Random Thoughts

Here is what I am thinking today:

1. I miss my hubby. We are making so much progress with this whole marriage thing and I am so thankful for that. I sure wish he didn't work as much. I am looking forward to sleeping in with him tomorrow.

2. I need to scrap some new layouts right now. I need to clean the apartment. I need to get to the gym. I need to cook. I need to do laundry. I have work to do at the store. I am in the mood to do none of these. I can't get off of the couch. I've been extremely tired lately. Wish I could just get some energy.

3. I am feeling very angry towards my body right now. I don't think it's fair that some people can "watch what they eat" for a couple of weeks and lose 20 pounds. I don't think it's fair that some people never have to work out and they look totally toned and muscular all of their life. I don't think it's right that I can NEVER cheat without seeing it in my body. I don't think it's right that if I miss two gym days, you are gonna notice. I HATE that. I am tired of constantly WORKING to just look decent!! It's so annoying.

4. I am feeling homesick. I miss my brothers. I miss my dad. I miss my mom. I've been so busy and non-stop this past week and haven't really seen them. I miss them.

5. I feel so blessed to be experiencing the things that I am right now in my walk with God. He is so merciful and loving. He is amazing and never ceases to surprise me. He is such an awesome God. I am looking forward to where he will take me.

6. I love my friends. They are so great to me. I am so thankful for them.

7. I am thrilled about my new little godchild. Her name is Ella Grace. She is absolutely beautiful. You can check out more pics of her on my store's blog. www.inspirescrapboutique.blogspot.com




8. I found out something this week that really bothered me. It really hurt me. I feel like it needs to be addressed but I guess you can say that I don't have the guts to do so. I also just saw something that bothered me. It kinda goes hand in hand with the info I found out. I wish some people would just give it a rest.

9. I can't wait to see what God has in store for my career in the next couple of years. I have really been giving that to him and hoping he takes me to whole other levels.

10. This week has been filled with so many highs and a couple of lows. I am beat. I have lots of thoughts on my mind. I feel very blessed. I feel very secure. I hope that I can continue to trust my God and allow him to mold and shape me. I will give him the negative and allow him to take care of things.

Sorry to you guys for getting all personal. This is my blog though and I just wanted to let out some...Random Thoughts.

Good Nite!
Ash

Oozing with Inspiration.

Tonite. It felt like I was oozing with inspiration. It's been a very long time since I've been able to whip out more than one project in a night. However, tonite, I got a latte and finished three projects. All it took to get the juices flowing was some amazing new product from Sassafras. I really like the way everything came out. Here's a lookie!
















There you have it. I am so excited to have my hands on some new product. Hope you make it to the store to get your hands on some too!

Ash

a layout

Here's a layout I completed last night for the Pretty Little Studio design team. It's clean and simple and I like it.




Title: No One Else Was There

You can check out my DT spotlight on their blog today. www. prettylittlestudio.blogspot.com

And here's a freakin cute baby. Just cause.



Man she's cute. She is the baby of miss james. Her name is gemma. I know i've posted her before. I just think she's too cute. you can check out their blog at http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com. I check it everyday. I love it.

Happy Wednesday!
Ash

Talk about Inspiration!

Have you ever read Artful Blogging by Somerset? If not, you need to. It is a magazine that features different artistic blogs. It is filled with articles by blog authors, Q&A's with those authors, excerpts from blog posts, and tons of visual inspiration. And, boy do i love some visual inspiration.

Here's the older issue. I just finished this one.

AMAZE!

Here's the one that I just got. I can't wait to dive into it later tonite!

I'm excited about this one because Rachel Denbow's blog, Smile and Wave, is featured in this edition. I love me some Smile and Wave blog.

Hope you are having a great Tuesday. I'll post a few creations later. Check out the store's blog for this weekend's events and some things that I've been doing around the store. www.inspirescrapboutique.blogspot.com


Ash

Question!!

Hey guys. Okay I have stumbled upon something today that really has me thinking about blogging and I have a few questions.

1. Should there be boundaries on your own blog?

2. Should you censor yourself to a certain extent because your blog is accesible on the world wide web?

3. Should you keep in mind that some things may be offensive to others?

4. Should you expect differing opinions from readers?

5. If you decide not to censor/monitor what you write, should you be prepared for the repercussions (however you spell that)?

6. If you are representing companies in the industry, should that affect your blogging?

Please, please leave comments with your answers to this. I need some opinions!

Ash

A Couple of Creations

Here are a couple of layouts that I have completed lately.

one




TITLE: Baby Love

This is a layout that I did on cork with the new Paper Crush line from Sassafras. I love it so much!

two:




Title: Crush

Journaling: my heart has a little crush on you.

This is a layout that I did for the PLS design team. You can check out the Pretty Little Studio Blog for more great creations using their precious products!

Enjoy!
Ash

to them...

Today, I just feel like honoring them with a little post so bear with me sharing a little piece of my heart with you guys.

I'm sure when you go from a great friendship to a fun romance, then, to having three kids really quickly it is a huge life adjustment! I know it wasn't always easy. I know there were times when they were shocked at how hard it was. I know now, more than ever, that it must have taken so much work to maintain a marriage, and a home, and three children. I know there were times when you wanted to hit the road.

I know that, sometimes, they were broke. I know that they had to try to keep smiles on their faces so that we wouldn't know. I know that they had to hide it when they were scared to death because they wanted the best for us. I know that they always gave us everything they possibly could even when, sometimes, they probably couldn't.

I know that other people might call what we had dysfunctional. I know that other people might look in and have critiques and criticisms. However, I know that they loved us and still do with all of their hearts. I know that they never did anything to hurt us. I know that there were lots of sacrifices and sleepless nights on their parts. I know that there were tons of tears. I know that we haven't always seemed thankful or respectful or appreciative. I know that that probably made it harder for them to continue giving and giving and giving!


I also know that we loved hard in that house. I know that we laughed hard. I know that we smiled often. I know we all have each others' backs when it comes down to it and that is because of them. Because of how they raised us. I know that my brothers and I have always made mistakes. I do know though that my parents never left our sides. No matter what. No matter how much they disagreed. I know that we were raised with the fear of God and with the understanding of his love and mercy.

I know that we were shown what family is all about. I know that we were raised to take care of people and love them. I know that we were raised to know that nothing, NOTHING, comes before family.

I know that we all turned out great and I can't wait to see how much more we will all achieve in the years to come. I know that they will never stop worrying, pushing, loving, giving. I know that they will never stop praying. I know that they will always be the most amazing parents that I have ever known.

There is no other house that I would have rather grown up in. I know my brothers would agree.

And, today, I am a little homesick. I am missing them and what they brought to my daily life a little bit...well a lot. I know we have to grow up and make our own families. But, I miss that one. The one that they made. The one that they created. The one that they perfected.

I love these two people with all my heart and I thank them for creating and molding me into who I am today. I owe them so much more than I'll ever have. I hope they realize that.

And, if they read this, I hope it is just one more little "THANK YOU" for them to hold on to.



I love you Mom and Dad. I miss living there. I miss seeing you every day. I hope you know what you have done for Copeland, Blake, and I. I hope your realize that you did a damn good job. I hope you know we thank you, we appreciate you, we love you.

Ash

This weekend...

This weekend, I am working on my class for Scrapfest. Here's what it involves:


Hope it comes out like what I have in my head! I also have plans to work on some DT stuff for PLS. Oh and there are slippers, gingerbread PJ's, and Starbucks in those plans too!

Happy Weekend!
Ash

Another Reason Why Sassafras is the Bomb!

So, Taylor and I just got back from CHA in Los Angeles, California. It was definately a fun and productive trip. We ordered lots of great products and became so very inspired by the people and projects that we saw at the show.

Anways, on to the reason for posting. Everyone knows that Sassafras has a special place in my heart. I have always loved their products and I have always been one to toot their horn. This week gave me more reasons to love them. Their new releases are absolutely precious and on top of that, the people associated with the company are the Bomb!

There are many companies/designers that definately let popularity get to their head. There are also companies that get really big and do not worry so much about small stores anymore. Sassafras is definately an exception. It is owned by a husband and a wife. They are very involved in the business and pretty much keep everything in their own hands, which i respect and love. I totally understand what it feels like! They are the ones that design all of the lines and that handle everything.

Taylor and I got the pleasure of chatting with Rebecca (the wife :) and Mrs. Vicki Boutin (she is a Sassafras design team member) for a very long time at the show. They are a blast to talk to and it felt like we had all known each other for years. They definately work hard and respect small retail stores. We all connected and I felt like I could have hung out in the Sassafras booth all day.



I respect the company even more now that I have learned a little bit about it and about the people that created it. I just had to give them a little shout out because it was so nice getting to know them.

Rebecca and Vicki it was great talking to you guys! Hope to chat again soon!

Be back later with more pics from CHA!

Happy Thursday!
Ash