spellbinders) and accent flower.

Project #10-Project Inspiration

Supplies: Dies (Sizzix/Heart and Border Dies), ATC (Ranger/Sticky Backed Canvas), Gelatos, white paint, stencil (Crafters Workshop), lace, pattern paper, card stock, chip board, pearls, baker's twine and key charm. 

Project #11-Trick or Treat

Supplies:  Dies (Sizzix/Pumpkins, Trick or Treat and Border Dies), felt, card stock and pattern paper. 

We have some wonderful Sizzix classes to help inspire you to use your own supplies....and several of them are on sale.  Click here to view all of our Sizzix classes. 

Hard to believe, but February starts tomorrow. We have spent January focusing on die-cuts and die-cutting machines.  Next month it is time to turn the page.  Next week's topic will leaving things bumpy where they were once flat.  Let me know what you think we will be discussing next week.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jeri

Sizzix Storage

Happy Wednesday!

It is our day to talk organizing and storage.  I will admit my Sizzix storage is pretty old school.  While I have updated most of my other storage, this plastic drawer system still works well for my die storage.  So why change what works....I would rather spend money on news dies. :)  I am almost at full capacity with my storage as I also keep punches in this cart.  So I may need to make adjustments in the future.

I have updated the MCL Organization Board on Pinterest.  It now includes Spellbinders and Sizzix storage.  I was impressed with how creative some of the options are.  But then, we are very creative people. :)

While my steel-rule dies on are in the plastic storage bin pictured above, my border dies are next to it in my favorite crafting storage options. I have many of these modular units in my craft room, this one houses my border dies and die-cutting accessories. 

Sizzix also makes some wonderful storage cases too.  At the very top is my Big Shot.  One day I may upgrade it to an electronic version.  I use the machine so often that the hand cranking gets a bit old.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jeri'

A Look Around My Workspace at Sizzix

Today I wanted to share a few photos of my work space at Sizzix. It's a super creative space that is usually a gigantic mess! Especially after a big trade show. This week I put all my projects aside and decorated my workspace for Valentines Day.

Here's my bulletin board. A bunch of heart die cuts stitched together on the sewing machine. And one of my favorite cards I created for a trade show a while ago. I'm so in to navy blue right now!

And above my paper trimmer station we have these darling shelving units. So I added a few Valentine Projects... In fact that Love Canvas in the photo... That is one of the canvases I am showing in my NEW Card and Canvas Class.

And here's one to make you drool... Just one of 6 nooks we have filled with dies! 

Sizzix really is a wonderful company and i'm proud to teach lots of Sizzix Classes here at MCC. Hope you see you all in class soon.

Smiles, Deena

Welcome Jennie Black Plus a Giveaway!

Happy Monday,

 My Creative Classroom is proud to welcome a brand new instructor, Jennie Black.  Jennie is an experience alcohol marker instructor and specialist.  She is certified in both Copic and Spectrum Noir markers.  We are so excited to have her join the MCC faculty.  She has two new classes starting in February.

We thought we would start the week off right.  Jennie has provided a FREE coloring tutorial.

********Class Giveaway!********

To welcome Jennie we are giving away one FREE seat to each of new classes.  Already enrolled? NO worries, you can still enter.  We will just refund your tuition.

NEW! Alcohol Markers: Adding Depth and Dimension with Jennie Black

In this in depth class, Alcohol Marker Specialist, Jennie Black will teach you how to shade and highlight your images to build life, dimension and layers. Class includes colored step by step tutorials, five instructional videos, class worksheets, color combo suggestions, review on basic blending & correcting, and a class forum forum for critiquing, comments & suggestions on how to improve coloring skills.

NEW! Beginning Watercolor Stamping-Garden Florals - Jennie Black

Join Jennie Black in this fun and versatile watercolor stamping class. Instructor will show you how to add flowers and foliage to several different settings including a watering can, flower pot, arbor and garden bench setting. She uses both step by step picture tutorials and videos to make it easy for all students. You may purchase the same stamps as the instructor or use similar small stamps of your own. Finished images can later be framed or added to the front of a card. Individualized suggestions and feedback is available in the class forum. Join the fun!

Enter the giveaway!

Here's what you need to do to enter the giveaway:

1. Just leave a comment below.  Easy Peasy. 

Giveaway ends on February 2nd at Midnight.  Winners will be announced on February 3rd.  Good Luck!

 Thanks for stopping by, Jeri'

January 27th Blog Topic: Sizzix

Good Morning!

Let's do a quick recap.  If I have a love/hate relationship with the Cricut and an all out love affair with Spellbinders.  Where does that leave Sizzix?

I have a long term relationship with Sizzix.  I started collecting them the moment they came out.  I don't a lot of Sizzix dies....mostly I have the steel-rule dies and I would never give them up.  I love that they can cut so many different materials.  I still have some of the very 1st dies they came out with.

As many of you know, I often purge my stash and I can be very brutal about it.  I try to only keep what I truly love.  Over the years there are very few things that I have donated that I wish I had kept.  The exception is the original Sizzix fonts.  There were 3 different alphabets and they were all steel-rule dies.  I miss those.  Again, because they cut there so many materials so easily.

I am super excited about my projects this week.  Why?  Because I pulled out several dies that I have NEVER used before.  And that always makes me happy.

So what are you working on this week?  Have you ever 'donated' something you wished you had kept?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jeri'

We Have a Winner!

This week we had a giveaway for my class: Cricut: Clean and Simply Cards.  We have a winner.

grandmato19January 17, 2014 at 11:19 AM
I use my Cricut often, usually in spurts. But to be honest , sometimes it just sits there, cuz I need a little bit of inspiration to get it going.

Please contact us at support.mcc@gmail.com so we can enroll you into the class.  If you did not win there is still plenty of time to enroll. I would love to have you join the fun. :)

We will have a brand new giveaway next week for our newest instructor: Jenni Black.

See you in the classroom,
Jeri'

January 24th Projects: Spellbinders. Projects #5-7

Happy Friday,

That means it is time to share our work.  I always love working the Spellbinders and other low profile dies.  They are just so easy to use.  I had a few other cards rolling around in my head...but I decided to stop.  Besides I would not have finished them before today anyway.  I imagine many upcoming projects will also include dies.  I find it hard to complete a project without them. :)  Especially a card.

Project #5 ATC Card for Project Inspiration
This is my favorite project from this week.

Supplies:  Dies (Spellbinders/Layered Flowers and Floral Flourishes), card stock, pattern paper, ink, gems and pop-dots.

Project #6: Exploring the Houston Area
My scrapbook layout for the week.  I am starting to feel  more comfortable with scrapbooking again, but I am struggling a bit with titles.  Actually I never liked adding the title.  Sign.....maybe it will get better this time around.  Anyway, Spellbinders are great for journaling spots.

Supplies:  Dies (Spellbinders/Label, QuicKutz/Scallop Border, Tim Holtz/Tattered Flower), arrows and tags (Cricut), pattern paper (Fancy Pants), card stock, stickers, stamps, ink, grey and black pens, brads, button, charm and clock face.

Project #7-Note Card

Time to break out a new Club Stamp kit.  Actually I got this one a few weeks ago and I needed to use it before the next one comes.  I love the colors in this kit.

Supplies:  Dies (Spellbinders/Oval and Label & QuicKutz/Flourish), card stock, pattern paper (Club Stamp/Aspen), stamps (Club Stamp/Aspen), ribbon, button, ink, chalk and gems.

Now it is time to share your work.  You can post using the link below or post your work in the My Creative Life 2014 classroom.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jeri' 

Organizing Spellbinders

Happy Wednesday,

It is time to talk organization.  I have been 'collecting' Spellbinders dies for years now.  Through the years I have had many different systems for organizing them.  Some work better then others. :)  My final option was the one you see below.  It is a converted shoe tree.  I wish I could say the idea was mine, but I found online.....somewhere.  I actually have two of these shoe racks.  This one holds my low profile dies, embossing folders and some stamps from Tim Holtz and Just Rite Stampers.  The 2nd shoe tree holds stickers and other embellishments.  You can purchase them from Amazon and I believe they also make one that goes all the way to the ceiling.  Just think of how many dies that would hold.  I use the Clip it Up clips to hold what hangs from the tree.

I remove the dies from there packaging and place them in a heavy duty zip lock bag.  Again you can find these on Amazon.  I label each bag.  I also need to add hanging labels so I can sort them into categories.

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I then punch a hole in the the top of the cards that come with the dies and put them on a binder ring.  Yes...this means that I have a lot of dies.  Having the cards helps me easily find what I die will work for each project. I also store my dies from Just Rite Stampers, Papertry Ink and QuicKutz in the same fashion.  These are my favorite dies to use.  I find the can be easily adapted to almost any project.  Which is probably why I continue to buy more.  I just checked and Joann.com has them on sale again....shhhhhh don't tell my husband.  There is still more room on the tree. :)

So tell me.....how do you store your Spellbinders.
Jeri'

We have a winner!

Announcing the winner for a free seat in the brand new class, "Cricut Crafting with Stencils"  with Shirley Pando is...ladynurse4.

Congratulations! I've emailed you already and can't wait to "see" you in class. :-) If you didn't win, there's still time to register for class.

Cricut: Crafting with Stencils

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Course Description

I love to create art with stencils, especially ones I can make myself using my Cricut machine! Come join me for this 5-lesson class to learn how to design Cricut Craft Room files and cut stencils using Cricut Cuttables Stencil Material, cardstock, and freezer paper. Students will create astenciled artist canvas, stenciled card backgrounds, and a stenciled fabric item of their choice. Take your crafting to a whole new level!
Students will learn about other stencil materials you can use with your Cricut and will will receive nine CCR files to download and use in class projects. Use any Cricut machine and any cartridge you own. Students must have basic knowledge of their Cricut machine and the Cricut Craft Room (CCR).

Click here for more information and to register for this class

Topic #2: Spellbinders

Happy Monday Crafters!

This week's topic is.....Spellbinders!  If I have a love/hate relationship with my electronic die-cut machine, I have a full on love affair with Spellbinders.  Actually it is not just Spellbinders, but all low profile dies, including: Just Rite Stampers and Papertrey Ink.  I know there are others, but please DON'T tell me.  I do not need another addiction.  :)

I have nothing but good things to say about these dies.  I will say that keeping them organized over the years has been a bit of a challenge, but I have found a good solution that works for me.  I will be sharing that on Wednesday.

This week I will again be working on scrapbook pages and a ATC card for Project Inspiration.  And I am sure there will be a card or two.  I just cannot help myself.

Be sure to let me know if you love Spellbinders as much as me and what you are working on this week.
Thanks for stopping by,
Jeri'

Blog Hop!

I was not the only teacher working with an electronic die-cut machine.  Several of the My Creative Classroom instructors have joined me.

We hope to inspire you to get out your die cutting machine and give there projects a try.
See you in the classroom,
Jeri'

Creative Arts with Shirley Pando

Shirley Pando has an extra stencil project for you to check out.  Then be sure to enroll for her upcoming Cricut stencil making classes.

Karen Scraps with Karen Hunter

Karen Hunter as a wonderful tutorial for creating custom wall calendar.

Let's Learn with Cara Miller

Cara Miller has a wonderful post on using Pinterest.  She will show you how to take what you see and re-create the project via Cricut Craft Room.

It's My Life with Christine Ousley

Christine Ousley shares a fun tutorial for creating daily cards for Project Life scrapbooking.  Very cool!

Jan 17th-Cricut Projects

Happy Friday,

Time to post our projects!  I believe my love/hate relationship with my Cricut is well documented.  So I won't bore you again.  LOL!  But I must say it does excel at one thing.  It has helped a ton with my son's martial arts pages.  No one really makes supplies for martial arts, but I can usually find general accents that work for his pages.

Then to my surprise I notice they had a Karate cart for sale in Cricut Craft Room!  It only has a handful of images, but it is perfect.  Looks like this machine may be winning me over.

About a year ago, I create a file on my Gypsy of arrow, tags and banners in various sizes and shapes.  Since I generally create mini-albums I cut the file from the paper I plan to use before I get started on the mini-album.  I have also cut it in white and craft paper.  It is a great way to have some basic die-cuts to use for each project.  Kinda like the ones included with packs of paper today.  But much cheaper to do it myself.

Unfortunately my Gypsy recently died.  And of, course I did not have the file backed up.  So I will be recreating it as I would on mini-albums this year.  It is a great way to get more use out of your machine.  I often find it too much work to use the Cricut on a single layout....unless I have a specific need for a specific cut.  But having a file of basic cuts I can use on any album is very helpful.  I also have files to cut mini-album pages for when I start a new album.

Project #1-Brown Belt
These pictures are few years old now.  My son now has his black belt...a whole new album to create.  I know it is dirty work, but someone has to do it. :)

Supplies: Die-Cuts/tags and arrows (Cricut), ribbon, sewing machine, brads, pattern paper, card stock, stamps (Little Yellow Bicycle), ink and black pen.

Project #2: New Dojo
After we moved 2.5 years ago we had to find a new martial arts school.  I wanted to document the event.  We are very happy with our final choice.

Supplies:  Die-Cuts/tags and arrows (Cricut), circle punch, pattern paper, card stock, stamps (Fiskars), ink and black pen.

Project #3: ATC Card-Project Inspiration

This week's ATC card uses the arrows and tags I created for my 2011 yearly review album.  Learn more about Project Inspiration here. 

Supplies: Die-cuts/arrow and tags (Cricut), pattern paper, card stock, button, stamp, eyelets, black pen, floss and ribbon.

Project #4: CAS Card

I just could not help myself.  I had to make a quick card this week too. :)  After a year of making cards it is like putting on a warm blanket.  I really struggled with the scrapbook pages.  It shows that I have not been scraping regular.  If you joined me last year, then you know that I share what I create....the good, the bad and the ugly.  Doing is how we get better.  I know in a few months I will be much happier with my work.  I hope you bare with me as I work through the practice stage. :)

Supplies:  Flower die-cut (Cricut/Home Accents), Stamps (Tim Holtz/Background and Just Rite/Sentiment), paper (Club Scrap), ink, embossing powder, tag and epoxy sticker. 

********Class Giveaway!********

If you like CAS cards, be sure to join me for NEW! Cricut: Clean and Simple Cards.  To add to the fun I am giving away one free seat to the class.  Already enrolled? NO worries, you can still enter.  We will just refund your tuition.

NEW! Cricut: Clean and Simple Cards (Jan 23rd) with Jeri Parks

In the world of card making there are many different kinds or styles of cards, but they tend to fall into three categories. Cards that focus on products, cards that focus on techniques and cards that focus on design.

It is that last type of card that is the essence of clean and simple (CAS) cards. CAS cards have been taking the card making world by storm.

One should never confuse quick and easy with clean and simple. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. When I create a CAS card I know the design has to be perfect. So while the card may come together quickly, in the end it takes a lot of planning. Sometimes small changes can make a HUGE difference.

The Cricut is a wonderful tool for creating cards. Unfortunately, it lacks a bit when creating CAS cards. Many of the designs are fussy and the sentiments too large to create eloquent CAS cards. With a little extra planning we can overcome these shortcomings.

By the end of this class you will:

• Learn how to best use the Cricut to create CAS cards.
• Learn the design basics of balance, focal point, scale, composition, rule of thirds, weight, contrast, symmetry, texture and repetition.
• Compare and contrast good and bad design to learn how to improve your work.
• Learn how to work with CCR & MS Word to create CAS cards.

Enter the giveaway!

There are two ways to enter this giveaway:

1. Please post your work using the link below.  Enter as often as you like, but it must be a Cricut project.
2. Please to this post.  Let me know how you use, or don't use, your Cricut.

Giveaway ends on January 23rd at Midnight.  Good Luck!

See you in the classroom,

Jeri Parks

Organizing the Cricut

It's Wednesday!  Time for us to share how we organize, or don't organize, this weeks topic.  Until last week, this was my Cricut cartridge storage.

Pretty sad!  In my defense a number of years ago I linked all of my cartridges to my Gypsy, so I rarely used them.  Unfortunately, my Gypsy has since died.  I really love Cricut Craft Room, so until I am able to re-sync my cartridges to Craft Room I need to find a better system.  

The Solution:

As usual, I went to my favorite spot for inspiration.  I went to Pinterest.  What an addictive site. :)  I did not want another box or bin.  I really do not have room for new storage.  I did, however, have a Clip It Up desktop spinner that was not being used very well and I had a light bulb moment.  I have used these heavy duty bags for a number of other storage solutions in my craft room and they were a perfect fit.  They are a 5x8 4-mil ziplock bag.  You can purchase them on Amazon for about $12/100 bags.  

We did run out of bags, but there is still plenty of room on the Clip it Up to finish the job.  I have no plans to purchase additional cartridges as I prefer to purchase the digital version on Craft Room.  Feels great to re-use something in a way that works better. :)

So now it is your turn.  How do you organize, or not organize, your electronic die-cutting supplies and accessories.

Below a link to the Pinterest board I started.  Each week I will add new pins for the topics we are discussing.  By year's end I hope to create a resource for organizing almost every supply we own.:

My Creative Life-Organizing Board

Don't forget.....Shirley Pando is giving away a free seat to her upcoming Cricut class on stencil making.  Click here to enter.

Thanks for sharing.

Jeri'

Online Cricut Workshop Series + Giveaway!!

Hi, I'm Shirley Pando, instructor at My Creative Classroom and part of the website support team. In fact, if you email the MCC help desk (support.mcc@gmail.com), I'm the person you'll hear back from. :-)

Do you own a Cricut machine? Maybe you are looking for more to do with it...or maybe it's gathering dust...gasp! Well, no more, I say. Come join me on a journey to discover what your Cricut machine can do for you. It's more than just little die cuts. :-)

For each of the next four months I will introduce another brand new online Cricut class.:

• January - "Cricut: Crafting with Stencils" - Class begins Jan 27th
• February - "Cricut: Crafting with Coloring Tools" - Class begins Feb 24th
• March - "Cricut: Crafting with Vinyl" (opening for registrations soon!)
• April - "Cricut: Crafting with Fabric" (opening for registrations soon!)

I call these mini classes, but if you  know me you know I don't do anything in a "mini" way. All my classes are packed to the gills, and these will be no different. A lesser price, sure, but no less info and projects. You just can't lose! :-)

The first class, "Cricut: Crafting with Stencils" begins January 27th. So how about a giveaway??!!

Cricut: Crafting with Stencils

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Course Description

I love to create art with stencils, especially ones I can make myself using my Cricut machine! Come join me for this 5-lesson class to learn how to design Cricut Craft Room files and cut stencils using Cricut Cuttables Stencil Material, cardstock, and freezer paper. Students will create astenciled artist canvas, stenciled card backgrounds, and a stenciled fabric item of their choice. Take your crafting to a whole new level!

Students will learn about other stencil materials you can use with your Cricut and will will receive nine CCR files to download and use in class projects. Use any Cricut machine and any cartridge you own. Students must have basic knowledge of their Cricut machine and the Cricut Craft Room (CCR).

Lessons include:
Lesson 1: Introduction and Inspiration
Lesson 2: Designing Cricut Craft Room Files
Lesson 3: Stenciled Artist Canvas using Cricut Cuttables Stencil Material
Lesson 4: Stenciled Master Board for Cards using Cardstock
Lesson 5: Fabric Item Stenciled with Freezer Paper

The course materials and projects in this class are totally new and different from the lessons in "Crafting with the Cricut: Beyond Paper".

Class begins: Monday January 27, 2014

Price: $15 for 5 Lessons
 

Click here for Supply List and to register for "Cricut: Crafting with Stencils"

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GIVEAWAY!!
Enter for your chance to win a FREE seat to "Cricut: Crafting with Stencils". There are three ways to participate in the Giveaway. Do all three and increase your chance of winning!

1. Leave a comment on this post and let me know, honestly, how often you use your Cricut. Time to confess!! :-)
2. For another chance to win, head to MY BLOG and follow me. Just click the little blue "Join This Site" button on the left column. If I see you in my list of followers, your name goes into the hat another time.
3. Comment on any post on my blog and get another chance...your name goes into the hat once again!

So what are you waiting for? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3! ;-)

This Giveaway ends on Monday January 20th at midnight. I will post the winner on Tuesday Jan 21st. Already enrolled in class? No worries! If you are the lucky winner we'll refund your tuition.

Good Luck!

Our 1st topic is.....electronic die-cutting machines!

Happy Monday Crafters!

It has finally arrived....our 1st challenge topic.  This week we will focus on electronic die-cutting machines.  I will be specifically focusing on the Cricut.  But maybe you have the Silhouette or Eclips or The Slice.

If you are like me, you may have a love hate relationship with your die-cut machine.  I fall in and out of love with my Cricut so fast it is almost like a soap opera.  I purchased it the very 1st week it was available, even though I said I wouldn't.  Which is kind of a theme for me and die-cut machines.  After several moves and starting a company it sat collecting dust.  I then upgraded to the Expression and purchased the Gypsy and a lot of carts.  The Gypsy helped a lot and I started using the Cricut again.  Maybe there is hope for this relationship after all.

But then I went through 2 more moves and again it started to gather dust.  It just felt too time consuming.  Then last year I started scrapbooking again and I remembered why I purchased the Cricut in the 1st place.  I have since learned how to use Cricut Craft Room and that has made it much easier.  Unfortunately, my Gypsy died when I tried to sync it to CCR.  UGGGG!  I have to get that fixed so I can link all of my carts.  So the relationship continues.  Stay tuned to find out if we can make it work this time or if we finally head towards a divorce. :)

This week I will be focusing on scrapbooking and a ATC card for my inspiration board.

See you in the classroom,
Jeri

Project Inspiration

Hey Crafters!

I wanted to give you a little bit more information regarding my Project Inspiration project.  Many, many moons ago I created the flower pots below.  Inside the pots I made 'flowers' for products and techniques I wanted to use.  They were reminders of what supplies I had and techniques I wanted to use.  For new projects I will pull 2 or 3 flowers to work from.  It really helped to limit my choices.  Unfortunately the posts were broken in a move.

So enter Project Inspiration, Part 2.  I actually started the project a couple of years ago....but just ran out of time.  Now we are settled into our new home and I have a perfect home for theses ATC holders.  I have a wall in my craft room that I can line up 6 to 8 of these holders.  So I will be creating an ATC card for each topic this year and adding them to my inspiration wall. :)

Why do this project?  How often do we say....if I can't see something I won't use it.  Which means we often have a hard time putting things away.  Unfortunately it is hard to work in a room when everything is 'out'.  This was a happy middle ground for me.

I will be talking more about Project Inspiration in the My Creative Life 2014 class.  Be sure to join us for this free class.

See you in the classroom,
Jeri Parks

Getting Ready

It is almost time!

I think it is important to do some prep-work when I start a new projects or challenge.  Don't worry...it does not involve going to the doctor. LOL!  But it may involve going to a craft store and what could be more fun then that.

As we begin the 2014 My Creative Life challenge I have decided to focus on scrapbooking and ATC cards for my inspiration project. (More info on that in a later post.)  I can't imagine going the entire year without making some cards and tags so I got those ready too.

My favorite albums to use are from Bind-it-All.  I love their Cover-Alls.  Which they are unfortunately discontinuing, so I stocked up.  I know I can make my own, but they make my life a little easier and that is always good.

I also like adding different size pages to my albums.....like a smash book.  Enter the Cricut.  I can design and cut pages that work perfectly.  Again, making my life a bit easier.

I still have few items to get, including a school album for my son.  Hard to believe, but I only have one layout done from his school years and he is 10.  The shame of it, said in jest of course. (Guilt has no place in my crafting room.)  But I plan to change that is year.  It is his last year before middle school so my goal is to have elementary school done before September.

I also order my photos from 2013 for my yearly review album.  And that is when I realized I needed a different plan of action regarding photos.  I am just not taking many photos anymore.  The problem is I have a really nice, and big, Cannon camera that I use for work and when I want really good pictures.  But it is big and bulky to carry around.  And there are places I don't want to take it for fear it will get damaged.  So that means many of our snapshots end up on our phones.  Which is far from ideal and most of them time we never bother to print them at all.  So I finally broke down and purchased a small point and shoot camera.  Small enough to fit in my purse so I can always have it with me.  That means that next year I can complain about having too many pictures. LOL!

So there is my list of what I need to meet my 2014 goals.  What is your list?
Jeri'

Welcome to My Creative Life 2014

Happy New Year!

The calendar officially says it is 2014!  A new year means a new challenge.  Use Every Stamp 2013 was such a huge success for me that I wanted to reach farther in 2014.

This year we will NOT focus on a single supply.  Each week we will explore new supplies and techniques.  We will discuss ways to organize our many supplies and we will take an in-depth look at finding time in our busy schedules to be creative.  Just like in 2013, this challenge has its roots in my own personal creative goals for 2014.  I want to continue my journey and add even more creativity to my life.  I hope to re-discover my love of scrapbooking and complete a number of home decor projects sitting my on desk.  I want use a larger selection of supplies and maybe even do a little organizing along the way.  I hope to create a clear vision of what I want from my creative time and find ways to spend more time in my craft room. 

Why take on a challenge to use all of my supplies?  Because it will push me out of my comfort zone and help me to grow.  Plus it has the added benefit of using what I have.  In the end, I bet I learn to fall in love again with all of the little bits and pieces of my craft room.

Check out the entire challenge here.

And don't forget about the class.  During the class I will focus on helping you find more time to be creative in our busy lives.  I have been teaching time management classes for years and I am a certified Franklin Covey instructor.  I have always wanted to teach this class at MCC, but it was not until this year that all of the pieces fell into place to make it a reality.  I truly hope you choose to join me.

Click here to learn more about the My Creative Life 2014 class.

See you in the classroom,
Jeri Parks
MCC Founder