Thursday, September 10, 2020

How I Spent My Long Labor Day Weekend

 


I am sure it will come as quite a surprise to all of you but I didn't work myself to death trying to accomplish a million projects or renovate something.  Instead I did something I rarely do, but plan to do a lot more of and a lot more often.  I spent the vast majority of my four day weekend crafting.

 


A week ago my girls surprised me on my birthday with a Sissix Big Shot die cutting machine.  I have pined for one of these for a very long time, but was never willing to make the investment, especially as I was more interested in getting myself debt free.  My very generous girls gave me the die cutter and I couldn't be any happier about it if I tried.  I put it to work!

 


One of my favorite types of crafts is paper crafting, in particular I like to make greeting and Christmas cards.  I'm not sure what it is about paper, but I love it.  All the colors, textures, styles, prints, you name it and I thoroughly enjoy it.  If there was one thing I could hoard it could quite easily might be paper.

 

I bought some new die sets

Last week and also over the weekend I did something else I rarely do.  I spent some money.  On craft supplies.  Yep, I sure did.  I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up four sheets of their loose scrapbook paper for a whopping 25¢ a sheet as well as a pack of colored cardstock and a 50 count set of multi colored gel pens.  I may have a slight obsession with pens as well as paper.  I only spent $15 there, but my eBay and Amazon orders were slightly more.  I have no regrets.

 

I made a boatload of die cut embellishments

I paid a couple visits to Amazon and eBay as well for envelopes, more paper and something I'm really excited to receive and you'll probably think I'm nuts.  But!  I purchased two boxes of used vintage greeting cards.  I love to cut apart greeting cards and use them to make new ones.  It's weird, but it is something I really enjoy doing.  And I've been out of cards for quite some time so I decided to just buy some.  They were super cheap and I should have plenty to last me a good long time now.

 


I spent a fair amount of time with my Sissix and some new dies I had ordered from Amazon cutting components to make paper embellishments.  I cut and folded a gob of card bases in white as well as various sizes.  And I designed a boatload of greeting cards I plan to make.  I also made some of those cards and really impressed my girls.

 



So what do I plan to do with all of the cards I plan to make?  That is a really good question.  I will use some of them of course to send to friends and loved ones.  However, I am toying with the idea of selling some of them too.  Finance my hobby and see if it can be somewhat self supporting.  I have an Etsy shop that I could stock and reopen.  What do you think about that idea?

 

 

14 comments:

  1. I was just thinking as I was reading this -
    'she could sell these'.
    They look great and I'd be interested!

    ReplyDelete
  2. From one paper crafter to another, I get it. I too, love paper. (I even liked paperwork when I worked...but not computer work.) I don't know what it is, but every about paper appeals to me...the grain, the weight, the colors. My favorite holiday activity is making cards, with Halloween cards being my favorite, because they can be so whimsical. Years ago I made rosette ornaments from vintage Christmas card images.O found online,and printed on cardstock. (Had my kids do that part
    ) I found the directions in this book (which I borrowed from the library.) I think you might enjoy it.https://www.amazon.com/Have-Yourself-Very-Vintage-Christmas/dp/1584799234/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=vintage+christmas+crafts&qid=1599750058&s=books&sr=1-1# (if the link doesn't work, the book is called "Have Yourself a Very Vintage Christmas.")

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like you had a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your cards are beautiful. I think they would do very well in your Etsy shop!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think this is like the Cricut. I have heard just a bit about those. It sounds fun and fascinating. You make me want to get one, but since i just bought a serger and fabric, maybe I should stick to sewing. I love fabric as much as you love paper. You do a good job. And, I think you should sell them. When I bought a machine, I set about making it pay for itself.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a cool gift! I was reading 2 other blogs from Oregon and Washington and was wondering if you are affected by the horrible fires? Take care.
    Barb in PA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am completely in love with my die cutter. Almost obsessed. Ha!

      Yes we have been pretty smokey up here. Hoping and praying for some good rains.

      Delete
  7. You should totally sell the cards :-) I would definitely be interested in purchasing some!
    Joanna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fantastic! Thank you Joanna. I will work on some inventory. :o)

      Delete

Your kind comments are always appreciated. I love hearing from you.

**Note: Comment Moderation has been turned on due to spam.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...