Tuesday, April 30, 2013

purples and grey

On this Tuesday, the wonderful gals over @ Nacho Average Challenge have a color challenge.  Typically, I find these hard.  I don't know why.  This weeks colors are super pretty, though.

here is what I did


The card base is basic grey card stock.  I used a panel of whisper white card stock to run through my vintage wall paper embossing folder.  I added a large scallop trimmed piece of basic grey polka dot pattern paper.  I just love polka dots!  I added a strip of silver glimmer paper, die cut rick rack, to the top of the large scallop piece.  I tied a piece of wisteria wonder ruffled ribbon across the seams of these two papers.  
I stamped the dotted line in basic grey classic ink.  I stamped the HB in wisteria wonder classic ink, and the 14 in elegant eggplant classic ink.  
For some reason, I had a difficult time getting my stamping straight.  I sprayed the whole card with my home-made white shimmer paint.  I just love the added sparkle! {smile}
Now, let's see what you make with these colors, and share your creation with us @ NAC.  We'd love to see what you create!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Friday Pennants

Happy Friday.  I hope this post finds you well.  This has been a good week at work.  Good, because everything went well.  I did some baking for a luncheon earlier this week.  Those cupcakes were delicious!
Ok, so now onto crafting!  The wonderfully talented Kim @ Sketch Frenzy Friday has created a straight forward sketch for you to try.  
here is the sketch:


here is what I did:


This card was alot of fun to create.  I wanted to use a pattern paper that wasn't too busy.  So, I selected a small pattern from a Scrappin' kit.  I also used a scrap piece of textured pool party card stock, for the lower third of the card.  For the pennants, I used bits and pieces from various stamp sets, and repeated the same colors: more mustard, basic grey, and pool party, and added some goodies.  

For the horizontal belly band, I used the lace wheel inked in basic grey classic ink, and rolled onto whisper white cardstock.  To cover the seams, I added a strip of summer starfruit ribbon.  
For the sentiment tag, I stamped the decorative scalloped oval in more mustard classic ink.  I also stamped the sentiment in basic grey classic ink.  I used a square punch to create the banner end.  I stapled the two pieces together.  I thought the metal staple would add some charm.  To help build the sentiment cluster, I stamped a ticket onto whisper white cardstock, then sponged the ticket with pool party classic ink.
For the pennant pieces, I used various stamps and embellishments I had on hand.  To keep it all cohesive, I repeated images, and kept the same colors.  The pennant pieces are made with pool party card stock, with a layer of whisper white cardstock.  

Working from the left to the right:  I stamped the smallest doily in pool party classic ink and fussy cut.  I stamped a floral image in basic grey classic ink and fussy cut.  I made a multi-loop bow from pool party seam binding and used an in color designer brad to hold it together.  To continue the feminine look, I added a trio of pearls along the lower right edge.

For the middle pennant, I inked the music note wheel in basic grey classic ink.  I used the same small doily stamped in more mustard classic ink, randomly.  I sponged more mustard classic ink onto a fabric blossom.  I dotted the blossom with my 2 way glue pen and dunked in a tub of dazzling diamond glitter.  I punched a few leaves from a scrap piece certainly celery cardstock.  I added a scrap piece of floral lace and a few pearls.  I also added a trio of pearls in the upper left corner.
For the last pennant, I stamped the white card stock with the small doily stamp.  I stamped the same small doily in pool party classic ink, onto a piece of pool party card stock, and fussy cut the doily out.  I added a circle of white cardstock.  I added a grey pattern circle from the scrappin' kit.  The butterfly is from the scrappin' kit, as well.  I dusted the back of the butterfly sticker with baby powder, to neutralize the sticky.  I bent the wings and added some pearls for the body.  I also added a trio of pearls to the lower right corner.
I strung the pennants with pool party bakers twine.  I used two neutral brads to secure the pennants to the card front.   
Now it's your turn!  Let's see what you create for our sketch challenge @ SFF.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Heaven in a Bite

Welcome.  Today I don't have a paper craft.  But I do have something to ignite the appetite!  Cupcakes!
I found a deliciously intriguing recipe, and really wanted to give it a go.  The recipe used a Chocolate Sour Cream cake.  Sounds delicious.  And I imagine it is.   But, I really wanted to make a simply terrific chocolate cake.  The frosting and topping are super loaded with yumminess, so I kept the cake a deliciously simple recipe.  The frosting, is a whipped peanut butter frosting: two bricks of cream cheese, one stick of butter, 2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter, and 5 cups of powdered sugar.  Then to top off the finished cupcake, the recipe called for a peanut butter-chocolate garnache: dark chocolate, peanut butter, butter and heavy cream.  YUM!  To pull it all together, I added a piece of a peanut butter cup.
a photo: enjoy calorie free!


Ok, a little back history on the cupcakes in cups.  I let quite a few friends know that I was headed home to make these, and I had a few requests to 'save' them one.  So, to keep their 'save'd cupcakes separate, I put the cupcake in a wide clear cup, and put the cup into a clear bag.  Then tied the bag closed with a pretty ribbon.  So, the cupcakes that are 'saved', will be beautifully packaged, and remain fresh. {smile}
I enjoy baking.  The whole process, takes my mind off work, and helps me recharge my creativity for  paper crafting, too.  I recently saw an advertisement for a reality show starting next month, called the Great American Bake Off.  or like that.  And I felt a pain in my heart, that I didn't apply to be on the show.  So, bet your bottom dollar, I will be watching the first episode, to see if my hopes and dreams for the show become a reality.  {smile}
Thank you for stopping by!  Hope you stop by again soon.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Shabby Thank You

Happy Tuesday.  I hope this week has gotten off to a wonderful start for you.  Me, busy like usual.j  So, I'm not sure how any other speed feels.  The weekend was good.  I had a chance to relax for an afternoon.  So, that allowed me a chance to recharge.
The wonderful ladies over @ Nacho Average Challenge have another wonderful sketch challenge for you to try.  The sketch is pretty basic.  So, you do have some room to embellish and create a busier card.  Or, leave it clean and simple {smile}.
this week's sketch:

I just love the row of circles.  There is so much potential here.  Keep the row of objects as circles, and use buttons, flowers, or soda pop caps.  Or change it up, and replace the shape with another shape: stars, rectangles, hearts, etc.  The only suggestion that I have, is if you change the number from 5, to keep it an odd number: 3.  I think the same type of number stays true to the sketch.  
Ok, so for the rectangle strip, this can easily be replicated.  Make it a banner of pattern paper.  A strip of wide ribbon.  A stamped piece.  I would make sure that the bottom isn't straight.  So a decorative end.  A hand-held punch can easily be used to create that decorative detail.  Like I said, 'a sketch with alot of potential'.  Love it.  And so will you {smile}.
here is what I did:


I'm not a generation X, Y, or any recent name.  All that white space makes me crazy.  So, I dry embossed a piece of crumb cake cardstock with the houndstooth embossing folder.  I sponged crumb cake classic ink on all four sides.  The card base is basic black card stock.  I love how these two neutrals look together.
I cut my banner piece out of vanilla card stock.  I stamped the large sentiment piece is basic black classic ink.  This large sentiment pieces comes from the From the Heart stamp set.  I just love the font and the decorative curves.  I wanted to continue the black on vanilla look.  So, I stamped the flourish frame in basic black classic ink on very vanilla cardstock.  I used the matching label punch, to punch the shape.   
For the five circles, I selected the blossom trim from the Spring Mini Catalog.  I love the clean lines.  But, I'm a fan of layering.  So, I cut a strip of the fabric burlap ribbon, and created a box pleat.  Then I machine stitched the pleated ribbon.  I used red sticky strip to hold the pleated ribbon and the row of fabric blossoms to the card front.  I then wanted to add a splash of color to the field of neutrals.  So, I hand-dyed vanilla seam binding with pink pirouette re-inker.  I used my heat gun to speed the drying time.  I created a multi-loop bow with the hand-dyed seam binding.  To hold it all together, I used a black glimmer brad.  
I hope that we have inspired you.  I know that I would love to see what you create with our sketch @ NAC.   Please, play along with us. {smile}

Saturday, April 20, 2013

a Good-bye to OCC

Wow, what a crazy week.  Last Saturday/Sunday, a person in Palo Alto, California had taken my domain. (their IP address: 74.125.139.121, 74.125.139.0/74.125.139.255.)  It took me almost 5 days to recover my blog, obtain a new domain, and be 'back-up and running'.

And on this Saturday, Our Creative Corner is saying 'Good Bye'.  What a whirl wind of events this week. 
Linda, who is the current owner of Our Creative Corner, is passing the site over to a new owner. (The new owner has already selected her design team, and I was not selected.)  So, this is my very last post as a OCC design team member. Linda, has asked the current design team members to post their favorite paper craft item that they created for Our Creative Corner.  My selection was actually a no-brainer.  I selected my very first paper craft item I designed for the team.  It is a window box that held chocolate covered cherries for a St. Valentine's Day gift.  
Here it is:

Jan 29, 2011  post
I remember the pressure that I felt to create something beautiful! and in my 'style'.  I actually still have this little box.  It sits on a shelf in my craft room.  I see it every time I am in there; crafting, creating, playing.  I am very grateful to Linda, for giving me the opportunity to be a design team member.  

Here are a few of my favorites that I crafted for OCC:
(the date of the original post, along with the link)

May 28, 2011  post

Sept. 3, 2011  post

Nov 19, 2011   post

Jan 28, 2012  post

June 23, 2012  post

July 7, 2012  post

Nov. 3, 2012  post

Jan. 12. 2013  post
  
I have really enjoyed working with the design team members @ OCC.  Each one of them are unique, creative, and very talented ladies.  I hope we have inspired you, and helped you step out of the 'box' and create something you really enjoyed!  
Thank you, to Linda, my followers, blog visitors, and the other design team members.  The encouragement that I have received has truly touched my heart, and given me the strength to create and share, with all of you!

Friday, April 19, 2013

sketch

Howdy!  I hope this post finds you well.  Me, still working out the 'bugs' to this new domain,  since my original domain was taken.
The wonderful Tammy is the designer of this week's sketch over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  
Here is this week's sketch:



This is a very creative sketch.  It will provide you with a platform to use that package of designer series paper, or a great color combo.  I can't wait to see what you create!
I didn't play this week.  Internet difficulties and blog issues, to say the least.  

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Frustrating

Hello.  Welcome.  If you have found me, kudos to you.  My domain has been taken, and so I have had to change it a bit.  But, with two different entities involved (go daddy and blogger), my blog goes away after each of their updates.  Talk about frustrating, and totally overwhelming.  But, thank you for your visit.  Hopefully, this will all be straightened out, and a solution rectified soon.  
I will keep this current blog  header up till the end of the month.  I have since created a pretty new blog header, that has grey polka dots and pink accents.  So, incredibly 'me', and makes me happy.  So, on May 1st, look for that.
Thank you for stopping by.  I am planning on sending out an email to all of my followers, to give them my new URL, once it is 'permanent'.  

Sunday, April 14, 2013

a New Mom-To-Be

Hello.  If you found my blog, kudos to you.  For whatever reason, blogger is being a bit difficult.  These last few days, blogger couldn't find my blog, so I could fix a few type-o's, so it's been frustrating.  And then this morning I couldn't log-in to get this post up early.  So, I had another latte, and organzied some of my dies, and embossing plates.  This week, I am determined to tackle my whole craft room.  It has become a bit disarrayed.  So, I'm planning on going through boxes, bags, piles, and stashes, and purging.  So, look for a few 'bag bags' in my Etsy shop.  I will be providing free shipping for those.  

Yesterday, a very wonderful lady that I use to work with, threw her sister a baby shower.  Her sister is expecting her first baby.  A boy! And how exciting is that.  Well, my friend asked me to make her cake.  I love to bake, and cakes/cupcakes are a joy.  And since she is a wonderful person and a dear friend, I wanted to make her sister a lovely gift.  You know me.  Everything comes out match-y match-y.  A baby boy.  Then the cake board must be blue.  And I have an infinity for polka dots, so yes, the cake board was baby blue with silver polka dots.  
I love how yellow and blue compliment and contrast each other, especially when you select the perfect shades.  Authentique and My Mind's Eye helped me with that.
Here is the card and matching bag:


The card is a standard A2 size (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") and the paper bag is 8" tall.


I started with creating the card.  I wanted something pretty, but not too feminine.  So I selected this beautiful pattern paper by Authentique: Renew.  The colors are simply pretty.  The colors match very nicely with Stampin' Up!'s Baja Breeze, Pool Party, and So Saffron.  I like how the pattern papers have a bit of distressing.  
The card base is Baja Breeze cardstock.  I cut a piece of Pool Party cardstock a bit smaller to create a matt.  I used my Tasteful Trim die to create the collection scallop trims.  I just love the larger scallops.  It really shows off the pattern papers.
I machine stitched each layer of scallops.  I then tied a strip of So Saffron Taffeta ribbon around the top of the card.  I created a multi-loop box and tied a white clear paper trey button to the center of the bow, with some yellow bakers twine.
I used my Modern Label punch to create the sentiment tag.  I stamped the sentiment with a stamp from the Something to Celebrate stamp set, by Stampin' Up!. (sorry, that stamp set is retired.)


I saw this adorable rubber stamp at a local stamp shop.  The baby lamb is actually from an Easter collection of stamps by Prickley Pear.  But, isn't it just too cute?  So, I stamped the lamb onto white cardstock with Jet Black Staz-On pigment ink.  I used my 2-way glue pen to adhere some white flock to the body.  I left the lamb's face and inner ears flock-free.  I used my Pear Pizzazz and Pool Party markers to color the flowers and foliage around the lamb's neck.  Then I dotted some more 2-way glue to the flower centers and dusted them with some dazzling diamond glitter.  
I matted the lamb the same  way that I matted the card's main panel: pool party and baja breeze cardstock.  
I added the trio of pearls, because the card seemed to be missing something to me.

I used a template that I purchased from Paper Trey Ink, called Around Town Tote.  I love the size.  It's 8" tall, and the bottom narrows down to just under 5".  The bag can be made to 1 1/2" deep, or expand up to 2 1/2" deep.  Depending on what you want to add.  So, I really love that!
For the decorating, I just copied what I did on the card.  The body ofthe card is made from Baja Breeze cardstock.  I layered and cut the pattern papers in the same manner as the card.  
I set out to make a matching set.  I purposefully made them 'the same'. 
For the sentiment, I wanted a more decorative tag, so I used my Lots of Tags die set to create the shape.  I used the same sentiment stamp: Welcome Baby stamped in Jet Black Staz-On pigment ink.
Instead of adding the trio of pearls under the tag, I added them to the decorative label.


The other thing that I changed on the bag, from the card, is that I didn't machine stitch each row of scallop trimmed pattern paper.  Instead, I machine stitched the taffeta ribbon.  Because I had a mis-stitch with my sewing machine, I added the multi-loop bow to the opposite side of the bag, compared to the card.
I stuffed the paper bag with yellow tissue paper, and added a hand-crafted altered baby onesie.  Yes, the fabric I selected was yellow and blue.  {smile}



Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope I have inspired you to craft something today.  And yes, I consider baking/cooking as crafting.  I'm off to machine sew some tiny scallop squares together to alter a few more onesies.  It's good to have a few on-hand, and in my Etsy shop.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Renew Ribbon

Happy Saturday!  Glad that you have stopped by.  This is a special day for a few friends, and a sad day for some other friends.  Let's start with the good news... a dear, and sweet family friend is getting married today.  He is a wonderful guy, who always has a special perspective on life, and a deep devotion to his friends.  And now the sad news... Linda, the owner of Our Creative Corner has had some changes in her life dynamics, and the challenge site is closing.  This challenge over @ OCC will be our last.   
Irena, is our hostess for this one last challenge over @ OCC.  Irena, has given us an inspirational board for this style challenge.   Here is her inspirational board:


And the lovely ladies over @ the Ribbon Reel, have a 'Mix and Match' challenge.  We are to use 2 pattern papers, 1 solid paper, ribbon and twine.  Here is their inspirational photo:


So, I combined the two challenges, and came up with this card:


I used some pattern paper from Authentique pattern paper, called Renew.  The colors are cool, crisp and quite lovely.  I used paper trey ink solid card stock.  The card base is lemon whip and aqua mist.  I used Stampin' Up! pool party seam binding, and pool party bakers twine.  The buttons are from the aqua mist vintage button bag.  I added some random rhinestones to the card front.  I used the signature dress form stamp set and matching die to create the mannequin piece.
I added some machine stitching to the border of the card.  Also I stitched the seam binding to the card, before I added the top note shape.
I hope that you get a chance to play along with us @ OCC, as this is our last challenge.
Enjoy your weekend.  I am off to the store to find the perfect pair of shoes to go with my dress to the wedding.
love this card? you can purchase it here

Friday, April 12, 2013

Banners of Blue

Happy Friday.   I'm glad you had a chance to stop by and take a look around.  This week over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, I am the designer of this weeks sketch.  How cool is that?  Anyways, you know me.  Love a challenge, and the whole creative process of it all.
Here is this weeks sketch:


See how much fun this is?  There is alot of potential for this sketch, just take a look.  The arrows can be arrows or some other horizontal piece.  The tag can be a tag, or any other vertical rectangle.  The scallop circle on the tag can be a flower, a star, a butterfly, a circle, or any other shape.  The sentiment placement, well, that's a no brainer.  Put that puppy on the right lower corner of your creation.  To me, easy peasy.  And I hope you don't get stumped or derailed by the arrows.  Remember, this is a sketch.  Play, have fun! and lets create!
Here is what I did with the sketch:


When I went in my craft room, I knew that I wanted to make something vintage.  I have a wonderful girlfriend, who I call my sister, but we aren't blood relatives.  Well, she got some horrible news from her doctor, and her heart is hurting.  As well as her family, and friends.  Anyways, I wanted to make a card for her.  She is very special to ALOT of folks, who only want the very best for her.  So, I made this card with her in mind.  I will be getting this out to her in the mail today.
As you can tell from my sketch, there is alot of horizontal lines.  I wanted to add a little more vertical lines, to give the card a nice balance.  The pattern paper I selected from the Fan Fair DSP collection I cut, so the lines would be running up and down.  I also  made my tag's orientation tall.  To add a bit more vertical, I added a hand-stamped ticket to the left side of the tag.  
I used my square hand held punch to create the flag ends of the horizontal tape measure pattern papers. Also from fan fair dsp.  As is the tag.
I used the first edition DSP for the scallop circle.  I used the silver glimmer paper for the butterfly, and the butterfly die.  I used very vanilla cardstock and the fusion flowers die for the blossom.  I cut one lone blossom from the floral trim, to help build the center portion of the butterfly.
For my' sentiments, I did a double banner.  I stamped the words in basic black classic ink onto very vanilla card stock.  
I used the burlap ribbon for the top of my tag.  I also added some pearl jewels to the card, to help give it a feminine look.  All edges of each paper piece has been distressed with crumb cake classic ink and a sponge.

I hope that we have inspired you to play along with us this week, using my sketch @ SFF.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Create in Shades of Blue

Howdy, howdy.  Hope your weekend was fabulous.  Mine, oh yeah!  I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with 3 fabulous friends at the Hen House Retreat, aka the Inspired Retreat!  We had a ball.  We laughed until we almost peed our pants, paper crafted, ate, drank, sang songs, played games (and won big!) and gabbed until the cows came home!  It appeared that we all really needed the time away from home, and to regroup with crafty girl friends.  We all went home tired, and very de-stressed.  Recharged with a new energy, and tons of good memories from our silliness.  You know how that is, you remember a snippet of a line, or a crazy joke and just start laughing.  Either out loud or softly to yourself.  Either way, memories made that will leave smiles on our faces and a deeper friendship in our hearts.  
So, with this new energy and a re focus, it games me a new prespective on this week's sketch challenge, over @ Nacho Average Challenge.  A new way to look at color combos, and a new way to look at sketches.  
Here is this week's sketch, #41.

Before we get to my card.  For those who know me, would see this sketch and already vision a hand-made flower where the blue decorative circle is.  A shabby, vintage embossed background piece.  Vanilla, with crumb cake sponged on the edges.  But, that isn't what I did!


First, you will notice that I have rotated the sketch 90 degrees and mirrored it.  
I used mostly blues.  I just love the depth of the marina mist.  The color is so sweet, and soft.  I took a scrap piece of neutral DSP gray polka dot pattern paper and matted a baja breeze card stock under it.  I also tied a simple bow with baja breeze seam binding around the center panel.  I stamped the frame in marina mist classic ink.  I used the matching punch to punch out the label piece.  I matted the decorative label onto marina mist card stock.  I stamped the sentiment in basic grey classic ink.  The sentiment comes from the Creative Elements stamp set.  I love this word and how it is assembled.  I love the different fonts, and how they are off-set.    The pinwheel is made from the pinwheel die.  I used a tiny silver brad to hold that adorable pinwheel together.  For the large panel of the card,  I matted the floral print Twitterpated DSP onto baja blue card stock.  The card base is made from marina mist card stock.
  
I hope that the design team has inspired you to play along with us @ NAC.  I know that we would love to see what you create with this sketch.  And thank you for stopping by.  I will be sharing a book that I created over the weekend with you another day.  So, please come back again soon.  Take care.

love this card?  you can purchase it here.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

haute bag

Happy Saturday!  I'm happy that you stopped by.  I need to apologize for the lighting for this photo.  I am not at home.  I don't have my photo tent, or my lighting.  So I was left to own devices.  aka the camera on my phone.
Over @ Our Creative Corner there is a color challenge with an inspirational photo.  Here it is:


When I first saw this color challenge, I was totally stumped.  I originally over thought the whole process.  But then, I just looked through the papers I had on hand, and mixed and matched.  
This is what I created:


I purchased this template a few years ago.  I love how easy this paper hand bag was to put together.  I ended up making 4 of these paper hand bags for my table mates @ the Hen House Retreat.  So, it was only a perfect project for this week's challenge over @ OCC.  I used Nostalgia pattern paper to create this Haute Bag.  I used the distressed teal polka dot pattern paper for the hand bag.  I used soft suede card stock to create the trim pieces.  The mustard diamond pattern paper for the envelope is from the same line.  I created a small pocket on the inside of this bag with the dark pink pattern paper.  I had a several antique pearl brads to add some vintage charm.
I hope we have inspired you to play along with us @ OCC.  Thank you for stopping by.  Enjoy your weekend!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Frames

Oh, where do I begin?  The start of a crazy busy weekend, filled with paper, crafting time, good friends, laughs, snacks, and no chores!  Yahoo!  A dream come true, you ask?  Nope.  Just the Hen House Retreat!  
But, before I place my bags in the car, and load my craft projects, lets look at the challenge over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Robbie, is the designer of this week's sketch.  She is very talented, and really provides you with the elements you need to create a fantastic card, and gives you some freedom to make it your own and beautiful!  Here is Robbie's sketch:


here is what I did:


Let me start with the elements of Robbie's sketch.  She has provided us with 2 basic elements.  An object at the upper left corner and a band along the lower third.  Simple elements.  Alot of room for creativity, personal touches, and tons/little of embellishments.

And I'm sorry if I'm boring you with my color combo.  I have an infinity for pink.  I tried to keep the whole look simple.  Ok, simple for me.  I also have an infinity for polka dots, so that was the pattern that I repeated.  Polka dots embossed on the main panel of cardstock.  Polka dots in the frame.  And polka dots bordering the oval 'frame'.  I used pink pirouette and crumb cake classic inks to distress the edges of the cardstock pieces.  
The butterfly was die cut from the silver glitter paper.  The paper blossom is from the Artisan Embellishment kit.  
I wrapped some crochet trim and crumb cake seam binding around the card front.  I did some machine stitching around the card and along the trims.  I tied the seam binding into a multi-loop bow and tied a clear button to the center with linen thread.  I wanted to add some sparkle in the lower right corner, so I added a lone rhinestone.
I hope you get a chance to play along with us @ SFF.  Show us what you create with Robbie's sketch!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Cooking this afternoon

Howdy, glad that you could stop by.  If you are new to my blog, I am pretty busy, just like the rest of the working ladies in America.  I work full-time, I take call at a local hospital 4 nights a week.  I have a family, a dog, and several girl friends who I meet with a few times a month so we can let our hair down.  And so, I have become kinda good at managing my time.  Typically I set a side an afternoon each month, to do some mass cooking.  I'm like you.  I can't figure out what to make for dinner, and when I do, I don't have time to get it together.  This is how I overcome that lost of time.   
So here is my solution.  I make some favorite meals, several of the same, and package them in 'freezer, to oven, to table' containers.  (I purchase my containers at WalMart.  99 cents for 3.)  To me, it is worth 33 cents per container, to be able to get this chore done ahead of time.  
Here is what I made:
2 meatloaves

3 green chili chicken enchiladas

and 6 lasagnes.

I cleaned the house in the morning and cooked in the afternoon.  I was able to get 2 loads of laundry done while I prepared meals.  I added labels to the tops of these containers.  The labels have the name of the meal, the temp. to bake the meal, and the amount of time.  't 35 m' (thawed 35 minutes) and  'f 60 m'  (frozen 60 minutes).  My best tip, when making mass dinners of the same recipe, compile the dinners assembly style.  
Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you get a chance to carve out some quality time for yourself, doing something for you.  Whether it is making a card, a special gift, a craft, a gourmet meal, finishing a sewing project, or painting a ceramic piece.  These things give me joy and I hope that they bring you the same {smile}.