Muse My World

Farewell Stampin' Up!...

I have been dreading writing this post!!  But, the time has come and I must say good-bye to Stampin' Up!  My last day as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator will be on Monday, 9/30/2013.  I have so many mixed emotions about this.  I absolutely love Stampin' Up!  I have been a demonstrator for almost 4 years now, and truly love teaching classes, having clubs, and being a part of the Stampin' Up! family.  But, for me and my family, it is time for me to move on.  The kids are getting bigger and life is getting more and more hectic every year.  I don't have the time to teach classes and promote my business, so things have been winding down.  I am sad to see this day come, but I am also excited for what the future holds.

I will still be crafting.  I will still be making cards and I will still be running this blog.  I am still going to use Stampin' Up! products, but I will now just be another excited buyer when the catalogs come out.  You will see some changes to this blog as the focus won't be on Stampin' Up! anymore, but I promise, it will be good and exciting!!

I am also excited to be able to craft for me... to focus more on scrapbooks and smash books.  To start working on some project life stuff and to explore other companies.  I can not express enough how wonderful it has been to be part of Stampin' Up! and I am even more excited to see what comes.  Thank you for sharing my Stampin' Up! journey with me and hopefully you will love what is coming!!

 

Moxie Fab World and Studio Calico Challenges

I am going challenge crazy on this one.  I created this card based on two challenges combined (that NEVER happens!).  I used the sketch from the sunday sketch challenge at Studio Calico as well as incorported two cork elements for the Metal, Wook and Cork challenge at Moxie Fab World.  Wow...look at me go!!  Don't you just love challenges?!?  I certianly do.  What do you think?  Simple and geometric... that is what I was going for.  The papers are from Studio Calico Atlantic Collection, and the cork chevrons are from Studio Calico also.  The "Thanks" is Rockabye thickers and the triangle stamp is from Pennant Parade Stampin' Up! stamp set. 

Paper Crafts Gallery Challenge: Chalkboard

The theme for this month's paper crafts gallery challenge was Chalkboard.  This technique has really taken off lately, however, this was my first time trying it.  I decided not to make the whole card with the chalkboard effect, instead, highlight one stamp that I thought would work well with it.  What do you think?  I had a lot of fun pairing the "vintage type" stamp and doily, with the modern print of the paper and the chevron ribbon.  I think it works!  The paper is from the amazing Atlantic collection from Studio Calico.  The rest is Stampin' Up!  Have you tried the chalkboard technique yet?  Was it easy for you?  Have you used it a lot?  Let me know!! 

30 Days of Shred and Shred...Am I Seriously Doing This?

I am overweight.  I am not fit as fit as I can be.  It's a fact.  There have been many reasons and excuses for this, but when I turned 30 last year, I said enough is enough.  I started to workout here and there.  I started walking on my breaks at work.  At the beginning of the year I started making a conscious effort to focus on what I was doing.  I saw the Shred Diet on Dr. Oz and gave it a go.  I made it three weeks.  I had success during those three weeks but then it went to hell in a hand-basket.  Then, in May I started focusing a bit more.  I had gotten really, really sick and everything that I was eating was making me sick so I started eating cleaner.  I got better.  I wasn't sick anymore.  Then I started doing my Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred DVD.  Once a week.  I was still walking at work, 5 days a week, 30 minutes a day.  I slowly increased my Jillian torture to twice a week, then three times a week.  I motivated my husband.  He started working out in our makeshift gym in the garage which consists of an elliptical machine and a weight bench full of weights.  I worked out with him some days. 

Now it's September.  I'm 25 pounds lighter than I started the year at.  I feel stronger, more energized.  It's easier every day to motivate myself to workout.  So, at the end of August I made a decision... I wanted to try to do 30 days of Shred in September and see what happens.  This is something I made up in my head, although someone somewhere has probably already attempted this.  But, I am going to try to do the Dr. Ian Shred Diet and Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred everyday for 30 days in September. I decided to combine the two because I feel (and it is a proven fact) that diet and exercise need to go together for optimum results.  I love the Shred Diet.  I eat alot and I eat good.  It's just time consuming and costly to keep up with the menu.  But, two drive thru runs should pay for that.  And, I love Jillian's 30 Day Shred video.  The workout is hard and I sweat a ton, but I can do it.  And, it's only 20 minutes per workout, so it fits perfectly into my day. 

I'm not really sure how this will go.  I'm super motivated now, but ask me again in the middle of the month.  I'll know I'll have days where I will want to quit.  I know I may not make it.  I'm going to try and take every day as it comes and see what happens.  For now, today, Monday, I've already worked out and I've been sticking to my diet.  I'll keep you all posted on my progress and give you tips of what has helped me throughout the month.

Here is to getting healthy!!  Do you have any motivational tips for me?  Have you done the Shred Diet or Jillian's 30 Day Shred?  If you have, share your experience with me.  I would love to hear about it!!