My 2010 vision

Happy Friday. Finally this week is coming to a close. It has been very productive for me (will show new creations later on) but it also has been very emotional for me. For some reason, the idea of looking forward and being optimistic for this coming year has been a struggle. I'm not one to unload every little detail in public so we'll just leave it at that.

But with every negative issue that I had to tackle, I did eventually come to a realization of what my vision SHOULD be for this year and it is......



Every year since 08, I've been creating a "mantra" or vision for what I want my mindframe for that year to be.

In 08 it was this.... then last year it was this.......and then after listing many phrases that I thought would both inspire and ignite a positive tone for me I settled it with the phrase...

"my BEST is good enough!"

This one resonated so much to me because right now I have a lot on my plate. I furthered my "soul searching" and realized that I LOVE every aspect of my life. I love that I am contributing to the world in all sorts of ways and although at times there is so much to do, I still enjoy each and every part of it.

But then I still complained! Why was that? I wonder. Then it hit me.......I'm the one putting all the "stress" on myself. I keep on putting this pretty PERFECT picture in my head of what things are supposed to look, how activities are supposed to run and how I'm supposed to act/speak/feel/and think. Then did I realize that the pressure was all internal.


I've been making a frame of my mantra since the time I started it in 08. I like to display this in my scrapbook room so when I'm in the middle of chaos and negativity, I can always look at it and get that boost of energy and positive vibes that I need to move on. It has worked so far.


Keeping with the simple and "doing my best under the circumstances" mode, I didn't stress out about how I'm going to present my new "words to live by" phrase. I just designed the statement in photoshop, printed it off and added a few embellishments. These products are from the Artsy Urban collection of GCD Studios.

For some reason, I've been gravitating onto that collection a lot. I love the artsy feel but also all the inspiring quotes that some of the products have. I especially love the butterflies that I used here. It reminds me of my capability to soar, if I just believe and do the "best" I can.

So that's that! 2010 will be the year that I let go of some personal expectations and really strive to be happy with giving the best that I can. Because after all...... Spilled milk can always be wiped down but a life that's wasted on stress can never be replaced.

Thank you all for your support and till next time,
Grace

Finally some projects....

Let me tell you, I'm starting the new year with some wrong vibes. For some reason, I'm feeling very burned out and non enthusiastic. I tried to "find the positive side of things" as that was my mantra from 09 but for some reason I couldn't stop complaining.

But today while cleaning the house I got an epiphany........ I realized that most of my feeling discouraged comes from within. I stress myself too much because I can't let go of the "perfectionism". I'm sure I'm not the only one that have felt this way before.

So after realizing my dilemma, it turned out to be good cause now I came up with the most suited mantra for this year. I'm so excited about it and I'm finally feeling enthusiastic again. I will share this new vision in the next few days but for now since I'm in the "happy, let's get this job done, everything will turn out ok" kinda mood I'll share some projects.

These two things were made using some great Artsy Urban products from GCD Studios. These are not fresh from the scrapbook table but was done in December.

Food Trip

I was inspired to scrap these pictures because of the decorative borders in the collection that had "good food" in it. Fit my theme very well, don't you agree?


I love these clips, very vintage and yet works well with layouts such as these.


I actually layered two borders here, one with the decorative edges and the other with the words. I also love the colors of this collection. I honestly am not one to pick vintage looking stuff but I love that these products don't necessarily have to be used just for older photos.

2010 purse calendar

I made a similar calendar like this last year and decided to make my 2010 version a little earlier. I was feeling disorganized by mid December knowing I had deadlines in January. So I used the same template that I made last year and used some more great products from the Artsy Urban collection.


I love all the little "inspirations" that I can add to this calendar. It keeps me feeling happy and optimistic.

So that's all for now. Like I said, I'm feeling energized again so look for some "fresh" things in this blog and who knows maybe some "blog candy" as well.

Till next time,
Grace

Is it really Jan 4th?

I can't believe that I've let the 1st, 2nd and even the 3rd day of this new year pass by without a post in the blog.

Gosh! I hope this is not a sign of a bad year for blogging this year......

Send me some positive vibes will ya please. :)

Anyways here's a sneek peek of two projects that I made for the Upsy Daisy blog. The post went up today and you can check the whole post and more pictures of these projects here.



Happy Monday and hope you guys have a great week.

Till next time,
Grace

a party going on....

Hi all and happy New Year!

Is your year off to a great start? Well I hope so. Are you all partied out or ready for more?

Well if you are, make sure you check out the GCD Studios blog.




We are sharing all of the new releases from the 1st to the 9th of January. There's lots of new paper collections to share plus a new tool, chipboard and stamps. I'm telling you, this is something you wouldn't want to miss.

Oh and there's a chance to win some goodies too. Now that's just pure icing on the cake, don't you think so?

See you at the GCD Studios blog.

Till next time,
Grace

Christmas in review *photo heavy*

There's only one day left before the year ends and I'm still in shock at how fast this year went by.
I just uploaded the pictures I took from Christmas events into my computer and decided to blog some of them. Here's what kept me busy....

Dec. 19- we had our Ward Christmas' party this night. The kids got to participate in a singing performance by all the children in the party and then they got to see Santa.





Dec. 22- We had some friends over and we made our Gingerbread house. Our friend Sara and her two girls came by the house. We both had a kit so each group got to make their own. Marcus felt that there should be a competition involved as to who's house is the best. I think they're both great and it was fun hanging out with our friends even if it's just a couple of hours.



here's our house....


Dec. 23- It was cookie baking day for me. I made three different kinds- oatmeal chocolate chip; thumbprint and macaroon cookies. We had enough to do a cookie swap with some friends and give a plate to a few of our neighbors.





Dec. 24- Tonight we went to my uncle's house in Glendora for a reunion/Christmas eve celebration. The kids got their first batch of gifts tonight. When we got home, we got the kid's dressed for bed and placed the very important plate for Santa. Marcus thought that Santa needed something healthy in his plate other than the cookies so we added an apple. Maddie made some "reindeer" food in preschool so we placed that on the counter too.



Dec. 25- THE BIG DAY! The kids got up and as per instruction (by me) awakened me up before they started opening their gifts. Last year they let me sleep in and I was not able to take a photo of them when they opened their boxes so I made sure that this year I didn't miss a thing. Santa was right on this year, getting everyone EXACTLY what they've asked for. After opening our presents, we had our traditional "Christmas" morning breakfast.


This breakfast was the start of many good meals today including a lunch at my parent's house and then dinner at the Tolman's.

We had our annual Christmas exchange at the Tolman's and everyone seemed to have left with what exactly they wanted. We also sang some Christmas carols as a group. A new thing that might become a tradition from here on out.




Dec. 27- Tonight we had our post Christmas, pre New Year's Eve gathering with my parents. Mom always work during those important dates so we make sure to gather in between them. Food was delish and everyone went home with a generous helping of gifts.


Marcus got a DS from Santa and Uncle George and Lola (grandma) got him some more games for it. Look at that grin, Christmas is definitely one of his favorite holidays. :)


Maddie got the princess dress from Santa and she has been wearing it all day and night for the last week. Besides the gloves and winter hat, she also got some barbies and fun little girly things from her Uncles and Aunts.


Here's two of my most precious gifts.

So that's all for now. I'm drowning in projects and I feel with CHA fast approaching, the deadlines are just beginning.

Take care everyone.

Till next time,
Grace

December events minibook

Hello everyone. Hope all is keeping sane as we approach the "big day". So far, so good in my end. Gifts have been bought, cookies were baked, house decorated and we even got make a gingerbread house with some friends. Things are definitely moving along around here.

Anyways, just emailed my December Crazy daisy minibook to Kimberly and thought I'd share it with my blog readers as well. A crafty post to get you inspired through the hustle and bustle of the week.

December Events minibook

First of all, I just want to say how lovely the Chatterbox mini included in this month's kit was. I love the flocked cover and the pages have a dry embossed edge. I just think it's so gorgeous.

So since the theme of the kit was Christmas/Holiday, it was just fitting that I focus my minibook to that topic as well. I printed some pictures from last year's celebrations in 3x4 sizes, matted them and divided them into date categories.

I love the dry embossed edges of each page but I knew it would not show very well in picture, so to make it come alive a little more, I rubbed inkpad on it so it creates some dimension.

Another thing that I really liked in the kit is the big thick white lace. At first I didn't know how to incorporate it in my project but then I realized that it should just take center stage and that's what I did, using it in the front page of my book.

I used a simple design sketch for all the pages and added tabs made from various papers in the kit on top of the pages. I incorporated pictures about our Christmas baking, candy making, kid's school celebration, family time and even our official Christmas card and picture in the mix.



At the very last page of the book, I added a chipboard quote that I thought summarized the book very well.

To dress up the very ornate cover, I just added some velvet ribbon, tied it to make it look like a gift and added a flower in the middle.

Thank you for looking and to find out more about the kit, check it out here.

Merry Christmas everyone,
Grace

Upsy Daisy December share

Have you seen the Spirit and Hot chocolate lines from Upsy Daisy designs? Well if not, then you're definitely missing out on some great paper lines. I love that this line is totally opposite from each other and yet they lend the great designs and images that this season provides. Here's a couple of projects that I made with these wonderful papers....

Our Christmas tree layout

I used the Hot chocolate line for this page. Did you notice the arrangements of the pictures? I made it to mimic a Christmas tree.

I created a cluster of embellishments using UD Stamps and handcut designs from the papers. I also added a rhinstone for the "shine" effect.


To make my title stand out from the beautiful background, I slapped some white paint on there before adding my title. I cut most of the letters from the papers as well.

Altered Christmas bag

I recycled a small shopping bag for this project. I covered the front and back side of the bag with the Spirit papers.

I used this stamp for the title block and handcut the trains from this paper, also from the Spirit line.

I followed the theme with the tag as well.

So that's it for now, hope you are all having a great weekend and staying healthy in this very busy season.

Till next time,
Grace

December Crazy daisy layouts *photo heavy*

I feel so ashamed that I'm just now posting my projects with the December kit. This month as been crrrraaaazzyyyy for me but luckily I was able to sit down yesterday in my scrap area and play with my December Crazy Daisy kit goodies. It was a fun kit to play with, lots of festive projects that will sure bring the excitement and joy of the season to any of your holiday projects. Here's what I made so far.........

1. Christmas baking

The kit definitely helped me feel the "festive" appeal of the season with its bright and fun colors and products. This page was brought by that inspiration.

I used a lot of the products in the kit here like the papers, Prima letter stickers, flower, brad, the fun Kaiser scrapbook rubons and the stamp set.

I used the rubons to create my visual triangle. I love the ease to transfer of these rubons.

2. Light show

Continuing my goal to show you that the products in this kit can absolutely work with double page spread, here's mine for this month. I love that the papers are double sided and provides lots of ways to add them to the layouts.
Since my pictures were on the dark side, I used a white background and kept the pattern papers to simple designs so they don't overpower the pictures.

I used the Kaiser rubons to hold my journaling and played around with my stitching as well combining the zigzag and regular straight stitch.

I also created a cluster of embellishments on the right corner of the two page spread to add some interest.

3. Santa and Me

This page is about my daughter's preschool party last year. I love that this kit contained so much products and inspiration that I was able to dive into a lot of my last year's Holiday pictures and get a lot of them scrapped.

The Santa ribbon was perfect for this page.

I also used the ornament glitter stickers to emphasize the theme.

4. Trimming the tree

This one was inspired by the big ornament design on one of the Making Memories Mistletoe papers.

I cut them out and used them as accents on the page. I also loved the Christmas tree ribbon which I used as a border here.


5. Splish Splash

Who said that you can't use a Christmas kit for a summer page? Well I sure didn't listen. LOL.

I was inspired by the green scalloped paper, I cut the inside part and used the outside as a frame for my pictures and papers. It was a little challenge to get the pictures on there and trim the edges but with a few tricks with the adhesive, I was able to get them to stick together seamlessly.

I added a cluster of embellishments on the top corner so the eye can go all the way around the page.

So there you have it, if you have not checked out the kit, check them out here.

Thank you for looking

Till next time,
Grace