1.26.2010

For today...


i found this really cool post at the simple woman's daybook and decided to join the "for today" journal page. i thought it  is a fantastic way to focus on the simplicity of the everyday moments & thoughts and will help me (hopefully) blog more often!


FOR TODAY... jan 26, 2010

outside my window... a clear cloudless day - 65°F  and just beautiful!
i am thinking... these bits of journaling will help my effort to live in the here and now.
i am thankful for... keeping old friendships alive.
I am wearing... boot cut jeans, black long sleeve t-shirt & ramones all star chucks (a hand- me- down from my son who has grown so much these past months!)
i am remembering... that i got to scan some of my sister's "old" photos.
I am going... to get some brochures from the travel agency tomorrow.
i am currently reading... remarkable creatures by tracy chevalier.
i am hoping... gustavo keeps making good grades at school.
on my mind... finishing some freebies for this blog.
noticing that... making lists make me accomplish more things.
pondering these words... "always do what you are afraid to do.”  ~ralph waldo emerson
from the kitchen... hot green tea i brought from china.
around the house... fresh flowers in the living room.
one of my favorite things... getting e-mail from my friends living abroad.
one picture to share...



to join me and many others in the "for today" journal click on the blog button below:


since already on the simplifying theme and if you remember my resolution for 2010, here's what i've done so far: i got rid of a lot of what was in  my closet, this time I did not keep anything for sentimental value or because i want to fit into some of those clothes again one day. the goal was to purge my wardrobe and only end up with the things I do wear and really love.  now every morning i walk in, i feel happy and i am liking my closet again!  about my shoes..... well... i had a minor problem there....... i love my all stars & could not get rid of any of them but i do wear them all the time though!


love my all stars!

the office closet is next. this one really needs some de-cluttering. you know how it is.... i keep all kinds of things here like picture frames, board games, candles, gift wrap paper..... got to do it this week.
... and after that I'll move to my son's room and tackle his closet! yikes!! that is going to take some time and effort!
wish me luck!

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in spite of all the cleaning and de-cluttering I've been reading tons of historical fiction books lately and find myself really enjoying it!
i think it all started with this victorian thriller called the meaning of night by michael cox which i found very involving since the very first pages, loved the characters, the gloomy atmosphere and the mix of crime, mystery, family secrets and betrayals! i've read the sequel too and it was even better! loved them both!
these nights I more likely grab a book than turn my tv on. i haven't found anything good on tv lately and there's always the dvr to record and watch later anyhow.

here's what i am reading now:
image is linked


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and so... like if nothing, we are almost reaching february. valentine's day will be here soon and i've been working on some frames to give as freebies. first time creating some of these so i do hope you like them and are useful for your pages.  take a look at the preview:



i'm now working on some heart masks which i'll have ready by next week so make sure you stop by to get them.

don't forget that my spotlight at the rocking girls blog is still running this week so there is still time for you to participate in the challenge, get the freebies and be eligible for prizes!
here's one page i made myself for the challenge:




... and some of my latest layouts:

thoughts become things


a perfect day to play


inspired


have a great week everyone & thanks for stopping by!

1.18.2010

It's my turn...

up at the rocking girls blog,  nina's ct members have been alternating in the spotlight and now it's finally my turn!  my very first spotlight, i'm so thrilled!!
there's a mini bio about me, answers to some questions so you can get to know me better, some examples of my work, a really, really fun challenge, freebies and prizes too!

the challenge is called "7 random facts" and it is all about expressing ourselves - i've always find out that that it can be gratifying, beneficial & so much fun!

here's one of the pages i created for the challenge and just wait and see all the fabulous ones my rocking
teammates have done!

click on the image for credits

hurry over to the rocking girls blog for details, rules for the challenge and to grab some great freebies: 3 of my grungy masks (one layered) and some of nina's wonderful word art.

 take a look at the previews:








post all your layouts in nina's gallery at o'scraps before midnight january 31st and have fun! can't wait to see all the fabulous pages you talented digi-scrappers can do!!

1.15.2010

A bit of news!

i was waiting for the weekend to post the details of the spotlight challenge i mentioned to you last time but something wonderful happened this week and i wanted to let you in it & make it official: i am now part of leiko beck designs scrap artists team!!! did you notice my new blinkie?

leiko asked me to be part of her amazing ct team and i said yes without any hesitation - i love the clean lines, her color palettes, the quirky doodles and modernity of her designs. i'm certainly going to have fun with her products which i think go perfectly with my artistic style. take a look at her latest kit:




i've made 2 pages already!  i'm telling you... i'm thrilled to be on her team and creating with her wonderful stuff!


for credits click on image
for credits click on image

thanks leiko for the awesome opportunity and for trusting your products to my creations! thanks to my friend helen for putting in a good word for me too! ;)

see you sunday for info on the spotlight challenge and some more freebies!
 t.g.i.f. !!

1.11.2010

Making life a little simpler

i'm thankful for many things that happened in 2009 but i'm glad we are already on to something new - i have a good feeling about 2010 and i can't wait to fill all those little blocks of the new calendar with amazing stuff!

as far as resolutions for this year...... i haven't really made a list (and i love lists) but the goal will be to SIMPLIFY.  clutter drives me crazy and makes my life stressful so i think this is a goal which can have amazing effects in many areas of my life.
i want to tackle routines, finances, online stuff & home organization (room by room). in order to simplify i have to purge, organize and prioritize & of course doing it one area at a time! my closet would be the perfect place to start -taking out things i haven't worn in a while and keeping only the things i really need. one more idea here is simply to refuse to buy any more items with a "dry clean only" label unless it is a definite must! a smaller dry cleaning bill would be an extra plus.

i'll work on different things as time moves on and hopefully by the end of the year the only place with lots of stored items will be the folder with my finished scrapbook pages!

so how about you? made your new year resolutions yet? if you have, the very best of luck achieving all of your goals!

now on to the digi-scrapping news:

nina's new kit is simply so amazing - one you can use all year long. modern and very versatile. take a look:



here's a page i made with a template from her kit:
click on image for credits




sue also has a new kit for the 52 inspirations 2010 and a beautiful qp. check her store here.




one page with sue's 52 inspirations 2010 week 2:


click on image for credits






next week i'll be on the spotlight at nina's rocking girls blog. there's going to be a really cool challenge, lots of freebies and prizes too. i'll post the link here in my next post so that you can play too!!

while i was working on the freebies for the spotlight, i also managed to make an additional set of 3 grungy masks and i thought it would make a great freebie! here they are and i hope you like them!






see you soon!

1.04.2010

Getting back to my daily routine...

hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with friends and family and my very best of wishes for the new year!!! may it be filled with health, love and creativity!!
i just got back from my winter taos vacation. i had, as always, an extraordinary time & hopefully we'll get to go again next december! taos is a different kind of ski town - very laid back, artistic, magical, spiritual & with skiing second to none.
the tewa indians believe that once you visit taos, the mountain will keep you going back - my husband and son have skied the slopes of vail, snowmass, deer valley & telluride among others but this mountain  challenging runs, powdery snow and almost non-existent lift lines certainly have kept them going back year after year! I think that the breathtaking views will be enough reason to want to go back time after time to tiny taos. the US national anthem talks about "purple mountains majesty" - they certainly must have been standing on top of taos mountain!!

some pics and layouts of the the trip:


sangre de cristo mountains





at the rio grande gorge bridge





hitting the slopes





the boys going up on the lift





approaching taos ski valley



                                

















i'm glad to be back but i guess i have to take little steps to implement my daily routine and not be overwhelm by all the many things i have to do! i just unpacked 4 suitcases full of dirty ski clothes & sorted it by dry cleaning, hand wash and machine wash but i guess i'll start tomorrow the actual washing....uuugh!
i have to take down the christmas tree, packed away the decorations but most important start my exercise and healthy eating routine - i think i had enough new mexican cuisine to last me until the end of the year!
in other words....it is time to get back to reality!

remembering the good times through photographs taken, journaling about special moments and lots of digi-scrapping will definitely help me ease onto my routine. truth is, life is a continuos cycle and we have to learn to enjoy it - so it is a relief to know it is january and that i am happy, content and looking forward to 2010! i am sure it will be an amazing year!

now for news about the digi-scrapping world - sue has the new 52 inspirations 2010 subscription - living life inspired - which looks to be simply amazing! check it out!





last but not least.....(drum roll).......... i have another freebie for you! grungy mask #6 (layered) in .psd format. hope you like it!








thanks for all your comments and e-mails. please leave me a link if you use my products - i'd love to see how you use them!