Where life has taken me....

I know that it's been forever since I've written a post, but life took an unexpected turn for me.
Right now, I'm in the middle of a divorce and I'm in the neverending process of recreating myself.
Funny how my creative process has now turned inward. I'm working with a blank canvas and starting with a positive attitude and a fresh perspective. I have to learn to add patience and understanding to my work of inner art and embellish it with moments of laughter and lots of smiles. I have to learn to love myself again and that means creating a thing of beauty from within.

On the outside...I've lost 10 pounds, highlighted & cut my hair and bought myself a new car. I'm constantly learning new ways to budget my money and relish the single life. I do what I want, when I want and with whomever I want. If I don't feel like doing anything at all, then that's perfectly fine too.

I have learned that I don't need to rely on anyone to create my own happiness. It's my responsibility and always has been. I don't need to impress anyone with fancy clothes. I just need to smile and be myself. Somehow...amidst all of life's craziness, I forgot how to do that. I forgot how to enjoy the simple moments in life. Funny how it took being alone to figure all of that out.

But, that's what's happening in my world. I know that I don't need to explain anything to anyone, but it's always nice to write a little about yourself and share it with others. Who knows? There may be someone out there that now knows that they're not alone...

I was actually in my craft room yesterday cleaning things up.
The creative wheels may be turning soon...stay tuned.

Project Life & CHA is on the way!

I've been doing pretty well so far with Project Life! Blogging is keeping me up to date!

Day 3 - I got my Fantasy Football trophy posted to my profile! 

I'm the champion of my league - two years in a row!

Day 4 - Since the weather has been so cold, my mom's cats are hogging the heating pad!

On the scrapbooking front, Winter CHA is just a few days away! Many manufacturers are already providing Sneak Peeks of their new lines! I'm loving what I'm seeing so far and I can't wait to get my hands on these new products in March/April! Memory Works will be getting new products and a new catalog should be available by mid-April! I will keep you posted! Stay tuned for tons of crafty fun!

Project Life 2013

So, I'm attempting to do Project Life once again. I did it in 2010 and was impressed with the finished product. I still look back on it and I'm amazed that I actually took a picture every single day of the year!
Here I am 3 years later and I'm trying it again! I actually have an empty Project Life album from last year and I'll be using that to complete this year's endeavor. Wish me luck!

Day 1 - My cat, Lazarus, enjoying the sunshine on the first day of the New Year!

Day 2 - My iTunes gift card that I got for Christmas. Music is such an important part of my life!

So far, so good! Hope I can  keep this up and actually get the album done this year! 

If you're doing Project Life too, leave me a comment and let me know what your strategies are for keeping yourself on track! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Happy 2013!

Happy New Year! 2013 is going to be a great year! I can just feel it!
I know that it's been a while since I've sat down to write , but here I am with a fresh start! 2012 was a rocky year for me personally, but I'm wiping the slate clean and starting anew!
There will be new things going on with Memory Works and tons of new products coming out!
The Winter Trend Essentials mini-catalog is already out and available on my website!
http://ginatorres.memory-works.com/

Simple Stories has a fabulous new line of products out with the SN@P line! The albums and accessories make scrapbooking a SN@P!! You can check out their FREE Printables on their blog!
http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/2012/12/happy-2013-free-snp-printables.html

Please be sure to visit my Facebook page and hit that "Like" button! I appreciate the support!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gina-Torres-Memory-Works-Independent-Scrapbook-Consultant/159414854124805

Hope you all have a Scrappy & Happy New Year! 

Scrapbooking News, Super Moon & Cropping!

It's been a while since I've blogged, so I have several items to share! Tons of things are going on in my scrapbooking world! First, I got the opportunity to meet Madison Parker from Echo Park! He was at Scrapbook Island in San Jose and I got to take a class from him! He was a super nice guy!

Speaking of scrapbook stores, I try to look up stores when I'm traveling. I came across this store in Hawaii!

I found this other one in Nevada! 

I love finding stores and supporting small business!

On a sad note, I received the news that Scrapbooks Etc. magazine will be ceasing publication with the August 2012 issue. It's tragic to see yet another paper publication go out of print. This was my favorite magazine! I loved all of the projects and articles about new products. It seems as if the electronic age is taking over more and more of the scrapbooking industry. But, I will always be a traditional paper scrapbooker, so you can always count on seeing paper projects here!

On May 5th, I attended a National Scrapbooking Day Crop at Our Paper Place in Newark! I was so excited to be able to get a ton of layouts done! The crop had a pirate theme and it was so much fun!

Sarah & Gloria were such great hostesses!

 The crop room was packed with scrapping ladies!

This was my space where I was working on layouts.

Mom was working with her stamps & inks.

Sarah and I having some fun with the pirate props! 

It was also the night of the Super Moon!

It only happens every 18 years and I was so excited that I got to see it!

I think it helped out the creative mojo that we had going at the crop!

On the business side, Memory Works came out with the Spring/Summer 2012 catalog and there are some amazing new lines! We now have Studio Calico, Pebbles and the new Simple Stories 6X8 Album along with all of the new memorabilia pockets from the new Simple Stories lines - Awesome, Fabulous, Documented & Summer Fresh! Be sure to check them all out on my website! Remember that I offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25. Please email me your orders directly at purpleprincess214@gmail.com. I accept Paypal for quick & easy payments!

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my little corner of the scrapbooking world!

Leave me a comment and let me know you were here! I appreciate the support!

Scrapping with May Flaum!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of taking yet another workshop with the wonderful May Flaum! She is an absolutely amazing teacher! This workshop was also my mom's first technique workshop! My mom had a ton of fun and learned new stamping techniques!

We worked on 5 different projects and each one showcased a scrapbooking trend that is either new or holding strong in the industry. We got to work with the new Heidi Swapp Color Magic paper & banners as well as the new Tim Holtz Distress Markers! I had so fun much coloring with the new Distress Markers and I can't wait for mine to arrive! They are currently on backorder and I'm hoping that they'll ship soon! May gave us some great tips on using them with stamps!
I can't wait for her Camp Scrap event on her website. You can sign up for her newsletter, so that you don't miss anything! She's going to have tons of projects & videos! I'm currently taking her Big Picture Classes workshop "The Curious Scrapbooker's Field Guide." It's a great class with tons of video tutorials. Her creativity is just fabulous! I have learned so much from her! Just thought I would pass on her info to my fellow scrappers!

Organization, Shopping & New Products!

As you all know, I'm trying to get myself organized in 2012! I started with cleaning and organizing my stash of scrapbooking supplies with the JetMax cubes from Michaels which resulted in a whole wall of stuff!

Obviously these are completely filled now! I'm on my way to getting things off of the floor! Yay!
Then I need to think about all of the scraps that I have. My scrap envelope is on the verge of exploding, so that prompted me to purchase this fabulous color coordinated cart from Michaels! I can't wait to start sorting and get that space back on my table!

On the tool front, I finally gave in and bought the Sizzix Big Shot! I couldn't pass up the amazing deal on Oh My Crafts! So, I ordered this and I can't wait to get it and use it! I currently have the Cuttlebug and the Sizzix Texture Boutique, but I've always had to pass up the larger dies, including all of the great Tim Holtz dies, before because my machines were way too small. Not anymore!

Last, but not least, there are a TON of great new products now available for purchase on my Memory Works website! I'm so excited about all of the new lines! Just to give you a tease...
There are new lines from the following manufacturers:

• 3 Bugs In A Rug
• Basic Grey
• Bo Bunny
• Crate Paper
• Echo Park
• Fancy Pants Designs
• Lily Bee Designs
• My Mind's Eye
• Pebbles - BRAND NEW to Memory Works!
• Simple Stories including the Mix & Match Albums!!!
• Studio Calico - BRAND NEW to Memory Works!
• Teresa Collins
• ZVA Bling

Remember that I offer FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25 (USA ONLY).
Please email me your orders at purpleprincess214@gmail.com. I accept Paypal for easy payments!
Come shop with me today! Thank you for your support!!!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Please leave me a comment & let me know you were here!