Bloglovin' and a little more

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So, I'm not totally abandoning blogland, just taking some time to take care of me.  I made it into the craft room a couple of days ago and made a few Easter cards...it felt good.  My big kid is still sick...Dr. thinks its rhinitis (sinus problems) and that the post nasal drip is what's causing the 3 month long sore throat.  She's on nasal sprays, with a healthy dose of Vitamin D and a multi-vitamin.  Even so, the kids are going to take a session off of swimming lessons...that means that we have absolutely no activities after school for the next three months.  This has honestly not happened in the past 7 years, since the big kid started gymnastics as a little one.  We've had 2 weeks off so far, and I have to say that not running around every day is doing me a world of good mentally.

Not only do I feel like I have more control over my life, I've been naming chapters in my book in my head.  Seriously, I already have a name for my book....The Monk and the Single Mom.  It's gonna be hilarious.  There will definitely be a chapter titled, "I put my 7 year old in a headlock" and another called, "I've wiped every ass in this house!"  Seriously considering starting a separate blog to be able to put this funny stuff down on paper, but don't want to add more pressure.  I've got a few things hiding on my laptop, and once I have enough to keep me going for a while, I may do just that...start a new blog.

Anyway, I hope that everyone is enjoying the almost spring like weather.  Please follow me on Blog Lovin and I will do the same for you.

Danielle Pin It

No mojo

I am overwhelmed by the number of things that I want to do.  And maybe my blog is one of those things that will have an ebb and a flow...sometimes I feel like I need to post all the time, and other times I just can't be bothered.  Heck, I'm not even getting into my craft room lately...it's been weeks!  But honestly, I'm not bothered by that.  There are so many other things that are good that I have been doing.  I've been reading (like novels) and cleaning my house (surprisingly therapeutic) and spending time with my kids and spending time with my Sweetie and just living. 

I think the main problem now is that I have so many "hobbies" and so much "real life" that I can't fit everything in and something has to give and I have to be okay with that.  Real life - we all have that - kids, kids activities, housework, regular work, relationships, etc is kicking my butt.  Maybe its the winter blah's, but really I feel like I"m spinning my wheels some days...and then other days I feel like I can do just about anything.  Hobbies - I have a whole lot of things I like to do in my spare time - knit, make cards, read blogs, read books, I'd like to learn to use Photoshop better (and add digital scrapping to my repertoire), watching movies, playing Rockband.  When only a few hours a week are allotted to hobbies...how do I choose?  These days, I've been choosing reading or watching TV.  Maybe its the weather...every time the sun comes out and I'm home to enjoy it I find myself cleaning - like take-everything-out-go-thru-it-and-organize-it-and-then-only-put-back-what-we're-really-going-to-use cleaning.

Even though I've tried to simplify our lives, they still feel so complicated and overwhelming.  I've decided that for the Month of March, the kids will only be doing swimming (which they do twice a week).  No extra tutoring for the little one, no sewing classes for the big one..no running 5 days a week for Mom.  Throw March Break in there and maybe it will be the time that I need to just slow down. 

So...my apologies if you were expecting a crafty post.  I'm not sure how many of those I have in me these days.  Add to the list of things to do the urge I feel when I sit in front of my computer to write...like long bunches of stuff.  Maybe I need to start a journal.  Hmm....would adding one more thing help me simplify?  LOL. Pin It

Good for my Heart

Have you ever had scraps sitting on your table and you just wanted to throw them onto a card instead of throwing them away?  Me too.  The result is this fun card.

I like the simplicity of not having to make layers upon layer for the background, which I can sometimes do.  I have one final Valentine's Day card to show you....but I'll wait for the big day for that one.  I sat down and looked at my Easter stamps this week, lol.  Hopefully the mojo will kick in again and I'll get some Easter cards done this week.

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Teacher Valentine's

Look at me being all "ahead of schedule" and stuff!  These are the cards I made for the kids teachers a few weeks back.  The colour is a little off in the first one...the heart is more red than it is pink.

I'm quite happy with these, especially because I finally used my t-shirt die from MFT.  Just love that thing but never seem to pull it out and use it.

  I was super excited yesterday to discover that the sun was still shining at 6:00pm.  I have been feeling a little house bound and like I'm living in a cave a little.  I'm ready for Spring! Thank goodness the sun is shining today...I need to feel it on my face for a while. 

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Keepin' It Simple

I'm keeping it simple today.  The last week has been great IRL (In Real Life) and so I've not really taken the time to blog.  I still have that half finished post updating my yearly goals...I'll get to it...and I have lots of pictures of cards that I've finally uploaded...so I'll get to blogging those too.  See, the thing is...Real Life is so freakin' awesome right now I and just gonna kick around there for a bit and enjoy it! :-)

Made this simple card for a friend of mine, who said something so completely true and off the cuff and heartfelt that it changed my life, and at the time neither of us knew that it would have such a big impact, but it has.

Couple of things have stopped me from blogging recently....the fact that I feel like I NEED to list everything I use on a card, and sometimes that list can be pretty long and so I avoid posting because I don't want to make that big long list....and the fact that I feel like I need to link up to challenges like all my blog buddies.  But you know what...if I love something I'll mention what I used...if you love something, leave a comment and ask what it is...and I'm going to end this self imposed pressure of having to link to challenges. 

I hope you are having as great a 2013 as I am.

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Lazy Blogger

I now have a FOR SALE tab at the top of my blog.  Please check it out for stamps and stuff that I have for sale. 

Most of you know that I am also a knitter.  I have a bunch of Yarn (51% Wool) in my stash that I need to sell.  You can see it all here, on Kijiji.  If you don't knit but know someone who might be interested, please pass this info along.  If someone buys the whole bunch of yarn, I will ship anywhere in the world for free!  That's a great deal!

Alright, so I'm a lazy blogger...it is that time of year.  It is cold.  I hate cold.  My computer is in the basement...where it is cold.  And so that is my excuse for not being a better blogger. 

Here is another of the sympathy cards that I made for my stash.  The colours are a little off, its actually much brighter in person.  Or maybe its my computer screen.

My Munchkin has been sick at home all week, so I've been getting lots done at night while the kids are chilling out, and even after they are in bed.  Monday night I started cleaning out my walk-in closet which has become a dumping ground the past few months.  Last night I cleaned out my Linen Closet - found a whole shelf in there that I can use!  LOL.  Tonight I think I'm going to tackle the Christmas decorations and the storage area in the basement bathroom before the kids go to bed, then I'll work on the computer after they're asleep. 

Surprisingly, I'm finding that some of my best cards are getting made in the early hours of the weekend.  The Rockstar likes to rise between 6:30 and 7:00 no matter the day of the week, so when we trudge downstairs that early I am inclined to go directly to the craft room and it has been very productive.  The only thing I miss since moving my craft room is that the computer is now in a different room.  I have managed to find a tablet that I can use temporarily in the craft room, so we'll see how that goes.  

I am super excited to tell you that I am already composing my end of January update.  What a month it has been, lots going on and lots being accomplished.

I will have to come back later and update the products used on this card.  I don't have the list with me right now. Pin It

Crazy4Challenges 169 - Valentine

Just loved this sketch over at Crazy4Challenges 169 this week....loved it so much that I got out of bed at 7am on Saturday and this card was done by 8am.  Yep...it was that quick!  Love it when a card comes together like that.  I can definitely see this sketch popping up again soon.

I used some scraps from the Bo Bunny Double Dot paper that I had sitting on my craft desk, which contributed to the ease of this card.   The heart is MFT Die-namics Layered heart.  I adore the fact that it fits together so nicely, cause sometimes hearts don't nest just right, know what I mean?

Last night we played Monopoly with the kids, except it was that one with the credit card machine instead of the actual paper money.  Can't say I was overly thrilled with it.  I like having all that cash in my hand, and knowing that my kids have to count out their dollars is they want to buy something.  Regardless, it was fun to sit down with the girls and just play a game, completely unplugged.  What is your favorite board game to play with your kids?

Stamps:  MFT Lovey Dovey Sentiments
Paper:  MFT Sweet Tooth, Razzleberry, CMTH Ocean, Bo Bunny Double Dot

Ink: CTMH Ocean, Black

Accessories: MFT Die-namics Layered Heart, Misc. Ribbon from my stash.

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