Countdown ...

It's that time of year my body readjusts its' clock and I find myself thinking that it is far later than it actually is.  It is so depressing waking in the dark and having few hours of sunlight.  I feel as though I am in a constant battle with myself ... all I want to do is sleep.  My sister arrives from VA on Sunday and I know that I will feel re-energized with her hear.  I have a lot of crafting to get done before the 'dreaded surgery' in November.  

    While I was waiting for the photographer to arrive this evening I tried stamping some bottle magnets for my Uncle and played around with a few other ideas.  I needed to distract myself since it was time to choose Senior Pictures for my daughter Sayde and I just am not ready to accept that it won't be long before she enters the world all on her own! 
    Here is the first set of magnets I tried ...

Thanks for letting me share!  Happy crafting!

Envelope Bag - Gift Card Holder

The countdown is on ... two weeks from tomorrow I will be in my car and headed to Virginia!  I am very fortunate to have a family supportive of my dream of finding a venue to share my card creations and crafts.  I have been busy playing with paper, searching the cyber world for inspiration, and getting inky!  These little bags were made with Stampin' Up envelopes.  I used my favorite stamp set Snow Much Fun and Bashful Blue ink and ribbon.  These can be hung from the tree with a gift card or treat, given to a coworker or used as a Secret Santa gift.  So many ideas!  I made several different designs and played with different colors!  Let me know ... which one is your favorite?

 Happy Stamping!

Hello Friends ... Old and New!

It seems like a lifetime has passed since I visited my blog and shared my love of crafting with the cyber world. So many changes have taken place, not only in my desire to find my niche in the craft business, but in myself as I move forward in life.  Things that used to seem so important to me now seem so trivial.  Much of the change comes from caring for my mom.  She is such an amazing woman.  I watch her struggle daily to remain here with us and I think of what a selfless sacrifice she is making. 

She suffers from chronic COPD and is on oxygen 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  She has not left her home for almost two years (except for medical appointments).  As I witness her daily weakening, a bit of me grows to appreciate life 'in the moment'.  I realize I have wasted valuable time and energy in my yearnings for things I did not have.  I realize that what I have, family and faith, makes me one of the richest and strongest persons in the world.  I am learning to accept my weaknesses, embrace my strengths and yes, I am slowly learning to trust in God again.  Thank you mom ... I Love You!