My Letter to the Year Called 2012

Dear 2012, 

You were good.  No, you were a great year for me.  I personally deem you as the year of change.  Many lessons learned as life always serves and because of you (2012) I am a better woman because of them.  I examined what I had tolerated for so long.  Some friendships lost but I gained valuable and amazing ones mid year.  Discovering the value of my art and my craft and how it affects others all around the world.  My re-connection with my other side of my family has filled a void that I've missed and longed for. I love getting to know my ancestry history and where I actually came from.  I no longer feel lost.  I know why I am the way that I am.  When you can stand firm on your values, know your history,  know your beliefs and your spirituality, you are truly a powerful person.  I am not trying to sound like I am so 'Enlightened' that I am not human but, 2012 thanks to you my 2013 can only get better for me. Also, discovered that FEAR IS A BIG, FAT LIAR.

Many talk about New Years resolutions but, I'm not that traditional anymore.  It's never worked for me in the past so I choose to do a different 'resolution'.  It's called "The Act of Now".  I stopped talking so much future and started talking now.  I pray for patience as I continue my journey and have the confidence to know that through God anything is possible.  God may not answer when you want him to but, he's ALWAYS on time.  So, I am continuing my journey of life on the path where the light shines and look to HIM for the answers because you and I both know man (meaning the human race) may not have your best intentions at heart. My spirit of intuition is stronger, my mind set is changed for the better, my heart is ready to receive and I am ready to give and bless others no matter how big or small.

So, thank you 2012 and tell your brother 2013 I will see him soon. 

Love, Robin

The Creator of LeMahogany Fashionista

Christmas Bunnies you say?? The story behind my Cutesy CutOuts.

Yes. Tomorrow is December 1st everyone which means Christmas is right around the corner.  As some of you have already put your Christmas tree up, hung the lights and Christmas decor...I have been assessing my crafts.  The bundles of yarn for the dreamed up scarves and blankets I had promised myself that I would make....all the fabric and fabric swatches from all the dreamed up dresses I planned to make, all of the Vogue patterns that weren't opened out of there Vogue packaging...all of my pretty pattern paper for scrape booking...just neatly stacked and color coded.    Last year, I had this bizarre obsession of buying scrapbooking paper.  As, if I was going to sit down one day go through my family and friend photos and you know scrapbook. Bought scrapbooking magazines oh yes, I was serious. I bought booklets of pattern paper and card stock and tools for cutting even got as far as organizing all my family and friend pics from grade school to college...and then,I started painting.  End of story. (shrug)

The photos sat in there photo boxes(neatly organized by the way), the cutting tools remained in there packaging and the paper laid there for months.  I mean, the pretty pattern paper was used a little bit. Once a a year when I made Christmas cards for my family but that was it.  I did make Christmas Penguins for my shared office with my co-worker to add to our award-winining Christmas decorated office. (#WINNING)  I didn't take them seriously though.

Then, one day. I was finishing up painting one of my illustrations for Le Mahogany Illustrations (in which by the way I have not given up on) and stared at all of my Card stock and scrapbooking paper.   I kept thinking what they heck am I doing with all this paper.  Felt the guilt of having all this paper and wasted money (0_0)...and started cutting.....the paper.  Rearranging the cut shapes....and then I would cut and cut, and cut some more and then,

Bryce was born....

Bryce-The Christmas Bunny

As we all know rabbits tend to multiply and my mind went into overdrive...which it tends to do when I'm in the creative zone.  Then came Amber

Amber-The Christmas Bunny

Then Carlos...

Carlos-The Christmas Bunny

And then Marci....

Marci-The Christmas Bunny

And Mick....I made him listening to "Move like Jagger" and Bob and Greyisha and Henry.  Along with   seven others in which five have found a home already and two will debut this weekend.  Two girls: Marilyn and Pinky. Every time I cut one out, cut out there outfit and give them a little personality I would smile and say "so cute"  Hence: Cutesy Cutouts.  My online Etsy shop is up and running....I might make it more of a holiday thing but....still thinking.....hmmm.  Cutesy Cutouts! Lol.  I wouldn't say its my next project but its definitely an addition... Join the Facebook Page:Cutesy Cutouts, I welcome the support. :0)  As always, there's more to come....

Tis the Season part 2

I have to say making the holiday cards was the most enjoyable to me.  Listening to Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack along with other Christmas music was a lot of fun.  So, after countless hours of creating the cards...I really did not take the best pics of them before giving them out. :( But, here are a few that turned out okay.

To my oldest sister: Card named Noel





Inside of Noel

My other sister holding up: Joy

The back of Joy

Peace: For my stepmother

So, as you can see the pics suck. haha! But, everyone seemed to enjoy their cards.  I had made my brother and father ones too...but, they were not as exciting as I did with the ladies in my family. :)