... Big Picture Scrapbooking ...

[ Barb in AK ] How's your weather? We had some thunder showers this a.m. Woke me up in time for the chat. Will this really be our last one?? Boo Hooooooo :'( :'( :'(
[ Annette33 ] Hey! We must be way too eager, lol.
[ Annette33 ] Way to windy yesterday, hope it calms down today--for a good evening of running. Wish I had trained for the 5K.
[ Barb in AK ] Oooo---We had horrible wind all day yesterday, too. I want my beautiful sunny calm spring days back!
[ Barb in AK ] I was sitting here nodding off at the computer. Glad you came along to visit :-)
[ Barb in AK ] I didn't get to bed till 3 a.m. --- normal. I'm mailing out the Simple Pleasures album today!
[ Barb in AK ] Annette, are you going to RUN or WALK this evening?
[ Barb in AK ] Artsymom, I always read your name as "thirsty"mom!! LOL!!
[ theartsymom ] "Hi Barb and Annettee! 
LOL!"
[ Annette33 ] Gonna walk around the track. We have two groups. Those doing the 5K, and my group just walk/running a mile around the track.
[ Barb in AK ] Oh heck! You can make the mile easy!! :-)
[ Annette33 ] Been up since 5:30, since the kids had to leave at 6:30. Went to make sure they all showed up
[ theartsymom ] Cool- I am sending DD and DH off to Lowes for kids workshop this am while DS sleeps. Then I get to scrap!
[ scrappyknitter ] Morning all
[ Barb in AK ] Oh, you mean for the Special Olympics?
[ Barb in AK ] ' Mornin' :-)
[ Annette33 ] Yeah, first time I am not going to help
[ theartsymom ] Hi!
[ Barb in AK ] Well, you know--everyone gave you permission to do that :-)
[ Barb in AK ] Gosh! I'm so excited thinking about really getting some layouts done this week! I think I'm ready!
[ Annette33 ] True--Barb. My two passions in one day...I had to make a choice.
[ Barb in AK ] I'm glad you are HERE, Annette!
[ Annette33 ] lol, my next classroom crop is when state games are, but I am going to state. Two passions again, in one day.
[ AmySJ ] Goodmorning all! It's good but I can't say I'm that awake.
[ Barb in AK ] Yes, I'm going to be yawning all through this chat! So glad this isn't on skype! ;-)
[ theartsymom ] "Annettee, What class do you teach? 
Hi Amy!"
[ KimberlyAnn ] Good morning! Barb - I'm excited to create some layouts this week too :)
[ scrappyknitter ] almost 10 here so definitely awake :)
[ Annette33 ] Skype would be cool!
[ Barb in AK ] What are y'all wearing RIGHT NOW! I'm in nightie, socks, flip flops, and fleece jacket.
[ AmySJ ] I figured out that I could download unlimited on Hughes Net from 2-6. So, I got up at 2 and downloaded until 6- think I finally got all the digi supplies back that I lost. I'm going to spend the day downloading.
[ AmySJ ] Glasses (I wear contacts) pj pants and a t-shirt. Iphone woke me up for the chat. (Went back to bed at 6)
[ AmySJ ] Glasses (I wear contacts) pj pants and a t-shirt. Iphone woke me up for the chat. (Went back to bed at 6)
[ Annette33 ] Amy--I teach severe and profound at the local high school, but I also help host a monthly crop in my room, help with Special Olympics, and today--help raise money for American Cancer Society with a 5K run.
[ theartsymom ] Shorts and a tank top, with socks.
[ AmySJ ] Fleece would be too warm.
[ scrappyknitter ] pjs & housecoat
[ theartsymom ] Annettee- that is cool!
[ Annette33 ] Oops--should have ben labelled to artsy
[ KimberlyAnn ] Pj pants and a t-shirt, curled up with a blanket
[ Barb in AK ] Oh! I think I need my blankie!!
[ AmySJ ] Oh socks how could I forget those. I can be completely dressed but DH says I'm naked if I don't have socks on.
[ Annette33 ] Vegging on the couch. Teachers live for weekends!
[ AmySJ ] I get the whole live for the weekend thing- seemed like I counted down every minute at work.
[ theartsymom ] totally! i remember the day- I used to teach elem. art.
[ Barb in AK ] I used to teach el. general music. Artsymom--How long you been retired?
[ Annette33 ] I teach scrapbooking to my students--Barb supplies me with supplies, when she goes on a cleaning spree.
[ AmySJ ] For those of you that work outside the home. . . do you ever have weeks where you just don't want to work? (I can pretty much guarantee you stay at home folks wish you could do something else at times, right?)
[ Barb in AK ] Hee! Hee! All that stuff I sent you---think how much I still HAVE in my sb room! ;-)
[ midwestgirl ] I'm a former junior high general/choral music teacher. Now I teach piano at home, and there are STILL days I don't want to "go to work"!
[ theartsymom ] Barb-I "retired" when my daughter was born, almost 5 years ago.
[ scrappyknitter ] when I was working anytime it snowed I wished I didn't have to go in and I live in Canada :)
[ Barb in AK ] OH! I retired 5 years ago after 33 years of teaching :-)
[ Annette33 ] My monthly classroom crops consist of teachers and retired teachers
[ KimberlyAnn ] I work outside the home, and love my job, but I think next week is one of those that I'm not looking forward to. Too many meetings, not enough time to get work done, and I feel like I neglect my housework when I get home and want to relax.
[ midwestgirl ] Good morning, Stacy!
[ theartsymom ] What a blast, Annettee! Are you in AK as well?
[ stacy julian ] Good morning everyone! I can't believe I am logging in for our last chat together? Thanks for showing up. What shall we talk about??
[ Annette33 ] artsy--in New Mexico
[ Annette33 ] LOL, and Barb is in MN
[ AmySJ ] Yeah, I have a job that if I have to work, I really like but I'd just had one of those weeks where I'd rather not have to work. . .
[ Barb in AK ] Scrappyknitter--I so hear you----Alaska was hard, too! I'm in Minnesota now---not too much different! Hahahahaha!
[ midwestgirl ] Life after LOM class?
[ AmySJ ] Goodmorning Stacy!
[ theartsymom ] what? she is not in ak? I thought that was alaska, need coffee!
[ Annette33 ] Yes, how will be survive without our weekly messages??
[ stacy julian ] Life after LOM. There is LIFE after LOM and this year it is better than ever. We've had an idea brewing for over a year and were unable to implement it last year. I'll unveil our plans on May 6th -- I'm pretty excited.
[ AmySJ ] Life after LOM class- is more LOM without the class. (Of course, I knew I'll be back next year as an Alumni) Perhaps It's losing class that has me moving on to other projects like LOAD next month. . . filling my time.
[ Annette33 ] artsy, she moved years ago, but kept her online name
[ theartsymom ] "Hi Stacy- 
I was square punching last night and wondered why you store those punched photos separate from the category drawers?"
[ Barb in AK ] I'm so glad we will be able to contribute to the Gallery, but will sure miss the forums!
[ AmySJ ] Stcy- that tease is just not nice!
[ Barb in AK ] Stacy, Thanks for giving us TWO weeks on lesson 9 :-)
[ midwestgirl ] I would try to coax more out of you, Stacy, but instead will wait patiently for May 6.
[ stacy julian ] I think AmySJ is right -- now that you've got LOM behind you, you can take on other projects here at BPS and elsewhere that will keep you scrapbooking and "force" you to keep refining your system. That's the best strategy I know.
[ Annette33 ] Stacy--all the side projects you gave us will keep me busy all summer, lol.
[ Barb in AK ] Oh yes! I'm looking forward to trying other classes here at BPS!
[ midwestgirl ] So pleased to have the Start Here Jars in this week's lesson. I use that strategy all the time!
[ scrappyknitter ] how true Annette
[ stacy julian ] I store square punched pictures outside my category drawers because I have too many and they would slip around in my drawers. I like that I can remove an entire little drawer, take it to my work table and riffle through it to find tiny photos that I need. The layout about Chase and his pockets in our handout this week uses square-punched pictures -- did you notice?
[ AmySJ ] LOL Stacy, I think the force part is this week- with the Week in The Life. . . I've taken close to 1000 pics of just everyday stuff, gathered memorabilia, made notes and audio recordings of things I want to capture and things we said. . .
[ midwestgirl ] Just started the Textuality class this week. Tons of information this week. This is going to be a great class!
[ Barb in AK ] I LOVED that video!!
[ theartsymom ] yes, It is cute! I am thinking about making a pocked divider to store my squares in till I build up a stash.
[ KimberlyAnn ] I like the Start Here jars too. I've been enjoying the dive back into scrapbooking this week, and feel like I'll need a little reminder to work on my system too.
[ AmySJ ] Yeah, I love the idea of Start Here Jars! When I got Photo Freedom early in this class and was feeling "behind" with pic organizations, I created a start here jar just to feel I conquered a to do.
[ theartsymom ] OOPS- divider with a pocket that should read.
[ stacy julian ] "Barb, 
You're welcome for the extra week. As I was combining all of the various parts I thought to myself, "they are going to want to shoot me!" and then I remembered, I'm the teacher, I own the syllabus .. it says subject to minor changes and it was done. So, you're welcome!"
[ stacy julian ] Alumni:Just so you know, the Start Here handout has been updated to better reflect a healthy digital work flow and some other changes that I wanted to make (to my personal jar)
[ Annette33 ] A good teacher is able to be flexible at a moment's notice, lol.
[ stacy julian ] midwestgirl -- so glad you are taking Textuality. I adore Amy S!
[ sleepyhead ] stacy - what do we do with pictures that we love (for example, I have two small photo albums and a bunch of loose pics from my dating days with my hubby as well as our wedding and honeymoon) - can't really call it a storage binder, but I"m trying to figure out where it should live in my library?
[ stacy julian ] theartsymom -- that sounds like a great square-punch plan!
[ stacy julian ] AmySJ - ha! There is something very energizing about marking something (anything) off your list. I so get that!
[ theartsymom ] thanks!
[ stacy julian ] sleepyhead -- not sure I totally understand your question. Are these photos destined for a Photos I Love album, or are you just wanting to know how to incorporate them into your system?
[ sleepyhead ] just want to incorporate them
[ AmySJ ] LOL The Start Here Jar was also something I could do OFF the computer after my self-imposed 8:00 computer curfew. . . so I could keep working on LOM on the sly.
[ txpns54 ] I think I'll make my Start Here Jar today.
[ Sabine H ] Stacy, question from lesson 5 about placement of LO in your albums. For example if you were to do a LO about your Mom from when she was a young lady - way before hubby and kids.. would you still put it in grandparents section cause that's who she is now or?
[ sleepyhead ] i like looking at that, but haven't figured out what to do with them yet, and I don't want them out of sight, but they are not technically an SB - make sense?
[ stacy julian ] Oooh -- a computer curfew (that's a good idea!)
[ theartsymom ] lol! Totally a good idea.
[ annt ] I've taken some classes at CKC where you make cute little mini albums, etc.--the square punch drawer pics are great for projects like that.
[ sleepyhead ] amysj - that's funny - I do a similar thing - only mine is because of tendonitis - so I split my LOM goal list into - computer and non-computer ;-)
[ theartsymom ] annt- that is a great idea! I will keep punching:)
[ stacy julian ] Sabine H -- I would. Good question. In fact I have two such pages. One of my mom and another of Geoff's grandmother Doris. You could totally do something different though!
[ AmySJ ] I've found I sleep better if I force myself to get off. . . (Especially if I've been scrapbooking or organizing supplies/pics and have all kinds of ideas in my head. At the time I was having weird dreams of tagging photos)
[ Annette33 ] LOL at Amy
[ sleepyhead ] I had those weird dreams too!! especially where the tags would reorganize themselves and I couldn't figure out what category they were anymore!!
[ theartsymom ] Oh my that is too funny- ya'll are die hards!
[ annt ] OK, what about different sized pages in the same album...what are you all doing about that? Haven't divided mine up yet...have mostly 12 x 12 but a fair amount of 8 1/2 x 11...may have missed this discussion somewhere.
[ stacy julian ] sleepyhead -- Yep. I would absolutely keep them in the same area as your library albums. I have all kinds of photo albums and theme albums and mini-books in the same room as my library albums -- it's kind of like the library albums are the enclyclopedia in a library. You can go there and "look" up all kinds of stuff, but the set of encyclopedias is surrounded by LOTS of other books too. Wow, anyone even have enclyclopedias anymore?
[ AmySJ ] PS I'm a bit behind on getting pics of my digi start here jars up. . . Gonna work on that this morning.
[ sleepyhead ] thanks stacy - that's a great idea (as usual) - hey did you ever get a basket for your mini books (you mentioned in PF?)
[ theartsymom ] Me too- I need to sneak the Popsicle sticks from my child's craft basket.
[ AmySJ ] I have my pages all mixed and I love it! I feel like it frees me to scrapbook either size when the mood strikes and not have to worry about where it'll fit etc.
[ stacy julian ] annt -- If I hadn't started with 81/2x11 and I didn't already have dozens and dozens of pages I would have totally purchased just 12x12 albums and mixed up the sizes. I say go for it!
[ scrappyknitter ] I need to get some popsicle sticks - got the jar though :)
[ Annette33 ] Have a ton of craft sticks at school, been sitting there for 5 years, and now my assistant has put them to good use making picture frames. Some can be spared for my jar, lol.
[ KimberlyAnn ] annt - I have 12 x 12 albums, but a mix of 12 x 12, 8 1/2 x 11, and 8 x 8 pages. The albums are big enough to fit all of them, and I don't mind that the pages peek through behind each other sometimes.
[ sleepyhead ] theartsy mom - no sneaking necessary - perhaps knowing you're using some will respark her desire to use them !
[ theartsymom ] I think that is where mine came from as well,don't rat me out!
[ midwestgirl ] Annt, I mix page sizes all the time in my 12x12 albums. Also love using divided page protectors. Gives a great variety in the look of the scrapbook!
[ AmySJ ] I always had a hard time scrapbooking 8.5X11 but with templates its been much easier- so it's starting to balance out in my album.
[ pennyscraps ] I had popsicle sticks on hand - saved them out of rub-on packages.... =) Love to repurpose something.
[ theartsymom ] she is really possessive of the art supplies- just like her mom :)
[ sleepyhead ] go pennyscraps!
[ Sabine H ] Thanks Stacy. I thought you might, thats what I'll do for now and then if I gather a bunch I could do a little mini album or something like that. (just a theory for now..)
[ Annette33 ] I'm gonna use an I love lucy cup that I have had for years. I am setting up my scraproom, and using my Lucy decor store things in
[ stacy julian ] sleepyhead -- yes! I have two baskets that fit inside pottery barn shelves in my memory room. Both are filled with mini-albums. I also have a basket up high in my studio (but no one can really see what's up there)I want to find a bigger basket for my new office so I can put a bunch down low--maybe even on the floor!
[ ckytang ] Stacy, when you square punch, do you always use the same size, like 1 1/2 inch, or do you vary them to the biggest square you need for the size of the subject's head?
[ pennyscraps ] My "jar" was a Paper Studio flower container from Hobby Lobby.
[ AmySJ ] I used a dried beef container. . . I have tons and tons of htem. . . love the little glass stars around the top. I put paper around it. I'll have to post pics of it too.
[ theartsymom ] I scrap so much better surrounded with things "i" love.
[ stacy julian ] Oh annt -- I just purchased 6x12 and 8x8 protectors for my library albums, so I can start mingling more sizes. Forgot to say that.
[ AmySJ ] Any one else never create a mini album?
[ sleepyhead ] "great - glad you got one you love :-) 
 
did anyone else have a hard time with the memorabilia part - i found that I did a great job of gathering all my pics to one place but my memorabilia was still all over - i'm finding it everywhere (obviously there was no system!!!)"
[ pennyscraps ] I create them. And I am IN the process of Week in the Life now with Ali Edwards' blog idea. That will be its own stand alone album.
[ stacy julian ] Annette33 - how fun is an "I Love Lucy" room!
[ annt ] OK, I'm gonna go for it...getting excited to see how it looks to have a variety of sizes in one album. AHH!!! Thanks, you guys!
[ Annette33 ] have a mini album I made years ago, with dd. It was my mom's, and I retrieved it after she passed. Made when I was so new at scrappin.
[ scrappyknitter ] I had no problem with the travel memorabilia but the rest - like you said I'm still finding some.
[ theartsymom ] I have done a few minis, with things like family photo sessions. I did another one of all the "birth" day photos the photog took.
[ pennyscraps ] My boys' school files are set up. I have two American Crafts albums in my Places and Life colors to grab memorabilia.
[ AmySJ ] Almost all my memorabilia was in one place- actually 3- DH's box where he puts stuff in the evenings (he ends up with lots of our tickets), Our stuff from our last big trip, and the box where I'd already pared down and gathered- so I "cheated" 'cause I'd already done that.
[ pennyscraps ] Bought the Bare Elements recipe file to create my Words drawer.
[ midwestgirl ] Memorabilia is a challenge, not in gather, but in figuring out what to do with the stuff I have.
[ stacy julian ] ckytang - I use different size square punches and sometimes I even use a circle punch. I think the 2" in my favorite, but I have LOTS of older pictures in my cold storage (from before I knew how to toss pictures) and those I generally punch with a smaller (maybe 1 1/4") punch?
[ pennyscraps ] I still need a cultural memorabilia catch-all. I am looking for something cute out there....
[ sleepyhead ] "amy you've probably made them just not a printed version :-) 
love mini albums - haven't made as many as I've thought about - my fave is a "7 wonders of my world" 2x3 mini book I made for my mom with all 7 grandkids - I update it every 6 months - this year it'll turn into the 9 wonders with new kiddies due to each of my sisters"
[ Annette33 ] Stacy--using a lucy lunch box to store my cultural memorabilia!
[ stacy julian ] sleepyhead -- memorabilia takes years (at least it has taken years for me!) I really want to start using more on my pages, so I'm finally motivated to get stuff in my "stuff-that-matters" file so I know what I've got and I can keep things flowing better.
[ scrappyknitter ] Still looking for something for my cultural memorabilia - right now it's in a rubbermaid bin.
[ stacy julian ] pennyscraps -- I thought that looked so cute --the Bare Elements box. Can't wait to see what you do with it!
[ theartsymom ] Stacy- what age do/did your kids start scrapping for themselves?
[ AmySJ ] Nope- I've never made a mini-album. I want to but I freeze in the process. . . It's a goal I'm putting on my plate to do by the end of summer.
[ ckytang ] Thanks Stacy. I figured if you have a consistent size sometimes it's easier to make a collage page like the type Cathy Zielske makes (clean and simple), but I guess having different sizes are good for making pages that don't have to have all the same size.
[ stacy julian ] Lucy lunchbox -- you're killing me!
[ Annette33 ] trying to figure out how to incorporate a Lucy cookie jar for storage
[ sleepyhead ] loving my school of life files - my DD 8 already pares things down for me each day - i.e. Mom this isn't folder worthy you can toss it - or I love this can I put it in my folder - thanks for a great idea - instead of 3 boxes of stuff from a year I only have the best of the best!
[ midwestgirl ] Stacy, what is the difference between your Memorabilia Notebook and Stuff that Matters File?
[ pennyscraps ] @ Stacy - I hav all the foundations in place for my LOM system. I love the concept. I have the Start Here jar....I just feel like when I am WORKING THE SYSTEM that it is not "productive". And it is not always fun. Can you please share someth
[ theartsymom ] Annettee, you need it to hold the Popsicle sticks
[ AmySJ ] I'm using just the plain clear plastic shoeboxes- but they sit inside white cabinets.
[ stacy julian ] "artsymom, 
My kids don't really scrap for themselves. Trey and Taft have done a page here or there, but they're boys -- my project-oriented Taft is the closest I've got to a scrapbooker. Although, Addie is generally on the floor playing with stickers or chipboard letters --so she may start earlier and stick with it!"
[ theartsymom ] Got it. DD is almost 5 and seems interested, but I am not quite sure where to start with her.
[ Annette33 ] artsy--nope that will be a Lucy cup I have, the cookie jar is bigger
[ annt ] On the subject of mini-albums...the Simple Scrapbooks special issue on them was fabulous...I'm keeping it forever! I don't know if it is still available but if you can get your hands on one, it makes it SO simple! I'm going to do an album about adopting my son from China using a formula from there. One of our lessons has the basic plan...Stacy, which one was it, if you know off the top of your head?
[ sleepyhead ] ditto midwestgirl
[ pennyscraps ] @amy - plain shoeboxes for "square punch picture drawers"?
[ AmySJ ] Stacy- one of your kids is into video right. . . I think video is going to make a comeback with our youth.
[ Annette33 ] my oldest scrapbooks. takeing the kid class this summer
[ AmySJ ] Penny- I'm not doing square punches. . .one element I just don't think works/applies to me right now. I use them for memorabilia
[ AmySJ ] My nephew loves to take videos with the digi camera I got him. He's super creative with it and i wonder what life would have been like being able to act out my imagination on "free" video. (Or even if pictures were free when I was growing up.)
[ midwestgirl ] Annt, you are so right about the SS mini albums issue. I refer to that all the time for ideas and will keep it forever.
[ sleepyhead ] AmySJ - reconsider square punch - it's perfect for digi - the photos that you keep because hubby has that smile that you like can totally be cropped and kept even though he's standing in the grocery store next to feminine products (and you can just crop that out) I've done it a bunch and I love it!
[ AmySJ ] I do have the mini albums issue- and all kinds of clipping with ideas.
[ ckytang ] I went to Home Goods to look for a culteral memorabilia box like Stacy's and found a set of 3 Saturday Evening Post cardboard suitcases (in varying sizes), which I decided to store my travel memorabilia (the smallest one for California, the middle sized one for the rest of the U.S, and the largest one for the rest of the world). I think I'll going to run out of room, but I'll see if I can purge and keep only the best stuff. I love keeping maps of cities.
[ stacy julian ] midwestgirl - so the difference between memorabilia notebooks (MN) and stuff-that-matters (STM) for me is that the stuff in the MN is actively waiting to be paired with photos and put on pages. The stuff in my new STM file is just me organizing the bins and boxes from my life (sorting and tossing and deciding what really matters) I just didn't know what I had and so I am working on getting it ALL in order. I think I'll be able to pull directly from my STM, or move stuff from STM into MN -- depending on what I'm wanting to do. Does that make any sense at all? I guess the other thing to know is that I have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF to fit in two MN -- so I had to devise a filtering/holding place. I'm thinking I'm going to do some really basic "scrapping" where I adhere a certificate to a piece of cardstock and stick it in a library album. In these cases, I can pull certificates, etc.. directly from the STM file. Yes?
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] good morning all!
[ stacy julian ] ckytang -- please post your travel suitcases. I must see!
[ AmySJ ] Square Punches: Here's the thing I'm thinking- mind you my "cold storage" is all tagged. So, if I don't scrapbook them I can still pull all photos of DH. Even all that I had previously tagged for storage binders- but I can wait to crop until I need to- These days I often fill the frame so much that a square isn't going to work.
[ stacy julian ] I've lost a couple of questions -- repost if I missed you!
[ pennyscraps ] @ Stacy - I hav all the foundations in place for my LOM system. I love the concept. I have the Start Here jar....I just feel like when I am WORKING THE SYSTEM that it is not "productive". And it is not always fun. Can you please share something
[ ckytang ] Stacy, sure, I'll take a photo or two and post to the gallery later today.
[ midwestgirl ] YES! thanks, Stacy. The concept that STM flows into MN helps it all make sense to me. I knew MN was more current, but could never connect the two.
[ sleepyhead ] I just have to say thank you again Stacy, I truly feel inspired to scrapbook and am now documenting the important things - I don't feel "behind" anymore - in fact I feel like I'm ahead because I've started blogging and with the CDs - I'm already poised and ready for dozens of awesome pages!!!
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] STM to me is like those old boxes we get from parents or grsndparents is stuff that meant too much to throw away but not necessarily fits on a LO or needs any explanation. Like an old Wedding Dress...
[ sleepyhead ] AmySJ - I have only done a little bit with it - but the ones I have done I wouldn't have used the photos otherwise - I'm sure you'll get to it when you're ready - you sound really organized!
[ theartsymom ] I think I need a memorabilia flowchart to keep out with that as well!
[ midwestgirl ] Does anyone save cards and letters as memorabilia and if so, have you done anything with them in terms of scrapbooking?
[ midwestgirl ] It's so rare in these days of email to actually get a letter anymore, I just find myself saving them!
[ theartsymom ] Midwestgirl- I have tons of cards and no clue what to do with them!
[ AmySJ ] LOL Organized in my head! OK, I'm naturally an organizer but it's not to say I've done everything that's in my head- AKA I have years of pics to scan and tag, currently no memorabilia/cultural stuff scanned etc. ("Lost" the items I did have scanned- still have the real things)
[ Annette33 ] I save cards and letters, but then I don't know what to do with them, lol
[ stacy julian ] pennyscraps - I totally understand. Especially now. My family is so busy right now and when I make time I want to scrapbook. But .. I've learned (for me) that if I don't keep the machine oiled, it breaks down and I'm frustrated and not very productive with my time. I will admit, it is HARD to keep things in tip-top shape. Be patient with yourself and maybe limit your system work to 30minutes at time -- or even 15. Don't allow yourself to spend more time than that. You will totally keep up and hopefully have time to scrapbook. You could view your 15 minutes as a "ticket" to scrapbook. Does that help at all?
[ Barb in AK ] I want to thank you, too, Stacy for giving me the freedom to scrap out-of-order! I have been wanting to work on tribute pages for my mil who passed away in 2007, but I hadn't even touched my 2006 photos. I wasn't "allowing" myself to move ahead! Now I am just thrilled I can concentrate on mil pages!! I've been gathering up more photos of her (and nagging dh to get some of his photos of her out of his stash)..... I CAN go with my feelings now, not the calendar!! :-)
[ AmySJ ] Over half my shoebox of memorabilia is cards.
[ annt ] I have to "ditto" you, sleepyhead. :) "Behind" is a crippling state of mind that makes so many people say, "I used to scrapbook". Grr! I get so frustrated when I hear people say that and then I have to keep myself from just preaching at them because that is NOT like me but I want to help them see it doesn't have to be that way! They can love this hobby again!
[ sleepyhead ] midwestgirl - I found an entire box full of cards - apparently every single one from my wedding - I haven't done anything yet, but I'm thinking I'll get my square punch and make a grid for a background and some long journaling over it (I'll do it digi so I can change the opacity on the background to journal over - or you could use vellum) - just a thought!
[ stacy julian ] Yay Barb!
[ Annette33 ] Scrapbooking is the one hobby I have stuck with all these years
[ Sabine H ] midwestgirl.. oh yes - I save cards and letters - so many. Sometimes they go on my layout on top of the page protector so it can be read/opened. The others, they are waiting ... I still need to go through them but think that one day I'll perhaps stash the most meaningful in a pretty box I purchased from hallmark several years ago...
[ pennyscraps ] @Stacy. Yes - it does. I should have remembered that timer from weeks 1-2 - but I have slept since. =) I will try to set a goal for myself for a certain time each week and log it like I do my exercise time....Thanks for the tip.
[ AmySJ ] I think that scrapbooking is what keeps me working my LOM system and surging on to organizing. It's so cool to find what I'm looking for. . . or if it takes me longer to find something like a particular paper, I see the need.
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] pennyscraps- I have a tray in my room that I can take everywhere in the house, sometimes I am stuck with the kids or DH watching something we've seen 1000 times or that is of no interest to me but still they insist in my company this is the time I use to keep the LOM machin going so when I actually get alone time I can really scrapbook.
[ stacy julian ] annt -- how do we "help" others see the light?! It drives me crazy too. Especially my close friends here, that just say over and over, "I could never do what you do" Oh well.
[ txpns54 ] I save all the Christmas cards and have put them in a Pocket at the end of my chronological albums. I'm not sure what to do with them now that I'm not scrapping that way anymore. My mother uses her tag punch on her cards to put name tags on gifts the next year.
[ pennyscraps ] @Barb - what is on that tray? It must be big! LOL!
[ stacy julian ] Brenda -- great advice.
[ Annette33 ] For a while, I was into collecting scrap supplies, more than scrapping. Eager to get it all organized
[ midwestgirl ] The value of letters to me is the handwriting of People I Love. I only keep cards if the sender has written on them, too. I especially treasure the few pieces of handwritten notes from my grandfathers.
[ pennyscraps ] oops - I meant @ Brenda - what is on that tray? It must be big! LOL!
[ stacy julian ] Annette33 -- you're not alone. You'll get there. Just don't give up and don't make yourself "finish" organizing before you scrapbook. You will never be 100% organized (personal mantra)
[ AmySJ ] Re: Used to Scrapbook. . . I think it helps to remember people have different reasons. For me, I used to scrapbook. Then I quit. I think where I was in life made it too painful, and almost felt useless. It was life and it's ok. But, now that phase is over and I'm back to scrapbooking. Perhaps when people say they used to, that just needs to be ok.
[ scrappyknitter ] I am so enjoying re-seeing pictures that I'd totally forgotten about and can't wait to use them on some layouts I've got planned.
[ pennyscraps ] One thing I noticed this week in WEEK IN THE LIFE is that not one piece of our mail was handwritten correspondence. Kinda' grieved over that. Makes the correspondence we have/get more valued.
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] midwestgirl- I have kept the cards from my children's birthdays and so far the ones from the first one have been used. I have them all in a pocket page I made inside his Baby album, I also have the ones from the baby shower like that.
[ stacy julian ] AmySJ - wise perspective.
[ Annette33 ] The time period I collected was after my mom passed away, total avoidance of scrappin. But totally over it now, with the help of this class
[ cropnmom ] Hello all, sorry I'm late...Dunkin'Donuts run
[ sleepyhead ] I'm 100% digi - but I also made a goal to get my personal handwriting on my pages - so I just bought some cool journaling cards and prompts and I carry them around with me - when I have my non-computer LOM time or when I'm waiting somewhere - baseball/soccer, etc - I'm filling them out and now the hard part of the layout is done!
[ midwestgirl ] Stacy - "I could never do what you do" probably means "I don't value this activity enough to invest the time"? So sad!
[ theartsymom ] Amysj- hugs! I found that scrapping helped pull me through the hardest times. I had to walk away for a while too. Then things got better and I am so glad I scrapped the hard parts.
[ annt ] Annette33, sooo true...I have fallen into the "collector of supplies" trap, too. Then every spare minute you have, you are organizing, not scrapping. I saw somewhere that a person challenged themselves to create 100 pages from their personal stash...no shopping (except for adhesive, and maybe cardstock...) I think I could do that!
[ Annette33 ] everyone thinks I am creative, when they see a page, lol, if they only knew how easy it was...
[ AmySJ ] Stacy- just "well" earned. Ick! Would rather not be able to say there was a time I could say "I used to scrapbook" if I could trade all the ick there was. But, now, it's given me new perspective as I could look back and see my old LO's in different light. And I think scrapbooking as a whole is taking a turn more to where I'd rather be.
[ pennyscraps ] I have hard parts I still haven't scrapped. But I have to ask myself why I do this. And my albums are not "therapy homework" - so I give myself permission to NOT scrap everything and "tell all".
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] "Pennyscraps: you meant my tray? 
I'll post a picture in the gallery, but is large enough to fit the 12x12 sheet protectors and a stack of pictures without overlaping, I literarly took a ruler to every store I went to find something that big."
[ theartsymom ] You can also have your handwriting made into a font- it looks so cool!
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] cropnmom can you send some of the coffe my way? I was late and don't have a noble excuse like yours...
[ Annette33 ] annt--I could totally take that challenge on too, tons of supplies stashed here and there
[ pennyscraps ] Source for handwriting font? The one I had made 10 years ago never turned out great and I abandoned it....
[ AmySJ ] You know, I've chosen not to stress over my own handwriting. I did take some pics of things with my own handwriting to use for A Week in the Life- but it seems using your own handwriting or the need to use it becomes a hang up for so many like scrapbooking in chrono order.
[ sleepyhead ] Stacy - what things in the classroom will still be available after class is over - will the forums be available for us to communicate with other students?
[ pennyscraps ] @Organizing - I did the Wookiemouse challenge in '09 and finally conquered that. My scrap room is always neat and tidy and love it. It was the perfect segue for LOM to come into my life. =)
[ theartsymom ] Penny- I think it was fontgod. email me @yahoo.com and I will double check.
[ stacy julian ] Annette33 -- we totally need to allow ourselves to ebb and flow. I love the book, The Power of Full Engagement. It totally helped me understand my creative process and rhythm better. After I wrote the book The Big Picture I was giving a talk at a CK Convention (ok, it was like 9 months later) someone asked me how many pages I had made in the last six months and they were shocked to hear "ZERO" I then explained that I was tired of scrapbooking and I needed a break. When I left the room I overheard two women talking. One said, "I can't believe Stacy Julian hasn't scrapbooked in six months!" too funny!
[ Annette33 ] my mom wanted me to finish her scrapbooks, and I thought of making a font of her handwriting, but I just couldn't go there. And won't
[ midwestgirl ] I dropped my 2 kit clubs and have only bought 2 lines of paper since January. Done a ton of scrapping with my supplies on hand and love how that feels!
[ sleepyhead ] I'm not obsessing over the handwriting thing - I thing it would be great to include it sometimes and I really needed something else that was non-computer to give my wrist a break....
[ AmySJ ] More on handwriting- I think it's my real urge to just get the stories told. . . they don't have to be perfect and I don't have to spend hours getting them on the page. Just a change into remembering I want to capture the story. . . my own handwriting doesn't necessary contribute one way or the other to that story.
[ theartsymom ] I liked it b/c I was on some meds that made my hands shake- so it was hard to write legibly.
[ ckytang ] AmySJ, totally agree with you that sometimes former scrapbookers may go through periods where they're not interested in scrapbooking. I scrapbooked (traditionally) from 2001 to 2007, didn't touch any of my scrapbooking stuff for 2 years (but knowing one of these days I would get back to all my stuff waiting for me), and then late last year happened upon Stacy's book Photo Freedom in the library. I was really intrigued with the description of the LOM system. I checked it out, read it, checked out the bps website, signed up for this class, and have been so excited about scrapbooking again.
[ stacy julian ] sleepyhead-- once our classroom is closed the content in the forums will be available, but the forum itself will not be active. But, I mentioned earlier that I have a surprise for you coming with lesson 10, so ... stay tuned!
[ pennyscraps ] I dropped my Kit Clubs, too. After taking Ali Edwards' Yesterday/Today here and Cathy Zielske's Design Your Life here, I realized that the PRODUCTS get in the way kinda' and if your pages are picture-led you generally have enough in your stash already.....
[ annt ] Midwestgirl, so true...people's passions are different. "I could never do what you do" I think just means they don't realize the value of it...but one day they might, and it might be too late. My neighbor values a clean house above all, and she's very artistic/has scrapped some, but says she'll take it up again when kids are older. Sadly, those memories will be lost.
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] AmySJ, I wish I could say that I've always had such bad writting I type the notes to teachers. LOL
[ sleepyhead ] I used to buy idea books and magazines like crazy looking for external inspiration - now with my own LOM in place I haven't purchased anything like that in months and I'm more inspired than ever - I love this class!!
[ pennyscraps ] @Stacy - another reason why we <3 you - you are authentic and normal!!! Love that you needed a hiatus, too. Will definitely check out the book!
[ stacy julian ] ckytang - what a fun story! I never even considered the notion that PF would be in a library. duh. I'm so glad you found us!
[ sleepyhead ] can't wait for the surprise!!!
[ Sabine H ] Annette33 - there are so many weeks I don't put a page together. Sometimes I'm organizing, sometimes I'm writing down ideas or purging photos ... then sometimes it's creative mode and I create every night for a week or 2. Just depends on my mood. I find I have to go with what is inspiring me at the time.
[ AmySJ ] Supply Collecting- OH I've been doing so much of that lately. But then, before January, I really had never bought supplies. Now I do. I'm learning to use other folks stuff. And this morning, at 2 AM when I got up to download, I thought about how part is probably because back when I used to scrapbook I really couldn't download supplies via dial-up so now, I need to. Gave myself permission this morning to be ok with my enormous amount of collecting- though I really try to stop and consider how versatile and useful things were.
[ AmySJ ] LOL my worst grades were always penmanship.
[ midwestgirl ] Pennyscraps, besides LOM those 2 classes have so changed and shaped my scrapbooking!
[ stacy julian ] "sleepyhead -- you are an inspiration-based scrapbooker. This means you've graduated. 
YAY!!!!"
[ pennyscraps ] Hey - those of us with all this STASH are perfect candidates for BAKERS DOZEN! I AM THRILLED Darci is teaching it again and can't wait!!!!! =)
[ sleepyhead ] can I throw my hat in the air now? - :-)
[ pennyscraps ] @midwesterngirl - I TOTALLY AGREE. I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE Y/T AND DYL AND LOM. It's like the TRIFECTA of bliss and knowledge. =)
[ theartsymom ] So alumni- what is the next class you would recommend after LOM??
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] mine too, I think my kids teacher can't tell either bc sometimes I correct the spelling myself and you really can not tell it's not a 7 year olds, I hope his is better than mine someday.... maybe DH shoul do the hand journaling, his has personality...
[ MelissaTX ] Hi1 Jumped in here late, but it looks like y'all've had a great chat!
[ sleepyhead ] ditto theartsymom - can't seem to get enough - particularly love the assignments - really gets you motivated!
[ midwestgirl ] LOL, Pennyscraps! Couldn't agree more!
[ stacy julian ] Oh yes ... I think LOMers will love Baker's Dozen. Besides the fact that my sister is completely adorable, her class will keep you scrapbooking and using your stash for the month of June. She is coming to my house this week and bring a fresh crop of layouts to add to her content, so the content doesn't change, but there are new "ideas" from Darci to freshen things up a bit.
[ pennyscraps ] @sleepyhead - I have found that I do not troll galleries either looking for "great layouts". And I love "getting that time back"!
[ midwestgirl ] I've been intrigued by Baker's Dozen but hesitated because I don't want the focus of my scrapbooking to shift to product....can someone reassure me?
[ theartsymom ] How did I miss that she was your sister?:bag on head.
[ pennyscraps ] I told my DH {whom I adore because he loves to grocery shop} to please get me a cardboard egg carton for my Bakers Dozen. More fun than styrofoam. =)
[ MelissaTX ] I have been wondering about Baker's Dozen, so I'm glad to read all this positive stuff. I just may have to sign up.
[ scrappyknitter ] Sounds like a great course to take next - will have to makek sure I register for it.
[ AmySJ ] I'll be taking Y/T next time it's offered. . . heard so many great things. Took DYL and that's what led me here and the combo has gotten me more pages so far this year than any other year I've ever scrapbooked.
[ pennyscraps ] @midwestern - I think the price point on BD is really really feasible.....
[ sleepyhead ] me too! I definitely feel my time is well spent -whether I'm tagging or scrapping - it's all good!
[ ckytang ] @theartsymom, not alumni, but after sorting through my photo library I realized I don't have that many photos (just over 3,000 digital photos since 2004 to now), so I want to learn to take better photos that will be keepers. I signed up for Elisha Snow's
[ annt ] What is Y/T? Sorry, missed that!
[ midwestgirl ] As I wrote earlier, I just started the Textuality class this week. Been great so far!
[ stacy julian ] "Just a few more minutes -- anymore pressing questions? 
And please, don't forget to send me questions for my final audio message. Anything that you've wondered from any point in the process or any lesson at all. Just send me an email (stacy@bigpicturescrapbooking.com) and put LOM Question in the subject line. See if you can stump me!"
[ pennyscraps ] Y/T was Ali Edwards' Yesterday and Today class - Oct-Dec '09.
[ MelissaTX ] I'm also taking Textuality and this first week's material is great.
[ pennyscraps ] THANK YOU STACY for spurring us on!
[ theartsymom ] Thank you!
[ sleepyhead ] oh my, this ending is bittersweet - the end of the class - the beginning of the capturing of many wonderful memories - I'm smiling through tears - thank you!!
[ stacy julian ] Ali will be teaching Y/T in January next year (1st quarter 4Experts) and I'm going to teach LOM in the summer!
[ midwestgirl ] Thanks for being so available to us throughout LOM, Stacy! I really appreciate your time!
[ stacy julian ] No one knows that yet -- I just told Kayce yesterday.
[ AmySJ ] Thank-You Stacy! Looking forward to the announcement you teased us with.
[ scrappyknitter ] Thank you so much Stacy for doing this course - I've really enjoyed it.
[ ckytang ] Thanks Stacy for making time for us!
[ pennyscraps ] oh - everyone - you MUST take Ali's class- must must!!
[ cropnmom ] (with first sip of coffee...ahh) I ran into several, "I could never do what you do..." scrappers at my crop. My response was, "what are you working on? I've got my niece's baptism (people), my daughter picking a dandylion (US,Amy,Personality), my other daughter sitting on the potty reading Reader's Digest (things, family traditions) and my son's going home from the hospital (US, Eli)... I love the Freedom LOM gives me! BTW, I did manage to generate some interest, too.
[ theartsymom ] Cool! I need to mark my calendar for this!
[ stacy julian ] OK, my friend just came over. I've got to go. Have a wonderful Saturday everyone. Thanks for chatting!
[ midwestgirl ] LOM over the summer? Way cool!
[ Sabine H ] thanks for everything Stacy ... this has been so wonderful. will miss these chats!
[ AmySJ ] Thanks Stacy- I can plan my Y/T now. And LOM for next year.
[ cropnmom ] Bye Stacy.
[ Brenda in Sunny So Cal ] "So now we have to keep quiet about it hu? 
Thanks! Bye"
[ Annette33 ] This was all well worth the time--even though I haven't done much since Spring Break, looking forward to summer scrappin
[ txpns54 ] Stacy, thank you for sharing your passion and vision with us and for taking the time to chat with us.
[ Barb in AK ] Just wanted to say, I'll be around BPS in more classes and joining LOM again next year as an official alum! :-)
[ pennyscraps ] Bye all - beautiful here and headed to an Art Festival, camera in hand. =)
[ AmySJ ] Bye all! Gonna get that digi start here stuff up for both Paper and Digi folks. . . and I might go to a baseball game today if it doens't rain.
[ sleepyhead ] bye everyone, have a great day!!!
[ cropnmom ] Stacy, have a blessed week, and thank you for sharing this gift
[ theartsymom ] Thanks everyone! Enjoy your day!
[ annt ] Bye all--have a great day...Stacy, you are awesome!
[ scrappyknitter ] Oh that's great to hear - summer will be so much better for me.
[ midwestgirl ] Raining here all day. "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping." Bye everyone!
[ txpns54 ] Bye everyone! Have a great week!
[ scrappyknitter ] Have a great day all.
[ Barb in AK ] Gotta crawl back in bed and snooze some more! See ya at the Forums! :-)
[ Barb in AK ] Oh yes---Did everyone take a photo of themselves during the last chat for the Week in the Life project today?????
[ ckytang ] Thanks for the reminder, Barb, just took one!

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