Make a plan Monday: what’s working and what isn’t

I have yet to find one way/style/guru of productivity and planning that suits me, and I’ve decided that is totally OK. We each function and have slightly different needs, so looking at, testing, and picking bits and pieces that work well for us is a fine way to go about it. I also know that this is a constantly changing process – we all have to keep evolving and ‘leveling up’. Happiness and productivity takes work – but it’s worth it!  Today I want to share a few things that work well for me.

Once a week looking ahead 3-5 weeks, and marking any upcoming things I can take care of in advance easily/along with things needing to be done right now. For example if I’m in need of gifts for a birthday, baby, or other occasion and am already heading to Target to stock the pantry and get more toothpaste and shampoo – I can go ahead and grab those items and save a trip. Or if I’m making a card I will make an extra with birthday or thank you on it if I’m running low. Nothing crazy – just taking care of things in batches and saving a bit of time. And if I see something I can do ASAP to save chaos later – all the better.

Tidy up every day. I am a fan of the concept “put it away as you go” because it really does save time. I can’t do that 100% of the time but I’ve made a daily effort. From the studio to the kitchen – I’ve gotten in the habit of making sure before I can shower/get in pajamas/be done for the day… there aren’t any messes. Leaving the studio tidy (if not totally clean) each day helps me start the next day better. The studio is a new habit for me – and I tell you it’s really helped.

Pick up the scrapbook, put down the phone. I don’t do a lot with social media as it is (a habit that helps in and of itself!), but the last few weeks if I pick up to check something email to Instagram I instead set it down and work on a pocket page card or start a scrapbook page. I’m not completing anything or setting a goal here – I’m just taking 5-10minutes and working on my memory keeping vs killing time on my phone.

These are just three things that stand out to me as being helpful in my overall mood and productivity. The #1 thing I’m now working on is how to switch gears during the day. For example if I have a chunk of errands to do but also want to film a video but also want to clear my email, etc… if I have to switch focuses a lot in a day I tend to really drop in productivity. Now ideally I’d be able to have “errand day”, “film videos day” and so forth… but real life doesn’t work that way! So going into June that will be my focus. Any tips?

What are you doing well with or what are you working on? I’d love to hear!

Coming Soon: Camp Scrap 2017

Coming right here to my blog (FREE) four weeks of tutorials, inspiration, prizes, and fun aka Camp Scrap is returning! It all begins in a few short weeks – if you want to be the first to know then be sure to subscribe to my newsletter (link in my blog side bar). In fact newsletter subscribers will be getting some advance peeks and a special offer too! Camp Scrap isn’t just about scrapbooks either. From Make a Plan Monday to Stamping Saturday there’s going to be a whole lot of creative fun!

This is a peek at an experiment I am doing with some Waffle Flower stamps (pssst: they’re sponsoring one of the give-aways!) and oh I’m having a blast creating extra content and a place to find daily inspiration this summer. No admission fee required! I hope you’re as excited as I am for the return of Camp Scrap to my blog. This idea of mine has run in many formats from online class to free blog series – and I’m glad to be bringing it back once again!

Have a wonderful (creative) weekend!

Pop Up Card with ScanNCut Canvas

While this time of year is always busy, I love pausing to add some hand crafted goodness to my end of year teacher gifts. I’ll have several ideas for you over the next week or so – so stay tuned.

I love challenging myself to come up with new ideas with my ScanNCut (I am a paid consultant for Brother, but all ideas and opinions are my own) and I love when I’m asked to try something I don’t usually do. On this particular occasion, it was a pop-up card, and I have one version to share with you here today.

Here is a link to my YouTube tutorial.

Utilizing a combination of stickers and die cut shapes I just love how this turned out.

I am also really loving how I was able to use patterned paper inside the card, but use the ScanNCut to make just the right sized space to write a note to this teacher heading into retirement.

Putting more energy into the middle and making the front a closure was a lot of fun, and I’m loving the idea of a surprise inside. Be sure to keep an eye on scanncut.com – since I’ll have a tutorial going up for a different card soon, and they’ve got tons of videos and PDF tutorials all the time. In fact I’ve got a new spring bouquet one up now here.

Pirate’s Life: A belated birthday card

I love the whole 28 Lilac Lane line, but my favorite are definitely the embellishment kits that come in boxes. With trim, sequins, buttons, charms, and more – well they’re just such fun! I’ve got a new easy card to share with you today featuring one of the newest ones.

Yes indeed, I know what I’m in the mood for this week: pull out my Pirate Life embellishment kit and get creating! This kit is available in stores – and it is such fun to play with! Love the red and greys. Looking for this kit? You can find it online at shops including (affiliate link used) Scrapbook.com

To make a card like mine it couldn’t be easier! You’ll want a stamped sentiment, clip art, or other central image. Place some foam adhesive under (in the center), and place on your card. Then line it with double sided tape right at the edge. Once that’s done you add buttons and embellishments tucked under all along the sentiment. That easy! This works with patterned paper or cardstock – and any theme you like!

My card is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 closed – and I’m loving the belated sentiment. I also used a cameo from the kit for this card. This is a really old stamp set so I’m not sure where it came from- but like I said before any would work!

I love how this turned out – and I can’t stop using this pirate inspired kit! Looking for another one? They’re all at scrapbook.com! I know some of you have been looking for the embellishment kits so I’m happy to say they can be found there. What have you been crafting with the 28 Lilac Lane kits? Do you have a favorite? Leave a comment here and you might find some “pirate treasure” mailed your way! I’ll be selecting at least one comment here for a random prize just as a thank you for commenting and reading my blog. I so appreciate the support, and I’m glad to share my ideas with you here.

“strong ones” mixed media canvas

Today season #3 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt drops on Netflix – and while I don’t anticipate having the time to enjoy (binge) watching the whole season for a few weeks, I am excited some fresh summer “watch while crafting” fun shows are coming my way. The very first episode remains one of my favorite on this show, for a scene where Kimmy is deciding she won’t be giving up.

Life beats you up. You can either curl up in a ball and die… or you can stand up and say we’re different. We’re the strong ones and you can’t break us.

Life can be so full of hard things (and truly awful people)… but we always have choices! With loads of new positive habits and good stuff going on here (I’ll share more on that another time) I wanted to get this quote onto my wall ASAP, so I began a simple mixed media piece.

Now most of the time I like a lot of hoopla on my mixed media pieces. Today though, I really wanted simple texture + color + words. I did film the process – here is a link to my YouTube video.

This is 5×7 and sitting right at eye level on my desk. Reminding me that even when situations (or people) are pushing us to the breaking point… we can bend in a new direction, and work to be away from such nastiness. I am currently working on a number of positive & creative fun projects that I will share more about in the near future. The paint pen that worked (white) best here was the Jane Davenport for American Crafts (I know most Michael’s stores has them – not sure who else if anyone) vs the Dylusions paint pen. It’s not often I use one of those so that was a good test and lesson (can’t write over dry spray/mist color).

I hope you go into this weekend strong, and that you have a wonderful time with whatever you’re doing.