Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 29, 2023 11:08:30 GMT
How’s everybody doing?
I’ve got a gift set of cards to make (from a Paper Pumpkin kit) and I think that’s it. Christmas cards are done. Looking forward to slowing down on the crafting as the fall was manic.
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Post by Linda on Nov 29, 2023 18:34:22 GMT
I made 10 Christmas cards last night. Today I'm working on Hannukah cards and will transition back to Christmas cards afterwards but Hannukah is early this year and I need to get those (and the International Christmas cards) in the mail ASAP
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Post by joblackford on Nov 29, 2023 19:55:08 GMT
It's coming along. I need to print my labels and check my final count but I think I have almost finished Christmas cards.
I'm starting to think about a December album project but that's digital, pretty easy. I have a year in review photobook to update a little more and photo calendars to finalize and print when my 5x7 photo paper arrives. I made a reminder to check that earlier next year. I had vague intentions of ordering from Persnickety but they charge $2 each for 5x7 prints! More than other similar sizes for some reason.
I feel like I've been crafting very slowly lately, but I do a little bit almost every day so it will get done. Hard to adjust to the lack of light after 3-4pm though - color matching can be pretty tricky.
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Post by Linda on Nov 29, 2023 20:39:13 GMT
10 Hanukah cards finished - I used printable journalling cards for them so they went together pretty quickly. I have a Christmas printable also so will probably make a batch with those also. I wish I could remember where I got the PDFs - they were a link via email after one of the summits I think.
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Post by joblackford on Nov 29, 2023 20:59:44 GMT
10 Hanukah cards finished - I used printable journalling cards for them so they went together pretty quickly. I have a Christmas printable also so will probably make a batch with those also. I wish I could remember where I got the PDFs - they were a link via email after one of the summits I think. The cards look great  I haven't seen the printables but maybe someone else will recognize them. |
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Post by Linda on Nov 29, 2023 21:08:32 GMT
Thank you joblackfordI'll admit to being pleased when the Hanukkah printable showed up as I struggle with Hanukkah cards due to lack of supplies. I do have ONE Happy Hanukkah stamp I thrifted and I used that on the inside. |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,621 
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Post by kitbop on Nov 29, 2023 23:00:42 GMT
My accomplishment for the past week was to get a bunch of photos edited and printed so that I can get started on MIL's calendar. I printed 4 times as many as I can use, and we had to make careful choices.
I've been unhappy with the prints from my printer, so decided to try different paper. What a difference! Now I want to print out ALL my photos. HP premium plus for the win. And it's "only" about .75/sheet of 8.5x11 photo paper, so the cost will be less than online printing. And more convenient.
I haven't produced more Christmas cards but need to get cracking on that.
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Post by Linda on Nov 30, 2023 1:12:58 GMT
great job kitbop and I'm glad that you've found a photo printing solution you like. I managed to get a calendar ordered for the big kids with pictures of their new cats - yay! Now that we're not travelling there for Christmas, my deadline for getting stuff bought and wrapped is much earlier so we can mail it. DS has another TDY before Christmas and then another in Jan/Feb but at this point, he is scheduled to be at home (his not mine) for Christmas itself. Fingers crossed that doesn't change. I've made a few more Christmas cards - I think once I finish the current batch, I'll have enough and can start writing them out. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 30, 2023 14:32:19 GMT
I've been doing a little more tidying of the craft room. Putting the Christmas-themed stuff away, putting some more generically wintery stuff in the new bin, culling some things from the current stash area.
I bought a warehouse clearance bundle from Hero Arts around this time last year. I had so little at the time and thought it was all so great. At least one of thosething I used in cards early this year I've realized I'll probably never use again. At least one I've never used and realize I never will. But I found a bold thank so much or very much or something cover plate die that is absolutely not my style, but I realize will be fantastic for making some more thank you notes for DK.
I also found three or four SLoCs that stalled out something and are now gathered together on one of my project cart trays. Two more have the Paper Pumpkin project and this nascent thank you card project. The top one has had my bin of unfinished events forever now. But TWO are empty -- well, have random miscellany like empty sorting trays and bins, homeless finished card front panels, and random extra die cuts.
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Post by Linda on Nov 30, 2023 14:43:05 GMT
sounds like awesome progress Shakti |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Nov 30, 2023 14:55:24 GMT
Mostly, after the insanity of hosting a CARDtober day while working on fall Pea exchange cards, then holiday cards and Pea holiday card exchange hot on the heels of those, it feels like SPACE or breathing room. Something like that.
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Post by Linda on Dec 3, 2023 4:54:38 GMT
I finally got my November points tallied up.
I need to finish writing out and addressing Christmas cards and then assemble the cards I have on my desk - I pulled paper and embellishments to use up a batch of coordinating embellishments and just need to assemble the cards - not tonight though
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 4, 2023 21:54:23 GMT
So, my stressful work situation resolved this morning -- my position was eliminated. Since I was disgruntled and already interviewing, I think I'll be ok. Eight weeks of severance, so by then, the holiday lull should be resolving. And in the meantime, plenty of time for job search and Christmas crafting!
Oh, wait...I finished basically all of my Christmas crafting to purge all the negative job energy. Huh.
I guess I have time to Christmas shop, organize things both crafty and other, maybe actually take the time to figure out how to sell some of the crafty things I know I'm not going to use or use again.
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Post by Linda on Dec 4, 2023 23:09:57 GMT
(((Hugs))) I'm sorry about the layoff but glad that you're getting severance and have a positive outlook. (((Hugs))) Shakti |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 4, 2023 23:58:45 GMT
Thank you so much, linda. Support and encouragement are so meaningful and helpful in keeping that attitude high during the grueling search process. I appreciate it very much. |
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Post by joblackford on Dec 5, 2023 3:00:43 GMT
So, my stressful work situation resolved this morning -- my position was eliminated. Since I was disgruntled and already interviewing, I think I'll be ok. Eight weeks of severance, so by then, the holiday lull should be resolving. And in the meantime, plenty of time for job search and Christmas crafting! Oh, wait...I finished basically all of my Christmas crafting to purge all the negative job energy. Huh. I guess I have time to Christmas shop, organize things both crafty and other, maybe actually take the time to figure out how to sell some of the crafty things I know I'm not going to use or use again. Ugh. I’m glad that you have severance and you were already looking for other work, but still… I hope you have less stress now and a chance to enjoy the holiday season. Best of luck finding a great new job. |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,621
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Post by kitbop on Dec 6, 2023 1:06:28 GMT
I'm so sorry Shakti! Even though work wasn't good, the shock and change are equally miserable. I hope something right for you falls into your lap quickly. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 13, 2023 21:02:16 GMT
Thank you, kitbop. Does seem ironic that I was looking forward to slowing down on the crafting and instead ended up screeching to a complete halt on the working thing. |
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Post by Linda on Dec 13, 2023 21:27:36 GMT
(((Hugs)) Shakti - I hope the new year brings work-craft balance for you No paper crafting here. I have done some sewing and have some more to do but in general December tends to be quiet on the craft side of things - at least until after Christmas |
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Post by joblackford on Dec 14, 2023 4:15:35 GMT
I’m trying to make a bunch of simple cards to give as gifts to my mother, aunt, and sister in law. I have some die cutting and stamping to do in the next couple of days but I’m making progress. Still struggling to get much done when the sun sets so early.
I had a chance to tidy up loose ends on my crochet blanket today while visiting a relative, and added another row. 13 more rows to go, then 4 rounds of borders. We’re headed away for Christmas next Tuesday and I haven’t decided whether to take the blanket to finish there and gift to my aunt. We’ll see how far I get this week/weekend.
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Post by joblackford on Dec 17, 2023 22:39:53 GMT
kitbop I updated my points tally on the normal thread up to the 17th, just in case I don't get back to the boards in time to contribute my totals. We're flying back 12/31 but preparing for craziness just in case. I'm not sure if I'll be online much for the next 2 weeks (she says, and then probably spends even more time than usual online! lol)
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 21, 2023 18:52:11 GMT
I'll be taking a bit of a crafty near-hiatus while my mom's here and staying in the home office/craft space/guest room. I did pack myself a little kit -- a card kit from the CKC Expo and coloring things.
Might work on that donation project, too.
And of course, I'll be posting!
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 28, 2023 21:09:19 GMT
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,621
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Post by kitbop on Dec 29, 2023 22:17:43 GMT
Shakti - I think you should be a team leader for one of the quarters this year. You kept this thread going, were productive and encouraging, and paid attention to next quarter's sign ups! Would you consider it? If yes...let grammadee know (message her) because we need team leaders! As you can see...you don't need to do very much (ahem, pointing at self) I am glad that the Christmas season is coming to a close - or at least, the work part of the season! It's not that I dislike making the cards, or my MILs calendar. It's just I'm so now rusty on my actual scrapbooking! For example, I am posting the weekly sketch tonight, - the sample layout took me 4 hours to create because I'm so out of practice. And I won't get it photographed until tomorrow AM, because by the time I got home it was dark  I have to add up points for the quarter this weekend! I have a heckaton of crafty hours this month just because of cards and crochet plants and my MIL's calendar! But I haven't been keeping track of challenges because I was so out of my layout "zone".
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 29, 2023 22:51:46 GMT
I am flattered. Thank you! I'm sure grammadee will hit me up if she needs me -- she wasn't shy reaching out to me about being a CARDtober host.
I honestly NEVER keep track of the challenges -- I do what I'm going to do and then figure out which things I did met a challenge after the fact. The only exception is SLoCs, which I seek out and usually do. For 2023 there was one sketch that I just didn't care for enough to complete the month's challenge and then September I just finished yesterday.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 31, 2023 1:23:47 GMT
kitbop, how do you feel about the idea of making a formal position of "deputy lead" or something like that for challenge teams?
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Post by scrapperal on Jan 1, 2024 6:31:08 GMT
Will try to add up my points tomorrow when I am on a computer.
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Post by joblackford on Jan 1, 2024 16:02:28 GMT
I’m home, just need to guesstimate how much crocheting I did while we were away to finalize my total. I’m glad I figured out the rest of the points before we left. I was already exhausted from jet lag and 2 weeks traveling with relatives, the flights home were the final nails in the coffin. Thank goodness I get some peace and quiet today. I’m looking forward to laundry, eating on a predictable schedule, watching some crafty and organizing videos, and not having to talk to anyone. Once my brain catches up a bit I can start working on digiscrapping the holidays.
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Post by Linda on Jan 1, 2024 16:06:08 GMT
I'll get my points talled today...I hope Thanks for leading us kitbop |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Jan 1, 2024 17:59:54 GMT
I am very tired of the moving into new storage and organizing, but not ready to actually craft. Perhaps this will turn out to be a good headspace for tallying points. I hope.
Curses! Foiled again -- my Q4 challenge list print out is somewhere in the chaos....
EtA: Only chaos-adjacent! Found, tallied, posted!
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I haven't seen the printables but maybe someone else will recognize them. 
