Niecy’s Week in Review

This has been a much better week than last! I have felt better. It was also productive.

I made several reels for my social media. The reels were basically me, close to the camera, and talking sincerely about the topic. I even asked for more followers as well as subscribers on YouTube. I figure honesty is the best policy.

Here are a couple:

On Tuesday I talked about using negative pieces of kits to design new cards. I heard another demonstrator mention this, so I decided to try it myself. Negative pieces are those leftovers from punching out out shapes, die cuts, words, whatever in the kit. Out kits are inclusive. They contain everything you need to complete the particular project. There is ink, a block, stamps, ribbon, card stock, etc. for you to complete the project per their instructions. I love doing kits. I love changing them up sometimes, but I digress.

I normally throw out those leftover sheets, but designed some cards using some recent ones that I had. There was really no template because you design it however it fits and makes sense. I designed four cards. Here are three:

I reworked my Tuesday Templates and Tips video that was a bust the week before and put it on YouTube for Thursday Tutorial. It definitely was imperfect, but good enough for watchers to copy the card. I chuckle because I call it my video on what not to do while making this fun fold card. I had to be honest. I kept messing up and practicing until I came up with four decent cards. I believe I talked about these last post, but here they are again:

I then decided to do the Festive Plaid Pop-Out Kit and video tape it. Later I edited and fast fowarded so friends could see all it entailed without spending too much time. I made ten cards and ten tags out of that kit and I now have many negative pieces to use on other cards later. I downloaded it to YouTube.

The first Thursday of each month, the girls come over and we make cards and swap. It’s called Local Swap Card Club. We all bring our design and enough materials for everyone to make their own. You come with one card and leave with three, four, or ten, depending on how many are there. These type of events are very social and everyone enjoys the two hours. I had already designed my card last weekend and got the materials ready. Here are the cards:

Today I caught up on my newsletter, contact lists, Project Sheets (I always give a link in the description of the video to see Project Sheets, which give materials needed and dimensions for cutting. If I do not do that, I put Project Notes right in the description instead of a link. I had to update some of those things.

My newsletter will be coming weekly now and should be short and sweet. My plan is to focus on a project and provide news on any promotions, sales, etc. It was a long one this week (Nov 9), but I wanted to remind readers of reward programs, ask for YouTube subscribers, and just give a good update of some things. I will not be that long every week. If you have not subscribed to my newsletter and would like to stay informed about events, sales, etc., please email your name, full address and telephone (optional) and I will add you to my contact list. Of course, I would love to have you as a customer if you love paper crafting. Stampin’ Up! products are high quality with color coordination with ink, card stock, ribbon… Some products are in catalogs which now come out three or four times a year (smaller catalogs). Others are called Online Exclusives and are not in a catalog. Those are also released for sale a few times annually until supplies run out. Check in regularly to be sure you know what is new! Click the tab above for my online store, open 24 hours, seven days!

After updating this blog, I will take the rest of the night off. I haven’t seen a lot of my husband lately except in passing. Speaking of, our 34th Wedding Anniversary is this month. I wanted to do something special so I had a personalized song written for him. The song is a Hawaiian lullaby type talking about special events through the years. The idea is to spring it on him without saying anything to see his reaction when he begins to hear his name and understand the lyrics. It’s very special and touching. I hope he feels the same. I will let you know what his reaction is later this month!

I think that’s it. I hope you had a great week yourself!

Be well. Be creative.

Niecy

Niecy’s Week in Review for Last Week

Last week was frustrating for me. I had a fun fold template to share and did a video. I had to edit it several times and then do a voice over. After many tries, I thought I did it and uploaded to my YouTube. It was one hour and fifty-one minutes long! NO!! Some how, when I was deleting items and recording, etc., I attached all of them to one video. Needless to say, I deleted that video right away and canned it. They were good cards too! I will show them here, so my efforts were not completely wasted.

The template fun folds that were never shared!

You might remember me writing a post many moons ago called, “I need a coach.” This is exactly what I am talking about. My video production and editing are awful and I don’t know what to do about it.

Actually, I did meet with my brother a couple weeks back. He’s pretty good with tech, so we working out some things. It was extremely helpful in helping me understand the going ons in my computer. He helped me with iMovie a bit and editing. I thought I was on a roll, but all went downhill last week.

Keep in mind that I had nose surgery (actually the septum) on Oct 21st. For the most part, it’s been fine, but last week I noticed I was a little out of it. I just didn’t feel well and I was tired. I then got frustrated. Since this was going on and my Tuesday Template and Tips video for YouTube still was unsuccessful as of Thursday, I canned the rest. I did not do any others. I haven’t given up yet, however. I am back to it.

Yesterday I worked on the templates and sample cards. I had heard a couple crafters talk about using the “negative paper” leftover from our Paper Pumpkin and papercrafting kits. The “negative paper” includes the backs of some ruined sentiment pieces. When I say ruined, I really mean they were in another language and I could not use them. I had used all the English language ones for my main project. I had always thrown out or saved the others, but I was never sure why. It’s very simple. They are normally white and already in a shape for sentiment stamping, therefore the backs can be used! What about those pieces of card stock leftover after die cuts are punched out? Those come in different shapes and sizes. I used ink, DSP, and a couple of ideas to make these.

I do plan on creating a videp of these type of cards and hope to have them for tomorrow’s Tuesday Templates and Tips. Watch for that HERE

In order to stay relevant or even monetize my social media, I must be consitent and post often. That had me thinking. What if I planned an activity daily during the week? I could keep them some what short whenever possible. Tutorials could be a little longer, but still within reason. I then could make more reels and get out there more consistently Remember, there is a lot that goes behind the scenes. We will see if I can keep up. Here are some ideas I came up with:

–Monday Mystery (Who knows what I will do, not even me in some cases.)

–Tuesday Templates and Tips (Yes, I am going with AND instead of or. It seems I give both anyway.)

–Wednesday Chat (Live on Facebook and YouTube for others to join me, ask questions, see my current project, work while chatting, whatever. There is a problem with that, however. I must have 50 subscribers on YouTube before they will clear me to go live. If you have not subscribed, please do! It would really help. Go HERE to subscribe and do not forget to turn on your notifications!)

–Thursday Tutorial (A paper crafting project and how to. You would need to watch the video for instruction, but a PROJECT SHEET with measurements and supplies would always be linked in the description.)

–Friday Fun (Another mystery! This could be a fun fold, otherwise known as fancy fold, or a technique share. I’m still thinking. I do not want it to be Friday Fun Fold every week. As much as I love them, the pressure is already on!)

Weekends would be creating reels, practice, whatever. This is a lot and I already have frustration with the technical side of all of this. I have to try if I am to attract new customers and monetization. The money I have spent on my own products throughout the past five years is, well, high. It’s time to get some coming my way.

On another note, I have some retired products – bundles, stamps, dies, folders, paper, embellishments… – on sale. I opened my own Facebook selling group, but also crosspost to other sites. You can go HERE to see what is being sold. If you do not have FB and want to know, I will create a list to include in here, my newsletter, social media, etc. You would be able to pull up the list, then email Niecylovestostamp@yahoo.com with questions or purchases. I will work on that today.

Be well. Be creative!

Niecy AKA Denise – Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

Niecy’s Week in Review

It was a great week. I made a card for Tuesday Template or Tips. It was fast and colorful.

Template
I used Boho Blue and Basic White card stock and Bright and Beautiful Designer Series Paper. The ribbon was Lemon Lime Twist, I believe. I need to double check that.

The rest of the week I worked with a new bundle called Cottage Kindness. It’s with the Online Exclusives that will be released Nov 3rd. I created two cards using Crisp Cantaloupe, Peaceful Pine, and some others. One card was a basic “wishing you love” card and the other was a sympathy card. I enjoyed both and have Project and Supply Sheets on YouTube with a video for each.

I started another Facebook group for selling my retired products and cards. I will relay that information once I get some products on there.

Yesterday I attended my 50th High School Reunion and had a blast. Some of those people I had not seen for literally 50 years. Others I had been in touch with through the years. It was just so fun, which is interesting because high school was rough for me! It’s so wonderful to put all those difficult times behind me and just enjoy these people.

I am having a little nose procedure done this Wednesday. My deviated septum is being fixed. I will try to get Thursday Tutorial done tomorrow and Tuesday. If I can’t pull it together before surgery, it may not happen this week. I will certainly try!

Take care. Be well. Be creative!

Niecy

Niecy’s Week in Review

This week I really felt like I was working again. I spent a lot of time practicing, making cards, planning, videotaping, editing… I enjoyed it and am learning more with the technical side. I posted to Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. I completed my first week of YT posting on schedule. I learned I cannot do lives on YouTube until I have 50 subscribers. I am at 35 right now.

Side note – if you have not subscribed to my YouTube Channel and can, please do so: http://youtube.com@niecycraftsandmore/ Thank you! It will help me!

For Tuesday Template or Tips, I made a template from my scraps. I then completed a card using that template. Here they are:

For Thursday Tutorial, I attempted a live with a new bundle called Royal Flush. This bundle will be out for customers in November. I ended up doing a video. I stumbled with editing and walked away from it. I was able to salvage it and posted it yesterday. Better late than not at all. Here are the cards I made:

Then on Friday Fun Fold, I taught the Infinity or Never Ending card using A Little Christmas Suite. It is adorable. Here is that card:

Front and back only. See the video on YT for instructions and the rest of the card.

Here are the Project and Supply Sheets:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18rwbGRgK9Wy2SCD2SsSHe8eBziS13J8q/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EXpwzx5pyi6nHrl683H_Owlu7jTPPmYD/view?usp=sharing

Don’t forget that this Tuesday is Tips or Templates. I enjoy both so don’t be surprised if I do both. Thursday is another tutorial using current products. I will probably video this on Wednesday and have it ready for Thursday morning. I also have friends coming to the house for Local Swap on the 15th, which is Thursday morning. We had to switch from the first Thursday of the month due to me having a doctor appoinment. Anyway, I will post the cards we make. We have a new member coming. She is great with making cards and the girls will love her. Vivian mentioned that she loves the idea of coming with one card idea and supplies and leaving with four or more. It just depends on the number of participants and how many cards we get through. We often come with two projects ready. Remember, if you are local, you are welcome to join us. Email me for information at Niecylovestostamp@yahoo.com.

I keep changing my mind about Friday Fun Folds. I have thought about doing these every other week, then monthly. I enjoyed the other so much, I imagine I will do it more often. Tomorrow, I will make my plan after going to the gym. Then I will get busy.

I hope you are enjoying my efforts here. Please know that I know I have a ways to go to get this running smoothly. It will get better. I will give a Week in Review over each weekend with information about my tutorials. You can watch the videos on YouTube, but I will include Project Sheets here, as well.

Finally, I know there are fabulous demonstrators out there. Some have been doing this for years and have a big following. I have to thank Lisa, Tami, Diana, and Rachel for their ideas. I really hope to have a big following one day myself. If you are hanging with me and become a customer, I am so excited to build that relationship with you!

Denise AKA Niecy

This is the time to join!

An exciting Stampin’ Up! promotion is coming your way from October 6–31, 2026—and you won’t want to miss it!

When you join as a new team member during this promo period, you’ll receive $50 USD ($70 CAD) in Stampin’ Rewards added to your SU! account right after you sign up as a demonstrator, giving you a fantastic head start on your crafting favorites; just remember, these rewards are available for three months from your sign-up date.

To qualify, you must submit your Independent Demonstrator Agreement (IDA) between October 6 and October 31, 2026—applications submitted before October 6 or after October 31 will not be eligible for this special offer.

Important ordering deadlines (mark your calendar):

  • By telephone: October 30, 2026, at 6:59 p.m. (MT)
  • Online: October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (MT)
JOIN MY TEAM