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

"Life is trying things to see if they work" - Ray Bradbury

A few of you have asked me how I made this refreshing summer drink.
I will give you the individual ingredients.
But don't count on me to give exact measurements!
I usually do my own thing and hope for the best.
Most of the time it works.
This time it worked great!
2-3 frozen concentrate pink lemonade
orange juice
lots of seltzer (added right before serving)
Ice cubes
mint leaves
one thinly sliced lemon
rasberries
juice of canned lycees (best ingredient ever)
and best of all LOTS OF VODKA!


You don't need a party to make this.
Perfect for a Shabbos meal too.

Favorite blog Monday

The summer has started.
How would I know that?
I live in Miami and the weather doesn't change much.
Instead it rains.
And rains.
That's how I know it's summer.
I remember well when my children were young.
Summer meant lots of time to entertain the little ones.
Now that I've passed that phase I still can't help but miss it.
Not in reality, in theory!
Which brings me to my favorite blog this week.
I used to buy many arts and crafts book looking for ideas to do with my kids.
Now all you need to do is check out THIS BLOG.
Creativity oozes out of this lady big time.
Such fantastic, creative and most important, easy ideas you can do with your kids.
Her instructions are clear.
Her photos are clear.
Her ideas are fun.
Check it out.
Take a minute.
Let me know.
(I always say that and I'm still waiting for a few responses!)

Don't forget to takes pictures of your children's crafts.
When Chayale was younger she sat in her room for hours writing and illustrating this cartoon.
I was blown away when I saw what she could do all on her own.

Our children have so much potential.
It doesn't only have to be in arts and crafts.
Whatever it is, take a picture.
Do they hug the best?
Take a picture.
Do they yell the loudest?
Take a picture!
You get the picture!!!
Meanwhile go check out my favorite blog.
You can thank me later.

“Family is not an important thing, it's everything.”

This week I've been busy with wedding festivities.
No time to scrap.
But lots of time to celebrate.
So today instead of posting layouts I'll just give you some photos 'raw'!
It's been a great week and I can't wait to commit all the beautiful moments to memory books.
Meanwhile here are some highlights...

These two kids have brought my worlds together.
Love them for that!

After the wedding we celebrate!

Sheva Brachos at my house...

The new Mr. and Mrs...

Lots of happy people.

And what's a celebration without music and singing,,,

Sometimes you just have to live.
“Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
― Mary Oliver

Once upon a time there were two friends who became sisters.

“When we honestly ask ourselves
which person in our lives mean the most to us,
we often find that it is those who,
instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures,
have chosen rather to share our pain
and touch our wounds
with a warm and tender hand.
The friend who can be silent with us
in a moment of despair or confusion,
who can stay with us
in an hour of grief and bereavement,
who can tolerate not knowing,
not curing,
not healing
and face with us
the reality of our powerlessness,
that is a friend who cares.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey

How many of us are fortunate enough to have a friend of this description?
I think if we do we are merely the recipient of G-d's blessing.
Our friendships are the most valuable relationships we have.
We can talk to our friends in confidence about things we wouldn't discuss with our families.
They keep us going when we sometimes feel we have no strength to carry on.
The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, 
among other things, 
that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman 
whereas for a woman, 
one of the best things she could do for her health 
was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends.
Women connect with each other differently.  
They provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences.
Friendship has a bigger impact on our psychological well-being than family relationships.
I write this blog to share my thoughts on life through scrapbooking.
What I am sharing now is very close to my heart.
I have a friend who is brilliant, beautiful and wise.
How did I get so lucky? 
I have no idea.
Now I am about to get even luckier.
My best friend is about to become my family.
After next week 
my parents will be my best friends daughter's grandparents.
For us to be forever connected not only by choice
but by blood.
This is one of the the greater gifts in my life.
There have been numerous studies that prove that friendships have an effect on longevity.
I hope and pray that we will live well in to old age together.
L'chaim!
To health, family and friendship.

So many years...
So many memories...

This one is from 8 years ago!

It may be a very simple layout
but the message is clear...
If you're not a scrapbooker you can take a different lesson here.
Nurture your friendships.
Reach out to one of your friends today and tell her you love her.
Send her a text.
Bring her a flower.
Bake her a cake.
Just because.
Because you love her.
Because you love yourself.
And friends are good for your health!

Favorite blog Monday

My favorite blog today is one I've been going to every few day for a couple of years now.
Especially on Wednesday when this fantastic lady creates a page in her journal on video.
I love watching her creative process.
I always learn something new.
She starts off with an empty page and her ideas just flow.
Although I don't know anything about being a professional artist
I still can appreciate what this talented lady inspires me to do.
As she talks her way through the process you too will be inspired.
Take a minute and visit my 'friend' Donna .
You will be so glad you did.
Let me know if you love her blog as much as I do.
I'll be waiting!

And before I go I want to give a shout out to my girl.
I am continuously amazed by her strength.
I am not surprised by her growth.
I am so proud of her.
It's a beautiful thing to watch your child find her true colors.

Love you Shlam...

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.

I wonder about this alot...
Did my grandmother miss her grandchildren as much as I miss mine?
She lived in Canada and we lived in New York.
I have memories of our family going for visits to her home.
I remember the screen door banging shut as we ran to play in the back garden.
I remember the peonies that blossomed in the front garden.
She took great pride in her green thumb.
I especially remember her strict code of 'you eat what you're served'.
Cereal and orange juice.
Eat it!
(Not like nowadays when I say, 'what would you like for breakfast honey'!)
I close my eyes.
I can evoke the smells and sounds in my mind.
My Grandfather humming tunes to the words as he sat learning.
The smell of Gefilte fish cooking before Shabbos.
It's etched in my memory like a permanent marker.
And I wonder...
Did she miss us when we left?
Did she feel bad she missed our birthdays?
Did she wonder like I do, how to make up for not enough time spent together?
The only way for me to stay connected is by scrapbooking.
You guys know that already.
Yesterday was my first grandchild's birthday.
I've made dozens and dozens of layouts about her.

My two babies 6 years ago.
I was a new Bubby.
And a scrapbooking beginner...

She was so tiny.
And now she is SIX!
My mother always says 'Time walks, years fly'
Sounds better in Yiddish!
So when did she get from here............

to here............

I remember every minute we have together.
What will she remember...

“Grandmotherhood initiated me into a world of play, where all things became fresh, alive, and honest again through my grandchildren's eyes. Mostly, it retaught me love.”
― Sue Monk Kidd

Favorite blog Monday...

Summer has definitely begun here in Miami.

You're probably wondering how I can tell the difference.

Yes, it is always warm/hot here.

I actually love this tropical weather.

Although sometimes  I miss watching the leaves change colors.

Once in a while I wish we had seasons.

Just to be able to look forward to a sunny day.

And then I catch myself and realize that there is a deep appreciation that mostly every day is a sunny day.

I can still look forward to the morning sun streaming through my window most every single day.

I can anticipate the cooler 'winter months' with renewed energy.

I am even looking forward to the summer months where the heat makes you lazy.

When the water is warm enough to swim at any time of the day and night.

Now let's get back to the subject at hand.

Monday favorite blog choice!

Today I am choosing a favorite blog that I love for several reasons.

Stacy Cohen does the kind of scrapbooking  I envy.

A creative perfectionist.

An oxymoron in my book.

I am always envious of beautiful perfection.

She makes layouts that are stunning to look at.

She is definitely one of my favorites.

Check it out!

Let me know what you think.

PLEASE!

"The joy is in creating, not maintaining."

If I wouldn't be afraid of my family, I would use (abuse) every surface in the house with a DIY project.
I love the sudden spark of an idea that worms it's way into my mind.
My chair was the perfect place to start.
No harm done.
Now we move on to the kitchen area.
I showed you the 'before' last week.
Here we are with the 'after.'
I am thrilled at how they came out.
Using old chairs to practice on is a great idea.
I learned a few things that gives me confidence to try this on any upholstery.
Mainly though I learned that you could make something old look practically new.
If you don't look too close!

I bought the Fabric Medium in Michaels.
They did not even know they had it or what it was.
I, the computer savvy girl that I am, looked up the info before I got there.
This old gal taught them something new!

I used my pillow for inspiration.
Isn't this color fabulous?
I am extremely happy with the results.
Can I inspire any of you to take a chance with your old furniture?
Bottom line - Don't be afraid to try something you've never done before.
Be informed and be prepared.
Then let your creativity take over.

"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought."

— Albert von Szent-Gyorgy