Inspiration: Found!

Perhaps. If you refer back to this post, you can re-listen to me whine about my lack of inspiration. But, several trip to Michael's later...

I went to Michael's on Friday and Sunday. Goodness, I need to stay away from that place. I went yesterday specifically to use the coupon that was only for yesterday between 4 and 8...and promptly walked out of the house without the coupon. Super bummer for me, huh?

I ended up getting a paper stack from SEI's Bridgeport collection. I LOVE it! Look at those butterflies...*sigh*

I also have not been able to create anything with the Bridgeport paper, because my little cousins (5 and 2) are over right now (we're babysitting for a few days). Katheryn know that Jacky's stuff is off limits, the cousins...not so much. It's just safer not to start anything.

But I did find some inspiration in my most recent issue of CardMaker magazine. Seriously, this is one of the few projects (from my 2 subscriptions) that I've sat down with the desire to make; I usually just glean ideas from the pages. But I think this one is pretty cool, pattern and everything!

I've made 2 of the cards so far:

Celebrate Today and Enjoy Today. I think I'm on a Pollyanna glad-game kick. =) And yes the cards may look slightly unremarkable, but the cool part is coming...

Yep, it's a bookmark. I think that is amazing. So it's not only a fun card, but something you can give that they can actually use in daily life. At least, if you read as much as I do. I already made one for myself.

I'm hoping to make more and maybe list some on the shop in the very near future. If you would like one (or a set), let me know!

Mission accomplished. Inspiration: Found!

Which makes Jaquelyn very happy. =)

(Yes, this picture is upside down on purpose. My dad was being weird, and I don't feel like flipping it.)

Anyone Interested?

As I'm sure you all figured out by now, I do love a good giveaway. And whenever I see that an extra entry (or several) is given for posting the giveaway on your blog, I think, Great! I can totally win this!

Of course, then I promptly forget to post about it...

So I wanted to inform you of a giveaway that I really, really, really want to win!

And I love that there's a fellow "petunia" blog going on in the world. And I'm sure we're not the only two out there in the blogosphere.

Anyway...you probably want to stop my rambling and find out about the giveaway now, right?

Paisley Petunia is celebrating their 100th post! I found their site randomly, and when I saw what they were giving away, I had to jump in. Had to.

And that's not all they're giving away! Seriously, go enter here. You only have until Monday, July 6th!

Also, there's a giveaway at Starting Over. $50 of Avon fun! You can enter here.

I promise that my blog will not involve giveaways tomorrow. Seriously. Is anyone tired of my (slight) obsession with giveaways? I hope not. I've got some pictures to post tomorrow, so I'll see you then! =)

Starbucks Giveaway

Ah yes. Starbucks. I do love you.

I actually had a mocha frappucino for lunch. Not the healthiest, I know, but it was there and I was hungry. Not the best excuse, but hey. Who cares?

Anyway, the point of this is to let you know that the very kind Amber Lee is giving away a Starbucks giftcard. You should definitely go check out her stuff. =)

Seeking Inspiration

Sometimes I just feel...blah. Card making is certainly a passion of my life, so why do I seem to get stuck in ruts? I really need to update my shop, but I need inspiration.

I also have a problem. I have a TON of paper. Seriously, a TON. I've collected quite a bit, because whenever I find really good deals, I buy a bunch, thinking that I can save it and use. However, that means I have a ton of paper that doesn't necessarily match anything, which can be a problem when creating cards.

Honestly, it makes me want to start all over. From the beginning. Get rid of all of my paper and start a new collection that I can actually use.

That's terribly wasteful, isn't it?

On my search for inspiration, I have turned to Etsy. I usually avoid looking at other people's cards on Etsy, because it usually leaves me depressed that I can't create like they can. However, today is different. I'll share some of the cards I found that I like.

I am not a photographer, by any means (even though I wish I were!), so photos are not parts of my cards. I just thought these 2 were a lot of fun; makes me want to incorporate some photos in my work.

Dogwood Blossom by OakTreeStudio

Don't you just want to go eat a cupcake? Yum!!

Pink Cupcake Note Card by creativeapples

I like the simplicity of this card. It makes it sweet and fun, especially with the fabric.

Happy Birthday Cranberry and Pink Floral by cardwear

Love the butterflies in this set!

A Special Touch Greeting Cards by angelmaz74

Now I'm not getting married right now, but when I do, I might seriously consider these invitations! I think they are just gorgeous, and I was already planning on a pink and brown theme. =)

Two Hearts Square Wedding Invitation by finishedWORK

I'm planning on making a trip to Michael's tomorrow to see what other inspiration I can scrounge up. If anyone else has any ideas, I'd love to hear/see them!

I Have a Confession

I'm not totally sure I want to admit to this, but here goes.

As some of you may know, I am not allowed to wear jeans. It was a decision my dad made for modesty reasons, and while I don't agree with him, I still have to be the submissive daughter God has called me to be. Not that I always accomplish that, but at least I give it a try.

While at CYIA training for 2 weeks, I wore jeans. Not exclusively, because we have something called "classroom attire" which consists of skirts, dresses, dress pants, and generally nicer clothes than just jeans and a t-shirt. But right before dinner every day, we are allowed to "dress down" to jeans and t-shirts. And since I was not at home, I did. Almost every day.

I still love my jeans, but I realized something...

I think I like wearing skirts and dresses better.

I did not just say that. Nope, not me.

Not me who decided she hated wearing skirts and only wanted to wear jeans all the time. Not me who was so looking forward to wearing jeans at training. Nope, not me.

Of course, when I get married, I will probably not wear skirts all the time. Some days I really just want to wear my favorite pair of jeans. Especially when I haven't shaved my legs in a few days, and I don't really feel like making the effort. But maybe, for now, I've just gotten used to that mode of feminine dress. And it's not so horrible. If I had the choice to wear jeans or skirts normally, I probably would wear skirts and dresses just as much as I would wear jeans.

However, I don't get that option.

Oh well. I confessed. I'm done now.

Currently Listening

And it is good. I just have to tell you how much I love Celtic music. At the risk of sounding cheesy, it speaks to my soul. I've wanted this CD for several weeks, and last Sunday Hayden bought it for me. He's so sweet. =)

Unfortunately, I don't have a CD player. Mine is broken, so I've resorted to listening on the computer. I need to figure out how I can get a CD player. I would just put it on my mp3 player, but sometimes I need music to surround me, not to be stuck in my ears. Does that even make sense?

When I first picked up the CD, I knew I would like it. How could I not, with song titles like these:

1. Hand in Hand

2. Hearts Entwined

3. Forest Rendezvous

4. May Dance

5. The Longing

6. The Promise Ring

7. Secret Wedding

8. The Night Rose

9. Guinevere's Secret

10. The High Road

11. The Wishing Star

I mean, it just sounds like it would be great right off the bat! =)

What I want to know, is if there are any other Celtic music lovers out there in the blogosphere? We should plan a trip to Ireland...

Home Again, Home Again...

I had an amazing 2 weeks working with Child Evangelism Fellowship. And now it's over. And I'm home.

Ugh.

Really, Christian Youth In Action Training is amazing. It was long, hard and tiring, but so rewarding. Especially the 2nd week when I had 5 super sweet younger girls in my dorm. Yesterday they gave me a card that they had all signed. It was sooo touching. =)

I was stretched. I was challenged. My relationship with my Heavenly Father was strengthened. I bonded with people whom I now miss dearly. 

And it's only been a day.

Is that pathetic?

I wish I could remember everything that happened. My friend Katie wrote some about her experience, and she had some fun tales to tell. I'm sure I'll be writing more about my time there at some point, but right now I am so worn out I can barely think. I will probably take a nap as soon as I finish this.

I need an answer from my parents still, but I am planning on going to Little Rock on July 20th to be involved in this ministry. I'm hoping my dad will answer me ASAP, because I need to turn in an application. I know if God wants me to be there, I will be there, but I can be such a control freak sometimes. 

I need to let go of that.

Anyway, I'm back. Trying not to feel depressed about not seeing my friends every day. Praying for Katie right now. Missing Heather and Ryan a TON! 

And consoling myself with the Celtic Romance (David Arkenstone) CD that Hayden bought for me.

We will now return to regularly scheduled blogging. Hopefully. =)

Miserable Morning

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP

6:15 am

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP

6:30 am

*groan*

6:40 am

Okay, I'm up now...Kind of.

"Heidi, Ellen, it's after 6:30."

I go to get in the shower. It is now approximately 6:47 am. I turn on the water and stand there for a moment waiting for it to get hot.

And it doesn't.

I wait for 10 minutes. I try both showers. Nothing.

Oh my goodness, I am so not in the mood for this...

I finally just stick my head under the (freezing cold) water so that my hair will be somewhat presentable. And then rinse my face in the (freezing cold) water--no time to use my face wash.

Ick.

Since my showers didn't get hot, and I didn't really even take a shower, I didn't get to shave my legs. Which need it really badly. Really. So I had to wear my really super long denim skirt that I don't like very much. It's pretty, but it gets in my way.

Oh, what a morning. I really hope tomorrow is not a repeat performance.

I Have Trouble Paying Attention

So, I'm sitting in a class here at the college as write this. We are in the midst of week 2 of Christian Youth In Action Training, and I can't pay attention.

It's not that I don't want to pay attention, because I really do. My problem is that I am a multi-tasker. Majorly a multi-tasker! I have SUCH a hard time doing one thing at a time. I can't even sit down and watch a movie without having something to do.

So last week, in our first week of training, I had a hard time listening. I was hearing, but I needed something else to do...One of the leaders got onto us for doodling during the class. I'm sorry, but if I don't, I won't be paying a ton of attention to what you're talking about. Is that bad?

In preparation for the 2nd week of training, Hayden and I went to Michael's. I picked out 5 rolls of deep purple yarn. So now I have something to do! You can see the granny squares I made in this post, and the blanket I'm currently making will just be like one huge granny square. =) Just yesterday I used a whole roll of yarn...

So yes, I might have a little trouble paying attention. But at least it's not totally out of control or anything like that.

I'll be sure to post pictures of the blanket when I'm finished with it. =)

Anyway, this will probably be my last post from here at training. Right now I'm in a storytelling class, and they're giving examples of using your voice effectively. It's pretty funny to watch/listen to. =)

Anyone Home?

Hey! I know it's only been a week, but here I am, blogging along. The first week of Christian Youth In Action is officially over. We had 46 teens from around the state of Florida come to be trained to teach Bible clubs for 5 to 12 year olds. 

I'll just say right now. I'm exhausted. I've been going to bed at 1:00, getting up at 6:15, being in classes ALL DAY LONG, not eating very well, etc, etc...But it's good. Very good. 

Right now I'm chilling at home waiting for my laundry. Since the college is only about 20 minutes from my house, and the next week of training doesn't even start until tomorrow, so I came home to eat lunch with my family and do some laundry. =) 

I know this post is not long nor including many details, but since I don't have much time, it's all I can do. How have you all been? =)

Decision...Updated?

You know what I just realized? I don't think I ever updated my Decisions post. Hmmm...how did that slip through the cracks?

I really appreciated y'all's input, especially about Bath & Body Works. Unfortunately, I have no idea what I'm doing this fall. It's kind of all being shoved to the back burner because I'm very busy right now.

And after hemming & hawing around for a little while, I decided to go ahead with my plans for the summer involving Child Evangelism Fellowship. I leave on Sunday for 2 weeks of training at a local college with students from all over the state of Florida. And I am a Christian Leader in Action (CLIA), so I have a lot of responsibilities. Teaching a class (which I am *super* nervous about!), doing a missions demo, demoing the Red Page of the Wordless Book, and somewhat in charge of Sing & Share (We have a time every night where we sing worship songs and give the students a chance to share what God is doing in their lives); You could call my "official" title pianist and general music advisor. Or something like that. 

God and I are better. Nowhere near perfect, but no one will ever arrive this side of heaven. It will be interesting to see what He does in my life over the next 2 weeks and the rest of the summer.

So my blog will be awfully quiet for the next 2 weeks. I'm sure you won't miss me too much. And I'll let you in on a little secret before I leave:

I might have a giveaway when I get back.

Bath & Body Works' big semi-annual sale was this past week, and of course, I couldn't stay away. I got a bunch of goodies, and I might want to pass them on to some fellow bloggers...but you'll have to stay tuned, because I'm not promising anything yet. =)

See you in 2 weeks!

Yes, I Have a Problem

My obsession with Vera Bradley is back. But can you really expect me to NOT enter a giveaway when I could win Vera for FREE?!? I think not.

Anyway, since I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to get their hands on some free Vera Bradley, here's the scoop:

Momma's Review is giving away not just one, but TWO Bali Blue Super Totes. It sounds like an amazing bag. So if you want one, go enter the giveaway! You only have until June 7th!

Sew Cute!

Before I got my own Etsy shop, I didn't spend too much time on Etsy. I think I looked at cards once. Now however, I'm addicted to it. When I'm not blogging or entering giveaways, I'm probably browsing Etsy. Even when I'm supposed to be answering emails. 

One of the features on Etsy that I really like is the "Favorites". Then if I really like something, I can quickly and easily mark it and come back to it if I want to. Makes it all so much more convenient. =) 

One of the shops I just added today is SewCuteShop! And seriously, it is SEW cute! I picked out a few of my favorite things. You should definitely go check out her shop!

SewCute also has a blog. Right now she is giving away an adorable hat, but the giveaway only goes until Wednesday, so if you want to win, you should enter now!