Digging deeper....

I have been giving allot of thought to my scrapbooking (or lack there of) lately -Thinking about how I have to make more time to get more done (don't we all) and how I have been doing more journaling that reflects how I am feeling in the here and now. Observing things around me, life as it is happening and writing about it. Living life and telling about it.

I have always been a huge advocate of jorunaling, and using your own hand writing in your albums. Journaling is probably the easiest thing for me to do when creating a page ( I know I am the oddity out there) I often have the journaling done before I even have the page idea. Lately I find that I am journaling then finding a photo when I create a page. This is backwards to most people. Most will take their photos, and create the layout and journal at the end if they journal at all. I am wanting to take my scrapbooking to a deeper level, to truly leave a mark of my heart on the pages I am creating.

Journaling for me is the key to going deeper. I have several journals (books to write in) around the house, in the glove compartment in my van, in my purse so that I can write when the desire hits. Scrapbooking is more than getting the photos into albums for me, since day one scrapbooking has been a creative outlet for me. I love the creative process, the paper , stickers, embellishments, ribbons etc.. I know the importance of documenting life and events, recalling the things that are important in our lives. I want my albums to reflect who I am as well as what I do, all aspects of life, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Telling about the good the bad and the ugly so that when others look at my albums they see a well rounded person, not just the happy times. I want others to see the true me, my true family and how we deal with life. Not just the posed photos of family vacations and happy birthday photos.... Life is full of ups and downs, good times and bad, happy celebrations and not so happy ones. I want my albums to reflect all aspects.

I am on a new journey in the process of scrapbooking - not quite sure where it will lead but I will keep you all posted along the way. In the mean time here is a question to help you on your own deeper journey ( I would love to see your answers if you are willing to share post a comment if not journal (answer the question) just for you and your own scrapbooking journey......

This question is taken from a book I picked up at the Seattle airport recently called "IF. . . " by Evelyn McFarlane & James Saywell. It is a book filled with questions that start with IF... it is a great jumping of point for journaling when you are stuck.

IF you had to choose the single most valuable thing you ever learned, what would it be?

For me. . . I think the most valuable lesson I ever learned was that how I treat people is how I can be expected to be treated in return.
(The golden rule) I have found this to be true. If you treat people with respect you will be respected, if you mouth off and are rude, it will come back to you the same way (if not worse) If you care for people when they are hurting, they will in turn care for you when you are hurting. Being nice will get you a long way in life, it will see you through the good and the bad times.

CONGRATULATIONS

To Cindy Lee- Webster who correctly answered "Changed the Sheets" her email arrived in my in box at 6:30 am on Tuesday! It must be true what they say about the early bird catching the worm! Way to go Cindy!
This was great fun, I laughed at many of your answers, thinking of the possibility of my dear hubby doing some of these things. Thinking it would be great if he did. Now that being said he does tons around the house, 98% of all the laundry and he keeps my van fuled ( I hate the smell of gasoline! EWW!) He is a keeper for sure!

Here is a sampling of what was said

Vacuumed the house
Washed windows
Cut the grass
Cleaned the oven
Hired a maid (OH how I would Love that!)
Made dinner
Cleaned the toilet
Scrapbooked! (Ha Ha Ha!)
Breakfast in bed!

Many of you answered correctly - next time I may not give as many hints! LOL No worries there will be a next time and a next time! It was very fun!
Thank you for making my day.
It is always good to know someone is reading!
Happy Scrapping
Di

New books and a book review

These titles have just arrived!

And the review is in... Thank you Marilyn for taking the time to read and report on "Scrapbooking your Family History the Complete Workbook"

"On a scale of 1-10. I rate this book a 12.

To anyone who is beginning or working on a family or heritage album, this is one book you don't want to miss.

Do not be discouraged when you open the book and flashy layouts don't jump off the page. This book is designed to help us bring meaningful journaling to our albums. The layouts in this album are beautiful in their simplicity and the messages that they convey.

The book features checklists, page planners and worksheets to help you. The checklists get you started with the planning of your album and the forms help you with family trees and organization. But the part I love the most about this book are the worksheets. On the left-hand page is a layout and on the right hand page a worksheet or a photo layout page to help you get started. When you read the information on the layouts you can see how the worksheets helped lay out the foundation for the journaling.

All the checklists, forms, page planners and worksheets can all be downloaded so you don't have to write in your book. Having them beside you as you read is a plus so you can jot down notes and ideas. So if you are creating a family album and need some motivation for journaling or planning this is one book you won't want to miss."

Ah Vegas the city of lights....

Vegas the city that never sleeps - here are some Vegas facts for you - Just in case you ever wondered!

Number of slot machines in the city 197,144

Annual visitors to Las Vegas, in millions 36.7

Number of conventions hosted annually 3749

Amount in miles of lighted neon tubing on the Strip and Downtown 15,000

Year first casino was licensed 1931

Annual state gaming revenue, in billions of dollars 9 (that is a whole wack of cash!)

I just thougth those were some interesting if not somewhat random facts I found about Vegas. It is a place like no other, and one very interesting place to people watch. People from all walks of life, young, old ( I can not believe the number of stroller's people are pushing!) All that is interesting but we are here to work, and work we do - today we were in classes from 8 am - 6:30 pm. Our brains are full of tons of great stuff - here are a few photos from our day!



Di & Ali Edwards Jesica Sprague Pam @ FAO Swatrz
(Digi Dynamo!)



and to close.... the wraper of the Dove chocolate today " Smile and you will sleep soundly today"

I do not think there will be any trouble there tonight.

Good night all.

Talk to you soon ( photos tomorrow???? we will see what is coming and let you know)

Don't fall over... or faint!

I would not want any of you to fall over because it is only 8:30 and I have already sent the INKLING! That is one for the history books for sure - you better make note of it because the likely hood of it happening again is slim to none! You see it is a rare occasion that it is quiet enough in the house at this time of night for me to concentrate and get my thoughts together, but tonight for some reason the girls were getting ready for tomorrow!
Lining up books, paper, pens..... I am doing the happy dance here on the eve of the first day of school.

What a better time to tell you a little about what will be happening at our FALL CLASS KICK OFF this Saturday at the store....
If you are shopping / checking out the classes / working in the SCRAPLOFT (booked for private parties!) you will be enjoying

25% off all purchases (excluding class fees)
Save 10% off all class fees
Receive a FREE COPY of Rebecca Cooper's book - REAL LIFE SCRAPBOOKING if you spend $100. ( shop early there are limited copies available)
Meet TIM - Master of "SCRAPPY HOUR" and have a chance to do a FREE MAKE & TAKE
(What is "SCRAPPY HOUR" It is our new monthly scrapping adventure that will happen on the last Saturday of each month from 10:30 - 11:30 Each month we will feature a new product, technique or give you new tips for your old stash...... It will be an adventure to remember!)

Best of all - Class samples for the FALL CLASSES will be available for you to see!

We are looking forward to a great Day - hope to see you there!

FALL KICK OFF

We will be kicking off FALL in a big way at Remember Me

Next Saturday (September 8th) from 9:30 - 5:30

Class Schedule

Samples to view

Savings on class registration

Make & Take

Discounts & Savings throughout the store

Prize draw

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend

September 1st

Sometimes we simply make life more difficult / stressful than we need to. Every once in a while as I wander through my blog reading I come across something that truly makes me think, THIS was one such entry. Melody Ross founder of Chatterbox inc, and current creative director is one of the most down to earth bloggers I read. Her "Today's to-do list" hit home with me I hope you will all enjoy it too.
I would add a few more to the list to choose from - clean, say NO if needed, LIVE!

It really can be that simple if we want it to be. We simply have to learn to say NO and stick to it.
Think on it a minute - let me know what you think.....
Happy September 1st!
Di

Lessons from Chocolate . . .

I love DOVE promises their rich flavour and smooth texture do a little happy dance on my taste buds each time I pop one into my mouth. Unfortunately for me (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) they are only available in the USA. Thankfully we are only 40 minutes from the border, and Mary visits often enough to keep a little stash at the office. A little chocolate can go a long way in changing ones outlook on life. Especially these little gems!

Now I am a little particular about my chocolate, I has to be dark! Some may call me a chocolate snob. Oh well, it is a risk I am willing to take! Mind you I will eat milk chocolate, given no other options, it is not my preference. Sometimes a girl just has to do what a girl has to do! This chocolate preference was solidified when I heard that recent studies show there are health benefits to dark chocolate, which is the perfect justification for my little vice. All this aside the main reason I love DOVE promise is quite simple - there is a little message on each wrapper. Some are quite silly, others are quite insightful none the less each time I open one of these little treats I anticipate the little promise enclosed in the red or gold foil. For a while I kept the wrappers and just read them because they put a smile on my face.

Simple things in life!

It has crossed my mind on occasion that there could be a mini album waiting to hatch here too. Simply because everything in life deserves at least a page right? (NOT - more on that next post!) However I do believe that there is inspiration around every corner - this was just one little corner. I can see the album in the theater of my mind, one promise per page, with our without photos. It could be a mini album dedicated to eating chocolate, the history of chocolate, the process of making chocolate. . it certainly has possibilities for sure.

Simple lessons, simple inspiration!

Why do we make life so hard?

We really can learn lessons from chocolate as funny as it sounds.

Yesterday's promise read " Watch the Sun come up"
Others that have made me smile
"Create with abandon"
"The Best things in life are Chocolate"
"Exercise your heart today"
"Go against the grain"
"Eat Chocolate before bed to sweeten your dreams"
"Dance even if someone is watching"

Little nuggets that just make me smile, and take a pause in the middle of my day to think of something totally random.

It is just simple fun!

I think we all need more of that in our lives.

More class photos

Classes