Showing posts with label Videos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Videos. Show all posts

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Don't Let the Past Steal Your Present


Don't let the past steal your present

There are times when I look at photos I've taken and feel a sense of loss. I feel especially this way when they're photos of good memories, knowing . . . .that one single moment will never occur again in the same way or that I'll never be able to be in that same place ever again. As I've grown older, these feelings have become more intense. Do you sometimes feel the same way?

The sunset photo above is a photo I took a few weeks ago. As I was driving home, I saw this glorious sunset. It was amazingly beautiful. I stopped at the side of the road and took a lot of pictures of the beautiful sunset. Always bring your camera with you. If possible, buy a camera that is small enough to fit in any size purse. Digital cameras are such a blessing. . .you can take an endless amount of photos and not worry about the cost. I ALWAYS have my camera with me. It drives my family crazy when I stop and take photos of what they sometimes see as being insignificant but I don't see it that way.

I took this photo a year ago when we visited the Swiss Alps in Lucerne, Switzerland. When I look at this photo I feel a sense of joy but yet, I know I'll never visit this place again and I think to myself, "I wish that, I should have, if only. . . ." I did take a lot of photos; therefore, I can always look back and experience the feelings I had the moment I took the photo and it does make me smile. It was a wondrous feeling of exhilaration, being so high above the clouds and looking down to see the beauty below, it was epic. I do feel a bit melancholy knowing that unless I win the lottery or a ton of money just happen to land on my lap, I'll probably never visit the Swiss Alps again.

I sometimes want to just have all those single moments given back to me so that I can experience them all over again .....just one more time. If I could, I would live the moment more intensely, be less distracted, and absorb more.

I'd like to share this music video by Revive called "Blink". The lyrics to the song expresses more eloquently what I want to say...




Blink by Revive

Teach me to number my days
And count every moment
Before it slips away
Take in all the colors
Before they fade to grey

I don't want to miss
Even just a second
More of this

It happens in a blink, it happens in a flash
It happens in the time it took to look back
I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time
What is it I've done with my life?

It happens in a blink

When it's all said and done
No one remembers
How far we have run
The only thing that matters
Is how we have loved

I don't want to miss
Even just a second
More of this

It happens in a blink

Slow down
Before today becomes
Our yesterday

I do need to live in the present and to remind myself that there will be many more places to see and memorable moments to experience.

I will not let too much of yesterday use up what I could be experiencing today.

With that being said, I hope you all will have a wonderful TODAY.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year and Crazy 4 Challenges

Happy New Year, my friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous start of your new year. I don't know if you noticed my new blog name but yes, I changed my blog name to "Inspired and Unscripted". That's just part of the change I'll be making to my blog so stay tuned for more changes. It'll come in small doses so don't expect big changes all at once. This is going to be a long post because I'd like to explain the blog name change.

BUT. . .before I start yapping away, business first. . .let's get started on a brand new challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges! I'll be hosting the challenges there this month so I hope you'll stop by and play along! Are you ready to be challenged again! Just because the holidays are now behind us that doesn't mean that the celebrations should end. There are many things ahead to celebrate, don't you think? Well, this week the challenge is to "celebrate something", celebrate anything such as this fabulous new year, a birthday, a friend's promotion or why not life itself! The challenge is to create a card or project that has a celebratory theme.

I decided "celebrating life" is how I wanted to start my new year! Sometimes our lives are always so busy that we really don't live our lives the way we should. We sometimes need to just step back and embrace life. . .to live, to love, and yes to laugh. . .and laugh often! My card for this challenge says it all!!

I wanted to share a video that I listen to quite often. I hope you'll watch it. It's a beautiful song by "Addison Road" called "Change in the Making". I posted the lyrics to the song if you don't care to watch the video. Whenever I listen to the song, I'm inspired to be a better person in every aspect of my life. I may not always succeed but my heart always has the desire to be better.



There’s a better version of me
That I can’t quite see
But things are gonna change
Right now I’m a total mess and
Right now I’m completely incomplete
But things are gonna change

Cause you’re not through with me yet
This is redemption’s story
With every step that I'm taking
Every day, you’re chipping away
What I don’t need

This is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
And every day I’m closer to who I’m meant to be
I'm a change in the making

Wish I could live more patiently
Wish I could give a little more of me
Without stopping to think twice
Wish I had faith like a little child
Wish I could walk a single mile
Without tripping on my own feet
But you’re not through with me yet

And this is redemption’s story
With every step that I'm taking
And every day, you’re chipping away
What I don’t need
This is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
Every day I’m closer to who I’m meant to be

From the dawn of history
You make new and you redeem
From a broken world to a broken heart
You finish what you start in everything
Like a river rolls into the sea
We’re not who we’re going to be
But things are going to change

I'm living redemption’s story
With every step that I'm taking
And every day, you’re chipping away
What I don’t need
And this is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
And every day I’m closer to who I’m meant to be
I'm a change in the making
I'm not who I'm gonna be
Moving closer to your glory

After listening to a lot of inspirational songs, I've decided a bit of change was needed in the "creative" part of my life. I needed to be true to myself. I was afraid that changes with my blogging will not be well received because most of you visit my blog to see rubber stamping and card making projects.

This may not be a surprise but to some degree I have stepped away from rubber stamping and solely making cards, not completely, but considerably by comparison to how often I rubber stamped in the past. I have always wanted to expand on to other hobbies but through the years have stuck to rubber stamping and card making because it was easier to stick to something I can do quickly and sometimes easily. I still love rubber stamping and making cards but honestly, I love a lot of other crafty things and my passion for rubber stamping has dwindled quite a bit the past year or two. I've struggled with it and decided I have to do what I really want to do and that is just be "creative" and not stick to just one genre of arts and crafts. So with that being said, I hope you'll stick around and still visit my blog.


I created a matching paper wreath for my card. The wreath is quite big. It's about 12" in diameter. I actually started on a tutorial on this project but didn't have a chance to finish it due to all the festivities during the holidays and the New Year so I'll be posting it sometime this week. It's actually quite simple to create and don't take very long to complete so stop by later this week and check out the tutorial.


I decided to use pretty pearl beads for the center of my flowers. I've collected quite a few beads for my jewelry making projects so I could spare using a few on my paper crafting projects.


I'll end my post with the sentiment "Live, Love, Laugh". Be sure to live life today like there's no tomorrow!!!

Hope you all are having a Happy New Year!!!!

Friday, December 31, 2010

Mobile. . . .Everything's Changing



Went back home again
this sucks gotta pack up and leave again
say goodbye to all my friends
can't say when I'll be there again
It's time now to turn around
Turn my back on
EVERYTHING (turn my back on) everything....

Everythings changing when I turn around all out
of my control I'm a mobile.
Everythings changing when I turn around all out
of my control I'm a mobile.

Start back at this life
Stretch myself back into the vibe
I'm waking up to say I've tried
Instead of waking up to another TV GUIDE
It's time now to turn around
Turn and walk on this crazy ground oh oh oh....

Hanging from the ceiling lifes a mobile spinning
round
with mixed feelings crazy & wild ...
sometimes I wanna SCREAM OUT LOUD ....

Everythings changing when I turn around all out
of my control I'm a mobile
Everythings changing out of what I know
everywhere I go I'm a mobile
I'm a mobile


Monday, May 3, 2010

Suspended Heart Mother's Day Card and SCUT, SVG File

Hello Friends!! Gosh, I had a lazy day yesterday. I did not even want to craft at all. . .I stepped into my craft room and I was so not in the mood. LOL! I do have my moments. I try to craft 4 days a week and leave the other days open to do other things.

Hey. . .I have a new obsession! LOL! I have a lot of them it seems. I've decided to go on a clean diet. . .meaning I've decided to go meatless for at least 5 days a week and the other 2 days are open for chicken, turkey or fish meals. I'm going to try to reduce my red meat consumption to twice a month.

It started when I stepped into our organic/vegan store and actually took the time to look at the different alternative/vegan foods available. It started with my buying a coconut water drink then I bought a bunch of meat alternative meals and other healthy organic meals. I stepped into something I've never imagined I would actually come to like. It's amazing how delicious vegan/vegetarian foods are. I've been more active in reading the labels of food products and began researching a bit on what type of ingredients are considered healthy and what are not, etc. I have a lot to learn but so far, I'm really having fun trying out different vegan/vegetarian meals. It's amazing how the alternative organic meals are comparable in taste to their popular brand name counterparts but best of all, the ingredients are natural/organic and much healthier for your body.


Okay. . now to my card. I was playing around with creating an svg file. I wanted to create a card with a shape suspended within a window. This is what I came up with. I could of done something better but I just went along with it and created 2 cards with the file.

Here is the svg and scut file. It's a simple card design. . .just a fun window shaped card.


Click on the image for the SCUT file
or
Click Here for the SVG file

Here's a video of how to cook tofu as an alternative for scrambled eggs. Tofu is low in cholesterol and high in protein. Tofu is a good alternative if eaten in moderation. . .there's been controversy on the health values of soy products so be sure to do your research when consuming a large quantity of soy products.

I cooked a tofu scrambler this morning. . .and it taste just like eggs. I didn't follow the exact recipe as shown in the video. . .I used my own ingredients. Try it out. . I think you'll be surprised how delicious it is.



Anyway. . .I'll work on a few more crafty projects. . .I'm actually in the middle of a few. . I'll share them when I'm done! Hope you all have a beautiful, healthy Monday. . .:)

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Song Dedication to All My Blog Friends


Happy Saturday! Today is a nice sunny day. I really love this song by Francesca Battistelli called "Free to Me". She doesn't have a music video for this song but this live version is pretty good. It's the type of song that lift your spirits especially if you're feeling unsure of yourself.

The second song below is again by Francesca Battistelli called "I'm Letting Go". Another inspirational song that not only has a good beat but makes you feel good. Let me know what you think.




Last but not least. . .remember Hootie and the Blowfish? Well, the lead singer Darius Rucker has a new song called "Alright". Oooh, I love the message to this song and it's a good song too! Darius really has transition to modern country really nicely. Listen to the words. . .it puts life into perspective. Tell me if this song doesn't make you smile!

Anyway. . .it's my daughter's party this afternoon so I have no cards or project to post today! Hope y'all have a wonderful and beautiful day!!







Wednesday, June 24, 2009

SCS Color Challenge - CC224 Again and Barlow Girl Videos

Hello Friends! I loved yesterday SCS Color Challenge so much. . .I decided to create another one using the same colors: Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, and Summer Sun. If you want to try it out it's SCS Color Challenge - CC224 I even used the same SU stamp set as yesterday's card. . ."Dream A Little".

I'm trying to create more cards with floral images. I've been creating a lot of cards with cutsey images for the past 3 months or so because of my DT obligations and haven't had a chance to use any of my floral stamps. I can only make so many cards in a day so my obligations come first. I also want to make more elegant cards. . .something that can sometimes be a challenge for me. I'm drawn to bright bold colors and to use neutral colors, which elegant cards require, is a difficult process for me.

Anyway. . .I really had a fun time making this card. Do you see the ribbon going across the oval? Well, that is to cover up something I messed up. LOL! Initially, I had added dots and it turned out crooked. Uggggh! Yeah, it wasn't a design I initially wanted but it turned out okay in the end.

I colored my images with both SU inks and Copic Markers. I cut out the flowers and remounted them with foam tape to pop it a little


Are you satisfied with your card making? I feel I've been stagnant. I was looking through my SCS gallery and my cards are not that much different from 2 years ago. . .I do take better photos now because I have a better camera but my style is still basically the same.
Here is a card I made two years ago. . .okay. . .not too different from now, huh? I was still cutting my images from back then! LOL! I think I may need to create different cards once in a while. It's hard because it takes time to do something different and I've gotten into sort of a routine that I can finish a card within 30 minutes to 45 minutes which I love. It frees my day up to actually clean the house or pursue other interest. I'll try to work harder and do something different once in a while.

Anyway. . enough of my babbling. I do tend to write a lot. I believe most of you don't read what I write . . .LOL! That's okay. . I sometimes read back at what I wrote and it helps bring me back to where I was at when I wrote it. . .sorta like a journal. You should write more on your blogs. . .it's like a date stamp of what you did the day you posted your blog.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

Card Details:

Stamps: SU Dream A Little
Paper: SU Parisian Summer designer paper, Apricot Appeal, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango
Ink: Copic markers, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Scribbles Iridescent Paint
Accessories: SU Large Oval Punch, Darice Rhinestones, JoAnn Heart Brads, Grosgrain Ribbon


Before I go. . .I wanted to share these two videos. . .both by "Barlow Girl". This first song is called "Never Alone". Barlow Girl is a Christian Rock band and the singer has such a beautiful voice. Their music are so inspirational.

I especially love the second song below "I Need You To Love Me". The song is so beautiful I wanted to share it you. Let me know what you think! I hope you love it like I do!!


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Inky Impressions Challenge - 3D or Altered Project

Hi Friends! Gosh my Internet wasn't working yesterday and this morning. My husband told me that our router is fried and he needs to get a new one. We're using an old router temporarily so that we can connect to the Internet but it's not allowing me to upload photos to my blog. Ugggh!

So . . .with that being said. . .

Today is Inky Impressions Challenge Day! The challenge is to create a 3D or altered item using their stamps. If you don't have their stamps yet. . .be sure to stop by their store and get them so you can play along in the Inky Impressions Challenges!! Click Here to check out the cute stamps at Inky Impressions!!

I created a CD Calendar for July but I can't show it to you right now. I'll upload the photos once I'm able to!! Be sure to stop by the Inky Impressions Challenge blog and check out the lovely creations that the design team created!!!

Hope you all have a wonderful day! I'll update this post once I can upload photos to my blog!!

Okay. . .in the mean time, since I can't upload my photos. . .you can watch these YouTube videos. LOL!


Asians are under represented in the music industry so it's nice when an Asian create an album in the US. LOL! A popular Japanese music artist "Utada Hikaru" debuted her first album in the US and her first single is called "Come Back to Me". I really like it.. .check it out and tell me what you think.

Below is video of a popular hit by Utaka Hikaru . . .it's a Japanese language song. It's a beautiful song called "First Love".









Saturday, May 2, 2009

Adventures of Maria and Alexis - Video #1


Last night I decided to create a video of me and my daughter. . .my daughter playing the guitar and me singing. LOL!! Oh my gawwwwd. . no, Maria! Yup. . .we were just having fun! I'm in the background. . .singing terribly.

Check out the video . .the second song is my favorite song . . . ."Thunder" by Boys Like Girls! Our next video will be a completion of "With You" by Chris Brown and "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. By the way, my daugther plays the guitar really well and she's self-taught. I mean she's not a pro or anything like that but for an amateur self-taught guitar player. . .she's not bad. Anyway, enjoy my video!


Tuesday, April 28, 2009

InStyle Stamps Sneak Peek - Leroy and Boys Like Girls Thunder Video

Hey Friends! Just a video and a card for you today! This video is by Boys Like Girls called "Thunder". My daughter can play this song on the guitar and I' like to sing the lyrics while she plays it. By the way, I don't sing very well but I love this song! It kills my daughter and husband when I ask my daughter to play it on the guitar because they know that I'll start singing the song. Knowing that she could play it, I memorized all the words. LOL! Well, today I decided to listen to the song and I felt a little sad. . .a good sad because it brings back good memories of me and my daughter having a good time. . .I think this will be a song when I listen to it years from now will make me cry. Silly, I know. Do you feel that way with some songs. . .you know, you feel a little sad because it brings back good memories?

This is actually my second post for the day! I actually have another one today but I'll post it later in the afternoon! I actually have a back up of cards that I created and well, it's sort of piling up! Can you believe it? "Do you craft all day?". you ask. No, I don't! LOL! But, what I am getting good at is being focused. Lately I can whip up a card within half an hour! As long as I don't do anything but color and put the card together. If I do a technique, then it takes me longer.

Now to the card, it's sneak peak of InStyle Stamps Leroy! Whoohoo! Okay, Leroy is a cool dude for sure! Look at him dance. Kinda reminds me of Obama when he's dancing. . .don't you think? LOL! I'm not a "masculine card" kind of gal so I didn't know how to dress this card up without it looking girly so I went through my stash of scrabook embellishments and I had this "Jolee's Boutique" jukebox embellishment like FOREVER! I don't know. . .I buy a lot of stuff and I usually have a purpose for them. . .like way back when I bought them but then it sorta sits in a container. I then forget what I bought it for in the first place.


I thought it fitting for a guy card. I think I'll give this card to my husband for Father's Day. I should have colored his hair brown because my husband has brown hair but I wasn't thinking of him initially when I made this card.

I drew in the checkered floor to make it look like Leroy is at a diner boogying his butt off! LOL!

I colored the image with my Copic Markers and that's about it!

Stop by InStyle Stamps and check out all the AWESOME Retro stamps they carry. Until April 30th, you can purchase InStyle Stamps at 20% off!

To receive your 20% discount, go to InStyle Stamps and start filling your shopping cart. When you are ready to place your order, do the following:

1. Type my name, Maria, in the Special Instructions box (so I get credit for referring you)

2. Type ISSA20009 in the Discount Coupon box.

Now hit the Recalculate button to receive your 20% discount.


Hope you all have a fantastic Tuesday!!

Card Details:

Stamps: InStyle Stamps Leroy
Paper: SU Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue
Ink: Copic Markers, Copic Multi-liner
Accessories: Jolee's Boutique embellishment, JoAnn Brads




Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Love these Songs. . .

Just a few videos of songs I love to listen to. This one is by Japanese singer Yui" called "Goodbye Days". This song is so pretty. . .too bad I don't understand what she is singing! LOL! Hey no matter. . .the song is pretty nonetheless.

I really love Cyndi Thomson's album. . .I mean the whole album. The songs are fabulous. It's too bad she never made another album. I feel she was progressive when it came to country music. . .sort of cross-over to mainstream. This video is of a song called "What I Really Meant to Say".

I love Jessica Andrews too. Awwww, her songs are all so pretty. I love this song by her called "Helplessly, Hopelessly". I love all her songs on her albums. There was a time when I listened to this song daily. . .it's so pretty. I love the lyics. . .you know, it's the type that provokes a feeling of deep love for someone.

Anyway, hope y'all have a fabulous day!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Lenka Video and Blog Break

Hello Everyone!! I'm taking a short blog break. I recently bought a video program because my other one was giving me serious grief. There's a huge learning curve on this new program. Argghhhhhhhhhhh! Like everything in life, I guess in order to grow you have to first educate yourself. Well, I have to do quite a bit of educating with this video program. Fortunately, I love learning new things. I'm not a techie sort so I gotta read the manuals and play around with the features and such. So. . .I need to take a creative and blog break because I can't create, blog and learn this program at the same time.

In the mean time, check out this video by Lenka!! I just love this song. It has such a cute beat. I swear, Old Navy find such great artist for their commercials. It's no wonder their commercials are so innovative. Anyway, check out the video. . .it's my favorite new song called "The Show".

Enjoy your Sunday, Everyone!!


Saturday, August 16, 2008

Say It Again - Marie Digby - New Single! Whoohoo!!

Hi, Everyone! If you've been reading my blogs for a while now, you know I like to post songs that I discover on MySpace or YouTube. Well, here's one that my daughter introduced me to. My daughter made a birthday video with this song and I really liked the song. Marie Digby was one of those who became popular on MySpace and YouTube and recently got signed a record deal.

Anyway, check out the video and check out her other songs on YouTube. They're all awesome!! I'm in the middle of creating a video on a mini album for Card Inspired so go check it out either tonight or tomorrow.

The video below is a song by Sia called "Breathe Me". I first heard this song a little over 2 years ago and I loved it, especially the video. I recently heard it on the Official Coco Cola Olympics Ad. . .it's funny because the song is about sadness and loneliness. LOL! Anyway, check it out if you've never heard Sia's music.




Wednesday, November 14, 2007

I'm Working on a Project!!!

Hi Everyone! I'm in the middle of working on a project. I'm making 30+ handmade ornaments. . .I know. . .that's nuts! I've already completed 10 of them. . .I'll make a few more of them and I'll post them tomorrow. If I have the time, I'll post the tutorial for this ornament project. I really love how they turned out so I want to share them with y'all!

In the meantime. . .I just had to post this video because I just love listening to the songs. . .it brings back so many wonderful memories for me. The video is pretty old so the quality isn't that great but I think you'll love it regardless. . .check it out!! Enjoy!!!!

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Still Cleaning the Garage. . .Check Out My All Time Favorite Song

I'm still cleaning my garage but I'll work on something today. . .I'll post a card this evening.

Anyhoo, check out the video. . .whenever I hear this song, it makes me happy but at the same time a little sad. It reminds me of my childhood. . .not that it was unhappy but because it was a happy time. I loved this song as a child and still do today. I dedicate this song to all of you. Hope you all have a wonderful day!!


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