Who me?

Yes, me. Alive and well.

Oh how I've missed everyone!!

All products used by or purchased at A Muse, except the green flowery paper - that is from Rubber Soul.

Wow, since the last time I've blogged SO much has happened in my life.

Unfortunately, my father-in-law did pass away late January and memorial services were early February. My husband and our family have found peace in his passing and are on the road to positive healing. Thanks to all of you for your warm thoughts and prayers - they have made a difference.

Work has officially become the biggest time suck in my life. I had a successful year in 2008, received awards and promotions now in 2009. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm in a pretty aggressive leadership role that now requires travel. Lots of it.... as in they want me down in California every week. Right now I'm traveling 1-2 times a month (for a week). Which has led to less time crafting! boo!

Although, I have been keeping up on all the beautiful new products coming out and wonderful spring designs. I check my google reader while down in CA to keep in touch with my long lost love of handmade crafts.

We had a wonderful time in Whistler. My daughters were in ski school for 5 days. At first, we thought we'd regret this decision when went to rent gear and they screamed for 5 mins about the boots being uncomfortable. But we shoved them in the door to school and took off. We'd come back around the kiddie lift and spy on them to see how it was going.... By the time our trip came to an end they were almost in tears that we were leaving they loved it so much!

Well, that's it in a nutshell. I take off again for CA on Monday morning so another week away from home, away from my craft room..... tis life, I keep telling myself.... "be thankful".

I'm making no promises to keep up my blog. But I am on facebook which has helped me keep in touch with family and friends. (I've added a couple of you so hopefully, we can keep tabs better). I still LOVE, adore and remain committed to my A Muse addiction, just hope I can find time to play in the near future. :)

Deer Friend

A Muse tree trio and expression. MS deer punch. A Muse Madeira green cardstock, Kraft, Bazzil espresso, neenah crested white. Prisma color: Limepeel. Copic: Walnut.

Hi guys! Just checking in.... sadly, during our vacation we received a call that Dave's dad would no longer undergo chemotherapy and would be placed on hospice. We've been over there everynight since we heard the news. He is in grave state and all of us are at the point where we are praying for his suffering to end. Anyway, not to burden you with sad news. It's really all going to work out and be fine, I have faith.

I haven't been stamping at all in weeks! I have more cards from back in December to share.... all simple and conducive for mass producing. I hope to get back on the wagon here soon... but I'm also contemplating deleting/removing my blog. I have too many other things on my plate and I'm losing the luster. Work, kids, life and everything in between is far more important to me at the moment. Hope you understand.

Hugs to all of you.

Sweetness

All this talk of sweet stuff on the A Muse blog made me want to post these. More of the cards I made for the Christmas set back in December for the hens. :)
Stamps: A Muse cupcake clear set. Used my Slice for the labels. Copics: Peach, cool shadow, lipstick red. ink: memento rich cocoa. A Muse popscicle pink tinplate square note, Bazzill brown, MM brown polka dot, Neenah crested white.

A Muse tea cup and expression. A Muse cardstock. Copic Sky and Prismacolor Sky Blue Light.

Work is nice and slow for me right now. Just prepping and packing for our trip to Whistler. So far the plan is for Dave and I to get in 5 days of skiing each and then a few days each with the girls. Makena will also be in a 5 day ski camp for 4 years... we'll see how that goes. I'm excited to finally after years of infancy to be able to do something recreational with the girls. I hope they enjoy it as much as I do.

Hope you are having a wonderful day! Cheerio!

Work and life

Back to the regularly scheduled program... with a little snow again in the mix. I had a wonderful 2 weeks off and this week shouldn't be too hectic for me as the pressure is on another colleague I am training before I start a new position after our Whistler trip. I made the decision to move on from my current commercial customer to gain more life balance, to improve my skills, increase my networking and get exposure on the global front. The decision was hard because it will involve travel to the UK once a month and that's tough on my family.... but much needed and it will all work out. So cheers to new horizons in 2009!

My new's years resolutions are to spend less money and be more active (in a way that improves my health). Easy right?

Impress flower stamps, A Muse skunk, small flower, expression and grass. CS A Muse kitchen green, neenah crested white. Paperzone magenta shimmer. Ribbon? ink: memento tux blk

OH and you MUST check out the A Muse Blog my dear friend Rhonda is this months Guest Designer! Yippee! Congrats Rhonda!

Happy day to all of you!

Friendship blessings

A Muse stamp, A Muse madeira blue and tinplate blue cardstock. neenah crested white and bazzill yellow. MS dove punch. ink: memento rich cocoa

A quick post with another one of the cards I included in my gifts to teachers. Twelve different designs, this is 4 of 12. I wanted to add some embellishments but when you are creating 120 cards, it's all about saving time.

I'm off to write up all of my work accomplishments for the year.... ugg. We have to do it every year and I should've had this done weeks ago.

Ciao!

Happy New Year!

A Muse coffee set stamp. A Muse ribbon and cardstock (except solid green - Paperzone). Copics: warm grey no2, moss, sand. ink: memento tux blk, versamagic gingerbread.

Wishing you all "a cup of good wishes" in 2009. Today, we met some friends in Bellevue for some Build-a-Bear fun and a nice lunch. Then hit REI to gear up for our upcoming Whistler/Blackcomb trip. It was a mad house everywhere we went! We are having my sisters over for dinner tomorrow to celebrate Christmas with them, and honestly I'm exhausted... not sure I will make it past the first glass of wine, it might put me right to sleep. Then work starts again Monday!

I have no resolutions planned out for this year yet, those will start after our indulgently good time at Whistler. Til then I'm living it up!

It's 7:45pm right now and I think I might go to bed! Maybe after some chocolate....mmmm

I miss you guys, blogging will resume to the regularly scheduled program sometime after January 16th. I'm starting a new position at work also then so things might get a bit busier for me.

Hope all is well with you!

Christmas thanks

I know these are late... but I've been busy like everyone else. I've also been on vacation and have become somewhat relaxed and less inclined to jump on the computer.

Stampendous tiny cardinal, A Muse sushi set (branch), tiny pinecone, tiny ornament. Copic lipstick red, sand, willow. fine red and crystal glitter.


A Muse: stamps. Marvy punch. CS A Muse. Copics: lipstick red, robins egg blue, warm grey no4, pale pink.

I made 10 of each of these to put in handmade card packs for preschool teachers, aunts and grandmas. I made a total of 120 cards, phew. I'll post more of those later.

For now, I'm off to run errans, pick up some Pimm's for tonights festivus and get the girls. I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Oh and for those who care to know..... I didn't send out Christmas cards this year , sorry. It was on the list of things to do but instead I opted to spend more time with family. I couldn't bring myself to send out a picture card (although, I love getting them and save them in albums... I personally, couldn't do it).

I hope to craft this weekend but I need to catch up on work!

Santa

This is Makena's 5th visit to Santa and still she gets so freaked out by him. Luckily, we got there early and were 3rd in line.

Here we are waiting for Santa, look how terrified Makena is....


For awhile she refused to get near him. They offered her a rocking horse or a little chair but that didn't work. Then bribery with candy canes. Then Mrs. Claus offered to be in the picture also. Finally, she gives a little "ok" nod. She just would not scoot close to him. He started talking to her and she hit the wall and was attached to my leg. Dave and I wonder every year why we torture her with this experience. But she did get close enough to say, "I've been good so I'd like a baby doll, a changing table, a bouncer and a crib." Ok, we are seriously contemplating this. Every single birthday and Christmas she has asked for a baby doll (except one, when she asked for an orange car and raisins). She really does not need another baby doll (that would be 7). What's a parent to do?


Here's Marina telling Santa that she would like a "soft pink piggie" for Christmas. "thanks"

Ok, I'm crafting tonight so will be back with cards also! Hugs to you!

Snowfall

Loving the snow! Hopefully, we'll get more tonight. The kids (including Koa and Dave) were out sledding down our little mole hill and doing all things snowy. I went out for a bit then returned to get hot cocoa and breakfast ready for them.

My little Marina kept yelling, "Koa go faster!"

Makena, my little snow angel!

The Nutcracker

It's a family tradition I grew up with and loved. The 5th Ave theater, the symphony and the PNB Nutcracker. Something I hope to continue on with my kids. Marina is still a bit too young and active for us to bring her but I know she will be ready at 3. So this was a day with just one, so strange to have just one but also very precious.

On the ferry heading to Seattle:

Makena: "Mommy get a picture of me stealing the Nutcracker from Herr Drosselmeir".

Makena picking the nose of the Mouse King: (what kind of manners am I teaching my child? she's modeling behavior after her father).

In the theather getting ready for the show to start, I love watching the orchestra tune up:

Intermission: Makena is loving Clara and all the ballerinas!

After the show we ate at the Melting Pot, first time for us and it was just ok. I loved the salad and dessert!