GETTING READY FOR 2015

SMART Goals and a New Planner

I have been working on setting my goals for 2015, in an effort to be more productive in all areas of my life. I discovered SMART goals recently, and fell in love with the idea. The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely.

Instead of simply saying "lose 40 pounds", my goal reads "I will lose 40 pounds by the end of 2015, in order to improve my overall health, and energy level."

Steps to reach goal:

1. Exercise 2 times per week, for a minimum of 30 minutes each, beginning January 1st. Increase the amount of exercise every quarter, reaching 5 days per week by year end.
2. Work up to eating 4 servings of fruits and vegetables by June 2015.
3. Make meat and sweets the smallest portion of my food consumption by April 2015.
4. Eat my biggest meal before 4 pm and eat nothing after 8 pm starting January 1st.

I have set all of my 2015 goals in this manner. The plan is to check in on all of my goals weekly, so that I am holding myself accountable.

The second part of getting my act together in 2015 is finding a planner that I can customize to fit my needs, and organizing my work space.

I have ordered my planner, but it hasn't arrived yet. I found it on Amazon, and it is a disc bound system.

LEVENGER JUNIOR SYSTEM

Because it has discs, instead of coils,  pages can be rearranged, removed, or added, as needed.  I will do a video, and post, on my planner as I set it up. 

The organizing has begun on my craft room/office. My husband was kind enough to break out some tools and help me hang  things over my desk.

You have to love a husband who will just help, without making a comment on your color choices. The idea behind this pegboard wall is to get as much off my desk as possible. It also needs to be pretty enough that I will want to look at it as I work. I have a few special gifts from friends that make me happy, and also a shortened version of my 2015 motto, which is "Strive for progress, not perfection." 

As I work on my goals, organize my workspace, and set up my planner, I will share here and on YouTube.

Please share your comments, or plans, for 2015 below.



100+ YouTube Subscribers!

Giveaway Celebration!

I have been making YouTube videos for about four months, and enjoy being able to show products and creations to others. I really expected that maybe 10 people (family and friends) would occasionally watch my videos. I am definitely still learning about filming, editing, etc., but I am having a blast.

I have met some wonderful people who have been very supportive, and helpful, as I have grown my YouTube channel.

Imagine my surprise when I suddenly realized I was very close to having 100 subscribers! I decided I needed to celebrate by having a giveaway.

Watch the video to see some of the new Close to My Heart products I have purchased, as well as the giveaway I am offering. 

If you are not subscribed to my YouTube channel, you can follow this link so that you have a chance to win.

Here are links to the CTMH items in the video:
Heartstrings Card Making Workshop on the Go
Polka Dot Alphabet
For a Friend
Pixie Twine
In the Pink Crush Book
In the Pink Crush Book Assortment

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, or comments, please leave them below.



CHRISTMAS 2014 - CONTINUED

December Daily Week #3

This week's challenge was to pick at least 3 items from the following prompts:

1. Patterns and Shapes
2. An item that represents you
3. Doodles and word December
4. Glitter and Gold on same page
5. Fave song 
6. Make it pop in 3D and washi tape
7. Winter Wonderland

You will see the prompts I chose in my video. I do appreciate the prompts, and the December Daily group of ladies and gentlemen. They really push me to take more pictures, and keep track of the positives in every day. 

If you are interested in any of the Close to My Heart items that I used, the links are below.

 My Crush Holiday Happenings Book

My Crush Holiday Happenings Assortment

Liquid Glass

Red Enamel Hearts

Memory Protector Flip Flaps - Small Assortment





I have a confession, so brace yourselves. I have not finished my Christmas cards! They will not be mailed until Monday. I'm going to blame it on all of the fun I am having with my December Daily.

A SERIES ON STAMPING FOR BEGINNERS

The Basics of Stamping

This is a compilation of posts I have done on the basics of stamping. Whether you are a newbie, or just unsure about types of inks etcetera, I hope you will find some useful information. 

There are four posts, and the last one contains a video. The video is with my old camera and not the best quality, but the information is still relevant.

Stamping Basics #1 The Stamps

Stamping Basics #2 - The Inks

Stamping Basics #3 - Care and Storage

Stamping Basics #4 - Tips for a Clear Image

Did I leave anything out? Are there techniques you would like to learn? Leave a comment below.



DECEMBER SPECIALS

Celebrating 10 Years of CTMH Acrylic Stamps

Artwork from December Stamp of the Month

 

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 This month only, your purchase of $50 or more, qualifies you to purchase any C or D size stamp set from the Annual Inspirations idea book. There is no limit to how many stamps sets you can purchase as this price, once you have placed a $50 order.

Of course, you will also qualify to order the adorable Stamp of the Month for just $5.

This is a great time to purchase the stamps you have been wanting, or gifts for your crafty friends.

Simply go to my WEBSITE ,and check both of these great offers. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below, or email me at dedraclutz@hotmail.com.

DECEMBER DAILY CONTINUED

Week Two and Flash Challenges

This week those of us participating in the December Daily Inspiration Group, were issued a challenge to use clear items, a stamped sentiment, and some journaling. I did all on one page, with a few photos of my grandchildren, and their advent calendar gifts for days 3 and 4.

I also put their day 1 and 2 photos in my December Daily. It is a simple page to really just highlight the pictures. I'm a little behind with the photos of them with their gifts. They have busy lives, and photo taking is not always a priority.

The next challenge was a 48 hour flash challenge. We were to color in an image with markers, pencils, ink, pens, etc. I hope you will love the house mouse stamp I used, as much as I do.

The support from all of the ladies and gentlemen in this group has helped me stay on track. Once December is over I will have a lovely keepsake instead of a daunting pile of photos, and an empty book.

It isn't always easy to keep up with, but I know I will appreciate that I made the effort to just "do it!"

Here are the links to the Close to My Heart Products Use

Holiday Happenings Crush Book
Holiday Happenings Assortment 

DECEMBER DAILY ~ A FEW MORE PAGES

Documenting our December

This has been a busy week  but I was able to take a few pictures. Thanks to my mother's new Selphy printer (thanks for letting me borrow Mom) I quickly printed those pictures while sitting in my own craft room. This does help with my printing procrastination problem.

I am trying to keep up as the month progresses and truly have something to document daily. This is a little easier with photos of my grandchildren.  Message to my eldest  daughter: "Send more pictures!"

  

Several YouTubers are also documenting their December Dailies, and some are offering challenges and prompts, for inspiration. I think I would have some pictures, and an empty book, staring at both, hoping for some ideas, if it weren't for all of their great ideas.

I have really enjoyed seeing how different each December Daily is. I hope after you watch my video, you will check out a few other videos, and be motivated to Document your December.

Close to My Heart Supplies Featured

Holiday Happenings Crush Book 

Holiday Happenings Assortment 

Yuletide Paper Pack 

Snowhaven Workshop on the Go 

The Snowhaven WOTG also contains the silver shimmer trim.

 

ADVENT CALENDAR

Completed Just in Time!

2014 Advent Calendar for grandchildren

I had a lot of projects going on in November, but this advent calendar had to be finished before December 1st! Each box was cut using the Close to My Heart Artiste Cricut Cartridge which helped speed things up. My mother also decorated the majority of the boxes while I cut, folded, and glued. 

How long did this take? Let's just say that I am happy for the little box that streams Netflix in my craftroom. We are now on season 1, episode 8 of "Once Upon a Time." Neither of us had ever watched it before, and now we are hooked.  

We delivered the box last night shortly before A and F's bedtime so that they wouldn't drive their parents crazy all day wanting to open all the boxes. 

Each box contains a little note with a clue to the present it represents. The presents are all wrapped and numbered, hidden in my daughter and son-in-law's room. 

Last night the comments were: "We can only open one each day??", "Can we just peek at the presents in mom and dad's room?", and my favorite "I hope one of those boxes is extra computer turns." 

They look very innocent, don't they?

The little angels woke up at 5 am to open their first box this morning. The note in the box said "You're in Trouble, play a game." They found one of their board games and began to play. Of course there was a gift that my daughter gave them - a Trouble game. 

If they wake up every morning at 5 am for the next 24 days, I may be in a little bit of trouble myself.