Reading my Tea Leaves #2

"Those who live in the past limit their future..."


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Pretty subway ads!

Living in NYC and taking the subway, there's always some kind of art/imagery lingering around.





I always look out for the commissioned work and also underground designs, but something about a great advertisement will pull you in. This time for me it's Macy's, International Concepts,"Journey" ad filled with Tropical inspiration, so of course I had to share!












I can't wait to create something inspired by these photos! Keep you posted...

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I'm having a Summer of Color...

I'm truly enjoying my summer of color and art journaling in one!! Thanks to Kristin of www.twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.com and Natalie of www.inthesuncourse.blogspot.com, I've found some artful bliss and being able to blend two works into one! The color for this week is green, and the prompt for the art journaling page is "Summer Wishlist!" I enjoyed this page and can't wait for the next color, PINK!!!



Blessed,
Shanti
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Vacation/Carnival Send-off gift

I'm always thinking about a cool and simple gift to give a friend or a family member when they're heading on a vacation or a trip. I then realized most of my friends love tea and what a great lil' package would that be for someone who may be on a long flight. Instead of them drinking the typical tea, you can give them something they actually love.


I've included some extra adornments from my craft stash but you definitely can use simple materials around the house. Instead of a stamp, you can utilize your best handwriting, personalize a message on the back of a receipt, a sticky note, or scrap paper! Oh, and instead of tea you could put anything from money from the country, stamps, a cookie, pain medication, or even a thoughtful charm!



Suggested Materials:
-Mini clear plastic bag, small bags or packaging that you may find around the house
-tea bag (remember their favorite)
-Packet of Honey
-Chop sticks (as a stirrer) or even a drink/tea stirrer
-Paper clip
-washi tape or scotch
-My friend is heading to Trinidad so I included some $$ from my trip
-Paper Punched sunbeams (you can also use sequins or small decoration)
-Decorative rubber stamps
-Card stock or any scrap paper

Step one:
Assemble the items and place them in the clear package. Seal the sides with tape and slip chopstick or stirrer through the plastic flap.




Step 2:
Add a personal touch, I opted for money to cover the flap.




Step 3:
Add a card or sentiment over the money and slip a paperclip to seal the package.



Make this gift something they will never forget and add your personality. It would be much appreciated and remember it's the thought that counts!

Blessings,
Shanti

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Color your life like it was your Coloring Book"

There's these lyrics that I have in my journal, "Carnival is color, carnival is Mas!" however I choose to think that "Life is color, life is a Mas!" too... I find ways to celebrate life if it's with an inspiring photo on the street, or through a quote, a prayer, or perhaps getting some markers and doodling in my planner, find ways to color your life! Sometimes we have what I call "Life's hiccups!" or issues that can be frustrating but instead of getting angry or upset, play your favorite chune, skim through a colorful magazine, and enjoy the imagery!
On my way to class this morning I found these stain glass windows at the train station to be so vibrant!











Then I was skimming through one of my fave mags "NYLON" and saw this singer, Eliza Doolittle wearing a feather headpiece and I thought to myself, I wish I could adorn a headpiece today!! Lol (well I could from my carnival headpiece collection)






Then I found this pamphlet sitting next to me on the bus. I'm not one to really take them when people hand them out or I will if I feel to but the message on the cover of this one was big and bold and just Right on Time! So, open your eyes, find the things that inspire and add color to your story!

Light n' Love,
Shanti




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First Day of Summer: Set Goals!!!

Today is officially the 1st Day of Summer (well at sunset) and I like to open the season with goals, so it was a breath of fresh air to wake up this morning and open my email from Whole Living Magazine: Challenge of the Day and to see the goal of the day is "Set Summer Goals"... I organized my journal, pens, and decorative stamps and got to some work... It's still a work in progress, so hopefully I'll have it prepared by the end of the day.
However, I did get to some sketching and painting an inspirational piece to keep me focused on the summer days and finding beauty in things, finding understanding in experiences, and being able to go with the flow:






In the mean time, thanks to an online class by Natalie Malik called "In the Sun" , I was able to prepare a page similar to today's challenge to always refer to when I'm in need of some summer inspiration.






Be blessed,
Shanti

Happy Father's Day with a Fabric Tie Card!!

"Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope."
~Bill Cosby



I had to use a quote from one of my favorite tv dad's Bill Cosby. I'm sitting here on a Sunday morning, after watching a great service, a whole day with the Huxtables. It brings back memories of our whole family on a Thursday night, after dance class, watching this classic show and cracking up all the while learning a lesson. Thank you Centric!!


So for this Father's Day, I decided to bless two special men with a greeting card fit for a stylish man, cough cough, like my dad, who introduced me to African and Cultural prints and fabrics as kids, and to appreciate it's color and design.












I thank my father, my uncles, and all the men who've given me advice and support in my life. Wishing you all the fathers out there and even those who are giving guidance to children who may not be their biological kids, a Happy Father's Day!


Blessings,
Shanti

Inspiration: Summer Photography & Art Journaling

"In summer, the song sings itself." -William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)

It's Friday!! Today I'm working on a father's day card to give mi' dad, creating jewelry for clients, and working on some Art journaling techniques.

If I haven't told you, I've joined two amazing groups this summer. First, is an art journaling course In the Sun Course by Natalie Malik of Awkward & Beautiful. I've been having a great time art journaling, meeting new people, and working on new techniques. I'll definitely keep you all posted with some of my creations, but here's a page I just worked on for the last Prompt: In the Summer time I feel...:



Another group I've joined is Summer of Color, and even though I'm just starting and a little behind, I'm catching up, and I'm so excited to work on some more creations and to be inspired.

Here's a few photos taken with my handy iPhone full of Summer dreams, color, and creativity!




I took this photo while passing a community garden not far from my place.




Baking carrot cakes for my hon's birthday! Remember when granny used to cool the cakes by the window.




So inspired by Desigual wall!! So colorful and would love to recreate.




Some of my own zendoodling!




My aunt prepared me some summer afternoon tea! I love her spirit! Thank you.


Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend, recreate!

Shanti

Summer Crafting: African Fabric Wooden Initials, Book Quilt, & Mini Book

So for my babes birthday, I decided to create something hand made (of course!) to decorate the house which will be one of the surprises. I saw these wooden initials at the Michael's craft store (with a great coupon, I paid just under a dollar for each) and thought this would make the perfect gift or home decor.


I had some extra fabric squares from another project and decided to mod podge it to our initials.



Here's a list of what you need:
Wood Initials or any wood design of choice
Mod Podge
Scissors
Fabric or Paper
Paint/Sponge brushes (Large & Small to get the tiny corners)
And make sure to cover the area you're working on
Apply the Mod Podge to the wooden surface, then place the fabric over, and then some more Mod Podge
Let dry and find the spot to enjoy them!!
I can't wait to create them for my god-Children's room!!! (stay tune)





I was having soooo much fun, that I decided to decorate my art journal and also a mini book I created with one sheet of paper (which I will give you the step by step another day)











If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me @ mangopaperscissors.blogspot.com!

Have a blessed day,
Shanti

Summer Bag Greeting Card: Style

I love summer for the colors. the clothes. the vibrancy. and just for the style that I capture while walking the streets of Brooklyn... So inspiring! I created this greeting card for the person who loves fashion, and I'm not speaking of "what's in" or popular, but their own unique style.


I received an African print bag some time ago and I was looking to use it one day, and was so intrigued by the style that I wanted to recreate it in a greeting card. The summer has just started, so look out for more designs...

Reading my tea leaves...

I always drink a cup of tea in the morning and to start this Saturday, I enjoyed and needed this message from my Yogi tea bag... And I love to share!
Have a great day...



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Caribbean Week NYC Day 5: Carnival Scrapbook Design Ideas, More Mas, and...

Making Carnival Memories:







If it's one thing I love besides creating jewelry and art, it's making memories and scrap booking all of my experiences. So I collaborated with a friend/client and created some simple and easy scrapbook pages for your carnival experience.
Here's what you do:
-Save tickets and wrist bands: from the plane ticket, drinks, food, fete, down to your carnival wrist bands.







These are perfect to add to your pages


-Save some feathers, beads, or jewels from your costume or headpiece to add to your scrapbook page for embellishments












-Take photos or thank goodness for TriniJungleJuice, TriniScene, WeLime, TheMagicMoments websites, I'm sure you're bound to make their website, so GRAB those photos.


-Write down your favorite chunes(songs) from the road, try and remember anything special that happened so you can document them, and also have fun when creating your page.


Scrapbook Page #1:
I focused on one costume, frontline. I used a sparkled sea blue card stock, which can be purchased at any craft store like Michael's.
I then used some colors like the orange to pop off the page, some pink cards stock for descriptions, jewels from the costume, and tickets saved.












Create your doodling designs around the photo with a white gel pen. Here's a before and after.






.


Scrapbook Page #2:
The orange in the costume popped so I used a card stock background filled with imagery. I used a regular tag that's sprayed for a tie dye effect with a product called glimmer mist, added some embellishments from a pair summer sandal stickers, a ticket, and some jewels. I also wrote around the photo but with the write gel pen you can actually write onto the pictures.




























This is just a sneak peek of a few scrapbook ideas that can be used to create memorable pages for your books or for even page that can be framed and displayed in your home....
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me @ www.mangopaperscissors@gmail.com

Mas' News:
I wanted to share some info about the latest band launches.


Brooklyn, New York


2011 Sesame Flyers- Brazilia
Wideshut Promotions- Brazilian Orchid/Orquidea do Brasil








Facebook Info: Desma Bidjou Adams




2011 Sesame Flyers: Brazilia
Bacchanlia- Carnival Divaz






Facebook Info: Carnival Divaz

Photos from www.makingmoments.com


Look out for:
Fatalangels section called Sinfully sweet with Ramajay Mas band! I can't wait to see this one. It will be available for viewing on our website www.fatalangels.com


And out of my sweet island of Grenada:


RKD & Associates will be bringing out for 2011 - INDIA - It is a colourful sexy mas with a difference -




check out some of the designs - to register or get info they can email me at rkd38@hotmail.com - costume are quite reasonable from $290 to $390 - it's the perfect band for visitors coming home for Carnival and we have the best DJ playing for us Black Storm so you know it is going to be a real party fun
band.



Also just want to say it's sad to report that TnT's Mas man Wayne Berkeley has passed away on June 10, 2011. May he rest in peace. For more info please check out www.jayblessed.com

Location:In front of feathers and jewels