Joining the Rejection Train

One of my friends Ashley put it this way FB so I hope she doesn’t mind that I’m borrowing it.  Papercrafts Magazine invited us rejectees to link up through a mini-blog hop that Dr. Amber was putting together. 

I have to say I kind of like this idea because you still get to share your cards and maybe even to new people.  Thanks Dr. Amber & Papercrafts Mag!!

Thank you for looking!!

Shut Up!

I got an email today from a good friend of mine today but before I go into that I guess I can rewind a little.  As you all know I’ve been on hiatus for about 4 months now, which was not an easy decision for me to make.  I am finally making progress towards coming back.  When I say progress, I mean baby steps.  Ones not so much self inflicted as self forced. 

As some of you may know 2 years ago next month I had back surgery, well the pain is back with a vengeance.  I’m having to learn to respect my body’s limitations whether I like it or not.  Most of the time…NOT!!  It’s very frustrating and can sometimes be down right depressing (insert tears here).  However I’m determined to not give up because I refuse to lay around and be a vegetable.  That and I love what I do.  Recently I created a couple of cards for All Things Unity and then a couple of more for other things.

I even called another friend of mine because as I put it, I had been out of it for so long I just wasn’t confident in what I was doing and needed feedback.  She is such a sweetheart and gave me such wonderful criticism but was worried she would hurt my feelings.  I love her for that!!

Then I got my email today for my friend Kim Howard, with mainly a picture attached asking how I liked what was published.  I was like what?  Then I was like WHAT?!?!?!?!?!!?  Hey, that’s me.  I can’t tell you the boost that gives you.  Of course I had to run out and actually look at the actual magazine because this was my first time being published.  Turns out I had 3, that’s right THREE, in the magazine.  YEAH!! me.  And they were all Unity images…WOOHOO!!

Getting Personal

I’ve thought about how I was going to write this a few times, what I was going to say and how.  But how do you go about explaining how you’ve just dropped how the face of the earth to those you’ve never really met and some you have but you do care about?

So as I sit here wondering what to write I thought the best thing to do would be is to just start, I could always edit out what didn’t sound or feel right.  Here goes…

I should probably start off with the fact with that although I am a very outgoing and personable person when it comes to personal… my personal stuff, I stuff it down.  I mean deep down, I don’t talk about it, I barely even think about it (if I do, I just stuff it down deeper).  I’m not saying whether it’s good or bad, I’m just saying it’s the way I’ve always been as long as I can remember.  That being said, something came to light about my life about 6 months ago at least emotionally and let’s just say I didn’t deal with it.  I didn’t even really talk about it.  It was just there.  I did what I always did, I put a smiling face on and put everyone else first.

That worked for a while.  Especially because my crafting has always been an outlet for me.  I mean I had started some form of it since I was about 8 years old.  I’ve always loved watching my creations take shape to their final beauty.  However, about a month ago I went to walk into my craft room and I just couldn’t do it.  The very thought of it made me want to hate it.  When you can’t even force yourself to go into your sanctuary something is most definitely wrong!!!  It was at this point I knew I had to take a step back and do some reflecting.

I have to confess, I’ve never been a diary/journal girl.  NEVER!! I tried when I was little.  It never took.  I don’t know what I have now is what I would call a diary/journal as a venting/journey into self-discovery book.  I had to be able to work things out in my mind, which sometimes meant just being able to write down my conscious stream of thought.

I’m not going to say I’m cured. 

I’m not even going to say that I’m ready to dive back into creating.  Wanna know why?  Ok at least one of the reasons.
This junk pile you see is my “craft space”.  Would you be inspired? 
See that opening to the right?  That goes to my foyer.
See the opening to the left?  That goes to my bedroom.
Lovely right?!?!

Ok… next….

This used to be my nephew’s room… 5 years ago, when he lived with me.  Guess what it’s going to be now?  If you guessed craft room…ding! ding! you win a prize.  I’ve got some MAJOR plans, which has me somewhat excited about the idea of getting to craft again.  I’ve already got some of the stuff picked out so I can do some MAJOR organizing.  That’s the part I’m really excited about.

I read a post today by Margie Romney-Aslett.  I’ve met her in person and she is such a very sweet person.  And I got to thinking after reading her post that you would never know that about her.  And that’s just the thing we never know the inner turmoil each of us are going through.  And I have to say I’ve been on my share of roller coaster rides lately, most of them have seemed to be going in the spiraling downward position. 

There are those of you there that have thrown me a lifeline in many different forms.  You have no idea what it has meant to me and I can’t even begin to say thank you.  I can only hope that one day I am able to do the same for you in some small way. 

On that note, I will leave you with a smile and VERY BIG & HUGE SLOPPY HUGS!!!

CHAPTER 35: Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Wonderland's Door

"Alice laughed so much at this, that she had to run back into the wood for fear of their hearing her; and when she next peeped out the Fish-Footman was gone, and the other was sitting on the ground near the door, staring stupidly up into the sky.

Alice went timidly up to the door, and knocked.

`There's no sort of use in knocking,' said the Footman, `and that for two reasons. First, because I'm on the same side of the door as you are; secondly, because they're making such a noise inside, no one could possibly hear you.' And certainly there was a most extraordinary noise going on within--a constant howling and sneezing, and every now and then a great crash, as if a dish or kettle had been broken to pieces.

`Please, then,' said Alice, `how am I to get in?' ~Chapter 6, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Hey everyone! It's a beautiful day here in Wonderland and we are BACK with another challenge!

Have you ever felt like Alice? Not sure which door, window, or keyhole will be opened or closed next? Not sure which direction you're going but curiouser and curiouser about them all?

What a PERFECT opportunity to explore some new avenues,and walk through new doors we bring you at Oh, Alice this week. That's right! Your challenge this week is to create a card or project using a Door, Gate, or Keyhole. Now, you can also get creative and do a gatefold technique, etc. As long as we can see it's a "Gatefold" or that there is a door, gate, or keyhole somewhere on your project! How FUN is this?

The best part? There's no time limit to play this week, so have fun and here's to opening lots of new doors in the future!

Closed…

Open…

We all do hope you will take the time to play along with us this week!!  You can find the rest of the “Mad” Thirteen at Oh! Alice Challenge blog for more fun and more inspiration.

5 Layer Dip FFC

It’s all about the layers today.  I gotta tell you in all of my days of papercrafting I’ve never been one of those girls that has paid any attention to how many layers I put down… until today, when our fearless for this month Christi told us we needed to “Create a card with 5 paper layers NOT counting the base card.”  Then when you all of a sudden have to pay attention to how many layer your using it all of sudden becomes hard.

Not to shabby if I say so myself, well kinda shabby chic but not the other kinda shabby.  And I may have been able to squeak it in with Kimme’s challenge over at SCS with the Hope You Can Cling To.

Now off we go to see how the other girlies faired.

Christi
Jimmi
Kim
Kimme
Sherry

 

Working Fabric FFC

Christi is our awesome hostess this month and when I saw the challenge this week it really made me start to think.  Why?  Because as she puts it “For today, it's all about you. Create a project that is just for you and your enjoyment.”  EH?  Make something for me?  I think I did that once.  But to do it again?   OK!

Alright I am a HUGE reader…HUGE!!  This is what I decided to do.

And I think it goes really well with the Some Odd Girl Challenge too to use fabric on your creation.  That’s right the entire front is fabric and not paper.  I backed it with cardboard.  I also used one of the brand new releases from Some Odd Girl, Kiss A Prince Tia.

Gotta go see what the other girls made for their me gifts…

Christi
Jimmi
Kim
Kimme
Sherry

 

Hope You Can Cling To

This month SplitCoast Stampers is partnering with UT MD Anderson Cancer Center for a month long card drive to benefit those that have been affected by breast cancer.

They kicked off the campaign Saturday on World Card Making Day (WCMD).  And I have the privilege of hosting today’s challenge and tomorrow’s.

This one is going to be a little different and take a little twist on something you already know.
Take ...

1. Something old (preferably something that has been in your stash for a year or more, if you haven't been crafting that long *GASP* that's ok just pick your oldest thing)
2. Something new (something just out of the wrapper or you know you just got from the store recently)

Those of you that follow the Friday Fun Challenge know we’ve done this one recently but it’s really a lot of fun and the rest of the challenge will come THIS challenge come tomorrow. 

I hope you will take the time to play along.  And then upload it to the gallery because from what I understand there will be prizes.

Stamps: 3 Scoops
Paper:  Basic Grey Oliver (new), Neenah CS, PTI Kraft
Extras:  PTI Spring Rain Saddle Stitch Ribbon (new), Copics, AC Glitter Thickers
Everything else was old but especially the Thickers

Did You Hear?

There’s a NEW release this week over at Some Odd Girl.  And let me just tell you if you thought I drooled over the past releases just wait until you get a load of these babies.

They are PERFECT in so many different ways.  I have had so many ideas just swirling in my head for these sweetie pies.  Now I guess I better get some of them on paper huh?  Wanna a peek?

I KNOW, RIGHT!!!!

Don’t forget it’s a new month so there’s a new freebie too!!

OK, don’t wait… RUN.  You know you want to collect all of them!!

CHAPTER 33: DICTIONARY of Nonsense

Alice didn't dare to argue the point, but went on: `-- and I thought I'd try and find my way to the top of that hill -- '

`When you say "hill,"' the Queen interrupted, `I could show you hills, in comparison with which you'd call that a valley.'

`No, I shouldn't,' said Alice, surprised into contradicting her at last: `a hill can't be a valley, you know. That would be nonsense -- '

The Red Queen shook her head, `You may call it "nonsense" if you like,' she said, ` but I've heard nonsense, compared with which that would be as sensible as a dictionary!'

--Ch. 2: Through the Looking Glass

Greetings from Wonderland! Before we commence this week's challenge, LOTS of tea-toasting to our FABULOUS new October Guest at Tea: DONNA BUDZYNSKI! Donna's amazing work caught our eye a while back and we are thrilled to have her joining us! A VERY MERRY unbirthday to you, Donna! WELCOME!

DT member Lynne is challenging us this week is to use TEXT in a NONSENSE way - not to read, but as a pattern in your card. Use a page from an old dictionary or other book, stamp a background text stamp or use a text-patterned paper in your creation. Link up your NEW CREATIONS and the design team will stop by to do some CREATIVE READING as we look at your entries this week!

The Greeting Farm is our SPONSOR this week, and not only are we thrilled to have them again, the prize just got sweeter! There is a RUBBER SINGLE OF CHOICE up for grabs for this challenge AS WELL as the highly-sought after "Wonderland" digital stamp set!

 

Nonsense you say? Believe it! You have through Friday, October 8th at 8pm CST to enter to WIN the above prizes! We'll announce our lucky winner on Saturday, October 9th with the next challenge here at Oh, Alice!

Now last week’s challenge was Chapter 32: Journey to the Center of the Earth where Jen challenged us to fall down the rabbit hole… literally.  She wanted us to create a card with a window or a card.  Last week I was sick but I had already created some of my card and I wanted to finish it so I did.

Welcome Little FFC

As we approach WCMD I’m a little apprehensive because I gotta tell ya I’ve never had a chance to play along.  Something has always come up.  This may be the first year I get to do anything and I’m not sure what to do. 

Christi tried to prep us a little bit for it though in this week’s challenge.  She literally broke up the letters of WCMD and gave us something to do.

W – Write or doodle on your card
C – Corner Punch
M – Magenta
D – Damask

I realized as I was editing my picture that I forgot to doodle my hearts on though and I have a confession that I didn’t feel like retaking the picture.  Since I’m giving this to my friend tomorrow because they went into labor today to give birth to their brand new baby girl, I’m not sure it will happen.  Another 1st because I don’t usually give away my cards this fast when I make them unless I specifically make something on the fly for someone.  I must be on a roll.  UH OH!!  Watch out!! hehe

Can’t wait to see what the other girlies came up with since I flaked on my own challenge last week because I was so sick & in bed.  URGH!

Christi
Jimmi
Kim
Kimme
Sherry