A Finished Journal!

There's an awesome feeling about finishing a journal and watching the process as it grows. I called this Fall 2011 Journal - Passion to inspire my writing, doodling and creativity!




Funny, I added the word "Transform" in the back and so this book definitely did just that.
I fell in love with the colors, the pockets inside, and thanks to Hope from Paper Relics journaling course "To the Letter", it has helped my writing skills evolve.





Two of my favorite pages:



Yes I play in my book during my favorite shows!



This was created after someone sent me a cool fashion photograph with a bunch doodles all around!
As I put together the next journal, I'm prepared to create something simple and fun!

Have a great day!
~Shanti
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Holiday Electric Blue Inspired!

Sooo, this year my honey and I are planning to attend a holiday event and I'm looking for the absolute holiday party dress. As I was skimming through Lucky magazine Nov 2011 issue, the "Lucky Girl" of the month is Solange Knowles. She's rocking these Janet Jackson circa "Poetic Justice" braids and this awesome electric blue sequins dress! I was SOLD...



I think I'm going to be looking for this dress or something similar with the high slit on the side. I may pass on my usual rhinestone drop earrings for some studs and rock one of my large flower creations on the side, very reminiscent of Billie Holiday. Now, how am I going to get him to match me! Lol



Have a great day!
Shanti

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Breast Cancer Awareness Walk 2011 (Brooklyn Style) Mini Book:

I had a wonderful time yesterday at the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk here in Brooklyn, New York at Prospect Park. People from all over came with costumes, pink outfits, their pets, and even a cultural surprise for me with some Iron and Drums all to bring awareness to this dis-ease!!







I had the opportunity to create some beautiful earrings for some friends and I was so inspired to even create a mini album inspired by the event!






Hand-written cover and added butterfly cut outs to each page.



Added flip pages to add more photos to this mini book...



Accordion style mini book. Still have to write entries to each page...



Simone working the pink feather earrings...



Love these ladies!!!




(a true flag woman!)




Even my bestie Nadia came out!

Thanks to some friends: Simone A. (BIM), Onya from Socamotion, America, my bestie Nadia, Simone A. (TnT), Dana, and even Despers USA Steel Pan Orchestra for the music!

Next stop, Lupus Walk in memory of my sister, Chrissy!

Re-designing Vintage Papers: Creole Woman

So, while the world sleeps, you could sometimes find me making home-made journals, stenciling, art journaling and just designing my hearts desire! Here's a lovely design I've created to either frame or to add to my journal... I found this beautiful stamp (from InkPad NYC) of what looks like a French-Caribbean woman (either from Martinique, Guadeloupe, or even St. Lucia) and I had to purchase it. My sister and I used to dress up in these traditional costumes when we danced with a Caribbean Company and it just brought back memories. Here's an urban color scheme with a vintage style. More coming soon...

30 Days of Lists: "If I Ruled the World" & 21 Day Cleanse Journaling!

After creating today's list on 30 Days of Lists: "If I Ruled the World", I realized majority of my statements were towards peace, harmony, freedom, and just goodness. I love that this list made me realize how much I just want goodness to be in the world. I rely on creativity, crafts, arts and writing to keep me focused on the good things in life.




In the mean time, I'm also a part of a 21 Day Fall Detox/ Cleanse with A Life Balanced program.






At first I needed some adjusting but I implemented some journaling techniques to my process and it has become a lovely experience. I realize when you're doing such a process, have your goals written down, collect information in advance, meditate and find goodness in the journey, not the disadvantages or what you're missing out. I keep telling myself who cares about dairy, sugar, or juice... I do miss a piece cheese! However, after 21 days are over, I won't be scarfing down a chunk, just add a lil' piece by piece and enjoy it from time to time. I'll keep you posted on how it goes, perhaps add some recipes here!





Blessings,
shanti

Creative Journaling and #30 Days of Lists:

So, 30 Days of Lists is winding down (yes I'm a bit sad) because I really enjoyed this great project. I experimented with a few Balzer Designs stencil on my pages and created some awesome lists:












Thanks to her Stencil 101 class, I'm enjoying the techniques as well!

Heading back to some more designs!
Shanti

This is what love does to you:

Love is my muse, it inspires all the joy, the color and excitement of my life and my creative work... Just want to say thank you and this is a great day to celebrate. To my honey D.



A random page out of my journal...



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:My heart

How Art Journaling and 30 Days of Lists became my therapy!

Happy Monday afternoon. I have to say I'm so happy to be back online! I've been sick (thanks to a summer into fall kind of cold), dealing with some other things including the memory of my sister's transition anniversary (I miss her so much) and just organizing life. For the past two weeks, I found solace in creating fun colorful lists with the ladies of 30 Days of Lists and also creating some artistic pages in my personal journal.






There's something about releasing your mind from all the daily lists and ideas on to paper or any type of media. I found myself recovering from my cold quicker than I thought while creating and also taking some time to release some of the sadness of missing my sissy through painting!

There's still time to join 30 Days of Lists (Click this link)! I have to say, creating these lists have been really fun, easy, and allows a few minutes of your day to be creative! Check out my flickr page (on the left) for some examples of my lists!!


I also have a cool giveaway with them filled with goodies!

Otherwise, there's a lot of great projects coming along and working on building a new blog "look"!! Can't wait... Have a great day and also check out my Flickr Album and my other blog Aye' Shanti Designs for some great jewelry!

I know, Where are the Crafts, the Journaling, and all the goodies??

Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit!! Happy September...
Forgive me family, I know I haven't been around as much!  For the month of August, I've been working on some Aye' Shanti Designs for a Fashion show coming up this weekend: Caribbean Fashion Extravaganza 
Here's a Sneak Peek:

I'm also working on some jewelry designs for Carnival orders from Labor Day, Miami, to even TnT 2012!

In the mean time, please check out 30 Days of Lists!!! Sign up today to be part of such a great group of listers! I'm heading back into my studio but will take some time out of my day to work on my list!

Otherwise, I will be back with some more designs, greeting cards, and crafts!

Day 3: 30 Days of August

I find solace in treating myself to some home-made guava jam, with peanut butter on toast rather than eating an over priced chocolate bar in the corner store!



I find excitement in all the books I've collected to start my various projects for the new season!




And I find hope with the new things to come, the unknown, and all possibilities!

Think about your own things that you find solace, excitement, and hope in!

Blessed,
Shanti

Day 2: 30 Days of August

So, today was a good day in the gym and I pushed myself to do some machines I haven't done for some time. And I felt it all in my legs on my way home! Thank goodness for Epsom salt baths.
Anyway, while I was on the treadmill an idea came to me for a project and I'm quite excited, so as I come back to some work, I'm going to sketch it out and hopefully by next week I can share it with you all!
Otherwise, here's a quick tip for those who shouldn't be drinking soda and soft drinks like me. I've decided to make a light summer fizzy drink with some cranberry juice and seltzer water to have with my lunch. It's very refreshing and still has a kick of flavor!



Have a great afternoon!
-Shanti

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day 1: 30 Days of August!

Today's List:





So I actually did get out of my studio yesterday and headed to the gym. It wasn't so bad! Starting off with small steps but getting there. Besides heading to the gym, I'm going to start my mornings with a kettle bell workout! I purchased the "Bob Harper Kettlebell" 7lbs and a cute stainless steel bottle from Thermos Threadless: Juliet!

I decided to mix up the workout from the gym to my home with the kettle bell every other day, so I'll keep you posted on what I think of it! Otherwise, so far, I feel the muscle burn!! Grrrrrrr....




This 24 oz water bottle is perfect for the gym because it actually fits in the cup holder... FINALLY! lol I'm all about reusable bottles plus some style, so when I saw the graphics I had to purchase it. (even though I read some reviews and people said it started to scratch after 4 months, we'll see) Another great thing about this bottle is that it has a push-button release cap and the perfect spout to drink from so you don't have water dribbling down your sides.

I have some great friends who also incorporate Working out with my favorite genre of music, SOCA!! So look out for that soon!

Have a great day, drink plenty of water and be inspired!

Blessings,
Shanti

Rabbit+Rabbit+Rabbit: 30 Days of Lists, Growth, and Revamping!!!

I love traditions, and one carried down from my granny to my mum is saying "Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit" on the first day of every month (I think my mum sneaks one in even after midnight). It is said that anyone who wakes up in the morning and say Rabbit 3x are due good luck for the rest of the month. I used to giggle at my mum for doing it but NOW I understand the power this can have on you. I use this tradition as a tool to sit down the day before the 1st and prepare notes, lists, and a plan for the month. Then I meditate on it, say a prayer, and wake up the next day saying Rabbit 3x, remembering my journey for the month. This keeps me accountable for my life and to look forward for what's to come.

What's going on in 30 Days +1!

As I welcome August, I see it as the last official month of summer because September opens up a new semester of school, back to work for teachers, and it gets darker earlier, so I try to get all my summer wishes done within this time frame...I also have some amazing projects coming up I want you to look out for:

30 Days of Lists:
Besides making jewelry with Aye' Shanti Designs, I looove working on scrapbooks, art journaling, and everything paper! I found this lovely group called 30 Days of Lists and I have the opportunity to be one of sponsors. Now you may be asking me what exactly is this group:

About

Not everyone can make a mini scrapbook every week or an art journal page every night.

30 Days of Lists is our encouragement and challenge to you that you CAN journal just something every day – even something as small as a list.

Every day through the month of September we will be posting a list prompt – anything from weekend goals to celebrity crushes. At the end of the 30 days you’ll have a collection of entries creating a small snapshot of your life right now.

Only 5-10 minutes per day are really needed. While you’re waiting for someone, or when you’re the passenger in the car. You can even download the list topics ahead of time to get a jump start!

That’s all.

Just write.

There’s no wrong way to do this and if you don’t like a prompt on a certain day, just change it.

So TODAY is the first day of Pre-Registration and it comes with lots of goodies to get started for this challenge in September even a little something from me. I've heard such great things and I think you should check it out. This is a great project for someone who loves artful challenges but can't spend too much time at it. This is a quick, informative, and easy challenge SO SIGN UP!

I'm also going to be using these 30 Days as a preparation for myself for a fashion show that's happening September 3rd (I'll keep you posted) and also to get myself ready to work out more. I'm trying to say "work out" without already feeling tired lol. I want to learn to enjoy exercising and get myself back on track with out dreading it. So, from time to time, I will share or mention something of the sort like my crunches, my training in the gym, or what I'm eating lol.




My new trainers/sneakers for the journey!
I think this will allow me to be accountable with my projects if I challenge myself with a time frame. I don't have a wedding to attend (YET heehee) or a high school reunion, so this is just a challenge for myself!

SO I WELCOME AUGUST WITH OPEN ARMS AND FULL OF EXCITEMENT!

Coming this week to Mango+Paper+Scissors

This week on Mango+Paper+Scissors:

-My Favorite Things!!

-Guests Blogging Project with Kifana from Made-up Hair Style

-Journaling, Scrapbooking, & Organizing with Daily Lists!

AND

-A craft of the day!

FOR SOME CARNIVAL JEWELRY AND DESIGNS check out 

Aye' Shanti

Sneak peek of a hand-painted journal that will be part of a give-away on JayBlessed.com and will also be available for sale next week in the Mango+Paper+Scissors Shoppe! Lots of styles and designs to hold your thoughts, memories, photos, and just about anything!

Stay cool and have a wonderful day,
Shanti

Good NEWS Monday: Listfull

I'm so excited to announce that coming in September 2011, I will be one of the sponsors to
"30 Days of Lists" journaling challenges. If you're not familiar, please head over to 30 days of lists to check it out and sign up. I make lists everyday, since I was in grade school, and to find an online group that create lists with some interesting prompts to follow, I thought it would be fun for me to be a part of and to share with you all. For the time being, I'm going to start creating a few of my own lists for the remaining summer with some of my own ideas, perhaps you want to give it a try.





In the mean time, head over to Aye' Shanti for some new island hopping jewelry designs just in time for some carnival & festivals. Will soon be posted to the Etsy: Mango+Paper+Scissors Shoppe!

Can a Sista Dream: The Bathsheba Experience All Inclusive

Sooooo, in my carnival daydream, I'm pretending that there's a ticket to CropOver (Barbados) for us in my dresser drawer, with our passports, the receipts for costumes, iPod filled with 2011 chunes, fete tickets, of course some Aye' Shanti pieces ready for each outfit, and a ticket to the Bathsheba Experience.




photo courtesy of www.NYCaribbeanVibes.com 2009

My first trip to Barbados' Crop Over was in 2009 and it literally took my breath away. One of the best parts of this trip besides the carnival, the beach, the music, and the shows, had to be the Bathsheba Experience Ultimate all Inclusive fete. Literally overlooking the Atlantic Ocean shore, between the scenery, great drinks, food, and musical vibes, it kept me dancing the night away! So, when my girl Simone sent me the flyer, I was blown away. On July 29th, 2011, it's all about  "The Bathsheba Experience: Seaside Glam" and I have the perfect earrings (Banana Leaf Collection: Turks & Pink) to match. Nothing like Sea, Sand, & Soca...

Ahhhhhhh, (that's me exhaling)... anywho, while I continue finishing up jewelry orders, waiting to win the lottery this week, and hoping that somehow I will make it to Crop Over this year, I urge  those who are heading down to Barbados, please make this one of your first all-inclusive stops!
Blessings,
Shanti
For The Bathsheba Experience 2011 info click on
FAN PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bathsheba-Experience/134010183345546
EVENT PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183214601734992
Contact Committee members
Trinidad - 868-770-7448 Barbados - 1-246-252-7797
Barbados 1-246- 262- 0851 NY -1-917-474-3006, Canada - 1-416-455-5647

Blog Hoppin': Made-up Hair Style & Carnival Orders...

Good Afternoon!!

So I'm blog hoppin' today, and you have to check out my home girl's lovely blog Made-up Hair Style with Kifana! I can count on her for beauty, natural hair stylin', and fashion tips! I had the honor to create a custom "Colors In Flight" design for her (check out the link on etsy) and I'm so excited by the color combination... Funny, today's post on her blog shares a similar color combo of the earrings, so I need to get it to her soon so she can rock it!

Otherwise, I'm finishing up the latest orders and preparing to send off some more carnival jewelry! It's not too late for allyuh heading to CropOver, Toronto, and Grenada to make orders! I've also already started Labor Day jewelry, so it's never too early to get your orders in!

Have a great day and be inspired,

Shanti

Good GREEN Monday!!

Good morning all,
So much has been going on with the new Etsy Shop: MangoPaperScissors showcasing some pieces from Aye' Shanti Designs! Preparing jewelry for Carnival/Festivals in Toronto-Barbados-Antigua-Grenada-NewYork and the annual Caribbean Fashion Show in Brooklyn this September...

While I'm taking a much needed break from orders and packaging, I'm looking at my favorite things board and I have my eye on this beautiful very GREEN Cole Haan. Green is my favorite color, and I must have a piece of that color on me or in my bag to remind me of LIFE and JUST LIVING EACH DAY! I would love to find a huge discount on this favorite find for the Fall!! (If you know, please share) Otherwise I paired up a few Aye' Shanti jewelry from the Vibrationz Line: Africa in Green with my Roar-Ring Lion that I can definitely see myself wearing with this bag perhaps with a white shirt and a comfortable pair of jeans!

                                                                      Cole Haan Bag!

                                                          Just another green bag I'm eyein'!

                                                                      Roar-ring Lion

                                                             Vibrationz- Africa Earring
Anyway, I'm heading back to the studio, have a blessed day. And don't forget, check out the shop for some great summer jewelry at Mango+Paper+Scissors