I watched a video by Little Hot Tamale and it inspired me to create my own matchbook notepads. Here’s her video in case you’d like to check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBtwvfDYVnQ

I keep track of videos I watch in a journal and will link that video to the end. For some reason, I thought this video was older, but didn’t realize it’s a pretty recent video.

I used my own measurements and changed things to accomodate the papers I bought at Joanns. They were on sale for 10 for $2 and every sheet had several pieces you could cut to create the front of your matchbook. Many of you know I’m a huge Halloween fan and am trying to help others with fun ideas for classrooms for Halloween. A friend is doing a fundraiser and I wanted to donate some things, and these are fast and easy to make.

I used ten pieces of typing paper cut to 7 1/2″ x 3 1/4″ wide and fold them in half. If once you fold them in half, you have any edges that stick out, trim them with your paper scissors.

For the outside, you will cut it 8 3/4″ x 3 1/2″ then score it on the 8 3/4″ side score at 3/4″ and 5″ but be careful scoring trying to make sure you don’t push so hard that you crack your paper. Fold the 3/4″ score up and the 5″ score down, so it looks like a matchbook. I used an electric stapler (as I don’t have the strength to staple without it through this depth of paper.) Use your bone folder on the typing paper and really press that fold as thin as possible. Use the bone folder on both sides (flip it over), so you make that stack as thin as possible near the top so you can staple through them.

I used an Infoguard electric stapler that I think I bought at Walmart for my stapling.

Put your folded papers into the bottom where the 3/4″ fold is, and center the 10 folded papers with the fold edge down into the bottom and use your stapler and staple on the bottom with two staples. I didn’t like the way the backs of my staples stuck up, and worried people would catch the staple on their clothes, so I used pliers and squeezed the staples so they were flat on the back.
I cut the papers from Joanns down so they would fit on the front of my matchbook, but not so it’s sentiment might be lost under the bottom flap. I used tape runner and wet glue to apply my image, then used a brayer to ensure it was well adhered. I liked the idea of adding washi tape to the flap on the bottom so it would cover the staples and look like the thing you strike a match on. I used two layers on front and back to make sure the staples would be able to be well covered.

Please make some of these and share them on my facebook page, crafting for almost everyone, as I’d love to see what others are making.

I have to say that today was a really great crafting day.  My cousin Shelly, and her girlfriend Linda, came and we made fairy gardens.  It was so funny, because I kept calling it the wrong thing, probably at least ten times, and Shelly kept saying fairy garden, and then I immediately called it something else again.  Rich has so much editing to do because I just couldn’t get the name straight and we had to repeat and repeat….in the end, Shelly and Linda both made fantastic fairy gardens (geez, now I’m wondering if I’m calling it the wrong thing again–I’m crazy, or at least a little bit certifiable.)  Let’s go with fairy garden until you hear otherwise.

I decided to make a wreath with fairy components and it definitely wasn’t as cute as the other two, but in the end, we had three complete fairy projects to share….But, that wasn’t enough craftiness, so I talked them into doing Christmas wreaths and we think we will be putting them on family graves.  So Shelly (who just lost her step father this year) made one for his grave and I made mine for my parents.  I know it’s not something you get really excited about, but it’s a fact of life, and honoring the family that have passed before us is important, so we did our best.

Poor Linda was such a great sport during the wreath making, because Shelly and I wanted bigger bows on our wreaths than my bow jig would make, so we convinced, coerced, volunteered, whatever you want to call it, Linda, into being a human bow jig.  I did record Linda and her bow jig skills which where impressive, but was disappointed that I couldn’t capture the amount of glitter that ended up covering her from head to toe after her bow jiggery….Yes, that is a new term and I’m sticking with it, so don’t try and change my mind.

I keep saying I’m going to make a complete dictionary of terms that I use and often make up, but I’d have to re-watch almost (or maybe more than) 300 videos, to compile my dictionary, and I just don’t have it in me.   I do think it’s funny that people like the words I use, and now I’m starting to see more of my vocabulary come up in comments.  There is no greater honor than having your crazy words repeated back to you. Of course this in my opinion, and as for this commentary, since I’m the only one typing, my opinion is all that matters.

So as the day comes to a close, I’ve got two terrific videos in the bag, had a great time, got to know a new and lovely woman, and spent time with a great friend/relative.  Oh, even Aggie and Honey got in the videos as Aggie was laying beside Shelly’s wreath, completely oblivious to what was going on, and Honey was on the other side of the dog gate, looking completely forlorn, as she was just a little bit too distracting to be allowed in the craft area.  Bella was in our living room, on our dog-proofed couch, laying upside down, sound asleep…no need to say more, a great day was had by all, ok, except Honey.

 

 

Today was a big day for me.  Rich pulled all of his things out of the closet in my craft room so now I shouldn’t have any more excuses as to why I’m so disorganized.  While he was doing that, I was going through a ton of things in our basement, trying to organize the things I want to donate to the hurricane victims, as well as prepare for my cousin’s visit tomorrow.

I’m really excited as Shelly and I had so much fun last time we crafted together, and this time she’s bringing a friend with her, Linda.  Shelly has ideas she’d like to tackle and I don’t think her project will take very long.  After hers though, I want to surprise them both by making Christmas wreaths.  I bought several and have tons of embellishments for them.  They can make them for their homes, their families, or for cemeteries, and we will probably have a mix of all three.  I plan on making mine for my parent’s graves, as I’ve never put anything on them for Christmas and think it’s about time I did.  Shelly just lost her step-father this year, so she might want to make one for that grave as well.  We probably won’t talk about what we’re doing with the wreaths when we are on camera, as I don’t want this to be a downer for anyone, but it is a fact of life, and eventually, we all come to the stage where we do these kinds of things…

Shelly wants to play with the Tableau of Terror stamp that I used last Halloween as she really liked it.  I promised her we could make cards with it and I’m a woman of my word.

She also has a secret project that she wants to surprise Linda with, and I’m looking forward to helping her create this, as I think it’s something a lot of my viewers have made, or may want to make in the future, so it should be a fun video.  I always love crafting with someone else and it’s especially fun with family and friends.  I’m hoping we have three videos to show for our afternoon’s efforts and that everyone gets something new out of them.  I know I’ll be learning a new craft tomorrow and am really looking forward to it.

I spent the day today finishing interviews at the college Rich and I attended.  It’s something that I always really look forward to doing, and the accounting students get their jobs for Spring 2018, in the next few weeks, so this is really crunch time for them.  I love seeing their determination and ambition, and am really proud of the college we attended, so Rich and I do as much as we can to support them.  After all, we wouldn’t have each other if we hadn’t met, and if Rich hadn’t been failing accounting, then he wouldn’t have had me for a tutor, and the rest as they say, is history.  The head of the accounting and business department, always takes credit for our marriage and it’s success, as he’s the one that let me pick who I wanted to tutor.  Of course, I wasn’t any dummy, I chose all good looking guys….Ok, I chose a couple good looking guys, but had my heart set on one after spending a lot of time studying with him.

Our school was pretty small, but it was a close knit community of people, and Rich and I are still in contact with our college friends.  We’re having dinner with at least four of Rich’s friends this week and my friends get together as often as possible, and take trips together every few years.  It doesn’t seem like 36 years since we’ve been together–it feels almost like yesterday (until I look at our gray hair), and realize we might not be 19 anymore…(darn it.)

 

I’m feeling very optimistic about the initial feedback that I’m getting from people and their desire to help the people affected by the storms in the South. I don’t really know what to expect for participation, but I know that my viewers will come through for people and I’m very happy about it.

I have to clean my craft room as Rich is tearing everything out of the closet so I can expand into that space.  I guess it’s not too bad, only taking up an additional closet after two years, but I do feel kind of guilty about it.

My cousin Shelly and one of her friends, Linda, are coming over to craft with me on Saturday and I’m really looking forward to it.  That means between now and then, my craft room has to be at least passable.  It can’t be it’s normal freak show of organization, so I have roughly two days to get things in order.  I don’t know what that means to others, but for me it means that I can walk through the room and there’s nothing stopping me.  That sounds so horrible, but it’s because of my lack of available space and once the closet is mine, that problem will be solved as well.  Hopefully on Saturday, they won’t run screaming out of the room, although I’m not saying it’s not a possibility.

Tomorrow is my last day for interviewing the college seniors in accounting from the college Rich and I attended.  I have six interviews which isn’t a lot, but enough to really be exhausting.  I’ll definitely be ready to come home when the last one is finished.  In the mean time, I need to stop procrastinating and get into my craft room and clean.  No more excuses.

My haul from Aliexpress has some fun things in it and I thought I’d share a card and my thoughts on the hurricanes and floods that have affected different parts of the country and that I would like help.

Below are the links to the dies I bought:

Christmas tree dies https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3Pcs-Christmas-Tree-Metal-Cutting-Dies-for-DIY-Scrapbooking-Photo-Album-Stamping-Decorative-Paper-Card-Die/32798790646.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.St8DxZ

Tree Set that I make the card with : https://www.aliexpress.com/item/110-140mm-Tree-Cutting-Dies-Scrapbooking-Metal-Cutting-and-Pressing-Dies-DIY-Decorations-Embossing-Art-Cake/32813481837.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.St8DxZ

Star Christmas tree https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Star-Tree-Metal-Cutting-Dies-Scrapbooking-Embossing-Dies-Cut-Stencils-Xmas-DIY-Cards/32825366410.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.Cs2IbS

7 pc flower set https://www.aliexpress.com/item/7Pcs-Set-Flower-Circles-Metal-Cutting-Dies-Stencils-For-DIY-Scrapbook-Decorative-Embossing-Craft-High-Quality/32795777568.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.Cs2IbS

4 pc snowflakes https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4pcs-Christmas-Snowflake-Cutting-Dies-Stencils-for-DIY-Scrapbooking-photo-album-Decorative-Embossing-Hand-Craft-Cutting/32745450710.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.nQjZ95

2 pc flower die set https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Metal-Cutting-Dies-Stencil-DIY-Scrapbooking-Embossing-Album-Paper-Card-Craft-hot-sales-cuts-craft/32815220116.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.nQjZ95

Sun die no longer available from the vendor I bought it from.

Daisy bookmark die https://www.aliexpress.com/item/48-106mm-Daisy-Flower-Frame-New-Metal-Cutting-Dies-Embossing-Scrapbooking-Stencil-Craft-Cut-Dies-For/32825734630.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.dzjMPN

Big Frame Die https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ZLDECOR-Cute-Frame-Metal-Cutting-Dies-Stencils-for-DIY-Scrapbooking-photo-album-Decorative-Embossing-DIY-Paper/32824485821.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.dzjMPN

Lined die https://www.aliexpress.com/item/102-133mm-cross-stripe-Scrapbooking-DIY-Metal-steel-cutting-dies-Stencil-Book-photo-album-card-Embossing/32821639142.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.dzjMPN

I wanted everyone to know that I am serious about trying to help people affected by the recent storms and am working with others toward that end. I don’t have any specific plans right now, as we are working through the logistics of such an undertaking, but will be getting more information out to everyone as soon as I do. Pleasek keep our friends in Texas and Florida and up the coast, in your thoughts and prayers as I will. I know we can make a difference, it’s just a matter of figuring out how.

Today, Rich built a shelf for me to put all of my paper trimmers, MISTI and Stamp Perfect on.  I love it.  It makes me so happy to have something small, but so stress relieving checked off of my to do list (ok, Rich’s, but it was something I really wanted.)

I put up a haul video from Aliexpress and at the same time, decided it was time to talk about the hurricane and my plans to help.  Of course my plans right now are fairly vague, but I’ve started enlisting help, including Lindsay and Rebecca Walton of Rubber Stamp Tapestry.  The problem is logistics.  How do we determine what is needed and how to get it to the right people?  I’ve thought it through and Lindsay came up with an idea that I think might work.  We are still so far away from rolling anything out, but I have a date as my implementation date.  The last Saturday in October is Make a Difference Day in the USA.  Normally that’s a day where people volunteer to help others sweep leaves, paint, do garbage cleanup.  I think it’s also the perfect day for us to roll out how crafters can make a difference.  All we need to do is try.  We might not help a million people, but every person that is helped on their way to a crafty recovery, will be one less that is not.  I don’t have the answers, lots of questions, but not a lot of answers.  I’m starting to contact craft companies to see if they might want to help or participate.  It’s very new to all of us, and I for one, can’t sit back and let this opportunity to help others pass me by.  It takes each of us to make a difference, no matter how big or how small, and from my experience on YouTube, I know my audience will be there to help as they are the most kind, generous, caring people I’ve ever encountered.

So if you have an idea or suggestion, or you just want to vent, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere until we have a plan and it is implemented.

Today was one of those days that you feel sad, but can’t really put your finger on why until you look at the date.  We all remember 9/11 and no matter how many years go by, we still take pause on this date.  With the hurricane, now a tropical storm looming, it’s given us one more thing to fret about today.

I spent the day practicing interviewing with the accounting majors of the college Rich and I attended.  I love volunteering there and hearing when the students get their jobs. It gives me real pride that I have a small role in their success.  I was really exhausted when I got home and didn’t even watch the weather, and I’ve been glued to the weather channel for days (as most of America has been.)    Instead, Rich uploaded one of my videos and I was able to add my commentary and make it live.  A day well spent.

 

I wanted to make a 90th birthday card for a close friend’s mother and started with a Stampendous stamp called The Peony Spray. I used a sentiment from Amuse Studios Birthday Greetings set as well as and old Stampin Up set called Favorite Thoughts . I bought Viviva Color Sheets through a video of Lindsay the FrugalCrafter’s video where she shows them. Here’s the link to her video where she shows how you can get them. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/THANK-YOU-ARE-WEIRD-AND-I-LOVE-IT-Scrapbook-DIY-photo-cards-account-rubber-stamp-clear/32828005989.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.j36lLs
I used clear Ranger embossing powder and Versamark ink to stamp and emboss my peony sentiments on a 4 3/4″ x 6 3/4″ white Recollections heavyweight card stock and put the peony in one corner then heat set it, then turned the card stock around and stamped the peony in the reverse corner. I decided to start with Niji pearl watercolors and colored my peony, but decided it didn’t have enough color or definition, so got out the Viviva sheets and darkened my images and liked it much better. Unfortunately, the dark peony made the white background too stark, so I felt the need to color it as well and used one of the blue pearlized inks for the background. I used my Creative Memory corner rounder and rounded all of my corners of the peony. I ran the word happy through the die cutting machine several times and then ran them through the Xyron to create stickers. I laid them on top of each other and used my pokey tool to poke out any sticky goo that is left inside the word. I layered four sets of the word Happy. I thought the word happy needed some pearlization, so took my LA Colors eye shadow in pink and a paint brush and colored the happy with it. I used chipboard numbers, “90” and colored it with the Viviva colors and then ran it through the Xyron and then laid it on my card below the word Happy. I added foam tape to the back and some foam squares that I bought at the Dollar Tree in the automotive section. I love the squares but hated the foam tape and am thrilled it’s finally gone. I rounded the corners of the card base that is a 5 x 7″ base and then added some Stickles to the outside and inside of the card in Magenta. The Stickles take a long time to dry, so make sure you put the card somewhere out of the way while it is drying
On the envelope, I used large dogwood and Hollyhock vine peg stamps from http://www.pegstamps.com to decorate it with Stampin’ Up Melon Mambo ink. I used Memento Dew Drops Bamboo Leaves to stamp my vines. I also used Rose Red Ink from Stampin’ Up with a smaller flower peg stamp and stamped both flowers and vines on the front of the envelope. I took the Stickles in the Magenta color and used it to color in the centers of the flowers on the envelope..

Ok, I know I said I would finish cleaning my craft room today, but I just couldn’t do it.  Rich and I went to Home Depot because I need him to build me a shelf so I can put all of my paper trimmers/MISTI/Stamp Perfect in one place and have easy access to them.  We bought the things he needed and then I started talking about space and the problems I have with finding solutions to where to put things and how to organize and if only I could to this or do that.  He said why don’t we just redo your whole room like other crafters and make it the way you want it?  He’s the greatest guy…He really is.  The thing is, I just don’t have it in me to rip everything out and reconfigure, find the right products that work for me and in the end, spend thousands of dollars on something that in the end, might not work any better than what I already own.  So he said, what if we gutted the closet and took everything out of it?  It was like a light went on in my head.  He has clothes there from his working days that we could definitely relocate and we have one of those metal closet organizers that frankly, I’ve never liked.  I would love it if we ripped everything out of the closet and started from scratch.  I’d like to put all and I mean all of my stamps in there so if I need a stamp set, I know exactly where to go to find it.  I have a lot of stamps but I can’t organize them because I have some here and some there, some in binders and some in bins and it just doesn’t work.  I can’t come up with a workable solution with the way things are today.  I’d love to get all of my wooden stamps and figure out a way to know where they are and what they are at a glance, but don’t know what that system looks like.  You have no idea the amount of stress that I put on myself trying to basically fit a round peg into a square slot…is that how that term goes?  If not, I think you know what I mean.  A lot of people use the Jennifer McGuire system where you put your stamps and dies in baggies…That doesn’t work for me because I don’t want to create books to look through to know what stamps I have and would never remember if something was Lawn Fawn.  If I see something, I can use it.  That’s why I like the CD cases.  I can look at the name of the stamp set (I’m working on a further system) and at least I can go from there.  I need some way to set my stamps in groups of flowers, animals, sentiments, etc, but haven’t figured that out..I guess that will come when I have the closet gutted.  I have plenty of storage for my cd cases, but lack the spot to put the storage, so again, having the closet space will really give me room to organize.

So what did I accomplish today?  I burned some branches that had been falling from our trees and did some laundry and worked on emails and responded to comments on YouTube.  Now I’m going to go into my craft room and do a video or two.  Clean it, what’s the point?  I’ve got a plan now and I’m starting to see some light at the end of my very long tunnel.