????

Lately, these are the things I have been feeling. I believe the term I have been using is "Biting of more than I can chew". I feel so confused and lost lately. I'm in such a hurry to make a career out of my life, that I haven't actually sat down to complete the steps. I feel I'm all over the place, that I'm back to the beginning. I have drifted away from so many of my goals this year and I don't know how to get myself back to them. *sigh* ....  Have you ever gotten to this point ???

Deployment, is also on my mind.Though its 6 months away its on my mind. We are already preparing and going to meetings for it. I think that was one of the reasons I took a creative break, is to spend more time with my family. I have been threw several already, and I know how the months can feel like they drag when your loved one is away. Scrapbooking can be a lot of work (lol).  Taking pics of your project, uploading it to several places, trying to keep in with the NOW, and submitting. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, I have also been letting others extreme negativity bother me. Which from prior experience doesn't make me a Happy Patty. So with a combination of these things I need to get back to my happy place .... I'm thinking I should start with slowing down and taking one step at a time, maybe weeding out some of that negative energy .... any suggestions??

Thanks for the vent. I normally don't post things like this on my blog, but since I have been taking so many breaks here and there this last month thought I would fill you in on whats been on my mind lately. Already starting to feel much better ....

My Cute Stamps Card

Hey everyone. Hope your week is going well so far. Wanted to share a quick card made with MY CUTE STAMPS. This week I used the "Saying Hello" stamps.

Which as you can tell they are just TOO CUTE !!! Lately Ive been obsessed with using stir sticks and making pendants with them. I don't know if anyone else is digging the idea, but I like it.

Supplies: My Cute Stamps (saying hello) Cosmo Cricket (early bird borders)

Misc. (seam biding & twine) SU (Kraft paper).

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday. See you back here soon.

Happy Sunday ...

Thought I would pop by real fast. I know I have been MIA a lot lately. My husband took leave for the week, so we have been continuing fun house projects. This time we are working on the inside, which works out perfect since Spring has left us and cold/rainy days have come to visit. Bare with me these next couple months ... Deployment time is soon approaching for our family once again ... so we are spending quality time together before that happens. 

So .... I wanted to share a couple projects from the new April 2011 Paper Posies Kit. Another amazing kit and packed with lots of new CHA goodies (like from Echo Park). oooohhhh.

If your interested in purchasing this kit or add-ons check it out HERE. First up, is a page made with some of the cute Crate Paper goodies packed in the kit. (I have to admit sometimes taking a creative break can be a good and bad thing .... took a little bit getting that mojo started again). lol.

A Card (Love this new Echo Park).

Every Kit comes with a fun Altered Project. This month is the cute Jenni Bowlin Round Tart Tin. At first I was like hmmmm what am I going to do with this .... How about a notebook paper pin cushion. Banners & Pendants are my favorite at the moment.

Last is a SNEAK PEEK of a layout I did. I'm in the process of making it a two pager. But the cool thing is I made my own patterned paper using a airplane blue print. I will show you more later this week. Such a fun project.

See you back here this week with some stuff PROMISE !!! Have a good Sunday.

Another Edition of ....

Can you believe it, I still haven't scrapbooked. This has probably been a record for me in two years. I normally scrap a couple pages a week. So where have I been? What have I been doing? Well folks my husband was blessed with another 4 day weekend (which for the ARMY four days are always a blessing). So we have been doing more projects around the house. We purchased our first home in Oct. so landscaping wasn't on the to-do list until now. Lowes Employee's have gotten to know us very well.

Here it goes:

~ Besides other classes on my plate, I decided to take this one from Jessica Sprague. Its day three and all I can say is "OH MAN". If this class doesn't put me on track, I don't know what will. lol. Focus, Focus, Focus.

~ We are still doing home improvement stuff around here (at least with the outside). Spring cannot get here soon enough. Like I said We purchased our first home in Oct. so landscaping wasn't on the to-do list until now. Its been fun doing this together as a family. Here's a couple pics ...

Ryan had the best time helping his Dad out with this project.

We decided to put a bed over by our fence entrance.

All Finished ....

Our bed in the front came with the bushes and lots of pine needle (yuck), so we put some fancy on it. AHHH and much better. We know we want something else than just those bushes, but we cant figure out what yet. Maybe a "Next Spring Project".

Here's a laugh for you all. I got this Cat yard item in Orlando, FL along time ago. I found it in the garage the other day and thought it was perfect for the front yard. lol. My husband says we are the "Underground Railroad for Stray Cats". Yes, I'm the cat lady on the block, so why not make it official. lol.

~ I'm very much looking forward to my shopping day this weekend to Raleigh with my mom & a friend of mine. My mom was suppose to come up last weekend for my birthday, but was unable to make it.

~ We are enjoying our screened in patio immensely. (show you pics soon)

~ I registered my son for KINDERGARTEN. I cant beleive that day has come already.

~ Husbands .... he has been wanting a tree since we bought this house. Well I caved and we have one in the front yard. I call it a "STICK" but he says its has potential. I suppose Im not as patent as he is. lol.

~ Something silly: We purchased an F150 Truck last summer. I can finally say that I can back that beast up, without being in fear of hitting something. lol. 

~ Last, I'm still trying to figure out how I can make this Stampin Up giveaway AMAZING. I have a lot of stamps and never used ink spots .... so if you have an idea let me know. lol.

Thats all for now ....

How to Help ??

I just ordered these .....

This is one of the newest MY CUTE STAMPS stamp set called Konnichiwa. They are too cute. The best thing about them is when you order your helping a good cause. My Cute Stamps will donate $7.99 to the Japanese Disaster Relief for each Konnichiwa stamp set that is sold this week. I just read that are running out fast, so get your set soon.

If you know any other great sites doing some great things for Japan Relief, post a comment. I'm sure others will be most greatful. Be back soon with some "Where did Patty Go" updates.

Goodbye 26 ... Hello 27

Yesterday was my birthday, I have to say it was one of the best birthdays in a long while. My husband was deployed for most of them so it was fun to share it with friends and him. It started with a little shopping in the morning and then Pedicures and lunch with the girls. Later that night I was surprised with flowers, an awesome cake, and really nice dinner cooked by my husband. Also another joy was Ryan singing Happy Birthday to me. It was so cute.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend ....

Another Room Peek ...

Been cleaning up the scrapbook room a bit and thought I would post some updated pics .... one more little peek into my crafty oasis.

A couple of my favorite things ....

This is my new printer HP Photosmart B8550 Inkjet Photo Printer. I got this for an early birthday present. It is the best printer ever. Ali Edwards recommended it and I couldn't pass it up. Ive been looking for a wide format printer for a long while.

Another favorite part in my room is this. Its simple curtain rods but I like I can display my pages before putting them in a book. 

Here's a sneak into my drawers. I know everything may look tidy in my room, but my drawers defiantly are not. lol. I know it looks like a mess but for some odd reason it works for me. I also like to file all my stickers, chipboard, and die cuts. I have been using this system for awhile and its working out well.

Hope you enjoyed another peek into my craft space.

Ummmm ....

What can I say Ive been enjoying my creative blog break. This is what I have been up too ....

~Spending Time with the Husband. I normally don't post when he is away for safety reasons, but I do like to post when he is back. Matt had a month long training thing in Louisiana (gotta lovethe Army) so we have been enjoying the long weekends together .....

~Spring is trying to make its way here, so the house projects have begun. Matt & I love doing projects together, so we decided to jump on the big project of Screening in the porch ourselves. I think we did better than a contractor and its half the price "WOOHOO". All most finished ....

~ Its the week of my Birthday, so Ive been shopping and enjoying myself with friends. If only it could be like this every week. lol.

~ Spending more family time with Ryan. I always appreciate the fun Playdoh brings on a Cold Day.

~ I haven't scrapbooked in a week and half .... and I have to say I'm okay with that. Sometimes you need a break.

~ Class, Class, and more Class ..... I came to the conclusion when it comes to graphic design and sometimes editing pics: It isn't as simple as "Pushing One Button". It takes steps to make something beautiful.

~ Currently thinking of a big giveaway with Stampin Up stamps I never use .... stay tuned.

~ Keeping pretty good progress on my work out plan. Jeans I never wear are now fitting, so I think Im on the right track. lol.

Promise I will be back soon with projects and a giveaway. Also so updated pics of the Scrapbook Room.