Musings of a 20-something scrapper
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Is there such a thing as too much stuff?
So often on UKS someone posts a link to photos of an excessively well-stocked scraproom (invariably in the US). Presumably the reason people post these photos online is simply to show off their tremendous amount of stash, but that's not what inspired me to log on and write this. I mean, of course I would love to own all those supplies, but it got me to thinking, can you still be creative with that much stuff? Sometimes I wonder whether with the incredible abundance of new embellishments and patterned paper available in the scrapbook market now, scrapbookers don't even need to think in order to create an attractive layout - select a couple of co-ordinated patterned papers, stick on a few prima flowers and/or a 3D paper sculpture, rub-on a title, and hey, you're done! No effort required.
I find I actually like being creative - combining patterned papers from different manufacturers, the thrill of finding a cool embellishment in a non-scrapbook store (or better still, from packaging or old clothes, for free!), and the satisfaction of creating my own stuff (I recently bought the gorgeous K&Co Maison 'Memory Pockets', then realised I would never ever use them because they just don't have the same 'heart' as home made pieces, if you see what I mean. I've since sold them).
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Posted: 4:53 PM, Feb. 18, 2006 |
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Simple Scrapper's Guilt
As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm trying to realign my method of scrapbooking to move away from the perfectionism and concentrate on completing projects. It's working great so far - I've completed one project already this year, with another nearly done (I need to journal three pages). But the thing is... now I'm feeling guilty that my photographs aren't getting the attention they deserve.
For me, scrapbooking has always been about enjoying the process, the creativity, rather than getting 'caught up' (Not going to happen - I've got 26 years' worth of photographs, and that's not including heritage pictures), so it's taking a bit of re-education. My photographs are precious, so I want to spend time getting the layout just right. So when I manage to finish something in under an hour it just doesn't seem right, somehow - like I haven't put enough effort into it. I feel bad for not taking enough time to choose the patterned paper - what if there was something better? Or I'm scared it's too simple (I don't get on with that whole Cathy Zielske clean & simple look).
However, I just have to tell myself that finished albums is the goal, and nice-but-not-spectacular photographs with no special significance do not need a beautiful layout - they just need a layout.
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Posted: 1:25 PM, Feb. 18, 2006 |
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Scenic Route Charlotte!
How exciting is this - Scenic Route has released a collection called Charlotte! Well it's exciting for me anyway - my name doesn't crop up much (heh, 'crop' up - get it? Sorry, easily amused) in scrapbook product lines.
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Posted: 10:17 PM, Feb. 14, 2006 |
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It's all about the flowers!
Looking through the CHA scoop on Scrap Talk, I can't help but notice the abundance of flowers - they're everywhere! From the original single silk gerber - Heidi Swapp has started doing hers in large tubs, and even Bazzill Basics has got in on the act - to Prima's additions to their trademark embossed paper flower line (including bumper variety packs in compartment boxes) - to Scrapworks' intricate felt flower sculptures, and Prima's beautiful silk flowers in transparent buckets - and everything in between, CHA saw it all.
There were multi-layered silk flowers at Bo Bunny, Junkitz, and the ever-reliable Prima. Michael Miller has some too, in solid and patterned fabric.
The designers didn't confine themselves to silk, either - Prima has felt in small and large fancy varieties, Fancy Pants and Melissa Fances both brought out chipboard flowers, and Magic Scraps clear embellishment line also includes flower shapes. Paper too - we've come a long way since punch art! Prima have brought out mulberry paper and tissue paper flowers, while Michael Miller introduces paper petals. Queen & Co's flowers also seem to be paper, but it's hard to tell from the photo so don't quote me!
If you prefer to stamp your art out, there's something for you too! Art Warehouse has released a rather cool set of patterned daisy stamps, Making Memories has a new set of floral foam stamps, and Technique Tuesday has also added a set of floral designs to its range.
Or if you fancy something really different, try Lil Davis's Tinseltown glitter flowers, Allison Connors' distressed metal daisy brads or Doodlebug's incredibly ultra cool polka dot silk flowers (of which I'm clearly going to need one of each colour!)
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Posted: 8:44 PM, Feb. 6, 2006 |
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Six layouts in ONE DAY!
Four doubles, two singles - I don't think I've ever completed so many layouts in a single day before. Okay so they're all pretty straightforward, but it means I only have to complete two more single layouts and the album of my cousin's wedding will be finished.
This is all part of my great plan to actually complete projects. My sister gave me a kick start when she said that everyone likes to see my albums, but only once they're finished, not as works-in-progress. So I've created a list of my current projects (can you believe I have fourteen album projects on the go?! Plus ongoing Heritage and "Special Photos" albums) in order of priority and have a blitz on actually getting them finished. Some of the larger projects have actually been going on for literally years, so I'm starting off with the smaller projects - some of which only need a few layouts before I can sign them off. I'm still working on letting go of the perfectionist and facing up to the fact that if I haven't managed to get hold of some rustic netting in the last 12 months, I'm unlikely ever to do so and will have to rethink the layout!
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Posted: 9:13 PM, Feb. 4, 2006 |
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Starbucks
Is creating a layout dedicated to Starbucks the new Scrappers' rite of passage?!
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Posted: 10:07 PM, Jan. 20, 2006 |
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OK, so no-one 'tagged' me, but...
I thought it might be fun to answer the questions anyway!
Four jobs you’ve had in your life: Cleaner! Waitress at the open golf tournament and test cricket at Lord's Sales assistant at Marks & Spencer Office administrator for Netcraft (not good)
Four movies you would watch over and over: 8 Femmes Clueless Clue (that's a coincidence I've never noticed before!) Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Four places you have lived: South Wales Wiltshire Canterbury Reims, France
Four TV shows you love to watch: Lost (well up til last week) Desperate Housewives (damn, just realised I'm going to miss the first episode!) Umm... I really don't watch that much telly
Four places you have been on vacation: Various parts of France Canada The Dominican Republic Italy
Four websites you visit daily:
UK Scrappers
Heidi Swapp's blog
A Cherry On Top
Marks & Spencer (mainly because it's the only website I can look at on the computer at work)
Four of your favorite foods: Chocolate Ice-cream Pizza Cookies
Four places you would rather be right now: The Caribbean for some winter sun Japan (I just watched Memoirs of a Geisha) Heidi Swapp's studio (I'm not a stalker, honest) Bed
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Posted: 10:49 PM, Jan. 17, 2006 |
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Handwriting
The current homepage article on UK Scrappers is a rant on handwriting. I usually use my handwriting for journalling - mainly because it's much easier than going through the hassle of typesetting my text to fit the right size box, finding the printer, making sure it has ink, plugging it into the computer, and printing it out, and then printing it out again because I put the textured Bazzill in upside-down. But I resent the feeling that I'm "supposed" to use it. Just like I hate feeling forced to journal "meaningfully", I feel it should be up to me how I present it - if I choose to include it at all! Scrapbooking is an art form that's all about the individual, creativity and capturing memories. Surely how you choose to capture those memories is up to you - why should magazines like Creating Keepsakes set out rules insisting that thou shalt journal meaningfully in your own handwriting?
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Posted: 2:07 PM, Jan. 12, 2006 |
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I'm so proud of myself
Because I'm meant to be on this "stash diet" I'm trying (okay mostly failing) to cut down on my purchases since I really can't afford to keep spending like I'm still working full time. So anyway, I'm trying to improvise rather than splash out - and today I was brave, instead of buying a sheet of Scenic route orange polka dot paper (and of course if I had I would have had to fill a basket to make the postage worthwhile), I broke out my Heidi Swapp polka dot foam stamp and created my own! I'm so proud.
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Posted: 11:17 PM, Jan. 9, 2006 |
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"Blessed"
Hey you know what, re-reading one of my previous entries reminds me that I'm coming dangerously close to using one of my most-hated words on a scrapbook page! My cousin got married this summer, then in September he and his wife had a blessing ceremony. I'm seriously considering titling the page "Blessed" - am I trying to prove something to myself?!
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Posted: 8:01 PM, Jan. 9, 2006 |
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