Sometimes we all feel like a...

...Drowned Rat...

But then someone comes along and says just the right words to remind us that we're not alone.  And that it'll all be ok.  We can't focus on the negative or we'll take away from the joy that's right in front of our face.  This is one of my favorite quotes as drawn by Mary Engelbreit:

Happy Friday and don't worry...be happy.

These are a few of my favorite things...

So, ya....it's been awhile.  My life has been upside down.  But I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.  And I know things will get better.

It's a year for new things.  I'm learning new things that I like and I'm trying things that I thought I didn't like. Here are a few of my favorite recent things:

Firefly

It's a Sci-Fi show. That in itself would've been enough for me to change the channel.  But it's actually really good.  I've been watching episodes on Netflix.  And the theme song...gets stuck in your head!!! "Take my love, take my land, take me where I cannot stand." 

BEER

I've always hated beer!  But I've been trying lots of different brands. And I'm learning that I actually like beer!  (I know, right??) Yeungling, Sam Adams, and Killian's are pretty good.  Bass is very good! 

Arms

At first listen I wasn't crazy about this Christina Perri song. (Not my typical cup of tea.)  Then it started to grow on me.  And now I actually like the song.  "You put your arms around me and I'm home."  Catchy.

Oh, and I ate a piece of Bloomin Onion from Outback!  I actually ate an onion.  I wouldn't say I loved it...but it wasn't bad.  (I don't think I would order one anytime soon though.)

That's it for now.  Short, sweet and to the point.  

Friday FIVE for June 1

Wow, I can't believe it's JUNE already!

I used to do this ages ago, and I'm going to try to get back into it again...Friday FIVE! Five things that I'm really liking right now. I may not get to this every Friday, but I'll try...

ONE

It has been raining a LOT the last week.  I don't know if it's the weather or if I have a cold, but my sinuses have been KILLING me this week.  About the only thing that has given me a little relief are Aleve Sinus pills.  They really work!  You have to get them from behind the Rx counter and sign for them.

TWO

Since I've been laying around this week on the couch every day after work (since I haven't felt well) we got to catch up on the Hatfields and McCoys.  It was a 6 hour mini-series that aired on the History Channel this week.  It was very good!

THREE

There is nothing more comforting than fries.  On rainy days...  When you don't feel good... There's just something about the starchy goodness of a french fry.  I especially love Chick-fil-A waffle fries.  And dipped in their signature Chick-fil-A sauce, they are even more comforting!

FOUR

I recently heard about this new puzzle game for my iPhone called Rinth Island.  (It was a free download too)  VERY fun and addictive!  I spent many an hour on the couch with a stopped up head this week playing this game.

FIVE

And finally...I've found my new favorite vodka.  I kept hearing people talk about the new Loopy flavor from Three Olives.  Seriously?  Fruit Loop flavored vodka?  No thanks!  But it was on sale and had a rebate offer, so I figured I try it with some friends last weekend.  (Before I got sick!) WOW....it's got a great flavor!  It smells just like the cereal.  But it's not sickly sweet and doesn't have that weird plastic fake taster afterwards.  Everyone that tried it (there was 8 of us) loved it!

Hope this sinus pressure disappears this weekend for me.  Happy Friday!

Get Over It...

It's time for me to get out of my funk. I need to get over it and move on. I've got better things in my life to focus on.

With that being said, I am setting some goals for myself!

1. I'm going to get back to taking more photos. I've pretty much stopped altogether. I've always wanted to try the Take 12 challenged...you take 12 photos on the 12th of each month.

Scrapbook the 12 onto one layout. At the end of the year, you've got 12 layouts with 144 photos, documenting a year in your life! I want to start this next month.

2. Take a family photo each month. I do not have enough family photos! We just don't take them. So I'd like to do this once a month. Then maybe we'd get at least a nice family shot of us every once in awhile. (It's hard to get a photo that we all like!) Here's the only one we took from April (the background was so horrid I had to photoshop some of it out).

3. Write in my Gratitude Journal each night. I need to reflect more on the positive in my life.

4. Get back to scrapping. I enjoy it so much, yet I hardly ever do it anymore. I need to organize myself and find the joy in it again.

Hopefully I'll stick with these and keep myself focused and positive for the rest of the year.

Feeling Verklempt...

So I'm feeling a little verklempt. Chiara over at the House of Paper announced today that she'll be closing the website in November. I've called HOP my online scrappy home for 5 years now. I love everyone over there and will miss them and the website.

:(

Here are my layouts for the HOP newsletter today. It's scraplift week.

For this layout, I was inspired by the lovely Heather. I love how she did her scalloped paper ribbon border and just had to try it out!
This layout shows an amazing bond that I've recently developed with these 2 amazing gals. I'm so happy to call them my friends.


And for this one I lifted the amazing Chiara. I love her layers and design.
This layout shows off my inner nerd....oh who am I kidding. It's not so "inner."


Next week will be my last time submitted projects for the HOP newsletter. I will definitely miss my assignments and working with such a fabulous Design Team. Here's hoping we stay in touch!

Cards, Cards, Cards!

It's Card Week over at the House of Paper! Here are some that I made for the HOP newsletter.

For this "hello" card I used the adorable new Fancy Pants "It's the Little Things" collection. I LOVE the papers! To see my instructions on how to make that flower, check out the HOP Blog (click here). In the instructions, I used a border punch for the flower. But as you can see from this flower below, you don't have to.


Here's another card using the new Fancy Pants "It's the Little Things" collection. (Did I tell you how much I love this paper???) And those playing cards are sooo cute! I fussy-cut out all of the flowers and used some popdots for diminsion.


Here's a card using Pink Paislee's Soiree line. Sooo fun & cheery! The flowers were made using a Tim Holtz diecut (a friend let me use her Sizzix Big Shot at a recent scrap retreat!)


Here's another card using Pink Paislee's Soiree line. I really adore this collection! I used a stamp to make the flowers, then cut them out and nested them.


And here's a cute one using The Girls Paperie "Jubilee" collection. The papers are so sweet! I made the butterflies using a Martha Stewart punch.


Thanks for looking!

Echo Park Flowers

Come check out the House of Paper blog! I posted instructions on how to make these adorable flowers using the Echo Park Summer Days collection! I just love how bright and cheery they are! :)