One Little Word

CHA (Craft and Hobby Association's Vendor Convention) starts next week.  It's like a second Christmas, when the manufacturers roll out all their news lines and embellishments.  You can definitely see the trends when you have emails flying into your inbox almost hourly.  Lots of hexagons - lots!  Chevrons are still big.  Bright color pallets.   The interesting mix of bold, contemporary graphics with vintage snippets.  There are definitely some delicious looking goodies.  Which in turn will create some great kits arriving at your door in the next few months.  The yumminess coming out of the show isn't usually available right away, but I'd say March or April will bring fresh, new products to play with.

My 2013 goals include not only picking my One Little Word, Permission, but also taking Ali Edward's class over at Big Picture to . . . I don't know really - I'd like to say it was an impulse click.  Make it more tangible.  Make it more interesting.  Give me blog content.  Probably a bit of all of that.  I said before, I had a word last year, Simplify.  It's funny how just picking the word (or having it pick me) infiltrated my thoughts.  It's responsible for my tackling my scrap space.  It's responsible for clearing out cupboards (which after a year need to be gone through again.) It's responsible for double-thinking how I spend my time.  It's even responsible for my menu planning.  It's exciting to think about where Permission might take me and how it will change and influence 2013.  Even if you don't take the class, try picking a word - usually the word finds you. . .you can find a list of words HERE.  Read them through, see if something resonates with you.  Type it on your phone and make it your background.  Jot it on a sticky note and put it on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator   Take a simple approach and see what happens.  You can take the class next year ;).

The assignment for this month is to make these little cards.  I cut and completed the 12 cards at Archiver's last Friday.  They still need a little color, but didn't have the paper I want to use with me.  I also need to complete four more cards, just fun play-with-paper cards, and take a photo of myself to call January's prompt complete.

I also need to re-read the prompt (probably re-watch the video, too) to be sure I'm understanding how these little cards come into play, besides just being a visual reminder.  But that's for later in the day.  A 30 day deadline is definitely up my alley this month!

And because I seem to be surrounded by ideas and things to try - I may be spreading myself rather thin - but I found another class that looks interesting. . .and it's FREE:  "Use Every Stamp" over at My Creative Classroom.  It's not like this would be yet another separate task, but something to incorporate into my crafting in 2013.  Now I don't have a ton of stamps, so in theory, this wouldn't be a difficult challenge, but what I do have doesn't see the light of day much.  Note, it doesn't say "Use a Stamp Everyday," just to "Use Every Stamp," which I guess could result in having to use a stamp a day if you have that many. . .in which case I might point you to yesterday's post about parring down.  :D

Are you overloaded with ideas yet?  Join me on some of them won't you?  The journey (and nudges needed) is more fun with friends.

Happy Wednesday.

New Addiction and Organize It, Part 1

I may have heard about it over the first couple seasons, but it wasn't active in my conscientiousness.  Probably came on during one of my other "hook" shows, and so I just didn't pay much attention.  But I'm hooked now; they had me in the opening 10 minutes of the very first episode.  I watched the entire first season, pretty much on Sunday.  All day on Sunday.  I'm a huge historical fiction fan, so for me that part is awesome.  Then you add the characters, the whole monarchy/servant thing, a couple of dastardly characters and well, what's not to enjoy?  I'm speaking of Downton Abbey, a PBS hit show (PBS? - who knew) that just started its third season.  I've been itching to get through the second season, but dangit. . .I've got kids!  And a hubby.  And a household.  I see a couple 1:00 or 2:00 am viewings, just to feed the addiction catch up.

I've had some comments, or pleas, to post some ideas on organizing your craft spaces, since I tackled my own space last year.  January seems as good a time as any to post some ideas, strategies and inspiration for digging into your own space; that whole, "strike while the iron's hot" geared up for a new year of challenges, goals, and the will to tackle projects.  Today, will begin a multi-post topic of dealing with your supplies and your spaces.

The following ideas were inspired by "The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker" by Wendy Smedley and Aby Garvy.  I picked up my copy when it was first released several years ago.  It had been out of print but has been re-released.  I highly suggest it whether you organizing an entire room, or the boxes under your bed.  There are questionnaires to help you discover your work flow and how to figure out what solutions will help you work best.

Today, I'm just going to cover a some basics before digging into your space and supplies:

• First things first, being organized doesn't mean you have everything in containers.  Sure you've got your supplies tucked into cute containers and baskets, but if they aren't inspiring you, getting you excited or helping you work, then it's not organized in a way to help you create.
• As you go through the process this month (or at any time) keep in mind that the changes you want to make are ones that will make you work better.  Ask yourself before moving, shuffling or purchasing:  "Is this solution going to improve my process?  Make me work better?"
• Over the course of the month we'll touch on the method you choose to organize by.  NOTE!  One method is not a fit all for everyone and everything.  More often than not, it's a combination of several styles.  And what works for me, or your best friend, doesn't necessarily work for you and how you work.  Don't be afraid to try one way and admit that it's not working and trying something else.  This is NOT a failure (and therefore a reason not to scrap or create), it's a discovery and should excite you to try something new.

Methods to think of before you get to work on how you'll organize (and before you make purchases) are: 

• by Activity - what are you doing.  Do you have tools?  Are you using tools?  This is where you'll think about creating stations, maybe for your most used tools.
• by Topic - by theme, by season, by color
• by Manufacturer or Line - keeping the various manufacturers together, or all the pieces from a given line together.
• by Color - if, when you work, you think in terms of colors this may be your method.
• by Project - keeping all the pieces for a particular project together.
• by Pattern, Shape or Mood - if you think in terms of, "I need something round" or "I need something romantic"
• by Chronology - this is mostly for photographs, but could also be in terms of whether you jot notes for journaling, titles, or the funny things your kids say.  It could also be if you want to use your older products first.

As we work through, think about storage solutions.  They are as, if not maybe more, important as how you'll sort your products, tools and photos.  This is where the quizzes in the book come in handy, though you probably already know what might be best for you:

• Open and Visible - baskets and bins, perhaps doubling as decor if you create say in your kitchen or dining room.
• Open and Not Visible - the same baskets and bins, but probably stored in shelves or cubbies as opposed to out on a table or desk.
• Closed and Visible - Glass Jars come to mind.  Things with lids, but that you can see into.
• Closed and Not Visible - Solid containers with lids and probably stored behind closed doors.

You'll want to find a charity to give your donated items to.  Places like pre-schools, day cares, kindergartens, senior centers and several non-profits will happily take your supplies and put them to good use.  There's no guilt in giving!

As we move through the various topics keep these things in mind:

• What's your vision for your space and, ultimately, where you'll draw your creative energy from.  We'd all love the ultimate in scrappy/crafty spaces we see on magazine covers.  Those are great for inspiration, but don't get caught up in something that's unrealistic for you and your life style.
• Keep the organization methods above in mind as you work.
• Organizing also means paring down.  There's nothing wrong with donating that which no longer works for you.  Scrapbookers seem oddly attached to items that sit for three years unused and untouched.  If it were a 10 year old sweater (barring some sentimental attachment) you wouldn't keep it if you hadn't worn it.  The same thing goes for that two inch stack of paper.  Let it go!  If it helps, it's a tax deduction  same as the sweater you're giving away.  Just be sure you follow your tax codes.
• Finally, keep in mind the way in which you will store and/or display your organized and parred down items.  It's about making them work for you. . .not about the basket you got at 50% off.  If baskets aren't the best for your work flow, it doesn't matter how much you saved.

Finally, over at My Creative Classroom there is a class called The Organized Crafter that starts on January 13th.  The cost is $20 if you sign up before the 10th, at which time the cost will be $25.  If you struggle knowing where to start, or if you find having someone step you through the process, or if you just enjoy the setting of working along side others doing the same thing, even virtually, then check out the class and its description.

Lots of info.  Hopefully, you'll embrace this as the month, and ultimately the year, you're going to make crafting your habit.

Happy Tuesday.

Clarity on Mondays - Week 1, Project Life

I was hoping on Friday, as Christmas Break wrapped up and I our normal schedules loomed before me, that I would find some clarity in the scramble that had become my days (and my mind) while the kids were home.  And it's sort of there.  My normal routine kicked in.  I got some thoughts down on paper and out of my head.  Started tackling some to-do's.

 

The kids and DH pulled down all the outside lights while the weather cooperated, and by that I mean it got above 32 degrees.  I left them all on Saturday evening to head to Archiver's for a crop with friends.  It took a little to get myself working, but in the end I completed my first week's layout for Project Life, and started my One Little Word cards. 

 

The first year I did Project Life I purchased one of Becky Higgins' kits. . .which worked great for me given my youngest was just 3 months old and I had three other active children.  Looking at her kits this year, they are tempting (a couple of them have delish colors) and I know the ease.  However, this time around I had determined that I would be using my stash of Apron Strings kits to create my weekly pages and I purchased a 12x12 Doodlebug album to house the pages. I mean I have a stash, why not use it.  And I kinda need that bit of creativity - I can't explain it, but I need it and if I deplete my supplies some, then bonus!  While my Week One layout is done in a traditional fashion, I also expect that I will use divided pocket pages as well.  Now that I've decided I'm only using photos taken with my phone, I'll be able to pick up some divided pages.

 

I'm staying super simple.  This is not to replace my regular scrapbooking.  But my "work-in-progress" photos are such that if I followed my standard procedure, these photos: 1) wouldn't be taken, they are not something I would typically photograph and document to create a full-page layouts for, and 2) would be hidden from view for five or more years.

 

And the million dollar question. . .did she get out for her walk?  I guess you'll have to wait for Week Two to find out.

Happy Monday,

Personal Intentions

Resolutions.  Goals.  Great words, to be sure, but a tad intimidating.  One of the bloggers I follow set up their 2013 goals . . . I went to find the post to give proper credit, but I can't.  I can see the stinkin' post in my head, but not whose blog it is.  Anyway, she used the word "Intention."  I gotta say I like it.  There's none of that nasty negativity involved with a lost intention.  You intend to do these things, but there's something softer, more adjustable about it.

 

 

A couple days ago I listed two of my big projects for this year:  Project Life and One Little Word.  I have a few photos taken for the week for Project Life and hope to get them printed and on the page.  I need to get started on my One Little Word - which involves making some sort of cards; luckily I have a month to do so before the next prompt is sent.

I also started the year off with some health-related intentions.  Yep, getting out and walking is on the list . . . again.  If it actually gets above freezing, today may be the day I take my first walk of the new year, but I'm not one of the people who is out walking in 0 degrees huffing and puffing along.  I'm also not a hot-weather or rainy-weather walker.  I'm simply not and I'm giving myself PERMISSION to acknowledge that.  I also downloaded the Lose It app (though the community and program are available online as well) and have been faithfully adding my intake, since New Year's Eve, and have lost six pounds so far.  I don't need to lose a lot - like 15 pounds would be nice and is my goal.  However, I think it's a good way to see what I'm eating and trying to make healthier, smarter choices.  Like the one piece of cake a-day plan vs. more cake is better philosophy.  Well more is better - it's cake after all, but not so much smarter.

I've got plans for the blog. . .I just need to lay them out and get my thoughts organized.  Something else to do this weekend.  I'm going cropping on Saturday so there's hope that one of the many projects from 2012 - like Week in the Life, Take 12 or December Daily with get a good solid start. . .or maybe my Project Life will get the first week completed.  Who knows.  I do know I need a list. . .lists, at least, get the thoughts out of my head.

Breaks, like Christmas Breaks, are great.  But you sure lose track of your days and thoughts can be a bit scrambled.  Here's to hoping there's some clarity come Monday morning!

Happy Friday,

Christmas (Just) Past

Scenes from a Christmas season. 

 

A visit from a naughty elf. . .no that's not garland, it's TP.  And if he's gonna play poker the house should get 50% of the winnings.  A visit from St. Nick.  Excitement.  Annual cookie bake and the big one. . .Christmas Morning!

 

 

 

 

 

It was a pleasant holiday with out-of-town family coming in.  Good food.  Laughter.  Cold weather.  Snowfall on Christmas Day.  And stockings stuffed full.  And shoes that made a statement and were comfortable too. 

 

Now, to sort out the December Daily stuff and get it done.

 

Happy Thursday.  Right?  Thursday...

New Year Means a Blank Slate

Project Life.                             De-cluttering.                Lose It!
                           
One Little Word.            Menu Planning.                Lower level redo.
                          

Purge.                                  Organize.                       Studio.                                    

Mini books.             Scrapbook projects.               Knitting projects. 

      New Knitting Classes.                                     Spiritual Life.
 
Walking.       Reading.                Vacation.
 

 

A new year and my head spins with all the things to do, undertake, revamp, try and finish.  On January 1st my head was whirling with the number of projects I want to do; for me, my family and Apron Strings.  I need to start a list for sure.  Crap. . .add that to the list of things to do in 2013.

 

The couple big things on my scrappy/crafty list is Project Life.  I participated in Project Life in its first year.  I bought the kit on impulse and liked the idea given I had a 3 month old in the house.  It sounded like the only way I'd be scrapping that year.  I did great, keeping up with the weekly photos and journaling. . .until the kids let out of school for the summer.  I still took photos, but fell behind on my routine of printing them weekly and following up with the journaling.  I know my downfall, no matter what the project - I get out of the routine and kiss the project goodbye.  This year I'm not using the kit - I have a Doodlebug album, page protectors and Apron Strings kits.  I'm not so worried about daily journaling as capturing the week, in whatever way that entails. 

 

The other big project is One Little Word.  I selected a word last year, "Simplify," though I didn't take the class she offered through Big Picture.  It was in my head all the time and it was interesting how having that made me think of things differently.  It would have been interesting to have the class.  This year my word is "Permission."  We'll see what it becomes.

 

The rest of my goals and projects and want-to-dos. . .well, they'll play out as they're supposed to.  It's always interesting looking into the new year, wondering what's out there.  Exciting and scary at the same time.

 

Do you have goals and plans for 2013?  I'd love to hear them.

I think that's enough for today.  I was gonna share our holidays, but I'll save that for tomorrow. :)

 

Happy New Year -

 

New Year. . .Big Post

Be.Ware.  I've been off blogging for a week and now there's a new year.  Much to say, plan and layout.

Stay tuned.