Can I just mention quickly how much I adore the May Artful Delight Monthly Card Kit? I was like a kid in a candy store when I opened the package to find all the goodies inside. From the wonderful solid paper, to the patterned paper, cute embellishments and fun stamp set. There is A LOT of goodies included in kit and it will probably take me until next May to use it all up! I still can't believe I'm on this team and get to experience and showcase all the goodies included in the monthly kits.
Today I made a fun and cute, along with clean and simple card, that pretty much features all items from the kit. The pretty, pink Bazzill textured cardstock, the fun butterfly from Paper Smooches Pretty Momma stamp set, the really cool patterned paper from Crate Paper and Echo Park, along with a button from Crate Paper. Love that I can throw in items from my own stash too to help the card along, as in the banner die and trio window die.
The May Kits are all sold out, but you do have a chance to win by entering either the monthly scrapbook layout or card sketch challenge hosted by Artful Delight! Details are here! Also, Artful Delight is the proud sponsor of Lessology as well, there is a $40 gift certificate to the store up for grabs! Additionally, Artful Delight is the sponsor of Frosted Designs, details are here! So many chances to win and experience these kits for yourself!
I wrote this the other day and decided it was time to share it with you, my wonderful and dear readers (that I've never met in person but am so thankful to call friends). If you read my last post, you might have know I've been struggling lately with time management, and writing the following down has really put a perspective on things.
Dear Blog,
Today I witnessed something that I wish I took the time to see more of... Today I saw my little guy wiggle his little bottom in the cutest of cutest ways and yell at the top of his lungs that he was ready. I wondered what he was ready for, what made him dance with joy? And at that particular moment his eyes got big with anticipation as the ball my oldest threw up and across the roof of our house came down towards him. And then I heard him shout with joy to his brother that he caught it. Dear Blog, why oh why have I missed so many triumphs such as this? Dear Blog, somehow I've taken for granted some of the good years in my dog. I could have been throwing him a ball instead of spending time with you. Now, he can hardly walk and you, well, you are still here and as chipper as can be. I love you dearly but I think it is time for us to spend less time together. I have two little loves that I love even more than you, I have a puppy at heart that needs some love instead of you. Don't fret, my dear Blog-we will still see much of each other I'm sure, on the weekends or late evenings, perhaps...
Sincerely,
Kb
cute card and I love the "dear blog..." the times passes so quickly with our little ones. quickly, when was little I had gotten the Barbie airplane for Christmas from my dad (My parents were divorced). The day after receiving it, I could not find it... come to find out, my older brothers decided they wanted to see that plane fly... over the roof...from front to back... they told me the plane crashed and the wreckage was too much...RIP Barbie and her flight crew...kinda funny now.... thanks for the post and reminding me of that funny story.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Karen, you are a mind reader. Love your sweet boys. Don't you ever worry about commenting on blogs or posting often. I certainly miss when you do, but priorities in this order: yourself (if you can't take care of yourself you can't take care of anyone else), your hubby (as one day our beautiful boys will move out of the house) and your beautiful, beautiful boys. I adore you my dear blogging friend. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and reminding me to keep my priorities straight. It is a lot easier to write them down/say them than do them on a lot of days.
ReplyDeleteHugs..Lynn xx
Another beautiful card! A great post today, you are right to enjoy your family mine have grown up so fast and I miss those knee snuggling days!
ReplyDeleteBlogging will wait but growing children will not keep Karen, so I totally know what you're saying. I find it so easy to get carried away with crafting and commenting and occasionally need to take a raincheck, especially at weekends!!
ReplyDeleteYour card is a summery delight, love the colours and the butterflies at different angles in the windows :0)
I'll be round to visit whenever you feel like creating :0)
Jenny x
Such a beautiful way to express what you're going through, Karen. I totally agree. I just put up a post today, and it was the first one in two weeks. I've learned, like you have, that our lives and the people in them are so important. The old blog will always be here. Your story about the ball being thrown over the roof brought back wonderful memories of my boys when they were little. Cherish those moments, Karen, and when there is extra time once in awhile, you can blog!
ReplyDeleteLove your pretty card - such a fun design, and the colors are fab! :)
Balance is always such a hard thing, but so glad that you are seeing the need for adjustments and are actually making the change. I know we'll see be seeing lots of you and your beautiful designs....enjoy this season while you have it!
ReplyDeletesimply put, go enjoy. see you on the flip side. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! No truer words have ever been spoken/written. Enjoy your children at this age cause they grow up so fast. I found I was spending too much time blogging and I have adult children, however, the necessary things were not getting done. I admire your spirit.
ReplyDeleteYour card is stunning....Karen enjoy your children and just live it up girl. They are a blessing and I know what you mean...the internet is consuming and we sometimes forget to give attention where it is needed. I also have a limit...and find myself glad that I did. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteThis is SUCH a cute card!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your heartfelt post, Karen. I don't have kids but sometimes I think my hounds must really hate the computer as they know how much of my time it sucks away - time I could be spending romping with them. And romping is really good for the soul isn't it? We'll al be here and be thrilled to see you when you pop in but in the meantime enjoy lots of beautiful moments with your family.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to you!
A great message dear Karen...
ReplyDeleteand I love your card, I hope you find the right balance for it is not an easy thing !!
Happy Mother's Day!
perfect card & perfect letter to your blog - i'm with ya. doing project life this year has made me take a closer look at how i spend my time and what is most meaningful.
ReplyDeleteOh how your "dear blog" post resonates with me! Life has been busy and wonderful for us this year and it gets harder and harder to share that precious time with the computer instead of people (though I've "met" so many wonderful people through this hobby online.) I'm going through a serious reprioritization, too, and wish you all the best!! Ps, your card is amazing! I love the colors you put together, Karen!
ReplyDeleteVery well said Karen and the best of luck finding the right balance for you :) Love your sweet card, the colour combo is so yummy.
ReplyDeleteYour card is simply beautiful!!.... Very well said Karen... The times passes so quickly with our little ones..I can't deny that... I'm totally with you...I hope you would find the balance that you needed... I'm almost the same like you...only I have ONE child... And for me...II have so much fun looking at your beautiful creations and that is enough to call you a friend...who constantly inspired me with your beautiful and inspirational creations....If I dont see you...I would like to wish you a VERY HAPPY mothers Day...hugs...xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet entry!!
ReplyDeleteDitto what everyone else said, fabulous card... perhaps I'll have to play along with some of those challenges so I can with that set...
ReplyDeleteLovely post... beautiful card... hugs.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card and awesome letter. It's so true! Most of us here are mothers and totally understand the struggles of being a mother & wife, crafting, and keeping up our blogs. I adore seeing your work but totally understand if we don't see you that often. Let it be late-night, nap times, and weekends.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day!
Love the card and all of the great ideas it showcases! Please tell me the source of the trio window die you mention - would love to get one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKaren, You're thee best.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen! First, let me say that you have your priorities straight - FAMILY comes first! I love, love, love everything that you create and have been so inspired by your work - but I totally understand that you need to be present, now, with your growing boys. So, not that it matters, but you have my complete support.
ReplyDeleteNow, let me say how much I love the card! I love how the butterflies seem to be captured mid-flight in the three different squares! The colors are a surprise and work in interesting ways - and the large dot pattern is delightful! Great work - as always.
Hugs!!
First, your card is so pretty. I love the fluttering butterflies. Second, I have been wrestling with priorities too. Seeing my mom at Easter reminded me of how quickly time goes by and what memories do I want to leave with my daughter. Too often I say just a minute as I do just one more thing on the computer which actually takes 30 minutes. I too have made the decision that blogs and challenges can wait. I hope we will both find the right balance.
ReplyDeleteYour paper-pieced butterflies are TOTALLY ADORABLE and I LOVE how they POP against the squares!!! SUPER CUTE creation, Karen!!! And thanks for sharing your "letter to your blog." You are a wonderful, generous, and incredibly talented person and blog friend with a big heart! Love your life, girl, and do the things that make you most happy!!!! (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteI've been struggling with these very thoughts myself lately, and a lot of guilty feelings about what I've missed while blogging/commenting/pinning, etc. I've been shifting these activities more and more to kid-free time at night or during school, but your note is a wonderful reminder about priorities and what is precious. Squeeze those boys as much as you can while they'll still let you. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Mother's Day, my friend!
super cute card :)
ReplyDeleteyup, put the kiddos first! they grow up way to fast. how cute they were playing ball over the roof! lol
thanks for the letter as it has me thinking now of all i "put off" to blog hop. :)
Dear Karen, Your card is gorgeous and I can see why you are like the kid in the candy store. I would eat the candy up just like YOU, too! Please do not fret about blogging and commenting...life is busy and family comes FIRST. I honestly don't think I can do what I am doing only because my kids need LESS of me now. You just do whatever is RIGHT for you and your family! And oh.....Happy Mother's Day!xo
ReplyDeletei just love seeing your cards, Karen! this is so pretty and lovely. really like the springy colors, too! i am so sorry that your puppy is not doing well, that's heartbreaking to hear and i know every mom would love to watch their kids grow up. so please do whatever that makes you and your family happy, just remember to come back and share your work with us whenever you find time to create. sending you big hugs! =)
ReplyDeleteSo fresh and pretty! I want to try making a window like that with my cricut.
ReplyDeleteI too am reminded of how much time blogging takes. Sigh, oh how I wish there were more hours in a day. No worries on comments and the such :>) Crafting is supposed to be stressfree fun and for me a way to relax.
Karen, this is beautiful! i LOVE the green background...it's the perfect backer for these images and colors.
ReplyDeleteenjoy this time with your family Karen. your puppy at heart DOES need you. and your boys are far better company than this blog thing i'm sure :) be well!
Totally understandable! I think we think are blogs are more important than "real life" at times! I fall to some pressure of it and I have no real DT commitments!
ReplyDeleteIt's great you came to a realization about it! Enjoy your boys and your doggy!!
(-:
ReplyDeleteAnd your card is so bright and fun -wonderful design!
Dear Karen- your card is lovely, and I so understand the time management- I will always be your fan- even if the posts are fewer...
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Well-put, Karen. Life goes on around us if we are here blogging, and we miss it.
ReplyDeleteI had a reprieve from blogging this past week, (posts had been scheduled in advance for DT stuff) and it was WONDERFUL!
Bless your heart for getting things prioritized. Go give those kids (furry and otherwise) your time and love!
I love your "Dear Blog" letter and am in agreement. I recently have been cutting back on DT commitments so I can spend more time with my family. The blog will still be here but we can never get these times and memories back if we miss them with our families.
ReplyDeleteOh Karen. I feel right in line with your dear blog post! With 3 children, now, I've found myself stretched so far. I love blogging/crafting/fellowship with my online friends. But I, too, love those three more. Time will pass by so quickly. Priorities are so important. You chose wisely my friend. We'll be here to check in with ya when you're around. Big hugs to you!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have summed up the struggle I am having so well in your dear blog letter. Why do our blogs take up so much of our time??? I support you 100% in your reassessment of time. I'll be here to cheer you on. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE this fabulous card. The little windows are so whimsical and yet classic.