I'm so crafty I kill myself.

It's that time again. Time for egg nog and twinkle lights, decking the halls and kissing under mistletoe. And sending out Christmas missives to those we know and love and those we barely know but went to college with. And what better time to go way overboard on things. Like I did this year on my Christmas cards. And since they've all been mailed out, I can now blog about how they came together.

As a disclaimer, the steps are really truncated, but I wasn't thinking of a tutorial when I did it, I just wanted to sort of show the process.

Step 1: Brainstorm and draw desired image on stamp block, then carve:



Step 2: Stamp white cover paper with glue stamp, sprinkle embossing powder over design, then use heat tool to emboss.



Step 3: Choose quotes for inside of cards, cut quotes and glitter paper to size, affix white cover image to red matchbook paper, fold in quotes and glitter paper and set eyelets.



Step 4: Make envelope liners and glue them into envelopes.


Step 5: Mail and hope people love them.

Despite the fact that I am a total newbie to stamp carving, any type of printing, and embossing, this went pretty smoothly. It was time consuming, but enjoyable. The biggest challenge was that several people were a little confused as to how to open the matchbook, so I think adding some different formats would have been a good idea, but I was just really taken with the matchbook, so I went with it.

I think I'll continue to work on it until I can perfect it a little more, and then possibly sell my wares on Etsy.

So this is what it feels like

I can always tell when I'm really, truly, good and exhausted. My blood seems to slow down, and I can feel my heart pounding. Just sitting still and it's there, tiredly churning blood through my veins.

Swallowing becomes difficult. Breathing feels like lifting a 400 pound weight. When you're this tired, automatic functions require thought, and trying to live is like watching someone in a blur. I begin to feel detached from myself, and rather than my brain kicking in to pick up the slack, adrenaline is the only thing that keeps me going.

Somewhere in my primordial core, my body knows that amping up the fight or flight response is the only thing to keep me from falling asleep.

And the more exhausted I get, the harder it is to get rest. I can hear every single noise, lights get brighter, and my heart.

It pumps under my wrists, in my chest, in my eyelids.

Each thud like a terrified rabbit stuck in molasses.

Exhaustion.

Electrical impulses become words.

1. I wish that I had high cheek bones and a thin face so that when I puckered my lips it looked cute and impish, not as though I'm trying to imitate a fish.

2. I like songs with a strong drum beat. It makes movement possible.

3. It is possible for a girl to run on caffeine and stress alone.

4. Two words: Twitter-fiction.

5. There are crocodiles all over Baltimore.

6. Why is the laundry always dirty?

7. A dirty suitcase means it is time for a trip.

8. No matter how helpful they think they are being, cats are not good at cleaning the house.

Small craft warning.

So, I've been crafting up a storm. This year I decided to make my own Christmas cards. It's a good thing I don't know very many people. They're not done yet. Not even close. And afer I actually complete them, I have to mail them.

I also have plans to make a book or two more for x-mas presents. We'll see if that happens. I predict a glue and paper weekend.

In the past week or so, I've been all over town for various Christmas festivities (Mt. Vernon, Hampden, Little Italy, Fells Point, Medfield). I didn't go out to any last year, so I'm making it up now.

And then of course it's the end of the semester as well, so I'm trying to tie up the loose ends as far as that goes. Papers, journals, design projects. Yikes.

On top of it all, I killed my card reader, which means all my photos are trapped on my camera.

The point is that I'll be back with a more substantial blog in a few days after I have

a.) actually finished my semester and emerge from under the pile of homework,
b.) found a replacement card reader for my camera, and
c.) finished making/sending my Christmas cards. Trust me, I'm so in love with them they'll get their very own post.

An authoratative list

I think accomplishments should be celebrated, no matter how big or how small.

I think minor mistakes and errors should be forgotten almost immediately, and turned into possibilities almost always.

I think forgetting perfection is imperative, because it is never going to happen.

I think embracing your own creative ebb and flow is the only way to stop yourself from going crazy.

And so, with those things in mind, break out noisemakers and funny party hats next time you make something, take a photo, draw a doodle. Because I know I will.