Why Start Blogging.......

My name is Belinda, I am a Mom with grown children. 

My husband and I are obsessed with our dogs (more about them later),

I am Canadian and work full-time as an Applications Trainer. (I train software at a large company)

Why did I start a craft blog?

• I love to paper craft. I am obsessed with Christmas and Halloween crafting. 
• I am inspired by much of what I see online not only in the craft world but the art and design community as a whole.
• I have a great deal of paper crafting supplies. (I mean a great deal)
• I spend a lot of time browsing Pinterest and Youtube. I follow many popular bloggers and want to participate in this community.
• I also find I have something to say.... I would love to help inspire others and share this hobby that I have invested so much of my free time and earnings.
• I am an introvert who lives in a a small town and don't have a large circle of friends, (just a few close ones) so I find I do not give away most the cards that I make. (Luckily I have two daughters who do).
• I would simply like to have an online place to host my creations and chat about creating and design.

Excuse me for a moment while I climb up on my soapbox:

Now about what I have to say about the online crafting community....

I am inspired by so many crafters and designers and companies. I certainly have my favorites and I want to see the papercrafting business community thrive. 

I am a craft shopper and then some, believe me. But I would like to move away a bit from the product push. I want to spend less and spend smarter.

I am finding my stash is excessive and I have reached a point where I must be discerning and selective about my purchases. 

There is literally not one thing I NEED in the way of crafting supplies. There is however, a great deal I WANT. Thus the dilemma. 

The thought process when I see a great new stamp set:

• Oooooh I like! I want!
• Then, Calm down, get a grip, how many times will I use it?
• Is it truly my style? Is it versatile.
• Is it reasonably priced?

If the answer is: I can use it many different ways, It is my style and it is not overpriced I will generally buy it. However evaluating those criteria is becoming more and more refined.

I will say it again, I support the paper crafting community both financially and in spirit but I also want to create more, help others to love this hobby, have fun while spending less and using what is in my stash.

Going forward my blog posts will focus on creations that fall into these categories. I want to challenge myself in these ways:

Use Your Stash:

Use the inks, paints and papers that have been in your stash for a while and deserve some love.

Dust It Off: 

A new look at the oldies but goodies. Break out an old favorite and see it in a new light.

Out Of The Box:

Think out of the box with a stamp set or die, a new technique or a usage.

Style Study:

Look at design in depth, color choices, mood, technique, etc.

Inspired By: 

Show appreciation by being inspired by another, not recreating what they did.

Find great design or art and use it for inspiration.

The Gift of Giving: 

Give a gift in style. Give the gift of giving by creating cards and packaging to give to others for their gifting.

Holiday Treats: 

Give a holiday treat in a fun way and creative way.

Same but Different: 

A few projects using the same supplies with different looks.

Okay, now that is all out of the way lets go....