Thursday, August 30, 2007

Daily Card Challenge - "Balance" & "Strong"

Well, I'm a little behind . . . "Balance" was from Day 8. But I got up a couple hours before the kids this morning so I had a chance to do a couple of cards ~ yeeahhhh!

My thoughts on BALANCE: It seems I always have so many things going on at once . . . with the kids, school activities, swimming, CTMH gatherings, workshops, teaching card classes, trying to keep up my garden (mostly veggies - I only plant perennials now so I just have to upkeep them!), being a wife, mother, my job (I own my own children's and maternity shop ~ new & used~ and take my kids to work with me!), trying to enjoy off time - vacations, camping . . . always trying to squeeze everything in. And then I think I can do all of these custom crafty things like making personalized baby announcements to order, creating new items to sell at my shop, etc. I just don't know when to quit - whew! Oh yeah, and then there's housework . . hmmm . . always forget that one!

So, trying to balance everything and not neglect anything is sometimes difficult. From time to time, I have to remind myself of what the most important things are (my family) and let everything else go. But I love creating things and trying to come up with unique, sellable ideas for my business. It's an ongoing balance act . . . hence my card . . ;-)

Something I realized when I looked at my card after I created it, was the playfulness of the design - the teeter-totter, sunshine, grass - it all emits FUN and RELAX!!! So that must be where my resting place is . . my comfort zone . . .playing with my kids and husband, in our yard, enjoying the good times and letting everything else go, if only just for little bits at a time! We all NEED that!

(P.S. Thanks to Allison for helping me to solve the "blurriness" problem with my photo taking!!)

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The word for Day 7 was "Strong."

I immediately thought of my husband. He emits strength . . not only physicial, but he is my strength. He is the one that keeps me grounded when my head gets in the clouds. He lets me enjoy my crafts even though it is sometimes stressful for him. He works 2 jobs - for the State as a day job and as a self-employed building contractor on the weekends. So he works 40 hours+ for the State and then numerous hours on evenings and weekends doing construction jobs.

He is always the one to say . . ."let's go camping!" or "let's go on a picnic!" He is always finding things for our family to do that keep us strong together.

He also emits physical strength - he was a commercial fisherman for years - you should see his hands . . .they're HUGE! Our youngest son is going to be built just like his daddy!

I tried to keep the card simple because that is him. He really is a simple man. I think he would approve of this card, even though he always just smiles and says nothing when I show him my work!

The 4 brads on the corners of the card represent our family (my husband, our 2 sons and myself) and the cord ties us all together. The brads and cord also have an analogy (anchor & rope) to his fishing days. He still loves to fish and hunt, although he doesn't get the time to enjoy it like he used to. I try to encourage him to take some time to do what he enjoys to do, but his main focus is our family and keeping us safe and comfortable. And isn't he GORGEOUS!!

He is, and will always be, my strength and my soulmate!


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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Will I EVER catch up?

Yes . . it's me . . posting without a photo - aaahhhhh! We went camping for 3 days last weekend and I came home to be 4-5 daily cards behind. I still haven't caught up. Haven't even had a chance to sit down and play! Tomorrow is my day to post at least 1 and maybe more of the cards I've missed.

I love thinking about and creating the cards, so even though I'm feeling really behind, I still want to go back and do the ones I've missed. I want to have the complete set of 52 when I'm done and have fun remembering all the things that made me scrap my daily card in the first place . . .so keep your fingers crossed . . hopefully they'll be a new post here tomorrow! Goodnight . . .

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

My "Nest"

Ok . . so here's my card . . . I apologize for the terrible photo . . .can't seem to avoid the blurriness in these shots ~ Bummer!

Little explanation - "nest" made me think of my home . . my "nest." So the birds nest in the tree branch represents my home. . . the 4 eggs in the nest (made from cutting ribbon into egg shapes! - cute idea thought of by lil' ol' me!) represent my family - my husband, my 2 boys and myself! Anyway, there it is! Hope you like it!

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Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Daily Word Challenge - "Nest"

When I first read Pam's word of the day this morning I was stumped . . . I initially thought of a bird's nest . . . hmmmmm. . . what to do with THAT!?!

I didn't have time to work on my card this morning, so off to work I went (Tuesday is my full day at the shop and the boys are with me all day). It was a looooong day! We zipped out of the shop at 6:00pm, came home, made dinner, ate, made cupcakes, played and then *whew* the boys and my husband all crashed! So, I pulled up the word of the day again and got to work. I realized my "nest" was my home and I went with that.

I threw away 2 attempts at cards before I got one I liked enough to post. . . but, alas, it's after 11pm now and the light is bad so I will have to take a photo in the morning and post it! It actually turned out pretty cute! Check back in the a.m. for my "Nest." Now I can crash ~ g'night all!

Monday, August 20, 2007

Daily Word Challenge - "Childhood"

I immediately thought of my kids when this word came up today (rather than my own childhood - much too far in the past!!). I found this photo of my youngest son and thought it fit my idea of childhood perfectly - carefree, play, happiness!. Sorry for the simplicity of my cards . . but it's easy and I want these to be quick, first thought projects not projects that take me all day. Hope you like it!

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Daily Word Challenge - "Wander"

I tried to post this last night . . . I was up until after midnight playing with this one . . .but my computer went to sleep on me! I love this challenge . . I am having so much fun.


There is no hidden meaning in this one . . . just thought of autumn and wandering through the fall colors . . hence the goldrush, chocolate and autumn leaves (I got cheap ones at J's because I haven't ordered my CTMH ones yet)!


My cards seem much simpler than others I've seen, but I am having a blast and CAN'T WAIT for the next word!!!


Wander . . . and enjoy!

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Sunday, August 19, 2007

Daily Word Challenge - "Seek"

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This is the first challenge I've participated in. If you haven't joined in this one, you should check it out. It's on Pammie's blog (see my Places I Visit list).

I jumped on this challenge because it's small, simple, daily projects that I think I can accomplish. Sometimes it's hard for me to find time to work on projects (between work, kids, housework, etc.), but I believe this one is doable! Plus, I think it will be good for me to do a little soul searching - I hope to achieve some self-discovery along the way! I am looking forward to this one . . thanks, Erica, for posting the original challenge and to Pam for hosting it!

Hello!

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog! I was inspired this morning to create a place to share artwork, ideas, etc. with my friends and fellow crafters!

Please be patient with me as I learn to navigate this blog. . . I've been on here for an hour already and am not making much progress!

Please stop by and visit again . . .I'll try to get some of my cards and layouts posted. Please join my blog and visit often!

More to come . . .