Just Checking In

Another day, another page.  Be back soon. 

Dum Dee Dum

I haven’t been the best blogger lately.  I just haven’t had much to say.  Sometimes, I go through phases where I write down everything I am thinking and going through and have lots to share.  Other times, I am feeling more private.  Though I’m not in a chatty mood, I did want to share a few layouts I have created recently.  Here’s one of my favorites to start us off. 

I Feel It In My Fingers

I took the above photos a long time ago for my friend, Erin.  The concept was totally her idea, and she was the lovely hand model.  I loved her idea so much I asked her if she wouldn’t mind if I made one myself one day.  Hasn’t happened yet, but here are the photos I took for her.  I thought today was an appropriate day to share.  

Happy Valentines Day! 

Life is Hard and Then You Die

That is one of my dad’s favorite expressions.  He is not a negative person, I promise.  Mostly, he just used to tell us this when we would whine about having to do things were were supposed to do, like help clean up the kitchen. 
I don’t know why, but Sundays are the hardest day of the week.  For some reason they are really discouraging. 
Yesterday I was crying for no good reason and Spencer asked me what was wrong.  For some reason I have a hard time saying what is really bothering me so Spencer has to coax it out of me.
The thing is, I didn’t know exactly what was bothering me.  It was a lot of things.  I have been stressed over job hunting.  I am anxious to move forward in life.  I am worried about finances.  I am frustrated that my fibromyalgia has really flared up lately, and I haven’t felt well.  I am annoyed that even though I try to manage my stress in healthy ways, my body is really reacting to the strain it’s under.  I am tired because I can’t sleep.  I am emotional because the clomid is messing with my system and my hormones are really out of whack. 
Eventually, I burst out yelling, “I AM JUST SO SICK OF THINGS NEVER WORKING OUT FOR US!!!  I DON’T THINK THINGS ARE EVER GOING TO WORK OUT!!!” I probably looked like a two year old.  I even pounded my fist on the bed while my face was buried in my pillow.
Spencer didn’t tell me to grow up (that’s what I would have told me, I think).  Instead, he calmly suggested, “You don’t really think that, you know things will get better.”
“Yeah,” I agreed.  Then after a long pause, “After we die…maybe.”  Then I laughed because my extreme pessimism was so ridiculous.  Spencer laughed too because suddenly the situation seemed a little funnier. 
A good nights sleep and a fresh day can do wonders for a bad attitude.  I’m a little embarrassed by yesterdays tantrum.  Today I feel much better and have spent a little bit of time this morning happily typing away at my laptop.

There is a most lovely blog that makes me want to get out my camera and play:

{via farmgirl in flipflops}

{via Simplyhue}

{via Simplyhue}

I am just so in love with everything she does.  Her work is too dang beautiful.  :: sigh:: Go take a look!  And I am now on the hunt for a yellow and white striped umbrella. 

Not Much of Anything

More ttv (through the veiwfinder) effects.  

I got an e-mail asking how to edit a photo using ttv effects.  There are TONS of ttv frames online that you can use for free.  Just ask your ole’ buddy google.  Flickr has an AWESOME selection, by the way.  Once I selected a frame, I just layered it with the photo of my choice.  It’s really that easy.   
Yesterday we got snow for the first time since we’ve lived here.  Surprisingly, I have NOT taken pictures of it yet.  I ventured out for only a moment yesterday (to try and coax Lizzy to go potty outside- she does NOT like the snow bless her heart) but it was too cold to linger.  We spent our day snug and warm inside.  I had the most pleasant evening.  I watched The Importance of Being Earnest (I almost called it The Trouble With Being Earnest.  That makes me feel like my mom.  Hee hee.)  while scrapbooking!  I haven’t scrapbooked in ages.  It was delightful. 

Paper Sculpting

 
I’ve made these roses for scrapbook pages before, but I thought it would be fun to use them on jewelry.  Because heavens knows I DON’T have enough rose jewelry. 
…
Okay, so maybe I have enough frilly jewelry to accessorize an army.  It still doesn’t stop me from making even more frilly jewelry.  But come on, this one’s made out of PAPER.  That’s pretty cool, right?  Am I just obsessed? 
Don’t answer that. 

I’m thinking of doing another giveaway.  I need input.  What should I giveaway?  I mean from past projects that I have done, is there anything I have made, that you liked so much, that you thought in your heart, “I WANT that!”  The sky’s the limit people.  Except for quilts.  WAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY to much work for me.  Anywho, I’d love your ideas!