Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas to all of you. We went to my mom's last night for our Noche Buena aka Christmas Eve festivities. One of the amazing perks of having a chef for a sister is that, she took charge and cooked everything. And every single dish tasted great! There were lots of presents, especially for the little kids and my mom. She keeps saying how much she loves being a grandma now. She gets as much loot as the grand kids. I remember when both my kids were small and they got so many toys for Christmas. Last night, they mostly got envelopes and they were both very happy about it. Time surely has changed. It made me excited watching my nephew and nieces tearing the wrappers of their gifts with that mesmerizing look on their faces and they'd say, "I really want this". That is probably why people say, "It's just like Christmas" when they get something they've always wanted. I am so blessed and really grateful that my son has been home since Friday and that I took a few days off work to spend time with both my kids. It's been so wonderful. What a priceless gift - my family. I have everything I could ever wish for.

Well, that's all for now. I want to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for stopping by.

Santa's List

For a long time I have been resisting the electronic books via Nook or Kindle. I love to read and my co-workers have been telling me that giving in to the technology of e-books will help me plus save my rapidly deteriorating eyesight. I kept saying I love the sensation of paper in between my fingers, the smell and the crispness of the pages as I turn them and on and on. I'm just really stubborn and traditional that way.  However, this past Thursday during our Company Holiday Party raffle, I won a Nook HD. I was elated, actually more so about winning than the actual gift itself. I kept telling myself and others that I have been wanting to get a Nook. Although, it was not completely truthful. It was not in my list of wants. I did not want to unwrap the shiny plastic off of this strange gadget for hours after I brought it home. I seriously stared at the darn thing for minutes at a time, then I would walk to the living room, walk back to the kitchen where it was on top of the kitchen table and then walk away again. I did this for at least ten times. It was foolish and I really didn't know what I was afraid of. It was a piece of electronic for Pete's sake and not a time machine. Perhaps I was afraid of change, no matter how minute. To someone who loves to read as much as I do, this in my opinion is quite significant. Do I still say, "I am reading this amazing book or e-book?" What will I do with my book shelf and the books the I have collected over the years? A big part of me felt that this whole electronic book world will take away the most cherished process of feeling a book in one's hands. Then again I argued with myself about some of these amazing gadgets that I now feel I cannot live without such as my Keurig beverage maker, Clarisonic, Chi hair flat iron, iPhone, Ninja blender/food processor, etc. So, I finally opened the Nook, turned it on and downloaded a few of my favorite books at a discount. I re-read The Great Gatsby and by the last page, I knew I had just sold my heart to e-books. I have been reading every chance I get and I really love the built-in dictionary. I doubt I will use this for anything else, other than reading. I guess Santa came in early for me this Christmas. Thank goodness, I was in the Nice list.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Santa's List (W 131808 C 131811), Positively Chevron (W 130496 C 130499)
Paper: Cardstocks in Real Red, Midnight Muse and Whisper White, In Color DSP in Gumball Green
Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Real Red
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Bigz Scallop Squares Duo, 3/8" Stitched Satin ribbon in Midnight Muse (126847), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Well, that's it for now. Last weekend before Christmas, I have a lot of things to do. I have been delayed by my new toy, so it's crunch time today and tomorrow to do last minute errands and finish wrapping gifts. Bye for now and thank you for stopping by.

Joyful Christmas

I have been very busy at work, not to mention I have been sick and coughing like a mad dog. I have been so exhausted. So, since it was my birthday weekend I made sure to rest and nap as much as my body needs. That was my gift to me. I stayed in my pajamas and watched sappy Christmas movies on Lifetime and Hallmark channels. It was very nice. I am not sure if I'd been taking too much Nyquil, but I've been having this recurring dream about me. In my dream, I see myself walking away and no matter how loud I called out my name, I never turned around. I had a similar dream twenty years ago when I was pregnant with my son. When I shared this with my grandma she casually said, "Well, it makes sense you are going to be a mother and the life you know now will change. So, it's you walking away from this life to a different one." She always had some kind of response to everything. I wish I could pick-up the phone and call her right now. To hear her voice once more, what a gift that will be. Oh well, so you can imagine why I'd been kind of wondering what change I am venturing in to now. My life has been hectic, but I am not anticipating anything life-altering happening anytime soon. So, here I am waiting for what the future holds. As another birthday comes and goes I am truly thankful for all my blessings. I cannot change the past...but then look at where it led me! I have a beautiful family and a life that I'm proud of. I am one lucky girl and grateful every single day.

I had so much fun making these cards. I was inspired by Tami White to use the cardstock vellum on the poinsettias. Putting together the parts were a bit time-consuming and laborious, but the result was so fulfilling. I made a dozen of these cards. I made and sent out 62 Christmas cards total in four designs. What an accomplishment! I hope that the people I sent them to realize how much they all mean to me.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Joyful Christmas (W131802 C 131805)
Paper: Cardstocks in Brown Sugar, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold (102935), White Vellum Cardstock (101856)
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive, Metallic Encore pad in Gold (132141)
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing folder (132175), Apothecary Accents Frame Lits (127003), Heat Tool (129053), Stampin' Emboss Powder in Gold (109129), 1/2" Seam Binding ribbon in Cherry Cobbler (120992), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Large Pearl Basic Jewels (125577)

Oh well, that's all for now and happy birthday to me!

Retired BNF Friday #24

As parents, we are often quick to dismiss our children's wishes and force our own desires on them because we claim that, "we know best and we only want the best for them". My daughter called me on this recently simply by choosing a restaurant to eat in. I gave her options and when she told me where she wanted to go, I immediately shut it down and told her we are going somewhere else instead. She blurted out jokingly, "what's the point of asking me then?" It was not that big a deal, it was only a restaurant and in the end we went to her first choice, perhaps out of guilt on my part. My point is I feel that I have always been a very supportive and understanding mom to my kids. I feel so fortunate because I really have awesome children. However, I am and have been guilty of giving them choices then con them into picking what I wanted them to do to begin with. Since I am their mother, they often just do it trusting that my decision is the best. I must know what I'm doing. After all, I am their mother. But do I? I am not talking about which outfit to choose or which back pack will be sturdier and last longer. I meant in the grand scheme of things, when it comes to their future and what will bring them the most joy...do I have a clue? A few days ago, my daughter and I were in the car and she asked me if I'd always wanted to do accounting and HR work. Her question and curiosity caught me a little off guard. It's funny how when you've been doing something so long that after a while you begin to believe that it was meant to be. So, I told her the truth. I told her that when I was a little girl I've always wanted to become a lawyer. Then shortly after finishing the sentence, I asked myself quietly if that was even my own dream or I only wanted to fulfill my grandfather's dream for my mom. I realized that I still have not figured out what I really want to be when I grow-up. I do know for sure that I have always wanted to become a mom, I've always wanted a home to raise my children in and a husband who will adore me even when I annoy him (sometimes). And that I've always wanted to create pretty things. Well folks, I guess I did get my dream after all.

My son truly inspires me when it comes to going after one's dream and living with passion. He has always been a dancer before anything else and although he tried to do many things as a child, he never strayed from what brings him the most joy - which is dance. He knew there's barely no money in it, he is also aware that it requires hours of practice, hard work and plenty of risks. He still keeps on doing it. His passion shows even when he just talks about dance and how he and his team won first place recently at a dance competition in Berkeley, CA. He makes me proud. I was so happy that he was home this week.

I combined French Foliage and With Gratitude stamp sets to create this card. Card stocks are Old Olive, Really Rust and Very Vanilla. I used More Mustard, Really Rust, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip classic stampin' ink pads. 

Well, that's all for now. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you for stopping by.

Gently Falling

I have always been sort of intimidated of Two-Step stamp sets, because I can't seem to get them right. I can be such a perfectionist sometimes and it really annoys me when things are not lining-up straight. I must say that after making a dozen of these cards, I got over that feeling. I think that it really turned out nice. I shouldn't doubt myself so much. I didn't think these color combo would work, but wow, they sure do.

 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Gently Falling (Wood 128430 Clear 123804), Truly Grateful (Wood 131730 Clear 131733)

Paper: Card stocks in Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Naturals Ivory and Comfort Cafe DSP (retired)

Ink: Classic stamp pads in Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Pool Party and Cajun Craze

Tools & Accessories: Sponge Daubers (102892), 3/8" Stitched Satin ribbon in Summer Starfruit, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) and Large Oval Punch (119855)

Well, that's about it for now. I have been feeling discouraged lately, but a quick visit from my sister and nephew this weekend definitely cheered me up. Also, I had such an amazing cards class last Saturday. I am so thankful for my gals who come over once a month and create with me. Having them over bring me so much joy. If only I could do more events/classes than my schedule permits. Oh well, have a wonderful week, everyone.

Retired BNF Friday #23

Thank goodness for 3-day weekends! I so need this to unwind and relax a little bit. For today's Retired BNF (But Not Forgotten) Friday, I would like to share this patriotic card just in time for Veteran's Day.

I've had a very weird couple of weeks. It seemed like every song I heard I'd wonder if it'd be appropriate for my funeral. I even made a list of music my family should play in my funeral just in case I die quite suddenly. I know, I told you I was having a really dark time. I don't know if it had anything to do with the weather, but I just felt really down. I've also been thinking about how I will be remembered. Someday when everything's been said and done and I am no longer around, how will the people I left behind remember me? When they hear my name, will they feel relief that I'm gone or will they always think of me with such longing and sadness? Will they remember me at all? This made me think of Stars in the Sky and how many people I know still talk about his kindness and generosity, especially around the holidays. He was also well-known for his holiday parties, crab legs galore, free frozen turkey and wine, the singing and the whole message of it all: gratitude to all his employees. He walked around with an apron happily serving away everybody. It was really extraordinary and everyone there walked away feeling appreciated and recognized. It's no wonder after all these years, he is still missed by the people who knew him.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Service & Sacrifice, Jumbo Stampin' Round Classic Stars
Paper: Card stocks in Real Red, Brilliant Blue and Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Real Red and Brilliant Blue
Tools & Accessories: Punches in Small Star, Scallop Oval (119586) and Extra Large Oval (119859), Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for stopping by.

Tags 4 You x 3

I am having such a productive weekend. Yesterday, I spent all day sorting and organizing my closet and my daughter's. I filled two huge bags with clothes and shoes we don't wear anymore to send back home. I do this at least three times each year and yet, it still amazes me how fast things accumulate. I am still on a roll, so this will be a quick and short post. I want to share with you how I came up with my very own version of DIY Washi tape using scraps of Designer Series Paper. I created three cards for different holidays with the same layout. I was very proud of myself when I finished.

I am really loving this Tags 4 You stamp set (Wood 131820 Clear 131823) from the Holiday catalog. It has a coordinating Label Bracket punch (132153). I am such a sucker for punches. It just makes everything so easy, don't you agree? I rummaged through my scrap box and used them sort of like Washi tape. These ones are all retired DSP scraps. Well, there you have it.

That's all for now, folks. Have a wonderful Sunday! Thank you for stopping by.