Campaign for Real Scrapping

Have you ever spent hours on a page and then feel like you didn't accomplish much because you still have another 100 photos to scrap?

I definitely know that feeling.

Well, today I came across this blog post by Kim Guymon and she suggested we start a Campaign for Real Scrapping, like Dove's Campaing for Real Beauty.

Here are the her steps for this campaign:

1. Focus on the photos
2. Add the stories and not just the names - limit the use of third-party quotes.
3. Crop conservatively - Grandma's house in the background may be precious someday
4. Use themed products - match photos to products
5. Keep the page simple - don't overwhelm the photos with embellishments
6. Use imperfect photos if that's all you have. Not every photo will be stunning.
7. Reject time-consuming embellishment techniques
8. Worry LESS about acid and MORE about history.
9. Spend less time doctoring photos and more time scrapping
10. Find your passion again!

These steps are pretty universal and I will post them up in my scrap room to remember them when I sit down to scrap.

And, here's what I need to work on and am adding to the list:

11. Use more than one photo on each layout.

12. Use what you have on hand. (Have to cut back on shopping!)

13. Spend only 10 minutes deciding what to use on your page. Select 4 papers and 3 embellies per layout.

14. Plan to finish a page in less than 2 hours. Use a timer to keep track.

15. Relax and go with the flow.

I hope this helps you think about your cropping process. If you come up with another step please let me know. I'm open to any suggestions that simplify the process. I also need organization help, but that's a post for anther day.

Layouts to share

A day late and a dollar short. I promised I'd have new pics up yesterday but alas that was not to be. But I have new pics to share today so don't fret. But before I do I just want to thank Amanda for being so honest about my boo boo with the RAK winner. Yes, I goofed. Mindy is the actual winner of my little RAK. Congratulations Mindy!

And now for some new layouts!

First, are some of my Project 365 layouts. I am running very behind (about a month)because this project is so involved. It's really not that simple at all. I tend to take 10 pictures of every subject so I have to sort through these (1-2 hours), keep notes of pics, order prints (2-3 hours) and then sort the prints (another hour), then add them to the book and journal (another 2 hours). So, you can see where this becomes a bit cumbersome after a while. If you have a quicker way of doing this please let me know!

As you can see, I'm not done with this layout.

Ok, next come a couple of pages I did with the Inspired Blueprints sketches.

The papers and glitter chipboard embellishment are 3 birds. Felt embellies are Fancy Pants. The journaling tag is Pink Paislee and unknown: Chipboard letters, rhinestone brads and ribbon (maybe American Crafts?).

Next layout:

Again, the patterned paper is 3 birds. Cardstock and vellum - unknown. Used my Cricut (Graphically Speaking) to cut the title several times and stacked for 3D effect. Flower embellies are stacked Martha punches, Cricut Cuts and 3 birds die cuts and scalloped glitter chipboard frame. Rub ons are 7 gypsies.

I hope these spark your creativity. These pages were very easy to put together. I'm more of a "Simple" scrapper when it comes down to it. I prefer to get pages done than to spend too much time on a page and get further behind.

Have a good evening. Xena says Bye-Bye!

Thanks for the encouraging comments!

Thanks Jen, Mindy and Amanda for your very kind and encouraging comments! It's nice to know someone is out there. Amanda you were the first to mention that you would love my RAK so I would love to get it to you. Please email me your information and I will post that RAK asap! And I'll add a couple of extra goodies just for fun.

I tried to visit your blogs but they are private. I love reading blogs and meeting new people so send me an invite and I'll definitely stop by.

I've been working on a couple of projects this weekend and now I just need to photograph them. Stay tuned tomorrow or Wednesday when I post these. They are both based on Inspired Blueprints sketches. And I'll have Project 365 layouts to share also.

QVC is having scrapbooking shows tomorrow and Wednesday. I'm really excited to see Brenda Pinnick because I love her stuff.

Happy Monday!

Wow! Happy St. Patty's Day

Well, I tried to offer a freebie but I guess no one is interested. So sad :(

So, my blog is not very popular but I know there are some readers out there. I thought this blogging thing would introduce me to some cool and interesting people but it seems no one wants to reach out to me. So, is the work involved in maintaining a blog worth it? Maybe I'll have to post some naked pics so I can get some attention -- at least I know that will become a fascinating and hilarious viral email.

Here are some great reasons to check out my blog: My blog doesn't have advertising. I'm doing this for fun, not to pawn anything on you or push affiliate websites so I can make some cash on your clicks. I'm not promoting anything I created or selling.
And I when I visit blogs I comment and create links to it so someone else can find it. The same courtesy would be appreciated.

Anyway, just send me a shout out and let me know if you are out there and are still interested in checking out my projects, ideas and thoughts. I just want to meet people from around the world and share ideas.

So, if anyone is interested in the RAK just let me know. The first person to ask, shall receive.

Finally, my first RAK!

Well, I finally put together my first giveaway and It's perfect for spring pages. This set was compiled from some of my excess supply since I mostly purchase supplies in bulk. There are DCWV spring rub ons, KI chipboard, 3 Birds chipboard alphabet, DCWV diecuts, DCWV vellum sayings stack, Colorbok shaped paper sets a Maya Road floral shaped chipboard album and fun chipboard shapes I got from QVC.

All you need to do is leave me a comment with your name and where you're writing from (a link to your blog would also be nice) and I will have a random drawing on Tuesday, March 17th. Yes, St. Patty's Day. This could just be your lucky day. And, we could all use a little free stuff during these tough times.

Finally, I leave you with a project I worked on this week. This was quite therapeutic for me as I created it and still when I look at it. My journaling reflects on how my life changed so quickly after losing my job and just as I was turning 38. It helped me realize that even through tough times there is always a light and a song in our hearts and things will be better tomorrow.

I used Fancy Pants pattern papers and bird diecut, 3birds felt embellishments and chipboard "slide" , Colorbok transparency, Autumn Leaves stamp, rhinestones and black acrylic paint.

Have a good weekend!