Where have I been??

So...I haven't blogged in over a month.

What's up with that?

 

Here's a recap of what happened in that month. I was in the Practical Scrappers card contest. I made it into the Top 25 with this love-themed card:

(This card is also currently on the ScrapbookSteals.com blog as one of their top project tutorials - I did a stamping marker tutorial for them. You can vote for your top 3 projects on their Pinterest board and win a big $140 Bo Bunny prize package through March 24th. http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/2013/03/15/scrapbooksteals-pinspiration-giveaway/)

 

I was then voted on to the Top 20 and submitted this for the next challenge of birthday card with polka dots:

 

Again, I was voted on to the Top 15 and submitted this based on an inspiration photo:

 

I moved on to the Top 10 and had to create a black and white card with a pop of color so I made this:

Of course, secretly I was kinda hoping to not make it because the pressure to create was so hard sometimes and waiting a week between rounds to find out who moved on was brutal!

I somehow managed to make it to the Top 5. What?! Well, I did! The next assignment was to make a card using our favorite manufacturer, favorite color, and favorite technique. Well, I don't have favorites :(  I tried so many different things and started so many different cards and nothing was working. I just over-thought everything.

 

So the very last morning one hour before the card was due I managed to make this. I didn't really like it too much and knew it wouldn't make it to the top 3 but
I had to submit something and it was the only card that got completed.

So I sent it in. And it's better to finish last than not to finish at all right?? :)

Well, I did not make it into the top 3 and win any of the prizes. But it was fun to compete with such talented ladies and see some friends win.

And March is a very busy birthday month for us. 4 of the 6 people in this house have a March birthday!! My "baby" turned 3!! My niece turned 14, hubby turned 38, and my oldest will turn 9 in a few days. Whew. I've had more cake than you can imagine. Plus, we had an extra party at my hubby's grandparents' farm to celebrate not only our kids and hubby's birthday, but also his sister's birthday and the grandparents' anniversary. C-r-a-z-y.

 

blowing out his candles at his playdate party:

 

shortly after all the guests left:

 

some photos from the birthday dinner out:

And I changed my blog design. I thought it was a bit busy and chaotic before. But now it may be too boring. It needs some color and flowers or something I think.

 

Anyway. Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back tomorrow with my Paper Girls Challenge project.