It's Monday!

Just 1 whole week and my first Christmas card will be posted! That is not what I'm working on right now, however....that card...I should have finished by Wednesday. I have to say...it's sort of a tweak as you go kind of card...and part of it is my style and part of it isn't....(I have everything lined up straight right now...I'm not like that...I'm a "tip it" person...or ruff it up a bit cardmaker...so, I have to figure what I'm going to do....anyhow....it's well in the making...and doing 6 "easy" cards...has turned into 12 labor intensive cards...but, fun...so, an hour here, 2 hours there, 5 minutes here and there, and woa la! it will be finished...be looking for it this week!

The picture: I'm pitching a variation (need to modify for brand recognition) of this to a major client. Cross fingers...wish me luck....it's a huge order .... the client is wanting something from us with their logo on it...so, whether this gets picked or not...should be nice! I've been around long enough to know though...don't get too excited until you see the actual yes on paper!

Off to go make that phone call....

Trudi

I'm Glad I Found This!

A few years ago, I created this card. I actually made a little pile of sympathy cards with this...and unfortunately mailed them all out. (I would prefer to never have a need to mail a sympathy card...)...in the process, I had made one as a Thank You card...and thought I sent this in a different direction too....I like to have at least one of my cards, for example...in the event I want to re-create it......this is one of those...that I have actually recreated...in wedding colors, anniversary, etc....for awhile, I've wished I had my sample...if I can avoid using my memory...(haha)...I will! Sometimes it's just easier to copy me....rather than to try to figure me out! (yes, I'm complicated, so I've been told)

I have to be honest...I do NOT like how high my "Thank You" is stamped...and that is probably why it was sitting in a stash that I sort of call my "don't look at much stash"....but....I'm just glad I found it! I'm not a sticker person AT ALL (you know those kinds we all collected to use in our scrapbooks about 12 years ago)...however, the little sparklies on these are stickers...and the shiny trim on the bottom is a sticker....I'm a HUGE FAN of these....so, I might rethink my opinion of stickers....I suspect in a fun combination cardstock, ink, fun colors and craft magic....a sticker card could "pop". There are so many cool things in the craft stores...(stickers) that don't even look like stickers (these are not the stickers I consider stickers). And how easy to apply WITHOUT having to struggle with "what kind of adhesive?" I actually have thousands of stickers...from my early scrapbooking days.....Now...it's got me thinking....(oh no! I have to think! hahaha!) (you know tonight....I will be digging those stickers out....plus die-cuts that I purchased back then...)

As far as my current projects?! I have a design in the making...and I actually CUT DESIGNER PAPER before heading off to work today!!! (I'm taking a little breaky from my pile of Valentine orders...yippee! 2011 off to a good start!) I have to tell you...this dp is something I've HOARDED for years now...it's Basic Grey and one of my favorites...when it's gone...it's gone for good! (After 12 years of "collecting"...I finally learned.....that yesterday's favorite...can be replaced with a new favorite...therefore....CUT....CUT....CUT....)

The idea I "wanted" simply isn't coming to me...so, I decided to do something a little different....hope it works out too...because if it turns out ugly...I've wasted my DP... and if it's ugly...I've wasted my time and brain power! I'm just glad I'm in my studio again....and inspired!

Plans are to post a pic early next week!!!!!!!!! I'm on a mission now!

Happy Friday!

Trudi

Resolutions!

I'm almost excited ... I have a few crafting resolutions...and I can't wait to get going with them!!!

Resolution #1: (previous post): 1 new Christmas card design per month for 10 months in a row...I will make 5 of each...which allows me 50 cards to have in my stash to mail out in November!!! Pretty doable....every 3rd Monday of each month: January - October...I will post a picture!!!!

Resolution #2: Get caught up on all craft obligations.....I belong to a card group...and I've been very non-committed....this is typically not like me....I'm going to go back to my ways...and KEEP UP! I actually have several pretty close to being done projects...which are more than a card..so, I have been committed...just bit off a bit more than I could chew during my peak time, so to speak...and missed the "season" to send...will do so next year....finish that is...and mail timely!

Resolution #3: Get back to scrapbooking....this really is my passion....I've struggled with my printer for a few years now...I need to just bite the bullet and get a better printer or get my pics printed somewhere....I luv scrapbooking...and I need to get busy on my family pages before my kidlets grow up!!!

Resolution #4: Make my blog come to life! I plan to post more...I sort of dropped the ball during the holidays....but promise to work at doing better!!!!!!!

Resolution #5: Been "mulling over" something, business-wise...I'm going to assess feasibility and do a little marketing research to see if it's something I really want to do!

NON Crafting Resolutions:

1. Lose the weight I gained over the last year....it's doable....just if I don't watch it...it will become a long weight loss journey that I have already traveled and prefer not to again!!!!!!! I'm making a weight loss journal book...one for myself....and for each kidlet....we are planning on participating in a future 5K....I'm up for that...but need to get my little peeps in condidtion for one....I luv to run...and plan to keep up the course....

2. Get back to feeling healthy: Eat better, sleep better, get eyes checked (I'm ready for my first pair of glasses! YIKES!, not let stress get to me so much....don't look back at yesterday....but look forward to tomorrow!!!!

3. Slowly get my HOUSE back in shape! Nuff said! Clutter!!!! I need to de-clutter!!!!!

Picture: A mini me again....what a fun day! Sis and I took a camera around the farm that day and used up a whole roll of film. We posed in strange place...and had a blast! I've done this with my kidlets too...although the farm is much different now...I hope they have great memories...like I do...I think I was in 5th grade....

I'm heading into my craftstudio tonight! yippee!!! Not worried about completing my Christmas card for January....it's almost finished!

Trudi

New Years Resolutions

First, since my last post...bright days were NOT ahead. OUCH...but....I finally came to grips that I can't be in a funk forever....it's not a good place...so, last of me even hinting that my personal issues have been challenging lately!!!!

I will tell you though, over the last month....something I knew, but, have had over reinforced to me: ONCE YOU PUT SOMETHING IN WRITING...YOU CAN'T TAKE IT BACK!!! So....I am going to DIGEST and think about my New Years Resolutions before I actually commit....

I have unfinished biz from 2010 (blog biz)...and I want to make that good (Lia, my dear friend)....before I get too excited about 2011!!!!

But...a GOAL I've been mulling over for about 4 years now...is to simply create FIVE (new design each month) Christmas cards each month...for 10 months in a row...that when the middle of November comes along....I'll have them ready to mail out. I have neglected in mailing cards for YEARS now....I've had significant things occur in my life that my closest friends from the past have never heard about....at least not from me....so.....this goal I am putting in WRITING....So, to make my blog "come to life"....I'm going to publicly announce...that I will be posting ONCE A MONTH a picture of that month's card.....what I don't know now is...WHEN....(might have that figured out by the end of this post though....)

Since the downturn in the economy, I've had to re-do my approach to marketing very differently, and am targeting a totally different market (in my chocolate business)...one that requires me to complete proposals in FAST time...for future needs....it's fun and exciting and it's got my whole "self" getting more organized....and if not for the recent upset in my life....I'd have been creating up a storm in my little room....(my upset has caused a LOT of tears...but, thankfully....it's personal conflict and not more than that...) I've been filling orders....big and fun orders...then coming home, getting kids ready for bed and hybernating in my room...no holiday cheer for this girl....I feel I owe my kids another Christmas....

So....my table is CLEAN right now....I have a GREAT project molding (for next October)...plus a few unfinished cards for next autumn....YIKES....but, sitting prominently in my "spot"...is a small pile of Christmas stamps.....

Resolution #1: 5 Christmas Cards per month, 10 months in a row (They need to be done by November anyhow...at that time...we know I will be up to the sky in chocolate)

So, I will decide when you can expect, each month, my card.....I'm thinking the 3rd Monday of every month......So, there it is: IN WRITING.....the 3rd Monday of every month...for 10 months....I will feature a Christmas card, with intent to mail these puppies out directly after Thanksgiving....

I *think* this is doable....

Baby steps....I'm taking itty bitty baby steps....oh...and the picture...is a little ME....I was about 11 or so when this was taken. I'm a glutten for punishment....this picture is a reminder of innocence and happy girls....oh personal stuff "go away"....at least now, I've come out of my hole and am facing it....I posted this picture, because it was the first picture I found in my gallery that "felt" right to post....and I feel I should *always* have a picture to show...even if it is meaningless to anybody but me!!!

Back to baby steps....it's a day by day thing.

Trudi

Hello Kitty Birthday

Good grief...I took these pictures with my iPhone and have struggled tremendously to upload them onto my blog...I had to send them to myself e-mail...copy and paste them into being a jpeg....I KNOW there is a way to use my phone...just haven't figured it out yet. You can be sure I will find out....

This card is the one my daughter designed for her sleepover/birthday party tonight. I did guide her with the Cricut...and helped glue the little intricate parts on....but, the rest was really her...she picked the kitty...(I suggested the cloud...which didn't start out as a cloud...it was a background oval to me....looked like it could be a cool cloud)....she picked the papers/colors/etc....my suggestion of course for the buttons....

I really enjoyed this card....it was pretty quick...and making 6 wasn't taking on a never ending project....I will be posting my New Years goals soon....and "making just 6" of this or that will be on the list...not this 20 stuff...that I start and leave 1/2 done when time gets crazy!

Well...party to plan...

Hope everybody's holiday is all they want it to be....I'm still licking some very deep personal wounds....but, I realize I need to see that sun eventually....so....perhaps bright days are ahead!

Toodles, my friends,

Trudi

I'm Still Here

Long time no post! I'm still here! Business is brisk...I sent out literally a ton of chocolate this week....on Monday, one 800 pound pallet, only to follow it up with Tuesday 400 more pounds...this is only ONE customer....and I've supplied to oodles more than that! I'm exhausted...and as much as I luv business...I'm ready to let go of a little of it...just to stay home with my little family.

Thanksgiving...lots of family drama...trying to sort all that out....it's great having a big family...but sometimes communication gets garbled....I'm ready for some alone time too...this year, for Christmas....it's all about our kids...my husband and I are not doing anything for each other...just making it a nice season for our kidlets, who are rapidly growing up....

We also decided, on Christmas Eve...it's about the true meaning of Christmas....so maybe not so much of the presents and stuff...but, the giving your heart and soul for what Christmas is all about.

My state was/is under a blanket of snow and sleet and ice...we rained today, finally...at first it was snow...then rain...just hope it doesn't get below freezing...it was close to 37...so the slippy stuff was subsiding....It's only the beginning of December and I don't like winter already!

Hope all is well...I suspect I'll be a hit and miss for the next few weeks....my hard work is almost done...I almost shudder to say it...but, I have a bunch of chocolate ROSES lined up...yup...Christmas is ALMOST over for the chocolate world...onto the next! And can you believe it...I have a distributor ready to give us EASTER orders! YIKES!

Trudi

Getting in the Holiday Card Making Mood

I'm not going ANYWHERE today...in fact, I'm making a pot roast and spending my day in my studio!!! I see my unfinished project all over the table, and I'm wondering...do I finish it, save it for the next early autumn season to send to my friends...or send it late...I'm thinking save it...but..then I ask...do I finish it NOW or put it off to the side and start something else? I think I want to at least finish the design....the project is time sensitive, and although I could mail it...I'd rather wait when it means more...so RAK group...if you are still in the group next Septemberish....I've started your RAK! LOL!!!

In the meantime....I'm a huge fan of gingerbread houses.....I may have posted this before, sorry if I did...this was one of those really labor intensive cards....but fun to do...

Have a great day!

Trudi