Retirement, Paper Crafting and Patriotism

Good Monday morning.  It is an especially nice Monday for me as it’s the first day of my retirement after working for over forty years.  Time sure does fly by.  I am so excited to be home and to have the opportunity to play more with my paper crafting, creating tutorials and to begin having more regular blog posting.  Speaking of tutorials…..I would love to know if you enjoy tutorials done with step by step photos and written instructions or if you prefer video tutorials.  Do you enjoy learning on your own from online tutorials or do you prefer attending classes? Leave a comment on this post and let me know what you think.    

My project today was made for the Splitcoaststampers Clean and Simple Challenge to create a patriotic card.  I used the Impression Obsession Land of the Free, Flag Banner and Stars

KC Impression Obsession Land of the Free 2 right

This was a pretty fast and easy project.  I created the white layer with red trim, applied strips of mounting tape and attached it to the card base.  I cut the words and banner out in both red and blue.  I created the shadow for the words using two colors and attaching them together with Crafter’s Pick glue.  I use Crafter’s Pick for this because it dries perfectly clear.  I applied tiny strips of mounting tape to the back of the words and attached them to the card base.

KC Impression Obsession Land of the Free 2 center

I cut three blue banners and attached them to the red banner with glossy accents. I attached small pieces of mounting tape to the back of each banner and attached them in place on the card base.  I finished by adding the small white stars on each banner and attaching with glossy accents.

KC Impression Obsession Land of the Free 2 left

Thanks for coming by and I hope you have a great 4th of July holiday.

Card size:  5.50” x 4.25”

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63 thoughts on “Retirement, Paper Crafting and Patriotism”

  1. Happy retirement! Like Lynne (comment above) I learn best through viewing the video tutorials. Thanks for your lovely patriotic card and your question!

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  2. So happy for you on your retirement. I love your work and am happy that you aren’t going to be retiring from sharing your wonderful papercrafting skills!! I prefer watching video tutorials, but it’s nice to also have the written instructions and photos once I try to recreate a project. But, I’m ok with whatever you choose to do. I appreciate your willingness to share your talents.

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  3. Congratulations on your retirement! Each day is better than the last – you’ll soon wonder how you had time for a job! lol… I actually prefer video tutorials, but am on a metered internet service. This limits me greatly on watching videos, and I tend to lean more toward the photo tutorials. Can’t wait to see what you create now that you have more time!!! How can it possibly get better? Thanks for all you share!

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  4. Wahoo – happy retirement!! I learn better with step by step tutorials and watching a video afterwards… giggle …. whatever you do will be great and appreciated

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  5. Congrats on your retirement! It’s such a wonderful phase of life although I wonder how life got busier, LOL! I prefer written tutorials as I tend to watch videos and take notes to refer to when I craft. I also enjoy going to classes vs online. I love all your work!

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  6. Happy Retirement! I learn best by watching a video that shows the process then seeing step by step photos afterward. A lot of times people elaborate a little too much when making their videos and I prefer “to the point”, not a lot of jibber jabber. Also definitely like to see the finished project before getting into the video. Short, sweet and to the point is my motto.

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  7. So happy for you… retirement is amazing! Both my sister and I have also just retired. My preference is for video tutorials, but anything you do makes me happy.

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  8. First off Kittie, Congratulations on your retirement. I hope you tossed the alarm clock out the window….lol
    Actually, I prefer both. I can fall back on the written tutorials but the video’s are best for me. And if I lived closer, I’d be saying classes….that is unless you can do the classes online.. 😉
    And lastly, I loved this card. Very patriotic…..
    Congrat’s again…

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  9. Congratulations and wishing you a very Happy Retirement! If you made all these beautiful cards and kept your awesome blog up all these years as well as work, I can only imagine how much you will accomplish now that you have more ‘free time’! Actually, there never seems to be much free time after retirement for some reason. How did we ever find time to work? lol
    For myself, I love your photo tutorials. I find with videos that I am always starting and stopping them anyway that it is often a bother. Your photos are always so clear and well done. You always explain so precisely what you are doing.
    Thank you for sharing all your beautiful work and helping to show us how to.
    Happy Independence Day! 🙂

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  10. A big congratulations to you on your retirement!! I hope you will enjoy your “new life” and am looking forward to even more of your beautiful creations! I like both styles of tutorials, depending on the project. Photo tutorials are fine for more standard techniques, but I do enjoy videos, especially for different/unusual projects. Happy 4th to you!

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  11. Congratulations on your retirement! I am sure you will love it and will be crafting even more.
    I like both video and written tutorials but if I had to choose one, I’d pick the video.

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  12. Congratulations on your retirement. I had to chuckle when I read all of the plans you have. Having been retired for 5 years, I have no idea how I worked, I’m so busy. Video tutorials are best for me.

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  13. I much prefer pictorial step by step tutorials to video. I never seem to have the time to sit long enough to watch. I love love your work and plan to be in your class at Collins group in Sept! Call me excited!

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  14. Congratulations to you,
    How fun to announce that you are retired.
    Instead of mentioning a product that is being retired! Happy dance to you.
    Also what a wonderful card you made. Always made just right.
    I like both your video tutorials to tie a voice to the demonstration. And the written ones so I can keep reviewing in a non movement form.
    Blessings to you
    Dawn

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  15. Congratulations and Happy Retirement! You already share so much crafting work I can’t imagine how much you’ll get done now that you have more ‘free’ time. I used to prefer step by step instructions but I’ve come around to preferring videos. Sometimes there is a step that just doesn’t make sense and it’s so much easier to understand in a video.

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  16. Oh HAPPY DAY….your first day of FREEDOM….just in time for 4th of July…love your card..and looks like Video has the vote….has mine also…the best next thing to being there…you must be thinking what you should do first now you are not going to work…so good you will be going on your Hatteras trip next week…in the meantime..BRETHE..HAVA A CUP OF TEA…OR WINE…and enjoy life’s beauty…then back to your amazing creations for all of us.
    Big hugs,

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  17. Congratulations!!!!!!
    That second cup of coffee in the morning always tastes better in retirement!
    Videos are by far the best way to learn because as you are making the project you always add little nuggets of advice as you are working.
    Congrats again!
    Marianne

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  18. Congrats on your retirement. You will love it! I’m afraid that I like videos with written instrx. After I watch the video, I like to be able to quickly refer to the written instrx as I’m putting my card together. Love your blog and looking forward to more from you.

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  19. Congratulations on your retirement, Kittie! I just recently found your site and I am
    loving it. Like others of us who are retired, you may find you are busier than ever!
    I prefer video tutorials. Both are great, but as a visual learner, I learn better with
    the videos.
    I love your cards. Thank you for being so willing to share with us who are still learning!

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  20. Hello! Congratulations on retirement and enjoy every moment! I love your creativeness, your one of a kind cardmaking. I prefer the step-by-step, written tutorials. Thank you! LONA

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  21. So happy for you that you are retired enjoy life! I say whatever is easier for you to do, I know this takes so much time to do. Thank you for always sharing your wonderful talent we all appreciate your wonderful efforts!!!! ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT!

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  22. Whoo Hoo! Happy Retirement!! I enjoy your photo & written instructions tho videos are helpful too, because there are times where I can’t wrap my mind around how you did something by just reading it. 😉 But I am more likely to scroll thru the pics & written instruction to see how you did it since I don’t have time to watch videos before work and may not feel up to watching them most evenings. 🙂

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  23. Congratulations!!! I retired a few years ago and am loving it!!! I Love your cards and I also like to see video tutorials. But whatever you decide to do will be wonderful! Congrats again, and enjoy!!!

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  24. I enjoy the online tutorials.I think I pick up more info.I would love to go to some in person classes with you but I don’t live close to you, I think. Thank you for asking our opinions AND your beautiful artwork.

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  25. Congratulations on your retirement. I am a good six or ten years away. (I’m 60, but I want to be at my job for 40 years before I go!)
    I personally like the tutorials with pictures, as I can print those out and refer to them at my own speed when I’m card making. Usually, with a video, I have to stop it and rewind (or whatever it’s called when it’s digital) because I didn’t see juuust that little bit that’s crucial. So I would beg you to continue with the written tutorials, at least as one element in your bag of tricks.

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  26. Congratulations on your retirement! I like the step-by-step and then go to the video if I do not understand something. Thanks for your creativity.

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  27. Congratulations on the retirement. I really like the video tutorials the best but also enjoy the step by step. Your cards always are so wonderful.

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  28. A huge CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement! Wishing you every happiness in this next exciting chapter! I’m just so grateful that talented cardmakers such as yourself share their incredible gifts with us. I’m happy learning from either photos or videos.

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  29. Retirement is the best benefit earned after working so many years. I hope you totally enjoy every single moment of it.
    As to your question, I like either written or video tutorials, just so long as you keep your wonderful creations coming 🙂

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  30. Happy Retirement!
    Enjoy – Enjoy – Enjoy! It’s always fun to check in for new projects and tutorials. I like the step by step instructions with pictures – I can move along at my pace!! Thank you for sharing!

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  31. Kittie,
    Congratulations on your retirement after 40 years!
    My husband retired the same day you did after 45 years!
    I am glad you get to spend more time at home creating wonderful cards and tutorials – my vote would
    be videos but others have said it is also nice to have to picture ones.
    You are so generous with your time to us out here in cyberville! Bless you!

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  32. Congratulations,Kity. I am very happy for you. I hope your retiremnet is everything you want it to be. I love all of your tutorials but I am a bigger fan of videos. Don’t get me wroing, I will and do love any way that is easiest for you. I really appreciate your willingness to share you talents with us. Thank you for all you do.

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  33. Hi from Australia Kittie,
    I love your cards, I like both the videos and the written instructions if that is not too much.
    I hope you enjoy your retirement as I have, all that extra time to play.
    Rene from OZ x

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  34. Congratulations on your retirement. I like the videos and the written/picture ones. Just love your cards.
    Ann from Indiana

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  35. Good Afternoon, Kittie. OH!MY! it is a good afternoon. Congratulations on retirement. I know you will be as busy as working. but lots of fun an your own time. I prefer video’s an the written instructions. I learn more from the video’s as I am visual learner. but like to print the written for reference. I learn so much from you each day. Looking forward everyday for what you are doing and sharing……big Hugs
    PS: I missed writing a comment on the sea card you just did. It’s is fabulous. I love the colors and textures you did for fish and sea. awesome.

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  36. Congrats on your retirements! I like both types of tutorials. It is nice to see someone actually doing a technique in a video, but sometimes if I am trying to do it myself, I have to stop the video and play it repeatedly in order to follow the technique. That is where step by step with pictures is very good, so it is hard to choose which one is better.
    I prefer on line tutorials.
    I have followed your blood for years and love the cards you make. I have learned a lot from you and am looking forward to future projects.

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  37. Congratulations on your retirement! I prefer written instructions w/pics(tuts) but whatever works best for you, as I can work utilizing either. It will be awesome to see more from you. Enjoy your retirement and thanks for all you do for your followers!

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  38. I love the step by step photos and written instructions as I can refer back to each picture for the instructions. I have trouble with the videos as I have limited internet access. Just love your creations. Enjoy your retirement.

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  39. Happy retirement, Kittie! For myself, I enjoy watching videos (I am addicted to YouTube!), but do whatever is suited best for you! 🙂

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  40. Congratulations on your retirement, Kittie!! I prefer step-by-step photo tutorials but can also do videos.

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  41. OMGosh! Congratulations!!! I hope you get to enjoy in in craftiness and health, Kittie!!! As for tutorials, your stepped out photo tutorials have been great as they have been clear and easy to understand, but I don’t know how time consuming they are compared to filming and then editing videos, which seems a chore too. Heck, I tried blogging and gave up on it for how time consuming it is to write, edit photos, and link up suppliers, challenges, etc. I don’t know how you do those really photo intensive posts! But so thankful you do! 🙂

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  42. Congrats on your retirement. I hope you enjoy your time off and continued good health. I enjoy tutorials done with step by step photos and written instructions. But I also like the videos. Can you do both!

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  43. ENJOY your retirement, Kittie!!
    I learn huge from your step by step instructions with pictures, but a video will be wonderful. I think, both are very helpfull.
    Kittie, I love your work and whatever you choose to do, I’m sure, it will be Great!!
    Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful talent.
    Have a great 4th of July!!
    Hugs, Eva.

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  44. Congratulations Kitty on retirement. I found the first few months took a little getting used to as all of a sudden did not have to rush out of house to go to work, and not having to be anywhere anymore. I like the step by step the best as I like to see how each of the processes work. Videos are good too but sometimes do not have the time to stop video and rewatch if the need arises. Thanks for your wonderful blog and grat ionspiration

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  45. Congratulations! A “new normal” you are going to love. I like your step by step tutorials — you are exceptionally detailed. Video would be good as well but only if this would be more fun for you to do. I definitely like online classes because I can fit them into my schedule with ease (I’m not retired yet!). Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I may skip over other notices in my email but I never fail to open things from you.

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  46. Congrats on your retirement! Enjoy it, you deserve it! I wish I was home because of retirement but I am disabled so being at home means a little bit different. But when I feel up to it, I love to craft also as much as I can. I really like to watch videos instead of looking at pictures and trying to read the instructions. I can follow both but I like the videos better. You are so talented and I love seeing what you have created so either one really is fine. Karen Sue

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  47. Happy Retirement! You are lucky to have such a great hobby to fill your time with. My parents had a difficult time adjusting to retirement- I thought they were going to kill each other! It took about one year to work it out, but now you can’t tear them apart.
    You will be so busy, you will not know how you ever managed having a job! I am so jealous!
    I love following your blog. Your step-by-step instructions are great. I like videos most of the time because it is so fun watching the project come to life.
    Congratulations on retirement! After working for 40 years, you have earned a relaxing phase of your life. Toss the alarm clock!

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  48. Enjoy your retirement. I’m sure you will be greatly missed where you were employed. I love your cards. Any type of instruction works for me! Have fun and keep on creating ’cause you are one of the best!

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  49. Retired is a great place to be! Congratultions. Video tutorials I can watch on my own work best for me. Thanks.

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  50. Congratulations on your retirement – well deserved I am sure ! I so enjoy your blog and love that you do step by steps of many creations. I do like videos, but seem to gain and retain the most from the step by step instructions and photos. I usually do not attend many classes, but I like to look for great ideas and tutorials such as yours. Your creations have so much detail and I just love them. Your patriotic card is awesome !

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  51. Hi Kitty!!!! I love video tutorials, because most times it gives us little details that aren’t shown or talked about in written instructions. Although I have been making cards for a long time, your cards are the best ever and I like to be able to make them exactly as you do. Although I do like reading through the front page where you have a synopsis and pictures of the steps, but I really like the video’s more!!!!
    BTW….Congratulations on your retirement!!!! 40 years, that is a very long time. My husband will retire with 42 years when he retires in 5 years. I retired a year and a half ago, due to an injury and the subsequent surgeries, making it near impossible to do what I was doing prior to the accident.
    I wish you happiness and fun days as you experience this new and strange life style you are diving in to. Im still getting used to it!!!! LOL
    Thank you for everything you do, you are so awesome!!!!!
    Tammy

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  52. Good for you, Kittie! Happy retirement! I seem to enjoy video tutorials best, but I’m sure whatever you share with us will be AWESOME! I love your cards – my favourites are always your scene cards! Looking forward to seeing more from you!

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  53. CONGRATULATIONS KITTIE, on your retirement!!!! It IS EXCITING when you get to do what you LOVE, FULL TIME!;) I LOVE your patriotic card! I enjoy seeing your step by step tutorials. It isn’t easy to go to classes, not to mention the cost of them. So, on-line learning is for me. Usually, from the blogs I follow. 😉

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  54. Kittie… I’ve been reading your blog for many years now. It was one of the blogs I found when I first started making cards and it is one of the few that I still subscribe to! I’m behind on reading my posts, but I had to wish you a VERY HAPPY RETIREMENT!!!! I had to retire early because of a disability and I have not been a happy camper. But, I wish you many years of happiness.
    As far as types of tutorials, I like your step by step ones since you are very clear. I do like video tutorials depending on who does them. Some people yack on and on and then don’t even show clearly what they are doing. For me seeing the details whether in photos or a video is what is important. I don’t think the details of you making the Impression Obsession flag would show up as well in a video as they do in the photo tutorial – but that’s just my opinion.

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  55. Happy Retirement to you! I’m an avid follower of yours and am thrilled to see you will be crafting full time now. Before I start a project, I usually print out a photo of what it is supposed to look like when finished. When I watch a video, I am usually writing feverishly along with the dialogue to create written instructions. Videos are great in that if there is something a little special about the creation of the project, you can usually pick up visual and verbal tips to make it easier. On the other hand, written tutorials are great because you can just print them out along with photos, but I find oftentimes I have questions that aren’t answered in the printed instructions. Videos take a lot longer to complete. It would be great if you could do both … lol!

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  56. Congrats Kittie,
    I LOVE your cards, you show me things I can actually do myself. The photo tutorials as you have been doing work perfect for me – easy to print & refer back to. However, I can see great value in videos covering certain techniques, tips or just the way you do things. And if you have a video of common ways you do things like “how to roll double sided adhesive to pop a frame on your card” – then you don’t need to show it in every card you do that.
    Thanks for all your inspiration, looking forward to more.
    Mo

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  57. Congratulations on your retirement!!! The hardest part about retirement is learning to not push yourself. Do what you want, when you want. No pressure.
    I’ve been following you for years! I admire your creativity & attention to the little details. I like your photo/written tutorials since I can copy, paste & print. I’m also a HUGE fan of Impression Obsession so keep the IO ideas coming!!

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