An Update {Baby, Blog Hops and lovely Surprises!}

Hi crafty pals!

What a weekend! We moved into our new home and I also received a HUGE box of goodies from a lot of dear crafty friends! Lori Turner organized a blog hop for me and our sweet little girl. We are less that two weeks away from the big day and we are sure excited! And nervous!

A week ago, I received a box that said, do not open until Saturday, March 25th! Well, wasn't I surprised to find out that there were cards, handmade gifts and other lovely messages inside. It all correlated to a hop! You can see the hop by clicking HERE.

Just look at the goodies in this box! Wow! I was floored and I will admit, a little teary eyed!!! (Darn pregnancy hormones). They sure did surprise and overwhelm me. It is just so humbling reading each kind blog post. I have never felt so much love and I seriously had no idea that all of these lovely crafty people, who have been on teams with me or for me, actually liked me that much! LOL!!! Sounds silly but I was and still am overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown by everyone. Thank you so much, Lori for all of the hard work you put into surprising me. I will cherish this hop and all of the gorgeous cards we received, forever. 

So many beautiful cards! 

Isn't this so pretty?

Little hat and booties...with the bump.

I was so shocked! Just look at that sweet elephant!

My hubby's best friend from childhood was out visiting us and he is a professional photographer. He took some fun shots of us a couple of weekends ago. Here they are below.

Yes...we are dough heads (that is what my dad would call us). This was my super model face...LOL! Big hair and big belly!

This is my favourite photo. I cannot believe how big my belly uterus has become. I had no idea! LOL! 

In other news...we have moved into our new home. It is amazing! My hubby did most of the work himself and I will be happy when he can slow down and take a break. The nursery colours morphed into something a bit different than my original plan...I am going to try to post photos of it soon.

I wanted to share the cards I am making to send to some of my crafty friends to thank them for their wonderful virtual shower. I used some Stampin' Up stamps and kept my design simple. Not the best photo from my phone...

An Update {Happy New Year}

Happy New Year! I cannot believe it has been over two months since I last posted on my blog! Life has settled down and I can finally share why I had to take a sudden departure from crafting and blogging.

My hubby and I are happily over 6 months pregnant and expecting our first child in April 2017! Hooray! 

I had some complications in October which forced me to take a step back from many things. I am still experiencing those complications and some new ones too, but the baby is doing very well. She is flourishing. It is just mama who is wearing the brunt of it...I will have some battle stories to share with her one day...it will all be worth it.

Yes..."she"...you read correctly. We found out two weeks ago that our little sweet pea is a girl. Mind you, there have been mistakes made in the past by ultrasound technicians...but I knew it was a girl from the start. I just had that feeling and I had a dream about her. In the dream, she told me her name...I won't share it here, you'll have to wait, but it is such a pretty name and it is what we are going with! Who can argue with a dream?

It was pretty funny at the ultrasound...the technician said "It's definitely a girl!" Corey and I were both so excited! We would be happy with either a boy or a girl but finding out makes it so much more real!

I exclaimed, "I just knew from the very beginning that it was going to be a girl!"

And right at that moment, the baby on the ultrasound screen, gave us a "thumbs up" with one of her hands...we all laughed, technician included. It was as if our baby girl could hear me...definitely an amazing and memorable moment.

My husband has been building a new home for us...it is almost done. The nursery is very small but delightful. It was supposed to be a office/craftroom for me...hahaha...surprise! I have decided on the following (SU!) colours for the nursery...Cameo Coral, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray and White. The walls are a (light) Coastal Cabana and the furniture is all white. The flooring is Smoky Slate with Basic Gray flecks in it and the nursing chair is a gray too. The accent is Cameo Coral...and I love it. Once it is all put together, I will be sure to post some photos.

So that's all for now...thank you for letting me share and for staying with my blog. I hope to get back to crafting by the summer. I miss it so very much.

Goodbye for Now

Dear Crafty Friends,

I have decided to take a break from blogging and from my challenges. I never thought that would happen! I am taking an 8 month hiatus from blogging and crafting and I will miss it terribly. I am doing so for my health and for my family.

Thank you to the players who join us each week at The Challenge! I have not chosen winners for the past challenge as you are all appreciated for playing along and encouraging others with your comments and support. The gallery was FULL of such beautiful work this week! Thank you!

Thank you to my amazing team at The Challenge! You ladies have been so faithful and committed! I adore working with you and I hope you will join me again in the future when I return.

The Card Concept, FUSION and Inspired By All the Little Things, will continue on normally! I will no longer be running those challenges. Instead FUSION is being taken over by Karren Johnson, my talented friend and The Card Concept will be taken over by my other equally talented friend, Julie Gearinger. Thank you so much ladies, for keeping these challenges going!

I have taken a leave from designing for Verve Stamps and SugarPea Designs. Thank you to Julee and Wendy for your endless support and kindness.

I hope to be back sometime in June 2017! In the meantime, happy crafting and all the best!

Sincerely,
Lesley