Ok so you know that for the past year I've been pretty absent from the blogging world. So here's why...
I'm in the middle of a divorce. My STBEx met someone else and left me last August. I've been through all the emotions and have now settled on, it's not as bad as it first seemed. I finally got the first draft of the settlement papers yesterday and everything looks pretty good. Hopefully we can agree on everything and this is the beginning of the end.
I've still been crafting on and off, but not to the extent I used to. I started a part time job at the lss. It's a dream come true! I get paid to make cards! I really love it! I just wish I could work there full time.
That leads me to my next step in life, to get a "real" job. I've been a SAHM for the past 5 years, so getting back out there is a bit intimidating, but I know I'll be able to find something.
The plan as of now, is to stay here in Illinois for the next year to save up some money and then move back to PA. If you have read my blog from the beginning, you'll know that the only reason I moved to IL was to be with my STBEx. So as long as I'm allowed, I plan to go back. I've reconnected with some of my friends from home and they are excited to have me back!
Luckily my DD is still pretty young and moving after she attends Kindergarten shouldn't be too traumatic for her. She can make friends anywhere :) I now it will be hard for her (and everyone involved) but I do think putting some distance between me and STBEx is the best thing.
So anyway, that's why I've been away. Blogging has been pretty far down the list of priorities for me. Hopefully once I get settled in an apartment, and get my life back on track a bit better, I'll be able to get back to it.
Asparagus Hunting
LOL I know that sounds so funny doesn't it? Well I never had any idea that Wild Asparagus grew here in Central Illinois. But my friend Danita set me straight on that! We spent most of yesterday hiking up and down the railroad tracks hunting for asparagus. And did we find some! Wow!!!! Here's what I took home with me!
And just look at the size of those stalks! Now Danita swears they are nice and tender all the way down. Nothing like you get at the store and that once I try these, I'll NEVER buy Asparagus from the market ever again!
I plan on taking some to the neighbors as a kind of thank you for all the nice things they've done for me. I know they'll enjoy it, since they just planted their own Asparagus patch.
And just look at the size of those stalks! Now Danita swears they are nice and tender all the way down. Nothing like you get at the store and that once I try these, I'll NEVER buy Asparagus from the market ever again!
I plan on taking some to the neighbors as a kind of thank you for all the nice things they've done for me. I know they'll enjoy it, since they just planted their own Asparagus patch.
VMAAAPR08-E Weekend
The bonus challenge was to use the word weekend as your inspiration.
Well the weekend means getting to play with my DD! She loves to go to the park and play for hours on end!! And the weather is finally getting warm enough to be able to do just that!
Supplies:
Stamps: Have a Splendiforous Day, Leafy Tree
Ink: Coffee Bean Brilliance
CS: Wild Wasabi, Scenic Route
Accessories: rick rack, black eyelet, copics
Well the weekend means getting to play with my DD! She loves to go to the park and play for hours on end!! And the weather is finally getting warm enough to be able to do just that!
Supplies:
Stamps: Have a Splendiforous Day, Leafy Tree
Ink: Coffee Bean Brilliance
CS: Wild Wasabi, Scenic Route
Accessories: rick rack, black eyelet, copics
VMAAPR08D: Saturday Night Fever!!
This challenge was to mimic John Travolta's suit from Saturday Night Fever, well sorta ;)It's a B&W challenge!
This was REALLY a challenge for me. I don't have a huge selection of A*Muse stamps to begin with, and trying to find one that fit this was tricky!
Plus I LOVE color! -----------------------------> see my Color Combo Site :)
Well I have a thing for trees, I think I have most of the ones A*Muse makes LOL, so when I was rooting around my stamps I saw the Birch Trees and thought they would work perfectly for this challenge!
Supplies:
Stamps: Birch Trees
Ink: Whisper White Craft
CS: White, Chatterbox PP
Accessories: ribbon, Hologram Highlights
This was REALLY a challenge for me. I don't have a huge selection of A*Muse stamps to begin with, and trying to find one that fit this was tricky!
Plus I LOVE color! -----------------------------> see my Color Combo Site :)
Well I have a thing for trees, I think I have most of the ones A*Muse makes LOL, so when I was rooting around my stamps I saw the Birch Trees and thought they would work perfectly for this challenge!
Supplies:
Stamps: Birch Trees
Ink: Whisper White Craft
CS: White, Chatterbox PP
Accessories: ribbon, Hologram Highlights
VMAAAPR08C - Do the Hustle...
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do (I think that's the right amount of Do's ;) )
This challenge was to follow the sketch seen here (Do the Hustle sketch)
I went a different way, but it still follows the sketch. I REALLY like how this turned out!
Supplies:
Stamps: Camper, Journey is the Reward
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Chocolate Chip
CS: Brocade Blue, KI Memories
Accessories: ribbon, (blue) Circle Punch, circle cutter
This challenge was to follow the sketch seen here (Do the Hustle sketch)
I went a different way, but it still follows the sketch. I REALLY like how this turned out!
Supplies:
Stamps: Camper, Journey is the Reward
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Chocolate Chip
CS: Brocade Blue, KI Memories
Accessories: ribbon, (blue) Circle Punch, circle cutter
VMAAAPR08B - Disco Ball
Challenge #2 Use glitter! Not Stickle, not Spica pens, not any other kind of "contained" glitter, but REAL old fashioned MESSY glitter :D
I make a lot of glitter ornaments around the holidays and one of the byproducts of them is custom colored glitter. I have quite a collection now, but of course I didn't have the color I wanted, RED nor do I have a red re-inker LOL. Oh well. So I turned to my In Colors and made some Purely Pomegranate glitter! It's SO pretty!
Supplies:
Stamps: Have a Beautiful Christmas, Have a Splendiforous Day, Tiny Bird, Winter Tree
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Adirondack Pitch Black
CS: Kraft
Accessories: Homemade Purely Pomegranate glitter, ribbon
I make a lot of glitter ornaments around the holidays and one of the byproducts of them is custom colored glitter. I have quite a collection now, but of course I didn't have the color I wanted, RED nor do I have a red re-inker LOL. Oh well. So I turned to my In Colors and made some Purely Pomegranate glitter! It's SO pretty!
Supplies:
Stamps: Have a Beautiful Christmas, Have a Splendiforous Day, Tiny Bird, Winter Tree
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Adirondack Pitch Black
CS: Kraft
Accessories: Homemade Purely Pomegranate glitter, ribbon
