Sponge dauber blending technique...

Okay...I don't know that this is an ACTUAL technique but I didn't know what else to call it. I used sponge daubers to blend different coloured inks to get the desired effect. This was my first time doing something like this and I think it turned out pretty well. It was fairly quick to make and I love the effect. It's a really different effect for me but I think I might have to try it more often.

All products by Close to My Heart...

White Daisy cardstock
Twilight Ink
Olive Ink
Cocoa Ink
Pansy Purple Ink
Treasure Life stamp set (September SOTM)

Sorry to be away...

I have been tending to Emalyn all this week. She is a very sick little girl and she needs me with her most of the time. We had to cancel her birthday party on the weekend...she didn't have a real great 5th birthday. I was hoping to make it up to her this weekend by rescheduling her party but I don't know if that will be happening either. Poor little thing.

I'll hopefully be back blogging soon!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Today is my husband Matt's 32nd birthday. I made him this card and I was pretty pleased how it turned out. The card base is from a set of pre-printed set that includes envelopes (awesome time saver). The ribbon is 1'' grosgrain from Walmart. All other supplies are CTMH including the heart stamp (Heartfelt set), sentiment (Happy Birthday set), Indian Corn Blue & Sweet Leaf ink, White Daisy cardstock and CTMH Sweet Leaf button.

Thanks for looking!

On a personal note...

It seems recently I have lost my "mojo" - for the lack of a better term. Mojo for scrapbooking is part of it but I feel really lost in my life as a whole. Over the years I have neglected to put me first like many mothers do. I feel yucky, tired and have no drive for anything...least of all scrapbooking. I hate this feeling. It may be because I am not sleeping well (no more than 4 hours a night on average) or it may be because of my weight. It may be that I feel like my life has no direction. It may be that sometimes I think I am married to the world's most insensitive clod. It may be because I feel like I don't deserve my husband. One thing I know for sure is...I am overwhelmed. And that feels really strange to type out. I just feel like I have so much to do...so many things I want to accomplish...and so little time to do it in. And since I have no drive or motivation it just becomes a compounding situation. I was going to type a list of all the things I want to accomplish but I am afraid to see it all typed out. That would probably overwhelm me more.

Looking back over the years I do wish that I spent more time taking care of me - physically, mentally and emotionally. Surrounding myself with more people that make me happy and inspire me. I have made many online relationships in the past few years and I cherish each one but I do wish I had put as much energy into making real life relationships too. I miss having "real" friends. The ones that stop in uninvited to have a cup of coffee. The ones that don't care that I haven't showered or that my floor needs mopping (that's the perk of online friends! ;) ) I am so tired of feeling like I need to be "perfect" to be accepted or loved. I've worn myself out and now I am a mess - physically, mentally and emotionally. It feels kind of lonely here. I just don't know quite where I belong right now.

Somehow, someway I need to regroup. I am lost deep within myself and I need to dig down to my core to uncover my happiness again and start enjoying my very blessed life. I have 2 beautiful little girls. A handsome husband who loves me unconditionally - extra pounds and all. A wonderful home and loving parents that would do anything for their "little girl". I really am blessed.

Emalyn's first day of Kindergarten!

Well, my "big girl" is on her 3rd day of Kindergarten and loving it! I knew she would. She's talking the teacher's ear off and making friends all over the place! It's just so hard to believe that my "baby" is in school! How on earth could she be old enough!! ;)

Anyways, here are a few pictures from her first day of school...

Click on the pictures below for a larger (less blurry) image. :)