M. M. DeZigns...

Vision Board 2019

2019-01-23T14:48:00.000-05:00

"I was gone but now I'm back!" (Back in My Bag, Aha Gazelle)

It has been a while since I have posted & I think I am happy to be back! I am trying to commit myself to posting here went to start, so please bear with me as I get into my rhythm & flow.

This first post is inspired by my recent love for podcasts & planning. I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts & was reminded that I hadn't done a vision board for this year yet. I also realized that last year, I didn't do anything at all around my vision, so I needed to remedy that. I posted on my Instagram (@MMDeZigns) and Facebook page about the vision board I created for my planner & I am going to share that post here as well.

Do you have a vision board? If you plan, do you include it in your planner?

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Finally got around to doing my #VisionBoard for this year. I realized that I no longer subscribe to print media (newspaper, magazines, etc.), so I needed a different way to get my pieces together.

Last week, I started creating a list of key words I had to include in my "board". I started with my word for the year - execution. From there, I listed words that jumped out at me for what I want to achieve this year. Lastly, I took to the internet and began my search.

Images of the words from my list were turned into stickers & partnered with @meandmybigideas The Happy Planner stickers, Hobby Lobby #ElleOhElle stickers, and my @bitmoji

I used my planner punch so that my vision board can be with me all the time!

#mmdezigns #blessedhands #happyplannergirl #happyplanner #bitmojis #blackgirlscraft #blackwomenwhoplanandcreate #blkwmnplan #blessed #blessedhands #beforethepen #plannernerd #planners #planahappylife #plannercommunity #plannergirl #verticalplanner #plannersgottaplan #studentplanner

Big Sale at Cricut.com - free shipping & $9.99 cartridges!

2015-04-08T10:54:00.001-04:00

Now is the time to Get your Circuit Explore Air®
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Did you buy your Circuit Explore Air yet? If not, don’t delay, NOW is the time to do it! Right now, you canbuy a Cricut Explore Air and get 50% off any Starter Set! That’s right – and there are three starter sets to choose from – Deluxe Starter Set, Basic Starter Set and the Complete Starter Set. All designed to help you do even more with your Cricut Explore Air® machine! Just use code STARTER at checkout to get your savings.

And the April Mystery box is now available! $100 worth of goodies for only $29.99. The contents are a mystery, but this box includes cartridges and craft supplies for spring creating! You can get all these wonderful crafting supplies AND get free shipping this month too – just use code APRILSHIP. But supplies are limited, so get yours now before they run out! Oh, and don't forget that many cartridges are on sale for $9.99!!!

Foil Printing - I am hooked!

2015-03-23T19:35:00.000-04:00

So, I was contracted by my cousin to make her wedding invitations last fall. They came out great, but there was an element that she wanted that I couldn't do - she wanted elements of her invite in gold... Uhm, how do I do that??

Unfortunately, I couldn't get it figured out in time for her wedding, but I kept looking. Eventually, I came across a blog post on Pinterest entitled DIY Gold Foil Prints. I saw that I needed to print with a laser printer and use a laminator... ok, I guess, but I don't have a laser printer at home, so it became a project I might get around to trying out later...

Well, later came this past week when I found some Deco Foil on clearance at Michael's. I quickly added it to my cart and brought it home. I have a laminator in the form of my YourStory machine but I still needed to print. Ah ha! Most businesses have laser printers, so there I had it. I put together some random words & phrases and pictures of butterflies (I like butterflies LOL) and was ready to test this out. I got my prints home, got my YourStory warmed up, read the instructions on my Deco Foil (didn't know which way to to place it on the paper). My first try came out okay, but I didn't get full coverage:

Even though it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be, I was determined to keep at it... So, when I found myself at Joann in from of the Heidi Swapp Minc Collection Reactive Foil and the 50% off sale sign, I had to get more foil! I got Silver, Gold, & Blue and got a chance to play today. I love, love, love the results!

Here's what you need:

Your picture, text, or design printed (I printed on cardstock - the first picture is white cardstock & the second is on black cardstock) in heat reactive ink (toner for example)
Reactive foil (I used Deco Foil first, and Minc Reactive Foil for the second try)
A laminating machine (I used my YourStory)

Here's what you do:

Warm up your laminator
Cut your foil to a size that will cover your printed design (with a little over hang to insure you get a clean fully covered product)
Place the foil dull side down (on most of the foils I have the dull side is a shade of silver) on top of your print
Run them together through your laminator
Peel the foil away & tada!

Heidi Swapp has a special machine as part of the Minc Collection, but I wouldn't suggest getting that if you already have a laminator. They also sell special sleeves that help your foil & print stay together in your machine, not sure if I am going to get that either, but I will definitely be getting more foil! I am hooked!

If you try it, be sure to come back & let me know!

Sale at Cricut.com

2015-03-20T15:20:00.001-04:00

Cricut Flash Sale: 40% Off All Supplies + Free Shipping
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Cricut's Flash Sale is going on now! This weekend, shop the Cricut Flash Sale and get 40% off all supplies. Stock up on all of those much needed supplies and throughout March, all orders ship for free with code MARCHSHIP (No Minimum!). Hurry over to Cricut to catch these savings before they are gone!

Didn't know that could happen - my apologies

2015-02-09T22:11:00.001-05:00

I realized that I had let an entire month go by this year and hasn't posted anything to my blog... "I have to do better," I said to myself. How surprised was I to find that what appeared to be spam emails had been posted to my blog - how in the world does that happen?!?

I apologize to anyone who is following or subscribing who may have received those spam posts. I will be being more vigilant moving forward to insure this doesn't gotten anymore.

Stay tuned for more of what I've been making, deals & steals for cool crafty things, and more!

Detroit Lions

2014-10-28T08:50:00.001-04:00

I am from Detroit and I love my city! Don't we all lol! I was commissioned by a friend off a co-worker to make a Detroit Lions themed birthday card for her boyfriend. She explained that her gift to him was going to be tickets to an upcoming Lions game. So I set out to see what I could come up with. I finally turned to my trusty Cricut Expression and Cricut Craft Room. I had recently branched out and subscribed to the Cricut Library giving me access to thousands of images - I just knew somewhere in there would be the lion that I needed. I found this lion card on the French Manor cartridge & it was perfect!

Feeling Blue...

2014-09-20T10:39:00.001-04:00

I was asked to create two cards for two different occasions but the same/similar cards. I challenged myself to make two different cards, different designs, different shades of the same color. The outcome was pretty good, if I do say so myself ;-).

Thanks for stopping by!

Giant Thank You Card

2014-09-15T18:23:00.001-04:00

This card was created for a large group - a choir. It is custom made in their colors and used the music theme. There is embossing and diecuts using the Cricut Craftroom. Finished card measured about 2 feet tall.

Just Us

2014-05-24T17:45:00.001-04:00

Mini Me & I... spending time with my favorite person

Mother's Day 2014

2014-05-13T21:06:00.001-04:00

I woke up to the sweetest smell on Sunday. Apples & cinnamon. Spicy sausage. Cheesy grits. All made just for me by my one & only daughter! I knew I was in for a great day... I hope all the mothers out there had awesome days as well.

I spent the days leading up to Mother's Day making cards. Here are a few of my favorites!

Photo Books are free at Shutterfly.com

2014-03-22T00:43:00.000-04:00

Use code STORYTIME to create your free 8x8 Photo Book at Shutterfly.com! Expires March 25, 2014

Click here to view this photo book larger

Start your own Shutterfly Photo Book today.

Merry Christmas

2013-12-20T20:55:00.001-05:00

There are only five days until Christmas! Did you get all your shopping done? I don't know if I have all mine done, but I think I quit LOL!

In other news, I made a few cards & gifts for my co-workers. Also a few items customers ordered.

Enjoy!

It's a Giveaway & a Celebration!

2013-08-23T16:12:00.001-04:00

So, one of my favorite crafty people is celebrating her 9th anniversary in crafting with an awesome giveaway! Classy Girl is giving away a free Creative Circle Class Pass to one lucky winner (I hope it's me).

Stop by her blog & show her some love & enter for your chance to win!

It's wedding season

2013-07-26T17:51:00.001-04:00

Just a little something I whipped up for a client that needed a card for a wedding this weekend.

Still crafting

2013-06-23T15:06:00.000-04:00

I realized it's been way too long since I posted. I have been busy creating cards & gifts for my customers & friends and for a swap every now & again.

Here are two birthday cards I whipped up today. I pulled out my Ribbon Tag Curler & my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher. Both cards are simple but elegant. How you enjoy!

Getting Organized: Scraps

2012-07-25T07:31:00.000-04:00

So... I have been MIA, but I have been crafting! I came across a pin on Pinterest about organizing scraps and as I skimmed it, I saw a part about sizes for scraps for cardmakers. Then it hit me - I'm a card maker! LOL!

So, I gathered up my organized scraps, plus all the recent ones I had been accumulating & my trimmer and went to work. I decided I would store them in photo boxes (had just picked some up from Michael's or Joann).

I did some quick measuring & discovered my scraps could be up to 4.5x7 which works for most of the cards I make. I didn't keep super small pieces. I also found the when I used 3" or so from a sheet, I put that in my scraps too - those were cut down to 8.5x11 and stored separately.

My old oganization system was sorted by color with metals (copper, bronze, etc.) and vellum in its own group. What I ended up with is the picture - color sorted, organized scraps that I might actually use :-)

When Mini Me Calls, Mommy Answers

2012-06-04T20:38:00.001-04:00

My daughter needed a patriotic tee & even though I believe she has a few, we couldn't find any! So, Mommy to the rescue.

I pulled out my t-shirt supplies, some masking tape, & a foam brush... And viola!

I laid the shirt flat, but not too flat (wasn't trying to be perfect) and used tape to mark off where the blue square for the stars and to hold the place of the white stripes.

After I applied the red paint (Tulip Soft Fabric Paint), I allowed it to dry for a few minutes and reapplied two long strips to create the blue square.

What patriotic tee or flag is complete without stars??? I used Tulip Beads in a Bottle to add a little shimmer & dimension.

Mini Me loves it & I hope you do too!

2012-04-25T15:03:00.001-04:00

http://www.angelafreedesign.com/bedbath/images/1upxmlmx.php
4/25/2012 12:03:40 PM

I've been crafting...

2012-04-10T23:20:00.000-04:00

What have you all been up to???

Still Crafting... Yarn Time!

2012-02-21T20:14:00.003-05:00

How has everyone been? I have been on a papercrafting hiatus, but the crafter in me has not been able to rest. I have picked up my crochet hooks & yarn and have been warming up the winter months. Here are a few pics of my recent crafting projects & I promise there are more to come.

Spiral Scarf

Chocolate Cowl (super warm!)

Birthday Card with Crocheted Flower Barette

I will be back with some of the cards I have made in the past few months & the journals I am working on right now!

Flowery Birthday Card

2011-10-30T23:20:00.001-04:00

Just stopping by to drop off my latest creation - another co-worker's birthday is coming up!
(I'll be back later with the details!)

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Happy Birthday Scrappin' Sista!

2011-10-29T00:31:00.000-04:00

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This month, I am one of the special guests over at One Scrappin Sista's blog.

All this month, she has had her crafty friends stopping by to create beautiful projects using her favorite colors.

I chose to create a Beautiful Butterfly Birthday card using turquoise, orange (my favorite color), and purple.

For my project, I made - what else - a birthday card.

I recently picked up an American Girl border punch & a Cuttlebug embossing folder - from the Cricut Companion Once Upon a Princess set - that, both, featured butterflies. I was so anxious to use them on a project together. What better time to create than now?!?! I used turquoise Recollections metallic cardstock from Michael's along with purple & orange cardstock from their seasonal packs.

I used some of my VersaMagic chalk ink in Sea Breeze to ink the edges of the card base & layered pieces. I added some white ribbon from my stack & a few brads and viola!

Hope you all enjoyed my project. Happy Birthday month Christel!

There are some great projects over at her blog & some chances to win some sweet blog candy - be sure to check it out here!

I have a few more birthday cards coming up along with graduation announcements - so stay tuned!

(Hope all of this month's winners received their goodies!!!)

Prizes & a Project

2011-10-23T03:00:00.000-04:00

Well, it i time to announce the last winner (and a bonus winner!)

Random.org chose Bunnyfreak! And I decided to give out one more prize, and it chose Babe as the winner of the bonus prize.

Cathy chose Prize Y - the Designer's Calendar Cricut Cartridge

Leaving Prize X for Bunnyfreak - American Girl Crafts "friends" border punch

And Babe will be receiving a stamper's blog candy pack with stamps & inks - including this!

Thank you all for continuing to drop in & check out my projects! I think the spirit of the season has come over me & I will be giving away many more goodies in the coming weeks - stay tuned.

As promised in the title, there is a project too! I was in a swap over at Scraps of Color this month and the theme was Christmas. I chose to use some paper I picked up at Big Lots and a sentiment I got from PaperCrafts magazine with (my new favorite) kraft cardstock and here is what I came up with:

New Beginnings...

2011-10-20T12:00:00.000-04:00

One of my co-workers just welcomed a beautiful baby girl into her life & wow was she showered!

Her family and friends hosted a baby shower for her last month & I had the privilege of creating her invitations.

This invite really simple with just a little matting & some super cute feet punches. I picked up the safety pin embellishments (from the party section) and the safety pin paper from Hobby Lobby.

In the office, we decided to give her a small shower (we were just a little too late - she went into labor & missed our event). For that shower, I made two cards for our entire staff to sign to give to her & the new baby.

Here is the first one:

The second one was a little more creative:

This one is a zig-zag card with two inner panels for people to sign. I had fun with this one & pulled out my Sizzix Texture Boutique and my favorite stickers - Silver Peel Off Stickers. I used the onesie, booties, & bow on pink cardstock and cut around the design... the results are too cute!

This is your last chance to post a comment for a chance to win my last prize. I will choose the winner on Friday evening (after I come home from visiting the new baby :)

Post your comment by Friday, October 21st at 12pm EST. Remember, you get a chance to win for each of this week's posts that you comment on. I'll use random.org to pick the lucky winner!

It's Birthday Season (it always is LOL)

2011-10-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

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I feel like I have been making birthday cards all month - and I am not done yet!

So far this month, I have made a few cards that I am including in this post (I will post a few more later).

The first card was made for a co-worker whose sorority colors are pink & green. I figured the bold design of this card would be right up her alley.

I used the Recollections Femme Fatale stack. I am really starting to like using some of the big & bold prints on my printed paper/cardstock to make my cards pop. Because there really wasn't much white in the print, I wanted to minimize the amount of white I used on the outside of the card... I used some fuchsia ribbon from my stash and a few small fuchsia brads to highlight my sentiment.

The second card was for a male co-worker and I always have a hard time creating for men. For this card, I found inspiration in a previous design.

For this one, I used some paper from a kit I won from Scraps Of Color. I cut the circles with my Fiskars Circle Cutter, choosing four different sizes. The first card I made in this design was a few years ago & came from one of my paper crafting magazines (sorry, can't remember which one). Here it is:

Hope you enjoyed the cards! Be sure to comment on this post for an extra chance to win (win what, you ask??? click here for more details)