Using What You Have - #1

Good morning everyone. So I have been really inspired by Gina's (Scappinology on YouTube) series on Money saving tips and ideas for 2012. I took a new job at the end of June which resulted in taking a pretty big pay cut-but set hours; weekends off- so it was worth it. But of course that means I needed to watch my spending a lot closer! Anyways....

Her first tip - USE WHAT YOU HAVE - gee now there is a fabulous idea! I have a craft room bulging with stuff that I need to use. So I am going to challenge myself and see how much $$ I can save by using what I have.

 I have wanted the notebook edge punch ever since we did this cute card at my friend Chris' stamp camp. So I have been looking for months and months.  Every time I was in Mikes or Joanns they were out of stock or couldn't find them. Right now Joanns has it on sale for $10.99 on-line but then there is shipping ($5.95) or spend $40 and get free shipping. Then I could wait until they have free shipping with any purchase but I want it NOW!! LOL

Then it dawned on me! Hello - my bind it all!!!! So I grabbed my heavy pink machine and a piece of paper. Punched the holes...

And a few snips with a scissors.... I have my notebook edge!!!!! I'm so excited!!! So I'm going to call this a savings of $17 (even though I know I would have spent way more shopping on-line)

Christmas in July

I know! I know! I'm so bad on posting!!! I'm really going to try and change that. So on my ning site we had a Christmas in July swap and I was partnered with the ever so talented Line Cathrin from Norway (better know in YouTube land as Linexxa)! The rules of this swap were that you needed to send a minimum of $20 worth of new product, a handmade card and a hand made gift. She spoiled me with lots of goodies!!!

 The box she made its absolutely gorgeous!! I love everything about it! She covered the entire box with pages from an old book. No, I will not be trying to read bits and pieces! Okay I would have but it is in Norwegian. The lace she used is STUNNING! Did I mention that I love this box??

 Here are some of the goodies that she included for me to play with! I'm going to have a hard time using that lace! It is so pretty!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fab card she made for me!

I 'm sorry for the crazy photo layout! I hope to get better! Thanks again Line Cathrin for the wonderful present!! I think you did an amazing job!!!

Bookmark

Sorry about the picture! I guess I need to make sure I rotate before I upload!
So here is a bookmark I did for a weekly challenge over at the Crafty Community. The challenge was something old and something new. It was pretty sad that out of all the new things I have gotten for Christmas, the newest thing I used was ink by Color Box in brown, merlot, and black!

The items from my stash that I have had for several months (cough maybe years!):
Paper: Paper Pizazz
Stamp: "letter" - Inkadinkado
Bling: Zva Creative
Story Ticket: Adage Tickets by Tim Holtz
Strand on top: hemp cording used in jewelery making which is knotted and braided.

My room is still a mess but at least I used a few things!

                                            

January 2012

Welcome 2012! I will be the first to admit crafting was on the back burner last year. I have made some things just not posted them here.  I also  have gathered MORE goodies than any girl should have! I have to make the time to be crafty and keep my juices flowing. My first goal this month is to get this crap craft room organized. I did purchase a ribbon rack from Joann Fabrics so my "small" collection of ribbon will be in my face and get used. I also need to dust off my cricut and use some of the carts that I just had to have.

I have just returned from Clermont, FL and had a wonderful relaxing week! Was spoiled rotten by Sam and Vikkie! We rented a home and had a blast! I loved having a pool right out the back door! It was hard to come home to cold and snow!

Here is to a crafty 2012!