A Sweet Escape

bienvenidos el ano 2011

2011-01-01T16:05:00.001-08:00

Here it is again, that time of year that feels so fresh and new, a time we naturally find ourselves reflecting on the year that has passed and forming hopes for what lies ahead. 2010 was a good year to me, I do have to say it was one of the best in my life so far! Rather than dread the passing of another year (they really do seem to pass faster and faster), I welcome 2011 with open arms and an open heart and pray that it has much good in store.

no more excuses

2010-09-08T02:04:00.000-07:00

Procrastinating is my worst trait. I put off doing things that I dread. I put off doing things that I don't mind but just don't feel like doing in the given moment. I even put off doing things that I want to do. Blogging is one of those things I've been putting off doing even when I've really wanted to jump back in.

I never intended to take a break from this blog, it just happened. Several times I've sat at the computer, clicked on "new post", then decided to check out my favorite blogs instead. You see how well this has worked for me? No more excuses. I'm back. So stop back by and see what I've been up to.

if my wedding were a house...

2010-09-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

Photos found here on Living Etc.

it would look like this.

i want one of these

2009-09-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

Destined, Tom & Bethany's Love Story Film from alan silva on Vimeo.

I'm so in love with these videos I've been seeing on various wedding blogs!

Rob Loud Photos

2009-09-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

There are two things I want from my wedding day:
1. to be married (obviously), and 2. good photography

Wedding blogs are full of gorgeous, totally drool-worthy pics by really talented photographers who all live a really long way from me. In my search to find "the one", I first have to decide what it is that I'm really looking for.

I'm seriously loving these photos by photographer Rob Loud. I love how bright and saturated with color these pictures are. So far, I've really been drawn to dreamy, vintage looking shots, but these are making me so so happy right now.

Of course, it just might be the exotic location that I'm loving here...

Seriously, what's not to like?

All photos found on Brenda's Wedding Blog

vintage & vibrant

2009-09-20T23:55:00.001-07:00

One Love Photo

I love the vintage and vibrant look of these photos I came across on Once Wed.

morning wedding

2009-09-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

Now here's something to consider, a morning wedding

more pom poms? yes please!

2009-09-10T02:02:00.001-07:00

What could be better than big fluffy pom poms? Pom pom vines of course! And it just so happens that I came across a tutorial for these lovelies right here.

pom poms? yes, please!

2009-09-08T22:42:00.001-07:00

Add these gorgeous creations to my current obsessions list! To try some of your own, visit Martha Stewarts website where you will find a tutorial on making these fluffy fun thingies. Original post found here.

elements of table decor

2009-09-08T22:31:00.000-07:00

Tec Petaja Photography

While I love the idea of more of a freestyle approach to scattering a collection of things on the tables, I like how these decorations become more of a centerpiece when placed within a frame.

How cool, too, would spray painted thrifted books used as risers be??

table setting

2009-09-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this table setting via Green Wedding Shoes courtesy of Tec Petaja Photography. It has such a wonderful vintage and garden vibe. My head's spinning with ideas!

bridesmaid dresses

2009-09-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this whole post on non-matching bridesmaid dresses I found on Green Wedding Shoes. I always knew I'd want my girls to wear what would flatter each of them best, but had never considered for them to be in completely different colors. This opens up a whole new area of decision-making!

painted branches

2009-09-05T03:06:00.000-07:00

found here

I love the idea of this natural element tweaked with color. What a great excuse it would be to get out the old collection of spray paints! Did you know that you can actually buy tree branches??!!

pie pops

2009-09-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

Bakerella

I came across this photo while blog hopping and I just wonder if it would be too much to ask my future mother in law to help me out with a project like this. Wouldn't these make the best wedding favors?! Original Pie Pops story found on Luxirare

Check out Bakerella's Flickr photostream for some additional eye treats, and if you don't already feel like you've gorged yourself without even taking a bite, follow the link on the right side of Ba kerella's Blog,

i have a thing for banners

2009-09-01T13:39:00.001-07:00

Once Wed photo by Charley Star

In all their shapes and forms, I just can't get enough!

festive wedding inspiration

2009-08-31T21:21:00.000-07:00

Snippet & Ink

Does it get any more festive than this?

the succulent in wedding florals

2009-08-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Through my gardening adventures I have developed a deep love of succulents. They come in so many shapes, colors, types and sizes and collecting them can become addictive. I was so surprised to see how many ways they are being used in wedding decor. I'm seriously in love with these ideas!

moss ring bearer pillow by April Hiler Designs

succulent table arrangement found on Once Wed, photography by Charlie Star

a lovely succulent and yellow crespedia bouquet photographed by Erin Hearts Court

succulents as accents on a cake, mycoffeetablebook

can you believe the color you can add with succulents?

little succulent centerpieces that double as favors, Succulent Love Designs, via 100 Layer Cake

succulent terrariums to use as table decor, Succulent Love Designs, via 100 Layer Cake

Aren't these ideas great?!

candle makeover

2009-08-28T02:49:00.000-07:00

I'm loving this idea for jazzing up cheap dollar store candles using fun, crafty supplies that I have in my stash! So great for a wedding or any occasion! You can find the tutorial on the Kenner Road blog here.

a wedding that inspires

2009-08-28T01:10:00.000-07:00

This wedding is filling my head with so many inspiring ideas. I love every little detail, the colors, the feeling I get when I look at all the pictures. It has such a great relaxed and fun vibe.

Really, how cool is this?

And I'm really in love with this unique dress the bride is wearing.

Make sure to check out the rest of this beautiful wedding on the Nichols Blog here.

All photos by CJ & Jennifer Nichols.

I'm head over heels

2009-08-27T02:15:00.000-07:00

In love with this wedding!

Photos found on Once Wed

I love everything about it, the sweet, vintage style, the cluster of decorations centered by a place mat, the twinkle lights, and pom poms.

Also from this wedding, but found on a different blog, 100 layer cake, are a few more images:
I love her veil and the rows of pictures hanging from the trees.Banners? Yes please.

All photos by Erin Hearts Court

inspired

2009-08-26T00:19:00.000-07:00

The instant we became engaged I knew I'd look to blogs for inspiration in planning our wedding. I'd never seen a wedding blog, but was sure they existed. The first one I found was The Wedding Chicks, then came Once Wed. After that, I don't remember the order, but I found them fast. Over time I stuck to the same group, all reliable sources of eye candy, information, and advice. I've never bought a magazine, haven't needed to. My head is so full of ideas for my wedding day and it started with this picture from this post on Once Wed.

The idea is of an Anthropologie, vintage inspired wedding and reception. The only idea I'd ever had for my own wedding was that I wanted it to be outside. Other than that I had no plans or childhood dreams about how it would be or look or play out. I consider it good fortune that I came across this in the very beginning and I could have a clear picture of what I could aspire to create for our own special day.

this journey

2009-08-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

This journey started right here, the night he asked me to marry him almost 11 months ago.

It still seems so unreal, like the dim memory of a dream. I'm glad I had my phone with me to capture the moment. So giddy, so happy, so US.

We gave ourselves time to enjoy being engaged without the pressures of wedding planning. It really is a special time, to look at each other in a new light, to see each other as future spouses and not just as boyfriend and girlfriend.

September 25, 2010, our wedding day, is just a few months away. I've spent months hopping from one wedding blog to another, soaking in details from photos I've seen, dreaming of what our day might be like. A visual person, I've decided to create this blog to use as a tool in the planning process. Although we are heading into a stressful time, I think it's still important to enjoy each step of the way. I imagine it will be fun to look back at how it all unfolds, to see how the ideas we start out with change along the way.

garden love, again

2009-08-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to get all fancy with my cell phone blog posts, I failed. Rather than a single photo post + a few words, I thought I'd get all complex with text following each photo. While pressing the "send" button caused a feeling of giddiness, logging on to see what actually posted caused a feeling of slight heartache. The photos were listed one after the next, followed by my first line of text, then a three section message from Verizon. Ugh!

I need more practice.

So, if you will, please check out the corrected, re-posted, and much prettier post garden love.

Oh, and you might as well lookee here, too!

ooops

2009-08-15T02:43:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite things about gardening is being able to pluck a fresh little bouquet to add some cheer to the corners of my home.

MY bouquets, however, aren't so much plucked as they are a combination of torn, broken, accidentally deadheaded or otherwise mangled snippets of various unfortunate plants plunked into the nearest jar, vase, or old Coca Cola bottle.

At this very moment I have 4 such happy accidents including a beautiful big fat frilly red begonia bloom that fell off when I knocked into it. Makes me :)

yard sale times are here again!

2009-08-08T23:39:00.001-07:00

Today I broke a self imposed ban against going to yard sales. And what a day it was! There were so many to choose from, signs beckoning bargain hunters on every corner. I was very well behaved and stuck to those I circled in the Times Standard last night at work. My prized find is the sweet little red wagon that I plan to use as a fun garden accent.

garden love--Re-posted

2009-08-07T00:31:00.001-07:00

I've spent all of spring and a good portion of summer working towards "finishing" my garden. My goal was to create a space I find inspiring, quirky, and peaceful.

From my kitchen sink I look out at my back yard and admire the result of all the work I've put in up to this point.

Each time I look out, my gaze is drawn to one corner. The group of plants that sit here beneath the cherry blossom tree make up my favorite view.

I'm especially amazed by the size of the blooms on this mophead hydrangea.

As if one giant bloom weren't enough, this baby's loaded with several.

The work involved in this gardening gig is endless, but then, so are the rewards.

endless summer

2009-08-02T23:01:00.001-07:00

Welcome home!...to the overcast ickyness. Just got in from a quick trip down to Santa Rosa for a family reunion. I love going out of town to visit just about anywhere. During the summer months trips away usually involve hotter weather than we get here on the coast. More often than not it also results in coming home to the fog and cloud bank. After so many years you'd think I'd be used to it, but I still feel a little ball of disappointment and wish that, for the summer at least, I could live some place where the sunshine is endless.

2009-07-31T13:32:00.001-07:00

Cookin up some pretties in the backyard so stay tuned.

2009-07-30T22:59:00.001-07:00

Well, hello there. It seems like I post more about me still being around than actual posts that show I'm really around. So here I am, assuring you that I am still around, see. I even got a new do. This isn't how I'll really wear it though.

2009-07-24T18:24:00.001-07:00

2009-07-16T01:13:00.001-07:00

So, it looks as though it worked. I'm not too happy with the looks of the photo, so maybe I won't be posting from my phone after all. We'll see.

2009-07-15T11:33:00.000-07:00

This is an attempt to post to my blog from my phone. Fingers crossed....

2009-07-15T01:54:00.000-07:00

I'm having computer difficulties--again!! So stay tuned, I will be back, I just don't know when :(

Father's Day recap

2009-06-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

For father's day this year we took dad to his first Crab's game. It was a beautiful, sunny, and very windy day, but since the stands are below street level, we were sheltered from most of the wind's fury. Briana was unable to make it due to getting off so late from work, and mom decided against going on account of her temporary state of crippledness (inside joke, I'm really not that politically incorrect), but we had a great time any way. We met up with the Cox family and indulged in all the goodies you automatically feel entitled to when going to a game. The Crab Grass Band played ever so enthusiastically and the people just behind us taunted the visiting team without mercy. The game against the San Jose Seals came down to the wire, but in the end the Humboldt Crabs prevailed!!
After the game we all met back up for dinner at Larrupin's. Man, I love my family! We had a great time, good dinner, and laughed ourselves silly after indulging in desserts--musta been the sugar rush! To sum up the happiness of the day I must quote Elena who, in response to the waiter asking if he could get us anything else for the night, replied, "No thanks, we're gay!"
Guess you had to be there.

Orejon

2009-06-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Elena with her "Beans"

I was sitting at the computer in the living room, right next to the front door when she walked in carrying a large object. "I got a chinchilla" she said. I just rolled my eyes.

Dad came up with his name "Orejon". Big ears. We called him "Ori" for short.

It was kind of nice having a nocturnal pet in the house; those middle of the night trips to the bathroom were met by excited company.."you got up just to play with me?" Likewise, if I stopped by at 2 in the morning for whatever reason, there was one I could count on to be awake, eager to greet me when I walked in.

When Elena moved out, unable to move him with her, he grew very close to my mom.

It's amazing how attached we all became to this little fluffy butt.

Suddenly those bites he took out of my imported Indonesian armoire don't make me mad, but are a sweet little reminder.

Four years isn't close to the 10-25 we expected he'd be around. But in that time he grew to be the center of attention in the house. Every visitor wanted to look at him. Every child wanted to pet him. And who could blame them, he really just was that cute. Personality so unbelievably big. Smart as a whip. Who knew? And who knew I'd be sitting here crying as I edited these photos and type these words? He will be missed.

Ori the Chin

Sssh...it's a suprise

2009-06-19T17:31:00.000-07:00

celebrating 33 years

2009-06-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

Thank you mom and dad for your example of love, honor, family strength, togetherness, humor, happiness, taking care of one another, taking care of your family...your marriage is an example that I am so thankful to have and take greatly to heart. LOVE YOU.

ghetto greenhouse

2009-06-16T20:58:00.000-07:00

divided plants, waiting a new home

Took a little break today and did NOTHING. Well, as nothing as I can do which is a little laundry and some roaming around in the yard. I'm not feeling 100% and when I try to get stuff done in that state of being, I'm not very productive, so today, I just gave in and it felt pretty good.

Lately, I'm spending 75% of my time in my little flowery world and I love it. I'm constantly thinking about how to arrange my pots, what to put in them to fill in the gaps, how to scale down the number of pots I have while thinking about the new plants that I want to get (how does that work?!), and when am I going to be done already so that I can just ENJOY?! I'm seriously loving every minute of it!Gardening is full of happy little surprises. Take, for example, this picture of what I like to call, my ghetto greenhouse. It's an old lounge chair that I got for free (don't judge till you see the final result) and is home to all of my last year's gardening leftovers. Leftovers such as good deals that I couldn't pass up but never had the chance to plant, bits of healthy plants that I accidentally cut or broke off and in an effort to save, stuck into a little pot of dirt sans rooting hormone. To my surprise most of my subjects lived!

anagallis 'skylover' pimpernel

Hi!

2009-06-14T01:27:00.000-07:00

I'm still here, just been busy working in the yard as much as I can. I so completely anticipated this season but STILL got a bit of a late start and I have that "in over my head" feeling. Ugh!

P.S. I'm not sticking my tongue out at you. I love you all for stopping by and checking in on me. My photographer dared to make fun of my yard working outfit and sadly, It's the only photo I could find of myself that wasn't a practiced head shot, LOL!

preparing my pots

2009-06-04T00:47:00.000-07:00

Recent beautiful sunny days found me digging out the gunk from my potted garden; fertilizing, dividing, cleaning...a lot of "work" that makes me so very happy!

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

I spent my Memorial Day with the best people around...my family
We were blessed with some of the best weather we've seen yet...a whole day of sun sans wind
Sneakers the cat and
Molly the dog enjoyed the day too
I even managed to squeeze in a little time getting my hands dirty in mom's planter box

catching up

2009-05-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

A birthday BBQ results in mom braking her ankle and spending the rest of the night in the E.R.

A little after hours fun, thinking of mom the whole time

Yard work reveals unexpected beauty

Mom, enjoying her time as our house guest--what's not to like about HGTV 24/7?

Surgery is scheduled and performed with good results

A pre-planned road trip caps off a hectic week

Baseball, anyone?

Sights included hidden towns just off CA HWY 1...peeks into quaint little gardens

...and trips to local nurseries

Did I mention the VIEW?

May 10th

2009-05-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Is the birthday of one of the most beautiful people in my life. She's Briana to most. I call her Menaw. Happy birthday to my Sister. I love you.

my MOM

2009-05-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

No words can say how much I love my mom. I could never express how much she means to me. She is comfort, warmth, LOVE, laughter, long hugs, I love you's a million times. She is the BEST and I'm so lucky to have her.

Blogger's Block

2009-05-05T23:17:00.000-07:00

You know how you feel a little disjointed on your first day back to work after vacation? Well, I'm feeling like that--a little disjointed and...refreshed! Of course, I have been lurking behind the scenes checking in on the blogs I follow so as not to be totally out of the loop, and I've even been snapping shots of things as I go with the thought of sharing what I've been up to, but that's all going to have to come in its own time cuz I've got Blogger's Block. Can't think of anything good to say, can't seem to choose which photos to post. So, while this marks my official return to this magical land, you'll have to stay tuned for my first actual, real, visually stimulating, blog post. Thanks for checking in!

May Class--Wall Hanging Layout

2009-04-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

I love teaching scrapbook classes and I'm always looking to share innovative and FUN ideas. In that spirit I came up with this layout which I'll be teaching in May. It's a single-page layout with room for three photos. It's designed to be a wall hanging, but can just as easily be slipped into the page protector of your favorite album. You can find full details and descriptions on the Scrapper's edge website here.

Easter

2009-04-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

Had a low-key and relaxing day, so different from the excitement and anticipation I remember feeling as a kid. Lunch at Grannies was with great company and not lacking in moments of poking fun at parts of the meal, ahem, desert. A drive out to Willow Creek + meal #2 = me ready for bed asap! Before we left, Dorothy saw to it that I left with a gorgeous bouquet of Spring's offerings which immediately found themselves plunked into various vases and jars, cheering up a little spot in the kitchen.

empty outcha draws!

2009-04-11T02:25:00.000-07:00

How cute is this?!

I am SOOO lovin' it!! You can find more here:

SemperNova: rescued & restyled home decor

knock knock...who's there?

2009-04-03T00:38:00.001-07:00

Flowers!!!

Flowers who??

Flowers by the front door!

What a lovely treat it's been to have these little guys (as pitiful as some may look) throughout the winter, waiting to greet any and all who find themselves at my front door.

in the air

2009-04-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

It gently rolls in on the midnight air....that familiar scent, so soft, so almost not even there. So I breathe it in, again, deep. Yep, it's there. Don't know how they do it, they almost don't even exist...the scent I'm talking about is that garden scent. My little plants are waking from their slumber, ever so slowly, but surely!

my container garden all grouped together for the winter

One by one, I snapped pictures of the first of the little sleepy-heads that appeared...

feverfew

cuphea

diascia

???
ya, I have NO idea here

viola
(sorbet antique shades)

violets labradorica

lamiastrum 'herman's pride'
yellow archangel

plumosa asparagus fern

pony tail fern

english daisy bellis

hydrangea macrophylla

lithodora 'grace ward'

vinca minor 'illumination'

lamium 'shell pink'

helichrysum 'limelight '

blue fescue
(after a haircut I gave him
(I'm sure he's a him)
last month-can you tell how much he's grown??)

lavender

baby blanket
groundcover rose

baby carnival miniature rose

huechera

alyssum
wonderland purple

athyrium
painted fern

delphinium???
pretty sure it's not, but that's how I've written it in my garden journal.
i might have moved it and forgot to make note, guess I'll just have to wait and see!

pink champagne marguerite

Every day I spy some new growth and I don't even know when it happens, but it's really cool to see. It's really my favorite part of this whole gardening thing, to see what comes back, little surprises every day.

just can't get enough...

2009-03-26T01:19:00.000-07:00

...of this paper from Papaya! This time I got the vintage tangerine. Isn't it just yummy?

I decided to cut it to fit this brown tray that sits on a side table in the living room. The whole time this tray has been sitting there, it's bothered me just how much it contributes to the brownness of the room. There's room for four matted photos, but even that wouldn't have done much to brighten up the space. And you'd never be able to more than bits of the photos anyway, I mean, it's a tray, you put stuff on it for heaven's sake!

I LOVE the final result! Now I just need to get around to spray painting that wire lantern...

...hmm, what color shall I choose?

quick furniture project

2009-03-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

One project down, one to go...well, at least of the two things on my CURRENT to do list!

I have a cabinet in my living room that houses some of my very special things, but you couldn't see these very special things as they faded into a background of brownness--brown couch, brown cabinet, brown things in cabinet, brown mask on the wall, brown tray on side table, brown wall with more brown things hanging on it adjacent to all that I've just mentioned. I think you get the picture. Well, I'm SLOWLY working on the brownness issue, this project being the first step.

Using this MOST adorable owl collage wrapping paper from Papaya! that I picked up at my local art center, I covered the back "wall" of the cabinet.

To hang the paper, I just used regular scrapbooking adhesive like..

...this

I forgot to take a "before" picture, so you probably won't be as impressed as you should, but I think you get the idea...

...now my luminary from Zihuatanejo and Coqui figurine from Puerto Rico will shine as they should...

...basket from Jamaica, clay beads from Africa, vase I painted in Ixtapa, and shell box from Hawaii won't be lost down at the bottom.
If you are really looking at these pictures--Yes, my Anthro catalog is so special to me that it gets a place in my "very special things" cabinet! Um, not really, but that shelf is just the right size for the basket of my most recently purchased magazines and catalogs that are too much fun to just throw away. Also in a photo up above, "tres hermanas", a luminary I made in my ceramics class in Puerto Rico and behind it sits a framed picture of my sisters and I.

she's all MINE

2009-03-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

VIVA LA VIDA

(5x10 INCHES PRINT)

Frida Kahlo Collage Art By Danita

I just purchased this giclee from the Etsy shop of Danita, an artist who's work graces the cover of the newest issue of Somerset magazine. I think it will go in the kitchen, but I guess I will know for sure when it arrives, oh, I'm SO excited! She is a totally new artist to me, but just a glance at her blog has me filling giddy with the anticipation of reading all about her art and her process. If you have a minute, do take a look.

April Class Schedule

2009-03-14T01:22:00.000-07:00

Record your memories, join me for class at Scrapper's Edge

Sat, 4/4**Alicia's 2 layouts for $25!!**12pm-2pm

Join us as we create two great 2-page layouts! The first layout is based on a love theme using embellishments from “Little Yellow Bicycle’s” “love letters” line. The second layout contains an assortment of patterned papers from Basic Grey, My Mind’s Eye, and BoBunny as well as buttons, flowers, and ribbons galore! The layouts are based on sketches available at the time you sign up. The purpose of the sketch is so that you have a tool to help you in gathering your pictures and formulating a general idea of how your personal layout will turn out. Please bring pictures to class as well as your basic tool kit (scissors, adhesive, paper trimmer) AND edge distresser, Zip Dry glue, paper piercer, journaling pen.

This class is also the second installment of the “Album in a Year” series, so if you’re participating in that workshop, you won’t want to miss this class!

layout 1

layout 2 pg.1

layout2 pg.2

Sat, 4/4**Alicia's "Album in a Year" Workshop**12pm-2pm

As 2009 moves full speed ahead, don't miss out on capturing all of it’s very special memories; it’s time for the second in a series of six classes where we will meet to "Complete an Album in a Year"!

The samples above are based on sketches that you will receive copies of at the time you sign up for class. Take the sketches home, pick out all of your favorite photos that highlight the most memorable moments of February and March and have them printed out to bring to class. Having the sketch in hand will better help you prepare for completing the two 2-page layouts in class.

Once signed up, don’t forget to visit the private blog created to help you out on this journey of capturing all of 2009’s life moments!

You should come to class equipped with photos, the basic tool kit (trimmer, adhesive & scissors), edge distresser, Zip Dry glue, paper piercer, and journaling pen.

projects abound

2009-03-08T01:26:00.000-08:00

Two materials. Two separate projects. Stay tuned to see the results.

planning

2009-02-23T19:43:00.000-08:00

So, I KNOW I've mentioned Scrapblog before, and maybe you're sick of it, but I just LOVE it! And every time I use it, I love it even more. I just feel kinda bad cuz I've never actually made a scrapblog, per say. If you look at my scrapblogs, you'll see that all I've made are blog banners and other stuff like this PLANNER you see here. SO excited about this planner!

I really wanted to get this one from PapaYa! but it's a bit bigger than I'd like. I have a small planner that I keep in my purse to write my work schedule and important dates in, but I needed something that I could plan things in advance and have room to write on.

2009 weekly planner

So, I decided to see what I could come up with over at Scrapblog and the result is something totally my style, in colors that match my kitchen, and with plenty of room to WRITE. I made it to hang on the front of the refrigerator, out in the open, so that I will actually LOOK at it and USE it. Here's a closer look at a couple of the pages:

I've ALSO been busy organizing my Flickr photos. There is SO much inspiration on there, whatever kind of photo you might be looking for, you'll find it on Flickr. They even have an easy to use photo editing tool to help you out. I tend to just upload and leave em. But after today, NO MORE! Ya, well, we'll see...but anyway, these are my favorites that I uploaded today.

lThey are pictures I took when letterboxing, which I TOTALLY want to get back into!

Lately, I've been spying some delicious PRETTIES..

fabric by Anna Maria Horner

Portabellopixie

Sis Boom

this COULD be the year that I become a seamstress....we'll see!

things to do on a rainy day...

2009-02-23T00:44:00.000-08:00

count raindrops...

do laundry...

take a picture of a rainbow...

run outside for a beautiful sunset...

eat warm chocolate chip cookies :)

February Class

2009-02-18T01:15:00.000-08:00

I'm offering another session for the first of the "Album in a Year" series. This one will be on a Monday, my more traditional class day. Depending on how it goes, I'm thinking to have two sessions available each month so attendees will have options. Scroll down or read here for the class description.

If you're already signed up, be sure to visit the private blog created just for you! Just follow the link to the right----> or click here.

album cover

class description:

It's not too late to get on board! Join us for a repeat session of the first class for the "Album in a Year" series. During the first part of class you'll receive detailed information on how this year-long class will unfold and a couple of goodies I've put together to help you along on this journey. The second part of class will be spent creating your "January" layout, a two page spread with room for a bunch of photos and lots of journaling. Like each of the 12 layouts (one for each month of the year), January's layout will be based on a sketch, available to you at the time you sign up. A sample layout using the sketch is available in the store and on my blog for you to view. You should com to class equipped with all of your favorite photos taken in the first month of 2009, as well as the basic kit (trimmer, adhesive & scissors), sanding block, edge distresser, paper piercer, and optional corner rounder, small & medium circle punches. The goal of this class is to capture the memories of 2009 right as they happen and bind them into a single piece of artwork. The photos and journaling take focus and I will be there equipped with handouts, prompts, and creative ideas to guide you throughout this process. Email me with any questions, subject line "album in a year".

album back cover

LG Dare

2009-02-18T00:13:00.000-08:00

My new baby.

a garden bit

2009-02-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

After my obsession with my container garden this past summer I've actually enjoyed having this winter off. I thought this time of hibernation might even cure me of my obsession. I thought that maybe I would be satisfied with all that I already have and not feel the need to buy more plants/pots this next year. I was wrong. I've felt it already! Cruising into Target to buy a few needed cleaning supplies I'm too easily distracted by the pink and purple primroses (that wall planter outside the kitchen window never had anything planted in it and these would surely brighten my dish washing sessions!). Running into Miller's to buy a gift certificate for Christmas I see a few new pots that must be the first of the orders for spring (I always hoped this pot would come in orange!). Checking out with a few groceries at Ray's I spot a cute little yellow cottage accented with a row of beautifully colored hydrangeas on the front of a magazine that is now 20% off--how can I not?! So I'm doomed. While I must practice self restraint because I think I'm too young to be that crazy plant lady, there will be some slight indulgences. Cruisin' around the blogosphere tonight I came across something I thought I'd share--can planters!

Apartment Therapy How to : make can pla nters

These are actually made using recycled canned pumpkin and condensed milk cans, but you could use any size can and customize with any of your favorite papers. Put em in a little tray like the one below and HOW CUTE is that?!!

Anna Griffin PP

Target.com earthenware candle tray

some pretty

2009-02-12T01:50:00.001-08:00

vintage enamel flower pins brooches.
Originally uploaded by lovesmenot

Here's some pretty to look at 'til I can get back with a real post. In the mood for a little Spring?

January classes

2009-02-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

This morning marked the beginning of a memory making journey...the first class in a series for my "Album in a Year" took place. The series of classes take place at Scrapper's Edge here in Eureka. I'm guiding people to do exactly what the title says--to complete a scrapbook album over the course of the year. We will be meeting every other month to scrapbook our memories and will eventually even make the covers for the album itself! It's going to be so much fun, I'm really excited!! It will be awesome to arrive at January 2010 with a complete album summarizing the whole year's memories. So cool.

Coming up this Monday I have another class at Scrapper's E dge, a fabric mini album.
It feels good to get back into the swing of things..for awhile there I kind of felt like a stranger to the girls at the shop! But I'm back, with great ideas for new classes in this new year!

House of 3

2009-02-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

Speaking of digital stuff...there's an awesome new site in town full of digital goodness! I'm in love! I seriously love anything Heidi Swapp does, and Rhonna Farrer's signature swirls and frames make my heart melt! Janet Hopkins always has such great project ideas on her blog, too! Go on over to the House of 3 and see for yourself. Oh, and one of the best parts is that they even have a page dedicated to helping you figure out how to use their products-too cool! You'll probably be seeing one of those beautiful backgrounds on my page pretty soon:)
And if that isn't enough to fill your eyes for awhile, check out the sites of these two talented photographers: Nichole Van & Jefra Linn. Wow. And for more photographic inspiration you HAVE to check out Nichole's blog!

11 years ago..

2009-01-30T16:06:00.000-08:00

my first boyfriend
my first love
Brandon Anthony Miceli
I'll never forget you

Banded

2009-01-28T01:27:00.001-08:00

So I'm totally pathetic because I was feeling lazy tonight and decided to finish up watching the last episode of "The Hills". Okay, Okay, so I watched some of the season finale aftershow too, so sue me! But that's not what's pathetic. After it was over I wanted more....so I watched all 6 episodes of "The City". I'm lame. But. I really liked the little floral knit headband Whitney was wearing...

...cute, huh?

So, I did a little Etsy search and found this... It's from Creative Yarn's shop and you can find it here. I wonder if it can be made with velvety yarn so it could become the new boo?

Go Digital!

2009-01-27T01:12:00.000-08:00

There are SO many digital-fun things to do online, I swear it's totally endless! It's so easy to get overwhelmed too cuz with each new thing you encounter, there's the time it takes to download, figure out what it really does, try it out for yourself, fail, fail, fail, then, OH COOL!! I'm so excited about a couple of things I've seen on my travels online.

Things that do stuff like this:

(mosaic maker)

and this(Warholizer)

you can do both and more with Big Huge Labs

Then there's also this

it turns your pictures into Polaroid images

and you can find it from Poladroid

If you're looking to start digital scrapbooking, I think a good place to start is Scrapblog. I've made all my banners there and you can get a quick tour--it's so user friendly and I'm really excited cuz they now offer this.

If you want to do more with your digital pictures and want step by step help you can even take an online class with Adrienne Looman. Her pictures are so yummy!

The cool thing about going digital is that you can still create without making a huge mess, you can work in small increments of time, you'll never run out of your favorite supplies, and, in a lot of cases, you can do it for free. Speaking of free, check out this program called Gimp, for photo manipulation, to help you use the digital scrapbook tools you can buy, and lots of other stuff (I just really wanted it cuz it's a great alternative to Photoshop. Hm, lets see, free...or hundreds of dollars...I know how much I want to spend!)

Once you're geared up with all the right tools, and have learned a thing or two, there's all kinds of trouble you can get into: Heidi Swapp, Prima Hybrid, Rhonna Farrer, to name a few!

That's probably enough to keep you busy for awhile, at least it has been for me!

a thrifty installment

2009-01-20T22:21:00.001-08:00

(not thrifted, but signify the putting up of ornaments)

As I was putting away my Christmas decorations :( I realized it has been awhile since I posted about thrifty goods. I only have a couple, but after all, it isn't about the quantity, but...well, you know what I mean.In the midst of the Christmas decorating season, and while I was knee deep in all my unpacked ornaments, I decided to go to the Sunday flea market at Redwood Acres to see what I could find. I'm all about doing one new thing when I should really be finishing up another! Well, I'm glad I did because I found three packages of these aqua globes with gold tops-they match perfectly with my colors! The cool thing is they are exactly what I was looking for even though I wasn't really looking for anything in particular-I'm convinced that's the best way to work a flea market-or yard sale for that matter. In the future these babies will be very versatile due to the fact that they are made of plastic-I know, you couldn't even tell, huh?! They'll be able to go outside and hang in a cool little grouping, or hang from a doorknob as a festive kitty toy (okay, that might be going a little too far, but you get the point). This year I divvied them up between the tree and a festive little display behind my couch. Oh, and they were only .75/pkg!

(look in the upper left on the tree, there's a light shining from behind)

The other thing I got that day was sitting on the floor, half concealed by the fabric on the table cloth above....
..it was this! O be still my aqua beating heart! I didn't even know what it was but I saw all I needed to see to know it needed to come home with me-the worn aqua paint, and a worn wooden handle, oh, the butterflies, I feel them all over again! For $7 it was mine. The cool thing is it's still a functioning water bucket, but I'm not going to use it for that so I don't really know why I think it's so cool that it still functions in it's original capacity, but I do. I think it would be cool to house gardening tools, or as a vase for a big arrangement of sunflowers and hydrangeas.

Fast forward to this past weekend when we had such beautiful weather and yard sales were back again......I found this shelf and stuffed diny for 50 cents apiece. You're jealous, I know.

Isn't he so cute?

She thinks so. And her reaction was all that I needed to confirm I made a wise purchase. (please forgive her cut off forehead-I'm new to making these.)

Christmas gifts

2009-01-20T21:27:00.000-08:00

Santa was especially generous this year...
...decorating and home inspiration books because I'm totally obsessed with these topics right now...

Sweet Mandala

Turq&Pink Mandala

...PapaYa! Canvas Giclees from TT&C (they really do have all the best stuff)

Of course, my good fortune in the gift department could have had something to do with the fact that just as fast as I could swipe my debit card for purchases made during my Christmas shopping adventures, I was texting about items I spied that I would have liked to have for myself. I mean, it was the least I could do to help those who love and wanted to give me the best and most thoughtful and wanted gift I could ever receive, to relieve their Christmas shopping angst--you get how I was thinking of others here? All of the items above were texted about, as well as a teal ceramic spoon rest for my stove top, sawhorses to aid me in my furniture re-do projects, various kitchen utensils, gift certifs to favorite stores, oh how good it was!

It was a bea*utY of a day

2009-01-20T02:19:00.000-08:00

We have had a full week's worth of b*e*a*u*t*i*FUL weather here on the north coast, and today was just no exception! Oh it felt SO good! I went to Trinidad to spend some time with my honey...

(the abovementioned "honey")

..who had a little house cleaning to do so I walked to the end of the street, hot debit card in hand, to my favorite store EVER, Trinidad Trading Company...

(the abovementioned Trinidad Trading Co., or
TT&C as Elena and I have affectionately dubbed it)

...I had hoped to find a planner like this one, or some other treat, and since they were out of the planners I "settled" on 3 little painted tin mirrors from Mexico. You see, I chose to treat myself with all 3 because I couldn't choose just 1. I can't wait to see where they will want to live in my home...

(the abovementioned treats to self)

...upon my departure from TT&C (cumon, don't you read the captions below my pictures?) I continued around the bend to catch a glimpse of the bay and ocean beyond...

(glimpse)

(my favorite spot in the whole wide world)

...ready for lunch, I returned to fetch my man, who, by this time I'd hoped was finished with his house cleaning. He was. Hand in hand we strolled to find us a place to eat. Catch Cafe? Nope, closed. Lets go to the hippie cafe!...

...the little cafe in town where you can get coffee, lunch, sweet treats, and even...

Beer.

In a customized handled canning jar I might add.
But if you want coffee, bring your own cup or they will let you borrow one and return it at your convenience. Or you can buy a hemp covered jar for $1, but they were out today. But I didn't want one anyway.

Bellies satisfied, thirsts quenched, we walked around back via the alley and through the gate to the kittie's castle. After all, they miss us!...

...Stewart was no where in sight, but oh, that Buster Brown, isn't he a b*e*a*u*t?

And that, my friends, was how I spent my day.

Giddy

2009-01-16T00:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm a total nerd, but I just have to share that I'm totally excited because Rhonna Farrer left a comment on my last post. Eeek!!! That means that at some point in her day, her eyes were actually looking upon my little pictures on my little blog. Okay, that sounds a little on the verge of creepy, but I assure you that I'm just a tiny bit star struck, that's all. I totally LOVE her! I've mentioned her on here before as she is my VERY favorite digital scrapbook designer. Anyhoo, I just had to mention that just in case the whole world didn't know what a dork I can be...now the whole world can. And I'm not ashamed.

Christmas

2009-01-06T00:36:00.000-08:00

Decorating for Christmas was a blast this year! I love how cozy all the lights and glittering touches make a home feel.

I made this wreath...

...and this wreath last year. It was so nice to just be able to take them out of storage to hang and not have gobs of glittery piles to swiffer up for the rest of the year :)

These candles were a little project I'd like to share. They were red and purple metallic candles that I bought to go with my roommates' decor while living at my last place . They'd been packed away until I could come up with some idea to make them work at my home now. Well, inspiration finally struck and I got out my stash of metallic paints, added two coats on each, let them dry, then added glitter to strips of double sided adhesive tape that I applied.

I picked up these paper snowflakes (okay, they're flowers, or just round shapes, but for the season I'm considering them to be simple snowflakes) cheap while Christmas shopping, then added glitter around the edges. They're extra great cuz I can get them out at any party I might have!

I thought this little arrangement was clever enough to share (if I do say so myself--and I do!). I bought some cinnamon scented pine cones and set them on paper doilies that I'd cut in half. Then I wove in a wired gold bead strand and placed some leftover green glittery doo-dads. voila!

To see more of my Christmas decoration pictures, visit my Flickr.

While decorating is a highlight of the season, my very favorite tradition is to go to Grannie's house for Christmas Eve. It's so great to see my family, especially now that my cousins don't live close to home. Just makes it so much sweeter to be together.

Queenie of the night

three generations

she's a natural

had me laughing all night long (and even now when I just think about it)

good to be together

me and my sisters

one so little, loved so much

should see them more

cousins

so good to have you there

white elephant gift getting can be pretty fun...

...and sometimes not

Christmas Day finds the five of us at home, early-ish, to open presents in our jammies, sip on hot cocoa, snack on finger foods, and lounge, lounge, lounge til we're so tired all we can do is take a nap. Oh, the life!

I'd have to say, that a good Christmas season was had by all!

I'm Back!

2009-01-05T00:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome back beautiful blogger world! Well, I guess it's just me that's been gone...finally got my computer back..the hard drive died, boo hoo! Now, please learn a lesson from me--don't let

THIS

happen to you!

I have to try not to think about all the pictures I lost cuz when I do I get a little hitch in my chest. I LOVE pictures. Luckily, I've been able to get a lot of pictures off my mom and sister's cameras that were of events that I'd lost pictures of. That makes me happier. But now, for sure, I'll be getting that external hard drive that I'd been putting off, and I'll definitely take the time to save my pictures to disks!!

Now that I'm back, I have SO many blogs to catch up on! This was probably the worst time to be out of touch in the way of all the Christmastime visual inspiration that was going on. You can see what I mean here, here, here, and here. I have lots of pictures to post myself, but they will have to wait until next time. I do have to post these pictures of Anthony, a little tyke with large personality...

(Anthony with his new "farmboy" book)

(Anthony in his mommy's lap--"goofing" off during Grannie's scripture reading)

(and this one I just love)

I loved seeing this little guy again...

(little Anthony back in March '08)

Ya, what a difference, huh? Luckily, through blogging, his momma has documented his life so well that I don't feel like I'm really missing out on the progress of his life. I had two videos to post, but after three days of trying I finally had to give up, don't know what the problem is!

I have more pics I want to post--you know, because Christmas this year wasn't totally about Anthony (just close)--but they'll have to wait until another time. It's good to be back!

Rhonna's Digital Giveaway!

2008-12-30T23:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, so if you're at all considering getting on the digital scrapbook wagon (doesn't it seem that when you get into a new craft that it's like literally getting on a wagon that's going full speed ahead and you're just trying so hard to keep up? Okay, maybe it's only me and the way I become super obsessed when I'm into something "new", but I digress...) let me just point you in the direction of my veRy favoRite digital scrapbook artist, Rhonna Farrer. And it just so happens that she is doing a little giveaway, so check it out.

I've dabbled just a tiny bit with the digital scrapbooking website, Scrapblog. I think it's the perfect place to start to get your feet wet. AND, Rhonna is a part of it and has some of her designs on there, so you should check that out, too.

SO bummed!

2008-12-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

My computer crashed! So now, when there are so many things to post about, I CAN'T, and when there are so many beautiful things posted about, I CAN'T see them!!! WHAAAAA! Some days go by when I don't even turn the thing on, and now it seems there isn't anything I can do that doesn't involve my computer in some way. Oh, all the holiday inspiration I'm missing out on! Again, WHAAAAAAA! And my computer guy is out of town, so I'm stuck!

So, just a quick update, I finished all the jewelry that I've been working on to take to the Shorelines. I did take pictures, so when I can, I will post them. Yesterday, right after I dropped the jewelry off, I did a thorough cleaning of my poorly neglected home and re-arranged the furniture a bit to leave room for the Christmas tree. This morning, Elena and I picked out a most perfect little noble fir. (It breaks my heart to think that I might have lost all the pictures on my computer that included shots of our first Christmas in our new little home and our tiny cute little fully loaded up tree. whaaaa!) I just left my parents' house where I picked up all of my Christmas decorations. Now, ready, set, DECORATE!!

Gearin up

2008-12-02T02:30:00.000-08:00

the season is now fully upon us...and I am SO excited!! I was so butt-hurt for the longest time about the change in the weather. You see, we had no real summer to speak of, just a few hours (on the days we were lucky) of sunshine, then the gray bank of doom and gloom would roll in and sap all the energy from my pretty little flower pot garden to the point that they never even really bloomed good. I set up my patio furniture and outdoor seating ready for bbq's that never happened. Eventually I took down my patio furniture (never having sat on it except for that one time Jake took a break when he mowed my lawn) washed it all down to store, and I did it all with a real pissy attitude. While the whole rest of the world (slight exaggeration, I admit) blogged about how "Fall is the best", "Fall is my favorite season", "can't wait to drink Chai" and "frolic in the beautiful crunchy leaves", blah, blah, well, I just couldn't let go of the fact that I didn't get a summer!! But now, I'm over it. Some of my plants are actually doing better now than ever! And we've had more sun than all summer long.

Here you can see in this photo I took today how even the trees are all confused...one is hanging onto fall just as hard as I hung onto the idea of summer, while the other is ready and all decorated for Christmas!

Speaking of decorating for Christmas, this little beauty really put me fully over the edge into the spirit of holiday decorating. Have you ever seen a poinsettia so beautiful? It couldn't go any more perfectly with my house!

To backtrack a little, we had a lovely little Thanksgiving feast, I think I spent a maximum of 25 quality minutes visiting and getting a little dinner in before turning back around and heading out for work! O, gotta love those late nights I keep!

Not sure how Grannie always gets caught unprepared for pictures when we all make it a point to shout out for her specifically to smile for the camera?

Good stuff, I've had a plate of leftovers everyday since!

If you're in need of a little Christmas creative therapy, or just something to jump start your crafty thumb, check out this sparkly little number. I found it on Red Velvet Art blog. I think it's a clever little idea, and so easy to make in any color you'd want. I especially like the sparkly tinsely part, and anyone who knows me knows how I loves me some sparkle!!!! Not sure I need any more wreaths, but we'll see.

It's been hours since the sun went down

and I need to get myself to bed now!! Goodnight!

Happy Thanksgiving...

2008-11-27T15:04:00.000-08:00

...from our kitchen to yours :)

2008-11-24T02:01:00.000-08:00

Really?!?!?

Creativity Strikes!

2008-11-22T19:42:00.000-08:00

Oh, it's been SOOOO long since I've scrapbooked or made jewelry--and here I've gone and done them both in the same week!! Amazing!

I must confess, that I cheated a little bit. This layout was actually from a class I taught and has been sitting in my "to finish up" pile. I added my pictures and some more personalized touches and voila! The journaling reads "I just LOVE this store! The Nesting Place really is a 'sweet escape', so full of eye candy! I'm so happy to work here one day a week. It's like an inspiration vacation! 5/07" Unfortunately, this store is no longer, but a new, fun and funky store called Shipwreck is in it's place.

As for the jewelry side of things...I'm in desperate need of getting my butt in gear to turn some pieces into the Shorelines. These are some of the pieces I made today...

..so stay tuned, there will be lots more ahead!
p.s. sorry about the chopped off photos, I'm too tired to mess with 'em!

Sweet Surprise

2008-11-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

This is why I l-o-v-e gardening

Today, standing at the kitchen window, I looked out and spotted this new bloom. I'd given up almost all hope that it would happen this year. You see, way back in the spring I re-potted it, fed it, watered it all through the summer until one tiny little leaf slowly unfurled, then two, and that was it, for like for-ever! Then, eventually, I ended up with a pot of pretty leaves. I thought that was all I was going to probably get. Until today. This might be the only flower I see from this plant, but I am totally thrilled! Gardening is just full of surprises and little delights!

same plant--picture taken June 2007

Fall Flavor

2008-11-19T01:33:00.000-08:00

yummmm, made myself some pumpkin banana bread, and boy o boy, it was tastY! You should smell my house right now! Oh, you'd be sooo jealous!

Over the years I've clipped SO many recipes from magazines, but I think this is the first time I've ever actually cooked something I thought looked good. And I didn't even clip it first, just got flour and sugar all over the inside of the mag! If you have this issue, you should try it out!

Fruit Fly Pie

2008-11-16T21:14:00.001-08:00

Some nights (mornings) when I get off work, I like to get online and check up on all my favorite blogs. I "follow" several and it's so much easier this way because I can see who posted new stuff at just a glance. Last night as I was cruising around, via sfgirlbybay,

I found my first favorite Esty shop, Fruit Fly Pie. I love all the owly ceramic stuff! And Inever even knew I liked owls all that much--I think it's just the delicious colors they come in, and their vintage appeal.

I also really like this orange planter cuz it's the perfect shade for my kitchen!

busy bee

2008-11-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

This morning I delivered this custom order to a wonderful mother of 6 that I've met through doing the Fieldbrook Art and Wine Festival.

Jake and I met at the Oil Stop (oh, so romantic, I know you're jealous!) where he'd made appointments for oil changes for both our vehicles, then we walked to the movies to catch a matinee. I'm now hooked on the new movie-soon-to-be-series "Twilight". We then dropped our cars off for tire rotations and walked to Luzmila's for lunch. After lunch I found out I need to buy two new front tires, ugh! After all that, I returned home to continue working on some jewelry. This is what I've finished up today....

..not too bad you might say, but oh, how much I still need to get done! Better get me some more of these babies to get me through. Oh, sorry, if you're not informed, these are only THE most BESTEST seasonal candies of all time, now available at Christmastime! Now I won't have to worry about stashing up so much at Easter. Maybe I should have kept that a secret cuz it's kinda pathetic.

Now, it's WAAYYY past my bedtime, even for someone who has a vampirish like schedule. Gnite!

Today I...

2008-11-09T23:11:00.000-08:00

Took a picture of my reflection...

finished painting this jewelry armoire that I started the summer before last (wince)...

sanded this jewelry box that I painted last Fall...

found these baubles in one of the armoire's drawers...

and looked out my kitchen window, surprised (seriously, why does that word have an "r" after the "u"?) to see the moon so near and so early.

THE END

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

From my house to yours

and beware what lies creeping in the shadows!!!
MWWAHAHAHA!!

New Website and a little Fall

2008-10-28T23:08:00.000-07:00

(aztec lily flower from flickr)

After several years (ouch) I finally have a website for my jewelry line, Aztec Lily.
Now, believe me, it's nothing extravagant, just a simple place-keeper for the site I'd like it to be. Since I'm determined to know how to do this myself, it's taking some time, even with all the tools that help me out and promise I don't have to know html and all that other "hard" stuff. So, for now, it's very basic and you'll have to excuse me.--oh, and for some reason when you type the address in the search bar the link says "under construction", but if you click on it, the website will show up.

In other news, I think I'm finally warming up to the idea of this fall thing, even though I still haven't removed these...

...front door...

...back door...yes, the bright colors do look a little out of place, seasonally speaking, especially with the little pumpkin I have displayed near my front door. To make it all worse, I've had the goodies on hand to create my fall door masterpieces for over two months now! Ugh! And to think I felt SO proud of myself when I bought the stuff way before (I thought) I needed it. Typical me!
But I have added some fall-ish touches to my blog in the form of some changed font colors and my new banner, courtesy of Scrapblog, the only digital designing I've yet to try out. (But seriously, you have to try it out too, it's so easy!) Anyway, I hope you like.

School Photo

2008-10-27T20:47:00.000-07:00

Can it really be that Isa is old enough to have her first school picture?

Yes and here's the proof...her kindergarten school photo! Wow, how time has flown by.

Loose ends

2008-10-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

Even as I work my way through one to-do list, I'm making another one!

Oh, but it does feel good to cross each thing out! Something that's not on the list (but definitely something I've been wanting to do) is that I finally finished up my first scrapbook page that wasn't a class sample. In over a year! Well, kinda.

One part of it was a sample for an alcohol ink technique class I taught and I wanted to show how you could take the sample home and apply it to an entire scrapbook page.

See here. So anyway, after I finished that up I started digging into my stash of pages that are finished but need to go in albums,

see here, and ones that are completed class samples but still have no pictures

see here, some of which are at least a year old,

see here. With all these little loose ends I feel like I need to tie up so they will quit nagging at the back of my mind, it's hard to relax and enjoy time to be creative on new stuff, which is all I really wanna do.

Eye Candy

2008-10-15T02:45:00.000-07:00

There are tons of gorgeous hydrangeas growing in the nooks and crannies of Stagecoach road just begging to be tucked into a boquet in my little kitchen. I just love that I can add touches from my own flower garden too. So what if it's most often a flower that I've accidentally weeded!

When all the world is gray and gloomy you create your own light, that is, Fire and Light...

yes, that's right, the annual seconds sale was this weekend and mom and I went to buy ourselves some little treats.

I bought a few more plates, now I have 8...

...and I bought a soap/butter dish (I'm going to use it for butter). Isn't it pretty?

My oldies, but definitely still goodies, were sitting in the dark cupboard, jealous of all the attention I was focusing on my new stuff so I took them out for their 15 seconds of fame. I have a few more scattered pieces--butterflies, candlesticks, and pieces I use in photos with my jewelry--but cummon, I didn't have all day folks!

Daddy to the rescue!!

2008-10-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

So I get home today, ready to GET STUFF DONE (including a hamper overloaded with laundry), I chit-chat with Elena before she's off to get her hair done, put some groceries away (thanks mom!), then go to put a couple of things in my room...I reach for the handle to my closed door and It won't turn because it's LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE!!! I frantically look for SOME WAY this can't be happening, realize it so totally IS really happening, then look for SOME WAY I can get around this oh so NOT little problem...there is NO WAY to get in!! The handle doesn't have a hole through which I could stick a hairpin to trip the lock, the hinges are on the inside of the door, the framing keeps me from being able to stick a credit card in--I'm feeling very panicky right now--so I walk around to the outside to look at the window,which I already know is locked from the inside and there is NO WAY to break in but I don't know what else to do, so I look in anyway feeling totally helpless and I see what I already know, that there is NO WAY to break in. UGH!! I call everybody, I call Elena, don't know why, there is nothing she can do, maybe I just want to make her feel bad? (my rational side knows that she never would have done this on purpose, hello!) I call Jake, again, don't know why, there is nothing he can do, maybe I just want him to confirm that I'm cursed with bad luck? I call my landlord--HE'S OUT OF TOWN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS--again, don't know why, there is nothing he can do, maybe I just want to see if this has ever happened before, and if so what did they do about it? I call mom cuz, hello, she's my mommy and I want her make it all better! Finally I call dad to make sure he's not going to forget to stop by after work like we had planned so that he could fix my carport door's deadbolt that had been sticking for months now.

I try to get some other stuff done (the hamper is IN my room, on the OTHER side of the locked door), clean up some of my potted plants--wow, it's a sunny fall day, minus the 80mph (I exaggerate, but it's really been very bad) wind we've been having lately--until I hear HIS VOICE--DADDEEEEY!--I just KNOW he's gunna be able to fix it...............and he does, in less than 5 minutes!

Now about that hamper full of laundry...

Catching Up

2008-10-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

A weekend of Art and pretty things...

You know when you find yourself in the moment when every single thing that HAS to be done piles up on you at once? Well, that's been the circumstance of my life over the past few weeks. I've been disciplined enough to cut distractions to allow myself to just power through so that I could reach that point where I could exhale (cuz I feel like I've been holding my breath for like a month!), let my bunched up, stressed out muscles relax and just BE.

Much of my anxiety centered on the Fieldbrook Art and Wine festival that I participated in for the 3rd year in a row. I seriously love being a part of this show but I never feel prepared going into something like this. Added to the feeling of unpreparedness was the weather forecast for 100% chance of rain!

Despite a light drizzle while my dad helped me set up (I made him stop to give me a smile), and a couple light scattered showers throughout the day, the festival was a success!

My booth, it makes me smile. This day was even busier for it was also the day that Elena did Pastels on the Plaza.

This marked her 7th year in a row of participating in this event! For the past 3 years it's been a busy day for all of us--
I get up early
Elena gets up early
I go to the winery
Elena checks in at the Plaza
My dad meets me there to set up
Dad goes back home to get ready with mom
Various friends stop by my booth thoroughout the day
Mom and Dad go to the plaza to see Elena at work
Elena, Mom and Dad come to Fieldbrook towards the end of the show
I get a break to eat and go check out the other booths
They all help me take down my booth
We all go to the plaza at the end of the day to walk around and see everyone's work
I take my annual picture of Elena with her work (I think I missed one year)
We all go to Arts Alive! in Old Town Eureka
(Depending on Briana's work schedule, she may or may not be in the mix)
Whew!

So now that I'm "breathing" it's time to get ready for the holidays. I need to make new jewelry to take to the Shorelines, really actually get something up on my website, maybe start an Etsy shop, teach a class at Scrapper's edge, make a sample for my next class at Scrapper's Edge, update myspace, rearrange my container garden, oh yeah, and go to work, too! (sometimes that really gets in the way)

But I'm ready and rested, as I've spent some time relaxing with my sweetie pie just fresh in from Florida (He spent 5 days away to be in his friends wedding and swears off ever flying again). So we'll see what I can come up with next!

Bed Drama

2008-09-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

A while ago I posted about my new/old bed. Well, once again it sits in the carport, waiting for my dad to come to its rescue.
Backtrack: I was sound asleep one night when I crashed to the floor, thankfully cushioned by my oh so comfy now new-ish mattress. One of the siderails split, tearing free from the hardware that bolted it to the footboard. For about a week, okay maybe two, I slept on the mattress which sat on the boxspring which sat on a piece of plywood which sat on the floor and all of that sat in the middle of the four "walls" of my bed. Eventually I took everything apart, seriously fed up with all of my bed drama!

I love the detail here on the footboard!

Fast Forward: Now I sleep on the mattress which sits on the boxspring which sits on a piece of plywood which sits on the floor and all of that "pinches" the headboard so that it stands upright against the wall and actually looks like it should. Except that I'm on the freaking floor! But don't you like my new sheets?
As much as I really like my bed, I really wouldn't think twice about buying another one to redo or even a new one (I like the one called "Florian") if it were the right price.

my latest project

2008-09-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

This just might be my most prized possession. Well, okay maybe just at this moment. But still, what would a person ever do if they didn't own a drill? And to top it off mine is one of the greatest colors on earth--aqua bluish tealish--i think that's what it's officially called. If you're thinking more along the lines of what a person would do if they did own a drill, just take a look at my most recently completed project...

A person could hang shelves as I did here. And I did it without any type of catastrophe occurring, that's what amazes me! I'm also superstoked about my little project because, these boards were a score at the cost of $free. They were something that Jake's great aunt had hoarded for years (they were still in their original packaging priced at $3.49) and there were a whole bunch so I hardly made a dent when I took six. I just had to buy brackets and then I dry brushed a little paint onto them.

I gave them an even more distressed look by lightly sanding them on their corners and edges. They've been up for about a week now, and I've yet to actually put anything on them! All in good time I guess!

P.S. I have to give a little shout out to my dad for the drill which was my Christmas present this past year--you've never seen a girl get so excited over a power tool!

Cake and Football

2008-09-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Delight.

Enough said.

Had a little bbq at mom and dad's today since I was out of town on my birthday. Dad cooked fish tacos-- oh it had been too long! Brandy and Jai got me this cute little ficus and I just love the pot! Don't know if you can tell, but it's even glittery--Brandy knows me well!

Raider game recap:

The experience of going to the game was just awesome, I got so excited as we drove up to the stadium. I never could have imagined all the energy and support the Raider fans have for their team. I thought I knew what tailgating was until I saw how these fans do it.

While we were so pumped to be there and to have good seats, it was a total bummer that the game pretty much sucked.

All in all I definitely enjoyed myself!

Half of the fun was all the preparation, it was more of an experience than just a game.

Nobody thought that Jake would really paint his face but, shhhh, don't tell, I've got the proof.

On my mind...

2008-09-14T00:54:00.000-07:00

I've had this (click on "about nie") on my mind lately. Can't stop checking this blog for updates. I find it hard to describe what a blog is to people who've never ventured into blogland. I think that is because blogs can take on so many different roles, it just depends on the intentions of the people who create them. In following the stories surrounding the two blogs linked to above, I am amazed at how blogs can really bring people together to support one another. As I make the rounds each day to my favorite blogs and the links I find on those blogs, weather they be scrapbooking, home decorating, or whatever topic, I am finding reference to the nie nie dialogues more and more. This story is even spreading beyond the cyber world. I'm definitly going to be following the progress of these two young parents, praying for their bodies to heal and for the strength they'll need to adjust to a different life. In a time when we talk about how the internet can be used for negative purposes and leads to a lack of human interaction, I find it reassuring that it really can be used for good and can actually bring people together.

Happy Birthday to MEEEE!

2008-09-07T01:08:00.000-07:00

Well, not yet, but in a couple of days I'll be 32. Ouch. The years they just keep on tickin' by! I'll be out of town. It just happens that I *get* to go to the opening Monday night football game featuring the Oakland Raiders vs. the Denver Broncos! Yay! There's kind of a funny story how this trip came to be but I'll save it for later. While I'm gone I'm really hoping to visit this place. The rest of the plans are tentative so I will have to fill you in when I get back. I'll leave you with this picture taken of me taken 31 1/2 years ago...awwww...

Dad was right

2008-09-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

The days are getting shorter....I was out till dark watering my plants...it took me 2 hours! I remember one day earlier this summer when my dad stopped by while I was in the backyard planting some pots...he looked around and commented "don't get in over your head". My response of course was, "I won't, it just looks like a lot because they're (the pots) all in one place". I have to admit that every time I find myself out 'till dark watering my 70+ (yes 70!) pots of plants, I hear my father's words in my head and I think, yep, he was right.

Summer Recap

2008-08-31T01:18:00.000-07:00

Being that it's Labor Day weekend, the "official" end of summer (boo hoo), I thought I'd post some pics of my summer activities. While I haven't been blogging myself, I have been around, lurking on fun artsy sites, keeping up with all of little Anthony's latest accomplishments, and checking in with Steph to see how she's adapting to her newest location.

The beginning of every summer starts the same for me...imagining all the wonderfully fun things that this magical and endless time will have in store. Unfortunately, summer isn't endless, and I usually don't do as much as I thought I would, the days grow shorter, my sleeves get longer, and I wonder where the time went. So now here I am, finally giving in to the reality that in northern humboldt county, we didn't really get much in the way of summer weather. It's okay 'cuz now I'm imagining all the wonderfully fun things that fall is going to have in store! Good weather, I hope!

So here it is, my little summer recap...

for Jake's birthday we went to the Cuthbert Amphitheater in Eugene, OR to see Bob Weir and Rat Dog...just the four of us...

yes it's true, Jake, Garrett, Bill and I drove 5 hours in my little Ford Escort to see a former member of the Grateful Dead and his band...good times...no really, it was a lot of fun...

a few weeks later Jake and I went back up to Oregon to the historic town of Jacksonville...

Jacksonville is home to the Britt Amphitheater, where we saw Rat Dog once again. Great concert and this place seriously rocks!...

we took a little drive over to Ashland and spent the day checking out the sites. Could we look any more like tourists?!...

with all of the fires inland from here...

it was just too smoky...

normal summer river trips to Willow Creek were out of the question...

so we found a great new-to-us swim hole (the picture doesn't even do it justice!)...

celebrated little Sam's 3rd birthday...

spent a day with these beautiful ladies. Mom had heard about the Bodies Revealed exhibit and when she found out that it was at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding (you can follow a link on their site to find out more about Bodies Revealed), she came up with the idea for all of us to go. I agreed to driving us but the decision to go in didn't come easy for me. I have to say that it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Not gross or morbid at all, but truly educational and just an obvious example of how each and every one of us are true living miracles...

hung out with these guys a little bit here and there...

got a new hairdo...

went on another garden walk around my neighborhood. I just love this one!

Well, I guess that wraps up my little trip down summer fun memory lane...I'll be back again soon, promise.

tagged

2008-08-07T02:01:00.001-07:00

What was I doing 10 yrs ago...
1998, it was six months after Brandon died and I had moved back home from my very short stay in Morro Bay. I'd developed severe social anxiety and had a real hard time just leaving the house. I didn't drive. I had a job interview where I experienced my first panic attack. It wouldn't be until October that I'd start working again...I got a job in accounting at the casino in Trinidad...I cried everyday

5 yrs ago....
I graduated from HSU. My sisters and I took a week long road trip with the main destination of Zion National Park in Springdale, Utah. We hit every point of interest along the way including--but not limited too--Bryce Canyon, the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Lee's Ferry, Sedona, Las Vegas, Mono Lake, Yosemite National Park

1 yr ago....
I was looking for a place to live--no easy task--it took a full month, but I finally found a place that fulfilled ALL my requirements

Yesterday...
I woke up after only a few hours of sleep and lounged around watching Big, then got ready and went to work.

5 snacks I enjoy....
CHOCOLATE, chips and salsa, gourmet cream cheeses with crackers or Brio bread, raspberries off my own little bush, and did I say chocolate?...

5 favorite books...
Sad to say but I don't really read books anymore..when I do I get obsessed and can't do anything until I finish the book..right now I'm just really into looking at magazines and inspiring idea books and sometimes the local newspaper

5 places to run....
to the bathroom, to check the phone (I never answer before looking to see who's calling, LOL!), to the store, to class, down the beach

5 bad habits...
I procrastinate, I procrastinate, I stress myself out over things that aren't worth stressing over, I procrastinate, and I don't keep in touch with the people that I should even though I think of those people all the time and value them greatly

5 pet peeves...
people talking really loud on their cell phone, yard sale people that way overprice their junk (hello, I'm shopping at a yard sale cuz I don't want to spend a lot of $$!), people not washing their hands after using the bathroom, toilet paper being hung so that it comes out from down behind and against the wall instead of out over the top of the roll, people tail gaiting me

5 things I enjoy...
My Garden, Scrapbooking and just being crafty, scenic drives, fresh salty air, laughing from deep down inside

5 favorite TV shows...
CSI (Las Vegas), Cold Case, CSI Miami, Law & Order SVU, Without a Trace, and if there were six-The Hills, my really guilty pleasure!

2008-06-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

Been off enjoying life...

...

...Talk to you soon....

hmmm...spray paint!

2008-06-12T22:37:00.000-07:00

Yummy!!
There's nothing like popping the lid off of a fresh can of spray paint! I don't know what it is (the instant gratification?) but I've always loved to spray paint things. I spent a good part of yesterday transforming the look of various pots I got on sale--as well as the look of a few innocent bystander items!

Spray Paint Goes 360: New Krylon Spray Tip Covers All the Angle - Watch a funny movie here

This new style of can from Krylon is pretty cool, it really has a lot of coverage. It's funny cause I actually just found out that the nozzle adjusts from watching this little video a few minutes ago! Would have been nice to know yesterday! "Directions? why would I ever have read any of those?"

This little screen used to be black--I think this ivy green is an improvement!

A few more of my victims! Don't worry, there were several items that I painted a neutral antique white, they just weren't very photogenic.