January What?

     It has been a crazy month. I have had this post on my to do list for a few weeks now, but it has been so busy around here. So many changes going on that it keeps getting moved to the bottom of my list. To start out my job has changed and I have been offered full time not the part time I was working. This has come sooner than I ever expected so it has been a balancing act trying to fit things in. As many of you know that means crafting gets moved to the bottom of the list. Today is the first day I have really been able to sit down in my craft room undisturbed to have a look at what needs to be done. Unfortunately my youngest daughter has been keeping my crafting room company while I have been away. Which as you may expect means there is tons of organizing and tidying up to be done. Plus there is all the Christmas card stuff that needs to be put away from the rush of the season. One of my projects that is going to be an ASAP project is going to be a card organizer. My Aunt needed mine more than I did so I am in the process of making a new one. So once it is completed I will show you the results. What I do have to show you is these lovely roses I was able to make using a new cartridge I purchased on one of my days off last week. I have been eyeing the big flower cricut cartridge for awhile and finally thought I had been good with my purchasing and it was on sale. I have to say there is a learning curve with these flowers. And depending on your preference there are many ways to put them together. I did use white fast drying glue which helps, but it is all in how you play with the paper too. Breaking the fibers seems to make a difference in how easy it is to shape them. Hope you enjoy, and hope to see you back here soon.

P.S. The paper was all Recollections.

Happy New Year

     Happy New Year and all the best for 2013!  As like most people I don't like making resolutions cause it is really hard to keep to them. So this year I am trying to make personal goals instead. So one of my personal goals is to get back into my blogging. So many things have been going on around here in the last 6 to 9 months that I have fallen behind on my crafting and blogging that I want to get back into it for 2013. Not only was it great for me to see what everyone was up too but it is a great way for me to keep both my crafting friends and family updated on what is going on with us in these busy times. Of course I have those other personal goals like most people that I would like to get those last 10 lbs off and hit the gym more but those will come and fall into place with all the other goals.
     So since I am still sitting down to my first cup of coffee this morning and have not been able to get into my craft room to create something for you this morning I do have a Christmas card that I am especially proud of that I want to showcase for you. The card stock is Michaels recollections, the shaped mats are spellbinders. The stamp is from Stampin Up not sure what set though. I did embossing it after stamping it in versamark. Of course the sparkly lines were drawn using stickles. Now the super cool part to this card is that the silver mat is actually foil paper glued to a piece of cardstock. The foil is the kind that ladies usually have their hair lightened with. It is super durable and gives a great shine once it is embossed with the cuttlebug folders. I hope you enjoy it and can appreciate the shine of it from the picture as much as I did and still do.

    
      On a side note as an update on me, I have closed my home based daycare back in July and found myself a part time job working in a beauty supply store. Even though it is not a full time job and the adjustment has been tough on the family I am finding it very satisfying to be out of the house and talking to the public again. It really has made me appreciate the time at home with my family and given me back some of that confidence I had misplaced from being at home for so long. As an bonus though I have found that there are many crafty things you can pick up at the beauty supply store as well as the hardware store that crafters are always commenting on. I apologize for taking so long to getting back to you all and wish everyone the best in the New Year and all your personal goals. Catch you next week if not sooner.