How I've been filling my days since graduation

Since Friday, June 13, 2014...I've been no longer a student and unemployed. However, I recently was hired by the county I live in, in the town that I live in (I am beyond lucky) but cannot start training until September 5th. Having never really had the opportunity to enjoy time off, to myself...I've been trying to keep myself busy. I really love my alone time. Time to finish laundry, do dishes, clean out closets, organize craft supplies, SCRAPBOOK, and spend time with loved ones. Although I'm usually very good at keeping myself busy, I've found it slightly lonely, lol. I CANNOT wait to start work & be around people during the weekdays. Here are a few things I've been up to keep myself busy:

SCRAPBOOKING

 Scrap'in with my good friend and colleague Angela

PAINTING NAILS

The colors I chose for my sister's wedding ceremony

 (her bridesmaids wore blush dresses)

 Just last week I painted my nails blue and top half gray...I call it colorblock:

CRAFTING

SPENDING TIME WITH LOVED ONES

RELAXING

Although I've enjoyed much of my vacation, I am eager to get back into earning a living, doing what I've been educated and trained to do. Plus...I've got bills to pay, lol. 

DIY Gifts

This year, many of the gifts I'm giving are made by me...I think people appreciate them more...and they are unique. You can't get them in a store :) At least I would rather get something handmade.

Here's one of the projects I've been working on:

Wine Glass Charms (Front & Back)

It's a little bit messy around these parts...

Other projects I've worked on but didn't get pictures of:

- A collage set for a co-worker: she has a craft room and loves anything handmade, especially art.

- Another set of wine glass charms for my boss: she's in a wine club and loves anything related.

- A Notepad: stocking stuffer idea for my brother

- A journal for my sister: she's an artist

- A scrapbook for a co-worker: a request.

I think that's it so far--I've been pretty productive lately and I', totally stoked about my time off from work and school. This Christmas is going to be the best yet!

Happy Holidays and for those who are traveling: may your travels be safe and swift.  

When Time Goes By Too Slowly...

Since July 5th...I've been house-sitting/cat-sitting/brother-sitting at my grandparent's house in Desert Hot Springs, CA while they are on an amazing road trip and visiting friends and family.

For the past few summers I have house sit for them and every time I agree to do it, I get really nasty angry/frustrated that I don't get to either go with them or get my own little vacation. I know this is completely selfish of me to think about but I've worked every summer since I graduated high school and have missed every trip to visit family and friends because I have to work to pay bills. But I know when I'm older, and either make more money, or retire I'll have the same chance to travel. Hopefully. It just sucks...and I guess I'm just venting.

Anyway, besides swimming in their pool, there is absolutely hardly anything to do where my grandparents live unless you have $$$$ to go shopping, or the like. I suppose we could head out to the beach for the day but I am extremely white am also still suffering from a horrifying sunburn from 4th of July weekend. The sun is my enemy at the moment.

So, I've been working a lot on future snail mail swaps for swap-bot. I've also finished decorating my new planner and blog/idea journal that I carry in my purse.

Please, I beg you....if you have any indoor suggestions for me to keep me busy, I would so desperately and gratefully appreciate them. I've caught up on reading a bit, and brought my Sudoku and Crossword puzzles with me but I still get bored.

Oh! My bro and I have also been working on this puzzle:

I wish my hubby could stay with us but he has to work during the week...he came to stay with us this weekend though and we had a little fun. Jake doesn't like swimming so Cory got in the pool with me on Saturday. We did a little adventuring at Kmart, Walmart, & Toys R Us in the lower desert and then headed back to my gma's house to relax and watch TV. I'm telling you...there ain't much to do.

Awesomeness Postcard

Just finished this guy a little while ago...and then ran out of glue sticks :( So, I made a trip to Wally World to get some more. I think I'm going to start making little bundles of them--like 4 or 6 to a bundle or something. Then when I get a bunch together, I can think about selling them :) Or maybe...GIVEAWAYS!

Sounds fun!

Wish I could make copies of them so that I could make more of the same design. Then I could print them on thick card stock...might save some time.

Any ideas? How could I make this easier on myself? And I'm not likeing the packing tape over the top of them...I definately need a copier or something. Maybe I could take them to an office supply store and have them copied? Geez...all this thinking is giving me a headache :(

Weekend Crafts

 This weekend I had some extra time on my hands and decided I wanted to do a little scrapbooking. It's been months since I've been able to sit down and cut and paste anything and lately I've had all these neat ideas in my head of what I want to do with pictures I've been wanting to get printed. I take tons of photos and never get them printed...so this is something that's on my to do list for 2011. I NEED to keep up with scrapbooking this year. So, I found some cute photos I took of our pets in last couple years and started adding them to my new scrapbook. We recently moved so I don't have all of my scrapbook supplies handy, only the basics. But I think it's a great start for a new scrapbook ♥  I'll have to post photos of them later...since for some reason they keep posting the wrong way...grrrr.

This is my little guy.

The best pets in the whole wide world!

This is my husband's little guy.

The photos crack me up--They just have such personality!