SNEAK PEEK!

I've found a new crafty obsession...
It came to me via blog inspiration.
I'm hoping that people like these creations enough to order them.
I'm notorious for dumping a huge amount of money into my craft hobbies.
That needs to change.
I'm now a mother.
I have about a gazillion other things to spend my money on now.
Like diapers.
So I need to find a way to make my crafting "pay" for itself...at least sort-of.
I'm not hoping to make a fortune, but rather cover my costs.

This will allow me to justify my desire need to continue crafting.

Hope it works.
Hope people like them.
I showed some very preliminary ideas to some friends last night.
I think it is safe to say that my creations were embraced.

Curious?
Here is a sneak peek.

More details to come.

I promise.

But for now...I'm just going to leave you hanging.

Spring Cleaning!

Whew!!! Has the spring cleaning bug ever hit our home. It arrived without even being invited in.  Not sure that has EVER happened before. It arrived whilst attempting to tackle a whole other set of to-do lists.

Let me just say this.

I love the spring cleaning bug.

I have, in the last two days, tackled seven areas of my house that have desperately needed a bit of a spring clean for about three years now (I know, I know...I forgot to mention in yesterday's confessions that I am a raging procrastinator).

I think I've found the secret!

If you want something cleaned, just make sure it is NOT on the to-do list.

Presto, bammo, whammo...clean!

I know you don't believe me - so pictures are coming :)

Now...if only that darn spring cleaning bug would somehow find my basement. The state of my basement is beyond words. Gross, disgusting, utter chaos, stinky, junky, cluttered...nothing does it justice.

Confessions of a "thinks too much"...

I am ALWAYS thinking. ALWAYS. 
I'd like to tell you it is always about really deep, important things.
But I'd be lying. (sometimes it is...these are the "deep" days...I've mentioned such before)

Today I made a GIANT to-do list.
I didn't get a single thing checked off.
NADA. ZIP. ZILCH.
Yikes.
Well, OK...two things...morning workout & a run - but these are kind of to-do list cheaters as they are everyday things anyways.
What I did manage to accomplish however, is a whole bucketload of items NOT on the to-do list.
You see, I can get a little sidetracked.
These days more than ever.
It has something to do with hormones, childbirth, baby food splattered from one end of the house to the next, and the certain freedom that comes with a maternity leave...
I'm rambling again, aren't I?!

Today, while baking, I got really annoyed at the mess that was my baking cupboard.
So I consolidated, organized and cleaned it out.
Kind of random.
But it made me happy in the moment.
And...it DID need to be done.
It was getting to the point that I could hardly shut the door.
Who needs three separate bags of craisins? Seriously...
And chocolate chips....
don't get me started.
I think I am addicted to chocolate chips.
OK...I KNOW I am addicted.
Chocolate chips anonymous. Anyone? Anyone?
I have dark chocolate, semi-sweet, milk chocolate, white chocolate, mint chocolate...
Oh, now I'm going to have to go dig into said collection - YUM.

Rambling again.
Sorry.

The point of my story is that while doing all the things on my UN-to-do list today, I got to thinking.
I thought it might be kind of therapeutic to record some of what ran through my brain.
So -
here are some "confessions":
1. I am addicted to blogging.  Reading blogs, writing on my blog, staring endlessly at pictures for blog, finding inspiration in blogs...you get the picture.  I'm sure I could work it into a full time job IF there was any money to be made.
2. I love 90% of being a stay at home mom.  I strongly dislike the other 10%.
3. I love a neat, tidy & clean house. However, I almost never feel like my house is neat, tidy & clean...and always feels like I have about 100 chores on the list hovering over my head at any given instant, any given day (see above)
4. I am a perfectionist in theory (my head), but not in reality...so I really work on being satisfied with where I'm at.
5. I struggle with balance.  I'm a bit "all-or-nothing".  (My husband coined this term, but I have to grudgingly admit he was spot on.  I will never admit he was right ever again)
6. I like teaching, but would not say I l.o.v.e. it...I would love to pursue a second career that is a bit more creative....graphic design?
7. I have expensive tastes. Bane of my existence. I've tried hard to get rid of them. No luck.
8. I like to cook & bake...but sometimes resent that these things are "expected" of me.
9. I like to be recognized for things I am good at.
10. I sometimes spend all day in my stinky workout clothes and not even realize it.
11. I sometimes don't shower for a couple of days (and I work out most mornings)...this is a new trait since becoming a mom.  It's not that I like to stink...it generally just doesn't take priority. Please don't hate me.
12. I do wear deodorant faithfully (refer to #10, 11)
13. I'm proud of my little morning routine - waking up, feeding baby & working out for 20-30 minutes.
14. I generally feel lucky.
15. I would like to travel to soooo many different places.
16. I love and appreciate my parents perhaps more now than at any other time in my life...I think this is because I see them in a new light now that I am a parent myself.
17. Even though I am quite outgoing, I am shy in settings where I don't know anyone, and I am a TERRIBLE small-talker.
18. I often find there are just not enough hours in the day for all I want to accomplish.  Sometimes it frustrates me, but other days I am so thankful that I can prioritize spending time with my baby.
19. I am learning to "lower" my expectations...in general.
20. I don't like being disappointed, but feel it more than I should (see # 19).
21. I think FAR too much!!

Thanks for listening.
I feel better already.

Except I forgot one.
22. I am a HORRIBLE writer! I've been told this by many an English teacher, professor, etc. I like to write like I talk (and boy, do I love to talk)...so I'm "too wordy".  Gosh.
Have you noticed?

Over & out.
Must go try to cross off at least ONE OFFICIAL to-do item before midnight.
My baby alarm clock goes off way too early these days.

The Onion Flop!

So...an update on the onion ring recipe previously mentioned (in case anyone out there actually READS/FOLLOWS my blog - I promised - so here it is - that's just the kinda girl I am):

Please note: I made several "fatal" errors while trying to make this recipe....

1. forgot the seasoning

2. forgot that I was baking these at all...after I had put them in the oven

3. forgot to dip them in oil (oh wait...the recipe didn't call for that)

The conclusion: Husband rank (sidenote - husband is one of the most unfussy eaters I know...unless I'm asking him to eat peanut butter...or vegetarian...or fruititarian *yes, he swears there is such a thing*) on the yum-factor scale (0 to 10: 0 meaning absolutely inedible and I will divorce you if you ever make this for me to eat again, 10 meaning please feed me this every day, three times a day).

....

wait for it

....

3/10!! A dismal failure. Not sure I'll be successful getting hubby to try these again.

My rank: 5/10 (Well, I cooked the darn things, shed some blood, sweat & tears...but I had to admit they were just a little dry and bland).

Think I'll just suck it up and eat A&W onion rings for the rest of my life.

Got to run, folks...my jeans are getting tighter as we speak!

Lights, Camera, Actions!

I have become sort of obsessed with actions for Photoshop...I can spend many minutes staring at the computer just playing around with various actions and seeing what they do to different pictures.  Some of my fav *FREE* actions are from Pioneer Woman (I admit...I'm slightly obsessed with her blog...have been following her faithfully for over three years...if you've never checked it out...I dare you...you will find yourself giggling out loud...food, photography, & ranch life is all right there).

Although actions make post-processing images WAY quicker and add pizzazz, I must insert a sidenote here:  I do not use actions on most of my photos.  Why? Mostly because I am hopelessly indecisive and playing with each and every photo that makes it way into a project I am working on takes FAR too long (and contributes to the fact that I have about 25 separate projects in various stages of completion at this point in life). I mainly use actions to take a photo I like to the "next level" (although I'm far from professional as evidenced by the pics on this blog, lol). I also like to apply actions to photos when I am procrastinating (I should be mopping the floor as we speak). I digress....

Yesterday Grandma Jane & I took Baby B to the park for the very first time.  He had his first swing ride.  I knew that it would be a love it or hate it experience - that just seems to be the way he rolls.  {He's a bit "all or nothing" (gets it from his momma, lucky kid)}. He loved it.  Of course, I hauled my camera along.  The following picture is one of my favs of the day.

Here it is SOOC (straight out of camera).  Kind of bland. Boring. But I just really love his expression.  Sums up the moment to perfection. 

For some reason, I just had a feeling I would love this photo even more if it had a somewhat "old" look to it...so here are the results:

      Same pic, with PW's "Colorized" action run on it:

This one has PW's "Seventies" action run on it (slightly more green/yellow in tone):

And finally, PW's "Vintage" action:

Here's the trouble now...I like all three...can't decide which one I like best.  I think I'm leaning to the "seventies" one (middle image), but I'm just not SURE.  Which one do you like best? Please, please, please...help me decide by leaving a comment stating your favourite!!

I'm off to mop the floor. After I "actionize" some more photos.

Yours in procrastination...

JMD xoxo

A quick recap...

Just thought I would let you all know that since finishing my "Week in the Life" I feel like I am cheating you out of my life...

You know...like you don't know whether I ate breakfast at 7:05 am this morning or 7:06.  I know the frustration you must be feeling...
After all, this is ground-breaking stuff...
I am feeling your angst...
So, in pity -

here is a quick recap of the last few days.

Especially for your viewing pleasure!

Mmmmm....spaghetti & giant meatballs...one of my hubby's fav dinners.

My "not feeling like cooking" supper the next night...nachos - bbq chicken & traditional mexican...

Baby B...well, just being Baby B! This is his "say cheese" face...what a character!

Sunflowers easily rank within my top 5 fav flowers.  These three were a treat from my Mom. Just love how their sunny colour brightens up our house :)

Go-go gadget arms + determined personality = baby growing up too darn fast for his momma's liking! YIKES...

And now, let's go in the other direction...but this time I might try to crawl...

...or not!

Rolling...

...closer...

...and closer...gotcha Momma!

Gotta run now! Camera lens needs some TLC & greasy-baby fingerprint removal.

Ciao for now :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Another week...gone!

My Mother's Day started with a VERY early gift...a 5 am wake-up call from Baby B (thanks buddy - I know it was just 'cause you wanted to spend an extra amount of time with me on this special day) and was followed up by flowers & brunch out (I'm impressed my hubby remembered, lol).

I had a big, long, to-do list today, but not one thing got completed. But you know what? I'm completely ok with that! I got to spend time with both my boys, and that is more precious than any item on a to-do list. In fact, all three of us spent a good chunk of the afternoon in Baby B's bedroom, reorganizing the closet after my hubby built some shelves for it.  I am loving it - feels so much more organized :)

For supper, I'm making some "healthy" onion rings - from this recipe by Rocco Dispirito. I'll let you know how they turn out (I forgot to season...so they may be a bit bland).

As per my previous post - I am very lucky to have the mom I do! Here is a picture of her with Baby B when she was last here: 

She is such a caring, giving and strong lady.  What an amazing role model to have :) If you are reading this, MOM, I love you VERY much and feel just so, so blessed to be your daughter. xoxo

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there :) Hope you all had a great day!

I'm LUCKY!

August 23rd is quickly sneaking up on me!
Why this date?
It is my return to school.
Work.
Well, day-job kind of work.
Work that I get paid for kind of work.
You get the picture...

Back to August 23.
Because of this one simple date, I've been able to see my mom more often.
She is coming for a few days here and there so I can get into school for a chunk of time.
I've got to get some school work done.
Computer issues dictate I retype some (OK - many) notes.
I'm determined not to have to work my whole summer away...I really want to appreciate and cherish the last few weeks I have with just my little boy.

Mom came yesterday and spent the day today with Baby B while I hauled myself off to school.  She brought with her this...

That I then used to create this...

Yummy, yummy, in our tummies!

Sometimes the hardest part of making supper is deciding what to make.  So thank-you, Mom, for making supper easy.

Thank-you for giving up your time to stay with Baby B while I get started on the mountain of school work.

But most of all, thanks for being you! 

You make me feel very lucky :)

xoxo 

After "Week In The Life"...

Wow! It is May already! Holy smokes...seems I just took a long blink...and there went April :(

I have been working at putting together my WITL pages this past week! As I stated in previous posts, I decided to try my hand at digital layouts (vs. the more traditional attach photo(s)/embellishment(s) to paper individually approach).  I always like a challenge and find the only way I learn to use software is to play around and experiment ALOT! So...to make a long story short, I decided to make my own layered templates. While I may not have found the most efficient way to create these layouts, I have figured it out...and I am now thoroughly addicted! The possibilities are endless, and I'm sure I will be playing around with these much more in the future.

Here are some examples of how I've put together some of my WITL project!

Monday's 1st (opening page)...

Monday's last page...

Tuesday's 1st page...

Tuesday's last page...

As you can see, Baby B leads off each day's spread...and this will be a continuing theme throughout the entire week. I am still working on the "middle" page(s) for both days.  As far as the journalling...on the opening page for each day I am writing a summary of the day - but focusing on the feelings, thoughts, etc. vs. the events.  I am planning to incorporate the jot notes of each day's events in the middle pages.  I have collected some additional items from the week (receipts, newspaper clippings, clothes tags, etc) that I will also include in the middle pages.  Oversize items will be gathered together in a single page protector at the end of the week.

I still have a long ways to go in finishing this project...and...I need to find somewhere to print out my pages (they are 8.5 x 11")...but I promise to share more once I've got it completed :)

On another note - had a great, lazy day today! Didn't even change out of pj's. Coughed alot. Made pancakes for breakfast. Swore at computer alot. Coughed some more. Ate some chicken noodle soup. Swore at computer some more. Coughed again. And again. Enjoyed a happy, smiley, giggly baby and a visit from a friend & her daughter. Smiled at computer (finally). Smiled at computer again. Watched snow fall. Swore at computer (dang thing...dang technology). Coughed alot. Made supper. Smiled at computer once again. Listened to husband snore on couch. Coughed. Took some medication to help the cough go away.

Coughed some more.

And went to bed. Didn't even have to change into pj's :)

Hope to sleep. And not cough.

Good night!