Scrapbooking is challenging...
Yesterday I had to photograph everything I did because was the 25th of the month. I am a member of a scrapbooking forum UKscrappers.co.uk. I joined because I thought there would be a few other people who enjoy scrapping and we could, perhaps, exchange ideas and chat a bit. Well it was interesting to discover that the membership is HUGE and there are people of all ages - mostly women - who all have different ideas and are not afraid to say so, but do it in a way that puts their point across without being offensive - quite an art.
I don't usually go for girly groups but somehow I feel right at home, anyhooo there are challenges set by different teams (don't ask just accept) and I had a go at one and the result was quite good
http://flickr.com/photos/26949645@N04/2523839738/
I then had to have a go at another one and I was hooked. I explored the site and found a section devoted to a 'Cyber Crop'. I found that this is a series of classes about creating pages using papers and embellishments that you don't usually use. and also how to get the best out of the tools and equipment. I clicked on a button and DA DAAA! I was signed up to take part. This caused a momentary panic but I soon stopped doing the headless chicken impression and asked what the heck I needed to do. The upshot was that I spent a whole weekend downloading the class prompts (I can do the jargon now too) and trying to finish at least one of the projects. One that took my fancy was the Scrap Your Day project. Simple I thought. On the 25th of every month for the next 12 months I just have to photograph my whole day and then put the pictures, together with some Journaling (spelt the American way because it is an American word) into a pre-prepared book. Each month we can download a prompt about the photography together with a 'sketch' of the layout of the pictures.
For some reason the whole family have taken to this project so yesterday I was continually getting suggestions and reminders about taking pictures and the result is so much more than I expected.
I can see an improvement in the way I have looked at what I am photographing and it was such good fun! I have always enjoyed making scrapbooks of events but this is taking it to the next level. My pages are usually pictures with informative or funny comments but not much in the way of decoration. I have disvoered that a little embellishment can enhance the picture without detracting from its importance and every page I do I want to do another.
I have decided that the fabric stash is to be reduced - I am making morsbags (see www.morsbags.com) to use up the stuff I have and I have donated quite a few of the suitable costumes to the Newport Ship so that the staff can dress up and frigh.... educate the young.
The jester costume that Steve wore for a dragondaze, a gown Annette wore, a blue cloak that was used for the publicity for the very first Dragondaze - remember that Hekai? and lots of other stuff. That made me feel really good. I have made 88 bags so far and I am distributing them through Creations in Wood who go to craft fairs and give all their customers a free cloth bag to carry their purchases. Every plastic bag we don't use is a good thing. Although it could mean a shortage of polar fleece... but that's a whole different thing.
I have thr....... perhaps those who know me best should take a deep breath before reading anymore... I have thrown out three bags of stuff, two have gone for rags and one to the tip. I have cut up two large cardbaord boxes that are surplus to requirements and pretty soon the fornow room will be ready to be turned into a scrapbooking room. All the papers and albums and stuff will go into the room. I will be able to hang curtains at the window for the first time in 16 years. I knw it seems a little far fetched but it is happening! And all because I joined a forum. Mr M thinks it is a good thing although it does add to the list of places where I need supervision - fabric shops are now safe though so that should make it easier.
I will still make costumes if required but I no longer feel the need to sew every day.
I don't usually go for girly groups but somehow I feel right at home, anyhooo there are challenges set by different teams (don't ask just accept) and I had a go at one and the result was quite good
http://flickr.com/photos/26949645@N04/2523839738/
I then had to have a go at another one and I was hooked. I explored the site and found a section devoted to a 'Cyber Crop'. I found that this is a series of classes about creating pages using papers and embellishments that you don't usually use. and also how to get the best out of the tools and equipment. I clicked on a button and DA DAAA! I was signed up to take part. This caused a momentary panic but I soon stopped doing the headless chicken impression and asked what the heck I needed to do. The upshot was that I spent a whole weekend downloading the class prompts (I can do the jargon now too) and trying to finish at least one of the projects. One that took my fancy was the Scrap Your Day project. Simple I thought. On the 25th of every month for the next 12 months I just have to photograph my whole day and then put the pictures, together with some Journaling (spelt the American way because it is an American word) into a pre-prepared book. Each month we can download a prompt about the photography together with a 'sketch' of the layout of the pictures.
For some reason the whole family have taken to this project so yesterday I was continually getting suggestions and reminders about taking pictures and the result is so much more than I expected.
I can see an improvement in the way I have looked at what I am photographing and it was such good fun! I have always enjoyed making scrapbooks of events but this is taking it to the next level. My pages are usually pictures with informative or funny comments but not much in the way of decoration. I have disvoered that a little embellishment can enhance the picture without detracting from its importance and every page I do I want to do another.
I have decided that the fabric stash is to be reduced - I am making morsbags (see www.morsbags.com) to use up the stuff I have and I have donated quite a few of the suitable costumes to the Newport Ship so that the staff can dress up and frigh.... educate the young.
The jester costume that Steve wore for a dragondaze, a gown Annette wore, a blue cloak that was used for the publicity for the very first Dragondaze - remember that Hekai? and lots of other stuff. That made me feel really good. I have made 88 bags so far and I am distributing them through Creations in Wood who go to craft fairs and give all their customers a free cloth bag to carry their purchases. Every plastic bag we don't use is a good thing. Although it could mean a shortage of polar fleece... but that's a whole different thing.
I have thr....... perhaps those who know me best should take a deep breath before reading anymore... I have thrown out three bags of stuff, two have gone for rags and one to the tip. I have cut up two large cardbaord boxes that are surplus to requirements and pretty soon the fornow room will be ready to be turned into a scrapbooking room. All the papers and albums and stuff will go into the room. I will be able to hang curtains at the window for the first time in 16 years. I knw it seems a little far fetched but it is happening! And all because I joined a forum. Mr M thinks it is a good thing although it does add to the list of places where I need supervision - fabric shops are now safe though so that should make it easier.
I will still make costumes if required but I no longer feel the need to sew every day.