Have You Seen It?!

Just for Fun

I have been a video-uploading fiend lately! (And I still have several videos that need editing and a list of more I want to film.) So the “it” I’m talking about is my YouTube channel.

Over the last week I’ve far exceeded my once-a-week upload habit by putting up a total of five videos:

Whew!

Now, that pace is probably not something I can keep up with weekly, it was just a good week for videos. Still, I do want to increase how often I’m uploading, so I’ll probably be shooting for twice a week by the end of the month.

Adventure! Mixed Media Journal

Adventure! Mixed Media Journal

A couple of the videos were design-team related, including the mixed media journal pictured above. That one’s actually part of an audition for a new team, but I’m pretty pleased with the project on it’s own whether I get the spot or not!

Sympathy Card using BoBunny papers

Sympathy Card using BoBunny papers

The Imagine Crafts team participated in a blog hop with BoBunny and while I’m not an official video-producer for IC, since this was an extra project for the month I figured I’d give it a whirl.

I’ve been on a bit of a card kick, lately, and I see no point in just keeping them around here, so if you’d like a handmade card to just show up in your mailbox one day, email me your address by using that little “Contact Me” link up at the top of the page (or just email me at jenn{at}scrapsoflife{dot}com)!

Of course, if you saw last week’s posts, they each had their own video links, but the Rose Festival video was a little sneaky-sneak on my part. We made it to several of the events this year and I took hours of footage that I managed to then condense into a mere 38 minutes and 47 seconds. I definitely need to work on my camera handling in random event settings, but practice makes perfect, right?

What I’d like to know is what you want to see videos of? Are you enjoying the View from the Countertop videos and want to see more kitchen footage? Would you like to see more crafty tutorials like the card and journal above? Or would you like to see more local events and general life stuff like the Rose Festival and the Pup-date? While I have some of all of them on my list to film, letting me know what you want to see helps me prioritize!

Also, I’m always on the hunt for new YouTubers to watch–who are you loving these days? Some of my favorites include MyFroggyStuff for their doll-craft tutorials, Sandy Allnock for her cards and COPIC videos, and both Pretty Shiny Sparkly and The Michalaks for general life/vlogging stuff. I check out my Subscriptions link each day to see if any of the channels I follow have updated and I get a little thrill when there’s a new video up from one of my current favs.

So check out the links above and subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already so you don’t miss an update! Not all videos have posts to tie back to, after all!

Until next time,

~Jenn

And Puppy Makes Three

Just for Fun

Everyone, meet the newest productivity buster in our lives: Duncan the Basset Hound!

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I’m pretty sure I mentioned that our plan was to get a dog this year (maybe in my new year’s goals?) but whereas we’d planned to pick a pup from one of the rescue organizations in Florida or Georgia, a couple weeks ago we stumbled on a puppy listing on Craigslist up in Macon (about 2 1/2-3 hours north of us) and that same day we brought Duncan home!

Duncan's first shopping trip!

Duncan’s first shopping trip!

Well, okay, technically it was the next day because we didn’t get home until 1 a.m.

Isn't he precious?

Isn’t he precious?

 

Since then it’s been pretty much all-puppy all the time. Our conversations revolve around what Duncan did or didn’t do, what we need to do for him, and how we’re going to get there. Even on my birthday the little fuzzface usurped everything! Usually Todd wishes me happy birthday as soon as I’m awake but the puppy needed walking, then breakfast, then cuddles and so forth. This is our life, now.

A man and his dog

A man and his dog

Duncan has a bit of a sad origin story–he was a pet store puppy, so very likely the product of a puppy mill. The woman who purchased him was in the midst of major life happenings (a death in the family, a move, and a new job which led to the long and late hours that made caring for Duncan unfeasible–her story is so sad, she had really gone through the ringer and I think Duncan had been an attempt at consolation) and she put him up for rehoming after only a week. He was with her two weeks or so, total, and then we brought him home to live with us.

How is this even comfortable???

How is this even comfortable???

Now, we’re really hoping that that’s his happily ever after, but I’m not sure he’d agree just yet. You see, Todd and I believe in crate training, especially for puppies who are teething and still learning what is acceptable to chew on and what’s not–toys and bones, yes; furniture, floors, and people, not so much. Duncan hates his crate. Or, rather, he hates being left alone. In a confined space is bad enough, but even just being left in a room while we walk to another room to fetch something, oh no, he’s not having it. The FOMO is strong with this one.

He might be bored at my office, but at least he's not in his crate, right?

He might be bored at my office, but at least he’s not in his crate, right?

And I get it, he’s been through a lot in his short little life and needs some stability and comfort. Which is what I remind myself of when I start to get frustrated. And Todd reminds himself of this when he comes home and lunch and has to clean the crate bumper, toys, and Duncan himself. Which is why Duncan will be coming to work with me for a little while until we meet with a trainer on the 22nd who can help us help Duncan to be a happy, well-adjusted pup–including finding peace with his crate!

Direct link for the feed readers: We Got a Puppy!!!

Around the World in 40 Years

Just for Fun

How does it feel to be 40? A lot like it felt to be 39.

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Age has never been a big deal to me, especially as I get older–I just don’t get hung up on the numbers. In fact, the one thing age does afford me is the knowledge that my perception of what counts as “old” really had no basis in reality.

Turning 40, though, that’s been kind of fun!

See, several years ago we were out with friends and it came to light that Lyssa thought I was already over 40 (for reasons of maturity, she assures me, lol). When I told her that was still several years off she was mortified. Again, I don’t stress about numbers, so I wasn’t offended, but it brought up the subject of birthdays and I said that I wanted a party for my 40th (looking at Todd) that I didn’t have to plan myself.

Shiny happy party-goers!

Shiny happy party-goers!

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Lyssa took that and absolutely ran with it. She decided she was going to plan it and she really went above and beyond in celebrating my birthday this year and I’m really a bit humbled by her efforts.

The reason for my request goes back 10 years, to my 30th birthday. I was turning 30 on the 30th (only happens once, you know) and it fell on a Sunday so I insisted upon throwing a little party at my apartment. Now, I’m never one to assume that just because I want things a certain way that people are going to be willing to do it. And I had a very specific menu, etc. in mind so I did it all myself. And I enjoyed it–making the food, buying the party favors, having people over, all of it! The only down side is that while I was busy being hostess, my dual role as guest of honor got pushed to the side and I ended up the marginalized caterer of my own party.

Also, as milestone birthdays go, I haven’t exactly had much luck in that department.

  • Sweet 16? Spent it at a state Latin convention (though that part I didn’t mind) where there were issues with my friends and roommates (that wasn’t cool) plus the flowers Mom tried to send me got rerouted so many times I didn’t get them until I got home.
  • 21? Failed my driver’s license test and had to walk into dinner with the family a failure. In my defense, I failed because I popped the curb backing out of the parking spot while trying not to back into the big ass truck parked behind me. What I viewed as caution they, well, did not. Went back the next day and aced it, of course, and even made a joke about it to the dude evaluating me that “I hope it last longer than the last one.” (Insert “that’s what she said”)
  • 25? Don’t even remember this one…
  • And I already explained about 30.

It’s not like I’ve always had horrible birthday luck, either. My favorite birthday hands-down forever and ever amen is the one Todd and I spent at the Jacksonville Zoo, largely because Todd did such an amazing job of making me feel special and loved. This weekend, though, it’s a very close second to that weekend, but as a milestone birthday it’s tops!

Beginning and ending: Guests picked up their passports here and later picked up dessert!

Beginning and ending: Guests picked up their passports here and later picked up dessert!

About 20 of us piled into Bacchus’ event room for a wine and cheese party using my theme of “Around the World in 40 Years.” If you saw My Art Week video then you know that I created some paintings for decoration. I also volunteered to make the party favors, which were little booklets inspired both by the sheets helpful wineries give you at tastings and the passports EPCOT hands out at the Food & Wine Festival. (The party theme actually is a spin-off of the ‘drink your way around the world’ idea of the World Showcase.)

The France station: Brie, Pinot Noir, and Duck Bread & Goat Cheese Flatbread

The France station: Brie, Pinot Noir, and Duck Bread & Goat Cheese Flatbread

Each of the four countries we settled on were represented by a wine, a cheese, and an appetizer, at least in broad strokes, and the passports (complete with a little golf pencil attached like an old-fashioned dance card) listed each of these and gave space for guests to make notes about what they liked in case they wanted to order it on another visit to Bacchus (like the Duck and Goat Cheese Flatbread… so good!) or pick up a bottle they really enjoyed. Even though I’m usually a fan of the reds, and our Pinot Noir and Malbec options were very tasty in their own way, I was loving the Unoaked Chardonnay and Reisling, both.

Angentina: Malbec, Provolone cheese, and Pao de Quiejo (cheese rolls)

Argentina: Malbec, Provolone cheese, and Pao de Quiejo (cheese rolls)

USA was represented by an Unoaked Chardonnay, White Cheddar cheese, and Cheddar-topped sliders

USA was represented by an Unoaked Chardonnay, White Cheddar cheese, and Cheddar-topped sliders

Germany: Reisling, Butterkase, and Mini-Brats

Germany: Reisling, Butterkase, and Mini-Brats

And we can’t forget the amazing cupcakes from Lucy & Leo’s–always amazing and I’m not blowing smoke up your skirt when I say their gluten-free cupcakes are better than the regular ones. They’re just that good.

And we didn't have to clean anything!

And we didn’t have to clean anything!

After Bacchus a few of us (those without graduation parties or ceremonies to get to, it was that weekend in Tallahassee) went up to George & Louie’s for a bit of a nosh to soak up some of the wine and just hang out a bit more.

An early party might not be everyone’s ideal type of celebration, but I think it was just about perfect. The mid-afternoon fete was very freeing, fornat-wise. It also allowed our guests to more easily fit it into a busy weekend. Plus, since all of the guests had to drive back down to Tallahassee, an earlier end is considerate in general. Finally, it allowed us to go home and veg out for the rest of the evening, something we were very happy to do for a number of reasons. One of which is another story for another post!

Updated to add, here’s the video!

Meet the Monkeys of Monkey Creek!

Just for Fun

Happy Lunar New Year!

In case you missed the memo, according to the Chinese calendar, today begins the year of the monkey, and you know I’m super excited about it! After all, y’all know I have a slight thing for monkeys, right?

When Todd and I first moved in together we shared a house we called Monkey Creek. Monkey for my current and enduring obsession, and creek for his–now our–last name (which, in Dutch, apparently means “by the creek”). In that house the monkey count was still in the single digits, it was at Monkey Creek II where the most monkeys were acquired.

The Original George. And, yes, he's a monkey wearing a sock monkey hat and cardigan. Like you do.

The Original George. And, yes, he’s a monkey wearing a sock monkey hat and cardigan. Like you do.

You have to understand, though, I was content with a single monkey: The OG–Original George–and wasn’t looking to add more monkeys to the menagerie. But that’s not how these things go, because once you have a favorite something it goes to the top of the list of gift ideas for friends and family. Now our monkey count is hovering around 50 or so (depends on if you only count the plush, or if you count the non-plush figurines; and I’m not going to even try to count the jewelry, pajamas, and other monkey paraphernalia). I thought it would be fun, in light of the Year of the Monkey, to walk you through the monkeys you might find if you were to visit us at Monkey Creek III (aka the Gingerbread Dollhouse).

OG up there hangs out on our coat rack by the front door, keeping watch over the place for us. Let’s see who’s in the living room.

These three (do you see Curious George peeking through my monkey neck pillow?) perch on top of one of the DVD cases.

These three (do you see Curious George peeking through my monkey neck pillow?) perch on top of one of the DVD cases.

Look who escaped being packed up with the rest of the Christmas decorations! He tap dances and shrieks a version of Jingle Bells.

Look who escaped being packed up with the rest of the Christmas decorations! He tap dances and shrieks a version of Jingle Bells.

Just because these monkeys converged on the armchair doesn't mean they won't make room for you, too!

Just because these monkeys converged on the armchair doesn’t mean they won’t make room for you, too!

And these guys are still chilling on the mantle from the holidays. The ones on either end are Nick and Joy from Build-a-Bear--why they didn't stick with the Ns and call her Noel I'll never know. But we call her Noel.

And these guys are still chilling on the mantle from the holidays. The ones on either end are Nick and Joy from Build-a-Bear–why they didn’t stick with the Ns and call her Noel I’ll never know. But we call her Noel.

Naturally I have an assortment in my office (aka The Abyss, which got rearranged and tidied this weekend):

Up on top of the doll shelf, along with Devil Pooh, sit a few of our smaller monkeys.

Up on top of the doll shelf, along with Devil Pooh, sit a few of our smaller monkeys.

And we can't forget this happy dude! He's a puppet I rescued from the clearance bin at Michael's. He currently lives on the top of my easel.

And we can’t forget this happy dude! He’s a puppet I rescued from the clearance bin at Michael’s. He currently lives on the top of my easel.

Some of the non-plush monkeys are on my mantle--first the blingy three wise monkeys and then the penholder that says 'Write No Evil'

Some of the non-plush monkeys are on my mantle–first the blingy three wise monkeys and then the penholder that says ‘Write No Evil’

Chef George, there, was my reward to myself for finishing the cookbook and travels with us to convention appearances as our mascot.

Chef George, there, was my reward to myself for finishing the cookbook and travels with us to convention appearances as our mascot.

While these three cluster on the antique desk Todd and I restored, together, before the wedding.

While these three cluster on the antique desk Todd and I restored, together, before the wedding.

Now, we don’t have any plush monkeys in the kitchen, but that doesn’t mean monkeys aren’t represented at all.

We have a number of monkey mugs of various designs.

We have a number of monkey mugs of various designs.

And this guy keeps a nylon scrubbie close at hand.

And this guy keeps a nylon scrubbie close at hand.

And you know that we'll be enjoying our Year of the Monkey supper on the dishes we picked up on our honeymoon.

And you know that we’ll be enjoying our Year of the Monkey supper on the dishes we picked up on our honeymoon.

The dining room is similarly light on monkeys, but we do have a notable hanger-on.

He likes to keep his eye on the 99 Bananas.

He likes to keep his eye on the 99 Bananas.

The library is where a lot of the monkeys will live in perpetuity. The plan is for some stellar floor to ceiling built-ins, eventually, to give breathing room for our books as well as the monkeys.

This coconut monkey tagged along home after our first cruise together in 2009.

This coconut monkey tagged along home after our first cruise together in 2009.

A cheeky little monkey bank serves as a bookend (or, really, a book middle, separating two subjects on one shelf).

A cheeky little monkey bank serves as a bookend (or, really, a book middle, separating two subjects on one shelf).

On a temporary shelving unit with some of my paperbacks are this trip of pint sized monkeys.

On a temporary shelving unit with some of my paperbacks are this trip of pint sized monkeys.

And these guys are hanging out on one of the benches under the window.

And these guys are hanging out on one of the benches under the window.

Another shelf holds a beaded monkey we bought at Animal Kingdom and the little monkey figure I painted at Firefly Pottery.

Another shelf holds a beaded monkey we bought at Animal Kingdom and the little monkey figure I painted at Firefly Pottery.

You’d think that more monkeys would hang out upstairs, them liking heights and whatnot. Until last night, though, the guest room was severely lacking in helper monkeys.

But we had some still in storage from the move, so now they're having a slumber party.

But we had some still in storage from the move, so now they’re having a slumber party.

Even Todd’s office has a token monkey.

We call him Voodoo George... doesn't he just look like he wants to climb a skyscraper or something?

We call him Voodoo George… doesn’t he just look like he wants to climb a skyscraper or something?

Our bedroom, of course, has a decent complement of plush friends.

A perfect pyramid on the mantle. Some of these guys have been known to hop in the bed while I'm in the shower.

A perfect pyramid on the mantle. Some of these guys have been known to hop in the bed while I’m in the shower.

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And the travelling trio–two pillow monkeys (the smaller one Todd won out of a claw machine) and my security monkey, Mindy.

Finally, the upstairs bathroom features this cheeky little monkey.

He wasn't fab at being a toothbrush holder, but he's great at keeping an eye on the room while we're away.

He wasn’t fab at being a toothbrush holder, but he’s great at keeping an eye on the room while we’re away.

Yes, we have a lot of monkeys. I’m sure there are more packed away with Christmas and Halloween decorations, but the George-Borg is strong in this house. Why do we have so many monkeys? Why not? And why do we display them throughout the house? Again, why not? They’re fun, they don’t harm anything, and they make me smile. As long as we keep just this side of “My Strange Obsession” levels, I think we’re okay.

Do you collect anything to the degree (or more) that we do, monkeys? Do you wonder why we’re not on a lunar calendar? I mean, really, 13 4-week months makes a heckuva lot more sense to me than the alternating but not really 30/31 system we’re on.

It’s February, Do You Know Where Your Goals Are?

Just for Fun

The thing about making goals (resolutions, etc.) is that they are not set-and-forget sort of things. In order to keep up with them, we actually have to look at them and, you know, make an effort!

I don’t know if I’ll post about it each month (unless you want to read it, then absolutely), but I figured at least right now, after the first month of the new year, I’d do a public check-in on all those goals I set last month and see how I’m stacking up.

First up was house projects, and we’ve definitely gotten the first big one underway (our downstairs bathroom remodel progress so far can be found here: week 1, week 2) and we’re still trucking right along with another update to come this Friday. The smaller project for the beginning of the year was a recycling sorter and that’s functionally done.

Our semi-finished but fully functional recycling sorter

Our semi-finished but fully functional recycling sorter

By that I mean the sorter is up and in place, though it technically lacks the hinged top and front pieces. Still, we’re using the bins and even made our first trip to the recycling center last weekend on our way to Lowe’s for the umpteenth time (okay, only the 4th, for January). Todd can take his time on the finishing touches to the sorter once the bulk of the bathroom work is completed.

So far we’re 2 for 2 (the other house projects being for later in the year).

On the family goals front we’re still not to those tasks, yet. March and April for the birthdays (though planning is definitely underway) and we’ve been hunting through the dog listings on about 4 or 5 sites looking for a likely candidate but it’s not realistic to bring one home in the messy middle of the bathroom project. For this category I’d say we’re on track.

Career-wise things are a little slower. I’ve been checking listings regularly (and have a saved search over on Indeed) and almost got an interview, but the position didn’t pay near enough to cover my bills. Shame, the hiring firm really liked my resume. BUT! They did ask if it would be okay if they kept in on file in case something else came up that fit both my skills and my salary requirements. Of course I said yes! I also put in for some part time work and created an account over at 99designs and UpWork (though I need to update my portfolio that came over from eLance) for freelance work. I’m still not 100% sure about 99designs–it’s technically spec work, but the jobs do pay out as opposed to the contests for **exposure** that I flat-out refuse to participate in. We shall see.

Print Your HeART Out kit contents from The Crafty Branch.

Print Your HeART Out kit contents from The Crafty Branch.

The Crafty Branch released it’s newest kit yesterday, the Print Your HeART Out kit is all about monoprints and the gelli plate and I’ve had loads of fun using the plate myself to make kit samples as well as a couple of other projects. The gelli plate is definitely not going to be leaving my work table any time soon (though I may move up a size since I’m enjoying it so much). And I’ve begun implementing my social media strategy, but realize it’s something I really need to work up to rather than jump in with both feet (because the latter is rather overwhelming). I’m also looking into a VA for those tasks.

No movement on the book projects, yet–I need to start putting that on my to-do lists or it’ll never get anywhere–but the house project updates are helping me keep my weekly video goals (though I need to get quicker on the editing) and I created my 2016 Editorial calendar for Scraps Of Life.

For career I’ll say 3 out of 4 in progress. That’s not bad for the first month.

Finally, in personal goals, I had three: move more, be more productive, and art every day.

I know that the remodel is definitely getting me more active on the weekends but I’m not even up to an average of 7,500 steps a day with the activity band, much less the 10,000 “norm” so I’ve got a ways to go. What I have noticed is that it’s going to take a little bit of a mindset shift, but not the one you might expect. I’m really big on efficiency, so I group tasks together: everything from stacking items to go upstairs together so I only have to make one trip (usually when I head upstairs for bed) or grouping tasks away from my desk at work so I can minimize time away from my computer (and the space where I do much of my work). This efficiency of tasks is costing me movement! Now, sure, it’s well-reasoned, but is it what I need to stick to or can I change it without losing the “grooves” I get into on tasks that increase how much I can get done.

Good question. One I don’t yet have an answer for.

Speaking of productivity, we’re going to go about 50/50 there–I’ve gotten a fair amount done this month, but I know I’m capable of more. Take Sunday, for instance–we had things we wanted to get done, both Todd and I, but we independently and simultaneously decided that a 2 hour nap was what we were going to do. Productive? Nope! But it felt really good!

And then there’s my Art Every Day personal challenge. Yeah, I know this one hasn’t happened, I’ve missed some days. But to figure out just how many I missed, I had to flip through my photos and journal to see how many days I was creating something versus not.

My Art Every Day Results for January

My Art Every Day Results for January

If I count things like video (which I do, because it is creative in its way) I managed definite creative pursuits in at least 18 of the 31 days, or 58% of the month. Not stellar, definite room for improvement. Of course, some of those days I worked on multiple projects but only listed the larger one. But the point is to make a conscious effort to exercise my creativity EVERY day. So I’ll work on that for February.

I have one other goal that I didn’t actually list in January but it’s one that I’m actually doing well on, so let’s end on a high note: I’ve gone 34 days without impulse shopping or superfluous spending of any kind! More than a month–that’s a record for me, I’m sure! I’m being very strict with myself over my budget right now (it needs help) but I’m really committed to it so it hasn’t been as hard as I thought it might. And it’s not that I can’t buy anything fun, I just have to plan and budget for it (hence the no impulse shopping). And I didn’t use my credit cards this month, either (well, okay, less than $5 on my Kohl’s charge because it was tied to the discount code I was using, but the other $50 of the purchase was covered by a Christmas gift card and it was a planned purchase on top of that; so I’m not counting it against my record). Remember my budget worksheets? All of the balance trackers will show down arrows on the February sheet and that’s definitely a good feeling!

Have you checked in with your goals so far? How are you doing with them?