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For the majority of my life, I have spent my time “doing what I wanted”. I got excellent grades in high school. I went to college and graduated with multiple degrees. I worked full time and got paid fairly well. I went back to school to pursue something else. The list could go on for days. Was it really what I wanted to do? Time after time, I claimed to have wanted to achieve this and that, but was that truly what I wanted? Simply put, the answer is no, well minus the exception of me going to college. I really did want to learn.
Some people might be thinking, “Then why did you do it if that’s not what you wanted?!” Well, it’s quite simple actually. It’s this stupid little thing called approval. I always seek for approval from people around me. However, in the past year or so, I have learned that it is not about what other people want. It’s about what I want, and I’ve done just that.
I stopped doing what others wanted me to accomplish. Besides, even though I could kick butt in school (*cough* A’s in all of my courses *cough*), I don’t want to do that anymore. It’s boring and repetitive. I am so over getting good grades to only have to apply to something else. Then apply to something else, and then apply to something else. After being accepted here and there, then it’s like I have to follow someone else’s agenda. That might be the life someone else wants to live, but I choose otherwise.
Instead, I have decided to live a creative life. I let my creativity loose.
Check out a couple of these Urban Swank layouts I recently finished:
I love the colors to these layouts! They seriously put a smile on my face. When it’s rainy and cloudy like today, a little color can go a long way. 
To see more details on these Urban Swank layouts, click here.
With my passion for creating, I have also met some amazing people along the way. Some I have met in real life and some I have yet to meet. Either way, I am thankful for their support. Amy, one of my favorite gals that I have yet to meet, made my day. I came home to find happy mail! She sent me this adorable scrapping buddy along with a bunch of Valentine goodies:
Anyway, because I have been creating my heart out, things are starting to pay off. I seriously enjoy my job, and I’m not just saying that. …and in the month alone, I have been asked to send off two of my layouts for two different publications. How cool is that?! I’ll make sure to fill you all in when it’s for sale!
…and there have been many more opportunities and doors opening up to me in this industry. I’m still amazed at all of this growth.
Even to this day, sometimes I still have to hear, “Well, is it going to be enough?” Duh, of course it is otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it! Financially, it’s not as much as a doctor or Steve Jobs might make, but I HEART doing what I do.
One day all of this will make more sense to me, but for now, I’ll just enjoy making a mess with paper!
Nan, our wonderful DT leader over at Zutter, cracks me up! I had such a blast working with her at CHA. She’s SUPER sweet, and she’s creative too, hehe. 
Anyway, she sent over some FUN news that I wanted to pass on to everyone. (Note: You need to be a member of the Zutter Zisters forum to play.)
A message to all members of Zutter Zisters
Just for the members and before the main blog giveaway….come check out the video of the Hang-it-All make ‘n take from Winter CHA. Leave a comment on the thread and win one of 5 of the MnT kits!
The kits contain 3 pieces of 3X4 Zutter Clipboard Wood (we pre-punched the holes for the Hang-it-Alls), 3 3X4 pieces of new assorted paper from Donna Salazar Designs and enough Hang-it-Alls and rivets to assemble the pieces. You finish it off with your own photos and finishing touch embellishments.
We draw names on March 1….can’t wait to see what you think of the new Hang-it-Alls!
As a matter of fact, I helped Nan kit up these giveaways for everyone! Here’s a preview to what is up for grabs:
Head on over to the Zutter Zisters forum for your chance to win these supplies to make your very own project from CHA.
…and for your weekend viewing pleasure, I thought I would share a recent video of the dogs at the dog park. Hilo is the little brown and white spotted freak trying to get the Cocker Spaniel to play with him.
Cute, don’t you think?!
Hilo is such a sweetheart. He wants everyone and everything to be his friend, and I love him to pieces. Okay, I just had to put that out there because people always think I favor Maui.
Happy weekend!
Fridays are the best, aren’t they?! It’s time to have fun and let loose, and that’s what I plan on doing. If I’m in the mood, I just might put on my go-go boots, lol. Just kidding! I don’t have a pair of go-go boots, so maybe I should go steal some from Martha, haha!
…and as promised, this was the only picture from Valentine’s Day — taken with a phone, so it’s not that clear. However, I thought I would post it to remember what happened that day.
On another note, I played with the latest sketch over at Sketchy Thursdays. Something about the circles made me want to give it a go.
For my take, I wanted to use some of the latest from Cosmo Cricket. Yes, everyone… I did use one of Martha’s punches (*cough* EK Success *cough*). No, I’m not proud of it. hehe. Anyway, here’s my take:
The weather has been exceptionally nice recently. It’s not going to last long though. Apparently, the forecast is calling for some rain this weekend. I’m not going to complain though because I know a lot of other people are feeling the effects of chilly snow storms. Because the weather has been so nice, the dogs and I have been spending the majority of our time outside. As a matter of fact, I’ve been creating outside! Can you believe that?! I had the camera close by, so I shot some photos of the Maui and Hilo enjoying the spring-like weather.
"No, you can't have the otter. It's mine, Hilo!"
"No! It's mine. Give it to me, Maui! Grrrrr!"
Hilo got frustrated and started to tackle Maui.
Hilo pursued something else. Maui kept to her otter.
Yes, Hilo is playing soccer. Gloria has been trying to teach Little Man how to kick around the ball since he was a puppy. He is still working on his kick. Isn’t he cute?! Maui, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with it. She prefers to sit around and sunbathe.
**edit**
…and just got word from Imaginisce. They are hosting a giveaway on Facebook. It’s a fun one, so make sure to play along! Click here for the Imaginisce Facebook Fan Page.
WEEKEND CHALLENGE: Post a photo here on our Facebook page… or your blog (post the link here) OF**YOU HOLDING the i-TOP TOOL** (if you don’t have one, then photoshop one onto a picture, borrow a friends or go to the store & take a photo of you holding it). Monday morning we’ll post the winner!!
Also, don’t forget the current sketch challenge is still going on for Imaginisce. For details, click here. There’s an i-top tool package or a $75 prize package up for grabs.
Wishing you all a FANTASTIC Friday!
1. Have you ever stopped by Ideas for Scrapbookers? Well, if you haven’t, you should. Pam Callaghan, the owner of this wonderful blog and one of my sweet friends, shares a bunch of ideas for scrapbookers to use. She has selected a great group of contributing artists, and I’m so fortunate that when she first started this blog she selected me to be a part of this group. We share templates, techniques, challenges, and so much more.
Do you remember this layout that I posted last week?
Well, if you like the design to that one, you are in luck. I have decided to share the template/sketch to recreate this layout.
If you prefer to use at as a sketch, I don’t mind. As long as you don’t try to take credit for my work, use it all you want! …and don’t forget to hit up IFS, for more inspiration.
2. A couple of nights ago, I received an email from Sookie. To be quite honest, I started to blush when I read that she requested my help. I was so honored that she wanted me to be a guest judge for their challenge blog. …so if you find time this month to play along, head on over to Scrappers at SG. They have some neat challenges to get your mojo going. Also, there’s a short snippet all about me if you want to check it out; find it here.
3. Recently, I have totally been in a rut – no joke! However, today I finally had some inspiration to scrap. I played with American Crafts‘ new Heat Wave for display in my LSS. The bright colors to this one is perfect for summer and beach photos!
4. I can’t remember if I mentioned this before, but did you know that Kiki Art gives out digital freebies every now and then? You read that right — digital freebies! I LOVE free stuff especially when you can use it over and over again. I created a simple card using the last one that was up for grabs on the Kiki Art blog. Isn’t that butterfly really cute?!
5. Maui has been naughty these past couple of days, and I have no idea why. She got in major trouble today with Mommy (that would be me). Why is it that on some days she’s as sweet as candy, and on other days, she’s a little problem child?!
"Time out is no fun. Can I get up and play with Hilo now?"
6. Thank you to everyone for stopping by. I really appreciate each and everyone of you coming back to read the latest in my life.
I stated last month that my goal was to reach 50,000 views by my birthday. I am amazingly close to achieving this accomplishment, but I’m still not there. If I could count my own visits, I would… but I can’t! haha
Soooooo… how am I going to reach 50,000 hits before March 18th?! A GIVEAWAY, of course!
1. All you have to do is comment to this post saying, “Sarah needs to be at 50,000!” This is open until I’m at 50,000 views. Once I’m at 50,000 views, I’ll draw TWO WINNERS to receive gift certificates to their choice to any scrapbook store.
2. For an additional chance to win, share this post on your blog, facebook, twitter, forum, etc.
3. …and a THIRD WINNER will be chosen. The person that can direct the most people to my blog will win a stash worth over $50 in scrapbooking products! How will I know who sent who? Well, they have to make sure they leave a comment telling me who sent them my way.
ex. Sarah needs to be at 50,000. Jane Doe sent me!
Good luck to all who play! …and hopefully, this will generate enough hits for me to reach 50,000 views by March 18th!
