THANKYOU2010

|image:modernvintage|
2010 was an amazing year and thank you for allowing me to share it with you. I must say 2010 was exciting and I can't wait to see what 2011 will bring! I am truly humbled by your support of my online classes, blog and this creative life.
THANK YOU to all of my daily readers new and old for stopping by and being apart of my life and this blog. I look forward to sharing more with you in 2011! Cheers to a happy, blessed and peaceful New Year.
Happy New Year.
xo

celebrations

and the december daily goes on and on....i know i know.
day 16: is one of my favorite pages, made with a piece of paper from Jamaica's duly noted uncut packs, it is the perfect size to add variety to my book. I also dug out some of my most oldest and dearest purple onion stamps and Heidi Swapp embellishments.

day 17:annual work holiday lunch not actually a party but you get the drift. As you can see arrows, circles and wood are pretty much my favorite thing right now.

It was this little jellybean's birthday yesterday. I caught reading one of her favorite books in her room, she loves to read and now she is reading to Tara (her unicorn pillow pet). She had so much fun yesterday that fell asleep at 8pm, lol.


off for morning walk, xo

and the beat goes on with this one...

and so I teeter on, with my December daily when others are bringing theirs to a close, oh well...i am determined. I even did one yesterday as my last GDT for Shimmerz Paintz. It is my favorite entry to date :)
xo

light

one of my favorite images from last week, christmas eve morning. I am always waiting or chasing moments when I can capture sun flare or slightly overexposed photos. the sun bursting thru the lace curtains onto the tree=  total gooey goodness for me. :) xo

who's who revealed

Really, only three days left in 2010?! As always I am excited to see what the new year will bring! Last night Studio Calico's January kit debuted, the gallery is stunning! I feel so blessed to work with this great company and with so much talent. I also purchased Betty Crocker and Mary Jane add-on kits. I am pinching myself for not getting more SC pattern paper (in love with woods).

I used mainly the main kit: who's who and a bit of Mary Jane on this layout about Saadiq. He love hoping online to check out bee hive and other kid friendly or sport sites before school. I also added a spritz of mister's huey (schoolhouse) mist, you know me!

I wanted to document all of Synai's current favs since she will be turning seven on Thursday! I used the Betty Crocker add-on only on this layout. I added some Tim Holtz Distress Stickles Glitter Glue to the butterflies to add some dimension.

This layout is a combo of all three kits! I love the SC book stamp and the mini stamp set from mary jane. I embossed the book image with some American Crafts zing powder (my favorite embossing powder) and a few drops of applejack and calico white spray mist. I was so happy to finally scrap these iphone photos of s2 in borders this past spring picking up some new books and also went perfectly with Stephanie's Challenge on the sc blog.

I hope you are enjoying the last few days of 2010, xo

who's who sneaks

I hope you all have a happy and safe Christmas! I am about to head down south, for the holiday but wanted to share my sneaks for Studio Calico's January kit-Who's Who really quick! Needless to say, you know I am in love with all of the exclusive papers but especially the woodgrain and birch and book stamp!
xo

packin' for the holidays

happy almost Christmas...3 days...really?!!! I've been working double time today packing, taking care of a sick Synai and doing lots and lots of laundry. sigh, but since this was a portion of my daily, I thought I would snap a few pics of the things that I will be taking with me down south tomorrow. It is a version of kristina's last dare layout and serious love of wildfox's similar post, this could become addicting and turn into a mini book for 2011travels! It will be for sure in the december daily, which hasn't been abandon.
evident loves:VS Pro Concealer Palette...i love it, already hit pan on the dark circle corrector and for $14, it gets nothing but love,early x-mas gift-most comfortable boots I own seriously next to my uggs (platform soles make it so);NARS albatross highlighting blush, holy grail status;Unii palette makes carrying makeup in their pan form extra secure, double bonus the magnifying mirror; essie polishes in luxedo and turquoise & caicos;XL wayfarers and beanie; gap jeggings-don't leave home without them!
I promise, sneaks to share tomorrow, the sun finally decided to show itself an hour before sunset but it is all good.
xo

giddyup!

Happy Monday and f-i-n-a-l-l-y Christmas is almost here...yaaaaay! We had a great weekend, Saadiq's team won states on Saturday which was super exciting and I finished the last bits of Christmas shopping Saturday night. Sunday my sister and me went to see Black Swan, which you need to put on your must see list! It is awesome, insanely awesome and worthy of the Oscar buzz! I have a few daily pages to share today and will share a few Studio Calico January sneaks tomorrow. I am really looking forward to my two day work week,Christmas and tons family time.

products used:American Crafts Thickers, Hambly overlays, Heidi Swapp bling,Studio Calico polka dot stamp and 7gypsies stamps
day eight: s2 went to visit Santa after an early release from school with their day care provider. They still believe in Santa which i love even if it makes transporting gifts down south a bit of a challenge, but think goodness for online shopping!

products used: Crate Paper cardstock stickers,Studio Calico pattern paper, Tim Holtz distressed ink and American Crafts Thickers
day nine:Saadiq getting winterized to play in the cold, hand warmers are a must along with long johns and multi- layers!!

products used: dully noted uncut paper, Hambly overlay,Making Memories paints, Studio Calico weekly stamp , elementary alphabet stickers and documentary jet set paper.
day ten: love my girl, tina's currents, easy way to document current holiday feelings in a jiffy with a current sp!
xo, thanks for stopping by!

got.to.got.to.got.to[have it] guide

happy friiiday!I don't know about you but I am ready for the weekend and sip on some egg nog  of the grown up variety! :) I know this is the season of giving but when shopping it is hard not to buy for yourself (well for me) too! Here are some of the things that are on my shortlist and always saved on a wish list somewhere (they may help you if you are still looking for that "one" item:

1.Women's tees & knits - basic tees & tanks -, $30(i live in boyfriend tees and j.crew ones are my favorite kind, I find that in store locations run them on sale at the end of each season, so bolo (be on the look out) 2.Jeffrey Campbell LITA, $160 ( I've been wanting these beauties since they hit the nets late summer, they come in a variety of colors but taupe is my favorite. hands down Jeffrey Campbell and Sam Edelman make the most highest comfy heels, trust)!! 3.Yves Saint Laurent Arty Oval ring, $195 (a sure eye catcher and conversation starter for sure, love it)! 4.Women's jewelry - bracelets - Metal-wrapped chain cuff - J.Crew, $45 (thanks to a gift card from my awesome sis, she knows me so well, this beauty, but it is on sale now plus additional 30 enter MUSTHAVE...you are welcome;) 5.ASOS | ASOS Oversized Bobble Hat at ASOS,((I love oversize anything, especially if it has a pom attached to it+ the price is just right! they have free shipping now too in the US, woot!) 6. $20,Amazon.com: Kardashian Konfidential (9780312628079): Kim Kardashian,... (I love the show and against my better judgment now want the book,i digress....,$15,7. LUSH -- Bubble Gum (LUSH can do no wrong in my book, I love all of their products and this is on my list to try next. Your lips will think you this winter, exfoliation is the key to pretty lips)!, $8.95; Smokin Buds White/Chrome - Headphones - All Products, $22 (I am in great need of headphones and love these, cute and multifunctional).

have a great weekend-much love and happiness, xo

warm thoughts

producs used: shimmerz spritz in licorice, sea foam and mango madness,studio calico f/stop paper, documentary label stickers, american crafts thicker shapes,studio calico elementary alphabet, studio calico wood veneer-stars, bazzill white cardstock

hey, hey! quick share today because have to keep the natives busy, we had a snow day here today and it isn't even winter yet! I am happy to say though I am finally almost done with christmas shopping, yaaaaaaaaaaay! I can't believe it a week away! I can't wait to see my extended family, house hop and look at a christmas story! Make sure to check out my anti-gift guide tomorrow, all the things I wanted to buy for myself but didn't because it is the time to give,right?! :)

okay, onto to the layout above-I made this layout and posted it on the shimmerz paints blog today. They are also having a BIG SALE with 30% off your order until Dec. 20.
xo

the daily-ness

Happy Monday, can't believe I am saying this again so soon, where did the weekend go-better yet the year? Seriously it was a blur, but a happy one;S1's football team won their second round game in states, so they are going to the finals next weekend...yeahhhh! :) Their team is making league history for our county, pretty awesome I think!

Finally making some progess in my daily and getting it nice and plump! I had to make an alteration to the binding to accommodate its growth! This is one of my favorite things about making this yearly minibook, the change, traditions and process of adapting and documenting.  Day6:
not ready for christmas in terms of gifts, being really slow on this so far and it is approaching fast!
Day 7: wishing for snow! :)


The best thing about today is, our first snow (got my wish)! I never get tired of s2 reactions when they see it for the first time each winter, it is the cutest thing to me. :) It didn't last long once the sun came out, but it was pretty while it lasted.
have a great day, xo

dec daily| 4&5

(modge podge of supplies, elementary fabrips, mixed with ink,stamps, thread and paint)

quick one pagers to share, my mommy surprised me with early christmas presents in the form of awesome new appliances! I have a new (super quiet) dishwasher and stove to match, didn't know it was possible to be in love with appliances but I am!! Especially since I am using appliances from this century that energy savers and did I say I am in love with them?! :)

one of my most favorite spots in our home is s2 art gallery. It is impossible to keep all of the art they bring home, but I make a point to place a few pieces a year in this area in our living room. The new addition, a watercolor drawing that was exhibited at the county fair this year (drawn while he was in 3rd grade) by saadiq. I framed it and hung it over the weekend. They both love to draw, i am also in love with synai's pumpkins (made last year... they look like angels looking into the horizon to me but she will be quick to tell me they are p-u-m-k-i-n-s)! :)
one more sleep until friday, yaaaaay! :) 
xo

dec. daily| playing catch up

four days behind, but wanted to share day three. If you have more than one child you know the dynamics are rarely balanced. s2 are rarely at a lost for words with one another, you know the he/she said.... is a constant phrase in our house, lol. But moments like these when they are getting along, playing quietly, working together are treasured. It melts my heart because they are getting so big and I feel like these moments are quickly being replaced by more friends, activities and life. Photo quality isn't the best, snapped with my iPhone while they weren't aware. :)score one for mommy paparazzi!
I love to reuse packaging in my minis, both of the foundations of these pages are from KI Memories and Studio Calico products. Lots of stamping going on here too, embrace what you love to use, I have been dying to use these button stamps, mixed up with some old Heidi Swapp goodness in there too, days of the week stamps, 7gypsies stickers ( will never stop using these), Hambly Overlay, Sassafras chipboard sticker and button rubons.

so since tvland is slow because of the holidays, no new shoes until the new year (insert sad face) it has forced me to watch shows I would normally dismiss. which brings me to hawaii five-o, it is  amazing! who else loves it? can't wait to watch the episodes I missed online, hello they had me at jin, daniel dae kim. :)
xo

advancing...

happy monday, this month is moving along and so is my daily. It is starting to feel a lot like winter these days, brrrr.... this is my day two entry (products used:still showing love to metropolitan (in love with the studio calico exclusive herringbone paper);hambly mod overlay;tweet woodgrain rubons;jenni bolwin mini chalkboard alphas;american crafts white cardstock and thickers;studio calico f/stop paper; making memories paint and doilies. I decided to add yesterday's diy to my daily instead of hanging it. :)For once, I was early (11.21) putting up our christmas decorations per the request of my mommy. :) She was in the holiday spirit and wanted it up when she arrived for Thanksgiving.

I wasn't able to photograph additional pages because yesterday was b-a-n-a-n-a-s! We traveled two hours to watch saadiq's team play in the first round of states and they won, yaaaaay! :)
The long trip and sitting in the cold (20 degree wind chill) was so worth it. We they play in the second round this weekend, something tells me these days will pop up in my daily as well.
hope your monday is a warm one!
xo

makes me happy

crossing off things from my tweet list! love an easy and fun diy that I have wanted to do for like forever! I know it is not anything new on the blogger-sphere but it makes me happy non the less! I love a good rush from creating, don't you?

be back soon with december daily pages and more on this...
xo

home (holiday edition)

I love the colors of the season especially red- it just screams Christmas to me! I normally only decorate our tree in red  but  for some reason of decided to do a white tree this year with a dash of red. It is taking me some time to get used to but here are a few shots of our tree this year!

I guess the main reason I was drawn to white this year is change and to finally decorate our tree with ornaments that survived some sad times for our family. The one above is one of them, it is well loved and very old.

I love poinsettias, especially in red, purchased two of them on black Friday for .98 a piece, ching!  This was the perfect price for me since I can never seem to keep them alive until Christmas but so far so good! :)

a Christmas cactus that my mommy gifted me. I love watching the blooms grow...

a different view of our tree. I love the vintage inspired ornaments at Target, this one was $1.00, ETA: they were $1.50, thanks Tanya! :).
xo, off to make dinner.

no excuses {december}...

no excuses, that is my chant for this week month! I am determined to stay on top of things even when my week has gone BOOM! Saadiq's team is going to states this weekend which means an extra week of intense trainings.We are excited but a lot of shuffling of schedules has to be done along with other other life hiccups. I mean within a blink of an eye I am now looking at Thursday, what....and four cups of coffee didn't even put a dent in my fatigue this morning.

I sat down this morning with all my determination to do something for me and created my first page in my daily.It took me about 20 minutes and I am happy with it and it felt so good to create. I created the right side on a piece of clear overlay ( the picture behind it is from the j.crew holiday catalog cover), love that photo. I still have some of my metropolitan and mass transit on my desk, so I added a few elements from them, mixed with some documentary and of course hambly overlays and yellow ink! We have already started to countdown to Christmas, S2 tick a day off as soon as I put our counter up!They rush down the stairs every morning to take a day away and we talk about what we are looking forward to most throughout the holiday season.

hope you are having a great week!
xo