Memory Lane: AC style

I figured today, I might well give you a little something special. A trip down memory lane, complete with a tribute to one of my fave person's fave manufacturers of all things scrapbooking. Here's a hearty "knock 'em dead" going out to my girls trying for the American Crafts design team. From the follicles on my head to the tips of my toes I cannot think of a better "SiSta" for their team than one of my fellow Fashionistas. I don't know if she's put it out there that she's going for it (we tend to be hush hush about these types of things for some odd reason) so I won't go all out on her name, but she knows who she is.

Without further ado...I bring you a few of my faves with American Crafts products:

Enjoy the weekend!

Relative Perspective

And on that note...

I was at lunch today. You know. My usual spot. Across the street. These two gentlemen are sitting behind me. They order Chai tea...alas, there is none to be had. So instead they request water. With no ice.

Generally, I figure you know--that ice thing is so American. So no big deal. But then the one guy asks the other guy "Do you not trust the ice or do you not like it?"

Coming off of the trip of a lifetime (A bit ago, but still fresh in my mind in situations like this) I had a good ole well times lesson in relative perspective. I yearned for cold drinks abroad because I didn't "trust the ice". Yet I don't wash my hands everytime I touch a doorknob here in the states. Or break out the germ killer. Relative Perspective.

Here's to keeping sight of what is most important when it is most important. Now I've gotta run to the post office or there will be no relativity OR perspective about much of anything...least of all a cell phone bill.

Off to do some scrap funness too. Soon as I find another yellow cartridge for my printer. How I ran out of yellow ink in about 2.2 weeks is beyond me. Really, beyond me.

cha, cha, cha: C.H.A. #1

Wow. What a long, amazing 4 days of scrap absolute goodness. I almost don't know where to begin. As if (smile).

So. I attended CHA as a buyer with ScrapinStyleTV. As such, Jeannette arranged for all the Fashionistas to gather up in groups to create a kit of our own. I was paired with the ever amazingly talented and gorgeous Kerry Lynn Yeary and all of her altered, shabby goodness. Which, when you check out my work, is completely polar opposite to mine. I also was matched up with Lisa Garay--bold, fabulous color in all her works and I totally dig her style--very artsy. Lisa couldn't join us in Chicago, but we still managed to pull off the most amazing kit of all times. Which is saying a ton of stuff when you consider we're talking about a Scrap in Style kit here. I absolutely cannot wait to purchase the kits of all the other teams (there are, I think 6 teams total) and I really need to breath again after re-looking over the amazing kit that we pondered and repondered and Kerry totally sold me on. She is creative genius. I'm the one that just likes to play one on tv.

Speaking of which...on tv. Jeannette came up with the most amazing webisodes. Watching filming was just too much. But participating in one--throwing tape around and all, was just so fun. And you'll have to watch out for the intro sessions she does with each Fashionista. I'm a bit partial to Kerry's intro cause it's a bit different than the rest of our's but so totally TOTALLY cool and her. I can't wait to see it. And Adrienne's too, from what I remember (it really is blurring together), her's was a demo too. One which I totally thought she should keep bottled up inside and remain the creative genius she is BUT...she's giving like that. Totally.

I'm going to need to break this down into pieces rather than a really long post so we'll conclude CHA recap #1 at that. Creating kits is fun!

You know...

...scrapping is fun. Really, REALLY fun. But sometimes, I have to live life to get those memories to scrap. Alas (smile).

Got a pretty major project done and off in the mail last week. And yeah, I was in El Paso last week. Land of no laptop, no internet, and since I checked no bags, no scrapping. I was going through a tad bit of withdrawal but for the project that I took with to finally assemble and get sent off. I was stressing that a bit but as per usual, just got it done. It was a happy happy day to have that sent off.

A couple of more projects in crunch time here. Have a meeting this weekend, but beyond that, I should get everything together and off to the races for Monday. I leave on Thursday for CHA. Shopping one day, filming another day and then wrap up (shopping, saying goodbyes) on the last day. It will be my first trade show and I'm kinda anxious because there are so many things I want to do. One involves a super cool dream that my better half actually seriously wants me to sit down and ponder. A bit overwhelming what I've seen so far, but between the two of us, we have enough degrees and common sense to figure it out. Gulp. Then there are a few shirts to wear--going as a Fashionista for Scrap in Style TV (we might just have a cool t-shirt for that)but also as a Hall of Famer looking to meet others (we have a cool t-shirt for that too) and also as the project head for that anxious air gulping mention above. Lots of people I want to meet in real life--the folks who put me on their teams before "all this" and the folks I work with now. Just overwhelming. And I have not even gotten to the product yet!

Anyhow...in some ways I wish I was just working the show. That is the skin I'm comfy in...I do that sort of thing for a living.

And then she signed off and figured on doing more scrappy stuff. Sunday...more scrap goodness posted with another HOF challenge. I promise to get Shabby Rockstar collection stuff posted...soon as I get it to play with. I know I know...I really WASN'T holding out on you, my PO just doesn't have a clue sometimes. Did I mention I love Fed Ex (smile)?

Oh and you so can't wait. Got some lovely stuff done with the Impression Obsession stamps. That was fun times!

Till then...

Yeppers...still going

Still scrap, just more icognito till our major trade show passes in July. Lovely. But in the meantime, a few fun things.

This is the rak full of goodies I got from Alohi over at SiStv for our swap:

[If only blogger would let me reinsert a picture - what the blip?!]


And I got a BIG HUGE BOX of stamping stuff from Impression Obsession. That is what I'm tearing into tonight.

But I leave you with a layout or two. Fave people doing great things in a fave location. Enjoy!

Little fun guy:

[temporarily relocated--peep this layout here 2nd layout down]


Other Cute guy:

[temporarily relocated - peep this layout here 1st layout on the post]

And...because we got the go ahead to shop these around, here's another one of the layouts I did for my HOF entry that isn't going to be in the book:

[snoooozzz....lose. I'm kidding...it will be back momentarily]


Have a great weekend!

Hall of Fame Layouts

What...you thought I'd show you? But then you wouldn't buy the book when it comes out. All I have to say is this. I submitted some of my best work EVER for that contest. And it was all digi so I know you paper loving gals are all sad. But trust. This book is going to be OFF. THE. HOOK. They finally told me which of the ones we submitted they are publishing in the Hall of Fame Book and I about fell out crying. There is one super special layout that they are publishing. That layout was my whole very reason and being for entering this contest, this year. Their story will be told. You watch for it. Watch for it. I'm so excited. This is one of the few times when I submit something I love to PIECES and it gets picked up. And in no better a book than this one.

Okay. It doesn't come out until like forever so...I should stop. But get excited. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Oh MY WoW!

I've made the bigtime and it's time to pass out, knock my head on the edge of this here scrappin' desk and just float on up to heaven (or straight to hell--depending on who you are).

What a week it was last week. I FINALLY had my all time scrapping dream come true! I got mentioned on the "mean" blog! YESSSSSS!

Yeah. Not so much. I've been told by a good friend that folks don't care for my upgrade layout. Clearly, they are not the Beyonce fan that I am (smile). And something about something else...(really helpful, I know) that I can't remember at this moment. I think it was pretty tame--nothing about the size of my body parts or my man's body parts or how I must drink, smoke or do whatever to create. Something like..."who is she?"

I like it that way. I don't have to flaunt what I do or who I do it for because that's just so not cool. If you want to know who "she" is...google me already. It's simple enough. And entertaining too.

Big time. I never thought I'd make it this far (smile). And that's just the half of it. Raises hand to solemly swear that she will be a better blogger. But trust me, you didn't want me blogging last week. You think THIS is babble...

And part 2...of that long weekend

Yeah I loved that long weekend. Got cut short for a VERY good reason (LOVE that guy and miss him when he's gone).

So what else I do. I did some cutesy stuff. And a serious one. Seriously...first:


Cause we are so each other's upgrades.

And then seriously cute (so I say) but real:



There is TONS of back story to this one if you peep it HERE

And then just a couple more for really fun times:



and



Ahhh...that last was for my boss's baby shower. I went with a bigger card so this one is on my desk still.

I love scrapping. With paper. Back to digi right now since the feds won't let me pack my retractable exacto knife on the plane. Couple more days...then I'm home again.

Tucson is burning up by the by. Wow!

I love long weekends...

Because I get to spend all day doing stuff like this! From Friday through Saturday:

Scrap In Style TV fun with the Kelli Crowe designed Window Shopping collection.
So totally go to Scrap In Style and buy your collection here!

So there's a little something "normal" for the weekend crowd with this Summer Fun layout:


And then I kicked it up a notch and did some doodling for non-doodlers with this Be Bold layout:



And of course you know I can't not make journaling the focus of a layout so check out this non-photo layout called Twisted:


You can peep the journaling to that one by going here.

And last but not least, my fave from that day is Not So Black and White layout. Truly:


Enjoy! More layouts later tonight from all the fun stuff I made Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Giggle...

Okay...two blog winners it is. I can't find winner number 3. Alas. I tried.
Scrap in Style TV--check the catwalk...I love me some RitasCottage over at Scrap in Style TV.
She's so on my catwalk...so totally.

And because I'm in a silly mood and should be home scrapping but was responsible and came to work instead:

Bernadette needs to talk to Arnold!
Bernadette needs to sharpen her subject-verb agreement skills today.
Bernadette needs to work with...
Bernadette needs to grow.
Bernadette needs to find their email addresses
Bernadette needs volunteers!
Bernadette needs me to come to the golf course to check her swing
Bernadette needs to file an address change.
Bernadette needs to see someone.

And my fave...

Bernadette needs little introduction.

Well maybe not fave, but really now you know.

Thanks to Tina for the fun exercise on her blog borrowed from someone elses. Cause stampers are cool like that. As if you didn't know (smile).

It's official--Scrapping has taken over my life.

Because clearly...with this 141st post (compared to the 140th on my "life" blog), I have crossed over to the dark side. R believes this room has a hex on it. I must escape.

But how could I go without sharing this with you:

SISter Love

Can you guess which one is me (smile)? Ahh...life would have been ROUGH growing up with this many sisters in the home. But in cyberlandia crossing over to real life...this is so fun!

What is going down now?

Okay okay. So I need one more of the SiSters who played along on my blog to come claim her prize. You can check the winners from ALL the blogs so far on this Super Special GiGi is Totally Organized "Everything Fashionista" thread.

So what have I been up to you ask? Do tell. Well, for one this little ditty.

I'm so all over the Thickers by American Crafts.

But all that bling by MAMBI. Wowie.

I created a few more layouts lately as well:

And this one in paper too:



Then I did some digital stuff too:



and with less of a message:



Fun eh? Aside from scrapping, other great news to chat about? Hmmm...in the scrap life...

Last week, I made CKMB's page of the day with this layout:



You all know by now about landing the coolest gig on earth as one of the Fashionistas with Scrap in Style TV.

You DIDN'T know that I just got the coolest box of amazing Kelli Crowe exclusive stuff for my gig with them.

You know you want it so stalk The Boutique.

Last but absolutely not least, I made the Impression Obsession design team. Wanna see some cool stamps, be sure to check out the collections under Leigh Hannan. Of course you know I collect lots of rubber stamps and my acrylic collection is getting up there. Oh my we get a good gaggle of Christmas stuff to start with. Which is perfect because really, I honestly DO need to start now if I'm to get Christmas cards homemade this year. That is truly the goal. Truly.

Oh to get to scrap this weekend. Alas, there is more to life sometimes. Sometimes. But next weekend...I need to get some page kits together. Slow week at work, long weekend...I'm so totally getting lots of scrapping done.

Till then!

Wanna Know Who won?

If you live in TX or Virginia, you might be pretty excited. And one more (didn't leave her where) also. I couldn't resist. Check the ScrapinStyle TV Everything Fashionista's board for the lovely "Bernadette's RAK Winner(s)" post. Thanks for playing!

Bernadette

As we await the announcement...

Of the fun blog RAK (Random Act of Kindness) winners, I bring you a little tag play.

I got tagged by Tiffany. In a unique random way. So I'll play and then tag away. Cause like the sister said...I don't play red light-green light and sit the pot. Competition. Good for the blood (smile). Way it works is this:

Choose 7 different random things and blog about them. Not the rules on your blog. Choose 7 people to be tagged and list their names. Leave 'em a comment that they've been tagged and a link to the bloggity blog to check the rules.

Random Thought #1: Why is it that for 5 out of 7 days we get beautifully blue skies and then those two measily days I actually get off, the skies turn gray. And cloudy. And windy too? Solution? I'm going to work two days a week (not necessarily Saturday and Sunday because...I'm normal like that), but then take off the other 5 days. I really think I can work this. Really.

Random Thought #2: Uhm yeah. About that work thing. It's really cutting into my scrapbooking time. And that's just so not good. But the good is that I then make lots of money (relative...I'm a pauper really) to buy more scrap stuff. Because I don't have enough of a stash. But the stuff I buy isn't for me. I justify my shopping habit by giving it away in RAKs. Like the one you're waiting on. It works well for me--I get my retail therapy in, but don't have to figure out a place to put it all.

Random Thought #3: It is a sad, SAD day when you get gifted a new laptop and a new printer and it is like day 502 after and you still won't go near them. Kinda like with the iPod. I have issues--it is more about the journey (ie, winning said laptop, printer, iPod) for me. I have never been a destination person. But this is getting really bad. I do like iTunes though. sort of.

Random Thought #4: I'm really not that practical. I "get" that blooming potted plants are pretty and still alive and should be thought of as a romantic thoughtful gift that someone didn't give you something on it's deathbed that just looked pretty. I am so all about the looks. Give me cut almost dead flowers any day. Any. Day.

Random Thought #5: I have not watched Fargo in almost a year. I am slipping. Really slipping. When I scrap, I always used to put in a video (that I had seen a gagillion times) so that I wouldn't hear when someone entered my home through the garage door on his way up the stairs to kill me. Now...there is so much filth on reality tv today that I just turn it on and go to town. I really DIDN'T hear when the realtor brought in a couple of folks to look at the place the other day. That was kinda freaky.

Random Thought #6: It has to be official by now. My postman hates me. He doesn't like how cozy I'm getting with the UPS man and for some reason, I don't think the blue man likes the brown man. Uniforms people...uniforms. Anyhow, this brown gal (I love me some UPS) will have to play nice since I've no idea where a certain birthday gift is and this is starting to really get to me.

Random Thought #7: If anyone is looking to move to Seattle, I've got this great 2200 (unheard of!!) sf condo you'd love to look at. $374,950. Designer colors, automatic lighting, all appliances...slow down markets...grrrrr....

Okay...so I'm going to tag...GiGi, Wilna, JJ, Adrienne, KA, Keisha, Francine All tagged because I've always wanted to know their deepest, darkest, brightest, most random thoughts (smile). Don't hate...you're it!

You Know You Want it...

So...I seem to have way too much scrap stash. And what better way to thin it than with a RAK? But not just any RAK...a great RAK of NEW stuff (I long ago purged the old stuff in the old move).

How do you win it? Well, by leaving a comment here of course. But about what? Well...there's this amazing new scrapbooking site (of course) at www.scrapinstyletv.com You must check it out. Must. Go now. Wait...remember how to get back here because after you go there, come back here, comment, and your name goes in the hat for my RAK of stuff. Stuff to be included in the RAK? I've got plenty of patterned paper, lots of cool embies, some idea books...just a whole 8.50 (that's how much they cost now right?) big ole "one price" priority mail box to go out. Maybe your name will be on it. But only if you comment.

But wait. It gets better. On real REALY Sunday (as in like early Monday morning for me), I'll post 20 links to places where you can have even more chances to win!

But wait...it gets even better. As best put by Andrea, one of the coolest sisters not really I know:

"Best of all if you comment here on my blog, register at Scrap In Style TV, and then post on the *Welcome New SISters* board (when the site launches on May 15th) your name will be entered into the grand RAK from Scrap In Style TV...a first Collection designed by the magnificent Kelli Crowe!"

That's right--even MORE scrap goodies!

The site launches midnight on Monday (as in middle of the night Monday...when we turn into Tuesday at 12:01) so stay up late and go do your thing. But definitely peep the site. And the new stuff people posted. And yeah...win stuff.

Ready, set, go. Other blogs are here:

1. Sarah Bowen
2 Courtney DeLaura
3 Jody Ferlaak
4 Wilna Furstenberg
5 Lisa Garay
6 Gigi Kennedy
7 Adrienne Looman
8 Becky Novacek
9 Michelle Ramirez
10 Becca Sutton
11 Jp-Anne te Raa
12 Andrea Wiebe
13 Ashley Wren
14 Kerry Lynn Yeary
15 Kelli Darr
16 Jeanette Herdman
17 Claudine Hellmuth

Yeah...and I do still scrap

Honestly...I do. And blog too. For your patience, an old one and two new goodies--one (Boys Will be Boys) is Crop Addict goodness, the other is just for fun.

Enjoy! National Scrapbook Day is this Saturday! Be sure to check out TallyScrapper.com for my journaling prompt challenge. I'll be here there and everywhere on NSD.

And so it goes

They posted one of our layouts from our HOF entry. One of my freebies.


I really liked this one a lot (smile).
Exciting news to share when I get back. Perhaps...about a new laptop??
Off the grid I go. I'm journaling and taking lots of pics along the way so...should be cool!

Until then...

Itchiness...

I want to play...antsy itchy all over I want to play and post. but lots of "grown up responsible stuff to do". Like go and find oh...say...6 cent on the street somewhere to balance my checkbook. Right.

Anyhow.

Got all my midmonth proj's for Crop Addict done. Struggling through May. Not bad product (no such thing with a CA kit) just totally can't sit still for more than 3 seconds without hopping up and going and doing something. And that whole Sunday through Tuesday night stay awake the whole time thing...yeah...I fell out last night and really didn't quite grasp the concept of a power nap.

Waiting on a few rejections so I can post and share with the world. Little birdie told me I should hold my breath for two more days. Luckily, I have Friday off. Luckily, I now have a laptop AC adapter. Luckily, I just reorged my digi scrap goods for the ninehundredthgabillionth time and should be able to easily find anything I want to scrap with. Cause truly, I'm going to go through laptop withdraw for like three weeks here soon. But I can't scrap this weekend cause we're going places.

But in really good news--KI just sent my album back! Doubt it, but if it got here by Friday I would so totally be forever grateful and saved. I suppose Friday I should go out just in case. Or just get it together before then. Lots of ideas for an anniversary gift. Just need to get to gettin' already.

Can't wait. Life is such a whirlwind right now and I love every moment of it. Time to go gobble up the last of the banana nut ice cream. And make some simple pasta tonight. I was going to make yummy nachos before I remembered that we had Taco Bell last night. Be still my stomache.

Scrap time. Ready set go!

I can't believe you missed your call

If ya'll thought I was a bit distraught over missing my call, then comes Robert listening to all the other calls. I think I counted 53 "I can't believe you missed your call...how priceless would that have been for all of eternity?" Needless to say, I didn't tell him that this is indeed a once in a lifetime event and it's not like I can apply again a gaggillion years from now, luck up on a win and get another call. It's the little things that mean so much to people. He's so friggin' proud--I can't wait to have kids with him...I can just imagine how excited he'll be making that announcement. And when we finally decide to settle down? wow...this is just HOF. I know...I shouldn't say "just" in the same sentence, but still...life, relative. priorities. Poor baby...I almost want to fake a call just for him.

Bad Girl...Very bad girl

Okay...I admit I'm such a bad liar. But it was fun to taunt. Yeah, yeah, yeah...that's me. I made CK's 2007 Hall of Fame. I am completely blown. away. Completely. Two folks guessed on me and called me out from my MJBofHOF2007 anon name. Sneaky gals (smile). But the calls are up. I have to get home and listen to what they have for mine. Seeing as I didn't actually get the call and got a message because I'm a moron and can't charge my cell phone. My call story should give ya'll a little laugh though!

Thanks for all the congrats. Wow. This is just too much. Amazing!

So....HOF, HM...SOY...what in the world??

Hall of Fame (as my better half describes it...the Super Bowl of scrapping) calls went out yesterday. Bummer.

Honorable Mention calls go out today and I think they just started. So there is hope for all yet. There are 25 HOF winners and 50 HMs each year. HMs can try again next year. Fingers crossed for everyone out there. You all--well, most of you--rock my world. The other few REALLY knock my world off kilter.

That's about it for the scrap happenings lately. The world stops for this--that is how huge a deal this HOF thing is. Don't believe me? Just log on to the message board at www.twopeasinabucket.com and check out the Sleuth thread. 9 pages of people trying to figure out who is what. We don't get to see their real names (they can sign onto message boards with cool names like: HOF4ME2007) until Thursday. I think the HMs get to tell us immediately who they are. Time to go start adding people to my book of scraps! And try to get some work done.

Tally it on up

Discovered this totally cool new ingenious site:

www.tallyscrapper.com

Don't walk, RUN over there. This site is so totally cOoooL in the way that you dole out praise. It's addicting too. I need to find a way to link all my other faves up. I don't think they are all that fond of 2peas (all sorts of backlash to them...such is the life of the popular girl in the football locker room), but I think I can find a way to post my layouts from Diversity Designs and Crop Addict and note that I did it for those Design Teams off of the kits I got there. Kinda easing my way in to the community at first and loaded just about everything I own and dolling out tally points because there is some GREAT talent there. It's a great way to really track your stuff and it's a great gallery because people have an incentive to comment and give you points and that always helps when you want your stuff out there for some constructive crit. So...love the site. Gotta get off the site and go do other stuff tonight.

Overall had a very productive scrap weekend. Got a lot of stuff up on my Imanisasa gallery over at 2peas--got a whole new album of CKC-Portland Challenges...upt to almost 500 points there. Time to get more done tonight and tally up more points...not at tally scrapper (still, ingenious...love the concept) but at 2 peas for the challenge.

Tomorrow is call day for the HOF folks. Good luck gals! Can't wait to see the hooplah and toots and everything. I'll be pushing on trying not to get a parking ticket. And just kinda hoping the sky doesn't fall down tomorrow. I think I just heard a gunshot. Maybe it was a car backfire. Yeah...and yesterday, I saw a shooting star. And thought maybe, because it was so bright and close, that maybe a plane was falling out of the sky. I live close to the airport. I have a vivid, wicked imagination. I should work on that.

Hp and Scraps = All good!

I love HP. Got one of their printers. On a whim, there was a snapshot diaries contest they ran. I didn't read close enough and thought the grand prize was for a trip to Sundance this year. That's long gone so I figured nothing else of it. Got an email. Good happy email. Until they contact all the winners, I can't quite say (smile), but wow. Not going to Sundance NEXT year (which is when the prize was actually for) but the prize pack I did get...and the placement I made...sweet! I'll have to link ya to the slideshow. Really.

Long weekend ahead! Loving it!

GASP!!! 801 area code?!

Oh my good sweet things that are dear and sacred! I got a call from the 801 area code. But I don't know anyone in the 801 (Utah folks...UTAH...as in scrap mecca of the world...as in "HOF CALL REALLY???").

Yeah. Not so much. Cause...well, first, you have to enter and make sure your entry is there on time. Second, you have to actually GIVE THEM YOUR WORK NUMBER to call you at. Thirdly, I KNEW I had a friend about to call me. I knew said friend's name was Kristen. But somehow, when I picked up the phone and was like "hmmm...direct line call...I don't recognize the area code" (cause, honestly, I didn't recognize the 801 until after she told me her name) it wasn't until just after Kristen said "Hello Bernadette, this is Kristen X" Pause. As if someone was waiting for something major to happen (ie, a scream) that I even started to think "Are you serious???!"

Then we started talking about my old employer (which she is interviewing with) and I started realizing that I spend way too much time on the message boards caught up in the hype. I mean really now...there are lots of things that have to happen before you get an HOF call. Chief among them...they have to know your number--which usually happpens only after you enter.

I need to lay off the message boards. Really. I do.

They love me, they really do

So then CK karma for the week is exhausted. I submitted this lovely layout:

and darned if it didn't win first place in the CKC-Portland Creating Keepsakes Layout competition. I strongly think it was because of the sappy journaling and circle goodness and the fact that it had a theme. Something that almost didn't happen because I didn't quite read the instructions clear enough. Clearly going back and re-reading paid off (smile).

So I also submitted this layout:

which is of my absolutely adorable nephew. I did this for the simple layout contest. Totally overthought it. wanted to add some more but was like "keep it simple". The winner of that contest had a pretty elaborate layout with a simple message. Really nicely done. And her's was a circle layout too.

That was my scrappy weekend. Got lots of scrap goodies from going to the pub dinner (and buying a bit too much stuff) but totally...totally worth it. Guess I should post a pic of all that momentarily too eh?

Any Day Now...

Creating Keepsakes HOF calls will start. I cannot wait to see the new crop of folks. Everytime I get the mag, I'm like "wow...I can see why she's an HOFfer". They got so few entries this time...which for some is like "wow...better chance (almost 1 in 7) of placing. For others, more like "if I don't get picked I'll feel REALLY bad". I'm just really excited to see all the hoopla over it all. Love how excited people get about this.

But on a more personally relevant note...THIS weekend is the convention. This weekend, I'll probably have to walk a mile to the Convention Center from my parking spot. I'll probably get there late because of crazy weather. But I know I'll DEFINITELY have a great time at the pub dinner. Almost tempted to go down, shop during the day and then go to the dinner at night. And I don't mean scrap shop. Do so much digi lately I really don't find much purpose to buying scrap scrap stuff. Get lots of it for free from my DTs so...really...I tend to just buy really unique stuff now. But that's getting expensive so...that's the thing with digi--you can make it yourself and it is so inexpensive to buy stuff...alas.

Gotta consolidate my digi scrap stuff from the laptop (FINALLY got the adaptor for that...can take that with me to the Convention this weekend...free internet!) and vice versa. Uhhhgh. That's definitely a procrastination thing. It's almost 11, but I totally want some banana nut ice cream. Think my grandmama is visiting me again...she LOVED the stuff. And butter pecan syrup. For the longest, when I went to IHOP, I always had my three pancakes individually--one with strawberry syrup (my fave), one with butter pecan syrup (in memoriam and all) and one with warm maple syrup just because...uhhhmmm...I lived in the Northeast for so long and it just seemed the natural thing to do.

But there I got talking about what I'm going to eat on my blog again. My better half made a yummy cake to boot--I'm not a chocolate cake fan, but he did devil's food and vanilla icing...so tasty. Uhhhhmmmmm....

So why are they picketing the scrapbook convention?

That is the first thought that rolled through my head when I rolled up to the Oregon Convention Center this morning at 10:42 all pleased as punch that I had made it before noon.

"Wow, look at all of this great parking" was the second thought.

"uhhhmmm...these don't look like 'my people' really" was the third thought.

Then when I couldn't find the registration table and I didn't get a wiff of fine scrapbooking wares for sell in the vendor faire area (today, though, the Taekwondo arena)...I knew something was off.

Evidently, CKC-Portland is NEXT weekend.

This is realized after my tantrum yesterday when my pics wouldn't load to Costco so I could take them with me.

This I realized after staying up until midnight to finish a layout for the simple page competition.

This I realized after I drove 2 hours to Portland. Yes...this is the point I realized it was TRULY time to sit back and figure out what is going on in my life. Right after I realized I would have a really tough time back at home explaining this to Robert.

Who, by the way, grinned a huge grin and said not much else. Long time since I've been in a relationship like that...but more on that on the Colored White blog (smile).

Saturday/Sunday

Saturday...CKC portland. Cause like I need an excuse to shop for scrap supplies. maybe more buttons. And ribbon. Eyeing a crop a dile...because what's old is new again yes...no? can't wait to meet folks at the dinner. should print out directions for that--at least it is in my state. Which, unfortuantely, means sales tax.

No classes this time but this time I might (only because I planned on doing it today and didn't so might is looking very iffy now) get to enter the contests. Just the layout ones...I've about given up on cards (smile).

Sunday though, Crop Addict is having the one year anniversary party! I'll be hosting an online crop from 2-4 pm Eastern...11-1 Pacific (my time) just after getting in the door. It will be fun...promise. It's hybrid so make sure to have your computer handy (I promise, it will be easy and only as "digital" as you want to make it...think "print off a journaling block" if that is how you need to roll) and rummage through your stash with the CA store up so that you can see what you have from the shop. That will be a requirement (hint/hint). You'll have 2 hours to complete the challenge and I'll have some regular scrappy happy fun games too...so definiteyl come on by and chat, scrap and win some FANTASTIC prizes!

See ya Saturday in person in Portland or Vancouver. See ya Sunday online at www.cropaddict.com. I'm Imanisasa. Fun it is!

Really...550?

So...life is as it is. Come to find out HOF only had about 550 entries this year. 550. Which is so great and so bad. Great in that that is about the same chances of winning a spot (HOF or Honorable mention) as it is to get admitted to my law school. Bad in that there are about 9 out of every 10 folks who get turned away. Sure the numbers make you feel better about being able to stand out in the sea, but if you ain't got it you just ain't got it.

Some things that stood out for my "application" if you will:

All digital
All 8.5 x 11
All graphic, clean style

Some things that stood out looking back on it that are just either love it or hate it
So totally not CK style
Innovative...so subjective--innovative to me, tried and done by others...
Not every layout was a total WOW--collectively...they flow...some really are my faves, others are not my faves, but then again, every piece I've ever had published (so far) hasn't been my fave either...it's been me, but just not a "wow, look at that technique or that journaling"

Anyhow...overthinking. So to that...such is HOF. About two weeks before they call some really happy folks. And the other 475 of us bemoan that even in a small pond, we didn't have what it took to be CK material.

Alas.

See...I told you...

(smile)...that's why once I've done it okay, I don't do it again. Didn't make it as number 49 this year. Went from Top 20 to...don't know where but not Top 50. Alas. Some of my fave folks did make the 50 so I'll be rootin' for them.

Got asked today what I want to do after work this week. Not like a life "what do you want to do with your life" but a quickie, what are we up to this week. Thought about work and doing more of it. Thought about scrapping and doing more of it. Then really sat down and thought about it. And what I want to do is spend more time living. Now if only I could figure out what in the heck that means!

lol

Anyhow, March 3 -4 Crop Addict is turning 1! Totally cool right? But wait for it.

I'ma host a totally cool hybrid challenge. And of course there will be Crop Addict (aka, coolest kit club EVA) prizes to go with it. So...be on the look out. www.cropaddict.com. Right....So I'll be hosting likely Sunday night in between a hop and a skip here and there. Saturday, I'll be at the CKC-Portland and the dinner that evening. Soon enough we'll get introduced to the new Hall of Famers too...no chance in all get out at that. My style was way too simple once I shipped it out all proud and what not and then thought to myself really...get a grip. Alas...I can stick em in some really great blurb books (seriously--totally cool "print on demand"...check them out at www.blurb.com) and FINALLY get my mama that book of photos she wanted from waaaaaay back when.

Seriously.

Ooops...I did it again.

No silly...I did NOT shave my head. And I already talked about entering HOF again. What I did do again that is the subject of this blog thread is that I entered MMIDOL Season II. Yeppers. I hate doing something well enough the first time and going back and trying again because then I think I'm jinxed and can't top it. So it was quite a push to even get me to submit something. Because this time around people know they have to go big or go home and there were some really neat tips on the blog that gave away my secrets to success (number 1 being that 99% of life is howing up and the other 1% is presentation)...alas.

Lots more talented folks than me out there. I'm still a bit shocked I lucked up on a Top 20 finish out of the thousands of entrants. Here's hoping I might slide to number 49 this time--that would still get me on to the next round because they are taking the top 50 this time. In honor of that, I think a RAK is in order.

All three of the pieces I submitted are somewhere here on my blog. If you can guess the three I turned in , you're a winner! If no one guesses all three correctly, I'll give it to the person who guesses two...or the first person who guesses one. In that order. And what the heck, I'll throw in a RAK randomly as well.

Guess as many times as you like and have your friends guess too--if a friend team (they have to say in their comment or their email to me since every other time I've run these contests I get far more entries via email than comment field--that you referred them) wins, then I'll send a RAK to each of ya.

Happy guessing!

Remember when...

...way back in the day...I told you I had style? Well you have sooooo got to check. this. out.

That's the style book.

And if you go to

http://www.layoutblueprints.com/StylePreview.html

and scroll threw a couple of clicks (page 29 of the actual book, page 2 of the preview)

you might see someone/something you recognize in the top right corner.

How absolutely sweet is that?!

15.95 on pre-order right now.

You better head over to

http://www.layoutblueprints.com/

to pick up a copy now.

Tell them I sent ya.

Not that you'll get a discount or anything...but it's cool in any event!

38 what??!?

38.52. I about smallowed my tongue. So much for keeping promises to self. "No...you can't enter if you can't get it done in enough time to mail it regular. Or priority mail". Yeah...I actually finished last night and maybe could have pushed for earlier. But I hit a bump in the road (the nomojo bump) and was crying a storm that I just couldn't figure out what to do. I did a pure digi entry and I don't know how to incorporate other "crafts" into my work on this kind of timeline. Sure I can do my hybrid beauties, but I so wanted a full digi entry all in 8.5 x 11 so I finally got unstuck with the crafty combo option and instead chose to go with a color layout.

Which scared me at first because they just did a helpful little bit in the Top 10 issue on color and I was like...can I really evoke color in my love of all things streamlined and white? I mean really...I was a finalist in a major color contest by KI Memories (LOVE that album by the way and can't wait to share it!) and here I was afraid of color. Terrified of it as a matter of fact. But it came out to be one of my fave layouts of my entry.

Looking back on it now, there isn't a single layout that I don't love. And across all 10 of the assignments/faves, there is a definitive "style" going on. And I dare say it is like nothing else I have seen before. Which isn't really saying much. Because I've seen little, but it is definitely a different "digi" style than the current stuff. I mean, there's the whole "It doesn't even look digi, it looks 3d" thing that folks love. Me, if I'm doing digi, I'm doing digi. As you see a bit below, I don't try for the 3d deal because it comes across as 2d to me. The eye sees what the eye sees. So instead, I go for a cleaner, more graphic look. We'll see how that goes off.

Regardless, I've got some great pages I can slap in my Christmas book this year. And the assignments, though I was crying over them, challenged me and got some really cool results. I especially love my journaling layout. But then again, unlike most, I love to journal. So...there that is.

tomorrow...before 4:30 pm. 857359988850. Track it with me now.

Got it, get it, good

So...they got the doodle layouts. All is well there and very liked. I figure if the doodle layouts for the Doodle Book got all the way to AL already, then the Simple style layout should have arrived up the road for the Blue Media Style book. This is all so exciting. Being published. In books. That are sold in stores. Totally cool. I can't tell you how cool it was to pick up the first book I was pubbed in. I was walking through the downtown Seattle Borders store and there it was. I was giddy with excitement! For my first pub ever I stalked JoAnns for the Simple Scrapbook issue. And then the so totally nice cashier actually asked for my autograph. I felt so silly and we laughed so hard but hey...it's not everyday you get to see something in print and say "hey...I KNOW that person."

But you know what? Of my pubbed layouts, Simple, CK, the Blue Media book--they were all "me" layouts. And then there is now the doodle layouts. Both are actually rafting pictures. Both two of my faves. I say that a lot. but I like what I create. I was in a groove (smile). Cause my total all time fave layout (and most creative in my opinion) will be in Legacy. That should go over well. I should get back in touch with Alex and let him know he'll be pubbed. Or something.

And more scrappy happy things

And because life is good when you can scrap some, I leave ya with a few fun digi uploads for the night!

Sledding and more sledding--pretty sure you can click to get it bigger and read the journaling.

Gorgeous couple, great wedding. Love how this layout came out. Glimpse it now, it's coming down soon.

Just how most of my relationships start. This one ironically enough, started when Match.com had the Friends version of their site which was really cool. Oh how it bloomed into so much more when I found out the profile was coverted over. Ahhhh...it was so meant to be...

This one still needs a bit of tweaking but oh my WORD there has to be an easier way. But I refuse to go to the dark side--photoshop is for pros. I am no pro. I don't have the patience for the learning curve. But in the meantime...I came up with this. Those curved lines were close to impossible. There has to be an easier way...maybe with my Wacom tablet (smile). Had it for over a week and still have not cracked that baby open... more pro stuff I guess.

This is one of my faves. I will likely use the pictures in this neat idea I have but for now, this here fella is one of my fave people in the world. That's him prepping for his climb of Everest. Really now.

So, I've gotten a pretty good thing going so far. Got to chat about a new venture in scrapping that may just be pretty cool. We shall see. In the meantime, enjoy the goodies for the patient among ya! Tomorrow, I should have some stuff up at Diversity Designs as I'm on the Feb rotation. End of next week, the midmonth at Crop Addict will go up and I'll post some really neat stuff there too. Loving paper scrapping again. Pulled out a not seen fave today when I was mailing off layouts for the Doodle Book call (I get two layouts published in that one!) and resending my layout for the Blue Media Style Book (one of my fave simple layouts of all time--CK even liked that one...it was third place at the WA CK Convention in 2005). Anyhow, I kind of sort of had a layout potential for the CKC Portland, but it is way too busy so I'm going to redo it. I have thoughts of redoing another paper layout as a digi but I'd wanted to do it for something else which I'm running out of space for. My last thoughts on that is that I have this neat album idea that I have to get going on if I want to feature it for my next go rounds in March where I have a full kit with Crop Addict. Time to get on the ball scrapping that!

Good night!

Finally...kit 1

So it is finally up on Ebay. Starts at .99 for ALL of that! All of it! Bid now or forever hold your peace. Only up for one week!

Have fun and be on the lookout for more this week! Sorry...the flat rate shipping is only within the U.S. Shipping outside the US is actual cost.

You can bid on it here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270082160684

Recent Scrap Stuff

Yeah, and so I do indeed still scrapbook. Lots more digitally nowadays but I have a couple of paper kits to work with as well. In the meantime during the move, check this out and have fun!

Where Does Love Bloom?

Love this one...trying to keep it simple.

But it all just started flowing from the layered papers

to the tabs to the inked edges. Love it!

And on that Day, Forever Arrived

This one was quick. Just one photo so it was more about journaling

Not sure if you can read it, but I so love this picture.

Some simple brush work, some thoughts...

simple!

Boy Tired

For the longest time, this was my FAVE layout.

Probably because that is my fave person in the world.

And it was my fave week of my life having him

and my mom here for a visit.

Another very simple layout.

Picture, geographic, journal.

Simple!

The Nuptial Crew

I submitted this one for the CK Wedding layout call.

Love journaling from a different perspective

and I love how well that boy cleans up (smile).

Any Day Now

Not so simple (lots of elements and what not)

but did this from an Amy Teets template

And so love how it turned out

cause, as I said earlier, I love that boy.

See...I still scrap!

Still chugging

So yes, I do still scrap. I'm just in the midst of a move as well.

I owe people some scrap stuff and if it would ever thaw here so that I could get down the hill to my place without having the boyfriend see just how much scrap crap I have (and that's just the stuff I'm keeping!!), I promise, it is coming. It is even boxed up and on my table. It's coming...truly.

I sold out all the pre-packed kits. Yippee! Now, on to the ebay postings. I hope it thaws tomorrow so I can get hom eand get the scrap stuff I'm selling online. Everything from a Sidekick (with alphabet), sew mini, quickutz tool, Ott light...so much stuff. And then I decided to purge one of every two from my PERSONAL scrap supply so I have 14 MORE kits (and lots of idea books in them and what not) that I'm going to post to ebay. I'll start the bidding at like .99 so that everyone can have fun. If a kit hits $40, I'll ship it for free. Otherwise, shipping is $10 first kit, $8.10 each additional one you win. They are all packaged in the 8.10 one price priority mail packages. And they are stuffed FULL of stuff--so full there is no need for "filler" to keep everything from bouncing around. Seriously good stuff. You want an example you say? Stay tuned tomorrow. One more post tonight with pictures of scrap happiness lately.

Postponed

Yeppers--likely, if you asked, you are on my jury. I wanted to get together a mini portfolio to mail to you with the "thank you for offering your services, let's get to work email" but alas, we have no power. Lovely.

I'm at work trying to blog with no walls...living in the fishbowl. Not working so well. Supposedly we get power Monday so I'll get back to you then!

Till then...thanks!

Jury Duty

Your summons just might go out tomorrow. Still looking for a few interested jurists...

Looking for a few good jurists

well, the time has come. I've got a slew of stuff to show and no one to show it to. Why? Because I think I will give HOF one last shot. So this is where you might come in.

See, I'm in need of a jury. Not just a mentor, but a whole jury of folks that I can share my lovely work with. You don't have to be local, I can email it to ya, but I will have to have you sign your first born over to me. Not really, but seriously. I'll need folks who are willing to look at my goods and be honest. Sometimes, I'll send you a slew of stuff and say "pick your fave and tell me why". Other times, I'll send you a few things and a link to the assignment/rules and tell you to tell me which you think stands out within the parameters. No matter. I just need folks who are:

1. honest. Both in regards to telling me what does and does not work, but also in regards to not grabbing and running

2. reliable. I procrastinate. So if you procrastinate too and won't get back to me with feedback, then I'ma be in a world of hurt. Let me tell ya.

3."good" now this is relative. I'll want a link to your gallery of work. I want my jury to consist of folks with various styles/attention to detail and the like. Because I know what I like, that will be on the jury pretty heavily because I want to keep to my style. But I do want input from others as well. So if I don't pick you don't fret--you can look at my public stuff and let me know what you like/don't like and be an unofficial jurist.

What's in it for you? Aside from good karma (word of the moment evidently) all my jurists will be handsomly rewarded for their scrap helpfulness. I won't say with what just yet (cause I don't want you to submit your name just for that), but I promise you WILL NOT be dissapointed.

Okay--so if you want in, you need to email me at henderso@seattleu.edu.

And be sure to link me to someplace where I can see your work and tell me why you want to be a jurist. Let me know if you can do it in person (I live in Seattle) or if you want to do it via email. Most of the work will be during January--expect to do weekly communication via email, daily towards the end of the month. Duties will end January 31. You will be held in strictest confidence--meaning I don't even want you to let folks know you're on my jury. After Jan 31, all is fair game. Including scraplifting of any cool ideas I may throw your way. I would just ask that you not post said scraplifts until March 1.

Be sure to tell the world--you also don't HAVE to be a scrapper to be considered for this. Non-scrappers should let me know such (as you won't have a gallery to link me to) but definitely let me know why you are interested in helping out.

Kay. we're off.

Oh my freaKIng goodness!

So there are those (who know me well) who would say:

"She only entered for the Ipod"

And really, those folks would be so dead on.

But they, nor I, knew what all this would REALLY mean!

Holy good KIness!! I am so in love.

I already loved the letters and "photo corners" (ie, arrows to me)

But the ribbon

and the big box of good KI ness!

Totally cool!

Coolness - Legacy!

So it's official. Legacy has selected my most favoritist piece I've ever created for the August/September issue. I've posted it here before. And online at 2peas. I've santized for the "newness" but if you've been observant, you'll of course know which one it was (smile).

Congrats to Sue T and Jen for their RAK wins from CKC-Seattle (well, Bellevue really but we won't get into that just yet). They join Andrea in the rak winnings. Two more rak winners (or, perhaps, yet another double winner like Andrea and Jen), a scrapbook photos gig to give out and then the major prize winners.

Fun times!

Now if only I could skate to the post office and get those gifts sent out.

So here we are

A year later, we're still here!

Yippee!

Lots of great things in life to be happy about. Most of all, that a year ago, I was pretty miserable--not in the traditional sense, but just kinda surreal. Not with anyone, just kicking it with really no idea about this whole scrapbooking thing. I mean yeah, I had been pubbed in Simple Scrapbooks at that point and I had just come off an amazing weekend at CKC-WA. But even then, after that weekend, I had no idea of what I was capable of. I never would have dreamed that I'd actually get as involved with this as I am, much less that I'd be having fun doing what I'm doing. I mean scrapping started off diferently and for different reasons than for most folks. But still.

So a year later I'm at a point.

I've just made my third design team.
I've just been asked to pub in my third major magazine
I've just been asked for a submission in my third idea book publication.
I made finalist in my third major manufacturer national contest.

For thost that know me, those threes are very significant to me. Back in high school (seems so long ago), I had a fave teacher who told me of the power of 3. Everything in life, for good, for bad and for indifferent, happens in threes. I have no illusions about having "done it all"

No illusions at all there.

And I'm not typically the type that settles or gets content.

But I'm at a point. A point where I don't look at others and think "I can do that".

A point where I don't see the new list of calls at pub calls and think "WOW, I have to do that too"
A point where I'm not trying to kid myself into making a living with this.
A point where I can look in my scrap room and honestly say "I have enough. I don't need to go out and buy x" A point where "x" luckily, oh so luckily, comes to me by way of friends, family, and just play old moxie by looking for ops that matter to me. Really matter to me.

I'm at a point. A good point where the opportunities that I'm lucky enough to come across really mesh with who I am and match my goals. A good point where I'm super excited about living life--not just scrapping it. I love it. I really love everything this hobby has done for me. But I honestly need to keep it just that--a hobby. What that means, we'll see this coming year. Just thinking about it now cause I have some resolutions to get together and this should be fun. It is fun and that is why I feel a renewed committment to this, but I want to make sure that that committment isn't misunderstood.

Till then.

choices

well...choices to make. And I think I made the right one. It's odd. You get to points where you think you know what you are walking into, you walk on in and it is really quite the house of mirrors! Which, by the way, was my FAVE destination at Western Playland until they moved it into the middle of nowhere...bummer.

Totally happy right now. Got a call I've been hoping for a long time. Cept that it was a call with conditions. Sigh. Now I know how it feels for the students I waitlist cause in a way, that's what I'm faced with now. Accept the offering with hopes that more will come of it. Honored of course that they think highly enough of you to even give you the shot, but scared to death that you won't be able to measure up. So is me in the moment. And then I get another totally unrelated call about something I cannot share until Monday and though this is not modeling that by posting this vague teaser here, that call I just got is testament to patience and compromise. And it works so well for me. So totally well. So just more to contemplate and be totally happy about. More on that latter one on Monday.

It will work out. That I'm confident of. Even better, I'm now so totally motivated to get cracking! Just posted 7 more challenges for the CKC-WA dinner and I'm pretty excited by what the ladies have done there so far.

Really thinking of doing CHA-Anaheim this year...but have to figure out what's what and then some what.

On a somewhat side note--woke up this morning to a pretty severe accident on the East Side--construction crane crashed down through like three buildings right out by the Convention Center where I was just at for CKC-WA. Kinda crazy. Kinda close to home.

Alas...lots of scrap stuff at the BF's house. I should scrap something. Digitally at the very least. Reading up on HOF for Creating Keepsakes and just not sure. I like the challenges but I'm really for some reason or another getting to the point where I'm like...kay...I like me and that's okay. Less competitive if that is even possible (smile).

We'll see but thanks for asking. Promise...besides my own little mind knowing...I'll post the breaking news here if I decide to go for it. Messin' with ya...

And in a month's time...

Wow...not like I have done nothing scrap related for a month.

Most notably, got to meet some fantastic, amazingly talented online scrap friends (some for the "again" time) at the 2peas Pub Dinner at CKC-Seattle.

It really was a blast being in touch with mf's to get donations and I can't wait to see all that the women do with the products. I even gave away a super rak!

So aside from that...what else? Got my first call for Legacy and shipped that off this week! I really hope they like it in person and pick it up!

Been getting some good progress on some other assignments and I'm really looking forward to hearing back about a DT call this week that I have really, really REALLY wanted to be on for some time now. If I don't make it, the time isn't right ya know what I mean? I truly believe it with this particular one because of some history there, but definitely would be a thrill to work with them.

Oh and back at CKC...got to see the "innards"...the sausage being made. I helped set up one of my most fave mfs of all time at the show. Not biased at all (smile). I worked with Deb from the Fiber Scraps booth. I have to email her to get her to send me the pic we took but I was more than half a wreck. She called just as I was getting out to Azteca to make final arrangements on Thursday and I was like "yeah, I can help". Well...cause I'm not a no girl (smile). This was one of the thousands of reasons why I am happy to be a yes girl--met a really great person who was in a bind and I was so happy I could help her out.

Last trip on the road so I get to play with my CKC goodie bag and create some great stuff for the challenges to post here and at 2peas. Be on the lookout!

I've got style!

Blue Media style that is. Got a call for a layout--number 12...the infamous Moments. I love that layout. So simple, so clean. Love it. And it got picked up for pub. Finally.

Much love to all.

So I have a whole bunch of layouts I did on the road. Didn't take the scrap supplies as I wanted and that is probably a really good thing. But did do it to it digitally. Got lots to share and hope to have lots of internet time thsi coming week to get some of it posted.

Till then!

WHAT?! MM Idol?!

Yeah...that was my reaction when, after seeming forever of no internet access, I signed in to my email to find out that I hadn't made the top 5. I was like "well, duh...1000 entries, that's no shocker".

So really, I was thinking that it was a standard (but really nice--in wording and thought) mass generated email to everyone who entered.

Then it dawned on me.

Girl, you are one of the 20 finalists!

I think I about sucked all the air out of this here 10 story hotel. Yeah, I was beyond shocked.

Not in a "well, it would be really cool, keep the fingers crossed, sure I have as good a chance as everyone else please, please, please call me KI" kinda way (smile).

But in a genuinely "Oh snap, I didn't even get to worry over this one and what a pleasant email to come online to" kinda way.

You know what this means right? Well, aside from the cool notion (cool notions being those that are always handy to have when you're on one of those "I'd rather be doing something else" moments) that this past year has shown me love from Scrapworks, KI Memories, Making Memories and the lovely Effers, to me, this also means more confirmation. No, not that I create cool or great things. Far from that. But confirmation that doing it "just because" is just as fun. It is a lot less pressure. It is tons more rewarding. Not creating for calls. For this, they said you could enter new or old stuff. I entered all old stuff. Didn't ask anyone which pieces I should enter, I just entered some of my faves. No, they were not totally all MM'd out. No they were not totally complicated and technique heavy. They were just my faves. Kinda like the KI album--wasn't all KI'd or Color Theory'd out. Was a bit more complicated and definitely very me--not sugary sappy sweet (cause, honey, though sweet, the sap runneth dry when adulthood showed me the reality light)--but very...I don't know. Just me. Not preachy, but "consider this" debatable. In a very subtle way. You'll see.

But anyhow, I totally digress. So which pieces did I submit? I submitted...14 (You Inspired Me), 12 (Moments) and 7 (Pieces of Her) from the SOY entry I posted here. Check em out. Next internet access moment I'll post links!

So...you don't create anymore?

That is certainly the double edged sword. I do create. TONS. Just so much of it is for assignment and "sneak peaks" are okay but need to be taken down by... I just need to drop the dime and get a high speed card. A whole nother story.

This past week I took so many great pics. And I have so many great kits to scrap with. And so many RAKs to send off. I promise. If I owe you a RAK it will be WELL WORTH THE WAIT. Pinky swear ya.

I have a room full of fun stuff to play with and just no time to sit down and do it. That whole "no sharp objects on the plane thing. But that makes me think. Maybe...just maybe, I'm going to go ahead and pack a scrap bag with me. Take some stuff to have fun with. Especially since I keep using the same stuff over and over with now, I should just take a slight sidebag full of stuff and challenge myself to scrap a layout a day while on the road this week. How fun would that be?

Ambitious. We'll see if we can pull it off!

I did find layout/project 20 by the way. It's a file on the other computer that for the life of me I cannot get to transfer over. Looking back on those traumatic moments, I remember that I had to print it off individually (and then realized that my home printer did AS GOOD a job as shipping everything to Kinkos...live and learn) so I did have 20. If you come by my digs, I'll show it to ya. Or when I get back in again, I'll get a photo. So much to do. Lots of time to do it in, but I'd prefer to go and contact some more mfs for the pub dinner! Boxes are rolling in. It is so friggin' fun!

19 of 20

uhhmmm...19 of 20
Splat

Uhhhm because evidently, I'm an idiot.

20 required...20.

And I can only find 19 of mine.

I hope for the life and love of all sacred I had it together enough to include 20.

I'm sure I did. had to have.

Now I need to go home and look at my actual copy.

Annoying. Almost as much...check that, not nearly as much as it is embarassing.

I'll figure it out. I'm on a mission now!

18 of 20...

18 of 20?

A Rose is a Rose...and then some

I know...I so promised to have it done before I left. So it's only fair I give you two. So...here is the thing.

I have my least fave and one of my faves left. Here's to least fave's to get it out fo the system...

IRL (nope...not at band camp, but in real life) I liked the concept and was going for more. They actually look really cool on my window ledge. BUT...you ask...where is the photo. Took a chance with this one.

There are actually three shadowboxes to this one. One, with a single flower is the first set of roses the current fantastic guy gave me. Alas, I didn't keep the first single rose.

Another set is one rose each from "that relationship". Uh huh.

And the other set is a rose from each significant event in my life--graduations (plural--I have one from high school, one from undergrad and one from grad).

I used to have these all in this really REALLY neat wood bowl. Which I no longer have. It was hard to move coast to coast. Then I had these in a plastic bag. Really not good. And in another shadowbox frame--a gold one. But the collection outgrew it and the white ones really go with the current decor...

so it goes. Not my fave, but growing on me and one of the few entries that actually gets air time now so...you know how it goes.

And as I upload this. I realise that I'm off...gotta find two more after this...hmmm...

Phew!

delivered. @ 10:23 am. see how it all works out when you stop stressing so much?

I so, so SO want to share that album. I cannot. But you're gonna LOVE it. But since I cannot share that, it kinda sorta seems only fair that maybe we take this old school eh? Show you how I USED to scrap?

Yeah right!

In any event, I just did a whole lotta shopping for digi stuff. What? She does digi? Yeppers...when I'm on the road. Which is through the end of the year. I have some paper projects to finish when I get home. Gotta see about taking Thursday off from work (usually we get the day after we get back off) but might just go in later. In the morning, or evening--depending--I'll get the stuff done for the Summer Bash at Scrappin Trends. I hope I'll have my kit for October at Diversity Designs so I can get that done before I hit the road too.

I've got some great ideas for three layouts I want to get done tonight. And I can actually share one (probably two) of them. Fun times!

Be on the lookout and thanks for stressing the postal issue for me so that I could let it go.

Philly is almost over. Check the life blog for why that is a good and a bad thing.

Missent

Is that the post office's way of saying "We messed up"?

Cause they did. Don't know where McKinney, TX is. But I do know where Plano is. In relation to Addison. Thank goodness for insurance in case something was missent and never delivered. Thank goodness for delivery confirmation to know where it is going. Thank goodness for priority mail to make it a bit more "urgent" that they fix that mistake.

Oh heck for not just sending it express or something like that to make SURE it got there in a reasonable amount of time. Breathing. I sent it Friday. Relax. It's Monday night. Everything is fine.

This post brought you from the fantastic town of Philly. And then she said.

Tracking...the numbers

Okay...so we have to track it one more time:

0306 1070 0001 5801 0859

Insured it this time too. Yeah and of course.

So 18 of 20. We're really at the point of "who knows what she posted" and really...it's only 3 more. So I'm going to hold off on that. That way, when I get back on Thursday, I can finish out with Thursday, Friday and a Saturday flutter out with the full 20. Fun times.

So in the scrap world--was asked to do another DT. Coolness. Have to really think on it though. As I get ready to travel, I switch from paper into more digi scrapping. I need to find the site where I can have my handwriting made into a font for my computer. In love with my handwriting nowadays and that has been the stalling factor on me really getting back to digi. But I did just buy a whole lot of elements for the road. Fun times!

Also in the scrap world, got my totally cool Urban Lily Kit for the Summer Bash Round 3. Rocks! Gotta do two layouts and alter my sugar cube. Now to think how I want to do all of the above. Had some ideas looking at the paper. We shall see. Have all sorts of new pics to fall in love with so...there that is.

On the road I hope to finish contacting all the pub dinner sponsors. We shall see how that goes (smile).

Have fun and I hope to be able to check in here a couple of times while out. At the very least I hope to be able to update Colored White and get some Philly photos for the Shots Fired blog. Which reminds me that I need to pack up the baby camera.

17 of 20...or thereabouts...

Okay okay...

17 of 20 SoY Unloved

B:Box

(commentary: see...on the MBs they said it was okay to do non-layout memory related items. But, really, I think all the mini books and non-layout items in my entry did go a bit overboard. Live and learn!)

See now...

"Some folks...they let that win just get all up in their head" is what you are thinking. But really, it is nothing like that.

Totally, TOTALLY psyched cause that number we tracked...remember way back on the 15th of that Other Month...

it totally rocked my world on Friday night. In the midst of making Enchiladas. Green chicken enchiladas to be exact.

It was a funny ring--because it was a blocked call. So, of course I knew who it was. I lept out the couch to get the phone. Only, my phone is a hata. Hata.

I touched the thing and it stopped wringing. Flipped it open and shouted hello for the hood to hear. Yeah...uhm nothing.

Sigh...was probably nothing.

Settle in for some time on :that couch: with :that guy: and the voice mail ring comes on. Okay...I gotta check that.

Open up...tells me it is from a blocked id. Then there are Ira and Kim (in order of apperance for my message) telling me what I was in denial about most of the weekend--

I'm a FinAList! Did you hear me? I'm a FINALIST?

You know what so totally rocks my world about this? Okay...moment of honesty here. It rocks my world that I get an Ipod (smile). Cause that means BF can get me something else for Christmas. Something about 6'6" tall, and warm and snuggly...

but i digress.

Aside from the ipod, what is so totally earth shattering about this to me was that for once, I did what I wanted to do and it worked! I know I know...follow your own style, stop messing on "what you think they want" and all that jazz. I finally followed my own big headed advice and low and behold!

Totally cool.

Cannot wait to share that album. Loved it before the phone call, loved it after the phone call, love it more every day.

Peace out.