Final Reflection Blog

Through my 20xtime project I intended to create my own homemade cards, and send those to people that have greatly impacted my life in a significant way. I hoped to send at least one card a week, and tank as many people as I could. In the end I sent about one card every other week and found that it was hard to make time for this project. However, I did enjoy doing it, and I think that this helped me to explore my creative side instead of just doing normal school work.

This project impacted my life because I was able to get the satisfaction of thanking someone and gain more knowledge about card making. It obviously impacted the lives of the people I sent them to, and hopefully brightened their day.

I didn't expect to find that I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to, in order to fully complete the project. I found that I struggled with finding the time to create cards and not setting aside enough time during the week. I think if this project was started at the beginning of the year it would have been easier for me because I would have had a longer time period to work on my cards.

I learned a little bit about time management and I learned new techniques for making cards. This project also gave me insight into how little of my time I spend on things I enjoy doing. I never realized how much I do for school and at home just because I have to, not because it makes me happy.

I think I consider this project a success. Maybe not 100%, because I would have liked to accomplish more (and I intend to over the summer), but I did learn a lot from this project. Every week I spent an hour in class and probably 2-3 hours over the weekend. So about 3 – 4 hours a week.

I learned new research skills while I was researching different card making techniques. This can help me in my English class. I also learned a written form of communication, and a type of communication that most people don’t use often.

A few suggestions for the 20 time project next year: make sure we have enough class time. Maybe lessen the load of other homework we have for that class (beause I know our class…being small…had to do extra IOs and then we also had to do the 20x project, and most English classes didn't have to, so we had a lot of extra work). A solution may be to have all of the English classes do this project.

~ Kristina Martinski

Fifth Blog

20 time has been going great! we recently had our 20 time project fair which went better than i had anticipated. It was great to see how much work everyone has put into this project and to see their end result. it was also nice to see my project come together and display everything i have been working on :)

Recently i made a Father's Day card for my Dad (which i obviously plan to give to him on Father's Day) and i also made one for my Grandpa. They turned out pretty well, and i cant wait to give the cards to them. for my Grandpas i used a new type of Origami i found through my research. it was really interesting and i decided to make a shirt with it, and put it on my Grandpa's card. My dad's card was made with a paper layering technique that i saw in a craft book i bought at Micheal's. They were both pretty time consuming, but the end product was worth it. I have some pictures below to how they turned out:

My Grandpa's is on the left and my dad's is on the right.

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I have been accomplishing a lot with my 20 time project, but i find that it's hard to make the time to be fully invested in this project. However, even though this is my biggest struggle, i am going to try to push past it and keep making time to do this project.

~ Kristina Martinski

Fourth Blog

I'm happy to say I'm making progress on my 20x project! While I haven't had a lot of time to make many cards...I have been researching new techniques. I've also watched various YouTube videos where I learned that contrasting colors and patterns make for a more visually appealing design.  I also learned about a new technique called applique. Applique is used to decorate a piece of fabric sewn or stuck onto a card or picture for patterns. using this technique I can craft a card will various layers of fabrics and cardstocks. This technique can be used for many different occasions. In the upcoming weeks I hope to use this technique on my parents anniversary card and I also hope to make at least 3 more cards.

My 20x project fair with the rest of my class is coming up and the fair I am hoping to have at least 5 cards to place on display. Everyone is invited to this Project fair and I hope you come and check out my display! the project fair is at the Northwood University, Hach Student Life Center (4000 Whiting dr. Midland, MI 48642) viewing hours are from 7 - 8 pm on Teusday May 13th, 2014. Hope to see you all there :)

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This is a card I made for my mom on Mother's Day:

  ~ Kristina Martinski



Third Blog

My 20 x project has been coming along very well! During the last four day weekend, I made a few Easter cards for my immediate family and friends. This was actually a lot harder than I thought is was going to be, but the  experience was definitely worth it! It surprised me how long it took me to make each individual card, and I had a hard time coming up with what I was going to write in each card (which I expected to be the easier part). I've definitely learned how to be more creative and I'm learning how to pair unique designs with various techniques that I've learned.


Moving forward I hope to acquire new techniques and build on my skills. Right now I have a mentor that's a close family friend and she does a lot of crafts and paintings. However, I have also sent an email to Michaels craft store about possibly getting someone to mentor me that knows a little more about designing cards, but I am still waiting for a reply. If I'm not able to get a reply, plan B is to possibly go to one of the tutorial classes that Michaels hosts once a month. I think I would benefit from taking this class and I am definitely giving it a lot of consideration!


I'm excited for what's to come and I hope to keep moving forward on my journey.
~ Kristina Martinski

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Below are some pictures of cards I've made:

(This was one of the Easter cards I made during the past week)

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(This was a Birthday card I made for my 4 year old cousin)



Second Blog

Progress is going well! I am a week into my 20 time project and I find that I am enjoying myself. Yesterday I sent out my first card to my religious education teacher (Mrs. Russell). She has influenced my life in many ways and has always been there for me. I am excited to hear her response but more than that, I am happy that I finally told her how much her presence has affected my life.


I have also started to create Easter Cards for my family and close friends. I found that the hardest part of creating these cards was coming up with a design. I looked at numerous designs on the internet and tried to compile multiple designs together, however, that didn't work so well! but never the less, I have chosen a design and bought all of my supplies, so now all I have to do is finish making them. I hope to post pictures soon of my finished products.


~ Kristina Martinski

Beginning my 20 Time Porject

My 20 Time Project has officially begun!

For my project I will be making cards (Holiday, Birthday, Greeting, ...etc.) to expand my creativity. I hope to make at least 2 cards a week and I want all of them to be unique and creative.

Not only will I be making cards, but also sending cards to people that have truly impacted my life. Once a week I will choose someone close to me and send them a homemade card. This card will thank them for how they have impacted my life and the lives of others.

I will be documenting my struggles and successes throughout this project. I will also be recording the reactions of the people receiving my weekly cards.

I have not started my project yet, however, I have been researching cards online. Within the next week I will be buying supplies at Michaels Craft Store and looking up new ideas online and in craft books. I will then use these supplies and new ideas to start creating cards.

By the end of this project I hope to have created numerous cards and expanded my creativity. I also hope to tell important people in my life how much they mean to me, because I never get the chance to tell them on a daily basis.

I will be keeping this blog updated throughout my 20 Time Project and showing my progress throughout my project.