Month: October 2011

day 1 | vacation week

What seems like weeks but was probably months ago, I was chatting with Melissa and she made asked how my Disney World album was going. I laughed and said something like “there’s a few pages in there still to go…” She mentioned that she scheduled herself to do a week of blogging about vacation scrapbooking, and asked if I wanted to join in the fun. I said YES – because it would give me some inspiration to get more done AND the chance to blog about my #1 favorite subject to scrapbook: vacations.

Today to get things started I have a video (about 7min long) where I am talking about my “big vacation” scrapbooking methods and the album and page protectors I use.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVwwqttmQEI]

Please do come back for more – I will share new layouts, tutorials, and materials using my unfinished Disney World trip/album as my inspiration all week. While I’m “going Disney” – the tips, ideas, and methods I use could be applied to any subject, event, or vacation. I hope you enjoy. Here are links to the album type and page protectors I use:

Scrapbook.com has a wonderful selection of the albums + page protectors I like to use.

If you have any questions, comments, etc. about my video, or vacation scrapbooking in general please feel free to email me or leave a comment here. Also – make sure you visit Melissa’s blog for vacation scrapbooking awesomeness! Love that girl’s style, and she’s been to some pretty cool places too.

happy crafting!

Creative Process [video 2 of 2]

As I edited this video I realized that I didn’t explain my embellishment choices much. I was more focused on finding the right things than explaining my reasons – and that is ok. Why? because my next creative process post will be about the reasoning behind embellishments, and why they always come last.

Part 2 [of 2] layout video:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3igg42JCqt8]

Finished layout:

Supplies used:

[have a Happy Halloween!!]

note: all creative process posts listed here: http://mayflaum.com/category/creative-process/

Creative Process post #2:

This is a “part 1 of 2”, and shown much better in video than typing. The focus is really much of what I was speaking about in my first post, but in practical application. I got new photos in the mail, opened envelope, turned on camera.

I made it all up as I taped – so there may be gaps or awkward moments… because I did it single take too. I wanted it as real to my process as possible.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHap4-7Cikk]

If you have questions, specific parts of my process you’d like to see more of in future, etc. – please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. All posts about creative process can be found here: http://mayflaum.com/category/creative-process/

I’ll be back very soon to post part 2, as well as full supply list, etc…

[welcome to my perfect life]

This came up yesterday, and has inspired a [silly] post…

The idea that I would let someone don’t know in real life, some stranger on the internet make me feel bad about myself through their posting about their own awesomeness… that horrifies me. Oh I get feeling jealous of an awesome house or someone who is succeeding where you are failing – that’s natural I think. But to go so far as to let it get me down? Oh noooooo.

I am in charge of my own happiness. I am responsible for my actions. I am the one who can choose to feel bad or good about myself. If there’s something about me I really don’t like it’s MY job to fix, accept, or improve. That’s not on anyone but ME.

I guess you could say I’m big on personal responsibility. and that’s all I have to say about that.

This subject led [quite naturally] to some humorous comments about the awesomeness of my never-ending laundry mountain and the fabulous studio of mine where being clean is a family JOKE. So today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my fantastically SO NOT perfect life….

This is my “what she wore” totally glam self portrait. Do you love it? [excuse me while I fall down laughing]

– I have paint, mist, and ink all over my fingers. I almost always do.

– I have no memory of putting my hair up – but I always end up doing so

– My stained, ratty, cheap Army sweatshirt remains my #1 wardrobe staple in colder weather

– bare feet and gym pants = the rest of this haute couture ensemble

This photo makes me CRINGE. my desk was AWFUL yesterday. I wanted to clean it first… but this is about keeping it real y’all so you see the unedited HORROR of my own making. Can you handle more?!

I don’t know why I have freezer bags on the desk. I’m SURE I had a reason… right? The funniest part about my studio is that the rest of my house (scary laundry pile I’m NEVER without excluded) is clean. Yeah. I do dishes a few times a day, keep things pretty tidy and clutter-free. It is habit… I guess I just need to bring those habits into the studio door? [yeah yeah, I say that ALL the time]

Bottom line? I have the same 24hrs as everyone else, and sometimes my choices in what to do with them are more productive than others.  I have never assumed that the owner of any blog I read has a perfect life – we’ve all got our issues and our own mess (whether literal, emotional, etc) and issues.  Just know when you read my blog – I keep it real.I’m a big believer in focusing on the good, the happy, the light in my life because doing so = feeling better and having a better outlook.  Oh I might not tell you every detail or bad thing – but that’s because most of that is private, and not the point of my blog.

Today I get to face the reality of being the wife of a fireman and an ever-changing schedule. I get to go to my annual lady parts doctor appointment… with Rebecca. Now don’t be getting too jealous about that one! but do make sure and keep up with your health and regular check-ups!!!  If THAT isn’t the ultimate in glamour and fabulousness I just don’t know what is.

Challenge: share in the comments here something that truly IS fantastic about you. I’d love to hear it…