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A little Happily Ever After in these trying times

I was given the honor of creating some wedding cards recently. With all that is going on, love still prevails. check out a couple of the cards I put together then let me know what you think!

Forever Greenery elements turned out pretty stunning with the Night of Navy accent color.
A little textured layer adds some interest and depth to the whole card.
Not your normal boring sentiment. I added that Navy again to really help the wishes for the happy couple stand out.
Beautifully said. Simply designed.
Gold foil and Whisper White card stock pulled together with Ornate Frames allows for the striking heat embossed image to take center stage.

These cards were a dream to make and came together fairly easy. Want the products used here? I can help you place an order. Want to order custom cards? Send me an email and I’ll get it done! Want to learn how to do this? I’d love to teach you how to make beautiful cards! Drop a line or send me a message and we’ll set something up!

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas 🎄. What!? Wait?!

You read that right! I’ve been getting ready for Christmas! I bought an amazing wreath and a cute table topper from a talented friend. I’ve got these out in my studio to keep me feeling the spirit even though it’s still it a bit sweltering outside 🥵

I love seeing this every day!

So what does this mean for you? It means you can get into the holiday spirit with me early!!!! But don’t fret, there’s plenty of time to craft some beautiful cards. Never stamped before? No problem! I’ll do the hard work, prep it all, and make this an easy process! You have fun and your friends and family will love receiving a special piece of mail for the holidays. ❤️🎄

Just one of the projects we’ll be making! You’ll choose your perfect papers from a selection of holiday Designer Series Paper. Won’t someone be thrilled to receive such a beautiful set of gifts 🎁

The Details…

There is limited in person seating in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Cost: $50 per person

What’s included?

You’ll have all the supplies and instructions to make 20 Christmas/Holiday cards, one set of gift boxes, and a creative packaging for small gifts.

Shhhhh…… my coworkers will see something like this come December 🤫

In addition to your precut card supplies, you’ll be receiving the following to use during the class and beyond! ( a $40 value in products)

🎁One full sized pack of holiday designer series paper

🎁1/2 pack of 6 x 6 designer series paper

🎁One full bolt of ribbon

🎁One pack of embellishments

🎁One Multipurpose Liquid Glue

🥗🥪 We’ll enjoy an easy lunch, light snacks, holiday treats and yummy beverages! Linne will make her most delicious and beautifully decorated holiday cookies. Yummy 😋 You don’t want to miss this!

Have you checked out my Gnomies?!!!!! These are my favorite but don’t worry, there’s plenty of classic Christmas cards to make as well!

November 14, 2020

10:00 am to 2 pm

Register here to reserve your spot!

Get Ready for the Holidays With Me!

ABOUT THE OCTOBER Paper Pumpkin KIT

Name Joy to the World

Details

  • Kit contains enough supplies to create eight cards—four each of two designs—and coordinating envelopes.
  • Kit includes die-cut pieces in English, French, and German.
    • Card size: 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ (10.8 x 14 cm)
    • Envelope size: 4-1/2″ x 5-3/4″ (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
  • Coordinating Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Just Jade, Soft Sea Foam

Subscribe to the October 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit from 11 September to 10 October at https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/sign-up/?demoid=2234739

You can join me to create your cards or feel free to dive right in as soon as it arrives! I’ll post on Facebook the date and time for Paper Pumpkin Club night.

Want more information? Drop me a line or check out paperpumpkin.com

Life’s Little Things

Over here at Equally Creative, we find ourselves often contemplating and wondering if what we do makes a difference. We know so many people who are just stuck in the rat race, even now, as the COVID pandemic continues in full force.

So what do we do to make sense of the world? What can we do to make a difference? We’ve donated masks, donated food and funds as we could afford. But what if we could do more?

Social media, whether you love it or hate it, has good and bad effects on your health and well being. As I too am addicted to seeing friends and family post pics and updates of their lives, all too often I see hate spewing about. Much of the time my mental health is in check and I scroll on by. Occasionally though, I have decided to snooze or unfollow. These people have their own battles that I cannot judge. If we are friends on Facebook, I found some value in you as a human and I will continue to value your worth.

As I contemplate my own posts and actions, I repeatedly return to thoughts of authenticity. If you’ve ever read The Four Agreements, you’ll know being authentic is one of the agreements you should make with yourself. Are your actions congruent with your true beliefs? It is so easy to get caught in the social media frenzies and share pictures, memes, and posts. We use humor to deflect the seriousness of the situation or political content to show distaste or support.

One half of the “Equally Creative” team is a school teacher. (Me, it’s Nicole here). I try hard to be politically correct and as ‘safe’ as possible in my postings. I’m sure there’s some stuff somewhere that could be misconstrued as not so socially acceptable. My point here is that I have for so long taken my public persona so seriously because at my core, I am and always will be, a teacher. My authenticity is always being checked. I frequently ask myself if this post is in line with what I believe? Is it how I want others to judge me? Does this comment or statement represent who I am? As a teacher and leader, do I want my coworkers to think this is what drives me?

As a result of my questioning, “Can I do more to make a difference?” I am reminded that treating others with respect and throwing kindness like confetti is my authentic self. What if more people were kinder to one another? What if you offered a kind hello or a good morning smile on your way into work or school? Can I do more? Absolutely, I can teach my kids how to love unconditionally and forgive mercilessly.

So, I’ll leave you today with the question, “What can you do more of to see change in the world?”

Drop a comment below and tell us how you are making your piece of the world a better place.

Cyber Hugs from The Equally Creative Living team ❤️

World’s Greatest by Paper Pumpkin

Lately, it’s become especially clear who the everyday heroes are—they’ve always surrounded us! Teachers, doctors, hairdressers, nurses, delivery workers, cashiers, and even our friends, kids, and family members go above and beyond to enrich our lives. These people are truly the world’s greatest at what they do! Need a safe way to celebrate your hero? Check out the August Paper Pumpkin!

Need Inspiration?

Celebrate and appreciate the everyday heroes in your life with the August Paper Pumpkin Kit. The cards included in this kit are specifically designed for celebrating life’s champions! Get yours here!

https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/sign-up/?demoid=2234739

  • Kit contains enough supplies to create nine cards and coordinating envelopes.
  • Card size: 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” (10.8 x 14 cm)
  • Envelope size: 4-1/2” x 5-3/4” (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
  • Coordinating Colors: Bumblebee, gold, Mint Macaron, Pacific Point, Soft Suede, white
  • The kit’s stamp set includes Distinktive stamps

Subscribe to the August 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit from NOW until August 10, 2020.

Note: Supplies may be limited toward the end of the subscription period.

Summer Nights

Box of Sunshine - June Paper Pumpkin

Summer Nights are coming to a close get yours now!

Kit contains enough supplies to create nine postcards and coordinating envelopes, as well as nine die-cut tealight bags. I can’t wait to use my tealight bags on our next camping trip!

  • Card size: 4” x 5-1/4” (10.2 x 13.3 cm)
  • Envelope size: 4-1/2” x 5-3/4” (11.4 x 14.6 cm)

Coordinating Colors: Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Costal Cabana, Night of Navy

Get yours HERE! https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/sign-up/?demoid=2234739

Box of Sunshine shareable image

Bonus Days are Here!

Do you like saving money while you shop for things you’d ‘like” to have? Well, here’s your chance! Stampin’ Up is having their Bonus Days promotion and I have sweetened the deal just a bit! When you shop for products using my host code, you will earn $5 for every $50 you spend in products.

As an added bonus, when you shop through my website, I’ll extend the same rewards to you. Want to sign up for a class and get the “credit” toward your $50 product credit???? Done! I have two amazing classes coming up that we will be using Zoom to create together safely. You will receive a private zoom invite when you register for one of my classes. If you have NEVER stamped before, my Simply Citrus class is going to be perfect to get a feel for the products without breaking the bank. Add a few inks or accessories and you reach that $50 threshold to receive $5 free in August.

Are you a novice but interested in more than just a ‘kit’ class, then my Jar of Flowers class is perfect for you! By purchasing the class plus the bundle, you’ll have met the magic number! Want more?! Add a few inks and some embellishments….The $5 is unlimited! For every $50, you will receive a $5 off code for use in August! Do not lose these emails, they do not get resent.

Head on over to our Creative Classes and Sign up today to earn Bonus Dollars!

Self Care Comes in ALL Forms

Self care isn’t always pedicures and bubble baths. Sometimes it’s meditation, exercise, eating a salad or eating ice cream without shame, and for me it’s all of these and nurturing my creative side. The more I create, the more authentic I feel.

Don’t you just love when you listen to your body, mind, and soul? In this current pandemic situation my afternoons have become a mixture of silent escape, personal and virtual connection. I’ve been crafting with friends via Zoom and creating connection with my soon to be 13 year old. I’ve been sharing one of my creative outlets with her since it’s an area we have in common. K is amazing with drawing and creativity and this has added a layer to her abilities. She even gives me permission to buy it ALL! LOL

Here’s tonight’s creative results. How do you nourish yourself? Do you make YOU a priority? Are you too busy caring for others that you forget to feed yourself? Then I’m talking to you! You cannot share positivity if your bucket is empty. Love yourself so you can truly love others. Oh, and wear your mask!

Virtual Demo Facebook Live!

Join me to learn a technique or two! I’ll be practicing my Facebook live video skills while showing you some simple techniques. I’m not ready to host large groups or join them but I am still crafting and love to have others join me! Stay Tuned for other virtual tutorials and projects! Never stamped before? This is your chance to see some easy ways to begin creating simple greeting cards for your friends and family. I can’t wait to see you!

Balance…. Everyone’s Struggle

balance

BALANCE

Do you struggle with BALANCE?  Do you take on more than you should? Do you suffer from high blood pressure, stress headaches or anxiety? I know I do at times!  Many Americans struggle with stress from the daily rat race in order to continue paying for nice things.  I am not immune to this struggle and this post is not necessarily about stopping or downsizing.  This post is about making an effort to live a less-stress life in a purposeful premeditated way. It is an effort to get you to stop for a moment and see where you can make time to smell the roses.

“To keep up with this roadrunner form of living, we don’t think twice before putting self-care on the back burner. More often than not, it takes a wake-up call to notice the toll this kind of lifestyle takes on our lives.” Forbes.com

Self-Care

Self-Care is a hot topic these days, but do you know what it truly means?  Of course it means doing something fun that feels good right? Living in Louisiana, many feel this means bar hopping, large meals, or an overindulgence in sweets. While fun and delicious, this is not necessarily considered self-care.  According to The Law of Attraction website, “not everything that feels good is self-care.”

“The difference between unhealthy coping mechanisms and self-care activities is that the latter is uncontroversially good for you. When practiced correctly, self-care has long-term benefit for the mind, the body, or both” thelawofattraction.com

One thing I found interesting while researching the “why” practice self-care, to create and honor and give yourself  “self-compassion.”  It is necessary for our body, mind and spirit to recognize when these areas need attention so we can prevent burnout.  There are so many ways we can work on self-care and as long as it is a healthy form, it is bound to leave you feeling healthier, more refreshed, motivated to continue the race and who knows, maybe even a bit smarter.

Of course my number one self-care go to is RUNNING.  For me, running gives me energy, wakes me up, helps keep my weight down and counteracts a tiny bit of unhealthy choices along the way.  What can you do when your go to is not a choice for whatever reason?  I’ve been so busy finishing grad school that running has not been possible.  Here are a couple of self-care practices I have incorporated into my own routine to ensure I stay sane and balanced (as much as I can be, lol).  I drink 2oz of Ningxia Red daily!  I use daily vitamins and supplements to balance out my often unhealthy food choices.  I make and use amazing bath bombs to ‘take 5’ and relax.  I diffuse Stress-Away or Lavender to help my body unwind and relax before bed.  You can do this too!

Here are some great posts about self care and ways to aid in physical and mental care.

Here is the Forbes.com article on the importance of self-care https://www.forbes.com/sites/payout/2017/09/19/practicing-self-care-is-important-10-easy-habits-to-get-you-started/#75628519283a

Here is a great blog post by Young Living on how to incorporate oils into your self-care routine. https://www.youngliving.com/blog/self-care-sundays-taking-me-time-with-essential-oils/

Here is one from The Law of Attraction, Check out the top 5 benefits!  http://www.thelawofattraction.com/self-care-tips/

Here is a great pin with 50 ideas for self-care!  Make self-care part of your life daily!

50 Self-Care Ideas

Want to learn more about Essential Oils and how they can help in your self-care journey?  Contact me here or visit this link to order your own oils or become a member and save 24% off retail!

shop or become a member here!