Lily Pad Cards: Kathy's Color Palette

So I've recently discovered a blog that I adore...I can only hope to one day have a site that is as informative and as cute!  They have a couple of challenges right now, and this is the first card I've decided to make.  We were asked to use three colors from a specific palette - Kathy's color palette.

I decided to use the two blues and the dark tan in my creation.

I also finally joined Splitcoast Stampers to have a quick gallery available to me that shows me some cute ways to use my Stampin' Up purchases.  

I recently bought a few cute new stamps and had been dying to use them.  I found a card in the gallery that I liked and used it as inspiration for this creation.

I really liked the way it turned out!  I might need to replicate this card for future thank yous!

Stampin' Up stamp sets
- Word Play
- Delicate Doilies

Stampin Up inks
- Matina Mist
- Crunb Cake

ColorBox Chalk
- Ice Blue

This is my source of inspiration from the Splitcoast Stampers gallery.

Papel Picado

I'm learning a new technique that I cannot wait to incorporate into my scrapbooking!  I'm learning how to make my own papel picado.  I started this course last week...so be ready for more samples.

Papel picado is a craft made out of paper that is cut into elaborate designs.  Although it's a Mexican folk art, there are many other countries that use this holiday decoration.  The designs are most commonly cut for tissue paper and used in making banners.

I'm NOWHERE near skilled enough to try this one delicate tissue paper, but maybe after my class is over, I will be :)  I'm taking the class through a Crafty Chica web course....her husband Patrick is teaching the class.  It's soooo cool to learn from such a talented family!

Anyway, here was my first "flag".  Patrick gave us a pattern to cut and our job was to practice cutting - especially the curved lines.  My lines aren't perfect, but they sure got better as I went through the whole pattern.  I can't wait to start designing my own layouts and trying to add them to my pages!

Charlie decided he didn't like being ignored as I labored over the tiny cuts.  So he joined me on the craft table - but didn't bother me at all.  You can see I'm working on half a sheet (it's folded)...this helps you achieve a symmetrical look.

This is the completed final version. So pretty!

Cricut Weekly Challenge #38: Vacation Memories Challenge

I finally have a break in my work schedule, which means that I'm having a little fun catching up on my business goals and some of my general crafting.

So of course that means more cricut challenges to complete!

This week's challenge asked us to create a layout of a vacation memory. I'm sure I'm like most folks when I say that most of my pics are now digital, so I had to dig around a bit to find something to scrap.  I found some pics from my first trip to New Orleans.  It was also at the time when I had a camera that did panoramic pics (ha!) so I had an unsual size pic to add to my layout.

I'll never forget running into my first New Orleans wedding parade.  I remember thinking that it was an insanely fun tradition.  Such great energy.  However, I must admit, I was a bit grossed out at the idea of this beautiful wedding dress being dragged across Bourbon Street a week after Mardi Gras.  Oh boy!

I can't say it's my most favorite layout or color combo, but it was fun playing with this size picture.  I'll have to whip out some of the others to play with.

Cricut cuts

Once Upon a Princess
Tag, Princss1  -  7 inches

Give a Hoot
Border, Raccn1-s  - 1.25 inches (3 times)

get ready for Nubia Chaidez Designs

I got a few emails about my company's name change options, and I have to say that I was caught off guard by a clever interpretation of some of the words in my options.

My dear friend, Tajani, stated she really like the third option because of the simplistic elegance of the name, but also by how the word "designs" could be interpreted as a noun AND a verb.

BRILLIANCE!

So now comes the next couple of steps....

• Facelift on the website (including new domain/URL)
• Eventually a logo
• Some new "products"

This is the year of growing up for my business and I'm excited and grateful for the feedback and expertise from friends.

Love you all!

Feeling inspired - am I on the right track?

So over the last couple of weeks, I've been taking a course from Laura Bray on multiple streams of income.

Basically, the idea is to force me to think through ways of diversifying my business product portfolio to include passive and active streams of income.

What does this mean?

Well, in a nutshell, an active stream of income is one in which I'm actively making something for a client - like my custom scrapbook/card designs.  Whereas a passive stream of income would be one in which some work would be done upfront, but then you're done with the active creation of the product.  For example, if I launched my own stamp collection...I would actively create the designs, but that would only happen once.  People would then buy multiple copies of that same design (I hope) making it a passive stream of income.

My mind is racing with ideas and I've pretty much narrowed things down to three key areas (in addition to my custom work).  I'm excited to continue working through them and hope to be able share my progress with all of you.



One thing that has become more apparent to me is that I need to change the name of my company.  I'm toying with the following ideas, and would welcome some feedback.

1. Nubia Cháidez Studios - keep my name/brand upfront and allow the studios to be different product design elements (scrapbooks, cards, invitations, decor, stamps, etc)
2. Nubia's Crafty Creations - another version of how to expand the name to include the other things I can do.
3. Nubia Cháidez Designs - you get the idea

I'm also toying with idea of launching a new blog (with a much updated version of my website).  This blog would be directly linked to my website so that customers could order directly and so that I focus some of my blogging energy on ways of promoting my business.  One of my goals for that include launching tutorials that focus on culturally-motivated scrapbooking, starting with Latino focused designs.





On the car ride home, I actually thought of three days for particular posts:

1. Tutorial Tuesdays
2. Feel Good Fridays - to marry my non-profit expertise/love with my crafting...either launching fundraising campaigns, taking part in others' crafty causes, or showcasing some of the many incredible groups out there
3. Showcase Sundays

Now if only I had more days to intently focus on this stuff.

What do you think?

August Card Chain Challenge (Lily Pad Cards)

For this month's card chain challenge, I chose to use the sketch provided to make a meaningful card.  I'm struggling with not knowing how I can impact the relief efforts in Somalia, and it was weighing heavily on my mind yesterday.

Here is the sketch we were given for this month's challenge.

I thought the sketch was pretty simple to follow and gave me the freedom to play around with my sentiment. 

Let's show the people of Somalia "we care" by not only doing what we can to help in the relief efforts, but by also promising not to forget them when the awful tragedy lessens/improves.  I think many people have forgotten that the Horn of Africa went through a similar famine and drought about 20 years ago.  It sickens me to know that despite having witnessed the atrocities then, we as a world have yet to figure out how to help prevent such tragic situations from reaching the epic proportions that we see today.

The Children of Somalia

My heart is breaking.....

For the children....their families....the whole county of Somalia.

I'm trying to figure out what I can do to lend a helping hand.  

I am open to suggestions....so please send any along.  If you are a part of something that I can support, please let me know.  Though I don't have a ton of cash to invest directly in any organization, I'll make the time to volunteer in any way that I can.

Every time I see a newscast....I start to tear up.  It's absolutely ridiculous that anyone should die of hunger nowadays.  With all the technology...there has got to be way to efficiently and effectively offer some support to these human souls.  We can't ignore what's happening just because we're here safe.  My biggest complaint this weekend was that it was too hot where I traveled.  Seems so darn trivial and immature to whine about something like that. I am blessed to be who I am/where I live/to do what I do...but even I know that this does not absolve me from some responsibility in trying to do everything I can to give others exactly what I have. 

I'm no better than anyone else on this planet.

So please friends....let's come up with a plan.  We should all feel as if this is our duty....so join me.

If I come up with some sort of plan, I'll post again.  if you hear of something unique and local that we can be a part of, also let me know.  I'll post and spread the word.