This morning I was up at 5 am. I received a message from the other side of the world that was quite disturbing. My disappointment in the situation was growing and I decided I would not let it fester.
Instead of turning on the computer and delving into my vast emails I now receive daily, I decided to jump right into a new study about the parables of Jesus. My mind was distracted about this situation so I did a quick prayer to stay focused. I had to read the lesson out loud to keep my mind from straying.
The lesson was so good and provided me peace of mind. It was about dirt. I found my answers in dirt. The parable was about soil and the four different types. Shallow soil, rocky soil, thorny soil, and good soil.
I feel that I worked hard to create the good dirt. I worked hard to prepare the soil to build my business. I cultivated my seed (idea) and watched it grow. While the rocky soil produces a fast result because it skips the step of preparing the soil, the seed is close to the surface and grows fast. However, because it was not prepared the sun comes along and scorches the plant. The little plant is no more.
That is where I think I have the advantage over the rocky soil. I did not take any short cuts. So after reading the lesson, I was jumping for joy in the clouds like these little reindeer. Thanks for sticking with me.
I was a scrapbooker first before I was a card maker. I LOVE to scrapbook. I miss scrapbooking. Haven't done it in almost 1 and a half years. I know I will get back to it soon. Things are starting to even out and I am getting to be on a schedule and find that I have more time for crafting.
What I love about scrapbooking is that you get to relive the moment as you scrapbook. Pictures or an event that took minutes to occur can be relived in the hour or hours that it takes to document it. My goal was not to get to as many pages done but to spend time with the memories made with the people in the photos. I could spend all day on a two page layout and be perfectly content savoring the moments in the pictures.
Well, I found that I can do that with card making. Let me back up a little first. When I was first approached by the Women's ministry at church about doing a card ministry, I had never made a card.
I went to the craft store and purchased some DCWV note cards. They had a printed pattern on the front and I would use my Cricut to make die cuts to add to the note card. Then I started to buy stamps, blah, blah, blah and here we are today.
I got this pre made thank you card from a customer that reminded me of the DCWV note cards. I liked the pattern so I decided to reuse it to make a card. I got to spend time with the sweet lady that sent me the card as I re-purposed it into the card below. Hope you enjoy.
I grew up in Houston in the Aldine district, not far from Bush Intercontinental airport. Houston is a huge and I mean huge city. When I joined the military I ended up in San Antonio and that is also a huge city. So until I was 22 years old, that is all I knew.
Now we live in a village. No, literally. The sign says, "Welcome to the village of Sherrard". Population 600. No stop lights, no traffic. I love where we live but there is nothing to do here unless you golf or fish. I shouldn't say nothing to do. If you are a crafter, there is plenty to do here.
So when I go visit my mom in Houston, I feel swallowed up by the immensity of the city. However, there is much to do and so many friends and family to get caught up with. There is so much good Mexican food to eat, especially my mom's.
So here is my Houston Christmas card. I hope you enjoy the video .
Until last April, I worked part time as an MRI/ X-ray tech. I was good at patient care. Most of my patients were in pain or had fear of the MRI. Person to person interaction is much easier for me because I can tell from their facial expressions what is really going on.
The majority of the time, people were annoyed by the time I took care of them. Long waits to see the doctor for 2 minutes, then wait again for their x-rays. The room is cold and the table is hard and then I have to position them in ways that make their pain surface more.
I could tell who was really hurt or who was trying to get away with fraud of some kind. There are other things that health care workers see day in and day out that would make you doubt the morals of our society. That is how this doubter was born.
I have a really good friend that does her best to keep me accountable on all things customer service related. She has got a tough job and I am blessed that she is sooooooo patient. With that I have to confess that I have a problem with being told what to do. My inner child comes out and says, "You can't make me!"
Our last conversation, which I call reality checks, she told me that I need to give people the benefit of the doubt. After 23 years in the health care industry, doubt is hard to let go. So, needless to say, I find it difficult to follow her advice. All she was hearing from me was, "But, but..." She was sooooooo patient. I am sure if I was in the same room with her she would have smacked me in the back of the head.
I promised her that I would do better at GIVING the benefit of the doubt. I doubted that I was going to fulfill my promise. Then God sent me validation in what she was saying. He definitely has a sense of humor when He tries to humble us. I was getting ready to post my next card when I realized what the sentiment on my card said. Now keep in mind, I made this card 3-4 weeks ago.
My Sweet Little Petunia and I went shopping today for a new Christmas tree. I have tried for the last 3 years to buy a tree after Christmas and have been unsuccessful. So this year I thought I would try early.
I am sure that the deals are better after Christmas, but I have already spent time and gas on looking for my new tree. I thought that it would be crazy out there. Surprisingly, it was not.
We wanted to get a pre-lit tree so that it would be easier to assemble. I also wanted a fancy one that could switch between white lights and colored. We finally came across two trees that would qualify. From the two, I let Little Petunia pick. Of course she has to pick the one that only had the floor model left. So we got 20% off the tree because it was on sale and an additional $50 off for the floor model.
Now we have a new tree to hang this cute little ornament on. It was hard to come up with something original because you can only put so much in the shaker globe. I had not seen anyone do a see through snow globe.
Hope you like it and that you remember the reason for the season.
We are very excited about a product we have under wraps until after Christmas. So excited that we want to give some away - and cooked up a little contest for you so that you can be the first ones to get your hands on it.
Here's how it will work.
Make a Christmas/holiday card
Send it to us at My Sweet Petunia, PO Box 122, Sherrard, Illinois 61281
For every 100 cards we receive, we will draw a winner from the cardmakers.
Cards have to be postmarked by December 24th
You can enter as many times as you'd like, but each card has to be different, and each card has to be handmade by YOU.
Leave the cards blank (cards will be donated to Splitcoast card drives) and on a post it note inside include your name, mailing address and email address so we can send you your prize.
In addition to a random drawing for all cards received, I will also choose my three FAVORITE cards from those sent in, and those cardmakers will also win the new secret product.
ANYONE can enter.
The new product will be revealed at CHA in January - and that's also where we'll do the drawing live on Periscope - we will post the video of the drawing here.
Let me tell you I was so excited when I got a box of goodies from the sweet Jennifer McGuire. She has launched a month long of Sharing Handmade Kindness. Please visit her blog for more details to her challenges and prizes.
I tried to come up with something original. It is hard since there are so many creative and talented crafters out there.
Sorry for the short post as I want to get back to crafting this beautiful Saturday morning.
Did you miss me? Since my last post a lot has happened. I prepared for my first big shipment of MISTIs. Researching for boxes to mail out orders, ordering inventory, homeschooling, maintaining a home, answering emails on when the MISTIs would get here and a little crafting. I promise I have done crafting.
I have several videos waiting to be edited. It just takes forever to edit and narrate videos. Especially, finding time when the house is quiet to do the voice overs.
The morning that my shipment arrived we were headed out of town. We hurried to the warehouse. I was a little overwhelmed by the site. One year ago, I was drowning in plexi parts trying to assemble MISTIs and sell them as fast as I could. At the same time I was answering angry emails because someone did not get to order one. Now, there would be plenty of MISTIs to last a while.
That afternoon, we made a four hour drive to St. Louis. We had to catch a flight at the crack of dawn to head to Texas. My in-laws were moving to Missouri. We helped them finish up the clean up after the movers came. The next morning we were on the road, driving in two separate vehicles hauling my father-in-laws tools. We left at 9 a.m. Sunday morning and drove until 4 p.m. Monday afternoon. We had to drive the minimum speed limit and taking a break at a rest stop. My poor husband drove straight through with only 3 hours sleep. He did not want me driving the trailer.
Luckily, I was able to use my hot spot on my cellphone and answer emails and submit orders to the warehouse. I want to thank everyone for being patient on getting their orders. I hope that you love the new packaging and the laser MISTIs.
I finally had time to edit this very long video. There are so many projects in this one video. I hope you enjoy it.
Just keep in mind it took forever to edit and narrate. Please be sure to give it a thumbs up and share with your friends.
The list of supplies is located in the product description below the video.
Using product in a way other than the way it was intended is how we make our supplies go further. It makes our investment in our craft grow. That's right, I said investment. We invest in our supplies. The return on our investment is not only the joy we bring to others but also the joy we feel in giving.
There is a parable that tells the story of three individuals. These individuals were trusted with their master's gold. The first man was given five bags of gold and he invested it and gained another five. The second man was given two bags and he also invested it and doubled it as well. The third man was given one bag. He buried it and gained nothing. The master returned and told the first and the second man, "Well done, good and faithful servant." He was not happy with the third guy. The third was more concerned about himself and fearful of failing, so he played it safe and did nothing with it.
So with my investment of pigment ink refills, I used it in a different way. I used it as paint.
Which brings me to our investments. The gold that God has given us is the gift of creativity. That is why I put 1 Peter 4:10 on each and every MISTI. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." So let's make some cards to make other's feel loved instead of burying our supplies.
I sincerely hope that you take a risk on your investments and make them double. Here is some insider information, no matter what you make, you will feel joy when God says, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
This has taken me forever to accomplish. I found a manufacturer that could make the laser etched MISTIs at a reasonable price. They have been ordered.
These MISTIs will come with 2 magnets and a sample of the grid paper in product packaging. I was sent some samples and am so please with the quality of this manufacturer. Their attention to detail is amazing.
Here is a sneak peak of the product packaging....
They should ship by the 30th of October, just in time to start Christmas cards.
Thanks so much for all of your patience and for all of your support. I feel so blessed that God has placed you in my life to help me grow.
Just thought I would give you a heads up that I plan on doing a REFURBISHED MISTI sale. What do I mean by refurbished? I mean these are returned defective product that have had the lids replaced. The lids are replaced with laser etched lids. These are sold AS IS since they are refurbished. Priced at $35 each. So if you feel you cannot afford a new MISTI, this is your opportunity to get a good deal on one that was given a facelift.
I will post these for sale Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 5pm central. They will be posted for sale at www.mysweetpetunia.com. Once they are gone it will disappear on the site. Be warned that if you place it in your cart, it does not guarantee that you will get one. You have to check out fast.
Christmas is around the corner. It feels like I just put away last years decorations. At this rate I will have all my cards done sooner than anticipated. I may even have a few to give away as sets for presents.
I have two cards to share using the same stamps. This first card did not turn out how I thought it would in my head. Most cardmakers have said this. I think I say this more than I think. Especially when I am making dinner.
I find that lately I take more chances with my stamping. MISTI has boosted my confidence because I know I have another chance. I no longer unmount my stamps until I am totally done. You will see what I mean in the second video.
The card I envisioned in my head will show up in another blog post but for now you will see these two cards. I didn't want the video to be too long so I split them up into two separate ones.
At first, I used to make my card and then make a video once I got the kinks out. Lately, I find that I get more videos done if I let the camera run. However, I think I learn from solving my mishaps.
I used to not take any chances when I would make cards. I would scour the blogs and look for designs that I could lift. Then I would make the cards exactly the same. I can't do that anymore. The more I create original cards the easier it gets. But now, I have a means to correct my experiments.
This second card really tested me. First, I thought that silver embossing would look nice on the bold watercolors. Wrong. It was too overwhelming. To correct it, I stamped with Staz-On white. Then I realized the embossing powder would not stick to it. So then I had to stamp again with Versamark. I should have just used white pigment ink but I was stamping on the fly.
With my MISTI my watercolor background was not wasted. I hope you enjoy my adventures in cardmaking. That would be a good blog title. Have you found yourself more adventurous with your MISTI?
This is another simple sketch and more of a ''Duh" design. It is probably been used by every cardmaker on the face of the Earth.
Don't you just love the focal point of the sketch?
I drew this out because of the Dove of Peace stamp. It is an elegant stamp from Stampin' Up. The design on the dove reminds me of a stained glass window in a church.
The stamp only comes with the wood block. I knew I wasn't going to mount it onto the wood block and I had to figure out what to do since the foam on the stamp was super sticky. First, I cut the sentiment off. I found a spare piece of vinyl, just like the kind that goes on the MISTI to protect the grid. I just adhered the stamp to the vinyl and trimmed any overhang. Now the stamp can cling to the lid of the MISTI.
Did I tell you how much I loved how this turned out? It gives my heart flutters. I know it is supposed to be the Dove of Peace, but it just makes me feel hopeful. It is a reminder of how much God loves us. I really don't think that the Dove of Peace stamp should be limited to Christmas, but it should be used to share hope and love to someone who need it. Yes, cheesy but true.
As I said before Sketch 1, is an easy peasy sketch.
I made this card in two versions. One with dye ink on white cardstock and one with pigment ink on black cardstock using the Mama Elephant Make a Wish stamp set.
This is also a good example when I should stop instead of messing with it some more.
This could have easily been done with watercolors and a brush. I do like this stamp set, it lets me think I have control. Since watercolors are had to control.
I hope you give this a try. If there is a technique you want me to create a video for, please leave a comment below.
The ugly sister has made it to the ball. So many of you commented that you liked this card. It is starting to grow on me. Thanks for all the wonderful comments.
I classify recipients to my cards. There are the card worthy, and I make great efforts to send them fabulous cards. When I make these fabulous cards, I think "this is perfect for.....". Then there is the meh worthy. These are the cards that I know people will toss right away. They get the messy cards. They will never see the imperfections that I see.
Do you do the same thing and send out Cinderella cards?
I ordered a bunch of stamps to make Christmas cards. I need to start now so that I have time to use them all. As soon as my box arrived, I started sketching my idea. This is a ridiculously simple sketch.
The squiggles can be watercolor, paint, or pattern paper. I have several videos lined up with this no brainer of a sketch.
This card was definitely out of my comfort zone. I do not like my hands to get dirty. There was a lot of panic in this background. My heart was racing just a little. The lack of control is what bothers me. In actuality, I am in denial that I have control. I really don't have control, I just pretend I do.
I used Mama Elephant's Peace on Earth for the sentiment. For ink I used Rich Razzleberry, Blackberry Bliss, Melon Mambo, and Versamark. The white splotches were made with gesso. I used silver embossing powder from Michael's but any silver would do. Thanks for stopping by and more cards to follow with sketch 1.
I have a very special friend and I have her ear. She has pretty good ears to have to hear everything I have to say, because it is a lot. So this was the perfect little elephant* to send her.
I even used an acrylic block. Say what?....Gasp!....Put your eyes back in your head now.
I wanted to give her a special present for her birthday. Because of that her gift was late.
To hear her giggle and see her smile was a gift to me. If only we could have recorded the event. I would watch it over and over.
I hope you enjoy the video.
Have a great day!
*Stamp set is a special birthday gift from Simon Says Stamp. If you have an account with them and are signed up for the newsletter, you get a notification with a coupon code for your next order.
I have another thank you card to share. Simon Says Stamp has the whole month of September dedicated to stamping. They call it Stamptember. I had to order this Leaves background stamp from the fall release.
I pictured in my head the turning leaves. I wanted to add red to this card but decided against it. I also pictured a nest of metallic thread behind the sentiment. I also decided against it. What I pictured in my head was different than the outcome. Nonetheless, it turned out beautifully.
I was lacking some supplies but made due with what I had. Please enjoy the video.
Supplies used:
Leaves background from Simon Says Stamp
Thanks die from Mama Elephant
Archival Cosmic Copper pigment ink, Versamark
Papertrey ink: Canyon Clay, Ripe Avocado,
Other Perfect Pearls
I love stamp sets. Getting them as a gift is the best feeling. Actually, getting any craft supplies as a gift is the best. I guess the reason I love gifted stamps the best is because I feel like the giver went above and beyond to get me something that they know I have a passion for. I always think of the word passion as to love something so much that you suffer for it. I picture a starving artist trying to sell a painting. Me, not suffering or starving. So I refreshed myself on the meaning of the word passion. Webster shows the following definition:
1. a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something (yes, this applies to me)
2. a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way (yes, this applies to me if I don't get to craft)
3. a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone (Why is this even here? If my craft room was a person it would apply)
So I guess I qualify for the title passionate crafter.
I made this card for my gift giver. I have to admit that suffering was involved in making this card. It took me a little bit to figure out how to get the pattern to work. There was some measuring involved. I am sure that there is a background stamp that can accomplish the same look. But why buy when I can find a new use for a stamp I already have. I am sure that using two different colors would give a different result. Using a colored cardstock would also give a different look.
I didn't want the sentiment to distract from the background so I put it at the bottom right. That way it draws the eye across the back ground.
The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp Hand Lettered Winter Wishes. The circle border stamp is form this stamp set.
I hope that you enjoy my process of making this card. Please sure to give the video a thumbs up.
There are so many examples of "organized chaos". The first thing that comes to mind is my craft room. Can I get an Amen? Our rooms may become chaotic but we can still make beautiful cards.
The example that I use in the video is life. Our lives get chaotic and we make our little mess with choices we make but in the end we have much beauty in our lives. We just need to count our blessings when we can't see the beauty.
I think that God lets us have some chaos so that we can learn from it. How we deal with it helps form the person He wants us to become. I really love the song from Francesca Battistelli, This is the Stuff. She sings about how He teaches us patience and break us of habits He doesn't want us to have. I hope you watch Francesca's video. It is a bit cheesy but I love the message. After her video, you can find the video for today's card. Thank for stopping by.
Most of the time I like to think outside of the box. That is how my brain works. My brain breaks down how something works and then takes it apart. I observe each step and see how I can improve on it.
If I come across a problem, I do a similar thing. I look at the problem, find the root of the problem and focus on the root until I come up with a solution. Let me give you an example. One day I was making cards using my Fiskar's stamp press. I had a batch of cards I needed to make, it was taking me forever and I was no longer enjoying the process.
Here is how my brain broke it down.
Q: What is the problem?
A: I am not enjoying stamping.
Q: Why am I not enjoying stamping?
A: I keep messing up and wasting cardstock.
Q: Why am I messing up and how am I wasting cardstock?
A: I am getting an incomplete stamp and when I try to restamp I can't line up and I miss, that is how I waste the cardstock.
Q: How can I line up better?
A: By having the stamp go to the same spot.
Q: How do I get the stamp in the same spot?
A: If I can keep one side of my stamp press hinged to my stamp area.
The rest is history. Since then I have been running around in circles.
So today, I am making a card using the Dizzy Circles from Close to My Heart. How was that segue into today's card?
So back to problem solving for a second. I wanted to stamp rotating my image as seen in Maureen's video. I first started by printing Cyndie's Hexagon template, This template was made to stamp on a circle. My heart was set on a square card. So I started to think about how I was going to make that happen. I need to center my square card within the template. I cut down a square to fit in the Hexagon. It was an odd measurement. I then went onto my Silhouette software and created my own template.
This card was so fast and easy with an awesome result. I love the way it turned out. When I saw this stamp set had to have it. It reminded me of the Spirograph set I had as a child.
I took an Online Card class and Jennifer did a card that rotated a leaf stamp in rainbow color pattern. She placed her sentiment on a strip across the middle to cover the uneven pattern in the middle. With MISTI, there was no need cover the center because it was perfect. This card is a perfect example at why I smile when someone says they don't need a MISTI.
So I challenge those die hard Stamp-a-ma-jiggers and stamp pressers to make this card as quickly as a MISTIfyer. Send me a link to your video and a close up of your card center.
Thanks for stopping by and I will leave you with my card tutorial video on how to make this card.
I am also adding another fun video at the end that will have your eyes spinning in circles.
August 27th is my birthday. I wanted to do something special for that day. Back when I started selling MISTIs, I would make a batch and post that I would have some for sale. I had a bunch of supplies to make laser etched ones, and slaved over these for the last two weeks to get them done for Thursday. These are the laser etched, hand assembled by me. I will be listing these precious laser ones for sale August 27, 2015 at 7 pm central time. To order you need to go to www.mysweetpetunia.com at the designated time and date. Please take note of your time zone and figure out what time that is in your area. These will be marked at $60. There are only 90 Laser Etched MISTIs for sale. When the inventory is gone it will disappear. If you don't see it listed for sale then it means it is sold out.
I laid these out on my dinning room table so that you can see the goods and also see my gorgeous view from my window.
In my quest to use up my supplies, I made a simple card for a nephew's birthday. He is only three so it didn't need to be fancy. It was a last minute party and I had to just slap something together.
I plan to make this card again. Substituting the paper for something a little girly, would make a cute little girl card. This card uses the same design I used a few weeks back for Father's Day. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Speaking of keeping it simple....
Catherine Pooler calls this a KISS card (Keep It Simple Stamper) She is a super sweet and has given me three, one month memberships to Stamp Nation. Please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. I will close the giveaway on Sunday, August 16, 2015.
Let's try this again....
The winner of the Laser Etched MIST is....
Denise Irving
Thanks for participating in my blogiversary. Please don't be disappointed. We will have other opportunities for giveaways. By being a subscriber you will get notified.
That is right. I have no name. My genius idea to have readers subscribe was partially successful. I accomplished the task of obtaining more subscribers but since I only have emails to choose from I have no name. The winner has been emailed. So check your email and if you have a letter from me please reply so that I can share it with everyone else.
Sometimes I run across a tool or supplies that I am holding onto because I still love it and I don't want to part with it. Yet there are so many new tools and new supplies out there.
Our hobby is one of great expense and great temptation. We see supplies and we see potential. We think of all the different things that we can do to justify the purchase of our next must-have item. Sometimes we go on a spending freeze to save up for said item, and then it sits there barely used.
Unfortunately, we can't keep everything, even though we try. We can't buy everything, even though we try really hard. So I challenged myself to make a card using a tool and or supplies that has been neglected.
I still incorporated a new and not so new paper pads. I loved the way the card turned out. I think mixing new and old tools/supplies will help me realize what I need to keep and what I need to let go of. Letting go of supplies will give me room for new things. I think it will also help me to think about my purchases and what I really "need".
Now, go find something neglected and make something with it.
365 days ago I was panicking about starting my business. I had planned and researched. I had worked hard for eight months. I had spent hours preparing and slaved over my first batch of MISTIs. I was in tears and scared out of my mind. I felt like the life I had was about to be over. I knew things were going to be different. I made my first post and it was official. Then.....nothing happened. I felt relieved that my life was not over.
A week had pasted and nothing happened. I started messaging other card makers on YouTube to check out my videos. Still nothing. My husband would ask each day if I sold a MISTI and I would say no. I just knew that he wanted to say I told you so. I remembered the words of my husband's uncle, "Only forty of your closest friends and relatives will buy one. You are too close to this." I was a little disappointed that when I showed paper crafters no one said, "I will buy one."
Eleven days had past. Then there was a sale. I sold one. I sold one to Kelly Marie Alvarez from Lawn Fawn. I thought I hit the big time. The orders were going to roll in now. Nothing. The pity party started. My mind thought, "Kelly bought one because she felt sorry for me. What a sweet lady! I really like her more now." Oh well...what am I going to do with the other 59 MISTIs.
A couple days passed and I had another sale. A couple more days passed and I had another sale. I thought that this was a good pace. If I can sell two or three each week I could handle it. A steady stream is all I wanted. I knew God would not give me more than I could handle. Then Splitcoast Stampers happened. Qtpy posted and then the world went crazy.
God has slowly eased me into this. Every step I wade deeper and deeper in He is whispering to me the whole time that everything will be okay.
Dear God,
Thanks for everything you do.
Love,
Iliana
Now there have are times that I start to splash too much and feel like I am sinking. During these times my friends and family remind me to be still and listen for God's whisper.
Dear Friends and Family,
Thanks for everything you do.
Love,
Iliana
Splitcoast Stampers will forever have a place in my heart. My eyes well up with tears of gratitude. There is this unexplainable feeling of support there. Encouraging, joyful hearts live there. My cheerleaders have become good friends.
Dear Splitcoast,
Thanks for everything you do.
Love,
Iliana
It floors me that you are reading this, that you care what I have to say, that you take the time watch my videos. It overwhelms me to hear your comments.
My dear Sweet Petunias,
Thank you for your support and most importantly your time.
Thank you for everything you do,
Love,
Iliana
Giveaway: In honor of the handmade MISTIs I used to make, all blog subscribers will be entered in a random drawing for an original laser etched MISTI.
If you already subscribe, you don't need to do a thing.
If you aren't a subscriber, all you have to do is sign up to enter.
Winner will be posted on the anniversary of my first sale, July 29th.
The days have been unusually cool this year. We have had the windows open for the majority of the summer and have turned on the central air a few times on the hot days.
Hot days here are no where near the inferno of Houston. Houston weather has been permanently ingrained in my sweat glands. When we start to plan a visit to see my mom, my brain automatically sends messages to my pores to start producing perspiration.
All the Texans will appreciate the gravity of my next statement. When I lived in Houston, we did not have central air conditioning! For about two weeks in the month of August my parents would splurge and turn on the window unit. That's right, I said no a/c in Texas! I have post traumatic sweat disorder. We take any trip and my first question is, "Is there a/c?"
Moving on.... early this summer I went to the Understand Blue Unwind Retreat in Texas. I took my daughter with me and she decided to stay with her grandparents. The beginning of summer dragged without my little sweet petunia. I felt like I had left my heart in Texas. I think there may be a country song by that title.
I decided to make her a card using Mama Elephant's Bear Hugs. I had the perfect background stamp from Purple Onion Designs. The stamp is called The Perfect Spot. This was my first watercolor card video.
I feel I did OK. It kind of has an elementary school feel. I know I have to crawl before I can Allnock.
My little sweet petunia will love it. I say will because by the time it arrived to Texas she was headed home. My mother-in-law will be mailing it back.
Please enjoy the video. The narration is a bit choppy. I did edit it down quite a bit because it took forever to make this card.
With the exception of a house addition and the birth of my little petunia, we have had a Fyreworks party every year. That is not a misspelling, we live in Fyre Lake. It is our tradition and an expectation from our friends and family. I have been wanting to add onto our kitchen. My husband said if we wanted to make that change then we should just move. Then the first thought is, "What about the Fouth of July party?" So we decide not to move and continue to live here with a galley kitchen and celebrate this awesome holiday every year.
Our house is the perfect venue for this occasion. We build our tent down by the water. Running a special extension cord down the hill to power the crockpots of food. The tree provides the perfect shade. We have benches under the tree as well as a small retaining wall that provides sitting areas. Everyone spreads out their blankets and lawn chairs and enjoys the conversation. When the little ones get tired and need a nap, the parents head up to the house for a break.
There is a levy just across the lake that the association uses to set off the Fyreworks show. For a small community, we have a 15-20 minute display of fireworks. I have had residents of our subdivision come by and ask to sit in our yard to enjoy the extravaganza. After the show, there are more fireworks. My husband has his own show. Our neighbor across the street also does their own show. By the time the party is over there is a dusting of firework powder over every car and dismembered and mutilated firework carcasses on the roof of every house on my street.
This holiday is not about Fyreworks or a party. It is about celebrating our country's freedom. Where in the world would we be without our freedom?
I had made this card for my father-in-law to give to him on Father's Day. I procrastinated and have not posted about this because life continues to get in the way. However, I made it fit for this occasion.
I am grateful that God lead my parents to move to the United States. I am grateful that he planted the seed to create MISTI. I am also extremely grateful for all of you that have made MISTI a dream come true.
In honor of Independence Day, we are having 10% off MISTIs and Novus products. I have not introduced the Novus 2, so I will tell you what it can do. It will remove permanent ink stains off the MISTI. It will also help remove fine scratches.
Now that I had a genius help me add the subscribe feature to the blog, please subscribe for updates.
Have a happy Fourth of July.
Hello. It has been a month or so since I posted a card. I have been busy building a new website. It is a relief to be done with that. We also completed homeschool for Jaydyn. She is ready for the fifth grade. Time has flown.
Since my last post, I was able to go for my first family reunion on my dad's side. It was bittersweet. I loved to see all my relatives, especially those that I have not seen for years. This will be our first Father's Day without him. He never got to see the MISTI. I was able to tell him about it. I started selling MISTIs the last week of July and he passed the first week of September.
At the reunion, I had a lot of questions about if I was still working as a radiology tech. Of course I told them that I had just quit my per diem job. I explained all what was happening and they seem so dumbfounded as to what I had invented. So I showed them a video of Jennifer McGuire using a MISTI. I showed them one of her because I thought it would be more impressive if someone else was using it. Also, because her quality of video by far exceeds mine. The first thing someone asked was why was she tapping her cellphone to the lid. I seriously had to explain the whole art of card making to people that don't even buy greeting cards. It was a little funny to see my American husband communicate with my family. There are several cousins that speak English. Those were mainly the ones that live in the states and the younger ones that are studying English in their local school as part of their curriculum. The college-aged boys told my husband that he needed to remember one phrase and that life would be good, 'Si, mi amor."
Not long after I returned, I attended the Unwind Retreat hosted by Understand Blue. It was so much fun. The people were so sweet and the food was awesome. I look forward to the next one in October. If you want more info about that retreat, it will be in Austin, Texas, just subscribe to Understand Blue for the updates.
My daughter decided to stay in Texas with her grandparents. I feel a little lost without my mini-me. She will be home next week so in the meantime, hopefully I can get some cards done.
Please be sure to subscribe to the new website and blog for updates.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Hi everyone. Hope you are doing great. Everything is looking great in my part of the world. My Sweet Petunia is growing beyond my wildest dreams. The amount of love that I receive from the MISTI community is humbling. I feel so blessed that it brings tears to my eyes. The title of this blog post should be "I Feel Loved".
I have to admit that I sometimes I do get overwhelmed. That is when I have to make myself slow down. In the car I will blast a song from my favorite artist Jaime Grace. I will listen to it over and over to the point where I want to raise my hands to heaven. Let's just say that is not a good idea when driving. The lyrics to the beautiful song have a powerful message. I would actually prefer sharing the video to the song than the card video. So thank you for all the love that has come my way.
Back to the card....
I made this card for my beautiful sister. She was just deployed. I talk about her in the video. I used the Stippled Blossoms stamp from Stampin' Up. This set is retiring. If you want to order it, then you need to do it now because the new catalog comes out June 2nd.
Thanks for stopping by. Please watch the music video.
