Mixing things up!!

Being mommy has been rough this week!! I had one come down with that terrible stomach bug - couldn't keep anything down, and just about the time he was fully recovered - my other two started.. ei yi yi!! I was ready pull my hair out from stress and run down the street screaming I was so tired.. I was in full mommy radar mode so every little noise had me jumping up whether I was asleep in bed, or sitting in the recliner.. I even spent one night in the recliner watching over the first sick one.   Needless to say, little got done other than taking care of the little ones.  I am happy to say the last two to get sick are on the mend and ready to go back to their regular diet and activities tomorrow.  I am keeping them on bland foods for one more day.  

Here are some things I have worked on since my last post.  I was told I should blog more often - I am going to TRY.. I was mixing things up this week with a variety of projects.  Here are the crochet things I have worked on:

This is a crochet mandala for a swap.  I tried not to think too much about the colors - just grabbed it out of my stash.  Ironically, the recipient (who I don't know personally) told me it perfectly matched her living room decor!  I can't wait to make more of these:

This is a pocket monster I made for a private flickr swap - this is for a little boy - 

These are motifs for a CAL from the book "Beyond the Square:  Crochet Motifs":

I did some jewelry too!  I did a bit more than this, but was feeling lazy or in a rush to mail it and I didn't get a pic.. This is a set for a repeat customer :-)  I am quite pleased with how it turned out:

 I have been drawing again.. It has been hard to drag myself away from crochet,  but I feel I must to keep from getting burned out.. So here is a zentangled tile and ATC I did for a Zentangle Shamrock swap I hosted on swapbot:

This is an altered book for a RR.. this is my turn in this great old book.. I have only done one spread, but I am toying with the idea of doing one more in this one - perhaps a different style.  Normally I do some altering, but i decided to draw this time - I am quite happy with it - I hope the book owner will be:

Finally this is an ATC for a Mardi Gras ATC swap on Swapbot:

Last but not least - I have finally finished 2 fallen soldier memorials I made for a local family.  I am pleased with the results and I am trying to get a sponsor from either the VA or American legion to pay for professional framing.  If I don't get the funding I will go ahead and try to do it myself.  I would prefer the professional framing, but if I do it, it will still be nice.  Here they are:

I just recently joined http://soldiersangels.org and adopted a deployed soldier to send weekly letters and a monthy package to while he is deployed until he returns home.  I have already connected with him on facebook and am excited to put together a package for him next week.  I plan on having my kids join me and help out.  Even the hubs is going to contribute to our letters.  Whether or not you agree with war - there are some very brave soldiers that are out countrymen that deserve our support.  I recommend that you check out the website and help where you are able.  There are lots of different opportunities.  

Well that's my update - We will be starting another exciting week with lots to do!! Until next time - Much love and God bless!!