Butterflies and Plaid

Butterflies and plaid are not images you often see together, but I thought I’d just go with it for today’s As You See It Challenge card.

I have to admit, my heart just wasn’t in it this time. I’ve been finding it difficult to get in my craft room lately – I’m fairly certain I’m experiencing the effects of stress. Having my 3 kids and my husband home all the time for the past six months has clouded my introverted brain and chipped away at what little executive functioning I had in the first place. There have been endless unknowns and uncertainties with the kids starting school this week and I’m trying so desperately to adapt to our new normals with the pandemic. But these “new normals” don’t FEEL normal and it just isn’t working for me.

I’m struggling, folks.

Once the kids are established in their new school routine, I’m hoping things will get easier. I’m not giving up, but I will be loosening my hold on the reins a bit and allowing life to run more wild. What that really means is that I have to be okay with not being okay. I have to be okay with missing deadlines or letting people down.

At least for now.

Who knows. Maybe I’ll feel differently tomorrow! That’s what it’s been like for me through all this. One day I’m ready to take it all on, the next day all I can do is binge-watch Gilmore Girls.

Feel free to ask me about my card in the comments. I’m happy to tell you more about the spritzing and sponging and masking I did to create the background effect (which didn’t quite turn out how I imagined it.)

I’m in love with the Plaid Tidings Designer Series Paper and was surprised that the Rococo Rose cardstock coordinated so prettily with that particular plaid pattern. I might try this card idea again and pull in more pinks and white.

Be sure to play along with this challenge by going to our As You See It Challenge page and sharing your amazing design with us. We love to see your beautiful creations!