Feeding The Narcissism

Back on the Horse...

2009-02-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

These are the first pages I've done in a LONG time!

This one is of my good friend, Jeanna - she is the topic of a lot of pages in my collection. Every time I see her (which isn't often because of our conflicting schedules and such) I am inspired to make a page about her when I get home.

I hid a journaling block behind her picture that can be pulled out by the skull tag.
This picture was taken last year on my birthday. My parents went out and got me a cake (so sweet of them!) and the girl who decorated it needed a spell check!!! The journaling reads: This is why education is so important. I typed it out with my new (old!) typewriter - a gift from Wade's Mom for Christmas! I love it, but fear that one day I will run out of ribbon and won't be able to find any!

This last page was done in celebration of me getting off my butt and actually doing something. I attended a Two Peas social (lots of ladies getting together who share a common love of scrapping). I have never done anything like this - despite my outgoing nature, I am actually very timid when it comes to trying new things. I had a good time - nothing too terribly exciting happened (although I did meet the ladies of Studio Calico, which was a nice surprise!) - more than anything, I am proud of myself for going alone and taking myself out of my comfort zone.

In other news, I won some free ribbon + lace from Breanne Crawford's blog - a nice surprise! Also, Stephanie Howell wrote about me in a blog entry a couple of days ago... she's seriously the funniest, sweetest girl!

Okay, that's all...

Scrapbooking...

2009-01-30T11:58:00.001-08:00

I think it's coming back...

nuff said...

2008-10-20T22:25:00.001-07:00

My Weekend...

2008-10-04T22:31:00.001-07:00

POST # 200

2008-09-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

THIS IS MY 200th POST! I can't believe it... more because it took me this long to post 200 and I've had this blog for years!

School and work and studying and not sleeping enough and not eating healthy have made me a bit crazy thus far, but I'm moving along, slowly but surely. This week my 3 online classes started. Everyone told me that they were really easy and just a pain in the butt, but not conceptually hard (a new concept for me because my last year at UCSD was FULL of upper division math classes and I usually had no idea what was going on!). They were all right, but none of them told me how much reading would be involved. I have about 50 pages of reading a week for each of the 3 classes plus 50 more for an in-class education class I am taking plus homework and more homework from the other 2 math classes I am taking. Once I finish reading all that shit, I am then able to write the pages and pages of responses to "what I learned this week". I wrote my first paper last week and got a 100%, so that made me feel good... especially considering that the last paper I wrote was my personal statement to get into a university! My weekends consist of me locking myself in the guest room (the only quiet place in the house) hunched over my laptop working away. I have been studying FRIDAY thru SUNDAY non-stop and I'm getting a bit stir crazy (especially because my scrapbooking table is in the guest room and oh-so inviting!): In other news, I am going to start my required 40 hours of observation in a high school classroom next week. I am nervous and excited and scared I'm going to fall asleep in class from all this work! More on this as it develops...
Here's another answer to a question posted on my blog entry a couple of weeks ago - I promise I'll get to all of them eventually!

Melissa said...: Did you or will you ever get cable??

For those of you that are confused by this, Wade and I do not have cable in the house. We do have a television, but it is only hooked up to our DVD player and our dying VHS player so we can watch movies to our hearts' content. Needless to say, we own A LOT of DVDs and a few television series on DVD - SATC, Seinfeld, MSCL and CSI Las Vegas seasons 1-6.

We initially made the decision to not have cable when we saw how expensive it was. Then after time, we became SO out of the loop, not knowing any of the latest shows that were on, who famous people were, and so on, that we just never got around to getting it. Both of us become zombies in front of the television, so part of our decision to not get cable comes from the fact that we know if we had it, we'd probably never leave the house!

I definitely miss tv. I would love to see new episodes of The Office and surprisingly enough, I miss seeing commercials. I know Wade would love to watch the History Channel and his True Crime shows. But I'm glad we don't have it... so to answer the question, no, we do not have cable!

Baby Fish Mouth

2008-09-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

So I decided over the summer that it was time for me to start thinking about a career. Right now I work at the local community college and since I work in 3 different departments, it's like I have 3 part-time jobs (which means NO benefits!). So after much deliberation and discussion, I decided to go back to school to get a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Math to teach high school. Little did I know the hoops I would have to jump through just to get into the program!

I have to take 3 more classes to fulfill what they call Subject Matter Competency (basically, do you know how to do math?) and 7 education classes. Are you hearing this? This is all BEFORE I even get into the program!

So I started school at Cal State Fullerton 3 weeks ago. My schedule is HORRIFIC Mondays through Thursdays - I leave the house around 7:30am and don't get home most nights until 9:30. I see Wade literally 20 minutes a day - 5 in the morning, 15 at night. But on the bright side, I don't have work or go to school Friday through Sunday... but I'm usually doing homework, studying, or trying to find the kitchen sink under the mountain of dishes that accumulated throughout the week!

My classes have proven to be pretty good so far, but very time consuming. I am trying to be more pro-active and talk to my professors (something I NEVER did when I was in college) to make sure they know my name and how motivated I am (might need a letter of recommendation sometime down the line!)

So needless to say I have done ZERO scrapping/artsy anything at all lately. I don't even have time to take pictures to scrap later on - although, I don't know how many pages I could make of pictures of myself in the library or pictures of Wade sleeping which is pretty much the only thing going on right now!

Also, I've applied to be a substitute teacher. I'm hoping it will give me a little taste of what to expect from the high school environment.

Okay, on to the question/answer part of our blog day:

marie antoinette said...: how did you and wade meet?

ANSWER: Wade and I met in Spanish 1 at Saddleback Community College. On the first day of school I was 15 minutes late and when I walked into the class, the profesora said, " ¡Hola! ¡Bienvenidos! Nos estamos sentando en grupos y nos estamos presentando. ¡Siéntese!"
to which I replied, "Espanol uno?" since I didn't understand a damn word she said. So I got the hint and sat down next to some white guy with poofy hair. I asked him what we were supposed to do and he just shrugged and said, "I don't understand a damn word she says!" Four months later, that poofy haired guy and I were dating... and now we're engaged!

PLEASE HELP ME!!!

2008-08-20T11:06:00.001-07:00

I am SO blah about blogging these days! Even when I complete a layout, it takes me FOREVER to upload it onto this blog if I even get around to it!

SO PLEASE HELP ME!!! In order to boost my blogginess, can you guys leave questions in the comments section for me? ANY questions, EVERY question, TONS of questions!!! I'm hoping this will prompt me to write more here and get into blogging again.

In other news, to answer Kat's question about my last post...

My engagement ring was custom made for me by a seller from ETSY. I would tell you who, but to be brutally honest, it took an INSANE amount of time to get this ring and a TON of stress and anxiety - but the ring is really great and well made so I'm kind of stuck. I really want to tell you NEVER go to this seller because it will take FOREVER and you're better off finding someone else. But on the other hand I really want to tell you that this seller does fantastic work and you will not be disappointed by the quality of the ring. So, to be fair, I'm just not going to tell you who the seller is.

Okay, that being said (holy tangent, Batman!) here's the story of my ring. For the longest time I have been eyeing this:

Platinum + Diamond = WAY TOO MUCH MONEY (especially in this economy!) SO, Wade and I agreed that I would get a less expensive ring for now, and when the economy gets better or when we win the lottery, he'll splurge on a Kretchmer.

Here is said ring:

It's pretty much the same concept as the Kretchmer Omega Ring - except it's titanium and a ruby. It's a tension setting and is really comfortable to wear since there aren't any prongs. Since the ruby is a bit small (I wanted a larger one but the seller didn't feel comfortable with the strength of the tension) I really like that there aren't any prongs or bezels that hide the gem.

So there it is!
Don't forget, leave me some q's in the comments section to save me from myself!

It's Finally Here!

2008-08-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back

2008-07-22T20:06:00.001-07:00

So Vegas was amazing. We planned on staying for 4 days and ended up staying almost a full week. We tried the poker tables for the first time and LOVED them. All in all, we only lost a couple hundred dollars, so as far as I'm concerned, we came back winners (we'd spend that much on the alcohol alone, so the poker entertainment is just a bonus!)

I have done absolute squat for the wedding.

Been scrapping like a mad-woman. Here are a TON of my recent layouts - hope you don't get bored looking at them! I scanned these layouts instead of taking pictures of them - the quality is much better, but I can't seem to figure out how to eliminate (or at least minimize) that seam line. I need a 12x12 scanner... Next time I find a couple of thousand bucks under my couch cushions or in my pockets, I'll be sure to buy one...

(did you really make it ALL the way down here? wow... I'm impressed!)

Viva Las Vegas

2008-07-12T22:46:00.001-07:00

We spent almost an entire week in Las Vegas - and although we have been going twice a year for almost FIVE years, this was BY FAR the best Vegas trip EVER! I'm so so so sleepy, though - being in Vegas is like being in a foreign country if only because your sleep schedule gets SO effed up. I tell people I am jet-lagged and they laugh because I only went about 300 miles away from home, but it's true! Now to sleep - later with more...

Back on the horse...

2008-07-01T10:51:00.001-07:00

...

2008-06-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

It's been quite an eventful week for me...

The biggest news is that my grandmother passed away last Friday. She had been ill for a while. She was the last of her generation that I know of and it kind of makes me worry because now the next family member to go will be in my parents' generation... pretty scary.

So I took the week off from work and spent time with my family. Both of my sisters came down for the funeral and we got to hang out a bit. It was kind of weird because we hadn't seen each other for a while and so we were excited to do something fun, but then again, they were here to remember our grandmother... We decided to try to break up the sadness by going out to dinner together and seeing a movie. We ended up seeing the Strangers - scary scary and lots of fun screaming and clutching onto my sister's arm in fear!

Here are a few layouts I've done recently. I have more up on my SIS account. I'm still doing pretty well with my 365 project, but to be honest I cheat a little. If I make two layouts in one day and none the next, I let it slide. I'll even write the wrong date on the layout just so I'll have one a day - I figure in a couple of years from now I'll have forgotten that I cheated and everything will be okay!

My Etsy shop is almost done - I've decided to let the listings expire if no one buys anything. A whole bunch of items expired last week, but I'm not re-posting them - I guess that means I have some new felties that I can use!!! Thanks so much to all of you that supported me through my first entrepreneurial excursion!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, ALL!!!

ARTS N' CRAPS 50% OFF SALE!!!

2008-06-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

You only have until June 25th to get these felties (that's when the listings expire and they will forever be gone in the ETSY world!)

Get 'em while the gettins good!!!

Pics+Layouts

2008-06-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

Some Recent Layouts

2008-06-10T23:32:00.000-07:00

I'm still not too happy with this layout - seems a little rushed and thrown together. I am trying to just let my layouts be without over analyzing them - I know in a few years when I look back on them I'll just be stoked that the picture + journaling is there to bring back memories. I am really happy with the felt clock, though... I've been toying with this idea for a while and finally made it.

I'm pretty happy with the way this layout turned out. I want to start working on my penmanship because it's beginning to look sloppy, but not "cool" sloppy, just "sloppy" sloppy. The letter stickers I used for the title kept peeling off of their adhesive so I had to use modge podge on it - I really like the way that ended up looking because the title is all shiny and nice.

I threw this one together this morning. I have these paint dabbers that keep getting clogged, so I opened one up and just smeared the paint frame right from the bottle. Then I took a dried out baby wipe and wiped up the excess paint. What resulted was this cool looking smudginess that I really like... good thing my paint dabber was clogged! The title suddenly came to me and I had to put it down on paper. I really like the way the mixed font+colors turned out.

PS. I'm not sure if anyone really reads my blog anymore. I keep getting the same 2 or 3 people leaving comments, which I adore, but was wondering who else (if there is anyone else) is reading this. Leave me a comment, if only to say hello, so I know you are out there!

Fun Sunday

2008-06-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today was such a good day! We didn't do anything terribly exciting - just ran some errands - but all in all it was a very pleasant time. Wade took me to Michael's so I could get some supplies and I waited for him while he got a contract signed. After that we fought our way through the moms and kids at Costco and spent WAY too much money.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the hotel that we're going to have the wedding in - if all goes as planned, mom and I are going to sign up with them and hopefully after that all the rest of the planning will be just a little bit easier. Once we sign up, I'll put some pics up here of the venue.

Wade and I are planning a Vegas trip -SO exciting. We haven't been in over a year (we used to go TWICE a year, so we're really glad we can finally go!) He actually asked me yesterday if I want to go their local scrapbook stores like we did last time. He said, "Actually, that was a lot of fun!" FUN? Going to a scrapbook store is FUN for Wade? Perhaps HE'LL be scrapping some day... ha ha ha

I've been doing pretty well with my 365 plan. Haven't missed a day yet, but my scrapping muse has been flying around my studio for the last couple of weeks - hopefully she doesn't have any plans to leave... (or he? Can't my muse be a he? Let's name him Burton... There, it's done.)

Here are a couple more recent layouts:

Some New Layouts

2008-06-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

I added this one to my 08 Album:

Then a few more daily layouts for my 365 project:

And finally, a scrap lift of Renee's Fantastic Layout Seen HERE:

Have a great day!

There's a first time for everything

2008-06-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

I got LAYOUT OF THE DAY at SISTV. Check it out here!

Even cooler than that, Renee and I are BOTH on the Catwalk this week! So weird and great! Check us out HERE!

Pretty exciting...

Monday, June 02, 2008

2008-06-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Still scrapping strong - which is such a good feeling.

We spent last weekend cleaning the house and on Friday I finally got to my studio - did a huge cleaning. Lovely to have everything organized and in its own place.

Saturday mom and I went back to a Long Beach hotel to do a walk-thru - I think we've made our decision, but I still have a ton of questions for the coordinator.

Yesterday I stayed with Laela until 2 (lovely girl, she bought me donuts!), relaxed at home for a bit, then went out for some much needed sushi with some friends.

I leave you with some layouts done this past weekend. Have a great Monday!

It's Back

2008-05-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Finally!

I've been scrapping like crazy the last couple of nights - it's so nice to be back into it...

This last one is a page lift from Rachel
It's definitely my favorite so far.

More to come (I hope!)

Here's the buzz

2008-05-15T11:58:00.001-07:00

Hello, out there...
Here's what's new with Candice...

We went camping last weekend.
Got some shootin' on - I have proven to be a good shot at the start of the session, and sloppy after about 10 minutes... I have a short attention span, I guess.

You may notice the lobsteresqe shoulders I've got going on in this picture... oh the sun was-a-beatin' down on us!

Little birdies under the 5th wheel - waiting for some food from mama...

Eating good watermelon on a hot hot day - so nice!

Back home, my studio is turning out to be quite a site - ground zero for Hurricane Candice...

Wade finally put up this awesome picture we got from Jeanna and Russ - It's about the fireplace and I LOVE it!

Falling in love (again) with polaroids - we take pictures of everyone that walks in the door (as you can see, we don't get that many visitors...)

That's about all that's going on - we are going to Long Beach this Saturday to check out some hotels for the wedding - I'll post more pics then.

(oh, and as a side note, my etsy shop is dying... Haven't had a sale in almost a month! I may have to close it down - very sad as I've only been in business for about 6 months, but I guess the feltie craze is over. I suppose I could be doing more ACTIVE things to promote the shop, but in all honesty, I am kind of over it. I'm thinking I'll wait until the listings are going to expire and then have a HUGE sale... we'll see how it goes.)

Random Photos...

2008-05-08T20:47:00.001-07:00

May 05 - PHOTO HEAVY!

2008-05-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a layout I did recently...

Finally finished my wedding planner...

Lots of dividers - which I love!

This is Wade and I have been doing every night after dinner - sitting out on the front porch (usually there's a fire in the chiminea)...

Went camping a couple of weekends ago...

Goofed around with perspective a bit - I look HUGE!

Went with my mom last weekend to check out venues in Newport Beach. Nothing terribly fantastic in my opinion... next outing will be to check out Long Beach venues...

Some GORGEOUS flowers they had in the lobby of one of the hotels. Gave mom the idea to make something similar for centerpieces... I love love love the colors and the mod-simplicity of the whole thing...

That's about all for now (of course, I've been playing scrabble on facebook like crazy... I'll need an intervention pretty soon...)

Have a great week!

PS. who is the "k" that left me a comment yesterday? identify yourself! Is it you? Or you?

7 years and counting...

2008-04-18T15:55:00.001-07:00

Today is our 7 year anniversary! I can't believe it...

Here is a little clear mini-book I made for Wade:

Have a great weekend, all!

Some pictures - Old and New

2008-04-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Got a new scanner for my birthday - here's an old picture of our small little family back in the day:

This picture was taken about a year into our relationship - he's trying to push me off the cliff...
And here are some new pictures of Otis - he's helping me in my quest to fight perfection. Such a good dog!

It's True

2008-04-13T22:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much for all your comments, ladies! Yes, I am engaged!!! WOO HOO!

There is SO much crap I have to do to prepare - I am the last of me and my sisters to get hitched, so my mom is pretty happy to be finally rid of me, I'm sure!

*** I want to apologize in advance for what I'm sure will be an influx of WEDDING crap on my blog - I hope you guys don't get too bored with me!***

That's all for now - Have a great week!

As of April 5th, 2008 @ 8:30pm

2008-04-06T11:35:00.001-07:00

Random Thursday

2008-04-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

~ Got a new bag from Marty at Iscreamseams:

Lots of groovy pockets on the inside and outside:

~ Amber Ulmer made this page for Sweet Spuds - notice the use of the I Heart This feltie... She agreed to let me put this layout in my ETSY shop to show customers how she used it - sweet girl.

~ Our 7 year anniversary is this month (me and Wade, not me and Amber Ulmer) so I have started a mini mini mini album for him. I am getting all of my old pictures out to try to document the last 7 years together. I'll be sure to post when it's done.

~ Finding tons of inspiration on line lately - mostly from other scrappers - but can't seem to find the time or the energy to do a layout on my own.

~ Had a crazy idea about having my own design team for my SHOPPE. I could give them free felties and then they could make pages using them and then I could show them off... I have a small list of ladies in mind, but don't know how good of an idea it is yet.

~ Started watching the third (?) season of the office... now I am hooked - it sucks. A co-worker has them all on DVD and offered to burn them for me... he's my new best friend.

Have a great day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

2008-03-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR FRANA...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Happy Spring!

2008-03-29T10:48:00.001-07:00

Spring.
That means the hot weather is coming.
Yuck.
I don't handle hot weather very well.
Here's my newest addition to my cactus garden:

Once we get the front yard done (who knows when that will be), I'm going to plant these like crazy, everywhere. Maybe that will keep the neighbor's chihuahua out of our yard.

I've run out of ideas for my ETSY shop. I don't know what else I can do now but wait. I wanna advertise or something, but don't know how. The only thing I can think to do is to scrap some layouts and mini-books and show off my felties. My parents are giving me a new printer for my birthday (coming up next weekend) so I am kind of waiting until I get it to print pictures and such.

What's new with you guys?

Long Time, No See

2008-03-22T12:21:00.001-07:00

How I spent my Spring Break Vacation, by Candice PJ

I went to my nephew's for Spring Break - It was off the hook... Check him out - rockin' and rollin'!!!

And of course, I saw my babies, J and O. Here's J with my sister - she always makes faces at the camera...

Here's me and my sister dying our hair - very attractive shot:

And here's L with her famous Harry Potter glasses (one dollar at Target is the rumor!)

We went to an amazing park with the kids - huge cement slide and fantastic swings.

And after a long vacation I came back home to find these goodies waiting for me from RENEE:

My favorite of course being this eraser:

Renee, I think Chrissy is right - you and I have very similar handwriting... I think that should earn me the right to be honorary cousin, don't you? (I know Marie would agree with me!)

Hopefully I'll be back to blogging more often again...
Have a great weekend!

Dylan Grey

2008-03-06T22:51:00.001-08:00

I visited my new nephew last weekend - he is SO small and SO cute! He makes these marvelous little squeaks when he drinks from a bottle and breathes like a pug when he's sleeping!

And of course, what do two silly women do once the baby has finally fallen asleep? We dress him up and take pictures, of course!

And my ALL TIME FAVORITE:

Cracks me up!!!

SWEET SPUDS has their gallery up for their MARCH kit and several of the ladies on their design team used my FELTIE on their layouts! It's so exciting to see what other artists do with stuff I make! Go check it out!

Have a great FRIDAY!

happy march!

2008-03-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

~ In Northern California this weekend visiting my sisters
~Went to Scrapbook Territory, Paper Source and Anthropologie
~My brother in law is being retarded... trying to spy on me
~Found this picture on my sister's computer...

Sweet Spuds March Kit

2008-02-27T14:00:00.000-08:00

HEY YOU!!!

Go out and order Sweet Spuds' Marck Kit...

Why you ask?

Because one of my FELTIES is IN THE KIT!!! CHECK IT OUT!!!

Just TOO exciting... I can't wait to see what their amazing DT does with their feltie!!!

UBER UPDATE

2008-02-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

Hello ladies...

Where have you been, Candice? We've missed you so!

Work, camping, Scrabble on line with my sister, but mostly, FELTIES!!!

GO HERE!!!!!

Wow, Candice, you rock! We are going to buy EVERYTHING in your shoppe!

Cool.

2008-02-14T10:30:00.001-08:00

2008-02-11T23:30:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are wondering how I make my Power Point collages, here is a step-by-step demo JUST FOR YOU!!!

Step 1: Crop all the photos you want to use to the same size. I usually crop my pictures so that they are squares – this makes it easier to line them up in a grid.

Step 2: Copy and paste the photos into Power Point. You may have to minimize the size in order to make the pictures fit onto one sheet. To maintain the SQUARE shape while minimizing, move your cursor to the corner of the photo until the arrow appears, press and hold the SHIFT KEY, click and hold the arrow and minimize.

Step 3: Select the RECTANGLE icon on the bottom of the window

Create a square using the same SHIFT KEY method as step 2 and COVER one picture with this square. My default is a thin bordered blue filled rectangle, so I have to then select NO FILL on the FILL COLOR icon at the bottom

and choose a thicker line using the LINE STYLE icon at the bottom.

Step 4: Once ONE of these rectangles is created, you can just copy and paste it to border the rest of your photos.

Step 5: Save your Power Point collage as a JPEG. This converts it back into a picture file instead of a Power Point file.

Step 6: Upload your collage on your blog, give me some props and then wait for the flood of compliments that are sure to come!

Leave any questions in the comment section and I will be happy to help if I can!

Have a great week!

2008-02-09T22:17:00.001-08:00

Went scrapbook shopping today for the first time in almost 3 months! Got some great pp, but am too lazy to take pics... use your imagination.

Go to Renee's blog because she has the cutest pics of her dog (see how lazy I am? I am sending you to ANOTHER blog because I have nothing interesting to show you!).

Little Grey

2008-02-08T20:37:00.001-08:00

Have a fantastic weekend!

Answers

2008-02-07T19:26:00.000-08:00

marie antoinette said...
that's very cool... i love the font and lettering. what did you make that out of? it looks like felt, but i'm not sure.

I made the LOVE IS with acrylic paint on canvas.

renee said...
where in the world did you get that stuff??!!!! It's my dream scrapboking supply....i LOVE it!

I got it at skybluepink.com. Just CLICK HERE for Punchinella!

Jen said...
ok, but what the heck is this stuff?have i been living under a rock??

Punchinella is fun plastic ribbon that is left over after sequins are punched out, often called "sequin waste." I have used it on some of my layouts - like THIS ONE and Renee used some on THIS ONE and THIS ONE. (Hope you don't mind me linking your beautiful pages, Renee!)

Frances said...
hey why dont you post a whole day just about ME?!?! then i'll look at it with interest, instead of just skimming half asleep...HAH again with the kidding.

Because then everyone else who reads will just skim, half asleep... HAH!

Punch Drunk

2008-02-06T22:35:00.001-08:00

Look at what I got!!! What is it, you ask?

Punchinella! I can't wait to use it!!!

Mid-Week Update

2008-02-05T22:35:00.000-08:00

*The days are flying by - can you believe that it is already February?

*You guys must go check out THIS on YouTube - it is brilliant.

*Work is going so well this semester. Private tutoring is picking up. I expect more in a couple of weeks after the first wave of exams - that's when students realize they need me! My new job at the computer lab is fabulous! Imagine, getting paid to read blogs! My Calculus workshops are getting better too (I had 10 students this week - an improvement to the 3 I had last week!)

*My boss at the computer lab asked if I was available for next year - YAY! They are going to hire me again! Love it...

*There is a lab aid that works with me on Tuesdays and Thursdays - he is very nice and fun (much better than the first nerd-o I met!)

*I am really dying to do some scrapbooking, but decided to devote February to my Etsy Shop which is in need of a huge update...

*I'm really sad that I can't see my new nephew until the end of the month - stupid jury duty is preventing me from going sooner.

*Tomorrow is my looooooooooong day...

Love Is

2008-02-04T23:03:00.003-08:00

Little something I made for our bedroom - Beatles Lyric...

Have a great Tuesday!

{looking back} Friday

2008-02-03T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today my sister had a baby!!!

Meet Dylan Grey:

New Gloves (Sorry Frana - Not For You!)

2008-01-31T10:04:00.001-08:00

Lazy Wednesday

2008-01-30T20:53:00.000-08:00

I've had SUCH a long day today. Here's today's schedule (for the Paper 08 challenge):

7:00am - Maggie comes to walk the dog
7:30am - Maggie comes back from walking the dog. I groan because the doorbell woke me up. Wade groans because he has to answer the door.
7:45am - I get out of bed since I can't go back to sleep. I can hear Wade in the kitchen eating cereal.
8:45am - I drive to the vet's office to pick up some ear infection medication for Clementine.
9:15am - Get to work. I'm a little early so I enjoy my hot tea and some quiet time.
10:00am - Start working at the front desk. People keep asking me math questions so I have to answer them while helping others with front desk crap. Hardly have a moment to relax.
12:30pm - Private tutoring (new student). He turns out to be really bright, so it made my job much easier.
1:30pm - Finally get to talk to Mihaela (she's been here almost 3 hours, but we've both been so busy!)
2:30pm - Calculus workshop. These kids don't know crap...
5:00pm - More tutoring. Loving it when students are getting correct answers and realizing that math is something they could learn to love! (okay, maybe not love, but at least tolerate!)
6:00pm - Start shift at the Computer Lab
7:00pm - Private tutoring (I am getting paid TWICE since I am in the CL!)
9:00pm - post this blog entry... it's closing time now... YAY! Get to go home...

Have a great night!

WELCOME BACK!

2008-01-29T22:39:00.001-08:00

Everyone go say hello (again) to JEN at her blog, SCRAP XOXO. She thought she could leave us, but now after several months of non-blogging, she is back.

WELCOME BACK, JEN!!!

Ben and Mario

2008-01-28T21:25:00.001-08:00

Wade's been checking out some bands on my IPOD and has recently come across BEN FOLDS FIVE. I used to listen to them back in the day and now every song brings back so many memories!

And why is this boy so happy?

Because I found my old Nintendo in my Mom's garage!

My mom wanted me to look through some boxes I have stored in her garage... upon opening every box I said, "Oh my goose, I didn't know you had THIS!" to which Wade would reply, "LEAVE IT! Don't bring it to our house!" Then I found my old Nintendo and he insisted I bring it home!!! (Wade's playing right now, and he wants to make sure I mention here that he beat Super Mario Brothers - first try)

And here's Wade trying to beat the game:

2008-01-27T15:03:00.000-08:00

Wade and I are going out to dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday. Me and my sisters all pooled together and bought her some Agatha Christie DVD's she's been asking for. Here is the wrapped gift:

And the front of card I made from us three girls (my sister's live up north, so they won't be there for dinner... sad):

And inside the card:

Here's the collage pic that's in the card (a little bigger so you can actually see what the pics are)

I cut TONS of felties today in anticipation of the FEBRUARY ETSY UPDATE. Now that they are cut, they need to be stitched:

I threaded several needles with embroidery thread and stored them in this mini-tin so I can take it to work with me and sew on the job.

I have no idea how long it will take me to finish all these felties - I still have some more ideas for new felties that I haven't had time to try yet. February's Etsy update might turn in to March's Etsy update! Hopefully not... fingers crossed!

Oil and Felt

2008-01-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

I spent all morning at the car place getting my oil changed and new front brakes. Luckily I brought some feltie stuff to work on, so it wasn't a total loss...

I've been thinking of all sorts of ideas for new felties - some good, some not so good, some really dumb... I'm hoping to update my ETSY SHOP by mid - February, but my work schedule may not allow that.

Here's a little sneak peek of some stuff that will be up in my shop soon:

Must go now and prepare for poker night...

Sleepy Friday Night

2008-01-25T21:09:00.000-08:00

Not doing much tonight... Wade and I have been watching The Twilight Zone - love that show.

I'm trying to get my body used to my new work schedule. I've been leaving the house around 8 and not coming home until 9 at night. It's hard being away from Wade all day, but I like my job, so that makes it a little easier.

I just bought this from Breanne's Etsy Shop:

Can't wait to get it!

Have a great weekend!

Old School

2008-01-24T21:50:00.000-08:00

Found this old picture... It was taken a couple of months after we got Otis. We lived in San Clemente in a little old apartment. This was taken by my first digital camera - so grainy, but I love it anyway.

Have a great day!

12 Weeks To Better Photos

2008-01-23T19:46:00.000-08:00

Joanna Bolick has tutorials on Two Peas called 12 Weeks To Better Photos. Go check it out...

Tuesday feels like Monday

2008-01-22T19:21:00.000-08:00

I love three day weekends... BUT, it totally messes up my schedule! I have no idea what today is and what yesterday was... it's really frusterating.

INSPIRATION

2008-01-21T19:50:00.000-08:00

Just looked around the internet and found some things that are inspiring me at the moment...
Hope you had a great MLK day!

Found this on ETSY. Love the snooty bird.
Loving KC's mini album collection - makes me want to quit my job and lock myself in my studio in the hopes of one day being that talented...

Mark Gonzales:
I've been watching THIS MOVIE every single night before bed - of course, I only watch about 20 minutes before my old body gets too sleepy, but I LOVE this movie... not sick of it yet and it's been MONTHS!
Rilo Kiley - nuff said... no wait, I gotta tell you how much I adore this band right now.Their lyrics are amazing and the band's ability to write fantastic fillers just keeps me going every day. If you haven't already, you must get some of their music (then, when you are in love with Rilo Kiley, you can get some Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins too). She rocks my socks off...

Weekend Camping

2008-01-20T23:37:00.000-08:00

Wade and I were camping this weekend. His good friend owns property out in Aguanga, which is only 2 hours from our house. He has a fifth-wheel and running water, so it's not REALLY roughing it, but I call it camping (if I can't take a shower on a daily basis, it's camping to me!)

We had some friends join us this weekend - it was definitely a good time. We went out riding (quads and motorbikes), did some shooting (there is a shooting range on the property) and drank and ate s'mores by the campfire.

Have a good MLK Jr. Day!

Cheating

2008-01-18T10:44:00.000-08:00

This is Saturday's post. Disregard the top line that says that I posted this on Friday... It's false.

It must be Saturday SOMEWHERE in the world, right?

Have a great weekend!

Didn't Think Of That...

2008-01-18T10:42:00.001-08:00

Wade and I are going camping this weekend... guess I won't be able to blog tomorrow.

So...

I'll cheat!

I'll post TWO - one for today and one for tomorrow (we're coming back on Sunday).

I have so many ideas for felties swimming in my head, but NO time at all to actually see them to fruition.

Last night at the Math Lab was boring - the computer in the back room was broken so I had to use the student computers like a commoner...

I sliced my middle finger on a piece of glass while cleaning up in the Math Lab. It stings...

Have a great weekend!

Confessions

2008-01-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

... inspired by Marie (you guys should go check her out if you haven't already - she's hilarious!!!) here are some random confessions:

CONFESSIONS 001

1. I use my "You Can Do It" voice a lot - and I really don't believe most people can.

2. I like the pages I scraplift from other scrappers more than I do my own.

3. I can't watch talk shows while I'm eating - it makes me sick.

4. I'm really scared someone is going to ask me a computer question here at the lab and when I tell them I have no idea what the answer is, they will look at me like I'm stupid.

5. I hate it when people I don't know that well call me Candie.

6. Sometimes I hate my dogs.

7. I really want to have kids sometime in the future (lots of them!) but cannot fathom having to live my life for anyone but myself.

Have a great Friday, friends!

Too Tired...

2008-01-16T23:05:00.000-08:00

Really tired

It's been a LONG day

Here are some pictures of my hounds for you to enjoy

Might think I only take pictures of them when they sleep

I do

But only because that's all they do

Sleep

Which is what I'm gonna do

NOW

First Impressions

2008-01-15T21:04:00.000-08:00

Tonight was my first night working in the Math Lab. I was a bit nervous, because I have had absolutely NO training in the lab and on my first shift they just kind of threw me into the chair and said, "see-ya!"

It turned out to be cake though. It's only the second day of the semester so only 3 people came in during the hour and a half I was there and they were all in Calculus (my forte). There is a little room in the back behind a huge glass wall where I can sit and monitor students using the lab. I have a computer with internet access so I basically get paid to read blogs. I love it. My new boss said that I can just bring my own stuff and work on it in the lab when it's slow so I'm going to bring my feltie stuff with me... hmmm, I wonder how much scrapbooking crap I could bring in there...

I met the guy that works in the lab after me on Tuesdays. He wasn't very nice... not mean or anything, just kind of a computer geek... (he brought his own laptop and computer games to the Math lab even though we have 30 computers in there...). I introduced myself and stuck my hand out for him to shake it and he paused for about 4 seconds - maybe wondering what my hand was doing out there. Not the most sociable guy in the world. He came 5 minutes early so I tried to shoot the poop with him - you know, ask him questions like how long have you worked here, is there anything I should be careful or know about, blah blah blah - and he practically interrupted me mid-sentence and said, "You can go whenever you want, you don't have to wait until 6." I took the hint and left... Hopefully my other co-workers are a bit sweeter...

Bag Lady

2008-01-14T20:20:00.001-08:00

I have always been a bag person: I love buying them, making them, and trading them with my oldest sister (she's the one who taught me to be a Bag Lady, I think).

So I thought it might be interesting to see how often I change purses/bags throughout 2008.

I started this year off with this guy:

It's a "The Sak" leather satchel I bought at Macy's (I think) over Christmas break. I love that it is relatively small, but can hold all of my junk. It's black leather, so I don't really have to worry about it getting dirty when I put it on the floor. The lining is a fun funky print that I just adore. It has 2 pockets on the inside for a cell phone and other goodies, and a zipper pocket on the other side. Things I don't really like about this bag is that there are NO pockets on the outside, the handles are too short when I wear a big overcoat and when it is unzipped, one handle falls off my shoulder.

So here is my SECOND bag of the year. It's a Kirra Girls Falling Hearts Tote.

It has and old school snap clasp closure, adjustable buckled shoulder straps and inside zip pocket. Already I know the white background is going to make this one a very SHORT LIVED bag for me... We'll see how it goes.

New Blog

2008-01-13T23:14:00.000-08:00

I have always wanted a THREE COLUMN blog, but didn't want to pay for TYPEPAD to get it - with a little help from google (and a long Sunday at home) I finally have one! I still have to add a TON of more stuff (a lot of the extras on the side bars got deleted in the change), but I am loving the new layout!

What do you all think?

On another note, I found a young lovely over at sis who LOVES math (I know, it's weird) so I just had to introduce myself! She creates great layouts, so go check her out HERE!

Today is my LAST day of being a lazy bum... I go back to work tomorrow - YIKES! It's weird, because I always get UBER nervous on the first day of school, even though I am not a student anymore! I'm always nervous that students won't like my teaching methods or not trust me or something...

WISH ME LUCK!

SORRY

2008-01-13T14:21:00.000-08:00

THIS BLOG IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Sorry for the messiness... it should be done by the end of today.

THANKS!

Just Made It!!!

2008-01-12T23:25:00.000-08:00

It's 11:26pm here in California, so I just made it!!!

We played poker tonight... lost 30 bucks. Sucks.

I just found Google Reader... you should check it out. It allows you to subscribe to blogs and every time someone uploads a new post, it shows up in Google Reader. It's like checking your e mail, only it's for blogs... really cool. I follow about 40 different blogs, so it is so much easier this way!

Have a good Sunday, all! See you tomorrow...

2008-01-11T22:06:00.001-08:00

Didn't do much today...

Got this layout done... I think it's missing something, but can't figure out what. I have a tendency to add too much to my layouts and then later on thinking, if I just stopped here, it would have been perfect.

Another page I added to my 08 album:

A letter written to my by my niece. She just turned 5 in October, but she is already writing me letters! It says "Der Momo, Did yo gt neckls Luv, Leelee" which translates to Dear Momo (this is what she calls me. when she was little she couldn't say "emo" which in Korean means aunt, so she called me momo instead. it stuck.) Did you get (the) necklace? (she mailed me a necklace she made for me) Love, Leelee (her name is Olivia, but we call her Leelee for short)

Isn't she a genius? And who taught her to use commas?

08

2008-01-10T20:07:00.001-08:00

So, while looking for a new project that will last throughout the year - one that forces me to create something on a weekly basis - I have come to the conclusion that if I make an album with too specific a theme, I will never complete it... I have tons and tons of mini books laying around my studio that have not been finished for one reason or another...

So I decided to make an album called "08" for the year 2008. You can't get more general than that. In this album I plan on putting selected challenges from different sites (sometimes the challenges I read just aren't very interesting to me or don't pertain to my life at all!).

Here it is!

The Cover:

First Pages:

And The Last Page:

Thanks for looking!

2008-01-09T21:56:00.000-08:00

Wade was sick today. He gets really mushy and wants to cuddle when he's sick. We've watched three DVD's today while laying on the couch and are now watching a fourth...

Too bad he's not always like this! Well, minus the snot and the sneezing.

2008-01-08T17:50:00.001-08:00

Tuesday thoughts:

I think I love January... I love that feeling that anything is possible - that I can start something new and exciting. I hope I feel like this every month.
I really wanna go to CHA. It's rather frustrating knowing that they will be in Anaheim this winter - so close, yet so not going to happen. Too bad my ETSY shop doesn't qualify me.
I recently filled an order for BAD GIRLS KITS - go check out their January Add On, "Funhouse" to see my skull felties in action! I got to meet Wendy, the owner, who is a super cool lady - hopefully we will be doing more business together in the future!
I just found out about PAPER08 - I'm hoping to get started tonight and for the rest of the year. I want this to be a forever thing - weekly documentation of my life - so that when I'm old and senile, I'll have something to show for it.
I am planning to have a fuller schedule this semester. Last semester I kind of took a break - I didn't do ANY private tutoring and really cut my hours at the tutoring center. I didn't know it then, but now realize that in cutting back my work schedule, I ended up cutting back everything else. I am totally slacking on house duties, embarrassingly lagging on artistic endeavors and shamefully slumping on friend-relationships. I now know that if I have TOO much time on my hands, I will procrastinate. So, my plan for this semester is to fill up my schedule with work and play so that I don't waste even a minute of my life!

ps. I am getting kind of tired of these challenge blogs this month... they are all challenging the SAME thing: What's your Resolution this year? Blah blah blah - way too overplayed.

See you tomorrow!

Daily Posts

2008-01-07T23:09:00.000-08:00

So everyone is blogging about new things they are trying now that 2008 is here: 365 pics, project a month, blah blah blah... so I am going to try something for myself... I am going to see if I can post an entry here everyday for the rest of this year. I'm also going to try to get over that fact that I missed the first week of this month... who says things HAVE to start on January First, huh?

Wade and I just got done watching Stand By Me. Memorable quotes include: "I brought the comb", "Two for flinching", "If either of you had 2 thousand dollars I'd kill you" and "Sincerely!".

Have a great day!

(see you tomorrow, I hope!)

New Planner

2008-01-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

Wade bought me a Bind It All for Christmas and I finally got to use it to make my new planner! I'm so happy because it's practically impossible to find a planner that I like - and they are so expensive! {especially considering the fact that I have a short attention span when it comes to planners and in 3-4 months I am sure I will be sick of this one and will have to make a new one! In fact, my old planner only lasted a month and a half!}

Happy New Year

2008-01-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

And Happy Belated Festivus (for the rest of us!)

Here's an album I made for my friend Laela for Christmas: (sorry the pics are so small - I plan on uploading them on my SIS account soon, so you can see them there if you like)

I was asked to sponsor the CHIT CHAT CHALLENGE and gave away these goodies from my ETSY shop:

And here are some pics from our camping trip to Aguanga:

And here is how I spent my New Year's Eve:

ps PowerPoint Tutorial coming SOON!!!

2007-12-24T11:21:00.001-08:00

My Christmas Vacation

2007-12-19T18:34:00.001-08:00

I made an album for my sister and gave it to her for Christmas:

Spent 5 days up north to see my brothers, sisters and my sister's kids.

I came home to find three ornaments in the mail from the RV Ornament Swap. (They inspired me to make the little penguin!)

P.S. I made these collages with PowerPoint, Marie. You should try it - it's amazing!

A Little Eye Candy

2007-12-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

{this picture makes me happy}

Rainy Day Dawgs

2007-11-30T15:16:00.000-08:00

It's raining today... first rain in a while. This means the puppies get to be inside for a change: Bailey on the floor, Otis on the couch (don't tell Wade!) and Clemmie in her big-girl chair. When Clem came in from the backyard this afternoon she was SHIVERING like a... what shivers... well, whatever, she was shivering... so I took one of my old college sweatshirts out and put it on her. Now she is warm AND supporting the Tritons!!!

Look how ADORABLE she is with her new hoodie!!! Too bad I can't show you what she looks like when she tries to walk - it's UBER cute!!!

Now go check THIS out - a hilarious blog post from my good friend KAT.

ETSY Update #5

2007-11-29T10:46:00.001-08:00

My ETSY shop has been updated with some holiday cheer! Go check it out!

Tonight I plan on SCRAPBOOKING (this is such a momentous occasion, it, like the LANDSCAPING PROJECT, deserves all caps and a bigger and bolder font) I don't think I've done a page in almost 3 months! YIKES!

Here's a little collage to brighten your Thursday.

Sans Kimchi, Avec Crescendo

2007-11-26T09:46:00.001-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAELA!!!

That being said...

Here are some holiday felties I made for my ETSY shop. They should be up by tomorrow night.

Thanksgiving was weird this year. Wade and I usually go to my sister's house for dinner, but they moved up north this year so this year it was just me and Wade. We weren't going to make a turkey dinner (we got invited to the neighbor's house AND to Laela's house so we figured we were covered). I sent Wade out in the morning to the grocery store to get eggs and he came back AN HOUR LATER with a 12 pound turkey and all the fixins! Here's the before and after shot of Mr. Tryptophan:

This was the first year I have had Thanksgiving dinner WITHOUT kimchi... very sad.

We are deep into our LANDSCAPING PROJECT (This is SUCH a huge project, it deserves capital letters and a bigger font... it should be read with a crescendo and an echo if possible.) The cement is poured, the retaining wall is up and the front privacy wall is up... Now for all the little shit that needs to be taken care of...

Clementine believes herself to be a cat, laying on the wall with her tail hanging over.

So now that Christmas time is OFFICIALLY here, can anyone recommend any good Christmas movies? We have a pretty sizable collection of Christmas DVDs, but I'm always looking for new movies to add to it!

Some New Creations...

2007-11-16T16:33:00.001-08:00

Back in the US of A

2007-11-12T17:32:00.001-08:00

Okay, I've been back from Germany for a week now... sorry to those of you who have been waiting patiently for my return (Jen, I know you missed me!!!)

It was DEFINITELY autumn in Germany - I had never seen so many beautiful trees and so much autumn goodness everywhere you turn! (I grew up in Southern California, so the only way I know it's fall is when school starts up again and Halloween decorations show up at Target!)

We traveled A LOT within Germany - We started in Frankfurt, which is known for their apfelwein (apple wine) which is tangy and good. Then we went to Koln which is right by the Rhein River. Then to Berlin to see the site of the Berlin Wall (Kat, I know you are thinking of CHARADES right now!) and do some shopping!

In Munich (Munchen) we spent most of the morning at the "Farmer's Market" - green olives with cheese shoved in them... so good. Then at last we ended up in Heidelberg to see the castles!

It was tons of fun (although traveling with FOUR senior citizens can be a bit... trying...) but I am SO glad to be home!

In other news...
While I was gone, Wade started on our landscaping project at the house - we have no driveway, our backyard is filled with dirt and the house is a wreck... it's great! We'll finally have a backyard that people can hang out in, and a front yard for the dogs!

And last but not least, I was tagged by RENEE, so here goes!

1. If you could have $100 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose?

Only $100? I'd have to go with embellishments because I already have tons of cardstock and I don't know how to artistically use patterned paper.

2. If you had to choose between using only stamps or rub-ons which would you choose?

This sounds like a dirty question... I chose rub-ons - they're cleaner.

3. If you knew how to do both awesome cards and layouts, but could only do one for a year which would you do?

What do you mean, "IF you knew..." - Layouts for sure.

4. Would you rather own a scrapbooking store or have your own scrapping room at home (can't have both, lol)

My own room - there's always ETSY to sell my goodies!

5. And then last but not least, what is your current scrapping style?

Non-existent? I haven't done a layout in MONTHS!!! I don't think I really have a style - my tastes change SO much!

Have a great week!!!

2007-10-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving EARLY tomorrow morning for my GERMANY trip! I'm getting really excited. My mother is trying to thwart my excitement by calling me 5 times a day to remind me to bring my passport, but I WILL NOT let her get to me!!! Here's a travel journal I made for the trip:
1) transparancy cover with hambly rubon goodness
2) picture collage of family and friends
3) blank pages for journaling, scribbling, whatever
4) misuse of post office envelope
5) pocket for holding my crossword puzzles I printed from the internet
6) blank pages for whatever

And some fingerless gloves I crocheted for the cold weather. (I had to unravel the last one because I didn't have enough material for TWO gloves!)

Halloween drawings from my niece and nephew. They are SO grown up... it's scary...

And finally, some pages from my THIS IS ME album:

Oh, and last but not least, go check out THIS NEW CHALLENGE BLOG. Sounds like it's going to be FUN FUN FUN!!!

{EDITED}
Zab, THIS is for you!!!

7 Random Facts about ME:

1. Listening to someone brushing their teeth makes me gag.
2. I hate speed bumps.
3. I want dimples in the worst way.
4. I hate miniature golf.
5. I love gummy bears, but only the Haribo brand.
6. I LOVE filling out questionnaires.
7. I get more offended if someone calls me dumb or stupid than if they call me fat or ugly.

Frana, look!!!

2007-10-25T15:18:00.001-07:00

Look what I made, Frana!

Now I have to go make another one...

RAK decision and California Fires

2007-10-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

California is on fire... they shut down the college I work at yesterday because it was so smoky and ash was falling from the sky.

On a lighter note, I got a haircut. A bit shorter than I am used to, but I like it.

And finally, the winner of my first RAK is...

KAT !!!!
for her "Boo Yah" suggestion. Cracks me up...

Kat, you'll have to wait until after I get back from the trip and I'll send you your gift!!! WEEEE!!!!!!

Have a great week!

RAK clarification

2007-10-16T09:09:00.001-07:00

I'm reposting the rules for the RAK contest for those of you who missed them the first time. Good luck!!!

And now for the RAK!!!

Here are the contest rules: I need some inspiration for new felties and claytons! I don't know what to make next! So, leave a comment with some ideas in the following THREE categories and I will choose which one I like best and make it! If I choose your idea, I will send you a bundle of goodies - some felt, some clay, and I'll send you whatever idea that made you win the contest! What fun! (Please keep in mind that if I use your idea, I will be selling products on ETSY based on your idea, so don't go spilling the beans on some patented thing you have!!!)

Here are the categories:
1. FELTIE CREATIONS: I need ideas on what to make with felt. Most of my felties are at most 4" by 4" so it would have to be something relatively small. Please keep in mind that I am by no means an artistic genius, so don't suggest something like "Brad Pitt's Face" because I don't think I could do that...
2. FELTIE SAYINGS: One of my most popular lines in my ETSY shop is the Say What? series. (You can look at them here, and here, and here, and here...) I need some ideas on other words or phrases to sew! Please keep in mind that each saying bubble is only 2.5 by 2.5 inches so don't suggest something like "Gosh, I love Brad Pitt so much, I wish there was a feltie of his face I could buy!"
3. CLAYTON CREATIONS: I want to make some holiday claytons, but the only thing I can think of are Christmas Trees and Candy Canes. Any OTHER suggestions? Please keep in mind that I am by no means an artistic genius, so don't suggest something like "Brad Pitt wearing a Santa hat!"

You can leave as many suggestions in any category you want. I will announce the winner NEXT MONDAY (October 22). Good Luck!!!

RAK extension and ETSY update #5

2007-10-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have given up on the "picture a day". Too much pressure...

Did I mention that I am going to Germany at the end of this month? I'll have PLENTY of pictures to make up for giving up on the picture a day thing.

I am extending the RAK until NEXT Monday, so there's still time to post your suggestions. You can post them on this entry if you like - I don't care.

I updated my ETSY shop, and added some tote bags this time, so check it out! (Hurry up and buy something because I haven't had a purchase in A WEEK and it is really hurting my overblown ego. I can feel my head shrinking as we speak.)

Have a great week!

This Is Me

2007-10-09T13:27:00.001-07:00

Here's today's picture - me and my red bandanna. I've always loved the way headbands look on other people, but feared that my enormous head would prevent me from ever pulling it off - the answer? The bandanna.

I've finally started my THIS IS ME album. Here's the cover:

And the first page:

ps - don't forget to enter the contest on yesterday's post to win the RAK!!!

RAK!!! (My first giveaway!!!)

2007-10-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

Staying home today - Just don't feel like tutoring! Hopefully I will be able to get some stuff done around the house... or maybe I'll sit in front of the computer all day!

So the claytons turned out to be PERFECT. I realized I needed to bake them at 275 degrees and not 230 degrees (Where I got that number from, I don't know!)

I feel a bit overwhelmed with this scrapbooking thing! There are SO many blogs, So many message boards and SO many placed to upload layouts, I don't know where to go or what to do! And no matter how much time I put into it, I still feel like I am missing out on something! Ahh!!!

Here's my picture of the day:
These pictures are in the living room of our house. (sorry for the reflection - the sun is making the photos kind of hard to see.) From top left to bottom right we have 1. Student at Oxford University taken when my Dad took me to England as a graduation gift, 2. Wade and his brother having a seaweed fight at San Clemente Beach by the pier, 3. My Otis - picture was taken by his former dog sitter who used to have 20 or 30 pictures for us by the time we came to pick him up, 4. La Tour Eiffel - our hotel was a two minute walk to the tower - so amazing, 5. Wade on the pier - I always have to tell him, "Honey, don't look at me, don't look at me! The picture will come out better if you don't look at me!" 6. Me and Wade at the Queen Mary - his mom took this picture, 7. Wade on an outdoor walkway in Vegas (again I had to say, "Don't look at me, don't look at me! The picture will come out better if you don't look at me!" 8. Two nuns in Versaille. I had to crop out an old man who was picking his nose.

And now for the RAK!!!

ETSY Update # 005

2007-10-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

Check out my new stuff on ETSY!

And look at this cuteness I made too!

Picture A Day - Day 4

2007-10-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Claytons

2007-10-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S PICTURE:

Yesterday at the local craft store they were having a sale on POLYMER CLAY. Usually I use "air-dry" clay because it's a bit easier to use (no oven!). I really like the colors of POLYMER CLAY, but am a bit disappointed by how easy the clay pieces break after they harden.

Happy Friday!!!

2007-10-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

First things first... Today is my friend, Jeanna's BIRTHDAY!!! She is an old lady, but I love her still! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! Here she is! I wish you guys could hear her sing and play guitar... it's so beautiful!

(Renee, remember you posted that entry about today being one of the most common birthdays?)

My good friend's house mom just opened up her own ETSY shop. You guys HAVE to check it out! Her knit sweaters are SO ADORABLE! And the Heart Baby Blanket is just TOO sweet! I was at M's house all night yesterday helping Barb set up her shop - I hope it is a HUGE success!!!

The local scrapbooking store called me this morning to invite me to their "BUS TOUR". They take these ladies around town and go to various scrap stores - The stores offer freebies, discounts, etc. They called me today to tell me that since I'm one of their best customers (translation: I spend WAY too much money there!) that they are offering me a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE deal on their bus tour next Saturday. I got all excited until I realized that the only people I know that would be interested in this kind of thing live on the other side of the country!!! I need some local srappies... Maybe instead of going on the bus I'll just follow it in my car and then pretend I am part of the group to get the discounts... Maybe it's better that I don't know anyone to go with - I can save some money!

And last but not least, here is my PICTURE OF THE DAY. This Japanese Maple sits right outside my scraproom window. It's leaves are browning and starting to fall off, which is a sign that cold weather is coming. By the time November rolls around, it is COMPLETELY bare and looks like Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree. But once the cold moves and the sun starts beating down, its leaves come right back out - red and orange and burgundy and wine. I love this tree. We are planning to landscape our front lawn area and my only stipulation was that I get to keep this tree!

Have a great weekend!!!

Picture A Day Project

2007-10-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Firstly, today is my one and only niece's FIFTH birthday!!! I can hardly believe it. She is becoming an actual PERSON - it's scary. Here's a picture I took of her during my last San Fran trip.

And in other news...

In an attempt to force myself to take more EVERYDAY pictures, I have started a PICTURE A DAY PROJECT. Hopefully I will be able to do it for longer than a day...

Here's today's picture:

This is the shirt I bought at WILD AT HEART in San Clemente. It makes me feel punk rock. Come to think of it, I bought the belt there too. The jacket is one of three I got last time we went to Vegas. There's tons of outlet malls there and I SCORED big time. The square necklace is from my oldest sister Frana. I don't remember when or why she gave it to me, but I always get compliments on it. Oh, and my face is PURPOSEFULLY out of the picture because it's 7:30 in the morning and I am NOT a morning person!

Have a great day!
See you tomorrow. (I promise every picture-of-the-day won't be of what I'm wearing!)

ETSY Update # 004

2007-09-24T00:47:00.001-07:00

There's more in the SHOPPE - Go check it out!

Happy Weekend!

2007-09-21T23:30:00.001-07:00

A layout I did in about 3 seconds...

A picture I took a couple of months ago and just found again on my memory card.

Right now I am really stoked on how well my ETSY shop is doing. I didn't really think anyone would want any of my felties, but as it turns out, I have already sold over 30 items! I told my mom about my shop, thinking for sure she would say something like, "Why are you wasting your time with this crap?" but she was TOTALLY into it! Little surprises...
But now I spend all of my artsy fartsy time making felties! I almost forgot why I started making them in the first place... uh, scrapbooking anyone? I was so shocked that it has been almost an entire MONTH since I've scrapped anything that I just had to bust out a layout! (see above for my lightening speed creation!)
Hopefully this weekend I can get some more layouts done.

Have a great weekend!

ps. One of the first Scrappy Friends I made when I started this blog is Renee, and I do believe she is going through a difficult time in her life right now - her Mom is sick and in the hospital, so go to her blog HERE and leave her a little note if you know her, and if you don't know her, read her blog and then get to know her and then leave her a note. Think good thoughts, everyone!

This Made My Night!!!

2007-09-18T21:42:00.000-07:00

Check out the NEW ScrapJacked member and how she used a feltie she bought on her layout HERE!

I love it!

And for those of you who have bought some felties of your own, I would love to see your layouts and/or projects, so give me a link!

Have a great day, all!

Just Another Manic Monday

2007-09-17T10:53:00.001-07:00

My new favorite feltie:

A layout I did forever ago but never posted here:

Been craving mango ice ever since we got back from our East Coast Trip. We stayed with this couple in Brooklyn and would go to this ice cream stand every night for dessert. They have the BEST Mango ice.

My sisters are back from Hawaii now, so I don't have to be jealous any more!

Have a good week!

ETSY Update # 003

2007-09-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hope you like my new stuff!

Have a good week!

ETSY question

2007-09-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

Some people have been asking about the durability of my felties in the interest of using them on apparel, so I did a little experiment to test out the felt I use:

This first picture is a piece of felt with various yucky things on it - from left to right, we have ketchup, soy sauce, mustard, syrup, chocolate syrup, orange Gatorade.

Then I let it dry outside for about 6 hours, cut half of it and washed the bottom half. I used Dial hand soap and a toothbrush. (Since I waited a while for the stains to set, the lighting a bit different. The first was shot with natural sunlight, and the second in my kitchen under fluorescent lights.)

The stains came out pretty easily, though the chocolate needed some extra coaxing to finally come out. I think rubbing it with the toothbrush kind of made the felt "hairy" - if I hadn't used it, I think the felt wouldn't have been so fuzzy after its cleaning.

So, there it is. I don't want to say either way whether or not I would recommend my felties on clothing. I guess it depends on how long you expect it to last, or how messy the wearer is going to be!

Hope that helps!

Friday Randomness

2007-09-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

*** I went to a private school when I was a kid. My mom tells me that she would come to pick me up and see me sitting all by myself at a desk, OUTSIDE of the classroom. She would ask me why I was sitting there all alone, and I would tell her it was because I got in trouble for talking too much in class. She says that even though I was in trouble and outside all alone, I would be singing to myself, laughing, and having the best time!

*** My oldest sister and I are exactly alike. She is 12 years older than me and 2 feet shorter than me, but other than that, we have a ton in common. My friend used to say, "If you cut Candice off at the knees, you'd get Frana."

*** Wade thinks Lucy Liu is hot. I found a picture of her online wearing a bikini and I put it on our desktop as wallpaper because I think she's hot too.

*** I have been told that I have a very good ear for foreign language. I can mimic words in different languages and people always say that I my pronunciation is almost perfect.

*** My mom used to make me dress up as a clown for Halloween. I think that's why I don't like clowns now.

*** Wade and I have about 400 movies on DVD and about 50 on VHS (just can't let go!). We have so many because we don't have cable (not just cable-cable, we don't have ANY channels... in fact, our tv isn't plugged into any cable at all). If we ever broke up, figuring out who gets which movies would be the end of us.

*****I'm going to be sewing a lot today, so keep an eye out for another ETSY update!

Do you guys have any random junk that you wanna share? Leave a comment! Have a great weekend!

Oh, and if you are bored, check this out. It makes me smile!

2007-09-09T23:37:00.001-07:00

I've been doing a TON of felt+sewing this weekend - partly because I am BROKE (I keep losing at poker EVERY WEEK!) and partly because I've got the itch (not the kind that needs ointment, the kind that keeps me going, you know, creatively...)

I made a tree - it's simple, but I like it:

A girlie ghost... thinking of putting some HALLOWEEN felties on my ETSY:

Punky Pumpkin. I just came up with that name JUST NOW! I know - so ingenious!

My new favorite - The Cassette. Reminds me of my old cassette collection - Informer by SNOW, The Dirty Dancing Soundrack, Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson... ah, the memories!

Taken from some Tim Burton drawings - The Skull Card #002 and Voodoo Heart:

That's about all I did this weekend. Well, that's all I did worth talking about, anyway. I'm getting a bit bummed on my blog as of late because I'm not getting the abundant feedback I was before I went on my SF trip. Is it that school has started so students are busier, parents are busier and teachers are busier or is it simply that my life has gotten THAT mundane. I think a little of both, though I hope more the former than the latter. Perhaps it was my comment about how I hate it when people write ALOT instead of A LOT. Maybe I pissed everyone off.

Well, to those of you still reading this despite me being a grammar snob...

HELLO!!!
Thanks for stopping by!