scrapandbeauty

| A M O U R - L O V E |

This was my contribution to the Valentine's event over on the CP blog. I love every part of this layout of my baby girl. I found an old Heidi Swapp distressing tool that I forgot I had and decided to distress the edges and I think I've found a new fav technique.

The next week or two will be extremely busy for us. We are in the process of preparing to move so things have been hectic with working everyday and trying to keep a normal routine along with everything else. The one thing that I do enjoy about moving is cleaning and getting rid of things. Since we are downsizing, I've had to really take a "practical" look at what we truly need and what we don't. Ugh, I hate moving! =)

| V A L E N T I N E 'S - E V E N T crate paper |

Happy Monday all! February is the month of love and and there is plenty to go around over on the CP Blog. The ladies are sharing some FABULOUS projects this week so go check them out. You won't be disappointed.

I haven't talked much about the CHA products this year but I always save my pennies after Christmas to get some goodies. Hopefully one day I will actually get to go to CHA.  I've had my eyes on the Dear Lizzy line, Neapolitan. So cute and girly! =)  Bluemoon currently has the line.

| S H O P P I N G & R E T A I L therapy |

Blazer + ripped jeans = shopping and fun times!

This post is so totally random but I love days like this with girlfriends, shopping and laughs. I definitely need a glass of wine and some down time for the kind of week that I've had so what better way to do that than with a day of retail therapy! Lord, forgive me now of the shopping sin I'm about to make! Lol!

Have great weekend and thanks to all for your words of kindness and encouragement! While I haven't mentioned everyone individually, I see you and  you guys are AWESOME!

| long over due R E S P O N S E |

I have prayed hard about my response to the blog post that addressed me personally on Keisha Campbell's, a bit east-coast, blog. Thanks ladies for pointing it out to me, and I've noticed from the comments that many are stopping by or have stopped by to view my blog.  I could have immediately lashed back Laura S @valentinemaya4@gmail.com  but sometimes it's better to just take time, gather your thoughts and be patient. I wanted to make sure that I had a response and not a reaction.

Back in September the following email was sent to Keisha Campbell in response to the recent comments and posts she's submitted on my layouts that she felt addressed her ego:

Hi Keisha,

When I started finding interest in scrapbooking, I was amazed that I didn't stumble across many African American ladies who scrapped. I came across your work through Making Memories back in 2008 and I was happy to finally find someone whose work I felt like I could relate to. I found a lot of inspiration in your scrap style and over time, I developed a very simple,clean and pretty approach to scrapping.

While I appreciate the recent comments, they have also come with subliminal messages to insinuate that my layouts are your ideas. As stated earlier,I've drawn a lot of inspiration from you in the past, but what I find to be very disappointing is that your expectations are that each and every time a layout is posted, that you feel is similar to one of your ideas that you want to be given credit when in fact you don't know if the inspiration really came from you or not. To know that you were chosen to be part of some fantastic companies with a platform to inspire others, and then to be pretentious if others draw inspiration really has caused me question why I am a fan?  

 Recently, I posted a layout "May all your dreams come true" and annotated that it was a layout based on the sketch you did for Basic Grey. I stamped some Halloween images onto some tags on my blog that I stated I took your idea of the stamped tags and made those. The images on my blog of the buttons that you made mention of when JoAnn's had a sale I gave you credit. I gave you credit for the layout I posted "JBS July kit" about the border you created using a punch, I've complimented on numerous occasions on your blog about how great/fab your layouts and home are, to only name a few.

You are in the memory keeping business and no one can take away the fact that you are very talented. In fact, we all are talented because the ultimate goal is to create memories so our children, our grandchildren, and our great great grandchildren can look back and appreciate the memories we are trying to preserve.

Signed, disappointed fan - T

What some may feel was classy and professionally done, I definitely see opposite. I received not one response from her on this email. Nothing more than additional attacks on personal projects in public galleries.  What Keisha should have done first when she felt that it was becoming "too much for her to ignore" was to simply contact me directly and privately to make an attempt at "handling it with class". If after that point, she felt that I was still more than simply a "big fan", then the need to do what she has done publically in an attempt to degrade me would have been ok. For those who felt as though she did right first by handling it privately and directly, she didn't!

In the past, I have made numerous comments on her blog and websites that I thought she was "awesome", "I want to be like you when I grow up", "your style is amazing", "you inspire me", "you are such an enabler", and the list could go on. Of course she has replied to comments and questions that people have asked on her blog, I was no exception, because she does that for everyone.

I don't know at what point did I "act as though I'm not doing what many have said that I've done"? To know better and not do better is one thing but to not know that I was seriously hurting her or making her feel uncomfortable is another. How much more praise does she need? How many more accolades does she need to hang on a wall? How many more "kudos, your great" does she need? How many more " You're the best" does she need? She has received I'm sure a countless number of awards/recognitions to fill a gallery but yet she's allowed me, a person who once saw her as a source of inspiration, to pose as a threat to her? I have ALWAYS thought that I gave Keisha credit. To paint this nasty picture that I'm a twit, bottomfeeder, delusional, crazy, stalker, strange, lazy, loser, creepy is appalling. I always thought without it even being said on every single thing that I was inspired by her. It was her who inspired me to take the leap to scrapbook in the beginning when I thought I couldn't. It has been absolutely NO SECRET that I felt she was amazingly talented.

I am and will continue to be FEARLESS in posting layouts and projects because I don't think for one minute that my work even compares to hers. A Keisha Campbell project can be noticed a MILE AWAY so I definitely by no means thought my work was in any comparison to hers. I have taken elements of her style, clean, simple, fresh and made that work for me. 

I get inspiration from a MILLION places. Please don't allow a simple "inspired by" or "lifted" note cause you to attempt to destroy the reputation and character of someone else. It's bashing in the worst way and not only that, it's childish.  Not everyone is OFFENDED if an idea was "scrap-lifted" or "inspired by" and a source never mentioned, to each their own.  Scrapbooking is a HOBBY for me, not a job! I go to a 9-5 every single day. I'm not making a PROFIT, I don't submit for publications, and I've submitted ONLY ONCE to a design team call that wasn't even CRATE PAPER so for those who feel that Crate Paper needs to drop me, I made that team with NOT ONE SINGLE SUBMISSION. 

I am by no means attempting to make a "name" for myself in this industry. A scrapping style does not belong to a single individual. There are far too many inspiring things in this world for one person to feel as though they own it all or are the best at it all. I have and will never need to feel like I need to imitate or copy someone for attention. I blog on a blog that I pay for. I'm not the only one with a blog out there on typepad, with three columns and a header. I am not the only one learning more about photography to take better pictures of my family. I am not the only one who has bought the craft table from Ikea for their scraproom/studio/office. I am not the only one who has a scrap room full of the Jet-Mex cubes that you can get from Michaels or the white shelves that you can get from Ikea or Target. I am not the only one who owns the glass cabinet to store pretty things in.

I post layouts to FREE galleries only to share and if I thought for one second that me sharing would offend ANYONE, I wouldn't. You are who you are and I am who I am.

My husband shared this scenario with me that I want everyone who reads this to consider: Michael Jordan will forever reign as the best NBA player ever! No matter how many Kobe Bryant's,  LeBron James', or Dirk Nowitzki's have come behind him, Michael will be Michael. What Michael did for the industry changed the hopes and dreams for many who have come behind him. Everybody wants to have a game like Mike but Mike is Mike. There isn't a person that I know that would say that Kobe isn't talented or a great player. You couldn't say that LeBron isn't talented or a great player and you couldn't say that about Dirk either. 

So with that being said, my point that I want Keisha to understand is that SHE is great at what SHE does. No matter how many Latonia Grant's she thinks are out there, Keisha should just be Keisha. What she did for me in this industry initially was gave me hope that I too could scrapbook and enjoy this hobby just as much as she does. I was inspired by her and have said so many times previously on her blog and on my blog. I am no longer inspired by her as a person or as a scrapper. I stopped months ago from visiting and commenting on her blog so blocking me was not necessary.

I was always taught to let the work that I've done speak for me. I'm not looking for a fan club here or in this scrapping community. This rally of men and women who have stepped up to defend/support her and degrade me, who know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about me, is priceless. I am thankful to be secure in myself, happy with myself and overall a Child of God who doesn't allow what others THINK of me dictate who I am.  I am what God says I am and if your offended by that, take that up with HIM!

| L O V I N G - H E R |

I just can't believe that next month my baby will be turning 8. I think I want to cry now! =)  I snapped these quick photos of her after I washed her hair on Sunday.

She loves this sequin purse that she got from Christmas.

I'm off to work on a few projects. Have a great day!

| P R O J E C T - L I F E |

P R O J E C T - L I F E . Let me just say I'm behind. Like, ain't past the title page behind! =) I've been documenting and trying to keep up at least with photos and words thru drafted blog posts but I just haven't had time. The other reason I've fallen behind is because I decided 2 weeks ago to change the layout of it and do 12x12, just seems like a better fit. I've been loving seeing Kaori's and Vee's PL pages. They are fab! I tagged a few pics below from their respective blogs.

H A R M O N I E

The page on CP will have to be duplicated. =)

P A I S L E E - P R E S S  I just love her designs.

C R E A T I V E - B L E S S I N G  Vee just has an amazing artistic approach to everything. I love it.

| C R A T E - P A P E R sneak # 2 |

 

A Pretty Party it is! And I can't wait to join in for the fun. Check out the CP blog tomorrow for a full reveal!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Congrats!! I love Crate Paper products, so this shall be fun. I saw you posted you live in Huntsville, I live only about a hour away from you..Birmingham. Do you have a LSS in your area? Sadly we don't, I drive to the sweetest little store in Carrollton, GA and shop for my scrap goods. Again, congrats on your DT. Can't wait to see what you create:)

Posted by: Kisha | Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 07:49 AM

Hi Kisha! You are close to me. It seems like I'm always in Birmingham, lol!  We have a LSS here but it's small and usually doesn't carry the "latest"things or atleast the things I'm looking for. I usually have to order online and go to Michaels. I didn't know there was one in Carrollton. I'll have to check it out one day. I truly miss the scrap store I had in Fredericksburg, VA. Thanks for stopping by! =)

| C R A T E - P A P E R sneak # 1 |

I definitely can't wait to get my hands on these. Check out the CP blog for more peeks!

===================================================================================

Thank you all for your sweet comments on making the DT. I am truly thankful for this awesome opportunity. 

I just clicked over from the Crate Paper blog- congrats on making the design team!

I saw in your bio that you live in Huntsville, and I had to pop over and say hi to a fellow Huntsvillian. :)

Posted by: Melissa Stinson | Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 05:59 AM

Hi Melissa! So glad to finally know someone else in Huntsville scraps! =) Thanks for stopping by!

| B. Y. H in 2012 : Post 1: My blog & creations....... |

I decided to take Stephanie Howell's challenge this morning to "Blog My Heart". I think I will continue to do this, refreshing.

I usually don't get too personal on my blog but maybe this post could help someone who may also feel exactly what I'm feeling. 

My blog is definitely a place where I am free to create, post and share what I want. In fact, I think that when people decide to blog, especially in the scrap/crafting area, you blog so that people can "see" and be "inspired" by what YOU do. If you didn't want people to "see" and be "inspired", DON'T  BLOG, my opinion! You can view your own creations at home without snapping a picture and posting it for the world to see. You can keep a journal if you only wanted your thoughts to be seen by you but I believe many choose to blog to share and inspire. 

I definitely feel like there is NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN and even when you may think you are the first to do something, you never know if there was someone who already perfected what you've done before you've done it. Taking too much pride/glory in being "the first" to do something is not what I am about here on this blog. I am true to MYSELF.

If I had to name everything that inspires me each time I am inspired, I would never get anything done. If I couldn't see past all the inspiration around me to capture what I thought was pretty and beautiful, my daughter wouldn't have a chance to look back and remember the things that inspired her Momma to scrap for her and her children and her children's children.

I love what Ranjini Malhotra stated over on her blog under the copyright " I've been inspired by countless other people in all walks of life and I believe that generosity of spirit is much greater than any personal pride or glory I could achieve from claiming to be the first or the best to do anything" 

I am aware that some people may feel completely against that statement, but to each their own! A generosity of spirit IS far greater than personal pride or glory.

With that being said, my blog is a place of positivity, inspiration and encouragement. I won't allow negativity, even in a nonchalant manner, to exist here.  If you have a blog and decide that you want to be negative in your own space, please do so there. As with anything that you don't like, you can choose to entertain it or choose not too. Move forward. I welcome all comments here but leaving negative or rude comments won't happen.

Last but definitely not least, as I feel I've already talked/wrote enough, if you believe that something I've done didn't give credit where credit was due, please ask first if what I've posted was inspired by something you saw or did. There are far too many inspiring things in this world to assume it's inspired by one person, place or thing. I have no restrictions on giving credit where credit is due especially if something I did was TOTALLY inspired by something else. I sit at a blank table, with some supplies, a few words, pictures and a story to tell and I don't mind sharing that with the world. 

Have a great week and take the challenge too to Blog Your Heart.

| L O V E box |

I created this love box using Basic Grey Kissing Booth Collection! I found the box at JoAnn's and immediately thought that it would be a cute keepsake box and gift for Valentines Day. I painted it with Martha Stewarts metallic acrylic paint in gold and used a light coat of ivory paint on the inside. I love this collection especially the bird paper it's so stinking cute!

This is the box in its original state.

| C R A T E - P A P E R design team |

I'm so excited to share that I made the team! Congrats to all the ladies who made the team this term!

| V A L E N T I N E S inspiration |

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spent some time today just browsing the web for inspirational prettiness. I love Valentines' Day just as much as I do Halloween and Christmas. There is just something about vintage, pinks, golds, creams and kraft that I love. Can't wait to do more of that with crafting soon but for now, I'll just be inspired. Click the pictures for the link to the sources

| L O V I N G - I N S T A G R A M |

|  A  N  O  T  H  E  R  - C  R  A  T  E  -  C  A  R  D  |
I wanted to create another card last night so I did this one still using CP Paper Heart line. I just love this line and can't wait to get Kissing Booth in the mail.

|  P  R  O  J  E  C  T - L  I  F  E  |

Happy Monday all and into week #2 of PL. I haven't finished week 1 but I think I'm more focused now on the daily/weekly documentation than I was last week. Need to make sure I stay in the swing of things. I can see this project being an easy one to get behind on.

|  I   N   S   T   A   G   R   A   M  |

I have been bitten by the Apple Bug since getting an IPad2 for Christmas. Now I want the phone and I've always had the IMac on my list of wants. The first time I went into the Apple store the lady who helped Mom and I made a HUGE announcement in the store that it was my FIRST time in an Apple store and boy did I feel soooo EMBARRASSED! Ever since then I've been fascinated with everything Apple. Can't wait to get my hands on a few accessories. Although I am thoroughly content with my IPad, it's too big to carry around as an everyday camera so getting the IPhone would help eliminate that issue.

This was the first picture I took with my IPad and I love how it sits right in front of my pretty ribbons. I love the American Crafts glittered ribbons the most. Have a great week everyone.

::: |Project Life + Crate Paper Projects|:::

|Crate: Paper Hearts|

Crate Paper is another company that I love. I have quite a few of their collections and I just couldn't have been more excited about their Valentine collection. Not sure if this is their first ever Valentine-ish collection but I love it nontheless. I've had it even before Christmas but no time to scrap during the Holidays. I made these cards last night.  I used some white cardstock, some new K&Company glittered clothes pins that I grabbed from Michael's, Hero Arts patterned heart stamp ,  new JBS Folder Tab punch , some American Crafts gold embossing powder, some glittered ribbon and paper from Michaels as well and the gold key from MS Valentine line last year. I love, love, love these cards.

I also created this layout. Once again I loved this collection and mixing it with glitter and gold.

===================================================================================

| P  R  O  J  E  C  T     L  I  F  E |

Finally done with DD and now onto Project Life. The inspiration...Ali and Vee. I've never done one before and just thought it would be an awesome way to do more than just layouts and more importantly...I am DETERMINED to keep it up. Don't mind me if that word appears more often than not this year. Sometimes creatively I just want to do other things so I thought I would tackle this just to keep all those other "everyday" things that don't end up on scrapbook pages. My motto as with everything lately is KIS----> Keep.It.Simple. That seems like the way for me to get things done and finalized. I'm proud of myself thus far with completing my December Daily album. I didn't take it past Christmas day but that is far more an accomplishment than past years.

|Style|

I wasn't sure initially on the style of my ablum, 8x11, 12x12, mini album, etc.  I loved how I kept the color scheme of my DD the same. Reds, golds, blacks and whites. My attempt would be to keep some type of consistency throughout this album which helps to take a lot of the guess work out. It just works best for me at keeping it simple. I'm leaning more towards an 8.5 x 11 album.

|Supplies|

I am going to use my stash for this project, as I've been doing lately. I have too many things not to utilize what I already have. Definitely stamping, embossing, tags, ribbons, glitter, SMASH, JBS, Studio Calico, Crate Paper to only name a few.

:::| December Daily...11-25 Finished/partially |:::

I finished my DD album, except for adding a few more photos and some journaling but it's done! I'm so proud of myself for finishing it. A sense of completion feels great.

=====================================================================================

|Desk Mess|

My desk was in a complete mess after finishing my album but for some reason I love cleaning it up and organizing things. Now to start Project Life and some V-Day goodies. Have a great weekend!