Card Crafts are CHEAP!

I've been on this brain kick for a few months now thinking that I might be able to start making some side cash flow with my crafting obsession.  I have found myself recently reading about people who have had successful etsy stores  with thousands of sales and positive feedback and wonder "could I do that?"...I'm still not sure and you know me, I tend to air on the side of caution before diving in blindly.  SO in the meantime my recent craze has been carding and hoarding completed craft projects!

I know I've said this before but I am LOVING the $1 card making bins at Michael's right now.  ALSO, you can download their mobile app to have coupons they scan right from your smartphone at checkout.  Tommy always teases me that I waste the cashiers scan for my 50 cents off of a $1 stamp, but he should appreciate my frugality.  I'm thinking about cleaning out the couch cushions after this so I can find spare change for a new stamp!   So in a nutshell, $1 bins rule. It cost me hmmm...$3 to make 8 cards and I'll totally use the stamps and the ink again!

What you need:

• Blank Cards & Envelopes - Totally in the $1 bin right now!
• Stamp Pad - Pigment Ink I find works best for paper cards. 
• Rubber Stamp 
• Colored Cardstock Scraps
• Glue Stick

What to do:
Get creative. You can't really screw these up. 

1. Punch.
2. Glue. 
3. Stick.
4. Stamp. 

I tend to find myself only liking the wording on some of my stamps, so I'll only ink that part and just pretend the picture part isn't even there.

When you stamp the card, I stamp in one or two colors and then color in the image with colored pencil or marker.  I've been in the colored pencil mood, but sometimes I want bolder colors and will go marker.

Yes Evie. I stole some of your pens as props for my card photo shoot.  Thank You!  The color scheme of them went well with my stamp ink.

Next on my list of things to learn:  How to take better pictures...perhaps I should start with getting a better camera.  These photos were taken with my smartphone.  Not bad, but whatevs!  

My Name is Katniss. I'm the Mockingjay. I Should be Dead.

FYI if you haven't read yet...I might SPOIL a few things for you if you read this post.  But there are a few things I've got to get out...

What in the WORLD just happened with this triology!?

• Book 1: Very suspenseful. Pretty Good. Set the scene for potential edginess.  Love Triangle Begins...
• Book 2: Mediocre as far as suspense goes.  Worse than the first. Still leaves you needing to read the third book with all the unfinished business.  Love Triangle Continues...
• Book 3: WEIRD!  I won't say the book was bad. It DID finish the story. But NOT suspenseful.  Love Triangle just fizzled even though she ended up with Peeta.

I feel like Suzanne Collins is a quazi decent writer, but it's like she got lost with her ideas when she was writing this.  It felt like she started a series and wasn't sure of how it would end herself until she wrote it.  Call me a planning control freak, but Suze, you should have thought this one out a little more.  If you're going to try and follow the trend of turning your third trilogy book into 2 films...I'm NOT sure how you're going to drag this one out...

There was a lot of death in this book.  Which I didn't necessarily have a problem with.  I did get the vibe though, that she was going for this dramatic reaction with the death of poor baby Prim...but seriously, Prim was hardly part of the story.  She was just in Katniss' mind all the time.  I'm not one of those "fans" that is trying to say Prim's death ruined the story but it was like she was going for another Rue reaction.  Didn't happen for me.  Won't shed a tear when that one is portrayed on the big screen.  Well, maybe I shouldn't guarantee that...I've been quite the movie crier lately. Haha.

Now it would have been dramatic had Katniss died after all those times she defeated death then Prim rose to the occasion of becoming the Mockingjay or something...but nope.  I was irritated that Finnick died.  I loved Finnick.  His character became so involved and actually productive, then poof! Dead. Prim, whatevs. Finny...COME ON! WHY???!!!

As far as the Love Triangle goes it just fizzled.  There was no suspense. It ended up Peeta by elimination, not choice.  Dull.  I started getting to the point in the story where I could have been satisfied having her end up alone by choice or even dead to save someone else...but it just wrapped up pretty calmly. 

Overall I think the "bigger picture" that really hacked me was the fact that this series started on Katniss being this defiant, independent, determined  individual not afraid to stand up for family, love and what she believed!  Book 2 these characteristics kind of diminished and once District 13 gets involved they basically conformed her into their own little President Snow.  She was a robot.  She was constantly protected and unable to think for herself and take her own risks.  The more I'm thinking about it, the more I think I would have been ok with her doing something dramatic that saved the day and ended up killing her.  Maybe I'm cynical but I was just looking for a little more edgey drama.  I kept falling asleep in this book.  

Try again Suzanne Collins.  I know you've got it in you.  I liked where you were trying to go with this, but it just didn't pan out in a way that worked. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect of this storyline after the ending of the first book, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that Peeta & Katniss BOTH haf to go BACK into the Arena.  I kept thinking -- "how will they get out of it THIS time..." So of course this whole Gale/Peeta plot thickens and I realize that people are such suckers (including myself) for this theme in a book trilogy - Twilight, Hunger Games, Fifty Shades...

As if this whole Hunger Games craze wasn't turning Twilight Saga enough as it is...Robert Pattinson may be joining the cast for Catching Fire's Movie as Finnick.  I suppose out of all the characters in the book Finnick is the one who I haven't decided on his image in my head, but Edward?! COME ON!  And let me guess...Robert Pattinson is already negotiating his role as Christian Grey when Fifty Shades of Grey goes film.

So I find myself in the SAME predicament I was in as I read the Twilight books...I have this fondness and sympathy for BOTH Peeta & Gale and I feel myself getting pissed at Katniss.  Dang. Maybe girls really are as confusing as guys say...

The end of this book wasn't as much of a cliff hanger to me as the first, but I still read the last one too.  I can't not finish what I started....I know, I know...I haven't finished the third of the Millenium Triology. I needed a break.  Anyways, being a 28 year old, (am I 28 now? Sometimes I have to do math to remember my age) I'm still finding it hard to believe that this story is being read by 9 year olds!?

Whatevs!  All in all, I'd recommend this series over Twilight any day.  I might even admit that I was so enamored by the first movie that I am excited to see the next two...and what, let me guess...they're going to make the last one into TWO films? Hah. We'll see.  Have a FABBOO weekend and READ ON my friends!

The Hungry For More Games...

I finally finished reading the first book of the three part series, The Hunger Games.  I really loved it.  And Sorry Beth, but when I went to go see the movie (I'll watch it again!!! PROMISE!!!) I loved the story even more.  The book is a futuristic setting after the US has fallen by way of war and famine.  I won't go too much into any parts of the story line because I highly recommend this book and movie to gals and guys of all ages (the book isn't that violent or gory) and I want everyone to read it.

I was so anxious to see the movie because I was dying to see how the characters and settings would be illustrated (because we all know my brain...sometimes I can paint some pretty crazy pictures in there!).  The movie was so great.  Tommy says he loved the movie more than the book...I'm not sure I'd go THAT far.  But it really topped off the story that I painted in my head making me HUNGRY for the rest of the series.

I'm going to predict that another Team Edward vs. Team Jacob feud is coming on with this twisted love triangle that is developing between Katniss, Peeta & Gale.  But THAT being said, can I also say that I wish Jennifer Lawrence (that actress who plays Katniss) would have been Bella in the Twilight Series.  Kristin Stewart doesn't really do it for me...her mouth is always hanging open (maybe she always has allergies or a stuffy nose, but it's still annoying.)  But Jennifer Lawrence RULES.  She's beautiful AND hardcore.  Perfect for the role.  Watch out Kristin Stewart.

And JUST to reiterate my mouth-is-always-open point THIS is what I'm talking about:

Chelsea Lies!

The Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me was yet another gut buster!  I found myself lying in bed cracking up at the hilarious stories of Chelsea's life...reading a Chelsea book may or may not be a good strategy to unwinding after a long day.

My friend Ali let me borrow this book, which is totally fitting since she's the easiest person to prank EVER! Chelsea would be so proud with some of the pranks I've pulled on Ali.  Like the time I sent her a text saying "HI" and she responded with "Who is this?"(I had no idea she got a new phone and didn't have my number in it yet...JACKPOT!!)  Of course I hesitated before I responded, then replied with "It's me, Tom...from BobcatSingles.com."  She replied several texts trying to convince me she didn't know "me" but I told her I got her information from BobcatSingles and saw her smoking hot pic and I couldn't wait to get together with her.  We went back and forth via text for about an hour till her younger brother Jon started CALLING ME to tell me off (Good Job, BJ!).  

Then there was the time she was hanging out at our house with my sister, Ev and she left her "smart" phone laying around unattended.  Her phone was just staring me in the face saying "Update my facebook status..."...so I had to.  Moments later "Ali" broadcasted to her friends that she "loved the smell of her farts..."  14 comments later everyone thought she was SO HILARIOUS (including the parents whose kids she was babysitting) EXCEPT -- her buzz kill protective brother JON who says "Sounds like you got hacked." Oh SHE was hacked off all right....

But my favorite prank on Ali was the time she thought my sister had a severe bedwetting disorder.  Evie had spent the night at Ali's house, and the next morning when Ev came home she made the same foolish mistake her friend did...left her phone unattended in my presence. I sent Ali a message from Ev's phone saying:

"I have something to tell you but I'm scared."

Ali: "What Ev!? Are you ok!? You can tell me anything!!!"

Ev: "I'm just really embarassed.  I don't know what to do..."

Ali: "Ev....what is it?"

Ev: "Last night...I don't know what happened.  This keeps happening to me...like several times a week... and I'm scared.  But...I...uh...peed myself...in your bed!"

Ali: "You did? I didn't even KNOW! Evie, what is going on????"

Ev: "I'm not sure Alex. But I'm for real scared. I don't want to tell my mom...and I'm sorry about the shorts you let me borrow last night..."

Ali: "Evie. I don't care about the shorts. I just wedmd'd bedwetting. It's a for real problem that can lead to more serious disorders. We NEED to tell someone. You need help immediately!"

[At this point I'm peeing my pants and rolling on the kitchen floor.  So my mom comes into the kitchen.  I was crying while I told her what I'd done.  Usually my mom rolls her eyes at my humor, but this time something came over her and she sent Ali a message that said "Evie smells weird today...what's up with that?!"]

Ev's phone starts blowing up with texts from Ali insisting she tells someone her secret.  Alex says she's leaving in a minute and is on her way over...This is where my jokes always go bad.  I don't know where to stop.  When I finally told Alex this was not real. She was pissed.  She always gets over it, but one of these days I'll be the boy who cried wolf.  

Like Chelsea.  She's totally the boy who cried wolf.  Each chapter is a testimony from her family and friends of how they were pranked by Chelsea.  Sometimes she reveals the truth, sometimes she doesn't. TOTAL Wolf Boy.  

Moral of the story...Read the book, laugh it up, AND DON'T leave your cell phone unattended in my presence.  I can't control my problem...and it's NOT bedwetting.

My Horizontal Life

I just finished reading Chelsea Handler's book, "My Horizontal Life."  It was a change of pace for my regular choice of reading material.  Lately, my life has been pretty busy and hectic, and to come home to an intense story line wasn't doing it for my brain that was in desperate need of a wind down...

As I was reading this book I found myself literally LAUGHING out loud!  Now for those of you that know me, you KNOW I'm not much of a movie/book "laugh-out-louder" (nor do I ever prefer to use the "LOL" expression via text but that's another rant.) -- unless we're watching Lilly & Marshall on How I Met Your Mother OR the movie ELF, then there is a great chance I'm getting my ab workout in from laughing so hard. I don't care how many hundreds of times I've seen Elf -- it's STILL hilarious. But this book really had me out loud chuckling pretty much constantly.  Tommy was laughing just watching me read this book.

By the time I had finished the book, I found myself being kinda jealous of Chelsea (yes we're on a first name basis.).  I mean the book was a New York Times Best Seller, and it was about her random hilariously inappropriate love life (or lack thereof). I sat there thinking a book about my life would be a real knee slapper, but lets be honest -- my book would be judged by it's cover...who is going to read a book about A Day In The Life of Lisa?...So that's when I decided -- it's TIME TO GET FAMOUS!  

I'm serious. I'm writing Chelsea a letter.  Her hilarious books and funny followers have inspired me. [Side Rant: Remember back in 6th Grade when I'm sure some of you had a school assignment to write a letter to a famous person in hopes for a response?  I wrote to Amy Grant.  Ha. Funny huh?  I had this cassette tape of hers in 6th Grade called "Songs of the Loft" I was obsessed to say the least...anyways, if Amy Grant can be famous, so can I! Perhaps not due to my musical abilities...but SOMETHING!?]

Anyways, Chelsea -- you've inspired me.  Not to have one night stands or hook up with random dudes on cruise ships, but to live a life that makes people want to read books (or blogs) about me! -- and hopefully chuckle while reading about it.  

Valentine Cards

So I'm not necessarily a lover of Valentine's Day, but I'm a lover of crafting.  We'll take advantage of this time of year to send mushy greeting cards to my favorite friends.  It's SO easy!  Probably took me more time to take pictures of this stuff than it did to actually make the cards. Here's How!...

What you need:

• Blank Cards & Envelopes - I like the 4" x 5.5" size but it doesn't matter
• Stamp Pad 
• Rubber Stamp (Michael's has a dollar bin of these by the checkout line!)
• Colored Cardstock Scraps
• Glue Stick
• Small Heart Shaped Punch (Michael's has them for a $1 around this time of year)

What to do:

1. Turn on your tunes & get busy! I thought Hall & Oates was appropriate love song music for this craft, but whatever floats your boat.
2. Punch a Bunch (haha!) of different colored hearts from your scrap cardstock.
3. Press your rubber stamper on the middle right of your blank card.
4. Then start gluing your hearts on! I like using the glue stick on most of my blank cards because liquid glue makes the cards curl up sometimes.  Glue sticks are easy!

It's that easy. You can change up your stamp location or ink color. I always recommend cleaning your rubber stamp before switching colors.  I love my Inkssentials Bubble Gum Scented Stamp Cleaner! It rules. I got mine at Hobby Lobby for like $2. 

Craft away, Players!  I'm kicking myself now that I just spent $18 on 40 stamps though...shoulda bought like a million forever stamps when they first started making those bad boys!