Lens

Creative Pursuits Derailed by Housework

I hope to have a chance to work on some photo editing and make cards this week, but I've been sidetracked by the need to get my house ready for guests.  My in-laws arrive on Sunday and will be with us until next Friday.  Tonight I need to tackle the laundry and make sure all the guest bedding is in order.  Oh, who am I kidding -- it's definitely not in order.  ha, ha  But I'm hoping to work in a little creative time between loads. :-)

 
  [By my sweet kidlet]

Will hopefully make a card or two this week. . .

I plan to be back in "action" this week with another Father's Day card and I need to make cards for my daughter's teacher and teacher's aide, as well. I did a lot of decluttering in my den over the holiday weekend, so didn't end up making anything, but it was a really good time to do spring cleaning. My in-laws arrive for a visit in less than two weeks -- yikes! I need to do even more cleaning and decluttering before then.

Are you on Twitter? Say hello!

If any of you folks who visit here are on Twitter, come say hello sometime.  I'm Bookworm on that platform, too.  I check my "@" messages, so even if I'm not following you, I'll get your message. 

Have a good Tuesday!

~ Laura (a/k/a Bookworm)

Papertrey Ink Fascination

I'll admit it -- I am in love with Papertrey Ink -- at least with what I've experienced from the company so far.  I only own four stamp sets and two containers of mixed buttons at the moment, but each month I breathlessly watch their new products being unfurled.  Stamps, embossing plates, dies, patterned paper, new colors of ink, felt, buttons, ribbons, and card stock.  It's eye candy extraordinaire. 

Perhaps it is a blessing that I try to keep my craft spending under a self-imposed dollar amount each month. . . and the billing cycle for my credit card falls in such a way that I've usually spent my allotment by the 15th (which is the day Papertrey releases their new products each month).  By the time my new "spending month" has begun five days later, half the things I wanted to buy are out of stock, so I often don't end up placing an order. 

For example, this month, I'd hoped to buy the new Fillable Frames stamp and matching die -- sold out.  I'd thought of ordering Up, Up, and Away -- the stamp set and matching hot air balloon die are both available, but the clouds die (which I was quite excited about) is not.  

So, I'm planning to try to control my spending this month (good luck with that, right?) so when the June release comes I can jump right on the bandwagon and either buy something from the June release, or pick up the above items from the May release.

Is anyone reading this still awake?  :-) 

Happy Thursday,

~Laura

Got a Cuttlebug as a Mother's Day gift!

Can you believe my sweet husband surprised me with a Cuttlebug for Mother's Day?  What a fun surprise.  I love the fact that it was so easy to set up and use.  I do wish there had been more accessories included -- the box only contained the machine, one teeny die, and four teeny coordinating embossing folders.  But I'm already plotting what I might get from Papertrey Ink!  This year they are releasing dies that coordinate with their stamp sets, as well as impression plates, which I believe are intended to be slightly more subtle than other embossing folders.  Honestly, it was PTI's new offerings that kind of kick-started my desire for the Cuttlebug.