Peep Anniversary

So Easter is my favorite holiday.  That's probably weird for someone who isn't really religious, but I just love it.  I think it's spring, the cuteness of bunnies and chicks, and of course the CANDY.   Making baskets is my most favorite thing!  When I saw the card kit from Simon Says Stamp, I had to get it because PEEPS!!!!!!!!   Who doesn't love Peeps?!   Even if you don't eat them, you have to admit that they are adorable.  :)   I made this anniversary card for Jason using it and an older sketch from My Favorite Things card challenge.  I added a little package of Peeps with it too of course.  :)

Laila and I took newspapers to the animal shelter today because they were in desperate need of them and then we went to Michael's.  Paint was on sale, so I let her pick out some new colors.   She does love to paint when she's not collecting ladybugs or screaming, so it's a cheap investment in fun.  lol   We had a rough weekend.  Yesterday was our 12th anniversary and it was a pretty awful day.  Jason was angry all day, Laila was whining and screaming all day, and I went to hide in bed before I had an anxiety attack.  Some days I wonder how we are going to make it through whatever this is.  Sigh.  Lots of day I think I don't even want to.

Anyway, happy Pi day.  I hope you have a wonderful week!

Just a little update...

I just thought I'd check in.  If you are a regular follower, you've probably noticed that I haven't been posting much.  I don't know what's going on, but I just haven't been feeling like stamping much lately.  It's been a while since I had any time to recharge, so I'm feeling pretty worn down both mentally and physically.   Laila has been having a lot of problems at MDO and they are weighing so heavily on my mind.  I'm feeling a bit lost and a lot like a failure.  I did find some groups on Facebook about strong-willed children, so I at least know I'm not alone.   I keep trying to take her to things to expose her to people, kids, and experiences, but it's not easy by any means.  Being the mom with the difficult child at those events is not so fun.  But I go...

We have been working on doing some things at home to make it more structured here.  I don't have a real schedule yet because of all the above crap, but I hope to work on myself and a schedule over the coming weeks.  Here's a few pictures of the fun we've been having as we go through the month learning about deserts.  Our first week is focused on cowboys and the rodeo.

Last week we took a break and went to the Houston Livestock Show and then a NatureFest at a local park.  It was fun and a nice break for us all.  She was well behaved for the most part and had a blast.

I hope to work on some cards over the weekend, so fingers crossed that happens.  I got some fun new stamps I want to ink up, so maybe that will be the motivation I need.  Now I'm off to find some flashlights and candles as our storms are getting worse!

Feeling Blue?

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  I'm the hostess this week and I have a pretty simple sketch.  I like the idea of simple ones that allow you to fill in with what inspires you.

I had a class over the weekend where we learned to make the watercolor backgrounds with a Stampin' Up!  Watercolor Wash background stamp and I loved how mine turned out.  I ended up using it for my card today so that I didn't lose it or spill something on it.  lol  I used Pool Party and Island Indigo, just tapped the pads on the stamp, and then sprayed it with water before I laid my paper on it.  I love the result.  Different amounts of ink and water give different results, so it's fun to play and see what you end up with!  I added some die cut flowers and leaves from my favorite Ellen Hutson dies that had been accented with Wink of Stella.  The sentiment is from a set from The Greeting Farm called Wood Friends. 

My little cowgirl.  We are starting a little homeschool curriculum and our first week is about cowboys/rodeos/deserts.   :)   

Newton Needs Coffee

Wednesday means a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  I love Jen M's sketch this week so much!  I also used it for the card I posted yesterday; it was just flipped for that one!  :)   I love this week little coffee and kitty set from Newton's Nook.  That looks like me every morning as I want on my coffee to finish brewing!  The colors from this card come from the Cupcake Inspirations challenge.

  

Snowman and Cocoa

I'm running so behind with my stamping, but I wanted to be sure I used this adorable image that's the From the Heart Stamps stamp of the month.   I love snowmen and hot chocolate, so together they make my heart happy.   :)   If you haven't played along with their monthly progressive challenge, it's a great month to jump in and start since this guy is only $1.  What a deal, huh?   I'm really enjoying digital stamps now, so I love getting the new one every month!

Laila is feeling much better and not coughing much at all.  I'm so thankful because those nights getting up and down all night with her was wearing us out.   Of course now Jason is sick, so...  lol   I always have sinus issues going on, but I sure hope to avoid this yuck.  

Super Girl Birthday

Whew.  I actually made a card!  I spent most of the weekend working on organizing my stamp room, but I did sneak in one card.  I wanted to play along with the sketch at MFT Card Challenges and the Anything Goes challenge at 7 Kids College Fund Challenge.   I just love this super girl image.  It is the perfect (late) birthday card for a special friend of mine who loves superheroes.  I hope its cuteness makes up for its lateness.  lol

Laila is finally starting to feel better.  She's still coughing a little, but the oral steroid they gave her at the doctor last week helped with part of the croup.   She sure woke up early today, so I'm going to need another cup of coffee to stay awake!   Have a great week!

Magical Harry

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  My sweet friend Jen T. is the hostess this week and she has a simple sketch that is super versatile for everyone.  I hope she forgives me for changing the orientation to portrait.  :)   I didn't have much time to make my card so I grabbed this panel I'd colored a while back, added a sentiment, and a little strip of Crushed Curry.   Super simple.

A couple people had asked about the stamps for this card.  The Harry Potter is a digital one from Bugaboo stamps and you can find it here.  The sentiment is from a set from The Cat's Pajamas called Presto.  I hope that helps!

We are having a rough sleep week already.  Laila is sick with what might be croup, so we are off to the doctor with her today to see what's going on.  Jason and I starting to get sick as well, so chicken soup might be on the menu for dinner.   And hopefully naps are in our future.  ...yawn...

Happy Birthday Bird

Well, I'm only like super late with my Freshly Made Sketches post.  lol Better late than never though, right?   Amy has such a fun sketch this week and I was excited to play along.  My brother is a St. Patrick's Day baby so I decided to get ahead and make his birthday card!   I used the fun bird stamp I got at From the Heart stamps because he cracks me up and my brother needs some laughs right now.

  

I am still struggling to create very much.  I think about it, but I just can't bring myself to go in my room and do it.  I might try to challenge myself to redo one of the Online Card Classes I've done in the past or even make a card every day in March to get myself back in the mode.  Or just color images for now and work on the card part later?  I don't know...   Laila is sick with a cold now so sleep is a bit rough.  I'm headed to take a nap now!  

Before I go, here's the newest member of our family.  His name is Pet (Laila named him).  lol  Laila LOVES him and he seems to like his new home in our 10 gallon tank.  :)