playful.productive.present

Take August Off + Chase Jarvis

So, I'm here with friendly reminder that August is already half over and you need to spend a few minutes exploring the FREE Summer classroom at Big Picture Scrapbooking. This is a promotion that we do every year and this year Lisa Damrosch, one of our featured teachers shares a source of personal inspiration in the work of photographer Chase Jarvis. Lisa introduced me to Chase several months ago and I've really enjoyed popping onto his blog and following along from time to time, so I thought I'd give you a few additional chances to get to know his work better.

First up is a teaser video that posted on YouTube to promote a talk Chase gave this past June in Denver, CO.

Careful: It has a surprise ending!

 

I was recently interested in the viability of some projects such as a sports directory. And because I love to run (at least on most days) I am very fond of this video that Chase produced for Laura.  Laura (who I do not know) lives and runs in Seattle. Some of the footage is shot at Gas Works Park, which sits directly across Lake Union from the city. The kids and I were just there a week ago (with the Lambsons) In fact, I finished a scrapbook page Wednesday morning with pictures that Taft took at Gas Works. I dropped my layouts off with Angie Lucas yesterday and she and Ella are going to do something very FUN with them, but I digress ... back to Laura.

 

I'm just exceptionally grateful for inspiring people and for the Internet that allows me free access to their inspiration.

Geoff and I are in Utah this weekend, with his best friend (collage roommate) Nolan and his wife. This will be our third year, meeting up with them at BYU for Education Week. I'll be soaking up inspiration ALL Day.

back in the saddle ...

only I'm really glad it's not a saddle.

We got home on Saturday at 9:30 pm and I got up early Sunday to finish preparing my Relief Society lesson. Needless to say, I to took full advantage of Sabbath restfulness after church (nice long nap) and then hung out with my little ones.

The very dirty laundry is almost done. Groceries are purchased and put away, dinner is prepped and I'm now in my studio trying to remember what it is I do. NOTE: I haven't yet mustered the courage to open my email. There is no doubt that the hardest part of unplugging is plugging back in. I've got a day and a half before Geoff and I leave again and much to do, so I'm thinking I will be far more productive if my space is tidied up. 

Quickie Q&A

I had a recent email question about my favorite square punch.

Here it is. It is an EK Success Paper Shaper 2" square and I LOVE it. I also have the 1 3/8" square and find the combination of both just about perfect for "loving" older photos and photos that I've relegated to cold storage and would like to reintroduce into my Library of Memories system via my Square-punch Picture Drawers (extra no.9 in the book Photo Freedom)

Dinner btw, is my first attempt Crock-Pot ribs. Trey loves ribs and has been asking me to learn how to make them at home. After witnessing firsthand my 19 year-old crock pot, several friends got together and purchased me a brand new one and I'm rather excited. Good smells are beginning to waft downstairs. Click on the word "Crock-Pot" to visit the site where I got the recipe (love the Internet.)

Hope you're having a good Monday.

Q + A: Where do I start?

Hello Stacy.

I’m not sure why I’m writing but I’ve finally gotten on to your website and blog after watching your part on Scrapbooking Memories. First, I want to tell you that I just love to watch your part on this show. I love how down-to-earth you are and how you are so encouraging for those of us who are “stuck”.

I’m a mom of two-step boys (24 & 19) and two smaller kids girl-10 and boy-8 and I have a great husband (fireman) and two sweet doggies and one very independent cat.  So needless to say I have tons of stuff to scrapbook about.  At least you would think so!  I watched you the other day and you were talking about how it is so easy to get too much stuff to scrapbook with and then not be able to do anything….that would be me!  I have enough stuff to open my own scrapbooking store and unfortunately most of it has never been used!  I could be the poster child for Scrapbooking…Where Do I Start?

I hope to look through the website and read your blog and hopefully get some ideas.  In the meantime, I’ll keep watching you make it look so easy!

Shauna in Wyoming

Dear Shauna,

We all have a life that we appreciate enough to want to scrapbook and in an effort to "get started" we generally start buying and eventually collecting stuff. You are NOT alone!

Here's the deal. It doesn't matter where you start. Just start. Start with two photos or 10 photos and put them on a big 'ole piece of cardstock surrounded by your thoughts and feelings and some pretty paper and then do it again and again. Each time you do it, you'll learn something and each time you do it, you get better at doing it.

Now, I realize this is NOT very specific, so here are three additional assignments for you:

1. Register at Big Picture Scrapbooking.

2. Sign up for my FREE class, called Start Here, with Stacy

3. Join in our annual August Promotion. It is very fun and also FREE.

I feel confident that after you have taken advantage of these resources, you'll have a much better idea of where to start.

Thanks for the email!

Stacy

Anyone relate? Grab your timer, set it for 15 minutes and come check it out. Then come back often throughout  August. There are so many wonderful ideas to soak in and try. We have AMAZING teachers who are dedicated to your scrapbooking success and they've generously donated their time and talents this month, so you can get to know them better.

Adornit kit WINNERS

The following THREE blog readers will be receiving the very fun summer Adornit Kit that I used for my blog hop page. Please email me your address (put Adornit KIT in the subject line) and Georgana will send you your kit.

Thanks for taking some time to enjoy the blog hop and be inspired by so many talented scrapbookers.

#1. Rachel (who posted August 1st at 1:47pm)

Looking at what others have achieved and created has made me realise that the idea for an amazing creation does not need to be magnificent - each little idea is enough to start a work of art, a gift, a memory, a blessing.

#2. Susan Kopp (who posted August 1st at 4:40am)

After 3 hours of blog hopping ( what else is one to do when waking at 4:44 in the a.m.) I found several to add to my regular blog visit list. I loved Tammy Andersens fish, they would look cute in the bath, Emma Hicks technique of turning chipboard frames into journaling spots, Lisa Archers popsicle book, Tere using fishing line to make her own fishing embellishments but I really loved the Summer in a jar, to showcase those big bulky memories we all bring home in our luggage. Thanks for the added benefit of giving me something to do so early in the morn!

#3. Heather (who posted July 31st at 12:43pm)

Loving the butterflies. Love Janelle Jones- Scrap with Style- use of two tags for journaling and the title summer. I am so scraplifting that idea! Love- Mary Ann Jenkins- I rock paper scissors- the vintage pictures with the modern paper and the simple, but stylish childhood layout. very inspiring. Love- Wendy's photo topiary. Great for a birthday, reunion or graduation party. Love- Ally Scraps- Maya Road dino album. Must have.

More later, but kiddo woke up from nap.