Happiness…

I think that everywhere we look we can find happiness in something.  Don’t you?

I say this because even in my darkest of times I still found joy in small things. When I mean small… I mean like really small.  Somedays just getting out of the bed was joy.

I bring this up because I think we tend to focus on to much of the negative and not enough of the positive. Plus, my card inspired the emotions.

Tonight at dinner (9 pm mind you) we finally had the chance to sit at the dinner table together. Our lives with these teenagers keeps the pace on a level that I don’t particularly like but I know it’s a season.

Casual conversation was happening and then all of a sudden we were a family of 4 arguing about the stupidest things.

I continued to eat as the others decided to argue.  Just as casual as the conversation had been I looked up at my family and asked a simple question.

“Does this bring you joy?”

You could of heard a pin drop.

Faces of my children are now long and they could see mom was quite annoyed but I repeated, “Does this bring you joy?”

I proceeded to tell my kids and husband that during dinner it was the one time I had each of them captive to sit and enjoy each other.  Time to ask the little things about the day and how it went.  Arguing was not joyful and despite their better judgement I was sure it was not bringing them joy but tension instead.

In that moment I asked another question. “What brings YOU joy?”

Our conversation changed around the table tonight as we talked about this and the dialogue between the kids and Russ and I turned from ugly to a bit more enjoyable.  This isn’t always the case but I will tell you I was firm in my decision that at my dinner table we would speak kindly and find joy in the small things.

I don’t know where most of you are in your family life but I can bet you have been in this “mama” position I was in tonight.  I will say that raising teenagers is definitely been trying on most days, but I think we are going to survive.

I think.

My Joy

While raising my kids is joyful (let’s be real… they are hormonal teenagers) my joy comes from creating.  I love seeing how people react to something handmade.  It’s happiness for me.

Today I am sharing a little Valentine for my prince.  This is when I love to shower him with tons of cards leading up to Valentines day.  In short it’s my way of showing my love and guilting him a bit.  (just keeping it real!)

It’s also a TGIF Challenge so you can play along too!!

I decided to pull out my Project Life stash to create this card.  I was so surprised how quickly this came together.

Remember this- if you are in a pinch and need a card, pull out your Project Life stash.

Memories in the Making- Project Life

I pulled out my latest addition to my Project Life stash- Memories in the Making.  I used the Accessories kit on page 43 of the Occasions Catalog and the Specialty Card Collection that is FREE in the Sale-a-Bration catalog with every $50 order.  See page 8.

Tips & Tricks

I started this card with the Whisper White Thick cardstock.  I love using the thick cardstock for my card bases.

My greeting came from the Accessory Pack and was a 2 x 2 Project Life card.  I simply punched the card using my 1-3/4″ Circle punch.  The Gold Acetate card was die cut using the Circles Framelits.  The acetate is a little too thick for your punch.

The elements were adhered onto the Project Life card and then I added a Basic Black matte to the back of the card to give it a pop of color.

The sweet enamel shapes were a simple addition to also give a pop of color.

I wanted quick and simple today and that’s exactly what I created.  In the process, I created happiness for myself knowing that my special someone, my Prince will enjoy it.  He really is my HAPPY.

I hope this encourages you in a few ways today.  First, find joy in the small things even when times are tough and you are struggling.  Second, pull out your Project Life stash if you have it.  Use it to capture those memories or make a quick card.  Either way, enjoy the process and find happiness.

Want to play along with the TGIF Design team this week? It’s simple.  Our challenge this week is Valentines.  Visit the TGIF challenge blog and be inspired. Create and Share… Let others find joy in your happiness too.

New Month- New Gift with Purchase!

Any $25 order placed in January will receive a FREE gift from me PLUS  my Exclusive January Inspiration Project Tutorials. Use the hostess code below. 

Paper Pumpkin is on SALE. Click HERE to read all the news…

Become part of something EPIC… a community of stampers that is amazing… Join My Team!

Click the links below to view the products in my Online Store.  Products with the price of $0 means they are Sale-a-Bration products. 

For every $50 you spend from the Idea Book & Catalog or the NEW Occasions catalog you can choose a product FREE from the Sale-a-Bration catalog. 

Memories in the Making Project Life Accessory Pack – 140574

Price: $13.00

Memories In The Making Project Life Specialty Card Collection – 141018

Price: $0.00

Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Thick Cardstock – 140272

Price: $7.00

Basic Black 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 121045

Price: $7.00

Gold Metallic Thread – 138401

Price: $3.00

Stampin’ Dimensionals – 104430

Price: $4.00

1-3/4″ Circle Punch – 119850

Price: $18.00

Circles Collection Framelits Dies – 130911

Price: $27.00

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