This challenge is all about time. Take a look and join in....I think this will be lots of FUN! Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 1st at 12 Noon EST.
May 30, 2008
May 29, 2008
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Marriage
Hubby and I have had a really tough time the past month or so. With his busy schedule, and my semi-single-mom status while he's in school, we just can't seem to break out of the arguing habit. There have been several revelations from long talks we've had trying to reconnect, some good, some bad.
The thing is, over a period of time couples start taking each other for granted. I believe it's human nature. After 17 years together we have a lot of skeletons pushed back in the far corner of the closet and I can't stand not being able to let them go.
I, in particular, have had some major issues with jealousy, resentment, martyrdom, inability to express myself, lack of affection and just generally needing to grow up. I've found that the growing up never stops and I feel like I've learned so much just in the past five years about myself and my relationships.
I've done a lot of self-examination lately and I feel a lot of guilt for the way I've acted out in the past and want to put it behind me and just be a better wife, NOW, when I have some clue about the negative behaviors I've developed over the years. I have to give a lot of props for the two years of therapy I recently went through that taught me to express myself and to take care of my own needs as well as those of my family. It has been a proud accomplishment for me, with so many ups and downs inbetween, to say that I can handle life's stresses comfortably most of the time and no longer need regular therapy.
Thinking back to the reasons I knew my hubby would be my life partner, I recall his silly, playful nature, his quick smile, his willingness to help others, his devotion, and the pure love that we had for one another. The pure love did not contain jealousy, resentment or anger but instead was filled with sincere adoration, well wishes and a desire to support each other in every way that we could - happily and without resentment.
This is the kind of wife I want to be--once again celebrating each of life's blessings with true joy. I now realize that everything he does needs not always make me happy - that he's entitled to his own happiness even if it differs from my own idea of happiness - and in doing so we will make an even stronger, supportive team.
I could go on and on about Hubby's positive qualities that far outweigh any of our current difficulties, but suffice it to say that I believe he'd do anything for me and that makes me one very lucky girl.
I have managed to become content with these thoughts and can already feel a change for the better. I feel more confident, joyful & blessed just thinking back to those early stages of love and all of the commitment that occurred along the way. Each day is another reason to celebrate that.
The thing is, over a period of time couples start taking each other for granted. I believe it's human nature. After 17 years together we have a lot of skeletons pushed back in the far corner of the closet and I can't stand not being able to let them go.
I, in particular, have had some major issues with jealousy, resentment, martyrdom, inability to express myself, lack of affection and just generally needing to grow up. I've found that the growing up never stops and I feel like I've learned so much just in the past five years about myself and my relationships.
I've done a lot of self-examination lately and I feel a lot of guilt for the way I've acted out in the past and want to put it behind me and just be a better wife, NOW, when I have some clue about the negative behaviors I've developed over the years. I have to give a lot of props for the two years of therapy I recently went through that taught me to express myself and to take care of my own needs as well as those of my family. It has been a proud accomplishment for me, with so many ups and downs inbetween, to say that I can handle life's stresses comfortably most of the time and no longer need regular therapy.
Thinking back to the reasons I knew my hubby would be my life partner, I recall his silly, playful nature, his quick smile, his willingness to help others, his devotion, and the pure love that we had for one another. The pure love did not contain jealousy, resentment or anger but instead was filled with sincere adoration, well wishes and a desire to support each other in every way that we could - happily and without resentment.
This is the kind of wife I want to be--once again celebrating each of life's blessings with true joy. I now realize that everything he does needs not always make me happy - that he's entitled to his own happiness even if it differs from my own idea of happiness - and in doing so we will make an even stronger, supportive team.
I could go on and on about Hubby's positive qualities that far outweigh any of our current difficulties, but suffice it to say that I believe he'd do anything for me and that makes me one very lucky girl.
I have managed to become content with these thoughts and can already feel a change for the better. I feel more confident, joyful & blessed just thinking back to those early stages of love and all of the commitment that occurred along the way. Each day is another reason to celebrate that.
May 27, 2008
I DID IT!!!
I had my doubts - especially when it got down to the wire- but I'm officially entered into CK's Scrapbooker of the Year!! It's my first time entering and I believe it's at least good enough not to get tossed immediately. I made a binder for it which didn't come out quite as awesome as I'd hoped - partially because the ink got smeary on me when I applied Mod Podge. Lesson learned on that. Now, I'm going to focus on MMM. I'm so proud of myself for getting this done! And a NOTE TO SELF - don't wait until the last day to get it in the mail cuz' it's NOT cheap to send a box overnight. *sigh*
I also learned about a DT call at Freehand Scraps last week and instantly fell in love. It wasn't a position I'd been seeking, but it just feels right for me to be there. Sort of like coming home. I'm crossing my fingers on this...it's something I'm very excited about!
I also learned about a DT call at Freehand Scraps last week and instantly fell in love. It wasn't a position I'd been seeking, but it just feels right for me to be there. Sort of like coming home. I'm crossing my fingers on this...it's something I'm very excited about!
May 24, 2008
Seize the Day - Color Story Challenge
I created this for the ColorStory Challenge. Having the love of bright colors, I tweaked the colors a bit and flipped the photos and embellishment placement around. This has a gorgeous fabric flower from Scarlet Lime on it so it didn't scan great.
Here's a close up of the flower:
May 23, 2008
PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE - May 23
I just posted my photography challenge over at ScrapFriends. This week's challenge gives tips on using shadows in your pictures. The effects are outstanding! I hope you can join me!
May 16, 2008
One Little Word - TODAY
Here's my page submission for the latest One Little Word challenge - TODAY. It's hard to see from the scan but I used foam adhesive under the butterfly wing so that it pops off the page at an angle.
The die cut title reads:
Today you will spread your wings & . . . FLY
Supplies:
Cardstock (Prism)
Patterned Paper (Fancy Pants, Sassafras Lass)
Rub Ons (Tinkering Ink, Making Memories)
Crystals (Junkitz)
Chipboard (Heidi Swapp)
Die Cut Circle (Provo Craft)
Marker (Zig Writer)
Acrylic Paint (Ranger)
Grungeboard (Tim Holtz for Advantus)
Adhesive-foam (Stampin Up), tape runner (Ad Tech), Glue Dots
Other: ribbon, mesh
The die cut title reads:
Today you will spread your wings & . . . FLY
Supplies:
Cardstock (Prism)
Patterned Paper (Fancy Pants, Sassafras Lass)
Rub Ons (Tinkering Ink, Making Memories)
Crystals (Junkitz)
Chipboard (Heidi Swapp)
Die Cut Circle (Provo Craft)
Marker (Zig Writer)
Acrylic Paint (Ranger)
Grungeboard (Tim Holtz for Advantus)
Adhesive-foam (Stampin Up), tape runner (Ad Tech), Glue Dots
Other: ribbon, mesh
PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE - May 16
I just posted my weekly photo challenge. It is using different angles to add perspective to photographs. Hope you can join in!
May 14, 2008
Be Happy
Here's a cute LO that I lifted from Krystal Hartley. I loved its design!
Supplies Used:
Cardstock (Prism)
Patterned Paper (Chatterbox)
Chipboard (ScrapWorks)
Journal Page (Making Memories)
Rub Ons (American Crafts)
Flowers (Prima)
Other: buttons, ribbon
May 9, 2008
PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGE - May 9th
I just posted this week's photography challenge. Hope you can join me!
Taking Pictures in Bright Light
Taking Pictures in Bright Light
May 7, 2008
Rusty Pickle's May Blog Challenge
I created this for the Rusty Pickle blog challenge. I love the School Daze collection. It is quite versatile and the colors rock!
This was a super fun layout to do, it just came together so easily! Yay!
Title: Call Me Kitchen Cowgirl
Design Notes: I cut the brackets from the patterned paper. I edged the tan colored background with small x's and a marker. The layout's edges were inked.
Journaling (on upper right):
Always trying to keep things under control
Supplies:
Patterned Paper (Rusty Pickle - School Daze Collection)
Pen (Zig Writer)
Label (Around the Block)
Rub Ons (Creative Imaginations)
Brads (American Crafts)
This was a super fun layout to do, it just came together so easily! Yay!
Title: Call Me Kitchen CowgirlDesign Notes: I cut the brackets from the patterned paper. I edged the tan colored background with small x's and a marker. The layout's edges were inked.
Journaling (on upper right):
Always trying to keep things under control
Supplies:
Patterned Paper (Rusty Pickle - School Daze Collection)
Pen (Zig Writer)
Label (Around the Block)
Rub Ons (Creative Imaginations)
Brads (American Crafts)
May 2, 2008
CONFESSION TIME!
My submission for this week's One Little Word - GROW:
Supplies:
cardstock (Bazzill Bling)
patterned paper (American Crafts)
chipboard (Scenic Route)
rub ons (Scenic Route, Polar Bear Press)
die cuts (Tinkering Ink)
grungeboard (Tim Holtz for Advantus)
flowers, brad, small alpha stickers (Making Memories)
other: ribbon, red microbeads
This was a totally fun layout to do!! It's true, I love Eminem. As a writer and poet myself, his lyrics just totally inspire me. My DH was jealous that I made a page about Em and not about me having a crush on him...LOL!
cardstock (Bazzill Bling)
patterned paper (American Crafts)
chipboard (Scenic Route)
rub ons (Scenic Route, Polar Bear Press)
die cuts (Tinkering Ink)
grungeboard (Tim Holtz for Advantus)
flowers, brad, small alpha stickers (Making Memories)
other: ribbon, red microbeads
This was a totally fun layout to do!! It's true, I love Eminem. As a writer and poet myself, his lyrics just totally inspire me. My DH was jealous that I made a page about Em and not about me having a crush on him...LOL!
May 1, 2008
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Things I Love
It's so easy to point to the negatives in life isn't it? Today I spent some time thinking of all of the things I love:
- puppy kisses
- chocolate
- sunshine
- roses
- candlelit bubble baths
- fresh brewed coffee
- scrapbooking
- inspired writing
- baby smell
- falling in love
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