Bewitched Crafts with Tracy Miller

I've got a challenge for you!  Tonight I am crafting a card to encourage a friend dealing with a difficult work situation. Everyone goes through hard times and I love the idea of reminding my loved ones that I believe better days are ahead.  Listen in and craft a message of support with me.

It turns out I really struggle to resist a dare.  Challenge me to do something and I have the urge to prove myself.  It shows up in everything from reading challenges (check out the cool connections challenge I'm doing this summer) and even my Toastmasters journey.  It's like a game and it brings momentum.  It's a way to think outside the box and get stuff done.  My weekly newsletter includes a crafty challenge to motivate you!  Sign up now to give it a try https://bewitchedcrafts.convertri.com/congratscard

I'm toying with the idea of selecting a theme for my summer, a sort of guiding principle or clear priority for the next three months.  I love the idea of this kind of clarity and I love how well it translates into a scrapbook.  Now if only I could narrow it down...summer reading, adventure, connection?

I recently attended my first Toastmasters conference.  Reflecting on my Toastmasters journey, I've learned that this organization is about so much more than public speaking.  It truly is about finding your voice and learning to share your unforgetable story.  Learning and growing with this incredible community has my creative energy flowing.  I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Join me for a fun episode packed with stories about the things that are currently making me happy and how I plan to include them in my scrapbook.  I'm talking about gardening, reading,and nail polish plus crafts and creativity.

I've got a fun challenge for storytellers, scrapbookers, and anyone who loves to journal.  Let's document our charitable work and tell the story of the personal connections we have to the causes we support.  Want to experience the satisfaction of making a difference this weekend?  It's as easy as picking up a few non perishable items on your grocery run and leaving them by the mailbox the Saturday!

Welcome to the April wrap up.  I'm currently planning my scrapbook layouts and many of my favorite photos came from the Big Three events we talked about at the beginning of the month.  There was so much good stuff going on in April!  To much of a good thing left me with a large number of competing priorities, a messy house, and an urge to plan for more balance next month.

My 35th high school reunion is this coming weekend.  As someone who is painfully introverted, social skills are something I work on.  I decided to try the ice breaker "what's keeping you busy these days?"  I'm also sharing how my Cloudy Stencil solved a case of crafter's block.

The looming dread of tax day, a decision with unintended consquences, a frustrating project that fails to satisfy...so many circumstances can lead us to the place of nagging ick.  If you find yourself ruminating and you need to let something go, it can be helpful to have a resource in your art journal or smash book.  Today, I'm sharing the toolkit I use to change my attitude and make an energetic U turn.

It's time for my favorite part of planning, the monthly Big Three!  I've found that the three things I do to replenish my spirit often lead to my favorite photos and layouts.  This month several good things came in triplicate.  Listen in to find out more, plus vote for my next read.

Confession time.  I have an incredible collection of bunny stamps.  I put rabbits on garden themed projects, Spring, Easter, and even baby themed projects.  I love bunnies.  How did I come to be obsessed with rabbits?  Get ready because in this episode, I am sharing my famous bunny story.

Let's be honest; not every card comes out as planned.  I don't love all of my creations.  Lots of them delight me but some are just ok.  What do you do when a card project just isn't coming together?  What can you do when a card just feels meh?  I'm sharing my ideas and one important thing to remember in this episode.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Last week I made a really cute card featuring shamrocks and a die cut sentiment.   I challenged myself to find multiple uses for me die, which creates the word Lucky.  I came up with quotes, phrases, and even a song to fill me scrapbook pages.  I've even got ideas for a series of cards with the sentiment Lucky to have a friend like you.

Let's explore a new way to capture what we love about Spring.  This episode, inspired by Gretchen Rubin's Life In Five Senses, explores how we can document our memories and experiences with a focus on what we can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch.

Are you ready to plan your month and the experiences that will energize you?  It's time for our monthly Big Three!  Join me and create the memorable experiences that will likely become the subject of your favorite scrapbook layouts.  Stick around until the end to hear my ideas for an Oscar/Best Picture themed layout. March Mystery Madness is back!  Book people, the recommendations in this episode include: Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander A Curious Beginning ( A Veronica Speedwell Mystery) Louisiana Longshot Jane Eyre (read along with The Read Well Podcast Book Club) Wide Sargasso Sea The Secret History of Jane Eyre Looking for information on my mystery boxes?  Email me tracy@bewitchedcrafts.com or check out our Facebook page

Moving out of my craft studio has me feeling overwhelmed and uninspired.  In today's episode, I am seeking tips for creating a new craft space, dreaming big, and getting down to the details of what I want.  As I sort through my supplies, I've decided to let go of a number of Close To My Heart stamps sets.  Many are new, some gently used, and a few having matching dies.  Some coordinate with Cricut cardtridges as well.  These will be offered in mystery boxes with 10 stamp sets valued at $175 or more for $30 plus shipping.  Get on my email list to learn more.  Click the Sign Up button our Facebook page today!

Just getting started with paper crafting?  I've got some useful tips for you. In this episode we'll talk about stamping basics like seasoning new stamps, my favorite tip for fussy cutting, and when to replace your trimmer blade.

This episode was inspired by a recent misadventure in packing.  I'm moving my craft studio and feeling overwhelmed with the creation of my new space.  While I get everything set up, I want to be able to work in a temporary space, but I only have room for the essentials.  This is my list of the top ten tools in my essentials kit.  Think anyone will notice if I have a Big Shot on my coffee table?

Join me as I plan three experiences I want to give myself in February using the Big Three method. I'm exploring small, unique celebrations, seasonal treats, and more.  I can't wait to document these and create scrapbook pages of the things that light me up, spark my creative energy, and reflect my favorite version of me.  I hope you'll play along and share on our Facebook page!

Get ready to craft along with me as I walk you through the process of creating a year end wrap up layout for your scrapbook.

As the next phase of my home renovations wrap up, I'm excited about simplifying processes and making space for new things, but first I've got to wade through nearly 30 years of closet clutter.

What's keeping me alive this January?  I'm sharing a list of delightful things...most of them are keeping me warm.  I'm excited to turn this list of seasonal favorites into a scrapbook layout. Don't forget to download your BINGO card and play along this January.

Let's get the New Year started right!  In this episode, I have an update on my remodeling project, lots to say about the energy of fresh starts, and exciting news about the coming weeks.  Make sure you are signed up for my newsletter to join in the fun.  I've got a punny card coming out tomorrow and a crafty bingo challenge coming soon.  Don't forget this is the time to select your photos if you want to scrapbook along with me to create a year end wrap up layout.

Christmas is coming!  Are you capturing the memories and the magic?  Photos and journaling will keep the magic alive in your scrapbook.  Delight in the stories and the traditions, savor the recipes, and share the love.

It's time to check in our the experiences we most want to gift ourselves this month and how we'll capture them for our scrapbooks

With just 16 days until Christmas, the pace of life can feel brutal.  With so much going on (returning from a trip to Paris, renovations at home) I find myself craving some time to slow down and connect.  

I've just returned from six days in Paris and I can't wait to tell you about it!  I'm also sharing what I want to convey in my travel album plus tips for using size and color to enhance your message.

In this episode I am sharing twelve unique ideas for selfcare as we enter the busy holiday season.  Let's prioritize the things that mean the most by focusing on how we want to feel.  I'll be cultivating connection, celebrating traditions, and slowing down to enjoy everything from water color workbooks to holiday romance novels.

In 1988, I was a 15 year old American exploring the streets of Paris with a group of students.  I had my camera and the worst accent imaginable.  I also had the time of my life.  Watching my history books come alive in front of me in this incredibly vibrant city made my heart sing.  Now, many years later, as I plan my upcoming visit in Paris, I'm taking a break from the guide books and packing to look through my Paris scrapbook and relive the joy of my first trip.  

While this episode does not include the mention of any specific candidate, party, platform or ballot initiative, it is all about voting.  I'm thinking of creating a tutorial dedicated to including this election in your scrapbook.  Let's document the practical aspects of going to the polls as well as the values reflected in our ballot choices.  The tutorial will include patriotic images and colors, but it will not be political.  We'll create a two page spread and a space for hidden journaling while we capture this historic moment for generations to come.  If this sounds good to you, email me at tracy@bewitchedcrafts.com

This week I am applying the Lazy Genius principle Decide Once to my favorite paper crafting hobbies - cardmaking and scrapbooking.  This principle saves me time, frustration, and money!  Kendra Adachi has inspired me to be a genius about what matters to me, but this tip works even if you haven't figured that part out yet.  It's simple.  It's practical and I'm sharing ideas to make it work for you.

I've been seeing a lot of list challenges lately and i was inspired to create a list of 51 random things about myself at the age of 51.  I tried to keep it a list everyday things, things I like about myself, and things that I love.  i skipped all the goals and struggles for this list, but I did include a few things I am looking forward to and excited about for 52.

What's the last five star book you read?  I eagerly anticipated the newest release from Kendra Adache and devoured my copy of The Plan.  If you're familiar with Kendra's big sister style from her Lazy Genius book and podcast, you will love how well she builds on her 13 principles to change how we think about the seasons of our lives and how we manage our time.

I'm starting a brand new adventure!  This September the back to school energy hit hard.  plus I've been focused on preparing for my upcoming trip to Paris.  What could be more perfect than enrolling in a year long pastry course exploring desserts from the regions of France?

Have you ever felt like the things you want most have ended up on the bottom of your to do list?  Worse, have your obligations to others moved to the top of your list?  Lately, I've felt like the pace of my life has dramatically increased as I struggle to fit it all in.  Let's talk about micro moments of self care, adding the big three to your calendar, and reset days.  Plus, I am sharing the story of how my reset days were born!

Have you ever experienced crafter's block?  You've got the time to make cards and scrapbook pages but the ideas just don't flow?  I've got a new solution to help you make the most of your time at your craft table and to ramp up your creative energy.  It's prep work!  Let's talk about things you can do in advance to set your next project up for success and bust through crafter's block!

September's back to school energy has me eager to tackle new projects and organize all the things.  I'm working the Holiday Grand Plan, making dozens of Christmas cards, renovating my house, and traveling.  I even joined a pastry school!  I'm also sharing an idea in this episode to hold onto this energy well into the new Year. Juggling all of this and making time for paper crafting is only possible with my trusty digital planner.  If you have ideas for the 2025 Paper Crafter's Planner, I would love to hear from you!  

What happens when you find a stamp set themed around one of your favorite things?  I am passionate about reading and I'm known for my bookish enthusiasm, so the new Woodland Library set has me crazy excited.  Let's talk about crafting bookmarks, little free libraries, and flow states where crafting projects seem to progress with joy.

It doesn't feel like Fall in Florida.  While I am holding on to the last weeks of summer, I am also considering the elements of Autumn I most want to enjoy this month.  It's not all pumkin spice and Gilmore Girls!  Let's talk Fall favorites plus the Holiday Grand Plan with a paper crafting twist.

I'm hanging on to this last days of summer, but the back to school energy is building.  I am craving notebooks, stickers, and markers.  September is all about systems and organizing here.  Grab your planner and join me as I plan the three experiences I will gift myself in September.

What do you do when you're feeling stuck?  If you're like me you sometimes draw a crafty blank.  Here's how I've been shifting gears when I am feeling stuck in neutral.

When you turn your hobby into a business, it can be hard to remember that it's meant to be fun.  Sometimes I just take it too seriously or focus too much on the deadlines.  Today I'm identifying my fun factors and the challenges must likely to steal my joy so I can set up the right environment for maxiumum enjoyment.

So many good things are on the horizon.  I am doubling down on using my love for paper crafting to reinforce my motivation and get things done including planning my dream trip to Paris!

Lee Kiefer took the gold medal in women's foil this weekend in Paris.  I was on the edge of my seat cheering her on and screaming at my tv.  I knew I wanted to fence by the  time I was about 13 years old, but I didn't get the chance until I was in my 30s.  Today I'm sharing a bit of my passion for fencing with you.

Home is where our stories begin.  It's where we create memories, find comfort, and build our lives.  Designing these spaces to be a reflection of oursleves is a journey worth documenting.  I'm in the process of upgrading my surroundings and I can't wait to include this process in my scrapbook.                            

Have you ever heard a theory about what makes an awesome feel good song?  Turns out there's a formula (150 beats per minute, major keys, and great lyrics)!  Let's create and share a list of mood enhancnig songs perfect for fun summer memories and crafternoons.  What song do you want to hear on our summer playlist?  Let me know at tracy@bewitchedcrafts.com

I'm passionate about crafting cards from design sketches.  I love the results I get!  Working from sketches saves me time and money; I get the most out of the supplies I have on hand.  Best of all, I have the perfect tool for busting through crafter's block. Doors are only open for three days.  Get all the details here: https://bewitchedcrafts.convertri.com/sketchclub24

2024 is half over and I thought it would be a great time to look back over the last six months to review the changes in my crafting tools, supplies, and projects.

You've probably heard that inspiration is everywhere.  I don't know about everywhere, but I have certainly found it in unexpected places.  I've mentioned a few times that Gretchen Rubin's book Life In Five Senses has inspired me to try a new scrapbook layout concept.  Today I'd like to share the podcasts and YouTube channels that enhance my crafty energy and improve my time at my craft table.

How much bookish enthusiasm can I fit in one episode?

I've been reading some interesting ideas about how our identity can help us stick with our habits.  I'm wondering if saying I am a card maker or I always send handmade holiday cards makes it easier for me to fit in hours at my craft table.  Listen in and let me know what you think!