i am thankful for...

...right now.
...smiles.
...sunny weather.
...sweet dreams.
...delicious foods.
...all that I have in my life, and all that I don't.

I did this layout for the Creative Type challenge. Cutting paper out is rather therapeutic. I tried using my Fiskars fingertip craft knife for the first time, and it's a must-have. For a list of supplies used, click here.
Oh, and I am also grateful for my friend Robin who took this photo on a bridge at the Venice Canals.

this morning...

Mr. Wonderful made me breakfast. 2 eggs over easy, polenta and sliced tomatoes. I also drank my usual little glass of Naked Superfood. I am thankful that this little girl was just a bit too tired to even try and smell the yumminess that was sitting right in front of her.

oldies but goodies

been super busy lately, but wanted to share some of my favorite shirts for fall from over the years...

random

I'm playing a bit of catch up today and working away on some projects.
If you're a scrapbooker looking for something to do, join me on this 5 Random Things challenge.
Simply follow the instructions and you could win the prize pack, just post by tomorrow night for your chance!
Just thought I would share a photo of how dirty Buster got in the backyard the other day.
Silly little guy.

updated sales!

We've got some great shirts that need homes.
<----------- See our updated list of events. Our shirts will be priced to sell and make great gifts! Hope to see you! Here are some of the latest custom orders...

just hanging

on our wall, some new additions.
and happy Veterans Day!
from here.

event-full

As I look through my scrapbooks, the pages are mostly comprised of events. Keeping bits from trips and brochures make for lovely additions to layouts. It's also a great way to use the pamphlets that normally get tossed out or shoved into a drawer. Here are some of the latest. Even though they are a bit on the busy side, I still like them. It's sort of like life-there's always a lot going on. Busy busy.
Bear Flag wine is yummy. And I had to keep the napkin, it's the coolest bev nap I have ever held.
Pictures of the Year was an amazing exhibit. It was free and shown at the Annenberg Space for Photography. I feel so lucky to have been able to see it in person.
(my favorite supplies were used on these pages: American Crafts, Hambly, Cosmo Cricket, Sassafras, Cavallini, Petaloo, Kaiser, Basic Grey, Scenic Route, Uniball Signo white pen)

♥ the little things in life.

There are moments when I think I am so dang clever, I crave a way of capturing the moment. Then there are times when I laugh aloud at how clever I think I am. My opportunity for both came in the form of coming up with a silly little idea for JC (aka Mr. Wonderful) while in a photo booth. And then executing it.
I giggled with much delight after picking it up (people probably thought I was nuts, but oh well). Showing your love for someone can come in all kinds of little forms. Here's how I know JC loves me and the doggies. He made this video.

on the happy list.

I don't usually participate in chain letter-ish things, but when Kim suckered me into an Art Swap, I had no idea how much goodness would really come my way. I sent just one item out, an I Love My Dog shirt to Holly, and then I sent the email out to 6 people. They will then each send Kim a crafty item, and then my name gets bumped up the list. In total, I am to receive 36 things! How fun is that? Well, not sure if it will actually pan out or not, but I was delighted to have gotten this as my first goodie. Thanks Jamaica!! (and Jen!)
It's so fun to flip through (even though it's just blank at the moment), however, I am a bit intimidated to start adding my real lists to it. Just in case any of you want to play along though, here's the list blog.

The Creative Type has a challenge going on using negative space. I tend to like to cluster my items anyway, so this is how mine turned out:
I used a bunch of my favorite supplies and also a felt flower from the fun bunch my mom's been making.

collaborate.

I like the collaborative efforts that go into some of the scrapbooking that gets done around here. Here's a layout started by Danielle, topped off by me, with journaling from JC.
Some of you may know that I scrapbook for LA Photo Party's events. From birthdays to Bat Mitzvahs, to weddings, I have been there with the guests as they smile and add an extra fun photo for the guest of honor's scrapbook. At the end of the evening, the scrapbook is complete & becomes a great keepsake/glorified guestbook. Here's a bit of press about it in Here Comes the Guide. I wish I had photos of the pages to share here, but often there isn't enough time or light to get a good shot of the page. But I was lucky enough to grab this one shot from a wedding in Paso Robles, right before the wedding party entered.



Here's a behind the scenes glimpse of what goes on with LA Photo Party's coolest, newest thing: Photosphere360. Mention you saw this on my blog and receive $100 off your next event.

inspired by others' musings

Just trying to get organized for the week, and I thought I would share some of my favorite postings from around the way on this Monday.
A great song called Bowl of Oranges, find the lyrics here.

thanks to design is mine
and this lovely quote and piece of art from notebook doodles:

Buster wishes you...

a safe and happy halloween. He also wishes he could dress up like a construction worker again and see his guinea pig friend like he did for his very first halloween. This was taken at Much Love's Bow Wow Ween in 2005. His costume was purchased at Target the day before for just $2.99 and says CAUTION on the back. He refused to wear the construction helmet, but I told him it was okay as long as he didn't try to eat his new friend.

your ticket please.

When I went back to Atlanta a couple months ago, I was forced to finally clean out my room from my teenage years. I lived in a cluttered room, wallpapered with posters and hub cabs, dried out roses, and photos. Apparently I even used to scrapbook (if you count sticking ticket stubs/photos/random objects- like a piece of gum? in a book and writing captions with a marker)...
Even though random and sort of jumbled, I'm happy to have these memories documented. Though the ticket stubs are taped down, I think however you record a memory is just fine. I'm grateful that now I have other ways of putting memories down on paper and have decided that it is unimportant to organize my scrapbook pages in chronological order, as it is too much pressure.

I usually prefer to hand make gifts, but sometimes it's just tough and far too time consuming. JC wanted a way to organize all his concert tickets, and I stumbled upon this perfect/already made thing at Urbanic (but purchased the last one), so here is where you can find another if you have a boyfriend/manfriend who could use one of these. It's perfect!

30 while 30

Last year before turning 30, I created a list of things I wanted to do. It was my 30 while 30 list, and it was quite ambitious. I tried incorporating little and big things in the list and managed to complete 18 out of 30. More than half is actually something I am completely fine with. It seems that along the way, priorities shift, life throws you some unexpected delights, and you end up rolling with it in a way where each year just gets better and better.

And here are 30 things I did while 30.

1. Went skydiving in Hawaii.
2. Got Lasik.
3. Went to Thailand for the first time
4. Memorized some fun, heartfelt, witty quotes.
5. Went to Hong Kong.
6. Took a surfing lesson with Ty Gurney in Hawaii
7. Joined a gym. Exercised twice a week or more.
8. Got a scrapbook page published for the first time.
9. Learned the entire "Single Ladies" dance
10. Learned to snowboard.
11. Went to Pittsburgh for the first time.
12. Went to Lake Como, Italy for the first time.
13. Attended 2 weddings of former roommates.
14. Ate a lot of hodge podge meals.
15. Laughed a lot.
16. Ate more healthy.
17. Turned more can'ts into cans and dreams into plans.
18. Went to Brazil. (first time)
19. Turned another hobby into a job.
20. Spent quality time with the ones I love.
21. Saw 2 of the 7 Wonders of the World. (The Great Wall of China & Corcovado)
22. Spend less time on the computer and more time doing creative things.
23. Once again made Platinum Medallion status on Delta.
24. Perfected the art of purging. (well, it's a work in progress)
25. Went to China for the first time and walked on the Great Wall.
26. Kayaked in the Indian Ocean.
27. Had lunch and toured the Playboy Mansion.
28. Moved into a 500 square foot place 5 blocks from the beach.
29. Took more leaps of faith.
30. Fell in love.

I think that's pretty darn good year.
Cheers.
I'll be working on my 31 list, so if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to share them.

♥

love this for today. Hope this week is wonderful for everyone.
from notebook doodles

happy friday!

8 great pieces of advice.

and a funny photo of the pups.

Have a wonderful weekend!

some photobooth love

everyone loves a cute photobooth...

thanks urbanic!

make lemonade

love this.

happy monday stuff

I loved reading all your creative tips and the things you are loving right now. Will be doing another giveaway soon!
Random Number Generator gave me this:

RANDOM NUMBERS - (click 'More random numbers' for more!)

Random number between 1 and 21 2

#2, HeyJenRenee! You will love these fun little Kitty Robot items. Send me your address and I will get these goodies out to you this week.

Just wanted to share this fun photo by LA Photo Party from Mindy Weiss's event last weekend. I usually smile big or have my mouth open while jumping, but really wanted to have a calmer look while jumping. Perhaps I've given this too much thought. Oh well.
I got a bunch of compliments on my headband, which came from this new
etsy shop. I just adore it.

Here's a page I did using my new goodies from Urbanic.
(Click here for full list of supplies) Oh Joy! for Chronicle Books makes mix and match stationery, and I couldn't resist grabbing it.
The Cavallini Sticky Notes are my new must-have. The box contains tons of little sitckies, perfect for little bits of journaling, and of course notes around the house (or office).

Have a wonderful week!

little bits & a giveaway

Kitty Robot makes the cutest little Sculpey buttons and bits. They are all handmade and look good enough to eat (or just savor and drool over) because they are so adorable. I let out a squeal of excitement when they asked me to guest design for them and here's a glimpse of what I made...

And because they are so sweet and generous, they want to give you a little packet of their goodies. Just leave a comment with what you like right now or share a little trick or technique, and I will draw a winner in the evening of Sunday, October 18th.

I really enjoy scrapbooking on-the-go. It's a great way to capture memories while they are happening. While in Atlanta, with this book,
I wanted to include a couple tri-fold brochures, and keep them intact. Here's a little nifty trick to include them into your mini albums that are bound with book rings. (This video was literally taken moments after I discovered the trick, I was excited and just hanging out, please excuse the random background items). Hope you the impromptu mini video tutorial...