Words can be hard when life is hard

Yesterday was the 6th anniversary of Dakota becoming an angel. I'm not going to lie, it was a LOT harder than I thought it would be. I figured with the 5th out of the way, the 6th would be rough, but I wasn't ready for it to be as hard on me as it was. I really don't know why it was so rough. I had good intentions of blogging yesterday, but just couldn't find anything I wanted to say and then I had a PTA meeting to attend last night as well.

I did have a good Etsy day yesterday. I dropped an order off in the morning to a repeat customer(Thanks Amy!!!) and then later in the day I got an email saying 3 things had sold. YAY!! That did make my day a little better. I am also realizing that all the suggestions of having more items for sale means more sales. Gotta get busy getting more stuff made. It is such a high to get that email that pops up saying "Etsy Order Confirmation". Some days it's those 3 words that can be a huge boost to the self-esteem.

We are supposed to get 5-7 inches of snow starting this evening. Wonder if tomorrow will be another snow day?

Made this for one of the secretaries at the kids school, whose father passed away last week.

Make it Monday

Okay, so a busy Saturday and then a 3 day weekend I am totally thrown off as far as blog posts go. Totally forgot today was Monday.

This week I am going to make:

• finish Un-Valentine cards. 
• Sew Audrey's dress. 
• Birthday cards
• some more banners
• general cards
• possibly some more valentine's cards

Kiss Me Banner that will be in Etsy shop on Tuesday.

7 on Sunday...

1. Am a pretty happy football fan. Would have liked the Falcons to win, but am okay with Green Bay winning, especially since the Patriots are out!!! So glad Tom Brady is done for the season! And because the Jets won, Mizzou will have a former player in the Super Bowl. Brad Smith plays for the Jets and Ziggy Hood plays for the Steelers, so regardless of who wins the AFC, one of them will be in the Super Bowl.

2. So glad we have another day to this weekend. I need it!

3. My brother is doing amazing and my mom sent me a picture of his heart. So gross, yet so COOL!! I can't wait to see the video.

4. Working on "Un"Valentine's Day cards. LOVE them and can't wait to finish them.

5. Really wanting to watch lots of Audrey Hepburn movies and You've Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle. No idea why, just am.

6. Pitchers and catchers for the Royals report Feb. 14th!!!!! I know, I know, the Royals are not the greatest team in baseball, but I don't care. It's almost baseball season and I still love my boys in blue.

7. Spent some time today looking at different shops in Etsy. There are so many amazing things there. I highly recommend anytime you need a gift, take a look there first. Not only are you supporting an artist, but you know the item will be made with love, not in a factory. I really believe in supporting handmade!!

Another shot from our recent snow storm. The bike he rides now is tucked away in the shed.

Quick Post

Just a quick post because I am so excited to share that I am featured in my first etsy treasury. More exposure!!!

Click here to check out the other wonderful "green" items being featured with me.

kiss me banner. need to take another picture.

Shutter Saturday

We have had a busy day and I'm worn out!!! Baseball practice this morning, quick bite to eat before we went to the MU gymnastics/wrestling event The Beauty and the Beast. Both teams are excellent and finished the days with wins. Audrey loved the gymnastics. After that we ran a few errands and then home for food and football. Not real happy with how the Falcons/Packers game is going.

A wrap up of my weekly pictures.

Sunday: New York City according to Dart with Audrey's new Lite Brite.

Monday: The view out our back door. Kids out of school early. 

Tuesday: Digital card I made so I could use both their pictures. First snow day.

Wednesday: A little peak at a Valentine's Banner I made for the Etsy shop.

Thursday: Audrey doing what she spends most of her time doing. Being an "artist". 

Friday: Audrey giving me a mean face. She wanted to snuggle the puppy next door longer.

Saturday: One of the gymnast during the meet. Audrey had so much fun.

Because today was so busy I'm really glad we have a 3 day weekend! If you have a 3 day weekend what are you doing with your extra day?

Follow Up Friday

• Valentine's cards for etsy shop. I have some really simple and basic designs and some more detailed ideas as well   Got one set done. Want to make a couple more.
• Valentine's banners. I really need to find a box of conversation hearts to get some other ideas for wording.  Made 3 this week.
• Card for the secretary at the kids school who's father passed away over the weekend.
• General greeting cards for a friend
• Thank you cards for a friend
• General greeting cards for my etsy shop. 
• Finish Audrey's snowman dress. 
• Make some doll clothes??? 
• Embroidered bookmarks for etsy shop???

So my week got a little thrown off with the kids being released early Monday due to snow and then not being in school on Tuesday and Wednesday because of snow. I will get busy this weekend to finish some other things. I also have some ideas brewing in my head for some "UnValentine" Cards. I want them to be humorous and fun!

One of the 3 banners I made this week. Will post pics of the others later.

Books I'm reading...

I usually have more than one book going at a time. Usually a "fun" read, something light and easy and then something either more "serious" or a creative type book.

Right now my fun book is from the Hannah Swensen series Candy Cane Murder . These are fairly light hearted murder mysteries. Hannah owns a cookie shop and always seems to come up on a murder scene. I always end up hungry for cookies when I read her books. So far I'm liking this one.

My other book is Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques (2nd Edition) . So far I really love this book. It has really forced me to think differently. It gives all sorts of creative ways to think and come up with ideas. It also helps you to realize how creative you really can be.

I've been busy updating my Goodreads lately. If you are on Goodreads let me know.

What are you reading, any recommendations?