300 Days till Christmas Project - March 10, 2011

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday.  Interesting to have that in the mix as I worked on this Christmas project.  It led to a lot of good reflection about the different stages of our spiritual lives.  Preparation, introspection, strength, struggle ... faith.

After making those cards on Monday as my creative response to not getting a job, I did two things.  One was to apply for several more jobs.  Full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary.  It's led to more interviews, and more possibilities. 

The other was to do more card prep work, those pieces of the process that allow for days like Monday, where I can put together a dozen (or more or less) cards with those parts I've already completed.

Tuesday, March 8, was a time spent cutting and gluing.  Cutting cardstock (dark blue) and folding to cards; and cutting liner paper (cream) for the inside writing surface of the cards.  That gives me the foundation for a bunch of future cards.

Yesterday, I returned to embossing.  Something different -- embossing black onto some of the cream liner paper.  Alone, very nice effect.  I'm using markers and pencils and perhaps some watercolor paints to fill in some of the designs in a variety of ways.  That and perhaps more card-making and more black-on-white/cream embossing will likely be on the agenda for today.

I have so many card-making supplies.  It's going to be kind of fun to see how far I get through these months without having to buy any supplies!!  Good thing, if I'm going to continue to be mostly unemployed!!

Here are a few shots of the black embossing from yesterday.

-Jayne

300 Days till Christmas Project - March 8, 2011

So, there was a change in plans yesterday.  After finding out that I didn't get the temp job I'd interviewed for, I was pretty annoyed, so instead of templates and the like, I channeled my "pissed-off-edness" into a dozen cards.  Used the pieces that I embossed and cut a few days ago to create the cards.  Gold embossed onto dark green cardstock, then used lavendar cardstock as the card base.  My favorite is what I'm calling a nativity card.

I'm sure I'll be making many more using this basic theme, and have ideas for doing it with different colors and textures.  I'd like to try doing it with some watercolor paints.

Here are some more shots of the cards from yesterday:

Thanks to my Mom for the great conversation about this blog yesterday.  Mom is a retired Home Ec teacher who is a master quilter, knitter, etc.  I really appreciate her encouragement and ideas for Christmas projects!!  And for the felt and anything else you send, Mom!!  XOXO

-Jayne

300 Days till Christmas Project -- March 5-7, 2011

A quiet few days of what I guess you could call craft "grunt" work.  Doing some prep so I'll have supplies all set to go when it's time for something major.  On Saturday, I trimmed and decoratively cut the pieces that I'd embossed the day before {see my last post for photos of the embossing}.  So they're all set to be layered, glued or whatever on cards or collages or even an Advent calendar.
Yesterday, {Sunday, March 6} was spent working on some templates.  Downloaded a couple of templates - a mitten and a stocking; and used cookie cutters for the rest.  Traced onto cardboard and cut out {the white ones in the photo}.  Then traced onto some felt and cut out.

I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time with these templates over the next few months, as the resulting shapes can be cut from felt, paper, cardstock, fabric, etc.  I'm planning on using them on cards, ornaments, Advent calendars, stuff like that.  The larger sized stockings I will also make into stockings, to fill for little gifts or surprises.  I'm also thinking of making some into "kitty sachets," stuffed with organic catnip for all the kitties in my extended family.  They have to get some fun at Christmas, too; other than the piles of wrapping paper to tunnel through!
Today's work will involve more of the grunt/prep work - cutting cardstock for cards, more work with the templates in the photo, things along those lines.  As much as I enjoy the completion, I find that I also enjoy the ritual of the prep work.  Getting things ready, thinking about what is to come -- the theme of Advent is right there in what I'm doing.
-Jayne
PS - Almost forgot - I have my FIRST follower!!  Thanks, Elise!

300 Days till Christmas Project - Days 5 & 6 - March 3 & 4, 2011

Yesterday it was time to make a few more cards.  I used some felt trees and holly leaves that I'd cut out when I was prepping for this project.  Added some sparkly and sequin doodads on the outside, some stamped holiday messages on the inside, and voila!!  I have to confess that I got the button snowman idea from a Martha Stewart craft project, and adapted for my stuff.  Pretty cute idea!

Today I figured something out.  Something that will have quite a large impact on this project, I think.  Card making is a large part of what I enjoy doing, so I've got many, many ideas for card making during these 300 days.  Heck, I've already made cards twice.  I have this sneaky feeling that by the time I get to September or October, I'll be able to sell or give away cards and still have more than enough left to send to everyone and anyone on my Christmas card list.  Scary thought.  But realistic.  I have a gazillion Christmas stamps.  I have lots of cardstock, most of which is appropriate to the Christmas holiday.  I have lots of paper for layering.  I have colored inkpads, embossing powder and the heating element, ribbons galore.  I have yarn.  I have doodads, although doodads may be the one area where I might be a bit lacking.  Like I said, scary thought.

It's also time to begin some more complex projects, those that won't necessarily be completed in just one day.  And so I rediscovered my love of embossing.  So much fun.  Looks great, people are usually impressed, but it's so easy!  Today I embossed gold onto dark green cardstock.  It was a great thing to work on before my job interview - kept me from thinking about the interview too much and getting too nervous.

300 Days till Christmas Project - Day 4 - March 2, 2011

One of my favorite projects today, and one that I'm sure that I'll repeat at least a few times during the next 10-ish months.  Great gift for friends/co-workers/etc.  Decorated glass ornaments.  You can paint on them, glue on stickers or bling or whatever, fill them, whatever you want.  Today I glued on stuff, sparkly gem thingys.  Some came in what I guess you could call "pre-fab design," where you just peel the backing off and attach.  Others are separate gem thingys, you create your own design.  Sparkly snowflake stickers, too. 

Something that is happening as I work on these projects is that I get to reflect on Christmas.  I do that every year, but usually not until sometime late in October, at the earliest.  Being intentional about creating something "Christmas" every day also provides the opportunity to think or meditate on Christmas.  Makes it even more special for me.

-Jayne

300 Days till Christmas Project - Days 2 & 3

And I'm off!!

Day 2 found me making cards.  I made "window" cards.  These came with the window pre-cut, so all I did was stamp and decorate.  Easy, so another good way to gently ease myself into this, as if I need that.  Maybe too easy, as I was left with the urge to do more and more!!  Having to practice restraint isn't something I usually have to do when crafting, but I must or I'll fry myself within a month!! 

A few shots of the cards ---

Using pre-cut cards and packaged doo-dads, along with the "Merry Christmas" stamp, made this a super-easy project.  A good one to do with children or for someone claiming no artistic skill at all to try!

Day 3 was going to be an ornament decorating day, but the spirit had something else in mind for me.  I woke up at 2 AM - yeah, I'm old, so I tend to wake up once in the middle of the night - and there was a haiku in my brain!  While I would love to say that I'm going to try to do a lot of "decorative" writing like poetry, stories, etc. during this project, haiku may be the most I can handle!!  They are relatively easy and fun to write, and sometimes we surprise ourselves with what comes out of the pen!  And here's what came out of mine very early this morning --

winter wonderland

crystal snow silently falls

and the night sparkles



-Jayne

300 days till Christmas project!!

Yesterday, February 27, marked 300 days till Christmas 2011.Being unemployed, I began seeking some kind of long-term project that would keep me focused and from going more completely insane than I already am.  I happened upon a book detailing daily projects that last a year.  A photo a day, a poem a day, a themed creation every day.  For 365 days.  An entire year.  First thought: I can totally do that!  Second thought:  Well crap, I'm reading this book in February.  Many questions arose.  Do I start now?  Do I wait until January 1, 2012?  No, that's too long to wait.  What if I get a job?  How would that all work?  What should I do?  I like to bake.  Nah, can't imagine baking something every day for an entire year.  I'm a fairly new knitter.  Knit something every day for a year?  Nope.  Paint something?  Make a collage?  Take a photo?  Not every day, no, not going to happen.  Finally realized that I needed a theme to wrap around all of this creativity.    Christmas.  I love Christmas.  It is my favorite holiday!  Advent, and the preparations for Christmas are wonderful.  I love the baking, the cooking, the decorating, the gift giving (yes, and the receiving!).  And even in this day of Facebook, email and blogging, I love sending actual Christmas cards.  Some years home-made, some years bought.  I think of every card I send as a mini-conversation with that person or family.  Yup, I found my theme!  Christmas!So, I looked at the calendar, realized that I was getting close to 300 days till Christmas Day, 2011, and well, here I am.Last week was prep time.  Made some plans of things to do for 300 days of Christmas.  Procured supplies to get me started.  Did I mention that I have a small (4-5 foot) Christmas tree already up in my creative space?  Already has some garlands and ornaments that I've made since Christmas 2010.  Got me inspired.Yesterday, was day 1.  Or day 300, if we're counting backwards.  I started gently.  Knitted a lovely little bell ornament out of varigated green/white/red yarn.  Stitched it up, tied in the little jingle bell and hung it on the tree.  Took some photos.  Once I figure out how to post the photos here, I'll start including them!Here are my "guidelines" -- I will do/make/write/create something having to do with Christmas every day.  If possible, I will complete that "thing," but realize that it may not always be possible and that some of these projects may take more time.  But the important factor for me is that I do something Christmas every day.  So far, I plan on making ornaments, garlands, wreaths, cards, collages, cookies, a Yule Log cake.  I hope to write, although it may just be haiku.  Photos.  Outdoor decorations for birdies and squirrels to eat.  The list goes on and on!Please ... feel free to suggest ideas for small and large projects.  I'm open to almost anything!!Off to today's project ....  Merry Christmas!!!-Jayne