Something New: Origami Owl

Hi everyone! Today I'm taking a departure from my normal crafty projects to share a new venture I've started on. A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law came to visit us from California and said she was going to be doing a Jewelry Bar for a friend in town while she was here and asked me to help her with it. It was for a company called Origami Owl, which was totally new to me. It turned out to be the most adorable line of jewelry.

I fell in love -- and I don't say that lightly! Normally, I'm a total jewelry dunce. I can't figure out what looks good together or what kind of necklace goes with what neckline or what type of earrings to pair with anything. So I normally just go without. With Origami Owl, those days are over. I love that everything in the collection goes together and looks great with any kind of outfit, dressy or casual.

But what I loved the most is the way you can customize the jewelry to make something meaningful, yet something that looks beautiful and fashionable. Origami Owl has a entire line of Living Lockets -- lockets that open with a strong magnetic clasp and that you fill with tiny, hand-painted charms that cover every range of interest and love: family, faith, sports, food, celebrations, and so much more.

So after helping my mother-in-law with her Jewelry Bar (a fun jewelry party where everyone just shops and visits, no presentations), I decided I wanted to jump in and start my own business as well. So I did -- I launched my business just over a week ago, and I have been loving all the connections and sharing that have come of that. And the jewelry! It has been so fun to play and mix up my look with different lockets, chains, charms, plates, and dangles each day. The possibilities are endless.

And in addition to having awesome jewelry, the Origami Owl company is an amazing one. The company was started by 14-year-old Bella. Her story is so inspiring, and she's been able to give back so much to our communities through Origami Owl and their work with ChildHelp to prevent child abuse, neglect, and bullying. Their mission is "Be a force for good," and it's something that I really love to live on a daily basis. You can read more about Origami Owl and Bella's story.

So that's why I wanted to share Origami Owl with you today. I invite you to take a look at my Origami Owl website and see what you think. I'm going to be doing online Take Out Parties and Facebook Jewelry Bars with Origami Owl -- if you're interested in earning free jewelry just for sharing Origami Owl with your friends, contact me today at lissamitchellATgmailDOTcom. :)

To learn more about Origami Owl:

• Subscribe to my Origami Owl list -- just email lissamitchellATgmailDOTcom with "Subscribe" in the subject line
• Like my Origami Owl Facebook page

I'm here to help -- if you have questions about hosting an online Take Out Party or a Facebook Jewelry Bar with Origami Owl or about starting your own Origami Owl business, just let me know. :)

Stay crafty -- and fashionable!
Lissa :)

Practical Scrappers May Sketch

Hello everyone! It's time for a new monthly sketch at Practical Scrappers. If you know me, you know I love working with sketches. And this month's sketch is no exception -- very fun with lots of possibilities:

Here's the layout I created based on this sketch:

These photos are from a trip I took with my mom to visit my grandparents before they moved back east. My aunt and cousin were there too, and it was a wonderful trip.

I have decided to work on a "kill the kit" project for May, which means I'm using up a monthly kit from my stash. This month, I'm working with the March 2013 kit from Studio Calico. A beautiful kit with lots of awesome papers and embellishments to play with. And the sketch had that lovely swirly border element, so I decided to use my Sizzix Swirly border die to create several pieces that I layered and tacked down with tiny, tiny glue dots.

I used the Amy Tangerine rub-ons in the title and as accents around the page. Love the sideways title.

I love how this came together -- all thanks to that awesome sketch. Be sure to head on over to Practical Scrappers to see the rest of the design team layouts for this month's sketch. They always have such creative ideas!

Until next time,
Stay crafty!
Lissa :)

Kiwi Lane May Blog Hop

Hello everyone! I'm just thrilled to be a part of the Kiwi Lane Blog Hop this month. There are so many talented ladies bringing you inspiration today. And to celebrate, I have a fun giveaway for you! Read on to find out how to enter...

But that's not all -- Kiwi Lane also has a prize up for grabs for one random winner. You can enter by leaving a comment at every blog in the blog hop (including the Kiwi Lane blog). One random winner will win a $25 gift certificate to the Kiwi Lane shop! The winner will be announced on the Kiwi Lane blog on Thursday, May 8.

Here's the whole list of participating blogs...

1. Kiwi Lane: http://kiwilane.com/here/blog/
2. Lissa Mitchell: http://mightycrafty.blogspot.com/
3. Leslie Prinkki: http://www.scrapsofmine.blogspot.com
4. Connie Wallenbrock: http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
5. Sandi Pressley: http://lifeatthebeach51.blogspot.com/
6. Christine Meyer: http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com
7. Alicia O'Bryant: http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
8. Suzanne: http://scrapwithsuzy.blogspot.com
9. Roselyn Riley: http://prettylittlepackages.blogspot.com/
10. Arin Flinn: http://apieceoflifespie.com

And now for my project. I'm sure you know by now that the Kiwi Lane designer templates are one of my absolute essential scrapbooking tools -- I use them on almost every layout or project I create. And I was so happy to work with the Floral Accessory template set and the Tiny Bracket set this month! Here's what I created...

So soft and sweet -- I just love it. I used up a stash of My Mind's Eye papers that I've been hanging onto forever. They were just so beautiful and I haven't been able to cut into them. Luckily, the Kiwi Lane templates make that job easy since you get layer all those beautiful papers together.

I used these Kiwi Lane templates to create my page:

• Tiny Bracket 4T
• Floral 2, 3
• Tiny Floral 1T, 2T
• Clara Lane 2A, 3A, 3B
• Strips 1", 1/2"

I started by creating a background mat with the Tiny Bracket 1T shape. I traced the bracket on each side at the 6" mark...

Then, I connected the brackets with a straight line, using a border template.

Then, I framed out my page with my templates, laying the background mat in place (I ended up rotating it in the final design, so that more of the brackets could be seen):

Once I knew where everything was going to go, it was super easy to finally cut into those lovely papers. I just removed each template, traced and cut each piece, then inked them with Tim Holtz Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. I'm so happy to be finally using these amazing papers -- and clearing out my stash...

I made the ribbon flower with some ribbon from my stash and a Gluber. Love those Glubers for making custom embellishments!

Lovely paper layers...

So that's my project for this month's Kiwi Lane Blog Hop. Are you ready to head over to the next blog for more amazing Kiwi Lane inspiration? Before you go, be sure to enter to win my giveaway for your very own Kiwi Lane Tiny Bracket templates. To enter, just do one of these:

• Subscribe to my blog (in the left nav) and leave a comment on this post telling me you're all signed up.
• Like my Facebook page and leave me a quick post there telling me you did it.

I'll announce the random winner on May 8. Be sure to enter before midnight MST on May 7. (I can only ship to United States -- thank you for your understanding.)

Now head to your next stop on the Blog Hop -- there's lots of inspiration to be seen and more giveaways to enter...

1. Kiwi Lane: http://kiwilane.com/here/blog/
2. Lissa Mitchell: http://mightycrafty.blogspot.com/ **You are here**
3. Leslie Prinkki: http://www.scrapsofmine.blogspot.com ** Go here next **
4. Connie Wallenbrock: http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
5. Sandi Pressley: http://lifeatthebeach51.blogspot.com/
6. Christine Meyer: http://scrappingwithchristine.blogspot.com
7. Alicia O'Bryant: http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
8. Suzanne: http://scrapwithsuzy.blogspot.com
9. Roselyn Riley: http://prettylittlepackages.blogspot.com/
10. Arin Flinn: http://apieceoflifespie.com

Good luck and stay crafty!
Lissa :)

Updated 5/8/14: Congratulations to Connie Wallenbrock -- you are the winner of the Kiwi Lane Tiny Brackets templates. Email me at MightyCraftyDOTmeATgmail.com to claim your prize!

Sketch N Scrap Sketch Challenge #56

It's time for another monthly sketch challenge from Sketch N Scrap -- and you know I love working with these sketches! They always include fun elements to play with on your page.

Each month, Sketch N Scrap offers you three layout sketches and two card sketches to challenge your creativity. And if you link up your creation at their site, you'll be entered to win an awesome prize package -- a different prize each month.

Here's sketch #56:

And here's the layout I created based on the sketch:

Like many of you, I'm sure, I have a stack of monthly kit club boxes in my scrap room that need to get used up. :) I decided to "kill the kit" this month with a Studio Calico kit from last May 2013. I love color combinations in this kit and I thought it was a great time to scrapbook a few random cousin photos.

I love how versatile this sketch is! Just the right amount of photos and so quick to put together.

Be sure to play along with the sketch challenge this month (and every month!) at Sketch N Scrap. Don't forget -- if you link up your creation at Sketch N Scrap, you'll be entered to win a great prize giveaway -- a new prize each month.

Until next time,
Stay crafty!
Lissa :)

Zoo Fun for Miss Kate Cuttables

I have a new project up today at Miss Kate Cuttables -- I just love how it turned out. Here's a sneak peek:

Ack! Too cute. I hope you will head over to check it out...

Until next time -- stay crafty,
Lissa :)

Scrap Space Organizing: Thickers

I'm in the process of reorganizing and rearranging my scrap space -- so I thought I would post a few organizing ideas as I'm working through everything here.

First up, I reorganized my Thickers collection. Yes, I have a collection (I'm not the only one, right?). I have a serious Thickers addiction. I love using them on my layouts -- and apparently I love buying them too. But organizing them is always a challenge. Those cellophane packages they come in are the worst for long-term storage -- hard to open and a nightmare to get them back into.

So when Mercy Tiara talked about how she organizes her Thickers, I was all over that immediately. So much better. Now, I store all my opened Thickers in these 6x12 open-ended plastic bags (I bought mine on eBay -- just do a search and you'll find lots of options). And I just attach the Thickers label to the baggie to help identify them later.

But I still had the problem of organizing all of them. I settled on placing them all in two open baskets, sorted by color -- neutrals in one basket, colors in another. But the baskets were big and just sat on my floor and took up a lot of room. Annoying.

Then, I had the bright idea of using the bottom drawer of my cutting station.

And here is where you see my embarassingly large collection of Thickers...

 They were an almost-perfect fit. I just have to bend the label down to get them to lay on their sides in the drawer. They're still sorted by color, making it super easy to find what I'm looking for. Success!

So that's my Thickers storage tip -- store open packages in 6x9 plastic bags, store them on their side for easy access, and sort them by color.

How do you organize your Thickers? I would love to hear your ideas.

Until next time,
Stay crafty!
Lissa :)

Stitch Fix: April 2014

I'm back already with another Stitch Fix review. We had a busy March, so I posted my March Fix late, which meant I already had an April Fix waiting for me when we got back from vacation at the end of March. And that's okay, because I absolutely LOVE my Stitch Fix boxes. It's a gift I give to myself each month. (Note: Stitch Fix offers a referral credit for affiliate links, which I have included in this post. I will receive a $25 credit if you sign-up using my Stitch Fix link. Thank you for your support!)

If you haven't heard of Stitch Fix, it's a monthly subscription box service. You pay a $20 styling fee and fill out a detailed style questionnaire -- then the Stitch Fix stylists pick out five clothing and accessory items to send you. You keep only what you love and send the rest back in their pre-paid shipping envelope. Your $20 styling fee is applied as a credit toward what you keep -- and if you keep all five pieces, you get an additional 25% off the total.

Another benefit of these monthly Fixes -- I no longer have those incurable impulses to pick up random clothing items from Target and Kohl's. My monthly fixes are kind of pricey to pay all at once, but I think I'm saving money in the long run by not impulse buying every time I go to Target. :) And the clothing sent by Stitch Fix is super top quality -- I can already tell it's going to last me so much better than any cheaper random clothing purchases. Win!

I love that Stitch Fix sends these wardrobe cards for each item in the Fix. I keep them in my closet so I can remember how to pair everything up. Love that.

 So, on with my April fix. It was so fun to try everything on. First up -- another pair of awesome jeans. I swear, I don't know how they do it! I loved, loved, loved these Kate Distressed Boyfriend Jean by Kut From the Kloth ($78). So amazing. Love the little distressed patches and the fit is perfect to wear with tall boots or flats. Kept!

 Next was this Wynn Arrow Print Front Pocket Blouse by Papermoon ($48). I loved the pattern and colors of this shirt, but the top pockets and the high neckline just made it not the most flattering top for my girls. I sent this one back, reluctantly.

Third was this gorgeous sleeveless top -- the Collie Graphic Panel Detail Blouse by 41Hawthorn ($48). I absolutely loved the color and the vertical stripe detail on this top (it was on the back too). But since it was sleeveless, and since my arms aren't my best feature, this top was just not for me. Maybe after I get buff arms, I can request this top to come back to me. I sent this one back too.

Fourth, this Katelyn Layered Geometric Necklace by Zad ($34). It was cute, but I didn't love it. I sent this one back too.

 Finally, this Filbert Houndstooth Henley Blouse by 41Hawthorn ($58). Again, loved this color! This is a super cute top. I really wanted to keep it, but I already had a red version of this same top (which I love). And since at this point, I was only keeping the awesome jeans, I decided I would send this one back too and save up my budget for my next fix instead. Whah.

So, I only ended up keeping one piece from this Fix -- the jeans. Love those! I still can't believe how well Stitch Fix has done for me with jeans/pants. I NEVER find jeans to fit me, and every pair they have sent, I have loved and kept. Wow.

So, even though I sent back four of the five pieces, I still LOVED getting my Stitch Fix this month. I can't wait until the next one. If you are looking to update your wardrobe with fashionable pieces, this is the subscription service you need to try.

Until next time,

Stay crafty (and fashionable)!
Lissa :)

Kiwi Lane DT Doodles #8

Good morning all! I'm back today with a layout for Kiwi Lane's DT Doodles sketch #8. It's a great two-page layout with lots of possibilities:

And here's what I created:

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out the Mt. Rushmore, using this SVG file. I like that it's kind of modern, mixed with the fun papers on the layout. I used papers and embellishments from the Simple Stories Urban Traveler collection and the Basic Grey Wander collection to create the paper layers and accents. So fun!

I love how this sketch layout turned out -- thank you Kiwi Lane! Be sure to head over to Kiwi Lane today and link up your layout creation so you'll be entered to win that awesome gift card!

Until next time -- stay crafty!
Lissa :)

Stitch Fix: March 2014

It's time for another Stitch Fix review -- this one is from March. I actually already have my April fix too! I'm a little behind on these, but that's okay. I'm still LOVING my monthly fixes. It's just so fun to get these boxes. (Note: Stitch Fix offers a referral credit for affiliate links, which I have included in this post. I will receive a $25 credit if you sign-up using my Stitch Fix link. Thank you for your support!)

If you haven't heard of Stitch Fix, it's a monthly subscription box service. You pay a $20 styling fee and fill out a detailed style questionnaire -- then the Stitch Fix stylists pick out five clothing and accessory items to send you. You keep only what you love and send the rest back in their pre-paid shipping envelope. Your $20 styling fee is applied as a credit toward what you keep -- and if you keep all five pieces, you get an additional 25% off the total.

Michelle was my stylist this month -- and let me just say, she rocked it. Her note to me said she was focusing on sending independent separates that reflect my styling preferences. And she got me to a T!

First out of the box were these Denna Skinny Jeans by Kut From the Kloth ($78). Skinny jeans and I do not get along. At all. I have wide hips and short legs (super flattering!) and most skinny jeans just weren't made for that kind of body type. But once again, Stitch Fix found the perfect jeans for me. I have literally bought every single pant Stitch Fix has sent me because they have been the best fitting pants/jeans I have ever tried on. Amazing. These Denna Skinny Jeans were no exception. Hands down, my most favorite pair of jeans EVER.

I obviously kept these. :) I love the dark rinse and stitching and length and everything. Just wonderful. Thank you, Michelle!

Next was this Colibri Solid Tab Sleeve Blouse by 41Hawthorn ($48). I loved the bright color and the extra little details on the sleeves and collar. Loved. Kept.

Third from the box was this Huebert Space Dye Open Cardigan by Renee C ($58). I live in cardigans over top of tees, so this was a win. Loved the color, loved the hi/lo back/front, loved it all. Kept.

Fourth, this Downing Striped Knit Shirt by Pomelo ($44). An awesome basic tee. In the days since getting this fix, I have worn this top more than anything else (except the jeans!). Loved and kept.

Finally, this Pop of Color Scarf by Rapti ($38). Super cute pattern and colors. And I love scarves, now that Stitch Fix has shown me how to wear them.

If you've been keeping track, you'll know that I was already keeping four pieces from my fix. With my $20 styling fee applied and the 20% discount, that meant this scarf and the striped tee were basically free. If I had just kept the jeans, the fuchsia shirt, and the cardigan, my total with my $20 styling fee taken off would have been $164. By keeping all five pieces, I paid only $184.50. So yes, that means I kept the entire box. :)

This month was another awesome experience with Stitch Fix. I am already anxiously awaiting my next fix! If you are looking to update your wardrobe with fashionable pieces, this is the subscription service you need to try.

Until next time...

Stay crafty (and fashionable!),
Lissa :)