Category Archives: Crazy Daisy Kit Co.

Be Fully Present In Your Life

Posted on September 3, 2010 by crazydaisy

 

 

“Being fully present is the best guarantee for a bright future.”

–Guy Finley

I read this quote last week and it has stuck with me. I actually can’t stop thinking about it, which is a sure sign that it was something I desperately needed to here. I really have a lot going on in my life. Probably too much. But there isn’t really anything I can take off my plate. In my quest for finding balance, enjoying my life and not feeling guilt … I have realized that I have have to be present. What does that mean for me? Well, I have started to compartmentalize my life. When I am working, I am working. I have been trying to block out very specific times where I dedicate myself completely to the work I have to get done. When I’m working, there is no play. There is no Facebooking. There is no distractions. I am fully present. This has been huge for me. I can accomplish so much more when I just ignore everything else in my life and work …. and I can do it in less time and with less heartache.

I’ve also applied this to my kids and family. When I’m done working I completely disconnect from work and turn all of my attention to my family. I have so enjoyed the time with my kids the last few weeks, as I’ve stopped checking email, blogging or doing anything that doesn’t have to do with them. I get on the floor. I roll around with my baby boy. I chase my big girl. I laugh. I feel so much less stress. I’m present and I enjoy it. And I’ve stopped feeling frustrated, because I’m not multi-tasking myself to death.

When I think about crafting, I think aout another area in my life that’s neglected and where I’m often not fully present. I had the awesome opportunity to attend Creative Escape last week with Jennifer, two of her cousins and another girlfriend from high school. We spent four days enjoying time together and being creative. I feel so recharged and ready to focus on doing things that make me happy and being present when I’m creating. I signed up for an online class fromJessica Sprague. Thanks to the class I took from Claudine Hellmuth Iknow know how I’m going to finish a painting I’ve been working on for months. I have already started on Christmas presents for my mom and my mother-in-law.

I feel like a whole new person. Isn’t it amazing what being fully present can do for you (or me in this case)? I challenge you to make a goal to be more present in your life. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it.  

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Hello August

Posted on August 12, 2010 by crazydaisy

It’s August. Wow! This summer has flown by. I’m sad to see it go, but I know that my daugther is excited to go back to school and it’ll be nice to get into our  school-time routine.

 

I’m in Denmark right now, along with my husband. We have had some great adventures and have enjoyed our time as grown-ups without kiddos (though I always miss my babies when I am away from them). We have decided we need to make couple’s time a priority as it’s good for everyone if mom and dad are happy.

Since I’m in Denmark right now, I thought I’d share the four things I love best about Denmark.

1. The bread: I can seriously eat my weight in bread while in Denmark. Every day there are baskets and baskets of fresh bread. Bread with breakfast. Bread with lunch. Bread with dinner. I think I gain about 20 pounds each time I visit Denmark, but it’s so worth it.

2. Public transportation: It’s super easy to get around Denmark. Jump on a train. Hop on the bus. Hail a cab. No matter what you want to do, you can get there in no time with few, if any, complications.

 

3. The Hoptimist:  In 1968, furniture designer Gustav Ehrenreich created the Hoptimists (above). In accordance with the trends of the time, his figures were characterized by their bright and positive colors and appealing shapes. These little fellows do nothing more than bring a smile to my face. The bounce around and look like they are giggling. I bought one for my husband my last trip to Denmark and it’s a favorite trinket on his work desk. No one can walk past without giving the Hoptimist a tap and then they always walk away with a smile.

4. The Ice Cream: Much like the bread in Denmark, the ice cream is freshly made each day and uses real ingredients (like real cream) to make some of the world’s yummiest ice cream. Even if it’s snowing you’ll finding me walking down the street with my daily ice cream cone. Love, love, love it.  Interesting fact, you can get licorice ice cream in Denmark. They are serious about their licorice, it’s like their national flavor!

Is there a place you went this summer that you love? Tell us about it, we want to hear. Better yet, scrap about it and then send us some pictures of your finished pages to kimberly@crazydaisykits.com.

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Big Winner

Posted on August 1, 2010 by crazydaisy

We have a winner. Yep, we have a winner.

But, before I tell you who won, I have to say I really enjoyed reading all your summer memories. Isn’t summer just the best? I’m so grateful I have a way to capture my summertime memories and save them forever. I know when my children are all grown, I’ll be so glad I took the time to tell our story. And I’m sure you will to. Find the time. Save your memories forever.

Okay. so the big winner is Beth.

 
beth

my favorite summer memory is waking up in the mornings as a kid with nothing to do except find my friends in the neighborhood and play until it was time to catch lightning bugs at night…still like to do that

 

Beth, please send me your address at at kimberly@crazydaisykits.com so we can send your fabulous prize.

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4 things: Daydreaming

Posted on July 26, 2010 by crazydaisy

Every time I think my life might slow down, it doesn’t. It only seems to get crazier! But, as my husband reminded me last night, I have to find the good in it all and be thankful.

As I give thanks for the blessed life I live … I do daydream of a few thinks I want, but certainly don’t need. Come on, we all do this.


1. A quick trip to Malta.

 

A killer view off the coast of Malta


I have a trip to Europe planned for August. It’s a business trip, but my husband is coming along for the ride, so it mill be a bit more entertaining than normal. As we plan our trip we are trying to figure out if we can fit a short trip to Malta into our plans. Why Malta? Why not?


2. Hair extensions.


I cut my hair about 8 weeks ago. I chopped quite a bit off. I instantly had regret. Every picture I look out with my previously long, flowing hair … I’m sad. I don’t want to wait for my hair to grow out. I want long, long hair. Now. I’m dreaming of hair extensions, but they aren’t practical and are pretty much a waste of money in my mind. I mean, come on, should I really be spending $400 to $500 on hair extensions? That pretty much ends that daydream!

 

3. Fall mini kits


Vintage Old Maid cards purchased on Etsy


Normally, most of the kit designing for Crazy Daisy is done by Jennifer. She is the one who pulls everything together. I make suggestions and if we’re together (like at CHA) we make major decisions as a team. However, she really is the one who is repsonsible for making the kits happen. But, for the fall I’m working on some fun mini kits and I can’t stop thinging about all the faulous things I could put in them. For starters? I scoured Etsy and found some yummy vintage paper ephemra. I can’t wait to use it myself and I know you all will love it.


4. CHA Summer Show Releases



Have you seen some of the CHA goodies from this summer’s show? There are a few things I’m really excited about and I can share a few lines that will be making their way into kits this fall. My Mind’s Eye “Lost and Found” collection and Crate Paper’s “Restoration” line. Love ‘em. I’m also looking forward to getting my hands on some of the House of 3 goodies from Pink Paislee.



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4 Things: Making me happy

Posted on July 21, 2010 by crazydaisy

There’s lots to make me happy. I mean, it’s summer for Pete’s sake, how can you not be happy? But, if I were to narrow it down to four things I’d go with these things:

1. Our garden (and our huge harvest)

 


This monster-sized zucchini came from our garden. We have been taking great care of our garden. And we’ve started to reap the benefits. There are baby apples on one tree. Sweet basil that smells so good. Little cherry tomatoes starting to pop up. And zucchini … oh the zucchini. We harvest our very first zucchini this week and it was huge. Seriously. It was 3 pounds and half as tall as Cooper. How’s that for our first try at growing zucchini? 

It’s important to note that we did nothing special with our garden. No fertilizer. No special tricks. Just water and sunshine. Shelby carried this sucker around the house like a baby until Daddy got home so she could show him our very fist zucchini.

 

2. Cooper’s curls

 


Does it get cuter than this? Cooper just hit 15 months and he’s so sweet and precious. I love his curls. I don’t think a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask me, “When are you going to cut his hair?” And every time some asks, I think, “Never!” But seriously, how long does he get to be a baby and have precious curls? Not longing enough, so for now I’ll just leave his curls. There is a very good chance I’ll cry when I end up cutting them off and giving him a “big” boy haircut.


3. Layouts.




I have producing about 4 layouts a week for the last month or so. Mostly thanks to the online class I’m taking with Shimelle. I feel more productive than I have in years. It’s actually quite therapeutic. I’ve been able to use a ton of photos and I feel like I am making a dent in my overflowing stack of photos! And, I’ve been learning all such of fun digi tricks, which makes my digi adventures so much easier.


4. Vacation.

Just before school starts again, I have a business trip to Europe planned. My hubby is going to come with me and we’re going to have one of our first “adults” only vacation in a very long time. Even though I have to work during part of the time, we’ll get to stay in a nice hotel, eat good food and hang out together. I’m looking forward to showing him all the things I do whenever I go to Denmark, since this will be his first trip there (with me).  My daughter is going on a vacation of her own, all the way to Papa’s ranch in Idaho. She gets to fly on an airplane by herself for the very fist time and she is beyond thrilled. I’m sure both of us will have great stories at the end of our adventures.

What’s making you happy?


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We have a WINNER!!!!

Posted on July 19, 2010 by crazydaisy

Thanks for playing! We have a winner of a Crazy Daisy Kits ….



Melissa, send me an email  … kimberly@crazydaisykits.com so we can get your address and send you a kit!

And everyone else … don’t forget, we’re giving away a Cricut Create and a basket of scrapbooking supplies. Go here for more information.


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More giveaways

Posted on July 16, 2010 by crazydaisy

 

Hello there. Happy Friday.

In honor of summer we want to give some stuff away. From now until July 31 at midnight, leave a comment and tell us what your favorite summer memory is.

You will be entered to win a Cricut Create, valued at $150, as well as a gift basket of $50 worth of scrapbooking supplies. That’s $200 worth of goodies! Come on, we know you want to enter!

What more chances to win?

1. Tell a friend.

2. Follow us on Twitter.

3. Tweet about it.

4. Like us on Facebook or join our group here.

5. Share it on Facebook.

Do any of the above and we’ll give you another entry in the drawing. Just make sure you come back here and tell us you did it.

But wait. There’s more. Because CHA is just around the corner and we’re already stocking up on goodies for the fall and winter kits, we need to clear our shelves. For August every subscriber is getting a free gift. We’re making goody bags for everyone who has some sort of subscription. And if you are new to us and subscribe in August that means you’ll get two free gifts!

A sneak peek for August is coming this weekend, so make sure you check back.


EDITED: Comments are closed. A winner will be announced shortly.

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Wanna win a kit?

Posted on July 13, 2010 by crazydaisy

What’s new?

Well, for starters … I got a new camera. I have been wanting a new camera for a very long. I have done my research. I have window shopped. I have drooled. And I was just waiting for my husband’s stamp of approval. The stamp cam last Friday and I went right out and got this little guy:



It’s a EOS Rebel T1i with EF-S 18-55mm IS and I’m in heaven.  This is my first Digitial SLR and I love, love, love it. I have always used a basic point and shoot camera and now that I’ve gone this route, I’ll never be able to go back. The pictures, even on auto mode, are so much better. I have been having a blast taking pictures of everything. 

I’m in the second week of Shimelle‘s “Love Your Pictures, Love Your Pages” online class. I’m happy to say I’m keeping up and have created 4 new layouts as part of the class. Here’s a look at what I’ve been working on.






So what are you up to? What are you working on? Tell us and we’ll enter you in for a chance to win a free kit. If you already subscribe then we will send you a kit you don’t already receive or create a special one just for you. For newbies, we’ll send you a July Kit of your choice.

I’ll pick a winner on Sunday, July 18. Have a great day!


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Another Week, Another Class

Posted on July 7, 2010 by crazydaisy


I’m taking another class. This one is called “Love Your Pictures, Love Your Pages.” It’s from Shimelle and you can find the class here. The class is a hybrid of photography and scrapbooking. It focuses on taking better pictures that you’ll love … which means you’ll love your scrapbooking pages more as a result.

Before the class started, we were given a challenge to take a spontaneous photo. We were told to take a photo in the next five minutes. And at that moment, Shelby walked into my room and had a meltdown. So, I took a picture of her meltdown! I’m sure she hated me at the moment, but I am so glad I have this photo. I take all sorts of happy photos, but we aren’t always happy, right?



The class prompt for the second day had us taking pictures of flowers. Here’s my favorite from that prompt. Finding flowers in Arizona can be tough. If I would have had more time and was feeling better (I have an ear infection right now), I would have found a flowering cactus to shoot, which is my absolute favorite desert image.



These photos, like most of them, were taken on my point and shoot or my iPhone (I take a lot of iPhone pictures). I’m getting a fancy camera this month!!! Woo hoo! I can’t wait. I hope when I get the new camera my pictures will be even better.




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Tired.

Posted on July 5, 2010 by crazydaisy


Do you ever feel so tired you can’t really think about anything but being tired? That’s me right now. I’m tired. Note the tired eyes in the picture above. I went to bed before fireworks …. that’s how tired I’ve been.

I’m finally home and get to stay put for at least three weeks. I’m relishing the thought of not packing a suitcase, boarding an airplane or toting a backpack for three whole weeks. The hubbs keeps telling me “Chin up. At least we bot have good jobs. We shouldn’t complain.” And he’s right. I’m just so tired.

So, my attempt to make it back to the States before the Fourth of July was thwarted. I flew from Copenhagen to Prague and then … missed my connection to Atlanta. The very nice ladies at Czech Airlines tried to help me get home, since there’s no Delta counter in the  Prague airport, but their help just seemed to make things worse!

I ended up boarding a plane to Frankfurt. Hung out in the Frankfurt airport while Germany was winning its game in the World Cup. Then I went to Chicago, where I was suppose to be able to meet with a Delta agent and get a flight home to Arizona that night (July 3). Too bad every single stinking person who works for Delta had gone home by the time I landed in Chicago. And so, I had to spend the night in Chicago. It’s almost worse to make it so close to home, but not quite get there. On the morning of the 4th I was able to find a flight, get a ticket and travel to Arizona all before lunch time.

If all of this wasn’t bad enough … the train I took to Copenhagen from Aarhus, Denmark didn’t have working air conditioning. It was 95 degrees inside the train for the 3 and 1/2 hour train ride. I thought I was going to melt away. It was miserable.

Oh and I mention I “lost” my passport in the Copenhagen airport? I left it in a shop where I had purchased a bracelet and only realized I didn’t have it moments before I was suppose to board my plane. I had to run through the airport, find my passport and run back to my gate before my plane left without me.  This was seriously the WORST travel experience I’ve had in a very long time.

Meanwhile, while this is all happening … my husband hatched a plan to throw me a “Welcome Home” (and 4th of July) party. I travel a lot, so I don’t get welcome home parties much. We’d be having them all the time if that was the case. But since I was having such a cruddy time trying to get home, he planned a little surprise party. He let Shelby pick out all sorts of very cheesy decorations (steamers, balloons, party hats, flags galore, etc.) at Party City and they covered the house in 4th of July goodness. It was such a sweet idea and it made my weekend.

The best part? A huge sign that said “Welcome Home Mom.” The sign was all Shelby’s idea. And with the help of Daddy .. .she created it and hung it in out kitchen (it’s still up there and I smile each time I walk into the kitchen).



Even in the worst of moments, life isn’t all that bad. I did make it home. I did get to celebrate the Fourth of July with my family. And I know without a doubt I am loved by some very wonderful people.

 

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