In Control...sort of...

This has been a month of frantic creativity for me...layouts and projects for next month's classes, samples for the new store, finally completing my 'I Scrapbook because...' layout, even teaching a class this month ( not something I've had a chance to do much in the last few months once Andrew stopped wanting to sit quietly in his bouncer).
Amidst all this, I felt myself losing my grip...not literally, but with respect to the ideas swimming around in my head. I hated losing track of a thought for a project, or a great idea I had just 10 minutes ago...cos I was running around with the kids, doing the millions of things they HAD to do RIGHT NOW, MUM! I was starting to dream about layouts cos I was thinking about them just before I fell asleep!
I finally solved the problem ( I think), by keeping a notebook by my bedside which I then carried around with me. I've since gone through 3 already! Not fancy expensive notebooks, mind you, just old ones the kids had lying around unused ( I admit to even using a 'Strawberry Shortcake' notebook...I have no shame).
All I had to do when a great idea struck me was to whip out the book, and scribble the idea down. It could be a layout design sketch, journaling prompts, colour scheme, paper choices...anything really. When I found myself without a notebook once, I ended up typing it straight into my laptop ( which luckily, I happened to have on hand that day).
When I finally sat down to work on a project, I could then look through my notes and pick out ideas that I particularly liked, or try different designs out to see what worked.
So far this has helped keep my brain ( and my desk) relatively clutter free, and I'm better able to get started on creating, instead of wasting time shuffling papers and embellishments around. I also spend less time looking for tools as I can gather everything I think I'll need around me, before even starting.
Am I in control now? Mostly...though some days no amount of planning seems to help, whatsoever! On these days, I still just wing it.

Coffee Bean Anyone?

I am a self-confessed coffee addict. I'm not addicted to the caffeine, mind you ( most of the time I drink decaf since I'm still nursing), I just love the taste and aroma of coffee.

But I didn't realise quite how often I'm at Coffee Bean ( a stone's throw from where I live, which makes it impossible NOT to be a frequent customer) until I saw Andrew with his favourite treat from Coffee Bean - NO NOT coffee, of course - a Vanilla ice-blend! He absolutely loves it, and often will fight his sisters for a taste of theirs!

Definitely a photo worth scrapping...

I Love Scrapbooking Because...

I finally found some photos I liked for my 'reasons I love scrapbooking layout! I chose some pics of previous layouts, and one of pages in progress. 

It was hard to combine so many very different photos together, but after much deliberation, I decided to go for a black background, and the fun , funky colours of Ki's Pop Culture. Just LOVE the die cut paper!

Of course, once I put everything together, there was very little room left for journalling ( the most essential bit), so I layered it over my photos!