There he goes.....

...........................................................................................................

That's my baby...first day of Kindergarten. Look how happy he is! I know he is going to love school!

The house is so quiet. I am at a loss of what I am supposed to do next. It feels so strange to be all alone. I have been close to tears all day. This is definitely going to be harder for me than him!!

What is a small milestone in his life, is a huge, life changing event for me.

I don't have any babies anymore, they are all grown.

And now I've got to figure out what to do with me.

........................................................................

What I've been up to....

Hello!

Thought I'd better add a little note to my blog so you all know I am still alive! I have not been blogging or creating lately, so I wanted to share what's been going on in Sherrie's world.

(It reads like a 'Dear Diary' entry...so beware!)

First of all, we are in a transition back to school. My youngest starts Kindergarten tomorrow, and I have been getting things ready, ie: school supplies, clothing, practicing getting up early, eating breakfast and getting dressed quickly. Also practicing our phone number and address, and such.

I am an emotional mess, which I really should not be. I have sent my two others off to kindergarten already, and even have one who graduated high school, so this should be a breeze. But no, it makes me sad.

Also, since my son is going to school now, I have to get a JOB.

I have been driving around north Spokane, trying to find someone who is willing to hire a gal with no references, no job history for the last 6 years, and no specialized training of any kind.

It is not easy. There are no jobs, and if there are, they are part time, minimum wage, no benefits, and going fast.

My husband has his own ideals of what jobs I should be looking for/applying to, and they do not exist. He wants full time, more than minimum wage, benefits, NO CRAFTS! And YESTERDAY.

So we did have a bout of WW III the other day over these issues, and it was awful. I hate fighting with my husband. It drains me for several days afterward. He is not being very encouraging, helpful, or even nice about it. And it is not helping my confidence or motivation level either.

So today, I am filling out more applications online, and keeping my fingers crossed for anything.

My garden is in full swing, and I have lots to do. Blackberry Jam, blanching and freezing green beans and carrots, weeding, watering, and fertilizing.

Maybe tomorrow.

We are so broke, and so we have been going up in the woods gathering firewood to sell on the weekends. It is hard work, dirty and scary for me. I don't like it, and my husband gets upset with me when I am nervous about driving near the edges of the embankments, or when we are pulling the logs out of the woods. I try to keep my mouth shut and hang on tight, while my heart is racing and I just can't breathe!

But until I get a job, I have to help "to do my part for the family'.

Boo.

I am WAY BEHIND on my Designed2Delight Design Team responsibilities. I have not made any cards lately, and My Mojo is in temporary hiatus. I feel terrible about it. I have half a dozen images printed out, and displayed on my desk. Every time I walk past them, I feel sad that I cannot sit down long enough to create something.

Maybe tomorrow.

I used to work full time, was a single mom to 2 kids, and kept a clean house. Now, I am not sure how I did it! I just can't figure out how it is supposed to work. Our circumstances have changed dramatically in the last 7 years, making these things much more challenging. I may have to settle for a part time job, just for the reference and foot in the door, and my husband is going to be the one who has to suck it up! (feels good to say THAT!)

With all that said, and it feels good to say it, I am trying to keep my chin up. I have been through MUCH harder times in my life, and I am still functioning. So I know I can do this. I just wish my husband knew it too.

Thanks for listening,

Sherrie

Butterfly Thinking of You Notecard Set

Happy Thursday to you!

As you read this, I am lying in the dentist chair for a check up on my Periodontal disease. It's all good, and should end well. I have been flossing every day and brushing like a maniac! The hygienist should be impressed! Six weeks ago I had all of my teeth deep cleaned, which really was awful, and now they are feeling great. So I hope my gums are healthier now than then.

Today is the day I find out. Fingers are crossed!

Yesterday I shared a card similar to this set of note cards. I am loving this border of butterflies, and couldn't help but go with the flow of the mojo!

How about those shiny beauties, huh? I am telling ya, fun and pretty!

Everything is mostly Stampin' Up!, but the buttons are from Papertrey Ink and the sentiment is Hero Arts.

I am definitely a hoarder, because I could make these cards in any color available from Stampin' Up! and Papertrey Ink!! I really need to use this stuff up! :)

Thanks for putting up with me again today!

Have a good one!

Sherrie

~

Thinking of You Notecard Set

3-1/2 x 4-1/4 inches

stamps: SU For All You Do; Hero Arts sentiment

paper: Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Whisper White; Raspberry Tart Dsp

ink: Basic Black, watermark

etc: SU trim, clear embossing powder, sewing machine, dimensionals, snips, PTI Hibiscus Burst buttons, needle and thread

Ruffled Butterfly Thank You Card

Hey SAHM's!

We officially have two weeks until school starts!!

Hip hip hooray!!

Hip hip hooray!!

Let the countdown begin! Woot!!

Am I the only one who's ever felt this way? I think not!

Today's card was inspired by THIS set of notecards, I had created for a color challenge. I fell in love with the row of butterflies, and wanted to try different color combo's with them. I actually have three more sets of notecards to share, very similar to this card, later! :)

Everything you see here is from Stampin' Up!. I did not mean to make a SUO card, it just happened that way!

I love the Raspberry Tart dsp so much - I stocked up! :)

A clean and simple interior! Super fun and feminine!

I counted all of the butterflies I stamped, heat embossed, and cut out this weekend...it adds up to 41! Wait and see......! I was on a creative streak!

Thanks for taking a look! Let me know what you think of this creation!

Sherrie

~

Ruffled Butterfly Thank You

4-1/2 inches square

stamps: SU - For All You Do; Thank You Kindly

paper: Cameo Coral, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss cardstocks; Raspberry Tart dsp

ink: Versamark, Basic Black

etc: Whisper White satin ribbon, clear embossing powder, heat gun, snips, dimensionals, sewing machine

Designed2Delight Artist's Challenge - August {#2}

Hello!

I have another creation for the Designed2Delight Artist's Challenge today. If you participated last week, you would have received this image, 'Happy Harvest', free, if not you can pick it up at Faith's digi shop HERE, and then post your creation to her blog before Thursday, midnight EST. Then you will get next week's freebie in your inbox Friday morning automatically! It's a sweet deal!

Here is my creation:

Yes, I know it is not Clean and Simple! I just can't do it! LOL!

This time I created a mask for my image by printing out a second image, cutting it out, and gently adhering it over my main image. I stamped over the mask with my PTI Text Style II stamp, and then stippled around it with More Mustard. Then I unmasked it, watercolored the scene with SU inks and an aqua brush, sewed around the panel, and then added clear embossing to the pumpkins and wheat sprigs.
Please note that you should sew before doing the embossing. On my first attempt, I did the heat embossing, and then tried to sew, but the presser foot on the machine would drag against the raised, slick shine, and my stitches tore throught the cardstock. It was AWEFUL!! So I had to start over! Boo-hiss!


The second issue I had, and most frustrating, was when I adhered the background patterned paper to the mat of Moss cs.
I was out of runner adhesive, and so was the store when I went to buy some. So I bought a tube of ELMER'S (so called) Papercraft and CardMaking Glue for $2. It was in the papercrafting glue and adhesive aisle after all! And, it's Elmer's....who make glue.....right??
Wrong! It warps the paper!! DO NOT BUY IT!! It is a waste of money!!
Another BOO-HISS!!
So, once again, I had to start over! I used some 2-way glue, and bam...perfectly flat and beautiful!
Glue is super important when creating handmade paperarts. It has to dry fairly quickly, clearly, and most importantly FLAT. Elmer's needs to catch up with the times! We are not in Kindergarten!

Okay, that's it out of my mouth! LOL!

Have a VERY creative day!!

Sherrie
~
Thinking of You Fall Card
3-1/4 x 6-1/2 inches
stamps: D2D 'Happy Harvest' digital stamp; PTI Bkgd Basics: Text Style II; Hero Arts sentiment
papers: Mellow Moss, Really Rust, Vanilla cs; Autumn Vine dsp; watercolor paper
ink: Mustard, Rust, Artichoke, Choc Chip, Basic Black; Chamomile Tea Dye; Versamark
etc: clear ep, half pearls, sewing machine

Pal's Paper Arts Challenge 55 {Color}

Good morning!

Jumping in with a notecard I made for the Pal's Paper Art's Challenge #55.

This time it is a color challenge with Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, and Daffodil Delight.

Great colors! Here is what I created........

I stamped the butterfly several times with Versamark, and embossed them with clear ep before cutting them out.

I used the last strand of Melon Mambo ribbon in my stash, so I sure hope SU! will come out with more of it! Maybe satin?!

Thanks for taking a peek at my creation! Hope you had fun with these colors as well!

Sherrie

~

Bright Thank You Notecards

3-1/2 x 4-1/4"

stamps: SU - For All You Do; Thank You Kindly

papers: Turquoise, Daffodil; Razzleberry Lemonade and Pink Flamingo dsp's

ink: versamark, Basic Black

etc: clear embossing powder, snips, sewing machine, ribbon, dimensionals, runner adhesive

Any Occasion Butterfly Card

TGIF!!

How is everyone? We are doing very well, and are plugging away at life! :)

I have a pretty card to share with all of you today! It uses one of my favorite SU stamp sets ever - Great Friend. I have made many of these butterfly cards, in many color combo's too. It is a fun card to create and I try to make them slightly different each time!

This one uses Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Kraft (or Crumb Cake), and White.

I stamped my Canvas background stamp in Close to Cocoa on the Kraft background panel to add interest and texture. It looks fab!

Inside, I added a nice Kraft sentiment panel with stitching, and another butterfly and flower! Nice and easy!

Yes, your fingers may get sore from cutting out all those shapes with your snips! Be fair-warned! LOL!

Thanks for taking a peak!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sherrie

~

Any Occasion Butterfly Card

3-1/4 x 6-1/2 inches

stamps: SU - Great Friend; Eastern Blooms; Canvas background

paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Guava, Choc Chip; Afternoon Tea dsp;

inks: Cocoa, Choc Chip, Guava

etc: pearls, trim, snips, dimensionals, sewing machine

{New Stampin' Up! Goodies!!}

Happy Thursday!

I wanted to share another card I made while I had the house all to myself yesterday!! Woot!

I received some new SU supplies recently, and this wonderful stuff was in the box! I am so glad I used them! :)

The paper is the Greenhouse Gala dsp, and the stamps are called Friends Never Fade. Love them!! 

After stamping the main image in Chocolate Chip, I stamped it again with Versamark on Baja Breeze cardstock, and heat embossed it with clear powder. I cut out the flower and popped it up with a foam dot on the brown panel. Perfect!

I added ruffled Choc Chip satin ribbon and some sweet pearls to finish things off.

Here is a look inside. I added a strip of the gorgeous paper to coordinate with the card front.

LOVE this paper and stamp set!! Yes, I already said that!

Hope you enjoy them too!

Have a wonderful day!

Sherrie

~

Friends Never Fade Card

4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches

stamps: SU - Friends Never Fade

papers: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Baja Breeze; Greenhouse Gala dsp

inks: Chocolate Chip, Versamark

etc: Choc Chip satin ribbon, pearls, clear embossing powder, heat gun, dimensionals

An Autumn Card for the Color Throwdown {105}

Hey there stampers!

I have the whole day to myself, and of course, I am spending it creating!

Todays card fits in two challenges,

The Color Throwdown #105

and

Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge 293

Todays colors were: Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant, and Soft Suede. I was not sure about them at first, but now I really love this combo!

I watercolored the PTI image with SU inks and an aqua brush, on a piece of vintage looking Basic Grey Boxer paper. It worked out better than I thought it would, as the paper did not fall apart! :)

I created the text patterned paper by stamping the PTI Text Style stamp with Artichoke on Vanilla paper, then distressed it with Chamomile Tea Dye ink.

I finished the inside with more of the fantastic Boxer paper, and some more sewing.

This was my first Autumn card of the season, and I'll tell you I am ready to make more! The colors call my name every year! I love Fall!

Thanks for stopping by today to take a look! I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Sherrie

~

Autumn Any Occasion Card

4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches

stamps: PTI - Autumn Abundance, Background Basics: Text Style II

papers: SU - Soft Suede, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, Vanilla; Basic Grey - Boxer paper pad

inks: Basic Black, Suede, Artichoke, Eggplant, Real Rust, More Mustard; PTI -  Chamomile Tea Dye

etc: misc. buttons, sewing machine, trim

Surfing at Newman Lake, WA.

Hello again!

Today I thought I'd share some family photos with everyone! We have been having a lot of fun this summer and one new thing we learned to do was surf! Not on the ocean waves, but behind a boat!

July 24 & 25, 2010

This first picture is my oldest son Josh, almost 19 years old!

Here is my hubby Kevin, 30 years old, getting ready to go!

You can see in this next picture how close to the boat you are when you 'surf'. The goal is to let go of the rope, and ride the wake as if you are on an ocean wave! Cool, huh?

It's not as easy as it looks at first!

But once you get comfortable and let go of that rope, it is smooth sailing!

The boat only goes about 18 mph., but it feels a little faster than that!

Down goes Kevin!!

Josh caught on like a natural! He was smiling ear to ear the entire time!

Look mom, no rope!!

Even after he wiped out...many times!

We had so much fun! We swam, surfed and wakeboarded all day, until it was too dark to see!

This last picture of Josh was taken as the sun was going down. Doesn't the water look beautiful?

We stayed the night at our friend, Shane's lake cabin, sat by a bon fire all night, and in the morning he made us breakfast and took us out surfing again! He is an awesome guy!!

I can't wait to go again!

I hope everyone is having as much fun as possible this summer!!

Enjoy every minute!!

Sherrie