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😁

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Happy New Year's Eve

Now that I have that out of the way, I would like to say hello to everyone and let you all know how much I have TRULY MISSED YOU!!! Being a grandma is a full time gig and I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

I have been terrible with blogging this year, if you haven't noticed already... But I really am going to try a couple new things in the new year. 2016 has to be better than last year. 

First things first. I wanted to give you a heads up that I am getting my stamps together and placing them on EBay. I am also purging other items in my craft space. I have found that I just have too much stuff and I will never be able to use it all. 

Cricut cartridges,  embellishments, STAMPS (Stampin' Up, Close to My Heart, Unity, MFT, LaLa, and many many more), tools, punches, dies, craft blanks, alterable items, etc. New, used,  opened but not used. This list is going to go for a bit. 

So keep your eyes open and I will post a link as soon as I get some items up and listed. I may also end up doing a destash video. 

I hope everyone has been well and had a wonderful Christmas and holiday. Be safe bringing in the new year. 

Can't wait to talk with you soon.

From Gwendalyn and Mindy

Have a Blessed Day

The Holiday Rush?

Hello Crafty Friends

I know it's been a long time since I last posted. Of course in my house there always seems to be something that I just can't kick.

I'm going to share a little about me and a little about what has been going on. Sorry to all my crafty friends that have been looking and waiting for something new. I have a ton of ideas going on in my head but I also have a ton of other things in there too.

I really do miss posting and as I said before I really WANT to get on a schedule. I think having a schedule of posting might help me get out of my creative funk that I have been in for a long time now. I have been creating just not like I used to.

We have had many things happening around my house. And to be honest I'm not sure what I've shared and what I haven't. I didn't take the time to look at my old post just because I didn't want to see how long it's been. I know it's been since August since someone last commented, but I do believe I posted after that. 

Around here we have had many family passings, close friends pass and just last week we had another one. But at the same time, I'm going to be a grandmother. My son's DAUGHTER, is due on my birthday in May 2015. It was a rough start to this, just because I was not ready to take in this information.

Now that we know they are having a girl and her name is going to be Gwendayln Rene, I am starting to get pretty darn excited. This is my little peanut at 16 weeks playing peek a boo. It took 15 mins to determine for certain it was a girl, but it was well worth it.

Prior to all this exciting news, I did purchase the Cricut Explore and I try to play with it everyday. I really have been enjoying myself and love all the support out there. For years, I was an avid Cricut user and then they started to go down hill. So I had purchased the Silhouette Cameo. I used that for some time and I still have it and also use it, but right now my go to machine is the Explore! Since the new CEO of Cricut has spent so much time working with the public and all the customers old and new, I really believe they are rising from the ashes of what was before. I can't wait to share with you projects and how to's with the Explore. I have been thinking of different things I can try and show that haven't been done already or show them in a different way.

Here is my Cricut now with all the print and cut material from Cricut that I just love.

With everything that has been going on, I have to sneak in to do some crafting. I do have projects that I have been working on as gifts for Christmas this year and it has taken awhile to get some of them done. Namely, my grandmothers gift. I cut all the vinyl and flowers on my Explore. I had to ink, roll, glue and do each flowers by had. That I think was the longest part. I love how it turned out. Hopefully she will like it. 

Now with this complete and under my belt it is time to move on to fabric crafts. I have been working on scarves and blankets for a bit and need to get those finished up. I really need to start working on next years gifts soon as this year is over. I always wait till the very last min.

There were a couple of other fun things I did get a chance to do over the past few months. I was in my first online crop. That was a ton of fun, even though I didn't get everything done but it was forth trying.

Another gift that I will be adding with the fame will be a personalized cutting board with her name on it. I hope she loves them all.

Here are 2 of the projects I had done for some of the challenges.

For the Christmas Lantern, I made it so you can use battery operated tea lights and change out the ornaments for the different seasons. And the You are My Sunshine. Every piece is printed 3 or 4 times to raise it up slightly. 

Well that should be enough for tonight, I can barely keep my eyes open and I still have to make cookies in the morning. I will continue this post within the next couple of days.

Blessings

Mindy ~ The Determined Scrapper

I Miss....

Hello Crafty Friends!!!

(My Ben watching YouTube with me)

I just wanted everyone to know that I miss you all! I know life happens and sometimes we have to step away from the computer for a little bit here and there but it makes me miss you all the more. 

I have been missing out on a lot of your crafty stuff as I have only been around Blogland here and there. Since the passing for my Father in Law, and two family friends things just seem to keep getting crazier.

 As always, during my fall crop,  I didn't get much done but I did find my mojo as I was packing up. I have now added more things to my " I MUST MAKE THIS LIST". 

I am really missing scrapping and have the itch to make some mini albums again. I am going to be working on pregnancy and baby one for my sons girlfriend.

But first I am working on Christmas gifts. My list is long and plenty and somehow it just keeps getting put off. I want to do things but then my body tells me its time to take a nap. 

I'm about 3/4 the way done with my daughters "Katwise inspired" sweater coat. I can't wait till it's done. It's not the best but this is my first one, of many many more. 

I of course don't have a full pic of it yet but this is just what the skirt of it was like at the very beginning. 

Tonight as I'm working on my post I have my embroidery machine stitching away. I have a lot of gifts this year that I would like to include awesome artwork on top of the gift itself. I can't wait to see the reaction of my Aunt and Uncle that receive these blankets.  Each year I put a fleece blanket in the family gift exchange and the first year they were the ones to receive it. This past year my uncle has had a rough go. Open heart surgery, stroke, another surgery to correct the growth of his chest.... Ever since he has been home this blanket has been his little security blanket. I'm telling you, he has been like Linus. He always has that blanket. So I thought it was time to give him a blanket that not only is big enough for him but is not blue and white polka dot and a little more personalized. 

I hope to get a tutorial together and up for this weeks Tour/Technique Tuesday. I really am working on my videos for my YouTube Channel. 

Since I seem to be rambling I will call it a post of tonight. I really am going to be working pretty hard at sharing what is going on here in regards to my crafty stuff. I hope everyone is well and I'll talk with you soon.

Blessings

Mindy - The Determined Scrapper

Welcome to October!!!

Hello Crafty Friends

I know it has been some times since I've been actively around and I truly miss everyone. 

The past 2 months have been very life changing and I'm just trying to dig myself back out. 

I was doing well mentally for awhile and then BAM... I was just TKO'd without warning. 

I lost my Father in Law, family friends Father, and that same friends live-in sister in law. Then after all of this I have been diagnosed with more medical issues. We'll go into that more later. 

I have just returned from my fall crop with all my favorite crafty friends that live near me. We had an extended weekend at Sauder Village. One of my FAVORITE places to crop. 

Prior to leaving I had finished up my second quilt. I was asked after completing my moms birthday gift. Her quilt was my very first project and I decided to go big or go home. I made a King size quilt for her bed all on my machine. Did all the patchwork, binding and quilting myself. 

If I would make a quilt for my cousins girlfriends sister in law, that just had her baby. It's hard to say now when it comes to babies. I made sure to let her know that I am not a professional but I will do my very best. 

It turned out very cute and I made it all with baby flannel. It was soooo soft. I embroidered his name on it and it made it much cuter. 

And last but not least for now..... I'm going to be a GRANDMA!!! I mean a Mimi. No Grannies here. I'm too young for that. My son and his girlfriend are due on my birthday May 2015.

  

So hopefully everyone has been well and taking care of business. I will be listing more items for sale that didn't make it to the garage sale that I also had in that time frame. I have the Regular Expression and the Expression 2 for sale. I need to update my list of cartridges as many of those did sell. 

I was lucky enough to purchase the Cricut Explore on HSN for a crazy cheap price for everything that comes with it ( I paid WAY less than listed). But I just went to see if they still had it and again they have sold out. 

Talk with you soon as I would really like to get back on track. I really miss crafting and there is a lot to get done before Christmas.

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.

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

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 

Mojo is Peeking

Hello everyone!!! Hope you are having a wonderful Monday and that continues through your week. I know it's a little strange I'm actually blogging on a Monday. Can you believe it? Yeah, me either. 

So this past Friday I attended my monthly CTMH club and when I was there I started to feel a little something. At first I wasn't sure what it was and then it started to grow stronger. When I came home I was still feeling the same way. I was thinking it was a familiar feeling but one that I have not had in a long time. By the next morning I had awakened to complete my club project with a couple of changes. And started to think to myself.... I'VE FOUND IT! MY MOJO IS PEEKING OUT! I was so excited.

Mind you I haven't completed a club project in about a year and I have them all sitting here waiting to be done. I hopefully will get to them slowly as my TOS on the right side of my body has been flaring for the past month.

Enough with that, lets see what I was working on shall we. 

And then today I wake up get a couple of things done around the house, while I'm not feeling so well and ending up laying down around 12:30pm for a nap. Well my nap ending up being 5 hours long... Guess I really was feeling worse than I thought.

I try to do a little here and a little there because I really do miss crafting, blogging, and making YouTube videos. But my body will only let me do so much. I have to learn to strike an equal medium without overdoing it. I still haven't mastered that. 

I also wanted to thank Tonia for always being there and encouraging me through it all.

Well that is all for right now, I hope you have a wonderful week. Or at least until I speak to you next. Tomorrow is a trip to Ikea to grab a couple of things with my daughter. Hopefully I will come back with a fun story or two.

Blessings

Mindy

The Determined Scrapper

Fabulous

Everything is coming up FABULOUS!

This has been a very busy week since we last spoke. Last Thursday and Friday I attended the women's conference at my church. Fabulous - A conference to uplift and empower godly women. All I can say is it was FABULOUS!!!

This was my first year attending the conference and not only did I attend I volunteered both days to help. I will do that again in a heartbeat. Not only did I get to work with some wonderful women I had already met, but I was able to make many many new friends. It helped make my church feel smaller by getting to know more people on a personal level.

Not only did I get to meet new friends, but I attended with my Bestie Carrie. This was some of the BEST QUALITY time we have spent together in a very long time.

To top off our Thursday evening..... MANDISA was there and did a concert and had very uplifting and encouraging words. She was on stage for almost 2.5 hours. Of course I had to get her new CD, and I have already memorized the whole thing. It's AWESOME!!! 

I think I could go on for days about the fun I had and telling you more about everything I did but I have other fun stuff to tell you. If you are interested in finding out more please stop by the website and check it out on Facebook.

So after those 2 very busy days, I had to take time to relax. That took a lot out of me and I was not sure I was going to make it at one point. So Saturday it was time for a change. 

I thought it was time to cut my hair. I will only cut my hair when it is long enough to donate it. This time around I cut 16 inches off. I am loving how easy it is to take care of and how much lighter my head feels. 

You can't see the ends of my hair here but it is past the middle of my back when it is brushed out. 

And now it is just barely touching my neck. It is so nice and easy to take care of. 

Still more exciting stuff to tell you.

So Sunday I went for my acupuncture and when I arrived there was a wonderful sign welcoming me.

My birthday was on Tuesday and they made sure that when I came in on Sunday that they had a sign for me. I was very nice to see. (The owner was also a speaker at Fabulous)

Upon my arrival home from acupuncture that day I was going through emails and was just FLOORED by one e-mail I had received. It was an email from Wood Magazine. Now it's not the typical magazine I would expect to get a message from but I was so excited when I read it and responded back, it had made me even more excited.

They are doing a special towards the end of the year that will be covering craft rooms. They had watched my room tour on my YouTube Channel and liked a lot of things about my room. They had pointed out a lot of things they  really enjoyed and asked if I would be interested in being in this special..... HELLO OMG YES!!! So I messaged him back and he told me what all I need to do. I'm so excited, you just don't understand. So as soon as I find out if for sure I'm going to be in the article and when it will be published I will let you know. 

As of today, Tuesday, May 20. I have assembled the first 8 rows of my quilt and have 7 more to go before I can start quilting it. It really is not taking as long as I thought it would for my first quilting project. 

Okay, so as for the past week, I've had a lot of things going on. BUT, they have been FABULOUS. I hope you have all enjoyed your week and I will be back again tomorrow for WOYWW. See you then.

Oh here are some of the PhotoBooth photos from the first night of the conference. 

Blessings

Mindy

The Determined Scrapper