Take the time to be creative with your Thanksgiving photos this year. Don't just get the kids ala' parade mode. Or Dad via recliner football mode. Focus some time on your table, treats, and time. Get pics of your prep work and the mess. Zoom in on a favorite decor item, an heriloom that will be or has been passed through the generations. Think outside the box...here are a few of my own that, gee...I still need to scrap. Anyone know a good scrapper-for-hire?
I rescued this beautiful cat last week. She had been living under the sidewalk at my office, for a least a month. It took me three days of feeding her and building her trust, finally I got her in a carrier and home to her foster mom, my sister Stacie. She is really a very sweet cat, but neither of us can keep her. If you are in Montana while you read this post, please consider adopting her. My kids would LOVE to keep her, but the cat I already have is plenty of work. I just couldn't bear to let her be outside all winter, fending for herself.
I just put the finishing touches on this order of 15 gift card holders for a client. She is going to insert gift cards from various retailers into these fancy little frames, as presents to family and friends. This was truly a fun project, as I challenged myself to make each one just a tad different, and I used up scraps of paper from Christmas projects gone by. These are $15 each, there is still time to order yours!
I really hope after the first of the year I can start a book about me, to pass on to my kids. I just found these great old photos from a photo shoot that took place around 1992. I did hair and make up for all of the models, and had my photos taken for free. I never did anything with them...but they are fun to look back on just the same.
I made this little birthday card for my best friend Claire. Not only is it totally adorable, but it may just entice her to get the rest of her wedding photos to me so I can get her big album done...my gift to them for their wedding.
My daughter was home with the flu most of this week. Finally bored to tears from watching movies, she came upstairs and begged for something to do. Why of course, I suggested scrapbooking...duh! So she sat down at her craft table with supplies she received as a gift last Christmas and created some adorable pages! This is the first time I didn't assist her, giving her complete creative freedom...she ran with it and proves to be a talented young lady!
Using Halloween photos from a prior year, I created this special card for a good friend's 30th birthday.
More pics from our Halloween weekend, what a blast! I'm going to get these pages done soon...
Let the festivities begin! I took a day off work to go to the kids' school. They have a parade, dancing, and parties! I love Halloween, and this kick-off to the holiday season. My costume was KISS inspired...however these younger generations just thought I was goth...perhaps we can consider KISS the original goth icons?
I love, love, love autumn! I love the weather, the crunchy leaves beneath my feet, the smells of wet earth, and dry foliage. I am so behind on my own pages, yet can't seem to stop the shutter...I took these today while carving pumpkins. The kids are getting so big now, I hope this is a tradition they will always cherish as much as I do. And yes..I do need to get some of my own scrappin' done soon!
I found these cool accordian albums on clearance a few months ago, and bought all of them. Yes, it is the junkie in me...I tried to only buy a couple, but they were such a good DEAL! So tonight, I did something for ME and made a cute little brag book out of some of my favorite pictures from this past summer. I love the results!
Putting the finishing touches on a client's pages. She has been sending me her family photos for almost five years now. I am so very grateful for her continued business, and for trusting me with her precious family memories!
This little 4x4 "card" turned out so cute! This was a gift I made for a client to give to his wife on Mother's Day. It actually does hold a gift card, but he used that area to include his own message. She loved it!
As promised a week ago, here are the pictures of my "haven" in full-blown scrap mode. After a weekend of endless projects the status of my work area is in shambles. I was going to clean it today, but thought better of it as I am not through the graduation season just yet. Honestly, it is kind of like making a bed. Sometimes I wonder why I bother when each day it ends up messy again. After the graduates are gone, I have Father's Day. Then quickly move into holiday projects....did I just utter the word "holiday"?
This is one of my favorite mini-albums, I keep holding on to it thinking I will use it as a gift, but I can't seem to part with it. The elements are vintage with tattered lace, tiny crocheted embellishments, and antique pins. I think I did this one just for me!
I am so blessed to have this expansive work area, I love it! As soon as I can locate the file...I will post the "not-so-tidy" pictures of when I am completely immersed in a project...when I fling paper without a care, and leave piles of paper dust all over my desk.
I captured these pictures last fall, as my daughter was collecting the tiniest of bugs from our backyard fence. She was so thrilled with the tickles on her hand as they scurried to get away. The sun was in a perfect spot to land these adorable pictures of her innocence.
That said...she also has a seriously spirited side. She used the word "butt-head" at some point, and with more frequency than we thought appropriate. So, having been reprimanded for it by having her radio or some other prized possession taken away, she amended her words to "bug-head" so as not to get in anymore trouble. She says it now with a certain amount of pride, thinking she has beat the parental system and code of behavior we impose on her.
One smart cookie...and a bit of a stinker!
I am thinking about teaching local scrapbooking classes. Like, Scrapbooking 101. Do I have the energy or the time? Maybe it is time I share my knowledge.
I think I'll start with a small get-together of nine year olds, see how good I do with them before taking on adults!
Stay tuned...
Ok, I am in a random mood, somewhat like this random weather in Montana. I had two days of spectacular sun, sitting in my hot pink chair with one (or two) nice cold beverages. As I sat contemplating Capri pants and flip-flops, snow really was the farthest thing from my mind. Yet, two days later as I opened my garage door to take the kids to school, I was beyond freaked out. I didn't bother to park my car INSIDE the garage because after all, it is the end of April. I am not even remotely kidding when I say there had to be two feet of snow on my car. And, as I was trying to leave peacefully with my two fighting children, I realize my car doors are frozen shut. And hey, in a vain moment I have to admit...this was a really good hair day, and now I stand beneath snowflakes the size of silver dollars thinking all that flat ironing was for nothing! But back to my point, if I actually have one this evening...I am posting some random pages in tradition of the random elements of Montana seasons.
I got to thinking, there is another popular pose I use almost every time I "stage" my kids for a photo shoot. It has been suggested that I put together an album of all of these great pictures I take of them with their backs to me, or walking away. There is something that really tugs at my heartstrings when I look at them going "their own way" in the direction opposite of me...that will be happening as they start on their own paths in life all too soon. Very poignant.
Over the past few years I have taken some really fun pictures of my girls looking at themselves in the mirror. Until last night, as we were pulling a tooth, I didn't realize how many such photos I have. If I can sit down tonight, I'm going to get these onto a page...stay tuned!
My Dad's reaction upon opening his book; priceless.
A couple of years ago I had an opportunity to put together albums from me and my siblings, for our parent's on their 70th birthdays. I chose an ABC theme, it was such a blast to put together! The three of us came up with words for each letter of the alphabet that reminded us of our Mom and Dad. We used goofy saying of theirs, treasured hobbies, past careers, and names of loved ones. The books were a major hit with both parents...
Think about this as we approach Mother's Day and Father's Day; and think about that 25% discount too!
When we bought our new house in 2005 there was a grand bonus room, empty and perfect for my scrapbooking space. With the help of a local cabinet designer, I created my own place to work. Beautiful cabinetry, with ample space for EVERYTHING!
Ok, so four years later...I am outgrowing my paper drawer. There is literally no more space in this very spacious file drawer. I guess it is time to make some scrappin' grab bags to sell this summer at the local farmer's market. As I realize piles are now taking over my desktop workspace, as well as my rolling storage cart.
Alas, I can admit to not having bought any paper in the past six months...I am really trying to dedicate myself to the "use what you have" theory. (It really isn't any fun...).
I put this pre-made cutie together on Monday, while trying to ignore the winter weather outside my window. It is always therapeutic for me to bury myself in beautiful paper!
This type of album is left blank for a recipient to add their own memories. This one is particularly girlie, perfect for a graduate to add photos from her senior year friendships!
(Seven page representation of a twenty page album)
The most convenient place for a stockpile of photos (such as a basement or attic) is often the most unfavorable place to store them. It's best to keep your photos and albums in a room that's relatively well ventilated and doesn't have dramatic temperature fluctuations.
Store photos in a cool, dry, dark place that's safe from hazards such as pet damage and flooding. A closet, chest, or cabinet (with the prints in a box that controls light and air exposure) extends the best resolution. For heirloom pictures, consider a fireproof box.
Going digital after my second daughter was born was like an escape. I was no longer restricted to taking only 24 pictures per roll of film, left to discard many that weren't "perfect". Yes, I can be objective enough to find imperfection in photos of my own children...not often, but it does happen.
Regardless, one of my favorite freedoms is to point and click as dang much as I want to, what is there to lose? And even some of the photos that end up out of focus can be transformed into a incredibly unique album page.
So I say...go for it, take as many pictures as you can. Especially of your kids, and especially while they are young. Soon, you will have to force a smile out of them...because you just won't be cool enough or worthy of their teenage smiles!
Here are a few I look forward to getting onto a page soon. This "selection" was chosen out of a crop of roughly 50 pictures, the balance of which resides in my recycle bin.
A dear friend of mine recently put a spin on what I do, that I hadn't thought of. I carry his words with me on yet another new path, as I seek new employment or make this small business work! I have found his wisdom to be a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, as I approach my album business with new-found gusto:
"I think a lot of people are focusing on some more simple things that we have in years past, mainly out of economic need, but also for comfort—home, family, and memories are a lot less expensive than European trips and the next house up the hill. The fact that you’re providing a unique, creative way to focus on some of these things is in your favor."
He is one smart dude.
I like to think outside the box when creating holiday pages. Instead of using the traditional orange and black for this Halloween page, I chose to focus on the costume instead.
And this truly is one "Super-Spirited" girl!
Custom Memory Albums are 25% off until May 31st, 2009.
Great for grads, dads and moms!
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