Still Images

The other day I was talking to one of my girls as we watched a movie in our tiny TV room. She said: "mom, I remember this room when I was little being so much bigger than what it really is" I smiled and said: "Yeah, everything seems so much bigger when you are a little girl".  I couldn't help but to go back in time to when I was a little girl myself, and for a while  lived with my mom on the second floor of a two family home in Providence, Rhode Island. I remember the house being huge and the staircase to our place unending. I loved playing under the apple tree in the backyard and at times imagined that the house, that in my sight stood so tall, was a magical castle and that I was the princess that lived there.  I truly had great memories of that house.  A while later we left and moved to the Bronx in NY when my parents got back together one of the many times they'd split up. I never returned to RI after that until years later when my girls were still very young that we went to reunite with my siblings and visit my dad that had moved back there again after he and my mom called it quits once and for all.  I had such vivid images in my head of how things were and when I talked about them, my description was based on the still images that remained in my head of that time. During my visit my dad took me sight seeing and we passed by the old house. I cannot explain the mixed feelings of surprise, disappointment, dismay and deception that filled my heart when I saw with disbelief  that things were not as I remembered. Not because anything had really changed, but because I was now seeing the house with the eyes of an adult, without the fantasy of a child's mind. It was simpler, smaller and not as enchanting as I believed it was  for many years.  I argued with my dad and said that that was not the place, and he assured me that it was, a bit more run down perhaps. When I had the conversation with my daughter it reminded me of that and I realized that we all have had in some way this experience. It's also happened to me with people, such as family and  friends  that I had stopped seeing for decades. I only have the time I spent with them as the memory of who they were and it has been disappointing at times to see that life experiences have changed who they are to me, but I also have to remind myself that I too have changed in their eyes. Memories are just that and should be remembered as what they are, bringing a smile to our hearts if they were good memories or serving as something we learned if they were sad.  I'm learning to live the wonderful now my Lord has given me with my not so perfect family and to leave the memories where they belong as well as the future that has not yet arrived. I have a husband that loves sports more than he should, but that loves me unconditionally and is constantly reminding me of it. That makes me feel like the most wonderful and most beautiful woman in the world, a man that is always eager to hear what I have to say and accepts me with all of my hang ups. A man that is a true example of what a dad should be. I have two crazy daughters that couldn't be more opposite despite of being brought up exactly the same way. I thank God for the hard times with them because it has made us grow as a family and them as individuals. Let's live our present life, loving and investing in those that are in our lives today. Lets leave our childhood, adolescence, old friends or old loves in the past  as something wonderful that we lived, but that is not part of our today. They are just still images of memories of our years, and let's not worry too much about tomorrow because it just doesn't belong to us.

Has it really been this long?

When I originally created this blog I was a major scrapbook addict, but as my cake baking evolved and became a business I found myself having less and less time to scrapbook or do any other crafting.  I still love doing it and I know that one day I will start  again.  Lord knows I have quite an investment in paper, embellishemnts and such.  I have said several times that I would do a yard sale, but cannot find it in my heart to depart of all of these beautiful things that I know I will put to good use again.  This decision goes totally against my belief of "If you haven't used it in a year, get rid of it". 

I've decided to reopen this blog again because it's another creative outlet for me.  Am I a writer?  Oh, heavens, no!  It's a way of sharing a little bit of me and the things I love to do that are not just cake: a picture that called my attention, a quote that touched me, a thought that haunted me, time spent with my family, a Bible verse that impacted me, how God is working in my life, well, you get the picture. Let's say it's in some twisted way therapeutic for a person with such a wierd personality as mine.   I know some may say:  "well, what is this need for attention and desire for everyone to read about your life." It really isn't about that at all, and honestly, I really don't have to justify the reason. You really don't have to read it if you don't want to.  

Catching up in my Scrapbooking

Valentine's DinnerLauren's 16th BirthdayPicture Frames using scrap paper

Scrapbook pages

Memorial Day weekend!


Iggie's Birthday

It's been a while since the last time I wrote in my blog. These pictures are from a dinner Ashley and Lauren had for their friends. The theme was Zebra, pink and Chandelier. The centerpieces were black vases that I found at Micheal's on Sale as well as the beautiful Gerber Daisies. Using my scrapbooking skills I stamped a chandelier on the napkin holders and used zebra paper to make them. For placecards, We bought letters for each guest. I painted the letter for the guys in black and Zebra print for the girls. Ths was so much fun to do. I make the menu using the same paper and ribbon in pink with black dots.
These are the layouts of the kids. They were told to wear black, fuscia or Zebra print.

Splash

These Layouts were made one night that I couldn't sleep.
Estos Layouts los hice una noche en que no podia dormir.

Me and my girlsMemorial Day Churrasco BBQFather's Day Lunch at Roadhouse Grill

Phalanges

I made this layout tonight! It's about Ashley and her crazy friends that I love so much! I used Sassafras Las paper and embellishments for this layout.
Hice este layout esta noche! Es de Ashley y sus amistades locas a las que quiero mucho. Lo hice con papel y adornos de Sassafras Las.

Fun Days of Summer

I saw a similar layout in the Scrapbook Etc. magazine for August/September and loved it for these pictures that Lauren took of really low resolution. I couldn't really make them big because they would look really bad, so I printed them small and I think they look great!
Vi un layout similar en la revista deScrapbook Etc. de agosto/septiembre y me encanto para unas fotos que tomo Lauren de baja resolucion. Realmente no podia agrandarlas porque se verian pesimas, asi es que las imprimi pequenas y creo que se ven bastante bien.

I got my Mojo back

I finally think I got my mojo back. I started scrapbooking again and I have been making sketches and looking at magazines to get ideas. For a moment there I thought It would never happen. I had too many things on my mind.
Al fin creo que regreso la musa! Empece a scrapbook de nuevo. He estado haciendo sketches y mirando revistas para tomar ideas. Por un momento pense que no volveria a sentir asi. He tenido mucho en la mente.

These layouts are from pictures of the 4th of July that we went to the beach. They're of the four of us plus my niece Melody.
Estas fotos son del 4 de Julio que fuimos a la playa. Son de nosotros cuatro mas mi sobrina Melody.

Ashley's Prom

Wow! I haven't posted anything in a while! I have been so busy with so many things. You would think that in the summer things would slow down, but no, on the contrary, I'm busier than ever! I've been very tired to scrapbook, but I pushed myself to do these two pages. I'm not really very happy with the results, but I did it! They are of Ashley's prom. All these kids met at my home to take pictures and leave from there!

Increible! Hacia rato que no escribia en mi blog! He estado tan ocupada con tantisimas cosas. Una creeria que en el verano las cosas se calmarian un poco, pero no, al contario, estoy mas ocupada que nunca! He estado muy cansada para dedicar tiempo a hacer scrapbook, pero me esforce e hice dos paginas. No estoy muy satisfecha con el resultado, pero por lo menos hice algo. Son del prom de Ashley. Todos estos jovenes se encontraron en mi casa para tomarse fotos y salir a la celebracion de alli.

Mia

This is my DH great niece, Mia. I took these pictures one day she came to visit us. Iggie was so happy playing with her. This took me back in time to when both my girls were babies and he played with them the same way. It's incredible how fast the years have gone by. Now Iggie is the great uncle of his nephews daughter. Doesn't that make him almost a grandfather? lol

Esta es la sobrina-nieta de mi esposo. Yo tome estas fotos un dia que ella vinoa visitarnos. Iggie estaba tan contento jugando con ella. Esto me remonto al pasado cuando mis dos hijas eran bebitas y el jugaba con ellas de la misma forma. Es increible pensar en la rapidez con que los años han pasado . Ahora Iggie es el tio-abuelo de la nena de su sobrino. Será que esto lo convierte en casi abuelo? jejejeI used Teen Girl products from Doodlebug.

Red & Black Fever

I don't know why, but lately I have been so attracted to the combo of red and black. I see it a lot on everything I do. I know this too shall pass and I will go back to all of my bright colors, but for the moment being I will enjoy the ride while it lasts. I made this layout of my girls with their cousins that they get to see very little, they see each other on holidays and special occasions, like this one, the wedding of one of their uncles.
No se porque, pero ultimamente he estado muy atraida a la combinacion del rojo y negro. Lo veo en muchas de las cosas que estoy haciendo. Se que tambien esto pasara y que regresare a todos mis colores vivos, pero mientras tanto, disfrutare hasta que me dure. Hice este layout con mis hijas y sus primos que se ven muy poco a pesar de vivir tan cerca, solo en feriados y en ocasiones especiales como esta, la boda de uno de sus tios.

The picture frame I made for my niece Sophia that lives in NY and that I love so much, oh, and her ommy too, lol. The theme for her b-day is ladybugs.
Este portaretratos lo hice para mi sobrinita que vive en NY a la que quiero tantisimo, oh, y a su mami tambien. jejeje.

Create Canvas

This is an 8x10 canvas that I made for a swap. I truly hope the person I sent it to likes it as much as I enjoyed making it. I used chalk ink in a cranberry, old rose and brown colors. I also used DCWV "Once Upon a Time" paper and some chipboard that I embossed and distressed. The flowers I cut with the Cricut machine and added some bling for the flower centers.

Este es un Canvas de 8x10 que hice para un swap. Realmente espero que la persona a quien se lo mande le guste tanto como a mi me encanto hacerlo. Use tinta de tiza en colores cranberry, rosa viejo y cafe. Tambien use el papel de DCWV "Once Upon a Time" y letras de chipboard que le hice emboss y les hice distress. Las flores las corte con la Cricut y agregue bling en los centros de las florecitas.

Spring Retreat 08

These pictures are of my girls with their friends at Spring Retreat. Their pictures all look alike: two faces together. Nothing about the scenery. What's a scrapbooking mom to do? Well, Nothing, just be grateful that they at least take pictures.

Estas son fotos de mis hijas en el retiro de Primavera de jovenes. Las fotos que ellas toman son todas iguales: dos caras juntas. Nada sobre el paisaje. ¿Qué puede hacer una madre scrapera? Pues, nada... Estar agradecida que por lo menos toman fotos.For this LO I used the Sparkle paper and tag from K & Co and the swirl I made from the Queen 7 Co felt fusiom

Grad Nite '08

Well, it is now a fact! Ashley is almost an adult. This is really hitting me now and I'm going to have to accept it and let her spread her wings. She will be graduating this year and has already enrolled in college to start in August. She even has her permit license (could have had her real license, but I kept delaying it). Last Saturday she went to Grad Nite in Disney and had a blast. Next it's prom then graduation. What a bitter sweet feeling this gives me.
Bueno, ya es un hecho, Ashley es casi un adulto. Esto es algo que me esta pegando fuerte y voy a tener que aceptarlo y dejar que ella expanda sus alas. Ella se gradúa este año y ya esta matriculada en la universidad para empezar en agosto. Ya hasta la licencia restringida tiene (hubiera tenido la normal, pero yo hice que esperara). El sabado pasado fue a Grad Nite en Disney y la paso super. Lo próximo sera el prom, luego la graduación. Esto produce en mi un sentimiento amargo y dulce a la vez.
For this layout I used Basic Gray Infuse, Brown Label by Jenni Bowlin, Letters by MM

Such Little Time

I made this layout tonight. I love the combination of black, red and white. This LO is of my baby girl, Lauren. Sometimes I feel like I have very little time to tell her a lot about growing up and at times, I also feel that maybe my flaws are the things that really show and maybe impact her life in the wrong way, then I remember that God is not looking for perfection in me, but faithfulness and a desire to do His will. This reassures me that whatever gaps I may leave, He will be merciful and fill them. TFL
Hice este layout esta noche. Me encanta la combinación de negro, blanco y rojo. Este LO es de mi bebita, Lauren. A veces siento que tengo poco tiempo para aconsejarla y hay veces que siento que quizas mis errores son las cosas que realmente muestro y que tal vez impactan su vida de manera errona, despues recuerdo que Dios no busca la perfeccion en mi, sino la fidelidad y el deseo de hacer Su voluntad. Esto me asegura que cualquier brecha que yo pueda dejar, El es tan misericordioso que se encargara de llenarlas. GPM.

To Live

The first time I heard this song, To Live, I absolutely loved it and for some reason it always reminded me of my girls but never thought about putting it in a layout. well, today I bought the new Scrapbooking Trends magazine, and ... there it was. I thought "why didn't I think of making a LO with it?" So I did. The layout in the magazine is totally different. It was the song that caught my eye. TFL
I used Memory Makers Noteworthy papers and flower sticker, felt flowers. Autumn leaves swirls stamps

La primera vez que escuche esta canción, To Live (vivir), me encantó y no se porqué, pero cada vez que la escuchaba me recordaba de mis hijas, pero nunca se me ocurrió usarla en un layout. Bueno, hoy compré la nueva revista de Scrapbooking Trends y.. allí estaba. Pense: "¿porqué nunca hice un layout con ella?" Entonces decidí hacerlo. El layout de la revista es totalmente diferente. Fue la canción la que me cautivó. GPM

Friend PBA

Well, on the crop night with my friend Danly, I made this album with some papers she gave me as a gift. I had planned on using some papers I bought at the Expo, but when I saw the paper, I said this is it! I liked an album my friend Yamil made for me for a swap. It was beautiful. So I decided to make a PBA using hers as the inspiration. She made a page towards the middle of her album with a transparency that I just had to try, and I did, and was pleased with the result. I also made tags out of the transparency and although transparencies are flimsy, once you put paper on both sides, it gets stronger. I plan to use this album to put pictures of the Expo. Mainly of us being silly. TFL
Bueno, la noche que mi amiga Danly vino a escrapear conmigo, yo hice este album usando unos papeles que ella me regalo. Había planeado usar otros papeles que había comprado en la Expo, pero cuando vi los que ella me trajo dije: ¡estos son! A mi me encantó el album que me hizo mi amiga Yamil para un Swap. ¡Hermoso! Así es que decidí hacer un PBA usando el de ella como inspiración. Ella hizo una página como en el medio de su album con una transparencia que quize tratar, y lo hice, y me encanto el resultado. También hice unos tags de trasparencia y a pesar de que son blandas, una vez que se les pega papel en ambos lados, se hace mas fuerte. Planeo usar este album para las fotos del Expo. Con fotos de nosotras actuando como locas. GPM

Crop Night at Home

Last week my two daughters went to Spring Retreat with our church's youth group. My friend's boys also went on this trip, as well as her husband. He went as a counselor, so she was left alone. I invited her to come Friday night so that we could scrap until we dropped and until the next day that the kids would come back. Well, needless to say, we didn't last the entire night, but we went to bed a little past 1AM. We set the alarm for 9 AM so that we could get up and continue working. But we were both up at 7:30 AM. I made breakfast and we continued working until it was time to go pick up the kiddos from church. We had a great time doing what we both enjoy a lot!

La semana pasada mis dos hijas fueron a un Retiro de Primavera del grupo de jóvenes de nuestra iglesia. Los hijos de mi amiga también fueron a este viaje, al igual que su esposo que fue como consejero, quedando ella solita en su casa. La invite a venir a quedarse el viernes en mi casa para que srapearamos toda la noche hasta cansarnos e ir a recojer a los muchachos al otro día. Bueno, está por demás decirles que no duramos todita la noche. Nos fuimos a dormir pasada la 1AM. Pusimos la alarma para las 9AM para seguir trabajando, pero a las 7:30 AM ya estabamos de pie. Yo hice desayuno y seguimos trabajando hasta llegar el momento de recoger a los chicos. !Pasamemos un tiempo muy grato haciendo lo que a ambas nos encanta!Surprise! I took this picture as soon as I opened the door

¡Sorpresa! Tome esta foto justo cuando abri la puerta

With all her stuff to stay the night

Con todos sus checheres para quedarse toda la nocheHaving dinner to begin scrapping. How exciting!
Cenando para empezar a trabajar . ¡Qué emoción!Srcapping! How fun!
¡Escrapeando! ¡Qué divertido!