Make Your Own Chalkboard Labels!

I am shocked at how expensive all the Chalkboard Labels that I've found are.  I found a much less alternative to those labels that they sell at office supply stores.  Here's what I did, I bought Black contact paper  and some Chalk Markers  from amazon.com.  Then on my Cricut I cut out pretty decorative labels.  I cut the scraps into rectangles.  I literally have hundreds and hundreds of chalkboard labels now.  How nice everything will look with those vivid labels on them.  Yeah!   

Filofax

I'm totally getting into this organizing thing.  I have always been gaga over stationary, pens, office supplies and the like for as long as I could remember.  I also love organizers.

Before my iPhone, I had a couple pocket pc's, until they both crashed and were useless. Before that I used organizers.  I remember a pretty red vinyl quilted one, that I got at Target.  I had designed my own divider pages for it and made the organizer my own. And, before that one I had a black, leather like, one that I also enjoyed.  Also with that I kept a 6 x 9 binder that I tracked my short and long term goals, any projects and to do lists.  That was fun to keep.   

I miss my organizers! I like my iPhone, BUT, I also love to write, notes, goals and to-do lists and stuff like that. You know "mind processes".  Hehehe!  Since I love to write and record things I thought it would be fun to get involved with an organizer again.

Sooooo, I decided I would get a Filofax this time.  I found lots of YouTube videos and lots of blogs about them.  I liked what I saw.  So, I purchased one on Ebay and can't wait for it to come.  It's a Cuban Personal.

This Domino mini was on sale on the Filofax website, 30% off.  I bought it for tracking my projects and to-do lists or who knows maybe I'll change my mind and use it for something else.  It will easily fit in my purse.

Click here to see what I'm talking about.  

THE RESULTS: SIMPLIFIED LIVING 1

I rolled all my husband's t-shirts so that they will fit into one drawer.   And I rolled all his jeans and shorts.  Now nothing is buried and he can see everything he has in one shot. I also bought drawer dividers and rolled all his skivvies.  Everything is rolled!  He loves it!  Oh, I also purchased an over the door hook rack for my bedroom door so that we can hang things that don't really get put away everyday, like my robe and his work hat, etc...

UPDATE: MISSION ORGANIZATION

Hey Everybody,

I'm giving you all a short update of what's been going on in my life.  I've been bitten by the "Spring Cleaning Bug".  I've cleaned and organized before, BUT never at this level.  I don't  know what's going on with me, but my passion right now is to get this house in order.  I've cleaned and organized, my kitchen cupboards, the pantry, my linen closet, my closet (no small feat there), the bathroom cupboards and my bookshelves.  I've purged boxes and boxes of stuff, thrown out bags of garbage and purchased bins and containers to organize what I've kept.  And I feel great!  I haven't touched some of those places in 20 years, since we've moved into this house.

I feel much lighter and I've found things that I forgot I had and didn't even know that I had.  I know where everything is and it feels wonderful.  I recommend you take a cupboard or closet and go thru it, it's fun.  Keep only what you love.

Oh, I also purchased a planner, calendar to get my time under control as well, since I can't remember anything.  I'll post of video of what I'm using soon.  I also started a home binder (found this idea on youtube, look it up).

I'll post some pics of the after shots soon.  I was so on fire to do this that I didn't stop long enough to take before pictures, just imagine utter chaos and excess and you'll have an idea of what it looked like before.

I'm hoping that this Spring Cleaning episode will lead me to a higher level of creativity.

See you all soon.

Eclectic Signatures by Annette, Ruth & Myself

Makin' Bottle Caps

I took a bunch of my bottle caps and hammered the edges down, then I put these retro circle pics in them and covered them with Liquid glass *(glassy accents).  I like how they turned out and now they're ready for whatever art project comes along.  On some of them I stuck a rhinestone or two.

**UPDATED Repurposed Purse to Travel Sketch Kit

 When everything was said and done I realized that I needed another pocket for my Windsor & Newton travel watercolor case.  I cut some more denim fabric from the old pair of jeans I had. I boxed the bottom corners of the pocket to make the pocket very roomy.  I had to hand sew it to the base because I had already adhered the base to the purse. 

I decided to put my ink pen, water brush and stick eraser in the front pocket, they fit snug enough where they won't fall out.

Side view with the new pocket.

Alternate sideview with new pocket.

 This is my travel watercolor case that I had to accommodate with this new pocket.

I added a ribbon tie closure to the top of this new pocket to keep it shut.  Here it is now, finally finished.  Yeah!

Video for Travel Watercolor/Sketch Kit!

I know it's almost been a year since my last video, maybe it's been over a year.  I don't know, I'd have to look.  Anyway, I was inspired to turn this "sow's ear" into something useful.  The minute I saw this purse at a local thrift shop I knew I wanted to do this to it.  I've had the purse for about a year or so and now I'm excited to say that I'll be using it all the time now as I sketch and watercolor my daily life.  I love re-purposing and challenging myself to make something completely different than it's original purpose.   You should try it, it's so much fun!

Willowing's Lifebook 2012 Workshop

I started this workshop on January 1st.  I'm a little surprised that I've been able to keep up so far.  Really glad for that!  I have taken the projects and have made them my own by tweaking them a bit to fit my needs and beliefs.  Here's what I have so far.

Sewing Scrapbook Page

I love to sew and I made this page to commemorate my love for sewing.  I had the Jolee's stickers sitting in my stash for a very long time.  I dug out these photos of my kids wearing the costumes I've made for them when they were little and also the pj's.  Not everything I've sewn for them is shown, but it is a nice representation of what I have made.

I took some garden green card stock and painted on it with white gesso.  Then I collaged the pattern papers on top of that, careful to not put any decoupage on top of the paper.  I matted all the photos with black cardstock.  The letters are from some alphabets I have from a Tim Holtz stash I have.  I dabbed some brown ink on them and dried it, then added green.  I adhered them with crystal effects and then brushed them with black ink to help them stand out better.  Finishing the page I rubbed black ink on all four sides of the paper.  I really enjoyed the process. 

A Scrapbook page...

UPDATE

Hi Everybody,  I'm back from our wonderful trip and falling back into my normal everyday life routine, which can be quite comforting.  Now that the holidays and my vacation are over I can re-focus on my crafting and arts.

I've been spending the last week or so trying to find my muse, which went missing somewhere between Christmas and now.  I've lost my momentum and my desire to create.  I invited a couple friends over to scrapbook with me last Wednesday night and that helped to get me going again.

I also started doing the work of an online class I'm taking.  I'm in Willowing's LifeBook 2012.  I finished the first two classes and will begin the third soon.  If I'm feeling brave I'll post my paintings for you all.  The overlying theme of the class is emphasizing your inner "goddess".  But, since I don't care for or believe in that philosophy I have taken a 360 degree turn in a direction that I can live with.  Instead of celebrating "my inner goddess" I have decided to celebrate my salvation and the One who gave it to me.  I can use this course to learn more about art styles and techniques and at the same time worship the One who gives me life. 

Here's a few highlights from our trip: