2020 Is a Jerk

I'm not going to blather on about how long it's been since my last post. To be honest, I hate feeling like I MUST do all the things. Life is just dang busy, and blogging was not a priority for me #sorrynotsorry.

I saw each of my girls graduate high school, and college x 2 and my youngest joined the Navy 2 years ago (HOOYAH! Just like her PopPop, my dad). My hubby and I moved into our dream home, and both my parents have passed away.

I'm grateful my parents are not alive during this Covid-19 pandemic--because I would be yelling at them on the daily because I know they would HATE the order to stay at home. STUBBORN. I miss them terribly, but glad they are in Heaven and not dealing with the craziness of dumb people and washing our hands/don't touch your face and trying to just get. some. dang. toilet. paper. #freakinghoarders

I work in a level one trauma center in a city of 2 million. We've reduced our surgery case-load by half. We haven't seen a lot of Covid-19 patients--but we're all bracing for impact. We're anticipating seeing a surge within two weeks. I have friends who have volunteered to work in NYC for a few weeks.

I miss eating out--bottomless chips and salsa lol. I'm tired of doing dishes. I am grateful my kids are grown and I am not home-schooling because I'd have fired myself on day 3. I miss my Chibi Pooh, our Bichon Frise who passed away last year. We'd get another one, but my husband, who gets to work from home 100% now would be the one potty training the dog while I'm at work most days. We'll wait until all this is over....maybe next year?

I'm grateful for online communities and groups via Facebook and Instagram, and my bestie Lydia (UnderstandBlue) who has this incredible service to provide the best watercolors--for a fraction of the price of full tubes--by panning and selling them through her blog and facebook page. AHHHmazing. Take all my money lol.

Stay safe, stay inside, wash your hands, don't touch your face.
XOXO

Truly grateful...

As an RN I've had the privilege of working with many great doctors....and some not so great...but when I meet a doctor that exceeds my own expectations (rare), I'm quite impressed!
My husband had a recent scare--a mole that appeared very "melanoma-ish" was removed. (I need to write another post just as a PSA for skin cancer.) Long story short--we were referred to an amazing dermatologist who was able to fit us in the same week to excise a larger margin on Dean's shoulder.
I was so impressed with this doctor I of course HAD to stamp him a thank you card!! :)

I used Stampin' Up's new stencils with the new In-Colors Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon & Tangelo Twist. I inked up the stencil (with paper towels underneath), spritzed it with water then placed my watercolor paper down on top. I stamped the greeting in Blackberry Bliss, layered it on another color-washed piece of watercolor paper and a Lost Lagoon card base, accented with a Moonlight paper stack paper under that.
Thanks for stopping by!!

Lots to share!!!

I cannot even begin to tell you how busy I've been.  Flyin' by the seat of my pants kinda busy...I'm tired of being busy...but enough whining. Lemme show you a couple of things I've been able to eek out the last 2 weeks!

First--my brother graduated from college 2 weeks ago! SQUEEE! So excited for him--and I got to go spend the weekend with him! Fantastic weekend.  Here's a picture of him at his graduation in San Diego.

(He looks happy there, right? He is the funniest guy on the planet, just so you know. I got the best ab workout that weekend from laughing!!)

Ok, so I needed a card for his graduation.  A couple of weeks ago my friend Libby Hickson made THIS super cute card. I obsessed over that stamp set from The Greeting Farm, but it's currently discontinued! I was able to find a brand new set in Australia thanks to eBay, though!!! SQUEEE

So...using some inspiration from Libby...here's what I did:

Stamps: The Greeting Farm--Fly Away

Papers and ribbon: Stampin' Up

Ink: Memento and Copic Markers

Tools: Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors , Big Shot and Swirls Embossing Folder

Isn't Piggy super cute? My 10 year old saw me coloring him and she HAD to have a Piggy to color too! He makes me smile!! He made my brother laugh when he saw him.  A very non-traditional Graduation card!!

This weeked I'm traveling to Houston to visit my BFF of many, many years and the sister I never had...this woman and I have laughed so much over the years I'm sure it's extended our lives by at least a decade.  Since I knew I was seeing her this weekend I neglected to mail her a card for her birthday last month...I wanted to give it to her in person.

This is a stencil!! I love this idea! I saw THIS card from my friend Dreena, and modified it just a bit.

Stencil: Stampin' Up

Paper & Ink: all Stampin' Up

Accessories: ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware-Stampin' Up, Shimmer Spritz

This weekend we're going to Pinot's Palette--a studio where you learn to paint a masterpiece, and you bring your own wine! We'll be painting Van Gogh's Cafe at Night and I'll be VERRRRY interested to see how well my replica is after a couple of glasses of wine!!! I'll keep you posted!!