Donna Downey

What a great weekend! The highlight was certainly my Friday night Pressed for Success class with Donna Downey. I must confess. I have a girl crush :) I even told my husband about it. LOL! She was amazing!!!



Donna was friendly, funny, creative, talented and cute as a button. I loved that the class was not too fast paced. I learned some cool techniques using iron ons, distress inks, watercolors and spray misting on canvas. She also showed us a resist treatment you can use with some of the Prima products like the adorable dress form. And I discovered Aleene's Tacky Glue, which I had never used (it's awesome!). We also got lots of cool products. I. LOVED. IT. I wouldn't hesitate to take another class with her if I had the chance. I learned a lot and she inspired me so much.




I was joined by Ady, Damaris and Esther, who also had a great time.


Here's a photo of the cover of my Pressed for Success album. I used Glimmer Mist to paint my little flowers yellow (an idea I got from Damaris who painted hers pink). Love the pop of color.

My inside pages are almost done, but I haven't added photos yet, so I will post it once it's all completed (hopefully, later this week).

Oh wait, one more thing! When Donna found out that I had created an album with her Prima fabric scrapbooking products, she asked me to come back on Saturday to show it to her. And so I did. How could I say no to Donna, right? Unfortunately, Ady's aunt passed away this weekend so she couldn't join us, but I put my plans on hold and headed to Scrapbooks 'n Stuff on Saturday with Damaris to see Donna. I got to show everyone in her class my fabric December Daily album. That was pretty cool.

Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa

A birthday and a layout

I've been meaning to post for a few days, but time escapes me. I've been busy working, spending time with family and friends, and even scrapping! There just aren't enough hours in the day for me to accomplish everything. I'm sure you all would agree!

I do have some great news! My step dad Jorge received some very positive feedback from his oncologist. It looks like he won't need any more chemo and his tests came back well enough where we feel the cancer is controlled. He will continue to see the doctor once a month and he will have some more tests done in 2-3 months so we'll keep praying for a full recovery. In the meantime, we cherish every moment and we celebrate. Jorge's 56th birthday was last Friday and we took him to CVI.CHE 105, a delicious Peruvian restaurant in Downtown Miami. He LOVED it! And so did we... we stuffed ourselves with mouthwatering dishes and we will surely be back for more.





I have a few new layouts to share, but I just haven't photographed them yet. So, here's one I did a couple of weeks ago -- it's a lift from the Two Peas gallery. I used the Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly paper and chipboard stickers, a Making Memories felt accent, and my apron lace border punch.



This coming weekend, I'm taking a class with DONNA DOWNEY at Scrapbooks 'n Stuff so I am looking forward to creating an adorable mini album and learning new techniques.

Be back soon...

Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa

You are not allowed to laugh

Hi my friends!

I've been playing with my January kit from Cocoa Daisy. I'm making a mini album, but before I work on my mini, I wanted to share three more layouts I made this week with my fave papers in the kit.

I used some old photos that I had saved for a while of my Mami and Papi and my family.

This first layout includes a photo of my Mami and Papi in May 1995. Wow. Time flies. I love this Basic Grey paper! This one was inspired by Kim Watson.



Next is a photo of most of the women in my family, including my Mom (in bright blue) and my Mami (in lilac) before they passed away. This photo was taken at my cousin Liza's wedding in 2004. I wanted the photo to stand out so I kept the layout fairly simple. Yes, that's me (second from right) in my "thinner" days. Yikes.



Now comes a really old photo and this is why you are not allowed to laugh at me. This is the pre-teen version of me with an afro. Okay, really curly hair that's cut way too short! Teeheee! Here I am in Puerto Rico at my childhood home with my grandparents and my Godparents. Such happy times.




I am thrilled because I was able to get my hands on this beauty! I waited till midnight last night to order Studio Calico's February kit, Baker's Dozen, along with the Petit Fours add-on. It's sold out already so I am glad I stayed up for it. :) LOVE the bright colors and the beautiful layouts from the design team. I'm inspired.



Peace and happy scrapping!
Vanessa

Life Lessons

Last night, we went to Schnebly Redland's Winery for a fun night out with friends and some great-tasting South Florida wine.




I came across this on another blog. I am not familiar with Regina Brett or her columns, but I found these life lessons interesting and worth sharing. Ms. Brett is a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio.

Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Peace and happy scrapping!
Vanessa

Thankful

I'm so very thankful for my step dad, Jorge. He's an amazing person and I'm so glad that he and I are so close. He is finally done with his chemo treatments and now just has a few tests ahead of him and we're hoping he will officially be in remission soon. Please keep him in your prayers!

There's so many things I want to share with him in the years to come so I need for him to be around for a long, long time! Here's a layout I did a while back about Jorge with photos we took on Thanksgiving.



I am also thankful for beautiful winter skies in Miami and sunsets like this one. This is the view from the windows in my office.




Happy Hump Day!

Peace and happy scrapping,
Vanessa

Jan Cocoa Daisy Kit

Yesterday I got together with Ady, my BFF, for a few hours at our local scrapbook store, Scrapbooks 'n' Stuff. We chatted, got caught up and had a delicious Panera Bread lunch. Then I was off to get a mani-pedi. Suffice it to say that I wasn't very productive, but it was fun! I did play a little with my new January kit from Cocoa Daisy with some of Lily Bee's Vintage Poppy goodies. I lifted this layout from the Scrapbook.com gallery and I love it! These colors go so well together!



I also started a little mini album inspired by my BFF (thanks for the great photos, my friend!). It captures all the fun we had on our little Redland Rally Riot scavenger hunt last weekend. I'm quite excited about playing with this album next week. :)

Last night, my hubby and I went to see The Lovely Bones, which I was dying to see. It was a great movie. Very gripping and hard to watch at times because of the subject matter. It was weird to see the contrast between the two worlds, but this is what makes it such a unique, other-worldly movie.

If you didn't catch my last post, check it out! It's all about my favorite new items debuting at the CHA-Winter event this month. Lots of great stuff and I included lots of links!

Peace and happy scrapping!
Vanessa

My CHA Favorites

I've been following most of the sneak peeks coming out from various companies for the CHA-Winter show (Craft & Hobby Association). There are a couple of MUST HAVES for me and some others that I like a lot. Without further ado, here's my Top 5 list so far.

Number 1 - American Crafts "Dear Lizzy"
This line is so fun, whimsical, girly and spring-like! Perfect for Easter layouts! Check it out here.



Number 2 - Lily Bee "Hello Sunshine"
I have loved Lily Bee for a while now. Their French Couture and Vintage Poppy lines were yummy. But this is by far my favorite yet! You can see some sample layouts on their blog.



Number 3 - Maya Road Chipboard
I must have these mini chipboard banners and butterflies!!! And those metallic ink pads, too!!! Then there's the flowers and dangling chandelier beads!!!





Number 4 - 7Gypsies "Avignon" Paper, Printer's Tray, etc.
There are so many goodies I love, including the Avignon paper, the printer's tray and receipt holder... oh, and check out the new binder rings, self-adhesive grommet reinforcers and knobs, too!!! Wow. Click here and be sure to scroll all the way down to see it all.



Number 5 - Studio Calico "Anthology"
Very cool prints and trendy designs. Visit the Studio Calico blog to see it all.



As always, my love for Prima continues. Their new flowers are gorgeous! Check out their new lines here and here (NOTE: I do NOT like their Umbrella paper line!)

Jenny Bowlin also has some nice stuff coming out, such as these banner stickers! I saw Celine Navarro create a banner on one of her layouts and I've been wanting to give it a try, but now I am noticing that it's the new trend.



EDITED: I just had to add these pics of the new Jenny Bowlin self-adhesive butterflies with rhinestones. LOVE THEM!!!




I haven't seen anything yet from October Afternoon or Collage Press so if you see those, please let me know!

Cocoa Daisy has a special section on their message board devoted to CHA sneak peeks. Click here to check it out.

What's at the top of your list? Is there anything that you absolutely love from one of your favorite manufacturers? Please share!

Peace and happy scrapping!
Vanessa