My So-Called Crafty Life

Nourish ~ Forgiveness

2012-01-13T07:15:00.000-06:00

It's been one of those weeks when I'm wondering when the eff the referee is going to ring the bell and the fight will be over. I'm tired of being relentlessly hit in the junk. And then I remember...there are many things to be thankful for and sometimes letting go is the only way to move forward. Sometimes...

~winning is just showing up~

I heard Brene' Brown say this on a podcast yesterday and I felt a little spot open in my soul...It's so true. Sometimes - winning is just showing up. There are so many little nuggets I wanted to share from my listenings this week - but it's time to head out. It's time to show up. I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday. Until then...

If You Don't Know....It's Time to RECOGNIZE...

2012-01-07T11:44:00.000-06:00

... Pinterest that is! I know it's a commitment. You have to find someone willing to invite you or wait the few days or weeks it takes to get an invite. Be patient, diligent, and persevere - because there isn't a more magnificent way to spend your extra time than this place. I think it's the most fantastic time suck I've ever found to date. My friend took issue with the word time suck because Pinterest has great uses and it does. I just want to be clear - there are magnificent, glorious, positive time sucks and then there are the ones that blow...like traffic jams or waiting in the doctor's office for hours just to have the man not know who you are and tell you about how to shoot pain meds intraveneously. Just saying. Pinterest definitely fits in the first category. So in honor of all things Pinterest and the start of a new year and a new word...I would like to present a few great things I've found on my new, wonderful, time-sucking obsession.

Source Image

I found this picture with my friend and we laughed so hard. It is possibly the cutest picture of a Frenchie I've ever seen. This puppy is definitely a reminder to nourish laughter and joy.

Source Image

The Gingerbread Weasley Home ~ I can't even wrap my head around how to do this. I just know that it's absolutely fantastic!!!

Source Image

As a person that loves both trees and birds - I absolutely love this book shelf. It makes me happy in so many ways. It would be perfect over my bed.

Source Image

There isn't a planet where I could fit into this dress right now. However...it's one of the first things I saw on Pinterest and it looks like the most comfortable thing ever! It is the symbol of warming up next to a fire with your favorite blanket and a book in dress form. I love it.

There's so much more to share but that's it for now. Despite using Pinterest mostly to bookmark craft ideas - it's funny I didn't post any of them today. If you're interested in seeing more of what I find inspiring, please click the "Follow Me on Pinterest" button on the left side bar. Anyhoo...I hope everyone has a lovely Saturday! Until then...

Nourish: Wholeheartedness

2012-01-03T05:30:00.000-06:00

Source Image

It should come as no surprise that I have a deep love for Ali Edwards and the many principles she has brought to the craft of storytelling. When I started scrapbooking - there were two books that stood out to me in a little store in Burbank (now closed) - A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking by Ali and Clean and Simple Scrapbooking - The Sequel by Cathy Zielske. At the time, it was a "safe" way to be creative. It was an opportunity for a journaling girl with bad hands to continue to tell her story. I had no idea it would be a life changer.

Almost six and a half years later - I know only one thing for sure - telling my story in a visual way has changed my life. It has changed the way I see the world - how I shape my experiences. It reminds me to go out there and live. It has helped me navigate the course of chronic illness and debilitating moments of sadness and loss without looking for the nearest emergency exit. It has also been instrumental in celebrating the moments that give life true meaning - the births of babies, retirements, family functions, and the list goes on. It has also helped me document the everyday - which in so many ways is more powerful than the big, monumental parts of my life. It has helped me to see the small things that really do make life big.

Sometime last year - I started seeing a book by Brene' Brown cropping up all over scrapping blogs. The book, The Gifts of Imperfection, was recommended by my beloved scrapbooker and written by a social worker. Being a social worker myself and loving the aforementioned scrapbooker - I broke down and bought the book some time in March around the time of my unraveling. I am so glad I did. I would love to put into words what the book meant to me - but I know there are none that would give credence or justice to my experience. I went on to buy Brown's previous book - another game changer. I'm considering making these books annual reads - but for today - I thought I would link to a few of her speaking engagements and blog. I hope you enjoy them. I hope you go out and buy or borrow these books. I hope they bring more meaning and hope to your life.

Brene' Brown got me on the path of embracing my imperfection and vulnerabilities. She got me to start thinking about wholehearted living. And just today...she reminded me to be present - to refrain from numbing the pain. I want to nourish this message in my life. I hope everyone has had a lovely Tuesday. Blessings all around. Until then...

Good Night & Delight

2012-01-01T21:00:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure if anything could be sweeter at this moment - I love myself some Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

My 2012 Must List

2012-01-01T19:00:00.000-06:00

If you read Entertainment Weekly, you are more than likely familiar with their weekly MUST list column. Inspired by Karen Grunberg's amazing list of goals over the last two years, I've decided to make my own goal list for this year. Since I'm late to the game this year - the current list is a work in progress which will be unfolding over the next few weeks. I'm taking Karen's Reclaiming My Time class at Big Picture Classes which I hope will facilitate attaining my goals this year. I'm also reacquainting myself with the section on list making from the book below which I highly recommend.

Source Image

As time goes on, I will be updating my list on the right sidebar. For now, here is my current list.

2012 MUST List

Creative/Craft MUST List

1. Participate Move More, Eat Well and One Little Word 2012 classes on a monthly basis.

2. Subscribe to 1 or 2 kit clubs and live within those products each month (excluding annual CKC and stamping conventions).

Reading MUST List

1. Read 52 books this year.

2. Read 10 therapeutic books this year (counted as part of my total 52).

3. Track Reading Pledge 2012 process on Goodreads.

Writing MUST List

1. Post on blog three to four days per week.

2. Write in journal three to four days per week.

3. Publish Process of a Page/Project on blog at least once per month.

Health MUST List

1. Participate in Move More, Eat Well class regularly at Big Picture Classes.

2. Make transition to Gluten-Free diet.

3. Start swimming 2 to 3 times per week.

Home MUST List

1. Organize and finish decorating bedroom.

2. Start to acquire small objects which will transition my house to a home that feels more like me.

3. Create weekly/monthly chore list and DO IT!

4. Create gallery wall in living room.

Play MUST List

1. Go to at least one movie a month in a theater!

2. See at least one musical.

3. Visit the art museum in my city.

4. Have at least three movie days this year (3 to 4 movies in one day).

5. Spend at least two weeks with my niece and nephew in Los Angeles.

Just one more post to go to end this New Year's Day. Again - hope you're having a great one! Until then...

2011 Year in Review: 11 Favorite Blogposts

2012-01-01T17:02:00.000-06:00

I am so inspired by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. I think she's an overall wonderful person and am amazed at her self-taught creativity. So in her honor - I am "lifting" an idea from her blog. These are my 11 favorite posts from 2011!

These posts are in chronological year...

March 27, 2011: Finding Your Way

In this post, I discuss how Karen Grunberg's Finding Your Way class impacted the way I scrapbook. I absolutely loved this class. I'm not sure if this favorite has more to do with the class or the post. Who knows?

March 29, 2011: I Need a Little Magic

This post reflects a very low time for me emotionally. I love the quote and the reawakening that followed.

June 28, 2011: It's Been a Long Time, I Shouldn't Have Left You...

This post marked the beginning of my summer reading pledge. I read a lot of great books over the next six to seven weeks - it definitely reflects a move in the right direction in terms of getting back to the basics of what I love.

June 29, 2011: A Metaphorical Smack to the Head

While my Dad was here visiting and helping me put back the broken egg shells I called my life - he turned me on to one of my favorite shows hands down - NCIS. This post has been one of my most popular - clearly a mistake. I love it - love my Dad - love the show.

July 28, 2011: Process of a Page - CHA Madness Day #4

This post definitely was a low point in terms of my photo abilities. I believe my battery was out on my digital camera. However, it marks my first process of a page post. It's something I want to commit to doing more often in 2012. I'm very proud of the outcome and content - despite the lousy pictures.

August 4, 2011: Do You Believe in Magic

I think I've done a pretty decent job of keeping my private life separate from this blog. However, when it comes to anxiety and depression I think it's important to be honest about the journey. I hope I've been honest with my struggles while maintaining my privacy and self-respect.

August 18, 2011: Simple Gifts - Process of a Project

Another stepped out project post. I love the bird. I love the finished project. And...I absolutely love the person that received this little gift of mine.

August 20, 2011: ISFP

I loved this post inspired by one of my favorite podcasts. I was completely surprised by my results in some areas. I also gave an update on my reading pledge and posted this quote - which I think is worthy of acknowledging here yet again...

"Live each day as it's your last,' that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical. Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion and your electric typewriter and work hard at...something. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance."

Nicholls, David.  (2009).  One Day.  New York, NY: Vintage Books.

September 17, 2011: Quote Love, Confessions, and High Anxiety

This post is about quotes, books, and my continuing struggles with maintaining my health. It also marks my love affair with Kate Atkinson - which was cemented when I finished the book above.

October 4, 2011: Movie Mania

I loved this movie - loved the post. I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I also like my attempts to be funny.

November 12, 2011: Continuum: Am I Spelling that Right?

This posts reminds me of how much I love my new placement in my job. It also reminds me of how I will move to mixed-media this year. It's a must.

I hope you've enjoyed my favorite posts of the year. For the sources on each image, please click on the link to the original post. Also - I really recommend taking the time to read Julie's post - it's amazing. I hope to have a few more Year in Review Posts this week. I know I should have done it last week - but that's just not how life works sometimes. Here's hoping you are still having a wonderful day! I have at least one more post planned today - so see you on the flip side very, very soon! Until then...

Happy New Year & OLW 2012 Redux

2012-01-01T12:18:00.001-06:00

Source Image

Happy New Year! I know that today is not the new year in all cultures - so that statement is directed to those celebrating the same calendar year as myself. This is totally the social worker in me talking and stalling all at the same time...

I'm rethinking my One Little Word for this year. It's a funny thing. I was lying in bed this morning - listening to Sex and the City 2 while surfing the net on my iPad - when I realized I don't know if I like my word. Renew is a beautiful word - for someone. However, it's not the action word I want at this time. So I headed over to Ali Edwards's blog to see if she had compiled a list of words yet (she usually does each year). There wasn't a list yet - but there are tons of comments and the first word jumped out at me....

~nourish~

I saw this word and knew immediately it was it. I feel a little bad changing it to the FIRST word I saw - but that's life. When something fits - it just fits. So there it is...my word for 2012 (at least my word for the moment). So what sold me on this word - well the definition and the many things I want to nourish in my life right now (more on that to come as the year unfolds).

In many ways, I thought I needed something of a rebirth this year. However, this morning I was thinking about something my mother loves to say..."When you know better, you do better." I think it's a wonderful theory - beautiful really. Unfortunately it means absolutely nothing in the real world. I know a lot of things - I don't do a lot of them. For example, I know making raw cookie dough two or three times a week and eating it as dessert is bad and will lead to an untimely death. That in no way stops me from making the dough and stuffing my face with it. So in actuality - I don't need to renew which in some ways seems so passive to me. I need to nourish the things that matter to me this year - the things I know I need and want to do better. And there it is. Serendipity - being on the right blog, reading the right comment, at exactly the right moment. Love it.

Here's hoping everyone is having a wonderful day! Until then...

OLW & Inspiration

2011-12-27T14:25:00.001-06:00

One Little Word is in full swing over at Ali's blog and it's got me thinking about the word I will be choosing for this upcoming year. My word last year was mindful. I made a late choice after trying the word balance for a month. I will be continuing to keep this word close to my heart - however it's time to move to something new. Here are the current words in the running with their definitions...

This is my favorite by far...

RE·NEW [ri-noo, -nyoo] Show IPA

verb (used with object)

to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.

to make effective for an additional period: to renew a lease.

to restore or replenish: to renew a stock of goods.

to make, say, or do again.

to revive; reestablish.

to recover (youth, strength, etc.).

to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.

These are some other words I've been throwing around...

cul·ti·vate

[kuhl-tuh-veyt] Show IPA

verb (used with object), -vat·ed, -vat·ing.

to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.

to use a cultivator on.

to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) bylabor and attention.

to produce by culture: to cultivate a strain of bacteria.

to develop or improve by education or training; train;refine: to cultivate a singing voice.

to promote the growth or development of (an art, science,etc.); foster.

to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).

to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).

to seek the acquaintance or friendship of (a person).

verb (used with object)

to feed and protect: to nurture one's offspring.

to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster: to nurture promising musicians.

to bring up; train; educate.

It's a funny thing but just seeing those definitions (from dictionary.com) helps me immensely. So drumroll please (from the beastly kitty known as Rooba)...my word for the year will be....

RENEW

It fits so well and it's been the front runner for some time. I'm incredibly excited. Moving on...I signed up for three classes at Big Picture Classes in the last 48 hours. I know I must be stopped.

Move More, Eat Well 2012

Journey to Happiness

One Little Word 2012

I think Ali looks gorgeous in her picture. I like the bangs and longer hair. I'm so excited about these three clases and have just added one more to my wish list. It comes from the creators of Brave Girls Club and fits well with the first class from Cathy Zielske...

Body Restoration Class Link

I also have every intention of signing up for this class at the end of January...

The Curious Scrapbooker's Field Guide

I'm so excited about the class offerings floating around the net right now. I also love the price point on classes sponsored by Big Picture Classes. Depending on the teacher...they're a lot of bang for your buck. So I want to leave you with one more thing...check out Radvent on Princess Lazertron's blog for some great ideas for journaling, scrapping, art making, etc. So inspiring. And with that...I'm out. Here's hoping you had or are having a happy holiday. Blessings all around. Until then...

BTW: All BPC class pictures can be found on their website at www.bigpictureclasses.com.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Changes

2011-12-04T13:16:00.001-06:00

Surprised you! I was going to say Christmas but there are two small things I want to share today. First - my new hair cut...

To say I was terrified to go from long hair (past my shoulders) to a short cut is/was maybe the biggest understatement I've ever uttered - however - I knew it was time. It was just impossible. This is about a week after the cut and all the curly cues have had a time to start to form. I love it more each day. Some days it feels like I have phantom hair - I'm looking for my bun and my headband. But this is me now. It's so easy to take care of and is just so simple. Simple is good.

And on to the Holidays!!!! Since I've made the decision to remain in my neck of the woods this year - my mom really wanted me to have a tree this year. So - I went out today and went a little wild. My first Christmas tree at 34. Teal and green - my favorite color combination. Love it to so much.

It seems a little empty in places - but I was completely inspired by the floor model. I'm not a huge fan of decorating and it is a little off balance - but it's done! That's what matters most for me right now. Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday. Until then...

BTW: Thanks for the tree Mom and Dad!

Thankful

2011-11-24T10:04:00.001-06:00

Source Image

On this Thanksgiving Day - I'm grateful for so many things. Please indulge me while I count the ways...

My family - I love you all so much.
My Diva Kitty otherwise known as Tonks Nymphadora. Like how I inverted the name?
My Friends - I love them so much. They understand my dark, wicked, sarcastic humor. They invite me to Thanksgiving dinners when I'm away from my family. They're outstanding.
My New Workplace - I never thought I'd be so happy at this new place. I love all the people. They are hysterical and encouraging. I love it so much. It's restored my faith in my chosen profession. Love it. Love it. Love it to little pieces. Not to say that it's not the hardest thing I've done and the days can be wild - it's just a good place to do good things. So happy.
My iPad - or should I say the iPad my mother gifted me. I gave her my Nook, which has gotten some of my family telling her she was hoodwinked and bamboozled. However, she offered. I took. I offered my Nook without even being asked. Give me some credit for that at least. The best thing - I can finally shop around for the cheapest books and use the Kindle app when applicable. I've saved $20.00 since installing this little app.
Coffee - I live by Quiktrip or Starbucks. I love my coffee. As my long-time readers know - I have been banned from coffee for quite some time (over a year). I go through phases where I drink it once a week or give it up or daily. All I can say is life's a work in progress.
Breaking Dawn - Part One - It's cheesy and watching paint dry is infinitely more exciting than seeing Bella or hearing her whiny-ass voice. However, everyone else is a delight. I feel like walking the streets and looking for Rob Patt - although I doubt he's in the Midwest.
Crafty Goodness - get ready this is going to be a long one...For Christy Tomlinson's She Art Classes, Ali Edwards and her overall scrappy goodness, Big Picture Classes, Masterful Scrapbook Design, Get it Scrapped, Crafty Blogs, Creating Keepsakes, Stampington Magazines (Somerset Studio, Somerset, Memories, etc.), Donna Downey's Inspiration Wednesdays and Collage Mondays, Stephanie Howell, Kal Barteski, Kim Watson, Shimelle Laine and her many online classes - all great material by the way, Pinterest, Cathy Zielske, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Jennifer McGuire, Karen Grunberg, Paperclipping Roundtable, and so much more. I love how the internet brings us closer in some way. I love that people share their lives and teach so much for almost nothing in return.
Great Movies - I've seen so many this year. Let me give you a quick list...50/50, Friends with Benefits, Crazy Stupid Love, Horrible Bosses, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Transformers 3 (total guilty pleasure), Fast Five, and the list goes on - I hope.
Great Music - particularly from Adele and James Morrison.
Great Books - I will not go into the list - it's too long and frankly my brain is way too tired to come up with the list of outstanding books I've read this year. If you're aching for some recommendations, check out the Reading Corner category on my blog.

Anyhoo... I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving - for those of you celebrating. Until then...

Background Love

2011-11-17T17:07:00.001-06:00

I've continued to dip into the world of mixed-media this week with a wonderful product by Faber-Castell. By the way, this is NOT an advertisement. I purchased these beauties in August and just gave them a try for the first time in the last month. This is how my mind and process works. I read about it A LOT. I buy it. I look at it. It sits. I use it and hate it. I put it away for awhile. I use it again and I start to accept it. Notice I didn't say love it - I'm working on learning to concentrate on the journey - not the destination. And you know what...this was fun! I finished both of these in 10 minutes before work on Monday morning. They took almost 24 hours to dry - I got a little too ambitious with the water - and I'm ready for the next step which I'm saving for this weekend. So without further ado...the product responsible for shaping my new perspective...

I love these little things - they make my world a little brighter. So simple and easy to use for a high strung girl like me. And now to the backgrounds...

These pictures were taken immediately following my quick painting session. I'm not sure where they're going next or what image I'll use to get to my "destination" - I just know it felt good to do something quick with one product and a little water and that's a beautiful thing.

If you're like me at all or just looking for something new - definitely give these babies a try. I love them. I love the backgrounds and am ready for the next step. Ready for craft weekend to begin. I sit here with a smile on my face. Happy to be writing words - happy to be making art. Trying really hard not to judge anything I'm doing or have done. It's the journey not the destination. Souza was a very wise man. I'm trying to be mindful of the journey to make it part of my practice. It will happen. I believe that. I hope everyone has had a great Thursday. I'm off to clean to prepare for the impending arrival of one my dearest friends. Double arm pump and I'm off. Until then...

Twisted Tuesday - I painted and I liked it!

2011-11-15T07:03:00.001-06:00

Real quick post here...I made my first She Art girl. She's not quite finished - but I did it. It's important. It's remarkable...not the actual art - but my willingness to finally plant my ass in that chair and be vulnerable. No matter how you define it - paint is a vulnerable medium or at least it is for me. I have to let go of the reins and open myself up to the idea of ugly, imperfect. I did it and I'm so proud. So without further ado - my first Imperfect Girl...

I have a hard time with some of the "stuff" here. She has pantaloons on with maybe the ugliest shoes ever. I believe she is most likely color blind or from some alternate universe where wood grain shirts are in (or maybe that's just the 70's). I made the messy bun and almost liked it - I just don't know how to detail black hair or how to do skin tones so my girls are a reflection of me and my family. I just need to remember first attempts aren't perfect. They weren't meant to be. I'm going to keep on working on her until I have something I like better or I screw it up beyond repair. The most important thing to remember is to have fun and let go. It's the journey...not the destination. Hope everyone is having a great Tuesday. Lots of love and smiles all around. Until then....

Continuum - Am I Spelling That Right?

2011-11-12T09:19:00.001-06:00

Source Image

Hello My Pretties!

Okay...I'm in a weird mood today. Happy to be here though. Part of my new job includes being more acquainted with what they call the expressive therapies. It's been a huge learning process for me - and I've learned one huge thing. I love to learn - it feeds into my reading love and so much more. Hands down one of my favorite activities - learning new stuff. It turns out there is an expressive therapy continuum. I'm smack dab in the middle of the cognitive area. Shocker...I know. Anyhoo...there's this entire theory behind working with people (both young and older) based on their developmental level, issue/concern, and their place on the continuum - which to be honest isn't all that important to what we're doing right now but it's some background.

So this new knowledge has gotten me thinking about where I'm at developmentally in terms of my "art." And you guessed it...I'm in the cognitive space. So...what the eff does that mean? It means I concentrate on the outcome not the process. I am wound way too tightly to enjoy the playing part of the artistic process. I don't enjoy the putting things together. I don't get lost in the making of the art just the end result. How does a girl like me - who is not a control freak in any other single, solitary way - become more focused on the end result than the fun of the process? Well, I guess it starts with being an over thinker and just a little insecure about my artistic abilities and the ball keeps on rolling; until you have little old me without almost any ability to let go and have fun with art mediums out of my control in the most minuscule form. Wow that's a run-on sentence if I've ever seen one.

This is a lot of information - I know- without much of a point - except this. Let go. Have fun. Enjoy the process. Eff the outcome. I found a great example this morning from one of the best crafty gals while lying in bed with my new favorite buddy - my iPad (the original not the second version). Who could it be? Why it's Mrs. Donna Downey in all of her artsy goodness talking about the process and letting go. So good. So worth it - and my only real point for today's post. Check it out here as soon as you can. Also - take a look at two of her series with FREE VIDEOS - Collage Monday and Inspiration Wednesdays. Have a great Saturday. Until then...

Oh...and just for good measure and because this post feels so random....I leave you with a picture of one of the sexiest men on the planet - in my humble opinion. If I had a DH - he would definitely be on my laminated list. Smiles all around.

Source Image

Perspective

2011-11-06T19:05:00.003-06:00

Okay - so I decided to get a grip and get on with it...which just means I finally found the right journaling spot and the will to finish an effing page. Let's show the sketch shall we...

Source Image

It goes without saying how much I love Shimelle's sketches. They are a true inspiration. So this was my first pass at the sketch.

As I said before - I could not decide on a journaling spot and really hated the bunting in the upper right corner. In a moment of complete rashness, I tore off the bunting - ripping the paper in process. Not my finest hour to say the least. After writing my previous post and getting my thoughts out - can't recommend that enough - I went on and found a journaling spot and a fix for my torn paper faux paus.

I love these two more than anything (the babies). Love them. I still have that blasted seven days under the LAX sticker from American Crafts. One of my many attempts at journaling straight on the paper. Needless to say - it didn't work out. In some ways I feel like it looks like I threw random embellishments on the page - but they all are symbolic of my weekend. The title is from a song by Adele. I think the layout's busy and doesn't tell the whole story - but I think everything's a little too raw right now to get down in one shot. So this is the layout's latest manifestation. Can you say - all over the place. Sheesh. I hope everyone has a great week! Until then...

Sunday Suck Day

2011-11-06T18:17:00.001-06:00

Source Image

It feels a little sacrilegious to have the words Sunday and Suck Day in the same title - but that's how I'm feeling today. I had big plans to do Shimelle's sketch and starting points challenges and have hit a wall. And I'm pissed and frustrated and ready to scream. But the truth is...life is hard right now. The small act of placing an embellishment in the "right" place is just too much. Trying to complete a layout about my niece and nephew right now is too much. Not when I was reading my sweet girl to sleep and getting big hugs from her baby brother just a week ago. Not when our family is in a time of huge transition - I'm not sure how to express how it's been. So somehow - a layout just isn't what I needed today. I wish it was...

I've been thinking a lot lately about choices. Sometimes I'm still that sixteen-year old girl with the attitude that 34 is so old - like my life should be static, established at this point. It's not - and as hard as I try, I don't feel 34. Over the weekend, my cousin was talking to me about how young I still was - and how many choices I had. I don't have kids or any romantic entanglements. I'm my own person, with one gnarly ass cat. I have choices - so what am I going to do now?

This happens every time I return from LA. I miss my family terribly - especially at a time like this. And I wonder what in the eff I'm doing 2/3 of the country away from the people I've known my whole life. The people I've known their whole lives. I'm finally in a job I love in a place where I have very few ties. I have friends that I love. I have things that I do - but is that a good enough reason to be living away from my family? These are the questions that plague me - and at a moment like this - who the eff has the time, inclination, or willingness to worry about finding the perfect journaling spot? I certainly DO NOT.

So that's why it's Sunday Suck Day. No layout. Just questions. I had a good friend once that helped me when I was going through a really hard time. It was my senior year in high school and I was trying to decide whether going to a secular university was the right thing for me. I feared losing the close relationship I had with God. I worried I would lose touch with my friends. I worried that this one decision would alter my life for the worse. And you know what this amazing friend said...she told me there were some people that believed there was only one right choice in life and there were others that believed that God worked in your life despite the choices or trajectory your life takes. I decided I liked the latter answer better and headed off to what I assumed could be a life of depravity and loss of all faith. It wasn't. It was just a choice. I'm not sure I would do it again - but life is just like that sometimes.

I feel like it's choice time again. Time to decide what I really want from the next few years of my life. I know I'm being way too hard on myself. I know I'm spending a lot of energy worrying about the future. I just wish I could grab a life line. I wish someone would give me the answers. I wish life were easier. I wish my family could be healthy, happy, and close. I wish I could get one of those tight hugs and hear the words I love you from my nephew. I wish I could hear my niece laugh and give me one of her looks that reminds me so much of myself. I wish I could craft without the need for perfection or the fear of it being wrong in some small way. I wish and I hope. And that's all I have energy for right now...and that's okay. I hope to be back with some crafty related project in the near future. Here's hoping. Until then...

Back in Business

2011-11-04T07:18:00.001-05:00

I'm baaack! I'm so happy to be back - actually. I've missed this space. The last few weeks have defied words - but at times have been shot through with such beauty and laughter it almost brought me to my knees. It seems like tough times are like that - you keep on wondering why the hits keep coming - and somehow you're still you and the people you love are still the people you love - and you start to pull through. It's a beautiful, yet heartbreaking, thing.

Let's be honest - in the past few weeks I have not had the energy or motivation to create. It's been gone from me. Fortunately - I always have the will to spend. So...I just wanted to share a few classes catching my eye around the world wide web (I wonder why no one calls it that anymore?).

Patterned Paper Party by Shimelle Laine (already started - still wonderful) ~ I love her classes.

She Art 2 Workshop by Christy Tomlinson ~ I'm currently taking the first workshop and am shocked at the amount of video in the class. It's an amazing amount of time for the cost.

Reclaiming My Time by Karen Grunberg ~ I'm a devout follower of all things KG. I've loved her classes and highly recommend participating in ANYTHING she is doing - she's amazing. She's changed the way I scrapbook - the way I shop. Or - I think this needs a reframe...she's given me the tools to take control of my scrapbooking style and the way I shop. A-MAZ-ing!

Move More Eat Well 2012 by Cathy Zielske ~ I'm wanting to make healthy changes in the next year...I'm hoping CZ and the BPC community can help me with that journey.

I have my eye on one more class...but will talk about that later. I hope everyone is doing well and has a very happy Friday! Finally it's Friday! Until then...

2011-10-15T10:51:00.003-05:00

Real quick post today...I will be scarce on the blog here for the next two or three weeks. I wanted everyone to know to check in after November when "regular" scheduled posts when begin. However, I will try and post here and there over the next week and a half. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend. Until then...

Product Love - Album Madness

2011-10-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

It feels really good to start moving towards the new changes I'm planning to make on this little space of Internet heaven I have created here. I know it's not the most humble sentence ever written - but this place is a real haven to me. In some ways - it has saved me. It's kept me going through hard times and has always been a place I can go back to when I've given up (sometimes for months at a time). It's been a true blessing despite a very small readership. I'm thankful for every person that visits this little site of mine. Please indulge my little slice of sentimentality. So on to the product goodness...

I'm a big fan of American Crafts albums. However, I've started to be really drawn to the photo pages in the We R Memory Keepers system. I had a friend recently have a problem with an American Crafts binder. It fell apart and she looked into the reason this could have happened. For the life of me I can't remember if she told me this - but...it turns out it's best if you use the same manufacturer for both the album and the page protectors. If you choose not to stay with the same manufacturer it can cause problems with the structural integrity of the binder. Which immediately got me thinking...maybe I should make a switch. I will never switch from the binder style - but have been feeling a pull toward We R Memory Keepers. I like their variety in both album styles and page protectors. So much fun...and then I found this...

We R Memory Keepers Designer Albums: Wall Flower

I was immediately in album heaven! For quite some time - I've been considering adding another category to my albums. I subscribe to the Library of Memories system from the legendary Stacy Julian. I learned about the system from her book - Photo Freedom. I use the categories prescribed in the book: All About Me; People I Love; Places I Go; and Things I Do. There's just one little problem with the categories and my single scrappy status. Things I do and All About Me can be merged. I'm still working with the four category system trying to figure out what makes sense for me. One thing I know for sure - I need a New Pages album. I have commitment issues. I don't like to put my new pages (over the last 6-12 months) in their category album after they're completed. Something just feels wrong about it. I want a nice place to keep them until I'm ready to make the switch. For a girl that loves teal, the Wall Flower Album is a perfect, beautiful solution!

Anyhoo...just for good measure, I thought I'd present the four beauties I'm considering for my current categories. Please note: all images can be found here.

Linen Albums (12x12 Ring): Aquamarine

Linen Albums (12x12 Ring): Key Lime

Linen Albums (12x12 Ring): Dijon

Linen Albums (12x12 Ring): Hazelnut

Remember how I mentioned those wonderful page protectors? Aren't they just lovely?

We R Memory Keepers - Page Protectors Multi-Pack (12x12 Ring)

I'm totally ready to make the jump. Damn the cost, time, headache of transferring all my layouts, and the health of my hands - I must have these new albums. Rational it is not - but I'm completely in. I'm ready to have a place to keep layouts with multiple photos of an event. I'm not a cropper. I don't buy photos from websites with non-standard sizes. I'm a traditional 4x6 girl. I can't wait to try something new. So that's it for now - this girl is ready for a major change. Now if only the money would appear...Hope everyone has a great Tuesday. Until then...

Mixed Media Mania

2011-10-10T20:24:00.001-05:00

I've wanted to make the jump to mixed-media - art journaling, collage, etc. - for quite some time. Unfortunately, I've been gripped by the fear of failure, inadequacy, and my complete inability to draw an even satisfactory stick person. Despite these fears - I have been unable to shake this drive to create something with paint, stencils, and all kinds of other lovely products. So - I took a big leap and signed up for Christy Tomlinson's She Art Workshop. She has a great deal going on right now. She's starting a new She Art Workshop and is offering both 1 & 2 for $70. I've been on the first site for a few weeks and I need to get my rear in gear. So I thought I'd start my new posts with a list of my favorite mixed media blogs and series.

Fun Mixed Media Finds

Christy Tomlinson's blog - home of a lot of great free videos and ideas
Dina Wakely - ponderings
Samantha Kira - journal girl
Karen Grunberg - the inspiration for my taking the leap with She Art.
Donna Downey's Inspiration Wednesdays and Collage Mondays
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's Art Journal Everyday Series
My Craft Channel's "Art Redefined" ~ also featuring the lovely Christy Tomlinson

Well - it's getting late. I would normally be sleeping right now. However - I think I'm going to lose myself in a book or good television show for a bit. I hope everyone has had a nice Monday. Until then...

Are you SMASHING?

2011-10-09T10:41:00.004-05:00

I went crazy when I first heard about these little ditties. I just had to have one. When the release date kept on getting pushed back - I thought I was going to lose my mind and then they just showed up one day in my local chain store. And you know what - I just had to have it. This one to be exact.

Doodle SMASH Folio: Source Image

I had a really hard time choosing the right smash book for me. I'm not a huge fan of vintage images. Don't get me wrong - I think the images are beautiful and work for a wide array of buyers - just not me. So I went with the doodle version - despite being attracted to the patterns of some of the folios with vintage images. In the end I was so stoked about the whole thing I got a few more things for good measure.

Like this SMASH Tape: Source Image

Smash Bands: Source Image

Date SMASH Stamp: Source Image

I got some pockets as well to have a place for all my fantastic memorabilia. And I have done absolutely nothing with it since. Okay not nothing - I think I might have glued in a movie ticket and wrote a few things - but not much. So I'm a little down this weekend (which could be the understatement of the last few months) and I see something wonderful and my first thought is... why the eff can't I smash like this? Or - why aren't I inventive or brave enough to attempt to use my SMASH book as a friggin' art journal like this? OR why can't I even remember to go to the SMASH blog for inspiration? There they are - those old negative tapes playing again and I'm suddenly in a free fall about my worth as a crafter. I'm wondering if I'll ever make the transition to mixed media artist. How is it even possible when I won't give up my need for perfection? It seems to me - that to be SMASHING, you must let go of the need for perfection - of having everything it's in it's perfect linear place. And that's just not me - I can't seem to let go. Or maybe - it's because I'm not building the kind of life I dream of and - frankly - effing deserve! It's like the old stuff just keeps catching back up with me. I know that this thing ebbs and flows - but I wish there was an easier way to learn to stop holding the reins so tight - to be a little less of this obsessive, "sad girl" version of me.

So I leave you with this - be SMASHING? Let go of all your preconceived notions of what a crafter is supposed to be - of who you're supposed to be. In the end the only thing that will matter is that you were true to that little voice inside you encouraging you to create, try something new, to be something different. Be brave! At least be braver than I am. And if you get a chance - throw a little bravery/courage to this girl over here because I need it desperately. Just get SMASHed! Have a great Sunday everyone. For those of you wondering what I'm talking about - watch the video - the simplicity and beauty of all things SMASHing will wash over you and give you some crafting hope. Okay - I might be overdoing it - but the video is pretty great. It made this girl want her very own SMASH book pretty bad - now if I could only move on my creating my SMASHing life! Until then...

I Get It Already!

2011-10-07T06:50:00.000-05:00

My Favorite Dog in the World

Dear first week of October - I would like you to know I understand completely. I get it! You are not to be effed with this week. You do not want anything from me that hints of cheek or sarcasm. I get it! Please - let this day go well. Otherwise - I'm finding a way to get my favorite dog in the world here in my house to comfort me. Monday and Tuesday were not great - quite the understatement I might add. Wednesday was a dream compared to Thursday - which pretty much told me to bend over. I'm sorry lovely week. I get it. The cheekiness and sarcasm is over. I'm hoping to make it out today with all my appendages intact. And...if it's not too much to ask - all of my comrades appendages intact as well. God help us. It's been quite a week. Happy Friday to everyone out there. Trust me - my thoughts are with you. Until then...

Movie Mania

2011-10-04T07:26:00.001-05:00

As part of my recovery process - I've tried to reacquaint myself with my previous loves - tried to identify the gaping holes in my life. One of those black holes (as I like to call them) was my love for movies. When I lived on the west coast, I would stand in line for hours to see movies on opening night. I would get free passes on the street for movies that weren't even in theaters yet. I loved movies. I saw Armageddon for free at the actual screening facility in the Academy of Arts and Sciences. There were Oscar statuettes everywhere. Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay introduced the movie. Ben and Gwyneth were there. There was free food. I was in movie love heaven...and then I moved.

Immediately something began to shift in my movie loving life. I began to complain about the small theaters and became a movie snob. I only go to specific theaters in my city. I spend a lot of time thinking this screen is too small when I'm sitting in the theater. I miss the screens in Westwood. However, there comes a time when you must remember. I love movies and they make me happy. So I've been integrating them back into my life.

This weekend I went and saw this fantastic movie with two friends...

Source Image

It's amazing. Outstanding. It's both funny and heart breaking all at the same time. I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt - love that he's morphing into an outstanding actor. I love his energy - his smile. I love his dimples. He might be my newest celebrity crush. Seth Rogen is his usual hysterical self. I'm not going to go into a whole review here. I'll just say this - get to the theater and see this. It's worth the two hours. It's worth the 8-15 bucks. It's just worth it. It's the reason I love movies. And one more thing - JGL deserves an Oscar nomination. So that's it for today - a little about recovery - a little bit about movies. I'm hoping to have an outstanding day today. I'm not gonna lie - Monday kicked me in the junk while yelling it takes no prisoners. Monday better watch out in two weeks. I'm coming for it! Time to go to the mattresses, stop licking my wounds and take control of Tuesday. Hope you have a wonderful day. Until then...

Updated Wednesday, October 5, 2011: Just a quick update - Tuesday almost made me lose the will to live. So today I say suck it and make the best out of this "outstanding" week. Yes Sheldon, that would be sarcasm. Have a great Wednesday!

Product Love & Changes

2011-10-03T07:27:00.000-05:00

There are times when scrapbooking products, books, and movies are released and they change the way you think about things. During these times, I cannot imagine scrapping anything else; reading anything else; watching anything else. I felt that way when I saw Avatar and Titanic; when I read Ramona Forever, A Prayer for Owen Meaney, Life Artist, and Unless; and when I discovered Basic Grey. And now...there's a new product in town. I've already posted about Amy Tangerine's new line with American Crafts and how it was one of my top CHA picks. Since having it in my home and getting an opportunity to play with it - I'm hooked. I can't seem to make a layout without using one of her products. So big deal right? I'm addicted to another line...and then I found this!

Source Image

I can't explain the wonder that is this mini book. It's amazing with different textures, patterns, materials and sizes. I love it so much. Let's be clear - I have no idea how to use it (yet) but I love it! For some reason, I have a strong need for my readers to love it too. So - if you're interested, definitely check out this video.

So that's it for today. Run out and get Amy Tangerine's line. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

On to other things - over the next few weeks, I have big plans to change the structure of posts on this blog. My goal is to move Product Love to Tuesday and combine it with Reading Corner. I'm also going to add Movie Mania which will be on Tuesday's as well. Monday will be devoted to Mixed Media. Wednesday will be a day off from this lovely spot of mine. Thursday will be feature day - more on that later. Friday will be Link Love. Saturday will be a day off. Sunday will be all things scrappy and cards. Five posts a week is my goal. Why am I putting all this here? One word - accountability. I'm not sure how long it will take to make the switch but I'm stoked. Anyhoo - I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday. Until then...

Reading Corner - A Little Lost Yet Again

2011-09-27T06:53:00.000-05:00

Very quick post on reading. Very long post on my life RIGHT NOW. I love Rice Freeman-Zachary. Rice is pronounced like Lisa by the way - with a R. I can't find a way to put those little dots on the E. This is all about art retreats and I must admit I have desperately wanted to attend Art Fest for a few years now. I love the idea of this book and have found her previous books to be very good. I'm just waiting to decide if it's coming home with me. Big decisions...I know.

Source Image

The last couple of days haven't been so hot. I haven't been feeling well and am feeling myself slip a little. I'm not waking up with that pep in my step. I'm waking up with the water behind my eyes and a headache from being SO tired...and you know what? That's okay. There will be ups and downs. Sometimes I"m going to feel like crap and the week is going to look long and somehow insurmountable. I must remember this - life will move forward. This thing I'm dealing with is not some linear line - it's like an echo cardiogram - there are ups and downs. And that is effing okay. I also need to remember the little things...I cannot spend two days outside of my house on the weekends. It sets me up for stress and frustration during the week. I didn't score a 67 on the introvert side for nothing. It's okay to say no to some outings without the guilt. I want to yell to myself - IT IS OKAY. Life isn't easy. No one promised it would be. It's worth it on most days and I love what I do now. The positives outweigh the negatives - I just need to remember to relax. Lord please help me do that. I hope everyone has a rockin' Tuesday. Be gentle with yourself. Until then...

Layout Love - Sketchy Sunday

2011-09-25T23:04:00.001-05:00

Another Sunday - a long weekend - and I can't believe I decided to be crafty at 9:00 in the evening. This is going to be a quick post. It would be nice to get more than 5 hours of sleep for one night before work. We'll see. I took another sketch from Shimelle - have I mentioned how much I admire her - and made my definition of a "simple" layout. Let's start with the sketch shall we!

Source Image: Shimelle Laine

Love the layout. Love the little circles. Didn't manage to put them on my layout. I shifted the layout a little. I had horizontal photos and not nearly enough space to journal below them. I like the end result - despite a lot of emptiness on the left side that drives me a little crazy. Maybe I love it so much because it reminds me of a time of renewal spent with one of my favorite people. Maybe that could be my OLW for this upcoming year - Renewal. Moving on...

Patterned Paper: American Crafts & Studio Calico; Stickers: American Crafts: Letters: American Crafts; Embellishments: American Crafts & My Mind's Eye; Journaling Spot: Unknown

Allow me a little explanation of the origins of the layout. First of all - I have no idea where that wooden flower button came from. It's not on the layout. Sheesh! I just noticed it! Man alive I'm a hot mess. Anyhoo - I refuse to get up and take another picture and hook it up to my computer. It's 11:00 at night! I digress...when my Dad was here in the Spring we spent a lot of time purging and organizing. This included getting rid of a huge chunk of my personal library and disassembling my magazines to pick out my favorite articles. I bought 100 sheet protectors from one of my favorite stores and put the articles in three binders. It's a practice I'm going to need to do regularly. I love the end result. Less stuff. Less stress. Hope everyone had an outstanding weekend. Until then...

BTW: Unless something MAJOR happens - I will not be posting a new product tomorrow. I'm tapped out of new products. I'm almost scared to say it. However...I assure you - product love will be back soon!

Product Love - Stampy Goodness

2011-09-19T05:00:00.004-05:00

Tonight I was reintroduced to a hard truth - I can't seem to be involved in two hobbies at one time. I tried to make a card for the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger - which is just gorgeous. I couldn't do it. Everything was pissing me off. The way things stamped. The paper I chose. I hated it all. So what's a girl that loves cardmaking and scrapbooking to do? Well...I believe it's time to dedicate a product love post to all things stampy. I know it's a made up word - but I love it. Maybe this will be the jump start I need. I just don't want to give up my scrappy momentum in the process. So...here it goes.

Stamping Bella Love

Friends United: Source Image

LULU loves POPPIES: Source Image

LULU's MORNING FIX: Source Image

Lulu's TWO PIES: Source Image

So everyone knows I love Stamping Bella and most of their Lulu Collection stamps. She's just so cute and lends herself to so many ethnicities and races. It's the thing I love most about Stamping Bella and My Favorite Things. So imagine my surprise and glee when I learned of Lulu's new collection - Uptown Girls. Here are four of my favorites.

UPTOWN GIRL MADISON HAS A MARGARITA: Source Image

Uptown Girls CLARISSA and CAMILLE with a CAFE: Source Image

Uptown Girl VICTORIA and JULIETTE'S NIGHT OUT: Source Image

Uptown SUSHI GIRLS LAUREN AND CHELSEA: Source Image

So I figured it out and if I wanted to buy every single one of these stamps it would be approximately $91. If I added this lovely stamp I've wanted for several months - it would be $98. Add shipping to those amounts and it's $95 and $103. You know what - I think it would be totally worth it if it got my cardmaking mojo moving again. I just want to be able to do two paper crafts at once without feeling like one blows more than hunchback whales. Is it really that hard? Yes, for me it is, and that's okay. The bigger question is...will I buy all of these stamps in a little over five days or wait a little while...only time will tell. I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday. Until then...

Sunday Scrappy Fun

2011-09-18T10:19:00.000-05:00

Last night I spent a lot of time telling my stories. I loved it. I felt pretty crappy most of the day due to some milk products I love but my body clearly doesn't. However, in the evening I was feeling well enough to sit in my crafty chair and bang out some crafty goodness. I used a sketch, starting point, and layout inspiration from a new book I ordered from Amazon. So without further ado...let the scrappiness begin.

First up is Shimelle's lovely starting point from yesterday. I love this new series and find it far more inspiring than a sketch. I'd love to do more of that around here (on this humble blog of mine). I just noticed she provides dimensions which I really don't give a flying hoot about - which is a real departure from my typical crafty perfection craziness.

Source Image

Here's my interpretation of the starting point. I love this paper from Garden Cafe.

Products - Patterned Paper, Tags, Stickers, and Flair Button: American Crafts; Scallop Border Sticker: Crate Paper; Journaling Block: October Afternoon; Pen: Pilot Precise Extra Fine

I had a real hard time placing the journaling block - but I think it ended up okay. If you'd like to read the journaling, click on the photo for a ginormous picture of the layout. So on to the sketch...

Source Image

Another lovely sketch from the wonderful Shimelle Laine. She is giving me a whole new education on the art of layering and I love it! Here is my interpretation of this sketchy goodness.

Products: Patterned Paper: American Crafts & Crate Paper; Die Cuts & Stickers: American Crafts: Chipboard Stickers: Crate Paper: Letters: American Crafts Thickers: Pen: Pilot Precise Extra Fine.

After doing two Shimelle inspired layouts, I decided to give my new book from Creating Keepsakes a try.

Source Image

I used a layout from the wonderful Jen Jockish as inspiration...And finally came up with this layout. I have to be honest. I'm not sure I like it which has NOTHING to do with the inspiration. I just didn't get a chance to tell the story well. This has been a theme in my last few layouts - telling the story well. Maybe I need to start being more deliberate in my journaling instead of free flowing. Something in me hates the idea of that - but really, it's the story that matters most to me.

Products: Patterned Paper: Echo Park Paper; Letter Stickers: October Afternoon & Webster's Pages; Die Cuts & Chipboard Stickers: Crate Paper; Pen: Pilot Precise Extra Fine

So that's it for today my crafty friends. I'm making myself quite late for brunch by writing this post. I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday. Blessings all around. Until then...

Quote Love, Confessions, and High Anxiety!

2011-09-17T08:48:00.000-05:00

Source Image

Kathleen Kelly: [writing to "NY152"] "Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void."

I'm a quotes girl - no question about it. I love them to little itty bitty pieces. There are so many quotes in this movie that are just outstanding - mostly from Tom Hanks in my opinion. However, when I heard this quote in You've Got Mail from Kathleen Kelly - I thought that's me. I lead a small life. My belief on it's wellness and value depends on a number of different variables. I often wonder if I've been brave or just gone through the motions. And I do wonder if it should be the other way around at times. Should I be living the life I read about in books or see on television or even dream up in my head? Like her, I don't really want an answer. It's just something to consider.

So where did all this cosmic questioning come from? Well...I've started a new book - one of my Borders Closing Sale buys. It's a second book in a series and I'm loving it already.

Source Image

I'm only on page 14 - but there's a reference to a small life and it made me think of You've Got Mail and Kathleen Kelly and my own small, meager life. And maybe that's the truth of it - maybe most people's lives are small yet meaningful with value and goodness sprinkled in amongst the reality and muck. Maybe that's the truth of it - maybe that's the truth for me. So - I'm loving this book so far and felt the need to say it - right the heck now.

In other news...despite being less than happy about the new fad of classics with supernatural elements, I loved this book.

Source Image

Illinois has a soft place in my heart and I'm pretty sure there are people out there that would say this book was sacrilege, however, I found it to be quite entertaining and a great read. Far better than the previous book I read with a supernatural bent, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Highly acclaimed, highly recommended by friends and my favorite book club and... highly disliked by yours truly. The truth is - I don't like reading classics. It's plain and simple - adding zombies to the mix doesn't change my feelings in the slightest.

Moving on - I don't think I've kept my struggles the last several months a secret on this blog. And here I am again. It's hard to remind yourself there will be good days and bad days. Days you can't wait to leave your house and do something fun and be with loads of people - and days you want to crawl into the fetal position in a dark, warm, safe place in your house. And that's absolutely okay. Sometimes I'm going to disappoint people. Sometimes I'm going to disappoint myself. However, some days I will soar. That's what matters in the end. So...make the decision, suffer the consequences, but don't waste time worrying. The people that love you understand the struggle and the people that don't will forgive you eventually.

My mom always says, "don't let people rent space in your head for free." It's such a hard concept to understand or even embody when you feel like you're letting people down - but taking care of yourself is the priority. Knowing your limits is essential. I believe I've hit mine today - and solitary journeys are all I can handle. It is okay. Life isn't perfect. No one said it would be. Just keep swimming. There's always another opportunity tomorrow - at least I hope there is. And the honest to God truth is...my life is better than it's been in a decade and that's what matters - even if it is really small. I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday. I think I'll be taking a solitary journey and using everything in my arsenal to deal with my high anxiety. It is okay - just keep swimming. Until then...

Update: I've completely given up on finishing 26 layouts. It's just a very hard time of the year to have the energy to do a layout every evening. However - I have regained my enthusiasm for telling my story which was which was always the main point - so score one for me.

Product Love - Throwback Style

2011-09-12T05:00:00.008-05:00

I want to make an attempt at a quick post today. I wanted to bring back a few products from previous Product Love/CHA Madness posts and show what kinds of things I do with these little products I love so much. So... first up...

Source

This product from Fancy Pants Designs came out at the Winter 2011 CHA show. I bought up the entire line when I found it at Archivers in the Winter/Spring and used it for the first time TODAY on layout #10 for LOAD. I'm clearly a hot mess using product 6 months after buying it. If you're interested in the original product love post - it can be found here. So without further ado - a page on our beastly mascot.

Almost every product is from Fancy Pants Designs excluding the camera die cut from Amy Tangerine's line for American Crafts and the brads from the Stella Rose line at My Mind's Eye. Love this glamour shot of the crazed animal living in my home. Love the layout so much. The $1 embellishment is an inside joke.

On to the the next products from Crate Paper found in a recent post here. I love these products. I ordered them recently from Two Peas and got them so quick. I highly recommend their products and customer service.

Source

I decided to do this layout #11 for LOAD on a turning point in my life last spring. It was the point where things started to come together and I finally started to feel more like me again. I hope to never forget it. Once again, I feel like I didn't get the story quite right. However, it was a day I did a lot of journaling - so the story is in my little owl. So here it is...

I'm struggling with pictures again - as usual. I can't put on the flash without getting a glare off the picture. I'm working on it. All of the products are from Crate Paper excluding the number paper from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Line and the Thickers from American Crafts. So there it is... Product Love in a new way. I hope everyone has a lovely Monday. Until then...

OMT: I'm behind on LOAD - but I'm not worrying about it. It's the end result that matters. I WILL have 26 layouts on the 26th day of this month. I might be the tortoise - but I'll get there.

Edited at 5:17 pm: OMG!!!! I forgot to say the 2nd layout was inspired by this sketch on Shimelle Laine's blog. Love so much what she does.

In Memoriam

2011-09-11T20:21:00.000-05:00

Source Image by Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

President Barak Obama at the Ground Zero Memorial

LOAD - Alternative Scrapbooking

2011-09-05T20:42:00.000-05:00

Another day, another layout - and I'm loving it. To be perfectly honest - I'm loving my life right now which is unbelievable in a way that words cannot express. I'm happy in this moment - and that's huge for me after the last few years I've had. I think it's partially because I'm being creative - telling my story. I'm not getting hung up on the "big" things like not being married or having kids. I'm not questioning whether my life is "worth" scrapbooking or my audience. I know who it is - me. I am worth it and that is enough- what a phenomenal shift.

So what the hay does this have to do with LOAD? I'm happy to be creating each day and I really credit this class and other new circumstances in my life. So - on to today's challenge. Mondays are titled "Mother May I" by my scrap happy teacher Lain Ehmann. This Monday's assignment - scrap an alternative page. Do the thing you normally wouldn't do. Now let's be clear - you don't have to follow the assignment. You can do whatever you want - but Lain is an evil genius. At the end of each assignment she suggests trying the assignment if you're feeling any "resistance." So let's just say - I was feeling a little resistance and I decided to take Lain at her word and give it a try. I started with something new I found on Shimelle Laine's blog - it's a starting points "challenge" for each week. This week's starting point was really a lesson in layering (even for a girl that loves to pile it on like me). Shimelle has started to post the starting point on Saturdays and her finished layout on Sundays. Have I mentioned how much I love her blog!

Source Image

I knew from the beginning I would not be doing a 12 x 12 page - which broke my heart a little. I decided to go with a standard 8 1/2 x 11 page and put it in a horizontal orientation - something I did when I first started scrapbooking. I have to say - I like rocking the square much better than the rectangle. I wish I would have thought about it and taken a picture at the starting point stage - but I didn't so here's the finished project.

It's been a long time since I've done a page on the boys. I love these dogs so much and they are too far away from me. I haven't seen them in almost 20 months - not that I'm counting or anything. It just sucks. I miss seeing them - even if it was only once or twice a year. I really am happy with the finished product despite it being outside my comfort zone. However, it was nice to go back to a somewhat familiar place. I don't have any grids in this size paper so I was "forced" to go with a solid gray background. I think it worked out okay. Let me give a quick product run down. Papers are from Archivers (gray), My Mind's Eye (Stella Rose) and Authentique. The embellishments/brads/stickers are from My Mind's Eye and American Crafts. The journaling card and letter stickers (Thickers) are from American Crafts too. I have no idea where the flowers are from - sorry.

So that's it for today. I tried something new. I layered like nobody's business. I participated in a challenge. I knocked out Layout #5 for the Mother LOAD. I took a trip to Borders (my third) and don't intend to go back. I wish I would have thought about that more when I was there today. It's just a little hard. I know it sounds lame - to be broken up about a store closing - but I am and that's just it. So - I hope everyone has had a nice Monday. I'm looking forward to work tomorrow. I'm looking forward to crafting tomorrow. I'm looking forward - I can barely believe it. It's so great. Anyhoo - Until then..

LOAD - So Much for Basic

2011-09-05T08:40:00.004-05:00

I thought about starting this post with a whole thing about Labor Day - but then I realized - it's not celebrated everywhere. So - here's just a quick Happy Labor Day to those of you that celebrate this day otherwise known as my first three day weekend of the school year. Moving on...I would love to say I finished Day 4 on Day 4 - and trust me it was the right day and time in another place - on the west coast even. So let's just go with it.

Part of the LOAD process includes weekly structure. Sundays are designated as a day for getting back to basics. Initially - I thought about going back to some of my first layouts where I was more fearless and didn't care about any "rules." I decided against that - the thought of some of those layouts make me cringe - and went back to what I learned in Finding Your Way and from Ali Edwards book, Life Artist. Words and photos is all I need - right? Not so much.

This is my "basic layout" and I have no idea what came over me. It doesn't feel like me at all. I got inspiration from a layout in a magazine - which I ran with. I'm not sure how I came up with this finished product and I'm not sure I like it. It didn't do the story justice. The great thing about the digital age is that I still have the picture and the opportunity to tell the story in another way...the harlequin pattern on it's side is driving me CRAZY! This is what you get when you do a layout at 11:00 pm with Men in Black on in the background - craziness. I'm all over the place here.

So - let's talk products. This layout is almost all Echo Park all the time in terms of paper. The buttons are from a friend. The scallop border sticker is also Echo Park. The flowers are Prima and Heidi Grace. The letters are from Bo Bunny and Webster's Pages. Last but not least - the word stickers are from Making Memories - I'm not sure they make these anymore. I actually used them to cover up journaling from a teal pen that had dried out without my knowledge. I think I might need to sit down and look at this layout and do an autopsy - figure out where I went wrong. I already know a few things. Hey - maybe that can be a weekly post - layout autopsy. We'll see.

I hope everyone has a lovely Monday wherever you are at in the world. I hope it brings joy and a day off work. I plan on hitting Borders for the third time in as many days and stopping by Target. Big fun over here. Until then...

BTW: If there was one class in the world I would encourage everyone to take, it would be Finding Your Way by Karen Grunberg. Challenges and structure are fun - but knowing what you really want from your pages is priceless!

LOAD it Up - Day 2 and 3

2011-09-03T23:54:00.000-05:00

Being the ever relaxed person I am - imagine this said with the utmost sarcasm - I was completely okay when I slept through the evening and did not even get a chance to start on Day 2's layout. So...after waking up at 1 a.m. on Day 3, I took a deep breath and remembered it is okay. It is okay to be one day off - the goal is to have 26 layouts within 26 days and I'm sorry but life is going to get in the way. Fridays seem to be the wild, wild west in my new daily home - so I'm okay with doing two layouts on a Saturday. I figure if it were a true marathon - I just went really slow on Day 2. Good enough for me. So without further ado, my layout for Day 2 completed on Day 3.

This is my beautiful sister and she cracks me the hell up. She is sophisticated, articulate, and stylish - and there are times I'm blown away by the things that come out of her mouth. I think she feels the same way about me. I made a lot of changes on this layout. I basically started it over after figuring out I liked the flower paper more than the original pattern I had chosen. I'm a little foggy on products. The pink paper is Crate Paper. The flowered paper, background paper, and teal photo mat is from Echo Park. The brad embellishments are from My Mind's Eye. The remaining embellishments are from American Crafts. The washi tape and date stamp is from K&Company.

Next up - Day 3 of the Mother LOAD...I did not get the email prompt for this day and was a little frantic. I finally just decided to do a layout and it actually ended up being pretty close to the prompt. Imagine that. We were supposed to make these product bags with 4 different elements in each Ziploc baggie - but I just couldn't do it. It's not the way I do things - I have Karen Grunberg to thank for that realization. So - I didn't follow that missive and the sky didn't fall down. Not to mention, I think my layout turned out pretty good.

I could almost copy the paragraph from above for products. The date stamp is K&Company, the brad embellishments is My Mind's Eye. The stickers, dimensional sticker, and wood grain paper are from American Crafts. The rest of the paper and journaling card is from Crate Paper. The button spool is from Pink Paislee. Seeing a thread here in my product usage. I'm using brand new product - I need to jump into my stash a little more. So - that's it for today. It's late and time to go to bed after a day with friends eating yummy Greek food and cupcakes. Such a good Saturday. Hope everyone's having a great weekend. Until then...

The Mother LOAD - Day One

2011-09-02T00:34:00.000-05:00

So I did it! I made my first layout late into the night after a long nap - but I did it. I have to say - it feels pretty good. Not much to report beyond the layout.

All of the products are from Amy Tangerine's new line with American Crafts minus a button and brad flower from the Stella Rose Line at My Mind's Eye. I also want to everyone to take note that I messed up on the camera stamped in the lower right corner and just went with it. I even liked the sketchy effect. Something must be in the water.

One more thing...since I have you here....I recently did a layout based on Sketch 250 on Pencil Lines challenge blog.

Image Sourced from Pencil Lines

So here's my take on the layout. I could not do the pendants for my life - I almost gave up. I thought about cursing the world. I decided to just move forward and not sweat the fact that I'm not a pendant girl. It is okay.

I'm not sure about where all of these products are from - I'm sad to say. The vacation card is Studio Calico and there is some hidden journaling behind it - notice the brad from Basic Grey. The flowers are Prima and some other company - I was using older product. All paper (excluding background) is My Mind's Eye - Lime Twist. The balloon is from Echo Park and the stamp is Tim Holtz. I think the background paper is from Crate Paper - but don't quote me. I'm sorry my information is foggy. It is 12:25 in the morning here and I combined older products with new stuff. Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday. For my part - I will probably post Day 2 & 3 of the Mother LOAD challenge on Saturday. Hope you have a chance to take a look. Until then...

BTW: I was surprised to find a prompt email on the BPC site today - should make the layouts a little easier. Hopefully there won't be any prompts about kids since I don't have any. Also - I'm excited to announce I have more yummy product coming for the LOAD so I just HAVE to keep going. :)

Day One - In My Own Head

2011-09-01T07:06:00.000-05:00

Source Image: Morgue File

The high number of rebellious thoughts about LOAD in the last 24 hours is leading me to believe I might have lost it a little. I have went back and forth about doing the LOAD challenge and it seems I'm never sure about what I'm going to do. The thing is...

*I signed up and paid for this class because it's what I wanted.

*A girl is allowed to change her mind.

*It would waste my gift certificate I used on this class!

*I was unsure about taking the class from the beginning.

*I'm an introvert. I need some kind of task to do to stay in contact with the human world - even if it's on the computer.

*It will keep my mind off work. I need to learn that turning off thing others do so well.

*I don't want to do it. I'm tired when I get home. Please imagine this being said in an upset toddler voice.

The truth is - I need the structure and I'm going to take it one day at a time. No stress. No anxiety. One layout at a time. The only thing that matters is one layout at a time. There will be NO PENALTIES for missing a day. If it causes too much stress and anxiety - I'm out. However, I'm giving this thing a try. I'm doing my first layout TODAY. I might not nap for the next 26 days - not a bad thing. It's time to LOAD up. Can you hear the excitement in my voice? Hope everyone has a great Thursday. Until then...

OMT: The cat in the pic is not our beastly mascot. She might act like that - I just am not lucky enough to have a picture of it! :)

Reading Corner - LOAD it Up!

2011-08-30T07:16:00.000-05:00

I'm working hard to get in the LOAD frame of mind this week. I had nine weeks of class prior to Thursday to gear up - but somehow that whole process was lost on me. I've been scrambling (in my brain) to think of ways to keep the momentum for 26 days which match up with the first quarter of school and tend to be the most tiring days of Fall. So - since it's a day about reading - I thought I might share some books that could be incredibly helpful for LOAD. Believe it or not - I own every single one of these books and highly recommend each.

1. Idea Generating - We Dare You: Scrapbook Challenges about Real Life by Kristina Contes, Meghan Dymock, Nisa Fiin, & Genevieve Simmonds & 50 Moments: Scrapbook the Pages that Matter Most by Lisa Bearnson & Creating Keepsakes

I love both of these books. The first book (The Dares) really rocked my world and has a website with ongoing challenges. I'm excited to use these as part of my LOAD process.

2. Journaling Help! - Your Words, Your Story: Add Meaningful Journaling to Your Layouts by Michele Skinner.

I actually already have a great idea from this book - blog posts. I'm going to comb through my blog and find potential pages. I'll be sure to keep you posted on where I'm at in the process.

3. Challenge Love: 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges by Elizabeth Kartchner

Let's be clear - there isn't any challenges about scrapbooking the hard times or good times. It's a book full of fun challenges that have more to do with design and pushing yourself in your styling. It can definitely help with inspiration when taking on a long project.

4. Sketch Love: Scrapbook Page Maps: Sketches for Creative Layouts & Scrapbook Page Maps 2: More Sketches for Creative Layouts both by Becky Fleck.

There are a wide range of options in these two books. Also - there are flash cards with each sketch and an example. So wonderful!

5. Ali Edwards Love: Life Artist: Scrapbooking Life's Journey

I love everything about Mrs. Ali Edwards. She has great ideas and is just a burst of inspiration. I credit her and Cathy Zielske with creating my love for this hobby. I definitely go to her books and website when times are rough.

Before I get going - I want to make sure to give credit to my source for all the book images - www.bn.com otherwise known as Barnes & Noble. Each book title link will take you to the source page. Also - I want to say I'm super excited about this journey and can't wait to blog about how it's going. I'm going to try and find more inspirational sites and books to share in the upcoming weeks. I hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday. Not much to report here in the way of a to do list. I just need to hurry. Stalling never helped anyone get to work. Take care. Until then...

Product Love

2011-08-29T07:14:00.000-05:00

LOAD (layout a day) starts in just a few short days - on the first of September - and all I can think about is buying stamps. Stamps that I will not use on scrapbook pages. And while I would love to report that I'm getting my rear into gear and focusing on scrapbooking - my mind seems to be everywhere. I did purchase a high amount of products to prep for the upcoming 26 days - but it doesn't seem like nearly enough. So - I plan on buying a few things online and having them sent during the middle of the project. We'll see. Moving on....

Let me introduce this week's product love by saying I love Dina Wakely. I love her style. I love her art journaling. I wish I could do what she does - and these stamps provide that opportunity. I'm filled with glee.

Boys Star

Circle Script

Grungy Circles

Grungy Silhouette

Script Heart

Script Star

Silhouette Script

All images sourced from Stampington & Company

Aren't they just lovely. I can't wait to get my little hands on them. I might order them right now! Anyhoo - moving on...I feel a strong need to apologize for my disappearing act on my little piece of internet heaven last week. I thought of it often - but just couldn't will myself off the couch. My new post is basically like moving from the minors to the majors. I'm happy to report I only had my ass handed to me on one of those days - not that I'm keeping score or anything. Now that I'm looking at another week - I'm feeling up for it. I hope everyone has a lovely Monday. I'll be back tomorrow with a post on books and prepping for LOAD. Hope to see you there! Until then...

2011-08-25T07:13:00.002-05:00

Source Image

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
~Marianne Williamson. (1992). A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles. Harper Collins , New York, NY.

ISFP

2011-08-20T21:35:00.001-05:00

I listened to the most recent Paperclipping Roundtable podcast today on personality specifically centered on the Myers-Briggs Personality test and it's relationship to scrapbooking. I took the test - literally minutes ago and was a little surprised. I highly recommend listening to the podcast to hear Angie Lucas's descriptions on personality and the test. She's read several books and even presented a powerpoint presentation on the subject. So - without further ado...here are my results...

I = Introverted (67) ~ which puts me in the "distinctly expressed introvert" category. No surprises there.

S = Sensing (1) ~ which puts in the "slightly expressed sensing personality" category. Totally surprised by this - I was sure I would be intuitive.

F = Feeling (12) - again it puts me in the "slightly expressed feeling personality" category. No surprise here - except that the number wasn't larger. I'm closer to the thinking side than I imagine I would be.

P = Perceiving (33) which puts me in the "moderately expressed perceiving personality" category. No problem in this area.

From the test site (found here) - there are several links where you can learn about your specific personality, career types, and famous people. I almost did a little jig when I saw J.K. Rowling on the list. I threw up a little in my mouth when I saw others which I'm way too nice to name here. Also, counseling is on the list of careers for ISFP - which fits pretty well since I'm in the mental health field. I have to say - I was a little disappointed to be in the sensing category. However, with a score of 1 it pretty much means I teeter between sensing and intuition. I felt a little better after reading this little tidbit - clearly I'm neither one or the other fully.

What does this mean for crafting? Well - I enjoy crafting alone and shopping alone. I enjoy being with other people/friends in the store - but prefer quiet and solitude during the actual process. I don't enjoy moving through a store together with people - it drives me a little nuts. Due to the feeling and perceiving - it makes complete sense that journaling is a major focus when it comes to my pages. I don't have a problem getting to the heart of the matter in written form. I fit in the Artisan/Composer category which didn't feel like me at all when I read the description. I'm missing something...I think. Well long story short - take the test and listen to the podcast and tell me what you think. I'm not sure what I think yet about the test. I absolutely sure that I love the podcast!

On to other topics...specifically reading! I finished this little gem. Approximately 60 pages from the end, I almost threw it across the room but got over it by the end. I'm going to use the word astounding to describe this book - but reserve the right to change it at any moment. I wanted to quote a passage here that meant a lot to me. The book begins with the two main character's graduation day and follows that same day over many years. This is on that first day (but chronologically a LOT later in the book)...

"Live each day as it's your last,' that was the conventional advice, but really, who had the energy for that? What if it rained or you felt a bit glandy? It just wasn't practical. Better by far to simply try and be good and courageous and bold and to make a difference. Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you. Go out there with your passion and your electric typewriter and work hard at...something. Change lives through art maybe. Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately and fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance."

Nicholls, David. (2009). One Day. New York, NY: Vintage Books.

I want to start by saying I love the word glandy. I keep wondering what the American English equivalent is for the word glandy - I'm going with hormonal or bitchy depending on the day. I read this paragraph and thought to myself, 'isn't that the truth.' How genius to get that at the age of 21 or 22 instead of 34. I can't recommend this book more. All I can say is hang in there - no matter what. I'm moving on to a new book a friend lent to me on the Nook Color. I'm told it's hysterical so I really am super excited. So that's it for today. I hope everyone had a lovely Saturday! Until then...

OMT: I thought this book was astounding TODAY and could very well think it blows 2 months from now. I gave a good review to this book and actually want to throw things at it when I see it on the bargain table at my local book store. I even wanted to read the sequel - which I now think only hostile thoughts about. Oh well - live and learn. Just to say - tastes change and sometimes it's about where you are in that moment. The basic gyst is...if you hate it, please don't hate me too.

Treat Yourself

2011-08-19T06:49:00.000-05:00

I'm a big, huge proponent of treating yourself to something nice. I just don't like the guilt that comes with it when I go overboard and realize for the 1000th time - this really isn't in my budget and you can't eat crafting supplies. Still...I think it's important to mark big accomplishments with fun stuff so I treated myself after four weeks of summer work and getting sick at the end to boot. My reward (drum roll please my beastly kitty)...

Isn't it just beautiful? 40 watercolor crayons, 2 Stampington magazines, and one visual journal in the largest size possible. Did I deserve it? Well, since I was sick for two lovely weeks after my summer work - I would say yes. This is the thing I have to remember - they're not in my house just to look at. I didn't buy this reward as a accessory. I have to use them. God help me - you'd think I'd learned that lesson by now - but not so much. They're just so darling. Anyhoo...treat yourself - it's the one important nugget I want to give you here today. It's important. You're important. I hope everyone has a happy Friday. Until then...

Simple Gifts - Process of a Project.

2011-08-18T05:00:00.005-05:00

I have a really simple project to share today. It's inspired by the wonderful Nancy Nally and Paperclipping Roundtable. In one of the early episodes - Nancy talked about stamping on Moleskine kraft covered notebooks. It actually spun off into a pretty hilarious conversation about how to pronounce Moleskine properly with Izzy Hyman almost making me wet my pants. I digress. Anyhoo - I took this information to heart and made a little notebook for a dear friend. Recently she commented that the notebook was almost full so I spent part of Sunday making a new one. We're both bird lovers - so it's pretty easy to find products in this house. So here it goes...the process of making a "simple gift."

Step One: This is the blank back cover of my Moleskine notebook. I actually had started working when I remembered to take the photo. If you're really brave - stamp directly on the cover. I usually eff it up so it gets recovered with kraft paper or patterned paper or whatever the heck moves me.

Step Two: So I effed up on my first image (stamped directly on the cover) which gave me the opportunity to use this great paper line from My Mind's Eye. It's a 6x6 pad which was pretty important for this cover due to the busyness of the pattern. I recently said I wasn't going to buy these smaller paper pads anymore - but I was wrong - they really do have a function. Let me just also say - I would bathe in these colors if I could. They are that yummy.

Steps 3-4: Since I didn't plan for this with a lot of clarity or forethought. I don't have each picture stepped out perfectly. Consequently - there are some pictures missing. I started by stamping the image from Invoke Arts on every friggin color of paper imaginable and settled on white. I might also add I started the project after spending two hours cursing the world trying to make just one card. I then took a piece of paper - this one in particular and chose marker colors. I have four different type of markers: Copics, Bics, Sharpies, and Tombows. I love my Copics - but my wallet hates the heck out of them - so I have to mix it up pretty often. This time was no exception. I then colored the image. Just a note - Sharpies are not acid free. I don't care about that kind of thing - but if you do - be warned.

BTW: It was much easier to lay the stamp face up and place the paper on top. Since it's pretty detailed and there is a large amount of black on it - it's hard for my crappy hands to get a good impression. This really works for me.

Step 5-7: I love to layer so it went without saying that I was going to layer the image. However - the first piece of paper didn't work because of the busyness of the background pattern. So I layered it one more time - still it wasn't working. So I broke out the white paper and magically I was satisfied. I added a little piece of the doily paper to the notebook and then glued on my image. Project done or so I thought...

Step 8-9: I had another great stamp from Invoke Arts. I decided to stamp it on patterned paper and glue it to the inside cover. I then took my random dot stamp from Invoke Arts and stamped it everywhere. Still trying to figure out if I like the random dots. It's sort of hard to read the sentiment now. For those who wonder... it says; "Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." Love it.

Step 10: I added my favorite saying to the back of the notebook for a laugh. My friend is definitely NOT DRAINING MY WILL TO LIVE. I just think the sentiment is hysterical. This stamp and plenty of funny other sayings can be found at Too Much Fun Rubberstamps.

So there it is - one small conversation on one of the best podcasts ever and a great gift idea is born. I need to make it for more than one person. I need to trust the process. I need to remember I can make artsy stamps work for me with bright colors and beautiful paper. I need to remember it's okay. I also need to remember things can go right after two hours of things going terribly wrong. I need to remember not to give up on crafting because one part of it isn't working for me. I just need to remember the things that help me push me through. So here's to remembering. I hope everyone has a lovely Thursday. Only one more day to the weekend. Gotta love that! Happy crafting! Until then...

Just Get Over it Already - Perfection in Cardmaking

2011-08-17T07:12:00.002-05:00

I spent the summer completing a personal challenge on reading. It went so well I'm extending it to the first quarter of the school year. My goal is to read 5 books in 8 weeks. I think it's doable - but we'll have to see. I also made another challenge over the summer - to make 28 cards for Operation Write Home. It's a wonderful organization that provides cards to soldiers. If you're interested - please look at the card guidelines. They are really important! I also encourage you to look and see what kind of cards are needed currently here. Also - I highly encourage and give you permission to NOT FREAK OUT when you read the following words...

"Do your best work! Our heroes are giving up so much for us and they deserve the very best we can create for them. Plus - as hard as it is to think about, it's possible your card may be the final communication between a hero and their loved ones at home...make sure it's the best work you know how to do, that it's on good cardstock that will last well in a scrapbook, and that everything's attached securely and won't fall apart. These cards may be heirlooms - so let's create some really beautiful ones!"

Let's just be clear... I'm giving you permission because these words brought me to my knees. I haven't moved since my 5th card and that was a month ago. I have 23 to go and I HAVE to make this challenge. So - I'm going to do my best to quiet that damn critic in my head and get to work. Here's a look at my first five cards. I keep on asking myself if their heirloom worthy or if they are good enough for someone's final communication with a loved one. Someone help! .

There are a few things I'm struggling with - mostly my inability to use thick buttons. I have absolutely NO problem with the glitter rule. I just need someone to come over and tell me to chill the eff out. Maybe it doesn't matter so much what the card looked like - just that it was from a loved one far away. I'm going to do my best on this challenge - no beating myself up. You heard it hear ladies and gentleman (otherwise known as Poppi). I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday. Until then...

Reading Corner - I Need Some Direction

2011-08-16T05:00:00.001-05:00

So - I've changed the book I'm reading at least four times in the last seven days. All of the books were good but I just couldn't get settled. I'm blaming it on the unsettling time of year with school starting again when both anxiety and lunacy is on the rise. However, it might be the symptom of a much larger issue - I don't seem to read as much during the school year. I fully intend on this being the first year I kick that past practice in the face and get my reading on as much as effing possible. So why this book? To be honest - I started this book at the end of last school year and stopped. The characters were kind of pissing me off. Actually - the boy was really pissing me off. Still...I've spent a lot of the last few days looking at this book on it's shelf thinking I should read it before the movie comes out - which is Friday. I fully intend on it being my prize for this upcoming week. So here it goes - another effing change. I seem super hopeful, don't I? I'm still working on Life is a Verb. It's full of essays and I just can't seem to read it straight through. I'm a friggin' mess over here. Time to gear up! I'm channeling Gibbs and getting on it! I hope everyone has a lovely Tuesday. Happy reading! Until then...

Product Love - Move with It!

2011-08-15T05:00:00.006-05:00

Product love for this week is dedicated to a few things that move. I haven't been on a bike for literally 14 years - since my freshman year in college. However - I'm obsessed with bicycle images and would kill to get my hands on one of those vintage style Schwinn bikes. So - imagine my absolute glee when I found the stamp set below at My Favorite Things. I must have it now!!!!

Source Image: My Favorite Things

The next "move with it" product is from Practicing Creativity - a company I learned about from this wonderful magazine. I have never and will never get on/in a hot air balloon. However - I think they are beautiful. I've been to a festival in the Midwest and was absolutely astounded at their beauty. I've wanted some images for a while and love this set.

Source Image: Practicing Creativity

So that's it for today. Wish me luck - it's a really big day for me. I hope everyone has a great Monday and work week (for those of you grown up folks like me). Speaking of grown up - check out Michelle Ward's website and creative coaching website/business that completely grasps the feeling of NEVER being fully "grown up." Also check out her interview on the most recent episode of Craftcast. I'll leave you on that note. Take care. Until then...

OMT (One More Thing) ~ I've added a gadget on the right sidebar (the one with the flower). It's a personal challenge of mine. I hope to make 28 cards by Labor Day for Operation Write Home. I've made five so far. I'm loving these little pledges of mine. I have yet to make a reading pledge for the first quarter of school. I'll be thinking about that over the next few days. There are technically nine weeks in a quarter so I'm thinking four or five - but that number isn't firm yet. I'm also wondering if I should add bookzines - otherwise known as long magazines. More things to add to the list to think about - fun things :).

The Mother LOAD Update

2011-08-14T20:48:00.000-05:00

Hello All! I'm so excited to share something crafty finally. I feel like I have a little explaining to do to all my readers (all five or six of you). Right now - I'm really feeling creative and inspired. However, it hasn't been in the arena of paper crafts. I've been all about reading, writing, and decorating. So...don't be surprised if things look a little different for a while. If there's one thing I've learned over the past four years - it's to go where the inspiration takes you.

On to the Mother LOAD...A few days ago I was watching a video by crafty Lain Ehmann on BPC and she was talking about getting "caught up"; which in scrapbooking terms should be the equivalent of MF in my opinion. Then I realized...I haven't been doing my assignments and I better get my ass in gear if I'm going to do the 26 layouts in 26 days. NOT to mention I should probably figure out when that whole thing starts, get pictures ready, do the other assignments, etc. Basically I need to light a fire under my rear. So - I took Lain's dear advice and combined two assignments. I combined my Holy Grail new products from Authentique and started a page with the journaling. I feel like I cheated a little since the journaling came almost verbatim from a blog post - but got over that quickly. Using my blog posts on my scrapbook pages is breaking new ground for me. No guilt necessary - double arm pump essential. So without further ado...my scrappy efforts.

This first photo is my finished layout with everything in it's place. Almost every product is from Authentique - a very cool company with a rockin' focus on being green. The only additions are decorative brads from SEI and Basic Grey and wooden buttons from Studio Calico. The picture is from MorgueFile.com. I did some processing to it before having it printed. Gotta love free pictures of hummingbird feeders when you're a girl like me.

This photo shows the interactive parts of the layout - which is pretty much everything. Both the large piece of patterned paper and the photo are connected to the background by a brad - making each section moveable. The photo must be moved first then the large piece of patterned paper with the Jen Lemen quote. You might be wondering why I chose to hide the journaling. Frankly - it was a lot of journaling and I could not figure out a way to fit the picture and journaling on a 12 X 12 page. I also loved the flower paper and just couldn't see covering it up with almost a full letter size page of paper - so I went with the hidden option. It's not because it's too personal - it's just a story I wanted to document in more than one way. I'm satisfied with the finished product. No - I'm not satisfied - I'm ecstatic. This is the byproduct of using the things I love. Gotta feel good about that!

This week is a big week for me. Work starts again and I have the perfect assignment to go with it. The focus for this week is to be intentional and convey emotion. This week is definitely bringing up some interesting emotions. I'm starting at a new place. I'm super excited, nervous, and a little trepidation. All the normal emotions associated with embarking on a new journey. Doesn't it just sound perfect! I have some pics of my new office and I'm going to get a picture of my building. The plan is to go digital for this layout. Can't wait to see what happens. So that's it for Sunday. I guess I had a lot to say! I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Until then...

BTW: The Big Idea Festival which is FREE starts tomorrow at BPC. Sign up immediately if you're interested.

Home Base

2011-08-14T10:28:00.001-05:00

Image Linked with Love from MorgueFile.com

There are times when I feel like I need to leave my house because I need to clear my head - or I need to read and think about things. Today I started wondering why this place - my home - isn't it (that place) for me. I've been talking a lot with someone dear to me about making my place a home. I'm the person who was living like traveling person - renting an apartment for a month before moving to another place. It had been almost six years with nothing on the walls - and very few photos anywhere. I was living in a place - but it wasn't a home. And now that I've started to put up pictures and find little things to make this place mine - I'm wondering why I still need to leave this place to reboot. Do I need to burn sage? Do I need to buy more things?

No - I don't think I need do any of that - unless the purchase is a perceived necessity like a headboard. I just need to remember this is my home. It's hard being away from the people you love - it's a fact. However, it doesn't matter where the people you love are - as long as their with you in spirit, in your heart. So I'm working hard on making this my home base - my place of peace. Don't get me wrong - there is absolutely nothing wrong with hitting up places like these...

It's just time...to start being comfortable in my own home - my own skin. That's what's most important to me right now - in this moment. So - instead of spending the day away from home catching up on favorite summer movies or reading a book at my second home, I'm going to be here. I'm going to craft and read and make a plan for this little nook I have online. I'm going to play with my new gelatos and watercolor crayons. Tomorrow it all begins again - and this has got to be home base - not just the place I lay my head or watch Leroy Jethro Gibbs. It's more than that - it's an extension of me, my life, what matters most. So I leave you on that note - and one more thing...I know I promised crafty goodness and I'm getting there. I made a page last night from a blog post that I'm pretty darn proud of which will be going up sometime today. So - don't fear - the craftiness will be back here soon. Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday. Until then...

Reading Corner - Save Me

2011-08-09T06:54:00.003-05:00

I don't think it's any big secret that the last 11 months and more have been a struggle. I struggle with a chronic illness and the multiple side effects that go along with being heavily medicated to make sure your immune system stops beating you up. It's so interesting to me - because it's so easy to be beat up by the person that's supposed to be in your corner - you. And...it's possible in so many different ways - physically and emotionally. At least that's how I felt 98% of the time - until I started to read an author named Brene' Brown. I chose the book mainly due to Ali Edwards endorsement.

Original Source

I know it sounds corny to the highest degree - but this book gave me the magic I needed in that moment. Throughout the book, I kept on latching to the word shame. It's not a big part of the book. It's one of Dr. Brown's research focuses - shame and guilt. I feel like I possess these emotions in spades - which led me to her first book.

Original Source

To say this book rocked my world is not nearly descriptive enough. This book is the moment when the fog started to clear. I actually started recognizing my shame triggers and speaking up for myself. I started to remind myself that it is okay - no one and nothing is perfect. I started to get back some of my own power. And even now - when I'm scared or anxious or someone has said that thing that brings me to my knees - I know everything will be okay even if it's in a very tiny part of my being. I know it seems silly. I don't want anyone to think two books turned my life around totally. I had a lot of help from multiple sources - but I know these books were part of my journey. They still are part of the journey. To be perfectly honest, there are still days were I forget and would love nothing more than to sit in my pajamas on my couch and watch a NCIS marathon with a bucket of sweets right next to me - some days I still do that. And that's okay too. "Life is a journey not a destination." If you struggle at all with shame, guilt, imperfection - run to your nearest book store or computer to find these books. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday. Until then...

BTW: For those of you who are wondering when the heck I'm going to post something craft related - no worries. I will be hitting the crafts hard once the trainings and meetings stop and I have a few extra days before summer break is over and all I'll hear are the words GO.

Product Love - Say Cheese!

2011-08-08T07:13:00.000-05:00

I have the absolute cutest nephew in the world. He can be happy, sad, or ready to tantrum and you can say two words - say cheese - and he is smiling and all is right with the world. He is the best thing ever. So imagine my total glee when I walk into my local Archivers hoping to find the perfect linen scrapbook album and find this Lawn Fawn stamp set instead.

Source Image

And let's just put this little gem with this piece of paper from Echo Park's Playground line. The purchase of this piece of paper is a complete example of how crafty collecting can turn into something you never imagined. I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do with this paper when I first put it into my basket - and now look how it's perfect for a totally different purchase.

I've found bliss. I can't wait to play with this stamp set and images. It seems to have infinite possibilities at this point. It can be used on cards, layouts, mini projects, home decor, and the list goes on. If you're sitting there thinking I've lost it take a look here for some crafty examples - they're under the product image. There's an additional product titled Say Cheese, Too which I must get my hands on - but at a later date. So that's it for today. Short and sweet for me. I hope everyone has a great Monday. I'm looking at a very long day - the jury's still out on whether it's a good thing or not. Until then...

BTW: I just found out something interesting - if you search for Lawn Fawn Stamps Say Cheese on google and click on the images link on the left-hand side - you can find more examples here. So cool.

Template Love

2011-08-06T13:58:00.001-05:00

I have a story to tell - a big story. It means a lot to me and somehow I'm having the hardest time finding the words. I wanted to publish this post on Wednesday - wrote it and hated it. It's the equivalent of that big scrapbook story you want to tell but just can't get right or the holy grail product you're afraid to use. However, I will not let the fear of getting the story wrong keep me from writing and posting. There is no way to get it wrong, right?

So...here it goes. If you've read my last post - you know I've been going through a difficult time which is getting better by leaps and bounds with the occasional setback. I haven't been doing a lot of the things I use to love including reading blogs for hours and looking for that perfect piece of inspiration. Fortunately - in the last few weeks - I was reading one of the first blogs I ever read recently by the loveable, talented Cathy Zielske and found what I'm currently calling the mother load. What did I find? I found Instagram templates. If you don't have an iPhone - you might not know what I'm talking about. Instagram is a wonderful little picture app that allows you to manipulate photos in the most interesting ways. They come out in these little perfect squares that should never be altered to 4 X 6 under any circumstances - learned that the hard way. Or - maybe I'm just not handy enough to clean up the image. So to make a very long story short - these templates were a highlight of my summer - maybe even my life (just kidding). So without further ado, I give you two of the four templates you can find at Designer Digitals.

Template no. 89 linked with love from original source.

Template no. 90 linked with love from original source.

There are two additional templates (87 and 88) in 12 X 12 size for those of you with large format printers or handy enough to find a way to print out high quality large digital pages with ease. I envy you so much. So if you're like me - a template is a great thing made even more wonderful by an example...and who better to show the wonderfulness that are these templates than the creator herself - Mrs. Cathy Zielske.

Layout linked with love from original source.

I took a very long time making my own examples - which I will share in just a moment - and instantly feel in love. I have to confess...I didn't just use Instagram photos. I believe some might be Hipstamatic and for the second layout - I used movie poster images. So let's just point out the mad amounts of versatility available through these lovely templates.

I used the templates developed by Cathy Zielske and the Stella Ruby Digital Starter Kit on both of these digie layouts. I love both. I got my first iPhone at Christmas time - so I spent mounds of time taking pictures and these templates were a perfect way to document events. The first layout is my FIRST ever Christmas layout and I love it because it's just my style. So before I go and overthink this post even more - I want to list of a few my favorite things about these templates and Cathy.

*They are versatile and so easy to use.

*They cater to my needs for journaling the everyday moments - even when they're big events like Christmas or blessing my sister's new union with her wonderful husband.

*They finally give me an option to use for those little, lovely Instagram photos. I really don't think that can be beaten.

*They're by Cathy Zielske who/whom is a huge part of how and why I scrapbooked. She helped me with design and see the cool element of scrapbooking. She made it real with her two books on clean and simple scrapping found here and here. I've read the second book so much it's falling apart - which should not be seen as a lack of quality but the overwhelming attention I've given it. I hope that helps you understand how much I love it.

*Cathy is a cool person with mega talent and a willingness to share her life - both good and bad. I admire that so much. She is one of the few scrapbookers that taught me it is okay to tell the hard stories.

*Her style is beautiful and graphic. Despite being less clean and graphic nowadays - I still feel her influence on my pages.

I could say so much more - I just love Cathy and these templates. She has a free template titled InstaLove found here. Absolutely take a look when you have time. So that's it for now. Look for some Product Love on Monday. I hope everyone has a nice Saturday. I'm staying inside today - trying to relax. Until then...

Do You Believe in Magic?

2011-08-04T09:45:00.008-05:00

Source Image - Morgue File

More than four months ago - on March 29, 2011 - I wrote a post with a quote from a book that is dear to me, Creative is a Verb. Here is that quote.

"There are moments when you absolutely need someone to show up like magic, not because you need something nice, but because you need your world view transformed. You need hope to be born in you. You need to know in one moment that someone believes in you. You need a kindness midwife to hold the space so you can show up like magic for someone else the next time around..."

--Jen Lemen (Quote is from Creative is a Verb by Patti Digh; pg. 91)

Although it's not THE date that marks my complete and utter unraveling - it is a foreboding of what is to come. The next day - the day of my birth - I was in such a dark place that I couldn't remember the date. I had to ask a friend standing next to me. There are no words for the days that followed even after magic came in the embodiment of my father. And I feel like, after all this time, it's coming together today. The day I finished my Summer Reading Pledge - the day I finished this gem. I feel more like myself than I have in a long time.

The book is all about the hardships of life and how it's possible to get through them and really live life to the fullest - with mistakes, fears, and triumphs. Patti Digh (who definitely rocks my world) has another book titled Life is a Verb and for some reason I've never been able to get through it and now I think I know why. I wasn't ready for it. My unraveling was so complete and debilitating - I couldn't see forward or think about anything other than surviving the next thing - the next moment - the next second. And after reading this book and going through the last 11 and a half months - I know one thing for sure. Life is a verb and it's not enough just to survive it - it must be lived, bare-knuckled if necessary. It seems fortuitous that I would choose this book as the last book in my summer reading pledge - which in some ways has felt like a journey back to myself. In the end - I am overcome by the themes of forgiveness, love, passion, acceptance, and perseverance...and I feel more attuned with the person I've always been. It makes it so simple to choose my next book. The book I feel I'm finally ready to read - the book in between the next pledge. So here are a few things about me that I want to remember always...

*I'm a reader. I love to read books. I love to get lost in new worlds. I love to learn new things. Life feels better with a book in the hand or purse or work bag. I never leave home without one and I never will. I will love books my entire life and it's time to make them a priority in my life despite what time of year it is - working or not.

*I'm a writer. I've always loved to write. I let my chronic illness and the damage it's done to my hands rob me of a lot of weeks and months I could have been at the computer or with a pen in my hand journaling. I have found writing to be a comfort and a healer in times of strife and I will no longer allow my love for words to be hijacked by crappy hands.

*I'm a blogger. I love this little place. I love it despite the fact I have very few readers. I love it because it's a place I can be myself - where I can speak my truth. I love this little space. I will not give up on it.

*I'm creative. I struggle with the word artist - but I will get there eventually. The truth is...I'm not an artist in the traditional sense. However, I'm creative and I express it from a very real, authentic place that I hardly ever am able to access or harness.

*I'm a movie lover. In fact - I plan on hitting three movies today as a sort of celebration that I survived the throat/upper respiratory infection of the summer of 2011. I can't wait to see these three films - I'll report there names later.

*I love to laugh. I love to be with friends and hear funny stories and just let go. It's been a long time since I've able to do that with any sense of security.

*I'm an introvert. I need time to reboot. It's who I am. I cannot be "on" all the time - and that's okay. I have plenty of wonderful things to help me reboot.

*I'm a dog-lover. I have a cat. I love her more than anything. She has gotten me through some very rough patches. I will always love her and she will be with me until one of us is no longer. However, I need a dog. I feel it in my bones. I'm declaring here and now - I will have a dog next summer - hopefully a frenchie or a boston terrier. Who knows?

*I'm a numbers girl. I'm always adding things up - time, dates, years, everything. I've done it less lately but I'm driven by numbers. It's a little weird but I'm more than happy to own it.

*I'm a believer. I believe in magic. I believe in the power of God to change all things. I believe I can make a difference. I will try to always remember that making a difference can be the smallest thing like the butterfly flapping it's wings on one side of the world. It doesn't have to be the life transforming, all-encompassing event that I use to believe it needed to be to really matter.

*I'm a survivor. I have survived loss, chronic illness, and a host of other things. I will survive and more importantly - I will live.

*I'm a lover. I love my family. I love my friends. I love my diva, banshee, bad-ass cat. I love the children I work with each day. I love...

And with that - I end this post. Times are changing around here and the hope is palpable in the air in this little abode of mine. I promise something crafty in the days to come. I apologize for not getting my promised post out yesterday. Turns out the subject of this post is like those scrapbook stories you're too scared to tell for fear of getting it wrong. I don't want to get it wrong. Tomorrow - look for a final post on my Summer Reading Pledge. I hope everyone has a lovely Thursday. Until then...

BTW: On a completely other note - I'm frustrated. Our bloggy mascot (the aforementioned crazy cat lovingly known as Tonks) is behind the LCD television standing up rubbing her head against a picture frame and looking at me as if to say bring it. Deep breaths. Double arm pump. Let the craziness begin.

Reading Corner - Outliers

2011-08-02T09:09:00.000-05:00

This week's unofficial theme is the little or big things that are currently rocking my world. I just (literally twenty minutes ago) finished reading Outliers and was blown away as usual by the amount of information Mr. Malcolm Gladwell can pack into one little book. Blink is still my absolute favorite title of Mr. Gladwell's - but still Outliers was wonderful - a gift really. Here are the five highlights of the book from my perspective...

1. Hard work is NOT always the only explanation for the success of others.
2. There are a number of contributing factors and even cultural influences shaping the success of others.
3. 10,000 hours - read the book to find out more. I know it's a bit cruel to say but the read is just SO worth it.
4. Hard work is absolutely necessary for success BUT it is by no means the only thing.
5. Community is everything.

I'm not sure Malcolm would agree with my five favorite points - but they're mine and I own it. I want to say something - I'm not a non-fiction girl. I do not make it a habit to read books on success or choice or epidemics - but put this man's name on the title and I will pull out my debit card in a New York minute. Amazing. He rocks my world. Not only that - it also means I'm ready to start my last book to fulfill my summer pledge and it's going to be an easy fun read with a perfect title if I say so myself. It's on my Nook so it'll take some getting used to after reading several traditional books. I'm giving myself a week on this one too. I'm so happy this has been working out so well. So without further ado - the next title is (drumroll please Roo Bear aka Tonks)...

Tomorrow - I should have a short update on how my new book is going but that is far from the main event. I will be showing a scrappy product that rocked my world the moment I saw it. I plan on purchasing said products today and giving them a little try before writing my post. Absolutely can't wait. I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday and comes back tomorrow for the next thing that's been rocking my world. Until then...

Which Way is the Right Way?

2011-07-31T10:47:00.001-05:00

Source Image: Morguefile.com

I try very hard to be a conscientious blogger and there has been something weighing heavily on my mind for quite some time. Exactly what is the etiquette for posting pictures on a blog post? If I'm posting an image of a book or product - I always assume it is okay to go ahead because it is in fact promotional and I do my best not to bad mouth any product, human being, or otherwise (in print)- unless you're someone like Lord Voldemort who is fictional and seriously has it coming. So when I saw that Kal Barteski had started an organization/blog called Link with Love, I started to wonder about the fun pictures I use from other blogs and link back to and whether I was actually giving proper credit and respecting my fellow members in the blogosphere.

Based on a very cool flow chart found here - I should actually be emailing and asking permission to use said picture from the original producer of the image or the blogger. At first - I thought it was a little over the top. I'm in no way trying to pretend like this information or artwork is my own and I do my best to give credit where credit is due. However, I have mad respect for both Kal and Ali Edwards and understand their concerns. Apparently - there were some people out there presenting and selling their work as their own without giving credit to either Kal or Ali. This is unconscionable to me - but still it leaves a lingering question. So - I sent out my first email today to a lovely blogger who rocks my world to find out if I could use her images and link back to her site. This is a whole new world for me and I think a lot of things could be changing around here. I'm a little frightened to take on such a big issue since it will have a huge impact on the way I post here - but I'm hopeful that I'll figure out something that works for me and makes me feel good about what I'm doing here. If you have any opinions, suggestions, or advice I would love to hear it. Wish me luck on this new adventure. It will require me to schedule posts more in advance - so things might get a little sparse around here while I figure it out. There might be more random musings and less linkage - but that's where I want to be right now and I hope that's okay.

On a more random note - I tried to figure out the whole who/whom grammar nonsense and realized I have no idea which one to use - and frankly I think most of the population doesn't know either. I rank under a dummy on this subject because this post did absolutely nothing for me. I'm debating using who/whom all the time. And then...I take a deep breath and remember this isn't a grammar quiz - and I hope to God my blog posts aren't being judged on word usage and sentence structure - and most importantly my life's moments are way to precious to sit around wondering if I'm using the right effing pronouns when it comes to who and whom. Take that run on sentence - grammarphobes. Case closed. So - I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday. I for one will be spending my last day in bed trying to get my throat to cooperate before attempting a training tomorrow. Until then...

BTW: I do love grammarphobes. They are most helpful. It's just that...honestly, after taking the time to figure out effect/affect - I just don't have the will or want to figure this thing out. See previous post on laziness. Happy Sunday to all!

Lazy Crafter

2011-07-30T16:34:00.000-05:00

Source Image

It's been one of those wonderful lazy days where I've been able to read, relax, and recuperate from whatever this thing is that has knocked me off my rear end for 10 days and counting. I'm enjoying the moments now that I have the third day of antibiotics in my system and my nose actually works the way God intended. There is one thing I know for sure - that sometimes being sick is a signal telling you to slow down and that IS okay. It's okay to slow down and be present in the moment and not think about the three days of upcoming trainings or your new job that you've been working hard to get prepared for starting in less than three weeks. It's okay to ignore that for a few days and concentrate on you. I need to remember that more. I need to remember it so strep throat or tonsillitis is not the thing making me lay down and take the edge off. I need so much. I hope everyone has had a wonderful Saturday and is taking a little time for themselves. I for one am being blown away by the ever-talented Malcolm Gladwell and loving every moment of it. Until then...

CHA Madness Day #5

2011-07-29T10:10:00.000-05:00

There's only one thing to report today - and that's CHA Goodness. It's the final day of this series on my blog and we're going out with a bang or fizzle depending on who you are and your crafty taste. We've got some wonderful stylings today from Crafters Workshop, Glitz Design, and My Mind's Eye. So...Tonks (aka my diva kitty) may I get a drum roll please...

Crafters Workshop

Source Image (all four)

I'm so excited about Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's new stencils from Crafters Workshop. I believe they might have the power to take this humble, scared, scrappy girl into the art journaling/mixed media stratosphere - no pressure here at all. I love everything about most of her stencils. I'm also loving the Attitude silhouette stencil from CW and the birds, and the chicken wire, and the paint splatters and....so much more. So excited about this release. As part of my full disclaimer policy this week - I should tell you I've never bought this product but have heard rave reviews from many artists in the blogging universe. Happy painting!

Glitz Design

Some time ago - I found the antique/vintage blue and yellow color scheme on some website or other - I honestly can't remember where - and fell in love. So you can imagine I did a rocking happy dance when I saw the next collection from Glitz Design. Thank you so much GD for making one of my color story dreams come true.

My Mind's Eye

Last but not least, I'm bringing you My Mind's Eye which really rocked my world with one of their collections from the winter show. Thankfully, they're at again - and this girl couldn't be any happier. I've ranked them from fave to least fave - which does not at all mean I think the last is bad in any shape or form. For a better look, please check out the link. So cool.

So that's it for today. I had lofty dreams of showing some of my recent interior decorating with my father's excellent help - but have a few more things to get together. Look for that next week. I think I've found a solid headboard on Craigslist for under $50 with just some gentle upgrades necessary to bring my bedroom into a whole new universe - not sure why the science theme is so hot right now on this blog of mine. Maybe it's due to the new book I'm reading? Yes, you heard it here. I'm on #9 - Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and I'm giving myself a full week to finish it - who knew I could be so generous with myself! Hope everyone has a terrifical Friday - two points to anyone who/whom gets the literary reference in those small seven words. Ten points to anyone who/whom can explain the correct use of who and whom. Until then...

BTW: If anyone is wondering - I've designated the ever so pleasant Tonks as the mascot for my blog. She's a tuxedo cat with the strangest markings and frankly even stranger attitude. She will not hesitate to tell anyone to suck it while showing her derriere and walking away gracefully. Don't take it personally - she does it to everyone including yours truly - the FRIGGIN MOUTH THAT FEEDS HER. :)

Process of A Page - CHA Madness Day #4

2011-07-28T11:59:00.002-05:00

As part of my weekly assignment for The Mother LOAD - I was given the task to document the process of a page and take lots of notes. I decided to do it on Evernote with voice recordings which seemed like a great idea at the time for these arthritic hands of mine - but it turned out not to be too practical. So - I'm sharing the little pieces of information from that assignment. Please bear with me - the pictures are from my iPhone 4 and to be quite frank - they absolutely suck. I'm still trying to get a handle on taking the beautiful pictures I've seen other people take with their iPhones. What the frick is wrong with me? Hopefully you'll get the gist. This is definitely a picture heavy post - just to be warned.

1. I start with the story. For this layout, I chose to document a particularly difficult time in my life. I had this photo of myself at the age of maybe three or four and had printed it on patterned paper. I've had it for over a year and finally had a place to put it. Happiness was mine.

2. I pick the products. These papers are from Simple Stories, Authentique & October Afternoon. Part of the fun of Karen Grunberg's Finding Your Way class was learning about my scrapbooking style and the products I really love. I absolutely love grids for my background paper and have started buying it in mass - which just means 5 or 6 pieces at a time. I also went through my scrap container to see if anything would work with the papers. The October Afternoon paper is from my stash. Points for me for using my stash on a layout.

3. I cut the papers and get started on putting everything together. I'm definitely a one photo layout kind of girl. I'm also a one-page layout kind of girl. Give me two pages and I'm in the weeds. I'm also an everyday moments/journal kind of scrapbooker. If you give me events to scrap - I'm likely to pee my pants or throw up in my mouth a little bit.

4. Next, I start playing with the elements. I don't glue things down until I'm sure I like the layout. Please note: I have no idea how the red cardstock ended up on the layout - but I love it. I'm really into using my EK Success Circles Large Edger Punch now - and I punched the red gingham paper from Simple Stories. Then I played around with the layout.

5. I start playing with the photo placement and embellishments. I favor the left hand corner for landscape photo placement. I also knew I wouldn't have any visible journaling beside the date. The story was far too personal to have so visible. At this point I've added die-cut embellishments from Crate Paper and stickers from October Afternoon. The decorative brad is from Basic Grey - love myself some decorative brads. Please note - the photo is not glued in place - it is anchored by the brad for the hidden journaling.

6. Next - I go through my letters and try to find the right color and enough of the correct letters to make a title. I chose a line from a song by Adele titled "Chasing Pavements" for this layout so I needed a lot of letters - not an easy task. Thank God for colorful patterned papers. I ended up using letters from Basic Grey and Webster's Pages.

7. Finally, I wrote my journaling and did my final embellishing. I added some wooden butterflies from Studio Calico, a chipboard dress and flower/asterisk from an American Crafts Dear Lizzy line and an eight ball die cut from Crate Paper. I also added two stickers from October Afternoon - one was for the date.

This is the best picture I got I'm very sad to say. Oh - and one more thing. I added chipboard buttons to the three of the holes made in the gingham paper. It's definitely one of my more busy layouts but I love the finished product - so much.

So there you go - wordier than I thought it would be - but one example of my page process. Now on to the CHA Goodness. First up is Maya Road.

Maya Road

They are definitely pulling out all the stops with some good basic all-around scrapbooking embellishments. I love the buttons. I believe with the right buttons I could change the world - love them so much. I also like the calendars as a fun way to add a date to a layout or birthday card. I'm in love with rulers - no idea where this sudden love comes from and the film strip coaster album is so great it almost makes me cry. Thank you Maya Road. My right brain thanks you - my wallet curses you.

Prima

I have always loved Prima flowers. My favorite were their Painterly Petals which I haven't seen around in a while. I'm loving there new product line - Alla Prima. Loving the colors. Teal and yellow together is almost too much for me right now. Loving almost everything about it. Is anyone else around here tired of the love fest? Did anyone else notice the letters?

Studio Calico

Last but not least I bring you Studio Calico - which really hits it out of the ball park for me. I can't believe I'm being reduced to baseball metaphors when baseball has got be one of the most boring things in the world to watch and play in my humble opinion - clearly millions of people disagree. However - I digress. First - let's start with their masks and mini albums. So wonderful...

Now on to their newest line - Memoir. If you're a fan of SC, please let Archivers know they need to start stocking their products! I was told this at CKC in April from one of the lovely employees of the company.

Last but not least is SC's Classic Line. If you love kraft paper and classic patterns - you're gone love this. Here are a few of my favorites...

Loving so much about these manufacturers' products today and all the lovely goodness they are bringing to my crafting world. For those of you who wonder - I don't get a chance to buy half of this stuff - but a girl can dream. So - that's it for Thursday. The cold is getting better - however, my throat looks like it should be designated as a crime zone of some sort. Heading off to get antibiotics from my favorite pharmacist in the whole wide world. Then I'm moving on to book #9 in my reading pledge. Double arm pump for me! I hope everyone has a lovely day. Until then...

BTW: I do my absolute best to link back to each page where I find pictures, information, etc. If there are any mistakes, please let me know so I can make immediate changes. I'm so thankful for all the information on the Internet and don't want to steal anyone's lovely work.

Down Goes Frazier, Down Goes Frazier & CHA Madness Day #3

2011-07-27T07:40:00.000-05:00

So that summer cold that I've been hinting about has officially knocked me on my ass. I got a flashlight to look at the back of my throat in the bathroom mirror and almost fell over - little petri dishes and their wild amounts of viruses just cannot be escaped. There's a lesson there somewhere. So - even though I had very high hopes of having my weekly assignment from The Mother Load to present to you - I barely have the energy to post. So there it is - Down Goes Frazier, Down Goes Frazier. BTW: I'm not a fan of boxing. I actually got that phrase from the movie ATL which my father was kind enough to tell me about it's true origins in a pretty famous boxing match. Who knew?

So on to the CHA Goodness. Today we will be starting with Fancy Pants Designs which is rocking my world with their new line Off to School. If you want to see the cool things one scrapper has done with this line - check out this blog post at www.scrapbook.com. I'm in love with a lot of the paper and have no intentions to use it for any school pages - but the pictures weren't the best quality - so definitely check out their site for some better images. In love with the bright colors and vintage feel. I love that vintage is finally going live with color. Love it so much.

Off to School

Next, let's head on to Jillibean Soup which is rocking my world with two of their new collections - Homemade 6 Bean Soup & Sweet and Sour Soup. Oh yes, and don't forget about the lovely Extras. Loving the color and the patterns. Loving the letters that make long titles possible for my scrappy layouts. Loving so much of Jillibean. I wanted so much to have some rockin' pics to present - however I just wasn't able to make that happen. I'm blaming my summer mind and a very foggy head. I beg of you to click on the links to see all the scrappy goodness that is Jillibean Soup.

Finally, we'll be ending our trip at Lily Bee Designs. They are really meeting one of my most basic needs with their new line - Memorandum. There is enough graph paper to make me happy for a very long time - not to mention the pretty patterns on the other side. BTW: I have found I love linear graph papers as foundations for my layouts. I feel a very big financial commitment coming on...

Memorandum: Source

So that's it for today. One sick girl and a lot of papery, crafty goodness. Hope it gets you excited about your future crafty aspirations. On another note - Paperclipping is having an AWESOME discount on their membership right the heck now so scoot over there in the next two minutes to get $40 off the 6 month membership price and Noell's special design class for free. The discount is only good through the 28th (tomorrow) and there's a 7 day money back guarantee. I should say I have no affiliation with their company I just love their podcast to pieces and want to support in any way I can - finally. And - I think Izzy is hysterical. I hope everyone has a lovely Wednesday and stays well - trust me you don't want the crap I have. Until then...

Reading Pledge Update & Day #2 of CHA Madness

2011-07-26T10:54:00.001-05:00

I'm more than happy to report my continued progress on my Reading Pledge. I'm finally on Book #8 and am reading this little gem. I'm not gonna lie - I bought this book mostly because of the title. I'm on page 80 and there's been absolutely no mention of cake which might be the whole point of the title - who knows. I love the author's writing style. She's hysterical. I also am completely enamored by the random musings her life - it feels like life art in another form. Usually I'm a fiction girl through and through - but Anne Lamott has been blowing my world for the last five or more years with her personal essays on life and faith. Anne is the only reason I picked up a book of essays. I'm not disappointed with that choice in the least.

Before I move on to CHA Goodness - I want to say a few words about The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen. I loved this book. I wanted to give five quick reasons I loved this book - in list form of course.

1. The title - The Sugar Queen. My good friend recognized the overwhelming theme of food in my book choices for this reading pledge.

2. The chapter titles are the names of all kinds of sweet treats.

3. The main character has a closet full of lovely contraband - sweets and magazines. This is definitely my kind of girl.

4. Another character is a book lover and they appear to her in all kinds of situations. At one point she says she hasn't bought a book since she was 12 and I knew at that moment - I will love this book always.

5. It's fun. It's sweet. It's magical...and I blew through it in one day. Gotta love that.

I highly recommend checking this book out if you like magical realism, solid characters, and fun. Now...on to the CHA Goodness.

Cosmo Cricket

Clementine: Source

Just a few notes - I absolutely love the color story for the Clementine line. I'm loving the greens and pinks. Here are my two favorite paper picks for this line.

Crate Paper

Farmhouse Collection

Love this line so much. Had a hard time picking favorites so there's quite a few. One big thing I've learned with Crate Paper is to see the items in the store before I make any purchases - the texture of the paper is amazing and the colors are great.

Random Collection: Source

Loving this line. Loving the colors. Not much to say except I love it - with a blue and pink bird was there ever any question? Here are a few faves...

Echo Park Paper

Happy Days: Source

I love the happy colors and vintage feel. It's just too fun. I think in some ways it's a departure from where my pages have been moving but color is a good friend of mine. I need it in brighter values. Here are a few faves...

So that's it for today - a little bit of reading and a lot of product goodness. I hope this Tuesday finds you well. I'm still fighting this infection - glad I'm house bound during a heat wave. It's one of the best times to be under the weather in my humble opinion. Take care. Until then...

My So-Called Crafty Life

Nourish ~ Forgiveness

If You Don't Know....It's Time to RECOGNIZE...

Nourish: Wholeheartedness

Good Night & Delight

My 2012 Must List

2011 Year in Review: 11 Favorite Blogposts

Happy New Year & OLW 2012 Redux

OLW & Inspiration

cul·ti·vate

nur·ture

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Changes

Thankful

Background Love

Twisted Tuesday - I painted and I liked it!

Continuum - Am I Spelling That Right?

Perspective

Sunday Suck Day

Back in Business

Product Love - Album Madness

Mixed Media Mania

Are you SMASHING?

I Get It Already!

Movie Mania

Product Love & Changes

Reading Corner - A Little Lost Yet Again

Layout Love - Sketchy Sunday

Product Love - Stampy Goodness

Sunday Scrappy Fun

Quote Love, Confessions, and High Anxiety!

Product Love - Throwback Style

In Memoriam

LOAD - Alternative Scrapbooking

LOAD - So Much for Basic

LOAD it Up - Day 2 and 3

The Mother LOAD - Day One

Day One - In My Own Head

Reading Corner - LOAD it Up!

Product Love

ISFP

Treat Yourself

Simple Gifts - Process of a Project.

Just Get Over it Already - Perfection in Cardmaking

Reading Corner - I Need Some Direction

Product Love - Move with It!

The Mother LOAD Update

Home Base

Reading Corner - Save Me

Product Love - Say Cheese!

Template Love

Do You Believe in Magic?

Reading Corner - Outliers

Which Way is the Right Way?

Lazy Crafter

CHA Madness Day #5

Process of A Page - CHA Madness Day #4

Down Goes Frazier, Down Goes Frazier & CHA Madness Day #3

Reading Pledge Update & Day #2 of CHA Madness