I hadn’t planned on posting a card today, but I just couldn’t resist the new Retro Sketches #24 when it came into my feed. Since it was an easy sketch and I was already crafting, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. :)
I went super simple for this card. Lately, I’ve been sending out quite a few cards to various friends around the country, so I wanted to create an everyday card- I always seem to run out of them!
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll see you tomorrow morning for the DeNami Bright, Bold & Beautiful Blog Hop. There are some amazing card makers lined up, along with some prizes- you won’t want to miss it!
Last month I celebrated my 25th birthday. You may remember that my bestie went all out for me (click here to view the recap). On top of a very special night, she gave me the Sew Easy roller and an additional adapter. I hadn’t told anyone that I had been eying this tool, but she just knew that I would want it. Love that my bestie knows me so well!
Recently I went to my local scrapbook store and spotted their Sew Easy display. I grabbed some basic thread, additional needles and the piercing mat, and I was good to go. SO thrilled that all of these things are reasonably priced!
After looking at all the supplies, I figured it would be the perfect time to do a photo tutorial. Granted, while it’s actually quite easy to use this product, it’s always handy to have step-by-step pictures, right? Only a few steps and you can have some amazing stitching on YOUR projects!
Items shown:
Sew Easy Roller
Sew Easy Zigzag Adapter
Sew Easy Piercing Mat
Sew Easy thread
Sew Easy needles
{Gather supplies}
{Lay down cardstock; apply roller where stitching is desired}
{Thread needle and create knot; start stitching!}
{After stitching is completed in one direction, stitch other direction}
{After stitching is completed, tie knot and/or apply adhesive to secure thread}
{Here is the back of the packaging- look at all the different designs available!}
{Back of handle opens so you can store your needles}
Easy, peasy! Lately I have been utterly obsessed with using this tool on my projects. You’ll see a few of the things I’ve created next week. :)
If you enjoy the stitched look, but are intimidated by the sewing maching (like I am), this is the perfect solution!
Thanks for stopping by- I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!
I just got finished looking at my blog calendar- oh my word, I am on a blogging roll. Between the posts I have done this week and what I have planned next week, there will be approximately 10 posts in two weeks. That, my dear blog friends, is quite a feat for me. The more I’ve been blog hopping and exploring Pinterest and tutorials on how to improve my blog, the more I’ve been inspired!
I have my list all ready for this Thankful Thursday, so let’s get right to it.
I get to work with Ginny on our new challenge!
I’ve been struck with a spark of inspiration- both in life and crafty land
Blueberries. They are perfect- I can eat and type at the same time!
Sunshine. It puts me in such a happy mood!
That’s my list- what is yours this week? I love hearing what things you all are thankful for.
In closing I have a question: Do you enjoy these posts? Have they inspired you to think about what you’re thankful for each week?
In my effort to add some new, exciting (and different) content to my blog, I racked my brain on what I could do. After contemplating a few different options, I decided on wanting to team-up with someone from the crafty blog world. After several emails, my fellow collaborator and I nailed down some super great things to post next week. Get ready, coming Monday- Wednesday I’ll have three new crafty posts (yes, back-to-back) that will be ultra inspiring AND you’ll get to see two very different takes on one theme/ concept/ color combination.
Ready to find out who this collaborator will be? It’s my real-life friend, Ginny over at GinnyLou Studio! We both have very unique styles and I’m looking forward to seeing what she has created using the ideas we have come up with. It’s going to be great fun!
Oh, but that’s not all I have to share with you….. Ginny and I are teaming up for a BRAND NEW challenge that we will host here on my blog. You won’t want to miss the announcement next Wednesday.
That is going to wrap up this fun little post. Be sure to head on over to Ginny’s blog and check out all the cute things she has created recently- she’s been on a crafting roll!
I’ll be back tomorrow for my Thankful Thursday post AND I’ll be here on Friday for a photo tutorial. It features a product I just received and well, I’m a tad bit obsessed. See you then!
I’m excited about the post I have for you today. It’s time for a brand new Featured Blogger feature! I struggled a bit trying to decide who I wanted to feature this month and then it hit me. A few months back I found a blog that I thoroughly enjoy. I love the variety of the posts and it also includes great information on how to take your blog up a level. Yes, I’m talking about Kira’s blog!
I’ve interacted with Kira on a few different occasions and she is a total sweetheart. You can tell by her posts that she has a real passion for blogging and also helping others with their blogs and DIY endeavors. I must say, I’m just as excited to get to know her as you are.
Ready? Let’s go!
Let’s start off with some blogging questions!
Tell us about your blog. When and why did you start it?
Her New Leaf is a blog about DIY and blogging, as well as my life! I chose “Her New Leaf” as the title because I started blogging as I was preparing to move over 3000 miles from Boston to LA; I was turning over a new leaf in my life and started blogging in order to keep in touch with the friends and family I was leaving behind. Over two years, my blog evolved from a personal journal to a place where I share my life and hobbies with my readers all over the world!
What inspires you for your posts?
I find inspiration everywhere! I think that some people get discouraged when reading blogs because they think that their lives aren’t as beautiful or “blog-worthy,” but that’s not true! Learning to look at the little things in my life in a different way and showcasing them in a manner that will be interesting to others is the biggest lesson blogging has taught me.
Are there blogs that you visit on a daily basis? If so, which ones?
I don’t find time to read blogs every day, but I check in regularly on Pugly Pixel, Joy the Baker, The Art of Doing Stuff, Making It Lovely, and A Beautiful Mess.
Do you ever find it hard to come up with blog content?
Everyone suffers from blogger’s block once in a while! I cope by letting myself off the hook – I take a few guilt-free days away and usually come back feeling refreshed!
Are there particular posts that you enjoy doing more than others?
My favorite posts tend to vary from month to month. Sometimes I’ll get super inspired and write a bunch of DIY tutorials back-to-back, sometimes I get into the zone and come up with a whole bunch of blogging tips. My favorite post I have ever written is Ten Things You Might Not Know About Hanukkah (http://www.hernewleaf.com/2011/12/21/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-hanukkah/). While I usually write about topics I know well, this post really pushed me. I collaborated with my boyfriend to write the post and the process definitely brought us closer together!
Okay, now onto some fun questions that are non-relevant to blogging…..
If you could be a celebrity for one day, who would it be? Why?
Emma Stone! She is totally my girl crush, she’s hilarious and super talented! And I have always wanted to be a redhead.
What are your favorite TV shows? Oh boy, where do I start? I am a total tv junkie! I love everything from girly dramas like Grey’s Anatomy and Pretty Little Liars to crime dramas like CSI (the original only!) and Rookie Blue to reality guilty pleasures like Project Runway and The Amazing Race to scary, creepy shows like The Walking Dead and True Blood. Just about the only shows I don’t watch are those involving housewives or bachelors!
What do you enjoy doing in your “spare time”? Mostly I am blogging and crafting, but when I’m not doing that, I like to spend time with friends and explore my city. Right now I live in LA but I’ll be moving to Boston in just a few weeks!
Name 5 things that you are most passionate about: My family, my boyfriend, working with children, being creative, and sharing my knowledge
A great big thank you to Kira for taking the time to answer these questions. Now that you see how fun she is, I’m sure you want to follow her too! Here’s where you can find her:
Wow, I’m honestly surprised I found time to play along in two challenges this week! The funny thing? Arielle is the host of both of the challenges that I participated in- she has some of the best challenges!
The challenge I’m participating in today is the Colour Q Challenge #148. These colors are gorgeous and PERFECT for Summer.
Here is my take on the colors….
In March, we released the Ice Cream Shoppe Set that I haven’t been able to use very often. For some reason, these colors made me think of this set. I really love how this card turned out- the colors really pop in real life (they didn’t turn out fully how I wanted in the pictures).
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll be back here on Monday for my next Featured Blogger post- hope to see you then!
I had planned up typing this post last night when I got home from youth church (where I’m a leader), but then a group of us went out to dinner and I didn’t get home until midnight. To top that off, since I’ve been getting back to the gym, a good part of my body is sore. Such a good and bad feeling!
I have a million things to do today, so let’s jump right into my Thankful Thursday items.
fellow youth leaders that serve with me at church
the teeny bit of motivation I’ve gotten to get back to the gym
I’ve lost enough weight to look semi-cute in skinny jeans and boots (a necessity on overcast, gloomy days like today!)
grapes. Yes, the fruit. I’ve been obsessed since I’m trying to eat healthy again.
Last month, it was my birthday and I received an ultra sweet card from one of my blog readers/ customer at work. This person knows me so well- pink, brown, pearls, ribbon,scallops- they are all things I love! Thank you Tina for this beautiful card (and the gift too!).
Here’s the card that she sent….
Details of this card can be found on Tina’s post here
I hope that you all have been having a good week so far. What are YOU thankful for?
I have a card to share today that was based off of the awesome Retro Sketches challenge #22. You know me and challenges….if I have time to do them, I’m so there!
Here is my take on the sketch:
Amazingly enough, I stayed fairly close to the sketch. The only difference was I added the sentiment piece- it just seemed to bare without it! I pulled out some stamps I haven’t used in a little while, which is always fun. (See the supply list below)
Thanks for stopping by- I’ll see you tomorrow for a new Thankful Thursday post AND one of the special birthday cards I got. :)
NOT LISTED: aqua ink/ paper/ button, moss ink/ paper, marigold ribbon, scallop border punch
It’s Friday and I couldn’t be happier about it. This week was long and being as I’ve had allergic reactions AND a sore throat these last few days, I’m looking forward to catching up on some rest.
If you have followed my blog for a while, you will remember that I used to post cards using non-DeNami stamps. While I’ve sold many of these sets (I still have some left in my for sale section), there are a few that I just can’t part with. One company that I love: WPlus9 Design Studio. My friend, Dawn, owns this company and it’s been such a joy to see her company blossom.
Here’s what I have for you today:
I just love this sentiment! It is perfect for both family members and friends. I went a little outside my usual color palette (not too much- it still has pink!) and added a pop of bright green. I thought it was a fun little addition.
Here’s a closer peek at the main panel. You know me and my love for glitter….I just had to add it to the flowers and butterfly!
Be sure to stop by Dawn’s fab blog on your way out. She has some beauties over there and I know she would love to see some new faces stop by. :) You can even tell her I sent you over!
It’s a brand new Thursday and it’s time for a brand new Thankful Thursday. I have to admit, sometimes I find it hard to come up with “new” things to be thankful for- many things I want to write, I’ve posted before. I AM trying to think outside of what I’ve done in the past, but don’t be surprised if you see some similar things in the next few weeks. :)
impromptu outings with friends.
my iPhone.
technology. Computers, phones, the list goes on and on….
allergy medicine. These past few days, something has been getting to me and it’s been a necessity to take meds. Throat closing= not good. Still unsure what exactly is causing this.
nail polish. I honestly hate the look of my toes when they aren’t painted.
birthday cake milkshakes. Granted, they are far from healthy, but they are out of this world amazing.
Soooo…. since you’re reading this, that means you made it through another week. You know what that means? It’s your turn to say what you’re thankful for!
Can’t wait to see what you are thankful for this week. I’ll see you tomorrow with a crafty post!
Tell us about your blog. When and why did you start it?
Her New Leaf is a blog about DIY and blogging, as well as my life! I chose “Her New Leaf” as the title because I started blogging as I was preparing to move over 3000 miles from Boston to LA; I was turning over a new leaf in my life and started blogging in order to keep in touch with the friends and family I was leaving behind. Over two years, my blog evolved from a personal journal to a place where I share my life and hobbies with my readers all over the world!
