2017 The Year of Change!

2017 Year of Change

Hopefully everyone is having a better start to this year, then many previous. I am not going to bring the mood down just yet, but will discuss some happenings during my journey. 

Since we last spoke I have been trying to make changes all around my life. Mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, and many more. 

I am having an AMAZING time watching my Granddaughter grow, learn and become her own little person. 

And her mother happen to remind me that I'm going to be 40 in 4 months!!! Well she didn't say that directly, but pointed out Gwendalyn will be 2 in 4 months.

So where do I go from here? I'm not really certain. I am in the long process of trying to clear out my craft room and sewing areas first. I've been listening to The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up By Marie Kondo. I can say it is helping me along the way. I will be doing a YouTube video soon showing my rooms and the items for sale. Really, IT'S A LOT OF ITEMS!!! Pretty much 300+ Stamp sets, inks, embellishments, fabric, tools, punches, any and everything will be sold. 

And now on to some of the not so happy stuff. I've been going through some extremely rough times physically! And after doing a little digging and making appointments with new doctors. I have come across in my medical files that they already have FIBROMYALGIA 

listed as one of the many issues. 

Yes, I have been on meds, from different doctors for different things. But at no point have I been treated for Fibromyalgia or was it discussed at any time from my doctors. This information would have been very helpful MANY, MANY YEARS AGO. Instead of making me suffer and not knowing what was actually wrong. Going to different doctors over the years for different symptoms, to never come to an actual diagnosis. When this whole time I could have been treated for the actual problem, knowing that someone put that in my chart but it has never been addressed has my slightly upset and confused. 

And so I try to carry on. I have my bestie, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Guess we just have to start our new chapters in our lives. 

If I must forgo much of what I enjoyed before to become a better me for tomorrow then I will have to try my best. Not that I don't want to give up most days, but for today I will press forward. 

Thanks for listening to me about some of my journey. Hope to see you around soon and you purchase tons of things from my HUGE closing up shop SALE. 

Here are just 2 pictures of some of my craft room. 

See you soon,

be Determined to get things scrapped😁

Tuesday almost passed me by...

Hello Crafty Friends!!!

I almost let Tour or Technique Tuesday pass me by again. So sorry. But I did make it. So this week, I'm trying to get caught up on a couple of things but it seems like every time I get started someone or something needs my attention.

Do you ever feel like you don't have time for yourself. It's always caring for everyone else... Family, pets, house. ugh. 

So on with the good stuff. I am so excited, this weekend I will be joining all the crafty friends from Lets Learn Cricut Explore Facebook page and more in the most awesome event I've attended online in years!

Croptoberfest is happening this weekend and I'm getting all my ducks in a row so I will be ready to go and work on challenges and try and win some prizes. Head over to their Facebook page to read more about it and sign up if you're able.

So for this Tuesday, since I almost let it pass, I'm going to do a quick tour of a couple spots in my room. Hopefully I will be getting things cleaned up a little more soon and do a full tour.

This is my machine rack! I just love it. This is just one of those wire racks that I had purchased at Walmart years ago when I very first started scrapping. So as of right now it is housing my brand new Cricut Explore!!! (SUPER BIG SMILEY FACE) 

On the top shelf is my Explore so I am able to play with it right at my desk, next is my Silhouette Cameo, and on the bottom is my Canon Pixma MG7120. I'm finding that this is an AWESOME set up for me right now. I'm able to print and then cut using either machine. I LOVE IT!!!

This is where it sets at the end of my desk. I have a couple of hooks on the ends for cords and mats. Works out great. The shelves are adjustable and I can add more should I end up purchasing more shelves.

I did the vinyl on top of my Cricut as one of my first projects with it. I think my vinyl may have been a little older though as I have a couple spots that just don't want to stay down.

Well that's all for me tonight. I have a lot of catching up to do. Hope you all have a great evening and I will see you tomorrow for WOYWW!.

Blessings

Mindy - The Determined Scrapper

Find Your Mojo Friday!!!

Good morning Crafty Friends

Today is the first of my series, Find Your Mojo Fridays. I hope this will be a fun adventure that we all can learn from each other and get our Mojo in gear.

I have had many years go past where I was not sure what I was doing with all the craft items I had accumulated. I could go for months at a time and not even look at my desk. Then it hit me. 

At first I thought I was just a collector of awesome crafting supplies. I had to have the newest and greatest items, only to let them sit on the shelf. The problem wasn't the items. The problem was me. I wouldn't even say that it was a problem other than the fact that I'm sure there are Thousands of dollars wrapped up in my crafting supplies. 

Here's a little backstory to explain. Years ago I had started to lose feeling in my hands and was not sure what the issue was. After 2 1/2 years of doctors, traveling to different cities and back again. We had finally located the issue. I had TOS - Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. It had gotten so bad that I could not feel my left hand anymore and began to drop things all the time. The last straw was when I dropped a gallon of milk in the middle of the store and it exploded.  

Not only was I dealing with my own medical problems but I had attended 14 funerals in one year. Family and close friends seemed to surcome to the world that we live in. And then there was my mom. At the same time my medical problems were being laid out for surgery, my mom was told that she had to have surgery to get the possible cancer out of her leg. This all came as a huge shock since she was just having a sore spot. I won't go into that whole thing but will let you know that she did have the surgery to remove the spot and fill it in. It was cancer free. 

Enough with all the backstory. On to the good stuff. It has taken me a very long time to start to find my Mojo again. I thought that if I can find it, ANYONE can.

Sometimes it takes a little work but that is what we are all here for.  I know that I spend a lot of time organizing my craft supplies only to be worn out by the end of the day and don't have time to craft. I am now making a point for myself to make a schedule.

I think that once I have all my stamps cataloged... which I am almost done with. I will have plenty more time to craft. Cataloging my supplies has helped me tremendously. I have been able to go through every item I own and see, touch, and remember why I purchased it in the first place. TO CREATE. 

When I first started to scrapbook and create I was always comparing my work to everyone else. YouTube and Blogs were my biggest competitor. The thing is, I don't need or want to compete with anyone else.  I simply want to create things that I enjoy. If I make something for someone else and they don't enjoy it, I would hope that they pass it along. I have always had the fear of rejection and people not liking what I make. But in the past year or so I have been working on that and learned to let it go.

I create because it makes me feel good. It makes me feel free. It makes me happy. 

When your Mojo has gone missing, try organizing your items. Challenge to use something from your stash that you haven't used in years. Or make a list of 5 items, draw a craft from a list things such as cards, 3D, layout, quilt block, sewing project, or multi media. With the 5 items you have chosen create something. The first thing to come to mind. The internet is there for a reason. To learn from others. If that is part of your problem... turn it off and see how long you can go without being on the internet until you have come up with a project. 

I promise, your Mojo is just around the corner. 

Sorry this has been a long post and somewhat all over. But the next FYMF should be fun. 

Until Tuesday, have a blessed week and find your Mojo.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday #269

Guess what day it is!!!

WOYWW #269

Yes, it's that day of the week again when we take a tour around the world. We start over at Julia's Stamping Ground. Make sure to stop over there to learn a little more about the WOYWW that has been traveling the world for 5 AWESOME years now. 

As for me, this is what is on my workdesk this Wednesday morning. 

Yup, it's crazy my room is almost spotless. I'm kinda stoked. I just got the bug yesterday to start working on my room and here is what I've come up with right now.

So, I've been starting to list items for sale on my blog. 

I start a couple of months ago making my ink storage and just yesterday I thought a good place to put my index cards was on the side. So in go a couple hooks and hot glue and now I have a place to grab them.

Hoping to have more for you later. This is a mini tour for my tour Tuesday.... That I happened to miss yesterday. I really am working on getting better at a schedule. The problem lies in the fact that I never know how I'm going to feel when I wake up in the morning.  I have also been researching the fact that if I would like more followers, I really have to work on staying on schedule. 

Have a fabulous blessed day. 

See you Friday for Find your Mojo Friday. 

Items for Sale

Hello all my crafting and non crafting friends...

I don't know if you had a chance to see or not, but I have added a new page to my blog. I am now listing items from my craft room that I currently have for sale. I will be updating as often as I can with new items. Should you have any questions please ask. 

I will be shipping to the US and Canada for free in most cases, we will discuss should the need arise for a difference. All orders can be paid through Paypal and when payment is cleared you will receive a tracking number for your package. 

Currently, Cricut Cartridges are listed for sale and I hope to add more items today. I will also be adding items that are already crafted and items from my stash. So there will be items that are new, used, and bulk items. 

You can click HERE or when on my blog click the tab on the upper left of the page.

Enjoy looking and enjoy your day.

I'm such a terrible......

Blogger

One day, two days, three days in a row. Then what.... I can go for over a week without a peep. I really am trying to get on a schedule I promise. I just have had more bad medical news handed to me and was taking a little rough.

But what other way to get back on the horse than to share my days with my friends around the world. I know there are some that come back on a regular basis and some that just come back when they see that I happen to finally post something.

Well I will share with you the schedule I have worked out and what I will try to accomplish over the next couple of weeks. I will be down again for sure on July 25th due to a medical procedure I will be having done.

So here it goes - 

Tuesdays - Tour or Technique  Tuesdays

This will hopefully be a way to get me doing more videos again. It will consist of a tour of parts of my craft areas or a different technique. Hopefully I will be able to advise what the next project will be incase you would care to join along.

Wednesdays - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesdays

 This is something I have been following along with for a couple years now and truly enjoy talking and meeting new crafty friends. The main link up place is over at Julia's The Stamping Ground. This is when you take a snapshot of your workspace and give a little info as to what is going on in your world that day. I LOVE Wednesdays when I get to travel the world from my desk in just a couple of clicks. I also want to start doing videos for this when I'm able, but of course we will see how that goes. 

Fridays - Find your Mojo Fridays

Since I have dealt with my fair share of losing my Mojo I thought it would be fun to help each other find theirs. Maybe if I'm having an off day someone can help me find mine. Hopefully Fridays will consist of ways that I have gotten myself back on my feet craftwise after many many knockdowns. 

I will also be posting about my new machine.... My Janome Memory Craft 350E Embroidery Machine! I am so excited to add that to my collection of wonderful machines. I have been blessed with a hubby that helps me try to combat the ever changing medical conditions I have to deal with. 

As many of you know I am not tied to only posting about one craft. I was in the past mainly scrapbooking, cardmaking and paper crafts. But I have been sharing more and more of the fabric things that I have been working on. I would like to continue to keep my blog about all things crafty. This is how we can meet new people and talk through ideas and tough times. 

Since I had a really nice ending to this post and my internet crashed my post, I totally forgot what I ended with. 

I do remember that, I will be adding a couple new pages to my blog. Since I am a crafty girl of many crafts, I have come to find that I have a LOT of stuff. New stuff, used stuff and what was I thinking stuff. So that's good news for you. Why, you may ask. Well I will be posting items for sale with payment through PayPal and hopefully most of the items will be free shipping. 

So for now, that this has become a long post, I hope you all have had a blessed and safe week. 

Blessings
Mindy
The Determined Scrapper

WOYWW #265 - What's on YOUR Workdesk Wednesday

Yes I know again, I'm a little late.

But as I always get caught saying, it's better late than never.

Welcome to WOYWW #265

So if you are new to WOYWW, make sure to stop at Julia's Stamping Ground to see what all of this mess is about.

I mean not everyone desk is as messy as mine but some are and that's the best part. Take a tour around the world from your own desk. See what other crafters are up to and share your space. 

This week in the life of The Determined Scrapper, I have come to find my way in a few things. I am getting my blogging back on a more normal schedule and actually have a schedule that I am pretty sure I'm going to put into gear next week. I think I have found my mojo again that I have been missing for a couple years. And best of all I am starting to make videos again for my YouTube channel.

It will take a little time for me to get back into feeling comfortable with my videos but I really have missed everyone. I am also about to reach 500 likes on my Facebook page!!! Ok scratch that... I just went and checked my page and I'm OVER the 500 mark. I have 526 Likes. I guess it just took me getting back into the swing of things. I know God has a plan.

So as for my desk this morning when I took these pictures and was planning on doing my post, I was working on my Washi Tape cards. The other night I cut all the tags using my New Toy. I am making tag indexes for all my inks, washi tape, glitter, and other small color items for a quick reference. I also plan on doing a video or at least a full post on how and what I am doing.

That should be good for now. Hope you all had, will have or are in the process of having a wonderful week.

Blessings

Mindy

The Determined Scrapper

New Craft Room Toy is Happy to See Me!

One new video, one in editing and more on the way. I think I have my schedule worked out for my blog, I'll post that shortly.

Hope you enjoy.

Blessings

Mindy

The Determined Scrapper