If it's love flowing freely, I'm ready...If the waters can redeem me, I'm ready...I'm ready to let the rivers wash over me...

Happy Wednesday, y'all! Ok, has it really been a week since I posted last? EEK! We are still doing the football thing, and here are a few pictures of what we've been up to.



Doesn't that look like fun? I'll be glad when it cools off a little, but I enjoy going to the games and watching them play their little hearts out. It has been so good for them.

Speaking of good...I was really inspired by this week's Mojo Monday sketch, so I stayed up a little later than I should have last night to play. I had to unpack some new goodies first (just because I haven't been crafting doesn't mean I stopped collecting! *wink*)...and before I start let me say something. I'm climbing on my soapbox, but it's my own personal soapbox. Feel free to skip to the pictures if you wish, I won't be mad.

When my friend Julie posted a link to this article on Facebook, it really struck a chord with me. This part in particular got my attention:
It is expected that creative professionals in the industry will submit to magazines, post in online galleries, blog about projects/products, and stream several daily bits of clever inspiration via Facebook and Twitter.  If you teach, you also have to be working in the background thinking about your next class or your next big project. Quite honestly – it can be exhausting.
Not only did I identify with that statement, but I came to the realization as I read it that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I know, I know, I've heard people talk about it, and I know people who have gone through it. But when you get into the thick of it, you just think there's something wrong with you. I know I did, anyway. Nothing kills your mojo faster.

In addition, I have been feeling the need to limit my resources. I haven't submitted for publication in over a year, but I felt the need to only purchase consumables from companies that could be found in retail locations or companies that don't have a history of retiring things. I didn't want to buy any stamps from any companies that didn't have an Angel Policy, in case I decided to sell my cards. And stamps that come from a company that doesn't compensate in some way for publication? Forget it. Don't get me wrong, for the most part I liked the stuff I acquired, but sometimes I was settling for a second or third favorite because the stuff I really liked was "off limits."

But then something strange happened. I started missing my "old stuff." The stuff that I used to love when I started this creative adventure four years ago, and the stuff I had been keeping myself from using. Then one night, I began thinking to myself...this is my thing. Just for me, just for fun. That doesn't mean I don't love doing design work or teaching. But the fun had gone away.

So I took a step back to examine what needed to change. I started cleaning and organizing (big emphasis on STARTED) my craft room. And I splurged on some things I had been waiting to buy. And I made the decision to go back to the beginning and become an equal opportunity consumer once again. I have literature organizers on the way to store my cardstock in all its beautifully diverse glory, and I purchased an old cassette tape holder on eBay to hold my ink pads. It will take a long while, people, so don't get all excited just yet. But I'm revamping my space. It's time for it to become a creative space and not a "work" space. And based on last night's experiment, I think I'll get more "work" done that way.

Ok, yes, I'm done now...on to the fun stuff!! I made a card...YES! I know!! *wink*



Ok, so after writing all that stuff, I'm too pooped to write instructions for this one. I'll come back and add them later, how's that? In the meantime, I'll list the ingredients at the bottom of this post.

Here's a closer look:



One more thing...is this too girly of a card to send to a man? The intention starting out was for it to go to a friend of mine, but then I did the pink and now I'm not so sure...be honest.

Have a fabulous day!


Ingredients
Stamps: Kind Words, Fabulous You (Verve)
Ink: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Early Espresso, Kraft, White, October Afternoon
Accessories: Copper Brads, Circle Punches, Jumbo Sponge Daubers, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, EK Success Border Punch