Back to my (art) Roots

Before I started scrapping, I was making cards...and before I started making cards, I was painting...not in a professional capacity, mind you, just something I have always loved, right from when I was a kid.
Sure, I've kept on painting even after Andrew was born ( though maybe not as often as I'd have liked), but the last few months I've really not picked up a brush at all ( except for a foam brush, for a scrapping project or two). Not because my passion for scrapping has replaced my love for painting...rather it has been a case of logistics.
I scrap and make cards in my office ( read bedroom) after the children go to bed, and I'm within easy reach whenever Andrew wakes for a feed. My art studio ( aka little corner, together with a few giant swim floats, a pushchair, and a stack of spare chairs) is downstairs, and just too crowded now ( when did all this stuff take over my art space, anyway???)
This month, I've been determined to make painting a priority again, and reclaimed my art space (well kind of...I banned the swim floats from my space and it's really made a difference!
I've started on not one, but two paintings! Ambitious? Well, I've never been known to do things by halves!

Scrapping Gal

Yesterday was an exciting day for scrappers at Smidapaper...we had a special guest teacher, Kah-mei Smith from Fontwerks, who taught 2 very inspiring and creative classes! The participants made 1 lovely minibook in each class, and there were a couple of hardy scrappers who attended both classes, so they were scrapping all day long!

I had signed Sarah up for the easier of the 2 classes as a birthday gift to her as she is such a keen scrapper, but I must say I had my doubts as to whether she would be able to cope in what was essentially an adult's scrapping class. I have attended such classes before, and I know the pace can be fast and furious...a challenge to even the most seasoned scrapper!

I must say I was very proud of Sarah ...
She had the photo list earlier in the week, picked out the photos she needed, made sure I got them printed in the correct sizes;
She went through the tool list as well, helping me pack all the tools she would need, and labelled them.

Yesterday morning she was up bright and early, raring to go!
At the class she set out all her tools neatly and waited patiently for class to start ( normally she's a little jumping bean in the mornings, but I think she was restraining herself).




Sarah coped really well...she kept up with the pace, did almost everything herself ( just needed a little help with the more difficult techniques) and ended up with a beautiful minibook dedicated to her little brother, Andrew ( 'the best and cutest little brother on the world').
I am proud of you Sarah, you are definitely a great scrapping gal!

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! 

Andrew's First Year - The Complete Story!

About 4 months ago, I embarked on a project...a mini album titled Andrew's First Year. 

As he was only 8 months old at the time, I had to pre-assemble the layouts for the remaining 4 months, so that I could just insert the photos at every month. 

It was the first time I had attempted a prospective project, 

so I didn't want to make it too complicated.

I used matching products for the entire album and a template for 

the pages, which meant that it was quick and extremely 'doable' to complete all 12 months worth of pages in a few hours.

Well...Andrew is now 1 year old, and I've put in the last photos!

I've also added quite a bit of journaling...not the usual milestones type of information...I figure I'll be putting that into my 12x12 album...but more anecdotal type of journaling. 

I really wanted this album to be a personal memoir of his relationship with his sisters, as well as the little quirks in his character and behaviour which make him the lovable, and much loved, little boy that he is.

Oh yes, he is starting to be less of a baby, and more of a little boy already...and a really cheeky, mischievous boy at that! 

5 Reasons to Love Scrapbooking

If you've been visiting the Smidapaper website, you'll know that we recently put out a 'Love x 5' layout challenge.

For those that haven't already seen it, I chose to make a page documenting the 5 types of Mac computers we love right now. Pretty geeky huh? It was different though, to make a page about things we like, rather than what we are like, but interesting too.

I initially wanted to make a layout about the '5 reasons I Love Scrapbooking', but couldn't find photos that I liked enough to use on the page. I'm going to have to put this page idea on hold until I find/take the photos I want. But in the meantime, here are my 5 reasons anyway:

1. I love that I'm giving my family a tangible piece of our lives, not just memories which might fade. 

2. I love that by putting heartfelt journaling on my pages, my family are able to share a part of me that may not otherwise be apparent.

3. I love that scrapbbooking gives me the freedom to explore my creativity...after all, there are no judges, and the toughest critic is myself. The family seem to love them all, even those that include what they feel are 'embarrassing photos of them!

4. I love that I can turn to scrapbooking as therapy in my crazy, hectic life...to ground me, and more often than not, help put things into perspective.

5. Last, but not least, I love the fact that my enthusiasm for scrapbooking has led to my meeting and becoming friends with a fantastic group of people ( you all know who you are)! 

 

 So even if you don't participate in our challenge, or even if you don't scrap, why not see if you can come up with 5 reasons why you love something/ someone, or 5 things that you love right now.