Really has it Been...

This insanely long since I last posted?!?!

I really do apologize! I miss you all terribly and have so many things going on right now I don't know what end is up.

Hello crafty friends, old and NEW! I'm so excited to see that we have finally made it through 2014 and into 2015 so things can work on improving. Hopefully everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday?!

There are so many and do I mean many things that I have been working on that I really don't know where to start. Like right now, I paused in the middle of something and just decided to write a blog post because I noticed it was SO LONG since I last posted.

For those of you that are not aware, I am expecting my first granddaughter in May and I AM BEYOND EXCITED!!!

Here is our little angel at 16 weeks. Mommy is now 27 weeks and 2 days. Dr appt was today and Gwen's heartbeat was so loud and beautiful!!! My son finally felt her move for the first time today and Kayla (Gwen's mommy) said that his eyes lite up like she has never seen before. I can't wait to she him when his baby girl is born.

In the life of a crafty mimi to be there are many things to get ready. Of course her mother and I will be hosting the baby shower and in order for us to do that we need invitations and decorations. So I'm in charge of those. So after this post I have to get busy cutting the almost 75+ invitations! Our guest list is HUGE at around 100 people! The one time having a big families is not so good. 

After those are finished I will complete working on other project for Gwen. There are many sewing project complete but there are also so many more to do and to complete the big scrapbooking project I started before we decided I was doing the invitations. 

Ok enough about Gwen for now even though there is a lot of craftiness around her, I can't post pics or it will spoil the surprise. Once we have the baby shower you know I will be posting a lot of pics since 99.9% of it will be DIY crafted by us. 

On to some other news. I have started my T-Shirt quilt for my best friend. Over the past 13 years we have done the local M.S. Walk to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis. Once she was diagnosed we have walked every year. So with each year she has collected each shirt and from any other event she has attended for MS.All the pieces are cut for this quilt and once I get the chance that will be one of the next big projects to complete. I can't wait to show you.

I just purchased the Knitting Board - Ultimate Afghan Loom!!! OMG you MUST try this if you are a loom knitter! You're going to love the size. I have only been working on it for a couple hours if that and have about a foot in length done. The loom knits up to 60 inches wide depending on stitch. OMG really I'm in love. 

My bathroom is so close to being done I can't stand it. My hubby got the toilet in today and the water lines hooked up to the sink. The last big thing is the baseboard and really at this point I can live without those. I mean I have been waiting almost a year for my bathroom back. Once I get his tools cleared out I'll have to snap a couple picture to show you how far we've come.

Well as for now I think this is a long enough post. I just wanted to let you all know that I have not forgot about you and that I am still crafting. I will try and post pics and info as soon as I can and stay crafty my crafty friends.

Blessings

Mindy - The Determined Scrapper

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

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

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

MIA - For over a Month

Hello crafty friends

I know, I have been MIA for over a month now but I have a lot of reasons to be missing. I will not drown you with my sorrow but I will let you know that I have had 3 deaths in the month of August that have rocked me pretty hard. 

The main one that I am having trouble with is the loss of my Father in Law. He passed on Aug 27 and it was just a rough go for many many reasons. 

So as I try to get back on the saddle again, I thought I would share with you and those that are local to me that will be having a Garage sale this coming week.

After this week I hope I will get back on schedule and back to posting again. I miss you all and hope all is well with you and your families. 

Please take the time to tell them how much they really do mean to you, it may be the last time you get that chance.

Please check out the Craigslist ad here, if you would like more information on the garage sale.

Have a blessed evening.

Mindy

The Determined Sceapper