Turning the Page, a New Chapter

After some time away, I’ve decided it’s time for this blog to grow in a new direction. From here on, I’ll be focusing on my Zazzle products-- practical goods and thoughtful gifts I’ve designed over the years. Creating continues to be a steady part of my life, and it feels good to let this space reflect the work that I enjoy.

Since 2008, this blog has been filled with quilling, crafts, and detailed tutorials. Those projects shaped so many years of creativity and connection. But as quilling and guild activities have evolved, so have my interests.

With health challenges I never expected, my priorities have become me and my family. The me part is designing on Zazzle. I am able to get involved and temporarily don't feel pain or think of worries. It’s become a place where I can create freely. It gives me purpose, and right now, that matters.

If you’ve followed this blog recently or for a long time, I hope you’ll continue to stop by. I appreciate you for helping my blog become a success.

And I always like to share something from time to time from my favorite site. In lieu of a single article, I am linking the "LIFE" section. If you scroll down two or four rows, I guarantee there will be a topic you will click on out of curiosity. 😊

Real Simple Magazine

~Molly

NAQG Annual Conference Reminder

Hello, 😊

I've received this email from the North American Quilling Guild. Remember, non-members are welcome to attend this conference, you only pay a bit more. It's best to join and then come back and register. 

For all the details and forms visit: NAQGCON 2026

    Hello quilling community, we have made it through the holidays and I hope everyone is getting excited about our conference here in Raleigh, NC, on May 15-16th . This is just a reminder that the early-bird registration cutoff is February 16th. After February 16th, the registration fee goes up to $175.00 and for non-members, $190.00.

    The cutoff date for hotel room rate of $169.00/king and $189.00/double is April 24th . Please note that the rates for rooms booked after that date could be much higher. 

Keep warm & stay safe,

~Molly 🌼

No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas...

Hello, there! 👻

I've procrastinated this month, I'm late to the party, but decided to share what I am doing this weekend. The link below shows awesome photos, a list of materials you'll need and instructions for cute DIY decorated pumpkins. 

30 No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas - Real Simple Magazine

04Mummy Pumpkin is one of my favorites.

I'm going to look at Dollar Tree for a big plastic pumpkin. They may have the google eyes and bandage material. Thinking...strips of white t-shirt material will also work. I'll cover less of the pumpkin and show more orange. Not going to attempt to use toilet paper as suggested, mine will be going outside.

🎃

If you, or someone you know, is a diehard traditional pumpkin carver, this link shows easy ways to carve using printed stencils. 

26 Pumpkin Carving Stencils 

If pumpkin decor doesn't interest you 😉, I searched Halloween and came up with 24 articles on the first page...there are five pages. 😀

🎃

Thanks for dropping by. Enjoy what’s left of October and stay safe, especially on Halloween.

~Molly xo 👻

P.S. And this blog post is brought to you by my Halloween Collection at Zazzle:

October Halloween Holiday
by itsMolly

There Are Over 600 Million Blogs in the World

 ...so, thank you for being here and reading mine. 😊

Hello ~

I've returned from England after six months and anxious to get a blog post written to say 'hey I'm still around', but more importantly, sharing a positive wellness article, or three. 

Once again, I’m linking to Real Simple magazine online. If this article is not for you, the site is loaded with something that will be of interest, I guarantee 💯%.

Doctors Say These 9 Habits Can Actually Make You Smarter and More Creative

In my experience, number 09 is spot-on to help increase creative energy and improve a foul mood.

If you don't fancy the creative topic, there are hundreds 😉 of fascinating articles about, what we all have in common, Sleep.

Or 6 Foods You Should Never Eat for Breakfast, According to RDs. Some of these are common grab-and-go favorites... but it’s a good reminder why they might not be the best choices. I have to admit I completely ignored number 06, but that’s just me. 😁

Pass on the kindness.

Soak up what’s left of August ♍ and stay safe.

~Molly xo

August Canna Lilies

Happy Spring to You

🌷 from Yorkshire, England

[from the Archives]

    Happy Spring to you and hello April !

    I've linked a quick YouTube Short (30sec) from Miriam's Quilling. All you need to know is the simple shape. Loose roll (coil), pinch and shape into a teardrop and make two. 

    The leaves are big loose rolls. I use different size medicine bottle caps-lids as templates for big rolls. Roll, then drop it in a cap, after it has released remove with tweezers and glue. Shape into long skinny leaves. Even just one of these tulips would be awesome on a card or gift tag. Remember, make odd numbers of elements for balance.

Making Spring Tulips - YTube Short

    You can make any size for any reason with any width of paper. 

All Miriam's Shorts

Miriam's Quilling

    This tulip is on my craft room wall. I used 1" (25mm) wide, 12" long construction paper strips. I often use a paper crimper on all the strips before rolling, gluing and shaping. There are only seven pieces to this 15" (38.1 cm) quilled tulip.      

  

    I haven't posted this link in a while. Real Simple magazine online is very inspiring, even if you only scroll through and look at the pictures.😄 I hope you will take a look and find something entertaining or helpful or both. It will renew each month.

Real Simple Magazine

    Enjoy the magic of April 🌞 and stay safe.

xo 🌷

~Molly

Life Is Really Simple, but We Insist on Making it Complicated. ~Confucius

 Hello! 

A bit of quilling news first.

The 2024 Annual NAQG Conference "NAQGCON" will be held in Oklahoma City, OK, on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton. This location is only 5 minutes from the Will Rogers World Airport. There is a huge discount on rooms when you book as attending, and for the first time, an "early bird" discount if you register by February 15. There is so much information on the website here North American Quilling Guild.

Positive Daily Affirmations

I haven't posted this link in a while. Real Simple magazine online is very inspiring, even if you only scroll through and look at the pictures.😄 I hope you will take a look and find something entertaining or helpful or both. It will renew each month.

Real Simple Magazine

Enjoy February 💖 and stay safe.

xo 

~Molly

Dreams, Hopes & Happiness

Hello! 😊

Paper To Petal

A short 3:25min video for ideas and inspiration. At :40 seconds, ManuK slows down and shows many how-to shapes she uses for her creations. She has individual videos on her channel for how to quill all these flowers.

Happy crafting or doing what you love. Have a very warm & safe end of the year. 

May the New Year bring you and yours new dreams, hopes and happiness. 

xo 🎉

Molly