Hello!

I'm back! Yep, disappearing-off-the-face-of-the-earth Jill is posting again! If you are still following me, I thank you, I apologize for disappearing, and I say that you are awesome! First of all, I truly do apologize for just dropping away like I did. I know I myself get worried when that happens on a blog I frequent (Is s/he okay? What's going on?) so I am not proud that I did that very thing myself.

I have not shared this before, and won't go into all the nitty gritty details, but I share caretaking duties for my very ill mother. I work during the day and take the nights, and my father works at night and takes the days. Last August, her condition got dramatically worse, and literally overnight, I had no time for papercrafting or much of anything else. I was scared for my mom, and depressed about the situation, so I even stopped visiting others' blogs because it was so painful to see all the creativity and not be able to participate. Things are looking up now, however. Mom is stable for the first time in months, and we have been able to hire a part-time caregiver three days a week! She alternates mornings and afternoons so that my dad and I each get a little respite. This means that I feel comfortable saying that I will have some time for card making again and will be posting at least once a week!

I don't regret any of the last 7 1/2 months--I would do anything for my mom, and am so blessed because her mind is not affected--but I do feel such joy at the prospect of having a creative outlet again! I can't wait to dive back into my "must see" blog friends' creations and to be a part of the community again. If I ever do disappear again, you know why and that I will eventually be back!

Now, for a card.

This is one I made for my niece last year for her first birthday and never posted.  It was the first time I used Papertrey Ink's "By the Numbers" dies, but certainly not the last.  I think I may have used those dies on most of the cards I've made since!  I have (temporarily, I hope) misplaced my sheets with my supply lists on them, so I will add that when I find them!

Maya is a doll, and she didn't know quite what to make of her celebration.  Here's a shot of her eating her cupcake with no hands (she didn't want to touch it, LOL!)

 Isn't she cute?  I may be a little biased!  ;-D

Thanks for stopping by!