A thankful heart...

What an interesting week for me! Ups and downs and the roller coaster just never seem to want to stop for me to get off. So many things has happened in my life and in the lives that are really close to me and my family. Thanksgiving is around the corner and I'm grateful for this holiday. I get to reflects on the blessings in my life and what I'm grateful for. After writing down the lists of what I'm grateful for in my journal it sure make losing my engagement ring seems so small and less important.

It's hard to believe that it is more of an emotional loss for me. All of the memories when we were dating keep flooding my mind. The cloud 9 moments every single seconds of the day. That kind of happy memories!

I'm so grateful for loving God, husband, kids, parents, extended family, health, and the list goes on. My cup is runneth and I am at peace. I must admit it was a hard week but for some reason I feel perfectly OK right now. Sometimes you have to work really hard for what you really want -- and that my friend I am trying to find joy in everyday small miracles.


I took this picture this morning of a fountain. I added some magic to the picture in Photoshop using Rhonna's brushes. I'm going to print it out and frame it.
It's a great reminder.
We all need it.


Be. Grateful.

Christmas Décor

Pin It

I know Thanksgiving comes next but I couldn't help but to work on the paper mache cones. I've been staring at them for weeks. I got the cones from Michaels but I believe other craft stores sell them too.

The bases are just regular wood circles from craft stores. The stands are the wooden candle holders from Hobby Lobby.

Here's a really quick and simple wreath I made last night. The wire wreath I got from Michaels. I think it was $3. I wrapped burlap around the wreath then I added ribbons, bow, picture frame, and feathers for finishing touches.



Pin It

Halloween Banner

As soon as the "witches teeth" are out on the table it's Halloween decoration time at our house. I personally don't care for them but my family loooooves them! Mister "No.1" can't get enough as you can see. He found official home for his hand apparently.


First Halloween décor I put up was the banner. It was simple and fun to make! Throw some blood on the mirror and add bows and blings for finishing touches!

Halloween Chandelier is next!
Stay tuned!

Easter Egg Shadow Box

I found some cheap paper mache egg from Hobby Lobby awhile back and I finally had time to jazz it up.

I will upload video via YouTube and explain how I made it.
So stay tune!


Go ahead and gather your supplies together. There should be some sale going on in your Spring/Easter section at your favorite crafts store!

Love is in the air...

Teresa just informed me that I haven't posted anything for a month! Yikes! My blog needs some lovin'

(I am busy growing a person...)



Valentine's day is just around the corner and here are some inspirations for my readers.

No. 1 - In Love Mini/Card; 6"x9" cardstock & some scrap pattern paper


(This heart was made from a plastic box that my Cricut cartridge came in. I used Tim Holtz's embossing folder, rubbed some black & gold acrylic paint and red stickles, add black & white enamel for more texture.)

No. 2 - "U R My #1 Fan" tag

If the love of your life likes to read this would make a perfect surprise to sneak in his book. Make sure to add some hand written notes to the back of the tag!

No. 3 - Nails Art

If I can do it you can! Make sure to take your time ... you are not winning anything here for being speedy!

Like I said I haven't really done much as far as crafting goes much less anything else.

Oh and look what's still on my desk!!!!
I have so much to catch up with. I haven't even printed out any Christmas pictures for the mini yet. I might have to save it for next year. I'm really not in a Christmas mood right now even though I love Christmas!

Good Tidings Of Great Joy

I love the Christmas season. But more importantly I love the opportunity that I get each year to ponder and reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas. I often wondered what Mary would have felt. Can you imagine giving life to God's Son? Or holding this precious Child in your arms? To be honest, I hadn't really put that much thoughts into it until I became a mother. I remember when I was pregnant with Mister Z... The rush of emotions that came over me every time I heard "Silent Night" or "What Child is This" and a few other songs.

(picture by Joseph Brickey)

Christmas this year is going to be a very special Christmas for me. I am blessed to be able to carry another child and to experience one of the most sacred and miraculous thing ever!


Z's baby blessing booties
made with love by Great-Grandma L.

I'm grateful for a loving God for giving me another opportunity to carry and give life to one of his children. My heart is full as I'm sharing with you our story. I can't tell you how excited we were when we found out that I was pregnant! It was hard to keep it to ourselves. We didn't want to share the news until I was a little bit farther along. (some of you know the reason.) Thank you for all of your prayers on our behalf. We truly can feel it. Back in July was one of the most painful experience I've ever felt but I am still hanging on to "hope", and look!!!!! It's going to happen again. Yes yes indeed!!! We are so very grateful to have babe No. 2 joining our family in June 2011.

As I'm sharing our exciting news to you I can't help but to think of our friends who aren't yet blessed with children. You know who you are and we are praying for you!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you ^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people.
(Luke 2:10)

I love this verse because I was holding on to "hope" so desperately yet I let some of the fears sneak in every now and then. What a comforting verse to remind myself. "Fear not." And the most awesome promise at the end of the verse is "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to ALL people." Not just certain group of people but ALL! That makes me s m i l e every time I read that. =)

41 days till Christmas

As I'm typing this post it's almost 40 days left till Christmas!
(for some reason it feels a lot more than 40 days)

I still haven't make anything Christmas except cards.
I promise as soon as I get going with my Christmas projects I will post them on my blog!!!


Just a little experience I had earlier today that gave me an "A-ha moment"and I thought I should share it with my readers.

But lets back up to Friday...

This is how the conversation goes with my sugar daddy.

Me: Hey hun you know we need to get our family pictures done?
SD: Oh yeah!
Me: When can you do it? (he is crazy busy with school and work)
SD: Umm let me check my calendar (I can hear him clicking away on his iCal.)
I can't do it next Saturday, or Saturday after that, or the Saturday after that one either. The ONLY Saturday I can do it is this Saturday (meaning today!)
Me: OK!

Off I went ... I knew just the right person I had in mind! My cousin! She loves taking pictures and I know she would do anything to get her hands on my DSLR camera that sugar daddy bought me. After leaving her a voicemail she finally called me back and informed me that she was in California. Greaaaaaaaaaaat! Now what?!

I'm determined we are going to make this work. I'm not about to go pay someone to take our pictures for a gazillion dollars for 5 pictures. A-Ha! I do have the remote.

"Let's just do it honey!"

(This picture makes me feel so happy... family who plays together stays together)

For those of you who do not have "fancy" camera or remote. You have a lil' cool feature on your camera called "self-timer." Go for it and have fun! It's boring to have everyone looking at the camera and say "cheese" anyway. Candid shots are the best!

The other tips I have for you is that when you are dealing with your lil' Santa's helpers you'll need to keep them occupied. As you can see in the picture there's nothing but trees and dirt. We brought props to keep Mister Z happy. We know he likes his bike and balloons. You know your kids best, it doesn't have to be anything fancy.

One last tip I have for you is to add digital brushes using Photoshop. If you don't have Photoshop do not panic. You can use stamps! Make sure to use Staz-on ink!


Now go for it and give it a try. Don't forget to put the camera on a tri-pod or something sturdy; i.e. table. Have fun and please send me some shots!

'Tis the Season

It's that time of the year again!
Christmas is coming...
(I hope you are ready)

I just wanted to show you some of the paper I got for my upcoming Christmas projects.
Aren't they pretty?!

Here are the paper in this video.

Father Christmas by Pink Paislee
Jovial by Basic Grey
Noel by Making Memories
Yuletide Specialty Paper by K & Co.
Old Fashioned Christmas by Recollection

Don't forget to watch in 480p for better quality!

Happy Halloween From our family

I just wanted to share some pictures that we took earlier tonight.
I hope your family has a Happy Halloween!

This is me trying hard to look all tough. LOL Not working!!!!!

Be safe and have lots of FUN!

Cutest Halloween Suckers On The Block

Ladies & gents,

Let me introduce you to Mister Greenie!
Isn't he the cutest sucker you've ever seen?!

Please note that if you are a sensitive person this project isn't for you.

Let me explain...
(please allow me to explain before you get mad at me for calling you "sensitive")

I'm assuming that you are making a bunch of mister Greenie and his friends to pass them around to the neighborhood kids, grandkids, your own lil' monsters, or kiddies at church. These lil' precious people are going to be sooooo excited and Mister Greenie's head is going to come off like a prom dress.

By that time you might be crying because so many hours went into this project (very cute project indeed.)

If you are not the sensitive type ... keep reading
(those that want to do this project)

My suggestion would be to use up your stash. Mister Greenie doesn't have to be perfect or "green." Make some Mister Orangie or Miss Purpley. If a little bit of glue shows who cares. The kids don't care. As long as you don't tape the wrapper shut. HAHA now that would be funny! All I'm saying is keep it moving. Make an assembly line and crank em out.



I used Mini Monsters cricut cartridge. Mister Greenie is on page 75.
I got 3 boxes out of 8.5" x 11"
Not bad huh?!

Now punch some holes on the bottom of the box, put a sucker in there, and tie tulle around it!

Happy Trick or Treatin' Kids!

Halloween Mini Album

I made this mini album for our lil' monster. This mini isn't too spooky... I would describe it as more cutesy spooky! =)

The paper is by K & Co; Spooktacular!

Watch in 480p for better quality.

This project was inspired by Kathy. Check out her backpack mini.

Is it Halloween yet?

"Mom, is it Halloween yet?"

No.
"Mom, is it Halloween yet?"
No.
"Mom, is it Halloween yet?"
No.

*********

Here's a fun little project for your kids! I made a Halloween Countdown using 99 cents frame from Ikea to help us getting ready for Halloween. What's so cool about this frame is that there are 2 sides. Woo hoo! Now talking about cheap and classy lookin'. Great job Ikea!

Our lil' moster is so excited to help me flip the countdown thingy. Now if you would only flip one per day mister Z mommy would really appreciate it! =)

The part that took the longest?!?!? Would be......

Drumroll please?!

Yup you guessed it! The countdown thing-a-ma-jic!

This is a great way to get your kids involved. Make them punch 31 scallops, squares, circles, or whatever shape you want! Oh wait scratch that out. Make that 41 cuz mommy may need extra in case she can't stamp right! I'm not saying this from experience. Now bust out your No. stamps! Start stamping and embossing, stamping and embossing, and repeat the process. After awhile you may be saying some choice words but that's the beauty of us not living in the same house! LOL

No seriously it wasn't that bad. But I think I maxed out on stamping & embossing for today!

So is it Halloween yet?!

{Cello}brate Halloween

I saw the cutest Halloween cello bags at Michaels and had to get them. I had no idea what I was going to use them for. All I knew was I didn't want to put food in them.

This is what I came up with. The Halloween organizer for my inspiration board.







I had to throw up the fall colors on the board because where I live there's no fall or autumn. Sad I know! =(
Whenever I run out of creative juice that's one of many places I look to for inspiration.

This would be great to put on the fridge or locker too!

I'm so ready to {cello}brate Halloween with lots of sweets!