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I voted that I am resolved to use up more of my stash. As awesome as hobby as stamping is, I have found that I simply spend too much on it. I am determined to spend less and create MORE. Now...can I stick to that?
For those of you that are trying to sell some of your old stamp sets, I would be interested in a retired set called "All Aboard" that I bid on on E-Bay, but didn't get as I'm not as computer literate as I need to be. PM me if you have that set to sell, or know someone who does.
My stamping resolution is to set aside time to make more cards to sell. I have suddenly gotten so much interest in my cards that I can't keep a good inventory on hand. Never thought I would be able to get to this point. It's a great feeling to earn money doing something that is just pure fun!
Hi:
I too would like to sell more of my stamped projects; especially cards. Do you mind if I ask where you sell your cards? Do you sell them on-line in places like etsy, in consignment shops, at public farmer's markets, Craig's List. I've never sold anything on-line so I'm a bit hesitant; seems like it could be so involved. Would love to hear from you.
Make all the cards I think I may need in the first six months of the year.
Move my craft area to another section of the house (already planned)
Organize my stash so I can enjoy it more
Start Scrapbooking
Go to a class or two at my favorite store (I've never taken a class in this area (art) for 20 years so maybe its time)
If I can get that accomplished I might just be able to sort out all the other things I need to happen too!
And Linda - good luck with all that wedding prep! it sounds like delightful insanity! :lol:
OhMyGosh! Those were all my resolutions last year and I am proud to say I accomplished them all and lost 22 pounds so far. I still have to make the drapes for my newly redesigned and painted craft room. I even painted the entire upstairs this fall.
This year--I am going to enjoy the fruits of my labors and plan my daughter's wedding, make 5 scrapbooks for the attendants, sew her dress she designed, sew the bridesmaid dresses, make the cupcakes (150) for the reception in Dallas (she is marrying at the Mandalay Bay in Vegas) and make all the favors. That's all.
WOW!!! you are like wonder woman! All that sewing really gets my heart racing. I would love to see the finished dresses. Please post. And to think you daughter designed her own dress. You are gonna be super busy but I'm sure you'll be lovin every minute!
__________________ A good dog, a sewing machine, and an old guitar......
I have three goals...
1. I can only spend money on colored cardstock (no patterned paper), adhesive, and developing photos, nothing else for at least the 1st three months! I need to use up what I have!
2. I want to scrapbook at least eight layouts a month.
3. Start working on Christmas gift right away so that December is fun and stress free!
Now if I can just do this, it'd be great!
__________________ ___________________________________________
Scrapiegirl
I'm not messy, I'm creative!!!!
Honestly, my New's Years stamping resolution is to actually USE MY STAMPS! lol Aside from that, I want to get my blog up and running so I can share the stuff I make.
I am currently working on my goal of updating my stamp inventory logbook. I have a lot of clear sets that never got put in it. It's taking me eternity....sigh.....but that's good, because I've added a lot of cool sets that need using! lol
My "other" is to actually MAIL MY CARDS! I am hoping not to miss an occasion...birthday, anniversary, etc. Of course this was my resolution last year and it didn't work. But in December I held a class where we made a card box with 12 dividers, one for each month. On each divider I am putting a Post It with the birthdays for the month. I am hoping this will help@!
I like this idea.
My "other" is to send cards more often to my niece and nephew. Right now my average is, I send each one a card per week. I'd like to increase that to two or three cards per week per child.
Also, I'd like to use some stamps that have been neglected.
My goal is to post at least one new card everyday! Top that with at least 4 giveaways of somekind this year. Somedays I get to make several extras, but I hope to have enough to show a new card everyday.
Hmm. I have to say I have several!! My biggest is to try to make at least one thing every week (sometimes hard with a two year old and 8 week old!), and to remember to take pictures of ALL the gifts I make BEFORE I give them away!!
I need to actually stamp and not just collect the coolest new things that are out there. I rarely stamp for fun any longer--it's all birthday invites, thank you cards, kid's favors/etc, Christmas/Holiday cards. . .and I really need to get back into what got me started in this craft which was just the fun of creating.
I'm with you, Kathy.... I'd stay up late creating, then go to work the next day! I don't know how I did it. Then all hell broke loose with the loss of my son, husband, and even more family members. I'm retired and don't even work now, and do I stay up late creating???, no, I look at blog sites, websites, and collect more stuff!! I need to use it and create again, and that's what I really want to do, get my "mojo" back and have the joy of creating cards again....... I don't want it to be a chore to make a card. The desire to make it happen is there, I just need to make it come out!!!!!
I'm with you, Kathy.... I'd stay up late creating, then go to work the next day! I don't know how I did it. Then all hell broke loose with the loss of my son, husband, and even more family members. I'm retired and don't even work now, and do I stay up late creating???, no, I look at blog sites, websites, and collect more stuff!! I need to use it and create again, and that's what I really want to do, get my "mojo" back and have the joy of creating cards again....... I don't want it to be a chore to make a card. The desire to make it happen is there, I just need to make it come out!!!!!
I'm with you, Kathy.... I'd stay up late creating, then go to work the next day! I don't know how I did it. Then all hell broke loose with the loss of my son, husband, and even more family members. I'm retired and don't even work now, and do I stay up late creating???, no, I look at blog sites, websites, and collect more stuff!! I need to use it and create again, and that's what I really want to do, get my "mojo" back and have the joy of creating cards again....... I don't want it to be a chore to make a card. The desire to make it happen is there, I just need to make it come out!!!!!
Sorry to hear about your family; I can't imagine how awful it's been for you. I wish you the best.
I do understand about the looking and buying, but not creating though since that's what I do. I suffer from chronic depression and it is usually a chore for me to make something and I too want it to be a fun and joyful time spent. I know it can be because I enjoy my monthly classes with my demo, so why can't I find the love more than twice a month?
My resolution is to make more stuff with what I have and try to find the fun in it while I'm at it. I would at least like to do the stamp/exercise to spend and not be so far in the hole. (I started in May and am currently over $1500 in the negative.)
Thank you to you both....I didn't spill my guts here for the sympathy though, it was to admit my lack of enthusiasm for stamping and my oomph for getting my butt in gear to do it!!! I know I buy to fill the emptiness, BUT I do need to USE what I get, and that's where I really do have good intentions of wanting to do it, but just lacking the get up and go to do it. I'll take classes, hoping to be more inspired, in fact, I used to even teach at one of our local stores, but I couldn't stand the pressure of the deadlines to meet. And, quite frankly, someone in the family was sick and dying every year, so it was just more pressure and a deterrent. That depressive funk is hard to break free from.
Now we've had a repreave, I'm doing better, and I really want to get back into being more creative, having fun and making my cards. I just need to be proactive and not procrastinate!!! I've got the stamps, markers, paper, ribbon, etc., I just need to start doing it instead of looking at all of it!!!
Thank you for listening to me vent and get it off my chest. Maybe just really admitting my shortcomings to someone out there is half the battle, and I'll be able to pick myself up and get my behind going here for the New Year and do better!!! 2010 will be the new creative me!!!!
Thank you for listening to me vent and get it off my chest. Maybe just really admitting my shortcomings to someone out there is half the battle, and I'll be able to pick myself up and get my behind going here for the New Year and do better!!! 2010 will be the new creative me!!!!
Yeah! You can do it!! *cheerleading smiley figure*
Sophie, I went to your "neglected blog", and what beautiful watercolors!!! I hope your resolution will be to treat us to more of your art....what a gift. I wish I had your true talent, instead of having to use someone else's artwork to build on.... Your work is lovely, the roses are just gorgeous!!!
Sophie, I went to your "neglected blog", and what beautiful watercolors!!! I hope your resolution will be to treat us to more of your art....what a gift. I wish I had your true talent, instead of having to use someone else's artwork to build on.... Your work is lovely, the roses are just gorgeous!!!
Oh gosh, thank you Lovetostamp3!! I don't have enough time to post to the blog anymore. It is actually because of my (ongoing) resolution to send more cards to my niece and nephew. When I found out how they treasured the cards I sent, I decided that that was probably the most important (card-related) thing I could do. When I visited them, my (then 2-year-old) niece would request one or two specific cards of hers to prop up against the (in)side of her crib before nap-time or beddy-bye! (My sister had already told me of this in emails, but to see it for myself was soooooooooo ...much more heartwarming) Once she even requested one of her brother's cards. My sister (their mom) asked her why did she want one of her brother's and my niece said she wanted to fall asleep thinking of him! (Awww!!!) And recently, my sister and her husband received a thank-you card from someone else (not from me), and it had a big glittery flower on it, and my niece thought it was from me for her (since most of my cards for her actually have flowers and glitter). My sister explained that this card, although it was pink and glittery, it was actually for Mom and Dad (which was weird for the kiddos since in their household, it's THEM that get any cards, usually from me) and that this time, it wasn't for her. My nephew (then 4-years-old) heard from another room his mom explaining but misunderstood. He actually thought that I had sent his sister a card and NOT him!!! He was soooooooo hurt. (Awwwww!!) So, at least while they are little, my resolution is to send them both as many cards as I can, even if it means that I will not have time to blog, or send cards to many other people, even if I have to miss someone's birthday or whatever. Right now the biggest time-sucker is still SCS *grin* and actually one of my other resolutions (which I am failing at) is to tear myself away from SCS more often to make more cards. It takes me an average of 3 hours to make a card that I like. I soooooo envy people (like Markie's Mom!) who can make the most lovely cards in 30 minutes!!! Actually, that is my goal every time I start a card; if it weren't for that goal, I would probably take 6 hours instead of 3 per card.
Sorry for my long-winded explanation of why I probably won't return to blogging at least in the near future. :mrgreen:
Oooh, and now they send ME cards! They draw in crayon on blank ready-made cards and my sister sends them to me! Awwwwwww!!!
To the above poster, Sophie, how sweet! I enjoyed what you had to say. It's so heart-warming to hear how handmade cards can have such an influence on peoples' lives!
And yes, I hear ya, as it takes me just as long to make a card. I have struggled on a card for an entire day too, but I try not to, 2-3 hours though, that's probably where I'm at with one card. Now my sister can whip one out in 30 minutes which absolutely amazes me!
Yes, SCS does soak up a lot of my crafting time, but---I like to think---I'm getting inspiration! Sometimes, though, I think it's me being too lazy to get my "behind" up off the couch and into my stamp room!
Bellegirl, I like the inspiration I get from here too (from the gallery)! But it's not that which makes me stay; it's just that I love reading the threads in this forums part. If I had never discovered the forums, boy, I'd get a lot more cards done!
Boy my list of resolutions is quite long this year!! Here's just my stamping ones:
1. Update my Etsy Store weekly
2. Update my blog weekly
3. Update my SCS gallery weekly
4. Schedule one full day of stamping a month (not much, sadly =( but it will have to do!)
5. get my stamps organized!!
Sophie, I loved your explaination as well, how beautiful. It's amazing how something as simple as a handmade card can have such an effect on a child. Keep up the impressive good work for them, it'll mean so much.
When my mother-in-law passed away and I was cleaning things out, I ran across all the cards I had made for her. I was so surprised that she had kept them all, because she was not the sentimental type, and didn't save things. It was quite touching to see them, especially since my husband died before her. I still saw her, called and visited, yet, I just didn't think she'd have kept them..... I thought back to why I chose that particular stamp or theme for the particular occasion. It was quite nostalgic.
1. Do something crafty once a day. Well, TRY to, anyway, even if it is for 10-20 minutes. The other night before bed instead of watching TV for an hour, I stamped a card. It was the best feeling ever!
2. Try to scrapbook once a week. I am so behind with the kids albums, if I do at least one day a week I should be caught up with their school albums at the end of the year (that's DD PreK through grade 4, and then DS PreK through K).
3. Get back into teaching stamping classes. Thought about it, planned it, thought some more last year but did nothing about it. This year plan on DOING more.
4. DD wants to teach classes too, LOL so going to do some classes with her teaching.
5. In the realm of doing something every day, plan on at the end of the year having a box of cards to give to my sisters for Christmas, like I promise and plan to do every year!
Last night I completed coloring an image for one card and put another one together I had done and got it mailed off today. I feel good about my accomplishments. Today I plan to finish the card I colored and start on a couple of others I need to do.....
As I accumulated stamps and all the extras, I felt the need to put all my investment to a good use. So, I asked my church if they kept a list of members by age and they did. I explained to the staff that with the computer age, few people write letters and send cards, so seniors get mostly bills and "occupant" mail. I was sure they would treasure a handmade birthday card. And they do!! I send cards to all seniors 75 and older and this year I have 443. I started with 300+ and the number keeps rising. But the effort is worth it. People call the church expressing surprise and delight, wondering who did it and how did she know their birthday. For a short time, I tried to get a group going at church but backed off partly because they expected me to bring everything which takes time to load up and then get it all back in place in my stamp room. I also didn't want to be a teacher having them all make the same thing--but to use their own imagination and style. Some days, I wish I had kept the group going but, in the long run, I use my late nights to stamp. (I can't do a 30 minute card either.) I also make each envelope part of the card with some kind of image & message. When they see it in their mail, they know it is special for them. Post office workers like them also. Sooooo, consider using your talent and energy for those who would really appreciate them--nursing homes, veterans in hospitals or groups that send to the military.
1. Use that which I am hoarding (DSP, embellies, etc.)
2. Continue my blogging journey (aka not give up)
3. Find a way to sell my creations somewhere
4. Hope to actually *make money* (aka sell more SU this year?). Last year was, well, let's just say not a banner year. ;-)
5. Figure out a way to stamp more often. I'm finding that I *need* to stamp, for my sanity's sake. Seriously...lately I've noticed when I have "creative" time, I'm a much more happy person! lol
I want to keep my room clean (now that you have to walk through it to get to the media room) and I want to stamp more for me. I want to focus less on stamping just so I have something to post on my blog and I really need to get caught up on scrapbooking.
__________________ Heather Hawkins - Stampin' Up! Demo and new mom. I have the two best jobs ever! stampinheather.blogspot.com
I voted for 'using up the 'stash', but now realize one thing I should have voted for was 'other.' I've resolved to finally create (AND FINISH) an index of my hundreds of stamps so I make better purchasing decisions. I have tons of stamps, and although they are very organized in my stamp stash, I often forget what I have. I plan on making my index not only by set, but also by theme. For example...a page of all of my 'thank you' stamps, one of hearts, one of snowmen, etc. I'm hoping that by doing so, I won't buy, for example, another set of patterned hearts just because it matches a punch I own. I have enough background stamps, I can do essentially the same thing by stamping a background on a paper and then punch it out. Hopefully this will also help me fill any gaps I may have.
