Happy New Year! Squirrelz Stash Bash Blog Hop

Hello my crafty friends! This will be my last blog post for the year. And as customary, I will be doing my crafty resolutions for the coming year. I will also review my crafty resolutions at the beginning of 2022 and see if I have accomplished them.

Before I get into all that, this is the card I created for our monthly Squirrelz Stash Bash! The theme is Christmas/New Year/ Winter theme and favorite technique. If you are new to this hop, it’s that once a month where my squirrel sisters and I get together and create projects using stuff in our stash that we have “squirreled” away! It really helps us revisit our stash and bash the stuff that are gathering dust or haven’t seen the light of day in a very long time!

I created this New Years themed card using the leftover background I made on my previous post. If you would like to see the technique on how I created the background of this card, I have a tutorial on my You Tube channel linked here. I love creating inky backgrounds, and galaxy backgrounds are the most fun to create!

I took one of those backgrounds and I used a stencil from the latest Hero Arts release called Star Cluster and some Hero paste and spread it evenly all over the surface of the galaxy background. Then once it was dried, I added some star shaped bling all over. The star sequins have been in my stash for quite awhile and I was happy to find a project to use it in.

Next, I painted on some gold glimmer ink from Hero Arts on a scrap of black cardstock and die cut the word “Happy” from the Happy Thanks Stamp and Cut XL, also from Hero Arts. I also cut two extra from black cardstock and adhered it to the back, off setting a little. Then added the word “New Year”, white heat embossed on black cardstock. The sentiment is from Celebrate Everyday stamp set, one that I’ve also had in my stash for quite awhile.

Now, let’s review the crafty resolution I set myself up at the beginning of 2022 linked here.

SHOP MY STASH

In the beginning of the year I resolved to “shop my stash” and use the stuff I had accumulated over the years. I have definitely done this! I created over 300 cards using pattern paper that I have hoarded over the years. I donated a large chunk of those cards to a charity that resells the cards to raise money for a children’s orphanage. I plan to make more and donate more in the months to come. And for those I did not get to donate, I sold some of them to friends and family, donating the proceeds as well to a children’s home called Chosen Children Foundation.

ECO-FRIENDLY CRAFTING

My resolution was to repurpose items that I have in my stash that I would either have thrown away or hoard. I have stopped buying fun foam, which I had usually used for adding dimension to my cards, instead I use scraps of cardstock. I must say, I still need to work on this a little bit more in the future!

UPLOAD MORE ON YOUTUBE

I have uploaded at least once a month on my YT channel, sometimes twice a month but I know that I still need to be more consistent. But I did have a couple of milestones this year! I am over the 500 subscribers mark and I had for the first time, more that 1,000 views on a video I posted. So hopefully, smae time next year I cross at least the 1,000 subscribers mark!

TEACHING CARD CLASSES

I taught at least 4 cardmaking classes as a Design Team member of My Little Attic, a local arts & crafts store. I also taught 3 classes at the Altenew Academy: ALL ABOUT STENCILS, COLOR POP RETREAT & FABULOUS FLORALS RETREAT. I also stepped in for a fellow crafty friend when she couldnt make it at another Altenew virtual cardmaking retreat: SPEC-TECH-ULAR BLOSSOMS. Next year, I plan to do more!

DESTASH & PURGE

I have started to do this in stages with all of the proceeds going to charity. So far I have raised about $500 For CHOSEN CHILDREN and I’ve barely scratched the surface of my stash!!

What are my crafty resolutions for 2023? I would say pretty much the same. I am only on one Design Team for next year, Hero Arts. I am not saying that I won’t be in any more but I would like to concentrate on just creating with different brands and products that I already have in my stash. Maybe I will buy a few things here and there. I will add one more to my crafty resolutions list and that is to..

START AN ONLINE SHOP

I have not really sold my cards in a formal kind of way, only just thru IG or to friends and family. I will start exploring this idea to see if this is an even worthwhile thing to do.

What do you think of my resolutions for the coming year? What are your crafty resolutions? Let me know in the comments below.

I want to end this long blog post with a big thank you — to my fellow squirrel sisters: Karen, V, Marie, Lounon and Bory. You guys rock!! I love our little chats about anything and everything! And how supportive you all are! Thank you too to my wonderful DT members over at Hero Arts, Libby Hickson & Jessica Frost-Ballas. I love working with all of you!!

And to all of you who take the time to read my blog, a big thank you too! I enjoy what I do and I feel happy that you are here with me along for the ride!

Don’t forget to check out the next squirrel sister on our hop, the wonderful Karen!

Have a Happy New Year!!

’til next time!

❤️

Anna

Hop List:

Bory – skipping this month!

Lounon

Marie

Anna

Karen

V Fairchild

Product List: