Play and Be Free

In my last post I reminded people not to get caught up in the details and to embrace the creative (and also non crafty related) "mistakes". Some of the most incredible things in this world have come from those so called mistakes, so embrace them! Today's post is a bit of a continuance or extension of that idea. Sometimes the task of having to get through the hundreds or even thousands of photographs us scrappers want to preserve for our families can become so overwhelming that we lose sight of something incredibly important and that is we should be having fun! While scrapbooking is primarily used to preserve snapshots of our lives for future generations it is also a kind of therapy. It's a creative outlet and as strange as this may sound, the more love and laughter you experience while creating these scrapbooks, the more future observers will feel that happiness as they look through the pages of your book. I really hope that makes sense to at least some of you. Anyway, my point is, don't become so focused on just getting things done and over with that you forget to have fun with it. If you find that you're not having fun with your project then stop and come back to it later with a fresh mind ( and maybe some recruits!). 

Embrace The Mistakes

One thing I've been thinking about lately, while I try to play catch up with my scrapbooks, is that not ever detail of every layout needs to be perfect. As I try to work double time to catch up with all of my pictures from 2014, I find that I allow the mistakes to happen. Obviously not huge gigantic mistakes like a huge ink smudge or a torn paper, but even with these "big" mistakes I don't get so overwhelmed by having to fix it. I take a deep breath, assess the damage and cover or replace or do whatever it is I need to in order to feel the mistake has been altered enough that I can move on. I don't want to make this post all long and philosophical, but just remember not to sweat the mistakes. The whole point of creating something is to express yourself so there is no right or wrong way to do that. But, if you do something to your creation that just doesn't feel right to you then just cover it, alter it, or heck, just embrace it and incorporate it into your design.

Infographic

Yummy Straw - First 8.5x11 Layout

So I was one of those people who bought every single $5 8.5x11 paper pack when Michael's came out with them. You know.. the ones that were "best of" Maggie Holmes, Dear Lizzy, Amy Tangerine and Cratepaper? Yea I just couldn't resist! The funny thing is I had never made an 8.5x11 layout before when I bought them so obviously I was just planning to use them for layering and matting and all that good stuff. But when i got them home and started using them... I found myself being unable to cut up some of these papers because they were just too adorable! and ever since then I have been wanting to get my hands on some 8.5x11 page protectors so I could try out this new size. I have finally gotten some! A new Joann's opened up near my house and they gave away gift cards to the first 100 people through the door on their grand opening day. I got a $10 card so I used it (obviously)! luckily the page protectors were on sale because the price of these things was ridiculous.. It was originally like $6 for 5 protectors and to me that's bonkers. But since they were on sale for about $3 and I had that gift card I got them and I'm so glad I did! I love this size layout! I'm not going to be replacing my 12x12 layouts for this size though. I'll just be adding one in to my album here and there for some page variety and interest. However, if you're just starting out with scrapbooking and you are intimidated by all of the space on a 12x12 then this smaller size might work better for you.

Products used:

Green polka dot paper - 8.5x11 Cardstock pack in Primary Geometric by Colorbok @ Walmart

Cloud background paper - Best of Maggie Holmes hot buy paper pad 8.5x11 

Enamel dots - Recollections brand @ Michael's

Flair badge - @ Two Peas in a Bucket (no longer in business)

Wood Veneer - Studio Calico (?) @ Joan's Fabrics (?)

Gold Glitter Shapes - Stickers by Heidi Swapp @ Hobby Lobby

Title - American Crafts Thickers in the font Fantastic and the color Limeade @ Michael's

"Me" sticker - Jillibean Soup gray smile wise words @ Archivers (no longer a physical store.. it's now just Archivers.com)

Pinked circle die cut, date piece. and "enjoy" ticket - Heidi Swapp color magic ephemera pack misted with Heidi Swapp color shine in citron (green) and tinsel (silver/gray)

Freckled Fawn Oh Deer Me Kit May 2015

This is my first month subscribing to Freckled Fawn's Oh Deer Me monthly embellishment kit. I have been eyeballing these beauties for months and I've finally taken the plunge! although its not much of a plunge at an affordable $25.50 per month. Especially when you get so much great stuff! 

This month's kit is travel themed, but the great part is that most of this kit doesn't have to be used for travel related projects! Don't you just love versatility?? I know I do! This month's kit includes 9 items. Pictures of each item are below so feast your eyes on some gorgeousness! Projects using this kit will be posted once they have been completed so stay tuned for those :) in the mean time don't forget to follow me on...

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My May Ipsy Glam Bag Reveal

For those who are unfamiliar with the Ipsy Glam Bag, it is a monthly subscription service which offers makeup samples for just $10 per month. The bag comes with 4 to 5 items each month (or maybe its always 5?) and the items could be full, travel, or sample sizes. Everyone gets a difference assortment of products based on the personal profile you fill out in the registration process.

The products always come in a super cute bag that is exclusive to this subscription service.

Product: False eyelashes - Naturals N020 

Brand: Eylure London

Description: A gossamer fine lash for light length and fullness - lightweight - reusable - adhesive included

Price: $7.75 on eylure.com

My Assessment: These lashes are so adorable! I'm not a huge fake lash wearer (although I love to look at them) so these would be perfect for me since they are such a subtle style. They are perfect for everyday and daytime looks where darker or more dramatic lashes would just not be appropriate. They're also great lashes for beginners since they are so subtle and the band is so thin. I have not worn these yet but once I do I will post a more in-depth review for anyone who is interested.

Product: Pure Lust Extreme Matte Tint in the color 01 Narcissist

Brand: Cailyn

Description: Waterproof matte liquid lipstick in a medium dusty rose type shade

Price: $19 on cailyncosmetics.com

My Assessment: This product is A-mazing! I haven't worn it on my lips quite yet but i swatched it on my hand and let me just tell you - that sucker would not budge! It took maybe about 60 seconds to try on my hand. Once it had dried completely I licked my finger (yea gross but just wait a sec) and I rubbed that darn swatch as hard as I could. I did that two or three times and it didn't go anywhere! I did notice a slight bit of fading after the last time but I was really trying to get this stuff off so that's pretty impressive. I think it's safe to say that the normal amount of saliva that gets on your lips throughout the day from eating and drinking and talking and even giving your hubby a couple smooches is not enough to demolish this lip product.

Product: Pure Pigment Eye Dust in Brown Sugar

Brand: Jessie's Girl

Price: $4.99 on jessesgirlcosmetics.com

Description: Matte brown loose pigment - each container includes a sifter insert

My Assessment: This is a really pretty neutral color perfect by itself or with other shadows. It's seriously like you're rubbing cocoa powder on your skin. That's pretty much the color and pigmentation right there. Speaking of pigmentation, it's really not super spectacular but it can be built up a bit. Also, it is advertised as matte but it does seem to have a bit of a sheen to it. Its not glittery, sparkly, shimmery or metallic in any way at all but there is a slight sheen so it's not suuuper matte. That being said, for 5 bucks its a good buy.

Product: Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50 in the shade medium

Brand: IT Cosmetics

Price: $15 for a 12 ml travel size on itcosmetics.com (i received a 4 ml sample size)

Description: Color correcting full coverage cream that delivers 7 products in one; full coverage foundation, environmental free-radical shield, brightening color corrector, anti-aging serum, pore minimizing primer, dark spot corrector, and moisturizing day cream.

My Assessment: This product claims to be a lot of amazing things. I'm not sure if it lives up to all of them. I'll have to use it a few more times to get a better feel for the product but here are my initial thoughts. I will agree that it does feel pretty moisturizing on my skin which is a huge plus since I have very dry skin. It also did an OK job of minimizing my pores (a huge job for any product). The only thing I'm iffy about is the coverage. It claims to be full coverage but it only gave me about medium coverage. I did't try to build it up though so maybe that's the key. Overall, not a bad product but $15 for a travel size is a little much for me.

Product: Rosarco Milk Reparative leave-in conditioning spray

Brand: Briogeo

Price: $20 for a full size bottle (5.1 oz) at Sephora (I received a 1 oz sample size)

Description: This lightweight leave-in conditioning spray is fortified with a blend of rosehip, argan, and coconut oils, powerful hibiscus leaf antioxidants, and vitamin E to provide moisture, strength, manageability and softness while protecting against breakage, heat damage, and UV exposure.

My Assessment: I was so happy when I saw that I had gotten this in my glam bag! I have been wanting to get a leave-in conditioner for the longest time but just never found one I could justify paying for. This one is $20 but when you do the math it would make it $4 per ounce. So that would make this bottle only $4 and that seems pretty reasonable to me especially if it works. I haven't tried it yet but I'm excited to use it tomorrow after my shower! YEY!

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Welcome, llamas and people of all sorts!

If you have just stumbled upon my blog, welcome! I have been wanting to start a blog for a long while but have managed to come up with every excuse in the book not to (too busy, too tired, too self-conscious). The list goes on, not to mention I'm a class A procrastinator (working on it i swear!). But, now that I'm taking this Media Tools course in school I have been forced to throw all of those excuses out the window and just do it. I couldn't be more excited that I am siting here writing my first blog post! Of course, there is a big part of me wondering if anyone will ever actually read this but that doesn't matter right this very second because I'm finally just doing something. Anywho, now that I'm done rambling I can get to the point of this initial post which is to tell you what you can expect from this blog. This page will consist primarily of scrapbooking related post such as new products I've purchased and my review of them and also projects that I am working on. Although paper crafting will be the main focus of this blog there will occasionally be lifestyle posts which may include purchases or unboxings of non-scrappy related products or just things that are happening in my life. The main reason for this is that although I'm focusing on paper crafts, I also want to connect with my readers on a more personal level. Well that's that and I hope you return to see some of the fun things I have in store for this page! Thanks for stopping by! Toodles!