Monthly Archives: March 2014

Mar24

Finding the Time

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Finding the Time

One of the biggest complaints/excuses out there about why people choose not to scrapbook is that they just don’t have the time.

There’s this perception that scrapbooking and memory keeping in general takes this huge amount of time out of your day. I’ve never found that to be the case, but that may be due to the way I approach the whole concept.

Making a scrapbook page doesn’t mean you have to have all your photos printed and organized first, nor do you have to make your page extremely artistic or even tightly designed.

Nor do you have to do ten pages about one event, or even tell the story in chronological order.

Scrapbooking is so much simpler than that.

It is one story, and a piece of paper to write it on, plus a picture or two or three to illustrate your story. That’s it. Everything else is bells and whistles.

You don’t even need paper. A status update on Facebook, like this one I put up yesterday is totally scrapbooking. It’s just a digital version.

FB status grab

Now, I’m not recommending that you never put anything on paper. In fact, at the rate in which technology changes and gets damaged, having only digital records would be a recipe for lots of lost memories.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s not useful. Especially if you use it as a temporary warehouse for memories, for when you have five minutes to document your story in a more lasting manner.

So that’s one way for you to capture memories quickly and easily. You’re even probably already doing that.

How about a couple other quick ways to document your life before we finish for today?

Next up? An old school organizing tool–your calendar or agenda. Yep. That pile of paper hanging on your wall or tucked into your purse. That is a great, quick scrapbooking tool.

Simply write down memorable things someone said or did in the relevant square, and you’ve done some scrapbooking. Really! It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Last up– journaling cards that are designed for pocket pages. This is the latest trend that has been sweeping the scrapbooking world– it’s been going on for a few years now, and shows every sign of expanding and really and truly altering the way people save their memories.

It’s a simple concept–write a few notes about a day or an event, and pair it with a few photos, and you’re done. You can add artistic elements if you so desire, but the important thing is saving those memories.Using pocket pages to document life || noexcusescrapbooking.com

The cards are about the same size as a playing card, so are really easy to slip into a pocket or purse to have handy when you just have to capture the latest goofy thing you heard. (Around here, we concentrate on goofy and silly, in case you were wondering.)

That’s all you really need to start scrapbooking. Really.

A memory, and a place to store it. It doesn’t matter if it’s digital, or paper, it’s still a memory worth saving, and it doesn’t take very much time at all. You can definitely squeeze it into your busy schedule.

You were going to post that adorable cat/kid/spouse photo anyway, weren’t you?

Mar21

Branching Out Into New Territory

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Branching Out Into New Territory

This week was all about branching out into new territory. Not only did I change a little thing that has defined me all my life, but I also opened up a shop on Redbubble.

What’s Redbubble? It’s an independent artist community and shop, where you can upload images for printing on anything from posters to shirts to iPhone cases. You can then make those images available for purchase, where you set the markup, which controls how much you make off a particular item.

I have a lot of flower photos. You could even call me a flower stalker (pun intended.) It seemed silly to have all these flower photos sitting on my hard drive, taking up space, and not use them for something interesting. So I started making some art pieces at Lain’s using image transfers, and I’ve put a few of my favorite images up on Redbubble.

Check out my portfolio at Redbubble, and see what you think. I’m just getting started, so if you have any thoughts or opinions, please share. I’d love the advice!

sedum at alcatraz || noexcusescrapbooking.com

Sedum at Alcatraz || One of my first up close and personal flower stalker pictures, taken with my 5mp point and shoot

Oh, and one more thing– in case you didn’t know, I’ve also joined the Origami Owl bandwagon– I love their jewelry! I have a jewelry bar next week if anyone is interested in joining me here, or ordering online. You can place an online order here, or if you’d like to come visit me, the details for the party are here.

origami owl || flowers for spring

Since it’s spring, and there should be flowers, I’m wearing this!

Have I mentioned lately how much you are all appreciated? Thank you so much for joining me on this crafty journey! It wouldn’t be the same without you.

Mar19

A Quick Challenge for You

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A Quick Challenge for You

Today, I changed something fundamental about myself, something I didn’t think would ever change. I have been tongue-tied, literally, all my life, and it has always been one of the weird little things that define and describe me.

Today that changed. I am no longer tongue-tied. At least in the literal sense. (All bets are off for tripping over words. Guaranteed that will still happen!)

So, what’s one little weird thing that defines you? Have you documented it yet? Maybe you should! You definitely don’t have to, but think about how much fun it would be to go back and see something about a part of you that you thought would never change, and suddenly has!

Case in point: My T page from the Me: the abridged version album I did for a Cathy Zielske class over at BPC.

T || noexcusescrapbooking || design by Cathy Zielske

The journaling reads, in part:

Tongue-tied

This is me, literally and figuratively.There’s a membrane that attaches the tip of my tongue to the bottom of my mouth. Reason I look so weird when I stick my tongue out. Genetic. Passed on to Simon, but it’s not as extreme on him. I am also very good at loosing my train of thought mid-speech, which comes across as stuttering, muttering, and general trailing off of sentences. Luckily for me, I have a husband who helps keep me on track.

So glad to have that now that it is no longer true. It may be time to do a new album. Or not. It’s only been 4 years. We’ll see!

Now, don’t you think it’s time to document yourself before you become a new and improved you?

PSA: If you are tongue-tied, and you’re having trouble with your gums, run, don’t walk to your dentist! A little bit of pain now can really help preserve your teeth in the long run.

Mar11

Old vs. New

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Old vs. New

Last night, while trying to sleep, my mind wandered to my craft supplies, and I asked myself, “What’s the oldest thing in my stash?”

Have you ever taken the time to think about that? What crafty supply started you on this journey into the realm of creativity and documentation?

What’s your oldest supply?

Mine are these two stamps, and this embossing powder.

old vs new craft supplies

 

I got them during a show at the local mall while I was still living at home/ between college semesters. To melt the embossing powder, I’d hold the image over a burner on the stove.

In the background you can see my newest craft supply: a piece of handmade paper from Papyrus that I got while in Boston a couple weeks back. I have this vague idea for using it in a craft project. We’ll see if that actually pans out.

So what are your oldest and youngest craft supplies? Do you still use them?

(I use the leaves frequently. I can’t remember the last time I used the Pooh stamp. Maybe it’s time to give it a new home. Or not. I still have small children I can send Valentine’s to!)

Don’t forget to share with us, and let everyone know what your oldest and youngest supplies are. Wouldn’t it be fun to compare the two, to see what’s changed about your crafty life, and what’s remained the same?

Don’t forget, the discount on True Stamp ends soon! Sign up before the 17th!

Mar6

Something Fun This Way Comes

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Something Fun This Way Comes

Are you ready to expand your technique repertoire? Do you want your stamps to earn their place in your crafty space? Well then, you should sign up for True Stamp 2, right now!

truestamp2014

What is True Stamp?

True Stamp is a one-day, online, LIVE event on April 5. Yep, that’s right – all six instructors will come to YOU via the magic of the Internet in a state-of-the-art web room. You’ll watch class demonstrations, chat with instructors and other students, and have the time of your stampy life – all without leaving home (or even changing out of your PJs!).

My friend Lain Ehmann of True Scrap has pulled together six of the hottest stamping companies around to offer a full day of inspiration and fun.  You’ve heard of Technique Tuesday, Lawn Fawn, and Simon Says Stamp, right? Well, they and three more amazing stamp companies will be revealing all their best stamping tips, tricks, techniques, and secrets during True Stamp 2.

You’ll learn from experts such as Shari Carroll, Kelly Marie Alvarez, Nichol Magouirk, Bev Grey, Bobbi Lemanski, and Kim Hughes, along with a few surprise instructors. You’ll be so inspired to create something when classes are done, that you’ll get ink all over your PJs.

So, head on over here to register for True Stamp.

Bonus: If you register before March 17, you can use code LOVE at registration, and get almost 50% off the class. (Regular price is $97, with LOVE it’s only $49!! That’s a great deal!)