Dads & Grads

Well, the delay in me posting doesn't mean I haven't been creating!

I'm still working on my dad's scrapbook.

Everyone started asking for graduation and father's day cards.  

So I've been creating, hustling make-up (my other side job) and exploring new ideas to add to my etsy shop!

A few father's day and graduation cards up in the etsy shop.  I will take very few custom orders as I love creating them, but know the time commitment they take and these days I have less time to create.

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An interesting thing about father's day... I have never had mother's day cards leftover.  NOT one, but every year I have a ton of father's day cards.  I am not sure if this means anything, but I always find it interesting.

Anniversary of Mt. St. Helens Erupting 5/18/1980

Today is the 35th anniversary of Mt. St. Helens erupting.

The news reported that 57 people died in the eruption, which seems kinda high to me, but what do I know?

I happened to be up in the mountains yesterday and took that shot of the mountain hiding in the clouds.

Mother's Day passed and I finished making cards at the last minute... again.... I really need to plan better.

Mother's Day 2015

I'm here, sorry for the silence!!!

I have been busy creating in my absence... finished a few Mother's Day cards, but will have to wait for the big reveal until after Mother's Day.

Doubtful a recipient reads this blog, but just in case.  It is my policy to post cards after the person has received them.  I wouldn't want to spoil in case it's a surprise in any case!  :)

Although I rarely run out of things to say, somehow when I'm faced with a blank blog space I feel very put on the spot and pressure to fill it up.  I don't work well under pressure or when put on the spot, for the record.

Yesterday I got to go to breakfast with one of my most favorite people on the planet.  My friend Sandra (I worked with her at a company for 5 years, left a year and half ago and still see her pretty much once a month for breakfast)!  After chatting for a couple hours, we went our separate ways.  I found a scrapbook store just a little ways away from there last time I met up with Sandra.  I decided to stop in and just check out the store again.  It is called Whimzee's Scrapbook Studio at 16630 SW Shaw Street, Beaverton, OR 97007. www.whimzeesscrapbookstudio.com  I like the lady that owns it.  She's always full of information and I always like to get a perspective or opinion on Project Life from people in the scrapbook world.  Her store has a ton of stuff and I'm a weirdo, because I like the stores with lots of stuff and not necessarily just the trends or the latest items (like a lot of the chain craft stores have).  It isn't the HUGEST store, but it's a good size and has a TON of stuff in it without being cluttered or difficult to move around in.  The pic below is only a part of the store... not even half.... Anyway, there is a large work area in the middle of the store for crops and classes (I'm sure).

Today my sister and I drove up to the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland, WA.  http://www.lilacgardens.com/ and the smells of the flowers alone were fantastic and the flowers looked so cool.  We took a zillion photos and hung out as long as they'd let us.  :)

Wow!  Where oh where did April go?  I know there are still 7 days left or so, but feels like "WOW!  May already?!?"

Been actually making cards, believe it or not along with working on my dad's scrapbook!

A few cute cards I made recently:

 This one is for the friend I've known the longest (30 years):

This one is for a friend I've known for almost 20 years:

I've also been feeling a little down and depressed lately.  Hoping that will all change.  Wondering if I should go to the doctor and ask for anti-depressants, seriously.  That's how much I feel like it's affecting my outlook and self image/self worth.  I always think if I just have enough "crafty paper time", that is all the therapy I need.  It doesn't feel like there will ever be enough these days!  Part of it is hormonal and a wise friend told me once "I never make important decisions if I'm PMSing."

Anyway, have a lovely weekend.  Will post some more cards and other fun stuff on here later this weekend.

Happy Tuesday blog reader(s).  I'm sure there has to be one of you out there.  Not sure if I should use the plural in that first sentence.

Today I sent a fun handmade card to my best friend of 31 years (the kind of friend you don't see for years and it's like NO time has passed!)!  I will post a pic after she gets it.  It was super fun to make.  My LOVE for the craft of making my cards has returned.

I'm now working on a scrapbook that my dad requested.  It is from a fun trip I took to Florida about 3 years ago!  It is fun to go back and look that photos and remember what a memorable trip that was.
This is a pic of Clearwater beach, which is clearly a HOT spot for Spring Break (as that is when I flew out to Tampa, I'm sure.  My dad and I walked up this beach and back along the water.  GREAT people watching.... for sure!

Suppose I'll share some fun cards from the past.  That is really something I'm discovering that I enjoy!

Not sure what your monday looks like, but around here, Jo and I (sometimes Cami) go to a community yoga class at Vancouver Yoga Center.

I like having something relaxing to look forward to each week.  It is a nice way to start the week.

I found some really old cards today (while gathering photos for a scrapbook) that I am not sure ever made it to a blog or Facebook sharing.

The first one was for my cousin's kiddo.  The second was for my aunt.

It is super fun for me to "discover" some of my old work.  :)  Interesting to see what I was into.  Clearly my love affair with tiny brads will NEVER EVER EVER EVER end.