What is your reason for blogging?

I mean with online galleries to post our pages, those very message boards allowing us a voice in the crafty world, and really after writing all our feelings down as journaling on a layout, what’s the point?

I have [...]]]> Many times I’ll read the same post on a random scrapbooking forum message board…

What is your reason for blogging?

I mean with online galleries to post our pages, those very message boards allowing us a voice in the crafty world, and really after writing all our feelings down as journaling on a layout, what’s the point?

I have so many many reasons that going into why I blog in one post would be just silly, but this weekend I was reminded of one of my favorite reasons I’m happy I blog as well as scrapbook.

My blog is a place to write down thoughts and feelings I’m not quite ready to do a layout about yet, but want to remember.

A place to tuck away special journaling and photos before the perfect papers present themselves.

A place to just write, and if it turns into a layout later?  All the better.

And also to be honest, after writing down the words… it’s so much fun to just not have to think about it at a later date!  I hate to call journaling “work”, but having a blog post to refer to  is like having the hard part already done, and being free to just plain play.

It also helps me to keep writing.  It’s difficult sometimes to think I can’t “journal” my thoughts unless the perfectly coordinating papers and embellishments are found first.

And then, whether I want to share that journaling I’ve blogged on the actual page or not:

The thoughts are there to get my inspiration flowing.

Have you ever used a post as the basis for a layout? If not yet, here are some little tips for starting:

1.  Share photos before you scrapbook them. I know it might feel redundant, but I personally love to visit a blog at a later date and see how photos I recognize were scrapped!
2. If you aren’t seeing a photo op present itself on any given day… change it around and stage one that compliments a post you want to write.  (I wasn’t randomly wandering the house with a paper heart that day…. that only happens on Thursdays…heh)

3. When you write a post, write it like journaling.  What do you want to remember about that day?  Why did you take that photo?  Writing a blog post is no different than journaling, even if it’s short and sweet, it can still convey quite a bit. Put it out there as a blog post now, and use it as a touchstone (or heck copy and paste) later.

4. If you don’t want it to be public, don’t publish it.  All blogging platforms have a ‘draft’ mode.  Just save it for yourself.

5.  And finally, try to remember your blog is another tool to keep you creative.  It’s not just an online gallery or showcase, it’s a thought catcher and a little piece of you that you’re sharing with the world each day you post.  Sharing those little pieces are what make scrapbookers who we are right? And why we scrapbook in the first place yes? It takes us from cropper to life artist.

Next time you’re stumped for a layout topic, go back into your blog archives and pick a random post to scrap. Trust me, it really gets the old mojo in gear. Don’t be hesitant to reuse what you’ve already written, use it to keep creating!

Have a wonderful day friends, (and then blog about it!),

P.S. Here’s the original post this layout came from. <3

Would you just look at the joy on that face?!  Our sweet Dixie dog.  You can just hear the “Wahoo!” in her mind.

Oh how I long to be this excited about the snow again.  I used to be, didn’t you?  When snow was a pure gift and not a hassle.  Gosh remember snow days? Not just [...]]]>

Would you just look at the joy on that face?!  Our sweet Dixie dog.  You can just hear the “Wahoo!” in her mind.

Oh how I long to be this excited about the snow again.  I used to be, didn’t you?  When snow was a pure gift and not a hassle.  Gosh remember snow days? Not just any snow days, but those right before wearing a snow suit became lame.

Crawling back into bed for a bit, then cartoons, followed by playing outside until you couldn’t feel your toes.   And then throwing your mittens on top of the register to dry out while you took a break with a cup of cocoa…

extra marshmallows.

And then slipping your now warm and toasty mittens back on to chase the day as long as it would let you.  And there was much romping!

All on a Tuesday in February.

Just because it snowed.

As I write this we are preparing for a major blizzard in Chicago, 18 inches and 40 mph winds are going to cause some interesting times the next few days.  I’ve never seen so many warnings.

I know it will cause headaches, and I know it will be dangerous travel… I hope everyone stays very safe.

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for a snow day.

Now I do not have a job where I can necessarily stay home due to snow, but if I do?  Oh I am going to have fun!  Cocoa and scrapping… all day.

With some fun with Dixie in the snow thrown in too.

Hmmm…. in fact…. if there is no snow day this week, I think I’ll have to schedule one in the near future.

Just to give old man winter a little hug, to know that I don’t really despise him that much.

I mean as long as there are toasty mittens and extra marshmallows… winter can stick around just a little longer.

He is after all, just giving the same gift as always.

Possibility for fun.

And much romping.

Stay safe if you are in the blizzard’s path too, and enjoy your snow day if you get one!

Always up for a good romp (heh heh),

]]> http://www.the-craftycafe.com/scrapbooking-layouts/and-there-was-much-romping/feed 2 http://www.the-craftycafe.com/scrapbooking-layouts/can-you-picture http://www.the-craftycafe.com/scrapbooking-layouts/can-you-picture#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:00:05 +0000 Jess http://www.the-craftycafe.com/?p=2172

This photo of Alan and I is in my Top 10 photos of us ever.

It was taken at a B-Boy (break dancing) competition.

No really, we kind of had to go (but it was fun… and I have decided our hip hop name is JaRippy).

Word.

Since we are about to enter our 10th year of marriage this [...]]]>

This photo of Alan and I is in my Top 10 photos of us ever.

It was taken at a B-Boy (break dancing) competition.

No really, we kind of had to go (but it was fun… and I have decided our hip hop name is JaRippy).

Word.

Since we are about to enter our 10th year of marriage this year (whoo time flies!) looking at it also makes me think of all we’ve been through in 10 years (15 if you count before I put the lock on that ball and chain).

I’m not sure I could have pictured over half of it.

I mean I had the general stuff.

That we’d still be best friends who would rather really hang out with each other than anyone else.

That we’d have a house that felt like home.

But there are many other things that I never even expected or would think to picture.  And some of those are the best ever.

Like the countless ah-ha times God has said “See!  I told you I had a plan”.

Like when I found that something like scrapbooking was a much deeper creative outlet than I could ever have imagined (I mean really… what?).

So what’s next for us?  I have no idea.  I mean, it sure is fun to think about…

But I’m thinking it’s just as fun to sit back and wait for more of those ah-ha moments too.

Those are so worth waiting for.

But I’d bet my last dollar one of those moments will most likely NOT involve JaRippy ever going platinum with their next rap album.

Then again, if show tunes meet hip-hop becomes the next thing, then we are seriously unstoppable.

Suddenly wishing Cats in the Hood was opening soon on Broadway,

My first layout in a long time, but an important one.

The first one in months and months that I’ve actually sat down to do just for me.

It felt so good!

Then again, it’s just another layout.

But because you’re most likely a like-minded individual that’s stopped by to read my blog today, you very well know that there [...]]]>

My first layout in a long time, but an important one.

The first one in months and months that I’ve actually sat down to do just for me.

It felt so good!

Then again, it’s just another layout.

But because you’re most likely a like-minded individual that’s stopped by to read my blog today, you very well know that there is no such thing as ‘just another layout’.

Each one is a little piece of ourselves that we put out there for the world to see, and there is so much more to it than just the products or the memory we are keeping.

It’s about the care and love that goes into each little detail.

The colors that speak to you.

The expressions you write down from the heart.

Just like as scrapbookers we know there is really no such thing as “just another day”.

There’s more than just the routine or events that you go through, more than the places you go.

It’s about having the sixth sense of a scrapbooker to search out the special in those days, knowing full well that there will never be another day like this one.

Feeling things exponentially more than others while you store away those expressions in your heart in order to write them down later.

How lucky are we to have that mentality?

Wishing you a wonderful week full of ‘just another days’ to be remembered.

Whenever you may finally get to it.

Just another scrapbooker,

Dear Alan,

When we took these photos I was feeling so…

Blah.

We’d been driving for hours on the way to Tennessee.  And I had “road trip” hair, “hours in the car” face, and was not wearing my most favorite, nor flattering, clothes.

But we saw the sign for Ruby Falls,  decided to let spontaneity take the wheel, [...]]]>

Dear Alan,

When we took these photos I was feeling so…

Blah.

We’d been driving for hours on the way to Tennessee.  And I had “road trip” hair, “hours in the car” face, and was not wearing my most favorite, nor flattering, clothes.

But we saw the sign for Ruby Falls,  decided to let spontaneity take the wheel, and stop for a little adventurous “us” time before we completed the journey and spent the week with family.

I knew there’d be photos, there would have to be (after all,  you are married to a scrapbooker).

I made it through most of the excursion out of the camera lens.  We were in dark caves, and it was to my advantage that you don’t really know how to use the DSLR in low light.  Blurry, distorted shots were on my side.

But then on our way to the car, there was an obvious photo op, and there happened to be an employee walking by… whom you grabbed immediately and was willing to be our photographer.

Crud.

Dang.

Well no one else will ever have to see them I thought.

Quick snap shots and that’s it (cause I know you’ll never download them to the hard drive either, that’s my job of course).

And then I finally get to the point of editing photos of the trip, and I’m ready to delete them since the first thing I’m drawn to is the unflattering fold of my shirt over my curves, and the weird flip of my hair that is the oddest thing (thank you southern humidity).

But I stop from deleting.

Because I see your face looking at me when you thought the photo wasn’t yet being taken,

And I realize you think I’m beautiful anyway.

And suddenly these photos are not something to be tossed away and hidden.

But rather they should be scrapped and cherished.

Because even if I cringe a bit when I see me through my eyes…

They are the perfect reminder of how you see me.

And they make me love you, and feel loved, and realize just how lucky I am.

Through your eyes I will always feel beautiful.

Even with road trip hair.

Yours truly and forever,

Hello there friends!  What a great day I had on Tuesday at CHA Summer 2010.  It’s impossible to see everything there is to see in one day… but boy howdy did I [...]]]> Warning: This post is extremely random. My mind is on crafty overdrive, and I cannot be held accountable.  I will hone my thoughts soon.  (maybe)

Hello there friends!  What a great day I had on Tuesday at CHA Summer 2010.  It’s impossible to see everything there is to see in one day… but boy howdy did I try.  My back and feet are achey, but my mind is just brimming with inspiration over all the lovely goodies and designs I got to take in.  I have lots of photos to share, and will break them up into coordinated posts as best as I can muster, but I had to look through my pics and post just a few asap.

First and foremost I was so happy to meet so many wonderful people, including the amazing editorial staff at Craft Critique.  (Read about them here).  They are some of the nicest and hardest working crafters on the planet.  Seeing them in action on the floor gathering photos and video for their readers was just… well I’ve been schooled.  I was a bit nervous (ok a lot) to walk up to vendors and start gathering info but quickly learned how nice everyone was if you just walked up and said hi.

So… what comes to mind first and foremost?

Graphic 45′s Halloween Line:

And their Steampunk Debutante Line:

Want it.  Want it all.  See more pics at Craft Critique.

My must have embellishment are the metal Vintage Brooches from Sassafras Lass:

I was incredulous at how light they are – no fear that they will work on a layout – none at all. (and cute colors yah?!)

I want everything October Afternoon has to offer… but especially the  Modern Homemaker line:

The cat clock kills me.  See more OA at Craft Critique here.

Maya Road has some super cute (and uber popular) trims:

Look, there’s the back side of Tim Holtz:

I said random.

(I did get to meet him, and there is a pic, just not on my camera… he’s super nice, and as my Facebook friends know… smells really good.  I said random.)

The layouts from Prima’s design team made me swoon.

This is an extremely large wreath:

If I did that in our hallway do you think Alan would let it be?

Maybe?

So….

Accio ribbon!

One of each please.

Everything you can do with Core’dinations Cardstock:

People… people that GET me.  EVERYwhere!

Alright I must stop.  So many pics.  So much I want to share with you.

I so wish you could have been there with me.

For much more intelligible coverage of CHA, including give-a-ways, visit Craft Critique.

But more to come here – when I come down off the ceiling.

I can’t believe I just included Tim Holtz and Harry Potter in the same blog post,

Happy Independence Day Weekend!!

Are you having a wonderful one?  Eating lots of yummy barbecue, clinking glasses filled with cold frothy cocktails, setting off sonic booms…

Dixie dog doesn’t appreciate that last one by the way.

Just popping in for  a quick share today of a couple [...]]]> Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.  ~Albert Camus

Happy Independence Day Weekend!!

Are you having a wonderful one?  Eating lots of yummy barbecue, clinking glasses filled with cold frothy cocktails, setting off sonic booms…

Dixie dog doesn’t appreciate that last one by the way.

Just popping in for  a quick share today of a couple of digital layouts I created using my sweet friend Leah’s new Whirlygig Digital Kit.  She has a such a knack for taking like traditional holiday colors and designs and removing all traces of “cheese”.  Isn’t the kit adorable?

You can find it at her Bluebird Chic shop at Misstiina.com.

And here’s a couple layouts I created with it:

From Alan’s big brother’s visit last month.  Fun times, much beer, and teasing were had by all.  (It’s always funny seeing Alan go into ‘little brother’ mode… it’s adorable).  We wandered the streets of Chicago, went to Blues Fest, and of course the Cubs game.  And then afterward I immediately surrounded myself in pink and lace to rebalance the testosterone levels in the house.

And one more,

Little me and my Grandma, I think 1979ish.

*Sigh* I miss her.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday and are able to celebrate it with those you love.

See you soon!

Hello there and Happy Closer to Friday Day!  (Let’s be positive shall we?)  Just sharing a quick layout I did this afternoon.

That’s right… I scrapped.  Call [...]]]> I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.  I travel for travel’s sake.  The great affair is to move.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Hello there and Happy Closer to Friday Day!  (Let’s be positive shall we?)  Just sharing a quick layout I did this afternoon.

That’s right… I scrapped.  Call the press.

I honestly can’t believe I love road trips as much as I do now-a-days.  I was notorious for getting car sick on long rides when I was younger… but now I can’t get enough of ‘em.

It helps that Alan also enjoys show tunes… our car trips rival any performance on Broadway I’m telling you.

Or at least I-75.

We play tons of games too, do you have any favorites?  Ours is Trivial Pursuit… because really why shouldn’t car trips also be educational?

Show Tunes and useless Trivia… our future children are really in for it when we drive to grandma’s house.

Hope you have had a wonderful start to your week, and maybe get to go on a little road trip of your own too.  Or if you can’t, drive a different way to work one day, pile the fam in the car and search out a new restaurant that you’ve never tried before, or just plain old drive.  Sometimes the hum of the road and new surroundings will do wonders for your creative juices.

Oh, and P.S…

Thought you should know.

XOX and see you soon,

Because it was Valentine’s Day and I’m still feeling a little lovey dovey.

It’s very likely that’s from the leftover chocolate hanging around this house which Alan normally keeps well stocked but we have a plethora of thanks to the holiday.

Yep, I’m a very lucky girl.

I’m not just talking about [...]]]> I’m going to get mushy for a bit.

Because it was Valentine’s Day and I’m still feeling a little lovey dovey.

It’s very likely that’s from the leftover chocolate hanging around this house which Alan normally keeps well stocked but we have a plethora of thanks to the holiday.

Yep, I’m a very lucky girl.

I’m not just talking about he treats me well, he gives me space when I need it, blad-de blah-de blah.

When Alan and I fell in love it was during a show in college called Cyrano De Bergerac.  He played Cyrano and I played something like “Girl #2″.  But he noticed me.  And boy did I ever notice him.   Seriously, though, how can a gal not fall for a romantic swashbuckler yielding a sword every night.

Don’t go to the wrong place with that one….see, swords:

It wasn’t that was it and we were together ever since of course.  I personally don’t think any couple can be together without one major fight and break up during the course of knowing each other.  You have to really understand what it would be like without the other, accept them for their faults, and then come together again stronger and for the better.

But through it all and a long distance relationship for almost 2 years,  I always stayed in love with my Cyrano.

See… mush.

Good grief  how on Earth did I  find someone who:

Is a fellow creative soul that understands what it means to need that time to create.

That laughs and gets exactly what I mean when I pull out a random Star Trek quote.

That not only gets along with but loves my Mom – seriously they have one of the best in-law relationships ever.  They read the same books that I have absolutely no interest in at all.

That can be a guy’s guy but also has a vast knowledge of musical theatre thanks to his acting background.  I mean c’mon… that’s a crazy find.  And he can SING by the way.

Gosh I could go on and on.

But as much as I can question it, I guess really,  I’m just plain lucky in love.

Digital Layout made with Leah’s Victorian Valentine Mini Kit.

And I’m going to take that over hitting the lottery any day.

Gush gush mush.

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.  I’m in the mood to create – hope to share some fun things this week.

XOX

Jess