The Finish Line Feels Great…

packagingWell I am back! I met my deadline for my custom project and completed all the cards and shipped them to my client last Friday.  It felt so good when I laid all the cards out on my worktable to see the project in it’s entirety. I almost wanted to keep them for me!! I enjoyed reaching the finish line and seeing the result of all the work.  I used my Silhouette, Copics, digi files, and a array of products to come up with new designs. I was pleased to be able to tie all of these different disciplines together to create the finished cards.  On the last week of work I was in the zone and feeling really happy to know I was meeting my deadline.

I can not reveal the cards I designed just yet because I will be creating many of them for my shop but as I release them, I will be sure to post pictures here on the blog.  This project completely took all of creative time from the shop to complete. I think I managed my time well considering the boy’s and their schedule.  I learned a lot of what I am capable of doing. I think this project was just what I needed to move me forward creatively because I was faced with pushing myself more to please the client verses  creating whatever I feel like for my shop. I also learned what I would like to change moving forward so I think it was a win-win for me in many ways.

Above is a picture of the box I decorated to store the cards for my client.  I often feel conflicted about the amount of paper used in my craft and how I may be impacting the environment. I mean let’s face it, I have more product than I can use.

So when I was planning this project, I found a way to recycle the box used to store the cards.  As you may recall from some of my past posts, I subscribe to a monthly beauty kit club. Each month I receive samples of the latest products from hair, skin to makeup even teas.  They come in these amazing boxes that are sturdy and lined with beautiful paper. I could never throw them away so I just keep them and when I started the planning process I knew my cards had to fit in the box.  So in order to fully repurpose the box, I added a doily and some butterflies and some bling and my card label to mask the kit name (I ended up adding more bling to disguise the clue under the doily – such a perfectionist!).  I then used my shipping box from my monthly Project Life kits to ship the box.  I used washi tape to decorate the top and added a label.

I know this is a small act but I felt happy to reuse these beautiful boxes sent to me.   I am definitely going to use them for future projects as well.

My plans, moving forward, are to work on some new products for my shop and prepare for summer break. I usually take part of July and all of August off from work.  So back to work for me. I will also resume my blogging schedule. So prepare to hear more from me.

I hope you all are well.

Have a blessed day!

Belinda

In Search of Balance

findingbalance

A BIG HELLO TO YOU!! Wow, it has been a long time since I have written a post. I miss our connection.  I am thrilled to have my first big custom project to work on. No complaints here. It’s just that I am having a hard time finding enough time to keep up with my blog and a few craft projects.  I am on a deadline so my priority has been working on the cards for my client.

One thing I still have managed to do is stop working once the boys come home from school. Which means no time for blogging.  So I apologize for the disconnect.

However, I have great news. Since June is my Birthday month…Oh you read it right… Birthday Month. Not just a day. Since it is my Birthday Month. I plan on having some giveaways on my blog. More details to come but I hope you will join me in the fun.

So the picture I shared today is my desk at it’s current state. I am working on the final cards for this project. All the color on the scratch paper is me testing out different Copic Color Combinations.  I have been listening to audio books on my Nook HD while working. This is my second book I am listening to since starting this project.  The voice talent is pretty good. There is also my mid morning snack -almonds on my desk and some Heidi Swapp stamps.

Well I just wanted to say hello and check in. How are you doing? Are you having balance issues too?

Have a blessed day!

Belinda

Fun Photos Friday #24: Finding a Home for Totoro

funphotofriday26aOne of Apollo’s favorite movies is “My Neighbor Totoro” by Hayao Miyazaki, one of Japan’s beloved animator.  We have collected and watched many of his films.  But Apollo couldn’t stop talking about the character Totoro.  So I headed online to Amazon and of course there were several to choose from.  I let him pick out the one he wanted and ordered it.

On Monday, it arrived and I placed him on Apollo’s bed for a surprise when he arrived home from school.  I told him to go make his bed after he hung up his coat because he hadn’t made it in the morning.  Seems like after school works best for both Nicholas and Apollo so I try not to cringe when I look at it all day.  He was so thrilled when he saw Totoro sitting on his bed.

funphotofriday26bHe spent much of the afternoon making Totoro “talk” and then introduced him to his other stuffed animals.

funphotofriday26cLooks like Totoro has all of his adult teeth. Apollo has some catching up to do!

funphotofriday26dThe next day before Apollo went to school he tucked Totoro, Bee and Dino under the blanket on the couch.  I was charged with watching them while he was at school.  I know he is getting older but I still adore his relationship with his stuffed animals.

I apologize for few posts lately but I have been working on some products for a custom order for Belinda’s Crafts and trying to balance my blogging time has been a little more challenging.

Have a great weekend my friends.

Belinda

Fun Photos Friday #23: Movie Theater Adventures

funphotofriday25

Hello everyone! Happy Friday!  I can’t believe how fast this week went by. It has been spring break for my boys and we had a pretty fun week. On Wednesday, I took them to lunch and then we went to the theater to see, “Mr. Peabody and Sherman”.  But when we got there, this amazing display was up for Rio 2.  I told the boys to pose for me. And I was definitely the crazy mom that made them wait until all the people were out of the shot.  I hate when you take a picture and there is a random person’s arm in the frame.  I love how both of them, despite my telling them to look at me are looking to the side. They both have the same fake smile and are looking out of the frame. I also love how their coats match the birds.

I am going to do some crafting this morning and then wrap up our Earth day crafts with the boys this afternoon.  I hope you all have a great weekend.

Belinda

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