Mojo Monday 543

 I have been creating birthday cards this week. I like this sketch for using pattern paper, especially some scraps. My next challenge is to decide how to store and organize my scraps. A benefit of moving has been rediscovering some craft supplies. Stampin' Up! retired the candy dots a while ago, but it's still fun to add them to embellish a card. 

New Craft Space and Card

A priority in our new house was for John to have an office, and I was hoping for a craft space. The upstairs ouf our Cape Cod gives us both! I finished setting up my craft space over the weekend, so now I can get back to making cards. I know that the space will evolve, and I am still having trouble remembering the location of some items. (Where are you glimmer brushes?!) I tried to keep some items away from curious hands, but so far I am sharing some markers and punches with CJ. I am interested in adding some peg boards above the desks.

I have some birthday cards to make for August. I colored and cut a bunch of butterflies months ago, so it was fun to pair them with some pattern paper that made the cut for our move. The butterfly stamp has also survived multiple craft supply purges and moves and remained one of my favorite stamps to color. The card came together when I saw this sketch from CAS(E) this sketch #384: 

2400 Some Miles

I am quick to say that I am not a “roadtrip person". At some point in my 20’s, I realized that I don’t like driving, but I do it out of necessity. Yet it was my idea to rent an RV to drive across the county. There were two main reasons to approach our move in this manner: a pandemic and a fourteen-year-old beagle. Somehow we pulled off this move from California back to Ohio, which was over 2400 miles.

My husband did not think that my idea was crazy and ran with it. We rented a 30-foot RV for five humans and a dog, but we had to pick it up in Bakersfield, California. I was not the only person considering an RV trip in these uncertain times. I have immense gratitude to my husband and mother-in-law for driving us.

We learned as we went, and I could become a “roadtrip person.” I might even consider becoming more comfortable driving larger vehicles. Trips will be easier when our daughter is older. But for now, I have a new home and lots of boxes to unpack. I am happy to have my bicycles back.

COVID-19 Baking: Banana Muffins

Repost from 2015

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup applesauce
4 ripe mashed bananas
1/4 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 and spray or line a muffin tin.
2. Mash 4 ripe bananas and set aside.
3. Mix all of the dry ingredients except for the chocolate chips
4. Add in the wet ingredients and stir.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Fill each muffin spot about 3/4 full.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
8. Cool & Enjoy!

Adapted from The Joy of Vegan Baking
(check your chocolate chips if you want them vegan)

Shelter in Place Day 40

We are still enjoying our daily bike rides and watching the flowers bloom in our neighborhood. We are using Google, Facebook, WebX, and Zoom to keep in touch with family, friends, and work. But honestly, 40 days feels like a long time and many things do not feel normal. I am happy to have my card making hobby!

Daily Bike Ride: Shelter in Place

We are on day 35 of Shelter in Place. We take a daily bike ride after lunch and have only missed one day so far when it was raining. I have been enjoying this daily outing and getting some exercise. We take the same route around the neighborhood and have spotted many bears, rainbows, and hearts in windows. My favorite are the 2 bears riding a bike around the corner for us.

Shelter in Place Day 30

Wow... It's been 30 days now!

Spring weather has arrived for our Spring Break. Alex and I are relieved to have a break during this challenging time. We are enjoying the flowers and succulents in the yard (and are pulling some weeds).

I am making more cards, and now I need to send them.

We have at least 18 more days of Shelter in Place, but we are prepared for this to go longer.

Shelter in Place Day 19

Our Shelter in Place order is extended until at least May 3rd, and California schools are officially operating on distance learning for the remainder of the school year. I am keeping track of the Shelter in Place days by writing on our picture calendar. (My 2021 gift calendars with have more home pictures than in the past.) My daughter has embraced pajama days and mixing patterns. I have now taught for 5 school days straight online for 32 fourth graders (with minimal tears for me). And I made some cards because crafting is a good hobby to have right now. Stampin' Up! and Close to My Heart are both still delivering, and an Online Card Class begins during my spring break.