The more we play ...

What an emotionally exhausting week.  Pneumonia has hit hard in our little corner and after caring for sick kids, sanitizing and sanitizing and sanitizing, working, doing schoolwork ... I needed some GIRL TIME!!  I got together last night with a few friends.  We chatted and laughed and even managed to craft a bit!!  Nothing to lift your spirits like crafting with the girls.  My Stampin' sister Deanna showed us how to make roses from the Ornament punch ... she had seen this on the internet.  I'm not sure how often I would make these as they are big for cards or pages ... what ideas does everyone have to use them for?  I also played with my new favorite stamp set Abundant Hope ... it complements the Tea Party DSP perfectly!  I can't wait to sit down and play again.  Though we started at 6:30pm and didn't end until 10:30 pm - we chatted and shared ideas, product favorites etc. more than we managed to actually craft!  I wouldn't trade times like that for anything!  True friends are like family and time with them is to be cherished! 

~~  Never say you lost a friend, because if friendship is capable of ending, it never even existed! ~~

Thanks for stopping by!  Your comments are my inspiration!

                                                                                               ~Samie

parenting ... one tough job

Today was one of those days that i just wanted to quit my job!  How had I gotten here?  Where had these feelings come from?  Anger, frustration, desperation ... and most of all fear.  After almost 'losing it' today I ran out the door, jumped in my car and just drove!  So many emotions surfaced.  In just a single moment I realized I was completely alone - tears streaming down my face and the need to 'let it all out' and I had nowhere to go and noone to talk to.  I wanted answers ... why was I being punished so?  I am a good mom - I have five beautiful children.  I felt the Lord blessed my life with them for a purpose.  My life plan included three children however I was given the gift of two more children through adoption due to unforseen circumstances.  My youngest son has Reactive Attachment Disorder and ADHD.  If you do not know what attachment disorder, I encourage you to do a quick search).  My second to youngest son has ADHD and chronic depression - so days can be quite challenging.  I have been able to see beyond the behaviors understanding that they are not intentional but today I just fell apart.  After a couple hours in the car and a quick visit with my mom I was ready to return home.  I was reminded of a quote I keep near to me: "when you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."  I realized that running from this problem was teaching my children to do the same!  No matter how many times in the past I felt like giving up, I reminded myself that I was the voice for these children, I was their teacher, their inspiration and their foundation ... "our greatest glory is not in never failing, but rising up every time we fail".  I have risen!

 

Girls night ...

I needed a break!  So my upline Michelle Deslandes and my Stampin' sister Lynette Fresn came over and we made a few cards (because I always manage to chat more than I craft!)  My upline shared a beautiful card using the new Extra Large bird punch and I had to CASE it of course!  I also Cased a card I saw on Splitcoast using the Ornament punch to make these adorable little fish!  Anyone have any idea how to add bubbles???  The last cards was a five minute bday card!  I need to fill a box with bday cards and have no experience with male gendre cards! 

Thanks for stopping by!

      ~SamieVt

MOJO 130 ...

As much as I had to do ... I just couldn't walk away from this week's MOJO! Though my picture isn't the best, I actually enjoyed my creation. I managed to whip it up in about 20 minutes. I have to say that I am so missing my Nikon Cameron which I sent in to be repaired. I can't believe the difference in clarity. Of course my sister Marie (IsomCre8tions@blogspot.com) has shared a few photo taking tips I just can't get a good photo!

The Vermont weather has been amazing in the last week. We have managed to make some great syrup with the children the good old fashioned way. I love their excitement from the moment it is time to tap the trees all the way until they bounce in the door with their containers of syrup. We're thinking in investing in a small system for next year - it is a great family bonding time and we all know nothing tastes better than VT Maple Syrup!!!

Have a great week friends!

Time change fog ...

   What a way to start the day.  I slept in!  Yes, you read that right ... I rolled over and looked at the clock.  I rubbed my eyes, 8:30 a.m. time to get some coffee and start my day!  I made my way downstairs and as I was standing at the coffee maker I looked over at the stove ... 9:33 a.m.???  What????  I set the cup down and walked to my computer ... 9:34 a.m.!  I slept in ...what a way to throw you whole day off!  LOL  I can't do time changes!  It was a domino reaction after that.  All day long I was chasing that hour ...

I did escape for a bit and head over to my Stampin' UP sister, Deanna Smith's to play for a bit.  We only live a mile apart and just don't do this often enough anymore!  (Of course when I got ready to leave I was quite proud that it was only 4:37 p.m. and I still had a few hours of the day left ... need I say that she hadn't set her clocks ahead and it was 5:37 p.m.!!!)

Paper Play

Those who know me know that I tend to use little DSP on my cards and scrapbook pages.  I love to stamp everything!  In order to step outside of my comfort zone I need to see what I can do with DSP when I am crafting.  Here is what I came up with last night.  Yes, I used the Abundant Hope stamp set again (have I said how much I love this stamp?)  This simple card took me forever when most of you could have swhipped it up in minutes.  I kept switching my DSP from one side to another etc.  I will stick to my "Less is More" style and leave it as is! 
DSP:  Cottage Wall
Cardstock:  Orchid Opulance and Whisper White
Ink:  Orchid Opulance and Certainly Celery
Ribbon:  Certainly Celery
As always, thanks for stopping by!
    ~Samantha

MOJO Monday

Hi Friends!
   I'm not really sure that this is one of my favorite cards.  I wanted to pop on and post it just in case I don't get a chance to whip up another one.  The Mojo cards I've seen so far are amazing!  I do like the color combination with this card though I could have played around with the patterned paper a bit.  I used soft suede and melon mambo and the Wings of Friendship hostess set. 
Our household has been plagued with the flu and it really hit me hard.  I need to take better care of myself as I am falling behind on keeping up with my blog, my housework, my homework ... everyday life!  I decided to make tonight a play night and will post cards or projects later!  Thanks for stopping by.  Stay healthy!
~Samantha

I've been playing ...

     Yes, it's true ... I've been playing and haven't taken the time to hop online and share with all my cyber friends.  My apologies!


      I am so in love with the new stamp set Abundant Hope.  What a versatile stamp set - perfect for so many different occastions.  I'm thinking a perfect Stamp-a-Stack card!  (Now to come up with three more!




Yikes ... is Easter really approaching?  I was on Splitcoast and I saw these cute little baskets.  I thought "wow" I only a couple of hours to whip of nine swaps - this would be perfect!  So I whipped these up and the gals loved them!  I have to perfect the "open basket" but the center is a quick play!







I made this card for a "pick me upper" for my mom who has been such a blessing in my life.  I find that we fail to take the time to tell those who mean the world to us how much we love them so I put this in a bag of stuff for her to find <3!








I love these quick and easy soap (or lotion) bottles.  They would be so fun to make a coordinating bag and give out as everyday gifts!!


Hope all my blogging friends are doing well! 

Blessings,
   ~Samantha