The Paperlife....

spotlight is SO fun to do. Head on over and leave a comment in order to enter the giveaways.

Amy was a blast to talk to and I think we spoke for over an hour. Good times.

Also, a new Creative Therapy catalyst went up on Sunday.
For this week the catalyst is: "What’s the best relationship you’ve had so far? It can be a romantic one, a family member, or a friendship. Why is it so special?"
This is my spin on it.

Supplies - Paper: K & Co., Cardstock: Bazzill Classic, Bingo Card: Jenni Bowlin, Shimmer Label Holder: Making Memories, Crystal Brads: Making Memories, Flower: Prima

The journaling reads:

The best and most important relationship I have ever had are with the three of you. Jon: I have never felt SO deeply for anyone. You complete me and make me whole. We have laughed, cried and everything in between. Raising the best daughters and going through our life together holding hands. Shelby and Ellie: You both have taught me to be a self-less person. The relationship I share with each of you is unique and will continue to change as you both get older. I have the honor of watching you blossom into the glorious women you will become. Relationships and life do not get any better than that. All my love to the three of you, always!

Thanks for checking in!

Loves.

D.

My heart....

is hurting right now. I have started to go through some personal issues and I'm unsure of where they will lead me. I thought it was important to announce that today, effective as of this moment I have resigned from Label Tulip.
Right now I need to focus on family. I'm not going away from my blog. Something wonderful will be announced in the next couple of days and I have been working on my December Daily for this year.
I will post a photo of my cover as soon as I can.

And, since I can't post without a photo, this was last Sunday at the Olive Mill. Very cool place.

Loves.
D.

Monday, Monday....

It amazes me how last week flew by. I can't believe it's Monday already.
So much going on right now and I really want to do a December Daily this year.

Over the last couple of years Christmas supplies have really been an issue for me. All of them have been mixed in with my "everyday" supplies. This year I said "No More!" I have one of these plastic containers that I started just for storing Christmas supplies. From paper to stickers to embellishments, if it looked like Christmas it went in this container. 

I have to say how refreshing it feels to have a dedicated "spot". Now I don't feel the dread of going through my entire studio to find each and every little thing I would want to use.
If there is a certain system you use, please share I would love to know about it.
I will start to share my December Daily happenings soon!

Yesterday, over at Creative Therapy, a new catalyst went up and the guest designer is the fabulous Christine Middlecamp. The catalyst is: "If money wasn't an issue what would you do with you time, career or otherwise?"
Here is my take on the question, pretty simple and straight forward.

Supplies - Paper: Bazzill and American Crafts, Vellum: Webster's Pages, Journaling page: Making Memories, Chipboard Buttons: Jenni Bowlin, Shimmer Label Holder: Making Memories, Nature Kit: Making Memories, Bienvenue Kit: Making Memories, Flower: Prima, Brads: Making Memories, Stamps: Basic Grey, Tiny Attacher: Tim Holtz

I really would to travel to Paris, London, all over Europe in general. This photo to me makes me think of places like that.
The filagree around the windows. These windows in real life are massive. I would also love to own a studio/scrapbook boutique.
The funny thing is I already have the name, Jon and I have already constructed the floor plan and what the studio would consist of....
It's always fun to dream, right?

So, for me - owning the studio and traveling with Jon and the girls as often as possible.

Journaling reads:
If time and money were not an object and I could do anything....
I would travel with my family overseas and I would also love to own a studio....

Thanks for stopping by! 

Loves. 

D.

I hope....

I'm not the only one out there that can look at a layout and know something is "missing". Recently I created a layout that I felt was just not quite "there" yet. It was for Creative Therapy and it was one of those times I had to just walk away and e.mail it the way it was.
Now, let me say I totally agree with the saying that sometimes we should embrace the imperfections we might see. I do it on a frequent basis. But, we are telling OUR story and I say, if you feel as though your story is incomplete, go ahead and finish it up!

I would walk by this layout everyday and it finally "hit" me. I knew what I needed to do to make the story complete. I'm the type of person that expresses my feelings with words (hence, the LOVE I have with song lyrics). Words can evoke deep feelings for me.
I love the stamps that Ali Edwards designs for Technique Tuesday and they are prefect for card making and adding them directly to the "white space" of your photos or journaling cards. Super YUM!

Here is the layout before:

Here is the completed layout:

Added supplies - Stamps: Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday

Ink Pads: Black Soot and Fired Brick, Chipboard Button: Jenni Bowlin, Jewel: Making Memories, 
 Adhesive: Diamond Glaze, 
Tiny Attacher: Tim Holtz

On the updated version of this layout I stamped onto the tags and added them off to the side of the photo. Having such meaningful phrases and words next to Jon and I hit just the right spot.
I never "re-visit" layouts but having done so with this one, if I feel a story just isn't quite told yet I will be looking at the layout/project again.

One last note: UUUmmmm, I SO want to do a December daily this year.I'm going to get started this week on pre-assembling the book. So many projects, so little time! LOL!
Wishing everyone a wonderful Tuesday night.
Thanks for stopping by!
Loves.
D.

A new catalyst....

from Creative Therapy was posted yesterday. The catalyst is: "What is the most daring or scariest thing you have ever done?"  You know, I'll be honest here, this catalyst is a perfect example of why I LOVE being apart of Creative Therapy! You can take this challenge as light hearted or emotional as you think it is. What is in YOUR heart and how YOU feel about a particular catalyst.
The other thing is the design team is so diverse, from the way each of us create our art to the way we interpret a catalyst. This one for me was on the emotional side, for some reason Creative Therapy always brings out the heart of my life, past and present, good and bad.

Here is my take on it:

Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill, Patterned Paper: Teresa Collins (flourish) and Teresa Collins (Journaling Tags), Making Memories (circles), Paint: Claudine Hellmuth, Alcohol Ink: Tim Holtz, Alcohol Ink Sprayer: Ranger Ink, Stamps: Basic Grey and Technique Tuesday, Punches: Upper Crest, Scallop and Corner Rounder, Flower: Prima, Black Glitter Flourish: Making Memories, Brads: Making Memories, Stamp Pads: Black and Pink, Pen: American Crafts

My ex-husband was very emotionally abusive. Shelby was just an infant and he would tell me on a daily basis how horrible I was as a mother and if I left I would not be able to survive.
I was 22 years old after hearing this everyday along with other things he said for some reason I started to believe him.
Shelby was 2 and I had decided that I COULD and WOULD make it without him. I wanted Shelby to see and experience a healthy, happy life.
I moved Shelby and I out into our own apartment while he was at work. It was the most nerve racking, nail biting experience. Knowing that he could show up at anytime.
I received a phone call later that evening, it was not nice to say the least. Hey! I left him the couch, TV and some pans I think.
It was the most daring/scariest thing I had ever done, but it was THE BEST thing for Shelby and I.
Where we are now light years away from that situation.

Journaling reads:
Me and you, together on our own for awhile.
being confident as a single mother. Believing
in myself and not what I had been told. Spreading
my wings and moving on.

 

A special "thank you" to Susan Gray for this blog award. You are such a fabulous, thoughtful person! 

I'm so thankful to call you my friend! I will have to put some thought into the 10 things about me. 

Right now, I have a hungry family and winter clothes to go through and wash. We have a cold front moving into Arizona! Good grief, it's time for something other than 100+ degrees! 

 

 

Hope all is well where ever you and your family might be! 

Loves. 

D.

 

Getting a little....

better everyday! It might be a few weeks until I'm 100% but I'm getting through it.
Thank you for all of the e.mails and comments of well wishes.
The H1N1 virus is freaking me out. I know the media creates drama, but still the number of people in Arizona that have contracted this virus within the last week scares me.
Just in case your a little "freaked out" where you live and you are wondering where you can find some information you can check out this site. Both of my girls are school age and I'm patiently waiting to get them vaccinated along with Jon and I.
Please remember everything I post here on my blog, is just my point of view. :-)

I wanted to "pop" in and give you a little peek at the catalyst that will be going up on Sunday at Creative Therapy. 
It really hit home for me. So, on Sunday head on over and check it out.
I'm currently working on a minibook and then I want to start my prepping my December daily album.
I know it's right around the corner and if I wait until the last minute it won't get done.
On that note, I have a question, how do you store your Christmas papers, embellishments etc.
Do you seperate your Christmas scrapbooking supplies from the rest of your stash?
I'll be back with my Christmas system for supplies. How it's changed since last year and why.

I hop everyone is having a fantabulous week.

Loves.

D.

Get 'em....

before they're gone. The October Kits at Label Tulip are available and going fast!
The kit was jammed pack with Sassafras Lass, Prima and the amazing Etsy artist Evalicious!
Man, I love her! Oh, yes and I can't forget the Shimmerz! I loved the licorice. But then again I love anything that I can spray, LOL! The wonderful Lain Ehmann is the guest designer this month.

Also, if you looking to make cards but you are like me and not the best at creating them. The amazing Danielle Flanders has put together a card kit for Label Tulip complete with fabulous instructions. You can pick one up here and make sure to take a look at the gallery for some serious inspiration from the design team.

Here are the layouts I created for this month's gallery. Enjoy!
click on the layout to enlarge ;-)

                              

I hope you like!

Loves.

D.

OUCH! and Label Tulip Sneekies....

x 10 million, seriously! On Monday morning I was in the shower putting shampoo in my hair, all of the sudden I feel and hear some sort of "popping" sensation. It was so painful I thought I was going to pass out. I thought about calling Jon but I just stood there for a few minutes and let the hot water hit my back.

As the day went on it got to the point where I could barely move. I was talking to Jessica (a great girl I work with) explaining what had happened (it was obvious I was in pain). She referred me to someone that could help. Long story short it was confirmed yesterday that I have torn a muscle in my back.
Yesterday, after work, was spent at the Dr.'s again and this time I left with three different medications to help in the healing and pain management of my upper back.
So, please bare with me if my writing and words are a little "off". You guys are the best!

Okie Dokie, let me tell you when I received the October Label Tulip kit in the mail it was pure heaven! I ripped through the box and I could hardly wait to dig in and play! So, colorful, fun and there is a particular product that comes in the kit that I have been dying to try. Let me tell you it did not disappoint. It is now my latest addiciton added right up there with alcohol inks and bling.

Here we go - Enjoy!

The reveal for the October Label Tulip Kit is tomorrow the 15th. So, head on over here to pick one up for yourself. You will love getting this little beauty in the mail!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday! Friday is almost here, Yay!

Loves.

D.