A new day!

Wow, it really is a new day in so many ways today...our nation just inaugurated it's 44th President, Barack H. Obama! Our nation just inaugurated it's first President that is part African American! and, on a silly note, today is a new day, I mean, it isn't yesterday an it's not tomorrow!!

I had to tivo the inauguration ceremory because I had class this morning (and am happy to say that one more day of class and I will be done..woo hoo!!)..and I just finished watching it. So many things move me to tears. I am NOT a political person. In fact, if you asked me who I voted for the answer would not be Barack Obama. (nor would it be John McCain) My answer would be that I did not vote. I did not really care for either candidate and so my vote was to not vote! I am not just voting because I can, I am not just voting to "do it", I will vote when there is someone that I want to see in office! That being said. I am not unhappy that Barack won, nor am I happy. What I will say is that I truly hope our country sees some much needed change and that our new President can work good towards that change. I was moved to tears today to see our 43rd President, George W. Bush, leaving office. What a long, strange ride it has been for him and it really must be hard to have to say goodbye to a life he has known for 8 years now. I was moved to hear the prayer, led by Rick Warren (author of The Purpose Driven Life), but prayer always moves me to tears. I was moved to hear Aretha Franklin sing "My Country Tis of Thee", song usually makes me cry...well, meaningful songs do, not stuff like Justin Timberlake or Kelly Clarkson LOL!! and I was moved to hear the passion in President Obama's speech. I have hope and hope is a wonderful thing. Only time will tell, and so we wait and see....

Now, on to some less "emotional" stuff, shall we? :0)

I have been on a card making frenzy! After doing my December Daily album all digi, I have decided that the majority of my scrapbooking will be digital. In fact, today I received my book from Shutterfly and it is RAD!!!! Totally love it, and it cements even further into my head, the "going digi" feeling!! But, the question now looms, what do I do with all this paper fun goodness?? Simple, I love to stamp, I love to make altered stuff, so that is where my paper making hobby will go..cards and other fun things. I was a stamper before a scrapper so I suppose it will always be my "first" love!

I really dig A Muse stamps! I don't own many (well....currently anyway, I did order myself a big 'ol boatload of them yesterday!!) so some of the images you see, might be ones I've used before to make some cards. Anyway, I joined the A Muse message board and they had a challenge for this month...to use a new to your collection stamp to create a card. I checked (just to be safe) that I could use one of mine, that while they were not totally new, I had gotten them all at the same time so could I still play along..."sure!" was the answer. Here is my entry for the challenge!! I used the Margarita glass and the "Cheers to you!" phrase, along with some Bazzill pink cardstock, SU Black cardstock, White cardstock, MM pink patterned paper, my Marvy Scalloped punches, some glitter, ribbon, brads and my Prismacolor pencils!



I'm still trying to find the best way to photograph my cards so that the colors look true to life..but, this was the best I came up with today! I really like this one. Pink and black are always a nice combo I think!

I took a card class yesterday at Craft Fancy and that was soooo fun! Simone designed some really cute Valentine's Day cards for us to make (5 in all). I really love Craft Fancy, it is probably the best independently owned scrap store I have seen..love the mix of manufacturers that they carry, the line of stamping goodies, the general look and feel of the store too, waaay awesome! If you are local to Arlington Heights, Illinois, you really need to stop in and check them out! I keep telling myself that once the weather isn't an issue for me, I might just have to make weekly trips on down to play and see what's new!

Alright, not much else to report. Roger is due home any minute..yippee!! Looking forward to hanging out with him for a few days! I need to think about dinner for the girl, it's that time....so,

Until next time,
Blessings!