Vote for Me over at TopMommyBlogs.com

If you have browsed around my blog you’ll see that I am part of topmommyblogs.com, I love going over there and checking out all of the wonderful mom sites that are listed. Like my own personal mommy blog search engine. If you currently have a Mom blog I encourage you to go sign up and get listed. I am currently at #35 in my category Crafts & DIY and #710 overall. I wanted to ask if you wouldn’t mind clicking on my link to vote for me over there. Thank-You in advance.

~Christina

Quote of the Day:

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
― Steve Jobs

Pinterest (Rules of Engagement) Poster

Hey everyone, thought that I’d make a little post about one of my favorite topics “Pinterest” if you can’t tell already! I am always over there pinning to my hearts content and felt compelled to get my Photoshop Elements out and make a Pinterest (Rules of Engagement) Poster. You’ll see it below. First of all, I wanted to add that I have been pinning for over a year I believe it’s’ been. In that time I’ve gotten to know the ins and outs of Pinterest. Second, unfortunately there are some pet peeves I have, but also alot of positive things I enjoy about Pinterest. Rather than tell you about it I’ll show you, then (of course) I’ll “Pin It” then you can too. Please leave a comment, follow me on twitter and I’m now on Google +, click on the sidebar and join me over there!

Thanks for visiting,

~Christina

Quote of the Day:

Everybody is creative, and everybody is talented. I just don’t think everybody is disciplined.

— Al Hirschfeld

Charming Charlie (My Favorite Accessories Store) Purse Haul

So I was vacationing in Greenville, South Carolina and to my wonderful surprise they have a Charming Charlie store. I absolutely love this store. It can be overwhelming though, if you’ve never been. I have been to the one in Fort Wayne, Indiana, another one in Collegeville, PA and now Greenville, SC. Collegeville is one of the biggest so far. They have every accessory under the sun, from Shoes to Belts, to Purses, to Jewelry, Hair accessories and even Blouses. THE BEST PART about Charming Charlie is…..It’s all color coordinated. Clapping like a Seal right now, just walking in is inspiring let alone buying something. If I worked there they’d have to take my check right back, because it would be spent on the spot. Love!! So when I went into the CC’s at Greenville, they were having a BOGO on top of their red tag items. I guess to make room for the new product coming in. Well I got 2 purses and a pair of sunglasses for $27, yes $27 I was so glad I waited to get a purse, cause I was able to afford 2 and shades to boot. Here’s my Black purse: This was “Free” only $9.99 marked down and it was part of the BOGO deal. Gotta love the Gold chain.

Then here’s the purse I bought marked down to $18 Little bit of bling, soft and nice wide straps. So which one will I choose to use for now, stay tuned…

 

Here’s another post I wrote a while ago during my month long posting Challenges, fyi, Day 18 Challenge about CC’s.

So I encourage you to save yourself some money and check out Charming Charlie, if you don’t have one near you, no problem you can buy everything online. Yeah! Go take a look at all the pretties. Have fun shopping, ~Christina

Pinterest Pins~How to See All of your Pins or Boards at One Time

How Neat is this. I use this Zoom thing all of the time and I think that its my best kept secret, except for “Pinterest” itself. Since I use Photoshop Elements 9 all of the time, I am constantly using the Ctrl key plus + or – keys to Zoom in or out, makes life so much easier. So I decided, for all of you Pinners out there who would love to skip the scroll to top button, that I’d make a little Tutorial on: How to see all of your Pins or Boards at one time. So let’s get started:

 

I know that if you have too many pins that they will be microscopic, but if your like me with just over a thousand pins you’ll still be able to tell what your pins look like. Well there you have it. Remember you can use Ctrl plus + or _ on your window even if you are on another website like google, go ahead and try it out. Have fun and make sure that you link up to my Creative Tizzy Pinterest Boards Page as I would love to follow you and have you follow back. XOXO Christina

Day 27 CHALLENGE You inspire me!!!!

I wanted to take the time out to tell each and everyone of my readers and followers just how much I appreciate you. Your following me means so much to me and I hope no matter where you are or what you do that you live each day being inspired to do your best no matter what that is. To be encouraged to live life to the fullest and to be motivated to reach for your dreams. We're all meant for a purpose and for greatness! As I look at all of the wonderful blogs out there that I follow I am inspired daily to give of myself through my blog to pay it forward, whatever "IT" should happen to be that day. Give and it will come back ten fold! Be inspiring this week I challenge you!

Day 13 CHALLENGE Quotes on the Fridge

I have a couple of quotation magnets on my fridge that have great meaning and are very encouraging.
This one I had gotten for my husband when he graduated college last June. It says:

TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW

YOU WILL BE MORE DISAPPOINTED

BY THE THINGS YOU DIDN'T DO

THAN BY THE ONES YOU DID.

SO THROW OFF THE BOWLINES.

SAIL AWAY FROM THE SAFE HARBOR.

CATCH THE TRADE WINDS IN YOUR SAILS.

EXPLORE. DREAM.

DISCOVER.

(UNKNOWN)

Then I got one for myself to remind me that it's okay to reach for your dreams everyday. It says:

THE FUTURE
BELONGS TO
THOSE WHO
BELIEVE IN THE
BEAUTY OF
THEIR DREAMS...
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Have a good night!

Day 10 CHALLENGE Mondays can be good and One word that describes you!!

I think that most people can't stand Mondays, because the weekend is over and we're starting out a new week and my perspective along time ago when I use to work as a Hairstylist, was I love Mondays.  Since I had every Monday off. So it was a day to take it easy and cook for my boyfriend (now hubby). I did have jobs prior to that and they were 9 to 5 which started on Monday, and that can be rough, so I can relate to both ways of thinking. I like good Mondays, just think you get to start the week anew, persay! So now that Monday is almost over here is something else to think about. In the spirit of Eat, Pray, Love a book I am 1/4 of the way through and now watching the movie. I wanted to ask you what one word best describes you, not what you do, but who you are. Self introspective, but I think it gets you thinking about the core of you. My one word that describes me, in every way, shape, and form is  "Creative". Born and bred. Go into your week figuring out what your one word is and by this weekend, live by it!! Then go have a bowl of Pasta and feel no guilt, lol!!

Day 9 CHALLENGE A Bieber~ized Birthday Cake

Well my little baby girl isn’t a baby any longer and so it is. Amazing how I look at my kids one day and they’re babies and the next their getting to be almost as tall as me, it goes sooo fast. So to make her birthday really special, I have baked her a really nice cake and made her a homemade card. But they are not just any old cake and card, they have a very special theme. Justin Bieber is the theme, I have to say I like his music just as much as she does. We went to see his 3D movie, “Never say Never” and I honestly have to say, he is such an inspiration. Not only to kids, but to grownups alike. The movie was a documentary basically of his life. Now, I went and took my son and my daughter, of course I had to go, I had to chaperone ya know? ; ) Well I could identify with his story so much (not the famous part, but alot of his struggles), and the way he grew up it amazed me how he turned out the way he did. Here is the trailer video for his movie, I loved it! I encourage you to go see it, it was neat to see in 3D!

Now onto the fun stuff, here is the cake I made for my new 8 year old:  It is a White box cake made purple, sprinkled inside with Wonka nerds and Purple Icing to top it off. All Justin Bieber style, of course.
Here are the Ingredients: Classic White cake, Classic White Icing, 13x9 inch pan (I use glass, cooks more evenly I think), Canola oil, Red and Blue food coloring, and 3 egg whites.
 
Directions: I used the directions on the back of the box and put my spin on it, of course, gotta be original!! Add Food Coloring to the cake batter to make purple I added 22 drops each blue and red
Mix with mixer until food coloring is Purple make sure to scrape sides. Now for the “Secret Ingredient” Wonka Nerds Talk about Suweeet!  Incorporate Nerd with a hand mixer then, add cake batter to baking dish that has been greased and lightly floured. Bake according to box depending on what baking pan you use.   





Spoon out White Icing into a Sandwich bag about 3 tablespoons worth and set aside this will be for writing Happy Birthday on the cake. Use the rest of the icing for the cake. Add 4 drops each of Blue and Red food coloring to the rest of the icing in the container. Stir completely I used a knife to get down into the bottom for mixing. 














Let cake cool completely so that you can spread the icing smoothly. Write lettering and sing Happy Birthday! 
As you can see it turned out Purple inside, the Nerds made it soo sweet, it was like a surprise in your mouth. Yummy!
I made her a card in Photoshop Elements and put his picture on the front and faded it, cut her out and pasted her to it then wrote happy birthday on the front. Inside I put his song, “Born to be somebody” on the left and on the right I wrote a Paragraph containing his song titles in the greeting, It turned out really neat. For privacy reasons I am not posting it, but it turned out really cool and it will be something she’ll treasure forever! Hope you enjoy your cake, have a piece, it’s Delish!!

Day 8 CHALLENGE A love of food and a love for children!

Today my post is about a need that is being met. What is that you say, well apparently there are children that go hungry or don't get a meal unless they are served a school lunch and it happens here in America. This is so sad to me that when I saw the story I am about to link you to I had some tears welling up, in a happy way. I saw this on CNN. The chef's name is Bruno Serato and well, he saw a need and filled it. To me he is an inspiration amongst one of the many angels on earth and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to blog about it. I hope that you find his story as heartwarming as I do, here's the link... http://losangeles.grubstreet.com/2011/03/local_chef_lauded_for_feeding.html

Thanks for taking a look and are you CHALLENGING yourself today, play along by posting one post per day for a month, to whomever is, great job!!

Day 5 CHALLENGE One of My Inspirational Resources

Artful Blogging Magazine

Another magazine that I love. Although these are copies from 2009-2010 I reference them often and especially now, since I've been blogging up a storm. This magazine gives much insight on creative bloggers and how they started, they discuss the ins and outs of daily blogging. I love that I can read about the magic, persay, of how alot of bloggers once started out very humbly and have been blessed with great opportunities. Since starting, many have developed great communities. Their blog may have helped them through a crisis and some fell upon a business just naturally. There are beautiful photos shown and they even show a blog entry for most of them. I usually buy my copy (need to get the latest) at Joann's. They may sell it at Michaels's, A.C. Moore's or Hobby Lobby. It is so worth the investment. Go take a look.

I have one of my very first followers joining in the "Monthly CHALLENGE". I look forward to hearing everyone's success in posting to their blog once a day for a month. Go take a look at her blog, she is published in Studios magazine. http://amyrehnae.blogspot.com/ Thanks for visiting Amy and the rest of my followers. ; )



Day 4 CHALLENGE Your Own Dream Journal

Being a severely creative person, I have many ideas/goals/dreams/aspirations floating around in my head, which can become mental clutter. But when I write them down I feel as if a weight is off my mind. So I need not only a creative outlet, but a place to put the many blurbs I think of. If I could I would put them all into a blog, but some things are just for me. I tend to have such random ideas and they may come in the form of a dream I've had or an inspiration from looking at something or someone and on and on. I am a mom first and foremost and sometimes that leaves me little time for me to just space out and gather my thoughts so my dream journal helps me. Usually late at night, right before bed I'll jot down whatever is going on in my mind. I bought my journal at Walmart for around $10 they have pretty ones also at Borders and at Barnes and Noble (two of my favorite stores, I love books).

I wanted to write down positive thoughts about myself, what I like, Positive Affirmations, believing in myself, what I want to do with my life and what the core of me really is. Sort of an exploration to figure out "me". I have found that through the process of dream journaling what defines me is "creativity", and everyday I practice it, whether in thought or in daily things I do around my home, with my family and around my community. Forget about the box, I am an out of the window thinker. And whoever said that quote Jack of all trades master of none was not creative in the least. I believe if you want to do many different things than there is a way, no limits. My blog is an extention of that. I want to encourage all of you, to spend some money on a journal, spend some quiet time in thought, and spend some writing time figuring out what defines you. It may just be that you will learn a few things about yourself in the process and get excited about what lies ahead in something fun that is just yours. Write down anything that
comes to mind, hey even doodle on the pages or draw pictures of your ideas, quotes are also fun
and so on. It can be so freeing to read what you've written. i dare ya!! Have Fun.

Up for a Challenge?!!!!!!!!!!

So I am going to openly express that I am up for a challenge right about now and the challenge is for me, to post everyday for one month and see what happens. Starting tomorrow! I have posted today so I could consider today part of the challenge I guess. Is anyone else with me? The only way to get out of a rut is to basically go through it, right? Let me know if your up for the challenge and I'll put your blog link in my actual post. I never back away from a challenge, do you? Peace~Out

A Creative Nails Blog

The Hairdresser in me is always on the lookout for colorful ideas in beauty here's what I came across, Konadlicious and she is a glass artist, but has discovered nail polish. Go take a look at her neat artwork nails. Something different and unique. I love to go on a quest each Walgreen's shopping trip to see what new colors are out there or what I am in the mood for. I need to take the time out to paint my nails more often. Seeing all of the neat things on Konadlicious gives me inspiration. Take a peek here http://konadlicious.blogspot.com/

New Inspiration, Creative Touches, and A Surprising Mother's Day!

I wanted to give you some inspiration for today in the spirit of Mother's Day here's something to dwell on:
A creative woman is a selfish woman.
And a selfish woman is a dangerous woman because she is willing and able to feel her own feelings. To own what it is that she wants . And she is willing to try and get it.
A creative woman is an empowered woman. She is able to set boundaries and say NO to what she doesn't want. And a big fat YES to what feeds her and pleases her and nurtures her.
A creative woman, a selfish woman, an empowered woman cannot be controlled. She is the queen of her own life, her own time, her own body.
A creative woman is a passionate woman. She is on fire with being alive. She is hungry for color and adventure and boldness and being swept away by the energy of her creative desires.
A creative woman is an honest woman. She knows how to see clearly, to tell the truth and to no longer lie to herself about what she needs and what truly works for her to be happy.
A creative woman knows how to shine with her own life, to be big and take up space in the world. To be seen and heard and visible.
A creative woman, a selfish woman, a woman full of her self, paradoxically is actually capable of tremendous generosity because she has a lot to give. She is full of energy and is overflowing with her many creative gifts because she is tapped into her own creative source.
But she gives only when she chooses to do so. A dangerous, creative, empowered, selfish woman understands that she can only do so much. And is not willing to damage her own body and psyche and heart by giving more than is good for HER.
written by chris zydel of creative juice arts via dirty footprints studio who said it best...
This is through my new friend Amy at: http://www.amyrehnae.blogspot.com/
I hope that this gives you some insight on yourself and what you are capable of!! 
Here's what I recieved as my Mother's Day gift: (besides going to see Iron Man 2 and eating at Red Lobster, (my one and only cheat meal for the week, deservedly so))

 Can you say Suweeet! This is my new toy. I am a gadget fiend here's my other toys. Everything is touchy!:

My HP TouchSmart, My Verizon Vogu100 htc (competitor to Iphone), and my new IPod Touch, love them all. 
Talk about being Creative, I can use Photoshop Elements 8 on my laptop to design scrapbook pages and edit photos. Being able to touch the screen makes games so much easier and doodling fun!! Use my Ipod touch and Vogu100 for creative scheduling and filing. Ahh to be loved! ~Fin

Where Women Create, Love this Magazine

If you are a creative fanatic as I am, you will love this magazine. It is full of inspiration! 

Women show off their studio spaces while telling about themselves and how they got their start being creative. It is a little on the expensive side to purchase, but so definitely worth the $. The pages are thicker than usual magazines neat to see different artistic styles. arrivederci