EXCITING CHANGES HAPPENING !

If you have been following me here but noticed I haven't been posting much crafty stuff lately.  I have been busy, busy, busy ! 

CRAFTY SITE MOVE

I am officially announcing I have moved all my crafty efforts over to my new site @  Scrap Me Quick Designs (click on link). I invite you all to come visit me there to see what I have been up to lately with my crafting efforts.  I am excited to start my new site and add a crafty business to it as well.

 

READ HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY NEW SITE:

Scrap Me Quick Designs is all about embracing die cut machines to help you quickly create wonderful projects for your family & friends, your home, parties and much more. No matter which die cut machine(s) you use or your skill level, we plan to inspire your creativity ! Our mission is to showcase a variety of die cut machines both manual and electronic and to share tips and tricks for using them in your crafting endeavors. So basicially a one stop shop for all your die cutting inspiration!

Get Inspired – Each week we have Tuesday Die Cut Tips and a Thursday Technique Tutorial to help get the most out of die cuts.  Lots of die cut crafty projects Plus lots more. We will also be offering both video tutorials and classes to give you close up instruction on a wide range of die cut machine topics and projects. Don’t forget to sign up for our email list so you don’t miss important announcements.

SHOP - We sell Full Color, Detailed Project Instructions in our SHOP for making beautiful professional looking designs using your own Die Cut Machines and supplies. Great for when you need a last minute gift, a project to take to a crop or when you have a creative block but want to get a project done. The projects offered include scrapbook pages, cards, party themed decor, home decor, etc. We also offer design services and special custom orders.

I will still keep Deb's Eclectic Thoughts Blog but it will transition to a more personal blog about my family, trips and events I attend, etc.

MY NEW HANG OUT ON FACEBOOK

I also started up a new Facebook Group....Crafty Cut Ups (click on link) and invite you to join all the other die cut fans who love sharing their creations and just hang out with other liked minded crafters. Its a fun and friendly group!   

THRILLED TO BE A NEW MAGAZINE EDITOR

Oh, and I don't want to forget to mention that I honored to now be a Contributing Editor at Die Cut Crazy Magazine...a new digital magazine for the Ipad. It is full of great crafting ideas for using various die cut machines each month.  I have a monthly column named "LETS TALK DIE CUTS". 

It's easy to subscribe to Die Cut Crazy through the iTunes App Store and they offer a single issue purchase, or a 3 month recurring subscription and a greate deal on a 1 year subscription.

But WAIT...As a SPECIAL OFFER AND to help me CELEBRATE being a new Contributing Editor, Die Cut Crazy Magazine is offering you a 25% off discount if you subscribe through the ITunes APP Store Link below.




LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE NEW SITE OR ON FACEBOOK.  HAPPY CRAFTING !

Need some Valentines Die Cut Inspiration?

I have been playing around with my new Silhouette Cameo lately...don't get me wrong, I still love my Cricut but I wanted to do more things with it than I could with my Cricut machine and cartridges.

I must admit I have become addicted to the Silhouette Online store files for my Cameo. I purchased a subscription so I get to spend $25 a month on images and it only cost me $8....pretty good deal, right!

There are so many really cool files to choose from.

One of the recent files I purchased was a Flip Swing Bracket Card by Lori Whitlock.  I loved how the center flipped over to reveal the back. I was planning on using it for a card but was then inspired by a post for a  Sizzix die that was an accordian mini album with slip swing component. 

Guess what?  While I didn't own the Sizzix die, I did own the file for the flip swing card so I decided to make my own accordian style flip card/album.  

 

I made four of the flip swing cards in different cardstock. Scored down the right side of them about 1/4 inch, used Score Tape to adhere it to the back of the each card to make it like an accordian.

 

This is how it looks as you pull on the accordian...the swing part opens up and starts to flip.

 

 

And this is what the back of the swing part looks like once you completely pull the accordian. 

You could easily add photos here to create it as a mini album or photo card.  I am using mine as a card for my DH and then it will become a Valentine Decor display.

 

So look at your die cuts in a new way...you will be surprised what you find you can make.

 

Oh, I almost forgot to mention.  If you noticed, these photos have a different website listed on them as the watermark....it's my newest endeavor...an all encompassing Die Cut Inspiration site where I will be posting tips and techniques to inspire crafteres no matter what type of die cut machine they use.  I invite all of you who follow me here, to come over to www.ScrapMeQuickDesigns.com and subscribe to follow me on that site as well.  There is a FREE TOP 10 TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR DIE CUTS GUIDE with detailed instructions you would find useful as a thank you for subscribing to Scrap Me Quick Designs. Hope to see you over there soon as I am adding more and more content every day.

 

I will continue to post other non-die cut projects and things of a more personal nature on my Debs Eclectic Thoughts blog.  Happy Scrappin' 

Its Coming - Houston Crop February 23rd

Houston Area Ladies and others close by  --

Many of you know that once a quarter I host an all day crop from 9 am to 9 pm on a Saturday...that is 12 hours of cropping fun, a make n take, door prizes, lunch, drinks and a great group of crafters to get to know !  

The next crop is coming up on Saturday, February 23rd.   It's open to all paper crafters and you are invited too !  Its a great group of nice crafters who enjoy using our various die cut machines and working on whatever projects we bring and have fun together in a nice facility.  Its a come and go kind of thing so you don't have to stay for the whole day...but most like the escape from family and other obligations for the day.

I bring my Cricut machine and cartridges for you to borrow during the day so you don't have to bring your own machine or you can bring yours if you like. Plus my embossing machine and variety of embossing folders, border punches and such so you don't have to drag the kitchen sink with you :)

If you are interested, send me an email to scraphappydeb2010@gmail.com   so I can forward the invite to you.  The deadline to register is Friday, February 8th.  The cost is only $30 and includes a box lunch from Subway and drinks all day, make n take, door prizes. 

I have room for about 25 ...ADULTS ONLY PLEASE....this is grown up girl time

Debbie

SIMPLIFY in 2013

Happy 2013 New Year to you all !  WOW it was a crazy December for our family between two birthdays, Christmas parties, Christmas dinners, Christmas light viewing,  family and friends visiting from out of town, an out of town wedding and an out of town funeral.  Sorry I just couldn't squeeze in blogging more.  I do have some projects to share and will be doing that over the next few days.

I set up some goals for 2013.  Have you done that yet?

One of my primary goals is to SIMPLIFY.  You know, focusing on getting rid of the clutter in my life..

• Like not overloading myself with too many responsibilities so I can enjoy what I really want to spend my time doing and not feel burdened by those I don't enjoy. 
• Like cleaning out my email box on a regular basis and limiting what I sign up to receive via email
• Like limiting my impulse shopping so I only buy what I know I will use
• Like not wasting food by buying and cooking more than hubby and I can eat each week
• Like recyling, donating or selling items I no longer have a need for but others may get use out of it.
• Like looking around my home to see where I can maximize my space and functionality of the space

The list goes on and on...but you get my point.  I want to be happier in my life with the choices I made everyday.

I have spent three hours cleaning out my email box...promising to never let it get so bad :)

I have spent my time on the past few days taking a hard look at all my crafting supplies...and my crafting studio to see where can I eliminate the clutter and simplify. I basically disassembled my room and am re-organizing it to be more efficient and reduce clutter so it does not block my creativity.

I made HUGE piles...DONATE, SELL, KEEP.   Happy to see I have a sizable pile to donate to a local charity that needs craft supplies for children with cancer and their families to use that I will drop off on Monday. 

Happy to have a pile of gently used items to sell to others who could get some use out of some items I no longer use or just had too much.

Happy to have decided I didn't need to keep so many Cricut Cartridges I will never use but just had to buy at the time they came out :)   So I have some gently used or never used Cricut Cartridges to sell on the Facebook Group Scrap Yard listed today.  In fact if you or someone you know is looking for a few cartridges to add to your library check out my listing at Debbie Cartridges for Sale.  Post a message in the thread with the cartridge you want and I will respond back.  Paypal only.

I know I have much more to do but it feels good to be making progress so far.  A day at a time, that is how I am going to meet my goal to SIMPLIFY in 2013 ! 

Its Beginning to look a lot like Christmas !

Well Christmas in the form of a Secret Santa Swap I was in on the Circle MB that is !

We have done this every year in the Circle...get matched up with another member, share a wish list with the host that sends to your secret santa pal.  We have to include a stocking of course, make 1 hand made item and do some shopping for the person and package it all up pretty to send. It is so fun doing this !!!

Well this year...I was lucky enough to be matched up with Eva aka ScrappyKats.
She is so talented and spoiled me rotten with all the things she did for me.

First off, Eva was super sneaky ! 

The return address said some where in PA but the

postage label said St Charles Missouri. Ha, ha !

And I don't know where she found this adorable and appropriate

NO PEEKING paper with Santas and Penguins on it but it was

perfect for me !  I collect Santas and Penguins too :)

Oh wow..look at all those goodies in there !

  

And the lovely stocking Eva handmade just for me was stuffed full of gifts !

Just look at the detail on that stocking...I was so impressed and

thankful Eva made it herself for me.

And this truly lovely easel card she made....

sorry the pic isn't that great but the card sure was !

 

And this package cracked me up...the note says

"My husband is responsible for this package. Enjoy"

I had no idea what could be inside, it was heavy and lumpy and

I just couldn't even guess what could be in there

but aren't those lollipops on the outside super cute !

Yes, that is 3 lbs...count them...3 lbs of my favorite snack ever...Haribo Gold Gummy Bears !!!.

In comparison on the right is the little puny 8 oz bag I hoard and treat myself too every blue moon !

Now I can have Gummi Bears whenever I want !! 

Eva, Please tell your DH thank you thank you thank you!

And inside the stocking were some of the items I asked for on my wish list...

Washi tape, cricut replacement blades and a refill for my Create A Sticker

Yipeee !!!!

But there was more in that cute No PEEKING PAPER I found the lovely Vintage Finds Collection and more washi tape by Teresa Collins....be still my heart !!  I love this line so much :)

 

Now you would think this would be more than enough for anyone right??? It sure was for me...but then there was more the very generous Eva sent.

Yes, that is a brand new Cricut Pirates and Mermaids cartridge that I had been searching everywhere to get....thank you thank you thank you !! I will be sure to put this to good use very soon !

 

But no, that was not all ...can you belive that?  There were some more handmade items too!

 

This absolutely stunning handmade ornament !

It is so lovely.  And Eva better share how she made it too!

It is like one of those ships in a bottle thing...how did she get that

image to float in the center ?!?!  Inquiring minds want to know !

 

 

And last but not least was this incredibly super adorable little

hen she had sewn for me.  I just love love love her. 

She has got to be the cutest thing I have ever found

in a holiday stocking ! I am going to name her Eva and she will

have a place of honor in my craft studio so I will always remember

my wonderful Secret Santa Swap Partner, Eva...aka ScrappyKats !  

Turkey Anyone ?

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, many of us have Turkey on the brains.  Where to buy one, how big, how many days to defrost, how to prep it, how to cook it, how to carve it, what to do with all those leftovers? ???

 

Well I just have one more question for you.....Which Turkey to WEAR on Thanksgiving Day?

Turkey Prior to Cooking

 

OR

Turkey After Cooking

 

All right, I will let you in a little secret...I bought these adorable Turkey hats at Target for only $2.50.  But shhhh....don't tell the family.  I can hardly wait to surprise the family on Thanksgiving Day.  I think I can wear one when I arrive (Turkey Prior to Cooking) and while we are eating switch hats  (Turkey after Cooking).  What do you think of that idea?!?!

 

Happy Pre-Turkey Day everyone....may your gobble contribute to a wonderful wobble afterwards !

So Very Thankful

With Thanksgiving 2012 only two short weeks away, many of us are already beginning to reflect on what we are thankful for this past year.  And you will see various post on Facebook or Twitter or personal blogs or message boards where people are listing day by day what they are thankful to have in their lives.

 

I am participating in 30 Days of Thankfulness on my Facebook wall.  Every morning since November 1st I have been reflecting on what I am thankful for in my life and posting that thought there for everyone to see...it is nice to take a moment each day and do this. 

 

I made the above card to send to a friend from some items I had laying around on my craft table yesterday.  I am very thankful for my friends and how we help inspire and support each other through good times and bad !

 

So, what are you thankful for today?  For this past year? For the future?