Weddings on the BRAIN- A Scrap FX Page

I've been married for over 3 years now.
I have all the photos printed and nicely organized.
I have a large box FULL of wedding related paper scraps.
But no scrapbook.
The idea of reliving my wedding is great but the actual process of putting a book together with matching papers, "flow" and specific embellishments?
 HOME ALONE FACE!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
I don't have the attention span.

But I have hundreds of beautiful prints from all the weddings I have attended over the years.

• My sisters Italian Coast wedding (where she arrived in a open deck full of flowers while her husband-to-be waited with a bouquet he MADE HIMSELF!!!)
• My cousin in law's GORGEOUS 10.10.10 Catholic ceremony and divalicious silk satin wedding dress with 5 inch glittering heels. 
• My wedding with Dave tearing up and our family cheering like we won the lottery. 

Each one has several great shots I really need to scrap. Why haven't I done so yet?

FEAR OF MESSING UP!

Time to BREAK a bad habit!
Here's a page I made with my favorite photo from my best friend's sophisticated Chinese/American wedding.

I didn't feel like I needed to add any journaling- the photo speaks for itself.
Materials: Scrap FX  Bridal Party phrase (2012063), Hearts and Swallows (2010054) and Clock Hands, Mini Assorted (2010149) pieces. I also used Basic Grey paper, punchinella from Gauche Alchemy and lace, flowers from Petaloo, pearl beads from Art-C, Gold striped washi tape from MT and Sakura Gelly Roll pen

I have so many fantastic shots from this beautiful red/gold themed wedding. Gia hired a photographer who got in a CAR ACCIDENT right before the wedding ceremony and lost 2 cameras yet showed up on time WITH a back up camera, lights AND a full kit.

That dude is my hero!

Plus he took this shot:

Now I can't find his website! Oh well- update on that when I post my next page!

You can also check out the chippies I used over at the Scrap FX website: http://www.scrapfx.com.au/blog/?p=800

Detail shots:

I heat embossed the title with Stampendous Shabby White
Embossing Enamel which has flecks of gold glitter in it.

This photo is kinda fun all on it's own.
I cut out a couple of drips of gold paint that had
fallen on some scrap paper while I made my 2nd
floor challenge card. I LOVE those beautiful mini
clock hands- I will have to get several more packs!!!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!

Michelle

Scrapliftin' FOOL!- A True Xoxo Girls Challenge

Ah the Scraplift.
That venerable tradition where you STEAL (OOPS! LIFT! I meant lift!) an admired scrapper's work and make it your own.
Some would say you should give credit where due.
Others reply "It's JUST PAPER AND GLUE!"
As usual, my opinion lies somewhere in the middle.

BEHOLD!!! The April True Xoxo Scraplift another team member design challenge!
I chose Kimmie Jaster's Pancakes page and used DCWV Snapshot for this.  My final scraplifted page didn't look like "me".  I was so annoyed! I hit the side of the paper with my elbow by mistake and cue angel chorus- I had my page.

There are so many people working, so many sources for inspiration and so many similar themes, trends and pre-designed products, it's inevitable that eventually something you make takes after someone else's project you dug and stuffed away in your lizard hind brain.
And there it lay. Waiting to come out at some later point.

Kimmie's original page- sorry the photo is so small.
http://lostinadreamofjosh.blogspot.com/

I know because it's happened to me.
I've never been accused of copying (OMG that sounds SO 4th grade!) but I've seen replicas of "my" pages in other people's galleries that were made BEFORE mine was and my question has always been:
Where the heck did I get that idea from anyway? I've never seen this page before.... have I?
TUN TUN TUUUUUUUUUUN!

If the page was made AFTER mine I think:
Am I REALLY so awesome that this random person would "steal" from me?
And my lizard hind brain answers:
 "YEZZZZZ! YEZZZZ!!!! Zat izzz yourzzzzz!
BE HAPPY!!!"

Because I always have another ace up my sleeve. No, it's not an actual ace!
It's a state of mind.

That comic book word bubble deserved it's own page!

You will ALWAYS have more ideas and there will ALWAYS be more opportunities.
There is a giant sky-wide PIE of creativity so vast that there is plenty to share.
PLENTY TO SHARE.
So scrap lift away amigos!
If you mention me- awesome! I'll get over it if you don't.
Like this:
GET OVER IT CHELLS!

But not if you're a retailer.
If I saw one of my pages or photos on an advert I'd be hella PISSED.
(AC Moore recently grabbed some Easter projects they spotted on Pinterest, smashed them onto one of their sales flyers then tried to say it was ok because they were "just for inspiration")
Shame on you retailer! SHAME!
Don't you have a creative services department?
GET ONE!
Pay those crafty folks!!! They deserve it!

LOVING the white lines on black Polaroid!!!

This month's True Xoxo challenge is too juicy to ignore.
There are so many fantastic designers on the team and the styles differ so greatly it would be a SHAME to pass this chance up.
So swing on by and have FUN!
http://truexoxoscrapbooking.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/challenge-28-were-scraplifting-too/

OH! And before I forget! True Xoxo is also running a Blog Header design contest! It's a great way to showcase your work! After all, it's the first thing any visitor sees!
Swing by and check out the details!
http://truexoxoscrapbooking.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/blog-header-contest/

Neon- it's SO COOL!!!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

TAG! You're IT! Another About Me post

So I've been tagged- again.
Third time this month.
I like answering questions about myself!
... which makes me very self centered, I know.
I don't like tagging others.
I hate imposing on people.
I know very few peeps who like to talk about themselves as much as I do.
So I will answer Gen's (from the AWESOME blog- Color Me Domestic- go follow!!!) questions
But I won't tag any one.
Gen's ok with this though- she sent me a nice email letting me know that.
Thanks Gen!!!

If you wonder who I admire and stalk mercilessly check out my sidebar- those peeps get me every single time.
Also, it would be longer but I forget to update it so if you don't see yourself there it's because I'm a dumbass and forgot to add you.
I luvs my crafty readers!
Ya'lls ROCK.

Here goes:
1. What is a typical day like for you?
Woo boy- let's just say it involves watching "The Heffalump Movie" or "Finding Nemo" at least 2 times, there is some cleaning and cooking, some going to the park to tire out the hyper 2 year old, there MIGHT be some nap time blogging or crafting but many times that has to wait for 10pm to 1am- my usual lights out.


2. What has been the hardest part of starting/having a blog for you?
Learning how to manage my time effectively. I value writing very much and want to deliver insightful posts but the truth is my"think time" is severely limited. I'm also struggling with my need to communicate and the very real consequences of being so open about my faults. I want this blog to be a nice mix of funny personal stories, scrap projects and photography. I really do not wish to separate them into different compartments to make others comfortable. What I think shows in my face and in my work so it is useless to hide it in separate blogs.


3. What's the last movie you saw in the theater?
The Hunger Games- first time we've had a "Date Night"in 4 months and it was SO WORTH IT! I also took time to watch "Girl With a Dragon Tattoo" on DVD- I really wish I had seen in in the theater- it was so beautiful! 


4. How do you drink your coffee?
Don't drink coffee- it makes me sick. I drink black tea straight up no chaser.

5. How is the weather today where you live, and where DO you live (if you don't mind saying)?
I'm in Brooklyn NY- the weather was windy and cool today- it's raining right now-it's 1:23 am.


6. What is your favorite punctuation, the one you abuse too much but can't stop? 
I LOVE ampersands!!!!!!! Ha! Obviously my true love is the Exclamation point.


7. Which is your favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving- because it's all about family- no distractions in the forms of candy, fireworks, costumes, presents or cards. Just me, my Mom, the Lolster, the Mother in law, the Hubster, the annoying uncle, hopefully the brother I haven't seen in weeks and a GINORMOUS turkey. FUN TIMES!!!!


8. Which is your favorite type of flower?
I love plants. I am a member of the New York Botanical Society and where ever I travel I make triple sure to schedule local garden time. And I love trees. And ferns. If I had to put them in order it would go like this:
Ferns
Trees
Flowers but especially roses and Orchids (plants both my grandmothers had in their yards.)

9. What is the trait which you admire the most in other people?
I admire honesty above all else- above tact, above friendship, above social rules- above everything. Truth first.


10. If you could change 1 thing about yourself, what would it be and why?
I would make myself "sweeter". I am... a pill. I try to be nice but the strident comes out eventually. I don't MEAN to be all up in your face but the combination of New York directness and natural personality make me a little.... taxing for some. So I want to be  honest but more able to communicate without making others cringe so much.


11. Why do you blog?
Stories- I like them- more than I like trees. Which is a LOT!

MuChOs SmOoChEs!
Michelle

Bullies and such- True stories from the parent hood

I'm a bully.
I will put it right there out in the open.
I used to think I was a "victim" of bullies but I've been monitoring my communications lately and I've decided I'm a gosh darned e-bully.
I don't call people names or spread nasty rumors about them but I argue with people on Facebook and tell them their viewpoints are "disingenuous" (let's be real- I use other words too- especially if it's family and I feel all comfy and privileged)
I've caught myself saying that I feel sorry for someone for having a certain viewpoint- to their FACE even!
There's a word for me.
Obnoxious.
Who made me the Facebook communications police?
Anytime someone posts something I think is "wrong" I feel the need to start a tete a tete over it.
Now that I have "timeline" I'm all- EWWWW! I said that????? Someone slap me!
I would like to say I can't help it but yes I most certainly can!
So NO more of THAT, please!
I have a tiny human to raise.
This one.

Do I want her running around calling people names when she doesn't agree with them?
No!!!
Yet I'm more focused on how other children treat HER and forget that every single process for change STARTS WITH ME.

A story.
I took Miss Thang to Brooklyn Bridge Park.
There are these posts that turn and have rubber handles which kids LOVE to hold on to as they get dragged mercilessly round and round and ROUND on the floor.
FUUUUN! Right?
I hate them but Lola is obsessed and wants to use them all the time.
So did this little 5 or 6 year old girl who shoved Lola several times until she tripped and fell.
The playground floor has 3 inches of light colored rubber material on it.
Lola bounced.

I LOST IT.

NO NO NO! Bad! Very bad! NO PUSHING!

Ok before you object at my yelling at some one else's (EVIL) small child I would like to add that I used my "Dixie voice". Dixie was the family German Shepherd who loved kids so much she would jump on their shoulders and lick their terrified screaming faces- she was SO FRIENDLY in that wonderful Godzilla sort of way.

The little girl jumped up in surprise and looked at her Dad who was standing 5 feet away with this HUH? look on his face.
Reminding me why I married him- Dave stepped in and explained as I was about to open the proverbial can of whoop on the dude.
The father hadn't been paying attention.
He was texting and missed the whole thing.
I walked away with my crying baby and felt guilty for having yelled at a small (EVIL) human and raving internally at parents who mentally check out at the playground.
A mother approached me.

I'll admit it. I cringed.
I'm all sass and attitude in digiland but in real life I avoid conflict.
Mostly because I'm scared I'll get that slap I asked for previously.

The Mom told me that the little girl had no playmates because she had been shoving kids all day.
Her Dad hadn't been paying attention or speaking to her after each incident.
She said she was glad my husband was speaking to the dude and showed me her 3 year old son's scratched up face.
I had no words.

I realized I better FIND a way to speak to parents calmly after a conflict because
1- I didn't want to be the googly-eyed yelly parent in the playground
or
2- the parent who has to apologize after her kid shoves another in the playground.

Which I was 2 days in a row this week.

Because Lola has started throwing hissy fits whenever she decides some other kid's toy is hers.

She shoves kids!
She hits them in the face!!!!
Right in front of me!
As I yell NO! NO HITTING OTHER KIDS! Say you are sorry! (that last part has GOT to be the stupidest thing I will ever say)

So I get the beady eyeball from other Moms.
I HATE the beady eyeball.
And the angry huff.
I HATE the huff!!!
And the pulling kids away from my demon spawn problem child.
This one:

It hurts me so much to see Lola standing alone and having no idea why her "playmates" left.
What if Lola is the school recluse who thinks shoving kids is proper social interaction?
It's all my fault!
I yell too much!
I snatch things. (like scissors... open dirty diapers.... the broom she was using to bash the brand new Blue-Ray player Dave finally saved enough money to buy)
I baby her too much.
I don't hug her enough.
I hug her too much.
She has no other playmates.
She's bored. She's tired. She's hungry.
SHE'S TWO!!!!!! (and a half)
But still!
Where did she learn shoving and kicking and slapping faces is the way to get what she wants?
I don't do that!

I called my Mom kinda late (10pm) last week to discuss this.
Lola wakes up and starts making the absolute MOST ANNOYING SOUND IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE:

wwheee haaawwwww
EEEEEEHHH  HAAAAAAAAWWWWW
wah waaah EEEEEW HAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

Yes it's JUST as grating in person!
She sounds JUST LIKE the donkey we heard in the hills of Napoli as we walked around looking for pizza that didn't cost 18 US dollars a slice.
Yeah you think I'm kidding but I'm NOT.
You're in Ravello now, cheapo American!

Do you hear the donkeys braying Clarice? Ravello.

Except Lola's version is not REMOTELY this romantic. Even at a distance.

Us in Ravello.  Remind me to tell you how my Mom reacts to romantic bus rides
through long and twisty roads with no railing and fearless moped traffic.
 FUN. TIMES. 

So my Mom starts up.
"Michelle you really need to lay the law down with that baby or she will EAT YOU ALIVE before she hits 14."
(Insert mental image of Lola at 14 here.)  (Shivers!!!!)
"You don't have to yell or spank her. You have to be firm! BE FIRM Michelle!
You baby that child too much! She's almost 3!
Which reminds me..."
She launches into amusingly HORRID death and dismemberment story she read from random Puerto Rican news paper which is meant as a modern latinized Grim's Fairy Tales of parenting.

Her intention is to SHOCK and AWE me into correct parenting practices with this latest tale of death and/or parental incompetence.  (Which usually ends in said parents getting locked up.)
I'm tired, frazzled and scared crapless.

I'm FAILING AS A PARENT!
My child is going to hell in a hand basket and I'm the delivery person!!!

Everyone goes to bed. (but I stay awake several hours trying to figure out how to stop the donkey brays and the constant face slapping of fellow playground denizens)

The next day grandma visits.
YAY! We love grandma visits!!
Really!
I very much love my Mom. Grimm's Cuentitos De Adas Muertas aside- she's freaking awesome.
Lola starts the donkey braying. Again.
This time because I snatched away a screw driver my husband had left out (This is very RARE. The Mr is very good at putting tools away but I'd been "instructing" him on "proper air conditioner installation" and he got distracted.)
Lola had been trying valiantly to insert said screw driver into her left eye socket when I realized- AHA! A perfect moment to implement proper parental discipline practices!

"No Lola!"
"Give me that RIGHT NOW!"
"NOOOO!!!! Do NOT put it in your EYE!!!!!"
"AAAIIEEEEE!!! "
(this is all me by the way)

snatch!

"wwheee haaawwwww

EEEEEEHHH  HAAAAAAAAWWWWW!!!!!!!!!"

Feeling terrible and getting down to her level:
"Stop braying! I mean... I'm sorry honey- here- have this BLUNT PLASTIC TOY instead."

"wwheeeeeee haaawwwww

EEEEEEHHH  HAAAAAAAAWWWWW" 

Only LOUDER and with more accent on the "eeee" bit.

"Awww!" (much hugging and piercing of my eardrums with WHEEE AAAWWWs) 

Then my Mom adds, curiously:
"You really can't stand to hear her crying, can't you? What's wrong with letting her show her emotions?"

No she didn't get her own subscription- this is a recycled box.

MuChOS SmOoChEs!
Michelle

The call of the WILD- Neon Color Challenge

Ok scrappy friends yesterday's post (you can scroll down a post if you are curious) got all emo and serious so today I dedicate to FUN.
Side note- Girl with a Dragon Tattoo? Too awesome for words. See it.

Isn't it sad the bathroom people aren't shining? AWWWW!

Amigas- I need your help!
My Neon color challenge doesn't have any entrants yet and there's 9 days left to link.
The last day will be April 6th.
Can you- will you- join the fun?

Here is another inspiration piece:

Ok so THIS was REAL fun!
First I tried using black gesso on a Crafter's Workshop template but OH NOOO it bled right through the borders so I had to use white gesso to stamp the borders of the template back on.
I made the pin wheels myself and If you remember the 80'd were not complete without stripes and polka dots so the blank side of the paper got special attention.
I used a Bam POP! paper pad I've had a VERY LONG TIME. I bought it on a whim and got scared of the totally 80's neon print. I also used Hambly mini trannies that I LOOOVE and will be getting more of as well as my go to item- Gauche Alchemy punchinella in black.
Last minute yellow twine.. there's probably too much happening here but hey- take this as your moment to teach ME a lesson on restraint! I don't mind!!!
I LOVE SCHOOL!!!!

I turn to you my FIERCE and loyal readers! (Yes all 3 of you!!!)

Go on out to Target and get some neon index cards or  some price stickers or maybe a child's paint set and GET TO WORK.
Link up here pretty pretty please with a nice cherry on top. :) 
Perhaps you want to stick around and to take a look around Yvonne's blog?
Her work is amazing!

Detail shots:

I haven't used the word "rad" since last week so I made sure to add it to my page to
make super duper SURE ya'll got the HINT. If you aren't slam dancing to Billy Idol
right this very second you are making this short Puerto Rican girl cry.

Pinwheel! Makes me happy!

So there you have it- a shameless self promoting plea and a call to action.

GRATUITOUS TODDLER PHOTO!!!

The Hipstamatic can easily provide neon photos to match neon layouts.
I use an iTouch- it's cheaper and doesn't require a data plan.
Plus you could score a great one online used- who wants an iTouch
when the new iPhones have better cameras? (ME!!!)

Muchitas gracias!
Michelle