Storage

When it comes to storage for my scrapping supplies, I try to think outside of the box. It seems to me that once a storage item is labeled by the manufacturer as being for Scrapbooking the price tag more than doubles.

My solution for tiny things, such as brads,eyelets, tiles, beads and glitters is to store them in test tubes. It's working GREAT for me. All the tubes fit nicely into a rack and I simply have to move the rack to my scrapping table when working on a project.

Test tubes are quite inexpensive. I purchased online 100 test tubes, 2 racks and all the green lids at testtubesonline.com. Total price tag with shipping was under $35.00. Not bad for 100 places to store things!

Choosing Colors

Interesting color combinations can be found in all kinds of places. Clothing, fabrics, wallpaper all are excellent sources for color pallette ideas. I especially like to clip things from magazines that I find inspirational. This photo is from a back issue of Country House magazine. Not only do I love the colors (I would have never thought to combine them myself) but, I also love the patterns found
on the fabric swatches and notebooks! I will tuck this into my Art Inspiration book.
Keep your eyes open for interesting color combo's it's well worth it when you need
something to help kick start a layout!

I Have To Confess.....

That I really enjoyed making this book. It's the first time I have done an online class and I must say it was nice to get to relax and let someone else come up with the ideas for a change. I confess that I had a lot of other scrapping projects that I should have been working on this weekend. But, it's been a particularly stressful
weekend and I need something to help me unwind. If you've never done an online class this one is offered at Shimelle.com and it is free!



This is the cover of my book. The gorgeous ribbon is off of a gift I received for xmas. Yep- those are my eyes. I think they look sad here- not the way I see them when I look in the mirror. Kind of wish I made this photo black and white and colorized the pupils.


"I've got to boogie" I confess. Don and I used to go dancing all the time when we were dating. Much to the kids horror there are nights when we sneak down to the basement- start up a CD and Boogie, Oogie, Oogie. Hope you aren't horrified too.



I am truly afraid of driving the Interstates here in Atlanta- so I don't do it.
Six lanes across, bumper to bumper, zillions of big trucks, 80mph. I'm breaking out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.



Ah, breakfast the best meal of the day. Bubba's biscuits is right up the street from Jake's school. My confession this time is that at least once a week after I get the boys to school I buy myself an egg & cheese biscuit. It almost makes carpool at 6:00AM worth it.



This was a more personal confession. I keep catching myself wondering and worrying about life after kids. I am so in love with my life just as it is and I can't imagine what things will be like once the boys have grown and moved away. I have
been a SAHM their entire lives. Who will I be once they don't need a Mommy anymore?



My last confession - I blame loving the Steelers on my husband- but, I secretly know that I am without a doubt a bigger fan. I can't wait to get to watch the games. I plan the perfect snacks, hang the banners and put on my Jersey. I watch the clock like a hawk don't wanting to miss a second.

Jewelry.

I've been looking at sneak peaks for CHA this week. I think the newest trends are going to be anything Kraft paper. Use of real office supplies and more " found" type objects. I'm jazzed. These are all things I love. In the window of antique store the other day I saw a framed picture of a christmas tree on green velvet. The entire xmas tree was made out old rhinestone jewelry. It was darling. Which leads me to my scrapbook inspiration idea of the day. What's in your jewelry box? A quick rummaging of mine produced an inexpensive gold heart charm with the name of my high school and the date of my prom. My American red cross pin and one my Grandmother wore during WII. A necklace with handmade beads that look like orange slices that I've never worn..but, would make cute embellishments. One very quick glance and I have 3 LO ideas! The charm I will use and scrap my prom picture (I went with my husband), the Red Cross Buttons I will photograph and use that for a Layout and the beads I will save until I need them. I'm going to be sure to tell my family and friends not to throw away broken and unwanted jewelry. Save it for me!

Inspired

I had a blast making this Inspiration Book. I really gave myself permission to do whatever I wanted and think I am finally after all these years coming into a style that feels like me. It's funny because when I teach classes I am constantly telling the new scrappers to be themselves!

I'm adding some pockets to the inside today and then I can fill it up with things that help me be me!

Old Dog- New Tricks

I am giving myself a makeover. Goodbye pack rat- hello, organizational freak.
I am convinced that organizing and purging are the key to a happier, less
stressful life. It makes sense. Less things to worry about, less work. Right?

I am starting with my Scrapbook room and then plan on continuing my streak
room by room, floor by floor. I spent the entire weekend putting my new systems
into place. Here's a sneak peak! I LOVE it so far. Thanks Heather for letting
me know that CK may have a call for storage ideas. Terrific Motivation!

It pays to complain!

Update to my Nintendo Wii saga! Two days before Christmas I finally had to give up looking and admit I had been defeated. Poor Jake was going to open for Christmas games and accessories for a Nintendo System he didn't have. I was frustrated and upset. It wasn't fair. I tried everything humanly possible to find it for a truly deserving kid while others had them simply for profiting off them on Ebay. I had to get it out of my system so I went to the Nintendo website and wrote a scathing email.

Imagine my surprise when they actually wrote back and asked me for my phone number and for a good time to call. Well, last night I was again shocked when they called.
And then I was delighted and amazed when they apologized to me that I wasn't able to get one in time for the holidays and asked me to apologize to Jake too. Then a miracle happened-- they offered to sell me one at retail price, plus shipping. More than fair. Of course I jumped at the offer and it is on it's way. They were even kind enough to supply Jake with a fun link to track his Wii as it makes it way across country.

I must say I am shocked. I went from thinking they were a company who created all this hype on purpose to being stunned that they are a company who really cared about a little boy in Georgia who didn't get his Christmas wish.

Go figure.

I've Had it!

Last year my husband graciously offered me the bonus room over our garage as a Studio. We worked hard painting the room and I purchased fabrics and made pillows and curtains. Then we installed the cabinetry and thats where I stopped.

It's an amazing space full of clutter!! Never has a room been so in need of organization. So I spent all my xmas dollars on organizational supplies and I am going to have at it.

I have ideas for storing scrapbook supplies that I have never seen before that I think will work out GREAT. My problem is that I have so many supplies.

So, if you are reading this I have an assignment for you. Don't let me get side tracked. Ride my butt about getting it finished and posting photographs of the completed room.

I'm begging you.. I need motivation.