Month: May 2010

I am writing a series of three posts this week for Scrapbook Update (first can be found here: http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/2010/05/31/organization-talk-the-big-picture/ ) about organization.

Who am I to talk about it? What are my qualifications?

none.

Well, except that I’m a lifelong crafter and have tried a load of things and spent more hours cleaning than I care to think about.

So I’m going to talk about storage/organization this week over there, and I’ll do some posts here (in addition to some project posts) over here on my blog.

The #1 “why May, why?” question I get pertains to my non-craft materials in here. WHY do I take up valuable space with random bits that aren’t craft materials?

Answer: They make me happy.

That’s the bottom line. This studio is my “batcave”, my place where I can retreat and where anything I say goes. I choose to fill it with items I’ve still got from childhood, I hang my necklaces around in here, I leave books, flowers, containers, silly things… anything that makes me smile and that I want in here, stays.

Above a number of items in a cool framed shelf thing from Target – including the bell I bought as a kid in memory of my (passed away) pony.

I think what I love most is the mix of supplies, visually inspiring bits, and pieces of my history. In a way, this room is a scrapbook of my life. Trophies from my days of competing on horse show circuits, pictures, ephemera, and anything else I want…

Jason on my horse Amigo – in a frame I’d decorated at the time (age 18 or 19).

Even a name badge from my days working at the bank…

Things get moved around, things get thrown out sometimes too. It’s a work in progress, but I always enjoy spending time in here.

above: Princess Giselle and prince charming, separately saved from a 2 year old Elizabeth (broken) and welcomed into a peaceful life in the studio.

below: the Dukes of Hazzard cars I got as a teenager (maybe in my Christmas stocking?) that I never wanted to take out of the package.

I will be sharing more thoughts (and craft-relevant) details of my space (dojo, batcave, studio, whatever you want to call it!) all week. If you have any questions, or if you can think of anything you’d like me to cover I’d be happy to hear from you.

Tomorrow is Memorial day, and while I don’t feel like I’ve got a lot I can put into words, I do want to post. Ree (aka the Pioneer Woman) has been doing a whole series called “coming home” on her photography blog that is filled with images of men & women of armed forces… no words needed, the images are really moving.

It reminds me of a sweet photo I keep of me with my uncle in my studio…

It also reminds me to make more cards for Operation Write Home, and to remember what memorial day is about. It reminds me of my visit to Arlington National Cemetary as a teenager and the opportunity I had to participate in a ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier. To be thankful, grateful, and to never forget those who have served…

I was talking about this little table to one of my favorite people on the phone, and it inspired me to share. Years ago I found a wood table (it’s about 8″ square, 3 feet tall) and I krylon spray painted the heck out of it. It’s been buried deep in scary closet, nowhere for it to be of use. Well as I re-vamp the studio I found I could stick it next to my reading chair, and I’m happy to have it back in use…

It has paint “coffee” stains (actually lumiere paint by jacquard) as well as a few ripped up pages out of pride & prejudice. I bought this copy because it had random illustrations in it and I rip pages out of it to use in crafting on a regular basis. I know I used a tea stain or some kind of staining on the pages before sealing it all up with a krylon sealant spray.

Anyhow, nothing earth shattering or new, but I thought it would be fun to share. I love that it’s back in use instead of being stuck in the closet. The flower on top of it is a cool thing my mom bought me a few years back, and the little corner shelf is stolen from Rebecca’s room (she never had anything on it!). I love moving stuff around and finding new uses for it.

Now, back to work…

I’ve got a lot of crafting to do this weekend, and I’d better get to it if I am going to have time to enjoy some iced tea in my quiet corner!

frames used are digital and by Katie Pertiet.

Happy Friday everyone! I thought it would be fun to kick off the long weekend with a fun list (oh how I love lists) + a prize. Five reasons I can’t wait for Camp Scrap to start next month:

5.  Guilt-free scrapbooking. Oh I give you “assignments” and idea starters, but every student is free to choose whatever they want to do, and there is no falling behind or catching up. Just do what you like, when you like, save the rest as inspiration at a later time. BPS classes remain open forever – the materials are all yours.

4. I think doing video (and just verbal) chats on Skype is going to be so fun + inspire me to keep this place clean! Students can call me up (during set hours and/or by appointment) for scrappy chat – SO excited to do this!

3. Getting to give-away prizes from fantastic friends of camp like Evalicious, Catslife Press, and Scarlet Lime Bead Art to name a few. This class is PACKED with fun!!

2. The gallery. Every class I teach I do my best to comment on every student’s work. I spend hours going through the gallery and I view each and every project. It’s one of my favorite things about any class- seeing my ideas put into action in other ways. SO inspiring, such a treat for me.  

1. Excuse to eat s’mores every day in the name of camp. Ok, that’s not really my #1 reason, I’d say getting to spend time each day with other creative people is what I’m most looking forward to. I enjoy Big Picture classes so much, and this is going to be such a fun experience I can already tell.

As I get ready to start over these last few weeks before class stay tuned here at my blog – I’ve got more NEW projects to share inspired by camp, and peeks into class. I’m getting into full crafty/campy/fun mode over here!! If you have ANY questions please feel free to ask here or e-mail me. I’m happy to answer! 

Now for the prize… Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L is a friend of camp, in fact we’re going to have a whole sticky 24hrs or more where I give away lots of adhesives during class!! Recently I was asked to join their design team (so fun) and I have a little extra adhesive that I’m told I can share.

This beauty has become a best friend to me. It’s so very useful, as you’ll see in many upcoming blog-exclusives right here. Would you like it? Just leave a comment here – I’ll draw a winner on Tuesday… and PS – I’ll be sticking (yeah, I like adhesive jokes) some extra goodies in the package…