Our Life's Layouts

Future Merge?

2010-07-03T19:05:00.004-04:00

I haven't completely made up my mind, but I'm thinking of merging this with my family blog, since I obviously don't use this one as much. I may redo the whole thing. Dunno! Anyway....I realize it has been SIX months since I blogged on here, but I really have done some more scrapbooking, and I plan to share some pages soon. In the meantime, I plan to do some things with Creating Keepsakes and Big Picture Scrapbooking this summer. Check out the links on this page. Okay...hope you are enjoying your summer, and I'll be back soon!

Overwhelming Hobby

2010-01-26T08:51:00.005-05:00

If you've ever seen this episode of "I Love Lucy," then you can relate to the dilemma of many scrapbookers I know. I love this episode so much , I have a Christmas ornament on our tree of this scene.

I read an interesting analogy on Stacy Julien's blog about scrapbooking and this "I Love Lucy" scene. Scrapbooking seems like such a wonderful and fun way to preserve our families' memories, but at some point we realize that the conveyor belt of memories isn't going to slow down. And even with our best intentions of staying "caught up," many of us end of saying like Lucy, "I think we're fighting a losing game." I've spoken with many women who say they haven't scrapbooked for a long time because they feel so overwhelmed.
As many of you know, I became a consultant for Memory Works. Recently, they released a wonderful program designed to take the stress out of scrapbooking. Check out the video below.

Simple Stories by MemoryWorks from Amber Crowell on Vimeo.

"Simple Stories IS the new way to scrapbook! The Simple Stories system is a simple scrapbook process that allows you to get back to the basics of scrapbooking, focusing on your memories and photos. It allows you to let go of unrealistic expectations, free yourself from creative pressure, rid yourself of self-imposed guilt…it will make you fall in love with your hobby all over again!"
Check it out for yourself HERE. If you are interested, comment or E-mail me with your order. Happy Scrapbooking!

Layouts from the Beach and the Swamp

2009-11-09T06:00:00.003-05:00

The photos of this spread don't do these layouts justice. I love the patterened paper, which came from the Tahiti Beach stack from DCWV. The glittery chipboard letters were a steal for only $1 per pack at Big Lots. Photos taken at Hunting Island, SC with my Canon XSI.

On the layout spread below, I chose to go with a simple cardstock design, using minimal embellishments (stickers). I wanted the focus to be on the photos, which were taken with my Olympus point and shoot at Phinezy Swamp in Augusta, GA.

A daring layout

2009-11-08T13:41:00.004-05:00

New layout share! Here's a simple one.

The border on the side (with circles) was cut from my Silhouette SD and placed on top of a strip of patterened paper. The journaling on the red card reads: "I will dare to just do what I do..be just what I am..And dance whenever I want to. Quote by Beverly Williams." The photo was taken with my Canon XSi at Enterprise Mills in Augusta. Don't you love Matthew's pose? Actually, he wasn't posing, he was just reaching back to scratch his head...and I just went with it. Know what I love about this layout? I love all the WHITE! Who would've thunk it?

ZOO Layouts

2009-11-02T13:25:00.004-05:00

Yes, I have completely neglected this blog. Sorry is all I can say. Hopefully a couple of new layouts will help make up for it! Check out these cool zoo layouts! I LOVE the patterened paper, which came from a Diecuts With a View Stack called "Safari Chic." Let me know what you think!

Both pages hold pictures taken at Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia. Photos taken with my Canon 55-250 mm lens (camera...Canon xsi).

Tater Tot Crop

2009-09-30T12:34:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to post something real quick...since I know I'm so behind in my blogging. In August, our monthly crop had a theme. It was called the Tater Tot Crop--idea courtesy of Key Lime Crops--and of course, everything was potato related. FUN STUFF! We had a baked potato bar for dinner, along with some drinks and desserts. We had potato trivia and a potato contest. Every time a scrapbooker finished a page, a body part was added to Mr. Potato Head. Whoever finished him won door prizes for the entire table. Below are some photos from the night.

Winners: Melissa Best and Lauri McLaughlin finished together!

Finally....

2009-09-14T20:15:00.006-04:00

I've got some more pages done to share. My scrapbooking time seems to come less and less frequently, but I'll take what I can get. Right?
Below are the pages I started and have finished since the last crop.

One thing you'll notice on these is a lack of journaling. When I don't want it on the front, I'll frequently hand write my journaling on a piece of paper and stick it to the back. That way, it's still there, but just not in view for everyone.

A couple of things I like about this layout above: The 3 photos on the top are actually just two photos. There was a photo of both boys together, and I cut it in half so they'd be facing each other from their respective layout sides. I also used a cropped photo for my title "River Blast."

More New Layouts

2009-08-05T14:47:00.005-04:00

Here are some new layouts I've done over the past week. This first one is my favorite, mainly because I don't get to do little girl layouts often, and partly because it was so cheap to make. The paper was from the Target Dollar Spot, and the ribbon was from Dollar Tree. The Thickers were on clearance somewhere. I used my treading water punch from Fiskers for the scalloped border. Barely visible in the photo is a clear acrylic flower from Alphabet Soup (found on clearance at Tuesday Morning).

This next layout is a two-pager. I was trying to use some stuff from a My Mind's Eye, 29th Street Market line, kit that I got last week. This is one of those layouts I may redo in the future because I feel like the colors are blah and a little on the boring side. The photos are ones I took back in July when my sis-in-law brought my nieces and nephew to stay for a week. We had a great time.

Tickled Pink

2009-07-18T16:35:00.006-04:00

I am tickled pink about something new I learned to do today. I am taking a free class on-line, and I'm using Photoshop 7 (which a friend gave me). Just check out what I did using this software! I don't know how to do anything else with it, but I know I will learn eventually. SO fun! Here's a photo with a frame and word art. So cute, huh? More to come in the days ahead!

Two new layouts

2009-07-13T19:29:00.005-04:00

I must say, I love scrapbooking in my newly organized space. Today, I finished two layouts that I had started back in May (yes, May!), and I completed a project that I will show you soon. (Can't show you the project today, as it is a gift, and I don't want the recipient to see it here first!)

I am loving this first layout. I got the idea from someone on the Internet, and I have searched like crazy to try and find it again, but no luck. If I figure it out, I'll edit and post here. I did the words and flourish with my Graphically Speaking cartridge.

My second layout is pretty simple, creating the title from another of my favorite products, American Crafts Thickers. (Sorry...the photo of the layout is less than stellar.)

Having done two layouts today, I feel like I'm back in my groove. Hope to show you more soon.

I'm back!

2009-07-02T15:13:00.013-04:00

I told my husband today that my scrapbook room looks so good after my major re-organization and de-cluttering, that I just have to take some pictures. Haven't seen this much floor space in months. LOL! I do have to confess. I'm not completely finished. I still have to go through all of my crap, I mean, SCRAPS. They need filing, and I have to put away some pictures. But overall...I'm happy. Now I can scrapbook more efficiently, because I know where everything is. Let me show you.

This is my cardstock above, sorted by color. Underneath it is my patterned paper, also sorted by color (not pictured). Next are my two vertical stacks of Themed patterned paper and cardstock that came in coordinating sets (like Coordinations' color core cardstock). My themed paper is divided with 12 x 12 pieces of chipboard topped with little index tabs that I punched out then labeled with each theme. In my other cubes below, I have patterned paper sorted by company, generally ones that have come in stacks (like Diecuts with a View). I also have some paper that was neither a theme nor one dominant color, so I sorted those by stripes, circles/dots, plaids, etc....Yes, it looks like I have a ton of paper. And I do, but I purged and have a box full to give away as well.

Here are my embellishments, which are organized like my papers...by theme and by color.

I bought clear 12 x 12 pocket holders (not sure what they're really called) that snap or close with string wrapped around buttons. If an embellishment didn't fit a theme, it was organized by color.
The themes are as follows:
Animal, baseball, birthday, Easter/Spring, Fall, Family, Floral, food/kitchen, friends, kids (boy and girl lumped together since I don't have that many girl papers), love/Valentines, nature/outdoors, patriotic, misc. quotes/inspirational, pool/lake/beach, summer/winter, school, travel.
My colored embellishments, including chipboard, loose ribbon, stickers, etc... are placed in plastic containers by Iris. They snap closed and slide in the unit like drawers, so if I want to take them somewhere, I can just slide out the color drawer of my choice. I have the colors of the rainbow (with pink and purple together), along with brown/beige, black, white, and metallic. I also have one smaller box with embellishments that are multi-colored.
Below is most of my ribbon on rolls. I LOVE ribbon. In the drawers below it are my foam letter stamps and my vellums and transparencies.

Finally, here is a shot of my desk, which is supposed to be my workspace, though I usually end up in the floor.

I have my most used supplies right at my fingertips. Below my desk are my most used punches, my Cricut supplies, and other tools. I plan to scrapbook some soon, so I can test drive this system. I'll let you know how it goes!

Two cool things to show you

2009-06-07T19:49:00.004-04:00

I just love this license plate that I bought for the front of my car. Only problem is, ever since I had my front bumper replaced after the collision with Bambi last February, I have no holes drilled for the screws where the plate will go. I'll have to get Ed on that!

Check out this baby! I used my Silhouette SD to cut a stencil out of vinyl adhesive. Then I used etching cream to put the name of Matthew's fish on its bowl. How cool is that? Turned out great for my first try.

Hope to show you some actual new scrapbooked layouts soon.

Way Behind!

2009-05-24T22:15:00.006-04:00

I am slowly trying to get caught up on everything so I can get some serious scrapbooking done. I am itching to get to it since my sweetheart got me this for Mother's Day. It's a Silhouette SD. It connects to my computer and cuts so many cool things, including any true type font on my PC. As soon as I get a page done with something I've cut using the Silhouette, I'll post it here. Have a great Memorial Day!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

2009-05-02T09:22:00.003-04:00

Check out what the guy in the brown truck brought me yesterday!

Just Dreamy" Mega Scrapbook Kit--(40) 12 X 12 Double-Sided Patterned Cardstock Paper--(19) Large 4"-5" Die-Cut Shapes--(19) Small 2"-3" Die-Cut Shapes--(19) 3X4 Die-Cit Journaling Cards--(19) 3X3 Printed Transparency Die-Cut Shapes--(19) 3X4 Title Cards--(10) 3X6 Quotation Titles--(10) 4X6 Die-Cut Photo Frames--(10) 3X6 Accessory Die-Cut Cards--(7) 4X6 Printed Transparency Photo Frames.

When I get some pages done with it, I'll post them here.

Here's hoping you have a WONDERFUL, creative, fun-filled, friend-filled, Happy National Scrapbook Day!

Two More Layouts

2009-04-25T14:49:00.005-04:00

Yeah, I know. Orignal title.

Okay...here are two more older layouts to share while I work on organizing my scrapbook room. I am going to try something I read today..." Don't keep it if it's not useful, beautiful, or joyful. " We'll see how it goes.

I may have shared this first one before, but it's one of my favorites because of the subject and the colors. :) Makes me smile!

I did this second about two years ago. My baby will be 7 in just over a week! Time really does fly!

Two layouts

2009-04-23T13:56:00.006-04:00

Since I haven't had much time (or haven't used it wisely) to do anything new, I thought I'd just share a couple of layouts I did a while ago. I love this first one not only because of the precious photo, but also because of the texture on the layout. The journaling is a copy of the lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "Fingerprints of God."

Although the photos on this are old (Jonathan hasn't done Cub Scouts in ages), the layout isn't. This is a go to design when you are in a creative rut. Just tear some paper, baby!

More Scrapbooking Deals

2009-04-21T10:15:00.006-04:00

Just wanted to let you know that some Tuesday Morning locations have awesome packs of American Crafts patterned paper, specifically (at least at the Augusta location), the Celebration line for a GREAT price.

Also, you HAVE to check out this site if you've never seen it. I first ran across it when Ali Edwards mentioned it on her blog. It's called Peachy Cheap, and they have once a day deals on scrapbooking stuff. Today's special is a collection of cute products by Cosmo Cricut for just $5.99 + S&H.

A couple of weeks ago, I got 8 packs of American Crafts Thickers for just 20 bucks (including shipping). Go see it! NOW!
LOL!

I'm still Here...

2009-04-16T13:25:00.003-04:00

and still alive! Sorry for the lag in posting. We had a tornado come through Friday night, the 10th. Just got our Internet back up. Cleaning up and catching up while carrying on with daily life and baseball season, but I hope to post something creative soon! Read more about the tornado HERE.

Please Vote for me!

2009-04-05T17:08:00.004-04:00

I have been an admirer of this for quite a while, but now I have entered a contest to win one. If you have stumbled across my blog or if you occasionally follow it, please go and vote for me HERE. Vote for Entry #60. THANK YOU!

Edited: Thank you to all who voted for me. Here's a link to the winners. I did get a consulation prize....so THANKS a bunch!

A couple of layout shares

2009-04-03T10:51:00.006-04:00

Here are a couple of more layouts I 've wanted to share. The first one I finished at last week's crop, (except for a missing question mark), and the other was a gift to me.

Although not perfectly designed, I like this layout because I pulled out my stamping supplies (the owls, inks, and journaling box). The photo of the "photo," however, turned out a little dark....sorry.

This next layout was done by Celeste Guerrero, Crystal Rodriguez, and Mary Catherine Young.....and I just love it! It is sooooo meaningful. I'm thinking of framing it and hanging it in my scrapbook room. It was a thank you gift for organizing the church crops. Wasn't that sweet? I love the colors and the dry embossing on this layout. And the picture of me turned out pretty good! Thanks, Crystal.

Makes me want to do more scrapbook pages as gifts!

March "Green Crop"

2009-03-28T22:22:00.009-04:00

Had a great time night last night! There were 13 of us at the March "Green" crop. We wore green, got a handout with tips on scrapbooking green, brought green food (celery sticks with pimento cheese...yum...green apples with caramel, green grapes, brownies with cute green sprinkles, watermelon, chips with artichoke dip and guacamole, green tea, sprite...you get the idea!), and had lots of fun.

I always give away door prizes at the crops, but if you did one of the special projects, you got an extra door prize ticket placed in the cup. One of the fun projects we did was bring an old, unwanted item of clothing to the crop. We then were to reuse some portion of it on a scrapbook layout. How's that for recycling! Cool, huh? I'll never look at old clothes the same again.

Celeste and Mary Catherine did an amazing job, don't ya think?

Here are some other snapshots from the night...lots of GREEN! (Some of the photos aren't the best quality, but the lighting in this room is not the best for photo taking!)

Thank you ladies for showing up and making it a fun night! You are the best!

Niece Layout

2009-03-27T13:12:00.005-04:00

When I see this photo of me and my niece, I keep hearing a song in my head. "Isn't she lovely?" by Stevie Wonder. I probably should have used that for my title. But isn't my niece Anna just lovely? I made the flower/paper clip embellishment for the "Scrapping on a Shoestring" class at Big Picture Scrapbooking. I'm having a lot of fun with this class...even if I do stay a day or two behind.

Just had to let you know about this one

2009-03-27T11:29:00.003-04:00

Vanilla Joy has another craft giveaway. This would be awesome for any scrapbooker or photographer to win. Go there and comment for your chance to win this Click Free portable backup drive. No more worries about losing all those photos on your computers. And the best part? It requires no installation software. Check it out HERE.

Another Layout Challenge

2009-03-25T23:12:00.007-04:00

Hi there. I am loving how creative I feel when I take on someone else's scrapbooking challenge. For this one, I was to use the following:

the color orange

more than 10 eyelets (I confess...I used only 9.)

stickers or rub-ons

only what you currently have in your stash

something stamped (the word "hilarious" with white acrylic paint)

I think I'll be doing this more often! This particular challenge was for a class I'm taking from Big Picture Scrapbooking, called "Scrapping on a Shoestring." It's all about using what you have instead of spending a lot of money to scrapbook. Fun !!!! In case you are wondering, I did more personal journaling on the back of the layout. I do that quite often.

Challenge

2009-03-21T17:57:00.004-04:00

I stumbled across a scrapbooking challenge here, and it was definitely what I needed for some inspiration. Here's my take, though I must say I took some creative liberty with mine.

In the challenge, I was to use the following:

1. the colors green and teal --I loved using this color combo.

2. embossed paper --My dark green background cardstock is embossed with a vine pattern.

3. paint - I used a teal paint around the edges of my cardstock, and little dots of glitter paint on my punched photo corners.

4. string --Here I used binding tape (I think that's what it's called) instead of string.

Lots of fun. I loved using what I had as well. If you take the challenge...let me see! (Oh, and by the way...these photos of me were taken in 1988! Um Hum...go ahead and say it...they're old!)

I enjoyed this so much, I decided to do a card using the same criteria. :)

The embossing at the bottom (though not perfect) was done with my Crop-a-dile! :)

Another Great Craft Giveaway

2009-03-18T16:24:00.004-04:00

Vanilla Joy is at it again! They have an awesome giveaway starting today. Go comment on her post here about ColorCore Cardstock from Core'Dinations. Vanilla Joy is giving away 400 sheets of this yummy colored cardstock. Each sheet has one color on the outside and a different color on the inside (rather than the normal white core). You can emboss it, tear it, or sand it to see the second color come through. This would be an awesome prize to win. If you win, will you share? :)

Scrapbook and Photography Deals

2009-03-16T12:40:00.006-04:00

This will be quick, but I wanted to tell you about a couple of great sites I just found out about. If you are a scrapbooker, and I assume you are or else you wouldn't be here :), then you must check out Crop Chocolate. The name is even cute, isn't it? This site is kind of like Woot.com, in that there's one special "deal of the day," and in this case, it's a scrapbooking item. Today's item is only $12.99. It's

a paper and embellishment pack, including 36 sheets of single-sided paper, one pack of 12 × 12 specialty paper, 10 plastic buttons, 8 metal buttons and 6 trims. Sounds like a pretty good deal. New items go up each night at midnight.

I was also informed about another site, called Artscow.com. Just for registering (for FREE), you get 1200 free digital prints. And every month, there are all sorts of specials. Debbie Franklin, who owns Simply Scrapbooks in Augusta, showed me some watches and mousepads she had them make. Great quality and prices! So go check them out!

Baby name layout

2009-03-12T10:05:00.003-04:00

This is a layout I did quite a while ago, but I thought I'd share it since I haven't had time to put together anything new in a while. Maybe this afternoon...who knows? Anyway...I love this layout. It's different from a lot of baby layouts I've seen. I wanted to tell Matthew about the meaning of his name and why we chose it.

Craft Giveaways

2009-03-09T14:12:00.002-04:00

Vanilla Joy is doing some great craft giveaways this week. Today, they are giving away a Cuttlebug! Check it out and enter a comment for your chance to win. They are also giving away some fun EK Success products. LMK if you win!

February Crop

2009-03-03T19:42:00.012-05:00

We had a great crop Friday night. I got only one page done, pictured below, but I had a good time.

We had 14 ladies scrapping, snacking, and having fun. We had door prizes, good food, and stuff everywhere in that little room! Here are a few photos from that night.

Doesn't it look like smashing fun, darling? (sorry about the quality of the photos...I grabbed my sick point and shoot.) Our next crop, scheduled for March something...will have a green theme. We will have green door prizes, a handout on scrapbooking eco-friendly green, green food, wear green clothes...well, you get the idea!

Teacher Layouts

2009-02-26T13:19:00.003-05:00

Here are my latest two layouts. Though they are my usual straight laced linear layouts, I still love them. It has been a while since I have played with different color combos. It was fun matching different patterned papers, and I LOVE how quickly the first one came together. And these teachers? They were the best!!!

Look what I found

2009-02-20T10:24:00.005-05:00

Just look what I found at WAL-MART! Yep...I said Wal-mart! Don't you just love this pillow? As soon as I saw it, I had to have it. I love all the colors and the inspirational words....it was meant to go in my scrapbook room! And it was only $7.00! They also had solids to coordinate with it. (I couldn't find it on-line or I would have posted a link.)
Okay...I probably won't get to post much this weekend. Ed's doing the taxes, and I plan to take the kids to mom's for a couple of days so he can have quiet. But I'll be back Sunday or Monday. Have a great weekend!

You are my Sunshine

2009-02-18T13:13:00.002-05:00

I needed a little sunshine on this rainy day today! Used Leaving Prints cardstock torn into strips and layered. Don't remember who made the sticker at the bottom. But I think the layout works well with the sunny colors and black and white photos. Have a sunny day!

Man Power!

2009-02-17T12:31:00.001-05:00

I really like this layout because of all the fun colors. I rarely do layouts on a white background, but I think it worked...plus I used up some patterned paper and buttons from my stash.
I did this layout a few months ago...I'll try to get some fresh stuff up soon.

Softball Layout

2009-02-12T13:47:00.003-05:00

I hope to do a lot more baseball layouts in the near future. This one is of Jonathan's biological half-sister in her softball play-off game. She's such a cutie! I added the strip of negative flower punches to give the layout a more feminine feel.
I plan to do some giveaways here in the near future, after I purge some things from my stash! Stay tuned!

Tennessee LO

2009-02-11T09:40:00.003-05:00

You can probably tell by now that I have a clean, linear style. Even if my photography skills aren't to the point I hope they one day will be, I still want my pictures to be the focus....not all the bling around them. These photos were taken in Pikesville, TN. Beautiful place....especially Fall Creek Falls. I used my Cricut for the title and a leaf punch to make the leaves look as if they are falling right out of the picture. Have a good Wednesday! :)

Mom Layout

2009-02-10T09:06:00.002-05:00

Occasionally I still like to do 8 1/2 x 11 layouts. It's fun to mix it up sometimes. This one was done for a class I took from Big Picture Scrapbooking. It was a class designed to get you to use your stash of scrapbooking products. I happened to have several photos of my mom where she's wearing a similar color. I love how this layout turned out. And I used up a bunch of my button collection! :) Where do I put this layout? I haven't decided yet, but I have noticed lately that people using three ring binder type albums are now mixing in different sized layouts within the same album. LOVE it!
Have a great week!

Places We Love LO

2009-02-09T13:57:00.004-05:00

Here's another layout that I enjoyed doing. I was blown away that I actually got 11 photos on a two-page spread. This is a good idea for a layout when you like to use lots of photos at once. Almost none of these photos are related except that they are snapshots of places our family loves to go! Included are Beaufort, SC; Jekyll Island, GA; Redcliffe Plantation, Cumberland Island, and part of my parents' backyard (pictured in the lower right hand corner of the page). After trimming the photos and arranging them on the cardstock, I just used chipboard letters for the title to spread across the top of both pages. Easy breasy!

Fresh Air

2009-02-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

This is the most recent layout I've completed (besides my Project 365 pages...which I'll share at a later date). I really like this page. It's simple, but I had been wanting to do something with these photos for quite a while. And the icing on the cupcake is that I got to use my new Cricut cartridge, Graphically Speaking. I used it to make the circle embellishment that says "Fresh Air." These photos were taken at the River Watch in Augusta, GA. Such a pretty place to walk and take photos. Hope you enjoy!

My Scrapbook Room (Part II)

2009-02-06T21:04:00.007-05:00

Okay....so here's the rest of my scrapbook space.

On top of my hutch are clear jars that hold silk flowers sorted by color or by company (depends on how they came). You can also see that I have favorite photos and an 8x8 layout on top of the hutch to inspire me.

If you stand in front of my desk, you can see to the right my wire cubes full of 12 x 12 cardstock sorted by color. Then toward the bottom is my patterned paper, which used to be sorted by color, but has totally gotten out of hand. Any suggestions on sorting this stuff? I just have too much to do it by manufacturers. On the floor is a single wire cube full and overflowing with scrap paper. Sooooooo in need of some organization! Between my hutch and the tower of paper is another plastic drawer unit holding printed quotes, chipboard numbers, and ink pads. Under my table is a drawer unit containing my Cricut cartridges and tools and some mini albums. In the photo you can also see my trash can and Cropper Hopper that I take to crops.

To the left of my table is another wire cube unit housing binders that contain rub-ons, clear stamps, and MORE patterned paper, like DCWV Stacks. Then I have this rolling cart I just acquired from a yard sale. I think that works in progress are going in this.

Finally, I have two tall filing cabinets. These hold artist trading card stuff, files for church crop stuff, and files of ideas for layouts. I REALLY need to sort and purge the stuff in these drawers. On top of the cabinets are some finished albums and some albums in progress.
Okay...this is behind the door at the light switch. I have a tall bookcase holding idea books and completed albums. At the foot of the bookcase are two file totes that contain my boys' school stuff. I house the stuff there until I incorporate it into their albums. The other door goes to a storage/unfinished attic area where the heat/air pipes are. I have an organizer hung on the back of that door to hold my Crop-a-dile, my Dyna label maker, my paper crimper, etc....

So there you have it. My scrapbook room in a nutshell. It is painted sage green and cream with black accents here and there. I love my Pergo, oak-colored flooring and my sage green oval rug. I love that my file cabinets match so well with the floor and my desk. My only complaint is that I really wish I had more workspace and more wall space. Since it is a converted attic, the walls are sloped/angled on each side. If you're wondering where my computer is, it's right outside the door in a hallway that adjoins to the kids' playroom. It's a happy place to be. My husband did it all for me. The flooring, paint, filing cabinets, along with my clock (not hanging at the moment), my phone, my desk and chair were all one HUGE Christmas present to me! Isn't Ed and sweetheart?

If you have any organizing suggestions, send them my way. And maybe you can take an idea from here that you can use as well.

My Scrapbook Room (Part I)

2009-02-06T12:40:00.015-05:00

Just thought I'd take a few minutes to show you my scrapbook room. There's lots I love about it, and a few things I don't like about it, but I admit I'm lucky to have one at all. First of all, it's a scrapbook/craft room. All of the drawers, cabinets, etc....are NOT filled with scrapbooking stuff. You'll get the idea with the following tour.
This is what you see on the right as you walk through the door. The cabinet in the corner holds my printer (which prints on 12 inch paper). The drawer holds my glue gun, extra glue sticks, trash bags, light bulbs (realize this is on the third level of our house...and I don't want to go all the way down for these things), extra printer cartridges, etc....The cabinet houses items I want to alter; spray paint, modge podge, and other crafting supplies.
The short wide file cabinet to its left holds negatives and extra photos in one drawer and file folders and storage baggies in the other. On top of that is a three drawer plastic unit that holds what little 8 1/2 x 11 patterned paper and cardstock I own and blank tags. The wire unit in the middle of it all holds paper for the printer (white cardstock, vellum, transparency paper, photo paper, etc...).
As you walk in further on the right side, you see that my CD player is there, along with my Project 365 supplies. Then to the left of that is the wire shelf that holds unused albums and my boxes of photos categorized as follows: All about us; baby; People we Love; Places we go; Things we do; Christmas; Other holidays; and Family Celebrations. This is what works for me, and when I want a photo that I haven't scrapped...I know just where to get it. The category names were from Stacy Julian's book, Photo Freedom, which I highly recommend.
As you walk all the way in, there are two more short filing cabinets. In the first one, there are past issues of SB magazines inside, with current issues and most used idea books sitting on top. The last filing cabinet holds rubber stamping and card making supplies inside, along with ribbon and fibers on top. There's also a white plastic drawer unit holding pre-made transparencies, sheets of vellum titles and embellishments, and some foam letter stamps. As you look along the back wall on the window seat, there are several wire cubes and plastic drawer units. These hold embellishments, some by color, and some by theme. Some of the drawers hold more foam stamps and blank chipboard, as well as cutting tools not frequently used. I also have letter stickers organized by color in a file box there. On top of one of the drawer units are plastic shoe boxes holding my acrylic paints.
This is the far left corner of the room. It looks the most cluttered. I have been working on de-cluttering my room a bit, but haven't made it to this side. My work space is my biggest pet peeve. I frequently end up scrapbooking on the floor. I have my Cricut machine on my desk, along with a Pampered Chef carousel of most used items like scissors, glue runner and glue stick, rulers, pencils, etc....The hutch holds plastic containers of small embellishments like buttons, brads, and eyelets (organized by color), and some of the cubbies hold my Xyron sticker makers and most used punches. I also have a stand on my desk holding my collection of Zig pens. And there's always work in progress cluttering up the workspace.

If you've made it this far...I'm impressed. Thanks for hanging in there! Part II coming up!

First Post

2009-02-05T13:44:00.003-05:00

Hey scrapbookers! This is my first post on my new blog that I chose to do separately from our family blog. I wanted this one to be more about scrapbooking and anything related to it. I actually took the photo and created my own header using MS Paint. I'm new to the program, but I think it turned out okay. The text could be more centered, but hey...this is my first try! Stay tuned! Exciting things to come!