Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Smitten Birdies


Hello, all!  I really feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things in the Craft Cave now. It always takes me a while to get going again after a break and I spent a lot of time reorganizing the room.  Luis built me an extension for my desk, I took out some excess furniture and I did some purging.  The whole room feels brighter and more open now - much less cavelike!  :)  

I also did quite a bit of pondering about crafting and crafty blogging over the last few months.  Although I love both I was letting them take over my life.  This year my goal is to improve my time management skills (which shouldn't be that hard as I have zero to start with!).  I want crafting and blogging to be an important part of my life but not my whole life.  I am also really going to focus on using the supplies that I have.  I talked about it a bit last year and was inspired by Darnell's NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff) campaign but this year "Use What You Have" is going to be my motto.  Really, the Craft Cave has more supplies than some stores I've been to so there is absolutely no need to buy more stuff.  Of course I'll want all the new fabulous goodies that I see out there but I need to be realistic and a little more financially responsible!


So with this card I've started off my Use What You Have (UWYH) with a bang.  Remember the Love Me Do collection from My Mind's Eye?  It's been collecting dust in the Craft Cave for a few years now from back when I used to buy 12 x 12 papers and collections.  I broke it out for this card for the current RetroSketches challenge.  The branch and birds are second hand WPlus9 stamps I bought last year and hadn't touched yet.  The only newish items are the Mama Elephant sentiment and the Simon Says Stamp hearts but this is the first time I've used either of them.  Off to a good start and let's hope I can keep it up!


Supplies Used
Cardstock:  (White) Bazzill
Patterned Papers:  (Rock & Roll Heart, Forever In Plaid & Love is in the Air from Love Me Do collection) My Mind's Eye
Stamps:  (Branch from Love Birds) WPlus9, (Sentiment from Smitten) Mama Elephant
Inks:  (VersaFine Onyx Black) Tsukineko, (Chocolate Chip) Stampin' Up
Dies:  (Birds from Love Birds) WPlus9, (Hearts from Holiday Shapes) Simon Says Stamp
Gems:  Recollections

11 comments:

Lynn said...

I love the UWYH! And...this card is so happy...enough to make me smile from ear to ear. I agree with you...I find crafting very relaxing, but have to make sure that my personality doesn't turn it into a job....must keep it relaxing and fun.

Tracey McNeely said...

Cute cute cute!

Bobby said...

I wonder how many people will wonder what company UWYH is? lol I think it's a good idea and would adopt it myself if I had a large supply of things but I do only buy specific items. And look at what a great card you did with your UWYH.

Lindsey said...

Love this, Jen! Especially since "smitten" is one of my favourite romance words. :) And the colours are gorgeous and bright. Why not UWYH if the results are like this? ;)

Joyce said...

Love this card--it is so bright and tropical. You are so smart to start the UWYH trend--I should jump on the bandwagon--eek, I'm already starting to shake. But, such a fantastic idea.

Deepti said...

Oh Jen :) was missing u lately, I am so glad to know that you have taken so many resolutions for this year. I agree blogging should never take over our life, give me some tips as I am addicted ;) Use what you have is a cool concept and the card used is indeed terrific :)

Jackie Rockwell said...

I've been on a blog break and I'm just now trying to catch up on some visiting and commenting. The bright red is awesome with the bright yellow! Very sweet card Jen!

lostinpaper said...

Great use of design paper and colour Jen!
Purging is on my list too, and I have new Ikea storage draws just sitting there looking at me awaiting the frustration of the RTA drama.

Darnell said...

What a sweet and colorful love bird card, Jen!! Thank you for the shoutout and for using your NBUS so faithfully and now just plain using ALL your stuff, too! It's like a diet, so many bloggers resolve to use up what they have at the start of a new year. I did pretty well last year, but of course, I replaced that with even more!! All we can do is try our best, right?!! You are inspiring and leading us by example!

Enjoy the clean and open newly organized craft space!! Hugs, Darnell

Jessi Fogan said...

It's so easy to fall into the rabbit hole of blogging - I'm pretty sure there are lots of us who struggle with how to balance it without letting it take over!
I LOVE this collection, I think I used every smidge (I had it in 12x12 too!) with these gorgeous colours - those birdies are just perfection in yellow!

TrishG said...

This is super cute and eye-catching! I love the birds and cheerful sentiment.