Changing Directions

I've been blogging at Fiskateers for almost a year now and I'm thinking it's time to change direction here.  A girl can only blog about crafting so much and I think that's why it's been quiet on my personal blog.  I've always believed that if you can't change your mind once in a while you may not have one.  So, I'm thinking it's time to change direction just a bit while I still have a mind.  Not sure exactly how that's going to look, but I'm rolling a few ideas around in my brain.  Sometimes thinking out loud and throwing it out to the universe helps me see the path.  Thanks for listening.

Just dropping in to say hey!

The last month was a whirlwind of travel for me and I had a blast!  I was in a flurry of make and takes at some local and not too local places.  For now, I've stopped to rest and catch up on everything before I run off to Chicago next month.  Here's a peek at one of my trips:



Seriously, what is up with the weather?  While I was in Arizona, my son and husband were struck by lightning while fly fishing and while I was in Palm Springs last week, my father-in-law and his wife lost their garage to a tornado.  Everyone is fine with hair raising stories to tell.  I'm very grateful, but a bit hesitant to go away again, not sure what will happen next. It's just crazy.

In other crazy news, my adorable baby boy is turning 16 this week.  He towers over me at over 6' tall and has moments when the hormones take over and he's not so adorable.  I love him oceans and am treasuring every moment of these last few years he'll be here at home with us, even the challenging ones. He still loves fishing and rugby, which balances out the PS3 addiction and constant texting.  His friends are so much smarter and more important than we are, so I'd have to say he's a pretty typical teen.

On the same day that the boy turns 16, Curtis and I celebrate the 24th anniversary of our first date.  Almost a quarter of a century together, and he still surprises me.  I picked a good partner for this roller coaster of life.  I can't wait to see what the next 24 years bring.

Wishing you a fun filled summer.  Thanks for stopping by today.

Here's part 2 of Stamping Basics:



Thanks for stopping by today.

I've started a new series of videos called Stamping Basics. It is very basic for those who are just starting out on their stamping adventures. Here's the very first in what will be a long series of videos:



Thanks for stopping by today.

I'm hosting a Winter Stamp Out over on the Fiskateer site this weekend. We're getting inky with twenty challenges as we say goodbye to Winter and hello to Spring. It's bunches of fun. The very last challenge is called Simon Says 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Honestly I was scratching my head trying to come up with the last of the challenges and threw this one in. I've been busy hosting, but really wanted to play along in at least one challenge. I chose this one because it's the toughest of the bunch in my eyes. Here's the challenge: Create a card using 5 embellishments, 4 patterned papers, 3 stamps, 2 punches, and 1 piece of cardstock. My Chicken Soup Card:

Here's the breakdown:

5 embellishments- tag, hemp, bakers twine, green burlap, piece of old measuring tape
4 patterned papers- 1" pieces of Jillibean Soup papers from the Chilled Strawberry Soup and Snowman Soup lines
3 stamps- chicken, sentiment, messy background stamps
2 punches- Fiskars Notebook Border and Chip Off the Old Block punches
1 piece of cardstock-there's a kraft cardstock base under all that other stuff :)

For the FTC Police: The Jillibean Soup Papers and Fiskars punches were given to me by the companies. The rest of the things used to create this card are from my own stash of treasures.

For everyone else thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have time to get ink on your fingers this weekend.

I'm still alive and well here.  Had a wonderful time at CHA.  In case you haven't seen it, here's the photo montage:



I added in some of my travel plans over there on the right.  I'll be doing a big round of make and takes all over in May.  I'm blogging regularly on the Fiskateer blog if you ever want to see what I'm up to when I'm not here.  Will definitely try to stop in more often than every other month.

The brief update: Snow, snow, and more snow falling right now, still practicing yoga, still substitute teaching here and there, still loving the orange handled scissors, the teenager is over 6' now with white blonde hair and loves playing rugby, the dogs are looking forward to spring right along with the rest of us, and life is good-sometimes it's crazy, but mostly it's good.  I hope all is going well with you and please don't hate me for not being here much.  Come see me at the other place I blog when I'm not around here :)

I had a wonderful birthday weekend!  Thanks for all the sweet wishes.  Hair was off the chart amazing.  It's in my top 3, and I'd go see it again tomorrow.  If it travels anywhere near you, don't miss it, and don't take the kids.  It's definitely a date night play.

CHA preparation has taken over my life, but I'm not complaining.  It's amazing and worth every moment of searching for crazy things like orange teapots.  I made a video today of my absolute favorite new product coming out at winter CHA.  Fiskars is so awesome.  I asked for this product and they delivered.  I have to pinch myself every once in a while to make sure this is all really happening.  I'm one very happy fiskateer.



Thanks for stopping by today!

I'm celebrating another candle on the birthday cake today, well actually all weekend. My sweet husband brought me a chocolate croissant and tea in bed this morning complete with a candle and the most adorable Minnie Mouse card. I'm a big Disney fan, and Minnie has a special place in my heart. Tomorrow he's taking me into LA to see Hair at the Pantages. I'm absolutely giddy. The weekend wraps up with brunch on Sunday with my mom and sister. Girl time instead of football games sounds like a perfect way to spend the day.

In the middle of all that fun, I planned to stop in the Verizon store to update my ghetto phone. I've been waiting longer than I should, holding out for the mythical Verizon iphone. I was all set to join the droid team, having given up on the iphone as a pipe dream. I just heard on the news that the iPhone is days away from being available with Verizon. Woohoo! Now, that's the cherry on top of the birthday cake. I'm doing a little happy dance.

It's definitely the beginning of a beautiful year. Just for fun, I'm sharing the horoscope from the newspaper.  I look forward to it all year long:

"You become increasingly well-rounded this year as you add interesting new friends and activities to your life. A warmhearted someone opens personal and professional doors for you. February brings memorable encounters and loving exchanges. April features an unexpected gift. August brings a windfall."

That's a horoscope I can't wait to see unfold.  Last year's was extremely accurate. 48 is going to be a great year.  I can feel it.