I Am A . . . Hoarder?

Have you ever watched any of those shows on hoarders?  Wow, they kind of freak me out.  And, I'm sorry to say, but I am a bit of a hoarder.

Okay, okay nothing at all like those people.  But, I do tend to hold onto things and "save" them for just the right project.  So, they sit and do not get used at all.  And really, what is the point of that?

For example, I have so many pieces of beautiful decorative paper that has been sitting in a pile, not getting used because I do not want to "use it all up".  Because if I did that, I may never be able to find another piece of paper for another project some other day.  Give me a break.  There are companies out there specifically coming up with new products every day.  And so no, I may not ever find that particular piece of paper again, but I'm pretty sure I will find many more that I love just as much.

So, I have decided it is time to get to work and start using up all that stuff that I've been saving for just the right moment.  They are getting used - as they should!

I  have so many projects that I would like to get made for the holidays.  I'm not sure if all of them will get made this year or not, but I'm going to give it my best.  So, I made up a list on my dry erase board that is posted right above my computer monitor where I will see it every single day.  That should be some great motivation, don't you think.  Let's get crafting!!!

A portion of what I'd like to do.  Some things I
could not add on here - it would spoil the gift
for family members.

A sneak peak at another organizational project I've
been piecing together for weeks now.  I work on
it between projects.  Tonight it got worked on
while I was playing a computer game with my son.

I Am A . . . Star Wars Nerd

That's right full on Star Wars nerd.  And proud of it!  Ever since I saw the first movie when it came out in the theaters, I was in love.  There was just something about it, the story, the characters, the fantasy and yet something that really made sense.  It was more than just the battle between good and evil.  So much more.

I saw this bucket at Target (in the dollar section can you believe it?).  And just knew that I had to have it to sit on my desk.  It makes the perfect holder for some of my essentials - watercolor pencils, adhesive, Aquapainter . . .

So, back to Star Wars.  I recently read the original books, based on the movies.  Thanks to my brother Kelly.  I can remember seeing them in his room when I was a kid and knowing that someday I would love to read them.  Well, he just reread them and then gave them to me to read.  I was so thrilled to get the chance to hold those glorious books in my hands and actually get to read them.  And yes, I have seen the movies many, many times.  I mean we own them all on DVD.  We have the soundtracks to each movie on CD - and listen to them often.  They were a great read.  More than the movies.  Thanks Kelly for sharing the books with me.

Me and the original Star Wars books.

One of my favorite moments in the movies - from The Empire Strikes Back:

Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship. - Yoda

And this exchange:

Luke - I cannot believe it.
Yoda - That is why you fail.

My son being taken prisoner by a snow trooper and Boba Fett
at Star Wars In Concert last year.  An amazing show!

And today, I received something that I've been waiting for.  Saved up my money and finally was able to order it - along with supplies for upcoming stamp classes.  I finally got to play with it a little bit tonight and can't wait to have more fun.  Can you guess what I got?

The Big Shot!  I can't wait to play and have some creative fun with it.  And I can't wait to share it at my class on Saturday.  Happy stamping and crafting to all!

I Am A....

(Gasp!) Blogger!  When did this happen?  How did this happen?

I've been rethinking things a bit here and came to the realization that I am a blogger.  Never in a million years did I think that would happen.  But here I am.  And what's even better, I actually enjoy it.  So much so that I have a couple blogs going.  That's right more than one.  What on earth am I thinking?

A little background.

I also realized that I started this blog and sent out an email to friends and family telling them to check it out.  Well, I have others that have been viewing this sight, coming to see my stamping samples and such.  And so I thought, well maybe I should introduce myself a little more.  Would you like that?  Maybe get to know the person putting these posts out there.  So, I think it only logical to start at the beginning.  Not the very beginning . . . I was born blah, blah, blah.  But at the blogging beginning.

I have been blogging for just over two years now.  I started a blog for my family.  Well, more specifially for my in-laws to see what was going on with our lives.  To be able to watch their grandson grow up.  To see what kind of activities he was into and such.  And I have been posting on that sight ever since.  It's personal and for close family and friends.  It's been very fun to look back over the past few years on that blog.

At the same time I started blogging my photography work.  And have since launched my own website for photography work and blog.  And that has taken on a life of it's own but is all about photography stuff and how it relates to everything in my life. 

And that leads me to this new blog.  I started it to be about everything in my stamping life - since I have just recently become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator again.  I was one for over eight years and took two years off.  And this July became one again.  But, that didn't feel quite right to me.  I mean, I do want to have a place to share my stamping ideas and creations, but I would like it to be more than that.

And so here I am.  After almost two months of blogging here at Melz Place, I am changing it up a bit.  I want this to be a place that I can share all my creative endeavors, my thoughts and finds in this world that we all live in.  To - Embrace Life Through Creativity.

I hope that you will enjoy this new change.  Because it's all just a journey and a learning experience.

And so I will begin with something that makes everyone just a little happier!  GLITTER.  Doesn't adding a little sparkle to your day make things just that much better?  I think so.  If you don't agree with me, or understand what on earth I'm talking about than I say to you - TRY IT!  Sprinkle a little glitter on something and then try to tell me that it didn't make you smile at least just a little bit.

This is Stampin' Up!'s new Silver Glass Glitter. It's chunkier than other glitter. Has a little more substance to it. It is in the new Winter Mini Catalog and available until January 3, 2011.



Here it is on some black circles.  Totally Glitterlicious!

And, so I leave you for today.  Until tomorrow...