The Scrapping Rican

A little layout....

for challenge No. 17 at Scrapping the Music.  This week's song is by Jim Brickman entitled "The Gift."  I love this photo.  It was taken on the day Joshua was born and there is no doubt how joyful and happy Brandon was to have a son and becoming a dad. 

Things that make me go hmmm....

on a rare occasion, usually late at  night, I like to surf and lurk other blogs and that is how I find people like her.  Wow, she's so talented and a former MMM to boot.  I love her blog because she talks about other crafts aside from scrapbooking.  She loves fabric and inspired me to start collecting fabric in hopes that one day I might give it a go at learning how to sew and making lovely little things like she does.  Upon her recommendation, I went and purchased this lovely little book.

I absolutely love it.  It is as nice and informative as she said it was.

Also I love, love, love foam stamps.  Because I enjoy using and working with paint and the foam stamps work well with that medium.  So when I saw that this was coming up for purchase I made a notation in my calendar to make sure I got some.  Lucky enough I did.  They are very cool, however to be quite honest, they are a little flimsy for my taste and I'm afraid that they might fall apart when I try to clean them. 

Now another thing, I absolutely love varying types of music.  Funny how I also married someone who is even a bigger music lover and buff than I am.  I enjoy when Brandon and I engage in music trivia.  He has exposed me to music that I would have never considered and vice versa.  It makes me smile that he really enjoys and has a great interest in music from my culture.  What was great about Christmas this year was that played some old jibaro music from Puerto Rico for me and it took me back in time to when I was a little girl.  Ah, but that is another story for another time.  Anyway the point is, in my internet search I came across her blog and was floored by how talented she is and we have struck up a friendship.  She has also influenced my musical tastes and I always enjoy getting a recommendation from her.  This time around though it was my turn.  This album is considered to be an album of the year and once I gave it a good listen to, I have to agree.  Great haunting music and so keeping in the "spirit of giving" I've decided to RAK a copy to my new good friend.  It's on its way and I can wait to hear your thoughts. 

On another note, I wanted to thank everyone for their comments regarding yesterday's post.  It really made my day that I was able to do something for a friend. She was very happy and that just made me smile.  I can't wait to see what she does with the kit.  She is also amazingly talented, so hopefully she'll share with us. ;)

Due to a technicality in my favor, I was able to purchase another kit which I did for another friend.  This one I know in real life.  She is a frequent customer at Recollections and she and I hit it off immediately, although she is not hesitant to tell me how crazy and wild she thinks I am.  She does not give herself enough credit for the amazing cards she creates.  This girl can rock some cards like you can't believe.  Maybe one day her card making talent will rub off on me.  I'm so happy to have met her.  She makes my life here in Texas a little better. So for this, accept the kit as my little thank you my friend.  I can't wait to see what you do with it as well.

Finally, the design team search has ended at Scrapping the Music.  Congratulations to the three ladies who made the team.  I look forward to working and getting to know each one of you.  It was an extremely difficult decision to make and I want to thank each and everyone of you who submitted an entry.  Lots of lovely stuff to look at and I do not enjoy having to chose, it was very stressful for me and all of us at STM.  Knowing this, I was not disappointed to discover that I did not make the design team at All Moments Remembered.  But go here to see who did.  My heartfelt congratulations to Linda and Tracy and to the rest of the finalists.  Heather and Stacy really had their work cut out for them and kudos to them on getting everything organized and up and running.  Hoping to get to know everyone there. 

Ah, that's enough for now.  Running upstairs to spend some precious and quality time with my wonderful daughter.  Remember that this week at STM we are giving away a RAK of handmade cards created by the design team (although you may not want mine) to one lucky person.  All you have to do is leave a comment.  Enjoy the trance music there too while you visit. 

Spirit of giving....

what an amazingly beautiful kit Studio Calico has put together for for January.  It's called "Times Square."

Luckily I do subscribe to this kit club (my little monthly treat to myself) as well as participate on the message boards there.  The SC women are just very nice and it's a very welcoming and friendly environment for a newbie like me.  The DT there is amazing, so much so that the kits and add-ons immediately sell out as soon as they debut.  Last night was no exception, I had to stay up late to score a kit for one lucky person.  This person has been a regular reader to my blog and I wanted to bring her a little holiday cheer, so I hope this does.  You'll be getting an email from me to confirm your addy.  Enjoy my friend, you so do deserve it.

A.

Ready, set, GO....

set aside some time for yourself and go here.  Lot of activities in store with an updated website, grand-re-opening of their online store.  The new design team will also be revealed.  I know the choice was a difficult one because all of those ladies are very talented and just narrowing it down to just two is tough.  Glad it was not my call because I would take them all! :) 

Here is the new logo for the site.  Isn't it lovely!

Hope to see you there tomorrow morning.  There are going to be classes and lots of prizes.  Looking forward to it.

A.

Lovin the Holiday....

it so nice to be home yesterday and around our family, enjoying great food, conversation and the holiday decor.  When the excitement and chaos was over, it was just nice to be at peace in the arms of my loving man with our children sleeping soundly nearby.

It's all about family.

Wishing you all a very....

Pretty Little Things....

just wanting to share the packages of loveliness that I received from the mail from two of my friends whom I met online this year. 

The first is from my friend Janie, loving all the generous goodies she sent me.  Playtime!  I really love the stickers from Making Memories, they are the Holiday ones and I didn't know about them as I have not seen them here.  Especially loving the felt "A".  I love it all actually and it all came with a pretty card.  Thanks so very much Janie.

The second package I received yesterday and it is from Dawn.  She has been visiting Tim Holtz's blog lately and he has been having an online tutorial of tags and she made an absolutely beautiful tag, so beautiful that the picture does not do it justice!  She must have used his new crackle paint line, because the tag and embellishment is crackled. 

Finally, she also included this gorgeous metal star which Joshua immediately hung from our tree smack front and center.   Thank you so much Dawn.

HOPE - OLW Challenge....

did this for OLW and didn't realize the deadline was set at an earlier schedule this time around.  Not too sure how I feel about this one. Pretty different huh?  Let me know what you honestly think.  Constructive criticism can do this gal some good.

JOURNALING: That one day you will realize the errors of your ways. I was an innocent child looking to you for love and guidance. That I needed shelter and protection and what you gave me in return was abuse and emotional abandonment. You gave me nothing but hardships and shame. One day you'll say sorry.

All Moments Remembered....

hmmmm, been keeping this bit of exciting news to myself, well somewhat, (aside from my pal Allison and my husband), but while I was being evil during lunch yesterday I received an email with some very exciting news!

Go here.  Wow, wow, wow!  I am still in a state of denial.  This site is undergoing some very exciting changes and just to be considered to be a part of it--is an honor.  Thank you Heather for the consideration and acknowledgment of my work.  I know how difficult undertaking the task of selecting a DT has been.  I've looked at the work of the other finalists and you have your work cut out for you.  Here they are for you all to check out.

Linda Rodgers
Debbie Sherman
Jennifer Emch
Anne Marie Gross
Wendi Manuel-Scott
Deborah Mahnken
Joscelyne Cutchens (CKMB)
Tracey Polachek

Congratulations ladies.  I still can't believe I'm included in your talented group. 

Thank you.

P.S. Thank you dear Allison for the push.

My penance....

for not dressing in a "festive" spirit for our "holiday," oh sorry "festivus" luncheon today at Sambuca, I had to wear these goofy looking antlers.  Perhaps in a different setting I would look hot, but I felt downright foolish.  Regarding Sambuca, I've heard nothing but good things about this place and I drive by it every day to and from the firm.  It's pretty swanky inside.  Oh I miss dining this way.  My girlfriends and I used to do it back home, once a month.  Just the girls.  Something I started and it just spiraled into the monthly event for us.  Each month one of the girls would pick a cool restaurant to eat that none of us had been to and we called our monthly dining experience "the Restaurant of the Month Club" or known as ROTMC.  One of the many things I miss about Chicago is the awesome cuisine.  When I get the itch for good Puerto Rican food, I make it a point to fly back home.  It's about that time. 

Anyway, the firm opted to take us out for a nice meal.  I didn't really want to go. It's difficult for me to sit there and pretend to enjoy being around people I generally don't respect or like much.  It was equally difficult for my co-worker too.  I made sure she sat by me, so we can suffer together, in the spirit of solidarity and all.  I made it a point that since they stiffed us again this year by way of annual increase which we so rightfully deserve and holiday bonus, that I would order the most expensive thing on the menu--which I sure did!  Appetizers, Salad, Fillet Migon, Dessert, Wine and Hot Chocolate.  It was more than I needed but it kept my mouth busy so I didn't have to engage in conversation. 

Missed two calls from my online friend Dawn today.  I wanted to congratulate her on her card being featured in the Basic Grey newsletter.  She's awesome and I'm so very happy for her.

Anyway it's late, I've had a very long day as I worked the store tonight.  The store no longer looks like the happy place it once was.  The stock is depleting and so is my spirit.  So sad that this chapter is coming to an end, but I have faith it's for a reason and I just have to have trust that another door to a better opportunity is opening.

Good night my dear friends,

A.