THE QUEEN OF QUIRK

back in action :)

Ok, so I took a bit of a break. A MUCH NEEDED break. Yes, I designed a bit...but I have been really limiting myself on the internet, designing, etc. I managed to make 2 little embellishment packs, but that's it. Hoping to have a new kit for the grand re-opening at thedigichick.com, but I'm not holding my breath. Just crossing my fingers. :)

My mom returned to the States on Sunday. That was so hard. I hate saying goodbye to her. I almost feel like our roles have been reversed these past few years. I just want to protect her and take care of her. I tower over her- she's so tiny and short. I don't even know if I am explaining it well...maybe because I haven't got it quite figured out yet. She was such an incredible help while she was here, though. I didn't have to lift a finger. I am so grateful for her. I am grateful to have a mother who loves me enough to take care of me...REALLY take care of me. And she was so sad looking in the hospital while I was in labor. I didn't want her to worry about me, but knew it was inevitable. I'm her only daughter. Anyway, I just feel so lucky to have her.

I feel like I'm rambling...busy week. :) Full of a million little things.

So, yes, I have 2 new embellishment packs that will be in the boutique today. I'm calling them 'little things'...and it will be all the random embellishments I think people want to use and have. Here they are. :)

The flowers match my 'blush' kit and the dymo labels...well, I just thought those would be fun. Who doesn't love them?!

Also, I created a freebie kit...not sure if I posted a preview of it here or not...anyways- I made a freebie kit for the boutique so people could sample my designs, style, stuff, etc.....and I was totally floored by how many downlaods I had. Almost 300! WOW! That's a LOT to me...especially for being such a newbie. So, thank you to everyone who downloaded the kit..I really hope you enjoy it and can use it! If you do, let me know...send me a link. I would love to see your layouts! :) Here's a preview of it just in case I didn't post one before.

You can download this kit for free here.

And here's a little layout I did with it. I have had this photo of my SIL and her kids since the spring. It was about time I scrapped it! :)

And in baby news, we still have THE cutest baby in the world...yes, I just said that. ;P

Here are some more photos I took the morning my mom left. Enjoy!

Ok, so that about does it...hahahaha. Nice long post for those of you who check daily and get mad at me when I don't write!! :)

Now, I have to feed Norah and then get into Photoshop...gotta get this new kit done! Yikes! Speaking of Norah...I'll say goodbye with this.....

photos

Well, I am definitely NOT a photographer, but I tried!  Here are some shots from today! Enjoy!

Ok, I'll write more later! I'm off to play a board game with Colin and the girls. They need some lovin'! I hope everyone is doing well! Dad, I hope you like the photos!! I love you!! :)

oh, baby!

She's here! She's finally here! Saturday was one heck of a day, but she's finally here and she was definitely worth the wait!

Say hello to Miss Norah Evelyn Crowley.....

Born February 11, 2006 /// 6:05 p.m. /// 8.3 pounds

Unfortunately, our computer is seriously going to get thrown out the window...it's taken me over an hour to get this photo in here which is just ridiculous. We'll update more soon when the computer behaves! I need to eat so I can feed this bebe!! :)

chat & update!

Hey everyone!! Real quick!!

It'a 3 am here in Germany and I am trying to get into the 'New Designer" chat at thedigichick.com, but there must be about a bazillion women there, because the site just won't open for me! :(

Ok...wait...there it goes! Um...can this thing go any faster??!! WOW! I can barely read fast enough to keep up and I am a FAST reader!!

I hope everyone enjoys the free kit!!

I need to get off the computer and get back to bed! We are heading to the hospital at 8 to be induced! Laura is so awesome and is letting Lara and Mia stay there all day PLUS they are sleeping over! Don't I have an amazing friend??!! I just love her to pieces!

Ok, it's now 3:30...gotta get back to bed! I will update as soon as I can! In the meantime, maybe Laura will have some tidbits til I get back home! :)

drumroll please!!!

After much agony and joy, I have finally decided on my creative team!! These girls are just what I was looking for and I couldn't be happier with my decision! Well...I would have been MUCH happier not having to disappoint anyone, but unfortunately it had to be done. Thank you so much to everyone who applied! I appreciate every single application and I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do!

So without further ado!

Please help me congratulate:

Rachael Giallongo (inlovewithdots @ the digi chick)

Zoe Pearn (zoepearn @ the digi chick)

Michelle Fausett (scrappinlikecrazy @ the digi chick)

Novita Solihin (novita @ the digi chick)

Darla Vasquez (d2vasquez @ the digi chick)

Krista Farnsworth (luckymomx7 @ scrapbook-bytes)

Terra Atkinson (just terra @ digiscrapdivas)

Bree Clarkson (ditzyscrap @ twopeas)

I am really excited about this new venture and I am even more excited to have such an incredible group of cheerleaders!! I was so excited that I made the best freebie kit I could possibly make to say "Thank you" for everyone's constant support and encouragement! I am truly grateful!

This little diddy will be available soon in the boutique at thedigichick.com! Isn't it yummy??!!

CT call....

I have just sent out the CT offer emails and hope to hear from the girls soon. I chose 8! I had to narrow it down from almost 40 applications! There were so many talented and enthusiastic women!

This has been the toughest decision I have had to make in so long. It is a horrible mix of satisfaction and regret. I am so happy with the girls I have chosen, but feel absolutely terrible that I could not choose everybody. And I know myself...I will feel badly for a few days to come. I hate letting people down or hurting people. It doesn't sit well with me.

So, I will wait for the responses to come back and then I will officially announce my new CT. Now I have to find a nifty name for them! :) Ihope everyone is having a wonderful day!!!

according to the doc

I strained my symphysis pubis. It's the ligament that is front and center in my pelvis. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to heal (it can be slower during postpartum recovery) and I have to wear a special soft brace to keep the friction in my pelvis to a minimum. Supposedly, my labor will not really be affected by this. It's just extremely painful when I try to move my legs independently. I cannot lay on either side- I have to prop myself up with pillows in a reclined position. Fun, huh?

We had an ultrasound to check on bebe and *SHE* is doing fine. Yes, it's official! We're having another girl! hahaha. I have another appointment Friday morning and if I want to, my doctor will induce me. He wants it to be my decision since I am the one in pain, getting VERY little sleep, and completely exhausted. He is amazing and I am so lucky to have him. He literally picked me up off the ultrasound table to keep me from hurting myself...and the nurse tied my shoes for me. How sweet is that? I am really lucky I found their office and I am really looking forward to the birth experience with them.

So, I hope this puts some minds at ease. I know I feel so much better after having talked to my doctor and I am confident everything will be alright! Thanks so much for all the concern!! You all have no idea how much it means to me!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

dr. appt. today

Thank you all so much for all the love and support!! Even the CT applications are too sweet for words!

Well, I've figured out that I CANNOT lay on my side to save my life. If I do, I literally cannot walk....so I turned my half of the bed into a wannabe craftmatic...I'm sleeping in an upright position. My legs still fall asleep from time to time during the night, but at least I can sleep and get up with relatively little pain. And I have a doctor's appointment today so we'll see if I've progressed any babywise...probably not, but you never know! :) So, thank you all for your concern, well wishes, and care! It really means so much to me! (((GROUP HUG))) ;P

And as for the CT...I'm getting kinda nervous. I have received SOOOO MANY applications! This is going to be the toughest decision I have had to make in a long time! I started out by making an 'elimination' matrix so I could justly and fairly review and rate each application according to my needs...the only problem with that is it left me with at least 15 girls who I would want! YIKES! So, I need to brainstorm and figure out how to get it down to 6-8.....I have no idea how I'm going to do it! I really, REALLY have been surprised by the response to my call. I am SUCH a design newbie and I just wasn't expecting this! As for the end of the call, I will stop accepting emails at midnight (your time)on the 8th and then I will email the chosen girlies to verify and solidify the deal and THEN I will make the anouncement. I can't wait!!! Feelin the pressure!!!

And I am soooo glad you all like the kit! I am itchin to do a baby kit now....ya know...something for the wee one soon to debut...AND I have been dying to do a really cool wedding kit. Plus I wanna do a partner kit to 'hip cat' with more hot girly colors...so many ideas, ideas!!

Ok, I've rambled enough for one morning! I'll update after my doc appointment!! :)

update and thanks!

Thank you so much for all your concern and well wishes for my upcoming delivery! I have been totally overwhelmed by the support and kind words!! (((HUGS)))

I am doing ok...this morning was really rough. Colin had to literally help me stand and sit and walk. It was extremely humbling, but I am so lucky I have him! My mom has been doing the laundry and taking care of the girls and I am really feeling so blessed right now! The girls are extremely concerned... constantly asking me if my 'ow-ees' are ok. They are so sweet! So, yes, I am in extreme pain, but I have TONS of help and support right now so I don't want anyone to be worried!

In other news....

This friday is our new designer crop at thedigichick and I am really excited! The kit we put together is ABSOFREAKINLUTELY AMAZING!!! Jam-packed with lovey goodness! Just come and hang out with us Friday night at 9 and you'll get this kit for free! We will all be chatting and having a great time! (If I am home, I will get up at 3 am to chat, too! hahaha)

I made the chipboard accents, photo anchor, brad, staple, matching cardstock, and the last patterned paper on the right! :)

And as for me...here's the preview for my newest kit! It doesn't come out til Thrsday, but you guys know I can't keep a secret to save my life! hahaha. Anyway, i REALLY love this kit! I love the colors and patterns...it just makes me happy. It's a happy kit! :P I hope you all will like it, too!

10 patterned papers, 5 cardstock sheets, 5 indeex cards, 5 index tabs with staples, A-Z cardstock alpha tags, 2 buttons with thread, 2 metal rimmed patterned pebbles, 4 colored pebbles, 2 brads, 1 photo anchor, 1 staple, 1 hinge, 2 embellished paper clips, 5 colored stitches.

Ok, now I'm off to take a nap! I need the rest like you wouldn't believe and I gotta get my zzz's in while I can!!

stupid stupid

I hate these kinds of days. Ya know..the kind where you do something really stupid and it will stick around for a while and you keep beating yourself up over it?....Yeah, it's been one of those days.

We were all excited about picking up my mom today at the airport...I haven't seenher since Thanksgiving 2004 and the girls just adore her. She is so wonderful! Anyway, to say the least, we were excited.

So we all started piling into the car to get going and as I'm gong to sit down, I slipped. On ice. Luckily, the car stopped my left leg from going out from under me any further...but not enough. I was in so much pain that I couldn't even cry...it just shocked me so bad...like someone tried to rip me in half. I just stood there hunched over...practically hyperventilating. Poor Colin was so freaked out.

So, he helped me into the car and we took off. Now, normally, gong to pick someone up at Frankfurt airport is no big deal. We know exactly where to go and it's not far. So, I knew I could make it. Wrong.

Not only did we get there late, but we were at the wrong terminal. No idea what we were doing. It took HALF AN HOUR of walking and sky trams to get to the 'arrivals' section of the other terminal. I culd barely do it. And the whole time I'm thinking..'I have to backtrack every one of these steps to get back to the car.'

We finally found my mom...literally at the other end of the airport...and the poor thing was worried because we eweren't there...45 minutes late...she thought I was in labor. I felt terrible!

So, we snail-crawled all the way back across the terminal to the tram..and then to the parking lot.

I never thought I would be nervous about escalators. But when your hips have just been wrenched apart and you're 3 days from your due date and your 3 yr old walks faster than you do- having the ground literally move out and up from underneath you is one scary experience. It hurt so bad.

So, now, I can barely walk, I can't wipe my feet, I can't pick up my leg to get into the car, I can't just plop down on the couch, and I am worn out.

Stupid. That's how I feel. I've gone 39 weeks and 4 days and now I hurt myself so badly that I think it's going to make labor even worse for me. Just stupid.

And the only good thing about today is that Laura invited us over for ribs. I could kiss that woman! Yummy food is about the only thing that can cheer me up right now...Ok, that AND watching my mom read to the girls. Gotta love that. :)