CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #72

~Second post today, please scroll down for a card inspired by Virginia, thanks~

So I've been doing lots of therapeutic mojo finding exercises lately: cleaning the craft den, taking the Kick Start Online Class, trolling for inspo on friend's blogs....so today I thought I would try taking part in a challenge.

I saw the theme at CAS-ual Fridays was to use your own blog header for inspiration and knew that was my ticket to creativity! While in the midst of my paper and ink drought lately I turned to some digital therapy and created a new blog banner. What a great idea to use it for inspiration to make a card or 2!

Some new Lawn Fawn stamps, a few Copics and a very CAS design

Since I used this Hero Arts bird from the "The Line" digital kit for my banner it made it really easy to recreate it on a card. I paired it with some older Basic Grey paper from "Out of Print". The sentiment is so perfect since it's how I sign off each of my blog posts. I just got this brilliant Simon Says Stamp  Handwritten Sentiments set in the mail yesterday. Perfect timing!

InLinkz.com

Well there you have it, I'm recovering my mojo with baby steps leaning heavily on clean and simple designs. I'm putting ink on new stamp sets, using older papers from my stash and even mixing in some digital images. If this doesn't bust my months-long creative block I may need in-patient therapy!

 Proverbs 14:30

"A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;

jealousy is like cancer in the bones."

A reminder to be content with who I am and what I have. Share some kindness, show some love, have a thankful heart; these actions all fit into my budget!

blessings,

nancy

I went looking for my mojo......

My creative space had gotten out of control and somewhere in the mess I lost my mojo. A major purge and clean up was needed but I had been putting it off until it looked like my mojo might be taking a permanent sabbatical. When I hadn't felt inspired to create anything for weeks I knew it was time to overhaul the studio.
I'm participating in the Online Card Class- Kick Start, organizing our products is one of the creative steps that Kristina and Jennifer are encouraging us to take.

In the process of cleaning and organizing, I decided to part with at least a third of my stamp stash. I will be grouping them and offering them for sale in the next few weeks. If you have been looking for hard to find classics you just may find them here. Stay tuned!

On to the mess.....

 I had taken over Al's desk anyway so I used it to help with the sorting process.

 Stamps to be sold...this is just a small portion

More stamps for sale

My living room needs some attention now.

Here's the closet wall transformation

 Little Tia is sleeping peacefully in the midst of the chaos.

It feels good to have this area cleaned up!

There's plenty of storage space for products that I will actually use now.

 Now I can find the new stuff and hopefully use them before they become obsolete.

 He's going to be there anyway, he might as well be part of the decor!

We have plans to build out the closet wall that includes tearing out the wall around the closet and having a full wall of storage with another counter height work area. We are also planning to add an L-shaped desk and storage where the computer desk and Al's desk are now. This is what I've asked for as a Christmas gift... fingers crossed that it will be THIS Christmas!

I do feel like my creativity will have a chance to return now that all the excess supplies and products aren't yelling at me to use them. One thing I did that took a lot time but I think will be well worth the effort: I cut down all my loose 12x12 papers to 6x6 and grouped them in ziplock bags according to color or theme. Maybe now I will use them! Since I work in 8x8 size for my scrapbook pages I left some of the solid papers 8x8.

So with this huge overhaul if you don't see some new project photos here soon I just may need to give up the crafting and hire myself out as a craft room organizer!

God's way is perfect.

All the Lord's promises prove true.

He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.

Psalm 18:30

blessings,

nancy