Love & Crafting

In the midst of our big transition, I'm not finding time to craft as much these days. Well let me take that back, I still find time to do my mini 3x4 cards for Project Life 2013 daily. However, with Valentine's Day being one of my favorite holidays after my birthday and Christmas, I just had to do something for my honey. 2013 is already starting off with a bang and with our upcoming wedding celebration in a few months, I wanted to put together a quick handmade gift for him. So, I found some "me" time while he slept to craft together a quick mini "Love" journal filled with pictures from the beginning of our journey and bits and pieces of things I've saved from our dates and fun times together. I used an awesome mini "Love Albums" from JamaicaMakes. (Btw, the packaging was so sweet, I can't wait to use the paper in my Project Life album) I then decided to use white embossing powder and spray/brushed on diluted inks from Ranger and Dylusions across some hole punched coasters. I wrote on my photos with a white uniball pen for a love letter feel and attached photos with washi tape and heart paper clips. I woke up and presented him this lovely gift before we resumed our moving and it was worth the 3 hours of sleep. Happy Valentines Day to you and yours and if you not into big crafting, a simple sticky note saying, "I love you", "You're Amazing" or "You're Cool" - will surely make them smile.

Love & Light,
Shanti

Monday Inspiration: Be Present

What does it mean to "Be Present" to you? I was in bookstore over the weekend and while looking through a book on self enlightenment, I read the quote telling the reader to "be present". How powerful those words were to me because I thought to myself how I sometimes multitask in my life and I'm hardly enjoying that present moment. For example, while I'm drinking a glass of water, I find myself thinking about other things and I don't get to enjoy that amazing glass of water. So, I practiced it early Sunday morning when we were leaving home and the fresh blanket of snow was on the ground. I looked up, I looked down and enjoy that present moment!




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Inauguration Day Sale

In celebration of the 2013 Inauguration, we're offering Free Shipping to orders $30.00 and over through Tuesday, January 21, 2013 12:00 a.m . This is valid for customers in the U.S. only. Enter the code: INAUG2013 at checkout.

Ohhhhh and check out the NEW Journals in the SHOP! Great for writing, jotting down quick notes, thoughts and meditations. They're the perfect size for your bag, pockets or even our wallet. I believe everyone should have a writing utensil and mini book with them at all times because your thoughts are precious and you'll appreciate seeing your journey on paper years from now. I am major paper and fabric collector and these are just a few from my collection. There are various designs available, please see below.

ProjectLife #2013 Week 2

Here's my Week 2 for #ProjectLife -

I received my #ProjectLife Kit this week and opened it right away. I love the calendar 3x4 cards that came with the kit. I'm still lining the page binding with Neon Pink washi tape. I didn't use too much gold this time, but definitely had to add a bit of it. For the polka-dot brown bag, I not only decorated it but used it as a secret pocket for a mini book I wrote some week's worth of thoughts in. I can't wait to get some photos developed to add to the pages for character and start on my Week 3 TODAY...

Have a great day everyone,

Shanti

My Project Life Journey for 2013 (January Edition)

fabric, sequins, 3x4 cards from LifeLovePaper, Wood Flourishes from KaiserCraft, Amy Tangerine thickers, Dear Lizzy sticker and golden zebra paper from SEI

I am the note-taker, memory collector and one of the photographers (besides hubby to be) in our growing family and it's a must to document our lives. I've been journaling since the age of 9 (and I still have the journals to prove it) and started scrap-booking things here and there in high-school but seriously about 4 years ago. Inspired by years of journaling with a mix of inspiration from my favorite bloggers and especially Becky Higgins Project Life - I've decided to combine both passions and build creative, inspiring weekly pages of my life. The above page is my opening Project Life page for 2013 and it has three of my favorite color combinations: Gold, Pink and Kraft paper... I used a Gold Star because I'm literally shooting for the stars in 2013 and I'm planning for some amazing blessed things this year!

I used a vellum envelope to slip into one of the pockets which holds my word for the year., sealing it with a some American Crafts gold tape. 

Through Project Life, I am able to use this as an outlet to create mini scrapbook cards. Honestly, with work, running a business, organizing a wedding and back in school, this is such an easy way for me to get a piece of crafting in my daily life. After working with 12x12 Project Life pages in 2012, it felt overwhelming for me.  I thought to myself, why not work with smaller pages I usually create. Then I saw a blogger, Jamaica Makes create some awesome P.L. pages in a smaller format and I was instantly excited because she was creating my kind of pages. I design mini journals monthly so why not make a huge project the size I'm comfortable with. I love that Studio Calico started carrying 6x8 page protectors, then I found some by Simple Stories on Ebay and I found out that Martha Stewart designed some too that are available at Staples. This made me so ready to start creating. I prepared by collecting my page protectors last month and created a simple system (in which I will share very soon here on the blog) that allows me to work on a card daily which can include journaling, photography or even a quote. I feel no pressure at all because this is just glitter and paper I'm working with, it's not that serious.

Since I'm also a jewelry/paper goods designer and preparing for a wedding this year, Project Life allows me to utilize my pages as a place to add my inspirations from magazines, online findings, and even fabric swatches for my wedding dress. 

I've decided to share my pages weekly on my blog and you can also check out my gallery on Studio Calico. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at ayeshanti@gmail.com

Creatively Yours,

Day 10 - 12 Days of Reflection 2012

Day 10 #Reflect12: "Describe one gift, compliment or gesture you received this year that 

left a lasting impression?" 

Day 4 - 12 Days of Reflection 2012

It’s Day 4 of the “12 Days of Reflection Challenge”. #Reflect12 – All about the arts, literature and theater. “What shows, movies, plays, books or events influenced your life in the past year?” Did you read a book that you had to tweet, facebook, instagram or email a friend about? Was there a museum exhibit that took your breath away? What about a tv show?  If you didn't get a chance to this year, what would you like to watch, read or visit for 2012? Have an awesome Saturday!

Day 2 - 12 Days of Reflection 2012

Here's Day 2 of 12 Days of Reflection 2012:

Take some time out of your busy day to sit, write, reconnect and think back... What were some thankful moments of 2012?

Blessings,

It is Friday the 13th, thank God!

So, it's Friday the 13th... As long as its Friday, I'm a happy camper! I haven't blogged as much recently with the new gig but I'm still working on a schedule because I miss sharing my journal pages, DIY tips and just straight conversation! Otherwise, I'm loving Instagram (under the name AyeShanti) and I've been sharing so many of my quick writing projects on there. Here are a few of my what I call #cupofquotes:

Have a great weekend,
Shanti

Monday Inspiration: "Go for it Now!"

"I'm going for it..." Happy Monday!

Monday Inspiration: I'm Choosing Pleasant

I love to doodle, write and create lil' pieces of works that can be placed in books to be found years from now. So in creating the Monday Inspiration, I was inspired by a quote sent to me this morning and it was definitely needed: "There's no time like the Pleasant." -Oliver Herford


I thought to myself wow, ain't that the truth. In further research, I also found a similar quote:


"Never put off enjoyment because there's no time like the pleasant." - Evan Esar


So, I'm choosing to enjoy the moments, every lil bits and pieces of it in my life.
There's nothing like carrying a pleasant attitude when trying to get through life. The simple gestures of a smile, a handwritten note to self or a yummy cup of tea when one is stressed, can bring you to a place of peace and balance.


(written on kraft card stock envelope, Paper Mate Flair felt tip pen and white uni-ball signo pen)

Have a great day

Monday Inspiration: Colors are the Smiles...

Happy Monday everyone! After a weekend of painting, sewing and creating bracelets for orders, I was inspired to share a quote about colors! Here's some color inspiration from my art journal and a pic to some updated #StylinKnots designs!

Blessings,