Lately I’ve been eliminating my magazine collection.  As much as I love having them for inspiration, the many issues cause a space problem.  So my solution is to go through each one and select the layouts, projects, tips, etc. that I like.  Then I cut them out and paste them in a notebook with a little note about why I selected it and how I want to use the tip.  This notebook is now only 28 pages and has cleared up at least a dozen magazines.  It has been great to take with me to crops and glance through for inspiration.  I bet this notebook will be my go to tool.

I will post photographs in my Gallery of the thank you card and stationery sets that I create using this wonderful paper which do include cards and envelopes in a lovely box.  Some sheets I’ve added embellishments right in the paper like dried flowers, embossed shapes, glitter, and even seeds so you can plant the paper when you’re done with it like with cards and invitations.  My next step is to create printer friendly paper, a variety of sizes including up to 12×12, and possibly even wood-pulp free papers.

Feel free to contact me with any questions and to order.

I do have to say I did start by going through the file cabinet that we keep in the room and now we’ve decided to sell it as we don’t want to keep that much paper ever again. Such a waste. Shredded years off.

So now that it’s over, I’m at a loss. My time has been so consumed that I haven’t focused on anything else. Probably not the best idea I know, but it was worth it.

What to do? I could set another goal. Sounds good, huh? So let’s see what needs to be done. Well, as you all know, organization is an on-going project. Then there’s those altered/artistic projects I started years ago and have not gotten very far with them. What else, oh yeah, scrapbooking for fun. We have to remember to make time to enjoy our personal projects and hobbies.

Decisions, decisions. . . After long, hard thoughts, I’ve decided the most pertinent of the above is my space. I just can’t work in a mess without a clear area or even a chair. So, for the next two weeks I’ll be cleaning up, organizing, and maybe even throwing out.

Starting this evening, I will make my space usable again!

**Any suggestions on how to organize with zero to no money, please post a comment.**

There two options to register and pay:

1. Use our online registration form and pay via paypal at http://scrappink.kincke.com/register-online
2. Go to http://scrappink.kincke.com/register-by-mail and print out the PDF registration form and mail it with you check.

Basic info:

Date: Saturday, September 26
Time: 10am-10pm
Location: Square and Compass Lodge in Kenner near the Airport (516 Daniel St, Kenner, LA)
Cost: $40 – general registration, $52 – general registration plus official shirt, $45 – late registration (Sept.20-23) — Remember $10 goes directly to Komen For The Cure
Payment: By mail with check or online via paypal (includes an additional $1.50 service fee)

Now that’s not to say that I haven’t gotten anything done because I do get some pages completed at our weekly scrap events, but I haven’t made time to do it on my own. That’s ok with me because our group is starting to develop and we have some regulars. These are some wonderful ladies and I’m enjoying their company and scrapping talents.

Also, Scrap Pink is coming along. I’m close to nailing down a location and I’m working on getting food worked out. Once that is complete, I can set a fee and start registration. YAY!

So my request to all of you out there is if you would like to become a sponsor and donate to this awesome fundraiser (Scrap Pink info), please contact me asap via my Scrap Pink email or my Scrap Pink contact form. I’m looking for a donated (or very discounted) location, donated food like snacks, meals, drinks, or desserts, and of course prizes that scrappers would enjoy like scrapbooking supplies, gift certificates to services that they would use, coupons, etc. In exchange for sponsorship, you will be advertised on both our Scrap Pink website and our public Meetup.com website, in any publications, and in person at our event. Also, if you would like to register and attend Scrap Pink with your donation, you have the option to host a vendor table to display and sell your products and services. Thanks in advance.

I’d like to introduce a new company called La-La Land Crafts. They’ve announced their very creative design team and are offering some wonderful blog candy. So spread the word.

“priscillastyles” is celebrating their 30,000 hits approaching

Enjoy!

1. Getting Your Hair Blow Dried And Brushed – After I get out of the shower, my husband will offer to blow dry and style my hair.  It takes more time than if I did it myself, but it’s so romantic and he takes such care of me.  I also love that he offers.  I get caught up in the sensations and the goose bumps that run across my head and down my neck.
2. The Smell Of Fresh Cut Grass – My husband grew up around lawn care, so he can’t stand this smell because after awhile, it can smell rotten.  For me, it’s such a refreshing, memory triggering sense.  It really gets going when the air is right: cool and just moist enough to hold it.  Here in New Orleans, it’s not cool and too humid, but the slightest smell still initializes the sense-memory of when my mother cut the grass, so she could spend time in her garden.  She was always happiest in her garden with her hands covered in dirt, the sun beating down her back, and her knees bruised despite the use of her kneepad.
3. The Rise And Fall As Nimbus Breathes – I could watch her all day as she tries to get comfy, starts to fall asleep, and then stays awake so she doesn’t miss the action.  She’ll dig at her bedding trying to make it perfect, then curls up with a slight tail flutter as her eyes begin to close.  She fights the temptation to relax and let them fall shut immediately, but blink after blink, her eyelids take over and they close so tight it’s as if they’re keeping the sound out.  Her breathing is so deep, she rises, then falls.  Then when we make a sudden noise or movement, her eyes open, she readjusts, and plays the game all over again.  It hurts.
4. The Sound Of Rain Crashing On The Windows – I’ve always loved a good thunderstorm, especially when the power goes out because it makes you appreciate everything else.  You laugh and communicate through candlelight without modern distractions.  (As much as I love TV and computers, it’s nice to get back to the basics.)  It’s like camping.  In fact, the sound of rain period should be the title, but specifically when it crashes against the windows, you know without even looking there’s a storm brewing.  The sound on a tin roof is so romantic and soothing, but the windows give me that scared yet safe sensation.
5. Cereal – If you don’t know, then you are missing out.  Cereal is the end all, be all meal.  In college, cereal was served and eaten any hour, any day and we called it the non-food because you don’t feel full, but yet so very satisfied after a bowl.  When I get hungry and I have no idea what I want or when I want something slightly sweet, I opt for a bowl of cereal.  The cold milk is relaxing, while the crunch is active.  Such an easy, childlike food can be so complex when taken apart sense by sense.

I encourage you to think about your 5 sensational pleasures and maybe even use them as inspiration in your scrapbook layouts.  I plan to create a page for my Book Of Me with these.

I think tonight I will focus on some photographs I recently had printed from Clark Color Labs. I’m very pleased with their prints because the color is good and their turn around time is pretty fast. Though, the best thing is their price. At 8 cents for a 4×6 print regularly (meaning this is not a sale price), you can’t beat it. The only concern I have is the paper quality is a bit thin and flimsy, but for scrapbooking that’s no problem as I mat my photos and then adhere them to a sturdy page. So I’d have to say these are pretty good prints for a great price.

(If you are interested in using Clark and would like to help me out, please email me before you sign up so I can invite you and receive credit for my recommendation. Thanks.)