Time Flies as You Get Older & Handmade Cards

5 more months left to the year...that doesn't even seem possible.  I read an explanation for why time passes more quickly as an adult than when you're a child and I can't remember the specifics exactly, but it had to do with memories. When you're young, you experience all these first-time events (first kiss, first job, first child) which make lasting impressions. As we get older, we repeat these events & so the memories become less unique and less memorable.

Speaking of getting older...Monday, July 1st is my 37th birthday. Thank goodness I've been recently told I looked in my late 20s. Lol. We're celebrating by going to Ikea. I've never been before even though it's been here for 6 years now. So to say I'm excited would be an understatement. July is always a good month, birthday aside. My 3rd year blogiversary is on the 7th and M & I are coming up on our 11th Anniversary. So there's a lot of celebrating going on in the Nelson household.

Also wanted to share two of my most recent handmade cards. One for Father's Day & one for a friend who recently graduated from grad school.

I think I've said this before, but I have a hard
time making cards for the men in my life. Even
though this was simple, it took me a long time
because I had trouble picking out male
appropriate colors. 

I dipped a paintbrush in my mist bottle (instead of
spraying it) & painted it on. Then I used an embossing
pen to write out both sentiments & added different
embossing powders.

This is the graduation card. I used my go-to craft
supply of choice - washi. Also, Heidi Swapp banners,
a cute Studio Calico wood veneer, which I colored pink
 & a stamp.

I misted over some chipboard alpha stickers just
on the bottom portion of the card.

 Have a wonderful weekend friends & thanks as always for reading.

Handmade Cards

Just wanted to pop in and share two cards I made. One for Mother's Day & the other for M's birthday.

Used 2 different washi tapes for the strips. The
x's, o's & hearts are a roller stamp. 

Used a pencil eraser for the yellow dots & made
the teal color from mixing acrylic paints.

Used some Mr. Huey mist in the background,
washi tape and stickers.

We celebrated M's 37th this past weekend by watching movies & eating good food. The Nelson's roll like that ;) The movies of note were Life of Pi, Cloud Atlas and Upstream Color. Upstream Color was really really good. It's classified as science fiction but if that's not your thing, trust me, it's more of a very unique, beautiful, yet slightly disturbing love story. Be forewarned if you are an animal lover that there are a few tough scenes.

Have any good movie recommendations to share?

Right Now

Taken in our driveway this morning on my
way to work

Around here lately:

• Trying to find a sense of balance between my day job & my virtual assistant business. Not sure that balance even exists. At least not in my world. But that doesn't meant I know what else to call it or that I don't strive for some shape or form of it. 
• Wanting to create more but choosing shadow comforts instead (credit to Jen Louden for that term). Speaking of which, here's a card I made for my parent's 40th anniversary that I never shared:

• Looking forward to seeing Sheryl WuDunn & America Ferrera tomorrow night. Even better, going with a good friend & getting to catch up. 
• Loving my boys

Do you believe balance can be achieved? 

New Years Cards

I have been M.I.A from this spot because I threw my back out. It's been nothing but laying on the floor with a heating pad and moving only when absolutely necessary. M has been absolutely amazing - taking care of me & everything around here (nothing new about that actually). And thank goodness for The West Wing streaming on Netflix.

Today, I wanted to share the New Years cards I made. If you didn't get one from me, no worries, I'll be sending out Valentine's Day cards ;) While, I'm not officially participating in 52 weeks of mail this year, I will be making a concerted effort to send a few cards out monthly.

Have a great rest of the week & enjoy your weekend!