Going Live : Because 11 PM is the New Prime Time

They say “done is better than perfect,” but they usually don’t mention that “done” often happens at 11:00 PM while your toddler is finally—mercifully—asleep. I’ve officially caved. After months of debating, I took the plunge into the world of YouTube Live. If you missed it, don’t worry; you weren’t the only one. Unless your name is Mommie (my mom), Dad, Amma (my mother -in law) or Babe (my husband), you probably weren’t part of my elite, high-society audience of four.

There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of realizing you are live on the internet while the rest of the neighborhood is tucked in. Here is a little recap of how my “Midnight Debut” went!

The Inner Circle (and the Critics)

The primary goal of this stream was a tech check: testing the mic, the video quality, and exactly how much my hands would shake once that “On Air” sign turned red.

My viewers were the most loyal fans a cardmaker could ask for. They aren’t just there to cheer; they are my primary critics. From a 30-second Short to a three-hour monthly recap, they’ve seen it all and aren’t afraid to give me the “honest” feedback only family can provide.

My Happy Place

Despite the nerves, it was incredibly peaceful. With the house finally quiet and the toddler in dreamland, I was able to settle into my happy place. There’s a specific kind of magic in the silence of late-night crafting—just me, the camera, and some beautiful stamps.

The Project: Nature’s Magic

Since this was a trial run, I kept the focus on the process rather than a complex construction.

The Image: I chose the stunning floral image from the Build-a-Garden: Nature’s Magic Stamp Set by Altenew.
The Prep: I stamped it in Versafine Onyx Black ink and gave it that raised, professional shine with clear heat embossing powder.
The Coloring: I leaned into a classic, vibrant palette of reds and greens.

Finishing Touches

The live stream technically ended after the ink blending, but the creative juices were still flowing! Off-camera, I finished the card by:

Adding a sprinkling of sequins for that essential sparkle.
Foam-mounting the panel for some much-needed dimension.
Placing everything on a top-folding red cardstock base to make those reds in the florals really pop.

It wasn’t a sold-out stadium, but it was a start. Going live felt like a huge hurdle, and I’m so glad I finally jumped over it (even if I did it in my pajamas) and well messed up my outro!

Check out my first YT Live here-