A List of Supplies all Crafters should have! Jaydee Polo (bout my bizness)

I'm not sure what type of person you are (no duh) but if your like me, you have a hard time posting content because your not sure if you should stick with tutorials and/or offering products you've made. I just can't seem to stay in one area. Even though I visit quite a few different blogs and come across the type of blogs I would consider professional and would love to have the same organization. I can't seem to stay focus on one thing and I find myself going back and forth, but let me tell it, believing I know what it takes to blog (just write) but executing those beliefs fall somewhere between coming up with something to make, actually having the supplies to complete, and  documenting the steps it took. 

When I have an idea I just dive in and figure out the show and tell afterwards. Sometimes when I think about it, I believe I put to much thought into it, even though, I know it requires several different hats to manifest a cluster of concepts. Wearing all the hats makes it difficult but If I could give someone out there who has difficulties getting started my advice it would be to write, write something and then come back and re-read what you wrote. This helps me to see what thoughts I left out or what sentences need more. Now I'm not good at grammar (at all) and I'm far from a English teacher but I do understand the English language and what makes sense when I read it. Even if I don't have the pronunciation marks included or in the right place. I'm a work in progress!

Just like this post I will come back and edit what I wrote here. The most important thing is to get something wrote so you will have a rough draft of a potential post. Ultimately, I want my blog to be relatable and down to earth, I want a blog that has reliable and honest information. The truth is I'm far from being a successful blogger but I do love making handmade products, listening to and creating music so, hopefully as I dedicate myself, I will be able to successfully combine my love for music and crafts, together in perfect harmony! My goal is to bring what I enjoy to the blogging table and having the ability to tell my story where in return I inspire, enlighten, and motivate my readers.

Now for those who are visiting for the first time, I want to share my motto: "I'm a creative soul and if you didn't know now you do", I have a love for creating and my blog will have a little bit of everything (lboe pronounced (elbow)) so expect the unexpected. Just in case your wondering, that will not be last time I write that, lol! 

Overall, I want to create, craft, and document.. in such a way that I sustain my needs as well as my wants. As I type towards my dream of blogging success!

If you do crafting as a hobby or a job, this post will point you in the right direction when you decide to improve or add to your crafting equipment and supplies. This is a basic list that will aid you so you can brainstorm and rough draft your projects because you will use a lot of your supplies trying to build and perfect your project, so keep these supplies plentiful.

Now lets get to this list: (Some of the links are affiliate, thnx for using them!)

* markers-Sharpie, I don't really use any other kind.

* copy paper- I go to Walmart for my printer paper because it's cheaper.

* scissors-Paper Edger, Fiskars

* rulers- walmart or any dollar store

* glue- E6000®,  G S Hypo

* printer- this is usually a personal choice but get a printer that has many paper options.

* ink- This is all according to your needs but this is where I've shopped.

* cutter-This is the cutter I use but they have plenty of newer options.

* sewing machine- this is the machine I use. I've had it for years!

* sewing supplies- thread, spools, etc...

* fabric- I get my fabric from hobby lobby and Walmart. They have the best prices.

* paint- I love getting my paints from hobby lobby and Walmart.

* glue gun- I've shopped at Jo-ann's for this item but again HL and Wlm have the best prices.

* glue sticks- Any dollar store will take care of this and some come with the gun.

* files-Needle File some prefer metal but plastic is good but visit your local craft store or Walmart to learn more.

* clay- Go here if you would like to learn more about the types of clay.

* exacto knives- Again HL or Walmart

* laminator- I use the Scotch 3M.

* t-shirt heat vinyl- Visit here they answer a lot of vinyl questions and here is a place I've shopped at.

* decals- USCutter has a good deal on removable vinyl but make sure you research your needs.

* glitter-Fine Glitter is good to have because I believe it covers more but if you want to learn the types, go here but as always HL, Dollar store or Wlm have great prices.

* pillow stuffing- This is the stuffing I use. I usually get my stuffing from Wlm or Jo-ann Fabric.

* molds- Now you can buy or make your own. I do both, hobby lobby and copy flex are my options.

Now there's so much more but I believe this will get you off to a good start, if nothing else it will get the creative thinking train to moving. I hope this list will help you to think about what you need and assist you in searching for the supplies you will eventually have in your craft room (I truly hope this helps). It's better to have more then less and no matter what you invest, you will always be investing. It's a never ending cycle in the craft world!

As always I must leave you with a video from one of my favorite lesbian artist and one of our tracks, plz enjoy and
Happy Creating from 2ufromus!

This track represents how we feel when people ask us why we love each other...Who I Love (explicit). I hope you enjoy!  


I just learned that my photos were accidently deleted off of my other post so they will be reverted until I can get the issue resolved. Thanks for reading and know I'm working to fix this problem! Learning can be painful, sometimes!!!!!

Love It or Hate It we have a Black President! (Shawty "What You're Thinking")

I'm always trying to create if I'm not thinking about what to create, I'm thinking about how can I create. It's an ongoing function in my brain (I don't want to try to find something to write about but sometimes I do). The purpose for my blog is to share my love for crafting and living life as a black lesbian. There are times when a post is like writing an English essay on grammar, hard, but I will continue to write until my thoughts come through my fingers so in this post I will be sharing my new t-shirt that I've named 44. 

I made it to honor our 44th president, Barack Obama. Now, I know a lot of people don't care for this man but I don't care equally that they don't like him! It is my pleasure to have a decent man who genuinely cares for our world and it's a perk that he's black. In a lot of ways I feel connected to this man because I can relate to the discrimination he goes through on a daily. 

Being black and a lesbian I'm a triple threat, I know I only mentioned two labels but most separate my sexuality and gender, so watching and listening to what he has to face everyday I can completely empathize. But, before this turns into some equality plea I want to stay upbeat and move forward.

 

Please visit us @ tdj69

Today (and I'm excited) I'm sharing the love I have for my President of the United States, Barack Obama and the entire Obama family! No criticism, no nagging and whining about what he hasn't done, just the respect the leader of the free world deserves, some true "Appreciation"! No matter his do's and dont's he's our president and I wanted to share what inspired me to make this t-shirt but for the life of a charge against a guilty cop, I can't remember exactly what helped me come up with the fabulous idea to make P.O.T.U.S (44) but I know (fo' sho) it has something to do with crafting and the internet. I just know it popped in my head and I started building it in my craft artist two editing software. 

Click photo for purchasing  details

 

please indicate size in available field

For this project you will need, of course, a t-shirt, some heat vinyl, a heat press, weeding tools, a cutter, computer, editing software and plenty imagination. I've included pictures and a tutorial, so please visit our Youtube channel here to watch, comment, and subscribe! 

Now, you know I can't leave without a video and one of our tracks so without further ado, this video is one of my many favorites and I hope you enjoy it.

As I venture towards earning my place amongst this world wide web I'm reminded how hurtful things can be (Family Hurts) at times but regardless of my achievements and how painful the journey can be I'm grateful for the opportunities that God has allowed, so please enjoy the track and as always "Happy Creating from 2ufromus"!

Some of the links on our post are affiliated, thanks for supporting us!

Making a pillow for Veterans Day... Introducing Ceazar!

How do you get your creative laser beaming? OK, I know your confused but I was trying to use a different intro, hoped it worked and no I'm not promoting star trek, even though star trek is cool! When I sit down in front of my computer to write a post I'm always a little intimidated. Not because I'm nervous but more that I'm not sure how I should start off. Has that ever happened to you? Well , I guess I can assume it happens to the best of us! With that said Lets proceed...

We now return to the regular post broadcast, hope your smiling, anyway I was asking how do you get your creative laser beaming, (I Know...) is it from your job, your family, where you shop, TV. How do you come up with your ideas? Mine come from surfing the internet, using my cameras, my tablet or just thinking! I'm always thinking of ways to create, how I can practice my craft and manifest some fabulous masterpiece that will be admired by trillions! Honestly, I never quite go that far with the "admired by trillions" but maybe I'll start but I do look forward to my next piece and what it will look like outside of my mind.

When I started crafting it wasn't for some of the typical reasons like, relaxation, hobbyist or boredom. It was for excitement and the urge to see how well I could accomplish it! I knew I could create something that someone would "AWWW" at! At first, I assumed all I needed was a computer, printer, and fabric and from those three items I would be wowing the world or at least the few people I knew and become a creating guru, but unknowing to me it was a lot more complicated than that.

Fast forward 15 years, I have a broader understanding in what it takes; patience, discipline, and determination will serve you great in the crafting world! Because if I don't know anything I know that an idea is different from the process that it requires to manifest. Heck, the idea is the easy part... sometimes! I've used quite a few programs in my crafting (CAREER?) moments in life and like all things in life they have a learning curve, some easier than others. I've had the pleasure of working on both mac and PC so, I'm going to share what I currently use and what I've used. 

In my opinion, they're all good software but it's all according to how personal you want to be in the creative process to which editing program you will aspire to. Now I hope you don't think I have this extensive list of editing software I've used because I don't. I've used two photo editing softwares personally so with no further ado here's the list:

Currently I use: CraftArtist 2 Professional [Download], HP Pavilion, Presto HIX heating press and Epson all in one. 
My past equipment was the macbook pro, adobe illustrator, power point and 2010 iWork. 

I told you it wasn't a long list but info is info. I hope it helps?

As always, I'm going to share a video I enjoy, and give you a song from our album Midwest Royalty to listen to. I believe music heals like craft mends so why not combine the two, besides I'm a music lovin', family-oriented, black lesbian who's proud of it! 

Below is a pillow I made for our Veterans because they deserve appreciation 365 days of the year, if you would like to make one you will need:
 1. A laptop 
2. A printer 
3. Fabric (your choice), 
4. Some editing software (click craft artist 2 link above) 
5. Heat vinyl 
6. A weeding tool  
7. A heating press. 

To all who has, is, and will...

Check out our rhinestone buckeye

Appreciation is one of the greatest gifts in life, make it a mission to give! To hear more of the videos I listen to click here.

The song I'm sharing is called Love Letters it is the perfect song to dedicate to your special someone. The video below is another one of my favorites called "Digits"! Hope you like it! 

As always...Happy Creating from 2ufromus!!!!!!

I have no claims to the videos I upload it's strictly for sharing purposes only!

Words of Encouragement... B dotCroc "I Want More"

Even when I don't have everything I need and some of those

items don't work anymore or are gone, I move forward and think how can I utilize what I have so that I continue towards success. I practice to never give up especially when it seems like it's not possible. 

Now my story isn't one where I can tell you I made it and I'm this "BIG" Success but I can tell you how I persevere and keep working towards my dreams. How through the pain and frustration I still create and learn how to move on when I'm met with cold concrete.

I have so many wants but it's my haves that are invasive and not in reach. This story, this blog isn't to gain sympathy or charity but to build confidence and acquire skill. I create, music, graphics, crafts, food, games, etc..

The picture below is a tshirt I made about 4 or 5 years ago. I no longer have the machine to cut but I have reminders of my love and what work lies ahead. I will print and cut again but in the meantime, I will share so that my determination may inspire someone who feels like it's not possible. Don't quit just find a way to calm down. Walk away so you can gain your composure. This is important and it works for me. 

If your equipment or platform is gone, this is important, let it be. If you don't have the means to fix it spend your time thinking of alternatives. Other ways to accomplish your goal. I mean think about plan b, c, d, etc. Once you begin to move forward other avenues (doors) will begin to open up in your mind. Sometimes things take days, weeks, months even years to complete so don't let an obstacle keep you from crossing that finish line. Just do what you have to so you can do what you want to (easier said then done) but it's true.

Take a look at more crafting ideas

As always I have to leave with a video and a song. I'm a creative soul and if you didn't know now you do. If I could rule the world it would be through craft and music. Until next time, Happy Creating from 2ufromus!

                                  B dotCroc- I want more

Click the link to listen Very  
(Without family none of it matters anyway). 
Support your indie artist by listening, commenting, sharing, and buying. 

Women and their Music! B. Steadwell & TE "Keeng:

I wanted to combine my love for music with my love for crafting but I don't want to include those who don't want to be included. Even though I don't understand anyone who doesn't want recognition for what they do. In my life, the love I have for women never mixed for my love of music until recent. It wasn't until I started searching for women like me who lived, loved, and died with a women that I started hearing music that spoke of my joys and pains. I knew then I wanted to support these women and myself any way I could. Some how giving us the recognition we deserve. Rather it was music or some other form of creative art. I wanted to be part of that success. I realized that becoming stable was more than making something and asking someone to buy it, it required a community of people who held different positions that all had the same goal in mind. That from our specific role everyone involved would earn recognition and resources to financial freedom. Rather directly or indirectly.

                                                      B. Steady: Anything for You

Click here for more videos

Now I'm aware that not everyone will see eye to eye but hopefully with respect and hard work we can reach the intended goal and that is taking care of what we cherish. I realize that I have to spend time recognizing what level my skills are on before I expect anyone else to.

                                                                 TE- Golden Era

I believe that I must have confidence to stand in judgement because opinions don't cater to facts but instead feelings that fuel the statements that describe what one sees, hears, or touches. Even through the obstacles I begin to understand my position and where I want to play it. I love family and have no friends because with time they become family. I have the opportunity to combine the two in perfect harmony and I will express them with no hesitation. To read more of my post click here!

Gotta Go Get: My Family...support your Indie Artist! Enjoy and Happy Creating from 2ufromus!