Before I leave for Big Bear, I wanted to share one of my latest creations… simple but sweet. I used the sketch from Got Sketch from a couple of weeks ago and love the result as usual. Valerie has this simple but elegant style that I just love and can never get enough of. I needed to create a few card sets for a silent auction and this was the perfect sketch to follow in an assembly line! I created an 8 card set of this card and I surely hope that the winner will enjoy them! And now for some great news…..

Guess who got a Cuttlebug!! That’s right, ME!

I am beyond excited to finally be a proud owner of one of these special machines. It is going to make my life so much easier and fun! For those of you who do not know what a Cuttlebug machine is, it is a die cutting and embossing machine; though I am not so sure I like calling it a machine considering you do have to crank it all through with your own strength, but hey! we all could use a little strength training :)

This is now my favorite bug and it arrived last night with a bunch of fun little goodies (my pocket book better watch out, because I’m not sure I have enough!). Unfortunately, I have only been able to set it up and actually play with it for a matter of 30 minutes! Things have been busy around here and bright and early tomorrow morning we leave for Big Bear. Needless to say, that 30 minutes will have to do until I return…

While I was waiting for the arrival of my new friend, I did a bit of research. Mostly because there are multiple die-cutting machines out there and I needed to know which one was best for me (that was before the purchase of course) and then because I wanted to figure out which other brand dies/embossing folders were compatible with the Cuttlebug. So if you are in the market for a die-cutting machine, here are a  few links that were helpful to myself.

• JoAnns: Which Machine is Right for You?
• Cuttlebug Compatibility w/ Papertrey Ink
• Cuttlebug Compatibility w/ Spellbinders
• Papertrey Ink: Video Tutorial

The Cuttlebug ended up being the best for me for a couple of reasons: 1) I needed something portable, 2) I needed something fairly small and easy to store in my small apt, 3) I wanted something that would be compatible with most other brand dies, etc, 4) I knew more than one person that was happy with their Bug and wouldn’t trade it for the world (personal reviews are priceless!) and 5) because I adore the light color green that it comes in!

Since I haven’t played with it much (not even a project completed yet, sorry), I can’t really say things like “best purchase ever!” or “everyone should own one!”  But I am pretty sure that by the end of next week, I will most likely be saying similar things when I share my final projects. So come on back and check out the future projects created with my new friend!

And just for fun, the next items on my “Wish List” for my Cuttlebug:

• Cuttlebug Combo Die: Persia
• Sizzix Sizzlets Die Set: Flowers, Branches & Leaves
• Papertrey Ink: Woodgrain & Linen & Canvas Impression Plates
• Papertrey Ink: Beautiful Blooms II
• Cuttlebug Romance Bundle

If you have yet to watch an episode of Cupcake Wars on the Food Network, you are missing out!

WARNING: Be ready to be stressed — especially if you are a baker and know what it is like to bake a ton of cupcakes on a schedule! I get so tense when I watch the show (and my hubby thinks I need to stop watching) but I love the show and the results. Enjoy this short clip of it:

Now if you love cupcakes the way I do and live near Malibu, you have got to check out Crumbs Bakery! It is a donut shop gone cupcakes and they taste wonderfully homemade and delicious! You can see my review on Yelp HERE.

And before I leave you HAVE to go visit Lucy’s Cards to view this amazing card! Do it… Now!

Here’s a little sneak peak of what you will see…

I am addicted! Yes, addicted, to YELP! Oh my goodness, I LOVE giving my opinion and especially on food! So check out my new little widget on the right side of this page to see my latest reviews! Very few of my reviews are negative or mean. They are honest and from the heart (and the taste buds!).

On another note, the hubby and I went on a little date to Malibu yesterday. Stopped in at Howdy’s for a delicious burrito (and yes, you can find my review on Yelp!) and then off to the Art Festival. This festival was amazing; so many artists of all types and we loved strolling through the streets filled with color and beauty. We ran into an artist that we immediately fell in love with. What an inspiration! His name is Andy Ann Ha and below is a photo of my hubs looking at one of his display walls. We were oh so tempted to purchase a piece because we loved his work so much — we will save up for something a little later (though we were also impressed by his prices).

We also stumbled upon a gorgeous display of orchids. Art? maybe not; Beauty? absolutely! Orchids happen to be one of my favorite flowers, they are just so intriguing. They are so similar to humans in that they are sensitive to their surroundings and demand a good atmosphere to thrive (and survive). I wanted to buy a little beauty to bring home with me, but I just know she would pass away very quickly in our little home. Orchids need indirect light and fresh air all of the time. That is the last thing that our apartment would provide. And so I walked away in hopes that they would find themselves some good homes where they could live to their fullest. Don’t worry though, we didn’t leave without some lovely photos (are you kidding me? never!).

Thanks for stopping by! Come back soon for some of my latest card creations!

When I was younger, highschool age, I use to call my family “mi familia.” The reason was two fold — I love the Spanish language and I felt like the Spanish culture had a different meaning for family. Spanish families are always close knit and care for each other in any way possible, never abandoning one another. Now, don’t attack me if your family is Spanish and you have seen otherwise, this is just something that I have noticed in some of the Spanish families that I have known and also saw as I studied the Spanish culture. I admire that so much because family in America is so different than that.

Not my family! I love my family! We stick together through the good times and the bad. We are there for every single celebration, big or little.

And there they are… the whole gang (missing: Joe, Ixchel, Julianne and dear Grandpa (RIP). I just wanted to share how special my family is to me. We are unique from many families out there. Many families desire to be close to their families the way that we are. As the grandchildren continue to grow up, get married, graduate from college and succeed in their careers, we are slowly seeing each other just a little bit less and it makes you miss the old times when responsibility didn’t come in the way of family. But we are strong and I don’t see us ever stopping the love and time together.

And just for the fun of it, I thought I would include a video the usual fam jam session and a photo of myself with my Grandma and cousin Jasmine. This photo is my favorite photo right now. The smile on my Grandma’s face is priceless and she is beautiful!

Time for a winner — I have used random.org to draw a number for my winner (your number was determined by comment order):

AND THE WINNER IS…..

FRANCES!

Thank you to all that helped me out by taking my poll!

The contest is over, but the poll is still open and I would love nothing more than to hear more of your opinions! Feel free: GO HERE TO TAKE THE POLL

Frances will be receiving this card set that was designed to best serve several of her card giving needs: Birthday, Thank You and Encouragement; There are 2 each of 4 designs & sentiments.