What a week

Last week had me overwhelmed.  Early in the week I felt like I was always doing something, but not really accomplishing anything.  It held good things and sad things.  I look back now and realize that I need to make more room for changes that bring good things.  Changes that will be more uplifting and help me to handle the things in life that can get you down.

What should I start with? 

Let's get the bad thing over with because honestly, I've already spent too many hours dwelling on it.  I think of  it and I feel like crying (although I only cried once last week over it)...but thinking of it brings back all of the crummy emotions again.

Sometimes the things that get us down in life are really little things.  Small in the grand scheme of the troubles of the world, but all of my fellow creative friends will understand the hugeness of this small thing to me.

On January 20th, I shipped off a big box of my work to the CHA Winter show.  There were 15 projects in that box.  I was so happy with the results of my efforts.  Never mind the hours that I put into them, or the staying up until 2 a.m. just to finish one last thing before the two deadlines that we had. 

So, the box is scheduled to arrive on January 22 in California--one day before the lovely ladies at the Melissa Frances booth needed them.  You know where this is going, right?

You guessed it.  The box never arrives in time for the show.  I check several times a day on the internet site to track my box.  I call California, I call where I shipped it from here in MN.  I go to confront them;-)   I call the hotel in California several times and talk to some poor clerk at the front desk , who I get to speak to several times throughout this whole ordeal (bless his heart for putting up with my random calls.)

The show started on Sunday the 25th and went through Wednesday the 28th.  I. CALL. EVERY SINGLE. DAY. -- starting 2 days before the show starts.  I search the internet, I talk to random people daily.  Everyone is nice and apologetic, but nothing can be found. 

Finally on the last day of the show, I give up. 

I'm so sad... and I think the worst part is that I feel like I let Melissa Frances down.  Not that the world will stop spinning  without my projects in her booth, but I've let someone down.  Didn't meet up to their expectations...and worse yet... I have no control over the situation.  :-(  Did I mention that I was sad?!!

So my friend Gayle,  reminded me to "Breathe"...

...and she took me to a place called "Cornerstone Wellness Center" and made me exercise.  Made me lift weights, ride bike, work the elliptical and the treadmill.  Out with the bad and in with the good.  Breathe, breathe, breathe!

I feel sooooooo much better.  It didn't make the lost box situation go away, but it moved my energy to a better place.  THIS was a good thing that happened to me... thank goodness for friends and for positive energy and thinking.

"Friends are angels here on earth."
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Let's talk about this past Saturday.  Oh my gosh.. it was amazing here in MN.  Almost 50 degrees--in January!  So I cracked open a couple of windows and cleaned until after 7 pm.  I took down every bit of winter that I could find in the house and added something to encourage Spring. 

I love these daffodils. 
 
A fresh white little vinette for the bathroom.  :-)
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How about a look at the CHA projects that I did for BasicGrey?  
A Spring cone made from the new Wisteria collection.  Pretty purples and greens.  It was so fun to work with.
 A Valentine's Day angel made with Bittersweet papers, cardstock stickers, and chipboard.  She is made from paper mache and clay.  I even made the little roses for her dress from paper.  Look how she sparkles!   
Then there is this happy project made from their Lime Rickey collection .  I mimicked the funny birds on one of the papers and added them to the top of collector boxes that say "Live, laugh, love".  This line will be so great for kids pages.
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Another product line to share...
from Creative Cafe.  More of their pretty flocked papers made into a gift box and candy container.  
   

   These projects also feature the Creative Cafe stamps by Hampton Art.  Awesome, awesome clear stamps.  Plus, I used the AccuCut diecutting machine to cut out the pieces for these projects.   

I also did this shabby heritage layout using the "Photos" stamp set from Hampton Art and lots of  Creative Cafe chipboard shapes.  
 
Whew!  I had a lot to share today!  There is plenty more to follow soon, I just need to take a breath.  

Oh, and I almost forgot that there was a bit of a happy ending to my lost box story.  It finally showed up -- just in time to head back to Canada with Melissa Frances.  I shared a few of my projects that were shipped to CHA in my previous post, but here is one more in honor of  the resurrection of the box ;-)
  One of the new diecut papers with tiny pink polka dots and the new Girl Chipboard Flash cards.  That photo is of my daughter--almost 28 years ago (her birthday is in 3 days!) and she is wearing a little yellow dress from her great grandma and a gold locket from my friend Gayle, the one who saved me last week.  

Here's a good look at those Flashcards.  I mean, how cute are these?

There is always so much to do and so little time, but I'll be back soon with more to share.  My best advice for now... "breathe....just breathe".

Love to all,
Linda

 

 

Comments

[Katie W.]

Ohhhhhhh Linda........my worst nightmare...seriously...I have worked the last 3 CHA's at the MR booth and taken all my projects as "carry on" luggage...and still been worried....that is my worst nightmare..missing a deadline but missing one that is not my fault. So sorry that happened. Your work is beautiful though...and I'm glad you shared it with us!!

[Michelle Goto-Bertuzzi]

Oh Linda... Never ever trust these courier companies! I used many of them when I had my business & they always always screw up on something. Sorry this happened to you!

[Jennifer Stewart]

Oh, no! That must have been so incredibly frustrating. Thank God for good friends who keep us sane! Linda, your work is just amazing and these projects are absolutely gorgeous. I love visiting your blog. :)

Jennifer

[karen barker]

What a nightmare, and so frustrating but i think you projets are great. Very orginal. It doesn't matter where in the world you are it appears that postal/courier companies are the same. keep blogging because i love to see your work Love karen

[Coni]

I´m so sorry that you had so much trouble with your CHA-stuff! What a nightmare! But I´m glad the package finally showed up!
You work is amazing as always!!! Love everything!
Oh, and please send some sping here! :o)

[Stephanie]

I am so glad to hear your box turned up...eventually! That must have been a nightmare for you after all that hard work. I love your new projects, especially the spring cone :)

[Cynthia Thyfault]

Sorry to hear about your very frustrating week. I really enjoy your blog and wanted to say that your work is incredible! Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Gina]

So sorry to hear about your projects, but at least they were not completely lost. I know what you mean about being upset over things like that too. I tend to be that way. I'm having a problem with my card reader in my computer now and just want to cry because I'm so frustrated over it and hate to waste my time trying to figure it out. =P All the projects and pages are so beautiful! I just love looking at every little detail! Glad you have a friend that shifted your focus and glad you're feeling better! I think we all need a little Spring right now. ;D

[Lisa M. Pace]

I am sick for you. This is one of my biggest fears. Hopefully the box will arrive back to you safe and sound. Your work is so beautiful and inspiring. Super big hugs to you.

[Cathy K.]

Glad the box was finally found. Your work is beautiful as always. I love the Valentine's Angel - she is just stunning, the roses, oh my you've got a lot of patience and even more talent!!

[Char]

Sorry that happened!!! How awful!! But I'm glad that it was found because even though Melissa didn't have these projects you put alot of time and heart into them and I'm glad that they were found :-)

Beautiful creations as always!!! char

[Debbie Booth]

Oh Linda, I am so sorry about the circumstances you found yourself in...I hope you will recover! Beautiful things you have made and displayed. I played for a wedding once where 'part' of the bride's dress arrived and the skirt was nowhere to be found...anywhere....the wedding still went on...but terribly frustrating for the bride. she just borrowed a skirt and they took pictures from the waist up! She still smiled! Oh my! Hope this week is much better for you!
Blessings,
Debbie

[Karen Gossett]

I am so sorry you had to go through that. I understand your feelings of not being in control. I'm glad your friend was there for you & helped you work through it. Friends are treasures, aren't they?!

Love your projects! You are so talented!

[Debbie]

Hugs Linda!!! That is quite the ordeal you had to go through! Thank God for friends!!!

[Melissa]

I just love ya....you're wonderful in every way. So sorry to hear about that darn box...not your fault in the least.
Such creativity here...you make the world so much more beautiful!
Melissa

[elisabeth]

WOW this is so BEAUTIFUL, thank you for your inspiration

Elisabeth

[Sharon Dale]

I haven't popped over to your blog since Christmas I think and you've still got one of my favourite blogs to stop by for some inspiration. I totally love each and every project you make Linda, they're always beyond beautiful. So glad your box finally arrived, albeit very late for CHA. I just love that little project you did with the Lime Rickey collection as those birdies are so cute!

[ruth]

oh what a shame, but so glad it time up in the end, albeit late. Too many goregous projects to get lost.

[jan]

I absolutely love your work!! I would love to know how you did the birdies and the boxes, I think those are my favorite.

[Kristin Baxter]

Oh my goodness, all of your projects are to die for gorgeous, but I just love those little birds on the box tops! So stinkin' adorable!

[roree]

Linda... your work is always so amazing and so full of wonderful details. Gorgeous!!!

[Karey]

Love your Valentine angel and the crazy lime birds.
So sorry bout all the stress you felt with your projects being lost. How upsetting! Hopefully they will still be found-although it won't make up for not being where they were suppose to.
Glad you had a friend you really cares for you!

[girlonthewing]

So sorry you had to go through this but glad the box was eventually found. I think that you have, as my kids would say, mad scrapping skillz and it seems to me you always put a lot of heart into your projects so I imagine this must have very hard.

Love the projects you posted today. You make me want to go buy products I wasn't sure if I liked which makes you an awesome designer!

[annaD]

Linda, I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience especially after the many hours of hard work/creativity you put into your projects. I hope there is a happy ending with your projects being found. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with us here! Anna D :)

[Bren Yule]

That is a presenters nightmere! I'm so sorry you had that heartache through your event! Your work in beautiful! Just made a cupcake! Thanks for all your inspiration!!!