Sharing my Inspiration/Vision Board

Making a Vision Board can be very relaxing, healing and obviously, creative. What a ball I had making this. going through old magazines and catalogs for the pictures and sayings that called out to me was such fun. I'm considering hosting a Vision Board class/workshop. You can even use your scrapbooking and stamping stuff on it. I just might add some rubber stamping to mine.
Start saving those old magazines, advertisments and catalogs. Even junk mail might have some great words on it. Recycling at it's best.

Anyway, I thought I would share with you all. I plan on creating more on the other side. Try it!! It's a great tool for manifesting what you want in life.



Namaste'

April 5th Craft/Card Class

Hello again!! Two posts in the same day......amazing!!

Ok, here is what we are making in this class. I will post more photos as I make a few more versions of this flower. I saw this on Martha Stewart online and just love them. Of course I'm adapting the design, cause that is what I do:-)

Keep checking for updates or just sign up on the right of the blog so you will get an email when I post.

Here are a few pictures......variations to come which will include stamping!

Rose and leaves are made out of coffee filters. This is going to be a FUN class.

Class fee is still only $10 and you will get all you need to make a couple of flowers.

Sign up, have some fun learning to make these beautiful flowers.

508-588-8234 or email creativemonkey@verizon.net

You can pay with cash, check or paypal.

Class limited to 8, sign up early to get a spot.

March 8, 2009 Class Projects

Hello everyone!!!
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I know, I'm posting after the fact.

How can you know if you want to come and play with us and make incredible things if I don't tell you about them before the class??? I'll do better.

Everyone that did come to class had fun and made a beautiful cone which I originally saw on Kathy Mcguire's blog.

And the card holders designed to resemble magazine holders came out awesome!! That design was from Donna Centamore and is fabulous.

I only changed a couple of minor things with each design. What fun. Thank you to both of these very talented ladies. Donna is my upline in Stampin Up and I'm grateful to have met her.

The next project we did in this class.......yes, we made three things!!! Was a card using the new stamp set called Branch Out, it's so cute!!! The card is based on a card I made at my up-up-line Kerin Sylvester's SU demonstrator meeting last month. Her meetings are always fun because we get to visit, see new products and stamp!

Here are the pictures of the projects we made on the 8th. Next class....April 5th!! pictures of what we are making will be in another post.

I love the Butterfly die for the Big Shot!!

Sorry to anyone getting this twice:-) Computer went nutty on me for a minute.

This is the card I just made for my daughter's 37th birthday. 37........where the heck does time go? She doesn't look a day over 21 if you ask me!

Back to the card. I love this die!! And, it's exclusive to Stampin Up so if you want one for your very own you will have to click on title or the catalog on the right and order one from my SU website. The dimensional butterfly on the card front is cut from the die. Below is a picture of the four shapes and sizes this one die cuts.

The stamped butterfly on the inside and sentiment trail is from the set, Flight of the Butterfly. So pretty and it's 2 step stamp set so you have many choices and combos you can use.

Anyway enjoy, email if you have questions about products. Leave a comment to let me you were here and what you think of the blog. I love feedback.

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Oh, Youtube videos really are coming soon!!! Be sure to subscribe to my blog while your here so you will know when I start posting the videos. You will learn something new with each one..............at least that is my goal.

This last picture shows you what the die cuts. The two half butterfly shapes are where you place a folded edge which allowed for a larger butterfly and allowed them to fit four sizes and shapes on one die. The whole butterflies can be folded in half after they are cut to give that wonderful dimension to the wings. (don't forget your dimensionals to keep your wings fluttering)

With, Monkey Hugs and Blessings.................Doreen

.......Birthday Card........

Today is Kellee's birthday party. This is the card I made for her. Notice the punched hole in the top left corner of the card with a ribbon going through it, this allows for hanging the card from the bag handle. No envelope needed, and it decorates the bag.

Craft class photos for our class on March 8th coming real soon. I'm also working on some videos for Youtube!!! I'm very close to actually getting them made. Some new ideas are coming your way, I'm excited.

Here a some pictures of Kellee's 4th birthday card made

with 99% Stampin Up products.
The tray is from the Chef stamp set Voila',

as is the little cake. Masking makes that possible.

A closer look at the distressed edges.

I love how Stampin Up card stock looks

like fuzzy blanket when distressed.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Namaste', Monkey Hugs and Blessings to you..........

Doreen

February 1, 2009 class

Fun!! I had a ball spending the afternoon with 7 lovely ladies. We made a great card holder and four of the ladies stayed to make a card as well. Here is the card we made using Love You Much stamp set, Close to Cocoa and Pink Pirouette paper. Next class is March 8th, 1 to 3:30 pm.

Excuse any glare.

!!!!! Update !!!!!

Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die

The new catalog features a sneak peek of an exciting new product: the Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions die shown on page 202. Here is some information that will help you answer customer questions about this product.

This is a new type of die Ellison is introducing through Stampin' Up! Embossing folders will not be available through Ellison until later this year. (it’s only going to cost $7.95)
This new embossing folder features Stampin' Up!-exclusive artwork and will be available to order on March 1.

*You can use this die with your Standard Cutting Pads.
*This die creates a deep embossed image, sized perfectly for a standard card front.
*This die embosses only; it does not cut out the image.
*The die is clear, which makes positioning your paper easy.

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I can’t wait, this rose is gorgeous!!! On page 106 you can see the stamp of this rose, Gorgeous!!!! Sounds like SU will have folders made by Ellison, similar to Cuttlebug!!!

I am saving so much money by staying out of AC Moore and Michaels and sticking to SU products! And, exciting products are still coming in the spring!

We just put in the final order for our Stampin club. So now is the time to join us as we begin another club.
We can have up to 5 people in a club so everyone gets a turn ordering out of the new catalog.
That means, each member agrees to place at least a $30 order once a month for 5 months.
Each month, members take turns being the Hostess and receiving the hostess gifts and free Stampin Up $ to spend.
You can receive even more free when it’s your turn to be Hostess if you save up most of what you want to purchase for when you’re the hostess.

Each person can do this and make out great!!! I’m in the club too!!!

If a group of stampers in your area (anywhere in the the USA) want to form a club, this too can be done with online ordering!! Just email me creativemonkey@verizon.net or call 1-508-588-8234 and I will tell you how.

We need to start soon so that each person gets a turn from this catalog (which is why the number of members is 5). Email me to sign up. The first order will go in February 20th!
Which means I will need all orders and payments by the 18th of February.

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Here is another special for you…………place an order online for any amount, between February 1st and April 30th at http://www.creativemonkeydesign.stampinup.net
and you will receive a FREE Catalog/Idea book with your order!!

For those of you that already bought one from me, I had no idea this special was coming. Remember, it’s only for online orders.

Also remember you can place orders online 24/7 at my Stampin Up site. As long as your order is $150 or more you will receive all the benefits of having a workshop, meaning you get to choose a Hostess Only set and receive free Stampin Up $ to spend. All from the comfort of your own home!! Gutta love the internet!

Having said that, I want to add for clarity that your online orders can be of any amount. How easy it is to have the latest Stampin Up products delivered right to your door. Love it!!!

I hope to hear from you soon and have some rocking Stampin Clubs going on all over the place!

Namaste, Monkey Hugs & Blessings,

Doreen Marchetti

Healing our planet, one heart at a time.
FinallyUnderstandNow.com
FinallyUnderstandNow.blogspot.com

creativemonkeydesign.stampinup.net
creativemonkeydesign.blogspot.com
picturetrail.com/creativemonkey

Today We Welcome Victoria Shea Marchetti

Our family has grown today with the addtion of Victoria Shea Marchetti. She is an angel among us and we are blessed to have her. She weighed in at 9 lbs 2 oz. and is very cute!

This is me holding Victoria. I am known as Gam.

These are the proud parents, Jeremy (my son) and Casey.

Big sister, Isabella and big brother Elek.

My husband Joe, known as "P" to our grandchildren.

Welocme to the world, Victoria Shea Marchetti!

Tip Of The Day 1-14-2009

My tip of the day is this........don't promise a tip of the day unless you can deliver!! I'm changing it to "Tip Of The Week" and if I post more than one tip a week, I'm golden!!

I did make a little video showing my tip for today but I could not get it to upload and it's not something I wanted to put on YouTube as it was filmed really quick. So, I will make the video tomorrow (although we have our 10th little grandchild being born tomorrow so it could be late when I post)I will post the video on YouTube and embed in the Blog. I've been wanting to make some videos, so now I will. Wish me luck:-)

Namaste', Monkey Hugs & Blessings,

Doreen

What do you do with an empty Animal Cracker Jar?

You make it into the "Tip of the Day"!! I'm sure lots of people do this in some form or another and if you don't, maybe it will be just the thing you've been looking for when your feeling creatively blocked, or stuck, or like your brain is in fog. Make an inspiration jar (mine is a plastic container but I like the word jar better than container). So, here is how I made mine. First, I ate all the animal crackers. LOL Then, I cut up some white multi-purpose paper into 1/4" x ? strips. How? With my shredder!! First cut the paper into three or four strips horizontally (across the 8.5" width), then feed those into the shredder (8.5" side going into shredder). Makes lots of little strips really fast.

Next, on a piece of scrap paper write the letter A, then write one word that starts with A on a strip, fold in half and put in your jar, repeat. When words stop popping in your head, write the letter B and continue with the entire alphabet. As you go through the alphabet some words will bring to mind other words for letters you already did, just write them down when you think of them. Keep this up until you feel satisfied that you have a great, eclectic, sampling of single words.

Some days you may only need to pick one strip to jump start your creativity, some days you may feel the need to choose 5, up to you!! Here is an example of 5 words I chose today and what they meant to me, each of you may come up with an entirely different meaning or interpretation.

1-wire…2-mute…3-refined…4-bed…5-jump….

Neat huh? To me that means monkeys, or children, or well dressed refined adults, or cats, whatever, mutely(silently), jumping on a very fancy bed that has a wire canopy. So, that would be my painting or an aspect of it. Or it would just get the old creative juices flowing. Neat huh?

Of course this method can work for cards, scrapbooking etc. You can limit the words you write on your strips to certain categories or even separate categories in pretty little jars. Or just write down the products, techniques etc you use while crafting and choose from them and don't write words like pursue, love, genuine, spirit, crackle. Know what I mean??

That was a little glimpse into the workings of my brain. Scary? LOL

And, I have pictures...................

animal cracker jar. Will I decorate it?? Not sure.

picking my words in my monkey jammies.

I would love to hear some comments on this!! Come on, tell me what you think! Are you going to do it? Share, I wanna know someone out there is reading this:-)

Namaste' Monkey Hugs and Blessings,

Doreen aka: Creative Monkey

Hello Stampers!!

This post is going to cover lots. It's going to be my....."getting caught up" post. I really want to figure out this blogspot site so I can make my blog THE place to be and share. I plan on having a tip of the day!! So at least I can post that if life gets really crazy and I can't manage more than that, at least I'll be posting. That's the plan!
I am a Stampin Up rep and of course hope I gain customers though my blogging and videos (when I start making them:-) But most of all I want to share my love of art, all kinds of art! Life gets busy because my husband, Joe and I also have other businesses. I am a Reiki Master/teacher, do Angel card readings, and teach decorative painting, Joe does Hypnotherapy and is level 1 Reiki. We both facilitate Heal Your LIfe workshops, offer EFT and other healing methods. I mention it only because all of that, family which includes 10 grandchildren (#10 is arriving this Thursday) a parrot, cat and of course, Emily........I'm busy. LOL I love every single thing that I do so will continue to do them all. I just need to make quality time for each "thing".


Ok, these pictures didn't post in the order I thought they would.

Tip of the day 1-12-09
When you are teaching a class or just crafting on your own, and you have some small items like brads or a piece of ribbon etc. that you are using on your card or layout. You know how they alwas get lost under stuff or end up on the floor cause the monkey or cat came by? Well put down a line of adhesive, snail, ATG gun, whatever and stick those little buggers down on your work surface and there they will be when you are ready for them. And that is the "tip of the day".


Inside of Birthday card. (another tip) when you smudge your card, stamp another image or add an embellishment. In this case, I stamped a single cupcake. So, it fell? So?? It's better than throwing the whole card away or looking at a smudge:-)


No time to crop photos, I must post today. I told my upline, Donna Centemore I was posting today if it was the last thing I did. LOL

Inside of next card.

I love this shadow technique and wiping ink on the photo paper with baby wipes, so did my students. I also really enjoy the set Lovely As A Tree.

Psssst...........If your still reading............I got my box of new catalogs today!!!! I LOVE all the new things. I REALLY love the see thru dies!!! Especially the see thru die that will cut a full sized card shaped just like a Rolodex card!!! Oh, the possiblities. I now know why I bought two Rolodexs a while back. I will be turning them into tabletop scrapbooks of my family as soon as that die is in my little hands!!!

If you don't have a Stampin Up rep and want to order online, just click here and go to my website. The new catalog goes into effect on January 19th. You will be pleased!!


Until tomorrow....................Namaste', Monkey Hugs, and Blessings to you.

Maybe I will win!!!!!

Ya never know! So I'm entering every day. You can too!

Keep checking in, Flurries on the way!!!

You'll see, real soon...............Brrrrrrrrrr. Flurries! Snow! Brrrrrrrr.

*****November Craft Class******

Friday 11/14/08 6:30 to 9:00 PM

&

Sunday 11/16/08 1:00 to 3:30 PM

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Class Fee is $10.00

Sign up now to save your spot.

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Only 8 spots available per class.

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Here are the pictures of the card we will be making in our November class.

I love it and in person it is........Simple and Elegant!

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~~~click on the image for a larger picture~~

The Stampin Up sets used to make this card are,

Punches Three & Home for Christmas.

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The folding technique used to make the tree is so much fun

and quite relaxing to do!

I can truly picture myself making 30 or 40 of these to send to

my nearest and dearest. Everything you need to make one card

(except adhesive) will be supplied.

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I will also supply the materials to make an additional project that will remain a surprise. Please check the archived post that lists what to bring to class in your crafting bag so you don't have to wait in line to use scissors, paper trimmer etc.

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You can search the blog for "what to bring" and that post should come up.

Sharing a birthday card.......Shhhhh, it's a secret!

Let's see if I can do this so you can click on the pictures and get a larger view. This card is for my granddaughter Gabrielle who is turning 7. You will notice that not all of the stamps or supplies used are from Stampin Up. The more I use the clear acrylic stamps I have been collecting, the more discouraged I am with them and the more I'm becoming one of the "Rubber is the only way to go" people. I have never, ever had a rubber stamp break on me. I have some OLD stamps since I have been stamping/crafting forever. However, some of the newer acrylic stamps are breaking while taking them off the storage sheet for their first use!! Others are breaking after being used allot in one day. I hope to have so many Stampin Up stamps in the near future that I don't find myself reaching for the acrylic stamps anymore. Having said all of that, here is the card I made. Some other materials used are.......puff paint, gelly roll glitter pen, sakura glaze pens. The people and pets are from the Stampin Up- All in the Family stamp set. So cute!!! Post a comment, tell me what you think!! I'd love to hear from you all.

Love how the puff paint creates dimension!

left page represents, Me, Joe, Emily(monkey), our cat & parrot (looks better in person:-)

Right page represents Gabrielle, the birthday girl! Love the Tu Tu.

Left page you know.......Birthday girl page is lifted to reveal their dog,

and Gabrielle's mom, dad, and two sisters.

Back of card........We Love You Just The Way You Are!!!

A Fabulous Friday Update.

Hello everyone, It's a very pretty, sunny, early fall morning here. I love this time of year! I have another update for you, or change if you prefer that word. I do like change! I have decided to change the limit for the number of crafters I have in my twice/monthly craft classes. I was offering 10 spots but feel I should make that 8. Eight is a more comfortable number for my classroom/studio space and leaves the island free for tools to be spread out for your use when needed, without taking up work-table room. So, because it feels right to me, that is what I'm going to do.

Don't you love it when things feel right? I know I do.

On a personal note, I want to let all of you know, who don't know yet, I have started my Angel Messenger Certification course. I'm excited about it and feel it's a perfect addition to what I am already doing. And, I now have my Reiki Master/Teacher Certification........congrats to me!! With Joe doing Hypnotherapy, Spiritual-Life coaching, Workshops, Creating Meditaion CD's, and me doing Reiki, Card Readings, Spiritual-Life coaching, Workshops, and Stampin UP! we are becoming a "full service" couple. LOL And a busy couple!

Our other....... Blog..... FUN Blog And FUN Website

Just so you all know, espescially my painting students, no matter how busy we get with the many things we do, I will always find time each week for painting class and crafting classes!!! Being creative refreshes my soul.

Signing off..............Namaste'
Doreen

What should I bring to Craft Class??

What should you bring to Craft Class? Well, first let me say that if you are really new to creating and do not even own a pair of scissors..........not to worry, you can use mine. You will eventually buy what you need to create.

The following is a list of what you will want to bring to each class. These are also the basic supplies you need to be able to craft at home. There will also be additional items needed for some classes, they will be listed in the post about that class.

I know, I know, there are a gazzilion kinds of scissors out there and a bazillion kinds of paper trimmers, etc. etc. Which one should you buy???

I've been doing this for years and can give you my recommendations, just ask.

Basic supplies......

Pen, pencil and eraser
Scissors
Ruler (6" should be fine)
Paper Trimmer
Wet and Dry adhesive
Permanent and repositionable adhesive
Glue stick (can't hurt-)
Round paint brush (for brushing off stray glitter and powders)
Wet Ones, baby wipes, something wet in a package.
Craft knife (ask me what I think, I have all kinds. Try mine first)

I will be adding to this list as I think of items you will want to have in the bag you bring to class, so keep checking this post for updates.

Anything that is considered a "consumable" is a good bet to bring. For example: in the October craft class I am requesting that everyone order and bring their own Heat & Stick and Dazzling Diamonds. If someone comes to the class and doesn't own any, no problem. I'm sure they will order it once they give it a try:-)

I don't feel "done" with this post but want to get it on the blog so be prepared for this to change now and then.

Namaste'
Doreen

Holiday Card Class

Sunday October 19th 1 to 3:30 pm

&

Friday October 24th 6:30 to 9 pm

Class Fee: $10.00 if using your own Heat and Stick and Dazzling Diamonds

$15.00 if using mine.

All of the paper to make this wonderful card is included in the class fee as well as the use of my Snow Swirled Stamps and more.

I'm excited about this class. I love the card and hope you do too. The products I used to create the card, are fabulous!! Stampin' Up Heat and Stick powder, is like a miracle product!! I LOVE that stuff!! And Dazzling Diamonds? WOW!!!!!

Using the Big Shot to cut out the snowflakes, was a breeze. It really is a wonderful machine. The stamp set I used is called Snow Swirled, isn't it pretty? One of the snowflake stamps is made from cutting fun foam with the Big Shot using a small snowflake die and gluing that to a piece of acrylic. Now a stamped/embossed snowflake on the card matches the 3D snowflake exactly. Neat huh? What you can't see in the photo are the clear embossed snowflakes in the blue section behind the 3D snowflake. Can you can see the little crystal at the top of the tree? It adds just a bit of bling.

The 3D snowflake is sprayed with glue then glittered, very pretty. You can make a bunch of them with your Big Shot and snowflake die to use for tree ornaments or home decor decorations. The large snowflake die is a wonderful size for that. (saw that at my upline, Donna's house. She is very talented.)

I tried to add a short video showing how pretty the snowflakes are but am having an issue. I will be trying to figure that out as well as figuring out how to get video from my camera uploaded to Youtube. I'm looking forward to making some video tutorials.

Time to get Emily in her bath and spend some quality time together. Happy Crafting.

Namaste'

Doreen

Great job Ladies!!

The wonderful ladies pictured below made the Halloween card and did a fabulous job. You can tell by the big smiles that they also had fun! And I do believe they learned some new things making this card. I learned to make future projects not so elaborate:-)

From left to right are......Kathy, Dona, Cheryl, Ellie and Marjorie. Great job ladies!!!! I'm excited about the next class. You are all so much fun and do such fantastic work, your amazing!! Anyone in the Brockton area that visits my post, sign up for a class. There are no strangers here, just friends you haven't yet met.

Check back soon for photos and information on October's classes. The card is gorgeous! Really, it is.

Namaste'

Doreen.......

October 2008 Craft Classes

The dates are set for October's classes. Thank you to Karen S. for reminding me to get the dates on here so everyone can plan their schedules. You can always check my calendar on my Stampin'Up site as well as here.

The dates for Holiday card making fun are.....................

Friday October 17th 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm &

Sunday October 19th 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Mark your calendars, make and freeze some meals for the family because your going to be so busy creating beautiful, personalized cards you won't have time for cooking. Not only that but every technique you learn can be adapted to your scrapbook pages, handmade boxes, treat containers and even home decor so you are going to be really busy. Just think of all the handmade gifts you can create this year and save a ton of $$$$. It's amazing what we can do with some paper, ink, stamps, paint and brushes!!

One of the holiday cards we will make in the October class has a 3D element that is just beautiful and is cut on the Big Shot. Counting the Big Shot I have 4 die cutting machines, 3 manual and one electronic. As much as I love my Cuttlebug and Sidekick, the Big Shot really cuts with more ease. Plus I love the color black:0)
My electronic cutter is a Klick-N-Kut machine and I would not ever be without it, ever!! What I can design and cut with that machine is too much to mention here. I did own a Cricut and think its a wonderful machine, I just didn't want to have to buy all those cartridges. My next machine was a Wishblade (same as a Silhouette) but it was limited since it can't cut chipboard. I was fortunate to find a site for the KNK and have never regretted it for a moment. You can find out more about the KNK here. I am not affiliated in anyway except as a customer. You can tell them you heard about them from me and maybe I'll get a free video or something. ???

Could happen:-)

OK, back to the October classes. Come, have fun! This thought just hit me..........When I have kits left over from the classes, I'll offer them for sale here. Great idea!! You may love the card, box, page, item, whatever the class is making, but you can't come on either date or live way too far away to sign up for my classes. This would solve that problem for a few of you anyway. Good idea Doreen!

I'd love to hear what you think about this idea. Post a comment and let me know.

I must get back to work. I am editing nodes on a boy angel for my Wed morning painting class. I plan on cutting them out this morning and having all of the angels ready for tomorrow's class.

Namaste'
Monkey Hugs and Blessings to you all...............Doreen