Heidi Swapp Chat Project Life Arrows "Smile Like You Just Won the Lotto!"

Yippee!! All 10 SCS VSN Challenges Completed! 

Even though I didn't scrap continuously over the course of the Virtual Stamp Night Event, I honestly am just breathless because today was a marathon to get the last two cards finished, photographed, edited, draft blog entry with all supply info, and uploaded to both gallery/blog!! I don't think I've ever made 10 different cards in a week, ever! I definitely need a breather after this event. 

However, I'm happy that I can now go into production the rest of this month by making multiples of many of my cards to build up stock to send to each of the monthly hostesses in the ongoing Ronald McDonald Card for a Cause donation.  Definitely less stressful when it's just mass production once card concept has already been completed.

So this is the very last challenge calling to use only the scraps from the event.  

Challenge Title: Go to your Happy Place (Include scraps resulting from previous VSN Challenge creations)

Hostess: JBgreendawn (Stacy)
Keyword: JUN15VSNJ

The little banners were perfect to use up all those solid cardstock scraps I had as a result of the last couple of cards, specifically:

• Bzz...You're One in a Million Card - I have tons of smaller yellow pinking circle die cuts. 
• Rainbow of Sweet Treats Birthday - The bright colored solid cardstock.
• You're Fabulous Dress - The bright colored solid cardstock from above.
• Live, Laugh, Hula - The bright colored solid cardstock from above finally gets mostly used up.  

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I truly believe in manifesting what you want out of life by just changing your outlook daily. 

Recently, I came across this book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo which was trending on the New York Best Sellers List earlier this year.  Marie Kondo is a professional organizer in Japan and she advocates that the process of tidying up by keeping ONLY what brings you joy and to purge the rest is actually an incredible transformative catharsis in increasing happiness and satisfaction in one's everyday life.  

Yes, I started purging like a maniac after a life time of pack rat tendencies.  It truly was liberating to just be surrounded by what brings me absolute joy! Imagine getting dressed in a closet with only clothes you love NOW.  This process is what brought me back to my crafting supplies because I realized how much I appreciate and still find joy in about 99% of my supplies. The rest, I purged by selling or donating. 

So, the idea of smiling everyday like you've just won the lotto is how I feel when I choose to only surround myself with what brings me joy.  It's exhilarating and brings about so much clarity in life. It's a very healthy form of building and maintaining self esteem and helps to manifest only the joyful things in all aspects of my life.  

Recognizing joy, appreciating joy, and wanting more of that joy is my happy place.

Plus, I just freaking love Heidi Swapp! 

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I'm so happy that I participated in this Virtual Stamping Event because I really learned a lot.  Even though I unfortunately uploaded to the SCS gallery about 2 minutes too late, I'm still proud of myself for churning out 10 different cards within a week.  

It was the rule to complete the card within an hour that was most life changing.  

The one hour time limit really pushed me to
1) just make do and use what I have
2) not every card has to be a multi layered master piece
3) go for the finish instead of mulling over a million options, and
4) clean up after each card.  I've never made that many cards before in one week! 10 completed cards, wow!

During each of the 10 challenges, I was shopping out of the few things from my storage unit that I threw into boxes to use.  So it was a trip to use only what I had on me. No running out the door to buy the PERFECT item to compliment the idea stewing in my head.  Instead, JUST MAKE DO WITH WHAT I HAVE.  

While not everything I created was the multi layered masterpiece I would have preferred, it was certainly the frequent sensation of getting it done, multiple times, day after day that was new to me. Amazing! 

Additionally, I learned I take about an hour to photograph, edit, draft blog post with all supply identifications, and then upload to gallery/blog. So I need to take that time into consideration. 

Ha! I can't believe I'm going to share a picture of my current work space, which is part of the challenge.  This is my geeky BF's computer desk in the corner of the bedroom.  Things are toppling off the edges as I work so I have supplies on the floor and on another chair behind me. I pretty much have to clean up after each crafting session.  

I'm so grateful to all the hostesses for organizing the event! Thank you ladies! I had a blast!

Thanks for visiting!


  

"Smile Like You Just Won the Lotto" 
Paper: Bazzil CS & SU Smooth White CS
Stamps: Heidi Swapp Chat Project Life Arrows 
Ink:  SU Positively Pink; SU Lavendar Lace; SU Tempting Turquoise; SU YoYo Yellow
Accessories: Heidi Swapp Chat Project Life Arrow Die; Lifestyle Crafts/QK Tide EF
Size: 4.25 x 5.5"