The Best of 2015

It's time to look back over the MANY projects I made during 2015 and choose my very favorites. It's hard to do. I'm happy to report that I've liked most of what I've made.

 Here are my favorite kids' crafts:

Dot, the Puzzle Piece Ladybug

Paper Plate Peacock

Money-Filled Faux Sundae

Button Flowers

Penguin Gift Bag

Marbled Marshmallows

Glue-Resist Spiderweb

Money-Wrapped Gift

And now my favorite layouts:

11th Anniversary

Peanuts in Coke

Wolf Year

How to Speak deRosier

Robber Minifig

Camp Lassen

CreativeLive

Christmas Card 2014

It's fun to look back and see the creative highlights of my year. All things considered, I'm very happy with 2015, creatively speaking.

Pantone's 2016 Color(s) of the Year

I'm overdue for a blog post about Pantone's Color of the Year. Usually I blog about it right when it's announced (early December), but Trevor's blog takeover for Project Penguin was going on. That, combined with my disappointment with Pantone's choice(s), means I'm just now getting to it.

Last year, I had great fun with Marsala. True, it was initially my least favorite from the Spring Color Report, but it grew on me. My hunt for Marsala at the Craft and Hobby Association Mega Show was a blast. 

The 2016 Color Trend Report looked promising.

Image credit

I love Snorkel Blue, Green Flash, Limpet Shell, and Buttercup. I would have been really happy with any of those as the Color of the Year. Rose Quartz, Serenity, Fiesta, and Lilac Gray are fine too. My least favorites are Peach Echo and Iced Coffee, but I honestly would have preferred either of those to what Pantone actually chose. It seriously bugs me that not only did they pick two colors, but it's the blending of the two that's actually the Color of the Year. But not really. It's not a lavender third color with a given name like it should be. 

Image Credit

I had big plans for the Color of the Year. When I ordered business cards with my new logo for Tanya and myself, I also ordered us white t-shirts. The plan was to use Rit Dye to make our shirts the Color of the Year, then explore the show floor looking for that color. I wasn't planning on two-tone shirts, nor was I planning to look for exhibitors with two pastels blending but still distinct. I've dropped that plan altogether. Instead, while at CHA, I'm going to be on the lookout for something else fun to do with our shirts, which may still involve Rit Dye but could possibly involve something completely different.  

I'd like to do something with one of these colors:

These are the colors of my blog background, titles, text and links. According to the online converter rgb.to, the light blue is Pantone 7457C. The darker blue is Pantone 2995U The green is Pantone 2277C. The grey is Pantone Solid Uncoated Neutral Black. No fun names for any of them. Darn. I think I'll make up my own names. Any suggestions?

One Little Word - 2016

This is my sixth year participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word. My previous words have been Balance (2011), Celebrate (2012), Try (2013), Enjoy (2014) and Relax (2015). Each One Little Word experience has been very positive for me.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about my 2016 word. This year's word is:

As always, I have some plans about how I'll incorporate my OLW will throughout the year. More on my plans for Share later.

Also as always, my new One Little Word does not replace the previous ones. Balance, Celebrate, Try, Enjoy and Relax will be as much a part of 2016 for me as Share. Here is Share with the other tags. I seriously love them.

Have you chosen One Little Word for 2016?  I'd love to hear what it is! 

Preparing for the CHA Mega Show!

The Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) Mega Conference and Trade Show opens this Thursday in Anaheim and I'll be there! I am thrilled to be attending for the third time. I'm spending 5 days there this year and my schedule is jam-packed. I am SO excited.

I'm taking ten classes, which range from a Google Marketing boot camp to a weaving class. I have a ticket for the FaveCrafts Blogger Network Event, will be at the Mega Block Party, and am meeting up with some local Fiskafriends. I'll be at the Hot Product Sneak Peek, meeting with a product rep to try a just-released tool, and attending a breakfast sponsored by Michaels. I'll be spending approximately 18 hours on the show floor doing make-and-takes, trying new products, scoping out trends, and entering contests. During all that, I get to hang out with some of the coolest people on Earth. It really is a dream.

Now that I'm a CHA veteran (having attended in 2011 and 2015), I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what to pack, what to expect and how to prepare. I've been able to give advice to several CHA first-timers, including my new Marketing Coordinator, Tanya, and my new friend, Jean, of The Quilted Cupcake. Jean found my blog through a Google search about attending CHA and contacted me to ask a bunch of questions. Tanya had a ton of questions as well. I figure there must be others with similar questions.

If that is you, start here: What to Pack and How to Prepare for the CHA Mega Show. That post covers most of what I think you need to know, but I do have some additional tips.


*Dress in layers: 

I swear by my 'dressy on top, comfortable on the bottom' uniform, but I forgot to mention the importance of layers. I usually wore a light blouse and light short-sleeved layering sweater, then had a light jacket to put over that as needed.

*Dress for movement:

You already know that comfy shoes are a must, but expect lots of stooping to look at products, bending to photograph samples, and perching on stools to do make-and-takes. To me, that means no short or tight skirts, no heels, and no low-cut blouses.

*Carry business cards: 

Don't just carry them. Hand them out. Don't be shy about exchanging business cards with anyone at all. I like to jot a note on the back of mine to remind the person where/how they met me ("wearing the Marsala shirt," for example) if I'm able. I also like to jot a note when I receive a card. And while this isn't a part of preparing for the CHA show, I'll mention it anyway: after the show is over, use the business cards you took to reach out to everyone you met. Follow their blog, check out their store, send thanks, email especially good photos you took of them, or simply say hi.

*Pack snacks and water:

The Convention Center has concession stands and there are plenty of food options nearby, but that doesn't do you any good if you're in a 3 hour class and need a bite to eat. I carry a handful of healthy snacks (nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, etc) and a bottle of water so that I can have a quick snack when I need one.

*Take pictures:

Most crafters don't need to be told to take pictures, but it bears mentioning. Even the most photo-happy person can forget to take pictures when engrossed in make-and-takes, riveted by a fabulous presenter, or having the time of your life chatting with new friends. Whenever possible, take photos of cool products, take photos at the parties, take photos of awesome people, and take photos of inspirational displays.

*Say yes:

CHA is what you make of it. Say yes to everything. You may will be tired, but say yes to invitations. Say yes to requests. Say yes to challenges. Say yes to people who ask if they can join you, or sit by you, or ask a question. Say yes to taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.

Craft-Related Resolutions for 2016

Happy New Year!

Image credit

Every year I pick resolutions for myself that relate to my creative life, which means it's time to look back and see how I did. In 2015, I resolved to:

*Complete an average of one scrapbook layout a week.
Check! This year I completed a total of 53 layouts (twenty-seven 12" x 12", twenty-four 8" x 8", and two 8.5" x 11"). It's down a bit from last year, but I have a huge pile of nearly-finished layouts on my desk, so my numbers are artificially low.

*Work to increase my blog readership.
This is a tough one. Goals are supposed to be quantifiable, and for good reason. Did I work to increase my blog readership? Yes. But was it enough to say I accomplished the goal? I suppose so. My readership has had ups and downs and I haven't gained many regular readers, but I'm getting significantly increased traffic from Pinterest and Google searches.

*Earn enough money through scrapbooking or crafting to support all my hobbies.
Check! Between my jobs with Fun Family Crafts and Scrapbook.com, I'm getting regular monthly paychecks that are more than enough to cover the costs of all my hobbies (and Trevor's, too!)

*Experiment with tools or materials that I haven't used recently or at all.
Check! I feel like I've done a lot of experimenting and creative play this year. I didn't expect to do as much digital play as I have, which is a neat bonus.

*Improve my photography skills through monthly challenges and at least one class.
Nope. While I feel my photography has improved (slightly), it has been through trial and error, as well as random practice, rather than through a focused effort to complete challenges and take a class.

.....
 
Here are my craft-related resolutions for 2016.

*Complete an average of one scrapbook layout a week.
*Make necessary changes to the blog to improve the usability and attract more readers.
*Explore and implement optimal ways to monetize the blog.
*Take at least one jewelry-making class.
*Earn enough money through craft-related jobs or blogging to support all my hobbies.
*Improve my photography skills by completing at least 6 challenges or specific assignments.
*Do a complete craft room reorganization so that everything has a place it belongs.


Did you make any craft-related New Year's resolutions? I'd love to hear them!