An Indefinite Break

Hello friends!

Greetings from the sub zero, freezing temps here in Iowa!  It was -3 this morning, and will be getting down to like -7 tonight.  I'm longing for the shorts and flip flops weather that I had in Dallas!

I have enjoyed spending time with my daughter, doing the things together that we hadn't done in years.  The decision to move here has been a wise one.  I can see the difference in her personality and attitude, and I can tell that she's glad I'm here.  Just the fact that she's starting to open up about the "issue" we're currently dealing with makes me believe that this is where I'm supposed to be.  I can also tell that my mom is more relieved, and less stressed now that I'm here to take care of everything.  *happy sigh* 

The free time I used to have that was filled with papercrafting is now filled with quality time spent with my daughter and mother.  My priorities have changed, and I've resigned from all of my design teams.  I have had a wonderful time being a part of each one of them, but ultimately, this is the right thing.  The FYI challenge blog will still be a part of my normal routine.  I own it, so I will continue to create the posts for it.  I may even participate every once in a while, but for the most part, my blog will be quite dormant. 

I will be checking in on everyone, as often as I can.  I will try to post photos of everyday things we're having fun doing, from time to time as well. 

It has been a great time, but I'm onto new adventures... 
Hugs!

Papercraft Star Challenge #127

Hi y'all!

How has you week been?  Did you get lots of crafty stuff done this past weekend?  I'm settling into my new job better, and things are going really well this week.  I'm being bombarded with information, but it's ok.  I'll be running the show by myself already next week, for a couple days, and I want to make sure I do a good job.

Onto this weeks Papercraft Star challenge.  The theme this week is: 

 

An inspiration photo!

 

 Here is my card, based on the photo.

 

 

I love the way book paper looks on projects.  After looking at the photo from my project last week, I wanted to incorporate it into this weeks project too.  Those distress inks have definitely done the trick again this time.  I love the simplicity of this card, and the focus on the sentiment.  Unfortunately, this card is for my mom.  The mother of one of her friends passed away recently and she's sending it to their family.

 

I do hope you'll head over to the PCS blog to see what everyone else has created this week.  As usual, they're absolutely gorgeous!

 

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs!



Unscripted Sketches Challenge #192

Happy Saturday!

Welcome back!  How has your first week of the New Year been?  I've been going through lots of adjustments, mostly getting used to the cold weather, but this year has started off really well for us.  I feel like my move here is a blessing, and hope to continue on the path to new and exciting things.  My daughter is absolutely loving the fact that I get to hug her everyday, and that I am here when she just wants to talk.  I'm loving the fact that I get to do the everyday things that I've missed with her again. :) 

I have a new Unscripted Sketches project for you today.  It's been a while since I've participated, so I'm happy to be back in it.  I have always loved their sketches, so it was fun to finally get to create with one of them again.  The gals at US have been so wonderful, in allowing me the time off I needed to get everything together, and I'm thankful for their patience with me.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I really dig the way this card turned out!  I kinda used the below color combo, from Design Seeds, which was fabulous and made me happy.  Once I had my idea of how I wanted to put my card together, it was finished in no time.  I'm not a huge pink fan, but really like the color combo in this card.

I am so thankful that you've stopped by today.  I do hope you'll head over to see what wonderful projects are posted on the US blog for you today.  They're pretty fabulous!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs!

For Your Inspiration Challenge #37

Hola!

I can't belive how quickly time has passed since I last posted an FYI project.  We took a break for the last few months so that my designers could get their kiddos ready to go back to school, and so they could enjoy the holidays with their families.  It's the beginning of the year, and things are back on schedule with our challenges being posted on the first and third Thursday's of the month.  We will still be picking a favorite for each challenge, and showcasing their projects on the FYI blog.  Not too much has changed.  So, are you ready to play along with us again?  :)

Here is the inspiration photo for our first challenge of the year.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE. 

And here is my card, based on the photo.

This is the first card I made, after being on hiatus from crafting, for so long.  I'm not sure I totally dig it, but I do like it a little.  Unfortunately, with starting my new job, I wasn't able to pull together another card before today.  I guess it is kinda cute. lol  I'm going to enter this into the following challenges.

Kaboodle Doodles #152 - Anything Goes
Mojo Monday #264 - Sketch (my loose interpretation of it)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Use It Tuesday #46 - 2013 (I need tons of Thank You's, the stamps and border punch on this card are at least six months old)
Heck of a Challenge January Challenge - Thank You
Natalie & Amy's January Challenge - Your Favorite Things (Nesties, Distress Inks, Paper Flowers)

Anyway, I do hope you'll head over to see what my Lovelies have created for you today.  Their projects are always so beautiful.  I'm sure you'll love my two new designers as well!

Have a great day!
Hugs!

Papercraft Star Challenge #126

Hello hello!

Happy New Year to all of you dear friends!  I do hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the New Year!  I am happy to report that I have successfully relocated from Dallas to Iowa, and am now getting settled in my new place.  My daughter and mother are super excited to have me here, and even though it is quite a change for me (from 6 million people to 775 people, and freezing temps with snow), I'm happy to be here for them full time.  I started my new job on Monday, and even though there are lots of changes I can see that need to be made to the department I now manage, it's nothing that I haven't done before.  I'm really excited to share and implement my ideas and have them help save the company money.  It's been a while since I've posted anything crafty, but that is about to change.  I am now back into my crafty endeavors, full swing, and will have regular postings again.  I've really missed being able to create.  Anyway, onto the crafty goodness for today. :)

The theme this week at Papercraft Star is:

Your best project from 2010!

 

I had a difficult time choosing a project for this weeks challenge.  I was quite proud of several of my projects from last year.  I finally narrowed it down to three of my favorites and then let my daughter pick her favorite.  Here is the one she chose.

 

 

This frame was made as a gift for my sister and brother in law earlier in the year.  Their apartment is decorated in a rustic look with deep reds and browns, and this went perfectly with their decor.  They loved it too!  Always a plus.  I simply glued book paper  that I had stamped to the plain white frame, stamped the main image and verse, and then added the lace and ribbon/flower bow.  It was very simple and took no time at all to make.  It has definitely become one of our favorite conversation pieces.  My sister says people compliment her on it all the time.  Yay! :)

I do hope you'll head over to the PCS blog to see what my fellow designers have posted today.  All of their best projects truly are breathtaking.  I can't wait for you to see them!

I hope the New Year brings all of you good health, happiness, and contentment!
Hugs!