::Andrea Victoria::

well hello blog...

...it's been a very long time!  Does this win me that title of World's Worst Blogger?  If not, I think that I'm a top contender, lol!

Life in the Victoria residence has been a whirl wind of excitement and happiness.  It seems that we have been go go go all year.  Now that it's time for the holidays, that current speed is only bound to pick up by 10 notches!  Yikes!  But through it all, we are definitely enjoying the ride!

What would the first blog entry in an eternity be without a product peak?!?

You can get them HERE!


These beauties just happen to be the cousins of these bad boys!

I hope your holiday weekend is a great one! -Andrea

Where were you?

We were still in bed when the two planes crashed into the towers of the World Trade Center. Ben was still a baby.  That day was so unreal.  Even after 5 years it's still hard to grasp the enormity of it all.  It is hard for me to grasp that something that life-altering can happen here. . .

When and how will be able to tell our children?  I don't even know where we should begin.  But one thing is for sure.  Our children will know of the bravery and strength of America.

Can it be....

2 posts within 24 hours?  LOL.  Don't get too excited just wanted to pop back in and post some previews =D

This one is called New Beginning, featuring some warm spicy colors for the new season.

This one is named after my baby girl, Isabella.  Something pretty and paper-like.

Here is something fun for the freestyle types out there =D

And lastly, here's my latest Autumn Crush

All of these and a few more goodies can be found at Designer Digitals.

Hope everyone has a great week, this is sure going to be a week full or reflection for us.  With the 5th anniversary of 911 tomorrow.  I hope that everyone finds peace =)

Where did summer go?

It hasn't quite hit me yet.  Summer is slowly making its departure, and Autumn is almost here.  I have to admit that I'm kind of saddened by it.  It means that our days of playing at the park, going on little family excursions to some of our favorite spots in Seattle.  But I guess more importantly, it means that both of my boys will be going to school this year!  Seriously, where did the time go?  Have I really become the mom of a kindergartener and a preschooler? 

Ben started Kindergarted this past Tuesday.  The week before school started I was just a mix of emotions.  Everytime I drove past the school I would get all teary eyed just knowing that soon, my little boy will be roaming the halls, having to go to school with 'big' kids, and making new friends.  I knew that when the actually day arrived I would be a basketcase.  I mean I can't even drive by the school without tears, how am I possibly going to be able to bring him to school, drop him off and leave him? 

How did I do?  I think all those drives past the school did some good.  I was able to get some of what I was feeling out of the way.  Surprisingly, when we went to drop him off the tears were nowhere to be found.  Ben did really well!  He was so excited to get to know his new teacher and make new friends.  It really helped, both Ben and me that 40 other kids from our neighborhood also started Kindergarten.  So Ben was happy to see his little friends.  And I was happy to see some of my friends who were going through the same thing. 

The tears didn't come flooding in until we left the school and got home.  It was really strange not having Ben home after hearing his feet stampeding on our floors...lol.  I basically lost it.  I know that other moms are more than happy for their kids to start school, and there were some days over the summer vacation that I wouldn't wait for him to go to school, haha. 

After having some time to reflect on my emotions I think I have figured out why his first day got to me the way it did.  When he started preschool I thought I would be a mess, but I wasn't.  I was able to help out in his classroom.  So I could see if there were any kids that were being mean to Ben.  But now that he is in Kindergarten it's a different story.  Sure, I can still help out in his classroom.  But I can't protect him the way I could in preschool.  He is in school with the 'big kids' now.  I know that you can't always protect your kids from everything, from bullies and from other things that can hurt them.  It's just nature to want to protect your babies, right?

I guess while Ben is learning the things he needs to know to help him progress in school, I'm learning too.  My lesson for this school year is learning to let go and to trust that what we have taught him sticks.  To trust that we have taught him to be a good person.  To trust that his teacher will take care of him. 

Risk...Chance...Change...

...Last night one of my best girlfriends from highschool took me to the last concert of Kelly Clarkson's tour.  This friend of mine is always super sweet and she and I like to stay cultured, lol!  We go to musicals and plays, but last night we got our culture by watching Kelly...haha.  I admit that I didn't really want to go to the concert, but once we were there we had a blast.  My younger brother, sister and 2 of my cousin's also came.  It was definately a family affair, lol.  We all had a good time.  Kelly was totally awesome live!  Well duh!  She kind of has to be, after all she is the American Idol, lol.  I definately have a better liking for her now.  All of the sets were great, except for "Breakaway."  It was nice and accoustic, they even had background interpretive dancers twirling their ribbon battons.  Nice right?  Then all of a sudden, during the end of the chorus, we here this man's voice saying "risk! chance! change!"  Umm...that totally ruined it for me.  I thought that it was only a one time thing...think again...lol...every chorus there he was chanting those words.  Other than that, we totally had fun!  It was nice to act a little silly and carefree for a few hours, definately one of the high lights of my weekend!

This past weekend was also Seafair weekend in Seattle.  As usual we went over to our good friends house, which happens to be located perfectly on Lake Washington.  So we always have a great spot to watch the Hydroplane races.  Though we aren't really Hydro fans, or racing fans in general we had a great time.  My babies got to splash around in the lake, play with their buddies and have an all around fantastic time!  Eugene and I got to enjoy catching up with some friends we haven't seen in a while...good times =) 

Seafair weekend also signals the end of summer for us pretty much.  Before we know it, school will be in full swing and our fun, lazy days will be gone.  Sigh.  Hopefully the rest of the summer won't pass us by too quickly =)

In Scrapping news:  Don't miss our big all day event at Designer Digitals!  Tons of fun events and lots of cool stuff to be handed out throughout the day!

Filled With Possibilites . . .

That's what my life is like right now.  There have been so many amazing things going on in for the Victoria family.  Sometimes it all feels like a dream that I might wake up from.  But everyday I get up in the morning, I'm still living this awesome life!  I am truly blessed! 

The goodness started back in April when Eugene got a call from Bill Gates' people, lol.  He had interviewed for a position and we had been waiting...and waiting...and waiting to hear back.  In fact, we were on the way back from our vacation and started talking about it.  Starting to say things like, "maybe it's just not meant for us right now" "there will be something better"  "it's there loss."  Not even 5 minutes after we had said these things, his cell phone rings and that was the beginning of his career at Microsoft.  He has been there for a few months and he is loving it!  We are loving it too!  He gets to work from home most days, so we get to see a lot of him =)

My bit of goodness just happened recently.  I was very sad to leave Sweet Shoppe Designs.  Those girls...I can't say enough about them.  They were like my family, seriously, just fabulous ladies!  But I had this amazing opportunity to showcase my designs at my dream site!  And you can't say no to that =)  The ladies at Designer Digitals are just as amazing as my Sweet friends!  How blessed can a girl be? 

Things are still kind of uncertain but some other news concerning my designs have presented itself.  Unbelievable.  It's all very exciting, but I'm starting to get a little unsure...haha.  I just have to be patient and know what is meant to happen will...and it will be awesome!

Tomorrow is a very exciting and nerve-filled day for Bella and I.  We are going to talk to some people to see if my little girl has what it takes to do some super fun and exciting!  I just pray that she doesn't yell at anyone or doesn't bite...lol! 

I will definately keep the news coming as it rolls in =)

Gotta Get Better. . .

. . . at this whole blogging concept!  One of these days I'll get the hang of it.  Sometimes life is just so full of great and exciting things, that sometimes there just isn't enough time in one day to fit everything in.

Lots of exciting things are happening!  Some new and exciting projects are in the works.  Things that will definately rock your world!  That's all I'm saying =)  I'll definately continue to tease you guys about it until it's ready, lol!

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I've whipped up a little something for the store this week.  Take a look =)

Something fun for you girlie pages.  And I couldn't leave the boys out, a pack just for boys is coming out next Sunday along with some other goodies I hope =)

Eugene and I are going to work on a project together tomorrow.  We plan on painting the office.  TBH, it's looking really blah these days.  Seriously blah.  How can one be inspired to create anything fabulous in a space that is so lacking energy.  I hope that a new coat of paint will liven things up.  And some rearranging of the bookcase.  Hope to go to Target to find some eye candy to put in the of the non-occupied cubes of the bookcase.  In fact, on trip numero dos to Target this week (going to that place really is a "passion") I found these awesome metal expressions that I think will be perfect for what I'm invisioning!  Updates to come for sure!

One last thing!  I totally heart ideabooks4u!  Just got my books the other day and I'm sooo happy.  If you didn't know, not only do I have a "passion" for Target, but I also have one for magazines and now ideabooks.  They are starting to overwhelm me, but I can't get enough, lol.  Thanks Katie and Randy, you're both so awesome!

My blog is fairly new and there are probably all of 2 people who know of it's existence, but I want to ask you all a question so I can get some great ideas.  My little Isabella is turning 2 next month.  Have any great party ideas?  We've already come up with a sort of menu theme.  She is in love with Dora, what  almost 2yo girl isn't?!?  So we are going to do a taco bar type thing...yummy!  But at the same time I want to do a color themed party instead of a fiesta type theme.  I love chocolate brown and pink so those were the colors I was thinking of using.  An ideas?  I would so LOVE to hear them =)

NEW

Happy Sunday...almost Monday everyone!

Hope the weekend was fabulous for everyone!  Ours was great, HOT but still great!  Got to spend lots of time with the ones I love the most, and having a ton of fun in the process.  Have to love that!

Okay so my post is entitled new.  My digital designs are on the virtual shelves at my new home at Designer Digitals!  It's all very surreal to me, somebody needs to pinch me, lol.    Here's my very first exclusive Designer Digitals creation! 

It's very funky and fresh, but I LOVE it! (Hope you do too !)

And to celebrate my new beginning, I have a new blog!