You go girl!

Finished! 
Yay me!!!
Even if you are not the best at what you do, you can be the one who never gave up. Michelle C. Ustaszeski

Favorite Blog Monday

I have to tell you all about my friend Louise Nelsen.
I am a huuuuuge fan of hers, are as many others.
She has been entertaining my creative spirit since I discovered her work.
Occasionally I send her an e-mail gushing about her uniqueness.
I always leave a comment on her posts because I need to say something other than wow!
The point here is, the other day I wrote her an e-mail explaining  (complaining!) that
as much as I am dieing to buy the new Australian scrapbooking magazine
(she is a part of their team)
it's a lot more expensive here in the states.
And much to my surprise
SHE SENT ME 3 MAGAZINES IN THE MAIL!!!

I am beyond touched that a woman across the world,
would not only send me 3 complimentary magazines,
but pay $24.00 for postage too!
Is that goodness in it's purest form or what?
The Australians are quite a sophisticated group of scrapbookers.
I have alot to learn from them.
As a beginner I made this next layout.

When you check out my buddy Lousie go through as many posts as you can.
She manages to say alot with only a few words on each layout.
Her scrapbooking is a combination of an artist and a memory maker.
She keeps it fresh.
She never copies anyone's style.
She is her own person
with her own unique perspective.

I'm a proud Mama!

I am pretty much bursting with pride today.
My son, the only boy between 6 girls, is working really hard growing an idea.
When he decides to do something, he doesn't give up.
From the start of an idea
to actually making it happen
this kid did it all.
Read HERE about it.

It wasn't that long ago (it seems to me)
when my little boy was really little.
He was gentle, loving and everything you would ever want in a child.
He still is...

        I love the way he is touching my earring...

     I can stare at this forever...remembering...

It's a nice feeling to be proud of your children.
I am forever grateful for my scrapbooks.
The feeling I get for each layout is fresh with emotion.
What a wonderful gift I give myself over and over again.
I urge anyone to try it.
Although I share with all of you
it's really for myself that I do this.

There are moments when I wish I could roll back the clock and take all the sadness away, but I have the feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as well.”
― Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

Favorite Blog Monday

I love interesting blogs.
This week I am sharing a really cool blog with you all.

about the blogger...

There is one moment, in the first few seconds, when you look at a piece of art and know that you love it. It’s the moment when, if you’re an artist yourself, you look at it and feel a rush of uplifting inspiration… and total soul-crushing jealousy all at the same time. It’s when you walk away thinking, “Damn, I wish I thought of that.”

I wish I could have gone to art school.
In my little fantasy I can see myself exploring possibilities I don't even know exist.
So when I found this blog I was fascinated.
Expressions of art/craft in more ways than I can count.
I love the way the blogger describes her 'jealousy'
Hence the name 'The Jealous Curator'.
If you choose to take the time to go through her posts you too will be amazed.
There is no end to art.

“Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books on algebra, history, etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the 'creative bug' is just a wee voice telling you, 'I'd like my crayons back, please.” ― Hugh MacLeod, Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity

I remember doing this layout.

I felt a little like an artist because I used paint. 

Ha! 

Shows you what I knew...

Still, besides the memory of these two teenagers and the memory of Rochelle taking these pictures

I have the memory of feeling artistic for a minute!

That's what counts more than anything for me.

Here is another one.

I did this years ago. 

When I was ignorant enough to think I was making art.

Then again, who's to say I wasn't...

I was so proud of my ability to create these flowers with paper and paint.

And my beloved Sharpee.

What I'm saying to you is, if you feel like an artist, then you are.

Go ahead and look at My Favorite Blog Monday post here.

You might discover you are an artist too!

When there's a will there's a way!

From the wonderful and inspiring ALISA BURKE
(one of my Favorite Blog Monday choices).
This is what an true artist does.
Drawing - with a baby in her lap.
I just needed to post this on my blog today.
Just to tell y'all
if you want it badly enough you can make it happen.
(If your husband is ok with it!)

“Success can be defined in many ways but failure in only one ... quitting!”

Still working on getting my scrapbooking mojo back.
Meanwhile upon my friend's suggestion,
I am working on other stuff.
I haven't picked up my knitting since my car accident in January.
Not because I couldn't knit.
I just lost my groove.
(my youngest dd would do a huge eye roll at the word groove...!)
What sometimes happens is, I like to challenge my knitting skills.
So I start something complicated..
If I stop in the middle it's really hard to pick it up again.
Case in point:

Really hard project.

I PUSHED myself to pick it up again.
So far I finished the left front.
Lots and lots to go.
And I will persevere.
Because that's what I do.
I hate unfinished business more than anything.
That is definitely my pet peeve.
Puts me in a dreadfull state.

I am pretty proud of myself here.
I am literally gritting my teeth as I continue to labor at this.
But I know it will be worth it.
And just to take the edge off I started something more simple.

I like to knit patterns that take no brain cell work.
No concentration.
Just repetitive motion.
Very soothing.
Best part - I'm making it for ME!
Been I very long time since I did that.
A simple sleeveless cotton pullover.

I also picked up something else I used to do.
About 7 years ago one of my 'bestest' friend bought me a necklace that I lusted for. (check out her blog)
From this first beaded necklace I was inspired to make my own.
Before I knew it I was had a new love.
When I get in to something I can't stop.
So for a couple of years I made jewelry.
Sold many of the pieces to justify spending that much money on a hobby.
Truthfully, I wish I would have kept some of the pieces.
I miss them...!
So the other day I opened up my leftover beads to see if I had anything left to work with.
Not much left, but I managed to come up with these two.
Helped get the creative juices flowing.

So there you have it.
Working on doing stuff.
Eventually to get to where I really want to be - SCRAPBOOKING!

I leave you with this wonderful thought...
“It doesn't matter if a million people tell you what you can't do, or if ten million tell you no. If you get one yes from God that's all you need.”
― Tyler Perry

Favorite Blog Monday

Today I will be sharing with you an unusual blog.
As soon as I read what it was about I was intrigued.
If you want to know what I did yesterday for most of the day, this was it!
I went through every single post.
I watched almost all the video clips.
I was mesmerised.
Here was a young guy who was captivated by the people the world mostly pushes aside.
But they refuse to let themselves be ignored.
And you will see why.
After reading this fabulous, funny, inspiring blog you too will see them differently.
And you might see yourself differently too.
I know I did.
I am inspired even more now to be the person I want to be.
No matter what my age.
In our wonderful Jewish religion we are taught to respect our elders.
They have wisdom and life experience that needs to be treated with reverence.
But not until I saw this blog did I realize that they have YOUTH to share too.
Read it here -  Advancedstyle.blogspot.com .

I am lucky to have a Mother who has taught me how to age with great style.
She was a gorgeous young woman.
Now she is a handsome older lady.
Aging gracefully and beautifully she takes great pride in her appearance.
I am sure if Ari Seth Cohen would see my mother in the streets of Manhattan
he would take her picture!

Here is a layout from my daughter's heritage scrapbook.
You can see how magnificent my mother was.
I purposely kept the layout fresh.
I did not want the aged look of ink and dyes.
I used a lace doily for the background.
A simple and inexpensive way to add character.

This next layout is one of my favorites.
I love that we are all dressed up looking quite fabulous.
The linen napkin in the background is from one of my fancy tablecloths.
It was a fun challenge to let my imagination inspire me to ink, stamp and use rubons.

Now you can go ahead and read my Favorite Blog Monday here.
Make sure you have enough time.
You will want to read every word.

Favorite Blog Monday

When I was a little girl summer meant going to 'the country'.
That means packing up the car with lots of 'stuff'.
Sitting in the heat with open windows , waiting for my father as five minutes turned in to an hour.
Eating sandwiches along the way.
And my mother keeping a watchful eye on my father's driving.
It was very different in the old days.
The country meant outdoors.
Bug strips dangling from the ceiling in every room. (all three of them).
Mosquito spray.
We kept ourselves busy.
Picking fresh blueberries.
Swimming.
And for me - Knitting.
I learnt how to knit in those lazy summer months.
I don't remember using any patterns.
Somehow I figured out how to make little dresses for my barbie doll.
Today there are books for that . Like this one.
These days there is so much information for anyone who wants to learn.
What amazes me is that most kids I know are not interested in sitting still and learning the value of creating
s-l-o-w-l-y...
How lucky I am to have grown up before computers took hostage of me.
I could have knit an entire house cover in the time I sit here in fascination at the constant evolving world.
But in the old days my own little world was evolving.
And as much as I am thankful for the excitement of seeing new ideas every day...
I am most grateful that I was born in a time when ideas took more time to formulate.
Which brings me to My Favorite Monday Blog today.
This time I will introduce you to a knitting site.
What I love about this site is that although they sell the yarn for their projects, the patterns are free.
For anyone to use.
You will most definitely find something that you will want to make.
And if you don't know how to knit, you will be inspired to learn.
So go check it out.
PICKLES
You will love it!
 Meanwhile here are some old pieces I made.
They are stained and yellow.
But it's hard to throw out.
The kids could always use it for their dolls.
Me - I use it for memories....
It's like my scrapbooks.
Maybe I'll write on it.
Hmmmm.... now that's an interesting idea!

I must have washed it and it shrank.
Here is Chanale wearing it at 7-8 years old.
Now it's the size of a little doll!

I remember making these.
A top for Chanale.
A dress for Shlam.
I'm sure I have pictures of them wearing it.
I remember how proud I was of my own design.
So I hope you are inspired to make something.
Start out small.
Know that it's practice, practice, practice.
It's only time.
Take your time.
It's worth it.

Favorie Blog Monday

I am always intrigued when talent shows itself in the most unexpected way.
I am even more impressed when one turns that in to a business!
This lady does just that.
She is one of a kind.
I have never seen this art done anywhere else.
She continues to impress by her new ideas.
She takes a simple piece of driftwood and turns it into fun art.
Just amazing.
Check out her blog here.
AND please take a second - one second - to let me know how you like it!

Here is my own little project.
I found a wood frame.
Used tissue paper, music paper, ink, gold embossing, and my favorite - crocheted flowers.
It was fun to do.
Try it.
Don't be afraid.
“Make the most of yourself....for that is all there is of you.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson