And, in honor of not hater-ating, I have to post another SOY entry:

Here is 2 of 20 (smile).

Trust: The Gift

They posted the list on CK's site so you should check it out. Lots of really REALLY great folks on that list and I'm honored to have even gotten it together to enter. Been doing a lot of reading, self reflection and the like and finally came to see two things:

1. If you want it like that, you have to do it like that Madame revolutionaryist

2. You are you and only you, be true to hold truth.

I've been email debating with the BF this morning. LOVE this life!

Well...as I'm no SoY...you benefit.

I get to post layouts! I think maybe I'll do one a day.

Starting with my fave:

What are you afraid of: Out There

Materials:

Basic Grey pp, Bazzill Cardstock

Heidi Swapp ghost letters

Fancy Pants & Making Memories chipboard (doddle thingy and hearts)

Hero Arts stamp

Colorbox Liquid chalk

staples

trusty sharpie (brown this time...go figure)

acrylic paint

Think you can read the journaling.

1 down...19 more to go.

Wow...something to post about daily and pics to go with it!

Maybe we'll make it through August yet!

Well...when one door closes, another opens. No SoY...(really...REALLY...truly) but did get that other opportunity. I get to be on the DT for As the World Scraps. Totally psyched because it is ALL about scrapping other people's pictures through your own lens. This is exactly what I do more times than not. When I'm scrapping for "myself" I am scrapping other people. This will be so absolutely amazingly cool.

And for being good kidos, I have to post a layout:

You can read the journaling and be sure to check out the amazing

Beyond Appearances Challenge Blog!

Sigh. Grin! Can't wait to get home and get back to that other project!

EGADS!!!

Wow. WOW! Gotta a really GREAT opportunity come my way. Creating the way I create for a cause I care for. This blows me over that I get to do this. I'm so excited I need to back away from the computer before I say something I'm not supposed. Promise that soon as I get the okay...I'll spill it!

**ETA...sob...not till tomorrow. If I had not checked that thread over there, I wouldn't have known and could just go about my life already. But I would have so stupidly posted my LO's online. So it's a good thing.**

***And I just saw something way cool pop into my email...another post becons...***

Soy...whatcha waiting for? Calls of course. End of today, we should know who made finalists. Dream come true. That would SO be a dream come true. And then some.

But in equally eventful news...made it to the next round for all of the obnoxious links I left you to browse in the last post. And now I have to get up the nerve to show BF said winning los. Winning because so many folks have been touched by it. I was touched by it (smile). Anyhow...check it out from the last post. I'll check in tomorrow to whine the heartbroken dream but in the meantime...

Till tomorrow.

Phew...just been scrappin' away.

No...not for that pretties...for just basic deadlines. Doing stuff I love for folks I love and inspiring a soul or two along the way. I just did an interview (stay tuned!) that really got me thinking about why I do what I do and how I do it. Just plain goodness.

So... I did realize that I have not gotten to share a whole bunch of stuff lately because of various reasons.

So...how about I link you over to them instead? Okay. Now...on this place here: {ScrappinTrends} I made it to the final round and get to play with some really fun Urban Lily goodies such as this:

You can check out my sketch layouts from assignment 2
{Life Is Unscripted} and {Chatty Gal}.

In other contests, I just finished my upload to Round 2 of the Queen of Paradise contest. You can check out the Contest Rules for Round Two

and then peep my A-Z layout and my 10 Things layout.

Phew...lots of linking there...

What else have I been up to? Oh...I suppose I could link you to my Round 1 layouts from both contests too:

Scrapping Trends, Round 1 of Summer Bash:
{What are You Afraid Of?}

Croppin Paradise, Round 1 of Queen of Paradise:
{Famous Last Words}

{If I could Turn Back Time Left}

{If I could Turn Back Time Right}

Okay! The rest is DT and whatnot

Life is:

Wonderful. Of course!

I got so much great news this past week I can barely STAND it! One piece that I can share...remember these:

Well they were in the Innovator Showcase at CHA: Chicago AND she displayed one of them in her booth. How cool is that? Some folks are saying they got nibles and hits off of their cards and the like. And that a certain manufacturer actually asked to see someone's shoe up close! How cool is that for the designer? I'm just so happy to have had the opportunity to do the work and to have done a good enough job on it to get it showcased. Totally ROCKS!

Then...something I don't think I can so much share but I can say be on the lookout for the December Making Memories Magazine. Awesome! A toot I never knew how to pursue, but less been pursued to do. What an awesome email to wake up to and such a fantastic individual to work with. Okay...saying so much and nothing at all...December MM mag.

The chatter is heating up for the KI contest (just about done with that album) since the DL is August 15 and of course there is less than a week before we find out the 10 finalists for the SOY contest. What an honor it would be but really...really.

Got quite a few deadlines to hit this week so...off I go.

Oh yeah...some of the best news of all? You have to check out www.diversitydesigns.net. Check out that chica on the "cover" (smile).

Diversity Designs peek:

What do I do over there?

Well I design things like this:
and this:
and most recently, this:

That last one is a sneak peek of what's to come on the 15th my pretties! Okay. I promise. No More "my pretties".

It cannot have been like 10 days since I have posted. Nope...that would be blogger acting a fool. No need to worry my pretties...massive update for ya.

Okay...so what have you been up to missy? Well, for one, I created these:

Happy 4th of July!!

Catch them live and in living color at CHA in Chicago! Holey Soles booth...or who knows...maybe they'll make the Innovator's showcase. A gal can dream... oh and yeah. Likely wouldn't want to set them upon your feet...unless you like acupuncture.

Surely, you cannot have JUST decorated up a pair of shoes you note. Well...of course I did more than that. The pictures are not the hottest, but for the happening, crisp pictures, you should take your pretty little self over to www.diversitydesigns.com (yeah, I could give you a cool link with just the name instead of the ugly url, but really. They'll be up on the 15th ish. Find them on the board in the many places our layouts hide. Oh yeah...the pics. That would be in the next post dears...

There

It got "there"

All for this:

Priceless.

How much did it cost me? Do you really want to know? Keep in mind that the materials costs pretty much include my scrap budget for the last two months since everything I bought (but not everything was used) was with SOY in mind. That said:

CK SBOTY contest.
materials for 20 layouts: $197.00
Kinkos color copies on 10 pt glossy cover stock 67.00
Patent Leather Portfolio for said color copies 11.00
2 Day Fed Ex to Bluffdale, UT 19.00

Finally coming up off it and entering this amazing contest Priceless!!

Stay tuned for the KI Memories tally. That album is coming out AMAZINGLY. I had to tie myself down to focus on SBOTY instead of tinkering on that one. I had half a thought to finish it and enter it as one of my 20 projects but then I woke up and realized I wanted to give it the time it deserved. All in the details my pretties.

8560 2968 4654

Track it with me now. FedEx. Two day. Be there by Thursday afternoon. I am so happy with the way it turned out it moved me to tears. I cannot believe I actually pulled it off. I want to jump up and down and scream. Now, I won't say the whole "I don't have a shot in hell" because, well, everyone has a shot right? Well, everyone who enters and the like.

I love my essay. Love my portfolio. Love my work, but...

This is such a huge dream. To be able to travel the world telling and hearing stories and getting creative in how we document our legacies. I would fall out my chair and hit the floor if I made even an honorable mention. Heck, if my portfolio even made enough of an impact to make it into a "table shot" of all the neat things they received. But if...check that WHEN (positive thinking...that's the only way I'll make it through this) I make Top 10!

Whoa...hold on sista!

I'll post photos of said entry later this week. Well, pieces of it that is (smile).

I'm such a tease...I know, I know...

Guess who...

Just finished up a fantastically smashing portfolio for about 20 items? (hint, hint)
Has one last Kinko's run to pick up said essay and title strips to finish the portfolio?
Has only to stick it in the box, address it and ship it on off already?

Know what I'm talking about? I love soybeans...pictures on the next update...

Fun toys!

I bought this:


yesterday at the Paper Zone bag sale. It was 30% off. So of course I bought extra little tag citcles and squares and rectangles. Oh my. Hey...I have some neat pictures to make into tags. It was all about the packaging. I saw the above and said to myself "Self, you really don't use tags that much to justify this."

Then I flipped it over and there was a picture of someone cutting out a small portion of a black and white photo and making THAT into a tag. I know...I never use my QK had tool either but...really. I almost bought an alpha for that. Yeah...and I said ALMOST.

What else did I buy you ask? Never mind that I got out spending a MERE $55 (that is good self control for those not in the know). What is most important is that I spent said money MOSTLY (not entirely, cause it is me after all) on stuff that is reusable. See the picture above.

Other reusable purchases--I bought some cool clear stamps--alpha set and NOT Technique Tuesday. Shhhh...don't tell anyone. I needed a relatively small set that I could color in. All for that KI colorful album. Couldn't help it.

I guess I'm back on the Making Memories train as well. I went into the place looking for those oldschool clear travel stickers. With travel quotes.

Couldn't find them. But I DID find some really cool MM foam flower stamps. And, of course, the tool above.

All said and done right? Well...uhhmmm. I also just bought a non (well, not really) scrap toy. It was a present for getting my column done. Check it on the Colored White blog.

Guess what?

Okay...so I need to count.

15 when I'm not looking at the floor. 4 more ideas. I constantly have to remind myself--it is NOT what they are looking for. It is who you are. You are unique, so rock it.

One is an ambitious project for a weekend. Well...not really. But really.

Time to start taking pictures and assembling. The writing is not an issue. which reminds me. Column due in t-minus 2.5 hours. Uggh. Uninspired. Gotta love it.

I committed. Now I need to be committed.

Over on the Creating Keepsakes MB, I said to Erin "sure gal. you throw down the challenge, I'll bite."

So less than 20 days to get a Scrapper of Year entry together. I have a neat idea for how to get it done. I have 12 layouts done. I have three projects that I can throw in. I have two more projects half done that I can finish. That means three actual more projects/layouts. I have a couple of events this weekend and next. I think I might have another project I can include (I fluctuate between having 7 and 8 seen layouts that are currently in my entry). Think I just might do that. We shall see. I really want to get everything done this weekend so it can be assembled by Monday. Shipped by Monday after that. I can do it. Really...I can.

Especially if I get off of here. Not about winning because chances are very slim. But it is about being happy with what I do as a scrapper AND moving beyond the "should of haves".

Peace out.

Well if it ain't just me!

Got a toot for www.Scrapstreet.com mag. Now that place is cool to beyond cool. Lots of stuff to get lost in for hours on end. Their online mag is fantastic. Got a call for a birthday tradition layout I did and it just might make the cover! It does get pubbed regardless so I'm doing the happy dance over that. {ETA: Didn't make the cover, but here's the layout!}



Banged out some fantastic Diversity Designs projects for the June kit. Ya'll watch out now and head on over there (www.diversitydesigns.net check the monthly inspiration tab).

Nothing like some shameless plugs.

Just submitted an application for a really cool looking kit club design team. Though I'm not much of a fan of competition (I'm honest!!) I AM a fan of sharing really cool stuff. So check THEM out at www.scrappygiraffekits.com . {ETA: Didn't make the team, but their kits still rock the house!}

Okay...I promise. Enough enabling for one day.

Off to scrap some more!

KIss Me Happy...

You know what I love about huge contests? I always get this notion that I'm going to enter. I buy all sorts of product. Make all sorts of plans. Plot all sorts of "so not me" projects. Which is interesting because in a regular moment, I use the stuff ANYHOW, in my regular life. Just that I tend to use it with other products instead of as just one manufacturer showcased so that doesn't go so well in DT competitions, etc.

Anyhow.

I started this project for the KI album contest. With their Color Theory line. I like the line. Don't love it. Or I should say didn't love it. Probably still don't love it. But do very much like the colors of all things KI--from the pastels to the muted to the much more bold color theory line, I'm liking it.

So one night, I woke up with this grande scheme of what I would be doing with this here contest. I absolutely ADORE my book so far. I love that it is really me. Love that it is really special. But everyone creates something special. So just because I think my topic is dear and close to my heart, it is indeed a bit non-standard and doesn't have huge audience appeal. Overthinking the contest has lead me to slowly (but surely) come back around to what I like and what is important to me.

Lovely. Love it. Can't wait to more fully get this out and done because regardless of the outcome of it, I'm going to give it away. Because most of the products I got to create this were given to me. I so love what I've done and thought and come to with this and though I love KI, I love them moreso for pushing me to create this great album. No hard feelings, but I may not enter my album because I love it so much. But I'll definitely share it.

Here's to contests that get you creating from the heart again!

A bit of love right on time. I think that's what I am working on for my latest, greatest, starting to consume my life project. I never want to put it down. I just adore what I'm doing. It's going very off course--I had some specifics to work with and I've done that, but it is really getting out of hand and brimming with amazingness unexpected. It will be another of those "love this myself" even if no one else does. Well, that's a lie. It is a gift so SOMEONE better love it. And I am sure he will. He loves stuff like this. Thing is, I may keep it myself and he can come and look at it from time to time (smile). I can play nice...

And....not. They don't love me but that's okay. I'll still horde their paper (smile).

Working feverishly on a project that I'm falling more and more in love with. And there are DT projects to get done for Diversity Designs. And BF is going to get a computer up and running for me (laptop is dead...and photos too...thank goodness most were backed up and I've had no camera in forever)...

Okay...time to work. Or something.

And on Urban Lily. Love them.

Adore them. Call me okay? Yeah...I know...loooooooong shot. But, I so love their papers. Particularly since I can cut them, slit them, sand them, jewel them...oh I could go on and on. I love how I can create works of art with them. I love how I can create giftable pages with them. I love how i can give it away to folks who totally adore and appreciate the goodness. I love how it photographs well, stands out from the crowd and blends in when needed.

The DT will be posted tomorrow. Not much of a shot as I figure they had hundreds of entries, but as you can see...I'll work me some UL. And I love it. And...yeah...my number is (360) 970-19...

yeah.

Treats for my patient pretties. Here is half my entry. There's another layout and a project I also had to submit.

"We Will Cry"

Return of the original photos. This is from my wedding *what?~! you were married??* and hence the title/journaling. I couldn't scrap these in forever because it was such a bittersweet moment. Then the write papers came along and well... UL papers, Scrapworks and 7Gypsies ribbon, Darice rhinestones and poetry word beads and Making Memories Rub Ons.

"Nap Time"

Bit more traditional. My nephew would never take his nap until you counted down from 6. I sliced into the UL patterned paper, used an SEI art iron on, Lil Davis bubble word and background and wood numerals, Making Memories and Maya Road ribbon and Technique Tuesday Functuation. Also Lil Davis Foreign Exchange alphas.

Enjoy!

But you ARE a finalist!

Now I didn't know whether I should be happy or sad or flustered at this point. The laptop is goners. Have to reboot and hope that helps, but I'm 99% sure it's a dead harddrive. I heard the clicks of death the other day. I started it find to transfer photos. First it tried to tell me I didn't have a writable drive. My arse.

Then it wouldn't do anything. So I shut down. Went to restart, it said "yeah...maybe not"

Anyhow, I'm beyond that. Have most of my pics, lost alluva my digi stuff. So very flustered over that. Live and learn--catalog your holdings since most of those things I could probably go back and redownload...if only I knew where they were. Sigh.

But the good news! Luda is going to be at Summer Jam. So kidding. So kidding. He will be, but I gives half a care about that. Especially since I saw...never mind.

Good news is that I made the finalist round at ScrapStreet for the digi scrapping contest. $50 first prize to the store...$25 to second and even $15 in digi scrap goodies would make me feel a bit better now. I tell ya...life can be hard. Good thing of it is that you are only allowed to use their kit for this last round. Yeah! And it was FREE! So I might actually get to do this one!

In the meantime, check out the may blossoms at Diversity Designs. The design teams are rocking the house if I might say so myself. And I might...(say so, myself, that is...)

Yooooooou're OUT!

Alas.

Didn't make it past Round 2. And since no one and their mama (or their mama for that matter as well) visits my blog, I can put up a few treats for you here. Here was the militant post that got me axed:

Enjoy!

{ETA: http://www.digiscrappin.biz/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=6376&cat=500&ppuser=3288 for the full view...}

Round 2...of the best scrap contest eva! And I made it. Imagine that! Now I needa complete a page about me. Should be easy which means I should be eliminated this round. 200 in it now...100 will be dropped. But the pages are amazing! I was showing them to my landlord and he was pretty amazed. I of course told him he could do this too and set him to scrapping. Like anyone can ever say no to me...well...not and feel good about it (smile).

By the by...Martha Stewart and Fran D (won't even attempt to spell her name) are making a very NASTY looking cocktail. And my WORD the alcohol they are pouring in it. Talk about product placement and it's like not even 9:30 in the morning (here at least) and they're drinking! The heck?? Watermelon and rum and what in the world? I'm noticing that they are not taking a sip...let's see if they do on the out to commercial. YES!! She just took a sip. Crazy. What is this world coming to??

You know I'm so joking, but still a bit shocked. But I am hungry so time to eat, scrap, send raks and cards. Mama's day is almost here and I'm so very happy that there are 4 *yes FoUr!!* special mama's in my life! My mama (who is absolutely amazing), my BF's mama (who is four shades of amazing), my sister (who is ghetto fabulous amazing) and my new sister in law who I have never met but who just produced my baby brother's FIRST baby...a boy of course (smile). Oh yeah...neva met her but she's amazing with two snaps because she's doing it to it with her two little babies while her man is away in the Gulf. Fun times with military life. At least he's not in Iraq. Thank the Lord for small miracles...

Yes...she does.

So I asked...fun times. She was funny as all get out and smart to boot. What a woman that former Sec'y of state...

Madeleine...do you...

I wonder if Madame Albright scrapbooks? I'll ask her tonight and let you know...

Off to see the former Sec'y of State then home to scrap away. I have a lovely little soiree coming up that I'd love to share my pictures at. It is always such a fantastic way to get people talking--break out some art, get some opinions, relish in the memories and then SUCK THEM IN! Get them to start doing it too!

Works like a charm every time. They never see it coming (smile).

On to covert some more boys into scrappers...

Whoa now...

Who DO you think you are? If you stop pushing and wait patiently, she'll sign your book already aight?

Aight.

Yeah right.

But.....


...guess who is pubbed? In a book? That you can buy? At a real store? A real (very comercial) bookstore? As in walk in and say "Do you have Scrap City" only to be told...why yes we do ma'am.

Well, at least they do in Seattle. Downtown. Big time!

I'm in the new, awesome, fantastic Scrap City book. Not that I'm all that, but the artists in that book...definitely all that.

And on June 29th, there's a book release party in NYC for it. Yeah...I'm so there. If I were not so poor. Maybe I'll take a collection. Maybe I'll ebay my soul away so I can go. Just to get to say, yeah, I traveled to NYC to pimp myself in the most scrapalicious of ways...

Rock on with it. Go'n and lean with it.

I'm giddy...can you tell? I went back to the hood for a moment.

It is Wednesday...of course there is much love.

This is a promised one too. Very work in progress, but my laptop is crashing out on me again so I'm going to post this as is with the disclaimer that this is a work in progress. This is how I scrapped one of my Tulip Fest pics!

{ETA} This is the finished copy of the layout and it is all digi!

Check that out if you will

I have lots of little details (inking, stitching and what not--this is a direct lift of the same layout I did as a paper version) to save to this version, but I've tried a few too many times and I'm losing my patience. Before bashing my laptop, I'm going to go ahead and step away from this. But did want to follow through with posting what I have so...enjoy! This weekend I'll post the list of materials and where to get them so that you can do cool digi layouts too!

Okay...you need love. I understand. I have three blogs...it's hard to keep up with all of them. And with this scrappy one...you know that I so post everywhere under the sun so I know you all are a bit more forgiving...

Okay. Really, there is no excuse. So a little treat for you!

All digi of course cause really...do I own paper anymore. Yeah...and I do. And I have lots of work there. But currently camera less so it's hard to upload. But if you stop by my pad, I'd be happy to share!

Not to mention digi is addictive.

Look me up (imanisasa) at 2peas and you'll see the inspiration for the one above. Some would call it freestyle. I will call it graphic expose. It really FOCUSES (believe me...or don't) on the real lifeness of...well...real life.

Enjoy!

Oh I think they like me...

Oh I think they like me...


Okay...I listen to crap. And what? But really...I do think they like me. I'm still a survivor. Yep, Yep.

And whoa...I get to shout a big one come the 15th. It's not huge to most folks, but this is so completely, totally, up my way...my niche. I'm appreciated...I'm known, I'm actually sought out. How ya like them peas?

Download queen tonight...all sorts of digital goodies galore. Scrapbook Bytes...Designer Digitals...Peppermint Creatives...wow. Lots of great folks. Evidently, I'm a big fan of Jen Wilson--racked up like $30 worth of stuff from her tonight. And I could have probably managed $50 more if I didn't have BF asking whether I should be spending up the vacation fund. Or something like that.

Time to upload a pic. And get on home.

What a fantastic weekend indeed.

You Inspired Me

You Inspired Me,
originally uploaded by imanisasa.

And here is the flicker noted version. Go here...trust me it is worth it. There's a little challenge for you to guess away at (or sit here and actually figure it out). You have until 8pm PDT Sunday and I will have a cool rak full o' product for the winner...good luck!

Yeah yeah...you can email me guesses, but I'd prefer you post them here so everyone knows what they're up against...

Happy Anniversary. No...not of blogging (although lots of scrap blogs are celebrating a year nowadays...who knew I was getting in on this in the early days...). But of meeting that lovely BF of mine.

So in tribute, I give you all this:

Shhh...he doesn't know it's for him yet...

For those of you with absolutely nothing to do, check out the post right before this one for a cool little challenge involving the heart. Super RAK involved for the winner!

Have a great weekend!

Oh happy day. Getting blog hits on the photo blog (shots fired) AND got invited to a Design Team AND found out that I'm not out of the Scrap Survivor. Wow. What a happy Monday morning. Lord knows poor BF was not feeling the moodiness yesterday.

More on yesterday on the "real life" blog (Colored White).

Toodles!

kiss the cook card

kiss the cook card,
originally uploaded by imanisasa.

Oh my Dear sweet goodness. I just fell out my chair with Flickr. Notes on my pictures?? Who knew! You'll definitely have to go to flickr.com and check out my photos when I say ready set go so you can see all the cool stuff I did with the photos.

All the best!

So What DO you do?

I do to do. I love to capture life. Little slices of it. In pictures, in words, usually out of context.

Typically, scrapbooking is about capturing the perfect moments and only the good times. But is that really an accurate, true picture of who we are? Admittedly, I'm a bit quirky. So maybe I'm just the only one without a perfect life. That said, I do still like what I take the time to create to be beautiful. To be a reflection of my efforts. To be me.

As such, I love the process just as much as the finished product. Some days, I like to keep it simple. Others, I like to go deep. You certainly see that reflected in my scrapbooking but really, I don't scrapbook. I'm a collector, so I collect life. I collect scraps. I collect thoughts, words, moments. Really, though I create, moreso I just organize and shuffle. To that, I'm more of a Collective. Maybe a Collective: Individualized. Yeah...that's it.

Ahhh...Wednesday. I actually do need to work today so off I go. But before I leave you...something simple and fun...

I invite you to live happier. Enjoy life!

Scrapbook Survivor.

I know, I know...campy.

Are you in it? I am?

Did you get your (s)crap[s] yet?

Party Time!

This chica has gone digital. Okay...so this is not the most smashingly smashing bit. BUT! It is my first card so give it a lay already mate.

But really. I love this whole digital thing and as I learn more and more about how to play with it all...this is going to be so fun.

So April 1. Know where I live? Know how to get down to the water? Then you're invited. Otherwise, you gotta luck up on a lucky e-vite to come to this Beachy Housewarming deal.

I cannot believe I just blew $50 on digital scrapbook stuff. I figured it wouldn't be as bad as "real life" scrapping. Yeah right. So many cute things...so little time. I already have some fave designers (can you tell?!). Sigh...time to go do some real scrapping. Just saw a yummy, yummy pasta dish on tv. But...before I go...check out the cool (s)crap[s] you can buy from a po gal just trying to make it already and be inspired to do your own venture by this groovy chic!

Lovely!

First:

I know...I should be a more considerate blogger and post more often here. But really...this is a scrap blog so when I'm not posting here, I'm actually busy scrapping. yeah right. But let us pretend.

Check this out:

My very first digital layout.

Wow. I think I'm addicted.

It was so easy. I need to learn how to edit stuff once it is layered and how to change .png files so that I can actually move them around on my layout once I alter them but this was so friggin' easy I don't know why I have not moved over to this side sooner. Especially since it is still so relatively new that I could so do this for HoF next year. I'm on it. So on it. Since this is my first (and I'm sure I'll get much better from here), I'll go ahead and post this. This is also my entry for the Epson Digital Scrapbooking contest at the Portland CK convention this weekend. Since it took me a couple of hours to create, I assume that no one else can bite it that quickly before the deadline to enter. Don't hate or I'll stop sharing. Disclaimer aside...

Enjoy!

Okay then. I thought I had posted this here, but I'madorkafobicloser.

Okay.

So...Day after I mail in lovely layout to Creating Keepsakes, I get an email from Scrapbook Trends requesting the exact same layout. Well...without the alterations CK wanted.

I was like whoa

When you're hot, you're hot.

So then I posted a play a long challenge for the Scrapbook Survivor gig I didn't make it out of the first round for. Much love. Wanna see it? Here it goes:

Life moves fast. Move with it. Or at least just lean with it and rock with it. I need music in my life. Blue skies, another blog to update. Time to move it. 30 minutes and my weekend is here.

Anyone? Anyone. Have a few kids...a spare husband...I could really get wicked with what I want to say here, but then I wouldn't be sugary sweet and nice enough. Yeah. Like I ever was.

Anyhow. I think I just need to do my own thing. Really. I have all sorts of crazy ideas brewing in my mind, so I think it is time to do as all the folks in person tell me to do and just start my own revolution.

Believe it or not, not every scrapper has kids and a hubby by 28. Just another of those "not cool enough to play with the popular kids" moments. It has passed.

So this weekend I am going to go and make copies of my recent creations so that I can add them to my portfolio. I think I might go back and teach classes. I think I might also do my own book. Crazy...I know. But I have wanted to do this for a while so instead of dreaming of and talking about "when I get famous" it's time to do it myself. Really, there is no other way. Trust me, I've tried. I'm just a bit too odd, out there, trite, and tongue in cheek for America (smile).

So off to seak out inspiration in life and then twist and screw it until it is something of me. Fun times!

Do I ever scrap?

Why yes I do.

This little doozie is for the

Scrapbook Survivor contest

at one of the many blogs I read.

If I had a clue, I'd link the html here, but I don't so you'll just have to search for it. Sorry...no patience when I'm on break...

More to come...

I of course will be altering this one and now I have the funds to go out and buy a real camera so...let the fun and games begin.

Done. Postal.

V-day is done. I made the lovely fun coupons for the BF and he seemed to appreciate them. I didn't get the time to make a card and didn't buy one either--don't think I'd find one that really says what I want to say so I let it go.

Postal. Supposedly, priority mail will make it from Seattle to Utah in 2-3 days. I'm tracking them. Sent off the 2 pager to Creating Keepsakes this morning. Brittany has been a pleasure to work with. Just like Angie was at Simple Scrapbooks. Really, they're just real people (smile).

Time to try and create. I'm blocked right now for the good stuff. Or is this really when the good stuff will come out? We shall see. Check the other blog...

V-day.

Oh what is a girl to do. I think I am pretty positive what I want to do, but it is Tuesday. And it is now Sunday. And I have to be in Oly tomorrow night. So yeah...not so much.

I have to really get a shake on the CBX deal if I'm going to do that. I think I want to go simple which is really not conducive to a CBX win, but somewhere along the lines I saw people posting that they were journaling finalists. I have a lot to say on this album. So for the very least it will make a great gift for a very deserving individual on a special day to come. I look forward to this.

But that brings me back to Valentine's Day and what is a girl to get a boy who has it all. Or at least who knows where to get exactly what he wants a lot cheaper than I ever would. I'll get it done. I always do and it always comes off better than anticipated.

So that brings me now to the AmEx ad questions. Another popular scrap worthy expose. To it goes [be sure to thank Rick's daughter on this one...gotta love those AmEx folks]:

***

Childhood ambition: to become a geneticist and play God.
Fondest memory: sitting in a group of super smart kids at the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend and debating racial issues--super charged, super smart, super empowered. Tied with seeing my nephew Q for the very first time
Soundtrack: Miss New Booty. Yeah right. Uhhhmmm...it would be my own little special mix tape of angry girl/hate men/love/remorse/happy songs.
Retreat: my deck/balcony in a pinch. Someplace warm with only one person by my side
Wildest Dream: Africa. I have to get there
Proudest moment: making the decision to leave home and go to Cornell
Biggest challenge: staying at Cornell for the long haul once my grandmother became ill
Alarm clock: yeah I have one. But typically I wake up to the "aliens" of my cell phone alarm
Perfect day: wake up, see blue sky. It's warm (say 55...), I'm outside. I do something active, eat something good, drink something better, read something fantastic and spend time with someone important. preferably the bf. I'm not rushing to get something else done or to go and do something else.
First job: cotton candy maker at the local ball park
Indulgement: shoes? Where?? Are they on sale? Do I really need to eat? I've made such good progress...I can resist...must...resist...
Last Purchase: scrap stuff (of course) for a project
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption in this moment, Crash in the next...depends on mood
Inspiration: backwards. Looking outside of the box. Seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary
My Life: daughter, sister, wish grantor, good luck charm, lost soul

HoF. Not. But I did help to make another woman's entry into another major contest possible by RAKing a bit of supplies to her. Here's hoping she is a finalist and uses some of it so that I can live vicariously through others.

I just ran out of time on HoF. And I was starting to create pages that I really, REALLY loved. So perhaps I'll use the assignments as impetus for creating more great pages and really getting on the submission ball this year. I'm hyped about the CK page request and need to get over the whole "fear of networking" thing and do as I'm told--use those connections! Why not send your materials directly to the people who can make the decisions. So why not indeed.

Time to work it all out. Evidently, I'm dramatic enough for another Laura adventure at 2ps so...yipee!

Hof. Yeah right. Maybe, likely not. We'll see after tonight. Move on to CBX instead? I think so. I'm a bit burned out on it. Gotta send the scan of the altered LO. Fun times to finally make Creating Keepsakes. Life is good. Tired, but good. maybe I'll sit on the deck this evening, have a nice huge bowl of pasta and just enjoy it. Weather has been fantastic lately. Plenty of good light for pictures. Time to research a great camera since this will be my last major purchase for quite a while.

And since the question of "10 years ago" not only came up (and is discussed on Colored White blog), and I saw it on all my fave scrap blogs, time to tag and tell again:

What were you doing 10 years ago? Getting ready to graduate from high school. More specifically, I was prepping for the Miss Black El Paso Pageant, completing my Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist application, waiting on my letter of admission to Cornell and just loving life as the stat keeper for my little brother's AAU basketball team.

What were you doing one year ago? In relationship counseling, "finishing up" my master's degree, trying to figure out what to do with my life

Five snacks that you enjoy:
1. uhhhmmm...I rarely eat.
2. seriously
3. really.
4. well, i eat like one big meal a day
5. most folks "snack" is typically my meal so...can't really get into this one

Five songs to which you KNOW all the lyrics: [singing along to...]
1. Check up On It (Beyonce) [goodness they play it enough on Kube 93]
2. Twinkle Twinkle Litte Star
3. My Old Cornell
4. Cornell Alama Matter (of course)
5. Star Spangled Banner

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Invest most of it so that I'd have more money to play with
2. pay off all the bills first (grad school wasn't cheap...)
3.buy the usual (house for mama, set up college plans for the nephews, take care of those who cared for me)
4. hire a lawyer to stick it to my ex landlord (I'm kidding...I'd just pay it all off and be done w/it)
5. travel, travel and then travel a bit more

Five bad habits:
1. making people wait for me
2. never saying no
3. requiring absolute perfection
4. not sticking it out with my to do lists
5. procrastinating

Five things you like doing:
1. spending time with boyfriend
2. a good job--at work, in scrapbooking, in my board work, in life.
3. organizing/REALLY cleaning something (like scrubbing, etc.)
4. hanging out on the phone (and even moreso in person) with my family (nephew, mom, etc.)
5. taking pictures

Five things you would never wear, buy or get again:
1. leg warmers (like dancers wear)
2. size 8 clothes (alas)
3. film camera
4. cheap, knock off, printer ink (like refillable cartridges)
5. a vcr tape

Five favorite toys:
1. cell phone
2. laptop
3. colored post it notes (nerdy, I know)
4. asssortment of ultra fine sharpies in wonderful colors (super nerdy, I know)
5. it is long gone and hard to replace, but I ADORED my PDA

Five people you will be emailing tomorrow:
1. random wannabe lawyer confused by the application deadline
2. random wannabe lawyer #2 worried that we didn't yet process their ap from 12/24/2005
3. BF (of course)
4. probably Andrea
5. likely Liisa

Fun times. Roll with it.

Pub me now! Wowweee...

Friday, I got a fantastic email from one of the fantastic editors at Creating Keepsakes. Guess who FINALLY got a CK page call? I thought it would never happen. I am so happy. I have some alterations to do to the page, but I love it and it will be fantastic and it will appear in the June issue. Which means it will be out in a couple of weeks (hahaha...running joke amongst those in the know that CK puts out the Feb issue in like November...).

Super psyched and it gave me the juice to create. Got all sorts of inspiration for great ideas and now just can't wait to get the time to actually do it. Might have some time tonight. I love 8.5 x 11 and odd shapes and sizes nowadays. I thought I would never stray from 12 x 12 because I loved all the space allowed, but really, space is relative.

I love how my life works. Get a bit frustrated and get to the point of just about to give up and alas, something wonderful comes along. That is how I get up every day loving life--because I know that no matter how bad it gets, a better day is coming.

Back on the horse. Saw this on my fave blog and since most people don't know me from Adam to tag me for anything, I'll tag and spread the love. Here goes!

(modified of course for threes and then some)...

Three jobs you have had in your life:
Dishwasher
Ivy League Admission Counselor
Director of Diversity & Equity

Three movies you would watch over and over:
Fargo
A Perfect Murder
A Civil Action

Three places you have lived:
El Paso, Texas
Ithaca, New York
Seattle, Washington

Three TV shows you love to watch:
West Wing
Law & Order (any version)
Rescue Me

Three places you have been on vacation:
Victoria, BC
St. Martin/St. Maarten
Big Sur, CA

Three websites I visit daily:
www.twopeasinabucket.com
www.law.seattleu.edu
www.bloglines.com

Three of my favorite foods:
sushi
pizza
pasta (just about any kind)

Three places I would rather be right now:
El Paso, Texas
in BFs arms
on the scrapworks dt (had to get it in)

Three people I need to get back in touch with:
Marc
Alex
Rachel

Okay...so, instead of tagging someone else. I'll email the three folks I need to get back in touch with. Case closed.

Well.

It's up. And I'm not on it. I don't know why I even held out hope on this one. Actually, I don't understand how I can work in the profession that I do and make the decisions I do and not be able to brace myself for this.

Obviously (smile), I didn't make the team.

Wow. This one kinda hurt. I think because I actually thought I had a shot. Not so much on talent when, sigh, when it comes right down to it is what you actually need to be a designer. Sigh. But because I really thought I had something unique and gifted to offer.

I can't do this anymore. I mean, it is in my blood to compete. So when people tell me "do it for you and your family" I get a bit angered because I have no family to do it for. I do this for this--to compete for design teams...to win contests. I don't do it to fill a book of pages. That was a bit of the "unique" I felt I had to offer. Anyhow. There are times when you just have to know that you are not it. Somewhat like when I have to tell a wannabe lawyer that really, maybe their talents are better served elsewhere, I really wish that someone, anyone would tell me that maybe my talents are better served somewhere else. I think I could withstand that so much more than "well, you should just keep trying."

The highs are high and the lows are low. Welcome to my world. I get contacted out of nowhere to send in projects off of concept sketches and to be on design teams and I win decently major contests when I know what the rules of play are. But when it is all subjective, I just cannot do it. And the lows are low. This is why despite all the hard work and inate ability I never became a musician or a dancer. And I never truly entertained the idea of professionally doing the photography or design gig and getting trained in it because I could never deal with the constant rejection. So now I see.

Sigh. Just rambling because the places I'd normally do this are so not appropriate for this.

I still love Scrapworks. Still love their amazing product. Still will try again next year. Still will cry a river when I try to break out their stuff and work with it. But such is life. Life in Contest series is back again this year and I still have a CKU Tuition credit to cash in. See--mood swings are horrendous with me. 5 minutes ago I could all but see the keyboard to type.

Thank goodness it is lunch break at work and I HAVE to pull it together.

Deep breath. Time to get back on with my real life.

T-minus three days and holding breath still. God I hope to all heaven they are not doing calls and then posting because I would be losing hope now. I really just want them to post it. And someone to email me and say "congratulations."

Kind of the whole "if it's true that I didn't make it, just let the silence envelope me" bit. Ala West Wing--if I shouldn't go to the President and tell him his son in law is sleeping with the nanny say nothing right now".

I want it. Bad. Too bad...my ap SUCKED! Pitty party tomorrow at my place. B there or B square.

Yeah.

Accepted. Well...delivery at least. I don't know if I can bare to wait until Friday to find out I didn't make it. That said, here's some of the stuff from my entry.

The absolute weakest link to my entry. See...what had happened was when I photo'd the original one pager, it came off very flat. You couldn't tell the patterned paper variations, couldn't see any of the dimension. So I started futzing with the scan in Micro Photo whatever and did a lot of the damage. Started just adding lines to the fabric letters so they would stand out and you could read that it said patch. Then started added digital brads and the journaling and the wreck just could not be turned away from. Alas. Bad thing is it is in my entry packet. Good thing is that most of the horrendousness of this layout is the digital altering sooo...I still have a really great layout I love in person that I can add the digital {s}crap to or I can love it as is. Yeah.

Project--inside the box is the actual project. It rocks. It is cool. Unfortunately, I don't think I used enough Scrapworks on it. Alas. After HoF I'll post the entire project. Really, the box is nothing. The project inside is what I am totally psyched by. I won't use this one, but I have a far more intricate version of it that I am using for my memory keepsake project for the HoF entry. I think. Yeah...should get on that I guess.

My two pager. I actually like this better in person (of course). But I printed the photo on a sheet of labels and then pieced it all back together. Lots of rubons (of course--my fave), a tailored tab, my second fave product the Scrapworks Hugs...Just like the overall feel of this one. All about life happening and just laughing and smiling and taking it all in stride.

Now, believe it or not. I hatED this when I first created it. Just figured the colors were off and there was something missing. Finally, I added the penned in lines right above the orange cardstock and it seemed to finally have a finished look. Then I sanded the edges and it really finally looked doable. Love how the hugz and patterened paper **used scrapworks with another MF...showed the versatility of their product with others cause really...who only buys from one manufacturer nowadays** worked on this one.




Took the time to pay attention to presentation on this one too. Instead of just going down the list of DT questions, I actually did a really cute word generated layout type deal. Let them know how friggin' out there I am. If only I could figure out how to turn a word file into a jpeg without scanning it, I could post it here or on twop's. Alas. I don't think I can figure it out and it is too date for me to give much of a damn anymore. I'm too frustrated with it.

Did a different take on the 200 words about ourself/stuff we wanted them to know about us. I'll just retype that here. Maybe tomorrow I'll figure out the actual questionnaire stuff.

200 words (or so...)

Are you serious? 200 words? So you really don’t want any scrappers on this team eh? Okay. 200:

B - bold, beautiful, brainy. Check out the blog @ b3designs.blogspot.com

E - ecstatic over my Best of Show win at CK WA

R - Reaaaaallllly fun[ny] all around gal w/the “Best All Around Senior” award
to prove it.

N - Non-traditional. I don’t live in Utah. I’m not married. I have no kids. I
have a bit of melanin to keep a winter tan. I work (a lot) outside the home.
I can expand your market.

A - Adaptable. I can take it down or kick it up a notch.

D - Dependable. Especially on deadline.

E - Educator. By profession, by nature.

T - Talented. Uniquely so.

T - Type A personality. But not quite retentive and always fun to be around.

E - Eclectic. What can I say. A bit funky, a bit odd. All me.

Less than 200. But those are the highlights.

Shoot. Did it. Pulled the trigger. The ap is on its merry little way to Utah. Certainly a good thing I have everything under the sun going on this coming week to keep my mind off of the non-call.

And then there is HoF. I have borrowed one of BF's cameras. It took some amazing photos of the scrapworks entry stuff. Rocks. I have to say the entry itself, rocked. There was one layout that drove me nuts and looks like crapitycrapcrapcrap, but the other three pieces rock the house. Was not loving my card until I photo'd it. Nice. Loved my two pager for a long, long time and will likely alter it for a fave/gunked up HoF entry. But I love it to pieces. And my paper project...adore it. Already have requests from others to reproduce for them and the concept will be my HoF memory keepsake. Loving it. Two HoF deals done.

Had I not been a procrastinator, I could have redone my one pager. It looks so fantastic in person. Just with the lighting and all, didn't get the depth to distinguish between all of the patterned papers evenly. And at one point, I loved the photo, but not so much now. Would have loved to have had some green hugs. And to have broken out the staples and ribbon. Perhaps another alterable LO for HoF. We'll see.

So there you have it. Scrapworks, check. Can't win if you don't compete. Not a chance in heck really, but oh my word what a year this would be if I were on their team.

Scrapworks. Whisper the name. Shhh...a moment of silence. Breath. Okay.

I so, so, so, so, so want to apply. But I really don't think I have a shot in heck and I'm scared to send it in. Sigh. The agony of defeat. Especially when you don't even try. I need to just do it already. But what if they don't like me? What if it's not a matter of there being just plain stronger scrappers, but a matter of them just not liking me?

Bad part of it all? I will never know. Gulp. My mouth is dry. I need to release the box. Send it in. Before it costs me half a fortune to do so. And then there is HoF. I guess I know I really don't have a shot in heck at that one (although my fantastically fantastic owner of FiberScraps broke down the math for us DT girls there). Kinda scary.

One day I'll make it. Right after I get internet access at home. Just found the AC adapter. One step at a time gals. One step at a time.

Space. Space...space. And more of it.

I am so excited. Not only do I have a specifically craft devoted space. But I also have plenty MORE space. I can scrap in the scrap room. I can scrap in the living room on the table (not likely). I can (once I get a dining room table) scrap in the dining room. I can even scrap on the vast floor in my bedroom.

What am I going to do with all this space? Buy lots of stuff to fill it of course. Of course.
So...scrap intentions for the coming year. Easy as pie. Wanna hear it? Here it go[es]:

1. Scrap. Yeah. As in actually do.

2. Learn. A class or two--and definitely not scrap classes because I know it all. It's just a matter of convincing the world that I know it all. Kidding. But seriously. I want to take photography and writing and designing classes. So many community colleges around here. Even some 4 years. So much time. Why not. Second degree? yeah right.

3. Buy more. Really. Seriously. You think I'm joking. Yeah, I have enough [s]crap. But I need a real camera. And I need to cease with the clearance isles and get to the current stuff. And I need to buy totally non-scrap stuff and get scrappy with it. That has been my success. Don't fight it.

4. Share. Stop hogging all the fun stuff and publish it. Yeah, big time would be nice. But on my blog. In a newsletter. On my website (note to self, launch said website). At conventions. On the street. Everywhere. Start my own little following. Who's in?

5. Stop. Halt. Cease. Wait. Fantastic. Now create. Procrastination is not your friend and
really, your best work is AFTER the deadline so no more excuses.

5...it's still odd. More than 3. Marc can stop laughing. BF can stop grinning and "yeah, uh huhhing" and I can let go. 6 is a multiple of three...but it's not an odd number. Back to work tomorrow. Scary stuff there.

Wowza...I should be shot. 10 days and no post. I might lose my blogger license. Quickly.

I have a HUGE scrap space now. Think--huge room about as big as my living room and dining room combined at the last place. And if I walk 5 steps around a corner I have the most inspiring view of all.

Come this week, it's a creating gal I will be. Priorities--camera, tuition for a friend, tv cabinet/dining room table. Hmmm. Not like payday won't come again right? Right.

Other blogs to update, then off to party.

Wow!

I'm here. I was actually sought out and contacted to be on a Design Team! How cool is that? Just when I was thinking that I really needed to update my resume and gallery at 2peas, I get contacted out of the blue to be on a team for a new online/kit site that is launching in January. Holy Moly! I'm psyched about it because although it is no pay, I finally get to be on a kit team (I've wanted a kit team for a while now) AND the bonus is that I get into CHA. I've wanted to stalk those halls for a while and see what the light at the end of the tunnel is so...

WOW. That definitely gave me the needed push to create again for the Type A point of it. Although I've had a great time creating Christmas gifts. I should have a camera by the end of this weekend to finally take more pics and post. Oh brace yourselves...

On my stalking adventures, one of my fave chicas did this on her blog. So since imitation is the best form of flattery...

Me...A to Z (Sara, you still rock)

A-Age: 28
B-Bed size: Full
C-Chore you hate: chore...what's a chore? I hate folding clothes
D-Dessert you love: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream...or Dutch Apple Pie and Vanilla ice cream...or Cheesecake...or carrot cake...but really, I don't like dessert...
E-Essential start your day item: alarm clock set to go off at least three times (not snoozed, but actually set to go off...ie at 4:45, 5:00 and 5:15 am)
F-Favorite actor(s): Denzel of course...and Will Smith...and Morgan Freeman and Matthew M...oh...gals...Julia Roberts, Halle Berry
G-Gold or Silver: Platinum. White gold. Silver. In that order.
H-Height: 5' 9" - 6' Just depends on the time, day, posture, company...
I-Instruments you play: clarinet
J-Job title: Assistant Director, Law School Admissions
K-Kids: not yet
L-Living arrangements: loner during the week, spend lots of time in another residence on the weekends.
M-Mom's name: Gerri Michelle
N: Never: plead the fifth...
O-Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Most recent (often) blood transfusion for severe anemia
P-Phobia: failure, becoming complacent
Q-Quote you like: There are those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; and those who don't know what the heck happened.
R-Right or left handed: Right
S-Siblings: 1 sister and 1 brother
T-Time you woke up today: 9:30, it's Sunday after all. Tomorrow, I'll be up at 4:45
U-Unique habit: I smile a lot. almost all of the time. and it's because I'm happy. almost all of the time.
V-Vegetable you hate: cauliflower--albino broccoli. need I say more?
W-Worst habit: I buy...and buy and buy and buy. For me, for others...for the sake of the economy...
X-X-rays you've had: just ultrasounds to make sure I am woman, here me roar...
Y-Yummy food you can make: Green chicken enchiladas...sweet potato pie...greens...give me a recipe and I'll make it uniquely mine
Z- Zodiac Sign: Sagitarius but of course

Promised. So here I am. Uhhmmm. Yeah. So I have done absolutely nothing scrap related since my last exhausted guilty post. Well...not entirely. I actually did post on 2peas for a scrapmentor. Talk about serious. HoF. Pubbing. DT. Fanciful dreams that are possible with structure and a plan. I've always been such the circuitous philosopher daydreaming the day away. Until someone tells me "Hey you, do this." I can flip, mold, color in and colorwash the "this" to be fantastically wow, but I need the "this" to get me off the boards, out the books, beyond the sketches and finally out of "uhhhhmmmm."

It's the simple things.
It's your chance to speak to the committee.
It's your last opportunity to be your best advocate.

I read lives and decide futures for a living. There is absolutely no excuse for not knowing/understanding/getting the process.

Time to stop promising, planning, intending. Time to start doing, doing and doing. Period.

Apologies.

All you subbed lurkers, I know you're desperate for me to update. Now that I work a full time job and commute part time hours...excuses, excuses. I need to get up to date here so here's a brief glimpse into my scrap world:

Camera on the outs. ouch. And payday to fix it...yet another two weeks. double ouch. Think I'll buy a new one. Sigh. At least it isn't my computer crashing out this time.

Scrapworks design team. I want it too much. Is that possible? Yeah...it so is. Breath in. Breath out. Man how crazy.

HoF. Yeah. Nuff said. Got a great keepsake under wraps. Because I was post happy, all of my fave layouts from this past year have been online or entered in contests. I was reading the 2006 trends article in the Jan Ck and of course my most fave layout of all times would have fit the whole trend watch. But that is the layout (Moments) that took Best Use of Ready Made Products at the Ck WA Convention back in October. Sigh.

Ck Convention followup. Gotta see about getting my layout back from Scrapworks and my card back from Paper Crafts. Want to use the card for a dinner party I'm going to do in the new year and of course have the frame the Transition layout for my new scrap area.

CKU. Gotta figure out which one I am going to. Hotel for Chicago is sold out. I also gotta double check dates because I cannot really travel until after March at the end of April or later. Which is kinda unfortunate because how cool would it be to go to Chicago or Boston? My voucher isn't eligible for Boston, but still...I'd pay to do that.

So there ya have it. Five for fun. I just finished a big part of the shopping for my bf's gifts. Now it is time to do the creating. Because I got the good--check that, GREAT reaction from our anniversary gift, I'm feeling more open about doing that whole sentimental route with him. He'll enjoy it.

Have a great weekend!

Not to be x2. I didn't make the Provo Craft Design team either. But then again, looking at those that did, not very surprising. Not a downer comment so much as a reality check comment. Those women are AMAZING. Fantastic friend from yesterday said today that I have to do this because I love it, not because I'm trying to work it. Which is all fine and good, but Type A personalities don't just do things to do things. You know what I'm talking about (smile).

So. That leaves Chatterbox, Scrapworks DT and Hall of Fame. I can do it. I know I can.

Sorry so short tonight...I'm so exhausted from work. Promise longer stuff later. Really.

Bernadette

Not to be. I didn't win the Life In Contest series. Thanks for all of the emails! Definitely, I know why I didn't go into a subjective profession--including becoming a lawyer. I think I'm at a place where I can truly believe the old beauty pageant mantra--different night, different panel of judges, different outcome. Meaning, it's luck, skill, talent and just plain "it" that contributes to a win in judged events and you shouldn't take it at all personally if you (or your creation or your project) doesn't wow them tonight.

Admittedly, it is definitely perspective building. What with the relocation, the money would have come in handy big time, but not winning really grounded me in how you never count those eggs until they are really in your basket. Helpful, but not necessary. It feels good to not be relying on pulling out a bit of luck to get the bills paid (smile). I'm fortunate to work a great job that makes it possible for me to buy all sorts of neat scrapbooking stuff to create with. And the fact that I got so much wonderful Scrapworks stuff from the WA win...

LOL. I'm laughing because when I was telling a good friend that I had lost the contest he was like "What do you mean you've lost? Think of your WA win as being state champ! You're one of the best scrappers out West! That ain't nothing to shrug a shoulder at."

Man, I am so fortunate to have people in my life that while they may not "get" the scrapbooking stuff, they "get" me and the importance of scrapbooking in my life.

So then...time to mount up again for the DT call. I have to push myself to do this because if I don't, I know I'll just always think that I was running away from potential failure. No excuses.

One more day of waiting. Then they'll announce the Provo Craft Design Team. Not a snowball's chance in heck for that one, but I've gotta get my three loses under my belt in order to get the guts up to try for Chatterbox and/or HoF.

Question I've heard often today? Folks want to know if it is harder to not get selected when there are only a handful of folks you are competing against (and the odds are remarkably easy to calculate) or if it is harder when there are hundreds and you really think you have no chance at all. Hmmm. Have not really thought of it. I'd imagine that recognition is recognition. To that, rejection is rejection? I don't know. I think in terms of success so it is hard for me to translate whether it would feel better to win among hundreds or a few. I mean...recognition for something you love feels good no matter the context so...sorry. Random ramblings that don't say much.

Alas...

8:14 pm PT and I've not received "the call." I am excited, nonetheless, to see who DID win the Scrapworks contest. I love all of the layouts for different reasons so I feel honored to have even been one of the Best of Shows. Yeah, yeah, yeah...it would have been a cool birthday present, but still, I got some great presents this weekend. My BF made me queen for the night and we went out to the Comedy Underground. I love his laugh...it is so contagious. Layer that on top of some really funny funny guys and it was a fantastic gift. He knows me so well it is almost scary (smile).

More on the other birthday stuff on Colored White. Back to Scrapworks. I'm totally conflicted about the Design Team call. Not that every contest/call/etc. I submit to isn't important to me, but this one just really, really hits home for me. I love their product and I loved how nice the folks there were throughout the contest...I just don't think I could handle that rejection.

Identify the fear. Embrace the fear. Conquer the fear. I need to apply for this because I think I'll be fine by not doing so.

Someone be nice and email me the winner of the contest tomorrow. I'll be starting a new job and don't want to surf the first day and won't be home until 9 pm so I will be the last person in the world to know.

Oh happy day!

Definitely not seeing the snow I was expecting in Seattle but it is freezing out here! I had to dig out a layout so that I could remember the warm waters of the Carribean and wish for warmer weather. I cannot help it that I'm a visual person (smile).

The other reason why I dug out that layout was because I just had to find my passport again--I'm starting a new job on Monday. The trip the layout archives was the first trip I took with my passport.

I just love this layout because there is so much going on in it, but it all seems to mesh together. Admittedly, I love all of the little details in these kinds of layouts, but the simple life is kinda more fitting for the time I have nowadays. But, since we're really kicking into HoF mode here, I thought I'd point out some cool details (at least they are cool to me) that I really didn't notice when I submitted this layout with my entry last year:

Photos--believe it or not, there are 9 of them on this layout. NINE! There is an assignment that requires 10 photos and folks think it cannot be done on one page. If you were to take the embie out of the bottom right corner and place a photo there, voila--10.

Journaling block--partially hidden, but it fits on this page. In the left hand, where the "tag" with paradise found rubbed on to it, that is the journaling block. I mounted the strip of photos at the bottom of the LO to a strip of cardstock so that the journaling block tag hides behind it. You can see paradise found. I don't tend to put directions on my LO (ie, pull here) so only those I share with or who are creatively looking for my journaling can find it. Fun times.

Embies--you could take out the netting/umbrellas grouping in the middle of the LO. I added it because one of my upper photos was a bit blurry. But remove it and stamp the {&} instead of using a wood piece for it and then you only have the flower groupings as embies. (Remember, we removed the lower right embie and replaced with a photo). Voila...three embies.

Title is obviously there, but a nice twist. Nice technique (stamping on transparancy) and interesting title--half and half refers to the fact that St. Maarten (the island I was on) is half Dutch, half French.

Get creative with it! Promise the pic will be back up soon.

Happy scrapping.

Outside shot


Free Shot


Close up face shot



Well. Got a great "all about you" challenge at 2peas. Unfortunately, blogger blows when it comes to posting photos, so I may not get the three photos posted. But here are my answers to the questions.


Name Bernadette
Nicknames Imanisasa, Scrapper500, Divine
Age 28
Born? El Paso, TX
Live? Olympia, moving to West Seattle
Children? Only when I regress
Fave Holiday tradition waking up Christmas morning and serving breakfast before gifts can be opened
Started scrapping "commercially" about a year ago; scrappily almost two decades ago
How many times published? 1 time in SS; Finalist (Best of Show, WA) in Scrapworks Life In Contest Series (pubbed online for that)
Favorite food green chicken enchiladas and dutch apple pie with ice cream. Of course not in the same bowl...
Favorite snack peanut m&ms; soybeans...again, not in the same bowl
Anything else Just loving life and enjoying the ride

And if Scrapworks couldn't get any better. They just announced their 2006 Design Team search. I'm almost afraid to try because on the one hand, what kinda humungous failure would it be to be a Best of Show only to not make the Design Team. Conversely, I already feel so amazingly lucky to have been a Best of Show in the Life In Contest Series so I kinda feel like my luck has run out on them.

But I will say:

Some folks are all over "they don't pay you." Well, payment comes in many forms. Yeah, I like cash like the next girl. But more than that (since, frankly, I do work a "day job" and am not trying to pay the rent off of scrapbooking), I like payment that takes the form of working with FANTASTIC people. I like payment that takes the form of free product that I will actually use (and use...and use...and use...). I like payment that makes me feel like I am being fairly compensated--be that in gratitude, product, networked connections, noteriety or cold hard cash--for what I do. Scrapworks design team would be a dream come true.

It is just amazing to me that all of these design teams with manufacturers that produce stuff I adore are all having open calls. I know my limits--both in regards to time for scrapping/designing and talent. So I don't limit myself to not even going for all of these neat opportunities just in case I make them all. Like I said, I know my talent limits (smile).

Anyhow, it has been a great, great day. The HoF ideas are flowing, I'm looking forward to tomorrow--BF said if necessary he would come and get me because it is snowing like crazy in Seattle. Just a tad bit here...but icy roads and almost broke out breaks...they don't combine.

Nighty, night.

Panic alert. Remind me to breath from time to time today.

So. I finally (FINALLY) got my Provo Craft Design Team entry in. Yippee caiyay!

I will post my fantastically AWESOME keepsake that I did with their products. But I'm going to post it PRIVATELY. I know I know...you'll have to email me if you wish to see it. I'm willing to share the photos one on one, but I've come to love this so much that I am going to use it as my "keepsake" entry for the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame contest. I think it is totally unique.

And just as I say that, I get ANOTHER idea for something that would totally kick the idea up a notch and you know, I've found a new use for a very common toy. Oh goodness I get chills thinking of how amazingly cool this is going to be.

Anyhow.

Still sitting on pins and needles this week. Hoping beyond all hope for the Scrapworks call but already so content in that there are some amazing women (Keiren and Shannon) who I would be totally psyched if they won it. Keiren because I just love, love, love her layout. Shannon because I love her's too (and she did an AWESOME layout for the WA convention that got absolutely no love) but if Shannon wins, I get to go to her crop! How cool is that? If I win, she'll come to mine. And now we're both all about inviting Gina (the scrapper who was a Merit winner at WA and OR) so. One big happy love party amongst us. That is why I sooooooo love 2peas.

As promised to many a lurker (I swear people read this blog...really they do), the story of Scrapper 500.

So, the night of the WA CK convention, boyfriend, myself and the crew went out to the halloween costume party at the Showbox. Boyfriend, Bernadette and cool enough "go with the flow" girl who is a friend of the boyfriend dressed up in theme costumes. Let us just say that those theme costumes required "codenames." I don't remeber BF's and I quite think he might have gotten out of it. But girl who is a friend was named "11 mile". That's a story for another time.

Well, my name came to be "Scrapper 500" that night because earlier in the day, my BF got his first glimpse into just how friggin' serious I am about this scrapbooking stuff. I mean, he thought he was joining me at a convention just to carry bags as I shopped. Which he was excellent at by the way. But when he saw me taking notes at the contest entry wall, he got a clue.

When they were getting ready to announce the Scrapworks contest winners and I told him that I wanted to go and see the winners (they were not posted on the wall when I was there), he followed along dutifully. When I won and was totally in a daze and shaking and smiling 100 times wider than I'm always smiling (smile) he knew this was a big deal.

He asked me what I won for the Scrapworks deal and as is typical of most non-scrappers who don't get what a big deal CKU is (which is what *I* was so psyched about!!), he clearly understood $500.

So. That day he came to know me as a Scrapper. Being the finance/computer nerd that he is (God he is sooooo handy!!), he of course had to throw in some numbers to make that codename all the more secure and 500 was a natural fit (for the $500 I had won earlier...??...ok...). Yeah.