I designated last year as a “year of cheer” and looked up birthdays for many family and friends. I send out all the cards for the month on the last weekend of the previous month wishing them a great birthday month. It takes the stress out of figuring out when to mail them. I find it a great way to start a dialogue with people you haven’t talked to recently too because mist will send a message to say thank you. My mother-in-law is a prolific card sender, so for her birthday, mother’s day, and Christmas I send her a stack of cards for various occasions. She called to thank me and let me know her friends love receiving these cards, so I got the joy and stress relief of making them, she got the joy of getting pretty cards to send, and her recipient gets to enjoy them. Oh - and I get to bust my stash :-)
Believe it or not I made a custom list in my phone last month called "Cards to make". So cool how it works and by putting the dates in it automatically lets you know which one(s) are next to do. Hit the completion button on one and it moves it to the bottom leaving the next one up at the top. Very helpful. I also add a note for thier favorite colors/animals etc. Thanks for the tips! 8-)
I am really enjoying this series. I have a paper hoarding addiction. One way that helps me is seeing how many cards I can make out of one paper pack. So far my highest number is 96! This really helps as I deliver about 300 cards a month to the nursing home and dialysis enter where I was cared for. I’m on a self imposed paper moratorium but couldn’t help getting the Carta Bella floral. I’ll post on the gallery how many I get out of it! Thanks Maymay. Seeing your beautiful smiling face always gives me a smile and encourages me to keep crafting. Hugs and blessings.
MayMay you are dead on with cleaning up after your projects. I do it daily, maybe not completely, but arrange all the clutter. I find if my room is messy then my mind is messy. Seems silly but learned this years ago from my ADHD son. Also noticed when my father in law had Alzheimer's. If there was something out of place he'd fixate on that one thing. Enjoyed this video alot! Very organized and flowed well.
I just have to say, I’ve been a subscriber for your channel for a very long time and there has never been a time when I’m not inspired by you. I am 46 and disabled and a lot of times it’s very difficult for me to have the push to want to do things. Your channel helps me with that. Even during one of those really bad days when I have a monster migraine,stuck with an ice pack on my head and can’t get out of bed…I will lower the volume and brightness on my iPad just so I can watch your videos. You help me in so many ways and I don’t think there will ever be enough thank you’s to say to you. I only hope your able to continue to inspire people, especially those like myself that feel defeated trying something new and who need that little push…even if it’s just an 1/8th lol. Bless you for all that you do. 🫠
My organizational problem is having room for all my crafts: cardmaking, stamping, scrapbooking, sewing, water coloring, mixed media, etc! I want to try and do everything before I die😆 I love all of these ideas and I will be using the card you did today to use some of my scraps. Thank you for all you do for us,
If you haven’t already chosen this topic for this series, I would like to see one on how to make the best use of embellishments. I sometimes feel that the embellishments are like cheating or being lazy. But other times, I feel like the embellishment(s) completed the project. Thank you for this series. It has been very informative.
Lots of great ideas, Thanks, Maymay! One thing I do to motivate me to send out birthday cards it to keep a perpetual calendar up on a wall in my kitchen with friends and family members birthdays and anniversaries. I keep it up when little ones are born, and try to flip the month over around the 20th of every month, so I can "look ahead" to birthdays coming up. It really helps me get those cards out on time.
I am an avid card maker, so I make and send cards constantly. However, I am bad about buying new paper I see and like instead of using what I have, so I like this series. Thanks for all the ideas!
Love this series. I love it when you said “don’t put it down put it away”, I have tried to practice this for a long time…sometimes I’m even successful lol, I have also tried to teach my husband of 42 years the same principle, EPIC FAIL! The area I struggle with is letting go of paper I might not like anymore or my massive collection of tools that I don’t use any more or even might not work as well as they did when they were new, can’t seem to cut the cord. My craft supplies are (sadly) like old friends. I sure hope I’m not the only one with this problem. Maybe this is the year to let go. Thank you Maymay for your time and creative mind, I wonder if your brain ever slows down. Lol. It seems like through the years you just keep the ideas and projects coming, always fresh and inspiring.
I always clean up after my project, because I too, find it easier to go back in there! Believe me, my desk is a huge mess during the creative process! 😂
I LUV THIS SERIES. I have no trouble searching RUclips and Pinterest and finding great ideas that inspire me to create. Despite that, I am often running to the post office at the last minute in hopes that the cards I have made for birthdays and anniversaries arrive somewhere on time! Why? Signing the cards, addressing the envelopes are 2 things that seem to slow me down. Last year I came up with a system to help me tackle these problems. In January, after I am exhausted from Christmas card making and need a break, I sit down and begin to address all of the birthday and anniversary cards for the year. I add my return address labels, pencil the due date in the upper right hand corner, and put all the envelopes in a shoebox in month order. Now, at the beginning of the month I pull out a stack of envelopes, check to see which cards I will need, and once the cards are made I can sign them and pop them in. Voila! No need to overwork that “belated” stamp like I had been! LOL
Maymay, let me tell yá, you are a genius! This week i have made a beautiful folio following one of your videos, also saw your post about premade boxes and gift bags (awesome idea!) and now another video about using those bites and pieces that we all have in our stash for ages and have no idea what to do with them! Thank you so much 💖 for sharing!
I completely agree with keeping your work area clean. My grand kids craft in my craft room (the 1st ever room I've ever had) and I always spend at least 30 minutes cleaning in the morning after they do. They pick up but you know, theyre kids and they don't always put stuff away. It still makes my heart burst with happiness that they want to craft.
I decided a couple of years ago to never miss a birthday of my friends and family, I have a rolodex and put dividers for every month where I keep the dates of birthday cards to send. Last year I decided that I wanted to send cards monthly to my husbands grandmother, my elderly aunt and all of my nieces who were away at college or out on their own. It was 10 cards a month in addition to the birthday cards and those would be seasonal reflecting the month. We are very active in Boy Scouts, my husband is Scoutmaster and I handle advancement. During the lockdown I started sending birthday cards to our scouts so their birthdays are in my rolodex too. This year I wanted to participate in a couple challenges on a facebook group I am in that has different focuses each month like using different tools or embellishments. My goal is to have all my cards done a month in advance. I fill the cards out, address them and put the date I want them mailed where the stamp goes and they sit by my door with stamps so we see them whenever my husband and I go out. For the monthly challenges I have a calendar that tells what they are for the month so I always know what they are. I still have too much stuff in my stash but I am enjoying it!!
I guess I am as old school as my age. LOL I prefer to just write things on my personal calendar. Guess I'm not getting any younger either. All is great advice.
I struggle with worrying my cards are too simple! I have gotten to the point of letting the paper do the talking. Another struggle I have is keeping my work space clean. Thanks for sharing your struggles. I realize I’m not alone.
They aren’t simple-they’re elegant! And Clydene is absolutely correct, most people love getting thinking-of-you mail. And if they don’t? Don’t send them any more.
I didn't send out cards this year. I did do Christmas. I'm trying to organize my craft room. So I can go crazy trying to find stuff. I want to be in the swap it sounds fun. Hope the swap is not full. You have great ideas on crafts to do. I have fun watching your videos and have coffee.
Great idea about putting the reminders in your phone or iPad. Since mine are synced together, they both yell at me LOL I’m BAD about the clean up and avoiding the mess. I’m trying to do better, but it’s facts that it keeps me away!
Thank you! Been stash busting for last 2 days...I made 24 cards today all from scrap pieces I had in a box. Tomorrow I'm making those gift card holders you made in one of the other videos!
I made batches of cards for each of my family in a book/box so I smashed my stash and they all had cards for every occasion to send. There was 12 birthday cards 3 Anniversary 6 Get Well 6 Congratulations 3 Sympathy 6 small Thank you + 6 Gift tags + all the envelopes .I made a book with pockets on each page 12 monthly + 12 for the odds. Was very popular as busy and my cards unique.
You must have peeked into my craft room. 😂Too much mess left from the cards I just finished. Yes, they are finished, but all the supplies are still scattered on my desk. I have gone in there several times, only to turn around, cause I didn’t want to clean up:( So…I am on my way now to clear it off, put things away and “play”. I will do my best to clean up afterward 😂
I agree; for me, cleaning up after each project is essential. It's like I'm giving my entire work space to my brain to stretch out and play for the next one. Paper, stamps, Big Shot and dies/embossing folders, and inks are organized on my shelves but out of reach from my chair. I get my "not sitting down too long at a time" in by this scheme 😁 But once I've made my choices, everything else I need is only an arm's length away. Less energy spent wondering "Where are my scissors?" Don't ask about scissors when I'm wrapping Christmas presents, I've scared myself thinking I've wrapped the scissors in a gift too many times! 😂 Thanks, Maymay ❤️
This is helping me so much, I am such a paper hoarder. I have used your idea for bookmarks. I made 80 without batting an eye. Our church will have meals together and they use scrapbook paper as placemats. Everyone knows to keep them clean and hand them to me when they’re done. I take them and make cards for those who were there. This past week we had a ladies night out. Food of course. But, we made “blessing bags”. So if we’re out and about, and share the gospel we can hand them a sweet treat, an invitation to church, something. So I’m making bookmarks with scripture and blessings on the back. As soon as I’m done I’ll share on the gallery. I also made a “folio” for our preachers wife; so she can share pictures of her grands. That’s just about finished. Thank you for such awesome ideas.
I struggle in design and layout. I can go on Pinterest and other sites and get ideas to “copy” but struggle to be more original in my work. I am loving this series though.
My problem is that I LOVE paper. I'm also one of those who love the smell of paper. I guess I'm also one of those who has a "collection." I'm going to try my best to use it up. Thank you for all the suggestions.
I love all the ideas. I struggle finishing a project when it turns out it will take longer than I expected. I have so many ideas I want to finish one to move on to the next.
Lots more ideas for getting rid of paper because I have pads and pads of paper but love to buy new stuff! Most of my stuff I want to get rid of is 1 sided and I want to only have double sided in my stash now!! :)
I actually organized all my paper scraps by colors in file folders today, and started pulling stuff to swap or donate. Almost finished a scrapbook last night, will be done tomorrow and put together a scrapbooking kit for a friend who just had a baby, bought a new house last year and got married. This will keep me motivated!! I can't wait to work on more projects thanks to your inspiration!
These are excellent. As a beginner, I want to not just collect, I want to buy what I love and use it. I know that can be really hard. We tend to hoard much loved things.
Thank u 4 these new videos. Just give u an idea that I do. 4 birthday cards I spend a day writing the cards and envelopes out and then write the date of their birthday on the back lower left or right hand side. At the start of the month I send all that months cards (including early the following month). That way I don't miss anyone
I make hundreds of cards a year for 3 different charities but I BUY family cards! How crazy is that lol. I am a bit late but challenge accepted and thanks Maymay x
My OCD makes me clean up when I'm done with a project ,lol. When I worked if my desk was cluttered my mine was cluttered, lol love your tips and videos L
Thank you for doing this series! I am enjoying the photo folio from last time and have made a few already....great way to dig into my older paper collections! The thing I struggle with is embellishments such as flowers and wood veneer.
Maymay, you have no idea how close to home this hit me! I have been a crafter for many, many years, sewing, needlepoint, scrapbooking, and card making! I have such a small bedroom for my crafting and it’s getting smaller as I keep buying more things to add to my “stash!” and less room to store! HELP! Lol. I was just having this conversation with my hubby today and I think I want to either donate some of my craft items I don’t use and have had waaaaay too long and never used them, or like you said, swap with someone. Anyway, I’m looking into that swap thing and maybe I’ll just get a bigger room someday after I’ve gotten rid of things I don’t need or use. I don’t have any friends to craft with so I craft alone. I don’t have many friends to begin with so all my “friends” are the ladies I follow on RUclips or Facebook which give me joy! Thanks for all your ideas and tutorials, I really appreciate you, Shannon, Vinnie and all your wonderful staff!
It’s pretty hard to know what you have when you live in two different states. I always spend 6 months with my grandkids in California and 6 months in Utah. I never know what I have. Lol
Hi Maymay. I have loved this series so far. My biggest struggle is the final touches to a project - adding jewels, bows, glossy accents and the little touches - I'm so worried about doing too much that I often do nothing.
So many great tips and ideas. I’m really enjoying listening to your videos. My biggest struggles are: Cleaning up, organization and where is best to put it for convenience, limiting my purchases.
I love ❤️ all of your ideas! Go Maymay Go! You asked what we struggle with? For me it’s sentiments. I go to town making card bases and I have a whole box full of them that need sentiments and maybe a little bling for them to be complete. I do not own stamps. I have been doing everything with my Cricut and Printer. Tips and ideas for this without stamps would be helpful. By the way I LOVE YOUR STAMP SETS but I have been spending my money on cardstock
I do that every year. Gonna make and send birthday cards. If you have a birthday in January February maybe March you are good to go. By April it's all good intentions. By May it's forgotten.
My problem is my craft supplies are all over. I don’t mean on my desk. I live on an acreage in Minnesota. Some supplies are in the pole barn, some are in the house, and some are in Iowa at my mom and dad’s. Whenever I do crafts at home in MN I feel guilty. My husband hates clutter and I feel like I should always be cleaning. My dad passed away May 2020 and my mom doesn’t want to live or be by herself. We go back and forth between MN and IA. When I’m in Iowa I do crafts. When I’m in MN I do my best to clean. My supplies are still in different places.
Hi Maymay Oh your BUST YOUR STASH Is Brilliant Ingeniously Done!! I haven’t given any questions or any of your comments regarding using my stash and I think as a die. Hard scrapper the stash works quite differently but totally get what you’re saying! GREAT……..NO!! SPECTACULAR Share today ans Outstanding info!!! I’m always blown away with what you come up with and then the way you do your Presentation!! YOU SOOOOO ROCK!!!! Joan Smith
Thanks for this video and these great ideas. I craft almost every evening and I put everything away where it belongs every evening so I’m ready to craft the next evening. I am making a folio for my 8 year old granddaughter of her birthday party which was last month. I think she will love it.
Love this series. I have a lot of scraps. I do make a lot of cards, send out a lot of cards. I make cards for the nursing homes also. I also run a card making class at the Senior center. I need to be better with orga my stuff!
OMG, when you were showing your FB page, I just realized that your last name was the same as mine. The things we learn. My last name is also Helms. I guess I need to figure out how to change my name on here since I have been married for 7 years.
Hello MayMay I thank you so much for this series its so informative and entertaining to watch! I AM WONDERING THOUGH IF YOU HAVE ANY TIPS ON HOW YOU SEARCH ON PINTEREST FOR INSPIRATION FOR PROJECTS WITHOUT SAVING THOUSANDS OF PINS THAT LIKE BUT NEVER REALLY GO BACK TO LOOK AT OR JUST FORGET ABOUT BECAUSE I HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT BOARDS THAT AND AM EITHER ADDING MORE PINS TO THEM OR CREATING MORE BOARDS? PLEASE HELP!!!
So glad I found your channel recently! I really needed help with using scraps and this video was excellent because my way to stop the scraps from growing, was to just toss them out with my recycling. I know, I grin he’d too just admitting that! I mainly do layouts and have accumulating a lot of alphabet stickers, thickers, etc but never use them….just pretty and had to have them! Any suggestions for using these up? Thank you in advance
Thank you so much for this series ❤ I did try making a folio from the last video. It wasn't perfect because I have arthritis but I love making them. Keep the videos coming!
I love the swap group I participate in, just started it in March and there's already a 2nd one in the works, super excited about this because they give me great inspiration that might not have been known otherwise
My biggest issue is with so many supplies and potential projects and feeling bogged down with what to do, what supplies to use and what to do with what I create once its created. I've tried to put myself on a no buy plan, but then I see something someone is using in a video or a different brand from what I already have and before you know it I've ordered it. Case in point I have a qouache set that I got for as a gift about a year ago and never used, but then saw someone using a set that was a different brand and before you know it I ordered it and when it came in I was like why!!!!!
Thanks for this Maymay. I have been feeling unmotivated lately but this has perked my up. It's getting to be birthday season here and although I always send handmade cards to my family and friends I think it's time to branch out. THANKS 😊
I would like to downsize my crafting…I can’t seem to get rid of much! A lot of it stems from limited income growing up made essentials at the top of the list. Now that I’m retired, I buy what makes me happy….(ex. A large box of crayons that I couldn’t have as a child). But I am ready to decrease so my children don’t feel guilty or burdened. I’m thinking of starting a box to carry to an elementary school in the fall to share but not sure they would want or need. Any other suggestions or ideas? Love the ‘clean area after each project’….just as soon as I get rid of some! Thanks, love your projects!
Hi to find out what your local schools can use from your stash just call up the school board and they can give the guidelines to what can be donated in your city/county. thanks
Thank you ! I needed this! I run out of time and then leave my craft room a mess. And then what do I do with all those little pieces that I’ve already cut for a project?
My goal this year was to send cards to 11 kids - 6 family members & 5 coworkers kids - for each holiday. I usually end up scrambling but so far so good.
Thanks for sharing! I always think you're amazing and inspiring. One way to use scraps is making ephemera pieces, but I struggle with ideas for it. HELP!!!
A little over a year ago I created a address and phone number list of all of my aunts and uncles send uncles and all of my cousins and challenged myself to send birthday cards and anniversary canniversary cards to each and every one of them and their spouses. I have enjoyed doing it so much that I am starting on year 2 of sending out cards. I sit and make cards for these individuals Probably about 2 months in advance so that I make sure that I get them out on time. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing it.!!!
Hi May May I just wanted to send you a quick note I'm needing to make some embellishments. For my cards I did have a lot stacked up but I had a fire in my craft room and lost a lot of my stamps and embellishments can you show us some quick embellishments to make with scrap paper thank you
Hi Maymay, I need help with organizing. Especially my Christmas supplies. I LOVE CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTMAS SUPPLIES ie. Paper, stickers, ribbons, charms, stamps, dies etc. really all crafting stuff Christmas related. You name it I’ve most likely got it. I’ve gone through and organized pretty much everything else but for some reason I just can’t seem to figure out how I can organize all this Beautiful Christmas stuff. I wish I could send you a pic of all the Christmas crafting supplies I have so you can see my problem. I think I’m a Christmas Craft Supplies hoarder because when I use any of my supplies I have to replace it with new pretty supplies as soon as possible. I try to catch the end of season sales to get those discounts but that doesn’t stop me from going as soon as the Christmas stuff begins to show up in my local craft stores as their putting it out before Christmas. Usually right after Halloween. And then there’s on line Christmas supplies that start showing up for the Christmas in July sales. And all of it has been bought from a budget. Now I don’t want you to feel bad, but I want you to know most all of my Christmas stamps are from your creations. I just love ‘em. And we can’t do without the Mintay. Now that 49 and Market is really stepping up their game I can’t wait to see their Christmas collection. I’m telling you I’ve got a real addiction, therefore I seriously need help getting it all organized so I can find things and maybe keep myself from buying so much because I can’t find it in my stash (mess). 🤭 I would love a video on organizing specifically All things Christmas crafting related. HELP ME PLEASE🙏🏻❣️
I designated last year as a “year of cheer” and looked up birthdays for many family and friends. I send out all the cards for the month on the last weekend of the previous month wishing them a great birthday month. It takes the stress out of figuring out when to mail them. I find it a great way to start a dialogue with people you haven’t talked to recently too because mist will send a message to say thank you.
My mother-in-law is a prolific card sender, so for her birthday, mother’s day, and Christmas I send her a stack of cards for various occasions. She called to thank me and let me know her friends love receiving these cards, so I got the joy and stress relief of making them, she got the joy of getting pretty cards to send, and her recipient gets to enjoy them. Oh - and I get to bust my stash :-)
What a great idea to send cards for the month all together wishing a happy birthday month. Getting them out on time is always a struggle for me.
Thank you for reminding us te be doers and not horders!
Believe it or not I made a custom list in my phone last month called "Cards to make". So cool how it works and by putting the dates in it automatically lets you know which one(s) are next to do. Hit the completion button on one and it moves it to the bottom leaving the next one up at the top. Very helpful. I also add a note for thier favorite colors/animals etc. Thanks for the tips! 8-)
I am really enjoying this series. I have a paper hoarding addiction. One way that helps me is seeing how many cards I can make out of one paper pack. So far my highest number is 96! This really helps as I deliver about 300 cards a month to the nursing home and dialysis enter where I was cared for. I’m on a self imposed paper moratorium but couldn’t help getting the Carta Bella floral. I’ll post on the gallery how many I get out of it! Thanks Maymay. Seeing your beautiful smiling face always gives me a smile and encourages me to keep crafting. Hugs and blessings.
MayMay you are dead on with cleaning up after your projects. I do it daily, maybe not completely, but arrange all the clutter. I find if my room is messy then my mind is messy. Seems silly but learned this years ago from my ADHD son. Also noticed when my father in law had Alzheimer's. If there was something out of place he'd fixate on that one thing. Enjoyed this video alot! Very organized and flowed well.
I just have to say, I’ve been a subscriber for your channel for a very long time and there has never been a time when I’m not inspired by you. I am 46 and disabled and a lot of times it’s very difficult for me to have the push to want to do things. Your channel helps me with that. Even during one of those really bad days when I have a monster migraine,stuck with an ice pack on my head and can’t get out of bed…I will lower the volume and brightness on my iPad just so I can watch your videos. You help me in so many ways and I don’t think there will ever be enough thank you’s to say to you. I only hope your able to continue to inspire people, especially those like myself that feel defeated trying something new and who need that little push…even if it’s just an 1/8th lol. Bless you for all that you do. 🫠
Your stashing busting videos are thought provoking, and much needed. Bless you.
My organizational problem is having room for all my crafts: cardmaking, stamping, scrapbooking, sewing, water coloring, mixed media, etc! I want to try and do everything before I die😆
I love all of these ideas and I will be using the card you did today to use some of my scraps. Thank you for all you do for us,
@@kkrolf2782 that’s a much better use of a kitchen!🤩🥰🤣
If you haven’t already chosen this topic for this series, I would like to see one on how to make the best use of embellishments. I sometimes feel that the embellishments are like cheating or being lazy. But other times, I feel like the embellishment(s) completed the project. Thank you for this series. It has been very informative.
Lots of great ideas, Thanks, Maymay! One thing I do to motivate me to send out birthday cards it to keep a perpetual calendar up on a wall in my kitchen with friends and family members birthdays and anniversaries. I keep it up when little ones are born, and try to flip the month over around the 20th of every month, so I can "look ahead" to birthdays coming up. It really helps me get those cards out on time.
I am an avid card maker, so I make and send cards constantly. However, I am bad about buying new paper I see and like instead of using what I have, so I like this series. Thanks for all the ideas!
Love this series. I love it when you said “don’t put it down put it away”, I have tried to practice this for a long time…sometimes I’m even successful lol, I have also tried to teach my husband of 42 years the same principle, EPIC FAIL!
The area I struggle with is letting go of paper I might not like anymore or my massive collection of tools that I don’t use any more or even might not work as well as they did when they were new, can’t seem to cut the cord. My craft supplies are (sadly) like old friends. I sure hope I’m not the only one with this problem. Maybe this is the year to let go.
Thank you Maymay for your time and creative mind, I wonder if your brain ever slows down. Lol. It seems like through the years you just keep the ideas and projects coming, always fresh and inspiring.
I always clean up after my project, because I too, find it easier to go back in there! Believe me, my desk is a huge mess during the creative process! 😂
I LUV THIS SERIES. I have no trouble searching RUclips and Pinterest and finding great ideas that inspire me to create. Despite that, I am often running to the post office at the last minute in hopes that the cards I have made for birthdays and anniversaries arrive somewhere on time! Why? Signing the cards, addressing the envelopes are 2 things that seem to slow me down. Last year I came up with a system to help me tackle these problems. In January, after I am exhausted from Christmas card making and need a break, I sit down and begin to address all of the birthday and anniversary cards for the year. I add my return address labels, pencil the due date in the upper right hand corner, and put all the envelopes in a shoebox in month order. Now, at the beginning of the month I pull out a stack of envelopes, check to see which cards I will need, and once the cards are made I can sign them and pop them in. Voila! No need to overwork that “belated” stamp like I had been! LOL
Maymay, let me tell yá, you are a genius! This week i have made a beautiful folio following one of your videos, also saw your post about premade boxes and gift bags (awesome idea!) and now another video about using those bites and pieces that we all have in our stash for ages and have no idea what to do with them! Thank you so much 💖 for sharing!
I completely agree with keeping your work area clean. My grand kids craft in my craft room (the 1st ever room I've ever had) and I always spend at least 30 minutes cleaning in the morning after they do. They pick up but you know, theyre kids and they don't always put stuff away. It still makes my heart burst with happiness that they want to craft.
Thanks MayMay, great video. You're such a beautiful lady.😊
I decided a couple of years ago to never miss a birthday of my friends and family, I have a rolodex and put dividers for every month where I keep the dates of birthday cards to send. Last year I decided that I wanted to send cards monthly to my husbands grandmother, my elderly aunt and all of my nieces who were away at college or out on their own. It was 10 cards a month in addition to the birthday cards and those would be seasonal reflecting the month. We are very active in Boy Scouts, my husband is Scoutmaster and I handle advancement. During the lockdown I started sending birthday cards to our scouts so their birthdays are in my rolodex too. This year I wanted to participate in a couple challenges on a facebook group I am in that has different focuses each month like using different tools or embellishments. My goal is to have all my cards done a month in advance. I fill the cards out, address them and put the date I want them mailed where the stamp goes and they sit by my door with stamps so we see them whenever my husband and I go out. For the monthly challenges I have a calendar that tells what they are for the month so I always know what they are. I still have too much stuff in my stash but I am enjoying it!!
I guess I am as old school as my age. LOL I prefer to just write things on my personal calendar. Guess I'm not getting any younger either. All is great advice.
I struggle with worrying my cards are too simple! I have gotten to the point of letting the paper do the talking. Another struggle I have is keeping my work space clean. Thanks for sharing your struggles. I realize I’m not alone.
Please don’t stress that your cards are too simple. People will love that you made and sent them something no matter how simple it is.
They aren’t simple-they’re elegant! And Clydene is absolutely correct, most people love getting thinking-of-you mail. And if they don’t? Don’t send them any more.
Love these ideas! I will first start with developing my thank you cards for the future . One thing at a time.
I didn't send out cards this year. I did do Christmas. I'm trying to organize my craft room. So I can go crazy trying to find stuff. I want to be in the swap it sounds fun. Hope the swap is not full. You have great ideas on crafts to do. I have fun watching your videos and have coffee.
This is a great series. Thank you.
Great idea about putting the reminders in your phone or iPad. Since mine are synced together, they both yell at me LOL I’m BAD about the clean up and avoiding the mess. I’m trying to do better, but it’s facts that it keeps me away!
Absolutely LOVE this series!!! It is so inspiring! THANK YOU!!!
Thank you! Been stash busting for last 2 days...I made 24 cards today all from scrap pieces I had in a box. Tomorrow I'm making those gift card holders you made in one of the other videos!
I made batches of cards for each of my family in a book/box so I smashed my stash and they all had cards for every occasion to send. There was 12 birthday cards 3 Anniversary 6 Get Well 6 Congratulations 3 Sympathy 6 small Thank you + 6 Gift tags + all the envelopes .I made a book with pockets on each page 12 monthly + 12 for the odds. Was very popular as busy and my cards unique.
That is an amazing gift idea!! I'm sure they appreciated the time you took to make their lives easier.
You must have peeked into my craft room. 😂Too much mess left from the cards I just finished. Yes, they are finished, but all the supplies are still scattered on my desk. I have gone in there several times, only to turn around, cause I didn’t want to clean up:( So…I am on my way now to clear it off, put things away and “play”. I will do my best to clean up afterward 😂
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! This was so very helpful! God bless!👍🏼😊
Maymay, I would love a tour of your cockpit desk and how you have it organized and set up with everything within arms reach! Can you show us?
Hi here is the link for that tour, thanks
Love this series. I’ve got way too much stuff. I struggle with organization and accessibility. Good rule…don’t put it down, put it away. 👍🏻
I agree; for me, cleaning up after each project is essential. It's like I'm giving my entire work space to my brain to stretch out and play for the next one.
Paper, stamps, Big Shot and dies/embossing folders, and inks are organized on my shelves but out of reach from my chair. I get my "not sitting down too long at a time" in by this scheme 😁 But once I've made my choices, everything else I need is only an arm's length away. Less energy spent wondering "Where are my scissors?"
Don't ask about scissors when I'm wrapping Christmas presents, I've scared myself thinking I've wrapped the scissors in a gift too many times! 😂
Thanks, Maymay ❤️
Great ideas Maymay I’m excited about the swap.
This is helping me so much, I am such a paper hoarder. I have used your idea for bookmarks. I made 80 without batting an eye. Our church will have meals together and they use scrapbook paper as placemats. Everyone knows to keep them clean and hand them to me when they’re done. I take them and make cards for those who were there. This past week we had a ladies night out. Food of course. But, we made “blessing bags”. So if we’re out and about, and share the gospel we can hand them a sweet treat, an invitation to church, something. So I’m making bookmarks with scripture and blessings on the back. As soon as I’m done I’ll share on the gallery. I also made a “folio” for our preachers wife; so she can share pictures of her grands. That’s just about finished. Thank you for such awesome ideas.
Embellishments, new products, now time I use to craft at work and recent events changed that. So now making myself craft at home is difficult.
I’ve done a bunch of different swaps and they are so much fun!!
I struggle in design and layout. I can go on Pinterest and other sites and get ideas to “copy” but struggle to be more original in my work. I am loving this series though.
I have been sending cards for several years all my family and close friends Birthday an anniversary
The link to stamp set is not what you used in video with the rock star friend. I love that! Enjoyed the video as always. ❤️
My problem is that I LOVE paper. I'm also one of those who love the smell of paper. I guess I'm also one of those who has a "collection." I'm going to try my best to use it up. Thank you for all the suggestions.
I send out 3 cards a week "just because." Then I don't have to remember birthdays and a random card is a nice surprise.
Great encouragement and love the thank you card idea!
I love all the ideas. I struggle finishing a project when it turns out it will take longer than I expected. I have so many ideas I want to finish one to move on to the next.
Lots more ideas for getting rid of paper because I have pads and pads of paper but love to buy new stuff! Most of my stuff I want to get rid of is 1 sided and I want to only have double sided in my stash now!! :)
I actually organized all my paper scraps by colors in file folders today, and started pulling stuff to swap or donate. Almost finished a scrapbook last night, will be done tomorrow and put together a scrapbooking kit for a friend who just had a baby, bought a new house last year and got married. This will keep me motivated!! I can't wait to work on more projects thanks to your inspiration!
These are excellent. As a beginner, I want to not just collect, I want to buy what I love and use it. I know that can be really hard. We tend to hoard much loved things.
Great ideas! 🌸💚💛❤️🌼🧚🏻♀️
Thank u 4 these new videos. Just give u an idea that I do. 4 birthday cards I spend a day writing the cards and envelopes out and then write the date of their birthday on the back lower left or right hand side. At the start of the month I send all that months cards (including early the following month). That way I don't miss anyone
I make hundreds of cards a year for 3 different charities but I BUY family cards! How crazy is that lol. I am a bit late but challenge accepted and thanks Maymay x
My OCD makes me clean up when I'm done with a project ,lol. When I worked if my desk was cluttered my mine was cluttered, lol love your tips and videos
L
Love your ideas MayMay! TY
Thank you for doing this series! I am enjoying the photo folio from last time and have made a few already....great way to dig into my older paper collections! The thing I struggle with is embellishments such as flowers and wood veneer.
Maymay, I just wanted to tell you how much I’m loving this series. Thank you ❤️
Oh my goodness I love love love it!!!!!!
Maymay, you are so awesome
Maymay, you have no idea how close to home this hit me! I have been a crafter for many, many years, sewing, needlepoint, scrapbooking, and card making! I have such a small bedroom for my crafting and it’s getting smaller as I keep buying more things to add to my “stash!” and less room to store! HELP! Lol. I was just having this conversation with my hubby today and I think I want to either donate some of my craft items I don’t use and have had waaaaay too long and never used them, or like you said, swap with someone. Anyway, I’m looking into that swap thing and maybe I’ll just get a bigger room someday after I’ve gotten rid of things I don’t need or use. I don’t have any friends to craft with so I craft alone. I don’t have many friends to begin with so all my “friends” are the ladies I follow on RUclips or Facebook which give me joy! Thanks for all your ideas and tutorials, I really appreciate you, Shannon, Vinnie and all your wonderful staff!
It’s pretty hard to know what you have when you live in two different states. I always spend 6 months with my grandkids in California and 6 months in Utah. I never know what I have. Lol
All the more reason to keep track and add a separate designator with with which place you have the item or whether it travels with you!
Hi Maymay. I have loved this series so far. My biggest struggle is the final touches to a project - adding jewels, bows, glossy accents and the little touches - I'm so worried about doing too much that I often do nothing.
Thank you for sharing these ideas.
Another great video. I am sooo loving this series! I'm hoping to bust thru tons of paper real soon! TFS!
I have NEEDED these videos!
Great ideas, MayMay. I’d be interested in ideas for card designs that use lots of patterned paper without necessarily using lots of cardstock.
So many great tips and ideas. I’m really enjoying listening to your videos. My biggest struggles are: Cleaning up, organization and where is best to put it for convenience, limiting my purchases.
I love ❤️ all of your ideas! Go Maymay Go! You asked what we struggle with? For me it’s sentiments. I go to town making card bases and I have a whole box full of them that need sentiments and maybe a little bling for them to be complete. I do not own stamps. I have been doing everything with my Cricut and Printer. Tips and ideas for this without stamps would be helpful. By the way I LOVE YOUR STAMP SETS but I have been spending my money on cardstock
I’ve been trying to make sure I don’t call something finished until I have everything cleaned up from the project. Sometimes it even works!
I do that every year. Gonna make and send birthday cards. If you have a birthday in January February maybe March you are good to go. By April it's all good intentions. By May it's forgotten.
My problem is my craft supplies are all over. I don’t mean on my desk. I live on an acreage in Minnesota. Some supplies are in the pole barn, some are in the house, and some are in Iowa at my mom and dad’s. Whenever I do crafts at home in MN I feel guilty. My husband hates clutter and I feel like I should always be cleaning.
My dad passed away May 2020 and my mom doesn’t want to live or be by herself. We go back and forth between MN and IA. When I’m in Iowa I do crafts. When I’m in MN I do my best to clean. My supplies are still in different places.
Hi Maymay Oh your BUST YOUR STASH Is Brilliant Ingeniously Done!! I haven’t given any questions or any of your comments regarding using my stash and I think as a die. Hard scrapper the stash works quite differently but totally get what you’re saying! GREAT……..NO!! SPECTACULAR Share today ans Outstanding info!!! I’m always blown away with what you come up with and then the way you do your Presentation!! YOU SOOOOO ROCK!!!!
Joan Smith
Great series! Love these tips
Thanks for this video and these great ideas. I craft almost every evening and I put everything away where it belongs every evening so I’m ready to craft the next evening. I am making a folio for my 8 year old granddaughter of her birthday party which was last month. I think she will love it.
Thanks for all the information
I have been watching this series and I am going to try to go through my stash and use it and get rid of things sitting in a closet
Love this series. I have a lot of scraps. I do make a lot of cards, send out a lot of cards. I make cards for the nursing homes also. I also run a card making class at the Senior center. I need to be better with orga my stuff!
OMG, when you were showing your FB page, I just realized that your last name was the same as mine. The things we learn. My last name is also Helms. I guess I need to figure out how to change my name on here since I have been married for 7 years.
What a great series..you are so inspiring and give easy to follow directions
Hello MayMay I thank you so much for this series its so informative and entertaining to watch! I AM WONDERING THOUGH IF YOU HAVE ANY TIPS ON HOW YOU SEARCH ON PINTEREST FOR INSPIRATION FOR PROJECTS WITHOUT SAVING THOUSANDS OF PINS THAT LIKE BUT NEVER REALLY GO BACK TO LOOK AT OR JUST FORGET ABOUT BECAUSE I HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT BOARDS THAT AND AM EITHER ADDING MORE PINS TO THEM OR CREATING MORE BOARDS? PLEASE HELP!!!
You and me sister! We need help!
So glad I found your channel recently! I really needed help with using scraps and this video was excellent because my way to stop the scraps from growing, was to just toss them out with my recycling. I know, I grin he’d too just admitting that! I mainly do layouts and have accumulating a lot of alphabet stickers, thickers, etc but never use them….just pretty and had to have them! Any suggestions for using these up? Thank you in advance
Great idea!
Thank you so much for this series ❤
I did try making a folio from the last video. It wasn't perfect because I have arthritis but I love making them. Keep the videos coming!
I love the swap group I participate in, just started it in March and there's already a 2nd one in the works, super excited about this because they give me great inspiration that might not have been known otherwise
My biggest issue is with so many supplies and potential projects and feeling bogged down with what to do, what supplies to use and what to do with what I create once its created. I've tried to put myself on a no buy plan, but then I see something someone is using in a video or a different brand from what I already have and before you know it I've ordered it. Case in point I have a qouache set that I got for as a gift about a year ago and never used, but then saw someone using a set that was a different brand and before you know it I ordered it and when it came in I was like why!!!!!
Thanks for this Maymay. I have been feeling unmotivated lately but this has perked my up. It's getting to be birthday season here and although I always send handmade cards to my family and friends I think it's time to branch out. THANKS 😊
Great ideas, Maymay, thank you!
Thank you for this tutorial it gave me some great ideas. I truly appreciate all you do. 🤩
Perfect challenge!
I would like to downsize my crafting…I can’t seem to get rid of much! A lot of it stems from limited income growing up made essentials at the top of the list. Now that I’m retired, I buy what makes me happy….(ex. A large box of crayons that I couldn’t have as a child). But I am ready to decrease so my children don’t feel guilty or burdened. I’m thinking of starting a box to carry to an elementary school in the fall to share but not sure they would want or need. Any other suggestions or ideas? Love the ‘clean area after each project’….just as soon as I get rid of some! Thanks, love your projects!
Hi to find out what your local schools can use from your stash just call up the school board and they can give the guidelines to what can be donated in your city/county. thanks
Local churches may have a kids program or vacation bible camp and can use crafty items for sure
I need to make thank you cards, this is awesome
Love this!
Thank you ! I needed this! I run out of time and then leave my craft room a mess. And then what do I do with all those little pieces that I’ve already cut for a project?
Love this video. Lots of great info and inspo!
My goal this year was to send cards to 11 kids - 6 family members & 5 coworkers kids - for each holiday. I usually end up scrambling but so far so good.
Love you May May!
You are fabulous! Thank you!
Great idea
Thanks for sharing! I always think you're amazing and inspiring. One way to use scraps is making ephemera pieces, but I struggle with ideas for it. HELP!!!
I’d be very interested in this too
A little over a year ago I created a address and phone number list of all of my aunts and uncles send uncles and all of my cousins and challenged myself to send birthday cards and anniversary canniversary cards to each and every one of them and their spouses. I have enjoyed doing it so much that I am starting on year 2 of sending out cards. I sit and make cards for these individuals Probably about 2 months in advance so that I make sure that I get them out on time. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing it.!!!
Thank you for this series!!
Hi May May I just wanted to send you a quick note I'm needing to make some embellishments. For my cards I did have a lot stacked up but I had a fire in my craft room and lost a lot of my stamps and embellishments can you show us some quick embellishments to make with scrap paper thank you
Hi Maymay, I need help with organizing. Especially my Christmas supplies. I LOVE CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTMAS SUPPLIES ie. Paper, stickers, ribbons, charms, stamps, dies etc. really all crafting stuff Christmas related. You name it I’ve most likely got it. I’ve gone through and organized pretty much everything else but for some reason I just can’t seem to figure out how I can organize all this Beautiful Christmas stuff. I wish I could send you a pic of all the Christmas crafting supplies I have so you can see my problem. I think I’m a Christmas Craft Supplies hoarder because when I use any of my supplies I have to replace it with new pretty supplies as soon as possible. I try to catch the end of season sales to get those discounts but that doesn’t stop me from going as soon as the Christmas stuff begins to show up in my local craft stores as their putting it out before Christmas. Usually right after Halloween. And then there’s on line Christmas supplies that start showing up for the Christmas in July sales. And all of it has been bought from a budget. Now I don’t want you to feel bad, but I want you to know most all of my Christmas stamps are from your creations. I just love ‘em. And we can’t do without the Mintay. Now that 49 and Market is really stepping up their game I can’t wait to see their Christmas collection. I’m telling you I’ve got a real addiction, therefore I seriously need help getting it all organized so I can find things and maybe keep myself from buying so much because I can’t find it in my stash (mess). 🤭 I would love a video on organizing specifically All things Christmas crafting related. HELP ME PLEASE🙏🏻❣️
I am right there with you in this one.... CCSH, Christmas Craft Supplies Hoarder.
Love this for sure