Video Tutorial Monday #34 (on a Wednesday)

Hi there. This week is going by so slowly! With classes, tests and final projects, everything has gone by at a snail’s pace. I even had a little time to make my video on Monday night but then couldn’t upload it yesterday. Our internet router died! Murphy’s Law, right? Ha. Anyways, I’m now hardwired into my internet modem so I can share today’s card and video with you. I can’t wait until I’m done with everything this week and can post all the time this summer. :) Here’s the card for today:

The video mostly focuses on hand stitching and how I go about measuring, making the holes and sewing itself. I hope this will answer some of the questions I’ve been getting about sewing lately. Doesn’t it add such a nice texture?

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Supplies: Cardstock – Papertrey Ink (Kraft and Vintage Cream), Patterned Paper – Cosmo Cricket (6 by 6 Salt Air collection pad), Stamp – Hero Arts (CL520 Live & Laugh), Ink – Ranger (JBS Spice Tin), Ribbon – My Mind’s Eye (Stella & Rose Collection), Thread – DMC (712 – cream – large quantity that I mentioned here at joann.com), Buttons – Papertrey Ink (Vintage Cream/ White), Paper Piercer – Tim Holtz for Tonic Studios (Retractable Craft Pick), Corner Rounder – WRMK (Corner Chomper), Ribbon Adhesive – Scor Tape.

Another thing I wanted to talk about was something I’m doing this weekend. Last November, I lost a classmate and friend too early. His name was Cory, and he was always so sweet and hardworking, and none of us saw his untimely passing coming. You might remember when I was going through this, but I didn’t really talk about it explicitly here on my blog. It was my first experience dealing with the death of someone young that I knew well, and it hit me hard. This weekend, a 5K Run/Walk is being organized in his honor to raise awareness of suicide prevention. I’m participating as a walker and am trying to get as many of my friends as possible to join me. Here’s a picture of Cory with his VW van that he loved so much:

You can donate in my name as a walker at the One Love 5K and the donations go to the mental health services on campus. If you have a couple of spare dollars, I would appreciate a little donation so much. I have no goals and now one is telling me I need to have people reach a certain dollar amount, but this cause is so important to me. Everyone deserves someone to go to for help when they need it. Whether they are diagnosed with depression or just need some methods for better dealing with stress or emotions, services like this work to prevent tragedies like suicide and give people having a hard time the opportunity to be happy again.

Okay, I’m going to get personal here. This cause is very, very important to me. I know I’ve never really posted about this on my blog before, but I think it’s time. I suffer from severe depression and anxiety. I was miserable throughout all four of my years in high school, and finally in the second semester of college, I reached a breaking point. I was so miserable with life that I knew I needed to do something about it. I went to see a therapist at the University’s Mental Health Services. Through months (and then years) of appointments, talking about how to handle stress and sad feelings and medication, I’m actually able to be happy now. I can’t even tell you the drastic difference in my life since three years ago. It’s so much more full and bright. Yes, there are rough days and sometimes weeks and bumps along the way, but I don’t know where I’d be right now without the support of my family, friends and doctors.

So I’ll be walking for Cory, for all others lost, and for others that still need help. College is hard. Life is hard. There are ways to deal with these feelings of sadness or stress. No one is crazy or weak because they see a therapist. I think everyone should. Talking to someone about your problems who can see them objectively gives you a lot of insight into what you need to do to make your life happier. Whether it’s dealing with a terrible roommate, a class that you can’t seem to understand or stress of paying bills, someone to talk to just… helps.

So you can donate here to help raise awareness of these amazing services and help to prevent future tragedies. Cory is missed greatly, and I’m so sad he’s gone. He was a fantastic guy, and I know he’s in heaven looking down on us and smiling right now.

Alright, back to work for me. I’m done with classes but still have some projects to finish up and turn in next week. Then I’ll be back! I’m planning a super cool series, and I hope to make a ton of videos in the next few weeks to relax and enjoy my time without classes. Be looking for that! I’m also super close to 500 subscribers on YouTube, so I bet there will be a giveaway over there soon. Make sure you subscribe to me on YouTube so you don’t miss it!

Love…. So much love,

Britta