Let's give this a try...

I haven't had much time to craft lately...

*sniff*

I haven't had much time for anything really except packing and cleaning and feeding little girls (and napping on occasion).  I'm ok with that.  It's the season we are in and in a month or 2 we will be settled in to a new house and a new schedule with a cute new baby to cuddle and love.  There will be lots of crafts to craft and creations to create and lives to live.

Until then, though, I'm afraid I won't have much to show you except me hidden behind a lot of boxes.

That gets boring after a while.

So, I thought I would ask if any of you would like to come guest post with me.  I can't promise a lot of exposure, though I will do all I can to promote you, but it would at least introduce you to some new people/readers/friends.  And, I would love, love, love to see what you have to share.

I have a couple of months available.  We are moving at the beginning of July and then having a baby in August (I'm thinking some time off after that might be nice). If you are interested, send me an e-mail (creatingsarah@gmail.com) or leave a comment (if you don't have your e-mail linked with your profile, please leave an e-mail address I can reach you at...unless you are family; I know where you live.)  Let me know when you think you might be available and what you are thinking you might like to share.

Ok.  Thanks!

Have a happy day!

Moments of Cookie Kindness

I was sitting at my desk, quietly minding my own business, when I noticed some movement outside my front window.

I glanced over just as the doorbell rang and a hooded figure dashed away!

Hmmmmm....

Should I open it?

I took the risk...and thank goodness I did!!

This mysterious little package was sitting quietly in front of my door.  Judging by the subtle smell of peanut butter, I knew that this was the kind of thing worth bending over to pick up. 

The card was creatively addressed to me and my family.

And the words inside were uplifting, fun, and so kind.

And the package was delicious!

Cookie ninjas rock!

Magnetic Paper Dolls (Embracing Messy guest post)

In case you missed it, here is the post I did over at Embracing Messy.  

Remember my  magnetic activity book?  I'm still trying to find some more ideas for it, but I did manage to get this sort of done.  Here you go! 

Magnetic Paper Dolls

Here's how I put them together:

First I started out with the template created by Sherri Osborn here.  Thank goodness for artistic people who share their talents, right?!  If not for Ms. Osborn and her fantastic templates, these would have been stick people paper dolls...not nearly as cute.

I printed out the body pattern on magnetic paper.

I tried originally printing it out on normal paper and then gluing that onto the magnetic paper...don't do it!  It is too thick and the clothes didn't stick on top.  Stick with the straight magnetic paper.

 Next, I gave it a happy face...and some underclothes.  Let's keep things modest, here!

I pulled out some cute paper...

Side note: See those red tags?  Here's a close up: 

I'm not ashamed to admit I did a fancy happy dance in the store.

Using the templates, I traced and cut out the clothing, adding layers for some dimension. 

Since I wasn't planning on having anything that needed to be stuck on top of the clothes, I did use paper first and glued (Mod Podge!) that onto the magnetic paper.

Then I covered the top of the clothes with contact paper to protect the paper a little. 

Then I very carefully cut it all out!

And, tada! It's done.

Of course, it wasn't until I pulled it out at church a few days later that I realized she has no hair.

I guess that's another project!

Moments for me

Doesn't it feel sometimes like life is just out to beat you up?

Yeah, me too.

Sometimes I just want to sit my life in the corner and say, "You sit there and think about what you're doing.  Come talk to me when you can be nice."  

That wouldn't work, though.  I'm afraid I am learning that life is supposed to be hard.  It's how I learn.

Dang it.

The other night, I was standing in front of the mirror talking to myself getting ready for bed and pondering over the day, when I noticed what I was doing.

I was analyzing my face and the things I was feeling about myself and telling myself weren't very positive.

"I look worn out."

"I look so tired."

"I don't think my efforts are getting me anywhere."

"I'm not that important."

"I should be doing better."

Geesh.  Hard stuff. 

And, you know what?  Most of it isn't true!

"Be Gentle With Yourself"

My mom tells me that a lot.  Slowly but surely, I'm learning what she means.

I decided to try something new...a new perspective.

"I am worn out because I'm a good mom with 2 young, beautiful, and amazing daughters."

"I am tired because I work very hard to support my fantastic husband through school while running our home and raising her kids."

"And my body is working hard to create the little body of our little boy."

"Because of my efforts, my daughters know that they are children of God and he loves them."

"Because of my efforts, my husband knows he is a son of God and he has value."

"Because of my efforts, lives and worlds are being impacted that I'm not even aware of."

"I am a good person."

"I am so important."

"I can always do better, but I am doing amazingly well."

"God loves me."

A simple change, but a strong impact. 

You should try it.  Take some time to be gentle with yourself and see what a strong and loved person you are!  Then keep on making the world a better place.

My Memories Suite Giveaway winner!!!!

Good morning!  

I have a busy day/busy week ahead of me, so I think will be helpful if I start Monday by giving away some awesomeness!!

So...here we go!

First off, thank you so much to everyone who entered.  I really appreciate it!

Here is my list of entrants: 

And....here is the random.org number:

Number 5 is Coralie!  Yay!!!

I already have your contact information, Coralie, so I'll be sending you an e-mail shortly.

Thank you, everyone!  Have a great day!

Pinspired Mother's Day/Grandma gifts

Are you looking for the My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software giveaway?  Click here.

What's that you say?  Mother's day was almost how long ago?  

I couldn't very well post this project before Mother's day and spoil the surprise now, could I?  

This is what we made the grandma's for Mother's day this year.  

It started out with this pin:

The pin leads to this post over at this happy blog. 

Hers is a card.  

We did ours on a small 8 x 11 canvas.

And we used sparkly paint.

And I painted their names and the year on their handprints after I took this picture.

And I think they're so cute!  

Thanks for the pinspiration, Nifty Mom!

Happy Mother's Day (late!)