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😁

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.

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

Videos...?

Hello everyone!

My beautiful lilies out front.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far. I've been doing some thinking lately. I think I have come up with a plan.

I really would like to get back into doing videos on a more regular basis. So I'm working on a room tour, since I have changed my room around...again. Also I have decided that when doing my videos I'm not going to be so concerned about the editing as much. I really am more about sharing my ideas and learning from others. For some that will be bothersome and for others they will find it to be a nice release from the - oh I have to have this and I have to have that in order to make videos.

No, we don't have to have the top of the line products or the top of the line best of everything. We should just enjoy the life we have and the talents we have been given. Share them with others and expect nothing in return.

(side note)

Going on vacation has helped me see a lot of things, things that I have known but just really pushed to the back of my mind. The city that I live in, people are so lazy and only care about themselves. They don't ever do for others because they want to know first what they are going to get in return. People of my community don't care about our planet and the lack of crap they are doing to it. I am not saying all, but I am saying the majority. 

(Rant Over)

I say this just because I really do enjoy sharing what I have learned. If it helps someone find their mojo or expand on an idea then I have done a little bit of good for the day. I was thinking of doing a series of videos and titling it "Find my Mojo Mondays" or something of that nature.

As many of you know I suffer from chronic pain and have yet to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. This is where the problem comes in. I want to do these things and I hate to promise anything to anyone. But I would like to know if anyone would be interested in watching? Hopefully that would give me the little extra help on days when I'm not feeling too well.

I also would like to review some products. I am NOT a professional and have never claimed to be one. Sharing our thoughts and feelings on products though is a great way to help someone decide if they are willing or able to spend the money on a tool for their craft room.

Wow, I've done a lot of talking today. On the sewing front, I have a table runner and my large quilt to work on. I also will be starting mine and my Besties M.S. T-Shirt quilts. We have walked in the Multiple Sclerosis walk every year since she was diagnosed and attended many functions where we were able to obtain a large amount of shirts. Instead of not being able to wear them anymore due to the size I will make a quilt for each of us. I will record the process and some other things and add those to my list of videos.

So what do ya say? Ready to see me get back to work and making videos again?

Yeah, me too.

Can't wait to see you soon. If you have an idea or question about a product you've been considering let me know and if I have the product I will be happy to spotlight it in a videos.

Many Blessings

Mindy

The Determined Scrapper 

WOYWW #263

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #263

Some weeks I think, wow, it's taken forever for Wednesday to arrive and other weeks.... It is here again and I don't even realize the rest of the week has happened. That was this week.

Where's what my main desk looked like right before I started my post. A little bit of a mess. But there is usually fun where there are messes in craft rooms.

I have been a busy bee this week. I have even posted on my blog a couple of times and I still have more to share.

As I ready to leave on a road trip to wherever my little heart desires (with my teenage daughter) I am finding my heart a little more at ease than normal.

So last night when visiting my parents I noticed a bag of crayons, of course I had to ask what they were going to do with them and they were going to throw them away or give them to a shelter. Now normally I would not want to take away from others but some of these crayons were from when I was younger, so I thought it was time that I re-purposed them for my craft room. 

I just loved doing this and can't wait to do another. 

I also received my new storage container for my washi tape. And after sorting through them, honestly I thought I had more. But that is ok, that just means there is room for more. 

And one more exciting thing came in the mail this week. Too bad I can't use them just yet...

I am still waiting for my machine which was in the world release on HSN. What was pretty awesome was the total was less on the world release and I will come home to a surprise. It should be delivered while I'm away. Too bad hubby doesn't care to play with it.

And one other item I can't wait to come home and play with is my new Quilting template. My best friend and I have decided we are going to make some T-Shirt quilts with our collection of MS shirts from over the years. She was diagnosed 12 years ago with MS and together I will fight every step of the way with her. 

Ok, so for this week's WOYWW post I think I have shared a lot and made a rather long post. Sorry lots going on here. I still have more but don't want to bore you. If you don't know what this WOYWW is all about make sure to stop over to Julia's blog Stamping Ground to find out. 

Join in this week or next. Just make sure to join in it is a blast to travel the world right from your desk.

Have a blessed week and until next time.

Blessings

Mindy

The Determined Scrapper

WOYWW # 257

Wow week #257. Could it be???

Many, many moons ago, I started playing on the internet and looking around the world. Look at others desk from afar with the ease of a few clicks. Make sure you stop by 

Julia's - The Stamping Ground

and go for a tour around the world. It is great fun and you get to meet wonderful people.

How can it be week #257 already? I am really not sure. I am in a slump right now and I hate to admit that but when one suffers from chronic pain, the days come and go. 

So this week I have not gotten too much done. But I did want to make sure that I checked in and let you all know that I am still alive and that I will hopefully find my MOJO... I have been looking for it and I think I see it peaking around the corner.

I received my Stampin Up club order this week and have yet to get that put away. Which I am working on a video for you all on the Evernote program and how I use it. 

Also when I went to Meijer this week, Project Life items are on Clearance since they have now merged with Stampin Up. So of course I had to grab a couple of things. 70% off is AWESOME!!!

So the plan in the next couple of days is to get my desk all nice and in order and get things put away. That way I can start next week, (birthday week 5/13) I can hopefully start working on some new stuff. 

Oh yeah, it doesn't help that we are in the middle of tearing our bathroom to the studs. I have never seen so much concrete in one place. 

So until next time my world travelers, have a blessed week and keep the sun in your face.

Oh and here is a little something fun I did during the week to help cheer me up. 

Mindy

The Determined Scrapper

WOYWW #253

At this time during the week, I try to join others around the world for a quick look at each others work spaces. This week on WOYWW, I have two desk to show. If you're interested in knowing what all of this hubbub is about, make sure to swing by Julia's and she will give you a quick view.

Don't you just wish sometimes that there were more hours in the day?.?. Not to do things we don't enjoy, but to do things we DO enjoy. I've noticed since I've started quilting that I am enjoying myself much more. 

For the most part I am a self taught quilter and I am being told that my first project is too big for a First timer. Well my theory is Go Big or Go Home!

I have not taken any classes in person, I have not been taught from a family member, and I haven't joined any groups. (yet) All I have done is watched some YouTube and researched it on the Internet and well.... hopefully I am getting it all figured out.

As for, WOYWW, my sewing area has the makings of my first quilt. I am piecing the top of it and I'm about half way through cutting the pieces for it. 

Only 200 more pieces to go and then I can sew them all back together again.

And for my craft room desk, well that's another story. It was in shambles since I finished the invitations. So yesterday I worked on cleaning it up a little so I could at least see the top of it. The stuff that is on top is all things that I have to get into my supply inventory that I keep updated in Evernote. If you haven't checked out this program, I suggest giving it a try. I will have to do a post about it some time to show you how I have all of my supplies organized. 

Well for tonight my friends this is a look into my world. Time for me to go for a trip around the world and hope to see you before next weeks WOYWW.

Blessings

Mindy - The Determined Scrapper