Time to update!

I was sincere that I wanted to keep my blog up-to-date. It is a great way to journal and keep track of life's daily happenings. For me, it is also supposed to be my creative journal.

Once again, I am attempting to start daily postings. I believe I will be more successful because my dd, Sylvia, is now a toddler. She plays happily with her toys, can feed herself, and loves to color and look at books. Plenty a fun things to keep her occupied and happy at the same time.

What has been keeping me busy? Besides my sweet Sylvia, I have been participating in a monthly ATC Round Robin at The NH Scrapbook Cabin. I am also teaching one of the Basic Grey monthly layout classes. In addition, and very happily, I taught my first class of something I designed. That was a wonderful afternoon. The ladies were fun, and it was like having a play-day:) I hope they enjoyed the afternoon as much as I.

Photos of all my creations to follow....

I went on my first Scrapbook retreat this past month. It was organized by Mandy of the NH Scrapbook Cabin, and it was held at the Mountain Meadows Lodge in Killington, Vermont. Well organized event, lovely location, and yummy food. The staff at the lodge was fabulous. I felt like I was at home. They even made me a special sandwich with no mustard or mayo! I call that SUPERB care! They didn't even tease me for my EXTREME dislike of mustard:)

Photos of the event and my projects to follow...

The weekend following the retreat, I volunteered at, and attended, the Manchester Creating Keepsakes Convention. Mostly, it was a nice time. I volunteered Thursday evening at the bookstore, and Friday morning as a teacher's assistant. I enjoyed seeing the behind-the-scenes of the event. I had worked for a vendor the first few years I attended. While I had a wonderful time working for Judy of American Traditional those two years, I hadn't had much time to explore the show or take a class.

While I wasn't completely pleased with my volunteer experience this year, I would do it again. If you have a volunteer, and you are a paid employee, you should value/appreciate your free help. In addition to the lack of appreciation I felt as a volunteer, there appeared to be a lack of organization. I heard that there were several, very new, Creating Keepsakes employees, which would explain some of the disorganization. I hope to see better things next year; all in all, it is a great show.

On the other side of the show, the vendors, there were great things. I had the chance to do many beautiful 'make-and-takes'. I even did two of the Tattered Angels 'make-and-takes'. If you know me well, you know I LOVE Tattered Angels. Their products/projects are just the right mix of shabby and chic. They also have the perfect balance of 'bling' without being tacky. Tattered Angels: I love you, and someday I want to work for you!

I did a super cool 'make-n-take' with Melissa Frances. Yes, literally, with Melissa. She was very nice, and great at teaching her 'make-n-take'. Thank you, Melissa! I love your products:)

Photos of 'make-n-takes' to follow....

Most of my money was spent on Tattered Angels product, which means that I should be posting some projects with that 'too' cool stuff! I also got some new stamps for my JustRite wood stamp base, carrying case for my Zutter Bind-It-All, and lots of colorful, enticing paper (mostly by Teresa Collins)....

If I don't post photos of projects using my purchases soon, give me a nudge!

Other than my crafty life, I continue to enjoy being a mommy. Sylvia is my heart(and the heart is an important thing!). She is the perfect child, and will always be that to me. I love all of her with no condition. Sure. She has been known to throw a fit, refuse naps, repeat 'no' several times, and display other 'less-than-perfect' behavior; but, that is all part of growing up. She is still perfect to me.

I was able to get in a bit of game playing this past weekend. Even though I am not a GAMER-GEEK like my husband, I would say that I am a gamer with a small case 'g'. I love games, and I would play them daily if given the time. My dh, Ted, has a super friendly/fun group of guys with whom he games weekly. I had met them all previously, but was able to meet some of the wives and kids this past weekend. They were equally as friendly and fun. I felt at home with them immediately. What an awesome feeling....

On the subject of games, we recently purchased the Wi, and the Wi Fit. I have been wanting to get a routine going with it, if only I could stay well. This year has started rough in relation to wellness in our home. My dd had pneumonia, and I had some sort of chest/sinus thing. Both of us had two rounds of antibiotics and lots of other symptom-soothing meds. I am now feeling sick again. What is up with that? I take fairly good care of myself. The only element missing from self-care would be regular sleep. I am a mommy. Regular sleep doesn't show up in the definition of, 'mommy'.

On a happier note, my dd got me a laptop! Today the carrying case for it should be delivered. I am anxiously awaiting FedX. It is a bright pink Kipling bag! I also ordered the bright pink monkey key chain to match it!!!! This is exciting! I haven't had my own laptop since college, about 13 years ago(it was all black and white....very old one). AND, I have NEVER had a laptop bag! Thank you, Ted (dd). You are the best! Not just because you bought me the laptop, but because you knew how much joy it would bring me. You enjoy seeing me have fun, and that is always the inspiration for your gifts. It isn't about the objects, it is about the feelings they bring. You know I love to kick back on the couch and play games on the laptop, write emails to my friends far away (while on the couch being comfy), and edit photos of our beautiful little Sylvia (and that can take hours, so comfort is needed!). Thank you. I love you.

Summer is approaching, and with it comes lots of fun stuff. Sylvia and I will be taking swim lessons at the Y, Ted has a birthday, and Granny will be visiting. Sylvia's granny/my momma. I am sure there is a lot more to add, but that is a start. I welcome Summer. I hope Summer welcomes us with great big, shiny, warm arms:)

I am off to prepare some photos for posting.

Take care fellow crafters, and don't let a day go by without doing something creative. Even if, it is just arranging your drapes differently than usual!

T