Thoughts from the crafting cave

Hello everyone!

I can tell that my working patterns haven't changed. I "locked" myself in my card making "cave" and lost contact to the outer "blogging world" for a little while. I have six cards ready on my desk, but none of them photographed or edited or ready to be shown to the world. I have got to get back to a balanced schedule: making a card, taking photos, editing, writing blog post, making a card...

Today I am more tired than I expected to be. We came back last night from Houston, the trip planned to go and have the first ultrasound for our little baby. That was scheduled for Saturday at 1 pm. 

On Friday, at 5 pm (probably the last thing on the receptionist's list... - you may notice the sarcasms born from my sadness, I don't mind), I get a call from the practice, telling me that they need to change the appointment to an earlier hour. I was more than willing to oblige, like I always do. James and I half-heartedly agree, although that meant waking up much earlier in the morning to make it there after a 3-hour drive. This, after I knew that James was about to have a loooong night at work. 

I did something that left my husband speechless. I picked up the phone and called them back. 

I told the receptionist that was sorry for agreeing to the earlier appointment, but the truth is that we made the appointment for 1 pm with a reason and we need to stick to it. And that the Friday night before the appointment was too late to call a change on us. We were willing to go almost three hours away because they came highly recommended (probably only for their medical skills...) but we need them to stick to the initial appointment. I asked what happened, why do they need to change it? "Because the sonogram tech has something to do that afternoon..." Do her nails? Her hair? What she had to do was come to the 1 o'clock appointment, THAT's what she had to do, in my (and my wallet's) opinion.  

She asked me, nicely, if she should go ahead and cancel the appointment all together. I said yes. I don't think this place cared for me or my baby. They might have hundreds of ultrasounds under their belt and a thing like this doesn't matter to them. But it did to me.

We still went to Houston, later that evening. We had a nice hotel room booked and we wanted to go to a Romanian church on Sunday morning. Later in the afternoon, we filled our basket at a Eastern European and Middle-Eastern food store with goodies that remind me of my homeland ("and of my people" as James puts it). 

Today it hit me harder. I know that having the ultrasound or not has no influence over my baby, but we've been preparing ourselves for the joy of finding out what color the little clothes are going to be! :-) But it won't be long until we'll find out, I'm sure. 

Tomorrow I am going to pour all this frustration into taking pictures of some cards and putting them on the blog! :-) 

Thanks for listening.

 

Papertrey's WCMD Challenge - India

India is full of such beauty, made to shine in the strong sun of the far East.  I hoped that I can "catch" even a little bit of this opulence.

Recipe for {Season of Gratitude} card 5 1/2 x 4 in

~ Cardstock: PTI {Spring Moss};

~ Stamps: PTI's {Fall Elegance, Vintage Labels};

~ Ink: PTI's {Orangerie, Ripe Avocado};

~ Ribbon: Offray;

~ Rhinestones: KAISERscrapbook.

Hope you enjoyed this card, also. I'm off to browse all the inspiring entries HERE.

Papertrey's WCMD Challenge - Japan

I still have a book about Japan that my aunt and uncle brought us, in 1975. Fascinating culture, including history, architecture, art, literature. Hai-ku is one of my favorite poetry styles. 

I think I found a pretty good paper in my stash for this challenge, with flowers that look like the cherry blossoms to me. 

Recipe for {Congratulations} card  5 1/2 x 4 in

~ Cardstock: PTI {Raspberry Fizz};

~ Paper

~ Ink: PTI {Scattered Showers - sentiment};

~ Ink: Stampabilities' {Black};

~ Ribbon: PTI {Raspberry Fizz};

~ Rhinestones: KAISERscrapbook. 

Sayonara! 

  

Papertrey's WCMD Challenge - Mexico

I can't explain how I went to Nichole Heady's blog only last night around 10 pm?! I kicked myself for almost missing on such a fun challenge. 

The pictures from around the world were so inspiring, that I couldn't wait until this morning, so I started working on the cards last night! 

The first one I'd like to show you is the one inspired by the bold colors of Mexico. 

Recipe for {True Friend} 5 1/2 x 4 in 

~ Cardstock: PTI's {True Black, Ripe Avocado};

~ Stamps: PTI's {In Bloom, Polka Dots Basics};

~ Ink: PTI's {Ripe Avocado}, Stampabilities {Black};

~ Ribbon: Making Memories. 

I am planning to send this card to one of my dearest friends who lives in Mexico right now and hope to get there not too far in the future.

Now I'm off to work on the next challenge post - Japan! 

Happy World Card Making Day!

When I started making cards, I had NO idea of this entire world out there that I would be joining soon. I still find it hard to believe how many beautiful crafters share this passion. I am truly glad to be part of this kind of community. 

With the card that I have for today I would like to show what an accomplishment I think it is for all these artists to be able to combine their family and work life with card making. 

 

Recipe for {Congratulations} card  4 x 5 1/2 in

~ Cardstock: PTI {Spring Moss, Scarlet Jewel};

~ Stamp: PTI {Peaceful Poinsettia, Bitty Baby Blessings-sentiment, Polka Dots Basics, Vintage Labels};

~ Ink: PTI {Scarlet Jewel, Fresh Snow, Ripe Avocado};

~Ribbon: RibbonFX double face satin;

~Pearls: KAISERscrapbooking.

CONGRATULATIONS to you all that are celebrated on and celebrate this wonderful day!

{Everything BUT the Kitchen Sink} Challenge

I had to google the expression {Everything but the Kitchen Sink}, having a hunch that it's a cliche with hidden meaning. I've never heard it before, but I was glad to add another expression to my vocabulary! 

Now, the expression one more meaning! Have you heard of Courtney Baker? Yes, the Card Making, Scrapbooking, Home Decor, Dog Loving Diva! She had the idea of one of the most original challenge: {Everything but the Kitchen Sink}, using items that surround us in our crafting projects.  She put together a very talented team to inspire us. 

Well, maybe I'm biased, because I love "recycling". Although I am very tempted to have the latest trendy items for card making, I don't want to forget that the true talent of a crafter is to transform things that surround us, making them beautiful with whatever is at hand.

This month's challenge is to use something received in the mail. Today we got the church bulletin and the little pumpkin image grabbed my attention. It was not hard to imagine a card for the Harvest.    

Recipe for {A Season of Blessings}   5 1/2 x 4 in

~ Cardstock: PTI's {Kraft, Spring Moss, Melon Berry};

~ Paper: PTI's {Autumn Abundance};

~ Stamp: PTI's {Fall Elegance, Vintage Labels};

~ Ink: PTI's {Orangerie, Ripe Avocado, Fresh Snow}, Stampabilities' {Brown};

~ Ribbon: RibbonFX double face satin ribbon;

~ Button: PTI {Spring Moss};

That was FUN! Check the other very creative entries HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by!

{Embellish Polka Dot Paradise} Color Challenge

Have you seen the new {Embellish} Magazine? It's a neat and original idea, not to mention the great look of the website. 

I went there a couple of times and even made a card for the challenge that ends today, {Polka Dot Paradise}, and in the last moment I decided to post it! :-) 

Recipe for {Thinking of You} card 5 x 5 in

~ Cardstock: Core'dinations {Nostagia};

~ Paper: PTI {Autumn Abundance};

~ Stamp: PTI {Scattered Showers -sentiment}, Stampabilities {Flower Garden};

~ Ink: PTI {Orangerie, Scarlet Jewel};

~ Ribbon: PTI {Scarlet Jewel}.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm heading out to check the other entries HERE.