Where Has The Time Gone???

Hola everyone. It has been over 3 years since my last post. I wish I could say that I have crafted alot throughout that time but in all truthfullness, it is more like moved alot. Since my last post the location of my craft room has changed 3 times. We haven't moved homes just my craft space. Lol. When I last posted, I had a new baby and now he is 4 years old. Wow, time does fly. I am still at home with the children but it just doesn't leave me with time to craft. When I started this blog it was to keep tabs on craft projects and crafty friends. I haven't really subscribed to any other type of blogs but in truth this may change. I have been reevaluating somethings and it seems that things need to change. For one thing, the shopping has been cut back. Other than this blog, I also have a you tube channel and all you ever saw on that channel were haul videos. About 2 years ago, I decided that it had to stop but of course it was only cut back. Lol. I was always out looking for deals. If I watched a haul on you tube, I had to run out and get what I saw. I have things that have never been open and will probably never be opened. I mean seriously, how many "Thank You" stamps does someone need. How many different types of frame dies does someone need. The background of a card or a layout is usually covered when I am done with a project. Lol. I just thought, I have to have it. I was home and I did not have the time to craft so what I did I do.... Shop! Late at night while putting the baby to bed, I would surf the net for deals and supplies. I mean I have punches that are similar from 3-4 different companies. And yes, it is the same cut or punch with a minimal difference. If put on a card or a layout, noone would know the difference, unless they too are "crafters". We of course, can tell a stamp company by an image or cut from a die. Yet, I sometimes forget an appointment or an event. I find myself writing things down over and over again because I want to remember. Why don't I have planner you ask? Why don't I just put it in my phone? There are too many questions that I ask myself daily. I have had planners since high school. Every year, I go and buy a planner and it starts off great with filling in birthdays and upcoming events that are planned in advance (communions, weddings, graduations, etc.). Yet somehow as things come up, I forget to add them. Now, I find myself, asking my husband or my daughter or even the boys to remind me. Lol.

So, with a list of things I want to acomplish and change, came this blog post. I want to be more active with my blog. I want to create more projects and layouts. I want to get back to having some "me" time. My first step was to start destashing so that I could make the room the space I needed to create. There is so much that I find it overwhelming to enter my craft room. It is alot of work. It is like having a job because I am on my feet hours sorting and packaging. Don't get me wrong, it is a blessing. It has helped out in the house with bills and tuition and that is truly God sent. After a day of organizing, sorting and packaging my back is usually bothering me and feet are swollen. I usually take the next day to try and rest but of course we are always running around with something to do. The boys have their extracurricular activies and their events. So, it has been a long process. I am not sure how long it will be before I am done with the space but I will say that I do try and get some crafting in. In July I was able to complete 3 layouts. The shopping did not fully stop but it has been so much better. It is no longer a routine to go shopping for craft supplies. Seriously, it became a daily routine. I try not to watch haul videos and when I see something new come out, I find myself looking to see if I have something similar in my stash. I have stopped watching craft events and stopped looking at weekly ads for craft stores.

I decided that I would end with a big splash and so I am attending the Stamp and Scrapbook Expo this year and I will be cropping and taking my first classes. I am super excited. I usually attend both days and shop. This year was to be different. Lol. I know that I need a change. After the expo, I hope to be taking a long break from shopping. I have purchased a Dollar Tree planner (yes, another) and plan on making a schedule for my crafting, blogging and you tube videos. I want to try new things and learn what I like and don't like. Do you know that I have everything I need for mixed media but have never done it. Seriously, everything from the brushes to the different glazes and texture paints. I have everything I need to make jewelry but I have never tried it. I want to be able to try all different crafts rather than buy and just let it sit. Well, I rambled enough. I really just wanted to catch you up with my "craft" part of life. I will be adding another post with pics of the layouts that I have created (all in one month) . I promise to try and make that one a short post. I pray you are all doing well. Until the next post...

Scrappy hugs,

Jackie

T.G.I.F. (well almost)...

Ok, so normally TGIF would mean "Thank God It's Friday"... Well in my case it is a bit different... For me today it means "Thank God It's Finished". After having two pipes freeze and break a few weeks ago and finally finishing all the repairs and restoration of the nursery (yes, can you believe it) on Thursday last week... it turns out there is another broken pipe in my main bath and they have to break the wall and the floor to get to it. So here we go again. Well, the repairs on that are finally finished and we have full use of the bathroom again. It was such a pain to have to load and pack the kiddies up to go and shower at a friends house. So yesterday I took the longest shower and enjoyed our bath. Oh yes, I did!!! Lol. We do still have to find someone to fix the big hole in the wall and the tiles on the floor but Praise the Lord the repairs are done. Amen!!!

So this weekend we plan on sitting, relaxing and enjoying the super bowl. Things are pretty hyped around here. For those of you that don't know I am in New Jersey and am very close to it all. People have decorated and are planning big things for the weekend. My hubby says we are not touching Jersey City or Hoboken this weekend because it is going to be crazy. Hehehe...

So on to the crafty side of my post... YAY!!! I was able to complete a layout. I am super excited about it for two reasons... well mainly two but there are more... hehehe.. First reason would be that it is the first layout I make of my new baby Carlos. I am so excited. I luv how it came out. I will try to post a pic of the layout. Secondly, I am excited that it is the first of layout of 2014 and hopefully will mean the beginning of many more. I tried a few new things and tools on it. The layout was totally inspired by Karla who is Kapamia on you tube. I may just make another post and show the layout on its own. I watch Karla's videos and think "she makes it look so easy"... So I figured I would do a layout and not put to much thought into each and every aspect. I still have layouts that I began and have not completed from 2013 because I just over think everything. I let myself go and boom... I was done.. So excited, yay!!!

So as for my shopping... hehehe... Believe it or not, I have been pretty good. I started the year with two things that I was out to get and have been able to purchase one and am still looking to find the others. I wanted the new release from My Creative Time and LUV it... and now I am in search of the G45 papers from Tuesday Morning. Other than that, I have stayed away from daily deal sites and seriously walked away from tempation when out doing errands. I actually went to Michael's on Sunday in search of some items for my niece party and only spent $12.00. Can you believe it? I don't think I have ever spent so little money in that store. I was so happy.

So that was a little update... Hope I was not too longwinded... Thank you all for visiting. Have a happy and safe weekend. Scrappy hugs,

Jackie

Farewell 2013... Hello 2014!

Hello scrappy friends...

I have been thinking about my blog quite a bit and the fact that I have truly neglected it for two years. Seriously, has it been that long? Wow, it feels like just yesterday that I left the post regarding Sharon's giveaway. I decided that although I was not sure what was going to happen with my you tube channel that I did want to keep up with my blog. Life has truly become crazy and I can't seem to find the time to really keep up with it all. I surely haven't had the time to craft and / or sit in my room and pretend to try to craft (I always end up trying to organize). Hehehe...

With the new year I figured it would be a great time to start something new... I have always wanted to do it all. I say yes to everything and usually end up working to the very last minute to complete something. Well, this year I decided to try to just let it go. Do what I can, when I can. Not to feel so overwhelmed and to stop piling things on top of eachother. I found myself thinking of all this when it was so close to the end of 2013 and realized that once again I was doing it all at the last minute. So, I put things down and walked away. And it felt great. I realized that there is no situation that was urgent. My craft was supposed to be fun and I think I had lost sight of that.

Every year, I made a list of all the things that had to be completed around the house, the little errands that we keep putting off, the calls that we mean to place... even the papers we have in the file bin. It just all seems to add up. And guess what, I let it go.... Sure did! I looked around and said whatever is done is done and what is not will still be there tomorrow (2014). And now for my first step in my crafty world... my blog.

I started off by making some changes to the blog. You may not notice them because it has been so long since my last post but I am happy. I always felt as if the blog was not quite complete. I rushed to create my blog for a hop and never really learned how to play with it. So with my changes came this post. I don't know who will read it. It is super long, I know. But I am glad I am writing it. I already feel connected to my crafty world again and hope this will be the beginning of more posts as well as the start of my mojo kicking in.

But first, I want to thank you all for your support. I have grown so fond of the you tube community and hope this new venture into the bloggy world will continue to bless me with more scrappy friends. I truly want to wish you all a very happy, safe and healthy new year. May the Lord watch over you and continue to bless you throughout 2014 and always.

Scrappy hugs,

Jackie

SUPERB GIVEAWAY!!!

Hola bloggers... It has been some time since I posted on my blog... Life just got in the way... Hehehehe...

So to start off my "bring you up to date" posts... I would like to inform you of an AWESOME giveaway... A super talented crafter... Sharon who is Smscrapper on you tube has reached 2000 subbies.. YAY for Sharon... You sooooo derserve it girlfriend...

Visit her channel and enter to win some amazing goodies... Here is the link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un5gdmkcliQ

Congratulations to Sharon for reaching her 2000 subbies and wishing her many, many more...

I will be back with more posts... Hope you are all having a "Scrapalicious" day...

Update & AWARDS!!! YAY 4 ME

So, it has been a super duper busy couple of weeks... After the kiddies were over being sick, it was time to catch up on errands, projects and of course "Spring Cleaning"... You all know it is that time... time to change your colors. I put up my spring wreath... It looks so pretty...hehe.. Time to bring out the backyard furniture... Time to enjoy the beautiful weather... How great was it yesterday, 86 degrees in New Jersey... LOVED IT~~~

So, in the meantime I received awards from two AWESOME crafters... These ladies are super talented. Seriously,  you have to check them out.

My first award was from Judy (http://www.scrapbookgoddess67.blogspot.com). She is so super sweet and a million times more talented... she just completed a onesie album for a friend and OMG there is a little of everything on there... You have to see it...




Thank you soooo much Judy... Girl, you inspire me with every video and every post... Thank you.

My second award is from one of my first crafty friends... Holla... Cat (http://ohkianex.blogspot.com)/ is amazing at creating projects. You have to check out her spring blocks...Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNqga-KwV9g. She made me want to go out and buy all the wood I find.. hehe... and now she is on a card spree... awesome...




Thanks again Cat... You rock girlie...

I really want to thank both these wonderful ladies for all they contribute to the crafting community. It is an honor to have become acquainted with such wonderful people and be able to learn from each and every one of you.

So here are the rules for the awards:

Thank the person who sent it to you

Tell Us 7 things about yourself

Send/Reward this to 15 bloggers

Thanks again ladies for the sweetness!!!

Okay so here goes, 7 things about me.

1. My real name is Jacqueline (I don't like it but it is what it is...)

2. I am afraid of heights but love photos that show everything from above...Now does that make sense? Lol.

3. Scrapbooking is a passion but aside from that I have two fiends... Mickey & Pepsi!!! Gotta have it.

4. I am super a collector when it comes to technology...if I or my kids get a new toy, I have to all the accessories and pieces that come with it... even if we never use them...

5. I have several different cameras: a nikon, a digital canon, a polaroid, a 110, a 35mm, a joycam, and the little one that are stickers when they print.. I forgot the name... and they are all functional. Lol.

6. I hate driving... Seriously, I will let my errands pile up so that I can do them all in one day... How sad, right?...lol.

7. I record the first seasons of Law & Order (1990-1994) and watch them over and over again... 

 

So now, I want to award some awesome bloggers that I follow so stop by and visit them:

1. Susan: http://suziecrafter10.blogspot.com/

2. Debbie: http://smalltowngurrl.blogspot.com/

3. Ivette: http://allaboutmeandmyscrapbook.blogspot.com/

4. Misty: http://mbtreasurista.blogspot.com/

5. Cynthia: http://cynthialoowho.blogspot.com/

6. Pam: http://poconopam.blogspot.com/

7. Paula: http://fakerybakery2.blogspot.com/

8. Jackie: http://jacquelynv.blogspot.com/

9. Rachel: http://rachelstidbits.blogspot.com/

10. Maria: http://marlm-fairyland.blogspot.com/

11. Hope: http://hopelynndorin.blogspot.com/

12. Becca: http://scrapbookcorazonyo.blogspot.com/

13. Laura: http://prettypicturepages.blogspot.com/

14. Debbie: http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/

15. Silver: http://holyscrap-silvermckenzie.blogspot.com/

Check out these super talented ladies.. you won't regret it... A special thanks again to Judy & Cat..

Much love...

Jackie

A First For Me: Coloring & Cards (Challenge w/ Chandiwalsh & Queenbeescreations)

Hola everyone... I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. For me it is a quiet weekend at home because the kiddies are not feeling well. Hoping they will be better soon as I am definitely falling behind on projects... Lol... And of course, I hate it when they are sick... you can't help but be sad for them... I have been spoiling them rotten with movies and cuddling on the couch... Lol...

And so on to some cards... I wanted to share some coloring I did and my first attempt on blending... I watched Arlene's (mybutterflykisses12) video on using paint thinner (100% mineral spirits) & stumps.. Loved it... I tried it and loved how it came out... Of course, I only have a set of 24 cheapy pencils but I am hoping to get some prisma pencils soon.. Fingers crossed!!!

And since I am involved in a "use only what you have" challenge with Chandi (yt: chandiwalsh) & Angie (yt: queenbeescreations) I decided to use the images on our first challenge. The challenge was to create 2 cards with the theme being Spring. Here is the final product:

This one is called "Ready for Summer"... I know it is silly to name my cards... but it helps with the thought process when I know what I am looking for in the card...

Here is a closeup so you can see the blending.

This is "Spring Has Sprung". I used a ready made card and added a little more to it with some glitter glue. I then added the Twirl Anya image and a stamped saying by Making Memories.

I call this one "You Are My Friend"... It is the Fancy Anya image, $1.00 store flower, a doillie above a nestabilitie... I rounded the corners with my corner chomper... I really loved how this one came out...

I just can't wait to get my prismas so that I can color their face and body as well...

Well, thanks for coming.. Have a wonderful blessed weekend...

Much love.



Go me.. Go me...

Gracias Rebecca...

I received an award from Rebecca (http://scrapbookcorazonyo.blogspot.com/). GRACIAS, GRACIAS, GRACIAS... Te tengo much carino amiga... Abrazos (Hugs).





To have the honor of receiving the Stylish Blogger Award you must always pay it forward to other bloggers who are fairly new to blogging or to bring more fans to those you enjoy following as Rebecca did.
With this award you are to share eight things about yourself. Then pass the award to eight others

I'd like to pass the Stylish Blogger award to:
Yvette: http://artsy-rn.blogspot.com/
Amanda: http://butterflyamandascreations.blogspot.com/
Karlas: http://karlasloveblog.blogspot.com/
Jade: http://jadedstudios.blogspot.com/
Gloria & Ruthie: http://lasscrappinsenoritas.blogspot.com/ - These are two fabulous sisters...
Nataleigh: http://nataleighscraftland.blogspot.com/ - This little girl is super adorable...
Nancy: http://pinkbellamia.blogspot.com/


So here's 8 things about me:

1. I am a 37 year old Puertoriquena.... (Puerto Rican)... hehe
2. I have 3 children...
3. My hubby is the bomb... hehe... I have been married for 5 years and I still love him dearly.. hehe... Lol..
4. I am a Libra... so yes, I can be bad and good... There is a balance... Ha!
5. I am scared of heights... Seriously, I won't jump higher than I can reach.... Ok, so it is not that bad but I am really afraid of heights...
6. I LOVE country music... My fav... but I do listen to all types of music...
7. I love the color purple...
8. I am a hoarder more than a scrapbooker at the present... but that is all changing...

Bonus info: My motto... Treat others as you would like to be treated...

Thanks again Rebecca... Super sweet of you... xoxoxo

And the winner is..... (Drumroll...)

"GEORDIE MORGAN"

Thank you to all that visited Linda's (scrapchica) Easter / Spring blog hop... I had a great time and hope you all did as well... Please remember to check back on those blogs for future projects... Talk about having the skillzzzzzz.... These ladies are SUPER talented...

Have a great week!

P.s.... If you want proof... watch the video... Lol... I also share a project for Karlas's Lace & Pearls 4x4 page swap as well as a lace haul from Misty (http://mbtreasurista.blogspot.com/)... YAY!!!

My First Canvas - In Memory of My Mother

Hello everyone...

This is a very special project for me. It is a canvas of my mother. Please feel free to comment. I am always looking for new ways to improve on my crafts...

Rest In Peace Mami... We miss you!

Thank you so much for watching. Have a blessed weekend.

Much love... Jackie