Live Simply, Simply Live

Darn system...

Every time I try and post the other l/o's I completed last weekend the darn site freezes up. So, no l/o's for now. Besides, I've been sidetracked from my January goal. In my last book I shared pages/cards from a rolodex I created using the "jump start your creativity" concept. I gave away that rolodex, as well as another, smaller one. Since then I've wanted to make one for the top of my desk. And I am :) I've stamped quotes on all the cards, cut them to size and have started the concept side of the cards. It's time consuming, but so much fun. I will gladly share (system allowing...) when I am done. Some time this week I hope.

Interesting conversation...

I recently received a request to teach at a scrapbook retreat. I've not taught in a few years, so it was a nice surprise to be remembered and requested, and as a plus it caused me to reflect on my years of teaching and the variety  of joys and delights they brought. One question that was posed to me caught me off guard... "are you a moments scrapper or an events scrapper?" I didn't even hesitate. Ummmm, neither. I scrap memories. Sometimes they are moments, sometimes they are events and sometimes they just are. Sharing the stories that define who and what we are, what we do and what we are about is why I do this. It's why I've always done it. So when my memory fades the stories are there. So that when the kids can't remember who did what to whom, it's there. So the folks in the future who are interested in the life and beliefs of their forebearers have that information, if they want it. So, what type of scrapper are YOU? And please, tell me there are way more than two types :)

A productive weekend

I got the chance to scrap with some friends in Gresham, OR (just over the river, where we used to live) and I had a fantastic time. Sheila (hostess) is an amazing cook and I think I ate my weight in food (well, close). I also got a few pages done in Matt's early days album and I got him current through 1990. I know, still a long way to go, but he's over 1 1/2 in his album and I just need to get him to age 3 to meet my goal. I may have to revise my goal. I will probably get his book to age 3, but I won't get all the kids' books to that point. I find it a SLEW easier to scrap in order... and since Matt was 6 when Tim was born, well, Tim's book might not get there for a bit.

I used some SERIOUSLY old product on some of Matt's pages. This one gets the award for oldest item used (well, other than the pictures).

    

In fact, I'd purged those die cuts a few years back, but I'd given them to my friend Sheila and she pulled them out of her stash for me to use on this page. I think the die cuts are from the days when I was on the CADD (Cock-a-doodle, for those not quite old enough to remember that line) DT... maybe 1999? And the hu-mun-go black letter stickers? Provo Craft, from about the same era. Oh well, they work and Matt doesn't mind. I did scan a few more to share with you but ran out of time before work. Maybe tomorrow. I hope you all have a very scrappy week!

Oh yeah, and another thing

I took a few shots of my newly organized (well, minus the album mess, still working on that) scrap space. See that wonderful new shelf for Cricut? I haven't used her yet, but I am going to! Oh, and the desk top? There is a shelf directly under it so I can slip an uncompleted-but-being-worked-on l/o right on the shelf and all the folks who love to use and mess up my desk won't damage the l/o. Cool, eh? And the DeWalt cordless drill? I used that to attach the new desk top, and to build the Cricut shelf. Everyone needs one of those. Or two. They are awesome.

 

Those albums on the printer? Pretend you don't see those. They are ones I've emptied to put everything in order. Anyone need an 8 1/2 x 11 album?

And here is a glimpse of the top shelf in my closet (ignore the sweaters. I know, I have a few. I sooooooo love sweaters!) all tidy and organized with cards, empty albums, chipboard, memorabilia and stamps. Sigh. I adore organization.

 

OK, back to work for me.

Before I can scrap...

I need to deal with this.

 

See, I do plan to meet my goal of getting the kids' book current (all gaps filled) to age 3, but before I can do that I have to figure out what each child needs to make that happen. And before I can do that I have to sort through the mess. When pages come back from magazines or books or companies I usually just toss them in some binder, not necessarily in order. Nor have I made them in order, rather just picking and choosing for various assignments. So, I must sort before I can create order. And here are a few more albums tat need sorting.

 

I work at 1700.... think I'm going to get this sorted before I go? Yeah, I don't think so either. 

Happy (belated) New Year!

Hi all and a very happy new year to each and every one of you! I know I'm late, and though I have been sicker than a dog, I can't blame my tardiness on being ill. Well, maybe that can share the blame. It just seems that I'm never home long enough to work on this blog. And lately, when I have been home, I've not had the energy. Blah. Enough whining. No "resolutions" from me, instead I focus on goals. Those seem much more do-able, attainable and shorter term. At least that's what I tell myself. My wonderful and most favorite sister already gave me my birthday treats (Thank you Sissy! You are awesome and I love you) and I'm now the very happy owner of 4 new albums for the kids' pages and the "opposites attract" cartridge for my new Cricut Expression. Since I've recently had way more down time at home than I'd planned I've been cleaning and organizing as energy allowed. My scrap room has been power purged, over hauled and is ready to roll. I built a new top for my desk (Tim sat on the old one nd the desk top lost) and a special shelf for the Cricut and I am more than ready for a free day to scrap. In fact, I get one of those on Monday! Yippee! My goal for January is to "fill in the blanks, the first 3 years". All the kids have multiple albums but because of various assighnments and books and projects the pages are hit and miss, here and there. I want to get all three kids completed and done through their first three years, for their albums. It shouldn't be too hard (I hope....) as there are just misc. gaps that need filling. I think. I already met another goal in that I purged my closet and got rid of more clothes that are too big. Organizing the garage and finishing the tile in the entry and hallway are the other two goals for January, but we'll see about those (hey, I REALLY was pretty darn sick!) Hmmm, maybe I should make a goal book/album for this year.....