2011 in review!!

Hi, there!

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger!! Of course, it's never my intention to go over a week without a post, but you know how that goes! I got home on Monday from a very BUSY trip up to Delaware where we spent time with family and celebrated the holidays! No time for blogging!


So I thought I'd pop in today and just do a little cathartic recap of 2011. 2011 was a BIG year for me as a crafter- I grew in ways I didn't think possible and more importantly, I made some AMAZING friends through this fabulous hobby of mine.


I never in a million years thought that my design team term with Market Street Stamps would lead to managing the design team and designing scrapbooking kits (more about that BELOW!). Absolutely a dream come true. Couldn't do any of it without Angelica and Jorge who give me every opportunity to GROW and do what I love. Also never woulda thought that I'd be gearing up for a trip to California! What? Yup, this girl is going to CHA at the end of the month! Seriously amazing and I couldn't be more happy for MSS and all their success this year!


It was also a big goal of mine for 2011 to be published! I am happy to say that I have MET that goal! I received those happy emails from Miss Susan Opel of Paper Crafts Magazine 4 times this year! My first publication made it to the newstands back in November (check out my post about it HERE) and it was really, truly so amazing to see my name in a magazine that I've been reading for so long! And to make my goal of being published just a little bit sweeter, I was chosen as one of the World Card Making Day winners! To say that I was shocked is a HUGE understatement. They had a gazillion entries. I'm so lucky to have been chosen as one of the twenty winners and have met some great friends through winning that contest! Stayed tuned- there's going to be a FABULOUS blog hop when that issue comes out in February! Can't wait!


In addition to my crafty goals- I feel like I have accomplished A LOT as a PERSON. I am in a way better place with this deployment than I was with the last deployment. I don't know if it's just that the kids are a little bit older or that I used to it, but I feel as though I am much more independent and organized this time around. It does help to be busy with school and my hobby. Just a couple of more months until I get my hubby back and I cannot wait until I can say that deployments are a thing of the past. I put on a strong face, but deployments suck... there's no other way to put it! I feel good about the direction things are going for our family- hopefully this time next year I can say that things with family are all I could ask for! That's my goal for 2012! Haha!

So- now that you've read my novel, how about a few of my favorite projects from 2011! 

(All the projects link back to their original post!)

This was the very FIRST card I made for MSS- and I still love it so much.... those birds are so sweet...

Aden's Valentine's for his class- LOVED making these! So fun!

Vintage Wallpaper- LOVE at first sight.... LOL!

Love playing with mists- definitely something new that I'm still playin' with and LOVING!

Two of my favorite things: MSS Gone Campin' set and BG Lauderdale Collection! 

Pretty stuff....

Lovin' summer...

Favorite project of the year- so FUN playing around with new techniques...

Very homey... made me feel all warm inside!

My boys.... they'll always be in the favorites... ;)

Supa fun! Love that little pooch!

LOVE that bow.... the pop of color is so pretty!

So.... how about some news for 2012?

Remember I mentioned something about kits way up there at the beginning of the post? Well, I've been asked to design a MONTHLY KIT for Market Street Stamps!! I'm SO excited about this new venture and believe me when I say that you are going to LOVE these kits! Whether you scrapbook, make cards, make mixed media art- anyone can use this kit!

 Sneak peeks will begin on Friday (AHHHHH!) and I've been a busy little bee working on some samples to showcase the kit! Did I mention that I have two ridiculously talented ladies working with me to design samples for the kit each month?  I couldn't be MORE happy to work with Brenda Weaver and Jinny Newlin! They are some fabulous ladies!

So... make sure you check back on Friday here and on the MSS blog for more info about the January Market Fresh Kit! VERY exciting!

Here's to a fun and exciting 2012!