Happy Heart

Gettin' back in business baby!

I haven't scrapped much this winter and I've missed it big time.  I've had so many other things on my plate that it just got pushed to the back burner.  

Well, I rang in the new year by scrapping the day away.  It was bliss I tell ya!

I got my hands on the new Darling Dear collection from Studio Calico.  It's a  bit of a step away from my usual color schemes but I really like it and it's funkiness.

 Thanks to my friend Danielle for the cut arrow, she was sweet and sent me a 

bunch of fun cuts from her cameo.

I'm trying to use the photo's I have laying around on my desk or in a pile here and there.  

I love this little one of Jack.....showing his little piggy toes. I miss those chubby little baby parts!

 Here's me trying painting a little....I like how it looks but still trying to figure out how to keep my paper from warping.  Who the heck ever thought i'd paint on my pages.....duh!

I've actually managed to scrap a few more times since these.....how exciting!!!  I'm grateful that my life is slowing down a bit so I can relax and do what makes me happy.

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I'm working on having a "Happy Heart".  Things have been so hard and stressful and I found that I was getting very cranky and whiny and bitter about stuff.  I want to be better at being happy despite everything going on around me.  So whenever I find myself getting cranky, I say to myself...."happy heart Carol, happy heart"  It's actually working  :). 

 It might seem silly to some, but being able to escape to my crafty place is such a stress reliever for me.  It totally keeps me in balance and happier.  We all need to have that thing that makes us happy.

What's yours???

My Favorite!

We've got a new theme up at Paper Issues today!
and it's "My Favorite"  ;)
With the new year we've all had a fun little look back at some of our favorite layouts, so we are celebrating at Paper Issues and want to see your favorite. 

Do link up over at Paper Issues
Like us on Facebook

 And you'll have a shot at a $20.00 gift card to our Etsy Shop.....how sweet is that!!!!

And don't forget, if you've got to have something use my code CAROL for 20% off your purchase.

Here's my favorite:

 

I absolutely love the stitched lines.....like dainty little garland and the bits of heart hanging about.  

It was one of those pages that just "popped" into my head and it came together so easily.  

That picture of Samantha just melts my heart and the sentiment is a gift of motherhood.  I loved her first.  Before anyone else got the chance, I knew her and I loved her first, and always.

Here are all the designers participating in this hop so carry on ;)

 

Martha
Leslie
Nina
Cassie
Jamie
Mandy Kay
Jess
Jen
Frank
Carol  <<
Lori
Aimee

A little Christmas

This year we did something we haven't done for 10 years!

We left the comforts of our cozy home and mild winter weather for grandmas house and 

a winter wonderland.

Traveling for Christmas is rough.

But it was fun and good for our kids to spend the holiday with LOTS of family.

It

snowed

every

day.

Did I tell you I dislike the snow?

And the cold?

I'm such a baby ;)

she's so cute.....i can't hardly stand it!

Him too.

The cold didn't bug them one bit.......their other siblings, couldn't be bothered ;)

We made cookies.....among other treats ;)

I kinda felt like I was 12 again.  At home with my mom making treats at Christmas time.  

It was fun and kinda surreal all at the same time.

We did gingerbread houses too.

Santa found us at grandmas house....and our cousin too ;)

 Gifts are passed out and they are ready to roll!

They didn't seem to mind the crowding one little bit ;)

We played with lots of cousins the rest of the week, 

I did my best to keep warm and than we drove home in this:

 really Utah?

really???

Palm trees and green grass never looked so good!!!!

Top Ten of 2012

Happy New Year Everyone!!!  Another year bites the dust and I wonder how it happens every darn time.......here's to praying the next one decides to be a little kinder.  Its a re-occurring wish year after year.   I'm not a big resolution kind of person  (maybe I just don't want to disappoint myself ;)  but honestly, I kinda try not to think too much about what lies ahead........eeeeeeek.  That's how the new year makes me feel.......hesitant.  We don't really have a great track record ;)  There is lots of good don't get me wrong, we just seem to get a few new things added to our plates every year.   Can't say we've had a "good" year in a really long time.......sighhhhhh.

Having said that I know how lucky we are in a lot of ways and I never let a day pass that I don't give thanks.  I make an effort to look for the joy in my life.   I cherish the obvious answers to prayers and the blessings of those who surround us.  We are well taken care of.  I know my Heavenly Father loves me and he's making sure I become the person he knows I can be.  With that perspective it makes it easier to get through those rough days.

I'm so so grateful for all my wonderful friends....they are my light in the darkness.  I'm thankful for my online friends that I have all over the world and for your support and friendship.  My online presence has changed this year,  decreased big time.....and that's ok, it needed to.  But I'm still here and will still be scrapping...you know it keeps me sane ;)

I hope you've all had a beautiful Christmas and I've got lots to share on that front in a few days.   For now I'll leave you with my top ten layouts of 2012....looking through them is always a good reminder of my joy, and I soak it up every time ;)

things to note:  5 layouts are October Afternoon....love much????

                         I apparently like doing 1 photo....even though I think I try not to do that ;)

                         everyone is represented, though 4 layouts are about Samantha

                         I have lots of other faves but they've been on the blog recently so I stayed away

                         from  them, but I've got a lot of good boy ones in the recent past ;)

and last but not least....I really miss scrapping and can.not.wait to get back in the groove!!

Happy New Year everyone and I hope the new year is a great one for all of us!!!

                       

Paper Issues Newest Issue!!!

Right Here, Right Now  is the latest issue at Paper Issues and my first challenge with them!

I was sent an amazing pack of paper goodies, perfect for Project Life, from NKat Designs.

Take a look....

 a week in July....i'm not behind.at.alllllllll.

 lots of cute diecut frames, arrows, numbers, journaling spots, tags and tabs

 i loved the little notebook paper diecuts and the tabs.....up here in my date box

 the Polaroid frames were awesome along with random little tabs

the clouds were super cute and perfect for these hot summer days

Won't you join us over the next 2 weeks and play along?  

Of course there is a prize up for grabs and lots of inspiration! 

Prize

3 Month Project Life Subscription

(this is a small sample)

NKat is also offering us a 15% discount in her store by using this code: PI15OFF

Here's what you do to win

Like Paper Issues on Facebook

Like NKat Designs on Facebook

Link up a project at Paper Issues

Here's the list of designers playing in this hop

Diana

Christina

Carol  < that's me ;)

Patricia

Kellie

And don't forget the Paper Issues store over at Etsy......all the scrappy goodness you need with amazing customer service!  Don't forget my code  CAROL  for that extra 20% off

Latest Challenge at Paper Issues

Wanted to pop in and share the latest challenge going on over at Paper Issues......I haven't scrapped in ages but dug out this old layout to share with you for the Shades of Grey challenge.  There is also an awesome prize pack from Basic Grey so hop on over,  there is still time to enter!!!

I made this layout earlier this year and it's still a fave ;)  

Grey background with lots of October Afternoon.

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On a side note....the craft show is over and I did well.  I'm sooooooooo happy!!!!

I even got a few special orders so I am busy sewing this week as well.  It is good work, but I can't wait to scrap again.  Another day or two and the paper is gonna be exploding all over the place :)

Happy 12 twelve 12

Whats Up???

I'm still here.........sewing like a crazy woman!!!

I'm participating in a craft show for the first time, starting tomorrow.  It's been super fun getting ready for it but my crazy life makes it hard for me to give as much time as I would like so I have been pulling some serious late nights lately.   

Wanna see what I'm making???

Cuuuuuuute kitchen towels...pretty sure i'll be replacing the ones in my kitchen with some of these ;)

Aprons

Camera Straps

Doll Bedding  (i wish i was a little girl!)

Tote/Scripture Bags

Burp Cloths

Ruffle onesies  (i have some boy ones too....minus the ruffles ;)

Little Ties

Headbands

....and a few other things I don't have photographed.   I can't wait....hope it goes well!!!  So come buy my stuff k!!!!  If you see something you're interested in and can't make the show let me know ;)

Here's the link to the FB page with all the info if you wanna come by,  there is TONS of awesome stuff for sale!!!