Girls night dinner :)
Veggie stir-fry has become Briana and my favorite dinner when Michael's not home. We eat dinner on the couch and watch some girlie TV show....and I love it!!! Michael is in Las Vegas doing an Ike Pono class. He left Thursday morning and comes home after 11:00 tomorrow night, I miss him and want him home NOW :) It's just not the same when he is gone.
I went to the Christmas dinner for Scrapbook Nook last night and it was great! I love teaching there, and it was great to have some time to chat with all the girls :) Sharee & Susan (the owners) gave me a gift certificate to the store for Christmas...I think it's got Tim Holtz written all over it!!! I noticed that there was a lot of new product in the store when I went to pick up class supplies yesterday. I also picked out all kinds of goodness for next quarter classes.....some Basic Grey, Graphic 45 and Bo Bunny *when I've got everything designed, I'll post some sneak peeks!

My 21 day challenge Art Journal.
This Thanksgiving holiday weekend went by so fast! It was great to spend so much time with everyone...and Ellen has all the pictures on her camera :) I ate too much and played too much and it was worth every moment. We also had Thanksgiving #2 at Michael's parents house on Saturday. I am truly blessed that I really enjoy my family and my in-laws are the best too...seriously I love spending time with them too.
So now I need some time to recoup from my holiday break :)
My goal for tomorrow night is to get some organization done in my studio...Michael has an Ike Pono meeting at our house tomorrow night so I'll be able to get down and dirty-HA! I really want to get rid of some 'stuff' I have been holding on to, thinking I am going to do something with it and it's just time to let some of it go...I'm thinking that it will take more than one night *wink!! It will be good to get started though. These last 21 days has been a great creative boost!!!

Day 21 PEOPLE!!!!!
Yipeeeeee!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I was thinking about what I was going to create today.....and I create LOVE and GRATITUDE daily for my family. And that works for me today. Blessings to all & Gobble Gobble ;)

Day 20
Here is the blanket I've been making for ME! It's the basket stitch I learned from watching the YouTube video. I can hardly believe there is only 1 more day of my challenge...I don't know what I am going to create tomorrow...my family is all here for Thanksgiving...I've got faith that something will turn up...I have not failed yet!!! So bring it on, my 21st day-bring it!

Day 19!!!
I started my Thanksgiving Gratitude album...For the last few years I've made tags, then have had each family member and friend write what they are grateful for, then put a picture that has been taken of them Thanksgiving night next to their tag...and whaa-laa the most amazing album ever -if I do say so myself *wink*!! This year I cut up some manila file folders and used some of my favorite stamps. I've had such great luck using my scrap box that I'm thinking I'll use papers from the box to make up the pages and I'll use the 7 gypsies chipboard book covers that I've been saving for that 'special/perfect' project. Really??? what could be better than my family...nothing! I am soooooo looking forward to hangin' with everyone this weekend...my sisto and 'The' Jesse-the most adorable nephew ever :) he even said (his version) of auntie pinkie for the first time last weekend!! I can hardly wait to post some current pictures of my family on this old blog, cuz it's waaaay over due!

I never thought that these last 19 days would go so fast and challenge my way of thinking they way they have...not to mention trigger my creative mojo and self worth. For that I am very grateful!!! Yipeeeeeee :)

I don't know why this little cutie didn't post with the earlier one tonight
....000ps

Day 18...yipeeee!!!
I did make it into work today...in the snow (29*degrees) and my normal 25 min. commute turned into 1 hour 15 min. I still don't feel great...but I'm getting there :) I got some coloring done today but, i just don't have the ooomph to make up some cards.

I have been doing my art journal and I really like it, it's fun to use some product I'm hoarding, i mean saving for that special idea :) It's a win-win since it is finally getting used and it will be in my journal so I'll get to keep it forever!
I can hardly believe there is only 3 more days of Rhonna's 21 day challenge...I'm already getting sad :(
My sisto and her family are here in two days for Thanksgiving!!! I can hardly wait for 4 days off work, and of course family time -Gobble Gobble :)

Day 17
I have been in bed all day again today (i did get up to shower...even i couldn't stand me anymore) and I'm still feverish and not feeling 100%. I thought I would post a couple of cards I've made from past classes. The first is a gift card holder with a fun little 'belly band' that slides off. The second one is using one of my favorite paper lines...Graphic 45.

Going to turn the lights out and snuggle in for some sleep....okay and maybe just a little episode of Real Housewives of Atlanta. I do...I do -I love watching all of the housewife cities...can't explain it, I'm hooked! Send me some healthy ju-ju :)

Day 16!
Here are some cards I have taught in past classes at Scrapbook Nook. I don't have the energy to get out of bed to create anything today, yet I thought I could share some of my other creations :)

Day 14 and 15....and today is #16
I came home Thursday (day#14) from work around 4:30 not felling very well and by 6:30 my fever was at 102, started vomiting and didn't stop until after 2:30 Friday morning. I slept most of the day Friday (day #15) and did not get out of bed all day. I was so emotional talking to Michael about not posting and creating something for my blog...he told me not to worry that I could just add two extra days onto my challenge. I started to 'beat myself up' about it...and stopped. I am not going to 'go there'. I had a valid reason for not posting and I was thinking that I would add extra days....um, hello....this is my goal: to post my creations on my blog...share my story. So if I am going to stick with my goal....adding two days won't make a difference.

I started to crochet this scarf/neck warmer (I haven't decided yet) Thursday at work. A few weeks ago I wanted to learn how to do a new crochet stitch so I watched a video on YouTube. I am making myself a blanket using this basket stitch which I love now, and since the weather has been so cold I started making this with some yarn I had....it might just be a neck warmer since I only have 2 skeins. :)
I am starting to feel better, I did get out of bed to make a cup a tea this afternoon.

Day 13 people....who da thunk? :)

I got this sweet stamp at the Creating Keepsake convention this past weekend and couldn't wait to color her with my Copic's. I can't remember who the stamp is made by, I will post it later :) It is an easel card, so once you open it, you can set it on your desk and enjoy it!
When this challenge started, I did not really think about how I was going to do it, or even make it everyday. However, I did think about the end result. I have done goal setting workshops, Women Leadership seminars and self awareness courses and one of the things I have taken with me from all of them is: Picture the end result. I am not going to say 'I want a blog that will be successful and inspiring'....what I am telling myself is: I WILL have a blog that is successful and inspiring! :) One of my favorite things to do is read crafty blogs, I get so inspired and excited to craft and play. I am thrilled that I am finally living my dream! I am grateful for Rhonna's challenge....for the extra push to get me motivated...I can hardly wait for what my next 21 day challenge goal will be......

Day 12!
Here is the Gratitude Journal I taught at Scrapbook Nook tonight. It has a monthly divider page, with a gratitude quote and pages to journal about what what your grateful for. Each monthly page has a different quote and design.

Today was a challenging day dealing with my doctors from the UW Pain clinic and my surgeons office. I have been struggling with chronic nerve pain since my foot surgery almost 3 years ago... the lack of communication between offices and the treatments they want to try has been a nightmare. Needless to say to come up with a grateful thought today has been tough....I am grateful for another day of life and the chance to do something I love (teaching creative classes) will be my entry today. And I made it through one more day of my 21 day challenge :)

Day 11
I love The Greeting Farm stamps...they are soooo much fun to use my copic markers with!! I can't believe that Rhonna's 21 day challenge is half way over... I was really worried about keeping my commitment today and I got it done, even with getting ready for the class I'm teaching tomorrow night. I got my kits ready AND created a card for the challenge. All I have to say is...YIPEEEEEE!!! I did it and I feel awesome :)
Good night!

Wow....Day 10!!
This first picture is of my art journal. The strip on the left side is a paper towel I saved from the Tattered Angels glimmer mist class yesterday :) I had some glimmer mist before I took this class and did not have results like this, so the tips and info was great. I would really love to have them in every color! The glaze is pretty rockin' too...I went back to the vendor booth to pick some up and they were completely sold out...I guess I wasn't the only one who loved it. The glitter in it is awesome and ya all know how i feel about glitter :)

This is the card I made today with the class kit from Technique Tuesday. I didn't do their exact card, I made my own version and used a very, very old thank you stamp. I loved making the spiral flower and you might be seeing a lot of those around here in the next few days. :)

We had dinner with my Mom, Dad, Lee, Tracy, Jesse, Michael, and Briana tonight. Mom made a deeelish pot roast and I was lucky enough to get the left overs for work tomorrow :) The best part was that my nephew said auntie pinkie for the first and then pointed to me!!!! I love that little boy so much and just have a blast with him every time I see him.
Blogging everyday has not been as hard as I thought it would be. I worry about my writting, spelling mistakes and just plain old wondering why people would be interested in what I have to say. Right now, it's been pretty easy since it's been about my 21 day challenge. I don't know what will be next...but what i'm learning is not to overthink tomorrow so much ...just to be in the moment...just being with my friend yesterday, doing what I love was a blessing. It was great to just BE.
Smooches :)

Day 9...and what a great day it is!!
My dear friend Kristina treated me with a birthday celebration full of crafty-ness! She picked me up at 9:30 this morning and off we went to the Creating Keepsake Convention. She signed us up for two classes, a Technique Tuesday card class and a Tattered Angels/Heidi Swapp class. We walked around the vendor fair and maybe found a thing or two we couldn't live without ;) I learned some new techniques in both classes, had lunch and just had some really good (and much needed) girlfriend time & conversation. She spoiled me with a goodie bag filled with some Stampin' Up yummy-ness and then on the way home a necklace filled with bling of a heart with wings & a crown....just like my Studio Pink business logo!!!!

The background page is from the Tattered Angels class, the glimmer mist is soooo fun to play with and as you can see the results are amazing!!! When I get the album put together, I'll post more pictures.
Kristina, thank you again for an amazing day!!! Your generosity and friendship today is something i will treasure always!!
Tomorrow is day 10... and I can hardly wait to play with all my new stuff :) Yipeeeeeee!!!!!!

Day 8...First week...I did it!

I used a bunch of scraps and some odds and ends from some of my past leftover class kits.

Come on...who doesn't love the Bazzill paper flowers? The Graphic 45 cherry paper?

The leaf ribbon ??? I want some in silver...can't ya just see it for holiday cards -OMG!!

I went to dinner with my parents tonight and to the Village Theater in Issaquah to see "Ann of Green Gables" it was a fun night and a great play.The lead was amazing and her voice...beautiful!
I was worried about stickin' to my action step for my 21 day challenge goal today. I took my pile of scraps into work today and was hoping i wouldn't be home to late to post on my blog. It's after 11:30pm and I've been up since 6:00am for work. And you know what...on my drive home i thought ....i could just do it... sooooo YAY ME!! I DID!!! and good night :)

Day 7 baby!!!!
I took my Copic marker certification class a few months ago, and love them!! I've taught a couple of classes at the store and even gave the owners/employee's a class, they are just so much fun to play with. Practice is key...i wish i had more time to, i see some of the most amazing projects using them. Again just scraps for the background papers and a darling stamp from, The Greeting Farm. I can honestly say i want every stamp they make!! :)

Day 6
I was looking through my favorite crafty blogs this morning at work and saw this download from the Papertrey Ink blog.....I used a thin chipboard and covered it with some scraps, stickles, ribbon, painted the edges for a distressed look and glued some old packaging crinkle paper to the bottom. Oh yeah, the little birdie is from JoAnn's :)
It has been so much fun to make/create something just for fun! I teach classes at Scrapbook Nook (Kent, WA) and usually I am doing something to get ready for the quarterly store open house or designing the classes. To have the freedom to create ....just to create anything i want, has been amazing. I thought it would be stressful to come up with something everyday and even though it has only been 6 days, it has been easier each day. Ask me again on day 18....HA! Okay off to play in my art journal then to snuggle with my sweetie, Michael. Briana is spending the night at her girlfriends because of Veteran's Day there is no school tomorrow and Friday. Remember to thank all your Veteran family members and friends!! I honor you all who have served our country. Your hard work, time and sacrifice is a blessing to us all!! Thank you!!!

Day 5
So today i wanted to play with Claudine Hellmuth's sticky back canvas. I saw Jennifer McGuire do a tutorial on her blog using the canvas, distress ink and a perfect pearl/water mixture. I used Glimmer mist on mine, Silver Bells & Black Gold and Tattered Rose & Snow Angel. I attached a hair clip on the back of both. I liked how they turned out, even though the canvas is pretty stiff...next time I'll use softer fabrics.
Not much happened today, staying late at work, even though it is only an hour, really has made a change in my schedule. I usually get home at 4:30 and now I am getting home at 6:00 because of traffic - ummm YUCK!! It's been almost 2 weeks now. My co-worker who I am covering for still has to have surgery so I am hoping that work has another plan set in place since she will be gone for a while longer. Okay enough whining, off to play in my art journal!! :) Smooches!