Monday, May 21, 2012

WHERE Have You BEEN?



That's probably the question on all your mind's, right? Where have I been the last few months? 

Well...it's a long answer, but the short version is...very, very busy. My IRL (In Real Life) job got incredibly insanely busy. I was overworked, stressed out, tired, and spread way too thin! I was juggling a full time job, my invitation business, two small children, AND trying to find time to design and fit in my Project Life. Well- I clearly failed miserably at trying to juggle it all. I haven't touched my project life since February, and I've just barely managed to release a few products over the last few months.

The first 6 months of 2012 have really not been my friend. But really- besides the work drama- who's fault is it that I am overwhelmed? Yeah I know- it's my own fault. I try to do too much. I try to find time to do everything my creative heart desires, and it was just not working out. Something had to give, and I was hoping that it wasn't going to be my sanity (although it came very close to that- like the time a few months ago, when I sat in the bath tub and cried for a half an hour because I was just so overwhelmed).

So if giving up my sanity was not an option- what else has to give? I wish I could say it was the full time job, but no- that pays the bills, and living in a cardboard box with my husband, two children, and two dogs is not on my life list of things to do. Clearly, my kids mean the world to me, and that would obviously never ever ever be an option---so that leaves Amy Jaz Designs and my invitation business Elle + Bean.

If you've known me from etsy, then you know that I've worked very hard for 4 years to build up my invitation business, and it's been a successful venture for me! We've gone to Disneyland MANY times this past year, and done a lot of other fun things- all from the income from Elle + Bean. And as much fun as creating under Amy Jaz Designs has been- it was the last to be created, and the least profitable venture, so it was the on the losing end of the stick.

So what does this mean for Amy Jaz Designs? Well, it means that my guest spot at TLP will be coming to an end at the end of May. It means that if you've been eyeing any of my goods- you'd better pick them up quickly, because they will be gone from TLP on 6/1.

But here's a few things that this does not mean...

-I am NOT banishing Amy Jaz Designs from existence. I will be back Guest Designing at TLP in the fall, and every few months. I will still be around- just not driving myself insane trying to keep up with releasing new products every week.

-I am NOT giving up on my Project Life! Even though I'm WAAAAY behind, I still have been keeping track of what's been going on in our lives, and I do intend to catch up at some point. I will still be sharing my project life in the forums/galleries at TLP, here on my blog, and on my facebook page at Amy Jaz Designs.

-I am NOT done scrapping and sharing. I actually just signed up for Ali Edward's 31 Things class this week, and also Renee Pearson's iScrapit (starting in June). I'm really, really excited about both of these classes. I have just started on 31 Things, and will be sharing along the way, but 5 days in to the class and I am already behind (because I signed up late). :-) More on that soon. I am extra super excited about Renee's class, iScrapit,  because it's going to teach me how to use my iPad for scrapping, and simplifying the Project Life process, and making it a more manageable task is exactly what I need in my life.

So, things will change a little bit around here, but I am so happy to finally have dug myself out of my hole long enough to be able to share with you what's been going on, what you can expect for the future. I hope you will all continue to follow me, as I still hope to inspire and be inspired here on my blog.


Friday, February 17, 2012

Project Life | Week Six

Welcome to project life Week Six! I'm a few days late with this this week, but I really think it was worth the wait. I think this is one of my favorite spreads yet.

My M.O. up to this point is to pick one kit to work with each month, but this week I felt like having some fun and spicing it up a bit. There have been quite a few new releases at TLP lately, that are totally drool worthy, and I've been itching to play with them. See below for the full list of credits, but beware- it might be dangerous to your wallet.

Close up of the Left:
This side highlights some pics of Lilly eating her favorite- bananas (using Designs by Lili's photo collage templates), my Week In Review card, instagram pic about my sick day, an impromptu rock concert, a journaling card about changing my etsy shop name (exciting for me!), a pic of Lilly and her first time in pig tails, and finally- some more love about Keurig and the iced coffees that I'm totally addicted to now.

Right side:
On the right side we have a picture of the hubs and I on a very rare date night at a hockey game, an iphone pic of Jules having a treat at Paradise Bakery, picture of Lilly walking with her walker, a cute instagram pic of Daddy and Lilly cuddle time, my mimosa from our brunch on Sunday (much needed),  a little card to capture the passing of Whitney Houston, an instragram pic of Daddy and Jules morning tickle session, and finally- two pictures of the girls passed out in the double stroller while shopping this weekend.

I love the soft color palette (again), but also the really feminine touches from the doilies (Doily Junkie by Valerie Wibbens- a MUST have for your stash!).


Another MUST HAVE purchase from this week: the Vintage Valentine Collab from the TLP designers. It so delicious, and worth every. single. penny. This is definitely going to be a go-to kit for me for a long time.



If you haven't grabbed my free template yet, be sure to grab it here. Other products used this week:

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

New Paper Pack:: Follow Your Heart

I have a new paper pack that released today at TLP!

Hop on over to TLP pick up this paper pack for 50% off TODAY ONLY!

Here's a little creative inspiration to get you going:
From Me:

From Anna:

From Nat:


It's been a little quiet around my blog this week, but I promise there is more to come soon. I'm hoping to finish up last week's Project Life and get that posted later tonight. I also have some more creative inspiration to share and big news related to my etsy shop.

I'll be back soon!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Project Life | Week Five


Here we are in week five! I was pumped this week to get to use a new kit for the month. I love the softness of this color palette.

This week held two birthdays (my nephew's and my own), the superbowl, and a sick kid.

Close up of Left:

This side we have pics from my nephew's birthday party, instagram pic of my elton john look alike baby,  a week in review journaling card (I like this concept and will probably continue with it each week), journaling card about what Jules and Lilly are saying right now (Jules- creepy and whackadoodle, Lilly- Mmmmm and Hi), and a picture and some journaling of Jules home sick from school. Turned out she stayed home sick all week.

Close up of Right:

This side shows a picture of my dog Lola, an instagram picture and some journaling about Lilly discovering a left-behind chocolate donut and the squeals of delight I heard when she started eating it, a journaling card with a pic of Lilly sticking out her tongue and journaling about how she started standing on her own this week without holding on to things, a journaling card showing what I'm reading right now, instagram pic with Jules and my nephew going for a ride, a journaling card about Superbowl Sunday, a picture of me on my birthday while everyone sang to me, and an instagram pic of my birthday present- a Keurig!

I'm totally digging my color palette this week, so I'm feeling this spread.

Oh- AND I sent my January spreads to Persnickety Prints on Sunday, and they came already. I can't tell you how excited I am to actually have my spreads in my hands and in my album. They look awesome. I'm so happy with how this project is going, and still super happy with the decision to go digital.

If you haven't grabbed my free template yet, be sure to grab it here. Other products used this week:











Linking:

Friday, February 3, 2012

5/52- Simplicity

The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw this week's M4H Project 52 theme was simplicity was my dog. Honestly, what is more simple than a dog's life? This is my chihuahua Lola, and her life consists mostly of laying around curled up into a little ball at my feet. If I'm running around like crazy, then she sits like this on the back of the couch like a queen bee. Her life is simple- I wish I could have it on some days.

Processed with M4H- Scratch.

Project Life | Week Four


I'm a little behind this week on posting my Project Life, but I got the spread done before the end of the week, and we've officially closed out January and I'm STILL caught up! Yay me!

I'll be honest, I'm not totally in love with the spread this week. The left side I'm okay with, but the right side has too many contrasting colors and makes my eyeballs bleed a little, but I have to just get over it. The purpose of Project Life is to document our life- not create a work of art. I just need to keep reminding myself of that.

Close up of Left:

This page shows my deeper dive into "properly" learning Adobe Illustrator, my new boots (yay me!), some journaling about Lilly and her crazy still-not-all-the-way-in front teeth, a beautiful sunset, a journaling card about Jules telling me she loves me "five much", and two completely adorable (yeah- I'm not gonna lie- I love these) pics of Lilly that I took while tickling her so I could get a good shot of her teeth.

Close up of Right:
This week shows off a picture of Daddy snuggling with the girls, Jules and me both doing some doodling (me for designs, Jules just because), a pic of Jules after waking up from her nap, a journaling card with a quote from Jules about her being a "genius" because she shared her sippy cup with Lilly, a journaling card and instagram pic about my book club night, an instagram pic of the celebratory Bellini that I drank after a successful shopping venture for a Bridesmaids dress for my cousin's wedding, pics of Lilly holding Daddy's and Jules' hands and walking, and a picture of Lilly telling me some story (she likes to point).

I'm excited that this is the last spread of January, which means that I get to play with a new kit for February's layouts. I've already chosen the All of My Love papers as the basis for my February layouts, and I'm excited to get to use some BYOC stuff from TLP to snazzy it up a bit.

If you haven't grabbed my free template yet, be sure to grab it here. Other products used this week:









Linking:

Thursday, February 2, 2012

All of My Love is Here!


It's that time again friends! The February BYOC (Build Your Own Collaboration) has arrived at the-lilypad.com, and it is divine! And if you act quickly- it's 20% off for the whole weekend!

I have three new releases with the BYOC- Introducing All of My Love | The Papers:

The Alpha:

The Tabs:

And a little inspiration:

From me:

From Justine:

From Macy:


From Jude:

From Anna:

I hope you enjoy All of My Love!! I'm excited to use this kit as my "kit of the month" for February's Project Life. I plan to pick up some of the great journaling cards some of the other TLP designers created this month to compliment my kit.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

4/52- Imperfection


Last week's Project 52 prompt was imperfection, and I couldn't help but think of my daughter's incoming teeth. She's 14 months already, and it seems her teeth are taking their time coming in. Not only that, she seems to get them all at the same time (whatever happened to one at a time?). I know they'll eventually all come in, but their pattern of arrival sure has been strange. 

Monday, January 30, 2012

Etsy Greetings Team Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

Today I am participating in the Etsy Greetings Team Valentine's Day Blog Hop! In this blog hop, we are sharing handmade greeting cards from the team, paired with other lovely handmade gift items from Etsy.

The Valentine's card that I chose from my shop is the Scattered Hearts valentine card:
This card is a folded card, measuring 4.25x5.5 inches, and is printed on 100% recycled cardstock, and comes with a 100% recycled kraft envelope.

To pair with this card, I chose this beautiful photograhic art print by CatNPhotography:

The processing on this photo is so soft and pretty, and honestly- is there anything more romantic than the Eiffel Tower? The heart bokeh in the photograph goes perfectly with the hearts on my Scattered Hearts Card.

This would make a great gift for anyone that enjoys photography, home decor, paris, or just plain appreciates "pretty" stuff!

Follow the links below to get even more great Valentine's Day ideas straight from Etsy.