Hi everyone! It feels like it's been a while since I wrote a blog post and said hello and talked about things.... So, today that's what I'm doing! It's well into February now and I just have the feeling that this year is going to go fast! We'd better get busy! (That's what I keep telling myself!) I'm really trying to focus on de-cluttering and on being more organized around my studio and my home. Seems like all my friends and I are talking about this! I have to admit I'm slow at it, but every time I take a couple of bags to the Goodwill I feel lighter, and freer. Last year I made it a goal to take at least one giant bag a week. That seems manageable to me. Now my crafting stuff? That's a whole different story! I have such a hard time parting with my stamps! Are you that way? They seem like old friends and memories! The other thing I'm working on right now is relaxing and being in the moment with my life. I've made a conscious effort to hang out with my friends more and talk....like in person! It's so good for my soul! Every time I hang out with people I laugh, and smile and feel better! Working from home is hard for this old social butterfly! I went to a really fun craft retreat a couple weeks ago and I'll write a post about that - maybe later this week. What have you been up to?
A couple of weeks ago I made a difficult decision to resign from the Simon Says Stamp Creative Team. I worked for them for about a year and a half and it was wonderful! I am super grateful to Heidi and the rest of the talented people at Simon Says Stamp for giving me the opportunity to work with them. I have a lot of great memories and I learned a lot from the experience too. I fondly will remember the time I spent with that awesome crew. So, unfortunately, that means no more Weekender with Wanda. That part makes me sad because I really loved interacting with you each weekend on the Simon Says Stamp Blog. Many of you have emailed me about this, so I thought I would go ahead and say something here about it. Thank you all for your comments and for following along with me over there. I made new friends and crafting buddies through my work with Simon and I'm forever grateful for that too! Thank you all!
Today I'm sharing a final project I made for SSS because I just really love this card, and these products, and wanted to blog about it! I used stamps and dies from one of my favorite companies - Reverse Confetti. Jen is amazing, and her products are always on trend, on point, and super classy and fabulous. The background was made with one of my top picks in crafting lately - the Eyelet Cover Panel. LOVE. I'll write more about the card below.
I started with an A2 card base made from rich black cardstock. Then I die cut the Eyelet Plate in crisp white to layer on top. The contrast of this is so striking and pretty. I love eyelet in any form, even paper! It's timeless.... There is a lot of room for you to use your adhesive tape runner to attach the white part to the black - nothing special required here.
The Butterfly Dreams stamps have perfectly matching dies. I stamped the sentiment butterfly in two shades of blue ink, with the darker ink just around the edges. Then I die cut that butterfly out. I also die cut some butterflies out of vellum and gold cardstock.
I layered a pretty doily onto the bottom layer and they attached my butterflies in clear glue - just gluing them in the centers. I used vellum underneath for a soft effect. Once the glue was dry, I used my fingers to gently lift the wings up off the paper.
The final touch was to use some matching Doodlebug Glitter Sprinkles in the centers of some of the butterflies and also in the center of some of the patterns. That pop of blue matches the ink and really ties the card together. Plus, you know I have to use enamel dots!
I think this card would be pretty in a bright lime green, or yellow too! I might even turn this one card into a set?! Just that little bit of gold is so fabulous. I am loving using gold cardstock lately for accents.
Thank you for stopping by today! Your support and kindness mean the world to me! Thanks for allowing me into your craft room to share with you. I'm trying to be in touch on Pinterest more and would love to have you follow me there! CLICK HERE to see my Pinterest Boards. Also, I am a HUGE Instagram fan! CLICK HERE to follow me on Instagram! I share a lot there that doesn't make it to my blog....cat pictures! You know! LOL. I hope you have a wonderful day full of blessings. See you soon! XOXO
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So sorry to see you leave the SSS blog, but I will continue to follow yours. I really like your style and your creativity! I have donated a lot of my craft supplies that I no longer use or want, but I can't part with my stamps that way. Maybe it's how much they cost that holds me back! 💲💲💲😬
Posted by: Tammy B | 02/26/2017 at 03:32 PM
I will miss your SSS Weekender With Wanda but am so excited you have joined PTI. I love your goal of one bag a week! I am in desperate need of decluttering so I am going to give it a try. I have my first bag ready to go :)
Posted by: Sherri | 02/23/2017 at 08:37 AM
Will miss your Weekender column and know many orhers will, too. As a longtime blog follower, I have been inspired by your wonderful ideas and design genius.
Moving this summer required donating many truckloads of household items to the Salvation Army and other charities. I sold some craft supplies and donated supplies to the local Montessori school for their after school program. I haven't missed anything (still enough supplies to open a store), but my new craft room is organized, which helps me feel more creative.
I wish you well in your new creative pursuits and appreciate all you share with us.
Posted by: Julie | 02/21/2017 at 08:10 PM
Love this beautiful card - I have a long list of RC that I'd love to swoop into a shopping cart! LOL! Thinking about you today with happy thoughts of a wonderful new year stretched before us! Hugs!
Posted by: Lori | 02/21/2017 at 01:02 PM
Oh Wanda,I am so sad to see you leave SSS and I will miss "Weekender with Wanda". I don't follow Papertrey Ink anymore as I find their blog hard to navigate/follow. Call me "old" but I can't understand it! LOL I DO however follow you on Pinterest and IG (although I don't check IG daily as I can't navigate there well as yet either!)
I look forward to seeing your work whenever/wherever possible!
Posted by: Teresa Doyle | 02/21/2017 at 12:01 PM
Weekend with Wanda was how I found you... I will miss your creativity at SSS. I will have to learn to fly to another venue to follow you. I wish you all the best dear friend, I do so admire your work. These past few weeks have been full of changes for me.
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | 02/21/2017 at 08:30 AM
As time moves on things change. Sad to hear of your split with SSS but I know it is so you can move on to bigger and better things.
As for parting with things from my craft room--I can totally do it. It was hard at first but I noticed that it was very, very rare that I missed something I parted with. Plus having the extra room (no matter how small) made me feel freer. I have very little crafting time and I'd rather not spend it weeding through piles of mediocre stuff. I want to be able to reach out and grab the best of the best and get to work asap.
I will say though that I sell my stuff for a token amount rather than give it away free. It truly bothers me to see someone gather up the whole pile and take off with it just because it was free. That tells me they aren't going to give my stuff a good loving home, but would just warehouse it. Is that funny?
I'd have no problem donating to a charity or art program if I had a contact for it. I have no time or patience to track that stuff down (and apparently no one else does here as they always ask me).
Posted by: Princess Judy | 02/21/2017 at 07:54 AM
Wonderful inspiration! Love your card! Butterflies are my favorite!
Posted by: Lori Ellen | 02/21/2017 at 07:40 AM
One thing that helps me let go of some of my older stamps is donating to an art department. Most schools have had that cut from their budgets or if they have that department, they have nothing to go with it. I donated a ton of stuff to a Christian Middle and High School where they had the teachers, but nothing left in the budget to buy supplies with. So you might want to check with some art teachers.
Posted by: Vicki Finger | 02/21/2017 at 04:30 AM
Great card...sad Weekender with Wanda stopped!
Wanda I find it very hard to take things out of my stamp room..and part with them...but I am really almost in overload...so need to think three times before I buy things....there just isn't more space...
So good you are able to do a bag a week...clearing out...I have my moods in that...periods when I really clean out wardrobes..and such..
and it does make you feel lighter..I think we all have way to much stuff we hold on...I have clothes which I haven't worn for ages!!
Hugs Holly
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 02/21/2017 at 02:08 AM