The other day, I was listening to a podcast while I was driving to my sister’s house in New Mexico. It was her daughter’s 5th birthday, so the kiddos and I were making the relatively short trek to Rio Ranchoto celebrate with little Savannah May. The last few years our girls have been able to celebrate their birthdays together, so it’s important to me to take advantage of cousin time whenever possible.
Anyway. My point. I was listening to a podcast that mentioned how there are a lot of women in the crafting industry who feel inadequete. That they look at the industry rock stars or the various crafting magazines and then feel like they just aren’t good enough.
Guess what? You are good enough.
I’m good enough. Everything I create is is an artistic expression of me. So no one can ever tell me it’s not good enough … and I certainly shouldn’t be telling myself I’m not good enough. I am good enough.
As long as I tell my story. As long as I create things that matter to me. Then I am good enough.
I’m tired of feeling inadequate. When I stop beating myself down, I actually create projects, things and art that I love and am so proud of … the last few weeks have been a perfect example. I’ve just been creating for the sake of creating. Creating for the joy of creating. And I have been having fun and producing projects I love. It’s so counterproductive to me and the creative process to participate in negative self talk.
Now, look in the mirror and say it with me. “I am good enough.”
Repeat until you believe it.
Then … get out your crafting supplies, let yourself go and have fun. Create.
Last week I signed up for an online scrapbooking class from Shimelle. I was intrigued by the idea behind the class, “Something for Almost Nothing.” Over the course of three weeks, Shimelle will be helping her students use up their stash. You know what stash she’s referring to …all of the scrapbooking supplies you have amassed over the years, but never use. We all hang onto certain products we love. Some of us horde paper. Some horde ribbon. Some horde kits. Some horde everything! That would be me … a hoarder of all things crafty. I have more paper than anyone one woman can ever craft with. Ditto for buttons, ribbons, chipboard, paint, fabric … and the list goes on.
In this class, Shimelle has us combing through our stash and pulling out all the things we’ve been “saving” for later. We’re creating a mini book, which is celebrating our lives, and I’m using a mini kit from last year as a foundation for this book. Also in the class, three times a week we’re given ideas for layouts and ways to use up the supplies we have. I’m loving this class. I have been taking out old Crazy Daisy kits that I never used or are half used … and am putting these awesome supplies to work. I’ve already created three 12×12 layouts, a canvas, and have a mini book started (the class started on the 10th, so I feel like I’m doing pretty well!).
The cool thing is I’m on a serious crafting and creative roll. I’ve been thinking about all things crafty nonstop and have been crafting with every spare moment I have. I love how inspired I feel. Here’s a layout I have in progress. I punched out circles in various sizes from coordinating papers. Then I ran some adhesive across the bottom of my cardstock. I started putting the circles down in no particular order. When I was finished, I sewed over the circles, just to make sure everything was secure and to added a little extra detail. I found a round chipboard journaling spot that will work perfectly for the page and I’m planning on adding some journaling (in bullet form) of all the things my little guy is doing now that he’s 11 months old! I would have never thought to do something like this, but thanks to Shimelle, I have a page that is very different than my standard pages and I used up lots of goodies in my stash.
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On an unrelated (but very cool) note … if you haven’t already heard, Heidi Swapp is our amazing guest designer for April. On her blog, she has some peeks of the projects she’s been working on using our April 2010 Main Kit. Go here to see what she’s been doing with the kit and get a little peek at what will be coming your way in April.
We’ll be posting a sneak peek of the April Kit later this week. If you don’t already subscribe, send me an email if you’d like to make sure you get an April Kit.
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Note: Please excuse my fuzzy photos. It’s late. I’m tired. We’ve all been quite sick at my house. And being lazy, I took these photos with my iPhone! I promise to do better … as soon as the RSV loosens its grip on my baby boy and we all sleep through the night again!
This last week my husband and I decided we’re going to eat through our pantry. We have a huge, unruly pantry. There is probably enough food in there to feed a small village for months. And on top of that, I also have a huge extra freezer in my garage … also packed with food. So, we’re going to stop buying no essential foods (milk, bread, cheese … etc) and eat through our pantry and freezer. This is going to be a challenge for me. I have issues with pantries and food. Some people feel like they are a success or life is good if they drive a fancy car or carry an expensive purse. Me? I feel like all is well if I have a full pantry and a stocked refrigerator. I’m not sure why this is, but I’m always buying “stuff” to add to my pantry. I rarely leave the grocery store without buying at least a few canned goods. It’s a sickness. I know. But it’s also a money drainer. I don’t need to spend all this money on food we don’t need, right?
So, now it’s time to be creative with what we have in our house. Yesterday Mike made some yummy beans and rice, from the pantry of course. And on Friday night we have Parmesan Orzo with mixed veggies and fish … made with all things we had on hand. I’m pretty confident and excited about this little project of ours.
I can see a mini book coming out of this grand adventure!
Now, if I can just find some recipes for all the varieties of beans I have in my pantry, I’ll be set!
It’s Monday. And we’re spending a little time with family. I had to go back to Los Angeles to pick up my passport and visa from the Brazilian Consulate, so I thought we’d make a family trip of it.
I loaded Shelby and Cooper in the car and we embarked on a road trip from one desert to another. Shelby is a road trip pro. Cooper … well, he’s 11 months old. Need I say more? He’s wiggly. He needs help eating. I can’t give him a DVD player and have it entertain him for 8 hours. Luckily, Shelby is a pro at entertaining her little brother. And she’s also quite helpful when it come to bottles and snack time. I’m super lucky to have such a capable helper.
First stop on our little journey? Las Vegas. Mike (my hubby) came with us for this leg of the trip and we dropped him off with his best friend Arnold. Mike and Arnold have been friends forever, and sadly we just found out Arnold has cancer. He’s a great guy and the father of four kids. Mike wanted to be close to Arnold as he finds out what exactly to expect. We are so blessed to have wonderful friends in our lives and Arnold makes the top of our wonderful friend list. We are saying lots of prayers for him right now and hoping for the best.
I headed on to California (where I grew up and Jennifer still lives) to see my mother. Two of my brothers all stopped n to see us, which is wonderful. They live pretty close to my mom, so it was the perfect chance for some of us kiddos to get together. Everyone likes to see us right now … Cooper does that for us. He has increased our value 1000 percent with his chubby cheeks, toothy smile and warm snuggles. Everyone loves a baby, right.
I’m so grateful for family time. At the end of the day, there is nothing better. I appreciate the opportunities I have to spend with my family … especially since I have such a full and busy life. What a blessing they are to me. From my husband and kids to my parents and siblings, my family adds so much richness and joy to my life.
Tonight we’re headed to Jennifer’s house (there’s the “Bachelor” finale to watch), and then tomorrow it will be working on packing up all the March kits and visiting the Brazilian Consulate. It’s been a crazy fast trip … but a good one. And it was especially nice for my kiddos to visit with their Grandparents, Aunt and Uncles. These are the moments worth remembering and sharing through scrapbooking.
Monday musings. I think on Mondays I’m going to just tell you all a little bit about me. One of the major reasons I scrapbook is to tell my story and the story of those I love. I studied journalism in college and spent many years as a writer. I feel most comfortable tapping away at a keyboard and expressing my feelings than any other way. Since I want to preserve my stories, I can share some here … and hopefully I can turn them into scrapbook pages or mini books.
So here’s what I’m thinking about this Monday …
Cookies.
I wouldn’t say I’m the best cook ever. Most of the amazing meals created in my house are done so by my husband. He loves to cook and really revels in the process. Me on the other hand … not so much. We have a bit of a deal. If he cooks, then I’ll clean up. It works well for us.
I do however bake (something my hubby doesn’t have ANY interest in). A few Christmases ago, my parents bought us a KitchenAid Mixer in the most fabulous shade of cobalt blue. It sits on my kitchen counter and is the appliance I’m most proud of and love the very most. I had coveted other people’s mixers for years, but could never bring myself to spend the money on a KitchenAid … it just seemed so extravagant.
My father in law is diabetic. He’s incredibly diligent with watching his diet and has done wonders with his health since cutting out sugar and all things white (white flour, white pasta, etc.) As a family, it’s easier to eat what my father in law can eat instead of preparing seperate meals for family events. We’ve actually taken to eating a pretty diabetic friendly diet, since it’s really so much better for us. I also happen to have some issues with sugar and how my body processes it, so my doctor recommends little to no sugar for me!
But, even though my FIL is strict about his sugar intact … he still craves treats. Don’t we all? A few years ago I decided to try and make some cookies that would be both tasty and diabetic approved. I found an oatmeal chocolate chip recipe online and tweaked it for our needs. And seriously … I now have the world’s best cookie recipe. Everyone who has these cookies raves about them (I’m not making this up, just as my husband). But the most rewarding part is the fact that my FIL LOVES these cookies. He begs for them. He trades favors for them (he fixed my vacuum a few weeks back. And what did he want in return? Cookies!) It has become a family joke how much he loves these cookies. My daughter calls them Big Mike (that’s what she calls her Grandpa) cookies.
I’d make these cookies every week if I had the time. They are beyond yummy. I guess my hips are happy I don’t have a lot of time to bake these days! As a special treat, I’ll share my fabulous (and until now secret) Oatmeal Chocolate Chip recipe with you. Enjoy!
The Best Cookies Ever (or Big Mike Cookies as they are known at our house)
1 cup of margarine or butter
3/4 cup of packed Splenda Brown Sugar
3/4 cup of Splenda
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla (a little more if you like more, I usually do a cap full)
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups of rolled oats
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat the over to 350 degrees.
2. Cream margarine and sugars. Add the eggs and vanilla.
3. Combine baking soda salt and flour. Add to creamed mixture.
4. Add oatmeal and chocolate chips. Stir well.
5. If the dough seems too “wet” add some more oats.
6. Let the dough stand for about 15 minutes.
7. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes
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