It's a new day it's a new dawn...

This time of year is all about a fresh start.
"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning,
but anyone can start today and make a new ending."
We are only hours away from Yom Kippur.
We are given the day of atonement as a gift.
To be introspective.
To contemplate.
Meditate.
And most importantly, to ask for forgiveness.
Because G-d knows that we are all good in our essence.
But we are humans.
And we will make mistakes.
That's ok.
If we learn from them they are not mistakes.
They are life lessons.
Cleansing our soul spiritually gives our body the energy to move forward.
When I want to start something new,
I need to close up the old.
So before I start any projects with renewed energy
I  force myself to dig it out
(when it's under something you can pretend it doesn't exist, or you 'forgot')
and get it done.
So here it is.
I'm finishing this one here...

(Layla get ready. This one's for you)

I also did this little number.
Just some mindless knitting.
If you want the pattern e-mail me.
It's really easy.
If you can knit with big bulky needles!

And then I finally finished both of these just in time for fall.
Dassa and Yaffa, here they come!

I loved making these sweaters.
At least 60 hours on each one.
Well worth it though.

I hope this year will bring us all pretty gifts
tied up in big fancy bows
with glitter and glitz!
Shiny
fresh 
colorful
heartwarming
full
undiluted
side splitting laughter
togetherness
Nachas
and most important
HEALTH!
To life to life,
L'chaim!
And to quote my Chanale the songwriter...

Blessed...

Have you ever felt uncertain

By the twists and turns of life

And it seems that there’s a curtain

Across the heaven’s skies

Don’t you know there is always One

Looking out for you

You’re an only child before His eyes

And He knows what you’re going through

Chorus:

May you be blessed

May you see His Grace in everything you need

May Hashem fulfill your every heart’s desire

Yimalai Hashem Mishailos Libcha Letovah

Have you stood at the bedside

Of a young and ailing child

And you wonder when the day will come

Will you ever see that smile

Have you found the one whose soul you share

Built a family of your own

As you stand under the canopy

You pray for peace in your new home

Chorus

Does the promise of redemption

Ever seem remote and far

Your faith is strong but it’s been too long

You can't take it anymore...........

It's been a year since I began this blog.

It's a new day it's a new dawn....

And I'm ready for what's to come...

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.

Take seemingly ordinary everyday life moments like this...

And create a story.

I am not a 'fancy' scrapbooker.
By any means.
I do complex layouts once in a while.
When I'm inspired to be artsy.
But mostly I like to 'get the job done'.
Because I am the memory keeper here in my space.
I am not around to see many of these clips in the days in of grandchildren's lives.
But I feel them as much as I able.
I study each picture sent to me over and over again.
I 'hear' the message they tell me
and then I put it down on pretty paper.

My kitchen table today:

and that is why I need a craft room!

I want to make my little girls bows for the upcoming holidays.

Making a few is never an option.

It's gotta be dozens!

Can't wait to send them to my 'Big' girl.

She loves when I make stuff for her kids.

And I love to be appreciated.

Thanx!

My coffee table in the kitchen covered with another project yet to be revealed.

Busy week coming our way.

There will be lots of cooking and baking going on here.

I am so looking forward to eating yummy food.

Having some of my children here at home...

It's gonna be great.

“Live your life fom your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people's souls.”

Melody Beattie

Favorite Blog Monday

My Favorite Blog today is KIM WATSON.
Her post today shows you how to show appreciation to a teacher you love.
Don't get me wrong here,
I am not a  fan of most schools and most teachers.
(Gasp) did I just say that?!?
I think the system of schools in general is a good idea.
Learning on a schedule,
social setting
competitions
and a few more things.
When a school runs well there is nothing more valuable to a child's growth.
HOWEVER
The problem arises when a school is not willing to admit their weak spots
and consequently
YOUR child is the sacrifice.
I would say this is as serious as  incompetent doctors.
Who get sued all the time for malpractice.
I say we institute the same insurance to protect ourselves against some teachers.
We're talking lives here.
So when you do come across a teacher that is working hard to help your precious child
be the best they could be,
show appreciation.
(and I don't mean buying them a picture frame!)
If you go to My Favorite Blog 
you will see what I mean.
This girl is a fantastic scrapbooker.
You will get lots of great ideas from her.
Start with this one.
While we're on the subject of school
I found these two layouts done 6 years ago.
They are simple in design.
I would like to see a little more creativity in my work.
But I am thrilled to have recorded this.
For the memory.

My mind floods with little slingshots of memories.
So even if the layout is simple,
my reaction to  it
is anything but.

I love school pictures.

They represent time in a way that nothing else does.

Keep all the pictures even if your child doesn't like them.

(ooh, i look so dumb)

Put them away.

For later.

You'll be glad you did.

I am.

First day of school.

I hope you will learn the difference between right and wrong. 

I hope you will learn to be strong enough to tell your friends "no" when you need to. 

You won't always make the right choices but that's part of life and growing up. 

I know you will learn right from wrong 

and will eventually become a leader in your class. 

Influencing others to do positive things instead of negative.

You are so smart, sweet little girl. 

It amazes me to no end to see and hear 

(from far away) 

how you have grown. 

I am so proud of you and can't wait to see how you continue to grow.

I love you more than you will ever know!

Favorite Blog Monday

Today is a great day for you 'wanna b' scrappers.
Today you can actually become a keeper of memories.
Today I will show you that anyone can do it.
No talent needed.
You can actually start right now.
How?
By clicking on MY FAVORITE BLOG!
This brilliant woman has figured out a way for anyone and everyone
to easily and beautifully start saving up precious moments never to be seen and felt again.
She has accomplished something no one else in her field has done.
By bringing scrapbooking to the 'little people'!
Take some  time and read all about it.
You will want the product immediately.
It can really change how you see the world.
You will begin to notice little things that add up to what we call LIFE... 
So here we are...Project Life.
For those of you who appreciate this wonderful find
drop me a line to thank me!

On another note
School starts this week.
My little granchild came out of bed a few nights ago and said
"mommy, can you call my teacher and ask her if school could start a few days early"!
First school photo.
There's nothing cuter than school photos.
It's a growth chart for you
to watch the changes later
like a fast forward video.

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.
Clay P. Bedford

Moments of wonder. See them and remember...

'They' tell me summer is over.
I see lights flashing in school zones
so I'm pretty sure it's true.
How would I know what to anticipate
when the weather never  barely changes here in sunny Florida!
Which is fine by me.
The sunny part, I mean.
The HOT part, I could do with less of.
I am a big 'shvitzer'.
I turn the AC down, my husband turns it up.
Which brings me to my topic in scrap booking today.
I looked at these pictures of my grandchildren in NY and thought
this is what sums up childhood.
The freedom to run through sprinklers.
And that is what I miss about being a child.
Running through sprinklers in a bathing suit!

I have these card stock doilies that were perfect for twine wrapping.
I love twine and this gave me an opportunity to use it.
Here is another layout from a couple of years ago.
How much fun is it to stand under a water fountain!

I used clear embossing powder on the layout's elements to mimic water.

“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.”
― George R.R. Martin,

Favorite Blog Monday

Today I will introduce to you
a blog that will increase your scrapbooking talents.
This lady does fantastic work.
Her design is always balanced.
Her choice of colors, fresh and clean.
The best part for me:
she posts little tutorials along the way that improve your craft skills.
Her layouts are doable and interesting at the same time.
She is also a skilled photographer,
which makes her layouts even more wonderful.
Hopefully you will take some time to read her posts.
You will find little treasures along the way.
Techniques that look deceivingly complicated.
Explained in a clear pictorial.
So here you are....
MAGGIE HOLMES design
Enjoy!

This week I did a little more Sharpie magic.
It might not be wearable, unless you're 12.
But I think it's fun nonetheless!

Here is another layout using a Sharpie.
Script a word in pencil first on white card stock.
Practice on regular paper first.
Here I filled the word with beads
mimicking the heart which I took off a card.
I added a border and Voila!
(White background card stock always works best)

This is how I feel today...

Have a nice day!

Make every day a good day.

"You can't control the things that happen to you,
but you can control the way you react to them..."
We all feel this way.
Not as easy as it sounds is it?
Or easier than it sounds maybe?
For me it depends on the day.
For me the days that I am driven by a strong sense of purpose are the best days.
That is why I am constantly reading and re-reading
"Man's search for meaning" by Victor Frankl
I would say this book has had a significant impact on me.
This layout came to me with this idea in mind.
The inks and paint was inspired by my dear friend Lou
A constant artistic inspiration for me.

                                                             ink and water dripping...

glimmer mist paper flowers

water

tear

scrunch

fill flowers

"Sometimes when you make the most of what you have, 
it turns out to be a lot more than you ever imagined" - Susan Gayle 

The first mistake of art is to assume that it's serious.” ― Lester Bangs

Is this cute or what!?!
My youngest thinks it's 'nerdy'.
So I went looking for 'cooler' duck tape.
The next one is gonna be super cute and cool!
And hopefully will get the 'thumbs up' from my greatest critic.
Meantime this is my first try.

There are many duck tape patterns.

I remember when there was only silver duck tape!

I found these at Michael's.

I highly recommend you make this project with your kids.
There are enough prints and colors that will surely appeal to their individual taste.
THIS is where I got the idea.
She gives clear easy instructions.
I added the pocket for fun and functionality!
You could do your own thing too.
I want to make a bunch of these...
If you make this, PLEASE send me a picture.
It will make me happy.
And that's a really good reason, I think!

This is how I feel:
At moments of great enthusiasm it seems to me that no one in the world has ever made something this beautiful and important.
::: M.C. Escher :::

Favorite Blog Monday

Today I choose for you a blog that inspires me for several reasons.
The main theme running through is beauty...
This lady has many talents and is very popular in the blogging community.
Probably one of the most 'saved' under favorite blogs.
Knitting, embroidery, quilting, cooking and more...
Beautiful photographs.
I've been following her for a few years  now.
I think you might too!
Check it out: Posie Gets Cozy
ENJOY!

I finished my first sweater.
2 more to go.

Yesterday I decided to try an idea I saw HERE
Many times I pin DIY ideas on Pintrest..
But how many of them do I actually do?
This time I decided to put myself to the 'test'.
Walgreens had these T-shirts for $2.99.
I already had tons of permanent markers.
So I was more than ready.

The one thing I will add to this project is:
After your design dries, you drop a second drop of alcohol to achieve a flower design.
It spreads the ink further apart.
I loved doing this project.
It was easy enough for a kid
And challenging enough for me.
Any one of you ever do this project?
I would love to see your results.

This is how I feel today:
“I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.” 
-Oscar Wilde

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!

A small part of scrapbooking for me is communication.

I'm sure many of you will relate.

I wake up in middle of the night.

I'm thinking about how much I appreciate and love this person.

I want to let them know how I feel.

It would be a little awkward to call that someone up and say...

Hey! Was thinking about you last night.

I love you a whole lot.

You are so beautiful.

You make my son so happy.

All of  kids adore you.

My mother adores you.

My grandchildren are crazy about you.

Your friends love you.

Your friend's parents love you.

Your husband's friends love you.

Your boss loves you.

(I'm not making it up. I've been told...)

You have a glorious smile.

The food you make has gained a reputation.

You're smart.

You're kind.

You're fun to be with.

You have beautiful teeth.

(OK, that's just my personal craziness. 

I love beautiful white teeth.)

I think after I say this there probably would be an uncomfortable laugh.

And then I could say,

All right, have a nice day.

She would hang up the phone

and say to her husband

You're mother is so weird!

(in a good way)

Instead of saying all that I just make a layout.

I think that says everything and more.

It says I've been thinking about you.

It's permanent.

It's witness.

It's forever.

The journaling is from the TOMS 2012 catalogue.

It took me all day to think about how to say it just right.

(SIDE NOTE: I asked my youngest teenager what to write.

Her response was

A SPECIAL GIRL...

for a special needs family!)

“There's no way I could pay you back but my plan is to show you that I understand, you are appreciated”
― Tupac Shakur

I don't know who this guy is, but I feel what he said...

Favorite Blog Monday

Memories light the corners of my mind...Misty water colored memories...Of the way we were...
Today I am hooking you up with a really cool blog.
Rarely do I find a blog that compels me to go through each post.
DEAR PHOTOGRAPH is one of those unique blogs.
It's one of a kind.

Taylor Jones, at just 22 years of age, was inspired to start his website Dear Photograph as he flipped through old family photos at his parents' kitchen table. When he came across an image of his brother sitting at that very same table, he lifted it up and snapped a picture of the picture. In a moment, the idea for DearPhotograph.com was born. After taking more photographs, Jones posted them on a website and asked people to submit their own renditions -- but he had no idea how overwhelming of a response he would get. In just six short weeks, millions of people had visited, hundreds had submitted, and Jones had created an internet phenomenon that captured the world's attention.

Here's an old picture that would be interesting to recreate.

My Aunt sent this picture to me.

I have no recollection of where or when this was taken.

Or what I was thinking about at that time.

There are plenty of people from my neighborhood that remember me this way

(though I do remember the outfit!)

This next layout is very dear to me.

I even remember the cloths I wore in this layout.

My mother made the skirt for me.

I always loved fashion.

My pony, perfectly combed, with a matching ribbon.

A necklace.

And of course, sunglasses.

Was I cool or what?!?

I used a page in a book that says Smile - Taking pictures.

For me, this layout represents a moment in time when I could imagine my mother taking this picture...

thinking about how cute her children looked...

Wanting to hold on to that memory...

I love all the paper layering and brads...

Here I was really little.
I chose to use lots of paint and ink.
I was inspired by a mixed media book of layouts.
It was my first try at it and I love the symbolism behind some of the ideas.
There is no right way to do this.
Only your way!

Don't Be Afraid To Try Something New. Be Afraid Not To!

Still working on this...

I am only knitting an hour or two a day, so it;s taking longer than I expected.
Meanwhile, I'm wasting a little time on THIS.

I like to try stuff I've never done before.
This was a really fun little project.
Recycling is what I really love.
Using paper to make these beads are right up my alley.
Once you get the hang of it, it's easy shmeazy!
I have loads of jewelry beads from the 'old' days.
So I took out my stash.

and came up with this...

  Me wearing my new jewelry.

I will be trying this again.
Next time I will be more specific in color and design.
You should try it too.
First look up "Paper Beads" on YOU TUBE.
Be very patient.
Most people talk really slowly.
It's worth watching several videos so you really get the idea down pat.
Then just do it!
Like I did.
Fun!

“If you try and lose then it isn't your fault. But if you don't try and we lose, then it's all your fault.”

Pink makes me happy!

These pictures make me happy.
These kids make me happy.
Pink makes me happy.
Scrapbooking makes me happy.
I just finished this layout and I'm a happy camper.