Where are you Christmas?

I'm having a hard time getting into the Christmas grove this year.

The shopping is mostly done. The cards are practically finished. The house doesn't have a stitch of decorating done and despite listening to Christmas music - I'm not feeling it yet. I've got lots of wonderful project planned, I just can't find the creative energy to get moving.

: (

I thought going to church this weekend and seeing the children sing, that was going to give me the Christmas spirit. But it didn't.

I love Christmastime, it is my favorite holiday...

Hoping to get bitten by the Christmas bug soon.

Thank you!

Thanks so much to all the wonderful people at the CUMC Craft Show, I had so much fun getting to meet so many people.

Here are a few pictures of my table for those who missed it.

I'll have more tutorials for the product in the coming weeks and I'll be going through my inventory to see what I want to list for sale online.

Again, thanks so much! I'm already thinking of ideas for next year.

Napkin Coasters

I've got coasters all over my house right now, more than 100 of them... even covering surfaces in Jim's man pit. Poor guy. They'll be packed up Friday night for the craft show, hopefully they'll sell and not be coming back. I'm pretty sure, I might not be let back in the house if they are coming with me. 

Multi Strand Jewelry

I've gotten really carried away with some of the Jewelry I've been working on. I never in a million years thought I'd be making jewelry, let alone getting ready to sell it at a craft show. 

Here are a few of the pieces and close ups of them that I'll be selling this weekend - tutorials for this will be posted in the coming weeks. 

 

 

I've developed these necklaces so they can be worn 4 different ways, including as a bracelet. They are totally my favorite.

It's Show Time, or almost anyway

I've gone and done something completely crazy - I signed up to have a booth in a Holiday Craft Show. I actually signed up months ago, and this Saturday, the 13th is the show!!! I didn't want to mention it before incase something went wrong. Like, oh, I don't know... I chicken out.

I go between having moments of wondering what on earth I was thinking, and being so excited I can't stand it. But I've been pretty consistently terrified.

Some of the things I'm selling, you've seen before.

• Tile Coasters
• Wire Wrapped Jewelry
• Bookmarks

And a few of the things have yet to be feature here, but don't worry, they will be.

• Mutli-strand Jewelry
• Wire Star Ornements (I did share my experiment for those here, but not the final)

Over the past few months, I've been in major research mode trying to learn as much as I can about being a first time exhibitor in a craft show and next week, after I've actually done it myself I look forward to sharing here.

Throughout the week I'm going to feature what's going to be at the show and just a few tips. 

Vegas, baby...

So for those of you who don't follow me on twitter, you might not realize that since last week, I was actually in Las Vegas for work. 8 days in Vegas, 9 days away from the family. While it was very difficult being away, it was an amazing trip.

I had high hopes of blogging from the road... it didn't happen.

I did get to see the grand canyon. From the plane that is.

Got to spend some time on the strip.

Visited the Bellagio

Got to watch the water show with Paris in the background.

 Took in the lights that are pretty much everywhere. I love lights.

And would you believe, in the evenings, after a long day at the convention center, one of those days involving walking 10 miles on concreate... I made time to work on some jewelry.

I'll post a tutorial for this type of bracelet in the next few days. For now, I'm recovering from the red eye, trying to handle the jet lag and trying to soak up the kids.

I don't want to even think about unpacking 'till tomorrow.

What I can't wait to catch up on are all my favorite blogs to see what you've all been up to.

Made 2 Match: Vera

Those who love Vera, will know what I'm talking about when I say "Vera."

I'm a fringe fan of Vera, I quickly got addicted to the bags but then found a bit awkward with the frilly girly girl bag at some of my meetings with mostly men. Thankfully, she makes some more tailored options, options with very girly linings which are the perfect blend for me.

But I still love the designs of so many of her fabrics and have long though about how much fun it would be to be able to use these fabrics in craft projects.

Last week - my wish came true when they released a line of party supplies, paper plates and NAPKINS. Yahoooooo!

And thus is born a little series here at GenerallyCreative... Made 2 Match: Vera!

The projects start tomorrow and will go until I run out of ideas. In the mean time, check out these patterns.

So sit, back, relax, grab your favorite drink. Don't worry if you spill it - I've got napkins. 

: )

Music To Be Creative By

This summer is flying by and while I'm not betting a chance to be as creative around the house as I'd like - I'm being creative in different ways. One of which has been teaching my stubborn daughter how to swim. That is taking A LOT of creativity.

I'm no stranger to teaching swimming, in addition to swimming in high school, I was a life guard and taught swimming in college as a red cross certified water safety instructor. We've tried everything with Bug, mommy & me lessons, group lessons, I tried teaching her when she was 4, then private lessons and now, I'm back at it. And thankfully - we're finally making progress.

My theory to swimming is that once you can float, you can swim. And finally, Bug can float on her back and even swim a bit. Now we're getting her through her fear of being under water and with her face in the water.

If there is interest, I can post a little about what we've been doing...

But that isn't the point of this post, I'm sorry. I've gotten way off topic.

Each month, I work on a freelance design project. A 16-20 page newsletter for a non profit. And one of the things that really keeps me in a creative groove has always been music.

My favorite way to listen to music for the past 2 years has been on Pandora.

If you're not familiar with Pandora - sign up for an account, you won't be disappointed. You pick what kind of music you want to listen to, either by artist, song, or genre and then Pandora plays that music and music similar to it.

For example, tonight, I'm in the mood for Rusted Root, so I pick that band as my station on Pandora, from there Pandora begins selecting music similar to Rusted Root and now I'm working while listening to Rusted Root, Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, Ben Harper and others with similar qualities.

If I don't like a song, I click the thumbs down and it helps them feed me only the music I like. If I'm not in the mood for a song but still like it, I can skip it, tell them not to play it for a month or tell them to move that to one of my other stations.

Through Pandora I've found new music I never would have otherwise and been able to listen to music you just don't hear on the radio down here without having to spend a fortune on CD's and downloads.

Just playing...

I'm playing around with different blog templates and configurations...

Feel free to ignore me over here for the next few days. I wasn't feeling the old blog template, it wasn't me... not sure when I'll settle on something that will, hopefully soon.

: )

Trendy Blog Award

Jan from The Simpler Life was sweet enough to name Generally Creative as one of her top 10 Trendy blogs. Thanks Jen! (After I already started this post, Carrie at Dittle Dattle was kind enough to do the same, I'm flattered!)

Now it is my turn to feature my Top 10 Trendy Blogs:

1. Tara @ Sassy Inspirations
2.  Katherine @ Sevi Designs
3. The sisters @ Roots and Wings
4. Chelsea @ Room to Inspire
5. Shannon @ Posh Pieces
6. Megan @ Polish the Stars
7. Carolyn @ My Back Yard Eden
8. Janice @ Moderate, Interrupted
9. JHill @ Mad in Crafts
10. Jeannine @ Creative Juice Studios

Thanks for inspiring and entertaining me! 

Generally Creative Recap

When I started this blog a year ago it was just a way for me to keep track of my projects, how I got from point A to point B. I never imagined I'd really have any followers or anyone commenting.

I'm so flattered that so many of you have been enjoying Generally Creative and been so supportive and encouraging with your comments.

Remember - if you were one of the 14 winners of the silhouette giveaway, you've got 'till Sunday at midnight to submit your photos and then I'm going to get to work so please don't miss out!

For now, sit back, browse through the archives, and I'll be back with more project recaps in the next couple of days. (And I do recommend having chocolate handy whenever you visit my blog... I find chocolate to be essential to creativity.)

For those of you who missed the early days of my blog, which I think is pretty much all of you... here are some of my favorite projects from the past year: (some don't have tutorials, sorry, it was before I realized how helpful tutorials can be... feel free to ask any questions on any posts without tutorials)

 

Crayon Crazy

 

Decoupaged Switch Plate Cover

 

4th of July Jammies!   

 

Dreams Sign