.:{ New Year: New beginning(s) }:.

As the new year approaches, just a few hours away, I am more thankful now than I was on Thanksgiving. There have been so many ups and downs, more ups than downs, and I've done many firsts.

1. I took my first cruise.

Here's a pic of my one of my very good friends, Ilene and me, on the boat. She got married, and I got a great tan (She just turned really red, I mean REALLY red. :-)

2. I started my very own business.

It's still in the works right now but it will be launching online at the beginning of the year. So super excited about that.

3. I started grad school, again.

So the stories is that I attended 4 different colleges during undergrad because I couldn't find my groove in college. I finally graduated after taking about a year and a half off. Presently I've only attended 3 graduate schools but the third time was the charm because I am fully in the groove. Getting my "Goove Back" educationally only, pretty slow in personal area. Lol.

4. I have actually scrapbooked.

Here are a few of my fav layouts. I only have a couple anyway so all of them are my favs right now. he. he.

Journaling:

It took a long time for me to love her.

To even think she's worthy to be loved at all,

And all the times she's let her heart be broken,

Made me realize that I am HER.

Beautiful in my own eyes,

And it took me too DAMN long to get to this point.

And some days I'm not there; I don't believe it, I can't believe it.

BUt now at the age of 27 almost 28,

There are more days that I do believe it than there are days that I don't.

And I've finally come in to my own as a woman,

Believing that I can do what I want to do and not taking in everybody else's opinion about it

Miss you, Alaric Layout. I made this layout in memory of my very good friend Alaric who died a few years ago of a bacterial infection. I miss him so much. This is Alaric and me with our godson Peyton.

My very first commissioned layout for a wedding gift. I used the save-the-date card and the wedding invitation on the layout. Love you Linnell.

This is my very favorite layout. This is my little brother when he was 11 (he's now 18) and my 1st Godson Landon when he was 1 year old (he's now 7). I found this picture about a month ago and just had to scrapbook it.  I'd just recieved my PTI order with the banner builder dies and stamps. I ABSOLUTELY love this layout.

This year I resolve to scrapbook more, make more time to be alone with me (massages included, and to take better care of myself. That's is. The results of those 3 things should bring about all the results I desire for the year.

Hugs & Ciao for the last time in 2010...

Striving for Badassery in 2011.

Angee Lee

Happy ChristmaHanaKwanzika!!!!

Where ever you are, What ever you believe, Whatever you celebrate,

I celebrate you and the relationships I have made this year through the online crafting community. It has been a joy to be welcomed into a group of ladies (and gentlemen) who are so open, creative, and giving. I have never met so many kind generous people in my life.

May your Christmas be filled with love, good food, happiness, and joy. God bless you and your families.

Hugs & Ciao.

Angee Lee

A Happy Birthday Thank You!!

Hi all.

I have to say I had a great birthday yesterday. Being that my birthday is so close to Christmas I normally don't really celebrate my singular birthday. Since I was about 15 or 16 I've always had a sort of joint celebration during the christmas holidays and that included joint presents. <----No fun at all.

As I've gotten older this has become the norm and my actual birthday has become just a normal day. This year was different. My good good friend Ilene conspired with my co-workers and friends to offer a great celebration. I recieved the most delicious chocolate chocolate chip pound cake from Susan, and giftcards from one of my favorite places.......Starbucks. :-) We had wassail at work with gingerbread cookies (albeit it was for the entire faculty not just me...ha!), and I was serenaded each class period by my students including a viola solo from the music department. It was the best birthday that I've had in awhile. And the best part is that it all resumes on friday (since I had my final grad school assignment for the semester due last night). Oh, and I'm on Christmas vacation for the next two weeks.

With all that being said, I just want to say a big big thank you for making my birthday a very special one.

All my love.

Angee

We are Christmas

Hi all.

I've been working on homework all week. I have 3 more days of grad school before the year ends and i have just as much work in those 3 days. I'm sharing another card with you today. All patterned papers are from the My Mind's eye Holly Jolly Collection. There is little Hero Arts in there by way of friend definition stamp on the kraft circle, and stampin up ink in chocolate chip. And that's it.

Here's a quick christmas video from Spellman College's Glee Club. I'm now in love with this song. We Are Christmas. Love he arrangement. Enjoy.

I hope to get more crafting done over christmas break. Check ya later, peeps.

Hugs & ciao.

Santa Baby + Papertrey ink

Hi All,

It's been a busy week as always. I have 2 more weeks of work & school then I go on Christmas vacation for 2 weeks. Teaching has it's perks. I hope to get alot of crafting done in those two week including getting caught up on my December Daily album. I've gotten a little behind on that since I've been trying to get ahead with grading and grad school.

I did get a couple cards made a few weeks back when I was hit with the Christmas Spirit. Here is one of my favs.

I ordered the My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly Collection paper pack a few weeks back from FlowerstoFlourishes.com and it's sure come in handy. I'm loving the distressed dots paper. Super cute.

Oh and don't forget the PaperTrey Ink sneak peak is going on right now and I'm loving all the new sets that I've gotten a peak at. Head on over to Nichole's blog for the previews.

{The Deets}

Recollections Craft Card base with matching envelope from Michaels.

My Mind's Eye Patterned Paper - Holly Jolly Collection, Cardstock Letters and Border.

Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #9 stamp set & die.

Stampin' Up! - Riding Hood Red Classic Ink

That's all for now.

Ciao.

Holiday Busy & Merry Christmas

Hi All,

If you know any teachers you know this is a super busy time of year. Students have loads going on and teacher do too. This week we are release testing (practice standardized testing), running a modified schedule tomorrow, kids will be out of class various days this week due to holiday concerts, tours, and loads of other things, grades are due by the end of the week for progress reports, and I'm sure there is something else that I'm forgetting right now. In addition to all that I have 2 more week of grad school before this semester is over and I still have to fit in the GRE test before I take my next class. So to say I'm busy is defintely an understatement. Thank goodness I've been in a Christmas mood for weeks because I've been making and stocking up on holiday cards like this one.

The Deets:

My Mind's  Eye Patterned Paper - Holly Jolly collection

Stampin' Up! Cardstock Cherry Cobbler, Mat Stack, and Paper Piercer

Papertrey Ink Stamp- Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers

Simple and easy card. I used Stampin' Up Textured cardstock. I love how rich this color is. Now I'm off to check my schedule to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I'm sure I have.

Oh and aren't you loving the 12 Tags of Christmas from Tim Holtz? OMGosh, every year I look forward to two things: Kristina Werner's Holiday Card series and Tim Holtz 12 tags. I just love this time of year.

That's all for now.

Ciao.