The Process...

The first time I took the Scrapbook Remix class at Pretty Paper.True Stories, I took each Prompt very literally.  I stuck to the papers as best I could, I recreated the layouts as best I could, and I followed the instructions as best I could.  This time, the further in I get, the more abstract my interpretation becomes.  If there is a specific formula/sketch that the Prompt calls for, I still try to get it done - after all, the purpose of the class is to walk away having something stuck in the back of your mind that will be used later on my own independent layouts.  But then some of the Prompts just don't 'talk' to me.  It's in these Prompts that, rather than anything definitive to duplicate, the process becomes my task.

I am always interested in a scrapbooker's process; and, I often think about mine as I look at a fresh-made layout and wonder "Well, how did that happen?!". 

When I started scrapbooking (and depending on how long you've been a scrapper, this may apply to you as well), everyone took a photo and selected papers and embellishments to match.  This is still the preferred method for many scrappers and it works just fine.  Honestly it makes for very well coordinated layouts in your albums and that is very pleasing to the eye.  And this process is still at the forefront of whether I choose a cream-based vs. a white-based paper to scrap my photos.
But I believe nowadays many of us have turned this process on it's head.  While many times our photos still coordinate with the paper, it's the paper that comes first.  We purchase the newest and loveliest papers, and then in our need to play with them like a new toy, we find photos to coordinate with them.  Case in point: my recent road trip photos are the perfect companion to my new Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm because they are very white-based photos in which I wore a navy & white top and my mom wore lovely pink sweatpants (how fortunate!?!).  But whether or not I had those photos, I'm sure I would have found something in my vast stash of photos to coordinate - this latest purchase is getting used regardless of whether the photos are 'perfect' or not!

Then there are those themed papers that popped up on the scene many, many years ago.  We gobbled up these themes, as it wasn't enough for the photos or journaling to tell the story - our paper needed to lend a helping hand. I still enjoy a themed paper now and again - especially for Christmas or other holidays.  And if you really think about it, even those yellowed or distressed papers are the ones we will reach for first when scrapping heritage photos - and that actually creates a theme (of course, heritage photos aren't the only thing to scrap with this paper!)  But regardless of how much we like/dislike themed paper, they are merely an extension of the coordination of photo with paper... Christmas photos coordinated with Christmas paper telling Christmas stories - it only makes sense and can be exceedingly fun to boot!

Of course, photos and paper aren't the only parts of a process.  Layouts can be based on anything and everything.  New 'toys' can get our creative juices flowing - I've recently created an entire layout starting with a single diecut.  Or maybe we see a photo of someone else's work that provides the inspiration - I have a few of these recreations hanging around.  Or we find a sketch that speaks to us - I love a good sketch.  And more and more often, our process - regardless of how we get to any one point - involves walking away... we set the layout on our desk or put it in a slideshow, and then look at it later to get a fresh perspective (of course, if you're one of these scrappers, it's helpful if you use a removable adhesive until you're absolutely sure). 

And so, in the name of "The Process", I am going to talk about the process behind each of these layouts.  (I'm afraid you will find that my 'process' can often be as chaotic as the rest of my life!)

Background Paper: Crate Paper DIY Shop; Floral,  Pink Dot, Pink ZigZag, Blue Square: October Afternoon; Yellow Heart: Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm; Camera Sticker: Echo Park; Letter Stickers: American Craft Thickers, October Afternoon; Tape & Diecut: October Afternoon; Enamel Dots: Teresa Collins; Word & Label Sticker: MME; Wood: Studio Calico; Ticket Punch: EK Success

 

This layout was pretty darn simple - kinda - as the design comes from the Remix class.  I knew I wanted a vintage feel to the papers because of the subject: the Old Jail at St Augustine; but I didn't want them too vintage - a cream base would do for starters (thus, totally ignoring the tone & colors of the photos in lieu of choosing papers based on the story).  So I put together the layout on some kraft cardstock and went to bed.  Aha, when I awoke the next morning, I promptly hated this design!  As I was determined to use the overall sketch for the Prompt, I had to figure out what would make it more appealing to me.  I thought a wood background would be better to reinforce the wood in the stocks and then remembered this new wood doily design from Crate Paper and transferred everything to this background (thank goodness for repositionable adhesive!).  So far I like it much better this way.

 

 

Cardstock: Paper Studio; Patterned Paper: Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm; Wood & Mistables & Mist: Studio Calico; Letter Stickers: American Craft Thickers & October Afternoon Mini-Market; DieCuts: "2"-Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic, Flags-Pebbles; Stick Pins: Basic Grey; Inks: Tsukineko; Bling: Hampton Arts; Punches: Ticket-EK Success, Butterfly-Martha Stewart; Die: Circles-Spellbinders

 

This layout came about completely different and is not a result of the Remix class.  It all started with that "2" diecut.  I had the photos printed and knew I wanted to create a story based on the road-trip my mom and I had taken all alone.  When I found this "2" in my basket, I knew that I had to use it soon or it would get torn.  Then, in the middle of the night, it came to me: the "Road Trip for 2".  I placed my photos on the page and, knowing the colors would look great, pulled out the Lucky Charm blue floral.  And so I placed my photos with the title on the blue on the kraft cardstock... and watched my new movie (The Hobbit - so excited!).  I glanced back at the layout several times and it never once looked good to me.  So eventually I pulled it all up and placed it on a patterned background (an American Crafts Botanique); but while pulling that out I saw the chevron that just screamed 'road' to me.  So the borders were cut from that paper and the heart paper placed as well.  In fact, I went ahead and finished the layout as you see it now.  And it sat on my desk while I watched The Hobbit again.  When I went back to my desk - I didn't like it one bit....not one!  So I put it aside and started another for Remix.  Then, while barely into that next layout, I decided that all that prettiness needed to be put back on kraft cardstock - just to check.  And you know what - I like it pretty darn well this time.,. sometimes I suppose, you just have to play to get it right.  The layout is still a little busier than usual, but that's okay with me because I plan to put a 'just journaling' layout next to it to balance out all that busyness.

 

Cardstock: Paper Studio; Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye Dreamy 2 & Recollections (blue w/white dot); Chipboard: Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic; Title Card: Echo Park; Journaling Card: Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm; Label: October Afternoon; Punches: Ticket-EkSuccess, Heart-Martha Stewart; Tape: Recollections; Stick Pins: Basic Grey; Gems: Hampton Arts; Die; Spellbinders

 

 

You know how Shimelle will often show you several layouts using the same basic design? Well, I decided to try this as well.  So this layout and the next are just various designs based on the previous one with no story or photos chosen to scrap - just what was at hand - and the only real criteria other than the design was to use some paper that had been sitting around awhile (and wasn't in my "fave" bin).  And that's what this is - the same design with different paper... period.  Not even a process there!

 

Cardstock: Colorbok; Patterned Paper & Title: My Minds Eye; Diecuts: October Afternoon; Stickers: Sassafras; Stick Pins: Basic Grey; Twine: Doodlebug; Punches: Large Eyelet, Ticket & Small Scallop Circle-EK Success, Small Eyelet & Star-Fiskars; Pennants-The Paper Studio; Other: Eyelets, Journaling Card

 

Same thing here... just a duplication of the same design.  This time using 6x6 papers. (Basically this calls for a 4x6 piece on the horizontal, and a 6x6 on the vertical.  You will notice, however, that in each layout I stuck with the papers and homemade embellishment pieces coming from the same collection.  This was totally on-purpose.  While I most often try to mix-and-match papers from different collections/brands on a layout, it has become rather rarer to utilize papers all from the same collection.  I thought it was time to go back to this tradition just to make sure I still could!  Also, you'll see that I used a colored-cardstock on this layout.  Again, totally on-purpose.  When I started to create this layout, before I had even chosen a patterned paper, I knew that I wanted to use a colored-cardstock background, as that has become nearly unheard of... and with 35lbs of colored cardstock hanging around, I need to think about using it more often.

 

And then sometimes, there is no process at all - not even much in the matter of thinking.  Sometimes it's just copying - like the next two - and that's perfectly okay... no one who ever looks at my albums will have a clue that these are not original ideas and I obviously like them enough to recreate them.

 

Patterned Paper & Journaling Card: October Afternoon, Crate Paper; Twine: Doodlebug; Letter Stickers: October Afternoon, American Craft Thickers; Other: Cardstock, Eyelets

 

This one is from a Shimelle sketch.  I thought I'd give it a try for a little something different.  And while I like it fine enough to leave it as is, and think the design rather matches the subject matter, this will be a unique design in my book.

 

Patterned Paper: Background-Creative Imaginations, Green Print-Basic Grey, Blue Floral & White Floral-Dear Lizzy 5th&Frolic, Blue Screen-Echo Park; Journaling/Title Cards: Dear Lizzy; Chipboard: Basic Grey; Wood: Studio Calico, Punches: EK Success, Martha Stewart; Other: Scraps

 

This one is from Remix as well, and while it follows pretty closely to an example of the photo, et.al. being in the corner, there are definitely things about it that feel like mine when mixed up in my album - unlike the previous layout that is definitely unique.

 

Cardstock: The Paper Studio; Patterned Paper, Stickers & Button: October Afternoon; Thickers: American Crafts; Dies: Spellbinder; Punches: Scalloped Circle-EK Success, Bird-Martha Stewart; Wood Studio Calico; Twine: Doodlebug; Other: Journaling Card

 

 And then there is this layout, that is not from Remix or the result of anything but spontaneity.  I actually think this came from my great need to use my yellow Thickers that I crossed while pulling out my mint green ones. The OA papers were still laying out from creating a previous layout, so I just decided that rather than putting them back, I'd make a layout.  I cut the floral first actually (8x8), then the green (9x9) and then the pink last (11x11).  I found the blue check (3.5x12) laying in the stack.  From there, I just pulled out my Cuttlebug and started cutting scalloped circles and lacy circles and regular circles from the scraps on my desk.  Yes, I cut waaay too many, but that's okay, I just threw them in the basket with my other OA Flower Sack diecuts.  I had this photo actually matted and attached to another sheet of paper sitting in my desktop file (dish-drainer) and decided it would be perfect for this layout so took that starter-page totally apart.  Another of those backward-thinking processes I suppose.

 

(Disclaimer:  I have not looked at any of these layouts on my big-screen slideshow yet.  Therefore, they are all subject to change once I see what they truly look like!)

 

So this week a little something different: a challenge.  First, tell us your normal process - photos first with papers to match; papers and then photos & story; choosing a sketch or design first - whatever it is, tell us how you normally go about creating a layout.  Then create a layout following these criteria: choose an embellishment and base the entire layout around it, AND use colored cardstock + one other item from your older stash (eyelets, frames, etc).  When you write your answer to the 'PROCESS' question in the comments, either post a photo (does it allow you to do that?) or a link to your photo.  I can't wait to see what you come up with!!!!!

 

Cheerio!

 

"Art flourishes where there is a sense of adventure, a sense of nothing having been done before, of complete freedom to experiment..." - Alfred North Whitehead









Give Credit Where Credit is Due...

So sorry I forgot to credit Shimelle Laine at Pretty Paper.True Stories. and her Scrapbook Remix class for the awesome sketch used on the second two layouts yesterday.  This may be one of my all time favorites. While the "Party" layout starts as an almost exact duplicate, the "Best Friend" layout goes a little more awry.  I'm sure that I can take that background and go insane - and plan to!

Also should mention that the background in "What You Do" (about JC) is actually only two pieces of paper - the base sheet and a section I cut out of another sheet that had all that great tearing, punching, and photo mat done for me.  They're from the Basic Grey Fact or Fiction (in this case Fact) papers.

So if you're reneging on your thoughts that I am 'so creative' at this point, completely understandable.  Just don't hold it against me, please.

Okay - 'talk' to you later.  Love to all and I hope you are scrappy today!

Cheerio!

Just Some Layouts...

I've been busy - but not really.  I've been sick - but not really.  I've been tired - yes really.  First, Mom and I took a little road trip to St Augustine a couple of weekends ago that I've really been wanting to write about - and will soon.  I've had a horrible sinus and ear infection, but it seems to be getting better.
But truly I'm so very tired right now.  Don't know if it's the trip, infection, weather change or just the MS.  One thing that's for sure, it's Spring Break right now - and while that should mean resting up since I don't have to get up at 5:30, it actually means more chaos.  The kids going places, having friends over, hanging out playing Xbox until all hours.  It's just a little more chaotic than usual.  I guess even with getting up at 5:30, the routine rather works for me.  But then again, the weather is playing havoc on my body.
So, since I just don't feel up to writing about what I had been planning (and planning and planning), I think I'll just show the layouts I've made since I was last on:

Made this one of the Bob Dylan song and it's hanging in my scrappy place... it says everything I've always tried to tell the kids all in one place!

October Afternoon, with a little help from AC Thickers, Martha Stewart & EK Success punches, and

Hero Arts Stamp with Colorbox Chalk Ink.

 

You know, I love playing with all those filters in Instagram and Hipstamatic; but then when I get the perfect photo and it's got those weird color schemes, it just sort of makes me crazy!! Oh well, I shoot it - I use it!

 

I am loving my new Basic Grey as the next few layouts show!  Not only do I love the colors and patterns, but the coordinated embellishments are just plain fun. (It's relatively inexpensive already and then I got it at Joanns at 50% off! That is my bargain of the year!!)

Everything is Basic Grey with these exceptions:  Green dotted paper - American Crafts; Wood Veneer - Studio Calico; Felt and Thickers - American Crafts; Small Letters/Numbers - October Afternoon; Punch - EK Success; Cardstock - Paper Studio

 



 

Basic Grey again, except:  Green Dotted paper, Thickers, Paper Flowers - American Crafts; Small Letters, Button - October Afternoon; Wood Veneer - Studio Calico; Tape - Freckled Fawn; Cardstock - Paper Studio

 

(You ever notice that when I take photos of my layouts, it always seem my letters are stuck so very well?! Crazy it doesn't look like this in person before I shoot!)

 

Basic Grey with Freckled Fawn tape, Studio Calico veneer and AC Thickers

 

Basic Grey with the addition of October Afternoon diecuts, Frecked Fawn tape, 7Gypsies stamp, and The Paper Studio punch

 

 

And now for some change ups, woohoo!

 

American Crafts with the exception of:  Echo Park Journaling Card, October Afternoon letters and some old white cardstock. (Why yes, that is my new Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm paper with the writing on it!)

 

More American Crafts!!! with OA letters and Studio Calico veneers (except that souvenir piece of course)... And yes, I am loving that my Lucky Charm is working so well with the rest of my AC.

I haven't forgotten my older stash - I still love it all!!!

Paper Studio cardstock; Pink Paislee & October Afternoon patterned papers; OA letters & diecuts; AC Thickers & chipboard arrow; Martha Stewart & EK Success punches; Studio Calico Mistables (cameras) & spray; Tsukineko ink; Crate Paper journaling spot (I think); Hampton Arts Gems; 7Gypsies stamp

 

Well that's all for tonight.  I'm going to try to get some sleep and maybe I can scrap something tomorrow.  I hope you all are doing great and creating awesomeness!

 

Cheerio!

 

"Scrapbooking isn't about scraps of paper and photos. Scrapbooking is about scraps of life - yours and those special to you." - Rebecca Sower

Looking Thru the Albums...

I love looking through my recent albums!  Especially those five that I have almost completed in the past year.  I admit the photos and memories are great; but hey, I can look at all those on my computer.  No, it is purely an egotistical journey.  I love those layouts I have made this past year.  I love the variety of papers that seem more beautiful than ever before.  I love the techniques I have used to make them aesthetically pleasing.  I love the embellishments - oh so much diversity with everything from cute wood to lovely gems.  I love the stories that I have put to paper.  And I especially love the heft as I turn the pages; each turn gives me a thrill with the feel of it.  Oh these lovely layouts creating these lovely albums of these lovely people with their lovely stories.  How utterly thrilling!

Then there are the albums of past.  I am also proud of those layouts - even though some can cause me to wince "What was I thinking!?!".  But those papers are pretty too and there is technique in the layouts as well. And even those pages there is heft; though not as much and those pages are not as fun to turn.  But these albums make me melancholy.  These photos and stories, while bringing a smile to my face, makes me realize that my babies have grown and I shall never be with those little people again. They are different people not only in size, but in personality and attitude.  And while I love these new persons more than life itself, and they are the ones give each day a reason to rise and purpose of smile, I miss those small selves so very much.  Thank goodness I have those albums and may revisit those little ones who make my heart sing.  Thank goodness I have those albums as much for the sadness as for the gladness.

So these albums that I regularly go through are a mixture of emotion.  Like me, they are rather bi-polar.  But one thing stands out... I am very proud of all I have created as part of this craft.  How lucky am I to be a scrapbooker?! How fortunate am I to have found a vocation that allows me to mix my favorite things with memories to create items that provide me such diverse emotion each time I look at them?!  How blessed am I to have "met" so many people that understand the sentiment and pride that looking at my own work brings?!

It is this reason that I revisit the sites, classes and blogs that bring me in touch with these companions; though not as often as I would like.  I am sharing my computer with my granddaughter these days so if I don't have something specific to do, I may only get to use it myself for a few minutes here and there.  But don't think it's just the computer where I suffer: it takes me an entire day to complete just one layout - even on those days when I have absolutely nothing else to do.  I have been down as much as up the past few months.  I hope it's just a temporary condition, that it's the MS that will eventually go into remission.  I so hope that I get back in the swing of things soon... I know I am missing so very much.

I have completed five layouts in the past two weeks while trying to participate in a retaking of the Scrapbook Remix class.  Since I showed the first two last week, here are the next three:

Crate Paper background with American Crafts all cut up on top.  AC diecut and flair, Basic Grey flags, Studio Calico veneer, Recollections gems and Spellbinder dies.  AC letters.



Echo Park background, MME papers with all kinds of little scraps on top (?!).  Lots of AC on this page too with Teresa Collins dots, Studio Calico veneer & mistables, MME words, KI Memories glitz sticker and AC thickers, chipboard and dimensional.

 

Everything on this layout is American Crafts with the exception of the small gray letters (Simple Stories), tape (Freckled Fawn) and yellow sticker (October Afternoon).  Help also comes from Spellbinders dies, Doodlebug twine and Wilton doilies.

 

 Sorry about the photos... took these in my room with my phone.  All the colors have turned out so very intense!  And I'm not sure if that's good or bad!?! Oddest thing though - those script Thickers are the Dear Lizzy Smoke Splendid ones - in the package and on the page they look white; but in every photo they are gray.  Just odd!

 

I hope you all are having a very creative time.  I hope to see everyone's blogs this week... and I promise if I can stay up long enough I will try to get caught up on all you've been doing. 

 

xxx

Cheerio!

 

P.S.  Cynthia, I love your cake!

 

"I love scrapbooks. They are one of the finest ways of dejunking life and abode... A good scrapbook is interesting and inspiring even to the stranger..." - Don Aslett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Brand

I love "MY FAVORITE"'s.  They actually give a little insight as to how someone feels, thinks, connects, creates.  I know I've touched this subject before, but occasionally one has to revisit, redefine, reestablish their favorite anything - movies, songs, food, color.

Everytime we start a new adventure about paper, the question is asked:  What is your favorite paper?
Well, of course, this could be answered in several ways.  My favorite all time paper is:  OA Woodland Park Blue Sky... or DL 5th & Frolic 6th & Main... or EP Everyday Eclectic Hot Air Balloons... at least this year... maybe.  My favorite all time collection is OA Sidewalks... or DL 5th & Frolic... or EP This&That Graceful... or K&Co Amy Butler... maybe.  So, I find that each time I answer it I find it's the wrong answer... or not enough.  But one thing that is truthful enough is that I usually have favorite papers that go with favorite themes - K&Co for heritage pages, MME Lost & Found for family pages, DCWV Nanas Kids for baby pages, etc. 

As I was restarting the Scrapbook Remix class, the question came to my mind once again.  So I thought in broader terms - what is my favorite Brand?  A look at the above would say that it's probably October Afternoon as that came to mind first; or American Crafts, or maybe Echo Park.  Then I decided to look inside my stash and let it tell me the answer... What brand do I have the most of?  Well, one of those stated answers was right - but only half right.  The answer:  American Crafts.  I have A LOT of American Crafts.  All that Dear Lizzy and even that bundle of Crate Paper is actually American Crafts (I'm not actually a big AT fan...yet).  But the largest portion of my American Crafts stash belong to those other collections:  Blue Skies, Craft Shop, Botanique, Junior, Backyard, Love, Baby just to name a few.  And all of those papers are small, repeating patterns on the A-side with solid B-sides.  And yes, there are more than a few of which I own several sheets.  I can make layouts and layouts and layouts from these sheets and none look the same... in fact, sometimes I don't even notice that I've used one of those papers over and over and over in my albums until I actually look for it - and I bet you wouldn't notice at all.  And even though I buy them for 1/2 price at a Scrapbook Warehouse, it's definitely not the price that drives the purchases - these are my investment pieces.  These are the cut up bits and pieces... the backgrounds for titles and embellishments... the photo mat... the stacks... and every once in awhile, they make it all the way to the background.  These are those doses of just the right color.    These are the papers that I don't worry about finding just the right photo or subject for, that I don't worry about not showing off enough, that I don't hoard.  These are my perfect papers.
And then, second to all that AC paper, I love.love.love. October Afternoon. and Echo Park. and My Minds Eye. and Fancy Pants. and Simple Stories. and Cosmo Cricket. and K&Co. and...

A couple of the layouts I've worked on for ReScrapbooking Remix... definitely imperfect:

These two layouts rely heavily on AC and EP with a little shot of Freckled Fawn Washi, SC Veneers, Evalicious Stamps,OA MiniMarkets & Sprinklers and a couple of things from 'the box'.

Okay, so I am seriously into 'camera' love at the moment.  You may see a camera on every layout for months to come as I have 3 more camera stamps and all those mistables to use up.  Also, like these two layouts, they usually go in different albums, but even if they didn't that's okay - everybody needs a theme, right?!!
And that's it.  Starting with my dad, each day one of us in the family has come down with this horrible stomach bug that just doesn't seem to want to go away, so I'm feeling rather puny.  Dreamt this whole post up while sleeping off the Phenergan.  I do want to say a great big Thank YOU for all the comments regarding your epiphanies on the last post... it's great to hear how creative minds think (and I've seen your work, yours is definitely a creative mind!). 

Now,  I would love to hear what your favorite patterned paper brand is, why, and how you love to use it.   And don't be afraid to drop by an example!

Cheerio!

"Strangely enough, this is the past that somebody in the future is longing to go back to." - Ashleigh Brilliant

My Scrapbooking... Random Thoughts in 2013

I have read so very often that what people love about scrapbooking is the 'creativity' it affords them.  I understand this explicitly... it does allow a person to use anything and everything in conjunction with photos and/or journaling to create items of which they are proud.  But, apparently people feel that they must strive to produce uniqueness in their layouts to ensure that they are truly 'personal creations'. 
So, after 13+ years of scrapbooking, I have finally decided what I love most about scrapbooking.  And yes, it is the creative outlet that I really need to survive!  But I don't feel that each and every layout must be an absolute phenomenal creation from the depths of my heart or right-brain.  In fact, that entire thought just made me have a sharp pain in my head.  So here's a few random thoughts on how I feel about scrapbooking:

• Total uniqueness is not an option.  I think that it has been this belief that each layout must be different and exclusive that has led me to totally abandon the process (but not the buying!) for long stretches at a time.  It is totally overwhelming and stressful to me to have to produce distinction in each creation. The best of my originality comes in the papers I choose, the embellishment I use and, most, the stories I tell through my layouts.  But there's only so much you can do with a 12x12 background. In fact, I have created things to only see an almost exact sketch a year or so later (not a scraplift because who could have seen something I made when no one ever saw anything I made).   And that's okay.
• Scrapbooker and artist is not a synonym in my mind.  I am a crafter.  This is a craft.  Whether I use paint or found objects or just stickers on paper or canvas, I am still crafting. I appreciate that some people may feel they are artists; but I am more proud of being a craftsman than I can say.  In fact, my brother is an artist - he was born with this innate talent to create amazing artwork from nothingness; I was born a crafter as I can create artistry within a given framework.  Einstein was a genius, Renoir was an artist, Jesus was a craftsman.  And that's seriously okay.
• I need motivation.  I need someone or something to say 'get er done'.  Classes, forums, photographs, this blog and a sense of achievement all give me the inspiration to accomplish something.  But not someone telling me I should scrap this or that... that makes me crazy!  Nor the fact that there are 1,000s of photos or 100s of stories that need scrapped - that's just pressure.  But accountability and pride drive me.  And that's okay.
• I love a good sketch.  And what may be great to you, is not good for me. Scraplifting is my new favorite way to scrap.  It totally takes the pressure off.  I spent most of my scraplife ignoring sketches; not entirely true... I collected printed sketches, but only used one in all the time I can remember. And even though I had this collection and looked through them monthly, I just didn't find anything I felt comfortable recreating.  Obviously, I was collecting the wrong sketches and felt that each must be recreated exactly... exactly the wrong attitude.  There is no way to rectify the amount of time and money I have spent on this hobby to the few layouts I have actually produced.  But with my new scraplift epiphany, there is no way that I can't get through these 1,000s of photos in time.  And that deserves a great big, WOOHOO!!!
• I don't have to journal on my layouts to tell a story.  For the longest time, I did very little, if any, journaling on my layouts... afterall a picture is worth a 1,000 words.  But then, I started to journal - sometimes a little, sometimes a lot - and it started to feel that it should be a part of every.single.layout.  But sometimes, every once in a while, it's not necessary.  The photo(s) can tell the story - the whole story - because of the subject or a look on a face.  I have layouts like that... the entire story is wrapped up in an expression, in a dress, in a mirror and in the title -nothing more necessary. And that's okay.
• It's okay that I'm hoarding the things I love the best.  Let's face it, I've always had a little stash issue.  But then it came in so handy when going through the worst of times.  So it's probably only natural that I'm gathering a little right now.  Of course, I'm using a LOT.  But then, it's not just that.  I really do believe that it's perfectly okay that I have 4 sheets of Ring Around the Rosie paper and 3 sheets of teal/black Mini-Market letters because I love them so much.  On the other hand, I don't have to have every.new.thing. in my stash and I don't have to be 'on-trend' in order to make absolutely lovely layouts that I can be proud of.  And that's okay.
• I cannot! randomly cut up a stack of 12x12 papers.  It's an exercise of creativity about kits and starting points and freedom that I just don't get.  I have a stack of randomly cut-up papers... it's called a 'scrap basket' and it's the first place I go once I decide on a 'theme' for a layout.  Also, I've only been on one 'crop' in 13+ years and don't see that changing anytime soon.  So the fact that I'm just not a kit person is totally okay.  I choose a set of supplies for each layout and pull those out, but I don't like to make a stack of premade kits and then put photos with them.  It doesn't work for me.  And that's okay.
• I am not a photographer! In no way, in no how.  I take photos of events.  I occasionally take photos at other times if the moment comes along.  But being a scrapbooker has in no way made me a photographer.  Taking photos has come with the love of scrapbooking... and with the fact that I want to make my grandchildrens' lives remembered as opposed to the lack of pictures in my brother and my lives.  And about 50% of the time, my photos are not very good regardless of how much I've read on the subject.  Don't get me wrong, there are times that I love taking photos - but because I scrapbook does not in any way make me a photographer.  It's simply a means to an end.  And that's okay.
• I don't understand that whole Project Life thing.  Honestly, maybe it's just because my life is so utterly boring.  Here I am day-after-day doing the same thing - or nothing.  And really I don't think this is so extraordinary.  I don't think this is just a matter of my circumstance.  Even when I worked or when I was single or when the kids were young, most of the days were fairly much SSDD.  Of course, not every.single.day., but most were fairly much the same.  I know that so many people love it... and that's okay.
• I wish I was a professional scrapbooker... not.  Okay, this a 'right-on'/'hell-no' thing.  I love scrapbooking and what a great way to make a living.  But then, if I had to do it all the time I'd probably become totally overwhelmed and/or bored.  But then would I get phenomenal travel opportunity?  But then would I be able to go?  And really, do I want to have to tell arbitrary stories about the kids just for the sake of scrapping?  (Okay, let's face it, I'm pretty good at that!).  No, I think I'm happy it's a hobby.  I think that this blog is as 'professional' as I'll ever get.  And that's okay.

Now a look at my final Pretty Paper Party layouts: 

A whole bunch of MME with a little American Crafts and a smidge of October Afternoon with random brads.

 

Just cardstock, Echo Park and AC Thickers,

 

Oh so much American Crafts with a dash of Nestabilities & Martha Stewart Dies/Punches and a touch of Love My Tapes.

 

October Afternoon everywhere with Martha Stewart & EK Success punches; and AC Thickers of course.

Now, I am very interested in knowing your scrapbooking epiphanies - whether you figured them out today or 5 years ago.  We each have our own - whether it's that you love making cards more than layouts because of the paper or that you prefer Smash Books & mini-books to 12x12 or that you prefer the artistry only using photographs as another medium or that you only use scrapbooking as an aesthetically pleasing platform for photographs - it's all very much okay.

Cheerio!

"It's refreshing to see a woman who can artfully weave her individuality into an otherwise safe ensemble." - Nina Garcia

Scrapese Definitions - Part I

Okay, we all know that my '10 on the 10th' never ever get posted on the 10th.  This month is no exception; but, this month they're going to be early rather than late. Ha!
As a result of the comment left by Susan, I think it's time for a little literary lesson.  I cannot figure out why we have the Scrapbook Encyclopedia, but not a Scrapbook Dictionary (besides, I'm sure it would be wrong even if someone did one).  So I am starting one as of this.very.minute.  I don't have many specific scrapping words in my repertoire just yet, but it is growing and I plan to update this subject in the future... especially with your help.  I mean to incorporate all the scrap/blog-ese into one little place so that we may reference it as needed.  And you may add to at will by leaving a comment at anytime, regardless of that day's subject and ramblings - just pipe on in with your random wordage.  I know that many of these words are specific to me, but maybe understanding them can help you understand what the heck I'm talking about.  So shall we begin with my top scrapese definitions:

1. Scrapese - Obviously, scrapbooking related wordage.
2. Blond - a person whom you have probably never met face-to-face but have become fast friends within Blog World - probably 'meeting' over a scrapbooking event.
3. Scrapping - Verb or adverb.  The act of scrapbooking or to describe a person who performs scrapbooking. ("She's a scrapping genius for scrapping about trash pickup.")  One should note though, that if I am scrapping, I am most likely scrappy.
4. Scrappy - Scrap Happy. I do not use this term lightly. It does not mean (to me) just anything scrap-related. When I get my 2Ps box in the mail, I am scrappy. This can also describe just sitting down and getting into my scrapping mojo.  And that leads us to:
5. Scrappiness - Scrapbooking Happiness. Again a very specific word in my vocabulary. When I am in my little corner, surrounded by pretty paper, lovely letters, and darling doodads, I am at the height of my scrappiness as it is my scrappy place.
6. Scrapgazim - Hooray Susan! An orgasmic reaction as the result of seeing, feeling and smelling pretty paper. I love this word. Susan obviously lives next door to Archivers!
7. Scrapends - Scrapbooking friends - not little pieces of paper all over the floor. These can be in your actual real life or online.  And while Blonds can be Scrapends, I like Blonds better!
8. Scrapped - One of the few words that can have two very different meanings.  Either it has been glued on a layout, or it has been tossed in the trash - hmmm. Must reread any sentence this is placed in as I have done both in that order. 
9. Scrapworthy - Virtually anything and everything.  Ticket stubs, tags from clothes, broken legs, the moth that flew into the glue on my layout.  This can also describe all those items you were rating 1-10 on their 'scrappiness' before you knew the true meaning - it's actually the Scrapworthy Rating System (SRS) and besides, most of those things that are scrapworthy are actually adding to our scrappiness.
10. Therapy - Okay, you thought you knew what this meant... but to me it's:  Scrapbooking as therapy.  This is what I do best.  Suffering from manic depression/BPD, a good session of scrapbooking can make me a whole new person (and the people around me appreciate it!).  Creating something is seriously good for the mind and soul.

And one to grow on:

• 11.  Scrapaholic - Me.  A person who puts scrapbooking above many other mundane aspects of their lives (cleaning, eating, bathing, paying the cable bill, etc.) or who actually saves all those ticket stubs, tags, pieces of casts, moths, etc. because it will need to be scrapped later.  This also describes people who hoard scrapbooking supplies.  At it's worst, you may see someone who hasn't showered in several days, hair disheveled, in pajamas, huffing pretty paper one sheet after another.

And on an even more personal note:  I am the worst of hoarders.  I realized this today as I was looking at a slideshow of the layouts I have made for Pretty Paper Party.  I noticed that I had actually used some of the embellishments and papers I recently purchased.  Specifically my flair.  I love flair.  I have been collecting (& losing) flair since I was a teenager and the top of my visor had little things that said "Really Occifer, I'm not as think as you stoned I am" & "It's 4:20 somewhere" all the way up to a few years ago (before flair made it's big scrapbooking splash) I found 2 little green & red tinpins that said "Merry" "Xmas" and wore them every.single.day. for 2 months (that includes 3 weeks after Christmas) and the "I am Loved" pins that are stuck on everything, everywhere.  Anyway, I was looking at the slideshow and my mouth dropped open when I saw the flair... really, I actually glued it down to that layout.  Not that I didn't love the layout; not that it wasn't a very important story to be told (as opposed to the "for fun" layouts I've been known to produce just because I'm a scrapaholic); not because it didn't match - but simply because I have the hardest time actually using my supplies.  It's almost as if I buy it but not for consumption.... it's just weird!  I complain because I have so much that I just don't use - I buy it because I see it and think it's so very beautiful and never think about what in the world I would actually use it on - not my style at all.  But flair is my style.  It's perfect for the layouts I'm currently creating.  So why that little wince when I actually saw it on a layout even though it worked perfectly?  Because if it's there, what if I need it for another layout?  If it's there, I don't have it anymore.  If it's there, I've used it so now I need to buy more.  And then... a deep breath... a heavy sigh... a small grin... I actually used my supplies.  I am soooo scrappy!

And just because I can, I'm adding a few of the creations from Pretty Paper Party but honestly, I just don't have the energy to say what's on each project.  So if you want to know, just ask!

 Cards made from 6x6 Amy Tangerine & Prima.  But for really great looking cards, you should visit Cynthia.

I just loved this blackboard frame paper from Fancy Pants Road House collection, but it was way too white for this layout - so I just dirtied it up with a Vintage Photo Distress pad. Also, no journaling... I have other Halloween layouts with the stories written, and this one may yet get a little; but if not, it's no big deal as it's pretty self-explanatory.

Yes, you've seen a similar layout before (while I was in Remix), this is the 2nd page to that.  Couldn't believe I lucked out with this Cosmo Cricket to match the balloons; and with pearls & rhinestones to match GiGi's dress.

No amount of bling on a layout could match GiGi's dress in this one... but I'll be scrapping the dress again, because that's a whole different story.  But as you know, I am loving the Dear Lizzy 5th & Frolic!

Okay, that does it for today.  It's raining buckets here and getting chilly, so it seems to be a great day for Harry Potter and scrapping.  But regardless of your weather, you too should go find your own scrappiness!

Cheerio!

"I'm always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning. Every day I find something creative to do with my life." - Miles Davis