I agree whole heartily! Tea and chocolate are amazing at raising our spirits :) I love looking back on the awesome swaps I've done or gifts I've given and rereading the thank you cards from friends who just adore what I made for them! It's easy to forget how awesome we are when someone make us start second guessing our work. But we all have those "swaps gone sour" experiences, we just have to learn to remind ourselves that it's not us, it's them who is missing out!
You rock Cat! Just keep moving forward
Boards
by Pam ^_^
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How do you regain momentum after a bad crafting experience?
Started 5 months ago · Last post 5 months ago ·
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Stress
Started 6 months ago · Last post 6 months ago ·
I love deep breathing exercises when I am about to explode. I took karate when I was a kid, like 8-15, and they had a exercise we'd do at the end of each lesson, about not using karate as a "weapon" but for self defense, and how you should use your brain to win fights instead of your fists, that kinda stuff. But then we practice breathing and meditation for 30 min, and I loved it. It really stuck with me over the years. I also used to do yoga when I had a gym membership, and loved the relaxing time at the end of the class too. When I'm stressed and at home I like to just go sit in a comfy chair or in my bed, away from everyone, with the lights off and just breath, chill out, and reflect. If I am stressed and out running around, like maybe waiting in line at the store and its just utter chaos that day, I try to tune out everyone and control my breathing, inhale slow for 7 seconds, hold it for 5, then slowly breath out for 7 seconds. Something like that :)
Also just pretending to be happy works for me, like if I am stuck somewhere I don't want to be and I hate it but I cant leave, I just smile like I am happy, but on the in side I'm like FLM. I've noticed that works great around my hubby, because if I am acting like I'm OK and happy, he'll be ok and happy, then him being happy will rub off on to me and I'll actually start to be happy, weird I know. But it works a lot for me!
Sometimes you need to just treat yourself to something nice! If you're having a terrible week and you really need a pick-me-up, go buy something you like, and make a big deal about it. It doesn't have to be a big purchase. I'm always spending money wisely, because my hubby is the only one with a job, so I have to pick and choose when I can buy craft supplies and when I can ship swap stuff, and then when I can by new pants or whatever. So one thing I like to do that isn't expensive is to plan a day to go to the mall or stores. I'll tell my hubby which day we're going, its usually on the weekend. Then he knows were going and to be ready, less stress already because its planned :) Anyway we'll get dressed nice, go to the mall and just walk around window shopping and cool stuff and I buy one thing under $20.00, it usually ends up being a book. Then we get a special snack, like ice cream or a big cookie from the bakery at the mall. So we end up only spending a few dollars, but we have fun and get to hand out together. Another option is we drive to the comic book store and I get to buy some books, which are only like $3 each, then we go get lunch at a nice burger joint or something. So again, we're spending a small amount of money and we get to hang out with each other and I get to buy something I love.
I think I am the master of Zen, lol. I was a very angry kid not like yell and scream and start fights, but I had a lot of internal anger and rage. I had to learn to deal with it so it wouldn't make me explode or become extremely depressed. I also used get really bad anxiety depression, that I didn't deal with well, and have been working on for the last 6-7 years, I am happy to say that I can usually regulate myself and my moods, so that I don't become depressed, and I think I live in a pretty stressful environment. Anyway, my hubby is in the military and we have a lot of crazy stuff happen to us, he leaves for training stuff at the last min, he's been to Iraq once and almost had to go to Afghanistan, we've moved across the country 2 times and are doing it again in December. So I get a lot of practice to control my stress, LOL. But when I control my stress levels or deal with my stress so it doesn't build up I totally see it rub off on to my hubby, he is less stressed and more helpful if I am less stressed.
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Suck-Bot!
Started 9 months ago · Last post about 1 month ago ·
Hehe suck-bot hehe that's a good one :)
I use swap bot but only for small things like tea and granny squares. Because they always have them going. I've done a few jewelry swaps on there too and loooove it! I haven't had any issues with ratings or being able to join swaps, if I think my swap bot profile doesnt fit the criteria I just message the hostess about it and tell them I swap all the time (direct them to my CO+K profile) and they have always allowed me to join. The reason I don't use it more often or for larger swaps is because I hate the round robin partner situtation. I love our swaps here becuase we message back and forth so much and have our own threads to post to. I feel our swaps are much more personal. And I love that! I have meet so many awesome people here that I wouldn't have of our swaps were set up like the ones on swap bot.
I dont swap any other places, honestly becuase other craft sites are too hard to navigate like craftster and such. I can never find anything there and I hate it!
I love the idea of having a sticky post explaining swapping at the top of the swap section.
I like the scale of 1-5 rating system from swap bot and I even like the heart addition. I think a 1-5 is good because I always think that a thumbs up is =5 and a thumbs down is =1. I like being able to give scale rating to show a wider range of feedback. The hearts I like becuase sometimes people just go above and beyond. and hey deserve to stand out. also I like their rating the host of the swap. That is good to know.
I'd love to have some sort of rating for swaps and would be happy with anything Cat and Tom could work out. :D anything would be a great help to swapping here.
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How to clean a vintage cigarette case
Started 10 months ago · Last post 10 months ago ·
http://justsomethingimade.com/2008/10/more-vintage-repurposed/
Hey I just say this, maybe if you can't get it clean you can redo the inside with some cute fabric!
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How to clean a vintage cigarette case
Started 10 months ago · Last post 10 months ago ·
I would try cleaning it with rubbing alcohol on a qtip. Thats all I can think of.
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Life on the cheap.;; 25$$
Started 11 months ago · Last post 11 months ago ·
$12 is a lot when you think of buying your own fabric and making a bag! here is an easy pattern that you could totally revamp into your personal style!
http://www.momtastic.com/home-and-living/home/106558-diy-how-to-make-a-drawstring-backpack
also go on pinterest.com ans search backpack pattern or diy backpack and you'll get a bunch of projects that vary in the difficulty :)
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I don't know how to break up with my boyfriend...
Started about 1 year ago · Last post about 1 year ago ·
Wow, well at least it doesn't sound like it was too terrible, considering how badly it could have gone. He seems to be taking it a bit better than expected and that's good, for everyone really. Its probably a good idea to just not talk for a little while, lets things calm down and everyone can let reality sink in a bit. I'm glad you have a holiday planned :) that will help you out with not having to deal with him right after breaking up, and it sounds like it will be fun. Great to hear that your feeling good about finally doing it though!
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I don't understand the fake plugs...
Started almost 3 years ago · Last post 23 days ago ·
Ohhh how cool monica! The site looks awesome right from the start :) Maybe I'll have to go shopping with my tophatter earnings! Woot Woot
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I am SO done swapping here.....
Started about 1 year ago · Last post about 1 year ago ·
Yeah maybe you should try a few personal swaps on the swap request board. Or when you do sign up for a swap, just let the host know you want to be paired with someone who's done it alot and wont flake on you (the usual's around here know who is good and who is iffy) If you feel like you want a swap angel just let mew know, I'm in charge of the thread, and we can try an work it out. If not though thats fine too. Just an option if you need it.
Im so sorry this happened to you :(((( I've done over 100 swaps and I have only had 2 people flake on me, which is a pretty good record. So I am astounded that you've had such poor luck. I hope you'll stick around and get some better swap partners. Because its awesome!
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I don't know how to break up with my boyfriend...
Started about 1 year ago · Last post about 1 year ago ·
Joss, I'm sorry your in this awkward situation :S You're amazing and no one should be holding you back from your goals! Especially if you're not getting anything out of the relationship.
6 years ago I was in a similar situation. I was 18 and it was like a "young love" I thought I loved him a lot, but not enough to be taking care of him all the time (even though he was older than me) he was living at a friends house on the couch, while I was going to school full time and working non stop, so that I could move out of my parents house as soon as I graduated. So I told him how I felt, that I loved him, but I wasn't going to sit around taking care of him and waiting for him to get his life together. And magically it flipped a switch in his immature brain (lol) He got his GED diploma (because he had dropped out of school), got a job, then joined the Army, all in like 3 months. When he came back from Army basic training we dated and 6 months later were engaged, and a year from that married
If its not, they'll make excuses.
I saw you changed your relationship status on FB, how did it go?
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I don't understand the fake plugs...
Started almost 3 years ago · Last post 23 days ago ·
~~~~~~Everyone Needs To Be More Zen~~~~~~~
This board looked cool but now its bringing me down, from all the negativity and put downs :( Please, lets just chill out and move on from that debate. Thanks
Besides that....
Bleh I agree with Monica! I hate when the fake plugs are used by "posers" who want you to believe they are the real deal. On the other hand, I have no problemo with people who cant/just dont want to have gauged ears and wear the fake ones on the weekend for fun.
I have my ears gauged to a 6. And I have never had any problems, in fact my piercings have way better and easier to maintain then I ever thought possible! I love having them stretched, but even at an 6 I can still take them out and wear normal earrings just fine as long as they have a stopper/back on them. I've even gone a few years with out wearing plugs just because I didnt want that style at the time, and re stretched them back to a 6 in about 2 weeks. I think because go back down a few sizes, but not a big deal really.
Lately I've been trying to find ornate bone and wood plugs online, and I am getting sooooooooooo frustrated that all the really cool looking ones are fake, thats when I start to get mad at it, lol, and hate the fake ones.
If you have any good sites/store for plugs let me know :)
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Shady Swappers & Shipping Internationally
Started over 1 year ago · Last post about 1 year ago ·
Hey Suzy! You should definitively head on over to the swap angles board! We can get you paired up with an Angle to help make up for your partner flaking :)
Here is the link to the Swap Angels
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/board/swapping/swap_shop/6208-swap-angels-for-incomplete-swaps
And here is the link to the one Ashley was talking about that keeps track of Incomplete Swaps
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/board/swapping/swap_shop/5444-incomplete-swaps-2011
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Overextending myself
Started over 1 year ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
I know what you mean about running out of steam to finish gifts for the holidays! I took it upon myself to crochet scarves for my mom, sister and best friend, and to make tukes (snow hats) for my dad and three brothers, and brother-in-law.... I have never crocheted anything before october! I learned and practiced by making round coasters, which I deiced to use for other gifts for my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law. I have 1 and 1/2 scarves done and one hat done! I need to pick up the pace, lol! On top of that I was going to try and make homemade marshmallows and hot cocoa for everyone too. I've been practicing the marshmallows, still havent been able to have the set up right yet though.... now that I think about it... I should probably be crocheting right now instead of wandering around pinterest.com and CO+K! haha
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I haven't gotten to celebrate anything...
Started over 1 year ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
That's awful to hear about your nephew, it's always so sad when someone is taken from this world too soon.
I'm with you on the birthday/halloween woes too! I was so bummed out this year because we didn't have any plans for Halloween, no on trick-or-treats in our neighborhood, they all go to the nicer areas, lol. But I was totally excited to watch the live ghost hunters investigation on syfy!!!! I love that show :) well just my luck that driving home from getting grocieries Halloween afternoon I got hit head on by some asshole who thought it'd be fun to speed though a residential/school zone and pass around a blind corner. oh an I had just got my car back from getting my brakes and roters redone three days before this. So I spent my Halloween knocked out on codine because of whiplash and a bunch of aches and bruises,lol. I tried to watch my show in bed but I passed out within 5 min.
Now my birthday is a whole other story! My family always makes a big deal about birthdays, we all go to my parents house and I get my fav diner, fav cake, fav ice cream, and I get to open gifts from my family. We do this for everyone! And that's after we got older when I lived at home I always woke up to a surprise in my bed room, like a little gift or flowers or balloons. And I looooove surprises!!! But since getting married and moving half way across the world from my family, birthdays have sucked. My husband isn't into surprises and never remember how much I love them. Usually I end up picking out my own gift or just going out to dinner instead. It's very lame and I hate it. My bday is comming up soon (dec.3) and I am trying to get him focused on stuff I like when we're at the store and i pointed out what cake I'd like.... But we'll see how I goes I guess, the last 4 years have been useless, lol.
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Am I overreacting?
Started over 1 year ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
I can understand him not wanting you learning to drive in his car, my husband just got his license and he is 24. He was confident in his driving buuut I wasn't. I had been the sole driver for so long that just riding with him scared me so bad. I don't know why, if it was not trusting his skills or just not being in control anymore. So I could see where your boyfriend is coming from, if it was just the driving thing. But with everything else you've said he deffinetly sounds like a jerk who is just trying to keep you down! I agree win Monica! Either dump his ass or let him know that what he is doing is totally unacceptable and he one gets one more chane to shape up. Good luck though either way. :)
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Overwhelmed and unsure
Started over 1 year ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
Ahh school is scary! lol Thats how I feel, I did one summer semester at a university and failed horribly, lol. Which put me off school, because I have always excelled in class. Lucily I got married and have been moving around the states ever since. I know I'll have to go back to school, but man an I scared :S I hate failing and wasting money on classes too. So I totally understand your being overwhelmed with class. And online too. If class has just started maybe you just need a bit of time to get in to the swing of things, balancing work and school ya know. Hopefully things will get easier for you! Best of luck!!!!
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Sewer pipe leak, ARRRRGH!!!
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
HAHA Thats such a great look! I love the masks! You are both totally ready to tackle the mess. You should have "grime-fighting" super hero names :D
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Sewer pipe leak, ARRRRGH!!!
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post over 1 year ago ·
OMG! Mary you seem to have the worst luck lately, but your BF is right, I could have been in your actual apartment. But still :'( I am so sorry for your loss of stash and crafty items, let me know if you need any help replacing stash, because you know I have a ton, lol. Keep us all updated on how clean up is going! XxXx Fingers Crossed they can get it taken care of quickly!
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Distress
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
Mary I think that you thought of a great idea for your friends. Skype is also amazing for felling like your just a little bit closer to your friends. And I love the idea they had for donating to the hospital. I hope your friends are surrounded by love in this hard time. I know your doing all you can to make sure that happens
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FLEAS SUCK
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
bleh I know what you mean anout judgemental people (kinda). I dont have kids but I do have a very high maitenance dog, though its not her falt she is a lot of work. When we lived in Idaho and New York, she never had any problems with fleas or allergies. But after we moved to Hawaii, something changed. Now she is allergic to pretty much everything, all bug bite but fleas are the worst, and she has to be in Ultra Hypo Allergetic Food, she takes pills to help keep away bugs every three weeks and get a special bath once a week.
It was when we were going thought the process of finding out what going on with her that people were always rude. The vet says that stress can have huge changes in animals and set off otherwise mild problems. So we think that the stress of moving, flying, being locked up in quarentine for 120 days and then her BFF (our cat or three years) dying, all right in a row, is what set her off. Anyway it started out as just mild fleas, which grew to mega fleas, which because she is so allergic gave her tiny pustules everywhere,that made her scratch non stop, inturn lead to open wounds, that then gave her a series of staff infections Oh and TONZ of hair loss. She looked so sad and misserable :(
We have to tie her up to our porch to put her outside, which she doesnt mind becuase she has food and water and a covered shady spot with a bed. And she loves the neighboor kids, she is also really well behaved and rarely barks. But I have a handful of time that people saw her out there and called animal control becuase they thought she was being neglected or abused!!! Even when I would take her to her regular dog park, that she looooove going to. People would talk about her, not to me, but to everyone else around :( I made sure the vet thought it was ok to go there, she didnt have anything contaigious, but still people dont even ask or care to, they just judge people by what they see on the surface.
I know mine is a dog and yours is a child, but I totally know how you feel about people jugding you.
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Probably opening a can of worms Rant
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
haha! that makes me feel good to know I'm not the only one who feels that way when I hear ignorant people talk about gays. I def do the same as you, try and tell them why they are being unreasonable and blah blah blah, and in the end I just have to realize that they are so set in their ways and closed minded that they wont even try to keep an open mind. makes me sad they have to live with all that hate in thier hearts.
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Holidays!!!! Bahhh.....
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
Oh man! what luck! Holidays for me are few and far between, and usually are forced on me like weddings or such. My worst story was about 3 years ago when I had to fly home for a week to be part of my older sisters wedding.
I live in New York at the time and all of my family lived in Idaho (So I was pretty much flying coast to coast across the USA) Anyway I had just got married a year earlier and moved to New York with my hubby, didnt have a job yet and we were pretty broke, lol. So my uncle who is a pilot for Delta Airlines gave me a "buddy pass" thats pretty much flying stand-by but for friends and family of pilots. His family of 9 has used them to go everywhere with out ever having problems. He helped me plan my flights so I would be traveling at really slow times of day. So my flight plan only had three change overs at NYC, Boston and Salt Lake City. buuuuut thats not have the fates had planned for me at all! lol I got from Upstate NY to NYC and changed to Boston, then when I got to Boston, I learned that there was a Huge Storm across the Mid West, and it would be in Boston before my plane left, so they were delaying the flight and rerouting people to Atlanta and the around the storm. Since I wasnt a "paying customer" I was very very last in line for any flight change. Eventualy I made it out of Boston after about 7 hrs, and landed in Atlanta where the only flight avalible wasnt until about 7 am the next day. So I spent a good 9 hours in Atlanta's airport overnight. Then the didnt have any flights going directly to Salt Lake City from Atlanta so I got rerouted again, this time to Dallas. When I got to Dallas there were soooooo many people already waiting for flights to Salt Lake City because of all the delays and changes that I was realistically never going to make it out of there. And I was supposed to be doing all of the maid of honor things with my sister this week! So instead of waiting probally days, after being in Dallas for another 12 hours, my uncle bought me a one way ticket home in first class! He felt soooo bad! He swears he and his family never ever had these sorts of problems and they've used the same types of tickets to travel around the world! Oh and did I mention that this trip was only my second time traveling by plane also! Luckly my trip home was less eventful, just a few very short layovers :)
Maybe that story will help you feel a bit like your not the only one wondering... was it worth it! LOL :D
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Awkward E-Mail
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
ohhhh. this makes a lot more sence now. I guess what I would do is to email her and let her know just what you were saying with knowing how the guys family is. Try and be very neutral and extra nice. As long as you do that I dont see why she would have a reason to get mad at you. And the great thing about email is you always have a copy if she deceieds to say you were rude to her.
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Awkward E-Mail
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
oh man....I am soooo lost, lol. I tried to read it twice. My brain hurts *_* Sorry i couldnt help :(
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Just throwing this out there...
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
Here are the two best sites if anyone wants to check out the show
http://www.hulu.com/destination-truth
http://www.syfy.com/destinationtruth/
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Just throwing this out there...
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
Has anyone else seen the SyFy series Destination Truth? It is such a great show! They take local myths/legends of things like big foot, ogopogo and even the plesiosaurs in africa and then collect info and sightings. then they go out and look for evidence that that creature could exist.
They get pretty scientific about it, the disscus things like, if a giant dinosaur is living in this area, where is a body of water that is large enought to live in? Does that place have the amount of food to sustain a large creature? and with big foot, they collect any sort of unidentifiable foot prints, hair, stool, bones that they find and then send them to labs to see what they are.
They also set up camp in what they think is the most likely place for the creature to live, and they set up infrared fences and cameras, and trap cameras, and they go out all night searching for proof! Some times they find really cool stuff!
If you couldnt tell... I love that show! lol Def check it out! you can find it on hulu.com :)
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USPS is getting out of hand
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
yeah maybe! or she just isnt doing her job right, lol. Whenever I think they've got it wrong, I make them explaint it to me, and why i cost that much, and then I ask if there is a more efficent way to ship it. All in a very nice tone of course, lol! I dont care if I hold up the line asking questions because usually I have to stand in line for like 10-30 min before its my turn. If you get that lady again,I would def ask her why it is so expensive, and see what she says :)
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USPS is getting out of hand
Started almost 2 years ago · Last post almost 2 years ago ·
hummm idk, thats crazy though. watch what your actually mailing it in though. because the actuall size of the packaging matters to. I have found that out from sending all my swaps all over the place, lol. I go find a store like walmart, that sells those packaging envelopes in bulk and i buy a package of like 10 for a few dollars. if you get two different sizes that works out pretty well. You must be doing something weird with packaging if you arent adding on extra things like delivery confirmation and insurance. When ever I send a 6x9 packaging envelope thats under a pound it never cost me more that $3.00 to send with in the US, and if its outside the US then it might be like $5.00.