Give a girl the right paper...

Another day of Christmas card making and once again finding super easy ways to get those cards finished in time to mail them out!  I'm well on my way now!

As I was thinking of a title for this post, I thought about how perfect certain papers are.  Sometimes I can see a paper and immediately know what to do with it.  They can make scrapbook pages as easy as matting a photo and adding it to a gorgeous background.  Some can be the inspiration for a perfect 3D or repurposing project.  And others just scream "Buy me and I'll make really cute cards really fast!"  I love it when paper talks to me!!

Over the summer, I was in our LSS and came across just this kind of paper.  There were fun, vintage images already in 3x4 rectangles just waiting to be cut apart.  I also found some coordinating red and green paper to finish them off perfectly.  Then I promptly brought them home and forgot about them.  My recent cleaning reminded me of them and I got busy.  Some of the images were so great, I didn't even mat them.  I just grabbed some embossing folders to add a little texture and tada! Instant cards!!

I felt just like Cinderella with the right pair of shoes...or maybe Dorothy with her ruby slippers... either way-it just proves that if you give a girl the right item, she can get things done!

Aren't those images just the best?!  I'm almost positive these were Simple Stories, but since I tossed the end strips I can't be 100% sure.  

Well, I'm back to work this week and going to do my best to carve out some creative time, so hopefully I'll have a few scrapbook pages in the future.  I do have more cards to share, but they'll have to wait for another day!

 

You just never know what you'll find!

Hello!  My recent post about getting back into my creative space became a reality yesterday.  After spending a lot of the day cleaning (yikes!!), I finally cleared my table enough to start making some Christmas cards.  I also rediscovered a package of card bases that had the cutest holiday patterns on them.  I really didn't want to cover the base, and honestly was looking for a quick way to make some cards, so I dug out a Hero Arts Merry Christmas stamp and Wacky Wishes by SU, pulled some inks to match and got busy.  Super simple cards that still look cute.

Added a little linen thread bow to dress this up!

A little layering on these to make

the sentiment stand out!

I have to confess that I don't actually remember buying these bases... Yeah... Have I mentioned recently that I have a craft supply hoarding problem?!  I'm wondering if these weren't a prize from a crop or a gift from someone because this isn't something I would ordinarily buy.  I guess this is just another reminder that I don't really need to shop for new items; I just need to go through my stash and discover treasures that are already here!!  You really never know what you'll find if you dig deep enough!

I am so happy to be  posting again and look forward to sharing more creation and inspiration soon!

 

A Breath of Fresh Air

 I love airing out my house.  There is something so pleasing about opening the windows on the first breezy spring or fall day and enjoying the air flowing through my home.  The savings on the utility bill are an added bonus, but really it's more about airing out a stuffy house.

Sometimes my brain and mindset gets stuffy too.  I have been struggling with some career decisions, grieving the loss of my dad, and honestly grieving the loss of my girls always being home.  I don't mind the empty nest most days, but sometimes this house is just too quiet.  While I am still facing all of these challenges, I am really trying to 'air out' my soul and let some fresh thoughts flow.

I started my month off with a daily Gratitude statement on my Facebook page.  I couldn't believe how difficult it was at first!  I mean, I have a job, a cozy home, a wonderful husband, two fabulous girls who are turning into amazingly strong women, and all the necessities...  But about half way through the month, something began to change.  I would have a moment of pure gratitude over the simplest things-a student who made me laugh, a kind grocery store clerk, and suddenly I couldn't wait to record that days blessing!  I started seeing all of the wonderful things that were happening around me instead of the less than perfect.

This morning I woke up at 5:30 (on a Saturday...) and instead of trying to force myself to sleep more, I got up, made coffee, stripped the sheets off the bed to be laundered, lit some candles, and enjoyed my first cup of coffee in the silence of the candlelight.  It was perfect!  Lots of time for reflecting, sorting out thoughts and priorities, and thinking big things.  I wish I could say everything is sorted out now, but that's probably never going to be the case.  I did however come back to the ever present belief that creating makes me pretty darn happy-even if I'm the only one enjoying it.  So I'm going to get my butt in gear, brush the dust and cobwebs from my craft room, and make some Christmas cards to share with loved ones.  I'm also going to carve out time (not intentionally a Thanksgiving pun, but it works!) each week to play.  I have pinned several ornament ideas on Pinterest that really need to be a part of my holiday prep this year.  I also have a few new baking recipes to try out.  Who knows? I may even find more time to post on this dusty ol' blog of mine.  Even if I'm the only one who sees it, it's still a breath of fresh air for this stuffy soul!

Wishing you the happiest of Saturdays and hoping that you will find some gratitude today too!