Works in Progress for a Super Bright and Happy New Year

I've been working on a new scrap-booking project as of late

that will be formated in an 11 x 8.5 size

instead of the standard 12 x 12

and I have to say the switch as been really refreshing.

I can't wait to show you the entire collection

but for now I thought I'd share a sneak peak

with a little tribute to last years Christmas.

Digi Elements from:

My personal collection, Minitoko, and Lemon Tree Studio

here are some additional pages using these amazing digi creators kits

(Click on images for sources)

2011 is going to be full of color I just know it!

I've got some exciting new adventures planned...

for one, my own digi kits will be available once again

come late spring!

I've been working really hard designing fun new kits

and revamping a few of my most popular kits from the last 2 years.

Early this spring

my hair pretties are going to share the limelight

in a photo-shoot

for a new collection of children's clothing

from etsy artisan Palm Tree Princess!

This gal knows how to use color,

and I was so flattered to make a selection of custom headbands

to match her newest looks!

Here are just a few of my favorite looks

although truly its hard to decide!

you must

check out Palm Tree Princess's shop

because she is having one killer sale right now

that you wont want to miss!

Oh I wish I were little again!

I hope someday she takes her designs

and translates them into adult size sleep wear!

Me and Sgt. Snowman

I woke up this morning to my husband

and the dogs making me snowmen.

as a child I played in the snow all the time with my siblings,

we made forts and giant snowballs

but I never remember having made a real snowman

I didn't dare wait until after going to town for supplies

to bring Sgt. Snowman to life

fearful that he would melt into a puddle

before he ever had his carrot nose.

So as so many of us do, I improvised.

You might notice that he has a 6 cent smile :D

What do you think of my new bangs? I cut them myself :D

They are perhaps a little wonky but I LOVE them!

But I swear one of my eye brows is higher than the other,

is this normal? Or am I just not able to cut or see a straight line?

Sgt Snowman will have some company this evening

I think she looks like the bird lady in Home Alone 2.

Do you see the resemblance?

I haven't had very much money this christmas

to spend on gifts let alone gift wrapping.

so most of my packaging is pretty blasé

using left over wrapping paper from the last couple of years

and scraps of this and that from all over the house.

But I did really love how this one turned out

my little sister is quite the horse girl

in fact the medallion came from one of her own award ribbons.

It's fun to bring new life to items

that would otherwise never find there way out

of the junk drawer.

Being "Normal" Doesn't Suite Me

Being "Normal" Doesn't Suite Me!

I want to make this my mantra for 2011

I'm honestly disappointed in my overall creative spirit for 2010

Last year I had close to twice as many blog posts.

I'm not sure exactly why this last year was so blahhh

but I think a lot of it had to do with me feeling numb,

because heaven knows I certainly had the time on my hands

to accomplish 3 times more

I think I've been Numb to the fact that I have NO clue what to do with my life

I never imagined I would be 25 and have no career and no kiddos

in fact I think my biggest mistake was planning to raise kiddos as my career.

I know 25 is still young and there is still plenty of time...

blah blah blah

but it's hard to build yourself up when everything you try seems to fall apart

the funny thing is that I actually have lots of ides of what I want to do

it's just I haven't a foggiest of how I'm ever going to achieve them

or if they are even plausible.

this might come as a shock but I think honestly

I want to own a little grilled cheese deli

lol I am always thinking about it... it's the strangest thing

I have all these ideas about how it would look and what I would serve.

Think cute cupcake bakery except with bread and cheese!

Because who doesn't love cheese?

Might be the wackiest idea ever

but at least it's something, right?

Anyway, I've gotten really off subject...

One of the ways I plan on getting my creative juices

back in the swing of things

is by being more bold and more importantly more ME!

This might sound silly but it's the god honest truth

- I feel on top of the world when I dress "quirky"

I feel beautiful, and while dressing like a "kid" might not seem sexy

I feel more like "that" than when I'm trying to dress like an "adult".

A very sweet new friend shared with me some new terminology

for Japanese fashion trends

that has opened up a whole new world of sweet eye candy goodness.

The differences in styles are still a little confusing to me

but I believe my new favorite is Fairy-Kei

which most closely reflects my own personal style.

I haven't really had a chance to share most of my looks

from the last past year

mostly because I'm picky

and like them to be staged and what not

but for 2011 I plan on setting up my tripod

and just focussing in on what I'm wearing.

One other fashion style to come out of Japan

is Mori Girl or "Forest Girl".

I just had to share this picture

doesn't she just look so angelic?

So what are your pre-New Year's resolutions?

Don't worry you still have time...

I'm just curious if anyone else is feeling really excited

for a fresh start - on the right foot

and to make it even better maybe in a new pair of shoes!

Fashion Source: www.electricalice.com

Shoe Source: www.milanoo.com

One Day At A Time

It's always a treat to have my little sister around

we weren't always so close but each year

our bond grows stronger.

I hate to admit that it's a bit of a blessing

that we don't live in the same state,

as I deal with my jealousy issues

and insecurities due to infertility.

I love my nephew to pieces.

He is just about as perfect as a little kiddo could be

but no matter how much I love him and my sister

it's hard to be around the two of them together

for long periods of time.

I'm proud of the mother my little sister has become

and the woman she is becoming

and I hope she knows how much I love them both

and that I don't wish to feel the way I do...

Hubby and I have made it through 9 hours

of our foster parent training

only 18 more to go...

we are both excited to start this new adventure in our lives,

I think my husband even more so than myself.

He's such an amazing man, and I know we will make a great team.

Our biggest concern is not difficult children

but rather my emotional well being.

We agree that taking in babies would not be a good choice for us,

so we are looking at the 3-12 year range.

I keep reminding myself to take each day as it comes

there will be days when foster care will be HARD

days when it will bring joy,

and even more that will bring tears

but overall anything worth doing is hard

and I believe when you are able to reach outside

of your own problems and help others with theirs

you start healing your own heart

and discovering you are stronger than you ever imagined

Blessing come in all shapes and sizes

and rarely in ways we expect.

my little sister wasn't prepared to be a mom

and now this little guy is her joy.

Maybe my joy is coming in some other way

and like my sister I'm scared of what's to come

but I know I can't dig myself into a whole and feel sorry for myself.

I've got to be brave and strong

and believe in myself.

I hope if you are dealing with hurt in your own life

that you are able to see that you are not alone

and that you too have the ability to overcome it

one day at a time!

All images are edited using Paint the Moon free textures and actions.

Goodbye Fall. Hello Winter.

We had our first taste of snow this weekend.

I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow

we wake up to a few inches on the ground

if it stays as cold as it was all day.

I'm not very good at faking that I'm not cold

and so all the pictures turned out very rigid

but at least today I got out of my pjs.

I've spent the good portion of the weekend

here on my couch making my yoyos

no matter how many I make I always seem to not

have enough on hand

I listed 4 new sets of my new alligator clips this weekend

all with a unique take on Christmas

Well I better get back to work

despite my husbands beliefs,

there are no machines

(as far as I know)

that make yoyos!

The Best Part

I spent a good portion of the day yesterday

printing out and searching the house

for all my business recipes.

I'm certain I only have about half of them

but already I am terrified of add them all up!

Profit or not -

I can't imagine how empty my life would be

right now without my shop.

I work every single day on new items

and at-least once a week my shop is updated

with a handful of new pretties.

Without this in my life I would surely be a basket case!

For whatever reason I drug my feet

on adding alligator clips to my repertoire

and how silly I was...

because they are absolutely adorable

even on big girls like me!

As you know I don't have any little girls in my life

so it's such a treat when a happy customer

shares a picture or two with me.

This vibrant little girl is the daughter of Dinnie.

Poor gal - Her order was a truly humbling experience

after I realized I missed a critical shipping detail.

Yet miraculously her package arrived after many many moons of worry and upset!

Oh my do I hope I never have to go through that again...

but through the entire process Dinnie was so kind and understanding!

There are no words that can explain how I feel

when I see my creations being worn by others.

there always seems to be a glow or spark in their eyes

... something that screams "I feel special!" :D

It's so easy to doubt oneself ...

believe me I do it more than I care to share

but every once in a while

someone says or shows you something

that makes you realize the joy you can bring into someone else's life

and that is the BEST part of the business!

I want to personally thank each and everyone of you

who has shared such kindness with me.

I couldn't do even half of what I do without your presence in my life!

A House To Build A Dream On

Jim has been mentioning this house to me for a few weeks

my man tends to be a dreamer and so I didn't realize how serious

he was about pursuing this house as our future home.

We aren't sure if we will qualify for a second home

as we still own our home in Portland.

We do have our home rented

but it hasn't been for very long.

Saturday we drove up and took a look through the windows

and walked the grounds.

My heart pounded with delight with each new discovery

butterflies still flutter in my stomach as I remember ever detail

In all the excitement I have forgotten the date of the home :(

This would have been the dining room

however the previous owners must have converted it into a living room.

Besides the kitchen this is the only room that has new flooring

the rest of the home has the most gorgeous dark hard wood floors

Most of the homed doors have a pocket window above them

to let in light and to help circulate air

and heat throughout the house.

This beautiful door strangely only leads to unfinished attic space

the rooms in the house are quite large for a house of its age

and there is plenty of closet space as well

(well perhaps not by our current standards)

this house must have been built for someone of importance!

The kitchen is so sweet

There is not a whole lot of cooking surface

but there is plenty of space to add it if you don't want

a kitchenette in the room.

Perhaps my favorite space in the house

is the kitchens adjacent pantry

which I would convert into my office!

It's perfect :D Lots of lighting, storage, and it's cozy!

Also it's in the heart of the home so I wouldn't miss anything

and could easily multi task!

One of the things we don't like about our Portland home

is that there is absolutely no connection between

the house and the backyard

In this house you could watch the kids play

while doing the laundry!

Of coarse this house has an endless chore list

not to mention needs a lot of love and pricey updates

such as a new roof, paint, wiring, windows, and yard work

but that is the trade off of owning an old beauty such as this.

but for now it's all just a lovely dream...