Handmade card: Happiness is...

Sisterhood is a term so rich and meaningful that it is hard to put into words. This card is my attempt at celebrating my sister on her birthday. Even though I don't remember a birthday without her there, I wouldn't change that fact. We were 11 months apart and yet have shared so many happy moments together. Happy birthday Sissy!!!

Family page: Adorable

Babies in our family have certain facial features that are unmistakeable. In our case we have chubby cheeks, pouty lips, lotsa hair and an upside down "V" under the bottom lip. The photo of Zoe I used shows those features and how peacefully adorable she looks while sleeping.

Family page: Tropical trio

Our family is spread out through countries and islands. This page features three of my cousins who grew up in Hawaii. Their father worked in the hotel industry before retiring to enjoy his golden years.

Family page: It's true LOVE

I get misty when I see people in love. In a way it may be because I have yet to find that elusive 'true love'. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of impostors out there, but you can tell when it's the real thing. The photos on this page show that this is the real thing. Congrats Sabrina and Donald your love inspires me.

Family page: Birthday Blessings

Today is my cousin April's birthday. This page was created for her.

Family page: Mini Me

My cousin and her little girl are so alike she calls her 'Mini Me'. The love they share is wonderful to see. Enjoy!

Family page: My Great Grandmother

As I get older how truly lucky I was growing up surrounded by family. I can say I knew my great grandmother. She had the softest skin and the biggest smile I have seen. She was a strong, happy, classy and smart lady. She wore a real whale bone corset every day, and she refused to wear pants. When she baked her delicious croissants she made enough for her whole family. Enjoy!

Handmade envelope: Dream Big & Laugh Hard

Some cards/envelopes I try to downplay the celebration and bling, but let's just say this envelope was not one of them. The recipient is a BIG character inside and out. The idea for this envelope fit her to a "T".

 

The brads that make up the closure are super blingy and the baker's twine is a perfectly vivid color. I loved the contrast between the turquoise baker's twine against the lavender patterned paper. The circles in the paper echoed by the circular brads.

 

This envelope was just a measure of decadence I wanted to project to the birthday girl. She repeatedly thanked my sister for the beautiful card and envelope. She proudly showed it off on her desk for days.

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Mini Album: True love

Valentine's flowers in the background, since it was their first one together. She loves red roses. If I remember correctly she also received a humongous stuffed animal. It's like a time capsule to me and it brings so many happy memories to see this photo. Young love looks like this.

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Mini Album: Happy 12th Anniversary

Twelve years ago today these two lovely people joined their hands together in wedded bliss. I was honored to act as my sister's Maid of Honor. I created a canvas mini album with photos of their time together since 1989, so in a way it is more of an everlasting love mini album. Here is a look at the cover:

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Canine card: Chihuahua

This little detail shows a closer look at the details of this "Ay! Chihuahua" card. When I begin a card I don't have a clear cut caption for it and with this one the caption arrived after I put the card together. It is whimsical and one of my favorite cards.

The Chihuahua is a digitally colored children's coloring book page, since I was unable to find a cute photo of a chihuahua. Each card confirms that I am on the right track with my creations.

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Handmade card: A new line - Maltese

This is one of a new line of handmade cards in a collection I will now call "Canine Cards". In the world of AKC dog shows there is a need for cute breed-specific cards. This one is perfect for any Maltese lover. The bow is enhanced with a little bling and the hydrangea is embellished with a couple of dainty pearls.

Pink hydrangea with pearl embellishments

Handmade envelope lined with pink damask flocked paper

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Handmade card: The blessing of true friendship

Throughout my life I have always treasured my true friends. Those are the friends who I know I can turn to when I want the absolute truth about something. They bring you food when you're sick or make you laugh after an ugly day.

For me, cards are all about a mood or a feeling that I can transform onto paper. My creativity is a work in progress and one that I enjoy sharing with the world. Every day is an opportunity to grow emotionally and creatively. For myself I wish many more years of creating beautiful things that make people happier.

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Mini Album: Jaelynn Lasai, part 2

When I found this glittery paper at Michael's I knew I wanted to use it in this mini album.

In my eyes, babies are the most pure beings on Earth. This is just a poor way of showing what a blessing they are.

Recollections make these glowing bling that I found on sale at Michael's while I was in Houston. Yes! I even shopped when I was away from home.

More pages to follow!

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Mini Album: Jaelynn Lasai, part 1

The first 2 pages of this mini album echoed the color scheme from the cover.

It established new elements like crowns and colorful snails.

Another part I wanted to include was extra hidden space for photos and/or journaling without making it too bulky.

It was a fun challenge to myself.

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Stay tuned for more goodies...

Mini Album: Baby Girl Jaelynn Lasai

This is the completed cover of  my most recent baby album. I like to find out the future baby's name so I can incorporate it in the album. I made sure to double check the spelling of such a unique and beautiful name.

The satin ribbon was from my stash and I used as much of my paper stash as I could. I even re-purposed some paper from a pet themed paper pad. Just goes to show paper pads of any theme can be reused for any project.

The white felt flower is a clip I found at Michael's dollar bin (3 clips for $1). The tulle flowers are from Recollections, The metal heart, swivel clasp and pearls are by Tim Holtz.

Sneak peek: Baby mini album cover

 Creating mini albums is something I enjoy. Unlike big scrapbooks it's almost instant gratification. This sneak peek shows detailed views of the cover of a baby girl mini album I was commissioned to make.

The cover of a mini album serves as a sneak peek of what will be found inside. I trust you will agree it is very girlie looking.

It incorporates old and new techniques. I brought my crop-a-dile out of the closet and used a new Tim Holtz swivel clasp. I even found some embellishments from a Tim Holtz class I took 4 years ago.

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Stay tuned for the rest of the mini album in the days to come.

Card: Julia's Timeless Birthday

The wait is over!

Here are the finished card and envelope I was so happy to be entrusted to create. Thanks Jan for loving my card so much that you wanted me to create another one for your daughter, Julia.

I wanted to make sure to tie both card and envelope together in some way. The result a timeless theme to go with the travel photos I found. They matched some of the things I had found out about Julia.

 She will be traveling to Europe and while there she will be taking a cycling trip across Italy. Her greatest treasure is her beloved daughter, Jenna Mei (from Guangdong, China).

In many ways the journeys of her life inspired this card. Even though I have never met her, I feel as if I can identify with her adventurous soul.

I pray she will enjoy this card as much as I enjoyed creating it.

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Sneak Peek: Timeless card

This is the card that accompanies the previous envelope preview.

The recipient loves to travel to Europe and will be heading there with her family this year.

It was the perfect place for a Tim Holtz clockface with matching spinner hands. I wanted to make sure it had an interactive quality to tie in the picture of Big Ben.


The card was delivered yesterday and has resulted in another commission for a farewell card.

Things are looking up this year when it comes to the self marketing of my creative business.

Mini journal: Dreams come true

The challenge for this layout was to use black with pastels together. In case you have not already guessed I love butterflies. The first item that came to mind when I read the challenge was 'houndstooth duct tape'... Who knew?!
I didn't just want to slap the tape on there either. I chose a raw chipboard heart to showcase it. A little bling, rub on phrase, washi tape, journaling block, diecut flower and pearls called it done... Almost!

I had to play with some colored pencils since the background was a little too white for me.