THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Heartbroken

I shouldn't be posting because I've got a ton to do but I have to get this one off of my chest. I'm feeling totally heartbroken. Do you ever feel like no matter what you do it doesn't end up right? I'm there right now.

I've felt the cracks within myself and have been busy trying to patch them up before I fall apart, and each day just seems to get harder.

My kids are constantly picking at each other, name calling and generally annoying the heck out of each other. I've had a headache almost every day for the past two weeks.

I've been going crazy trying to finish my Memory Makers Masters entry. When I told Hubby I had finished I get NO response. I know he cares, but come on here! I obviously need some more scrap buddies to celebrate these things with!!

And one of my best friends has had an extremely tough year and suddenly tells me that I just haven't been there enough for her, and worse. How does a friendship survive feelings like that? I'm not sure it can, and that makes me sad.

What's a girl to do when everything seems to be crumbling but to keep on keeping on? I'm strong and I can do it. Thankfully I have scrapping to keep me happy otherwise I'd probably have lost it by now.

It's R-E-A-L-L-Y hard work being a baby!

Got some cute photos of my GF's new baby boy yesterday...LOVED this one of him waking up from a nap yawning.

Total inspiration...

Just came across this wonderful Etsy shop: DecoyLab Shop LOVE this orange blossom clock!!












And check out these large vinyl wall stickers from www.harmonie-interieure.com
I love the kids collection!

And this AMAZING scrapper Irene Tan aka Scrapperlicious. OMG is she amazing!!! I'm totally thinking entering MMM is a joke right now. There's no way I could compete against this kind of talent!

CHA Favorites

Trends seem to be swirls & lots of them! Lots of orange/purple/pinks out there. Everyone seems to have chipboard and an abundance of rub on alphabets and images.

We R Memory Keepers - White Out Collection - Hoopla and Promenade and their yummy embellishments

Tim Holtz masks - this one's my favorite

Bo Bunny Beau Jardin and My Darling






Crate Paper - Prudence (photo not available)

TaDa Creative Studios - Whirly Gig and Fru Fru Frames

Tattered Angels - Glimmer Mist (check out these gift packs!)

Doodlebug glitter and flock cardstock (photo not available)

Fancy Pants - especially love their Happy Holidays Collection

KACo. Mira Collection

American Crafts - Spring & Summer Collection, Travel Collection and new Thicker shapes!

BasicGrey Ambrosia and Eva collections and their chip stickers

Claudine Hellmuth - Studio paints

Inque Boutique Chipboard and Clear Stamps

MAMBI Coastal Culture Collection

My Minds Eye - Laundry Line - I want it all!

Color Story Challenge #6 and a card

I created this for the Color Story #6 blog challenge:Note: the background is pure white not the sort of grayish color it looks like in the photo. I pulled the green, orange and blue from the color palette, featured white on white elements (see the "you" next to the photo?) And lots of chipboard and rub ons for dimension. I still need to add the journaling to the heart journaling spot.

This is a card I created for my brother's birthday, I used Prism cardstock and Rouge de Garance patterned paper, a vintage book page, Tinkering Ink die cut alphas and stickers and Maya Road chipboard.
'Till next time....I've been creating like crazy!

Laughter Is a Rainbow in Your Soul

Supplies:
Cardstock (Prism-Sugar Cream)
Patterned Paper, Flowers (Prima-Playful, Wicked Fun, and Super 1)
Felt (Fancy Pants)
Grungeboard (Tim Holtz for Advantus)
Distress Ink, Acrylic Paint (Ranger)
Label (Around the Block)
Rub Ons (Making Memories)
Journaling Card (Jenni Bowlin)
Marker (Zig)
Punch (EK Success)
Adhesive (Ad Tech Glue Runner)

Journaling:
A good laugh can make you feel cleansed and renewed no matter what your life has in store. It's an opening of your soul to let the light in and the rainbow shine for all to see.

One Little Word - NOW

Here's my interpretation of this week's one little word - NOW.
Supplies:
Cardstock (Prism)
Patterned Paper (October Afternoon, Making Memories)
Felt (Tinkering Ink)
Rub Ons (Making Memories)
Stickers (GCD Studios)
Ink (Stampin Up)
Stamp, Ribbon, Buttons, Note Paper (Scarlet Lime)
Marker (Zig Writer)
Adhesive (Ad Tech Glue Runner)
Other: tag

The journaling pulls out from a tag at the top and reads:
One thing you don't realize as a child is how hard being a good mom really is. This past year has been a tough one. You've been a challenge at school hitting, yelling and generally being a constant source of difficulty for your teachers. It hasn't been better at home either - especially with Dad being in school 3 nights a week and many weekends. At the end of my work day I get to face your sassy mouth, fighting with your sister and exclaiming your latest "That sucks!" and "I hate you!" I can only take a deep breath and keep praying for the strength and wisdom to raise you right.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Keeping a Schedule

At times when there are so many things I want to do I've found the best way to get it all done is to keep a schedule. I'll write down two or three things I want to get done today and work on them. Often I allot specific hours to specific things - at least when I'm at work - and that helps keep me focused. I also feel like I'm accomplishing things throughout the day with each little goal being achieved.

We are having our 4th birthday bash at ScrapFriends this month. It's amazing how it has grown in such a short time! Each of the review team members are hosting challenges throughout the month. Today I sat down with my calendar and assigned each challenge and contest (some outside of ScrapFriends) that I wanted to work on this month to a certain day. Hopefully I can complete some of them early, but otherwise I'm going to try my best to complete and enter them on the day that they've been assigned to. With those, my review team work, going to CHA, my kids birthday party and a weekend visit from my MIL, my entire month is now completely booked.

Oh, and then there's that little matter of the MAKING MEMORIES MASTERS CONTEST which is due at the end of July and WHICH I HAVE NOT EVEN STARTED! I feel nutso, but somehow I know I'll get it all done. I'm keeping the faith, and a warm heart to those who have fought for our independence.

I'll leave you with some sneaks. You can see the complete layouts on ScrapFriends to be released in an upcoming review.






Peace.