The Details...Disney China and San Fran (Japan)

I have talked to some friends about this and I am sure that everyone is curious to know what San Fran meant on my facebook status this week.  I am finally ready to blog about it so here goes...

Goal 2&3 on my Hundred Goals is to take a risk and get out of my comfort zone.  I have now done that twice since I wrote that goal and I am proud of myself for stepping out.  The first time I applied for the DODEA and am still pursuing it as I think it would be a good fit for my kiddo and I.  The 2nd venture out of my comfort zone was to apply with Teach Away Inc. to work overseas.  The state of education in Arizona always has me stressed. Teaching is my second and last career and I LOVE it. Not like, LOVE.  I love the kids (even though there are days I have to count to 100 and breath slowly) and I love seeing them get excited when they reach their goals. At this point after 4 years (5 if you count all my long term subbing), I am antsy and still stressed about the never ending battle for test stores, Career Ladder and Pay for Performance monies and always getting told our pay is frozen and we have to pay more into retirement, insurance etc.  Every few years, I have had to move G to afford our housing because the cost of living goes up (and child support seems never to be caught up).

Anyway.. I digress.. back to Teach Away.  I applied on Thursday evening after working on a cover letter for a very long time and updating my resume.  On Friday, I received an email from them telling me that all though I would fit in to the Japan position nicely, I fit even better into Disney's Language Schools in China.  Yes that says CHINA!!  My poor teammate Steffany probably thought I was totally NUTS when I flung her door open and started talking animated 1000miles per hour.  Never thought in a million years I would be told I would be a good fit.  The next thing I know my cell phone is ringing and it is Teach Away asking me to call them back at my earliest convenience.  I waited a couple very anxious hours until my prep and called them back.  The woman that contacted me was very helpful and said that while I may be a good fit for Japan their next interviews for it are in San Fransisco on April 30.   My head was spinning.  She talked to me about Disney China for a long time and then transferred me to the recruiter for Japan who told me all about that program.  More money, rural southern Japan, 7 month assignment etc.  I spent the rest of Thursday figuring out what to do. Would I got to CA and interview or apply for Disney China because it was a great opportunity to just try and see where it led.  I even tried to get some job clarification from Chip Coffey when I went to his show Thursday night but I wasn't called on for a reading.  I spent Friday talking to colleagues and friends wondering what to do.  I think once the excitement calmed in me, I had already known I wasn't going to go for Disney China.  G has been very open minded about going anywhere in the world that I feel is safe for us except China (Thank you Karate Kid).  I didn't want to stress him or my mom and dad out by going for that one, specially since the pay by US cost of living standards wasn't what I was looking for long term.  I finally decided that while I would love the opportunity to teach English in Japan, I can't really get to San Fran April 30th and be comfortable in my budget.  I did tell them though that I would like to keep my options open for the next interview session and see what happens.

I want to get my TEFL certificate in May, or at least start working on it.  I have a feeling I will be out of my comfort zone again sooner than later. Teaching English in another country or teaching for the DODEA is still  very high on my list to complete at some point in the next few years.  It will be a very very tight year for us next year with the increases in everything but pay but I am hoping that it will give me a chance to get things in order and keep seeking opportunities to make our life better as a family and still be able to give back to kids or adults that really want to learn.

Update: 5/15/11 - I ended up applying for a Kinder position in Cyprus and I was very close in getting  that 2nd interview with them but the school in Cyprus ended up hiring internally.  The dream of overseas teaching is still alive and I started my TEFL classes.

Operation Write Home - Goal #101 - Completed

Tonight I squeezed in several cards for Operation Write Home. My goal is to make 100 nice cards (1/2 Spring, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day and 1/2 birthday, thinking of you, missing you, love, thanks) for them and send them before the February 28th deadline for the Spring Thaw Challenge.

Update 2/19/11

Challenge completed! I spent the day crafting with my friend Sheila and made 50 cards plus another 6 birthday cards for myself! Here is the pile that will be send to Operation Write Home on Monday!

Update 2/2 Cranked out 4 cute cards tonight....

Love, Blank Inside

Inside: Happy Father's Day

Inside: Happy Birthday

i miss you, blank inside

Updated 2/1 - A Couple more for our troops...

Blank Inside

Inside: Happy Birthday!

(January 2011)
Here are the cards I have made today. I was going to post photos of each card but realized that I have too many already made. This is a good thing!  I have 31 all occasion done already.  Once I hit 50, then it is on to the Spring, Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day cards.  I did find it very difficult to keep the cards simple and not put a ton of embellishments on them.  I keep reminding myself that they have to go through "free mail" for the troops.  Join me in the challenge! It is for a super cause.

Inside: i love you

Inside: "You're my favorite!"

Transformations

So I completed a bunch of little ATC's for a previous challenge last week and today decided to transform these little cuties into cards to see how quickly I could do it.  Here is my first one. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this card. Came out so cute I am not sure I will want to send it out.  Enjoy!

The image is Buggaboo's Deacon on a Swing, ribbon by StampinUp!, paper from my stash is Recollections "Spring Bling" and of course it is colored with my Copics.

The transformed card is going in to the Catch The Bug Challenge: Anything Goes  this week....

The ATC before it was a real card.....

The ATC made into a card...

Live from my craft room..er..I mean World

This blog started off as a way for family to keep up with us here in sunny AZ.  It was neglected and reborn with my bucket list but it is slowly being taken over by my crafts and cards.  I wonder if it is time for a name change. :)  In any case, I was in my office craft room tonight after my kiddo went to bed (he is finally no longer sick BTW) and I cranked out these adorable cards. Some are for Operation Write Home and others are simply to send the soldiers I support and write to.  Enjoy!

ATC's

What is an ATC you ask? I had no idea what they were until today. An ATC is an Artist's Trading Card. They are small (2 1/2 by 3 1/2) and can be made into a standard sized greeting card in no time flat. Catch The Bug's Challenge Blog called for ATC for the current challenge and I was up for it! I am not used to working on a small scale and seem to always print my images large but here are the first couple I created. I love them and will be printing some of my other favorite images teeny to work on some more tomorrow.  Oh Have I mentioned how much I just love Buggaboo digi's? They are so cute. 

These will be entered in The ATC Challenge on Catch The Bug Challenge Blog and One Stop Craft Challenge Week 116 ATC's.  The ATC with Buggaboo's Deacon "I miss you" will also be entered in the Do You Stack Up Patterns Challenge this week.

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere.. in Pink

Love this Bugaboo digi so much I inked a couple of different versions of it today. This one is going in this week's Do You Stack Up Challenge #3: Pink Color Challenge.

Inside says "It's five o'clock somewhere..and if it's not.. who gives a damn!"

Winter Whites with a splash of color....

My kiddo is sick on the couch still coughing, drinking Sprite and watching a marathon of American Pickers so here I am making cards.  More than one project is on my mind today. Cards for our troops and cards for fun and challenges.  So.. here is my mix for the day so far...

• Buggaboo Winter White Challenge: #1 of 2 The inside of this one says "Where liberty dwells there is my country." The image is StampinUp! The paper and brads were old. The inking is of course Copic Markers.

• Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps: Midweek Throwdown Challenge - White on White with a pop of color

• Buggaboo Winter White Challenge: #2 of 2 This one uses a Bugaboo digi image. The inside says "It's Five o'clock somewhere..and if it's not... who gives a damn!

          This one is also going in the Raise the Bar N.E.W. Challenge: 

Operation Write Home Challenge #53

Here is my first card for an Operation Write Home Challenge #53.  I had a very hard time keeping it simple because I am used to making cards with bling or bumps on them. It is much easier sending cards to the troops if they are not all bumpy etc. They have to send them back and they need to arrive in one piece to their loves ones.

Here is the sketch:

 Here is mine. I wish the colors were accurate. The Happy Easter paper does have some green.

Operation Write Home

In my quest across the net looking at different sites this weekend, I came across a site that I think will end of being one of my faves. It is the Operation Write Home project. I was so excited to see this site. I have been making cards for years and sending them to my contacts overseas when I get them. I figure there is no Hallmark store in the Sandbox and homemade cards are perfect for sending over.  Now I can make them in bulk and send them to Operation Write Home.  Great cause!  Stay tuned for cards that I am sending over. :)



This is their mission:
Supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them.

Treat Yourself...

This week has been a challenge in more ways than one. My kiddo has been sick since Saturday and finally after 6 days of coughing and a higher than normal fever, I kept him home today and we went to the Doctor's. Good thing I did! He has pneumonia!  He has never had it before but I knew this cough was trouble since his fever kept coming back.  Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon and he will be back in top shape.  He told me that the only good thing about being sick is "treating himself to the Wii and Sprite" all while laying on the couch.  Kids need extra treats when they are sick. Makes them feel loved and special when they are feeling down and out.  I think as adults we forget that we too need a treat now and then.  I know that my life revolves around my kiddo and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have to stop and smell the roses and treat myself to something special sometimes too even if it is my own Redbox movie to watch in bed at night. We all need that.  So in that spirit, today's card is a celebration card..."Treat yourself to a wonderful day!"

It came out so cute  and my son said.. "Mom, you are getting so good at this we should open a store!" Ahhh, I adore him. :)

 This one is being entered in the following challenges;

• One Stop Craft Challenge:  Week 115 More Than One Fold

• Cute Card Thursday: 1, 2, 3 challenge
• This card has 1 sentiment, 2 different ribbons and 3 different pieces of cardstock (purple, green embossed and purple patterned)
  
•  Copic Creations: Challenge #42 - What's New?
• This card is my first easel card and the digi set is new. LOVE it!

"Do Not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode"

My Hundred Goals list has been on my mind since I started creating the list. I have put things in motion to accomplish several of them in the next year or so...possibly sooner.  I saw this quote on a digi stamp site this week and it reminded me to not be afraid of being outside my comfort zone and that I needed to blaze ahead.  I try to teach my son the same thing because I always felt like I needed to follow the path growing up.   I think you miss out on things when you follow the standard path of life. I love this card.. not sure I will be able to send it. Might have to make many of this card and start sending them off!

The inside says "Do Not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode"

It is being entered in the following Challenges:

• Raise the Bar - Challenge #49 Oh To Be a Kid Again
• Sassy Studio Designs: Something Old (both the paper and the buttons)
• Creative Card Crew: For Men/Boys Challenge
• CR84FN Color Challenge:  #11 Red, Kraft, Brown  

Make it a Cupcake Kind of Day!

My poor kiddo still has a bad cough and came home from school with a fever tonight. Sub plans were created, texts and emails sent and he will be off to the doctor's tomorrow.  As he was coughing through his dinner, he said, "I wish we had cake! That would make me feel better." So as I sat down tonight after I got him tucked in to bed, I thought a cupcake would be good.  No cake on hand so I tackled the latest color challenge #13 on iCopic Lover...purple, green and orange.  Tough colors but this card came out wonderfully. The sentiment "Make it a cupcake kind of day" seemed appropriate.

Here it is....

Sick Day = Creation Day

I have been home all weekend with a sick kiddo. While he is content drinking Sprite and laying on the couch watching every movie we own, I have been in the office in between checking on him doing what I love to do on the weekends, listening to music and creating cards. I found this sketch on the Critter Sketch Challenge blog that I just had to try. In the past I have kept my card pretty simple and these challenges help me think outside the box. I am entering this one in the Critter Ketch Challenge and also in the Monthly Stamping Boutique Challenge. The digi is Stamping Boutique, the paper is Heidi Grace and the stickers are Cloud9.

Here is the sketch.....I reversed it and used heart stickers for the 3 things on the top and bottom of the card.

Girls Rule!

I am normally thinking about boy's things.. jeans, sneakers, Lego's, soggy towels left on the bathroom floor. Yes, indeed, I am the mother of a boy.  I find that when I am making cards however, many of the ones I make are girly.  I was able to use one of my new girly digi's this week for iCopic's Color Challenge (colors were pink yellow and white).  This digi is now on my fave list.  Now to figure out how to make the colors just as true and bright on my camera as real life...Enjoy!

Sketch Challenge - Take 1

This is the first time I have done  a sketch challenge.  I loved the cards that were posted for inspiration and thought it was time to give it a try.  Needless to say this one took me hours because I wanted it to be perfect but you know how that goes.  I do love how it came out and it has my own take on the challenge.

Here is the sketch from the Critter Sketch Challenge Blog:

And here is my take on it....

The image is from The Stamping Boutique colored with my Copics.  The papers are an assortment that I had in my scrap bin. Prima flowers of course and StampinUp! grossgrain ribbon.

I am going to submit it to the Critter Sketch Challenge and also the current challenge on The Stamping Boutique since this image is one of their adorable designs.

Spring on my mind...

Yesterday's summertime theme card kept spring and warmth in my mind all day today. It was a beautiful winter day here in Arizona but it was pretty chilly this morning and the air was crisp and cool.  Spring.. I hope you get here soon.  To keep that longing of spring fresh for a few more days, I made a new card with one of my fave digi's "Willy"by Victoria Case.  Willy is one of those digi's that I return to time and time again and usually even color him the same because the cards come out so cheery.  Not sure who the patterened paper is by but I am down to my last few scraps of this one. The colors always match so well when I color Willy this way.  This card is for the "do you stack up" Cute as a Button challenge.  I am loving the challenges these days and this Willy card will keep spring alive for me until it gets here.

Summer... where are you?

Winter has come to Arizona finally after a long hot summer.  It feels like it took forever to get here and now I want it GONE! You know you have been in Arizona a long time when the 50 degree days feel like 30 and when it is 34 in the morning you feel like you are in the Arctic.  Thin blood they say.  I call it just plain cold!  I miss the balmy breezes of our brief fall and long for them to come to signal spring is here.  Arizona does have spring..albeit a short one before we get scorched again. Anyway... I came across another Copic Challenge that I just had to enter. It is a summertime challenge from Copic Oz! Bring on summer! Image is from The Greeting Farm and of course Surfin' Emma is colored with my fave Copics!

Crafty Things...updated...

I have been making all sorts of cards with my free time on Winter Break.  Even though we are back in school/work now I decided to keep on  coloring and making cards.  I have a goal on my Hundred Goals list to sell some of my creations this year.  This little love card is for the iCopic Color Challenge #11. The challenge was to use brown, cream and red.  I love the reds in her dress in this one and wish the photo came out a bit brighter. The image is from Tiddly Inks. 

WhooooHOOOOO!!  This card was the winnter of Challenge #11!!! Thanks iCopic!!!