I've got Decor Elements in my Studio....and someone to keep me company!

You all are so sweet. I've gotten get-well cards in the mail, caring emails and comments and even phone calls to tell me you're thinking about me and hoping I'm better soon. I'm overwhelmed with how caring the papercrafting family is. I don't say community, because we're closer than that.....we're family!

The last 3 days have been my best days in the past 7 weeks. I know I said 2 weeks ago that I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel....well, that was before a major set back in my health, just as things were starting to look up. I had a MAJOR allergic reaction to a medication I took and after almost 2 weeks, the effects of that reaction are starting to wear off. I think NOW I can finally say I see the true light at the end of the tunnel. I actually felt well enough on Wednesday night to play poker with the guys, make them all dinner (an easy one, though) AND bake a peach pie from scratch. I haven't felt good enough to do much of anything except think about dinner once a night in the past 7 weeks.

I'm finally bouncing back and ready to get back to creating. I've missed it and felt like I had lost my mojo for a while. I'm getting it back! YAY!

Last weekend, I had my Open House and my friend Rhonda and I put up my new Decor Elements in my studio to show off to everyone that came for my Open House. I was originally planning on painting my studio before putting the Decor Elements up....but with the way I felt for so long, I just couldn't do it. Instead, I've decided to keep the light brown for a little while. Eventually, I'll get to painting over it, but then there was the thought of my Decor Elements.....I don't want to take it down to paint over the walls. So....Rhonda's honey, Jimmy,  came up with a creative idea to paint the walls AND not have to take down the Decor Elements. But.....I'm not going to share that with you till it actually happens. Yes, yes, I know, that's so cruel of me not to tell. Trust me, though. It would ruin the surprise and creative WOW if I told you now.

So, as you can see, I chose the Create definition from the Decor Elements Brochure in chocolate. I just HAD to have that one for my creative space. It seemed right.
Off to the top right of the definition, I used the free sample that SU sent all of their demos (when they first announced the line of Decor Elements). This sample looks nothing like what it did when it came in the mail. I wanted to get as much mileage out of it as I possibly could so I REALLY modified it.

Originally, the flower outline was inside the main ring and around the solid flower. I cut each layer inside apart and then created two separate designs out of it.

When I put the flower outline off to the right, I decided it needed a little bit more to jazz it up and then realized that the main ring had little dots that you pulled off to reveal the wall underneath. I had an "ah-ha" moment when I realized I could pull those dots out and use them to decorate around the flower outline. That really filled it out and gave some extra design elements to it. It really balanced it all out. This just goes to show that you do have creative license even with the Decor Elements!

So.........I also mentioned that I have someone new to keep me company in my studio all day long.

Let me introduce you to the newest member of our family........little Tovah.

She's such a little wiggle-worm....mostly because she's 16 weeks old with LOTS of energy, so it was hard to get a good picture. This was the best I could do. ;)

Tovah came from a shelter because we felt strongly about adopting an animal that was homeless.

She's been with us for 2 weeks now and we're still learning the whole potty training thing. I think she's training me just as much as I'm training her. Cats are so easy. You give them a litter box and they know what to do after the first time. Puppies.....a WHOLE different animal. Literally!

She's such a little love, though. She likes to sit on my feet when I'm at my desk and is great for keeping me company when the hubby and kids are off at work and school all day.

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! I look forward to sharing some new projects with you this week as I get back into my creative groove!

Happy Creating!

-Stampin' Mama

Comments

[Tammy Hershberger]

Tovah is adorable, and I love your new decor! And I'm so glad to hear you're feeling somewhat better!

[Bee]

I'm glad to read that you are finally starting to feel better, and your puppy is just too cute. She seems like a great match for the family and must be happy with the space behind the new house! Good news!! :-D

[Tamara]

I am glad you are feeling better :)

Are you going to paint over your decor elements, then pull them off so that you can see the brown underneath?

Congrats on your new puppy! I got a dog at the humane society almost 4 years ago, and I can't imagine life without him. Fortunately he was already trained, so I didn't have to worry about the puppy pads or anything like that.

I can't wait to see some more of your creations now that you are feeling better.

Tamara :)

[Diane Lapointe]

Love the wall decor! Awesome! Your doggie is soooo cute and adorable! Have fun training!

[Lydia Fiedler]

Ohhhhh - Tovah is adorable!! Thank you for adopting!! I just accidentally adopted two kittens that someone threw out on a busy street at 4 weeks old.

Love your blog, girl.

Lydia
www.understandblue.blogspot.com

[Heather Fullerton (Retired Heather)]

I am so pleased that you are starting to feel better. It really is tough to get better when you just feel rotten. I love what you did with your wall decor and your life will be so interesting with this wonderful bit of joy your puppy. Have fun getting to know each other and I know the pup will train you very well.
Heather

[Tanya]

How fun! Even tho you've felt crummy, you're still getting some decorating in! Good for you! I love what you did with the flower thing! I saw your picture and thought "hmm...I got that...but where'd she get the other one?" LOL! So creative and super cute!!!

[Lori Stilger]

:D I love your puppy's name! Now you're telling her she's good whenever you call her by it. She's really beautiful.
Your DE looks fantastic up!! Thanks for sharing everything you do, Erika!

[Lois Folla]

Hi Honey,

Glad you are feeling better. OMG, your puppy is so adorable, I can't wait to play with her! DH was wking from home today (Monday). I was able to go into the pool, probably the last time for the summer:( I'll try to catch up with you later this week... for my sideburns.. tee hee Can't wait to set up a time to visit!

Loves ya!
Huggies,
Lois

[Mary C. Anderson]

Hi Erika,

I was so pleased to read that you are fianlly feeling better. I have been worried about you.It sounds as though you are begining to work again. Love the new decor in your room and I love your puppy, Tova. She is adorable. Keep getting better.

Mary

[Elizabeth]

Erika- congrats on your new little sweetie. Owning a dog is one of the best things in the world! the potty training will be done in a month or so.. just keep LOTS of toys around and bones for her to chew on... a bored puppy is a chewing one!! She'll chew the toys rather than your stamps. :) If you need any puppy advice, let me know. I have two dogs that I rescued as puppies.

glad to hear you are feeling better! here's to your health!

Liz

[Karen Barber]

haha - I just saw this Erika cuz our power has been out for 3 days!! Since Sunday after church till Wednesday night!! What an experience!! We are so spoiled with our power....but your new addition is adorable, mind you not as adorable as OUR Tovah......but they, dog/girl......your Tovah is the cutest DOG Tovah I have ever seen, but my Tovah....well...hey....sorry but she's cuter. :):):) Your blog is awesome - Love, Karen