scrapandbeauty

| 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!

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  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!

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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.

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| 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.

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|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!

::: | Word for the year....DETERMINED | :::

I am determined to be debt free

I am determined to budget/save

I am determined to find the perfect balance b/t home, work and hobbies

I am determined to learn more about photography

I am determined to work hard at all that I do

I am determined to love hard

I am determined to push myself

I am determined to find my purpose

I am determined to be ME!

I'm praying that 2012 will get me well prepared for new heights in 2013. Have a great day eveyone.

::: | Happy 2012| :::

Just wanted to stop in to say Happy New Year, even though I'm a day late! We had a fab Christmas and New Year. I am so dreading going back to work tomorrow but must get the year started.  I didn't make any resolutions for the New Year but there are alot of things that I want to do and accomplish this year. I'm already thinking about birthday planning for my little lady, new adventures and things I want to try this year. I'm feeling quite thankful and blessed. On the list of changes is some new furniture. My best friend and I made an Ikea run this past weekend and I picked up a few new storage boxes, some frames, new lamp for my studio and a few other random things and while in there, I looked at a few new furniture pieces.

-------------------> |Currents|

Wanting: New Home and Furniture

Listening: To Mom talk to me on the phone

Watching: Love & Hip Hop

Loving: Life

Thinking: About the long list of things I want to accomplish in 2012

 

Hope everyone had a Happy New Year. I think I'm going to start Project Life....thanks vee for the inspiration! =)

Project Feature on Two Peas

---------> I'm excited that my project was featured here in the Two Peas Stamping Gallery! See more pictures of my album below! =)

::: |December Daily 1-10...finally + photos| :::

I finally managed my way thru pages 1-10 today of my DD. I spent some time during the week working on it but it really all came together for me today. I'm glad that I'm sticking thru with trying to complete the album this year. I really want to have these memories to look back on years from now. My approach to doing the album was to "Keep It Simple" KIS! My new motto when it comes to creating. I can get more done without trying to over-complicate each and every project.

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I've been loving seeing the pics across the net of babies and Christmas lights for photos. We attempted this today with her leopard santa hat that that I'm loving. I got it from Target.

----------------------------------------------------------------------*December Daily Album*------------

|Day 1| I kept it simple on the left with just a few words that meant the most to me this year *love, peace, hope, gratitude and thankful*.

|Day 2| Included a picture of myself and what I had on my list for Christmas this year *iMac, camera lens, MAC, new living room furniture (I've had the same set 8 years now), a new home and a pair of Jeffrey Campbell's. I wanted to at least document myself once this year.

|Day 3| I wanted to keep Aniyah's Christmas list that she wrote down so I included it. Her list is extremely long this year. We'll see how good Santa is to her.

|Day 4| A simple day with only a picture of our wreath hanging on the door.

|Day 5| Aniyah broke my cell phone and it made me so mad. I told her 2 minutes prior to put it up and it ended up costing me $130 to fix.

|Day 6| I kept this day simple as well with just a snowflake. It called for a chance of snow so I thought it fit the mood of the day.

|Day 7| My love for Starbucks! I couldn't do an album without including it and especially this year since I'm loving the Tazo Tai Chi Latte.

|Day 8| It includes one of my favorite pics of Aniyah. She loves her fur vest and so do I.

|Day 9| Love her leopard hat and the Christmas lights

|Day 10| I always encourage Aniyah to be creative. She was bored and while I was working I told her to be creative also and make Christmas cards.

---------> My approach to this album is just documenting those moments I want to remember. I've kept it very simple  yet I'm enjoying the process. I do work on my album daily even though I don't post daily but I'm hoping to do better.

::: |Loving the Holidays| :::

It's pretty quiet around here this weekend and I love that. I still haven't taken all the pictures of the house decorated this year. I enjoy days like this when we don't have much going on. Working on my DD album and hope to post either later this evening or tomorrow. Off to a Christmas party at church. Have a good weekend.

------------> My little space of creativity. More to come soon.

::: | pink nails + fur | :::

-----------------> I almost don't even know what to say with this post. Every time I look at these pictures, I get teary eyed just thinking that she is really growing up and coming into her own. Where is my baby?! She has her own little personality and I just love the little lady that she's is. Since I love to wear my animal prints and polish, she's decided that she loves it as well and so she has a few pieces in her little wardrobe. I snapped these photos of my baby Thanksgiving day.

Can't believe my little lady is 7.

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Working on my DD album. Haven't had a day of good lighting to take photos of it. Hope to post before the first week is up.

::: |hello December| :::

---------> December is here! So excited for the Holidays and documenting this year for my December Daily album that I'm completely determined to finish this year. I don't have any set way that I'm going to document but just go along with the process and enjoy it.  My wreath is up and has been on the door for over 2 weeks now. I love the traditional colors, pine cones and berries. So perfect for the Holidays!

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Got a chance to take a few pictures of Aniyah before I washed her hair. I know I am biased but she's so beautiful. Can't stand that she's growing up. Ugh! Working on learning my camera more and taking better photos.

::: |jbs november kit| :::

I did these layouts with the JBS November kit. I love Jenni's classic lines. I've been loving paint splatters lately and it shows thru these projects. I also fell in love with the fur ribbon I picked up at Michael's. More of that to come along with my Holiday decor. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

::: |our first advent calendar| :::

:::::*I finally did my first advent calendar for Aniyah. I saw an idea using tags on pinterest. Click over there -----------> for my boards on Pinterest and it's in the Christmas boards. There was a little rhyme & reason to it and I wanted to keep it easy on myself instead of trying to create something personalized for every single day. I wanted to utilize the MS snowmen stickers that I just purchased, my slice, stamping, an ornament, my corragated alpha's that I've been hoarding and at least one other element on each tag in each row.  I used my SC numbers set for most of the numbers and a mini clothes pin and stick pin on each. I'm not sure if she'll get something each day but it would be just a fun way for her to pull one down each day until Christmas. I'm not sure just yet how I'm going to cover my board but I may paint it white.

I took a few quick pictures of my baby when I put the tree up. I haven't had the internet in over a week and it's been so frustrating. Ugh!

::: |Halloween Album 2011| :::

------------------I used another album that I had on hand for my Halloween album this year. I still need to add my photos to it but we enjoyed it this year. I've gotten more into decorating this year and hope to do more next year. This was a 7 gypsies house album that was part of Jenni Bowlin's monthly project kit. I can't remember which month but I was hoarding the album. I used a lot of the Echo Park Apothcary collection on this and used some glitter and glossy accents on the cover.

::: |december daily| :::

I'm planning to jump on board this year with the DD. I debated for a while whether or not I was going to get the kit with Studio Calico and I decided against it and went for things from my stash. I have a few albums around that I've never used so I decided to use one of those for my album this year. I'm not sure if I will be documenting daily or weekly or just whenever I feel like it. We maintain a pretty normal routine M-F so I'm just going to go with the flow.  The idea for me this year is to capture Christmas and the things we share as a family.

tis the season

 *:::::===================:::::* We are definitely getting ready for the seasons at my house. My computer has been acting a little crazy along with my external drive which means I may have lost a ton a pictures....ugh! I've already done my December Daily album that I need to post pictures of along with my Halloween album that's still ready to be posted. Don't know why I'm so excited for the Holidays but I am. The shoe above is one that I'm loving. The Jeffrey Campbell's are popular right now and since I'm loving all things sparkly, these are on my Christmas list. 

*:::::++++++++++++:::::*I'm loving Aniyah's Christmas list. I always think it's going to start off small and then it continues to grow, lol! I love how she wants a picture of President Obama and a "real" computer. My list for her is definitely not the things she has except for the electric scooter so we'll see what she gets this year. Not sure what else is on my list this year but definitely a new camera lens, bag and a few hair and makeup products.

I just can't help my sparkly love. She has to have these boots this year and a pair of these.

 Oh I can't wait. Home photos coming soon! Have a great week!

happy november

picture source

This picture sums up quite nicely the seasons for me. I'm so ready for the Holiday season. I've already started shopping and getting prepared. Going home this evening to continue working on my Halloween album and start taking my Halloween decorations down. Is it too early to put my tree up?! =)

Still a pinterest queen.

my halloween angel

We went to Boo at the Zoo this weekend and Aniyah had a blast......besides me being so cold! Brrr! The Scooby-Doo show was really good and so was the trick-or-treating. We got a chance to go see Puss in Boots Friday night and that was a good movie. Love having family time.

I like how Keisha Campbell separates her blog posts by dashes, equal signs, lines etc so it makes for better flow so this is definitely her idea.

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I got to do a few projects with my JBS kit this month.  I've been so busy that I haven't had much time and I'm working on my Halloween album. Hope to have a few pics of it this week to share.

I love stamping on tags, and using tags on projects which is another love I got from Keisha Campbell.

I am so loving this hair. I did a flexi rod on it on Sunday and haven't had to re-curl the hair since. I just love how it falls. This weekend will be a scrapping weekend for me. I need to get Christmas things decided on for this year. Aniyah will go to Boo at the Zoo, hopefully, and maybe a little shopping done.

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Tammie said:

It does blend well with your hair...Cute!

Reply | Edit | View | 2 days ago on so far behind and h…

@Tammie: Thanks.

Kisha said:

I love the decorative edges you punched on your tags, and the circle misting on the LO is great. What type of mask did you use for your circles? Is it by a company or did you create it yourself?

Reply | Edit | View | 2 days ago on a to z about me and…

@Kisha: I just cut circles from a 12x12 piece of cardstock. Sometimes I use the entire sheet over my layout and mist or I will just use the circles that I cut from it and mist around those. I used the Martha Stewart circle cutter at different sizes.

so far behind and hair update

I'm so far behind in scrapping. I just can't seem to sit down on the weekends! Too much to do, not alot of time and October is a really busy month. Hope to get back to normal soon.............*finally a hair change. I received my brazilian hair about 2 weeks ago and finally sewed it in this weekend. I'm loving the hair so far and the texture of it. It blends extremely well with my hair.  The only issue I'm having right now is frizziness.  I used flexi rods on the hair and slept in them to achieve this look.

a to z about me and two peas

I did this for the a to z challenge over at two peas. I also thought it would be fun to play along with the a to z tag going around the blog sphere. I grabbed it from vee over @ creative blessing.

A. Age: 29

B. Bed size: Queen, definitely need a King

C. Chore that you hate: Laundry!

D. Dogs: no, gave it to my best friend.

E. Essential start to your day: hot shower

F. Favorite color: green

G. Gold or Silver: I think gold compliments my skin tone better but I also love silver

I. Instruments you play: none

J. Job title: mother....nah, accountant

K. Kids: one 7 year old daughter

L. Live: Huntsville, AL

M. Mother’s name: Albertha (AG as I call her)

N. Nicknames: Tonia Mae, T.Breezy

O. Overnight hospital stays: only when I gave birth to my baby

P. Pet peeves: when you leave a light on in a room that you are no longer in

Q. Quote from a movie: "All my life I had to fight....I loves Harpo, God knows I do but I'll kill him dead if he beat me" (the original from Color Purple of course but I love Tyler Perry's version on the bus as Madea)

R. Right or left handed: right handed

S. Siblings: one older brother, 1/2 sister and a baby sister (RIP Lynnette Ashley Grant)

U. Underwear: definitely 

V. Vegetable you hate: um.....not sure. 

W. What makes you run late: putting on makeup.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: teeth, sonograms
 
Y. Yummy food that you make: our curry chicken was the bomb.com last night, um too many to name 

Z. Zoo animal: leopards and all the baby animals. 

halloween at our house

    
This is just a small peek at things around our house this year for Halloween. I kept things simple and I didn't go too over the top with the decorations. I grabbed the font on the pics from picnik.  Keisha Campbell  used the font on her blog and I thought it was a cute idea. There is so much inspiration on pinterest as well as other websites so my decorations are inspired a lot by that. I'll add more pics this weekend.

 
   

feeling purple!

I decided to play around with some makeup looks yesterday and I went to my closet for some inspiration and grabbed this floral dress and ran with the purples. I think I found a new favorite color!

------------*kisses to you all.........................

The last pic is by far my fav........something about the vignette that was used with my phone. I took all of these with my phone.

For the look:  Face: MAC: Studio Fix Fluid in NW45, Select Coverup concealer in NW40, Mineralize SF in Deep Dark. MUForever HD translucent powder (under the eyes)

Eyes: MAC: Stud eyebrow pencil, Studio Finish Concealer in NW45 (SPF35 for under brows & base for eyeshadow) Milani: Baked Eyeshadow in Purrr-Fect Purple as base. MAC Stars-N-Rockets on top of the Milani shadow. Sugar Pill: poison plum eyeshadow (outter V), MAC Texture eyeshadow for crease color, MAC Bisque for brow bone highlight. Ardell lashes put on with DUO (you can find at Walgreens).

Lips: MAC courting lilac lipstick (LE) and Revlon lipgloss in lilac pastelle

my niece Ashley.....

My niece Ashley is definitely a character, lol! I love her so much and she's such the little firecracker, don't let that pretty face fool you!

-----------*so cute. She just lost her first tooth.

randomness

 

It's been a while since I've posted so this is going to be a real random post*----------------------just been so busy that I haven't had time to scrap or blog. We were on our way to my niece's birthday party when we took this picture in the car with my phone. We had a great time at the skate party! Obvious from the pic below! LOL!

 
Aniyah is out on Fall Break so this will be a quiet weekend since she'll be spending that time with her Grandparents. I miss her so when she's gone. The house is too quiet. I still need to post pics of the Halloween decorations around the house and a Halloween album I'm working on so maybe I'll get a chance to do that in between the other things I have planned this weekend.

*------------------------------Last weekend my best friend and I celebrated her birthday in Atlanta and we enjoyed some shopping and great food. We ate at restaurant called Wisteria in downtown Atlanta and the food was excellent.

 
This pic is from our night out on Friday and we had a great time with great friends and great laughs. We've been best friends for over 10 years now and she's truly a sister and not a best friend. Um what else......................*just really ready for the Holidays and happy that the seasons are changing. I've still been a pinterest queen and have found a love for Pinwheels! I hope to have some layouts and projects with them.

---------*Hair: I'm still in the process of going natural. It's been difficult b/c I'm transitioning right now and it's a challenge with having two textures of hair but I'm really trying to stretch for as long as I can. I'm waiting on some hair that I ordered to do a U-Part with so I'll keep you posted on that.

--------*Makeup: I haven't bought much in the realm of makeup lately. I'm still trying to build the collection that I have and I plan on posting an updated storage system that I have now. Just needed to get it organized and I've started doing that.  MAC just came out with some new collections but it's hard to keep up with all the launches and things that I want. I think I'm just going to continue with getting all the basics and then go with the Holiday and Summer collections.

I think I've rambled enough! LOL! Have a good week and weekend everyone! 
 

 

few pics and jbs september kit

  
This was another kit that I loved and I'm loving black butterflies for some reason right now. I've been trying differnt approaches to taking pics of my layouts. Just trying to figure out how to get true to color and clear images. I've taken pics before on my glass desk or my craft table and I used a mirror I had this time to see how the pics would turn out------------------------------------------I think I like it but I need more practice on how to get the right pictures.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------{pics of my baby}------------------

 

changing the blog around....

I'm working on changing things around here on my blog so if it's updated a million times....sorry!

{spooking things around here..........}

 
I love Halloween and I guess I'll be posting about it until the 31st.  I love that Aniyah loves seeing it when she comes in. It's pretty cool to me. I still have a few more things around the house I want to snap photos of but it's been raining here so I haven't had a chance to get any pics.

In keeping with my Halloween love right now, I did this layout using Crate Paper's Random collection {supplies: Crate Paper, "Random" graphic, accent cuts Teresa Collins, "Haunted Hallows": poison} I cut the butterflies with the Slice and did some stamping and misting.

so ready for Halloween....can you tell?

Had to pick up the 2011 Halloween Vintage Craft kit today from Jenni's mid-month release. Not sure what I'm planning to do with it yet but it's a must have..................go grab one for yourself HERE!

loving pinterest and halloween

    
Click the picture to go to my pinterest page......if you need an invite, let me know! Happy Pinning!

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Nik Tate said:

I saw that issue of Martha Stewart Halloween at work and almost bought it, didn't know it was her on the cover. Love Halloween...She had some very cool ideas. I usually don't decorate for Halloween, but this year I might just have to do a Halloween candy buffet, since I love candy. I like those stamps, would make nice labels for jars. Where did you get them?

Reply | Edit | View | 6 hours ago on ready for Halloween

@Nik Tate: I passed by this issue a few times myself and finally bought it but I didn't think it was Martha either but she does have cool ideas. I got that stamp from Two Peas in a Bucket but Scapbook.com also has the same set from House of 3. It's the Phantom collection. Thanks for stopping by! -T

ready for Halloween

My favorite time of year is slowly approaching. I can smell it in the air that fall is coming.  I picked up this issue of Martha Stewart Halloween and these halloween lollie pops.

I took Keisha's idea of her lovely stamped tags and used the new clear stamps from House of 3 Phantom collection to create a few of my own. Love how they turned out.

answering the call...

I created a few projects using some basic grey products that I had on hand. The design team call called for 4 altered projects.

A little Halloween love thrown in the mix. I loved their eerie papers!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. We are off to spend some time with family. Maybe I'll get a day in to play with some new papers I have.

green with envy

 

 
 
I felt like being green this past weekend (which is my favorite color), maybe because my birthday is in May and my birthstone is Emerald.  I wore  green, gold & black on Saturday. I love the combo.  For my face.........MAC studio fix fluid NW45, Select Cover Up NW40, Mineralize SF in Deep Dark or Dark (it's rubbed off), Fix Plus x3 pumps. Blush...MAC Raizin, CoverGirl Queen 120 for a light contour, MAC Margin for my  Highlight.  Lips......MAC Cork lip pencil, Fresh Brew lipstick (lustre), Viva Glam Gaga 2 lipglass...Eyes...MAC Carbon, Saddle, Arena, Humid, Lucky Green, Swimming, Jordana FabuLiner (which I think irritates my eyes), Maybelline Great Lash.

---------------------------------------------------JBS Kit and Studio Calico---------------------

Can't wait to get this baby in the mail. I love the color combo once again. I'm always hesitant to pick-up the new products from CHA because more than likely, they will be in the kits. I am so loving the exclusive stamp in this months kit and the doily flowers. So glad that I'm a subscriber.......................................on another note, I cancelled my SC subscription.  It took me probably over 6 months to make the decision but I just knew that it was time. I was backed up on so many of the kits that I probabaly need a year to go thru them all. I will still purchase them on the months that I just want to have the kits but it was definitely a little strange not logging in on the 27th to get my add-ons.

 

my shopping cart...

 

I know I shouldn't be shopping at work but I just love the new fall releases. Crate Paper is an all time love of mines and I just love their new Random collection. As of date, Restoration has been one of my all time fav's but the CP ladies are fabulous. Tons of inspiration over there. Teresa Collins has some new great collections out as well that I'm loving. Can't wait to get these goodies in my hands!

 

because of winn-dixie

I love that Aniyah loves to read. It just makes me smile. We went to the library a few weekends ago only because she asked and we asked for some good books that she would love to read and I have to admit, this is a great book. As part of her assignment for school, she has to keep a reading log and we enjoy our reading time at 7:30 each night before bed.

She loves to roll her chair around the house. It's made her a little lazy.

basic grey and random thoughts

 
So exciting to see and I have so many BG products.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I truly love the hobby of scrapping and I've been scrapping and blogging for a just a short time. I never thought that it was something that I could actually do. I spent most of my time just being a browser and not a scrapper because I didn't know what my approach to this creative outlet should be. I initially thought I only wanted to be a card maker and not a scrapper.  I visited blogs after blogs, websites after websites, scrapping companies after scrapping companies and finally took the courage to just create. I've been inspired by so so many great scrappers, card makers, photographers, fashion designers, decorators, artists, etc and my current all time favs are listed on my sidebars each with their own reasons as to why I love them.  As I searched, and continue searching, to find what my personal creative style was/is, I found that I just loved and admired so many ladies across the industry each in their own awesomeness that some styles I've found a way to incorporate into my own creative style. While I have been inspired by the creativity of many, I take pride in being me. In my scrapping alter egos, I can tap into my inner Maggie Holmes, or my inner Ali Edwards, or my inner Jen Johner, or my inner Vee Jennings, or my inner Keisha Campbell or my inner whomever and feel expressive enough in creating that I still feel as though I'm being true to myself. I love giving credit where credit is due in scrap, fashion, makeup and hair. I am so glad that we live in a world that's big enough for us all to fit in and I'm so thankful to the men and women who choose to share their work, homes and lives with the world. I'm just one small person in this big world that loves to create and loves to share.

Keisha said:

Wow, you have been busy. Thanks so much for always being such a great blog follower, it's nice to see that you take great inspiration from me! I am sorry that I can be an enabler, I love to shop for cool new things(for home stuff & scrapping)!! Just keep in mind when posting your pages on your blog & in other galleries it means the world to me and most other scrappers that you give credit to who inspired your projects. They look amazing and your daughter is too cute! It's always a treat to see what you have been up to. k  Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on jbs august

@keisha:  I couldn't have been more excited to see you stop by my blog and to actually leave a comment! =) It really made my day. I believe you are an inspiration to many in this awesome world of scrapping & creating & I definitely found your scrap style to be a fav. It is definitely not my intentions at all to make a direct copy of your work and post it to my blog or in galleries yet alone for publications. I believe it's obvious on many things who I draw inspiration from and my blog has definitely been a place where I've made mention of you on numerous occasions as inspiration whether it's been in scrapping, décor or photography and my presence on your blog has done the same. I will make sure going forward that if I draw any inspiration from your work specifically, that you are given the proper credit. I've been in this creative industry for a short time and I want to make sure I'm practicing proper etiquette. Thanks for being an inspiration - T.

vee said:

gorgeous pages and space!

Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on jbs august

@vee: thanks for stopping by. Love your work! T

early halloween projects

I am already ready for the season and to decorate.  I love Halloween and Christmas. I made this kraft box for Aniyah's teacher this year. I will add candy to it later.

I used My Minds Eye Mischievous collection for this box. I loved the colors and that it had a bit of whimsy to it for her to take to school for her teacher.

The box it started from.

These were some cards that I made with some making memories spook alley collection that I had laying around. I have so many Halloween collections and I need to try and use them up.

jbs august

  
I totally loved the kit this month....absolute love! I ran into a paperpack sale at Hobby Lobby that had all their paper pads 50% off so I grabbed the Fancy Pants "it's the little things" pack because I loved the papers in this kit.  I couldn't cut up the vintage receipt so I used it on top of one of my favorite papers...I love it in the background. August 8th was her first day of school.

I stamped the medallion in versa mark with amercian crafts gold glitter embossing powder.

New scrap space that I'm loving working in now. I had to take over the kitchnen nook but I'm loving having access to natural lighting and a connection to our family area.

slow progress

I'm making such slow progress with my jbs july kit. I'm trying to get out of my scrap slump.  I used my studio calico stamp to stamp some of the alphas at the top in jbs spice tin ink and I used jenni's ruler edge stamp in white ink for the top border. I love the kraft, cream and blue combination.

back to school

It's that time again in my home where Aniyah is back to school and my 2nd grader couldn't be more excited. She's fighting allergies and a cough this week but I'm praying I can nurse her  back to health without seeing the doc. I took these photos of her after school and as usual, she didn't really want to cooperate.

On a different note, I've been cleaning and getting rid of boxes in my garage that were just cluttering my space and I just couldn't take the clutter any longer. Along with cleaning that up, I am working on re-docorating my home and I've been a pinterest queen lately.  I've moved my craft space to now take over the breakfast area . I just felt like I needed to have the natural lighting and a connection to our family area. The challenge with being a renter is that you know you won't always be in the same place forever so that presents very many challenges because you can't be too specific in customizing. The scale of your room may accommodate the pieces you have now but when you move, it may not be so accommodating.

What I'm discovering is to utilize colors and pieces that can transition it time.

The challenge to renting is that you don't know where you are moving to next so it's hard to "customize" windows and treatments and furniture b/c you don't know if the next place will accommodate

fashion and my hair

 

 
I adore bold statement necklaces, bright colors and mixing textures. I've been more and more of fan of these things in my wardrobe lately and inspiration for this ecelectic style has come from all over. There are several places on the web that I draw inspiration from and of course the top being youtube and my recent love for stylepantry.com (I need to figure out what her name is, seriously). This look is completely me all the way. Ripped jeans, loose tee, layers of jewelry, blazer and comfy wedges. Pure perfection in my opinion.

While on her site, she made mention of a woman, Melody Ehsani whose name I had heard before thru some fashion pieces on youtube. Well, it wasn't until stylepantry made mention of it that it really rang a bell and I just about fell in love with EVERY SINGLE PIECE. Definitely have to get some pieces in my collection.

Natural Hair Journey......here I come....I think!

Hope to enjoy a quiet weekend. School is starting back up really soon so maybe a little shopping this weekend.

fashion and jbs cha release

 
source

 
source

Today I'm am posting about 2 favorite things, fashion and my love for Jenni Bowlin. I'm always excited for CHA summer b/c the new Halloween and Christmas lines debut and they are my most favorite seasons for scrapping and decorating. I also love those seasons for fashion b/c blazers, boots, and scarves are some of my favs to wear.

Stylepantry.com has become one of my favorite places for fashion inspiration. I just love how she combines different textures/colors/patterns for unique looks and I just love the vintage feeling that I get when I see the things she wears. 

Speaking of vintage, Jenni Bowlin is by far my most favorite brand for scrapbooking. I've been a subscriber to her kits for almost two years now and I can't see myself giving it up. I am excited that this year, she will be debuting some fab new releases at cha summer 2011. My most fav will have to be the new Halloween and Christams collections along with the new stamps.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

san antonio album

When my Paper Moon kit arrived in the mail, I knew that I was not used to scrapping with more "boy" themed papers. I wasn't sure what I was going to do but I thought about our trip to San Antonio and that my nephews will be with us so I decided to use the kit to make an album for them. I already had this 8x8 album that I did nothing with so I will be using it. I'll post the completed album when we return.

some studio calico

Finally did some studio calico work. For a while I thought that I just couldn't find my groove with the kits but I loved it this time. I think I scrap better when I don't think about trying to get the perfect color combo or the right order.  With the SC kits I find myself wanting to be more artistic than clean.

EMF(essence music festival and fashion)

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about going to Essence Music Festival this year in New Orleans. I am so looking forward to good food, music and live entertainment.  I've stretched my brain too far about wanting to make sure that I'm all dressed for the occasions. Speaking of fashion, I love bright bold colors. I love mixing elements and textures in fashion as well as in decor. I found this awesome fashionista thru Facebook and I am just so in love with her bold bright colors, mix styles and textures.