My Sunshine

There is still a lot of snow outside but the sun is shining brightly today warming my spirit. I have been scrapping, doing projects and teaching classes at an assisted living facility over the past several weeks but this seems like the first chance I have had to share, so from Sunny Philly, "Look what I can do!" **Warning this is a pretty long post, make sure you turn that pot off first, lol!

This is a layout of my stepson when he was a baby. I used the My Mind's Eye "Lil Robots" collection. Can I tell you the colors just pop right off of the page and the accesories are just super cute. Trust me you will see this collection again and again until I use it up. The only things that are not a part of the collection is the "K" monogram, which is actually a Cosmo Cricket black chipboard letter that I painted white and then used frosted lace stickles on and the other is the Heidi Swapp outline letter rub-ons that I was trying to use to spell the word boy but I didn't have an "o", so I used a brad to take its place. The word big was cut using my Slice.

Here is another fun layout of my niece, my youngest daughter, my niece's bff, and my sister from Christmas 2005. I think it was the first year our dollar store began carrying those antler headbands and everyone had fun with them. I used the Imaginisce collection for this layout. The numbers do not really have any relevance to the layout, I just thought it looked cute. I punched the snowflakes with my Martha Stewart punch and added some bling to the center.

Here is the hubster getting his employee of the year award that he worked very hard for. He is a job developer and his job is to get people jobs. Even in the midst of the recession he got over 250 people in sustainable jobs that year. Here I used the Teresa Collins Celebrate line. The "09" are AC thickers, and the mini tickets are Maya Road and I added a little bling to the centers. The rest of the title incorporates a variety of stickers from my stash including some imagination project Gin-x coaster board letters (that's going way back). The stars are the wood veneer stars from my November scrap-room kit that I painted and added stickles.

When I saw the Bo Bunny Olivia collection I could not figure out what I was going to do with it. But I am really happy with the results. I used my Martha Stewart loopy border punch . The flower is by Prima and I cut the title "everyday" using my Slice Machines.

And one of my favorite projects from this weekend is my practice version teddy bear favor box for my oldest Stepson and his wife's upcoming baby shower. The colors for the shower are yellow, mint green and brown and there is a teddy bear theme. When I am doing favors I like to practice a few times before I settle on a design. I think I got this one right on the first try. I used the My time Made Easy Happy mail template.

thanks for taking the time out to look, happy scrapping!

I do solemnly resolve

to try to stick to my resolutions. I really consider them to be personals goals that I strive for during the year instead of empty resolutions. The older I get the more realistic I am with them so here I go for 2011.

1. I would like to increase my heart rate - I can do this by taking the stairs more, exercising, taking the dogs on longer walks, and just being more active overall. (and yes I would love to lose some weight in the process).

2. Take better care of myself - I do not really care to visit the doctor's office but I really need to get a full check-up and be more mindful of my preventive care.

3. Stay in touch with family and friends better - enough said.

4. Read more - I use to love to escape life with a good book but I don't make the time for it like I should.

5. Work on my financial health and save more.

6. Create more - I would like to complete 100 layouts, 30 cards, 5 mini albums, 10 other paper projects, keep my website current and blog more.

Here is wishing everyone much success as we work towards our goals /resolutions in 2011!

Look What Tricia Gave Me!

Tricia I apologize for being a day late and a dollar short but for some reason I could not copy and paste on my laptop at home so I am doing it on my lunch break today at work since Fridays are a little slow. So first let me say thanks to Tricia a sister who is definitely doing it for herself! I have been a long time blog lurker and finally started leaving comments so she would know I stopped by and now I get so excited when she stops by to visit me too. Tricia is super talented and she keeps it real so if you ever need some layout inspiration, entertainment news or just a laugh pop on over and pay her a visit.

This is a pay-it-forward style award. Here are the rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 8 things about yourself
3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that you have recently discovered (or not so recently)
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards.

Here it goes -

1. I am the youngest of five girls

2. I attended the only all girls public high school in Philly

3. I had both my children naturally - no medication at all
4. I like to read the directions to everything!
5. I love to cook
6. I hate switching pocketbooks, I carry one bag to work until it is time to buy a new one
7. I have only been to a Starbucks once
8. I am obssessed with mail, I feel so unloved on no-mail days

Here are the 8 bloggers I would like to share this award with:
Tamika
Iffy
Princess
Tiffany
Cynta
La'Diva
Nae
Von

Latest Magazine Review - spoiler alert!

So after having subscriptions to virtually every magazine out there (reminds me of this post by Tricia) I have discountinued all of my subscriptions except for one - Scrapbooks, etc. (previous issue photo)

One of the biggest drawbacks so far it that it seems like forever between issues but after just browsing through this February 2011 issue, I can say it is worth the wait.

• The magazine starts out with a new Craft it Forward project, read for more details but like the heading states it is an oppportunity for you to "Use your crafting skills for good."
  
• The advertisments feauture previews of CHA products (is it that time again already?), inlcuding new lines by Basic Grey, Fancy Pants, DCWV, Bo Bunny, and tools by WRMK, Xyron and Epiphany crafts just to name a few - there are many more!
  
• There are of course great layouts and tutorials
  
• Some cool organzational tips, including an idea on how to store your cricut expression mat
  
• A neat article on how to pack for a crop
  
• A downloadable treat bag template and a lollipop flower tutorial that I am so excited about, I think they will be great for birthday parties (the downaload does not seem to be available just yet)
  
• Some ideas on how to use the creatopia, I have been interested in this tool but have been a little confused as to how it works so I realy appreciate this article
  
• And of course I love the sketch layouts and paper piecing ideas

So if you have a subscription and haven't gotten your issue yet, look forward to some good stuff and if you don't have a subscription, this issue just might be worth picking up.

Did I ever tell you

about my first time working with a digital stamp? No? Do you want to hear a story, well here it goes. I have been admiring digi stamps for a while but for some reason they seem so intimidating and to be quite honest they seemed like extra work but one day while blog surfing I ran accross this site whimsie doodles and decided to give it a shot. I purchase several halloween sets including this one and got to work.

So using the little witch I used my bic mark-its markers and started to color using some shading techniques I learned on a couple of copic marker tutorials. Now I know so many people swear by Copic markers and although I have a couple I think that with a little patience you can get a nice enough effect with the Bic markers and here is my little witch all colored in.

I cut her out and attached her to my card with a pop dot for the final results -

I love the results and definitely plan on trying more digital stamps. The best feature to me is being able to resize the image to fit your project.

Not that easy

Okay posting everyday is not that easy, but you have to admit I am on here way more than usual so I should get partial credit for that, lol. I did not get much scrapping done over the weekend but I did put a little dent in my christmas cards and since some of my few readers are recipients I can't show them all but here is one of the snow globe cards I made using a tutorial found here.

Interestingly enough though I found this Dear Abby article today and wonder how my crafty sisters feel about it.

DEAR ABBY: Five years ago, when my niece was 9, we came up with the idea of making Christmas cards and sending them out to special friends and family members. We both work hard to make sure each is attractive and in good taste, and we handwrite a personal note inside. We also print on the back that the card was "handmade with love." This has become a tradition for the two of us, and the cards are quite beautiful.
Last year, after we sent them out, I received a card from a friend with a small check inside. The card read, "I'm sending you this check so you can afford to buy 'real cards' next year." I was, to say the least, hurt and offended. I wondered if others felt similarly, so I asked around and was shocked to learn they, too, thought I was "cheap." Although it cost more money and time to create each card, no one appreciated them.
We won't be making the cards this year, but how do I tell my niece why? I don't want her feelings hurt, too.
- Blue at Christmas
DEAR BLUE: Tell your niece what you were told - and by whom - so she won't waste any more effort on these rude and unappreciative individuals. Better she hear it from you than one of the recipients.
As to the "friend" who sent the check, I hope you returned it and deleted her from your Christmas card list. What she did was uncalled for.Read more: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/20101213_Dear_Abby__Loyalty_tags_on_lost_keys_led_thieves_to_address.html#ixzz181f57i30 Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else

Have you ever run into anyone like this? I remember the first year I gave away handmade gifts and my sister said "don't feel bad everyone can't afford to give gifts during the holidays". The funny thing is she was trying to be so sweet but she unintentionally took what I do very lightly. I have another relative that does not value my skills and tends to make jokes about it but considering people pay me for what I do, it can't be that bad right?

So much for that idea, hmph.

Hmmm, what is that expression again, "the best laid plans are those that fail". So needless to say I did not scrap last night. As a matter of fact I did not even go into the scrap room. By the time I got home my husband had dinner ready, his first roast (under my direction of course, lol). I am so thankful that he followed my directions because he likes to go rouge. Even with the roast he was tempted to pierce it several times against my judgement, to unseal the foil wrapping and check on it against my judgement, and to turn the heat up higher, again that would be against my judgement but for the first time in history he actually followed directions and it came out perfectly. So after a great dinner I watched a little television and went to sleep.

I do need to find my mojo very soon because I need to make a few more co-worker gifts for christmas. Here are some notepads I've completed already, just need to make matching pens. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Colorful Christmas collection. And the stamps are from Papertrey Ink.

Tonight's Plan................

Is to work on at least two sketches, and put away all of my wooden stamps. I will give you an update in pictures if I am successful, lol.

In the meantime this is a recent favorite of my daughter and our spoiled Boston Terrier/Pug mix.

Any Day Now

I should be getting my December Scrap-room kit full of Holiday goodies this week. Even though I am not a big fan of holiday collections these kits give you just enough of a sampling to try a variety of lines but not feel overloaded. The other great thing is that the paper designers are making the patterns in designs that can be used for more than just Christmas. It is the gift that just keeps on giving. This month's kit includes -

BASICGREY JOVIAL
CRATE PAPER SNOW DAY
JILLIBEAN SOUP CHRISTMAS SOUP
GIRLS PAPERIE TINSEL & TWIG

I can't wait to dig into this kit and this will be my motiviation for getting some great holiday photos.

For the Record

When I said I would try to post everyday, initially I thought that would include weekends but after being so super busy this weekend I know that is just one of the most ridiculous ideas I have had in recent history. But as not to disappoint here is my weekend recap. I hung out after work here, North bowl Philly, for my bosses' retirement party.



He is definitely not a gold-watch-banquet-hall kind of guy so this was right up his alley (pardon the pun). We bowled, ate and drank for three hours. Everyone seemed to have a great time. I was in charge of the bowling and pool tournaments so I didn't get the chance to take one picture although I did get to sneak in a game of Air Hockey.

So ironically my family and I went bowling together Saturday night. It was the boys against the girls with each team winning one game a piece - sounds like a rematch is in the future, huh.

Sunday I got to meet Iffy in person one of my SFFs (Scrapping Friend Forever, she came up with this, lol).

She is just as adorable in person as she is in her photos and she had a wonderful personality to match. We both had on black sweaters and jeans, (Iffy did you notice that?) we share the same wedding anniversary date of 12-12 and we had a nice breakfast together and guess what - NO PHOTOS. I am getting really horrible keeping up on my photo-ops, another thing to add to my list of resolutions.

Sunday night my daughter and i stopped in Target just to look around..........................................okay we all know that is impossible. I didn't buy much though. I did get some Herhey's nuggets to alter and give away as gifts like this - altered nugget tins. I also got a wall mounted storage cabinet kind of like this but mine has a shelf and then two small doors. Even though it is technically for a bathroom I think it will be perfect for my wood mounted stamps. Hopefully I will get a minute to put it together tonight. I only have a few more pieces of furniture I want before I cconsider my scrap room complete.

Although I don't have a lot of weekend photos, let me leave you a recent camera phone fave. This is my niece and her daughter experimenting with makeup. I think my baby has a future as a makeup artist, what do you think?

Wedding Bells and Best Wishes

The weekend before Thanksgiving my sister-in-law got married.

And even though there were a couple of things that did not go exactly as planned she smiled through it all.

Now don't get me wrong she has a firey side to her when she is rubbed the wrong way but she was so happy to marry this man that nothing else mattered. The weather was beautiful for late November and the people nearest and dearest to her were in attendance.

I did her invitations as kind of a last minute job because the person who OFFERED to do them backed out at the last minute. They came out very nice although I must say I was a little confused as to why she just didn't let me do them from the beginning, knowing that crafting is my passion. Who knows her reasoning, I just know that she and I have been very close through the years and I wanted her day to be special.

Blogsistency

My family and I love making up new words. I mean really what makes a word a word - how often people use it and if people accept it's use and meaning.

Take for instance the word "Attitudial". This is what my husband calls me when I disagree with him or if I am just not feeling too happy go lucky. "Compromisial" is the art of being able to come to a agreement without an arguement first (again penned by my husband, lol). My bestie Jojorenee/aka Tamika and I came up with "Jealappy". This one can be used a lot when talking about scrapbooking. It is when you are so excited about something that someone else did, bought or even made but you wish you either did it first, thought of it yourself or got it too, that feeling of being jealous of and happy for someone all at the same time.

* Edited to add "hyperaggravating" - used to describe someone who drives you crazy!!! The other Tamika gets credit for coming up with this one and there is a person we had in mind as an example but for the sake of both of our well-being we can not tell you who.

My word for today though is " Blogsistent". This is when you are more consistent with updating your blog and right now I suck at being Blogsistent. I am working on it though and to show my dedication and sincerity I will blog each and every day for the next thirty days so that I can start the New Year off right. Pretty lofty goal huh? My only disclaimer is that I can not be held responsible for any useless ramblings that may occur so that I have something to post, lol.

So on that note I will leave you with this card I made for my nephew who just turned 2 years old. Special shout out to Mekhi! I used a kraft A2 card as my base. Then I used the star cuttlebug embossing folder as the background and I wiped it with a white stamp pad to bring out the stars. The patterned paper, ribbon, brad and chipboard accents are all from the Lil robots collections by My Mind's Eye. The "b" is for birthday stamp is from Stamping Up! and I added the faux stitching. Just a fun card for a super guy!

Saturday Scrapping

Today I did something that I haven't done in a long time. I scrapped for myself. It was not for a challenge or a contest. It was not for someone else to enjoy, just something I wanted to do and boy did it feel good. I took these camera phone pictures of myself last year and was looking forward to scrapping them but I just could not find the right papers so there they sat among the other fifty thousand pictures yet to be scrapped until I saw the Queen Bee Pink Paislee line. Even better the collection went on sale at www.scenicroutepaper.com and I quickly snatched it up because the pleated ribbon and brads were included for $9.99. Once I had the papers the layout came together so easily. And the results, well I just love the results. This layout took no time at all because I had it completed in my head a long time ago. I love how the colors work together and I made the bee with my slice machine and embellished it. I played off of the collection title "Queen Bee" and added some bling. Today was a good day.

It's a New Day

My husband got a great shot of the sun rising at the beach this weekend. It was our first vacation in a long while and we had a great time. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful family. I love and appreciate them soo much.

What's in the Hopper

Definition - In politics, in the United States House of Representatives, the hopper is the box which sits on the House Clerk's desk, into which a bill or resolution is dropped for introduction. In agriculture, a hopper on a combine is a tank or bin where the harvested grain is temporarily stored until it is unloaded to a truck or grain cart. I use this phase to mean that something is waiting to be dealt with at another time. Read more: What does "in the hopper" mean? Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/300004#ixzz0xoUxmO5D

Right now my hopper is about to burst! I have been neglecting my little bloggy blog for good reason though, just not enough hours in the day. I have been trying to focus my attention on building my website, which has turned into a wonderful yet time consuming venture. My husband lends his constructive criticisms and I think I will be able to launch it really soon. I want to use is as an online display of things I make as I grow in my papercrafting.

Reggie is always selling for me (whether I am ready or not) so I have made a couple of layouts for a few employees at his job. The first thing I made was a tri-fold mini album and then I did an 8x8 easel display. I made my own easel back and I am going to share how I did that in an upcoming post. Unfortunately he takes them immediately and I don't have pictures.

Then I got an order for 50 (then it changed to 60) favors for a man's 50th birthday party. The colors were gold and cream and he is a big Teena Marie fan. So I wanted to do something manly and something that incorported some of her lyrics. So thanks to the tutorial found here - http://inspirestampin.blogspot.com/2010/04/easel-card-with-drawer-tutorial.html
I came up with these (the pillow box was not used) -

They were a big hit and I am glad she liked them but I made one nearly fatal mistake....................I accepted this order for 60 boxes, Yes I said 60, to be completed in three days. there is so much detail that it almost killed me. I had to get my girls to help, Reggie to help and if only the dogs could have helped, things would have went even faster. Reggie and I agreed that I undercharged for the time and labor but I took it as a learning experience as to know what to do and what NOT to do.

Now I am trying to find the perfect balance between creating the layouts I really want to and creating things for my first craft fair (and other people), which by the way if I don't chicken-out will be October 23, 2010. I am also planning an exhibition and class at a local senior center in the early fall, we are going on a mini vacation in two weeks, oh yeah and having a small (or so I think) barbeque for Labor day. I mean really, there are only 24 hours in a day?

Being Unique

So as I mentioned in my last post I am planning on vending at a couple of craft fairs this year and with that being said I wanted to start my own website so that I can direct people there to see my work.

So one evening while lying in bed not doing what I really wanted to do *wink*, Reggie and I came up with a name for my business - Unique Boutique Paper Creations. so what's next - I needed a logo. I came up with a general concept but it really needed to be polished. This is where it is so nice to know so many talented people and I enlisted the help of my super creative graphic artist friend, Kate who brought my logo to life................................and here she is -

And I just love her! I am going to customize my blog with her and she will be on my website, business cards and anything promoting my crafts.I haven't given her a name but my first instinct is to name her Sparkle.

For Real this Time

Last year I half-heartedly attempted to attend a few craft fairs. What that means is I said that I was going to attend, I paid my table fee like I was going to attend and I even made some products like I was going to attend and for some reason or another I backed out twice.

Well this year is going to be my year. I am getting ready now for the Fall and this year I plan to do at least three - count them - three, craft fairs. So last night I got to crafting and made these adorable post-it note holders (please ignore my coffee pot/toaster in the background.

I found the tutorial here on Dawn's blog via splitcoaststampers. There are so many talented ladies out there with so many great ideas. My problem now it thinking I can make EVERYTHING, lol and as the slowest scrapper in this town, I know that is not possible.

The other thing I have trouble on is setting my prices so I will let my husband do that part. Jada is my leading sales person, okay she is my only sales person and we are going to make t-shirts to wear at the craft fairs. I will share my products with you as I build up my stock, I have a lot of ideas bubbling in my head hope there is no overflow, lol.

C-A-M-P-E-R-S, Camp Paradise Campers are the best.............

Yes you've guessed it right, I am going to participant in the Cropping Paradise's new fun camp themed challenge http://croppinparadise.blogspot.com/2010/06/croppin-paradise-summer-event.html. I am going to try to earn at least eight merit badges, keep your fingers crossed for me. See you, I gotta run out and get some marshmallows.

After committing to a week of posting I came home to this super cute award from one of the fliest women I know EssenceVibez (who has the cutest blog, i must say)

here are the rules:
- Thank the giver
- Share seven things about yourself
- Pass award on to 5 bloggers
- Contact the bloggers and let them know about the award

drumroll please!:

1. I learned to drive at the ripe old age of 28, better late than never I guess
2. I have a small hole at the top of my ear on the right side, or maybe the left, I forget but I know it's there

3. I would love to be able to deliver my own eulogy, no one knows me better
4. l remember names very easily, I like to address people by their names as a sign of respect
5. I rarely wear makeup
6. My high school mascot was The Care Bears so I collect them when I can
7. I can do a trick with my nose that freaks little kids out, lol

I pass this fabulous award on to:

Mika

Iffy

Myia

Nae

Taj

Happy fourth of July everyone!

A Poem to Young Women

My oldest daughter likes to write short stories and poems. She is a typical teenager so i don't get to see her work too often, so I was honored when she shared this poem with me.

Young Women by Jasmin

Young women are now being categorized as

Being disrespectful, showing too much cleavage, and having no class.

They say we disrespect our bodies and ourselves

Older women looking in disbelief and their hearts melt.

But wait......................

Some young women are leaders and strive for better opportunities.

Some young women respect themselves and their bodies.

Some young women come to be Secretary of State.

Some prefer education and being safe.

There are young women who will run for president.

Confident and standing in an honorable stance.

Dignity and respect filling their hearts

Striving to do great from the start.

So why can't we be seen as honorable women standing firm like concrete?

When each and every young women has a different personality.

I would like to be remembered in life for my good done on this earth.

Because negative was never in my vocabulary even from birth.

I was born to achieve great things and that's what I shall do.

I am a confident, respectful, ambitious young woman.

Are you?