Keepsakes & Memories Scrapbooking

2010-02-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

" We all may have come on different ships but we are on the same boat now."

Martin Luther King

I really like this quote. It kind of goes along the line of think globally, act locally. I am not always sure that I see the big picture. I think of the tiny space I take up in this life and wonder if what I do or say even matters in the "big picture." I am a journal writer. I have kept a journal since I was young. I write about lots of different thing-the weather sometimes, things that are happening in my life, my family. I wonder sometimes if these scribbles that I have collected will some day matter to someone else? Who knows. I don't keep them to matter to anyone but me. I got caught up the other day when I was cleaning off my bookshelf, in reading some of my past entry's. After taking an official journal writing class I had started to include in my various writings, world happenings, local weather, things of those nature. Thoughts of the day things that are happening. I find writing in my journal peaceful, mind clearing. I think that I can write about experiences that maybe were a learning curve, tough, painful, and after sharing my thoughts I can let them go. I found re-reading some of my entry's I wondered who was speaking? Do ever have that experience? I find myself laughing at things I wrote especially if I wondered if I was going to make it through a certain experience and sometimes just to laugh at what I thought used to be so terrible, now knowing better. Good times, bad times. Happy, funny. I enjoy reading blogs, to me they are for all intents and purposes journal entry's. I am the kind of person who liked to read the journaling on scrapbook pages-even when the writing was tiny. I like to read what other people think about things. It is fascinating how connected we can all be...

2009-06-15T17:52:00.009-06:00

June is a beautiful month! I finally got all my flowers planted! The days have flown by so fast they are almost a blur. I found some great flowers, purple and white columbine for the front porch basket, and gerber daisies to go with my roosters! So many gorgous flowers to choose from. I always love to see all the flower gardens blooming all summer long, beauty everywhere. This June has been so green due to all the wonderful rain. A treat for the garden and the flowers! Messy work-but so worth it! A riot of

color to keep the summer bright and fun.

I love how a few colorful plants in a pot can make the patio so enjoyable a place to be, my cat was not so happy to be on the inside when everyone else was on the outside, but he sure makes the birds chirp like mad-I think they do not like him quite so near their nests...

I enjoyed spending a few fun days with a niece and nephew-we went everywhere, play dates in the park, picnic lunches, a dog breeder with new puppies, baked chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles( hmm) and spent an afternoon in a great water feature in downtown Lafayette! Really fun.

By the end of the day all involved parties were tired!

Too much excitement I guess...

2009-04-28T13:01:00.007-06:00

Can you believe that it is May? I love watching Spring burst! The leaves start to come out tulips and daffodils bright and cheery!
I love that I can leave the windows open, the smell of newly cut grass wafting in. I am seduced by the sunshine and blue skies.
It also of course is the time for spring cleaning-blah blah blah.
I started my annual spring cleaning in my craft area. I separated a pile of papers for making cards and labeled my other paper holders after organizing them by color or company. I was surprised how quickly it came together and how much easier it is to find things now. I have been itching to make some cards.

Last weekend I went to a Stamp show. I found this new fabulous product called flower soft. It is the coolest! This product adds just the right touch of dimension to your cards. It is so easy to use and totally fun and creative! I (of course) had to purchase some and add to my collection of fun embellishment stuff. I told myself after I cleaned out a few more drawers, tore ideas out of the rest of my magazines I could play. And play I did. I love this new product! It adds just the right touch of added wow to your card. I have found from exploring different aspects of it. Less is definitely more. It comes in so many different colors

no one will be able to choose just one! And I love these frog stamps from Penny Black.I have collected quite a few and they just bring a smile to my face when I get to create with them. I think whimsical characters are fun to work with!
I went to a cousin's bridal shower this last weekend. With all of us living on limited budgets I was trying to figure out what to give. I like to crochet hot pads so I made some of those and then I took a bound 4 x6 book of lined note cards and wrote out some of my favorite recipes. I thought that tried and true recipes would be appreciated. I really enjoyed reflecting on my cousin and making a gift that fit her and I felt happy about giving. I have reflected a lot about the stretch to making all gifts again. It can be down right tough. It really makes you go out of your comfort zone and really think about the person you are giving the gift too. It is so easy to buy a gift card. I have enjoyed giving those in the past. As I have looked over my stash of goods I realize how blessed I am, and why my friends frequently complained that they didn't know what to give me- ah yes, I have a lot of fun things. Now the challenge for me will be to test out my ability to create and come up with fun gift worthy gifts for teenage boys...Ok a little help here might be necessary. Alright a lot of help. I have my sister and her family for Christmas. I know I am saying the C word early but I have three teenage boys to think about a gift for.
I was looking through the Cloth*Paper Scissors magazine that had featured studios. I was so wowed. I am working towards getting mine into better shape-totally usable for me yet still stylish. That has been a challenge. Just getting everything where it should be then labeled and cataloged might take me a really long time. I have been cataloging my word sayings this week. Ehgad. I can't help myself. I love words, word stamps, fonts, journaling. Do you ever read back through writing of yours and don't recognize yourself? I do occasionally and I wonder why that is? I guess it goes along with all things of change, different years, different circumstances. Makes me laugh, but really glad that I keep a journal.

Hot Chocolate

2009-03-31T15:31:00.008-06:00

I love hot chocolate, unfortunately for me this year hasn't really been too cold! I made a mix of dark chocolate using dutch processed cocoa which I love. I have yet to finish the whole mix. But this past week I have enjoyed 2 cups! Yahoo. I love that we are getting some snow, we so badly need the moisture. I am watching the peas and flowers start to bud! It is almost April I can't believe how this year is flying past!

I went to Cottonwood Quilts this past week to say good bye to the store. I love fabric and took my first quilt class at this store. I had been wanting to learn to quilt for years but I always found some reason ( excuse) put it off. Then I just decided to do it, to quit putting it off. I had wanted to learn for what felt like forever. I had collected fabric, patterns, I owned a sewing machine, I just needed a little direction. It felt great to finally realize a dream. It started me thinking about all the other dreams and plans that I have. I have discovered first hand that there is no such thing as TIME. We make the time or we don't. Why is that? After struggling through some rough surgery and still enjoying the benefits of arthritis I realized something. Life wasn't going to stop for me until I found time. So now I have new plans and goals. I want to get some more formal education. I want to learn to create new things. While I was at the store I found this yummy stack of Moda fabric that will make perfect cards! Of course I have to keep to my schedule that comes with Spring-cleaning and organizing, finishing up little projects. So before I can play I have to finish. I am getting ready to take a watercolor class and can hardly wait! I have always loved watercolor paintings and have dabbled a little with pencils and crayons, always fun to create with. This will be more in depth and involve all the bells and whistles! I have always enjoyed learning new things and I think that with all the stress that is going on in the economy and throughout the world we all need to step back and regroup, take the time to learn something new. I have procrastinated learning new things for several reasons, there wasn't enough time or money, blah, blah, blah. I am sure that we can all think of some good ones. Ok so we don't have money for "formal" school-how about learn a new crafting technique from a friend or on line? Check out a book or video from the library, the library is loaded with options. There are options to learn new construction things being taught at Home Depot almost every weekend. The options are pretty endless. We just need to adjust our thinking and where we look. Learning something new will keep us energized and focusing on positive change. Take time everyday for yourself. There is a quote I like by Marion G. Romney "How can we give if there is nothing there? Food for the hungry cannot come from empty shelves. Money to assist others cannot come from an empty purse. Support and understanding cannot come from the emotionally starved. Teaching cannot come from the unlearned."
There is always so much negative information that we get pounded with daily. Take the time to reflect on what you have to offer. And if you are in need, reach out. I see daily, kind and loving acts performed by others. If you have a skill to offer, teach. If you have ears to hear, listen. If you want love and support, love and support. You will be amazed how it comes back to you. Be positive. Nothing will help the day to day grind more than being positive. Look forward to all the good and beautiful things that Spring offers, new blossoms, new life. Do a kind deed each day, when you need it, someone will return the favor!

Small Moments Change Lives

2009-03-24T13:36:00.006-06:00

I don't know why it is so hard to Blog for me, I keep a regular journal. I like snail mail and I enjoy all kinds of writing and reading. I am the kind who likes to read the journaling on scrapbooking pages. Writing for me is good for the heart. In my journaling I keep my thoughts, write current events, things that are happening locally. I read once that keeping journals needed to have more than just your own thoughts, they needed to include the weather, happenings in your area, current events in the world, it kind of gives you a different perspective on things. I have family history that includes journals and I find it fascinating to read about the past. We are so fortunate now to be able to include all kinds of "art" if you will in our journal keeping. We can write, take photos, film, recording our passing through this life. Moments. I read this quote about how small moments change lives and it really got me thinking about that-how small moments do. Even if we don't like change, change happens. It probably is the most consistent thing in our lives.

On my quick trip I visited the ruins of this castle built in the middle of the woods. It didn't last long, made of stone but with a wood roof it was destroyed by fire. The owner died right after he started building it. It looked beautiful in the photos before the fire. I am sure that the owner never planned on passing away before he saw his magnificent home finished. I was sorry that the
family hadn't keep it, rebuilt it.

Sometimes the small moments seem insignificant at the time, they pass quickly without even notice. Other times the small moment, changes the course of our life. Change is a good thing. I always think that it is so great we can change, we enjoy the freedom of this country which allows us to change, our jobs, homes, locations. We can change our minds, gain more education, we can change our hearts, forgive, forget. I remember the quote the largest room is the room for improvement-change.

Maybe we should allow ourselves every day to think about the small moments, to enjoy them, to tuck them into our hearts and remember them.

2009-03-13T18:03:00.004-06:00

I love this stamp. So happy and Spring like!

As I was packing for a little spring break road trip I was loading my "must have" when traveling bag. I am sure we all have that kind of bag, the kind to make the trip comfortable for us. For me that involves a couple good books, books on CD, music, DVD's, snacks, healthy, sugary, salty and water. I being the list maker that I am, make several lists to prepare for travel. It seems to me that every time I make the "list" I remember something important that I forgot. In today's day there is always a Walmart or Walgreens to help us if we forget anything. I am all about, hopefully, not wasting money on a toothbrush forgotten, but finding a great little quilt shop or new scrapbooking finds as well as, of course, new stamps. Every penny counts so I have reviewed and packed carefully. I actually am going to be doing a lot of scrapbooking this trip. I look forward to spending some time getting lots of pages done. The downside is I don't get to be surrounded by my stash. I am going to be working with a "skeleton crew" of tools and accessories. It will be good though. I will be getting back into a good working schedule and I am looking forward to seeing my efforts finished! So my packing will include lots of page ideas and probably some glue, my basic tool kit and my Quickutz. Sorry big shot I couldn't carry you and all the dies I wanted to bring. So here is to spring, road trips, and good weather!

Ah Spring

2009-03-06T17:13:00.007-07:00

I have really been basking in the sunshine this past few weeks. Enjoying 70 degree weather in February. It has been so nice, my thoughts have moved into Spring and of course Easter. I have been creating all kinds of bunny items. Paint cans, clear pails, cards! I love this time of year and even though I should be doing more spring cleaning-I have been having fun. The spring cleaning is coming along as well. When I was going through my closet I was kind of sad to realize, that while I love the sunshine, I have a bunch of sweaters that I haven't been able to wear because it really never got that cold. Of course as soon as I pack them away we will get dumped on and freeze! Or maybe the snow is waiting for my lettuce and peas to start peaking up in the garden? Either way I guess like all things that happen to us, we have got to take what we are given and be happy. I think the financial crisis that we are all facing in some degree is kind of, in a way, helping us to see what is really important. Yes I like having new stamps and all of the new crafting "toys" but as I have had to look through my ample assortment of supplies to find things I realize, I am really blessed and I love that I have supplies to go through. Like a squirrel I have stock piled paper and embellishments as well as dies and embossing folders, many of which I have not even had time to play with. Now I have things better organized and can really enjoy playing with my supplies and trying new techniques with my stash. Yes, I still want new things and enjoy checking the paper and email for coupons. Now I have a small budget and always need a coupon before I am tempted to purchase anything! It has been good for me. Really has helped me appreciate all I do have. Of course it will be nice to see people employed again and not losing their homes. Sometimes hard things teach us the most. I think that is the best way to look at hard experiences. What am I supposed to learn from this experience? That helps me focus on the fact, that as my Father used to always say "It came to pass" all things do eventually move on and we recover and are stronger because of them. I hope that you as well are hunkering down and that when this time passes you will be unscathed.

Creative Space

2009-02-12T17:55:00.003-07:00

I have been working hard on my creative space, not necessarily being creative in it, just organizing it. It is the same every year, do I really need this, am I ever going to use this? Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes the answer is yes, but it is really a stretch of the imagination. So part of my un-goal setting that I did this year was to be realistic in what I was really going to use. I have decided that I have enough paper and fabric to keep holed up for years, the finished products might not necessarily go together well-It kind of made me laugh. The best time for me to "purge" product and things is if I pretend that I have to move next week into a one bedroom. That helps me keep focused on the job at hand. I don't want to waste things but I also can't keep everything! So I begin again, tossing, recycling, eBay...
January has been so nice I have had horrible spring fever. Wishing for tulips and daffodils. The little snow we have received has been great, don't get me wrong, I am not trying to make Mother Nature decide to wreak havoc on us!
Have you made Valentines to send? Or just to give to the people in your life you love? I found a heart shaped pancake maker, I am not sure that it is worth the effort to make heart shaped pancakes but at some point in my life I must have.

As you can see here my big baby kitty Baghera is not so much into straightening-

Another day closer to unwrapping!

2008-12-15T14:25:00.005-07:00

I have been having more fun, unfortunately not much housework is getting done! The tree is up, my collection of Santa's and snowmen are on the mantle. I found the perfect lights they are not a string but a collection of lights-they are just the touch needed to make the mantle sparkle with the snowmen. I love opening each little package and being surprised at the ornaments it holds. I love them, each one carrying memories for me. I seem to like snowmen the best, I happen to have quite a few of them. I have been busy baking and finishing up the last little details, wrapping and making tags. I still need to get a few more stocking stuffers. My goal was to make everything, but so far I have not perfected making lip balms! I love the holidays. I think though what I love the best is the excitement of finding or making the perfect gift. Sometimes it is really hard to do. More like a challenge I guess. I love the lights, the decorations, laughter and games around the table after dinner. I am so blessed to have family and friends near to make the holidays merry! I hope that you have established your own merry traditions, what ever they may be. I was talking to one friend who looks forward to take out and a movie fest! Sounds relaxing and fun to me. No matter what your situation the holidays can bring peace. The more we give and love the more we receive. I am so grateful for the blessing of home, and happiness. Grateful to create (usually a big mess) grateful for a roof over my head, food on the table, warm socks for my feet and good hot chocolate! I can't believe how cold it is out there! We may have a white Christmas this year after all.

Do you ever find yourself glued to the TV watching those sappy Christmas movies? Sometimes I catch myself and think I've got to turn this off! One of my favorite holiday movies is the Sound of Music. For some reason it always just reminds me of Christmas. It is a tradition to snuggle up and watch it. I think that is mostly what the holidays are about, traditions. Traditions we share with our families or traditions we started ourselves! That is really what the holidays are about. Traditions that make us feel merry! Well, its back to work, there is no rest for this "elf" if I am going to get my things done on time. Have a wonderful day. Stay warm!

We have shared your lives for the last eight years and have missed seeing your holiday greeting cards! We want to continue our friendship on line so please join us is posting your holiday greetings here.

My Wish for you, warm socks for cold feet, happy hearts and good food to eat. That the New Year will bring blessings of peace and happiness.

2008-12-11T13:23:00.005-07:00

The snow is falling and it is lovely. The tree is finally up and it is starting to look like Christmas! Hot cocoa and a stack of holiday gift ideas and I am settled in for the afternoon with my "list". You know the "list" of friends and family, that we want to create something magical for-I think the reality this year for all of us is budget, using our resources wisely and yet still giving a thoughtful gift to those we love. I have my stash of paper, embellishments and various other tools of the trade along with my trusty rubber stamps and copic markers. I like to collect ideas, I just tear them out of the magazines, or print them off as I find them and store them in an idea folder. There were so many fun things to choose from. Even when you find ideas, your own creativity, style and supplies make each project original! envelopes! I also decided to make this Christmas 100% homemade. I have been making mixes of things like, mint brownies, cherry pie oatmeal, and pumpkin spice muffins. They look so cute in the jar and with the handmade tag and instructions ( I wrote them on the back of the tag) they are ready to give. I have sewed some table runners and aprons, and made some truffles.

Here is a recipe I enjoy putting in a jar-

Candy Cookie Mix
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar, firmly packed
1t. Powdered vanilla
1t. Baking Powder
2 C Flour

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until they are evenly distributed, making sure all brown sugar lumps are crushed. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe:
Candy Cookies
Makes 3 doz. Cookies
1C unsalted butter or margarine, softened
1 large egg
1 package Candy Cookies Mix
1 C chopped cookie chunks, Reese's peanut butter cups, Butterfinger bars, white or milk chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350*

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is smooth. Add the egg, and continue beating until the egg is combined. Add the mix and candy bar chunks and blend on low just until the cookie mix is mixed in well. Form cookies into 1 1/2 " balls and place them 2 " apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden on the edges. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes.

We had our annual NYOBC gift exchange, and I received even more great gifts and ideas. Even on a very limited budget you can make some great teachers gifts, simple, heartfelt gifts. I am getting geared up to have a baking day with the nieces and nephew. Making sure I have all the sprinkles, and icing tools needed to make this a fun event. I think mostly, they just like to decorate their cookie, take a bite and then lick the icing off their cookie. I suppose we should make sure they have a substantial breakfast prior to this event?

I have had the opportunity to visit a few of the ladies in our neighborhood, older ladies who don't get out much. I just brought a simple little gift and a holiday wish for them. I was reminded so forcefully, to think about those around us, people, we might not even notice. It is such a little thing to take a small greeting to your elderly, or families in your neighborhood. If your family sings, pick an evening and a few people in your neighborhood and carol, the effort is well worth the smile on the face of the receiver. Christmas really is a magical season, a tender hearted season. Time to reflect on all that we have been given and are blessed with, time to share of our great bounty with those around us who may be alone, no family near. No one to take just a moment to make their season a little brighter. We can be that someone. We are all busy. I visited 2 people a day for a week. One hour tops. It has been wonderful. I learned a lot about these fun ladies. They have shared stories about Christmas's in their past and traditions that make the holiday merry for them. We are not so different. Our ages may be, but our thoughts and hearts are not. Think about someone, maybe in your office, your Dr, or Dentist, your neighborhood, someone who could use a little of your holiday cheer. You will feel the difference in your own preparations, giving always expands the heart. Especially when we make the effort to make it personal. It is even more fun to involve children in this process, they see others in a way that sometimes gets overlooked. They can come up with names of people who could use a litte "merry" in their Christmas!

2008-12-05T16:29:00.002-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!
What a wonderful time of year! This year we took a journey to Missouri to catch up with parts of my family. I love catching up with the kids who just keep growing! The weather was beautiful and we were able to travel without any incident. That is always something to be grateful for! It is fun to just get together with family. My sisters and I like to share recipes and spend time making fun craft things. I was sewing some table runners while I was there and enjoyed the flurry of activity in the house as we prepared dinner. Lots of coming and going, game playing, laughter. Childhood has changed quite a bit since I was a child. We were all busy with our various jobs making sure that dinner would be ready. I was peeling and chopping green apples for some wonderful dressing. Trying to stay out of the way mostly. I love the process of setting the table, getting out the dishes, the table cloth. Fancy china and silverware just add to the festivity of the holidays. When I was setting the table I reflected on the fact that our lives can be such a blur. Sometimes it feels like we go from event to event. We spend all day preparing this fabulous meal just to eat it! Looking back at past photos I tried to remember the feelings I had when taking the photograph. Why was this important to me? Why was I documenting this event? I love the fact that we keep photos. That we can be magically transported back to the day or event and feel those same feelings when we see those photos. Don't you keep some of your favorite photos out? I know I have some on my french letter board. One in particular is my first niece who was probably two at the time the picture was taken and who is 9 now. I was reflecting on how I felt about life at 9. I think it was pretty uncomplicated compared to the lives my nieces and nephews lead currently. I was wishing I lived closer and that we could all spend more time together. It sure is nice to have extra hands when trying to get things done. (like big dinners and running kids) I enjoyed playing crazy eight with my nephews, we have always as a family really enjoyed games. What are some of your favorite traditions? Everyone has some, even those who say they don't! Trying to out cook each other and out do each other in various recipes etc is what we like to do-kind of like "oh yeah, I can top that". Take some photos this holiday season of your favorite parts-make yourself your own private little album that when you look at the pictures you get that fun little sparkle in your eye as you remember why you love the traditions you do. Next we are on the tree and house decorating. Lots of work but lots of fun! I like to have homemade eggnog and decorate the tree! This year I actually get to have a baking day! I have wanted to do one for several years now. I have carefully chosen the recipes that I want to make and have started to purchase all the supplies I will need! I can't wait!

2008-11-11T16:31:00.003-07:00

Don't you love friends. I have been really blessed in my life to have some wonderful friends. Friends come in many packages. Your brothers & sisters, parents, the kind you only see once in a while but it is like you haven't ever been out of touch, you like the same movies, books and things to do, your scrapbooking, your exercise, and of course your shopping friends. The friends you tell everything to, and the "friends" you do not.
Life is good. We have the opportunity to make new friends everyday. I always say "you never know who you are going to like."
Friends balance our chaotic lifestyles. Bring warmth on cold days, support us, defend us, cry with us, tell us to suck it up and pull up our boot straps (only the true friend) laugh with us, and occasionally at us. I have just been really blessed with great friends who help me be a better person, try harder, keep inspiring me, encouraging me. So what about your friends? This week send a little thinking of you note, make a phone call, send an email. It is approaching Thanksgiving, what better time than now to be grateful and show that gratitude for all the fantastic friends in our lives.
The online store is ready to go live-we have received lots of new holiday product to keep inspiring you to create! Check us out and please post all your own fun and totally creative ideas in the gallery!

Back to Basics

2008-11-05T22:58:00.002-07:00

We are hearing that a lot these days, cut back, budget, regroup. All good things, sometimes it is just harder than usual. With the economy taking a bite out of practically everything these days our days of big scrapping budgets are whittled. In my case, no more big stamp shopping spree's. I have been packing and unpacking for days and it has made me really take a hard look at, well, stuff. I have been thinking about all the scrapping that gets sacrificed at "times" like these. I don't think that scrapbooking or any paper crafting for that matter is a phase. I think that keeping your family histories, documenting our lives however we do it is important. I thought about ways I economize on my scrapping habits. I used to keep all my scraps no matter the size. Now I evaluate honestly, will I ever use this again? Am I just making more work for myself in the long run? I am sure we all think we will use every little scrap-whatever. So instead of keeping every little scrap that I will lug around until I can't stand it anymore, I economize on adhesive. Most good adhesives are just that, good. We don't need to slather it on to get items to stick. We can use minimal glue and still get perfectly fine results. Of course there are always exceptions to this rule. But for the most part this can be a good way to make your $$$ go further. I don't recommend cheaper glue. You will just be disappointed with the results. After all, it is like they always say, you pay for what you get. So get good stuff, and use it sparingly. I guess I had better go, I have a big black and white cat who keeps trying to sit on the keyboard and I have enoOunfh time spelling correctly!

New Beginnings

2008-10-08T13:24:00.006-06:00

Today starts a new beginning for me. Our physical store will become a virtual store on Oct 30th. It is definitely a new adventure and I look forward to the challenge. I will, though, miss all my customers and the friendships we have shared. The ups and downs of life complicated, happy, sad. We have watched children grow, and lives change. It has been a privilege and a marvelous opportunity to get to know you. You are remarkable, kind and giving. You have supported us through many challenges, especially the loss of Dad.
I will miss you most. I am ready to try new things. I am way behind in the "virtual" realm, avatars? We have been receiving new products and are working towards having everything ready to convert. I have spent hours finding new rubber stamp companies saying good bye to some old friends and making new ones! We will be doing lots of custom pages and embellishments, using our extensive collection of dies and some new ones( I am so NOT allowed to look at any more dies) So you will still be able to find fun and creative items to inspire! We will still be meeting as clubs and working out the details in our virtual classes. Sp please keep in touch. Read your emails and check us out on the web. www.keepsakesandmemories.com Please continue to post all your fun creations. You are so talented!

I am going to continue to create and take some time to pursue other creative options! Like actually use some of the cookbooks I like to collect!

Back to School

2008-08-08T23:53:00.005-06:00

Where has the Summer gone? It feels like summer. I have enjoyed the rain of late, my hair not so much. It has been a busy week, my friends and I donate to the crayons to calculators every year and this year we could hardly get our hands on the items needed. I was really surprised-but at the same time it reminded me of the "freshness" of each new school year. A new school year meant of course new clothes, but also the opportunity to met new friends and reconnect with friends you haven't seen in a while.

Time to Travel

2008-07-17T22:34:00.007-06:00

I haven't been on vacation in a long time. This summer I get to go up to Oregon for the first time and visit some family and their new baby! I am so excited to see the ocean and eat seafood, just enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. A different great outdoors. No real plans just going to wander up the coast line and see some lighthouses and tide pools. I will need to plan ahead again for the next trip and stay in a yurt on the coast. That sounded like fun! I will be taking lots of pictures ( of course) and post some when I return. Don't forget that you can post pages, cards, projects, all things beautiful in the gallery!

I have been busy planning classes-for when I return. I have been playing quite a bit with acetate and really enjoy this medium to work with. I also love sunflowers, so you can guess why I loved this card. Check out the website for full details on the other classes. Don't miss the Fall Room Book (there's limited class space) it's going to be too much fun to make and have!

You make the difference

2008-07-08T12:05:00.004-06:00

* Just a quick note of thanks to all the new friends we met who participated in the scrapaganza shop hop! New faces and lots of stories to be told.

Scrapbooking is just that, a story waiting to be told! Only you have the skills to make the story come to life. Bringing photos and journaling together to document the journey, to talk about the good and the not so good. To share experiences with those we love and those we haven’t met yet. We make the difference. Every minute that we spend documenting the events in our lives makes a difference in someone else’s.

I have had the opportunity lately to converse with lots of different people about why I scrapbook. Yes, there are people out there who still believe this is a fad craft? A fad craft? We are not talking macrame here. There are those who doubt that it would matter to anyone in their family whether or not they recorded what was happening. So not true. Try this little test leave a scrapbook out where everyone can look through it. They can't resist the pull of looking into someones life. Everyone does it. And more often than not they want to know more, they read the journaling. Everyone has a story. What does your say?

When you think that the days speed by and you haven't got the time to scrap. Remember what it felt like the first time you saw an album, or the first time you completed an album. That pure joy just in completion. We are all busy with the day to day activities that make our lives hectic. Retreat to your scrap place and enjoy the journey of categorizing your photos, making notes for journaling, deciding just the perfect embellishment. You are the most important part of your scrapbook. No one can do it for you. Your thoughts and feelings are reflected not only in the way you took the time to take those all important shots, but in the time you took to document the things going on at the time. You are the only one with the power to tell the story behind your photos. It doesn't matter if you took 3 rolls of film or one perfect picture. The fact of the matter is you took it. You took the first step down a path that leads to satisfaction in a job only you can do. Any time will make a difference. Don't beat up on yourself or avoid it all together, make each moment count when working. Remember that you make the difference in your scrapbook, slow, fast, extravagant or simple, it all works.

Take this challenge this summer. Do a day in the life spread on each of your loved ones, in any shape and form, record the moments with heartfelt journaling. They will be your favorite pages in the years to come-you took the time to record for posterity.

YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

Take Suzanne's Summer 2008 Challenge - feel free to post your layouts in the "challenges" section of the K&M Gallery, there's a special section just for this challenge.

In Celebration of Fathers

2008-06-15T18:32:00.002-06:00

My Father has been gone for a few years now. As I was reflecting this past Sunday about Fathers I was thinking about all that my father has done to influence me in my life. My Dad was always kind, nonjudgmental, hard working, self sacrificing, smart, happy. He had a dry sense of humor and liked to laugh. He loved blue spruce trees and good food. He liked having a garden but not so much on the actual gardening. He was honest and forthright. He lead by example and always with sensitivity to others. He loved his family. He taught us to be good upstanding citizens, he served his country and loved it. He was raised on a dairy farm and taught us about hard work and all the benefits of a job well done. My Mom and Dad have been the most influential people in my life. They loved, supported, taught and modeled the way for us as children to follow. I miss my Dad. I am sure that he would have really enjoyed spending time with all the new grand babies and seeing the changes in the store. He built all the displays for us. They remind me of him and how much he loved me. What a blessing.

It isn't easy being green...

2008-06-13T10:34:00.003-06:00

I remember Kermit the Frog singing that song-who knew today that being green would mean something totally different? I guess we were green long before it was the "popular" thing to do. When we first opened our store we provided our customers with sturdy tote bags to put all their treasures in-now we can buy them for a small fee to put our groceries, and other purchases in. For a long time I have wanted to leave less garbage. I would really like it if we could refill our shampoo or favorite lipstick. I realize of course there are all kinds of "germ" patrol who frown on this and all for good reason. We recently changed our bags that we send your goodies home in to a biodegradable bag. It costs more but in the end will leave less of an impact on our world.
There is a whole new grass roots, if you will, approach happening to crafting of all kinds. Clever crafters are recycling, reusing, recreating. Most scrapbookers have saved their scraps from projects and even though some may not be card makers they eventually do use their scraps. We all have become a little more thrifty and old school. I was lamenting the other day that scrapbookers who are beginning today have missed out on a lot of great "old school" items. Take for example your plastic letter stencils, I still use mine, even though I have dies of all kinds sometimes I just need to make something quick and I get them out and use them. Newbies on a budget are not going to be able to get their hands on as many-aren't they great to have! Over the past couple of years I have been tearing out articles and page ideas from my old magazines, so that I can recycle the rest of the magazine I don't need or use anymore. (also saves on space!) It is amazing how much scrapbooking has changed, yet remained the same. The focus might alter slightly but the goal is the same, preserve our memories. I love the idea of using
up our supplies, I admit though I have some paper that I just love that you can't purchase anymore that I can't bring myself to use! I have plenty of others though to pull from. As a crafting group we are generally very creative and resourceful, we know how to take projects and alter them to make them our own. Even though we can just go out and buy things finished the sense of accomplishment and pride just isn't the same. Isn't it great to be able to whip out a darling invitation and all the goodies needed for a fun party or a sleep over from the stash of incredible goodies we already own? I really enjoy taking projects and altering them. Just this week I made a mini album in a tall band aid tin. I loved it! It was quick and easy and too cute not to display. Not to mention done-did I say done? This summer can be challenging if we let it. We are smart, resourceful people, we know that we can get out scraps and make cards and mini albums and pages with our children and loved ones to give for gifts or display for ourselves! Messy, can be. Priceless? Always. Live in the moment and make them count.

I am the queen of my scrapin' space

2008-06-06T13:33:00.001-06:00

I was called a paper snob the other day…it kind of made me proud. I guess I am. I like a broad range of papers, when it comes to card making I like crisp finishes, vellum textures and smooth colors. I usually have a big pile of supplies around me and am working in a very small space. I love my work space, it has a comfortable chair, good music, my little DVD player, display items that make me happy and of course all my crafting goodies. I really like to work on more than one project at a time. If I can’t get one the way I want it, I will start on something else. I always have something to do and I don’t get bored. Yes, I actually finish things. Sometimes I just read a good book, try a new recipe, or watch a favorite movie…
This has been an interesting season so far. I can’t say that I am too sorry that it hasn’t been hot. I am not one who likes to be too hot. I enjoy having the windows open and feeling the evening breeze, watching my flowers I planted and some garden things as well. I am not the best gardener even though I come from a long line of master gardeners. I really enjoy the beautiful outdoors, being outside helps me regroup, allows me to think clearly and I get really motivated by that down time.
I am working right now on a new album that is 11x 8.5. I really am having fun with this size. It allows me to have all the elements that I love, big titles, paper piecing, embellishments. I can use 4×6 photos or I can shrink them down( I love doing that) I really didn’t think I would enjoy it as much as I have. There are so many formats for scrapbooking these days. There are no hard and fast rules and anyone can scrapbook. You can start anywhere and the sky is the limit. Do a little. Do it everyday. Weekends, evenings, early mornings. I am a night person, I get home from work and even though I am tired I look forward to a few hours of creative time, unwinding. Totally selfish time.
We have so many new stamps and papers that I am behind in the sample department. I have worked up some cute Father’s Day pages and ideas. I miss my Dad. I think about how much of our lives he has missed now. New babies, moving. I was looking through my family photos and reflecting on our lives together. I am so glad that I enjoy keeping a family history through photos and journaling, it helps me stay focused on what really counts in this life…

I love Take 10 Magazine

2008-06-05T23:58:00.000-06:00

I love Take 10 card magazine! They have sketch challenges in each issue and I look forward to seeing all the great, personal, interpretations of the sketch. It is always fascinating to me how different and unique the finished designs are. Like us, the colors the styles the stamps or embellishments used, reflect a little of the artist. Individuality is something that I enjoy about creativity. We see design features through different eyes. Our art is truly our own. We have different levels of ability but in wonderful ways-we can choose to learn more and play and experience a new level of skill or we can enjoy the level we are at. Creativity is so broad based.
I frequently run into people who say they are not creative. Who defined creativity for them? Not all of us will be famous designers, famous anything, for that matter-does that make us any less talented? Do we have to be acknowledged by the general public to validate our creativity? I have a friend who is wonderful with words, she describes things so well you can see what she is saying, yet she claims that she is not creative. We are no longer stuck in elementary school art class. We are not limited by another’s lack of imagination. Free yourself, try something new. Enjoy the process of learning a new skill, play. We all have abilities, sometimes we just need a spark to start our creative fire. Look around your craft room, look through a magazine, check out the scraping “porn” on the web then relax and let your imagination flow! I admit that I am a little slow in the blog department, I am getting more with it-so thanks for checking in!

I love quotes

2008-05-20T16:49:00.000-06:00

I love quotes! The right little thought for the moment. I read one recently “he too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers.” Henry Adams.

I thought about that sentiment quite a bit. It applies to all of us in some ways. Some days we can step up and go the extra mile with our family or friends and other days we can cheer for them as they struggle by. Races wouldn’t be as fun without a cheering crowd. Sometimes it is that way with our scrapbooking. We get a few moments here or there to record moments with photos and journaling other times we get together with our friends and are inspired to get a whole bunch of pages done and love to look at our finished albums. So here is to you that are struggling along in their scrapbooking thinking to yourself “is this even worth the effort?” Yes! Keep up the great work! Recording your families history and so very important day to day events. Your families will love their finished albums and cherish them as well as the time and effort you put into them. An extraordinary gift, a one of a kind gift. No one has your talent or ability, no one knows just the right little touch to add to the page that will touch someones heart. ONLY YOU. Fantastic power and opportunity! So don’t give up or get discouraged you will get your albums done and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Scrapbooks are heartwarming family treasures that keep us in touch with our loved ones here and gone. Remember you make the difference!

When your zen garden is the cat box

2008-04-09T05:11:00.001-06:00

You know how we get caught up in life and it just runs away with us? I read all these articles about “keeping it simple” and making our life’s more fulfilling and wondered to myself do we ever reach that point where life is simple? Who defines what simple is? Maybe for you, keeping it simple is living life in the moment. Concentrating on what is happening right now. I find myself thinking ahead and not always enjoying the moment. I think for me, as a business owner you have to think ahead, keep on your toes, stay current on the “happenings.” But some days I want to just play with all my fun creative things and not do laundry, make dinner, or iron. Eventually the daily grind makes us face the music and put down the colored pencils.

I set goals and evaluate where I am in life during my birthday month. Kind of unusual I guess, but that is how I do it. I was reflecting on where I am and where I would like to see myself and making the two a reality. That is when I realized that for me, my “zen” garden is the cat box. The daily grind of things that keep us grounded. It isn’t so bad. I have great friends, a family I love, I live in a beautiful state, I get to create almost everyday and meet talented and creative ladies who share the same passion about paper crafting that I do. I heard a funny saying about your glass being half filled-less to clean up when spilled. That made me just laugh. So you see, my zen garden really is the cat box. Overall not a bad place to be.

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