NOW INTRODUCING...

...my NEW ONLINE STORE!

I have some exciting news! If you keep up with me on Facebook and every other form of social media, you probably already know that I opened an online shop. 

SO! EXCITED!

I've been sharing on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and now here! I'm everywhere! I've also included links on some of the gallery photos on my "real" website. You can also view my store directly from my blog. Linked up and ready to sell. I'm really trying to make this hobby into something. 

Excited! See?

I've also joined the professional network of LinkedIn - trying to get some connections and exposure. I have to say that website is somewhat confusing.

However, for as much as I've been sharing and linking, the sales haven't happened. 

Nada. Zilch. Zero. No way, Jose. 

SO. DISCOURAGED.

Ruff is right.

I've been sharing on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and now here! I'm everywhere! Right?! I just can't help but feel like I'm doing something wrong. 

I know it's only been a week but I want instant results. Instant gratification. Right now.

I'm just kind of at a loss. I don't know what else to do. Any ideas on what I can do better or maybe stop doing? I would love some help. 

If I'm asking for help I must be desperate.

Pity party over. I will prevail and succeed and try and persevere!

Now, on to other things like a new product...

Buy this on Selz

Sell digital downloads on Selz

NOW INTRODUCING

(drum roll please)

CHILD SIZED BUTTON BRACELETS

TA-DA!

Cute, right? You like? Each child bracelet is about 5" in length width and adjustable toggle closure. Now, your little girl can match mommy with her very own bracelet! I've noticed while doing craft shows that little girls are obviously more attracted to the brightly colored bracelets, so that's how I make them. Bright. I've started one that is pink, lime green and bright blue. Once it's completed, it will be added to my store. You can buy the hot pink/purple bracelet now. 

I think that's all I have for now. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. They go by way too fast. 

...until next time...

-Sam

NEW PROJECT: Child's Lap Desk

Like I said in my last post, my new project for 2014 is vinyl. 

I'm so in love with vinyl and my Silhouette. 

I feel like lettering everything. EVERYTHING.

I actually thought about putting some sort of pattern on the the ceiling fan blades. Of course, I didn't mention this to the husband because I'm pretty sure he would look at me like I have 5 eyeballs. However, I'm still thinking that's not a bad idea (the ceiling fan, not the eyeballs.)

This particular project is not my first project with my Silhouette. I've lettered my sign I use at the craft shows, I gave away a monogram, made a coaster...

...but this is the first that I blogged about.

I saw this lap desk at Five and Below. If you've never been to one of these stores, I highly recommend that you go. It's kinda like Target. You can't not buy anything while you are there. They have pretty cool stuff and it's cheap. That's the best part!

Anyway, back to the desk. I saw this desk and I was like, "OMG! That would make a perfect gift for Austin!"

Austin is my best friend's little boy. He's adorable and his birthday is coming up.

I loved the amount of blank space on the desk because it was perfect for personalization. I never questioned it once. I had to buy it.  

Austin loves dinosaurs. Then again, what little boy doesn't? I found this dingbat font called Ding-o-Saurs and the name font is Poplar Standard. 

Perfect! 

I can't wait to give it to him because I already know he loves it! He saw it on Facebook and he claimed it before he knew it was his. Smart kid. 

I really hope Five and Below keeps stocking these desks because I'm hoping they are going to be a hit. Plus, it was fun to design!

...until next time...

-Sam

No-Kink Hair Ties

I have curly, thick, sometimes unruly hair and I alway carry a hair tie on my wrist or in my purse. I've finally joined the bandwagon on these no-kink hair ties made out of elastic. I love them!! They also look great on your wrist - they make a cute bracelet as well!

I have a ton made so far. They are an easy and fun thing to do while watching TV. In my case, I was watching some of the first season of Friends. I have to say that I've never really watched that show until now. A really good friend of mine let me borrow the complete first season and it's kind of addicting. I will be watching more today because it's a rainy Sunday. I love rainy Sundays!

The only problem that I have with this project is the elastic is kind of tricky to find. I couldn't find any at Michael's. Hobby Lobby has it in the hair accessories section and Joann's has it tucked away in the sewing section in the back corner of the store.

You really don't have to follow a tutorial to make these but if you do, I used this one. If you know how to tie a knot and use a lighter, it's easy peasy. If you are going to try and make them, I recommend cutting the elastic at 9" intervals.

I plan on packaging and selling these on Facebook in my Just Darlin' store and also at upcoming craft shows. 

Enjoy your Sunday and have fun making these awesome hair accessories!

...until next time...

-Sam 

Herbs, Toys and Puppies

Hello! It's me again, Sam, bringing you the life of me from my Mac and my kitchen table with my cup of coffee in hand and only a corner left of my cinnamon raisin toast - which will probably be fed to Brody.

It's that time of year again where everything is blooming and thawing out from winter. We are growing herbs this year. We didn't do that last year but we had really good luck with tomatoes. They were everywhere! A lot of them went to friends and family because we would have never eaten so many tomatoes! Hopefully, the tomatoes will be plentiful this year because I will be making salsa - which is why we are growing cilantro! The Mexican restaurants probably run out of salsa every time I visit. Mmmmm....

I'm not sure if this is cilantro. There are two pots planted - one with basil and one with cilantro. The other pot wasn't very picture worthy because the seedlings are just now coming up out of the dirt - except for one over achiever.

Lately, I haven't been feeling very inspired to make anything. I'm feeling that I just need to take a little bit of a break, not completely stop making things, but maybe just slow down a little bit. I was really cranking out some stuff right before the notorious "craft show," and I guess I'm feeling just a little burnt out. Just a little. 

I am making stuff here and there. Last night I made a dog toy following this tutorial by FabYouBliss. I thought it was pretty simple. I used fabric instead of jersey knit and I knotted the ends a little bit different but it's basically the same concept and Brody seems to really like it. I actually let him take it outside this morning for a photo op. Normally, inside toys don't go outside and outside toys don't come inside. So, he really seemed to enjoy taking his new inside toy, well, outside. He ran around the yard like a crazy dog. I couldn't get really good pictures because he wouldn't stand still. 

I have a feeling that this toy may not last a long time with Brody. He likes to pull the tassels at the end of the toy. He can be very destructive. 

Finally! A decent picture! Even though I had to hold his head to get it but it worked out. Boxers aren't really the most calm breed of dog. 

I'm going to make another toy for this guy....

Meet Buddy, formerly known as, Reggie. This is my new baby brother. If you don't understand what I mean by that, well, my mom and dad got a new puppy through a chain of events and I'm the only child so, he's my baby brother and he's sooooo cute!!! Look at that face!!! I think he'll appreciate and handmade toy. He wants to chew on things that aren't toys anyway, like my mom's ankles. She may appreciate a new toy much more than he will. Ha!

I guess I need to get up and start some laundry and may be tidy up a bit.

I hope you have a great weekend and feel inspired to make something for yourself, others or a furry friend. 

Also, it's a great day to plant a garden!! Go outside!!

...until next time...

-Sam

P.S. - Brody enjoyed the toast. =)

It's Been Forever

I just wanted to take a little bit of your time on this chilly Saturday morning to share my newest card with you! It's seems that everywhere I look these days pennants/banners are all over the place! This definitely has to be my favorite pack of paper ever! It coordinates so well. I don't even know what it's called but it's the Recollections brand at Michaels. 

I hope everyone has a great Saturday! 

...until next time...

-Sam

Pinteresting Tuesday

Today, I just wanted to share some awesome things that I've come across on Pinterest in the past several days. 

Take a look!

Pinteresting Thing #1

I love this idea. I have a ton of these $1 stamps and they just take up space in my drawers. I'm definitely doing this and I'm also going to be getting more $1 stamps! 

{source: scrapinxoxo}

Pinteresting Thing #2

Words to live by.

Pinteresting Thing #3

Unfortunately, I couldn't find the source to this fabulous December Daily but I'm so in love with this I had to share.. Everything about this is beautiful. I absolutely love the tabs!

Pinteresting Thing #4

Aren't these tags just goregous?? I love the aqua and red together. Very inspiring!

{source: just me and my mary janes}

Pinteresting Thing #5

Shrinky Dink Snowflake Necklace! You could use these also as embellishments on your cards or scrapbooks!

{source: the long thread}

Just keep pinning! Thank you to everyone who had these awesome ideas and creations to share! 

...until next time...

-Sam

A Very Small Pizza

Happy Labor Day everyone!

It's so nice not to have to rush around this morning to get ready to go to work. There's definite beauty in that. There's also definite beauty in me only having to work 3 days this week. Nate and I are going to New York this weekend for vacation and I'm so excited. It's going to be my first time ever in the Big Apple!

Everyone knows that pizza is synonymous with New York and Chicago. I think these 2 cities have been fighting it out for decades.

Personally, I couldn't tell you. I've only ever been to the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and they definitely don't have pizza vendors in the terminal. Although, that would be a very good idea. You wouldn't have to eat the crappy airline food that now comes with needles. Am I right? Yes.

Why am I talking about pizza? Well, because of this tutorial that I found on Pinterest on how to make a very small pizza box out of cardstock. The tutorial is courtesy of Split Coast Stampers and it is soooo easy.

Clicky here for your amazingly easy pizza box tutorial.

This is my version of the pizza box. Of course, mine isn't as detailed and as pretty as the one on the tutorial but it's fun. This was the first time I had ever used this stamp and it broke. Those acrylic stamps are really hard to get off of that plastic sheeting.

These boxes would be great for jewelry or candy. They would also make great wedding favor boxes! I do not recommend these for pizza. The cheese would slide everywhere and the grease would just ruin your box.

You can also make 2 boxes out of one 12"x12" cardstock sheet! You really don't have any scraps to throw away which is nice and they are pretty cost effective!

Stay dry on this Labor Day. It's going to be another muggy and wet day here in Winchester, VA.

...until next time...

-Sam

GIVEAWAY!

Happy Thursday!

I'm going to give something away. How does a set of free coasters sound? I have quite a few of them made and they are all sitting in a huge box in my craft room just taking up an obscene amount of space, not including the mess that I have scattered all over the floor. It always get messier before you really get organized.

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow me on Facebook

2. Follow me on Pinterest

3. Follow this blog

4. Leave a comment on this post letting me know that you have completed the above tasks and which set you would like to have! I will announce the winner Saturday, September 1 by Random.org.

You do not have to do all of the tasks to be entered into the giveaway but by doing all of the above it gives you more opportunities to win! Good luck to all those who enter and don't forget to tell your friends!

The photos below are the coasters that are up for grabs.

Black & White Damask

Glitter 

 Pink Paisley

Purple Garden 

Red & White Damask

 

Tan Lattice 

Simply Smashing Friday: Issue No. 8

(Insert TV Host voice here - maybe a little Martha Stewart-esque)

Today we will be having a new guest on the show, Samantha from Just Darlin', and she will be showing us how to make our own homemade journals! Welcome, Samantha!!!

(Insert the crowd applauding and cheering here)

Me: (Waving and smiling) Hey everybody! I'm so glad to be here today! I wanted to share with you a journal that I have in progress made out of a few simple elements that most hoarders of the crafty sort have lying around their craft room.

Martha Stewart TV Host: Wow! That's beautiful. What a great job you did on that! Tell us more about this.

Me: Of course! So, the first thing I did was to paint the kraft cardstock with yellow paint. I didn't do it neatly because sometimes messy turns out better. Then, I added the blue and tan border with the doily attached to the tan washi tape down the right side. The striped border is a cardstock sticker as well as the hot air balloon. I had to come up with a title and those letters are just some alphabet stickers that I had lying around. The last thing that was done on the cover page is the punched border. 

Audience: Ooooooo, ahhhhhhh!

Martha Stewart TV Host: Can we see the inside of this homemade journal now?

Me: You sure can! 

Martha Stewart TV Host: That is very interesting. I see where you placed some envelopes and what it up with this popcorn box?

Me: Haha! I used up some popcorn and I just thought that instead of throwing the whole box away I would use the front of it and place it in a homemade journal. It could be used for a movie night page or a girls' night out page. Whatever you want it to be. That's what Smash*ing is all about. It doesn't have to be the best or the neatest. You can just use the things that you have around you. You can even use a composition book. All you have to do is dress it up a little bit or you can also use an old hardback book.  The options are endless. 

Martha Stewart TV Host: Is this book completed? What would you change?

Me: No. I have several more things I want to add like a back cover, of course. Haha! I would also like to get more binder rings. The one that I have in the middle is too big so I would like for them to be a bit smaller. There is quite a few more pages than what I have shown you. A lot of the paper that I have isn't two-sided so I doesn't really make for a pretty picture. There is definitely a bunch of blank canvases in this book to make what you want out of it. 

Martha Stewart TV Host: Samantha, it was great having you on the show today. I'm sure you have inspired many people to create their own homemade journal or to go out and purchase a Smash* journal. 

Me: Thanks for having me. I loved being here. One more thing, I just want everyone to know not to stress about their book. If you like it, that's all that matters. Your personality should shine through your pages. 

Martha Stewart TV Host: That's great advice! Everyone give Samantha a round of applause. You can also find her creations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jdgreetingcards!

Audience: Woooooooo!!! (Clapping)

Me: (Waving and leaving) Goodbye!!

Current Projects

I want to keep everyone updated on what I am currently working on. So, keep your eyes peeled if you follow me on Facebook for new things!

Over the past several weeks I have been cutting up scrap paper in 8.5"x11" sheets and piling it all together. Why am I doing this mundane task you ask? 

...to create one of these. Of course, this isn't my journal but it is a bit of inspiration.

 [source: The Creative Place]

It's a homemade Smash*/art journal. I can't wait to compile more paper to throw into this thing. It's so easy. I have tons of patterned paper, an overlay, envelopes and a luminary bag from Relay for Life and part of an old popcorn box.

I haven't made the front or back covers yet. I can't wait to share the finished project with you!

Yesterday, I started to make Washi tape magnets but they aren't made out of Washi tape at all. They just look like it. 

[source: Little Lovlies]

These are so easy to make and you can find the very simple tutorial at the blog pictured above. I found this idea on Pinterest and I'm so glad that I stumbled upon it.

Other projects include coasters, magnets, Smash* journal (which I worked on last night. I finally got around to Smash*ing Relay for  Life that happened in June!), organzing, printing printables (which I am totally addicted to doing!) and there are some other random things that are thrown in there as well. 

To be updated on all the new stuff going on please follow my Facebook page. You won't be sorry! I would love to meet you!

...until next time...

-Sam 

Pebble Magnets

Happy Hump Day Eve! Welcome to Tuesday everyone! As of right now, I'm on my lunchbreak, eating McDonald's. You gotta love a $1.00 large fries. 

I wanted to share with you some new magnets that I created over the weekend. 

I know I'm not the first person to ever make them and I know that you've probably seen them on multiple blogs and Pinterest. They are the easiest little things to make and they are a hit! I actually sold both of these sets within minutes of posting them to my Facebook page. 

I have another set in progress that I started last night and they should be posted on my page either tonight or tomorrow. 

I hope you enjoy and stop by my Facebook page sometime and say hello! I would love to hear from you!

...until next time...

-Sam

Simply Smash*ing Friday: Issue No. 4

Yes, I know it's Sunday, therefore the title of this post is a complete and utter lie. You can't trust me. I'm evil. Just kidding. I'm really not. I worry about everything and I'm really honest about things. I'm a horrible liar and I'm reeling from the guilt about lying to you about what day of the week it is. =)

Anyway, I haven't smash*ed in a while and I finally sat down Friday and Saturday, put my nose to the grindstone and smash*ed away! It felt really good to finally actually do a few pages that don't involve magazine clippings or just writing.

This page is about Apple Blossom. If you don't know what Apple Blossom is, you should inform yourself, here. If you click on that link, you will see the Grand Marshall from this year's festivities. MARIO "A.C. SLATER" LOPEZ! I thought I was a 13 year old girl when he rode by on the parade. He's a pretty big celebrity to come to the little town of Winchester, VA. Who doesn't love "Saved by the Bell," with Zack, Kelly, Jessie and the rest of the gang? I watched it yesterday morning, actually. It's so nostalgic for me.

This is the other page that explains what Apple Blossom is. The arrows that I put on this page are so old. They were so hard to get off the sticky page and the top arrows didn't fair well. I've also had this paint sample thing sitting around for a while. I made it into a pocket!

This was today's project. I thought it would be neat to see how this chalkboard paint that everyone is talking about, works. It's AWESOME! I'm going to be chalkboard painting everything now. It makes a neat page for your journal.

BEWARE: chalk is not the most permanent of writing utensils. Duh. It smears, so be careful of where you are doodling or you will erase your doodle. I just had an awesome idea about chalk. They should make it in a pen form where it's not so bulky. They make fine point paint pens....why not chalk? Doodling would be so much easier!

I guess if you wanted to preserve your doodle, you could spray it with hairspray. I know that works on charcoal drawings, so it may very well work for chalk as well.

The little bird and flowers are Heidi Swapp rub ons. I have no idea what brand the little black and white frame is. 

I just came across these free journaling cards on Pinterest that you can download and print out. They are so cute and would look great on a Smash* page! You can download them here!

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone! It's back to the grind tomorrow. 

...until next time...

-Sam

Eat, Drink and Make Stuff

As most of you know, I have a love for coasters. I admit it. It's probably a little weird but they are so much fun to make as I've said before. So, on this Sunday morning while laying in bed and still feeling a little off from the flu, I started thinking about other coasters that I could make. 

1. Chalkboard Coasters

2. Glitter Coasters (I couldn't find a picture of these that I liked...so I guess I'll make my own tutorial)

3. Fabric Coasters (if I only knew how to sew...I may have to involve my cousin to do this one. She just got a new sewing machine and she lives next door.)

4. Washi Tape Coasters

5. Monogrammed Coasters (I haven't really seen a handmade version that I liked...I'll make my own.)

6. Comic Book Coasters (Great for the guy in your life)

7. Paint Sample Coasters

8. Instagram Photo Coasters 

9. Marbled Coasters - this would be like marbling your fingernails. I've seen where you can do a glass ornament - why couldn't a coaster be done?

Now, what do you put on a coaster besides paper, glitter and chalkboard paint? Drinks, of course! So, what goes better with fancy coasters than fancy glasses? Nothing, other than something yummy to put in the fancy glasses but we'll get to that later.

1. Polka Dot Glasses

2. Marbled Glasses

3. Glittery Glasses

4. Chalkboard Paint Glasses

Well, I hope you enjoy all of these great ideas. I would love to see what you create! You can comment here or post on my Facebook page!

...until next time....

-Sam