Persevering and Ignoring Distractions

The hubs sent me a message last week informing me that he missed my posts.  I was really touched by this, and then immediately started to worry if I communicate better through my blog than in person.

 

That aside, I want to explain.  We lost our internet for a week. 7. LONG. DAYS.  Including a weekend.  Dan and I fought for the first time since December during these 7 days.  The last time was when we were in a car together for 15 hours returning from vacation with my family to Texas.

 

Source

To me, this was a sign that I am too dependent on my internet.  Lack of food, water, shelter.  These things would lead to unhappiness and lashing out at the husband.  Not, no internet.  I was ashamed.

 

So, I have cut down on my usage, meaning no blog.  And, now I’m back.  I tend to believe nothing in excess, everything in moderation.  I include under indulgence as an excess.

 

With that said, here is what I’ve been up to:

• I am ALMOST finished with the baby blanket that I’ve been working on for 7 years (5 more rows!)
• My nephew turned 7 and we had a family skating party.  I was sore for a week.
• I started going to the gym after work, giving up on being self motivated at home.
• I have developed the best low carb chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. 

• I am in the process of converting an old changing table into a bar (which can be converted back if needed).
• Dan and I booked a vacation to St. Louis for Memorial Day weekend.
• I signed up for a 6 day work conference in Vermont in July.
• I bought a new bathing suit.
• Our Bonnaroo bracelets came in!
• I’ve started to learn Italian (Che una macchina piccolo.  There is a small car.)
• I colored my hair for the first time since undergrad.
• I fell in love with my new coffee machine.
• I’m trying a new self-motivation technique to help me with work.

 

My goals for this week are: to run 3 times this week, hit the tanning bed 2-3 times, blog 2 more times, and finish the bar.

 

Happy Monday!

Craft Day

If you read my little “About Me” section I wrote “I spend my days...pretending to be artsy through various craft projects.”

Well, I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’ve never posted anything on here about my projects.  There is a reason for this.  I have a problem.  I never finish anything.  If I don’t finish it in a week, it stays unfinished.  And yet, each month I spend too much money stock piling my craft room.  I have supplies for paintings, a ¾ of the way done wall hanging, a baby blanket I started when my sister was pregnant 5 years ago, a market bag I started this winter, and 2 scrapbooks (one for vacation and one for Dan’s fighting) with a whole 2 pages finished in each.

Yet I still have a file of projects that I want to do.  Including one I did yesterday.  Thankfully, I was able to finish it!  I must admit, I impressed myself with it.

Framed Earring Holder. 
Adapted from Positively Splendid.

Supplies:

• 5x7 Wooden Frame (I bought my painted but you can go to the dollar store and re-paint one yourself)
• Burlap or Canvas (I found some in the remnant pile at my craft store)
• Self-Adhesive Monogram Letter (No sewing=added bonus).  You could also use a stencil and paint, like Positveily Splendid.
• Scissors
• Hot Glue
• Staple Gun
• Decorative Flowers (I bought fake ones, but there are a lot of cute ideas to make your own)

Directions:

1. Take out the glass and backing of the Frame.
2. Cut your Burlap/Canvas to fit the 5x7 frame.
3. Either paint or place the Monogram letter on your canvas.
4. Using your staple Gun (this was so much fun), stretch your canvas and staple to the back of the   frame.  I decided for added support, I would staple mine to the Frame Backer with the stand so I didn’t have to hang mine.

5.      Place backer back in frame.

6.      Cut out leaves from the burlap and glue to the frame.  Hot glue the flowers.

7.      Add earrings.

8.    Sit back and enjoy this super easy, crafty, stylish earring holder you just made.  Be sure to have a glass of wine to celebrate and make your husband congratulate you on finishing a project.

I don't have kids, but I think this would be really fun to do, and easy to make.  To the guys out there, don't forget, Mother's Day is coming up.  I'm thinking I have a couple of mom's who may get a personalize earring holder in a couple of weeks.  That is, if I can bring myself to finish more projects.

Stampin’ Up Party

Saturday morning, I got up early to head out to my friend Megan B’s house for a Stampin Up Party.  Megan use to be a demonstrator, but since having her little girl, she has stopped.  But, we had a great party that she hosted, making 3 very different cards that are super cute.  I learned a couple new techniques, and I got to play with a Big Shot die cutter.  I quickly feel in love.  I asked Dan if I could have one for paying off my car, and he said yes!

So, I am the soon to be owner of a Sizzix Big Shot.  I bought one butterfly die cut/embosser, a polka dot embossing die, and a flower die cut.  I can’t wait for these to come in to play with them.  This will side-step the need to buy all different sizes of punches, speed up my card making/scrapbooking, and give everything a more professional look.  Not to mention, the list of materials that you can use in the Big Shot is almost endless.  Not only can you use cardstock, but you can use fabric, vellum, foil, corkboard, foam board, stickers, ect.  Not to mention, cuttlebug dies will fit in the Big Shot.  These are always on sale at like 40% off.

And, because its Sale-a-bration, I got 3 stamp sets for free.  If you’re ever interested in coming to a party, or a craft day, just let me know!