Thursday, September 26, 2013

A Pool Party for my baby brother

Hola everyone!

I've been busy!  My baby brother, JR, turned 15th last week, and my birthday gift to him was a pool party.  We had so much fun!!!

Believe it or not, it was kind of hard to find summery/beach related decor and toys at this time of year.  Completely insane, since we live in a Caribbean Island!  Won't ever understand that...But once I did, it was great, as most of them were on clearance!  Woo-hoo!

I hit the web for inspiration for a super cool, teenage-approved pool party decor and toys, and this is what I came up with.


pool party

Lots of inflatables and balls for them to play, along with water guns, water balloons and beach balls.  I got some plastic whistles that they could put on their wrist and get in the pool with.  That was a big hit!


pool party teen


I placed a sand bucket with medium sized beach balls and lots of Sharpies for them to write/decorate their own beach ball.  I got the idea from somewhere in Pinterest, and the idea is that they take them home as a party gift.


Most of the items were labeled with my Spanish version of the free Splash Bash Pool Party printable I found at The Celebration Shoppe.  It was easy to customize in Photoshop.  I printed them on photo paper and then laminated them.

Some blue and red pinwheels found at Wal-mart for like $.50, provided some bling to some of the decorations.   Especially some jars with foam beach balls that I painted myself after finding Kelly's tutorial of a DIY Beach Ball Garland.  

pool party decor teen

We had candy, chocolates, lemonade, chips and fresh popcorn.


For the paper beach balls, I just punched a 1 3/4 inch circle, which I then painted with Sharpies.  Very quick and easy!

For food, we had sandwiches, fresh fruit and watermelon "popsicles" which I found super cool after discovering them in Melissa Camara Wilkin's Pinterest board, Fun for Toddlers .  A couple of hours after the party had started, pizza arrived!

pool party decor teen

I had soda, lemonade and bottled water for the kids.  And home made Sangria (made by moi) for the adults.


My favorite thing of the whole party was the Photo Booth!  I got the idea from Pinterest, and I used some of the free printables from Creative Juice, as well as some I made myself using SCAL and my Cricut.

photo booth pool party teen

We had tons of fun posing with the props!  To make them sturdier and sort of water proof, I did 1 hand of ModPodge on each prop.

pool party photo booth

Everyone had a blast on JR's pool party.  JR said it is the best birthday party I've ever done for him.  So much that his friends are asking when is the next pool party!


pool party ideas teen


I should mention that it was really cool of Domino's Pizza to let me order the pizzas 24 hours in advance, and got them delivered at a pre-arranged time.  That was definitely a super time saver!


Issys

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Happy Kidney Birthday to Me!!!

Hola everyone!

Today is a special day… Today is my “Kidney Birthday”.  

kidney cancer survivor
5 years ago today, I became cancer-free.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  I remember everything: what I was thinking, how I was feeling, what I was wearing, even what my doctor said to me right in the OR.  I remember how we wrote on the right side of my stomach and my abdomen.  He signed it with a Sharpie… he marked where he was going to operate.  I knew exactly how he was going to remove my right kidney along with the 5 inch cancerous tumor growing on it.

The 3 weeks between my diagnosis and surgery, have been the most intense time I have ever lived.  Nothing compares to it, not being in the Army, not even Basic Training.  I don’t think anything will ever compare.  Scans, tests… preparing physically and mentally for the surgery and then the recovery process… Intense.  Stressful.  But I did it.  We did it. 

I have the most wonderful team of doctors anyone could ever ask for.  I feel blessed for that.  And I have the most supportive, loving family in the world.  They never let me loose myself in my own mind, in my fears or in Google.  I was never alone, for they were all carrying me or more like we were all carrying each other through that time, and I think we all became stronger as a family because of it.

The OR waiting room in Puerto Rico hospitals only allow 1 family member to accompany a patient.  Other family members can wait in the lobby of the hospital if they so desire.  I had 10 people with me that day, right in that packed waiting room.  I had my support system with me while we waited for my name to be called up to get prepared and rolled out to surgery.  It looked like a party, although it didn’t feel like it… We were joking and laughing, trying not to think of the time ahead.  Trying to make time stand still for a little while.  Or trying to turn back time.  It doesn’t matter.  They were there, and I was there, looking at all of them, trying to engrave their faces, and their love, into my mind forever.  And I did. 

Today, I am cancer-free.  I’ve reached the 5 year mark! I AM CANCER FREE!!  And I think their love has had something to do with it.

Happy Kidney Birthday to me!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Disney TP Mini Album #3



Hola everyone!

As promised, here’s the Disney Mini TP Album #3, I made them for the daughters of a friend of mine, who visited Walt Disney World this summer.  


Just like with the other 2, I used digi paper to cover the toilet paper rolls, Mod Podge and digi kits from TrixieScraps and No Reimer Reason.

I really loved working on these minis!  And I truly love how they turned out!  What do you think?  Leave me a comment with your thoughts on these adorable gifts!

If you missed Album #1 or Album #2, you can see them here and here.

Peace and healthy days for you!

Issys                         

Friday, September 6, 2013

CHALLENGES: A Casper LO

Hola everyone!

I couldn't sleep last night, so I spent the night scrapping in my scraproom.  I got inspiration from the Latina Crafter blog, and decided to scrap our newly adopted doggie, Casper.


The day after we got him, he ate the toilet paper... on our bed! LOL  So cute our Casper!

For this LO I used American Crafts cardstock, patterned paper from DCWV and Thickers alphas.

Thanks for visiting my Little Corner!  Stay tuned for the Disney Mini Album #3!

Peace and health for you all!

Issys


Linking to:

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Disney TP Mini Album #2

Hola everyone!

As I had mentioned in my previous post, I made 3 Disney TP Mini Albums for a friend's girls, who visited Walt Disney World this summer.  Ready for Album #2?  Here it is:


I used digi paper to cover the toilet paper rolls, Mod Podge and digi kits from TrixieScraps and No Reimer Reason.

I love how they turned out!  Take a look at Album #1!

See you tomorrow for Mini Album #3!

Peace and healthy days for you!

Issys

Linking to:

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Disney TP Mini Album #1


Hola everyone!  A few weeks ago I posted about working on 3 Disney TP Mini Albums for my friend’s girls who visited Walt Disney World for their summer vacation.  Well, the wait is over!  I am finally done with them and I couldn't wait any longer to share them with you.  I will post one a day until you have seen them all.  They are gorgeous!

Ready?  Ok, here’s the first one!



I used Mod Podge and digi paper to cover the toilet paper rolls.  For the embellishments, I purchased the Disney WordArt from TrixieScraps, which I printed on my computer.  Another digital kit I used was the Remember the Magic kit from No Reimer Reason.

The album has tags, glitter cardstock, stamps, buttons, flowers and lots of space to place pictures or journal.  I know the girls will be thrilled with their mini albums!

Thanks for looking!  I hope this inspired you to make something special with those toilet paper rolls.

And come back tomorrow when I'll reveal Mini Album #2.  See you then! 

Peace and healthy days for you!

Issys


Linking to:

Sunday, September 1, 2013

My Birthday Today!

Hi everyone!

Yes!!! Today is my B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y!!

It may seem silly to publish it everywhere, to scream it from the rooftops... but for the past 5 years every birthday has a special meaning, every birthday is THE birthday.  Every birthday means that I have made it another year.

You see, 5 years ago I was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer.  And I SURVIVED!  I am still alive.  With some aches and pains, but ALIVE!  And this is the best birthday present anyone could ask for.  Another year to love, laugh, cry and to create memories with those I love the most and who love me.  Another year to celebrate LIFE!


it's my birthday