This past week, God taught (and re-taught) me lessons about who He is, about His grace and sovereignty, about life, about myself and things that I need to learn/am still learning.

I definitely haven’t got it all figured out. But I am reminded that while I can’t control what happens in life, I can choose my responses + reactions – my perspectives, my attitudes, my words, my actions, my thoughts. These are things I get to choose.

And with God’s help, I’ll make the right choices.

—

Each Wednesday, I share a quote + some thoughts that have been especially relevant in my life during the week. Read more Wednesday Words here.

no. 004

12 June 2013

image source

True that.

I’m constantly working on getting rid of bad old habits and creating healthy new ones. And I daresay, breaking old habits is hard. But this quote really reminds me of the hard truth that whether I like it or not, the choices I make each day contribute to the person I eventually become.

Consistency is hard. But consistency is key.

And I want to consistently be the kind of person God wants me to be.

—

Each Wednesday, I share a quote + some thoughts that have been especially relevant in my life during the week. Read more Wednesday Words here.

Collections // father’s day

11 June 2013

This Sunday is already Father’s Day. And I’m big on all the love that’s wrapped up in hand/homemade cards. So here’s some inspiration for the perfect card/gift for Dad this weekend.

image source

There’s plenty of inspiration for Father’s Day gifts floating around on the world wide web (including Pinterest). And really, the sky’s the limit. But if you need more ideas, the American Crafts and Basic Grey blogs are doing some special Father’s Day crafts this week so check those out.

What plans do you have for Father’s Day this Sunday?

Wednesday words // no. 003

5 June 2013

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Summer break’s been great – relaxing, taking time off school, not being stressed out, and doing things I’ve been wanting to do. But it’s also challenged me to think about how I’ve been using my time and spending each day. And that’s important because we all get one, and only one, chance to live each moment.

“Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

– Psalm 90:12

Happy Wednesday! I hope your week’s been good so far (:

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Each Wednesday, I share a quote + some thoughts that have been especially relevant in my life during the week. Read more Wednesday Words here.

Wednesday words // no. 002

29 May 2013

On those days that I tend to over-think things, second-guess myself, or let my thoughts get the better of me, I remind myself of this:

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Then I take a deep breath, choose to think God’s thoughts, and go about my day.

I hope your week’s been super duper so far; happy Wednesday!

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Each Wednesday, I share a quote + some thoughts that have been especially relevant in my life over the week. Read more Wednesday Words here.

Friday favorite no. 001 // Make Someone Happy by Oh Joy!

24 May 2013

Each Friday, I’ll share with you my favorite(s) for that week. Or at least that’s the plan.

This week, my favorite is Oh Joy’s Make Someone Happy video series.

I’ve been wanting to share this mini video series by Oh Joy!. There are already a handful of videos in this Make Someone Happy series. But I love the concept behind it of brightening up someone’s day, even if it’s just in a really small way. So much love and inspiration in just a few minutes. If you have the time, watch these videos and maybe go out and make someone happy!

Trying out some of these simple yet inspiring things are one of my favorite parts about this series. So over the past weekend, I printed a couple of Oh Joy’s ad lib letter from video no. 5 and wrote one to every single person in my family. ‘Twas so fun just to surprise them with something out of the blue. Because life is made up of little moments like that.

Here’s to Friday and making someone happy today!

Wednesday words

22 May 2013

"Everyone can find a way to keep changing for the better -- to keep growing and flourishing." -- Martha Stewart, Living the Good Long Life

Link

Especially this week, I’m reminded of the need to constantly be growing and changing and improving for the better. This life will never be perfect on this side of eternity. So it will always be a process, a journey, a cycle of learning and getting better. And somehow, I think my mom would especially agree with me this week (;

I know my week’s been full of reminders to change for the better so far. I hope yours has been full of good things!

CHA winter 2013 favorites

19 January 2013

With CHA Winter just wrapped up earlier this week, I thought I’d share with you some of my favorites from this show.

I’m always so blown away by all the amazing new releases each time. And after I get over my excitement of all the new products, I always remind myself to save money so I can get everythinggg when they hit the stores (haha).

I think I have too many favorites this time around. But anyhow, here we go.

Dear Lizzy, Lucky Charm collection by American Crafts

Source: americancrafts.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

I really like the look of the phrase stamp somewhere near the top. And oh, those thickers near the middle, and that mini-album book.

Amy Tangerine, Yes, Please collection by American Crafts

Source: americancrafts.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

More of those daybooks and puffy stickers in the top row. And the clear stamps in the middle (I’m always excited for these!). And the thickers and alphabet stickers look pretty cool.

Again, these designer collaborations always get me really excited because I really like Amy Tan and Liz Kartchner – good stuff.

Sundrifter, Here & There, and Snippets collections by Studio Calico

I’ve been a fan of Studio Calico for awhile and I’m really liking they’re new collections as well.

The stamps are always a favorite (:

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

From top down, the stamps are from the Sundrifter, Here & There, and Snippets collections respectively.

Source: studiocalico.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Wood veneers are always a hit.

I didn’t include the patterned papers because they’re all so lovely but you could can check them out from the links I included above.

And please don’t get me started on the Handbook line. The oilcloth covers sound exciting and the inserts look pretty amazing. I can’t decide whether I like the inserts for the Here & There, or Sundrifter collection better. Maybe this is the perfect ~~excuse~~ motivation to scrap an event I’ve been procrastinating on.

Sn@p! by Simple Stories

Source: simplestories.typepad.com via Amelia on Pinterest

The Sn@p! binders are pretty amazing. This makes me seriously consider switching up Project Life to this size.

Technique Tuesday by Ali Edwards

Source: aliedwards.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Ali Edwards pretty much outdid herself with all the new stamps she designed for Technique Tuesday. You can check out the rest here (here for the video) and on her blog.

While I’m still working on getting started on Project Life for 2013, the new Project Life core kit editions are so great and seriously inspiring. I don’t know which is my favorite – yet.

If you couldn’t already tell from most of my favorites, I really really really love stamps. Maybe you could call me a stamp ~~hoarder~~ collector.

Thank you for letting me share some of my CHA favorites with you! What are your favorites from the recent CHA show?

I hope your weekend’s been amazing!

Spotted lately.

9 November 2012

Things have been quiet around here lately, I know.

It’s been terribly busy so I’ve just been trying to stay afloat amidst all the work that needs to get done. I’m totally excited for Christmas this year and eagerly anticipating Christmas break!

But until then, here are a couple of fun pretty things that have caught my eye lately.
Some of these would make great Christmas gifts. Just saying (:

1. For the Makers

For the Makers is a monthly box of DIY crafts delivered to your doorstep! They bring the fun to you and give you inspiration and tutorials on their website. How cool is that?! Pity they don’t ship international though. But this is definitely something I’d do if I lived in America.

2. Rubber stamps and the new look at Oh, hello friend.

All things vintage at Oh, hello friend. Their new website looks amazing and those rubber stamps are too cute. Also check out the other categories – makes me happy (:

3. Freckled Fawn Glitter washi tape

Glitter + washi tape. What’s not to love? Especially that fuschia and gold, eeekks!

4. Studio Calico Kits

While scrapbooking has pretty much taken a back seat for me right now, these thoughtfully put-together kits by Studio Calico are so inspiring; they make me want to start scrapping again. Each kit also comes with exclusive stamps and products – super fun.

5. Christmas rubber stamps by Ann-Marie

It’s really beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here with Christmas catalogs + decorations + shopping. Now, all we need is some snow. It almost feels as if we might just zoom right past Thanksgiving and fast forward to Christmas.

Happy Friday!

I hope your weekend is super duper (:

Feel the Spirit: London 2012

6 August 2012

Source: blog.imbreannarose.com via Amelia on Pinterest

We’re definitely well into the Olympics, with being more than halfway through and having less than a week to go until the closing ceremony.

While having to practice for cello exam hasn’t afforded me time to catch as much of the Olympics as I would’ve liked to, I’ve loved whatever I’ve managed to catch of it – my favorite events now are probably gymnastics and synchronized diving + swimming (:

I love everything that the Olympics represents: patience, determination, perseverance, excellence, hard work, courage, strength, healthy competition, dreaming big.

I think the Olympic Creed says it best:

“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.“

Love that last line.

I hope you’re embracing the Olympic Spirit as much you can while it lasts!