Unity Blog Hop!

Hi everyone!  Thanks for joining me on this Unity Stamp Company hop.  If you ended up here for another reason, be sure to visit the Unity Blog over at http://theunitystampco.blogspot.com/ and get started from the beginning!  If you make it all the way through the posts, leaving comments on each one, your name will be entered to win one of two prizes.  If you don’t already know, Unity is fantastically generous with prizes; I know you would love to win! 

This project was inspired by the month of March. Here’s the back story: I work in a high school as a coach for math teachers.  We had a teacher retire due to medical reasons at the beginning of March and her substitute, who had been filling in for a few months, quit around the same time.  With no warning, the students were without a teacher, so I stepped in to fill that role and tried to keep up with my regular responsibilities.  On top of trying to do two full time jobs, it was also the busiest month of the year for the youth group I run at my church; we had an event or two every week when we normally have an event or two every month.  

So, I was busy.  Very busy.  And I was starting to forget things, which just increased my stress level.  I started making to-do lists.  Here’s half of one for last Thursday.

It was functional but it was ugly.  I wanted some pretty to-do lists to be a spot of sunshine in my day.  I don’t have a stamp that will make those checkboxes, but I paged through my stamp binders and found a few little icons that could work and this to-do list organizer was born. 

The white cardstock list isn’t glued down; you can just pop it out of the photo corners and put in a different one.  I made a few designs for different days and different moods.  I can hang this up near my desk or on the fridge depending on where I need it. 

Want to make your own?  Here’s what you’ll need:

• Paper or cardstock for your to-do lists.  I cut these to 2.75x8.5 so I could get 4 out of a sheet of cardstock.
• Small icons or open designs for the checkboxes.  I chose a variety but the little heart is my favorite. It’s from the kit Love is a Magical Thing.  https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/love-is-a-magical-thing-november-2015-sentiment-kit/ 
• Titles if you want them.  I used the kit About our Week for most.  https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/about-our-week/ 
• Background or image stamps of your choosing.  I used the medallions from the February 2017 Kit of the Month: https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/unexpected-places-kom-217/ 
• Larger cardstock for the background.  I cut the kraft paper to 4x11.  Then I matted it on a piece 4.25 x 11.25 
• Some ribbon or twine to make a hanging loop.
• 1”x 3” long strips of paper to fold into the corners.  Fold the paper at a 45-degree angle in the middle. Then fold the opposite end to touch, making a triangle.  Secure with washi tape or scotch tape because this part will be hidden.     
• Washi tape to decorate, if desired.

I didn’t do any coloring on these because I plan to let myself color while I’m waiting on the phone or otherwise have my hands free.  Then, once the list is done, I can cut out the image and use it on a card.  Isn’t that a great way to get crafty throughout the day?  Here's a card I made with the same book image. 

Life is settling back down.  We had a new substitute start two weeks ago and she’s doing a great job. My to-do lists can be shorter now.  Thank goodness! 

Thanks again for visiting.  I hope this inspired you to make something other than a card or your typical project the next time you sit down to craft.  Be sure to continue along to the next stop on the hop, Helen at www.htbcreations.com.  I’m sure you’ll want to see the project she has waiting for you! 

Other stamp sets used:
https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/mamas-grandmas-april-2016-sentiment-kit/
https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/love-is-my-anchor/
https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/love-your-buns/
https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/you-are-strong-enough/
https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/unicorns-rainbows/
https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/love-is-in-the-pages/
https://www.unitystampco.com/shop/i-hope-you-feel-beautiful/
And that tiny, tiny "today" stamp?  It was in a grab bag! 

------
Proud Operation Write Home Alumni
Cards shipped to OWH in 2014: 21
Cards shipped to OWH in 2013: 829 blank and 301 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2012: 1284 blank and 218 AnyHero
Cards shipped to OWH in 2011: 1695