It's been a long, sad time for me...

I have not posted in a while, I know.  It's been a bit bad around here lately and I hope the worst is  behind us.  My bestest, fur baby friend is now up in heaven watching over me.  She was sick since before the holidays and she tried to stay, but the pain was too much to bear watching her go through.  So on March 7, 2011, we let her go to sleep and hopefully she will wait for us to come and visit her.

Although she is no longer with us, she did make it to meet and hang out with our newest addition to the family...Angel.  Appropriate name for the little one, since Sweet Pea's passing, she has not let me get too down or depressed...she is definitely a handful.

We just got her on February 17th...and she is absolutely adorable.  She came to us at only 7 pounds...but now, a couple weeks later she has gained 4 pounds.  She went to the vet the other day for some of her puppy shots and checkup and all is good.  Hubby said she was a complete 'angel' at the vet too.  She already knows to let us know when she needs to go out, but of course has some accidents.  Which is okay because we have dog-proofed our house many years ago when we got Amber and Sweet Pea.  She also is getting the command of sit and come.  She is a smart cookie! LOL!!!

When I can bring myself to talk more of Sweet Pea...I will fill you in, but for now I just need to let it go and think good thoughts.

This is the last picture we took together...this was right before she went in to be put to sleep...so you can see by my face I am not a happy camper, but I am glad that we got to hang out by the lake with her before her passing.

I have been trying to get back into crafting to get my mind off of things, but it has been slow.  

My gastritis has been a real pain to deal with.  One day/night I am fine, the next I am up at 4 a.m. sick as a dog.  And taking time off of work is killing me.  I hate that and the mess I come back to when I am out.  I plan to go back to the doctor and see if there is more that I can do to control it, but I do know that stress is a huge factor and we've had more stress this year so far than I think I have had in years.

That and I have the Angel handful to take care of...LOL!!!

But here are a few things I have been able to make...these were Birthday cards I made for some friends.

Then I made a charm bracelet for a friends birthday as well.

And last but not least...my Pop-Up Valentines card.

I got the idea from Dawn...she is an awesome artist.

Visit her site when you have a chance - Dawn's Stamping Thoughts

Here it is lying flat so you can mail it.

And last but not least, I joined in a swap at Paper Phenomenon

The swap was to purchase a $1 box that you can get at Michaels and dress it up as well as making a one-page mini album and charm for it.

Here's what I did.

Here's the album

And here's the album in the box...

Oh...I do have some good news to share...

I sold my Cricut Create that I only got a few months ago, for the bigger model.

I really did not think I would even use the Cricut that much, let alone want the bigger one that's why I purchased the Create first.

But I LOVE this machine and hubby bought me the Expression for my Birthday/Valentine's day.

It's the Aqua one...isn't it beautiful?  LOL!!!

Ok, well...I think I need to try and craft a bit before this whole weekend is gone.

Take care everyone...big hugz to you all.