Cute Chick Card for Sketch Challenge

Cute Chick Card for Sketch Challenge

sketch challenge

sketch challengeMy goodness, where did my card making mojo go? I swear it took me two hours to create a couple of cards for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches sketch challenge and it felt like  a real struggle just to produce these. I don’t know if was the sketch, my paper choice, the Easter theme (you know me, I’m never one to be that much ahead of the game) or the fact that I had to first clean a spot in my craft room just to get started. Ugh!

As I gave my crafting table a clearing, I came upon some shimmery chick paper on top of a pile of I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-this stuff, so I decided to chop it up and make some cards. I don’t know where this stock came from or how I might ever use it, so I created some cute Easter greeting cards way ahead of schedule.

For the first card (pictured below), I stuck to the sketch, but it seemed kind of blah to me, so I created a second one (top card) with a little spin. I think number two is cuter than the first, but both are very “bright.” Although you can’t see it in the photos, a little shimmer paper goes a long way. *grin*

sketch challenge

 

Prologue: My Weight Watchers Story

Prologue: My Weight Watchers Story

5870749384_220953388aWith the new year comes resolutions, goals and promises that we hope will renew our lives, transform our bodies and lift our souls. . . fast forward to February and many of us will have already thrown in the towel.

This year, like most others, I decided it was finally time to lose weight and get fit via a lifestyle change. Sounds great, eh? Kind of like all the other times I decided “The Weight is Over.” I’ve tried time and again to shed several pounds and beef up my exercise routine (I even managed a 5k a few years ago), but I ultimately end up in the same spot with a big “F” on my report card in the subject of health. Perhaps it’s the 40-something of it all, because gone are the days when I can quickly shed several pounds with a few tweaks to my diet. *sigh*

After several attempts at mastering a healthy lifestyle the same old way and getting the same result (y’all know the definition of stupid, right), I decided to take a different approach toward my goal. I looked at my personality, past successful situations and things I enjoy, and realized that a solo journey may not be the answer for me. I like to think I am strong willed and valiant enough to go this alone, after all I know what a healthy lifestyle looks like, but in reality I’ve always been a team player. Literally. I played softball, basketball, even a little Intramural football and I thrive on the comradery and accountability that comes with belonging to a team working toward a common goal.

Since I’m such a people person and belonging to a group suits me, I decided to adjust my weight loss approach to capitalize on the strength of numbers. So this week I decided to join the seemingly unglamorous ranks of the Weight Watchers. You know, that mysterious organization that was born before I was and has mesmerized an aunt, mother or family friend on and off throughout the years with special meetings, point counting and quirky little calculators. Yup, that’s the one!

After a bit of research into popular weight-loss programs, I decided that Weight Watchers has a proven record and most closely supports the ultimate lifestyle change I’m seeking. There are oodles of success stories associated with the program and meetings are even led by folks who have “been there and done that.” Plus, there is very little commitment if it doesn’t seem to be the right fit (yes an emergency exit, if you will).

So I’m joining a team and pulling on a new jersey (hopefully one that will be four sizes smaller this time next year) to lean on the strength of numbers. I’ll keep you posted here at Small Talk Mama on the ins and outs of it all and hopefully reveal a few lessons along the way.

If you are interested in joining me at Weight Watchers (there’s a special offer valid until Jan. 8, 2018) visit them online at https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/

 
photo credit: ElliGill thirtynine 25062011 via photopin (license)

A Few Instagram Favorites of 2017

A Few Instagram Favorites of 2017

I absolutely must say that Instagram has become my favorite social media platform during the last couple of years, probably because I love to express my own self through photography so much. I can enjoy a quick look at all the quirky, beautiful, fun and amazing photographs in my feed without having to wade through all the opinions and sharp words that often come with other forms of social media. If the old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” is true, then I can uncover a million stories in a fraction of the time it takes to scroll through Facebook.

So in the spirit of sharing a tiny glimpse of life and welcoming the new year, I want to pass along some of my favorite Instagram moments from 2017. But before I show you my picks, I want to pass along the top nine most liked photos according to Small Talk Mama’s followers and the stats. Here they are:

Best9of2017A

Okay, so while I don’t think stats lie, I do think they often fail to tell the whole story. Some of these top photos garnered likes because they were associated with a project or challenge, which adds lots of nontraditional traffic to a particular post. . . and why a photo of my curtains made the list, I’ll never know. So let’s forget the data for a bit while I share a few of my 2017 Instagram favorites you might have missed. . .

 


 

 

#kansascityzoo on a beautiful March afternoon.

A post shared by Small Talk Mama (@smalltalkmama) on

 

 

What a crew at the Tulsa Zoo! #tulsazoo

A post shared by Small Talk Mama (@smalltalkmama) on


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

First splash of Memorial Day. #memorialdayweekend #swimming #familyfirst

A post shared by Small Talk Mama (@smalltalkmama) on


 


 


 

 

Formal night

A post shared by Small Talk Mama (@smalltalkmama) on


 


 

 

This is Alaska!! #summervacation #cruise #hollandamerica #family

A post shared by Small Talk Mama (@smalltalkmama) on


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

Happy birthday big boy!

A post shared by Small Talk Mama (@smalltalkmama) on


 


 


 


 


 

Page 32 of 144
1 30 31 32 33 34 144