It's been a while

Hi guys~
I know it's been a very long while since my last post, and I apologize for not checking in. I've just felt so overwhelmed with everything, and fallen into a very deep depression. I hate to admit that because so many people go through much more than depression, it sounds so trite. For me it's a very dark and lonely place, even surrounded by people who love me, but I'm working hard to get through it. Thank God for the people in my life and stamping~ they are truly life lines.
Today is the last day of school and I made two of Olivia's teachers a special thank you gift. It's Lauren's Versatility Box, one of my faves and so fun to make. Here is the video tutorial if you want to take a peek. Inside both boxes is a mini sunflower planter, I found them at Target for $1 each.
Here is a view of the top of the boxes:




Here they are opened, I added a little pocket to the inside cover to store the planter's instructions:



And here is the top of the mini planter, I punched a 2" circle, secured ribbon vertically around planter and punched circle. Then I layered a 1 3/8" punched circle over secured ribbon, and added Stampin' Up!'s butterfly die to the top with a glue dot.



I hope you try this fun box, thanks Lauren for the wonderful inspiration!
Thanks for stopping by, and keep smiling a lot :)
Hugs and Smiles!
Denise

Paper: Choc. Chip, baja breeze, dsp- all SU
Stamps: Best Yet- SU
Ink: Black Archival
Extras: white gel pen, punches, butterfly die cuts (SU), ribbon, mini planters

Patience is a Virtue

Hi Everyone!

Yesterday was a real test of patience for me. I don't know about you, but when I send in an order for Stampin' up, or anything really, it's all I can think about until it's delivered. I go to the UPS website and track that package almost every mile of the way!! Then arrival day comes--THAT is the longest day of all! And a long day it was, the UPS lady didn't come until 5:15 p.m.! Every time I heard a truck go by I ran to the door, hoping it was my long awaited box! Anyway, as you have probably guessed THE BOX finally came, and the UPS lady that I was almost hating all day, suddenly became my most favorite person in the world!!

Do you know that feeling?? I'm guessing some of you do!!

So I opened my treasure and all the worries of the day just melted away!!

Today, after a very emotional yesterday, I have managed to get in a couple of challenges. The first is yesterdays sketch challenge over at splitcoaststampers.com.

I don't make a lot of baby cards, but I thought I would try some with the cute carriage in Stampin' Up!s Fun and Fast Notes. I wasn't so sure how I liked them at first, but they're growing on me.

Then today's challenge, also at Splitcoast, is to include birds in our projects. So I finished putting together some more double pocket bags that I had made for the craft fair. These are so fun to make, I just love them! And that's my fave bird from SU's Touch of Nature, which is retiring soon. Here is the tutorial that Jenn Diercks put together. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/double_pocket_bag/

Well, I'm off to play with my new toys-- I'll share them with you soon!! Have a wonderful evening and don't forget to smile a lot:)):):)