Scraps of my Life

LOSS, LOVE, CELEBRATION...

2011-01-28T10:18:00.000-08:00

I Just lost my precious 17 year old cat, Scruff, the day before yesterday and miss him terribly!

He was my beautiful and perfect son for 15 years. The pain in the ass that was my pleasure to have.
He was so smart and lately one of my jobs as his mom was to open yet ''another'' can of food... “”'cause I don't really like this one Mom"" or ""you KNOW I don't like fish""... Those were the looks he always gave me.
He wasn't all that healthy on and off for the last two years, and I really spoiled him during that time. As of most cat parents out there, I'd complain about his demands, and then I would do them one by one.

He passed so peacefully last Tuesday morning, in the vet's office. And I whispered hundreds of "I love yous" and "thank yous" and "no more pain" and "mommy love's you forever" and sang a silly little song I made for him years ago.

For the last 2 ou 3 years he demanded to be held. Before then, he was very independent, but lately he wanted to be held constantly. And none of this surfing-the-net-while-holding me-bullshit. If I kept clicking the mouse he would give me dirty looks, jump off my arms and then once on the floor he would look at me like he was saying: ""What the hell happened? Why am I on the floor?"" And then he would jump up again, nestle his head on my left shoulder and sleep for as long as I was able to sit still. And then he would start it all over again.

My arms miss him!

I don't feel guilty for having put him to sleep, as it was my responsibility to keep him from suffering... but I feel guilty when I see... when I remember the doctor taking him away after he passed. His eyes were open and I did stay with him for a while after he passed, but maybe not long enough... but how long is long enough? I just know it feels very weird seeing someone else taking him, even if he was dead.

It was no one's fault. It was time. He had a beautiful life. I am not blaming anyone and I don't even know if I speak from a place of gilt.

I just miss him. I am just sad for not having him anymore to kiss, to love, to spoil, to hold .

This is a celebration of him!

Thanks for reading!
SCRUFFFY SURFING THE NET

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR MY NIECE ADRIENE

2010-02-25T23:58:00.000-08:00

TODAY IS MY NIECE'S ADRIENE'S 27th BIRTHDAY, AND I MADE HER THIS CARD.

WE SPENT THE DAY YESTERDAY TOGETHER AND IT WAS LOADS OF FUN.

SHE LOVED HER CARD!

ENJOY IT!

THE RED ROOM...

2010-02-24T23:10:00.000-08:00

AWWW... HOW CUTE IS THIS??? I JUST GOT THIS ADORABLE MESSAGE IN MY E-MAIL FROM MY SWEET FRIEND MARCUS...

THANKS BABY!

If you wake up in a red room with no windows and doors,
DON'T panic... you're just in my
heart!!!

My Version Of The White Thang...

2010-01-15T22:44:00.000-08:00

IT SEEMS THAT THIS DESIGN HAS BECOME A CLASSIC.

THE ALL WHITE, WITH A BIG SNOW FLAKE.

HERE IS MY VERSION OF IT.

HOPE YOU'LL LIKE IT!

FOR THE WORD 'PEACE' I USED ONE OF QUIKCUTZ EMBOSSING FOLDERS,

AND JUST CUT AROUND THE WORD "PEACE"

INSIDE OF CARD

ENJOY!

2009 Christmas Cards

2010-01-15T21:35:00.000-08:00

So this (2009) was the year that I was going to make ''hundreds" (haha...) of christmas cards... and I was going to start early since it was just after Halloween (which I bought at least a couple of hundred 12x12 pages + punches + embelishments and ribbons.... and made """ZERO""" Halloweeen cards).

I was hopefull that this Christmas I would make lots of cards to give and to sell... anyway... these are my cards...

(I will finish editing the rest of the cards when I am a little more awake...)

This was the first card I made:

Jingle-Balls

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

A PEEK OF THE INSIDE...

JUST LOVE THESE PAPERS.

THIS CARD CAME OUT REALLY BEAUTIFUL... THE PICTURE SUCKS!

INSIDE OF CARD...

THIS IS THE UGLIEST CARD I'VE EVER MADE

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THANKS FOR LOOKING!

50 Years Wedding Anniversary...

2010-01-15T21:29:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine asked me to make her a 50 year wedding anniversary card for some friends of her's.

The little wheels in my creative mind immediately started thinking of some traditional ideas, until she said:

"I don't want none of those black and white and gold depressing colors, I want a colorful, happy card!"

Well, this is what I came up with.

I actually mixed black and white with some colors. As I thought that maybe she didn't know how to ask exactly what she wanted.

Well, she loved it, and so did the couple.

Aren't they just gorgeous? This picture was taken 50 years ago.

Hope you'll enjoy it!

Neighborly Love...

2009-09-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

So here is yet ANOTHER flower card... though I can't promise my next card won't have any flowers in it, I have a very good reason to have flowers on this one...

The other day while on my occasional walk around the block, I passed in front of a house that had 'millions' of Zinnias in on both sides of the house all the way to the front door. Now I adore zinnias and can't keep my mouth shut, so I said: "Oh my God, that is the most beautiful garden!!!" The couple, owners of the house, and their dog, were right there and immediately offered me a bouquet to take home. So I just had to make this card to thank them.

I used WIMG for the vase and sentiment, CB 'Thank You' folder and a cute butterfly ribbon
I was going to make the flowers too, but I found these flowers ready made and they had a strong resemblance to the real flowers. So I decided to take a short cut and use them.

Hope you all like it!

Happy Birthday Bouquet...

2009-09-12T01:59:00.000-07:00

I made this card a couple of days ago.

I used a little cricut... a little CB, some really cool papers and some premade flowers.

Too bad the pictures suck!

Welcome To The World Izzy!!!

2009-09-12T01:05:00.000-07:00

This little guy, "IZZY", was born in Philadelphia. last August.

I made 40 of these baby announcements to welcome him to the world and to let everyone know of his arrival.

I am very happy with the result, especially since it's been a hit!

I wish the camera could capture all of the texture and the beauty of the card.

40 cards... 21 layers x 40... just imagine... lol...

Unfortunately I just thought of taking a picture of the cards after 30 of them were already packed. So here are the last 10
I just love this tiny baby feet charm...

After all of the sweetness, a little unexpected rudeness... lol

Inside of the card

Hawaii Themed Birthday Card...

2009-09-12T00:53:00.000-07:00

This card was an order... My bosse's friend was turning 60 and the party was Hawaii themed. This is what I came up with. Some cricut... some MS edge punch... and some Jolie's.

Cute, Huh?!

and on the inside of the card:

HEARTS, HEARTS... LOVE...

2009-09-12T00:07:00.000-07:00

This is a special one... And I will tell you why...

The day I made this card I was totally uninspired. I had this heart paper... I had the cricut "love" word already cut for a while and decided to try my tiny sewing machine... As I talked to a friend I started cutting hearts from this heart paper and gluing then on the same paper with dimensional glue. So nothing special there right?

Well... the special part happened a couple of weeks later when I showed the card for the first time and got a very positive reaction... so far I have had 8... really... EIGHT orders for this card.

So there you go... Ya never know!

A FEW CARDS I MADE A WHILE AGO...

2009-08-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

This magnolia card came out so adorable! My friend Eliana and I combined our papers, supplies and imagination and created this together.

Oh this bird card... It was in my mind for a long time. So simple...I love it!

These were papers that I put to use as soon as I bought them, for a change. I made a couple of look alikes.

This gorgeous card was inspired by my friend Eliana (aka MyScrapCorner). I used her tools and stamps. Thanks for sharing Cu!!!

This card is so pink and so cute! It is one of my very favorites.

The day I made this card I had gotten terrible news... yet I was very happy with what I was able to create that day.

I love this card!

This card was inspired by my friend Eliana Kaplan, aka MyScrapCorner.

I was soooo bored when I made this card, I made it as a challenge. I picked some matching papers that were sitting in my paper stack for months and made this. I kind'a like it.

This was another paper that was sitting in my paper stack for a while, and after coloring the little doll these colors I was able to match with this paper. I also used cuttlebug tinny dots folder.

Thanks for looking!!!

MY NIECE SOPHIA, 6

2009-05-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

This is my beautiful 6 year old niece Sophia, modeling her new bikini and her new smile.

Sophia's favorite things are:

Horses, horses and more horses
Anything and everything "Princess".
Color: PINK (are there any others?)
Sparkly everything...
Cupcakes and Ice cream WITH sprinkles
Panda... (the animal and the Chinese food... yeah... I know... lol)
School

and a lot more stuff

Sometimes I get a phone call and I say "hello"... and all I hear from the other side is "MEOW" and then a little laugh... and that's how I know that is Sophia trying to trick "Tia Rosana"... than I respond "QUACK"... and that is how we communicate for a little while... Until I say: "Hey Sophia, want to go to Michael's?" And then the conversation gets real serious and she is ready to go in minutes.

Loro, 41 Year Old Bird

2009-05-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

This is my familie's bird fom when I was a little girl. I remember as if it was today, the day that we adopted him into our family. I was a 7 year old little girl. One evening after school, in Brazil, my mom (deceased), my middle brother Edson (deceased) and I walked a couple of miles over to the home of some friends to pick him up and bring him home. I was wearing my school uniforme, and running so excited about adopting "Lourinho". He had just a few gray feathers. That was 41 years ago. This picture was taken a few months ago by the new family that is taking care of him, since he is in Brazil and I am in USA.

He sings and speaks and calls my name and used to call my mom.

What memories I have of those times.

Scruff, 15

2009-05-03T16:13:00.001-07:00

Picture by: Eliana Kaplan

This is my boy Scruff. He is 15 years old. He's been my buddy for the last 12 years. Lately his health has been weak, but he is a fighter and is hanging on for dear life. I am pretty sure he already used up all of his 9 lives plus a couple. The vet diagnosed him with liver cancer, probably very serious pancreatic problems too. But trough it all I often catch him playing with his little toys under the bed or in the closet, and still knows how to demand being petted 'the right way'.

Picture by: Eliana Kaplan

ONLINE TV IS A BEAUTIFUL THING

2009-04-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

AND THESE ARE MY GUILTY PLEASURES...

BIRTHDAY CARD

2009-04-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

I LOVE THESE PRE-MADE FLOWERS
(too bad more than half of the flowers in the package are unusable and a total waste of money. let the maker know it.)

I USED THE FISKAS FLOWER EMBOSSING PLATE, A MINI E.K. PUNCH FOR THE EDGE, A CUTE RIBBON AND SOME REALLY COOL SHINNY PAPERS.

I ALSO USED RUBONS FOR THE SENTIMENTS IN AND OUT OF THE CARD, CRICUT (WIMG) FOR THE VASE, DIMENSIONAL ADHESIVE AND A MATCHING ENVELOPE.

ENJOY!

SOME OF MY CHRISTMAS CARDS

2009-04-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

When I made these cards I didn't have my tools or space to work on. I just wanted to work on Christmas cards so badly, so they are quite simple. My cricut and CB were in storage and very hard to get to. My friend Eliana Kaplan very generously invited me numerous times to scrap with her at her home. She let me use her CB and folders and cricut (last card's snow flakes). Shared paper and suplies. Gave me lots of boxes of square sticky glue, and LOTS of inspiration.

Thanks Cu!

TWO QUICK BUTTERFLY CARDS...

2009-04-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

I founf these cute butterflies ribons and knew I had to make some butterfly cards.

Both very easy and quick. They measure 4'' x 4'', and used the "Happy Birthday" CB folder.

TFL

YEAHHHH... I MADE IT THE CHIRP NEWSLETTER!!!

2009-04-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

I WAS HIGHLITED ON THE CRICUT'S NEWSLETTER TODAY!!! YEAHHHHH!!!

HERE IS THE LINK: http://www.cricut.com/newsletters/volume.aspx?ID=170

ONCE IT OPENS SCROW IT DOWN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE PAGE AND CLICK ON: ""LET'S GARDEN...""

THIS WAS A CARD THAT I MADE LAST YEAR FOR A FRIEND OF MINE THAT WAS REDOING HER GARDEN. I ENDED UP NEVER SENDING IT TO HER, DIDN'T EVEN WRITE A SENTIMENT ON THE FRONT OF THE CARD. SO I SHOULD PROBABLY MAKE A NEW ONE AND SEND IT TO HER.

IT WAS A LOT OF FUN MAKING IT. I USED ''WIMG CARTRIDGE'' FOR THE WHEELBARROW. I AM SORRY BUT I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT SIZE I CUT IT, BUT IT WAS TRIAL AND ERROR. I KEPT CUTTING UNTIL I GOT IT RIGHT. THE FLOWERS ARE SILK MINI-HYDRANGEA. I LOVE THIS LITTLE FLOWER BECAUSE IT LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE DOGWOOD. FOR THE SCALLOPED EDGE ON THE BOTTOM I USED A MINI EK PUNCH. THE PINK CENTER FOR THE FLOWERS CAN BE BOUGHT AT JOANN'S 20 OR 25 FOR A BUCK... AND AN ADORABLE RIBBON.

ANYWAY... HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY. THANKS TO ALL THAT LEFT A MESSAGE ON THE CRICUT FORUM. AND THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION.

SYMPATHY CARD FOR MY FRIEND MARCUS

2009-03-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

MY FRIEND MARCUS'S FATHER PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK. I WANTED TO MAKE KIM A CARD THAT REFLECTED HOW COLORFUL HE IS. MARCUS IS A WONDERFUL FRIEND SINCE GRADE SCHOOL IN BRASIL. SO IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT WE KNOW EACH OTHER FOR AT LEAST 35 YEARS. MARCUS IS GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME, BUT HE IS ALSO A STRONG GUY, THAT IS AT PEACE WITH HIS DAD'S PASSING.
I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU , MARCUS, AND KNOW THAT I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU.
BEIJOS NO CORACAO!

Ba-TIM-an Card...

2008-11-15T14:02:00.000-08:00

I made this card a while back for a very special boy I was a nanny to for 7 years, for his 5th birthday.

It came out so adorable, if I may say so.

It was a lot of work, as I made 30 of these cards, at 6 layers each + printing in and out of the card, plus the picture that was a 'snap'... OK, lame joke not intended... lol

But my boy, Tim, already had a Batman costume from Halloween and he knew exactly how to pose for the picture.

The first picture was the card we used.

The second picture was the other version of the same card I made just for fun.
The third picture is the topper alone. Just look at Tim's happy expression.

What a good looking pup. I love this boy!

Enjoy the card!

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Thomas Train

Tim's 4Th birthday was all about "Thomas" the engine. I did not make the invitations, but I made the thank you cards.

Here it is.

SCRUFF... THE SUPER CAT???

2008-07-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

HUMMM...

THIS IS SCRUFF... MY 14 YEAR OLD CATSTER. CUTE, HUH?

MAKE NO MISTAKE... HE IS A FEROCIOUS BEAST!

HE LOVES HIS TOY MOUSE!

Let's Garden...

2008-05-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

I started this card a while ago for a friend that was redoing her garden.

I haven't even finished, as I haven't added a sentiment to the front of the card.

I plan to finish it.

Happy Birthday Gi!

2008-05-17T14:28:00.001-07:00

I made this 'cardy' for my sister-in-law that is having a birthday this coming Friday. I am so happy with the result. I think it looks like Gummy Drops. Lol... I hope she'll like it.

Happy Birthday Curita!

2008-05-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

My friend Eliana had a birthday several days ago and I just got around to mail her card today... Well last year it took me 6 months to deliver her "Jamba Juice" card... so this year I'm not so bad... hahaha...

Anyway... I am both exited and anxious, because my friend is also a cardmaker.

Hope you like it Cu!

I used shinny green cardstock embossed with Fiskas system, Canson's Expression blue paper, Pre made Flowers, Walk to my Garden, Ribbon and rub-ons.

I just love these colors together.

Happy Birthday to my Brother Adriano

2008-05-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

May 7th - 2008 is my big brother's birthday.

I made this card as a version of another card I made a couple of months back.

I used Oposites Attract, rub-ons and some really cool papers.

Happy Birthday Nano!

What I'm Listening To In My Car

2008-04-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm in love with this book!

Eat, Pray, Love:
One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

by ELIZABETH GILBERT

DELICIOUS, REFRESHING...

are some of the words I use to describe this book.
I just love listening to the author's voice, along with her perfect combination of Sweet Smart Ass way of describing her amazing experiences.

Yummy!!!

Rose Bouquet Birthday Card

2008-04-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

I made this card today. I am very happy with the result, and as always unhappy with the photograph. But I've decided that I need a new camera. I've used Walk to my Garden's rose, cut at 4.5 in. I made the vase a bit smaller, at 3 in. Luckily I had an envelop that was the same shade of green of one of the papers I used. Don't remember where the paper came from, but it's beautiful all embossed. The cardstock is gorgeous and shinny. I also used a metal bird charm hanguing from the bow, and dimensionals all over. If you have any questions, just ask. Hope you all like it!

I Miss You Baby Girl!

2008-04-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

My beloved Zoe picked me to love when she was just a puppy on the streets of Emeryville, CA. She was such a beautiful puppy. So full of energy... no, really... crazy, overwhelming energy. After all she was a 4 month old Australian Shepherd... A Sheep Dog.
My life was so complicated then. I had no room for more responsibilities. And though I wanted to keep Zoe, I fought for a while getting close to her.
Then I fell in love with her and the rest is history. I was mom to Zoe for about 8 short years. She died 8 months ago, on August 21st.
Not a single day goes by that I don't miss her like crazy. I miss her totally, absolutely 100% unconditional love for me. She made me feel like "Hot Shit", the most important 'thing' in the world.
I will always love and miss you baby girl!

My Daily Affirmattions...

2008-04-21T21:16:00.000-07:00

Life is Beautiful!

Meanwhile At The Sunset Drive...

2008-04-21T04:31:00.000-07:00

It's so late it's early!

There's not much sleeping around here.

I lay on a loveseat while my 14 year old cat nests on my left arm and I try to type with my right hand the notebook that is on my left side, in the dark . You get the picture. Trying to fit on the sofa when Zoe is no longer here.
I make lists of ‘things to do today’, ‘things to do this week’, ‘things to do eventually’.
Thoughts of 'I need' race through my mind. It's not 'things' that I need, but things that I need to do to help my life run more smoothly. I need to organize my art space, I need to dedicate more time to my business, mostly I need to rest, I need to sleep.

Days of Spring...

2008-04-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying the gorgeous flower trees this year. The flowers came early this year, so hopefully the flowering season will last longer.
Luckily I keep a camera handy and took a few pictures... Here are a couple, I will post more later. Please click the first picture to see it bigger. The intensity of these flowers touches me
Enjoy!

Valentines Card

2008-04-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

I love how this card came out.

The bug stamp belongs to the 'bee happy' collection, by STAMPENDOUS.

So Cute!

What I've Been Listening To In My Car

2008-04-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

I drive 120 miles everyday, to and from work, so I have loads of time to listen to my cd's. Last week I 'discovered' this singer... went and bought her cd and I just love it!

The singer is
Brandi Carlile
the cd and song title is
"The Story"

Too Funny...

2008-04-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

Found
this
while
on
one
of
my
'walks'
through
the
internet...
can't
remember
where,
but
thought
it
was
very
funny...

Happy Birthday Raul!

2008-04-08T00:51:00.000-07:00

I WANTED TO MAKE A CARD FOR MY DEAR FRIEND RAUL... I WANTED FOR IT TO BE A COLORFUL, YET MASCULINE CARD, WHILE STAYING AWAY FROM 'BOAT' AND 'FISHING' IMAGES... LOL...
WELL, I WAS UNABLE TO STAY AWAY FROM BROWNS... AND ENDED UP USING A BOW...
RAUL IS A BEAUTIFUL MAN WITH A BEAUTIFUL FEMININE SIDE WHO CAN TOTALLY HANDLE A LITTLE BOW...

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Baby Boy Announcement Card

2008-04-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

I made 30 of these cards, a few month's ago, to announce the birth of a friend's baby boy. I am very proud of how the card came up...

enjoy!