Lynda's Den

Save 75% on Clearance items @ Cricut! (sponsored post) You've made those New Years resolutions to be more crafty this year, so put your wheels in motion and check out the  Craftsy Clearance Sale .  Right now, while supplies last, you can save 75% on ALL Cricut clearance supplies and get free shipping when you use the code FREESHIPJAN at checkout. Cricut  is the #1 brand of electronic cutting machines in the world. You can unleash your creative side by using their hundreds of ready-to-make projects. Don't miss out on this sale, supplies are limited! Mats and Blades are 1/3 off at Cricut Refurbished E2 + chalkboards fonts on sale for $149.99 $14.99 department is now $9.99 Lynda Jeffs Memories in Tyme 

When you start out making cards, find a theme you always need to go to the store to purchase something for - lets say a thank you card, or birthday card, and start there first!!!  You can take the same saying, just by changing the background papers and ink pad colors you use - you will change the whole look of the card!  Here are a few examples of easy beginner thank you cards, notice the "thanks" saying stamp was used for all three cards, just different colors of ink for each card!   Same thing with the 3 cards here, just different colors of ink used on all three cards, as well as different colors for each card created!  Now, with birthday cards, you can create them so many different ways as well!  By changing the different embellishments you use for each card, you can see how each one turned out totally different, and by using what you already have at home, each card will turn out truly one of a kind for those you are making cards for!!!  By usi...

As I woke up yesterday, I remembered I needed to have a design team project ready to go for today, a fellow co-worker's birthday was yesterday (needed to make a quick project for it - thus the design team project), PLUS blog posts done, pictures taken for the posts, all before 10pm - AFTER an 8 hour shift at work!  Needless to say - a few things got put on the backburner!!!   I love how both of the projects turned out, and can't wait to go back to work to see what she thought!  The card matched the mini album you can see on the Creative Paperclay design team blog !!!   Supplies used for the two projects:   Stampin' Up papers  Die cuts - flowers, vine  Punches - balloon, sun  Ribbon, twine and floss  Creative Paperclay Mold - Stampin' Up  Ink pads - Stampin' Up  Birthday saying stamp  Card base w/envelope  3D dots  Directions for card:   Step one: Take card base, using scraps of paper, add 2 pieces...

Okay, we've started to talk a bit about stamping in your projects, today we are going to go over a few basic techniques so you can start to stamp your own handmade cards and embellishments for your paper crafting projects!  Stamping can save you a ton of money - depending on what it is you do...cards, embellishments, backgrounds for your scrapbook pages!  Here are a few tips to get you started on making something awesome with stamps!!  Start small to start out with - don't create a huge project the first thing you do!  Grab a scratch piece of paper, your ink pad and stamps - and just get used to inking and stamping your creations before you actually begin.  When you stamp images, you want to press the stamp into the ink pad, then press it onto the paper.  Try to do a few images before you add it to your paper!  Start out with black in, any image...add chalks or colored pencils to color the images in, while adding backgroun...

Every month at this time, I post a challenge...not necessarily for you guys, but more for me!  If you happened to miss last months post - I changed things up a bit, in order for me to get a bit more done in a short amount of time!  I am happy to say, I actually got the binder done I was talking about in the above post, and am getting more done because of it!  I tweaked it just a bit, just like everything else I end up doing!  Here's what I ended up doing:  I have a calendar for each month printed out, and lined paper added each month for personal, work, and business schedules and things to do!  I am hoping by doing things this way, it will help keep me a bit more on schedule, with due dates for tasks!  Pretty soon I will have a design sheet to add for you to print out if you need it!  A way to keep track of the little details of each project!!!   So, since my binder is done - I will challenge you to find something that works for you, and ...

I love to create - from paper crafts, to digital scrapbooks, to graphic art - I love to create! What I hate, is not having enough time in the day TO create...my time management skills S.U.C.K......with absolute capital letters!!!  So how do you change it so you get out of that creative rut and get more done?   Check out your favorite manufacturer's blogs and websites for new products, projects and inspiration!  Make sure to keep good notes for each idea you find, including the exact website!   Look back at previous projects you have done for inspiration to complete something new!  I looked back at some of the mini albums I have done, and have a whole other set of projects based on past ones!   Buy something new - it doesn't have to be huge, just find new papers, stamps, ink pads, embellishments to work with - and have fun!   Check out pictures from CHA for products that are on your must have list!   Keep a notebook handy - inspiration do...

I love to create...what I don't like, is living in a small apartment where my space is in the "dining room" area for all the world to see!!  So, a few changes are in the works for my creative space...I hope after all of it, it will not only look good, but function well too! The best part about it all, everything I am doing - can be moved easily, which is a necessity in my world!   I recently ended up with a really cool desk, which is now my combined computer desk and my scrapbook area to create in!!!!  I also have an older filing cabinet in another room, which will be painted a glossy black, along with the desk and the armoire after we find it so everything will match!!!  My plans are simply to have the furniture as the basis of the whole room, with accent colors for the rest of the stuff such as the chairs, desk organizer set, and accent pieces for the space/room which can be changed easily!  This way, things are put away when company is there, and the only...

Stamping can truly save you a lot of money - not only on making your own cards, but also in making your own embellishments too!  Sometimes it is a lot more fun to take a stamp and create something one of a kind than it is to purchase a sticker lets say!  You can then add more things - such as buttons, brads, punches, and paper to create a ton of things!  A basic toolkit for stamping - to add to your scrapbook supplies: Stamp sets in various themes.  Don't go overboard in this area, simply get what you will use and stamps that might go with other stamps you have.   Ink pads - you can never have too many ink pads, as long as you take care of them and use them that is!  Store them upside down in order to keep the ink at the top and more moist!   Card packs with envelopes.  In order to make one of a kind, beautiful, fun cards - you need plenty of this supply!   Scraps of paper from other projects, or coordinated papers to create the car...

I have been on the Creative Paperclay Design Team for 2 terms now, pleased to be brought back for a 3rd term!  I have had so much fun playing with Creative Paperclay, and am working on a beginner post, full of links to ideas, a basic tool supply list you will need, and tips galore!!!  Check the blog today , and you will see the entire new design team, as well as fun tips if you are just starting out using Creative Paperclay!    Lynda Jeffs Memories in Tyme and  Creative Paperclay Design Team

When I first started out stamping - I created my daughters birth announcements out of a Disney stamp, postcards and colored pencils to color in the shapes...she's now 24 years old!  I was thrilled with how they turned out, more personalized than anything I could have bought in the store where anyone can buy them!  From that very first project, I was hooked on stamping, and I still am today!   Starting this month, we are going to be working on a technique of the month...this first month is stamping!!!  You can use stamping with your scrapbook projects and stamping to make handmade cards!  There are many uses for your stamps, such as: Make handmade cards Use on tags Use with other stamps to create a collage or background Emboss the shapes Make one of a kind embellishments Use with die cuts and punches Color the shapes in Use with Creative Paperclay You don't need a ton of supplies to start stamping with - a few key pieces to add to your scrapbooking ...

Are you like me - and excited for this year, or are you dreading the year coming up?  What about creatively - are you excited about the projects you plan to make...or are you dreading to even create a THING?  Well, I hope after today, you are more excited - and you join me in planning your projects out a bit more!   Normally I just "wing it"...whatever I make - I make, and whatever I don't...well, I don't!  I get some stuff done, but not everything I want to!  I hope this year is a bit different, with things being finished - on time (or early), with a deadline as to things I am mailing off!   Some things to keep in mind as you are planning out your own projects: Before you go and plan this big extravagant project - look at your budget and how much you know how to create first.  I guess the phrase "don't bite off more than you can chew" would come into place here!   Are there things you really want to keep track of versus other "thi...

2014 was one HELL of a ride...from the first week into the year, to the very last week of the year... a ride !   What about you...did you document this past year as well as you really wanted to? Or were you like me and didn't document much of anything - let alone take pictures?  So many things happened, yet not enough words written to be able to "see" all the things we went through!  For me personally, I wish I would have documented more than I did...took more pictures of the day to day events than I did!  Life goes by way too fast... My oldest niece passed away...33 years old, went to sleep and didn't wake up on 1/8/14.  I never thought I could miss someone so much every day of my life from the day I got that phone call until today...   Because of that, I learned life is way too short to live in hatred and anger...  I also learned it isn't just up to ME, everyone has their own free agency in life to decide what THEY WANT too.   Major su...

I love the whole beginning of the year thing...  It's almost refreshing to me, planning the new year out - getting rid of the things that are not working for you, and getting stuff IN your life that does work!!!  Whether you call them goals - intentions - resolutions...take your life to the next level and get out of the rut you are in!   Why talk about this in a creative blog?  Because this year - I want you to make goals - or intentions - or resolutions...for the creative side of your life!  If you don't normally document your day to day life...then do it this year!  If you document more of the "day to day" things in your life, do other fun projects, such as mini albums for birthdays and special events...or a whole year of "holidays" album even!   My thoughts for my album:   6 x 6 mini album 10 pages Interactive with tags, pockets, hidden journaling Pink, red, mint green, light blue, white for the colors Embellishments are flowers - ...