Bonita Rose, Life.Love.Color.Art a life unrehearsed

Empowering Art Pendants!

2012-01-30T12:18:00.007-06:00

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I've been busy today, creating some new 1 inch square art pendants for the shop!
All empowering.
All inspiring.

Be Yourself x 2

Be Bold x 2

Be Brave x 3

You Are Loved x 2

These are limited edition - get them while you can!
Shop here!

See my post here regarding my new gift tags, 7 different sets!

XOXO
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Find Your Inner Peace

2012-01-30T09:20:00.002-06:00

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Ignore the things in your life,
that in the big scheme of things, don't really matter.
Make that choice.

Ignore them.

And find your peace.

XOXO

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My Favorite Thing

2012-01-30T05:55:00.003-06:00

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I found this image on Design Sponge and just loved it.
Simple truth for a Monday morning.

XOXO
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Newly-Designed Tags Now In The Shop!

2012-01-29T15:34:00.006-06:00

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I've been just jumping up and down all weekend long! So happy to get my own designed rubber-stamps the other day, so this weekend, I have been busy busy!

Seven different designs:

Be Beautiful
Be Yourself
U are Loved
Be Brave
Love You
You Matter
Be Bold

My new Gift Tags!
are now in my Zibbet shop here!

Priced low at $3.95/10!
Grab your favorites!

I'm anxious to hear what you think!

Happy Sunday!

XOXO
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Vintage Blue

2012-01-29T02:00:00.004-06:00

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Earlier this week, with part of my birthday money, I splurged on something just for me. I was surfing all the vintage sellers on Etsy, and came across this handmade, crocheted beauty.

I loved it as soon as I saw it!
Handmade unique and one of a kind!
(The original listing is here)

Now trust me, this was a departure from my usual spending on Etsy. I usually purchase creative things I can use in my creations. Pretty things to use in my Studio. So buying this was special.
Really special.

I bought it just for me, to wear sometime in my future.
You see, my gorgeous husband and I want to move somewhere south in the coming years, and we'd love to live near the sea. By the ocean. One of our favorite places is Tybee Island GA. I am so in love with that town, with that community.

I bought this for me, to wear on those cool nights, when we are walking along the beach, in the years to come. I just loved it.. so unique, so different, and I loved the soft beachy blue color.

I had to have it.

XOXO

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Tweet Tweet

2012-01-28T17:59:00.004-06:00

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While surfing Pinterest, I stumbled upon this image above. Oh how it took my breath away. Oh so beautiful. I enjoy birding. I would like to learn more.

Here where we live on the northern plains of Fargo ND we don't see a lot of beautiful birds such as this. Most of the birds we see are field and prairie birds, birds like chickadees, sparrows, and sometimes, if you're lucky, finches.

I love feeding the birds. It can be so relaxing to sit outside and watch the birds flutter around and swoop in for food and away they go again. They fill the air with their songs and soon, they are gone again.

I love the sound of bird song.
Love it.

Do you have pretty birds where you live?

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Dreaming

2012-01-28T12:52:00.002-06:00

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Sneak peeks of some of my projects for the Feb kit
at Scrapbooking From The Inside Out,
called DREAM.

See here, http://www.scrapbookingfromtheinsideout.com/inspiration/sneak-peek/

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Pretty Things Can Make All The Difference

2012-01-28T09:13:00.003-06:00

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Pretty things.
They can make all the difference.

Last summer, pink peonies in the sunlight

Pretty things.
Do you stop to take the time, to appreciate them?
Are you like me, who spends time on Pinterest, looking at all kinds of pretty things?

There are so many things out there in the world that can inspire us.
That we can call pretty.

Things like the soft, lush pink petals of a peony in bloom.
Pretty things.

Today, take the time.
Take the time to pause, and just make your heart glad.
Take the time to appreciate those pretty things in your life.

XOXO
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Inspiration - Just Imagine

2012-01-27T08:40:00.005-06:00

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Some colorful inspiration,
thank you Unity Stamp Co!

Sentiments, Unity. Damask Stamp, PTI

Happy Friday!
XOXO

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Opening Doors

2012-01-27T02:00:00.003-06:00

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I love this photograph.
Sometimes, you can open a door in life, and it goes nowhere, like these doors. These look like pretty colored doors from the street, but alas - from the inside -- the doors go nowhere. The doors lead nowhere. Wait. Maybe I shouldn't say that. You can't physically walk anywhere if you opened these doors. But you could peek out the window and see a beautiful city.

And your mind could wander.
You could dream.
You could dream.

Are you ready for February's newest kit, from Scrapbooking From The Inside Out?

It's all about your dreams.
Your wishes.
Your daydreams.

All of us on the Design Team can't wait to show it off to you next month!
Click here to learn more!

XOXO
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A Testimonial!

2012-01-26T16:17:00.009-06:00

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This is a testimonial.

I received an email earlier today from my friend Nicole, and I was so happy to see how she used this month's BROWN PAPER PACKAGES gift wrap kit! Click her recent blog post here.

This girl can cook!
I wish I had her mad talents in the kitchen!

Take a look below!
You can subscribe to my Kit Club
and read all about it here.

Here is what she shared with me below:

Hello Bonita Rose,

I’ve had my kit in the house for about twelve hours and I’ve already used it. With your Brown Paper Packages it was so easy to dress up the food I was taking to a family in need.

You really helped me make the gift pretty and heartfelt without taking all day.

Warmly,
Nicole

Remember,
You can subscribe to my Kit Club
and read all about it here.

Thank you Nicole for sharing this with me!
I love seeing how people are using my Brown Paper Packages Kits when they bless people in their lives. Thank you for taking the time for sharing this with me. It really warmed my heart this afternoon.

XOXO
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Brown Paper Packages

2012-01-26T13:59:00.005-06:00

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It's a warm and sunny day here in Fargo.
With the snow on the ground and the bright sunshine, it's almost blinding out there. It sure feels good though. Soon, I'll be doing a post office run to get out some orders.
Aaaah, fresh air.

It's been a busy few weeks around here, and I'm slowly getting caught up.

I was busy earlier this morning, creating more Brown Paper Packages Kits to be sent out this month. Each one is unique and one of a kind, and full of surprises! The monthly kit subscription is only $11.95 USD plus $4 shipping! Treat yourself every month with some pretty things to make all your brown paper packages look lovely!

Click here to read all about it and subscribe!

Toodles.
Have a wonderful Thursday!

Linking up with Jennifer @ Studio JRU for Sneak Peek Friday.

XOXO

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Relationships: Loving People With Boundaries

2012-01-26T02:00:00.002-06:00

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Today, I wanted to share a little bit of a story behind this piece of art I created the other day up in my Studio.

Love Everyone, No Matter What

We all should do that. Love everyone. No matter what. It's true, we should give and show love to everyone we meet. There's never any purpose behind hate or being mean. There really isn't. It doesn't serve anyone and doesn't accomplish anything good. We should just plainly, love one another.
Just love one another.

But sometimes, in the course of our lives, there are people that can be toxic to our well-being. Toxic. They do us no good. We may try to change them or get them to see how they make us feel, but they refuse. They refuse. And we keep on feeling lower than low. We still hurt. We still feel the pain.

What are the choices we have?

For me, it's meant putting up personal boundaries with some people in my life. These people for you, could be friends, family, or co workers. It really doesn't matter who they are. For some of you, putting up boundaries may be necessary. It may be time to not allow their toxicity into your life any longer.

We can still love them.
We really can.
We can think nice thoughts towards these people, even though they may cause us great pain. We can be strong enough to do that. It's true.

But we choose to leave a larger distance between these people and ourselves. We don't allow them close into our lives. We choose.
We put up that boundary.
Why?

To allow us the happiness we deserve.
To allow us to live a happy life.
It's very simple really.

You choose.
You choose the people in your life that make your life happier.
You choose.

And you also can choose to put up boundaries with some of the people in your life that you find are toxic to your mental and emotional well-being. Or your physical well-being. We must first survive ourselves in this world. And it's up to us to do what it takes to make sure we are strong. And we do survive.

So yes.
Love everyone.
Love everyone.
No matter what.

But remember, sometimes, boundaries can be necessary.
They can be a very good thing.

XOXO
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Happy Everything Tags!

2012-01-25T14:00:00.010-06:00

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Spring is right around the corner, isn't it?

Earlier, I created some fun gift tags to be a part of
some future Brown Paper Packages Kits in the coming months!

I used circles cut out of vintage sheets, some pretty pink and yellow lace, manila office tags, A Red Lead 'happy everything' rubber stamp, and some beautiful vintage pearl buttons (from my friend Martha's zibbet shop!)

These are perfect for springtime gifts, Easter occasions, Mothers Day,
May Day and more!

These will be part of future gift wrapping kits (sign up here!)
and if you'd like to special order the tags only! or if you would like me to create some fabric circle flower embellishments for you! to use on your layouts, cards, etc -
please feel free to contact me here.

Happy everything
to you!

Linking up with Jennifer @ Studio JRU for Sneak Peek Friday.

XOXO
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Lovable.

2012-01-25T11:28:00.006-06:00

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Earlier this morning up in the Studio, I was playing with my watercolor crayons, some spray inks, and some rubber stamps.

Here's the result:

Lovable

I am lovable.
Yes I am.

Linking up with Jennifer @ Studio JRU for Sneak Peek Friday.

XOXO

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Half Full

2012-01-25T09:11:00.004-06:00

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Live your life half full. Half full. Don't feel empty. Don't even feel half empty.
Feel full.
Full.

photo source

Every day, I choose to live my life half full. I may look around and notice all the things I don't have, or the experiences I have yet to experience, or the things in my life that are far from perfect - but I look around, and realize, my life's not that bad. It really isn't. My husband loves me. Really loves me. My children love me. I have the cutest dog ever. I have a Studio full of pretty things and supplies.

And every day, I have the chance to create.
To inspire. To write.

My glass is half full.
More than half full.

And so is yours.

XOXO

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Words + Me = Happy

2012-01-25T04:00:00.003-06:00

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I play with words.

Words are my best of friends.
I communicate the best via the written word.
I love to write.
I am a writer.
I love to inspire, share my life with words.

This is me.
This is such a part of who I am.

I created this layout using a photo of one of our antique typewriters, this one is a Royal from the start of the 1900s. Like the one Ernest Hemingway used.

Telling my story.

For this layout, all the elements came from the January Individuality Kit from SFTIO here.
I used a bit of washi tape and my writing pen, everything else is from the kit!
See what you can do?

XOXO

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Monthly Planner Notebooks, Update!

2012-01-24T08:40:00.012-06:00

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Make sure to click here to view my previous post!
I've been busy this morning!

I stamped 365 pages within these notebooks with my date stamp, Whew!
One for every day of the year!

The monthly calendar pages I recently purchased from Debee over at Inspire Lovely is perfect for these notebooks! I love Debee's photography and her use of color.. I'll be using one of her monthly calendar pages for each book, what do you think?

I chose to put the calendar on the front of each book and yes, I know I'm covering up the pretty design, but you can still see it and appreciate it on the back cover, right? Plus, I secured all with just washi tape, so it's removable and I can totally change it around if I choose to maybe put the calendar page on the inside front cover.

What would you do?

I personally love the fact that the calendar is on the front of each notebook! I'm gonna be writing and jotting down ideas and notes to myself, writing down quotes and blog ideas I want to remember, and these little notebooks are just perfect!

I used my date stamp and dated every 2nd page with the date, so I have lots of room to write every day... it will become a little diary of sorts for every month.. with all my ideas, scribbles, notes, and more.

I plan on adding some more washi tapes, color, and stickers to pretty the pages up a bit as I go.

I honestly wish I had started this project earlier, because the month of January is pretty empty considering today is the 24th and I just put this one notebook together for January! Oh well. I figure when I buy more calendar pages for 2013 next year, I can remove the page on the front of each notebook now, and put a new one on the front of each book and still use ea notebook for another year if there is room. All I have to do is date the stamp for 2013 for that date under what was written for this year and voila!
These could last for a few years!

Love these so far, what do you think?

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Favorite Quotes: Eat Pray Love

2012-01-24T03:00:00.004-06:00

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I loved the movie.
I loved the book.

Here are some of my favorite quotes
from the movie.

"Maybe my life hasn't been so chaotic. It's just the world that is and the only real trap is getting attached to any of it. Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation."
Liz Gilbert

and I loved this one:

"In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you. "
Liz Gilbert

Such a great movie.
One of my all time favorites.

XOXO

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Published! Simply Handmade

2012-01-24T02:00:00.002-06:00

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One of my art quilts (Be Happy) is published this month
in this recent issue of
Simply Handmade,
Be Mine!

You can order your digital or printed copy here!

I'm thrilled to be a part of this publication,
so many great ideas!

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Inspired By... Dana

2012-01-23T16:11:00.004-06:00

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I read fellow artist Dana's blog post earlier,
and I had to post my answers!
to these questions.

It's good to re-examine yourself.
To pause and reflect.

Here are my answers below:

I'm most creative when - I'm inspired and have an idea in my head. Something I've been mulling around for weeks, days, or hours. I have all the supplies I need. I get excited when I have the time to just sit at my Studio desk and start to create. I grab this and I grab that, and soon in front of my eyes, I've made something that wasn't there before. I'm most creative when I'm inspired. When I've been spurred on to create something new and alive.

If I were a color, I'd be - Wow, this is a hard one for me. Different moods mean different colors, and I'm not always in the same mood. I think of Red when I feel bold and I want to stand up to injustice. I think of Aqua or Blue when I think of the peace and calm I feel when I am near the ocean, and I hear the shore birds and feel the water on my toes. And I think of Yellow when I'm happy. Like the sunshine. My nickname used to be 'bonnie sunshine' years ago, and whenever I think of that, I just feel happy inside. It's hard for me to pick just one color. Really hard.

I often imagine myself - having more money to travel one day. And operating my own brick and mortar store and studio in Tybee Island GA. My husband and I want to move there one day. They have such a vibrant artists' community there, and the weather is glorious there year-round. I have a book filled with ideas for the kind of business I'd love to have there one day. One day.

I really wish I knew how to - draw. I'm terrible at drawing. At sketching. And I've tried, I really have. I am just not good at it. Drawing is so not my forte. Not at all. And that's okay. I can still create art and make beautiful things in my unique way - and that is the person I am. I try not to dwell on what I can't do. Instead, I EMBRACE (my one little word for this year) the woman I am and all the gifts I've been given. One person can't be good at everything. We're all given different gifts. I just want to embrace mine.

I'd love to spend a lazy Sunday - one day, living on Tybee Island. Sitting in the sunshine, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. Near the ocean. Hearing and watching the shorebirds, feeling the water in my toes. Feeling calm and at peace. Knowing that all is well. All is well. Until we get there, a lazy Sunday for me is no agenda. Not being too busy. Spending the day with my hubby and/or my children. Being with them. Just being with them.

My secret talent is - I'm not really sure. I'm pretty much an open book, and what you see, what I do and what I create, is the real me. It's what makes me happy. It's the kind of art that saves me. Me. I'm not really holding anything back. You know I love to write, to blog, to share and inspire. You know I love color. You know I love vintage, thrifting, and playing with color! Oh yes, lots of color! So do I have a secret talent? I don't think I do. I don't think I do. Although I do make a mean pot of chili.

Oh wait. I think I just figured it out. My secret talent is this: I am a good listener. A very good listener. Since I never felt listened to or understood as a child and for most of my adult life by some, I've come to recognize the real VALUE of listening. Of empathy. Of taking the time to look someone else in the eye and not speak, just listen. Just listen. To just be there, no matter what, no matter what.

XOXO

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Fabric Gift Tags!

2012-01-23T09:34:00.011-06:00

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I stumbled upon this DIY while surfing my favorite blogs,
and just had to try these!
I used some of my vintage sheets stash, and stitched around the fabric on the tag using my sewing machine and some white thread --
love how bright these tags are!

Some of the lace trim I used around the boxes, is from one of my favorite sources, my friend Martha's shop on Zibbet! Click here to shop!

The blue vintage paper lace (seen around one of the boxes) can be found here in my Zibbet shop! I have six colors available!

Easy and fun, some of these fun tags
will be a part of my
Brown Paper Packages Monthly Kits!

Have you heard?
Click here to learn more.

XOXO
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Monthly Calendar - Making It My Own!

2012-01-23T08:47:00.008-06:00

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I recently purchased these!
12 little journals in colorful Jonathan Adler designs, perfect for my Studio, for my blogging space, for my purse - when I'm on the go!

I bought them with a few ideas in mind!
First of all, one notebook for each month of the year.
12 journals, 12 months.

I will use my date stamp or maybe some of my number stamps and stamp the number of the day of the month on the pages inside each journal for each month. Up to 31 for January, up to 29 for February, etc.

I've been inspired lately by a number of things! so I'm not quite sure how I'm going to use these but these are my ideas, what do you think?

Claire's post here on her Heart Handmade blog has really inspired me! Love this post! Love how she has had fun decorating her planner into something truly her own. This inspires me to do the same with my notebooks! Using my notebooks as a little diary/journal/appointment book for every day, for jotting down thoughts and ideas. Now I just need to find me some Diary Deco Stickers and some Kawaii stamp sets!

I love this item by Moleskine. 12 little notebooks, one for every month of the year. A planner of sorts. I could so do this with my colorful journals! Add the month or the month number on the front of each notebook and use one for each month as a planner, jotter! The notebooks I purchased above are the perfect size, about 3x5 - for my purse, so easy to take a long with me anywhere!

Recently at Barnes&Noble, I took some time to look at this. A Sentence A Day journal by Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project. The idea is simple. A journal with all the days of the year in it. For every day, you write down the year, and write down just one sentence for that day. If you are disciplined enough, you write a sentence a day for the next 5 years, and after 5 years, you will have this book to go through to view a snapshot of your life. It's a great idea, if you can choose to keep up with it. I was thinking I could use my 12 little notebooks - one for each month -- and turn each notebook into a sentence a day journal for that month.

The more I think about it.. the more I am leaning towards using these as simple planners, one notebook for each month, for each day of this year. Yes, I know next year I may use something different, or buy another 12 notebooks to use for 2013, but that's okay. I love the size of these colorful little notebooks! I love the bright designs by Jonathan Adler! And each notebook has 50 pages, so 100 pages both sides. Love that!

Why not color them up and decorate them with stamps and stickers and make them fun and all me? I could write down a quote a day in these little books and have them filled with inspiration!

I honestly can't wait to start!

XOXO

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Fairy Godmother, Anyone?

2012-01-23T02:00:00.003-06:00

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I'm looking for a fairy godmother.
Seriously.

One of my most fave shoppes in the world is Rose Mille, located in Stillwater, MN.
Full of French wonder and creative things, Michelle's shop is eye candy every time I walk in those doors.
Every time.

Here on her website, she's now offering
Monthly Cachettes.
What are those, you ask?

They are a monthly collection filled to the brim
with all kinds of wonders and pretty things!

Click here to learn more.

Just take a look at what's in store for February!

Wow!!!!

I need a fairy godmother.
I'd love the Feb Cachette, and last month's January one too.
Ohhh, if only.

If only.

XOXO

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50, So Far.

2012-01-22T13:20:00.006-06:00

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So far, this has been a wonderful 50th birthday!
I've heard from so many of you via Facebook and email and my blog,
A heartfelt THANK YOU for all the nice words and wishes!
xo

My husband and I have had a relaxing morning and early afternoon, and later on this afternoon, we have a few things to pick up and then, we're planning on spending some time at the bookstore - Barnes & Noble - I have a $40 gift card to spend on something!

We were blessed with a gift card (for our anniversary) from Olive Garden, so guess where we're going tonite for supper? Yeap, Olive Garden! I'm looking forward to it!

These are a few of the gifts I received from family members-
a Cavallini Flora and Fauna sticker set - love love love!
24 sheets of 12 designed sheets(2 each)
You know I'll be using these!

and

A Cavallini alphabet stamp set, I've wanted this set for a long time!
So happy I received this!

So far it's been a great day!

XOXO

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Happy Birthday to Me! The Big 50!

2012-01-22T02:00:00.008-06:00

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photo source

You are only as young as you feel, right?

Today, I'm 50.
What a milestone!

With all the traveling hubby and I have done in the past month or so, we don't have any huge plans for today. No big party. No shopping spree, no money for that. We're not traveling anywhere. Just staying close to home and spending the day together.

So, since I'm turning the big FIFTY today,
I thought I'd share 50 Random Facts about me. Some of these might be boring, some of these you might already know, and some might be enlightening!
Here we go!

50 Random Facts About Me

I am originally from Manitoba, Canada.
I am an only child.
I am the mother of my two beautiful teenage daughters, Sara and Bethany.
I am a dog-lover. We have a dog named Angel.
I need a bigger craft area/Studio! Ha!
I love reading, love holding a real book in my hand. I collect way too many books, hard for me to get rid of them.
I am a huge fan of real mail. Real cards and letters. I love sending them and I love receiving them. People that take the time to do this, in this day and age, are special.
One day, I want a library room filled with books with floor to ceiling shelves. One day.
My relationship with Jesus and my husband Greg are my firm foundations.
I want to live on Tybee Island, GA one day, near the ocean. Near the beach.
I hate winter. Hate the cold, the snow.
I've always struggled with my weight.
I've worn eyeglasses ever since I was a kid.
I love having scented candles burning in my home.
I believe one can never have too many art supplies. Just saying.
I can be a procrastinator.
I love warm summer weather and the sunshine.
I hate wearing socks. Seriously. Even now, in the death of winter, I only put them on when I absolutely have to.
I am a thrift store junkie, love treasure hunting in thrift stores!
I love trying new things in my Studio. Seeing if I like doing something new. I like to try.
I have way too many rubber and clear stamps. But they are sooo versatile!
Thanks to a dear friend, I learned how to sew with a sewing machine last year!
I love Chili's chips and salsa and mango iced tea. My weakness.
I am sensitive, emotional and sentimental. No apologies here. None.
I love to read. Anything.
I'm not much of a cook, thank God my hubby likes it most of the time. One of the best things I know how to make is my homemade Chili.
I have a hard time passing by the frozen cream puffs in the freezer section of my grocery store!
I've been scrapbooking and playing with paper ever since my first daughter was born in 1993.
I'd love to visit Water Island in the US Virgin Islands one day. One day.
I'm not a big TV fan. Relaxing music is the way to go.
I've never been to Europe. Would love to go there one day.
I want to go to Paris one day too.
I can be extremely lazy when I want to be.
I really admire Oprah Winfrey for so many reasons. She inspires me on so many levels.
I collect journals. Can never have too many journals.
I love creating with lots of bold color!
I admire people that can draw/sketch. I've tried it, I'm just not that good.
Two-faced people in the craft/creative industry really bother me. I know of a few, and although they are 'successful' according to the industry, I have lost total respect for these people.
I want to publish a book one day. It's been a dream of mine for years.
I am an emotional abuse survivor.
I believe counseling and therapy is good for you if you can believe you need it. So many people can't do that. When they need it the most. Counseling and therapy have helped me to come to grips with so much in my life.
I am a Christian and believe in Christ and His Resurrection.
I believe that friends can be the family you wish you had.
I believe that going to church every week doesn't necessarily make you a good person.
I would do anything for my girls. Anything.
I honestly wish making a consistent income with my creative biz was possible. Some months are so much harder than others.
I have a heart condition. I take heart meds twice/day. They keep my heart working right and my heart rate down.
I've been blogging for a long time, before blogging was even cool. Now everyone does it.
I like my steak well done. Rare? Eeeeew. No thanks. That's just gross.
I believe setting boundaries with some people in your life is necessary. I believe getting rid of toxic people in your life is also necessary, family or not. I believe in choosing to live my life happy. Every day. There is no room in my life for basement people. None.

50 Random Facts About Me!
That wasn't hard at all.

Happy 50th Birthday to me!
This weekend only,
my shop on Zibbet is 15% off here!

XOXO

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Bruce Mau: The Incomplete Manifesto For Growth

2012-01-21T20:37:00.003-06:00

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Read this.
Let it change you.
Let it help you GROW.

Read it below.

Allow events to change you.
You have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live it. The prerequisites for growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be changed by them.
Forget about good.
Good is a known quantity. Good is what we all agree on. Growth is not necessarily good. Growth is an exploration of unlit recesses that may or may not yield to our research. As long as you stick to good you’ll never have real growth.
Process is more important than outcome.
When the outcome drives the process we will only ever go to where we’ve already been. If process drives outcome we may not know where we’re going, but we will know we want to be there.
Love your experiments (as you would an ugly child).
Joy is the engine of growth. Exploit the liberty in casting your work as beautiful experiments, iterations, attempts, trials, and errors. Take the long view and allow yourself the fun of failure every day.
Go deep.
The deeper you go the more likely you will discover something of value.
Capture accidents.
The wrong answer is the right answer in search of a different question. Collect wrong answers as part of the process. Ask different questions.
Study.
A studio is a place of study. Use the necessity of production as an excuse to study. Everyone will benefit.
Drift.
Allow yourself to wander aimlessly. Explore adjacencies. Lack judgment. Postpone criticism.
Begin anywhere.
John Cage tells us that not knowing where to begin is a common form of paralysis. His advice: begin anywhere.
Everyone is a leader.
Growth happens. Whenever it does, allow it to emerge. Learn to follow when it makes sense. Let anyone lead.
Harvest ideas.
Edit applications. Ideas need a dynamic, fluid, generous environment to sustain life. Applications, on the other hand, benefit from critical rigor. Produce a high ratio of ideas to applications.
Keep moving.
The market and its operations have a tendency to reinforce success. Resist it. Allow failure and migration to be part of your practice.
Slow down.
Desynchronize from standard time frames and surprising opportunities may present themselves.
Don’t be cool.
Cool is conservative fear dressed in black. Free yourself from limits of this sort.
Ask stupid questions.
Growth is fueled by desire and innocence. Assess the answer, not the question. Imagine learning throughout your life at the rate of an infant.
Collaborate.
The space between people working together is filled with conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight, and vast creative potential.
____________________.
Intentionally left blank. Allow space for the ideas you haven’t had yet, and for the ideas of others.
Stay up late.
Strange things happen when you’ve gone too far, been up too long, worked too hard, and you’re separated from the rest of the world.
Work the metaphor.
Every object has the capacity to stand for something other than what is apparent. Work on what it stands for.
Be careful to take risks.
Time is genetic. Today is the child of yesterday and the parent of tomorrow. The work you produce today will create your future.
Repeat yourself.
If you like it, do it again. If you don’t like it, do it again.
Make your own tools.
Hybridize your tools in order to build unique things. Even simple tools that are your own can yield entirely new avenues of exploration. Remember, tools amplify our capacities, so even a small tool can make a big difference.
Stand on someone’s shoulders.
You can travel farther carried on the accomplishments of those who came before you. And the view is so much better.
Avoid software.
The problem with software is that everyone has it.
Don’t clean your desk.
You might find something in the morning that you can’t see tonight.
Don’t enter awards competitions.
Just don’t. It’s not good for you.
Read only left-hand pages.
Marshall McLuhan did this. By decreasing the amount of information, we leave room for what he called our "noodle."
Make new words.
Expand the lexicon. The new conditions demand a new way of thinking. The thinking demands new forms of expression. The expression generates new conditions.
Think with your mind.
Forget technology. Creativity is not device-dependent.
Organization = Liberty.
Real innovation in design, or any other field, happens in context. That context is usually some form of cooperatively managed enterprise. Frank Gehry, for instance, is only able to realize Bilbao because his studio can deliver it on budget. The myth of a split between "creatives" and "suits" is what Leonard Cohen calls a ‘charming artifact of the past.’
Don’t borrow money.
Once again, Frank Gehry’s advice. By maintaining financial control, we maintain creative control. It’s not exactly rocket science, but it’s surprising how hard it is to maintain this discipline, and how many have failed.
Listen carefully.
Every collaborator who enters our orbit brings with him or her a world more strange and complex than any we could ever hope to imagine. By listening to the details and the subtlety of their needs, desires, or ambitions, we fold their world onto our own. Neither party will ever be the same.
Take field trips.
The bandwidth of the world is greater than that of your TV set, or the Internet, or even a totally immersive, interactive, dynamically rendered, object-oriented, real-time, computer graphic–simulated environment.
Make mistakes faster.
This isn’t my idea — I borrowed it. I think it belongs to Andy Grove.
Imitate.
Don’t be shy about it. Try to get as close as you can. You’ll never get all the way, and the separation might be truly remarkable. We have only to look to Richard Hamilton and his version of Marcel Duchamp’s large glass to see how rich, discredited, and underused imitation is as a technique.
Scat.
When you forget the words, do what Ella did: make up something else … but not words.
Break it, stretch it, bend it, crush it, crack it, fold it.
Explore the other edge.
Great liberty exists when we avoid trying to run with the technological pack. We can’t find the leading edge because it’s trampled underfoot. Try using old-tech equipment made obsolete by an economic cycle but still rich with potential.
Coffee breaks, cab rides, green rooms.
Real growth often happens outside of where we intend it to, in the interstitial spaces — what Dr. Seuss calls "the waiting place." Hans Ulrich Obrist once organized a science and art conference with all of the infrastructure of a conference — the parties, chats, lunches, airport arrivals — but with no actual conference. Apparently it was hugely successful and spawned many ongoing collaborations.
Avoid fields.
Jump fences. Disciplinary boundaries and regulatory regimes are attempts to control the wilding of creative life. They are often understandable efforts to order what are manifold, complex, evolutionary processes. Our job is to jump the fences and cross the fields.
Laugh.
People visiting the studio often comment on how much we laugh. Since I’ve become aware of this, I use it as a barometer of how comfortably we are expressing ourselves.
Remember.
Growth is only possible as a product of history. Without memory, innovation is merely novelty. History gives growth a direction. But a memory is never perfect. Every memory is a degraded or composite image of a previous moment or event. That’s what makes us aware of its quality as a past and not a present. It means that every memory is new, a partial construct different from its source, and, as such, a potential for growth itself.
Power to the people.
Play can only happen when people feel they have control over their lives. We can’t be free agents if we’re not free.

XOXO

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Saturday Randoms

2012-01-21T09:23:00.007-06:00

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Some Saturday Randoms

photo found via pinterest

My birthday is tomorrow, I'm having a store sale! in my Zibbet shop this weekend only! Come and shop and save 15% - this weekend only!
New pretty vintage paper lace ribbons are now in stock, 6 different colors! See here to read all about it!
I'm taking more time this year to write. I love to write. My MacBook and my journals are what save me.
I'm so happy my daughter Sara is moving in and settled into her new apartment. Her happiness just makes me happier. I'm so glad she's doing well.
Today is the day hubby and I are finally taking down our holiday decorations. We've been so busy up to now we just haven't had a chance. Today is the day.
Are you thinking of doing the Book of Lists/30 days of Lists this March? I did this last September and had a ton of fun! I have made some List Notebooks in my zibbet shop here, bright and full of color using my Artsy pages!
Friends that are like family to me, make all the difference.
I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do in my creative business this New Year and beyond. So far, I have some amazing ideas for the future, excited!
I honestly wish I had the means to visit in person, some of my online friends that mean the world to me. They keep me focused. They encourage, support me.
I'm turning 50 tomorrow. Part of me isn't quite sure how I'm gonna feel about that tomorrow. A new decade. Goodbye to my 40s. Feels weird.
Read this post by my friend April Cole - she's so talented and she completely blessed and surprised me today ... take a look!

My Polaroid

XOXO

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Zibbet Sale - Birthday Weekend Celebration!

2012-01-20T15:31:00.004-06:00

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It's my 50th Birthday this weekend,
and everything in my Zibbet shop here is
15% off -
this weekend only!

Get your favorites and save!

XOXO
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NEW Notebooks on Zibbet!

2012-01-20T12:10:00.011-06:00

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Here's a quick Zibbet update!

Thinking of participating in the Book of Lists this March?
See my prior blog post here for all the info!

There are 4 brand new, totally colorful and unique Notebooks for you to get if you want one! Each notebook has 20 pages/40 pages front and back! and each Notebook includes a pack of my Artsy Pages for you to add some splash and color to your pages!

Get a head-start and get your Book of Lists Notebook now! and have fun adding some color to each page with my Artsy Pages!

When it starts in March, you'll be ready!

Notebook 1

Notebook 2

Notebook 3 ** SOLD **

Notebook 4

If you like these, hurry!
There is only one of each available!
(And you get an Artsy Pages paper pack with each one!)

Hope you like these!

XOXO

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Doing What Makes YOU Happy!

2012-01-20T04:00:00.003-06:00

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Doing what makes me happy.
Doing what makes you happy.
So important.

This layout was created using the Individuality Kit from SFTIO, available here.
Every element used on this layout is from this month's kit!
Love it!

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Illuminated: Why Some Of Us Don't Have One True Calling

2012-01-19T13:29:00.007-06:00

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I love what my friend Emilie shares here.
And here.

I've been thinking a lot about this -
this New Year.

I have a lot of interests, a lot of passions.
A lot of things I'm good at,
and a lot of things I really enjoy
taking the time to do, creatively.

I love to paint. I love to write. I love to play with paper. I love to make paper collages. I love to play with vintage papers. I am learning to love to sew on paper. I love colorful soft fabrics. I love to play with beads. I love to wrap presents and present meaningful and beautiful gifts. I love to make cards from all my leftover scrapbooking supplies. I love to leave a legacy. I love to blog and write about my life on a daily basis. I love to write.

There are truly so many things I genuinely enjoy doing. When I start to think and sit down and reflect, about my true calling, about where I personally want to go this New Year, often, I stumble. I think of all these things I really enjoy doing, and stop dead in my tracks. Which one should I work on first? What project should I do first? Should I share first?
What one thing should I devote most of my time to?

The answer?
It doesn't have to be just one thing.
It really doesn't.
I am a multiple potentialite, as Emilie shares.
I have a Renaissance Business.
Click here to learn more!

I can be free to be me.
I can pursue a lot of different passions at the time.
Who says I just have to be known for one thing?
Who says that?

No matter what form my creativity takes,
all I want to do is inspire.
Inspire.

Inspire with my words. With my art, with my sewing, with my mad jewelry skills, with my gift wrapping ideas.

I just want to do what I love.
I just want to inspire others.
I just want to do what I love, and be happy every day.

And doing what I love isn't always the same, day in and day out.
It changes.
It changes.

And I've learned, that's okay.
That's okay.

I can have many true callings.
Many.

Learn more about
your Renaissance Business here.

Participating here.
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The Reasons I Love You

2012-01-19T11:36:00.008-06:00

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Perfect for Valentines Day
or any day!

I've been thinking on this idea for weeks now, and today, I finally created a bunch just for all of you, to give to your special someone this Valentines Day, or any day!

Give this to your significant other, your spouse, your friends, your children, your mentor, anyone that you are thankful for! Think of 10 reasons why you love them, write each one down on each circle, and give with love!

This delicate, printed 2x3 inch glassine envelope is filled with 10 numbered circles, perfect for you to write down your 10 reasons why you love that special person in your life!

Available now in the shop here!

'10 reasons why i love you' is typed using my antique vintage Royal typewriter and adhered to the front of the glassine envelope.

Adhere to a special gift or inside a card for that special someone.

As per the listing,
Special custom orders are welcome. Similar titles can be created for you such as:
je t'aime
happy birthday
happy anniversary
i love you because
you're special because
10 ways I love you
10 reasons I love you
and on and on...

Contact me if you would like me to create a
special envelope and circle set just for you!

Get yours here before they are all gone!

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Paint Doodles!

2012-01-19T08:29:00.003-06:00

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Doodling with paint.
Have you tried it?

I play with file folders.
I prime the surface with white gesso first.
Then I play with paint.

Different colors, different brushes.
Paint on my fingers.

It's fun!

XOXO
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30 Days of Lists in March! Are You Doing It?

2012-01-19T02:00:00.003-06:00

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I participated in this during the second round last September,
and absolutely loved it!
and made some wonderful new friends
by being involved in the community!

Make sure to sign up here!
to get all the info about the
NEW 30 DAYS OF LISTS,
starting this March!

Registration info
will be out soon in February!

I can't wait!

XOXO

You can see my pages
from the last 30 Days of Lists here!

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Getting Back In The Groove!

2012-01-18T15:41:00.005-06:00

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Today, it felt good to get back in the groove of things again.
To start living my normal life again.

Christmas was crazy this year, and the last few weeks have been consumed with making sure my oldest daughter is settled and happy in her new apartment. Lots of traveling, lots of gasoline, lots of money spent, lots of time away from home. Our Christmas decorations are still up, we just haven't had the time to take them down with everything going on! This weekend it's on our list, tidy up our home and put the holiday decorations away for another year.

All is well and my daughter can finally breathe and live her life happy again.
As a mother who lives 4 hours away from her daughters, that alone feels good.
So so good.

Today, I was busy creating some handmade notebooks for a dear friend. Her word for this year is Biggify and she ordered two handmade notebooks from me! She wanted them colorful so I used my bright and colorful Artsy Pages, available here - and started playing.

I added some vintage trims, some lace, some washi tape and finished each one off with some black and white bakers twine.

For vintage trims and bakers twine, I always shop here at my friend Martha's shop on Zibbet. I'm on her Design Team, and I honestly love her whole shop -- so many pretty things!
Check it out!

Making these notebooks earlier today was pure fun!
It felt good to play and create again in my Studio,
I'd been away far too long!

My Artsy pages are avail here!
Click here to my previous blog post,
new vintage paper lace is now in the shop!

XOXO

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New! Pretty Vintage Paper Lace! 6 Different Colors!

2012-01-18T12:56:00.007-06:00

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Participating here this week!

NEW in my Zibbet Shop here!

PRETTY VINTAGE PAPER LACE!
SIX DIFFERENT COLORS!
Click here to see them all!

Sold in 3 yard bundles of each color
or 6 yard bundles(2 colors)
Click each listing below!

Red 3 yards
Cranberry 3 yards
Mint Green 3 yards
Kelly Green 3 yards
Light Blue 3 yards
Wedgewood Blue 3 yards

Red and Cranberry (3 yds ea=6 yards)
Mint Green and Kelly Green (3 yds ea=6 yards)
Light Blue and Wedgewood Blue (3 yds ea=6 yards)

Get them here!

(Limited quantities available here on Etsy.
Shop Zibbet for more volume!)

Use these in all your mixed media, art collage, paper crafting projects!
On cards, on scrapbook layouts, for wrapping pretty packages!

XOXO

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Wishcasting Wednesday - Listening

2012-01-18T12:30:00.000-06:00

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If you listen closely,
what wish do you hear?

Click here to participate this week.

photo source

Simply put, I wish for more peace, more calm, more genuine happiness in the lives of my children. I want them both to live their lives happy. That's really all I want for them. I don't have huge expectations of them.
That is the wish I hear.
That is the wish I hear.

I want them to do what makes them happy.
I want them to stay safe.
I want them to make wise decisions.
I want them to know how proud of them, I am.

I want them to know
how much I believe in them.

And most of all, I want them to know I am here.
To listen.
To support them.
To listen harder.
To understand their feelings, their frustrations.

A few years ago, in our backyard in MN.

I want them to know,
I'll always be here for them.
Always.

No matter what.
No matter what.

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I Love You

2012-01-18T03:00:00.001-06:00

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Fill your world with all things beautiful and good.
Leave no room for evil, judgement, and bitterness.
Leave no room for pettiness, revenge, or hate.

Fill your world with love.
Love.

More love.
Then love other people more.

Make a difference.
Reach out, help someone else.

Respect one another.
Respect others.
Recognize their differences.

We are all unique, we are all different.
Choose harmony instead of dissension.

Evaluate your heart.
Look at what's inside.
Fill it with what's good.
Fill it with love.

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What Does Love Mean To You?

2012-01-17T02:00:00.004-06:00

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photo source

Love.
What does that word mean to you?
Love.

When you think of that word, what other words come to mind for you? Is love a feeling? Is it something that people do for you? Do you think of love as a verb? Or is it just a feeling? When someone tells you they love you, what are you hoping they mean? What does love mean to you?

For me, I'll admit - it took me a long time to understand what love is. And what it isn't. As a child and for most of my adult life, I never really knew what unconditional love was. I didn't really know what that felt like. It's true. A lot of people loved me only when it was convenient for them. Only when I was doing what they wanted me to do. Only when I was living THEIR dreams they had for me.

I never felt understood or listened to as a child. Hardly ever. People didn't seem to want to really get to know the person I was. They only wanted me to be the child/daughter/person they wanted me to be. And when I didn't measure up, they didn't know how to relate. They didn't know how to love me when I wasn't on the same page as them. They didn't know how to keep loving me when they themselves felt uncomfortable.

So I grew up feeling jaded. I felt that no one could really love me for me. I felt I was never enough. I was just a big disappointment. How could people love me when all I did was disappoint them and fail miserably at meeting their high expectations they had for me? And some of those expectations were high. As an adult, I struggled with my self esteem and loving myself. Love for me, was always conditional. I felt I needed to always seek approval, and when I didn't measure up or I let people down, in their eyes - I felt like a failure. I always felt like such a huge failure.

Fast forward to these last 8 years of my life.
It was my Anniversary yesterday. I've been married to my husband, Greg for 8 years, and they have been some of the happiest in my life, along with giving birth to my daughters.

With him, I learned what it felt like -
to be loved unconditionally.
Just for me.
Just for the woman I am.
Baggage and all.
Issues and dysfunction and heartbreak, and all.

He loves me, just for me.
I am enough.
Being me, is enough.

For him, just being myself - is enough for him to love me more and more every day. I'm so grateful.
Ever so grateful.

So now, for me, love is so much more than just a four letter word.
Love to me, means the freedom I receive and the freedom I feel,
to be me.
The real me.

Not the person anyone else out there wants or expects me to be.
Just me.

Emotional me.
Sensitive me.
Sentimental me.

I can finally just be myself and feel loved and accepted and supported by someone that gets me. That loves me even when I fail. Even when I may feel differently about something, even when I mess up and apologize.

None of us is perfect.
None of us.

Love for me now, means caring about someone with no agenda.
No conditions.
Loving them and accepting them for the beautiful person they are.
In their own right.

Love.
Love.
Love.

I wish everyone in the world could love and accept one another like this. Instead of worrying about being right or feeling superior. Just love. Just love. And spread joy, understanding, kindness, and support.

I wish everyone could just put aside their expectations of others, and just love people for the beautiful people they are.

XOXO
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From Ashes To Beauty!

2012-01-16T17:02:00.003-06:00

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From Ashes to Beauty,
Crafting The Life You Long For,
Even When It Seems Impossible

My awesome friend Nana is up to
something BIG!

I'm a part of it, will you join me?

FREE Resources will be sent out,
and the deadline to receive them is tomorrow...
PLEASE CLICK HERE to get on the list and learn more!

Read more here.

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Support

2012-01-16T06:31:00.008-06:00

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The weather here is starting to get colder.
Brrrrr!

It is winter after all, I guess it had to come sooner or later.

photosource

Today, I want to share something that's near and dear to my heart. And that is support. Support. What is it? What isn't it? My hubby and I talked a lot about that yesterday as we were driving back to Fargo after being away from home this past weekend. Support. Being there for one another. Carrying each others' load. Lightening one anothers' burdens. To me, that is what support means. Just being there to help one another. No matter what. Making a positive difference to the other person.

Support.

How do you give others support in your life?
How do you make a positive contribution to their life?

Support means so much more than just money. Or offering to help someone financially. Sure, money is always needed, by all of us. That's a fact of life. Money buys us things that make our lives easier, that is true. But support means so much more than money, to me.
So much more than that.

Support to me, means being there.
Not just physically being there, but emotionally being there as well.

Support means listening and understanding one another.
Support means encouraging one another,
even though you may or may not agree with the other person's choices.
Support means doing all you can to uplift someone's self esteem, instead of tearing them down.

Support is removing your own expectations for someone,
and just loving them and being there for them,
lightening their load, bearing some of their burdens.

Choosing to go outside your own comfort zone, for the benefit of another.
Being selfless, not selfish.

Forgetting about your dreams and agenda for someone,
and just listening to their dreams, their thoughts, their wishes.
Don't forget, it's not always about you. It really isn't.
It's about them.
It's about them.

That's what support means to me.
The people that have made the biggest impact in my life
are the people that supported me through the difficult times.
The scary times.
The challenging times.
The heart-breaking times.

When I think of those supportive people in my life,
my hearts gets all warm and fuzzy.
I start to tear up, my eyes get all wet.
Why?

Because they made a difference.
They helped me to weather a storm.
They were there.
They were just there.

They are the people that put aside their thoughts and their often high expectations they had of me, and just loved me anyway.
They loved me anyway.
They showed me love, anyway.
Imperfections and all.

Thank you to all of you,
that have made a positive difference in my life.
You know who you are.
Thank you for all your support.

We all need it.
We all need support.

XOXO

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Featured in Sprout #3!

2012-01-15T07:00:00.002-06:00

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Today I am featured!
in Issue #3 of Sprout!
Click below to read all about and get your digital copy!
Click here to visit Persistent Green.

Amanda has a beautiful way of combining talents from all over the globe and putting all the inspiration and encouragement in one place, just for you!

Sign up below!
Click here to visit Persistent Green.

You will be blessed and encouraged!

Do this for you!

XOXO
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Moving Day

2012-01-14T04:00:00.004-06:00

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Today is Moving Day.

Helping my oldest daughter move into her first apartment.
I'm so proud of her.

She deserves a better quality of life.
She deserves to be happier.

I am so so proud of her.
She is going to be alright.
She will have her own place, her own sanctuary.

Her own place of peace.
Of calm.

And she will surround herself with the things
and the people she loves.
And the people that love her.

Sara,
Greg and I love you.

XOXO

I read this below and loved it.

Listen To Your Heart

Listen to your heart

it will give you peace of mind.

Listen to your heart

leave all your cares behind.

Listen to your heart

for your mind sees just one way.

Listen to your heart

for it has a lot to say.

Listen to your heart

the answer is so clear.

Listen to your heart

it holds all that is dear.

Listen to your heart

joy and love it does hold.

Listen to your heart

the answer will be told.

~ Author Unknown

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We Live Our Lives.

2012-01-13T16:08:00.006-06:00

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We live our lives as the rest of the world goes by.
We fill our lives with the things that matter to us.
With the people that matter to us.

We spend our time wisely.
We set boundaries with people in our lives, because we have to.
We protect our sacred places, our homes.
We allow only peace and happiness in our homes.

We make friends with those people that make us happy and make us laugh.
We are kind and giving.
We protect our quiet moments.
We decide the life we want to live.

We surround our lives only with beautiful things and the things we love.
We hold onto dear memories.
We get enough rest.

We treat others the way we ourselves wish to be treated.

We eat well. We eat healthy.

We reflect.
We ponder.

And we love.

And then we love some more.

XOXO

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Just Be You

2012-01-13T04:00:00.005-06:00

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A smaller 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 layout created from half a sheet of white cardstock. I used all the elements from the January Individuality Kit from Scrapbooking From The Inside Out!
All about individuality, I so loved this kit!

Such boldness and color!
Such a positive message!

The only thing I used on this layout that was my own was my writing pen and the white paper flowers, everything else is from this month's kit, available here!

Just be you.
Time to embrace the real you.
It's a New Year!

XOXO

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Imagine.Soar.Be Happy.

2012-01-12T15:18:00.004-06:00

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I've been struggling with a cold all week. I finally went to get some meds from the doctor and am feeling better. Today has been the first day all week where I've felt like actually spending some time in my Studio. I know, weird.
I almost always am creating something.

I have so many projects I want to start, but no energy to do them yet. Once I am feeling 100 percent, look out! I have new items for my Zibbet shop, some new kits to put together for my Brown Paper Packages Kit Club, and more!
Lots in store!

Today I created 3 6x6 white canvases for my daughter's new apartment she's moving into this weekend! She tells me she's a minimalist, so I know she doesn't want a lot of things, but I wanted to create something for her that would inspire and encourage her.

Imagine

Soar

Be Happy

This weekend, while we're helping her get settled, I hope we find the perfect place for her to display these.

I used simple strips of washi tape, some inked and punched dimensional butterflies, and some alphabet stickers for the words. I added some rolled paper flowers for dimension and texture. I think they're lovely.

XOXO

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Trusting Your Heart

2012-01-12T03:00:00.003-06:00

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In life, it can be so so hard to trust your heart.

There are always other voices to listen to.
Advice from friends and family.
The media telling you one thing.
Online and current trends.

But in the end, it's that still small voice inside your heart
that usually, speaks the loudest.
The loudest.

If you take the time to listen, and hear it,
it just might tell you the way to go.

Trust your heart.

Original artwork created by me, here.

Happy Thursday!

XOXO

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Through The Door - To A Happier Life

2012-01-11T09:57:00.006-06:00

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Life can be a series of defining moments.
Defining moments, a moment that happens in your life that leaves a mark.
A moment you always remember.
A moment that, for you - is significant.

photo source

This week and this weekend, I'm so happy for my oldest daughter.
She will walk into her newly-leased apartment, and know she has a new home.
A new home.
A place she can call her own.

A place where she feels happy and loved.
A place where there is calm and peace.
A place she can call her own.

As she walks through that door, a new life for her begins.
A new life.

And all of us that love her and support her,
will be with her, every step of the way.
Every step of the way.

We will be there to help her when she needs help,
every step of the way.

Dear Sara, you know we love you.
We are here to do all we can.
To make this transition for you easier.
Smoother.

Soon, you will be walking through that door -
to a happier life.

XOXO

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Pink Glittered Paper! Never Be Afraid

2012-01-11T04:00:00.002-06:00

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I wanted to share this sparkly layout today - all about never settling and always being true to YOU. Being the person you want to be, not the person others may want you to be. You have to be true to you. You are the happiest when you know you are being the person you want to be.
Never be afraid to be yourself.
Never.

Time to stop people pleasing all the time.
Time to listen to your heart.
Your stirrings.

Time to tell your story.
Live your life.

All supplies used from the January Individuality Kit from
Scrapbooking From The Inside Out,
available here.

XOXO

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It All Matters

2012-01-10T10:26:00.006-06:00

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It all matters.
It really does.

This morning, I've been thinking a lot about how everything we do in our life, it matters. It really does. Everything. How we treat others. How we treat those we love. What we do with our time. What we choose not to do with our time. It all matters. It matters to others. It matters to our own quality of life. It matters to those we love, and it matters to those who love us.
Everything matters.

I wrote this recently on my Facebook wall, and it really rings true. A lot of people left their comments and agreed with me. Here's what I shared below:

"I have been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately. It's a choice. Forgiveness is a beautifully-wrapped present you give to yourself. It's not about the other person. It's something you do for you. For you. It's never easy. Never easy. But when you truly forgive, you live a life without bitterness, anger, and judgement. You treat everyone with love and kindness, everyone. You let things go and move on and live your life happy. No holding grudges. You let things go. That's the way I want to live."

To me, that is what forgiveness is.
Letting things go.

And living your life so anyone can take a look at how you treat all the people in your life, and see that you treat everyone with love and kindness. Letting things go. Not allowing all the hurt, anger and pain of the past to cloud your present way of living. Not allowing yourself to stay bitter. Not holding any grudges against anyone, no matter what they have done. No matter how much you may have a difference of opinion. Loving them anyway. Forging ahead anyway. Showing love anyway.

I can speak from experience. I have those people in my life that haven't let things/their issues go, and to this day, I'm treated horribly and without any love or kindness.
And I know how it makes me feel.
I know how it makes those around me feel.
And I know firsthand, how all of this affects the people I care about the most.

It all matters.

And just let me say this. I'd say for the past ten years of my life, I've had to forgive and let a lot of things go. A lot of things. I've had to struggle with my own sense of forgiveness. And no, it's not easy. It's never easy. It's never easy to let go of how some people have treated you. Emotionally and verbally abused you. How some people continue to judge and condemn you. For me, there are people in my life that continue to do this, to this day. And I must forgive them.
I must forgive them.

I have to let it all go and
choose to live my life happy.
And I do.
I do.

I let it all go.
I set personal boundaries for myself, my husband and the other people in my life I love. And with those boundaries in place, I live a happy life. Free from hate. Free from bitterness, resentment, and judgement. Free from feeling condemned. I may not like or agree with things others do, and that's okay.
That is part of life.

But I've learned to let things go.

You have to let things go.
In order to find your own happiness.

Finding your own happiness is so worth it.
So worth it.

XOXO

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Immersing Myself In The Light

2012-01-10T03:00:00.002-06:00

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So far, this New Year for me has been busy.
Not the creative kind of busy, just busy with other things.

Busy reflecting.
Busy helping my children.
Busy doing so many things.

So far, this winter hasn't been as quiet as I usually like.
It's true.
And that's okay.

I am taking the time to immerse myself in the light.

To think on things. To help other people.
To make a difference.

And it feels good.
It feels good to give.

XOXO
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01.07.12 Journal Your Christmas - The End of My Album!

2012-01-07T02:00:00.006-06:00

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Here are my last pages from my
Journal Your Christmas Album this year!

I had a ton of fun participating this year, and am very happy I prepared the tags in advance so every day, all I had to do was add a few elements, and each page didn't take me much time at all to create, I loved that aspect of it!

More Closing Pages

Journaling reads:
Christmas this year was hard in a lot of ways. For a lot of people. Sara was sad. I was unhappy, worried about her and her situation. Praying for things to get better. Realistically, there was a lot of pain and family dysfunction this Christmas. There really was. 2012 will be better.
The absolute best part of my Christmas was just being with my girls. That right there is enough. They make my soul smile.

You can view my Journal Your Christmas
Flickr Set here.

XOXO

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See The Calm

2012-01-06T14:16:00.004-06:00

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In a world of hurt, pains, and challenges, it's so easy for some of us to lose our way. To lose focus. To see things in a different way than we should be seeing things.

It can be easy to lose our calm.
Our peace.
Our center.

photo source

That knowing - that all will be well.
All will be well.

Life can often be a tug of war between what we perceive to be right and what we perceive to be wrong. And yet amidst all the differences of opinion, there are often grey areas that some of us refuse to see, or to acknowledge.

To those that are on the cusp of change,
please know, that all will be well.

God sees our whole lives in front of us.
All we have to do is breathe more slowly.
Calm ourselves down.
And let Him direct our paths.
Abide in His Presence and listen to His voice.

Until we see the calm in our lives,
once again.

XOXO

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Never Let Others Define You

2012-01-06T04:00:00.002-06:00

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Never let others define you.

A layout created using the Jan kit for SFTIO.
All about Individuality.
Being ourselves.
Being bold.
Being unique, and not afraid to be ourselves.
Genuine.
Authentic.

Don't let others define you.
Be true to yourself.
Be true to you.

The kit for this month's Scrapbooking From The Inside Out is packed full of bright and colorful papers and embellishments, that will help you celebrate YOU.
The individual that you are.
Take a look here.

XOXO

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01.06.12 Journal Your Christmas - The Closing Pages

2012-01-06T02:00:00.004-06:00

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Here is today's page from my
Journal Your Christmas Album this year!

The Closing Pages

Journaling reads:
The end of another holiday season...

You can view my Journal Your Christmas
Flickr Set here.

XOXO

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Simpleness

2012-01-05T11:02:00.005-06:00

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Today is my first day here at home, after a week of having my daughters with us for their Christmas break. I loved having them here. I always do. And this, the first day without them is always hard. As a mom, I just miss them all the more the first day they aren't here.
Everything is just so much more quiet.

Today, I want to surround myself with
simpleness.

I don't want to be too busy. Yes, I have a list of projects and things to do I could be doing, but realistically, this first day without them here - it's often hard for myself to get motivated. So I appreciate the simple. Tranquil music playing. A sunny day outside. Looking outside hoping to see winter birds outside my window.

Simpleness.

The art of breathing slowly.
Slowing down.
Noticing the little things that make you happy.
That make your heart sing.
That makes your soul warm and fuzzy.
Those things.

In the coming days, I'll be sharing more about Brown Paper Packages. Click here to read all about it! I'm really excited to show you some new items for my shop, and to share with you my vision for my new Gift Wrapping Kit Club! It's something I've thought about for months, and now that it's January, it's time to hit the road and run with it! For those of you that want to purchase the debut January kit, without committing right away to a subscription, you can purchase January's kit here.

Today, let your day be filled with good things.
Give yourself those warm fuzzies.
Envelop your life with happy.

XOXO
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01.05.12 Journal Your Christmas - Packing Away

2012-01-05T02:00:00.005-06:00

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Here is today's page from my
Journal Your Christmas Album this year!

Packing Away

Journaling reads:
Jan 5th Thursday. First day here again without the girls. Of course, missing them. We'll pack away the holiday decorations this weekend. I'll miss the twinkle.

You can view my Journal Your Christmas
Flickr Set here.

XOXO

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Creating Lovely Packages!

2012-01-04T10:14:00.006-06:00

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My New Gift Wrapping Kit Club -
Brown Paper Packages!
Create Lovely Packages!

Click here to subscribe!
Only $11.95/month plus $4 shipping!

Receive in your mailbox a beautiful collection of pretty things to embellish and decorate your packages and gifts - things like washi tapes, millinery flowers, vintage trims, and paper lace!
Use them on packages, mixed media creations, paper-crafts and more!

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01.04.12 Journal Your Christmas - Next Year's Reminders

2012-01-04T02:00:00.005-06:00

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Here is today's page from my
Journal Your Christmas Album this year!

Next Year Reminders

Journaling reads:
Remember to embrace all that is good in my life. Believe in myself more. Do amazing things. Make amazing memories.

You can view my Journal Your Christmas
Flickr Set here.

XOXO

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New Year - New Direction - Announcing Brown Paper Packages! Monthly Gift Wrapping Kit Club!

2012-01-03T12:25:00.004-06:00

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It's a New Year.
It's time for a New Direction!

I've been really thinking a lot about my own creative business lately and exactly how busy I want to be and exactly what I want to offer. I'm slowly transitioning from Etsy over to my Zibbet shop here -- and I've decided to focus more of my time on one of my passions -

Packaging and Gift Wrapping!

I have always loved making my gifts pretty.
Using simple embellishments to make the gift I give, stand out and be genuinely appreciated, all before the recipient even sees what's inside!

So with the New Year,
comes a New Direction!

I was inspired by these and this gift right here!

With just a few simple and pretty things,
you can turn the gifts you give
from average to
Wow!

Announcing my very own Gift Wrapping Kit Club,
called Brown Paper Packages!

Each month's kit will include a variety of items, enough items for you to play with and wrap up some lovely packages, each one with a handmade touch!

Items you will receive
may include:
washi tapes
vintage patterns tissue paper
glassine bags
kraft paper bags, plain and stamped
lace trim
stamped muslin strips
simple stickers
handmade gift embellishments
corrugated coffee wrappers
special edition stamped tags and greetings
trims and ribbon
millinery flowers
pre cut banner tags made out of card-stock with stamped sentiments
simple tags with simple stamped images
buttons
confetti
crepe paper
gift box paper bands
vintage ephemera
vintage music pages
machine sewn manila tags
yarn and fiber trims on tag
stamped tags and shipping tags
tissue
paper wrap
silk and fabric flowers
vintage fabric torn fabric strips to use as ribbon
crocheted flowers
crocheted hearts
fancy tags
paper doilies
vintage seam binding ribbons
strips of paper with vintage lace sewn on one side
----

I will be sharing right here - new creations and ideas using some of each month's kit contents - so come here for some inspiration!

Sign up for
Brown Paper Packages below!

Every month, on the same day of the month you subscribe, another $15.95 Subscription Fee will be charged to you. Each month, after your monthly subscription fee is paid, your Monthly Brown Paper Packages Gift Wrapping Kit will be mailed to you.
You can cancel anytime.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or shoot me an email.
My info is on my Contact page here.

Where can you sign up?
Right here!

Stay tuned for some Sneak Peeks
of this month's January Kit!

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Beauty In A Box!

2012-01-03T03:00:00.001-06:00

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Do you remember this beautiful gift
I received in the mail a few weeks ago?

Inside that pretty box, it was filled with beautiful creative things.
So many lovely things including muslin bags, paper tape, lace tape and the most
perfect Prima stamp set!

The most beautiful part for me was looking at the most beautifully scripted handmade cards my friend created for me, using her own hand. She's a caligrapher and such a a talented one!

She took the time to read my page here, about what I believe in -
and she created these beautiful tags and bookmarks all for me,
each one sharing one of the things I truly believe in.

So so beautiful!

I just want to leave it all in the box and admire her beautiful workmanship.
I want to just appreciate the pretty sparkly ribbon.
A gift such as this makes you feel so special.
So loved. So significant.

It makes me smile so so big.

Stay tuned, after a lot of thought and contemplation these past few weeks about my creative business and what I want to accomplish this New Year - I personally have some EXCITING news! to share with you!

The big news! is coming here in the next few weeks!
Still tweaking and putting the finishing touches on it.

I just know you are going to LOVE IT!

XOXO

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01.03.12 Journal Your Christmas - Favorite Memories

2012-01-03T02:00:00.004-06:00

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Here is today's page from my
Journal Your Christmas Album this year!

Favorite Memories

Journaling reads:
Some of my favorite memories from this past year: Seeing Sara graduate . Seeing her so happy and being so proud of her. Bethany getting her first job at Aeropostale. Just being so happy with Greg. He just gets me.

You can view my Journal Your Christmas
Flickr Set here.

XOXO

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Do You Love Vintage Trims Like I Do? If Yes, Read On!

2012-01-02T02:05:00.008-06:00

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I'm teaming together with one of my favorite people in the world, Martha -
to celebrate the opening of her brand new
CREATING IS FUN Zibbet shop!
Click here to shop!

She stocks amazing vintage trims and buttons,
for the papercrafter, mixed media artist, and vintage lover!

I'll be transitioning my own Etsy shop here over to Zibbet in the next few months, so please - shop Zibbet for my items here!
My current Etsy shop will only be open for a short time,
so get what you can there for only a limited time!

I've been using Martha's vintage trims for quite awhile now, she has a great selection and is always stocking new items -- plus she has great Sales just for past customers --
Click here!

And remember to LIKE her Facebook Fan Page, to hear all the news and specials-
stay in the loop! Martha always offers her customers great savings!
Click here to like her page!

She's giving away A FREE GIFT CERTIFICATE to one lucky fan!
After 150 likes, someone is going to win a $25 gift certificate to the shop!

Martha's BLOG is here.

I'm happy to announce I'm on her
first ever DESIGN TEAM -
thrilled to have been asked!

I'll be sharing some of my very own projects
using her products here on my blog and on Facebook!

ZIBBET

Other members of the
Creating is Fun Design Team are:

MARTHA PINEDA ~ http://creatingisfun.blogspot.com/

Carisa Zglobicki: http://ladyguineveresinkyfaeries.blogspot.com/

Rachel Bogner ~ http://rcbogner.blogspot.com

Angie Blom ~ http://angieblomdesigns.blogspot.com/

Carrie Corbin: http://wwwcarrie-tumblingaround.blogspot.com/

Rebekah: http://messydeskcrafts.com

Ashley: http://hearthugsdesigns.blogspot.com/

Shemaine http://www.shemainesmith.blogspot.com/

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01.02.12 Journal Your Christmas - Childhood and Innocence

2012-01-02T02:00:00.006-06:00

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Here is today's page from my
Journal Your Christmas Album this year!

Childhood and Innocence

Journaling reads:
I honestly don't remember much from my childhood. New Years wasn't a big deal for me then. Having the girls with us this year means so much. I know in my heart this will probably be one of the last New Years I'll be with them. They aren't kids anymore. They are growing up. And I will miss them. So much.

You can view my Journal Your Christmas
Flickr Set here.

XOXO

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Follow Your Heart In 2012

2012-01-01T08:20:00.006-06:00

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Follow Your Heart
this New Year.

Follow your heart.

image source

What are the whispers you hear deep in your soul?
What are the things your heart begs you to do?
What are the stirrings that you feel?
What is your heart's desire?

What would you do if you knew you had the courage to try?
What would you do if you weren't scared?

What would you do if you believed in yourself more?
What would you do?

It's a New Year.

I'm going to be EMBRACING this New Year -
I'm going to take more chances.
Believe in myself more.

And follow my heart.
How about you?

XOXO

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01.01.12 Journal Your Christmas - New Year's Day

2012-01-01T02:00:00.004-06:00

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Here is today's page from my
Journal Your Christmas Album this year!

New Year's Day!

Journaling reads:
It's a New Year today. On the road, traveling to Dayton for Levi's birthday party with the girls. Happy the girls can be with us. Confidential: Embrace. It's my One Little Word this year. I want to embrace more of my life and all that can be. Focus on what can be, not what isn't.

You can view my Journal Your Christmas
Flickr Set here.

XOXO

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Click here to learn more.

You Matter To Me - Make Your Gifts Special!

2011-12-31T15:07:00.005-06:00

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New in my Zibbet shop!
Pretty Little Gift Toppers and Gift Embellishments!
Click here to get yours!

Or use them on your creations and layouts
and mixed media creations!

Each one unique, about 2 inches in diameter. Created with cupcake liners, vintage music papers, typed text and a millinery flower secured with washi tape.

Each listing includes FOUR!
sentiment reads: 'you matter to me'

If you have other requests, please let me know when checking out, or email me at bonnieangel1797@gmail.com

Happy Saturday!

XOXO
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Our Intentions (Just My Thoughts)

2011-12-31T11:49:00.004-06:00

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Our Intentions
My intentions.
Your intentions.

image source

Intentions.
It's almost a New Year. 2012. A brand new year. A brand new start to a brand new year. A new time in all our lives. A time to reflect. A time to examine ourselves and see what parts of our lives we want to bring into this New Year and examine what parts we want to leave behind.

Intentions.
In years past, I'll admit. All I had on my mind was succeeding. Becoming more well-known. Making more sales. Making more money. Becoming more popular with the in-crowds out there. Now? Not at all. Not at all. I've been re-examining my life and my intentions for a while now. I've taken time to do that. I've written ideas and thoughts tirelessly in my books and journals. I've purposefully taken the time to learn more about myself and my goals. My wants. My dreams. My wishes.

Intentions.
And it's funny. The intentions I thought I'd start this New Year with, have changed. They've changed. Drastically. No longer will I be so focused on being accepted and loved by others that I lose the person I am. No longer will I lose part of myself only to gain the love and appreciation from others out there. When push comes to shove, those 'others' in my life really didn't care what I did one way or another. They really didn't. All they cared about was themselves. And with time, I've come to see and recognize that fact.

Intentions.
I've evaluated my life and my plans these past few months. I really have. Have you? Have you taken the time to do this? I've evaluated different parts of my life. My relationships with others, both friends and family members. I've set boundaries. I've had to set boundaries. For me. Setting boundaries is always about your own happiness and survival. It's doing what you need to do, for you. For you. It's first about you and what you need and it's about the value of your quality of life. Your quality of life.

Intentions.
I've decided I'm sick and tired of being so many things to so many people. I just want to be me and make myself happy and content for a change. I don't want to take on so many things that I lose myself in the process. I want to create and make plans and do things that will make me happy and the quality of life of me and my family truly happy. I'm sick and tired of trying to impress others out there that honestly? Don't even care about my well-being. It's so true. Most people out there are out for number one, and to them, well, that's not me. It's them. It's them. So I've decided to fill my life with the relationships that mean the most. The people that mean the most. The people that truly take the time to get to know the real me. Doubts and all. Insecurities and all.

Intentions.
I want to get excited again over so many things. My life right now, as it is. My Studio right now the way it is, utter chaos that it is. Creative pursuits I really want to do one day. Creative projects I want to start and begin, and share with you. I want to get excited about all those things once again. I'm tired of so many people out there that just don't get the true meaning of authenticity. And those same people point fingers and rejoice in others' rejections and failures. Not me. Not me. I want to surround myself with people that just get me. I want to make this a place of friendliness. Of love. Of acceptance. A place of being real with one another.

Intentions.
My little corner of the big internet is right here. Right here. And I want to make it a place of acceptance, love, happiness, and most of all - inspiration. I want to inspire. I'm meant to inspire. Not for the notoriety. Not for the accolades. Not for the money. Not for the success. I just want to inspire.
I just want to inspire you.

XOXO

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The Best of My Days - Free Download!

2011-12-31T11:15:00.004-06:00

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A free download is available here
just in time for the New Year!

Click the link above to read more!
Such an easy thing to print and put together
for yourself and your friends!

Makes such a great little gift!

{Image Credit: Ashley Ann, Under the Sycamore}

I love sharing great projects I find online here on my blog. This blog is full of my original ideas, but I'm also a strong believer in sharing the love. Not just making my space all about me, but making it about you too.

I believe in helping each other succeed.
I believe in sharing what I find and passing things along.
Why keep it all to myself?

I want to help you SHINE.

XOXO

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Dig deep with Heart Sounds, my weekly Newsletter.
Click here to learn more.