A Big Day

Today was a big day in our house.  My kiddos go to school on a year-round calendar which means they go to school for nine weeks and then have 3 weeks off.  It is a great schedule because we get 4 3-week breaks throughout the year instead of a long summer vacation.  Our summer break is during the month of August and today was their first day back.  Of course, they were not excited and I was sad to see them go.  We have had a fun break but it was time to get everyone back into a routine.

For the last couple months, I have prepared myself to live a more purposeful life.  I am tired of running around with my head cut off and always feeling that I am too busy to do the fun stuff.  As a mom of 3 boys, I have my hands full but I have never focused on finding balance in my life.  TODAY is the 1st day of my improved life and I am excited to share with you how I plan to do just that.  Now, I know you are wondering what any of this has to do with stamping but it has a LOT to do with it.  There are so many things that I want to make and share with you but I just never find the time.  My stamping business has always fit into the "empty spaces" in my life and how many of us really have any empty spaces?  We always manage to fill that time with something that has to get done.  Not anymore for me!  I actually have a schedule of when I get to stamp and it doesn't matter how many loads of laundry are waiting for me.  They can wait!!!  The first thing I needed to do was make a calendar of my weekly schedule.  I know it may sound silly but if it isn't pretty, I won't use it.  I have to want to look at it.  I had so much fun creating my calendar.  I just went online and searched for a weekly schedule and found this template at the Scattered Squirrel.  She has some awesome printables that you should check out!  I printed the calendar on Whisper White cardstock, added washi tape to make it pretty and then laminated it!!!  The different patterns of washi tape represent different parts of my day.  For example, you can see that the calypso coral tape represents my Stampin' Up! time.

Now, I must focus on using it which will be the hard part for me.  Check back this week for more projects using washi tape.  It seems to be my favorite thing right now.  I've even warned the boys that if they sit still long enough, they may be washi taped!