A New Outlook

February is almost over, and although I've created one layout using my February Scraptastic Club kit, I barely had time to look at the pretty patterns and colors of the papers and embellishments. It's been such a busy, hectic month after deciding to start up a craft club at Rileigh's school and receiving additional writing assignments, not to mention basketball season, new tutoring opportunities for Andraia, and doctor's appointments galore.

I read a book yesterday, totally unmotivated to craft or clean or anything, and it inspired me in such a strange way. The book is called Drawing Free, loaned to me by a friend who loved it and I loved it just as much, if not more. It really spoke to me. I am sorry, but I'm not going to delve into specifics. Go ahead and Google it if you are curious, all I'll say is that it addresses the problem all of us stay-at-home moms run into (unless you have already learned this lesson and already get your me-time): taking time for ourselves. Lately, with the craziness called my life, I have been focused on mommy duties, writing assignments, and DT assignments. Yes, I did a page or two just for me this year, but I used to do so many more. I used to find the time to bake all sorts of new yummy treats for my family. I used to clean a whole lot more just because I wanted to. I used to pick up my guitar more often. Now, I find myself saying "Well there'll be time for that, right now I have to ______________." That ________________ usually involved doing something for the kids or husband, and I would say "have to" when it wasn't really a requirement at all.

All of that "doing for others" kind of took its toll over time, and I had had enough. This book came to me at the perfect time, and I'm so thankful. It was just the reminder I'd needed to snap myself out of it and get down to making ME happy (it also helps that the book is about this mother's artistic passions as well!)

That said, I created this first thing this morning, and I have a "canvas" drying (no, it isn't a canvas at all but a piece of cardboard I've primed with white paint and misted the crap out of...it's that reusing thing. I must cut down on the amount of stuff I "save for later," starting with this cardboard-turned-wall hanging.) I can't show off the wall hanging just yet...it isn't really for "me" as it's a March DT assignment...but it is for ME to hang on the wall of the craft room, to remind me I need to make something every day to be happy.

Here's the layout, made with my Feb Scraptastic Club kit. LOVE this kit.

 Papers used: MME Love Me, Lily Bee Smitten, and Echo Park Yours Truly. MME Lost & Found Blush Label Stickers. MME Love Me die cut elements. Iguana Thickers. Icicle Glimmer Glaze. Black Smooch Spritz. Petaloo flower. MME Lost & Found buttons. Staples. Black Velvet ribbon. The strip of squares was fussy cut from some patterned paper.

 Tried to get the Glimmer Glaze I put on the big ol' black flower, but it didn't work out the way I wanted. Just know that it is sparkly and pretty. There is also glaze on the pink flower button.

 Circles fussy cut from EP paper.

 That heart die cut is also covered in Glimmer Glaze.

So that's it, my "for me" page, which showcases a picture of my great grandmother holding my grandmother when she was a baby. Another page for the Mills Family Album!!

With that out of the way and my "canvas" drying, I guess I have to do my writing assignments.  :(

I hope you are enjoying your day, and check out Drawing Free, written by Elena Aitken. You'll love it, especially if you are a busy stay at home mom with artistic passion.

xx
Khristen