There are some great sales going on

MemoryWorks is having its annual clearance sale with savings of 10% - 30%. But, the big news is that if you sign up to be a consultant (which is also on sale) you can get up to 50% off on some products! Hurry, items sell out FAST. If you want to check out the products go here. If you're interested in learning more about becoming a consultant email me (see link to the right).

A.C. Moore has a fantastic deal going on through Saturday. You can get 50% off TWO regular priced items. To get your coupon go here.

I finally got the book and I'm loving the ideas! I haven't finished it yet but I think this will make a big difference with my efficiency, effectiveness, and neatness.


Based upon what I've learned so far, I'm going to re-organize my space according to how I work when I scrapbook. This will mean I'll need to move things around and get new storage. I'm using my A.C. Moore coupons to buy JetMax modular storage cubes.

I've took a quick visual inventory of my supplies and tools. Based upon this, I've decided upon the cubes I'll need which will be a mix of all of the styles that A.C. Moore has in stock. It won't be in this exact confirguration, but you get the idea.


Also, you may want to save some of your money because starting on Sunday A.C. Moore has some great sales on:

• Cuttlebug products - 40% off
• Sizzix products - 40 % off
• Die Cuts With A View Stacks - 40% I especially like this cardstock because it has a white core that shows through when you distress it.
• 3-piece lined wicker basket set - 46% off You can store your scrapbooking stuff inside your JetMax cubes.
  
• Cricut cartridges - 50% off (reg. $99.99)
• Photo boxes - 50% off (reg. $3.99)
• Chalk sets - 50% off (reg. 14.99)
• Furry socks - 50% off To keep your feet warm and cozy while scrapping, of course!
  

Note, I usually get my sales information from Korie's blog. However, I was so excited to see these sale items I thought I'd share them with you.

Hurry, there's a giveaway going on ...

Korie has a ribbon ring to give away at her blog. To enter, you have to leave a comment telling how you store your ribbon. I've already left my comment. How about you?

Korie also has some great pictures of her studio online. When I first started my scrap space, her examples inspired me.

And, for some color inspiration check out this blog. She also has some great card making videos online.

I'm back and in the middle of a mess

I'm back from Atlanta ahead of some serious thunderstorms -- thank God. The day before I arrived in Atlanta, a tornado hit the downtown area just a few blocks away from where I was staying.

Well, my trip to an Atlanta scrapbook store was far from spectacular. I was hoping to get the latest Aby Garvey and Wendy Smedley organization book. Apparently, the store got it when the book was first released and then it sold out. Hmmmm, maybe it's just me but I would think that if a book sold out then it must be a popular item, right? Following this logic, then maybe if it were re-stocked the book just may sell when again, right? So, why didn't they have the book? (Don't mind me. I'm just whining because I couldn't get the book.) What's a scrapbooker, with money to spend, supposed to do? I guess I'll need to order it online.

I found a tutorial to make a mini album on Splitcoaststampers using name badge holders. I found some variations on Two Peas In A Bucket here, here, and here. Just think of the possibilities using your scraps and odd pieces.

I watch Scrapbook Memories on PBS and found that they have online tutorials.

I have this HUGE mess in my scraproom. (I'll post pictures separately.) As I mentioned, I'm trying to re-organize. So far, I have a couple of boxes of stuff that will go into a yard sale. Even so, my table, half of the floor, and outside my room is covered with stuff that needs to be organized, stored, or marked for sale. It's bothering me to see my room in such disarray. I want it all to be neat, organized, and inviting RIGHT NOW. It's taking me days, weeks, and possibly months to get it together. Until then, I'll be a grumpy little scrapbooker.

I'm away and will be back

I'm here for a work conference. I'm planning on taking a trip to this store tomorrow to gaze upon their products.

I brought this and this to read during my trip. I got both of these books at Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg, Virginia this past weekend during their yard sale. I walked out of there with two bags full of deals.

I was the area to attend the 2nd Annual Preserve Your Journey crop which was co-hosted by the store and Salem Baptist Church. We had a great time with about 70 other wonderful ladies. The gift bags for attendees was great! It included a Croppin' Companion Storage Binder with four folder inserts which were filled with paper and embellishments as well as a tool tote bag stuffed with scrapbooking supplies. Cheryl Menders, who is President of Croppin Companion, is also a member of the church. If you're around Fredericksburg during March 2009, I recommend you sign up to attend this annual crop.

I'm rearranging my studio once more. The existing set up wasn't working for me. I really want to get a copy of this to help me set up my space in a way that works for me. I'm hoping that by implementing the concepts in the Library of Memories class and the organizing book, I should be able to crank out layouts (or, have more fun and less stress scrapbooking).

I'm enjoying 70 degree weather right now. I hope you're having fun too.

What about me?

Have you thought about creating a scrapbook about yourself? We are so busy preserving the memories of others, our families, and as gifts. But, what about an album that delves into who you are as a person? There are sites that can help you with this task such as 30 'All About Me' Scrapbook Topics, "All About Me" Scrapbooks, layout ideas, a book, or a kit. I created one of these a couple of years ago. It's really simple and small with room to grow. I think it's time to add to it. I hope you consider making one of yourself too.

I'm auditing Big Picture Scrapbooking's Library of Memories online class. (Do you remember having the option to audit a class in college for the same price as getting credit for it? I always wondered why would anyone want to pay full price and not get credit for a class? Well, this is a deal. As an alumni of this class--having paid and taken it last year--we were allowed to go through the class again at no cost.) This is the third year that the class has been offered. It is based upon Stacy Julian's book. This book has revolutionized my approached to scrapbooking and I'm loving it. I feel no pressure of being behind on scrapbooking my ginormous picture collection. I also like her focus on adding everyday memories to your albums. Stacy, who is also the founding editor of Simple Scrapbooks magazine, has written a follow up book which I have yet to get. I've read nothing but rave reviews of it. Some say it's like the Library of Memories class in book form.

I know that Stacy's approach to scrapbooking isn't for everyone. It was a big leap for me to go from chronological scrapbooking to life moments, which is the best way I can describe Stacy's approach. As a family geneologist, this way of scrapbooking also helps fill in the details about my family's lives.

I hope you have a great week. I hope to post again this time next week.

Sharing some online resources and a book review

First I want to say that I attended another wonderful crop hosted by Caryn. While there I was approached by Lisa Rene who told me she went to my blog--which was highly recommended by Camille (see the end of my post on January 6, 2008)--to find that it was out-of-date. Oh boy, the pressure is on again! I'm going to try to update it at least once per week (hopefully on Sunday) to keep up with the demand from the (now) four people who visit it regularly.

Lately, I've been immersed in free scrapbooking podcasts. Podcasts are short, pre-recorded talk shows on a particular topic. Podcasts can have video or just audio. You can enjoy them online or download them for later. I usually download them to enjoy during my commute to/from work. Here are some of the scrapbooking podcasts that I enjoy.

Video podcasts
Paperclipping (by Noell Hyman) is a professional quality video tutorial on various scrapbooking techniques. The podcast archives are listed on the right side of her blog.

Scrap Time (by Christine in Canada) has over 170 video tutorials on techniques and product reviews.

Nth Degree Creative (by CreativeXpress) has tutorials and also an online store and community.

Audio podcasts
SCRAPcast (by Lynnette Young) is no longer being updated. She has 31 shows up; the last one was in 2006. This is mainly geared toward beginner scrapbookers but more experienced ones might find something useful.

ScrapHappy (by Lain Ehman) is witty and has honest reviews of products and publications.

I found most of these podcasts by browsing the iTunes website. Once I found some that I liked, I subscribed to them so that I can receive updates every time I open iTunes on my computer. Listening to these podcasts on-the-go is easy if you have an iPod or iPhone. However, if you have a non-Apple MP3 player you may have to convert the podcasts, using something like this, into a format that your player can use.

Listening and watching these podcasts are like going to free classes. I just love the internet and all of those people who share.

I recently bought this book:
from a local crafts store using a 40% off coupon (of course). It retails at $24.95 and contains 256 pages of how to store everything having to do with scrapbooking. This is right up my alley! If you don't know, I just LOVE to organize and re-organize my scrap space. Just about every page has a full color photograph of storage ideas. There are also a few tips from various industry experts. Included in the book are some do-it-yourself projects to create your own storage items. One thing I really liked is that every idea pictured has the source listed in the back of the book. Here are some of the ideas I want to use in my scrap space:

• Hang an over-the-door CD shelf to store my rubber stamps (which are already housed in CD cases and Stampin' Up! cases).
• Store memorabilia for each family member/topic in thick, plastic envelopes which are similar to Cropper Hopper paper holders.
• Store magazines in an over-the-door shelf as well.
• Group ideas (which I have torn from magazines) into broad categories such as color, design, photograpy, stories, and texture. (Currently I have a billion categories and it gets rather tedious trying to file ideas.)
  

I already have similar systems in place but these ideas are better or simplier to use. I loved every bit of of this book and recommend it to you.

Next, I want this book:It delves more into organizing your space according to how you work. Aby Garvey, a professional organizer, co-authored this book. Aby talks about setting up your space in a way that supports your method of creating. The book has been getting rave reviews from other scrapbookers. Unfortunately, I'll probably have to wait a year before the local craft stores have it in stock (so I can use my 40% off coupon).

If you have any resources to share or want to request that I cover something, please post a comment on my blog. Thank you to the four readers for supporting me in this endeavor.