OH... a thank you to Monica Gardner

It slipped my mind to leave you a BIG thank you for the cute goodies and AMAZING card you sent me. It put a smile on my face to receive such sweet care package. I haven't made crocheted flowers in a while, but as soon as I'm up making those, I'll drop you a line.

Once again, thank you so much!

OH MY GOODNESS

It's been a while again. I just recently broke out my Copics again after that last card I made and started coloring digi's I was able to buy from Simply Betty. Well, LV bought them because they were her style.

So the bug is beginning to hit again... it's yelling SWAP. I'm kind of nervous though since I've been gone for so long. I feel no on will join. I was finally able to log in to SCS and was tempted to make a new swap, but I have so many ideas in my head and can't pick one to begin with.

These are my swap ideas:

• Zombies were people too
• Cute, but dark
• Goth Glam
• Black is the new Red (black and red theme)
• Sunless Summer

I know, my ideas seem pretty dark right? It's just that it's always been my style, the style I just LOVE. I'm just an alternative kind of person and those who've known me for a while, already know that. As much as I like the cutesy stuff, nothing compares my love for the dark side. ;)

Now with the kids on Summer break, I feel I have way more time to actually get back into making cards. I still have LOADS of stuff from before, so I can do it. Plus with LV being 15, she's more help. She helps me a lot more with Lizzie, so I can just sit and devote my time to crafting.

I have been crocheting in the meantime, when I go to their schools to pick them up, I sit in my car and crochet. It's a craft that I can take along and not worry about making a little mistake. I'm about to post what I've made in my crochet blog.

Anywho, I'm just blabbing now. See you guys very soon.

My first card after almost a year...

I can't believe I'm actually surprised that I didn't do as bad as I had expected. I did rack my brain after I colored up this cute Miss Anya from The Greeting Farm. I went blank for a couple of days. Then finally I dug into my files of my old cards and saw an easy LO to try.

Of course since I made this card for Lizzie's 7th birthday on Saturday, she chose every element on the card, so it was a definite challenge. Still it captures who she's growing up to be. She asked me to even add freckles!

It felt good, and if I have to do this at least once a week or every other week as a source for my stress relief, then I'll do that.I have to say, it felt so good to have a Copic in my hand again. The cold feel of the marker barrel in my hand was like eating a yummy chocolate. YES, that good. Sitting at my desk coloring while listening to my iPod got me back into my groove.

The only one who wasn't that happy I was back to stamping was the DH. He stood behind me and asks me, "You're stamping again? You know we can't afford your little hobby, right?". He's just not as supportive as before and it's sad. He blames his new attitude on being stressed out and having to put in extra hours at work. As if I'm not stressed myself. But oh well, his attitude isn't gonna put a damper on me stamping again.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look at my card. Hopefully I'll be more active again.

Long time eh?

Hello girls. Don't know how many of you still remember me. Anyways, just wanted to make an update after how long? Almost a year? Things have just been extremely crazy at home. I'm still trying to settle my mind-frame after losing both my parents. It's been a hard road, but I'm getting there. The kids are the ones that have been my main support. With Oscar working so many hours, I really can't count on him, but he's trying.

Not too long ago, I went through a mental breakdown and now aside from controlling my sugar levels, I now battle general anxiety. I can't function that well when it comes to outside my home. I feel like a prisoner to be honest, but I'm trying hard to work on that. Stress is still a huge factor, I don't know when I'll be able to control that. Still, I'm alive and give thanks to God for that. He obviously feels there's a purpose for me to be around, so I'll follow him.

I also went into a bad depression a year after my mom's passing. It was hard to grasp that it had been a year, yet it felt like if it was just yesterday. This year, we had my father's one year anniversary of his passing, and that too was hard. Mainly because I couldn't be by his side at his time of death. I'm sure he knows that I was there in spirit though. He knew very well who his daughter (the one that took him away from us) was.

On a brighter note, Elvira had her Sweet 15 birthday last month. My baby girl is growing up so fast. She's in high school and is doing great. As are my two other kiddoes. Little Oscar turned 12 this year and he's a very bright boy. He doesn't draw as much as he use to, and sometimes he asks me about his Ozzy Inkz blog. Lizzie, oh my little Lizzie, she's just the same princess she's always been. She'll be 7 in a few days. Where is the time going? Geez!

Well, I think this was enough of an update I have for now. I've had to let go of MANY of my stamping supplies, but I've still kept those stamps that are too near and dear to my heart. If I was to have to let go of those, I think I would cry and go into another depression. I want to get my hands into making cards again, I'm catching that bug again. If I do, you'll be seeing my creations. I'm afraid I've lost my touch, but with time and patience, I'll get back there again. :)

Thank you all for the love and support you've shown me through my rough times.

another quick update

Hello all and thank you for your continued thoughts for me. Today I started feeling a little bit better. Since my last update I was in and out of the hospital again. The doctor said I would be having these relapses until the right insulin would help me adapt. My sugar has been out of whack...the highest I had it the last time was 477. Then it dropped to 38. They're trying to find the right dose to maintain it. I've lost weight...35 pounds to be exact. I'm suppose to be in bed but I can't count on anyone to help me...so I try to get up just enough to make the house livable. This is when I wish I was rich to get some help...lol.

Anywho...I managed to get a card done for the Paper Makeup Stamps peeks and couldn't show it because 1. I've been in bed without any energy and then 2. LV lost my camera. She had been taking it to school to take pictures with her friends since she's graduating from middle school soon and well...she lost it... Which leads me to apologize...

Katie and girls at Paper Makeup Stamps...I am so sorry I came to fail you all. I honestly wish I didn't have this crap going on because the last thing I wanna feel like is a failure...and that's what I feel like right now. I know I've been told to rest and that life comes first...but being part of a design team is part of my life...and I do apologize.

I think that's about it for now. I need to send stuff out and what not so I'll take advantage of this burst of energy. Thanks to you all for your continued support.

About the blog candy...I'll have LV update tonight who the winner is so I can send that out too. I do apologize for that too...

Lots of love!!!