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Simple Storage Solution
I am not very good at organization. I can admit it. My mom likes to say an explosion follows me where ever I go. And she is right. Even now as a "grown-up" I still struggle with messes.
I am trying to improve this but as any messy person knows it is an ongoing battle!
So how can I possibly offer a simple storage solution?
Well, I have found a scrappy storage solution that really works for me and I figure that there has got to be other messy people out there who might like it. :) Plus, since this post, I have had a lot of emails asking how I store my rub-ons all together.
So here goes. (**warning** - photo overload ahead - I got a little crazy with the camera!!)
Open baskets are my friends. They give me visual reference to my supplies and they contain my messes. I use these shelves from Ikea (baskets too). I have two baskets for flat packages and they are divided by - alphas - and - embellishments. Yup, that is the only classification they receive.
 
They then get put into the basket with order only being determine by package size. Small packages at the front - large ones at the back. (If you look at the first photo you will see I also stand a few items on the side that are too big for the baskets.)
Pretty easy.
Then I just flip through them and find what I need. (And I just know you are dying for an action shot so here it is!)
Now the only other thing you need to know is I place a cardboard sheet at the back of the basket to support the packages that are too big to be put in sideways.
This is so they don't flop around and get bent.
There are two things I like best about this system.
1) Easy access to my supplies. A quick flip refreshes my memory and it is easy to pull out a few packages before deciding what to use on my page.
2) Clean-up is easy. Complicated clean-up is the downfall of a messy person. I know I need clean-up to be easy otherwise after a few times I start to slack. It just takes a few seconds to pop the packages back in the baskets after I am done a project.
I apply this system to most of my supplies and it really works for me.
And the last photo from snap-happy photo taking...an aerial shot ('cause I know you need it to understand this super complicated storage method! LOL)
So that's it folks - for today and until next week actually. It is a long weekend this weekend in Canada (I think in the USA too) and we are making it an extra long weekend by taking Friday off too. This means I will be back Tuesday with more ramblings...
Have a great one everyone! :)
(oh - if this posting has even more typos and spelling errors than usual blame the keyboard - a few letters are sticking and it is driving me nuts!!)
5/15/2008 10:00:26 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00) 
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Doodle Impaired?
I am.
I can doodle on a pad of paper while on the phone but do I want these scratching on my scrapbook page? I think not!
BUT, I like how stylized doodles look on scrapbook pages. You know the ones I am talking about? The flourishes and swirls that are so popular in scrapbooking right now. I love them but I am too afraid of ruining a page. And the more nervous I am about ruining a page the more like I am to ruin it! These type of doodles feel more like mini drawings to me and not really like doodles from the subconcious.
So what's a girl to do?
Well, this is what I do. I use these. They come in a variety of different patterns and are made from a sturdy plastic-like material which means you can use them over and over and over.
I love that they come in a 12"x12" size and offer lots of variety within one page. You can rotate them and flip them so the variety of "doodles" goes on and on.
I find that they add just the right touch to a page. See the page below. Really simple in design but with the doodled circles the page looks complete.
Or another example. This page below uses two different templates.
A flourish type doodle in white pen and the wavy lines for my journaling. (I did actually doodle the scalloped frame around the photo - that I can handle!)
I love them as embellishment for my pages - not something to take over the whole thing.
And you can use them for other purposes too. You could trace and cut out the designs or even use them as a paint stencil.
That's it, my PSA for the day. Let me know if you try it. I would love to see. :)
5/14/2008 9:50:39 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Lights, Camera, Action...well, PS Actions...
(seriously, I should not be allowed to make blog titles! I am just getting cheezier and cheezier!)
So I learned how to use brushes in Photoshop and how to make a brush so I figured I better take the plunge and learn how to use Actions.
But I was scared. Seriously, PS can be intimidating without someone to hold your hand! Then I met Kay last week. Never spoke to her before and there she was offering to hold anyone's hand who needed PS help on the Scrapsupply message board. AND she was offering some PS actions for people to download and try so they could learn. How nice is that?
So I thought, now or never!
So I downloaded her actions and saved them to a file on my computer. But then I got stuck. I couldn't figure out how to install them. But Kay was there to hold my hand.
See the little arrow thingys - that is what you press to find the file on your computer to install them. To run an action on your image click on the action you want to use and press the play button. Then sit back watch the magic. Pretty easy. I don't know what I was so scared about! Thank you Kay!
And the good thing - these actions were made for a higher version of PS then what I have but I was still able to make it work. Some of the steps were unavailable but it still worked for me.
Want to see?
ORIGINAL PHOTO
COLOR POP ACTION
another action called MORE COLOR POP
And for the LOMO lovers...
I think I will play with the layers to make some adjustments but I am really happy with the looks I got. I also think it depends on the photo to decide which action looks best - I am leaning towards the MORE COLOR POP for this one but it might be a bit too much for me. Undecided still.
And remember you can run an action more than once on a photo or different actions together on one photo.
And since you are going to playing with actions (right???) why don't you download the new free digital kit from Memory Makers magazine. They released it for NSD and would be a great backdrop for you new action-ed photos!
5/13/2008 12:25:05 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Does she even scrapbook anymore???
I am up to my eyeballs in scrappy supplies (I am making up kits for my classes) but do I actually scrapbook?
Umm, no.
Not right not at least. My house has been taken over with boxes and there are only just so many hours in the day. I mean, who has time to scrap?
But I am dying to! I like to be creative everyday but it is just not going to happen. Maybe tomorrow.
So today I thought I would share another project I am working on with Magnus. I mean some of you have got to be mom's of little ones (Hope you had a great day yesterday. I know I did!) and might like to do this with your little girl or guy.
So Magnus is facinated with all things growing. So the other day while waiting in line at the grocery story he noticed a rack of vegetable seeds. You know, those little packets full of seeds so you can grow your own veggie garden? So I figured he would love to grow some plants from seed - it is just so satisfying!!
So after much deliberation he narrowed his choices down to peas and carrots. Very original isn't he?
Well, when you are 4 years old waiting for seeds to sprout can be hard. So this is what we did with the peas.
We took an old clear jar and put about 3 paper towels in it. We then placed a few seeds down the sides near the outer edges. Next we poured in some water - enough to make the paper towels wet. And that was it.
We placed it by a window and within a few days they had sprouted. The great thing about this is because the jar is clear he can see them growing right away. Good for an impatient 4 year old! If these were in dirt he still wouldn't see anything yet and would probably loose interest. Right now he runs to check their progress daily (some days more like five times daily!)
So this is them at 5 days.
This works well with beans and peas but not veggies like carrots that will not take transplanting well. When they get bigger we will transplant them out into the garden (no, I do not have a veggie garden - plan on putting them in with the flowers).
So that is it. A 99 cent investment and a whole lot of entertainment! And some peas later this summer...
Just thought you might want to try it. Back to scrappy stuff tomorrow I promise :)
5/12/2008 4:09:30 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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My To-Do List (for the week)
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Fall directly on head; do not pass go, do not collect $200 |
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This one is slightly painful but might be worth it ??? |
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Have someone steal $1300 from bank account |
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Oh, I highly recommend this was just to see how high your blood pressure can go – really it is like a health check that should be done once a year! |
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Host impromptu late night party for small, sick kidlets from 12:30am to 3:30am |
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No prep required really – just make sure you fall asleep first so it feels like a surprise party! |
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Get zero scrapbooking done all week so you have nothing to blog about on Friday |
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I bet you really appreciate this one! ;) |
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Editing to add: |
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Hubby nearly dislocates jaw at Karate today – now it doesn’t close properly! |
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And he wonders why I don’t want to join Karate!! |
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But even more important to add: |
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Bank has caught the bad guys and put the money back in our account! |
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Hurray! |
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Kidlets are feeling better. After 3 days of Harper being really sick the meds are starting to work and she is less like a zombie! |
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She never gets sick so when she does it is a doozy – glad she is on the mend! |
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Sun is shining and it is 70°F outside! |
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I’ve taken the kidlets outside for some fresh air and it is doing everyone some good!! Ahh, spring! |
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And really awesome to add: |
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Totally forgot it was Mother’s Day this weekend so guess what I am asking for?? |
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Oh ya – some scrappin’ time!! (Oh and some breakfast in bed of course!) |
So Happy Momma's Day to everyone out there who is a Mom! Hope you get spoiled. :)
5/9/2008 10:18:10 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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I Fell ON My Head!!
Not I bumped my head, banged it on something or even fell and then bumped my head. No, it was more like – Go straight to falling on head; do not pass Go, do not collect $200!
Want to see whose fault it was?
I am pretty sure he is toying with going to the dark side. Just look at him mocking me with what looks like a thumbs up! Remember you heard it here first - Obi Wan Kenobi is thinking of going over to the dark side!
So this is how it went down. I was innocently walking through my bedroom and was unaware of Obi Wan’s evil plan. You see he was laying waiting in the middle of said floor and I was barefoot. As any parent knows stepping on a toy such as this will cause weirdly strange pain (especially if contact with the bare arch happens!) So I stepped, Obi Wan got my arch, and I tried to make a strange hoppy movement to stop the crazy, weird pain. I, of course, lost my balance and instead of falling like a normal person I went directly down on my head. Right in the middle of the forehead. Now that is pain! My hands did try to stop the fall but they were useless. (I am pretty sure Obi Wan knew this would happen!) I have to admit that even in the pain I laid there thinking – wow! I wish someone had seen that ‘cause that was hilariously funny. I mean movie funny. Like that could only happen in a movie and no real person falls that way.
Again, I am pretty sure this was Obi Wan’s plan all along. He is going to be one evil dude if he converts to the dark side.
So, throbbing headache still, I am taking it easy today. Was supposed to be making some scrappy stuff but my head is hurting too much.
So today I will share another sample for a class I am teaching.
This is from my class Paradise Point. It is offered at all 4 GASCs but I believe both Arlington, TX and Chantilly, VA are sold out. That leaves it open to the folks from Grand Rapids, MI and Chattanooga, TN.
Class is sponsored by Fiskars and Heidi Grace and we make a really fun mini album. See for yourself.
  
Lots of fun texture, clear pages and easy to make - great for any photos.
The class is offered on the Friday of the above shows – 4:00-5:30pm.
OH and one more thing. I have had some inquiries if I am going to be selling some class kits online to people who live too far away from the GASCs.
I am looking into it. Some of the products in these classes are donated so I obviously cannot sell any kits that have this but I am looking into getting everything figured out. So if you are interested in any of the class kits you see posted, then shoot me an email. I have started a list. There is no commitment – if I can get it arranged I will email you and you can decide then. If you change your mind I will just move to the next person on the list. OK? Questions? Email me. I don’t bite ;)
5/8/2008 9:46:02 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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How Many Times Can I Say "Supporting"?
So yesterday I feel like I made a PSA (public service announcement)!! I had no idea how much everyone was going to like the stapling/cutting idea for rub-ons! I have so much positive feedback that it makes me want to go look through my scrappy stuff and see what else I do that you might like. :)
So a couple quick things today.
First - registration for the Grand Rapids, MI Great American Scrapbook Conventions opened yesterday (July 25-26). I have a bunch of classes that I am teaching there so if you live nearby check it out 'cause I'd love to see you.
Second - I have a new article up at takegreatpictures.com.
Obviously, it is about the supporting photos that you want to take for your scrapbook pages. You know - the ones you take to highlight the details of your main event. These photos play an important roll on your pages but sometimes we don't give them the attention they deserves.
As I was writing the article I felt like I kept saying "supporting" over and over. There just wasn't another way to put it!
So I have a deal for you - go read it and then the first person to report back here how many times I used the word "supporting" will win a prize. I have one mini kit left from the other day - the sample that I made up to show you - that I will send you.
Go. Read. Report back here. :)
(the tally includes the titles, the intro and article - really any time you see "supporting" on the page!)
5/7/2008 7:16:22 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Rub-ons Rubbing You the Wrong Way???
Do you hate this as much as I do?
You have to cut apart the sheet so you don't accidently transfer a rub-on that you don't want to transfer. And then this?
Trying to get the darn thing back in the package but of course it won't go easily cause it is all weirdly shaped now!!
This is how I solve the problem.
I cut them apart and staple the backing to the transfer sheet.
This way they don't get ruined because they are shifting off the protective backing and you don't need to scream everytime you have to put them backing in the packaging! (You've heard me, right?!!)
Pretty easy to move them around my page until I get the spot I want and then I just quickly remove the staple.
Simple but effective.
Happy Scrappin' everyone!
**Just editing to add - after I cut and staple them I toss them back in the original packaging. This way they stay together, don't get damaged and I can easily store them.
5/6/2008 9:59:55 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Crafty Hangovers Anyone???
So did you spend Saturday or part of the weekend scrappin'? Feeling happy and on a creative high or completely spent and slightly bleary eyed this morning???
Either way, I hope you got some time to enjoy this hobby we all love so much!
I did get to scrap this weekend. For quite a bit of time actually. It is so nice to scrap for more than a few minutes here and there. I love to be able to sit for a couple hours in a row and really get into a project. It is a real luxury which I am grateful to my husband for. He kept the kidlets occupied Saturday morning and I got crafty. Made a mini album (more about that in a minute) and later that evening after the kidlets stayed in bed I got to play again and made another mini album! Oh ya, I was in the zone! LOL
I did feel as if I had a crafty hangover Sunday morning when I sat to work to on some pages (kidlets were out!) and I just sort of sat there pushing things around. Felt nicely all used up from the day before. I said to my hubby it is not often that I get to say I need to take a break cause I have done so much scrapping! LOL Was a nice and contented feeling.
I did do some more scrapping last night after the kidlets were in bed and I think cause I had taken a break during the day (and spent the day before being creative) I felt like I was on a creative high. I ended up creating a page that really made me happy. I mean every little bit of it was just right to me. It has been awhile since I have been so creatively satisfied with a page. Since before that crazy creative overflow a few weeks back actually.
And you know what is great -the page is for someone else. I was creating a page for someone and it is a wonderful feeling that it turned out so right. I am mailing it off to her today so once she gets it I hope she will let me share it here. I definitely want her to see it first. :)
So, now I need to show you some of my creativeness from the weekend!
I worked on class planning for the GASC and created this mini album for my Heart & Home class.
This class is sponsored by MAMBI and it is going to be awesome!
I love this little book and the products we are using.
In this class we will be making a little album that is all mixed up! Some pages are house shaped, some are circles and some are hearts. Plus there are some clear pages as well as some made of chipboard. So fun to work with albums like this because even before you decorate it they look good! As you can see it is full of bright colors and will really suit any family theme.
This class, called Heart & Home, will be offered at both the Arlington, TX and the Chantilly, VA Great American Scrapbook Conventions. Times and dates as follows:
- Arlington, TX - Thursday June 5th - 11:00-12:30pm
- Chantilly, VA - Friday June 20th - 6:00-7:30pm
I hope to see you there! :)
Oh and a reminder - registration for Arlington, TX closes Thursday May 15th at 11:59 EST - so if you were planning on coming you better get a move on! LOL There will be class registration the day of the show but your best bet is to register now to make sure you have a spot in the class you want. Most of my classes are either sold out or almost sold out so get your butt in gear and sign up! Pronto! I want to see you :)
5/5/2008 9:41:42 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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And We Have A Weener...
Drumroll please....
And the winners are.....
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Very cool!
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So cute! Thanks for the chance
- 04/05/2008 4:06:58 PM
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These are so cool. Happy National Scrapbooking Day and Celebration!!!! Thank you for doing this.
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these are so cute! thanks for offering, hope I win!
Meg
(winners picked with this)
5/4/2008 9:10:41 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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National Scrapbook Day Blog Giveaway!!!
So in honor of NSD tomorrow I thought I would do a little blog giveaway. :)
I made up some little mini kits that I am going to give away which are perfect for a little brag book or even a mother's day gift.
There are 10 kits in total and they are all different. I am going to give away 5 on this blog and 5 on my MyCraftivity blog.
All you need to do is post a comment on either blog (or both if you want!) and I will draw names Sunday night at 9pm EST.
And this is what the mini kits will make up.
 
Hope you have a great day tomorrow with lots of scrapping. :)
May 3 - Editing to add: You do not need to leave your email address when you post a comment if you do not want to. I know they show up and if you are not comfortable then just skip that step. Your comment will still post. BUT you do need to post your full name (so I don't have 7 Sally's and not know which one won) and will need to check back to see if you won. :) Hope everyone is having a great day!
5/2/2008 9:21:41 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Do You Know What This Says To Me?
Progress. :)
These are my book layouts. All of them. Some I haven't seen for a year! Approx 18" tall!
Returned to me because my book is done! Woohoo. You see your art gets sent in for photography and then they need to hold it just incase something needs to be re-photographed. When your book is finally printing they send it back to you. This is progress. Book progress. :)
And it makes me very happy. :)
So, enough about me. What are you doing for National Scrapbooking Day? Scrapbooking I hope.
Me? I'm hoping to get the kidlets occupied and spend some serious time with my scissors, paper and adhesive. They miss me. I've been neglecting them.
5/1/2008 11:48:39 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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