Opting out

     Today is black Friday and I have decided to avoid the madness. Over the past couple of years I have become more aware of the need to support small businesses. Considering myself a small, even micro, businesswoman, I understand the need for people to look beyond the cheapest price and loudest hype and see those of us trying to make it on our own without the big bucks for advertisement and mass purchasing ability and often offering better quality and a kinder environment.
    And while you're shopping the independent businesses or direct sales in home shows I hope you recognize that gleam of appreciation in their eyes when you support and encourage them. Usually, I believe, you will find someone who loves what they're doing, someone who has found that niche that helps describe who they are, someone who cares about the end product or service enough to put that extra effort into the creation, product and follow through.
    Recently I purchased 2 purses from what I will call a fabric artist. Her work was true art! I learned something from buying from her and it is something that whenever I have seen it done in the past a little light goes on in my head that I want to remember for my creations and sales. And that is to  include the little extras that don't make the product but they make a statement.
    So, today I am going down to my craft room and play with paper! I will continue to create what makes me happy and try to always remember to include an added touch that says "Jane". And tomorrow I will go out on "small business Saturday" and shop our local small businesses. Hope you do the same!

A little creation of mine I thought you might enjoy.

www.janebuchanan.stampinup.net

And that is a link to a portion of my own small business if you would like to see more ideas or purchase high quality products to create your own beautiful paper art!

Stampin' frenzy!

     What a frenzy of stamping and creating we had last weekend. I held my annual stamp-a-stack classes and pushed my stamping friends almost to the limits of their tenacious little creative minds! Over 4 hours into our "3 hour" class I realized I may have included a bit too much. 

However, few dropped and most stayed to finish the very last card, box, tag or snowflake available!

     Eazy peazy... I knew they could ;)

This is how the set up looked before frenzy...oh how I wish I had taken an after picture.

     Here are a few of the creations!

 

I tried to keep them relatively simple yet still great. The merry card I'm pretty sure I got the main idea from a pinterest card. Sorry I can't give proper credit but if you recognize it, let me know and I will! 

Anyway, of you see something you like and would like to create it yourself, all of the products are Stampin' Up! and can be purchased here:

www.janebuchanan.stampinup.net

Thanks for looking!

self imposed chains?

it's something of a contradiction

to say that i am free

when everywhere my mind turns

i sense the shackles chaining me. 

lusting after passion

dreaming i am more

leaves me hollow and dejected

more rejected

than before.

by Jane Buchanan 11/2/12

playing with paper!

     Oh how I love paper. Actually, for as long as I can remember I have loved paper. Writing paper, journals, cardstock, notebook paper, all kinds of paper.
      As a child I loved to color, cut and paste or whatever fun project our art teachers had for us. All the colors and textures. Just looking at a stack of paper made me want to draw or doodle or hoard. Yup, I'm a hoarder. Ooh la la. The secret is out.
     And even now, I see a pack of pretty copy paper sitting on the shelf at work and I want to (and have done so...) take a piece of bright pink or orange paper, cut it in pieces and staple it together and make a little book and put it in my pocket. Then it's my private little journal for the day. Sometimes I don't write in it so I will bring it back the next day.
     Well, enough of my insanity. Have a look at my fancy folds class creations.

This is a pop-up card. The image is from a stamp set called Owl Occasions stamped on one the of tags Stampin' Up! sells. And the colors are cherry cobbler and gumball green, which are my Christmas go-to's this year. Love these happy colors so much! and the embossing folder is snowburst which adds a nice little touch.

and here's the little pop-up fellow inside.

and this is called a Double Z fold card. It has a beautiful wrap band to slide over it.

And this one is my personal favorite. It's called a side step fold. And we used the Snowmuch Fun stamp set that is super cute.

Well, thanks for looking! If you see anything you like and want to try your hand at it yourself, all of the products can be purchased here:

www.janebuchanan.stampinup.net

     And if you want any instructions on the folds just email or comment! Happy to share!

fall is fading fast, too too fast

    This time of year I am as bi-polar as the view from my window. One day the trees are putting on a brilliant, ever changing display of the most eye catching wonder. Then the storms slam in and the winds blow without stop and bam. Just bam. Looking out, all I see is far too brown and gray.
    Then, just like a snap of your fingers a glimpse of vibrance  and magnificence  sends my heart soaring again. The ironic thing is, and why I cannot trust my feelings, is the view was there the day before but I couldn't see it. When my heart is gray, what I see is often shrouded.
     Today the wind is breezy, the sun is bright, the trees are throwing off their leaves. And I see marigold and burgundy and rust and pumpkin and celery and olive and daffodil and crimson.

                               The tears of the morning have turned to hope in the evening.

got those creative wheels spinning!

   This week I'm working on some projects for my Christmas stamp a stack class and my open house. So many ideas running through my head! Chipboard and wood-backed scrapbooks, paper treat gift purses and snowman candy bars, to name a few. I get started on one and then distracted by another idea and then hit a road block in the finishing of them. You'd be amazed at all my unfinished projects. Or maybe you have a few of those too.

   That's when a good solid deadline comes in handy. I just love a deadline! Both in creativity and cleaning my house. Need to get motivated? Set a date for a workshop or class then tell everyone. Whoa! That'll get me moving. Need to get my house clean? Invite company. You know what I mean, don't you! The last time you dusted your windowsills or cleaned under your sink was when your mother in law was coming. Right? Ha!

     Well, here are a couple of completed cards.

  

These are made using Stampin' Up! stamps and paper and embellishments. 

https://janebuchanan.stampinup.net

That's where you can go for your papercrafting needs! AND lots of new ideas.

      And next time I'll show you the very very cute cards we did at my fancy folds class last Saturday.  You'll love them!

Love Song in the Oaks

As the dark dreamed of dawn

and the sleeping stretched to yawn, 

I heard a distant lullaby. 

The two great owls settled in

the huge old oaks, ignoring men;

it seemed a soothing and a sigh.

She sang to him. 

He sang to her. 

Arise the sun,

awake the day, 

as the gray fades away,

good night dear and good night sweet love

good night dear and good night sweet love

good night dear and good night sweet love.

                                  by Jane Buchanan 10/11/12

A little something from my early morning run.

What could be better??

   What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday! Not much in this world is better than spending time with my kids. 
   My day started off at a huge craft show in Ozark on a cool blustery day, which was great! Meandering at my own leisure through literally hundreds of craft tents and booths, gleaning ideas for my future crafting and supporting (and by supporting I mean buying from!) such a talented group of crafters.       

    Well, that puts a smile on my face just thinking about it. I'd show you what I bought but I think there is some kind of law against that without posting the makers ID. But you should see the gorgeous colorful purse I found!! and Christmas cards (yes I know I make them but these were so so cute ;), and a scrapbook ( I know I know, yes I make those too, but this family looked sweet that made them and now I can get some great ideas from that also!) and a present that shall not be mentioned for my beautiful daughter and some very artistically painted wood ornaments (yes, I need more ornaments, who doesn't!?!)

   Now to the best part....my son called and invited me to come with him and his wife to a movie, lunch and shopping sales. What? Yes! Serendipity! Olive Garden soup and salad, End of Watch movie,
(which was a really good movie-bring the tissues) and then on to shopping! New outfit for me for under $50, turquoise cardigan, eggplant top and jeans. Love a good Kohl's sale!
   Soooo... want to see the very best part of my day? Yes you do.

           The picture wasn't taken yesterday, but those two totally made my day. Cute aren't they :)

 I think I'll send them this card I made. 

love love love

and tell someone today that you do.

down my curvy creek...

   Don't you just love taking the time to let your imagination run like a curvy creek, making it's way to something pretty? Well, I do. And I did. And here's a little something at the end of my creek.

   This is made with the Stampin' Up! stamp set called Cottage Window. And a couple of their embossing folders that I love, the argyle folder and the tulip frame folder.

http://janebuchanan.stampinup.net 

    That's the site you can see more stamping creations and purchase the supplies.
Have a beautiful weekend!

Out of the Quicksand

   Well, that was a nasty bit if quicksand, doing it's best to suck me under. Shew!

   This morning as I jogged along the familiar path I was watching the sky, thinking about the gradual graying of the black, stormy night. And today, by God's constant lovingkindness I see some sunshine.

   Don't get me wrong, it's a rainy, cloudy day here again. But like He always does, He lights up my darkness and brings hope and a smile like the sunshine. No matter what the weather brings.
   So thankful for God's grace.

      This is how my centerpiece turned out. I'm sure it will be in a constant state of change, like the autumn. It needs some acorns! 

Happy Thursday to you.