Neighborhood Gossip

WHEW!

2012-03-01T00:30:00.000-06:00

Did you hear a big, “Ahhhhhhh……”? That was the sigh heard ‘round the world as all the LOAD 212 participants uploaded our final layouts and breathed a collective sigh of relief. It was a ton of work, and part of me is quite glad it’s over. I’m quite exhausted, but don’t get me wrong, this was an awesome experience. I have learned a ton about myself and my scrapbooking habits that I hope will help me make better pages faster in the future. In the mean time, I’ll just have to wait patiently for LOAD 512 (May!), and hope to get at least a few pages done in between.

While we’re waiting, maybe you will enjoy looking at the rest of the layouts I did. And just to make it fun, I have a prize to give away. Post a comment and tell me which layout you like best. On Friday, I will randomly draw one name from the comments to receive a grab-bag full of fun goodies!

What's Old Is New Again....

2012-02-21T14:20:00.000-06:00

The saying goes, “There is nothing new under the sun,” and when it comes to scrapbooking, that saying is often true. Try though we might, there are times when we just run out of fresh ideas. But who says we have to always have fresh new ideas anyway?

One of my not-so-secret joys is my penchant for finding new uses for old items and reusing things over and over and over. What can I say? I’m a firm believer in “Recycle, Renew, Reuse”. I’ve made mini albums out of toilet paper rolls, calendars out of cookie sheets, and wreaths out of old newspapers. I also am very good at reusing old scrapbooking ideas again and again.

I just wrapped up day 20 of the LOAD 212 challenge, and I discovered a recurrent theme in my scrapbooking: I don’t like to waste ANYTHING. I will use and reuse scraps of paper until there is absolutely nothing useful in them any more. I will store away stray stickers and odd embellishments leftover from other projects just in case I might need them some day. I keep everything! While many of my friends are having scrapbook garage sales to get rid of all their extra, unused supplies, I’m busy trying to find places to store mine. Fortunately, I also spend a lot of time trying to find creative ways to use those odd bits, so they do actually get some use.

I think I’ve mentioned before that I like to make cards and tags with the scraps from my page layouts, but I may not have mentioned that I also make other layouts with scraps from layouts. This is especially true whenever I have a lot of paper left over from a kit or from a large project. I just can’t toss it, so it will eventually wind up in another album somewhere, done up in a completely different style. Most of the time, no one will ever realize it. I don’t limit myself to just reusing the paper and cardstock, either. I’ve reused pictures in multiple layouts, spread a pack of embellishments across many different pages, and even copied the exact same layout design but with different paper, pictures, and embellishments. My rule of thumb is, “If it’s in a different album, then no one will ever know!”

To illustrate my point, here are my last 4 days of LOAD layouts and a listing of all the features that are copied or repeated in each one. Then take a look at the layouts I copied them from below:

Doctor: All of the embellishments on this page came from a cut-out page I bought years ago. I’ve been using pieces of it on layouts ever since. It's hard to tell in the picture, but I glazed select portions of the embellishments to give them dimension. The letters are plastic and came from a baggie I bought at a scrapbook garage sale several years ago. They've gotten lots of use.

Birthday: The background paper is Basic Grey from the “Lime Rickey” pack that I used extensively in my son’s Boy Scout album for his 2-week long World Jamboree trip. This paper was used on no less than 3 layouts in that album, plus countless birthday cards.

Kennsington: Okay, there’s really nothing in this digital layout that I directly stole, but I’m sure I have a layout pretty much like this simple one somewhere. And now that I think of it, I sure use a lot of green. Of the 20 layouts I have done for this challenge, I used green on 12 of them. Many times the green that was used was a small piece left over from another project.

Fashion: This one has several repeating themes. The paper comes from DCWV. If you’ve followed my LOAD progress at all, you will notice that I have used the same “Retro” paper pack repeatedly. What can I say? It was cute paper, and it definitely works well with the prompts I’ve been given. I also used yet another art phrase from this pack, and the photos themselves were used in Christen’s high school scrapbook because she made the dress and wore it to her Homecoming Dance.

And here is a look at the original use of these stolen bits:

They don't look a bit alike, do they? So just remember, the next time you get stuck in a scrapbooking rut, or can’t think of what to do, go flip through your old scrapbooks and projects. The answer may be right there, waiting for you to copy it.

What I've Learned So Far

2012-02-16T23:57:00.000-06:00

It’s day 16 of the LOAD 212 challenge, and I have to say this experience has taught me a lot about scrapbooking. I’ve been using the challenge as an opportunity to experiment with different techniques and styles. I’m also learning a lot about myself and my creative process along the way.

For instance, I find it very difficult to work in a cluttered area. If everything is strung out all over my worktable, I can’t find anything and I wind up making a bigger mess (or worse yet, break or tear something) trying to find it. It also takes me longer to get stuff done.

I’ve also learned that my photo filing system isn’t as foolproof as I thought it was. I spent several hours today hunting frantically for pictures for today’s layout, and they were scattered in multiple locations – all very logical locations, of course, but scattered, nonetheless.

Learning to just “go with it” has been a real challenge for me. As I mentioned previously, I hate making decisions, so sometimes I have been know to shuffle the elements of a page around for hours hoping that any minute the pieces will just all fall into place and a wonderful page layout will develop. When I’m not doing a challenge, this can sometimes hold a layout up for days. I’ll work on other things and periodically look at the offending page, and eventually I’ll come up with something. Doing the LOAD challenge, I don’t have that luxury. Some of my layouts have been completed just under the wire, and if I had dallied any longer with it, I would have failed to get it done on time.

To overcome this shortcoming, I’ve tried to make myself just start slapping the pictures down. My first instinct would tell me that this technique would make for a terrible, sloppy page, but I’ve actually found that even though I “just slap” the pictures down to start with, the layouts have all developed into some pretty cute ideas (if I do say so myself). I’ll let you be the judge…

So I’m still hanging in there, and I’m still getting the challenges done on time. My next big challenge is going to be how to complete a layout while I’m on the road. I actually have a business trip this weekend, and will have to complete and upload my layout from my hotel room. I plan to bring some limited tools, but almost no supplies, and I will have to visit a local scrapbook store to get whatever I will need to complete the project for the day. It’s a scary thought, but I’m up for the challenge. I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

Scrapbooking Challenges

2012-02-11T01:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had a scrapbooking challenge? There are all kinds. For instance, LOAD 212 is a challenge to complete a layout a day for a whole month. I’ve also seen challenges that dared participants to create layouts on specific themes or using only specific products, or even by using nothing but scraps. Those kinds of challenges are fun, definitely challenging, and useful tools to help us expand our creativity and start thinking out of the box.

There are other kinds of scrapbooking challenges as well. Those are the kind of challenges that make us look deep within our inner selves to create meaningful pages or solve difficult problems. Sometimes the challenge is to create that special page – you know the one – you have the perfect picture or a very special event and you want the final layout to be just right. Maybe it was your wedding, or a special picture of your grandmother. Whatever it was, you thought about it for a long time before you started, and you may have even stopped in the middle because you were unsure of what to do next.

I’ve had pages like that. Pages that were so special that I didn’t dare work on them until I found the perfect paper and had the perfect plan. Some of them I toiled over for weeks before I made them just right. In the end, I loved what I wound up with, but often the end result was not exactly what I had envisioned. Sometimes it was even better.

A great example is my daughter’s prom. I actually did a couple of mini-album layouts for both her grandparents long before I did a layout for her high school scrapbook. I had found cardstock that perfectly matched her dress, and had used some pretty bits of a lacy handmade paper as an embellishment. At the time, I thought it was really pretty. A few months later, I decided to finally do the 12x12 version of the layouts, but much to my dismay, I couldn’t get either of the two papers anywhere. I spent months on end searching before I finally gave up. I just knew her pages were going to be awful. And then one day I stumbled upon a different paper, and I played around with a different idea. It's a very simple intro page, just some pretty patterned paper and a lot of hand-cut flowers, but what I wound up with was more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.

And here was another page I worked on really hard. I just loved this photo of my son when he was small. I wanted to make the perfect layout. It's really simple, but the colors just worked so well. I decided to use it as the opening page for his Cub Scout scrapbook. I think it made the perfect intro.

Of course, sometimes even when you have the perfect idea, that doesn’t mean it will work out. Yesterday’s LOAD challenge is the perfect example. The prompt for the day was “Home Sweet Home” and I knew instantly that I would work on one of the pages I have stashed away in my “pre-planned” box. Those are some of my go-to projects that I keep at the ready for when I’m stumped or I just want to do a layout really quick without thinking. The paper, the pictures and often even the title and specific layout are already picked out and bundled together in a folder. All that is required is assembly and some creative finessing. When it works, that is.

I seriously thought yesterday’s layout would be a simple matter of slapping some pictures on a page and putting a title on it. The plan was to do a mosaic tile (see Wish in the Wind Mosaic Moments) layout of some pictures that were taken when we built an addition to our home. I’ve done mosaics before, and if you use the templates and the pre-marked grid paper, it really isn’t all that difficult. Except this one was. I spent 2/3 of my day struggling to make the layout look good before I gave up and started working on my valentine’s cards. After dinner, I took another look at the layout and decided to ditch it entirely. It just wasn’t working. All those vertical boards looked terrible when sliced up into tiny 1-inch pieces, and it made the page so busy and confusing that you just couldn’t tell what you were looking at. So instead, I literally just slapped some paper and photos together, and I used a Deluxe Wild Wire kit to make a wired title for my page. It took less than 30 minutes including making the title – pretty good considering I’d never used that wiring tool before!

Today’s conundrum wasn’t much better, although it was a challenge of an entirely different kind. The prompt for today was “Favorite Memory” and Lain challenged us to start with a memory rather than a photo – to let the emotions create the page. Letting your emotions create the page is always good for journaling, but if you don’t know what your subject matter is, it can be a real problem. I spent all day trying to come up with a favorite. I have issues with playing favorites. And most of my favorite memories have already been scrapbooked. It was a really challenge for me to come up with anything at all, and rather than waste a bunch of paper trying to figure it out, I decided to try out a digital layout instead. Luckily, Stampin Up! Is offering a FREE 30-day trial of their My Digital Studio software. I downloaded it the other day and thought this would be a great opportunity to try it out. I had fun playing with the software, and I actually kind of like my take on today’s challenge.

Challenges can be fun, or challenges can be … challenging. Whatever they are, they help us to grow, to learn, to explore new options, to boldly go where no scrapper has gone before (I’ve always wanted to say that!). Challenge yourself. Do something new. Try a new style. Take a class. Do a new technique. Create something new every day. You’ll be glad you did.

One Week Down!

2012-02-08T23:53:00.000-06:00

Yep, that's right! I've made it through my first week of the LOAD 212 challenge and have completed a layout each day. I must say, it's been fun, but it's been a challenge, too. I start a little bit earlier each day, but somehow that layout expands to fill the time I have left to create it! Oh well, I'm really happy with the layouts I've come up with so far. The prompts have been good in that I've started working on a lot of stuff I probably would have put off for a long time, plus they get me thinking about the journalling I want to put on the layout.

Yesterday's prompt was "I always thought...." It tied right in to some misconceptions I had about my family health history, the reasons behind my recent Susan G. Komen 3-Day experience, and what impact it would have on my life.

Today's prompt was a little harder. "I miss..." says so much, and I had so many things to choose from. I thought about doing something light and fun, like picking all my favorite restaurants in my old hometown. Then I thought about a pet page of my lovely Aussie Shepherd that's no longer with us. I even thought about my grandfather and my great grandmother, but then I thought about my dear high school friend, Belle, and everything just fell into place. I think it turned out great and it said everything I needed it to say. And I can always come back to those other "I miss" layouts another day.

Every Page Does NOT Have to Be a Masterpiece!

2012-02-06T23:33:00.000-06:00

As you may have noticed, there was no blog post yesterday. While I did manage to complete my Layout-A-Day, I ran out of time to upload it to the blog due to the arrival of company for a Super Bowl party. I just barely managed to get the layout uploaded to the LOAD group before everyone started showing up! Lesson learned: Start early on the layout in case something happens!

Sundays theme was "...the more things stay the same." My adaptation features Mark and Christen. I planned to do up a list of all the ways they are similar, but after I wrote the journalling, I decided to leave it just the way it was. It's kind of sweet, and it fits.

For Monday, our theme was "Little Girl Dreams". I didn't have a lot of time to work on a page today, so I thought I'd do something simple -- a repeat of a page I did in scrapbooks for my mother and mother-in-law several years ago. The basis was a story my daughter wrote in elementary school after having watched a bunch of episodes of "Freddy's Nightmares" on TV with my mother. In the previous two albums, I did 8x8 pages that included some halloween pictures and a typewritten adaptation of the story. For my LOAD challenge page, I decided to include the original manuscript along with the typewritten essay, some light journalling by me, a photo of Freddy Kreuger, and a copy of the picture she drew to go with the story. It was all very simple, and I whipped out the whole thing in less than 30 minutes, start to finish, including the search for a photo of Freddy. It's a good thing it didn't take very long to do, because I completely forgot to do my layout until 10:00pm and I had it finished and uploaded by 11:00!

Lesson learned: Start early on the layout in case something happens!

So yeah, it's not the best page I ever made, but in reality, how much could I do to make it better? Buttons and flowers and bows just don't fit, and I really don't think it needs to be any scarier or creepier since it's going in my daughter's book. Keeping it simple works just fine.

Lesson #2: You're not Da Vinci. Every page does not have to be a masterpiece!

Do you like the projects you see on this blog? Want to see more? All our project photos can be viewed on our Picasa Web Album.

Then and Now

2012-02-04T00:23:00.000-06:00

Time for another day of the LOAD 212 challenge! Friday's prompt was "Who You Are Now". I knew I wanted to do a page about myself and how much I've changed over the years. So when I rummaged through my pictures, I found the perfect photo for my layout -- one of me at a recording console. Last month marked the 25-year anniversary of my entrance into college. As a single parent, it was a move that would forever change my life in ways I couldn't even begin to understand. The focus of my page is dreams and ambitions, and how mine have changed in the last 25 years. I think the "Pop Star" paper by Rusty Pickle really helped illustrate my point!

Favorite Picture

2012-02-03T00:24:00.001-06:00

Favorite Picture...that was today's prompt for the LOAD 212 challenge. I knew immediately, what picture I wanted to use, and thanks to some really spicy Thai food for dinner last night, I pretty much had the layout figured out by morning (seriously, I dreamed about scrapbooking ALL...NIGHT...LONG!). Since I didn't really stock up on supplies in advance for the challenge, I did have to make a Hobby Lobby run to get card stock (oh, DARN...I just HATE having to go to Hobby Lobby, don't you?). Any way, here's the inspiration for my page:

And here is the resulting 2-page layout:

I must confess, I spent a lot more time on my layout today than yesterday, and probably a lot more than I will spend on my layout for tomorrow. But this was a very special photo, and I felt like I had to do it up "right". So there it is. I'm still excited to see what tomorrow's challenge will be!

And We Have Lift-off!

2012-02-02T01:21:00.000-06:00

Okay, so you know that I decided to join the LOAD (Layout a Day) challenge for February, right? Well, today's prompt was, "You've got good taste", and Lain suggested layouts about food. I knew I had lots of pictures of food stored in these umpteen boxes of older photos, so the hunt was on. I found some pictures that I thought would work, made a quick search through my paper and had something perfect. That was this morning. My plan was to work on the layout this evening, so I was really pleased with myself for already having a head start.

So later this evening, I whipped out a cute and very simple page. I tried to keep it as quick and effortless as possible. After all, the idea is to get it DONE, not make it the most beautiful layout I've ever done, right? So here's what I came up with:

And I bet you're saying, "Well that doesn't have a darned thing to do with 'Great Taste'!" Admit it! And you're right, but that's the point of the challenge. You don't have to create something on the theme presented. The prompt is just that -- a prompt. Something to get you thinking; to get the creative juices flowing. I really was looking for some good food pictures, but when I saw these, I knew I could do something quick and cute, and that's really all I wanted for my first LOAD day.

Gee, this was easy. Now I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Layout a Day!

2012-01-29T13:55:00.002-06:00

Wow! Joy Tracey over at "Obsessed with Scrapbooking" recommended an awesome challenge that I just couldn't resist! It's Lain Ehmann's Layout A Day (or LOAD, for short).

Throughout the month of February, Lain will challenge scrappers to complete a layout each day based on the prompt she provides. February's theme is "Past Perfect: Looking Back to Look Forward", so we'll be working on pages, themes, and events from our recent or distant past.

I really needed a kick in the seat to get going on my scrapbooking again. All these long months of working on Boy Scout pages and being to busy to scrap at all have left me woefully behind on all my scrapbooks. I'm so far behind, I don't even know where to start! So I figured this would be a great way to get the creative juices going and to get me in the habit of working on my scrapbooks at least a little each day. Who knows, maybe it will inspire me to get a lot MORE done than just 29 layouts?

If you'd care to join me, I'd love to hear about it! The cost is $30 and includes your daily prompt, daily videos, interviews with guest artists, a private message board and private photo gallery, inspiration, fun, and even prizes! I'll be sharing some of my favorite pages right here on this blog! You can find out more about this awesome challenge here:

212 LOAD

Trying to Be a Better Blogger

2012-01-25T12:35:00.032-06:00

I know, I know.... The idea of a scrapbooking blog is that I should *frequently* post some kind of article or entry about scrapbooking. Ideally, that would be at least once per week or something. And yet, as I was just reviewing my post history, I see that I didn't make a single post in the months of October *or* December! Wow. Can I say that I was busy?

While I was poking around, I noticed that I didn't post all that many ideas or samples last year, either. Many of my posts lately have been articles or editorials about scrapbooking or the craft industry in general. I know...it's supposed to be a scrapbooking blog. I really *should* have some scrapbooking samples and ideas, right?

So to make it up to you, I thought I'd share some of the projects we have been doing in our 3rd Wednesday Card/Stamp Club. As you may know, we work on different projects each month (and usually at least one card), so with Sharon's permission, and without further ado, here are some awesome project samples for your enjoyment!

Click on the picture for more card and project ideas!

5th Annual Scrapbooking Cruise

2012-01-13T01:21:00.000-06:00

That's right! Registration is now open for our 5th Annual Scrapbooking cruise. Join us for 5 nights cruising the Western Caribbean including the ports of Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico! Departing from Galveston, Texas aboard the Carnival Triumph, September 15-20, 2012. See our website for details!

I {Heart} Words!

2012-01-12T10:22:00.000-06:00

We are very close to posting the dates for our next scrapbooking cruise! Maybe even later today! In the mean time, I saw this post on Pinterest and thought it was a great idea! I can't wait to implement it. I'm thinking I might use this technique to do a page for my wedding album! I've had supplies to start it for years, but have never been inspired enough to do anything about it (and more than a little afraid to mess it up!) But seeing this made me envision a photo of my wedding singer along with the words to the song she sang. I'll post the results when I'm done, but for now, here's the inspiration!

Source: sidebysideblog.blogspot.com via Candy on Pinterest

And here are the instructions on how to do it from fellow blogger, Maggie at
Black and White {Side by Side}.

http://sidebysideblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/create-digital-valentine-art-without.html.

What other uses can you think of for this great trick?

Crafty Neighbor Now Has an Online Calendar!

2011-11-13T22:02:00.001-06:00

Whew! Check out our new online calendar that we created just in time for the holidays! And guess what?! We just added a whole new crop of classes, too! See all the Crafty Neighbor classes, crops, and retreats at one glance! You can even follow the links on the calendar to sign up online! It's all here:

http://www.my.calendars.net/craftyneighbor

Do our economy a favor this year -- Buy American! What's more American that shopping locally for your Christmas gifts?! Give them something handmade! We have a great selection of one-of-a-kind and made-to-order gifts. Check out CraftyNeighbor.com for more info.

Or better yet, come take one of our classes and MAKE your OWN gifts this year! We have a wide variety of classes for every skill level: Perpetual calendars, stationery, decorative tins, holiday decor, and much more! See our website for a full listing of all classes.

We have a whole list of classes we are offering, but we can only upload them so fast. If you see something you like, but it's not available online yet, please send us an email! And check back frequently! More classes will be added in the next few days!

Still think you're saving money at Michael's?

2011-09-22T23:13:00.000-05:00

I can't count how many times a scrapbooker has told me they don't like to shop at the local scrapbook stores because it's too expensive. The commonly held belief is that it's better to buy at Michaels or Hobby Lobby with a coupon whenever possible. Are you one of those people who won't buy without a coupon? Well guess what, you may not be getting the great deal that you think you are.

In an article on the website for the Attorney General for the state of New York, the A.G. summarizes a $1.8M settlement between Michael's stores and the state of New York for falsely claiming huge discounts while customers were actually paying full retail price. The state alleges that the retail craft giant used deceptive trade practices daily for over two years, fooling customers into buying items they thought they were getting at a discount.

While the article only mentions the issue of Michael's custom framing, it is easy to imagine that a company that would stoop this low on a daily basis would also use some of those same practices to deceive customers in other ways. Which then begs the question, are you really getting a discount?

I have always been a supporter of local craft stores and have made it a point to promote my local scrapbooking stores at every opportunity. Local stores are not just selling you a product, they are selling you their services, their knowledge, and their expertise. I firmly believe that you get what you pay for, and while you may be getting a discount by shopping at the big chain stores, when you shop locally, you are investing not only in the product you are purchasing, but also the people who sell it and the community you live in.

So next time you need to buy craft supplies, think twice about where you spend your money. It may be costing you more than you think.

To read more about the Michaels settlement, visit: http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2011/sep/sep19a_11.html

To learn more about supporting local stores in your community, visit:

http://www.the350project.net/home.html

Hot, Hot, Hot!

2011-08-09T11:15:00.001-05:00

Whew! It's HOT out there! I know summer is the time to be doing stuff outdoors, but if you're like me, it is just too darned hot to be outside in 100° heat. Air conditioning was invented for a reason! This weather is the PERFECT weather for sitting inside under some air conditioning and doing some good scrapbooking and crafting and that means crops and classes!

Here's a peek at the Crafty Neighbor calendar. You can see we have a few events coming up! We hope you'll join us for one or two (or more)! All classes and crops are at our Carrollton location unless otherwise noted. Please RSVP or pay online to reserve your spot!

Crafty Neighbor Studios

Cindy Murray's house

2006 Stefani Place

Carrollton, Texas

972-965-2606

cindy@craftyneighbor.com

http://www.craftyneighbor.com

Wednesday, 8/10/11, 2pm - 4pm: Stamping Basics; Learn about the different kinds of inks and stamps; $15

Wednesday, 8/10/11, 7pm - 9pm: Stamping Basics; Learn about the different kinds of inks and stamps; $15

Thursday, 8/11/11, Noon - ???: Weekday Crop Party; Bring your supplies and crop for the day; $5

Saturday, 8/13/11, All Day: Scrappin' Goodtime Workshops; Christen and I will be in Corsicana and the fabulous Scrappin' Goodtime Store and Retreat. Join us Friday evening for some cropping and classes on Saturday. Stay all night at the retreat and take classes all day! See the Scrappin' Goodtime website for a list of available classes; price varies.

Friday, 8/27/11; 7pm: 6-Pack and Pizza Combo; Join us for an evening of pizza and three 2-page layouts (6-pack). See website for details; $40

Saturday, 10/9/11 - 10/16/11: 4th Annual Scrapbooking Cruise; Space is still available at the current market rate. Join us for 7-days aboard the Carnival Conquest including Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Cozumel. Classes, demos, prizes, and lots of fun!; Call for pricing -- very, very low rates!

Learn to Scrapbook!

Do you know anyone who is interested in learning to scrapbook? Tell them about our Beginner Basics class! For just $15, they can learn all the basics of scrapbooking and complete a two-page layout. We can also provide one-on-one tutoring and instruction upon request. Let us know if you are interested and we will arrange a Beginner class or private session to suit your needs!

Copics, Classes, Corsicana, and Cruises!

2011-07-10T23:49:00.008-05:00

Well, here I go again…getting behind on my blog. The truly sad thing about it is the reason I’m behind on my blog is also the reason I need to make sure I do blog – all the exciting events and goings-on at Crafty Neighbor! So in an effort to keep this short and sweet, here’s a little recap of all the Crafty Neighbor news for the past week or two:

Crafty Neighbor at Scrappin’ Goodtime

You’ve probably heard us talking about it, but in case you haven’t, here’s the deal: the Crafty Neighbors have made an arrangement with Scrappin’ Goodtime in Corsicana to provide a series of classes and workshops to her store and retreat clients. Stephanie and I just returned from our first weekend there and we had a GREAT time meeting a fabulous group of ladies from Tyler, Texas and another from Friendswood.

In case you are interested, the classes are open to retreat participants and store customers. You can reserve a spot in a class by paying a $15 deposit. All of the classes are served a la carte, so you can pick and choose which classes fit your needs and your budget. We will provide the supplies and show you how to do the project while you work at your own pace. Do one project, do two, or do them all – the classes are all priced individually, so you can take as many as you like. What’s even better is that the same classes will be offered every weekend, so you don’t have to be disappointed that you missed a class you really wanted to take just because you have to go visit grandma on that weekend. Our Crafty Neighbor instructors will be there on alternating weekends, so check with us in advance to find out if your favorite instructor will be there. Don’t want to drive back and forth just to take a class? Give owner, Susie Ellis, a call at the store to find out if she has space at her retreat. It’s a really great place to stay and she is running a grand opening special of 4 days/3 nights for a low, low $100.

If you want to see what projects we are teaching, please check out our full class list at:
http://www.craftyneighbor.com/classes/classes.html

More Copic Marker Classes with Frank Vento

For all you Copic lovers, Frank has most graciously agreed to return to Crafty Neighbor studios to finish out our series of Copic marker classes. Frank has also agreed to contribute half of the proceeds to our Ta-Ta Sisterhood walk team raising money for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in November. The class dates and times are as follows:

• Copic 2: Skin and Hair -- Tuesday, July 19 – 7pm to 9pm

• Copic 3: Airbrushing with Copic Markers – Tuesday, August 2 – 7pm to 9pm

You can register for these and other classes on our website. But hurray, reserve your class now – space is limited!

Even More New Classes!

Due to the popularity of our Beginner Basics classes, we have decided to add more sessions for July! This class will show you everything you need to know to get you started in scrapbooking. Have a friend who wants to learn, but aren’t sure how to get her started? Bring her to our class! If you are one of the ladies who were in the May class that was cut short by the storms, you are welcome to join us in this class for free, but please RSVP to make sure we have enough supplies for everyone! The first session of this class is:

• Sunday, July 17, 2011 from 2:00pm – 4:00 pm, $15

We have also had multiple requests for a few “beyond basics” classes for scrapbookers who want a little more instruction or who want to learn about a specific technique. So in August we will begin a series of classes to help you take your scrapbooks just one step further. Each class will focus on a specific technique or product, and you will complete a series of technique tags that you can keep as a handy reference. Our first Technique Tag class will be “Stampin’ Basics” on Wednesday, August 3rd. This class will be in two sessions:

• Daytime: 2:00pm – 4:00pm

• Evening: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

You can register for these and other classes on our website at:
http://www.craftyneighbor.com

Cruise with Crafty Neighbor!

We hope you’re not tired of hearing about our upcoming scrapbooking cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, because we sure are getting excited about it! We still have a few Ocean View cabins left at the incredibly low price of $ 711.43. This all-inclusive 7-day cruise is a great way to spend some time with friends, family, or your paper and adhesives! Don’t want to scrapbook? Don’t worry, we won’t tell! Just come on and take advantage of this special group rate – you can do your own thing and enjoy all the amenities the Carnival Conquest has to offer!

We are currently working on the designs for our classes. We have signed two new instructors to our group this year: Angel Hawks and Stephanie McIntosh. They are both ultra-talented ladies, and the projects they are bringing you are FA-BU-LOUS! We just know you are going to want to take all of them! But remember, in order to keep our cruise prices as low as possible, all of our classes are priced individually and can take as many or as few as you like. So watch for class registration to open very soon, and sign up quick before they’re all filled!

For more information about our cruise, visit our website at:

http://www.craftyneighbor.com

Take photos, and don't forget to journal!
Cindy

Snapfish Father's Day Deal

2011-06-21T00:29:00.004-05:00

Just thought I'd pass along another great deal from Snapfish:

Where's the Fonts?

2011-06-19T14:06:00.009-05:00

How many of you remember the old Wendy’s commercial “Where’s the Beef?” where the little old lady goes to the burger joint and winds up with a big fluffy bun and not much else? Some days, that’s the way I feel about my Cricut – there’s just no substance to it any more…no meat. It promised to be the next big thing in die cutting letters for titles in my scrapbooks, and I happily gobbled up whatever fonts I could get my hands on. Unfortunately, the answer to all my title problems has instead become a cartoonish collection of silly images and shapes that may look cute, but really aren’t very useful at all.

Don’t get me wrong…I love my Cricut. I own 32 cartridges of some of the cutest fonts, images, shapes, and graphic designs I could ever imagine. I use my Expression all the time and am slowly developing a gentle friendship with my Gypsy handheld. I cut out all kinds of cute shapes and letters for my scrapbooks, cards, posters, even a stencil for a Boy Scout cook box. But let’s face it -- it’s just not the title and letter cutting machine that it was made out to be.

For those of you unfamiliar with the history, the Cricut was first introduced in May of 2006 as an answer to Xyron’s Personal Die Cutting System and the Wishblade. It was marketed primarily to scrapbookers and crafters for cutting lettering and fonts for titles, posters, and journaling. Its main selling point was that it was several hundred dollars cheaper than the Xyron’s Wishblade and it did not require a computer for use. It also boasted a catalog of font and shape cartridges that promised infinite flexibility through adjustable sizing and optional features on each cartridge -- all for about the same price (or less) as a traditional die-cut font set such as the QuicKutz, Sizzix, and Accucut fonts that were popular at the time. The Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter was a smash hit and was soon followed by the Cricut Expression machine, which offered even more flexibility and options, as well as the ability to cut paper in sizes up to 12” x 24.

I got my Expression in 2008 as a birthday gift from my husband, and I immediately spent every bit of extra money I had, including several gift cards, to buy fonts for it. My favorites were the original Plantin Schoolbook, Storybook, Opposites Attract, and (eventually) the Hannah Montana font. What all these cartridges had in common was that they were all font-based cartridges, often with multiple options for different styles of lettering, and while all of them have at least some shapes on them, the images and shapes were not the purpose or main focus of the cartridge. These cartridges are still my go-to cartridges when I need a nice font quick. They represent a nice variety of styles that fit just about any occasion. But still I want more.

Of the 32 cartridges I own, about half of them contain a font of some sort. The others were either gifts (most of them) or were purchased for use on a specific project (Handy Man, 50 States, Destinations, Stand and Salute) and whenever I see that Provo Craft has released new cartridges, the first thing I look for is more fonts. At the time of writing, Provo Craft has released 283 cartridges, which averages to more than 55 new cartridges a year for the past five years. Sadly, other than a few Walmart-exclusive “Lite” cartridges, there has not been a single font cartridge released in almost two years.

So what happened? Why has Provo Craft abandoned the font lovers in favor of sickeningly sweet cuteness in the form of smiling watermelon images, cuddly critters, household objects, and holiday shapes? Why are we now reduced to going back to our traditional die cutting systems for new fonts, or worse yet, investing in a new system altogether? Is it time to revisit the Wishblade or the Silhouette? Many scrapbookers have turned to Craft Edge, the makers of Sure Cuts a Lot, for the answer.

Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL) is a software program that enables Cricut users to use any TrueType font, SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) file, or even your own drawing without requiring an additional cartridge purchase[i]. I haven’t used SCAL, but I’m definitely intrigued. I’ve been a collector of fonts since the late ‘80’s, and have used them extensively in my scrapbooks. Until now, the greatest drawback has been that I could only print those fonts. But if I could cut them out of paper, cardstock, or any number of other materials, well, then I would be a very happy camper!

The mere fact that this product exists demonstrates the obvious demand by Cricut users for more flexibility, and especially for fonts. Unfortunately, in response to the rise in sales of the SCAL software, Provo Craft did a really dumb and (at least to me) classless thing. Rather than accept the gauntlet that has been thrown, rising to the challenge and meeting the demands of their users by introduce more fonts and more flexibility, or better yet, by adding TrueType functionality to their existing (and popular) Design Studio software and Gypsy handheld devices, they decided to sue Craft Edge. Filing suit in January 2011, Provo Craft seeks to end distribution of the SCAL software based on alleged violations of their copyright[ii].

The controversial move has outraged many avid SCAL fans and Cricut users, and has been perceived as unjust, juvenile, bordering on the equivalent of siblings in the back seat of the car yelling, “He’s looking at me!” That Provo Craft would take this stance is quite a slap in the face to the thousands of Cricut users who have been begging Provo Craft for these options for years. It is obvious that Provo Craft is not interested in what its customers want or need, and that they are little more than a big bully on the playground insisting that everyone play the game their way.

Provo Craft needs to change their attitude if they expect me to keep buying their products. Start listening to customers. Stop beating up the little guys. Let the customers choose the way they want to play. Put some real meat in your products, not just silly fluff and big buns. That reminds me of another burger slogan, one that Provo Craft should adopt -- Burger King’s “Have it Your Way” campaign. Imagine being able to turn on your Cricut machine and cut out any letter, any shape, in any style or size that you could imagine. Now THAT would be something I could sink my teeth into!

[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricut

[ii] http://www.scrapbookupdate.com/s=Provo+Craft+Sues+Sure+Cuts+A+Lot&submit=Search

More Classes and Events

2011-06-12T01:32:00.006-05:00

Copic Marker Class

Have you ever wanted to learn about Copic Markers? Do you want to take your stamping skills one step further? Want to learn something new AND contribute to a great cause? Then join us Wednesday, May 25th at 7:00 pm for a beginner Copic Marker class taught by Frank Vento! Registration is just $30 and Crafty Neighbor will donate $15 for each registration to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk Team "Ta-Ta Sisterhood".
Registration is open until 11pm, Monday, June 13th. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!

Beginner Scrapbooking

Are you interested in learning the basics of scrapbooking? We are considering scheduling a few more beginner classes this summer. If you are interested in taking this basic scrapbooking class, please email us! Here’s what we cover:

This workshop covers archival preservation of memorabilia, photos, and documents, tools and supplies, as well as beginning scrapbooking and creative presentation techniques. In this class, you will complete 1-2 layouts to get you started. We'll also show you some simple steps to keeping all your stuff organized.

Crop Party!

Join us for a fun all-day crop at the Crafty Neighbor Studios! Meet fellow scrapbookers, catch up on your projects, and find out what Crafty Neighbor is all about! Light refreshments will be provided and we are close to many delivery and take-out food sources. The cost is just $5, and space is limited, so you MUST pre-register for this event.

4th Annual Scrapbooking Cruise

We still have a few cabins left on our 4th Annual Scrapbookiing Cruise. Join us October 9-16 as we sail from Galveston to the ports of Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico. Prices start at less than $100 per day! See our website for more details!

Cruise Payments DUE

Remember that your June cruise payment is due this month. Contact Cindy or Pam for details.

For more information about these and other events, please visit our website at http://www.craftyneighbor.com

Quick updates and reminders

2011-05-28T01:39:00.001-05:00

Here I go, forgetting to post on time again! Actually, I didn't really forget, I just have not had time to post much of anything this week. My son is graduating high school in just 7 days and this whole semester of school has kept me hopping! So I'm going to keep this short, but sweet and tell you that we have just a couple of changes to our class schedule to announce.

First, our Beginner Basics class got interrupted by some inclement weather and our newbie scrapbooker moms had to rush home to take care of their families. So we've actually rescheduled it for this coming Tuesday, May 31st, at 7:00 pm. If you've ever been curious about scrapbooking or any other paper and glue-type crafts, please feel free to join us! The class fee is just $15 and covers all your supplies. You will learn all about the basic tools used in scrapbooking as well as information about archiving and preserving your memorabilia.

Another class which has been recently rescheduled is our Copic Marker Class with Frank Vento. Frank is a FABULOUS instructor and his Copic Marker certification makes him an expert in these nifty little alcohol ink-based markers. This class will teach you the basics of Copic markers and costs just $30 -- half of which is being donated to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk team "Ta-Ta Sisterhood". So join us on June 15th if you want to learn to use the markers that Manga artists use or if you just want to kick your stamping techniques up a notch.

Registration for both classes is open at http://www.craftyneighbor.com

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Weekly Update May 20, 2011

2011-05-22T14:03:00.001-05:00

Okay, I've made some resolutions with the blog.... I'm always "meaning to" do more posts, but I've never been a "regular" blogger. I post when I think about it, or when I "get a chance". I really want to do better, so I decided to set myself a regular schedule, and maybe that will help me keep up with it a little better. So the goal is to post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Monday and Wednesdays will be my regular blog posts with ideas, discussions, and whatever pops into my zany little head. Fridays will be my "Weekly Update" where I post about whatever is coming up for Crafty Neighbor, including class schedules, crops, retreats, sales, and whatnot. And since I resolved to do this sometime last week, that means I was supposed to have posted an Update on Friday, but I didn't, so here it is, two days late. But hey, at least I did it, right?

GASC Comes to Arlington!

Great American Scrapbook Convention is right around the corner! Do you have your tickets yet? GASC tickets will be $12 at the door, but you can buy yours in advance for just $10! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to see all the new merchandise, learn new techniques, and shop, shop, shop ‘til you drop. But hurry, Monday, May 23rd is the last day to get your tickets at this low price! Just go to http://www.craftyneighbor.com/ to order online, or send us an email to pay by cash, check, or money order!

Already have your ticket? Come see us while you’re there! Our Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk team will be helping out Googly Eyes and Craft Supplies by running their make-and-take table! Stop by and see us! We’d love to show you the cute project Googly Eyes has planned, and your donation will help us fight breast cancer!

Great American Scrapbook Convention will be at the Arlington Convention Center Thursday, June 2 through Saturday, June 4th.

Up-Coming Classes

Registration is still open for two classes this week: Copic Markers with Frank Vento and Beginner Basics with Cindy and Stephanie. We hope you’ll join us for one of these great classes! You can read more about them and our other great classes on our website at: http://www.craftyneighbor.com/classes/classes.html

Due to the nature of these classes, late registration and drop-ins cannot be accommodated. Please register no later than Monday, May 23rd at 10pm. Thanks!

4th Annual Scrapbooking Cruise

There is still time to sign up for our fabulous 7-Night Caribbean Cruise. Departing from Galveston, Texas, visit the ports of Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico. Spend 3 full days at sea enjoying your favorite hobby – scrapbooking – or simply enjoy one of the hundreds of activities and amenities on this fabulous ship. This vacation is all-inclusive* and starts at less than $100 per day. You do not have to be a scrapbooker to take advantage of this great low rate!

http://www.craftyneighbor.com/retreats/cruises.html

But hurry, this offer won’t last long! These reduced rates are only guaranteed until we fill our quantity of reserved cabins. After that, prices will reflect the current market rate.

If you have any questions about these events or Crafty Neighbor in general, please visit our website at www.CraftyNeighbor.com

Daydream Believer

2011-05-16T14:17:00.000-05:00

Man, oh man, I had some weird dreams last night! The family and I dined at one of our favorite Mexican food restaurants, and I wound up with some serious indigestion that set my brain off on a path that could rival Alice’s “Wonder Land”. I don’t remember a thing about it, but if it’s anything like most of the other weird dreams I’ve ever had, I’m sure it was rife with some mundane task that I tried repeatedly to complete but never quite managed to accomplish because I was constantly being interrupted, distracted, or otherwise side-tracked by some other weird aspect of the dream.

Have you ever dreamed about scrapbooking? I do all the time. Sometimes I will wake up from a sound sleep with what I think is the “perfect” solution for a scrapbooking page or a card. If I’m lucky, I might even manage to remember it long enough to sit down with scissors and paper. The results aren’t always as spectacular as my dreams might suggest, and I sometimes have to put a lot of effort into them to make them into anything worth completing at all, but sometimes my sleeping brain gives me a surprising idea that is so good it’s worthy of posting here, like the Dandelion page.

Diamond-fold lacing made with "Hot Off the Press" stencil #7312; flower stem by Deluxe Cuts

I created this page many years ago after a vivid dream in which I used an ordinary hole-punch to create the parts to make a paper-pieced dandelion. I thought the idea was brilliant, so I spent hours that morning working on the flower and as I worked on it, I remembered the essay my daughter had written as a school assignment many years earlier. The flower turned out to be the perfect embellishment, since I had no photos, and it wound up being one of my favorite layouts for a long time.

Whether you dream about scrapbooking in your sleep, or imagine perfect layouts while driving your car, harness that creative energy into something useful. Dreaming and daydreams are the power of our imagination exploring the limits of possibility, and the more we imagine, the more our creativity grows. Daydreams come when you are most relaxed and your mind is open and free to explore the possibilities. Have you ever had a great idea in the shower? My husband has a creative friend at work who keeps a waterproof recorder in his shower so he can take down all the awesome advertising slogans that pop into his head while he’s taking his bath.

Make use of your grand ideas by keeping a sketchbook, notepad, or other recording device handy. I keep notepads everywhere…in my purse, on my desk, in the car, next to my bed…I even have one in my scrapbook tool tote. That way, if inspiration strikes me, I can at least jot down some ideas, make a sketch, or even write out an entire blog. Oh, and by the way, the inspiration for this little post came to me as I was just waking up this morning.

The Crafty Neighbor

Save It Quick Or You'll Be Sick!

2011-05-16T02:00:00.001-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days? You know the kind I’m talking about … one of those days when you’ve spent hours working on a project and suddenly your computer crashes and you lose all your work? Apparently, a bit of regularly scheduled maintenance resulted in one of those days for Blogger, causing data corruption, intermittent outages, disappearing posts, and a host of other errors. I think everything is up and running now, but I’m sure the chaos was frustrating for everyone involved.

It reminds me of the time many, many years ago when my audio engineer husband stayed up working all night on a soundtrack for a high school musical. He’d been working for more than 8 hours straight on one piece of music when the computer suddenly froze and he lost every bit of work he’d done. After that, he was often known to say, “Save it quick, or you’ll be sick.” Apparently, my daughter never learned that lesson, because years later, she stayed up all night working on a very important report for school. She was so relieved to finish it up, but instead of saving it first, she went straight to print. Unfortunately, she accidentally hit the power button on her computer instead.

I can’t count the number of times I have worked for hours on a blog and hit “Post” only to have the computer freeze, crash, or tell me I was no longer logged in. My daughter reminds me every week to type it up in my word processor first and then copy and paste it into Blogger. More recently, my son’s cell phone died and he lost all the phone numbers he had stored in it. When I asked him if he had backed them up in his address book on his computer, of course his reply was “no”.

Fortunately, for my son, all of the numbers he had stored in his phone were pretty recent ones from people he sees pretty much every day, so he was back in business within a couple of days. Websites and blogs are not always so easy to find. Have you ever stumbled upon a great website but failed to bookmark it and then was never able to find it again.? I certainly hope that at least a few of the people who’ve stumbled across my little craft blog like it enough to want to come back. If you’re one of them, I hope you’ll take my husband’s advice -- don’t let some random mishap spoil all our crafty fun! Keep track of this scrappy little blog by clicking the “Follow” link on the left. I’ve moved it up to the top of the sidebar for your convenience.

Come to think of it, life works pretty much in the same way. Birthdays, Christmases and vacations go by in the blink of an eye and then they’re gone forever. That’s one of the reasons why we scrapbook – to preserve the memories that are important to us before we forget them. So save it quick, or you’ll be sick, and don’t forget to journal!

Great American Scrapbook Convention

2011-05-09T14:08:00.001-05:00

Don't forget! Crafty Neighbor is an authorized seller of tickets for the

Great American Scrapbook Convention

June 2-4, 2011

Buy your tickets from us!

Visit our website at

CraftyNeighbor.com

for more details

National Scrapbook Day

2011-05-08T23:54:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a great National Scrapbook Day. Did you get to scrapbook? As you probably know, the Crafty Neighbors had originally planned to host a big 14-hour crop for National Scrapbook Day, but wound up canceling because we didn’t have enough people signed up. We really couldn’t imagine a National Scrapbook Day without scrapbooking, so we decided to go to a retreat in Waxahachie, but that, too, was foiled--this time, by a last minute scheduling conflict. So after a long day of doing just about everything else, it was almost 10:00 pm before we actually got to sit down and crop, and even then, it wasn’t my own scrapbooks that I got to work on, it was samples for a class we have coming up.

It really brings home a blog I wrote a few years ago about finding the time to crop. These days, it seems like I never do. I was recently lamenting this sad fact to a local scrapbook storeowner, to which she replied, “That’s what happens when you go into the scrapbooking business.” She’s right. It makes me think back on what we were thinking when Stephanie and I first started Crafty Neighbor. We thought we were doing something that would allow us to crop more. Boy were we wrong!

I’ve always been a big fan of crop parties and gathering together with friends to do the crafts we love. In the early days of my scrapbooking adventure, Stephanie and I made a regular routine of going to weekday crops at our local stores and scrapbooking together on weekends whenever we could. Sometimes we were joined by my daughter, Christen, or by other friends. And after I moved to my new home with a dedicated “crop room”, we enjoyed hosting crop parties and gatherings with our crafty friends.

It was through these gatherings that I really learned to scrapbook. It’s where I learned to be less hung up on perfection and to just enjoy the process of crafting. I never took a beginner scrapbooking class; I just started right in, and I learned just about everything I knew from watching others or by trial and error. New techniques were learned by necessity, and I never would have learned anything at all if it weren’t for all my friends, all the LSS employees, and all my fellow croppers at all those weekend crops.

National Scrapbook Day crops have always held a special place in my heart. The first one I ever attended was based on a “Survivor” theme. Participants competed in scrapbooking versions of the popular TV show’s immunity challenges, winning prizes and hoping to take home the grand prize – a basket full of scrapbook goodies and a fabulous retreat for two. Stephanie and I had a great time. I don’t know if it was the marathon 60-hours of non-stop cropping, the prizes, the games, or the great people I met that year, but we’ve been trying to recapture the magic of that event ever since.

I won’t lie to you. I would love it if all my scrapbooking efforts translated into a little extra money once in a while. I mean, who doesn’t need a little padding in their wallet? But that wasn’t really my primary reason for becoming involved in this business. It was the people. It was the knowledge I’ve gained through scrapbooking with others. It was the friends, life-long ones, that I’ve met and who have become important pieces in the puzzle of my life. Stephanie and I wanted to create the kind of crop that we wanted to go to, and we did it with the hope that we could help sustain the scrapbooking industry and keep a little piece of it alive for ourselves. By hosting crops, we gave ourselves a place to crop. Or so we thought.

Sadly, our big dreams of having our own scrapbook company didn’t turn us into rich millionaires with tons of spare time on our hands. In fact, we probably have less time to crop now than we’ve ever had, and now that I’m selling travel with Pam and we are both very busy trying to promote our October scrapbooking cruise, there just isn’t much time for scrapbooking any more.

So this year, for the first time ever, I didn’t participate in an organized crop. Instead, I stayed home and worked on a few projects for my upcoming classes. But today…that’s another story. Today was Mother’s Day, a day when I should be able to do whatever I want, right? So what better use of my time today than on scrapbooking? And you know what else? I’ve decided that no matter how busy I get or how stressed out I might be, I need to be sure and make more time to scrapbook just for fun. By continuing to do the thing I love, and by continuing to buy supplies and take classes, I can help ensure that local stores continue to carry scrapbooking products and that small scrapbook stores stay open. We should all remember that it’s not just the albums and the pictures and the pretty paper that brings us all together – it’s the people. We don’t have to wait until National Scrapbook Day to celebrate! Make every day a scrapbooking holiday! Call up some family or a friend and ask them to come crop! You won’t regret it! Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day!

Cancellation Notice!

2011-04-30T14:12:00.002-05:00

We're Sorry!

The Crafty Neighbor National Scrapbook Day Event has been cancelled!

This event has been cancelled due to a lack of interest. But don't worry, we'll have another crop sometime in the near future. In the mean time, if you are looking for something to do or somewhere to crop for NSD (or any time), please check out the National Scrapbook Day events at one of the many local stores around DFW. If you need help finding a store near you, please check out this article on our blog at:

A Store on Every Corner

Some of the Crafty Neighbors will be at the Scrappin' Goodtime NSD retreat in Corsicana. They still have a few spots left for day croppers ($25) and one bedroom in the retreat. Visit:

Scrappin' Goodtime

for details.

New Classes Added to Our Calendar!

2011-04-29T12:17:00.001-05:00

It's time once again for a Beginner Scrapbooking class! This workshop is open to anyone who has an interest in scrapbooking, genealogy, or preserving memorabilia. We will cover archival preservation of memorabilia, photos, and documents, creative presentation techniques, tools and supplies, as well as beginning scrapbooking techniques. In this class, you will complete one 2-page layout in either a "boy" or "girl" theme plus a simple handmade card.

Choose one of two dates available!

Thursday, May 12 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM, or Tuesday, May 24 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Crafty Neighbor Studios (Murray House) in Carrollton.

Workshop cost: $15.00 (includes all paper and materials) This is a GREAT bargain...you get a beginner class PLUS one 2-page layout and a card. A typical layout class at a local scrapbook store will cost $20-25!

We will provide: Light refreshments, paper, tools and supplies, experts and professional scrapbookers to answer all your questions and guide you through the scrapbooking process.

You will need to bring: scissors, your favorite adhesive (optional), and any photos* you wish to add to your layouts (optional).

Experienced scrapbookers are welcome! Come learn, share your knowledge, or just to make the layouts!

Spread the word! Don't need the class but have a friend who might be interested? Please pass it on! Everyone is welcome.

New Classes!

2011-04-26T02:10:00.002-05:00

Have you ever wanted to learn about Copic Markers?

Do you want to take your stamping skills one step further?

Want to learn something new AND contribute to a great cause?

Then join us

Wednesday, May 25th

7:00 pm

for a

Beginner Copic Marker Class taught by Frank Vento!

Registration is just $30 and Crafty Neighbor will donate $15 for each registration to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk Team "Ta-Ta Sisterhood".

Registration is still open for our National Scrapbook Day Retreat and our 7-Night Exotic Caribbean Cruise. Scrapbook aboard the Carnival Conquest and visit the islands of Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Don't miss this incredible price!

Yes, registration is still open!

2011-04-18T00:25:00.001-05:00

Just jotting down a quick reminder that registration is still open for our National Scrapbook Day Crop and for the 7-Night Caribbean Cruise in October. If you are interested in learning more about the cruise or the crop, please visit our website at:

http://www.CraftyNeighbor.com

And now, so that this post isn't entirely advertising and self-promotion, here are some recent cards and some holiday magnets I made, as well as a few paint cans I did for our 3-Day Walk Team fundraising.

A couple of my cans:

These are some magnets I made for a customer for her magnetic calendar. I thought they turned out pretty cute! Creating something that conveys a message in such a small space can be a real challenge!

4th Annual Scrapbooking Cruise - 7-Nights in the Caribbean!

2011-04-06T13:38:00.002-05:00

Join us for 7 glorious nights in the Caribbean aboard the Carnival Conquest, departing out of Galveston, Texas on Sunday, October 9, 2011. Ports of call include Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico. Registration is now open; prices start at under $100 per person per day!

Go to WWW.CraftyNeighbor.com for details!

And don't forget about our 14-hour Crop 'til You Drop on May 7th, celebrating National Scrapbook Day!

Register yourself and a friend by April 7th and receive a $10 rebate on the day of the event!

Go to WWW.CraftyNeighbor.com for details!

111 Photo Prints for $1.11!

2011-04-04T18:52:00.003-05:00

Yep, that's right! Snapfish is 11 years old and they're celebrating with a great deal! 111 prints for $1.11!

Order Prints

News, News and More News!

2011-04-01T00:45:00.001-05:00

As you know, we’ve spent the last two weeks in recovery from our marathon Pam’s Pals crop. What you probably don't know is that we made a few announcements at the event and we're excited to share them with you here!

Introducing:

http://travel.craftyneighbor.com

Yep, you see that right! Crafty Neighbor Travel! Pam and I have recently signed a contract with Dugan's Travel to start our very own travel business! So what does this mean for you? It means great deals on all your travel, of course, but most importantly, it means that we can bring you more retreats and more cruises at better prices without the hassle of dealing with a middleman or outside travel agent! So check us out the next time you are looking to book some travel, and stay tuned for some new cruises and retreats in the very near future!

Want to add your Pam’s Pals experience to your scrapbook?

Check out our custom-made Pam’s Pals 12 x12 scrapbook paper. Available for a limited time, these gorgeous papers are perfect for preserving your Pam’s Pals memories! Our first 2-page set in this new series is available for just $3 a pair.

Show your Pam’s Pal support to the world!

We are currently taking orders for Pam's Pals t-shirts.

The cost is $14.50 each and they are available in most sizes.

To order t-shirts or our custom Pam's Pals paper, just send us an email to order@craftyneighbor.com

And now for something really exciting……drum roll please……

Registration is now open for our
2011 National Scrapbook Day crop!

Join us May 7th for a 14-hour Retro Throw-Back Crop ‘til You Drop!

For more information, go to www.CraftyNeighbor.com

Crop for a Cause

2011-03-21T10:54:00.002-05:00

Here is the official flyer for the Richland Rebels community crop. The deadline has passed, but they assure me they are still taking reservations!

Cropping for a Cause

2011-03-18T09:33:00.001-05:00

It's always fun to do something you love and turn it to a good cause. Just this past weekend, we had an all-day crop to benefit the Susan G. Komen 3-Day and our walk team, Ta-Ta Sisterhood. Another scrapbooker found my email and sent me this information about another all-day, crop-for-a-cause opportunity:

Crop til you Drop Fundraiser

When: Saturday, March 26, 2011

10 AM – 9 PM

Where: North Ridge Middle School (Cafeteria)

7332 Douglas Lane

North Richland Hills

Cost: $25.00 per person for ½ day (until 5:00 PM)

Includes lunch, snacks, drinks

$30.00 per person for full day

Includes lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks

Each person will have their own table to use for the day. We will have Make-and-Takes, raffles, vendor tables, etc.

SPACE IS LIMITED SO RESERVE TODAY!

RSVP and payment made by Sunday, March 20, 2011

Contact: Amy Ashkinazy 817 846-5922 amy.ashkinazy@aa.com or

Angela Maine 817 992-5634 baseballmommy1995@yahoo.com

We will accept cash or credit card.

I don't know anything else about this event, but it sounds like fun!

More Cheap Prints!

2011-03-16T10:22:00.001-05:00

Okay, so hopefully by now you know that we have just been swamped getting ready for our big Pam's Pals event last Saturday. And now that it's over, we have to clean up all the mess. We've got lots of pictures to share with you, and we'll post them in the next few days, but in the mean time, here's another great print offer from Snapfish.

Luck o' the Snapfish – get 100 prints for $5

View email online

You don't have to be Irish to be lucky on St. Patrick's Day! We're dealing up 100 prints for just $5, including shipping. You can even add four-leaf clover borders with our photo editing tools or cut prints into shamrock shapes for an extra festive touch.

Just use coupon PADDY20 by March 21.*

Passing along the savings

2011-03-09T08:04:00.001-06:00

Over the years, I've become something of a penny-pincher -- I guess everyone is these days. There's just no sense in paying extra money for something when you don't have to. So I clip coupons and shop when things are on sale. It allows me to have a crop room full of "stuff" without paying full retail price. And since I have so many good friends who like to save money, too, I like to pass on any tips for saving when I get them. Here's a good one:

Get 100 prints FREE with $10 Photo Gift purchase
View email online

You can't save time in a bottle but you can keep and share favorite moments with Photo Gifts. A new baby's first smile, a best friend's new home, or a perfect day with a perfect someone. Each moment is yours to keep or to give away to somebody special.

You've loved sharing your prints from Snapfish so why not spread your Snappiness in a new way today? Purchase $10 in photo gifts and we'll give you 100 of your favorite 4" x 6" prints FREE. Just use coupon code MY100PICS by March 14, 2011.*

Last Minute Valentine's Day Cards and More...

2011-02-14T17:15:00.001-06:00

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm a procrastinator! So I made all these cards a few weeks ago, and then forgot to mail them. I was going to post them on my blog to give you some card ideas, but I postponed that, too. Ooops. But I know I'm not the only procrastinator out there...there's bound to be dozens of people right now frantically searching the web for some cute Valentine's Day card ideas. So in case you are one of them, like me, here ya' go... a few very quick and easy cards, plus a few other cute things...enjoy!

A matching envelope:

And here's a few quick crafts you can do. All of these take just minutes to make:

Bubble wand party favors: tie some ribbons around the handle of bridal bubble wands. Add a drop of pink food coloring (or VERY diluted red). Voila!

Post-it pad Clipboards: Cover a chipboard coaster with patterned paper. Distress. Add post-it notes and clip with a binder clip. Add ribbons.

Flower pens: Pull bottom plug out of Bic pen. Insert small, rolled up strip of patterned paper into tube. Hot glue flower to open end. Wrap with ribbon.

Holders for flameless votives: The base is a scalloped circle punched from cardstock. Clip the scallops apart and bend upward to form the base. Wrap with velum you have stamped with desired shapes and colors. Add a strip of cardstock around the bottom to frame the base. I decorated this set with punched hearts around the base.

A Store on Every Corner!

2011-01-23T23:55:00.007-06:00

How many times have you complained that there are no scrapbooking stores left in the DFW area? Come on, ‘fess up…. I’ll be the first to admit that I grouse about it all the time. But the fact of the matter is, that’s just not true! Recently, Pam and I were taking a mental count of the local stores so we could distribute flyers for our up coming Pam’s Pals Benefit Crop. I was thinking there were only 4 or 5 stores left in the whole Metroplex, but when I started ticking them off on my fingers, I realized there were more. Sure enough, when I actually sat down and made a list, there were a LOT more. And then, after doing a little digging on the internet and browsing one GREAT online resource, I came up with a list of more than 20!

I can hear all of you saying “HUH?” from here. But sure enough, it’s true. If you count the stores from Whitesboro to Corsicana, from Greenville to Mineral Wells, there are more than 20 stores that sell paper and scrapbooking supplies and they’re all still open for business. And NO, I am NOT counting all the Walmarts, JoAnn’s, Michael’s and Hobby Lobbies! Granted, Ten Seconds Studios is not really a retail outlet and they don’t have a storefront, per se, but they do sell scrapbooking supplies and they do have a studio in North Richland Hills. And no, Paper Source may not be a strictly scrapbooking store, but paper is paper, right? I count card making supplies among some of my very favorite things! Most of the stores in my list really are scrapbook stores, though, and while I haven’t had the opportunity to visit all of them, you can bet your boots I will be doing just that VERY SOON!

So where did I come up with this magical list of stores? Well, some of it came from my own knowledge, obviously. I spend a lot of time looking around for new places to shop and crop. But I did get a lot of help from a great online scrapbooking resource called Texas ScrapMania. The site boasts extensive public directory listings of scrapbooking stores, clubs and events for the entire state of Texas and even some parts of southern Oklahoma on occasion. Listing your store, event, or service is free, and listings are sorted by geographical location. Texas ScrapMania was previously featured in Memory Makers Magazine and was profiled in the Austin American-Statesman. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you really need to do so! I never knew there was so much out there!

And now we are at the part you been so anxiously waiting for -- the list of stores. Drum roll, please……..

View Scrapbooking and Craft Supplies.kmz in a larger map

See! More than 20! I hope you’re as excited about all of them as I am! I can’t wait to go check out a few. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Cindy
Crafty Neighbor

Stickles, Cricut and Walmart -- Oh My!

2011-01-03T22:32:00.001-06:00

I can’t believe it’s already a new year! This past year went by so fast for me, and even though we’ve been really busy, I don’t always feel like I’ve gotten a lot done. Either way, it’s good to have a fresh start and my vow to myself -- (let’s not call it a resolution because then I might just break it!)…where was I? Oh yeah, my vow to myself is to let go of things that waste my time. Efficiency is the key, and so is organization. I’ve been working on organizing my craft supplies for quite some time. It’s always a work in progress, but hopefully some day I will hit on the perfect option.

Lately I’ve been using some snap-type food containers that come in a wide variety of sizes. It works well for most of my stuff, but some supplies have been moved from one box to another so many times that I’m not even sure where they are any more! For instance, just about the time that I find the perfect container for my collection of Stickles, Ranger comes out with a few more colors that I absolutely must have, and there I am again, looking for a new container!

This week is no exception. Christen discovered that Ranger is releasing nine new Stickles colors. Luckily for me, my current Stickles container has some extra room in it (I thought I’d try to stay ahead of the game this time!), so all I need to do is move my tiny bottles of flocking to a new home and then I’ll have plenty of room to add all the new colors, especially this one:

One of the new colors does not yet have a name. Ranger is running a contest to pick the name for the new Stickles. The winner gets new Stickles, of course! If you are interested, please go to http://blog.rangerink.com/blog/2011/01/nine-new-stickles-colors-and-a-contest.html and place your vote.

I could easily be just as excited about all the new Cricut cartridges, too, if it wasn’t for the fact that I am so frustrated with the selection. Have you noticed that ProvoCraft hasn’t released many new letter fonts in quite some time? It seems they have shifted their focus away from lettering and fonts and onto cutesy artwork, graphic designs and, of course, cake decorations. I don’t know about you, but the whole reason I wanted a Cricut was to cut out fonts -- letters, words, titles, etc. The zoo animals and robots and fruit and flowers are cute and all, but what I really need is alphabets and numbers!

While I’m grousing about the woefully low number of actual fonts, let me tell you about my recent attempt to buy a Cricut Lite font at Walmart. I’m not a frequent Walmart shopper. I used to go there all the time, but the two Walmart stores in my immediate area are filthy, over-crowed, under-staffed, and over-priced on a lot of the items I buy. Most people automatically assume that they have the lowest price, but this is not necessarily so – they only guarantee that they will match the lowest price. I have frequently found that many of their prices are actually higher than at other stores on many of the items I buy regularly. On top of that, after a major store remodel a year or two ago, I found that they no longer carry many of the items I would go in there to buy. The craft section was cut down to less than a ¼ it’s original size, with no fabric section at all, and the scrapbooking section, which used to take up two full rows, is now relegated to half a row at the front of the store next to the wedding supplies and birthday cards. So for me, it’s just not worth it to go in there. Yes, I could get stuff at a low price if I want to sit there and argue with the cashier over the price of every single item, but chances are, they won’t have what I need anyway, so why bother?

There is, however, one thing that would make me go shopping in a Walmart store, and that’s a Walmart-exclusive Cricut Lite cartridge. I had decided a couple of weeks ago that the Handy Man cartridge was exactly what I needed to finish my son’s Eagle Scout project scrapbook. All my layouts were done except for some journaling and embellishments. So when I saw this font, I knew I had to have it. Unfortunately, it’s a Cricut Lite cartridge, so that means a trip to Walmart.

I planned my trip out carefully and waited until I needed some additional items to make my trip worthwhile. Unfortunately, when I got there, the only thing the store had that was on my list was a bell pepper and some cheese! They were either out of, or didn’t carry, everything else! I went first to the scrapbook section, thinking I would find a rack with a wide assortment of these Walmart-only Cricut cartridges. Nope. They did have four of the new Cricut Expressions in the cute new colors. They also had one of the older Cricut cartridges that was several years old. It was still priced at $64. I think I can buy that same cartridge at CricutMachine.com for $14.99.

Thinking that these new cartridges must be shelved on a big display somewhere else in the store, I gave my BFF Stephanie a quick call to see if she’d seen them. She suggested I look back in the craft section because she’d seen them there a few times. They did have two additional cartridges, hanging right next to the sheets of felt and bags of puffballs (or something completely incongruous like that), but again, they were older cartridges, priced far above what they were worth, and there wasn’t a single Cricut Lite cartridge to be found. So I bought my cheese and left.

Not wanting to drive all over town hoping that another Walmart might have the cartridge, I decided to go online to Walmart.com and use the site-to-store shipping option. This would save me a few bucks, and hopefully I could get it here a little quicker by volunteering to come in and pick it up rather than wait for it to be shipped to my house. Or so you would think. In actuality, the site-to-store option was actually going to take longer than a UPS delivery to my house, but these so-called “Lite” cartridges really aren’t all that cheap, and I needed to be frugal after the holidays, so I chose the site-to-store method anyway. It wasn’t until after I had gone through the entire checkout process that a message came up on the website and notified me that site-to-store wasn’t available. Apparently, not one of the 30 Walmart stores in a 50 mile radius had this item available for site-to-store delivery.

Needless to say, I wound up having the cartridge shipped by UPS and it still hasn’t arrived. I think next time I’ll just order it from Amazon.com. They carry the Cricut Lite cartridges, too, and though it may cost a little more, it will be worth it to avoid the hassle of a company I’d rather avoid. In the mean time, I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied looking at all the pretty new Stickles!

Gift Giving for the Whole Year

2010-12-26T01:28:00.001-06:00

I fully intended to have posted a couple of blogs in December with some great Christmas ideas, but the insanity level around here was at an all-time high and the blogs just never materialized. I decided to not feel bad about it, after all, you’re probably too busy to read it anyway, and well, it just doesn’t really matter in the grand scope of things!

This apparent lack of concern is a very new approach for me. I’m actually the over-achieving, Type-A, obsessive-compulsive perfectionist of the family. But I must say, the change in attitude has helped a lot with the stress I normally impose upon myself throughout the holidays. I just have to keep reminding myself of the fortune cookie I got a couple of weeks ago. It said something like, “Don’t worry about what you SHOULD do, concentrate on what you CAN.” Great words of advice.

So instead of worrying about the fact that half my gifts still haven’t made it to the post office or that I forgot to offer the eggnog and cider to our guests on Christmas Eve, I intend to sit back and drink that eggnog and cider myself while I watch my family play with the gifts that DID get finished. Oh, and all those blog ideas? Well, how ‘bout we turn them into projects and gifts you can make and use throughout the year?

For a quick and easy gift idea, try making one of these cute little gift tag sets:

These are some cute little gift tag boxes I made for teachers and a few friends. I loved making these, they are such a simple concept and yet so versatile and VERY easy to personalize. The original idea for these comes from the Splitcoaststampers website and were first presented to me by Stephanie G., a very talented Stampin’ Up demonstrator we know. Later, Pam used this same concept as the basis for one of her classes on our fall cruise. The tags can be put together in endless combinations, and I’m considering putting together some generic tag sets to use for birthdays, showers, and other gift-giving occasions. If you want to see some more ideas along these lines, check out the Splitcoaststampers gallery.

Several of us belong to a Stampin’ Up! hostess club, and this month we learned how to make these lovely coasters/trivets.

We used Staz-on inks, Stampin’ Up! Craft Inks, Stampin’ Up Classic inks, stencils and stamps. The tiles were baked at 350° for 10 minutes, cooled, and then sprayed with a sealant. Felt pads on the bottom will protect your furniture. I bundled up the four NOEL tiles in a pretty ribbon and presented them to my sister-in-law. Monograms, names, special words, or even pretty designs can be used to personalize these for any occasion.

Speaking of monograms…

Last year, I made several monogram wall ornaments to give as gifts to my kids, nieces, and a few favorite teachers (see more in my December 2009 blog entry).

This year, I had to make another one for my brand new nephew, Billy, and his two older brothers who live in another state, Todd and Ryan. These are super cute and simple to make. The cardboard letters are available at Hobby Lobby, or you can use wooden letters available at most larger craft stores. Some 3-in-1 glue (it’s the BEST for sticking paper to chipboard!), patterned paper, and a little creativity can turn it into a very personal and lovely gift for people of any age.

Need something a little more elaborate or personalized? What about a perpetual calendar?

I made this perpetual calendar for my mother for Christmas. She’s a huge NASCAR fan, so I thought I’d do up her calendar in that theme. It was a really fun challenge, and I’m really pleased with the results! I’ve also seen University of Texas themed calendars, color-themed calendars, and really, just anything you can imagine! If you’d like to give one of these a try, I teach it as a class (usually no more than 2 or 3 people at a time) and I provide all of your general supplies. It’s a great deal, and you can create something completely unique! For more information please see our website.

Okay, so you’ve made Aunt Sallee a really cute set of coasters for her sunroom. You wouldn’t just throw it in any old box or bag would you? This idea came from another awesome Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator (Sharon A.), what about making a super cute gift bag from an ordinary lunch sack?

Or what about making a beautiful tag?

I started making tags several years ago after another scrapbooker told me that she always makes a card with the scraps from every scrapbook layout. She pointed out that your “theme” is already set, so are your colors…all you have to do is assemble it! After she told me that, I started making LOTS of cards with my layout scraps. But sometimes, there’s only so many red, white and blue cards that I need, so I decided to make tags, too. Now, whenever I finish a page, I make a quick card and a tag. All of these tags were made with my Cricut using a 5-inch "Tag1" shape on the Plantin Schoolbook font and various other cuts from other fonts. The fun challenge with tags is that I sometimes try to make Christmas tags using non-traditional colors – like a pink and black snowflake card. Some of them have turned out quite good, I think.

So that’s it for my gift-giving, post-Christmas blog. I hope your holiday season has been filled with all the good things in life: friends, family, faith, food, and fun!

Merry Christmas!

The Crafty Neighbor

Procrastination

2010-11-17T09:17:00.002-06:00

Two posts in November? Yes, it's been a goal of mine for quite some time to actually blog more, but I didn't think it would come this soon! So what got me so excited that I just jumped right in there and posted a second blog in the same week? Procrastination! Yep, unlike what I usually do, I just couldn't wait! I had to share this article with you about procrastination. It's from one of my favorite bloggers: Christine Kane. So without further adieu:

9 Simple Solutions for Procrastinators

by Christine Kane

Irony: As I started to write this article, I thought, "I'll just go play one Sudoku game first." I caught myself in the act and marched to my laptop.

People who say that procrastination is about laziness are probably the same people who think that anorexia is about not eating enough.

Procrastination isn't about laziness. It's about fear. It's about perfectionism. It's about overwhelm. We all experience it, and there are some tricks to help you get moving again.

Here are 9 ways to break the procrastination habit:

1 - When you get an idea, do some little thing to begin.

When I read Stephen King's book On Writing, I noticed something. I noticed that when Stephen King gets an idea, he writes it. Immediately and imperfectly.

Most people get an idea. Then they sit there. They wonder if it's a good idea. Then, they wonder if it's a good idea some more.

Got an idea? Begin it now!

2 - All hail small chunks of time!

Lots of us complain about having no time. My guess is that we all have lots of time. It just doesn't happen to be all at once.

Are you waiting for many hours of spare time to begin your idea, your project, or your taxes? Stop waiting! Learn to use the spare half hour that comes up here and there. (I gave myself 45 minutes to write this article just to take my own advice.)

3 - Agree to do it badly.

Set a goal to do it badly. Set a goal to show up. Let go of doing it ALL, or doing it WELL.

Some of my coaching clients' biggest victories have a lot more to do with getting over perfectionism and fear, than they do about getting it all done perfectly.

4 - Commit aloud.

Call a friend and say something like this: "I'm going to spend the next hour working on creating my new product." Then go do it.

Call the friend after the half hour and make her congratulate you. Repeat daily.

5 - Define quantities.

Nebulous goals make for nebulous results. "I'm gonna get my office organized" is a lot like saying, "We oughtta do something about Global Warming."

Most procrastinators have a hard time defining quantities. We think everything needs to be done NOW.

When are you going to do it? For how long? Which part of your office? The file cabinet? Or your desk?

Define the goal and acknowledge its completion.

6 - Install this System Upgrade into your Mental Hard Drive: Less is More.

Have fewer goals. Have no more than three priorities for a week.

Why?

Because you're not lazy. You're just trying to do too much.

Find out what it feels like to accomplish one thing instead of not quite getting to everything. Wow - what a difference this makes!

7 - Do it first.

My first coach made me write songs first thing in the morning. He told me to schedule the 2-hour chunk as my first activity upon waking.

Why?

"Because you're telling the universe that this is your priority. And then the universe lines up everything toalign with your priority."

Action grounds your priorities. It makes them real. It also makes your day easier because you're not wasting energy thinking about this thing you're supposed to be doing.

8 - Avoid nose-bleed activities.

Email, voicemail, web stats - any activity that bleeds itself into your whole day becomes a non-activity. It becomes a nose-bleed.

When you do it all the time, you never complete it. You just let it slowly drain the very life force from you. Define times for these activities. Then, turn off your email, your cell phone, your web stats, until that time comes.

9 - Don't ask how you "feel" about doing the activity.

Have you ever committed to getting fit? And then when the alarm goes off, you lie in bed thinking, "Do I really feel like going to the gym?" (Like you even have to ask!)

Change this pattern. Make your decision the night before. Commit to getting up and going right to the gym, the computer, the blank canvas. Don't have coffee and sigh and think, "I'll probably feel more like it at lunch time." You won't!

If it's a priority, don't waste time asking yourself how you feel about doing it. Feelings are an easy out.

----------------------------

There. I did it. I wrote this article. And now, I don't even want to play Sudoku! How about that?

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Christine Kane is the Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World. She helps women uplevel their lives, their businesses and their success. Her weekly LiveCreative eZine goes out to over 12,000 subscribers. If you are ready to take your life and your world to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at http://christinekane.com.
WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Christine's blog at ChristineKane.com/blog.

November Card Ideas

2010-11-15T14:13:00.002-06:00

You've probably noticed that most of my cards are square (6"x6", to be exact) and that they often use the same line of paper. We'll, that's because of something I mentioned in an earlier blog. It was a time-saving tip from a fellow scrapbooker that I adopted for my own. Whenever this crafty neighbor finished a scrapbook page, album, or craft project, she would immediately use the scraps to make as many cards as she could with the leftovers. This method ensured that she wasn't building up piles and piles of scraps or simply throwing away and wasting whatever pieces were left over from her projects. It also meant that she always had a ready supply of cards made up for just about any occasion. I loved this idea so much that I've been doing it ever since!

So why make 6"x6" cards? That, too, is a time saver. Since all my supplies are the result of some other scrappy project, I am usually left with 12x12 paper and scraps. The fastest way to use them? cut it in half, fold that in half, and Voila! an instant card. Of course, this means that I need an odd sized envelop for my odd-sized card. I generally like to use clear cellophane envelopes. Not only do they come in a variety of sizes that fit my cards perfectly, but you can see the card through it! Why hide a beautiful card behind some plain old envelope? Not me...gotta go flashy all the way, right?

Oh and one more note...if you decide to make some of these square cards, be sure to double up on the postage. Two stamps should generally do it if you don't want to weigh it. You wouldn't want your recipient to have to pay the extra postage!

Here's a few new birthday card ideas featuring Basic Grey's Ambrosia and Lime Rickey product lines:

--

Cindy

Reader Gallery!

2010-10-01T12:07:00.002-05:00

We love it when readers send us pictures of what they're working on! Here's a card and some fun and funky layouts by "Scrapscot"....

Pictures from Our 3rd Annual Scrapbooking Cruise

2010-09-25T15:13:00.002-05:00

Whew! We're back from our cruise and boy did we have a lot of fun! Want to see what you missed?

Click here for more pictures!

3rd Annual Pam's Pals Benefit Crop

2010-08-15T12:05:00.001-05:00

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who has helped make our 2008 and 2009 Pam's Pals Benefit Crops such a SMASHING SUCCESS! Together, we have raised thousands of dollars to help Pam, and it doesn't stop there! We had such a great time and breast cancer is such an important cause that we've decided to do it again and again and again!

What is Pam's Pals?

Pam's Pals started as a group of friends getting together to help our good friend and fellow scrapbooker, Pam Wilemon. Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Shortly after that, a group of her friends got together in Conroe, Texas to raise money to help pay some of her medical bills. Crafty Neighbor wanted to help, too, so we organized our first ever Pam's Pals Benefit Crop. The event was a huge success and helped to raise several thousand dollars to help pay Pam's medical bills. We repeated the event again in 2009.

We had to skip 2010 because of the timing of our cruise, and Pam is doing much better, but this cause is so important to us that we think it's worth doing every year! So for 2011, we're hosting the Pam's Pals event in March and we're donating the proceeds to a charity that is very close to Pam's heart -- the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

So put on your pink and join us for our

3rd Annual Pam's Pals Benefit Crop!
March 12, 2011

10:00 AM - Midnight

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
Joann Fogg Service Center
6001 Summerside Drive
Dallas, Texas 75252

Profits to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure

If you would like more information about Pam's Pals or our benefit crop, please send us an email at:

PamsPals@CraftyNeighbor.com

For more information about the Susan G. Komen Foundation, visit:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Your registration includes your crop fees, lunch and dinner.
Don't wait! Space is limited! Register early to secure your spot! $ 50.00Click here to Register Now!

Class Registrations Are Now Open

2010-07-10T01:13:00.001-05:00

Registration for classes on our 3rd Annual Scrapbooking Cruise is now open. Four classes will be offered on the cruise. See below for full class descriptions.

We will be accepting registrations for classes through August 15th. To register for classes, simply add them to your cart. Please review your cart carefully before checking out. We will confirm all class registrations via email.

Sunday 19th –

Mini Album Class - 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon
Layout Class - 2:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday 22nd –

Tag Box Class - 8:00 a.m. till 10:00 a.m.
Card Class - 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon

About our instructors:

Christen Murray: You may have met Christen at a crop or your local scrapbook store. Whether she was working or cropping, you can be sure she was having fun. As a Visual Arts major at the University of North Texas, Christen Murray was drawn to scrapbooking and paper crafting of all kinds. Christen's other artistic interests include jewelry making, painting, and graphic design. Her sense of style is playful and fun, and she's not a bit afraid of bold color combinations and dramatic contrasts. Christen is the daughter of Cindy Murray

Cindy Murray: Cindy took her first amateur photography class in 1985 and was thrilled to discover that it went hand-in-hand with another favorite hobby – genealogy. Preserving her family memories eventually evolved into scrapbooking and the rest is history. Cindy began teaching scrapbooking classes in her home a few years ago in an effort to promote preservation of photos and memorabilia in her son’s Boy Scout troop. Cindy looks forward to sharing some of the amazing and beautiful techniques she’s learned over the years, and hopes her enthusiasm will influence others to love the art as much as she does.

Pam Wilemon: Pam has been scrapbooking for about 11 years. She has created and taught many interesting projects and classes during that time. You may have taken classes from her either while teaching at the Scrapspot in Plano, The Scrapbook Barn in Carrollton, or at the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Arlington. She enjoys the people that she meets thru her craft and especially enjoys the adventures that she is able to participate in thru her creativity.

Cruise Memories Mini Album Class - $25

Sunday 19th – 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon

Taught by Cindy Murray

(click on photo for more detail)

In this class, you will learn how to make a mini "Top 10 Cruise Memories Album". Made from a surprising and commonly found household item, this album is packed with techniques, including: faux rust, faux steal, alcohol inks, and ITS image transfer. If you love Tim Holtz products, we've got lots of that, too! This is the perfect little mini album to highlight your favorite cruise memories!

Supplies you will need: adhesive, bone folder and/or brayer, scissors, paper trimmer, heat embossing tool, emery board or sanding file. Optional: paper piercer, hole punch, finger sponge, tweezers.

Tropical Layout Class - $25

Sunday 19th – 2:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m.

Taught by Christen Murray

(click to view larger image)

Explore bold uses of color in this tropical layout class using SEI's "Jocelyn" line. Learn a new way to create a hidden pocket that holds a simple mini book for extra pictures or journaling. Other techniques include altering glass tiles and distressing paper.

Supplies needed include: adhesive, paper trimmer, scissors, and a pencil.

Gift Tag Box Set - $25

Wednesday 22nd – 8:00 a.m. till 10:00 a.m.

Taught by Pam Wilemon

(actual class colors may vary)

This class will teach you how to create a divided box and will also include instructions to create 5 each of 4 different gift tags for that someone special. Pam will also have supplies to create the same Gift Tag Box Set in Christmas tags if you would like to design a second box.

Supplies you will need include: Scor Pal – or other scoring tool, tacky tape 1/4” wide, paper trimmer, xacto knife, ruler, pencil or pen , paper piercer or small hole punch, and scissors.

Christmas Tree Cards with Decorative Card Box - $25

Wednesday 22nd – 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon

Taught by Pam Wilemon

(actual class colors may vary)

We will be creating 6 different Christmas Tree Cards using a variety of techniques with a bonus box and decorative lid. This class is another great project that will be perfect for gift giving.

Supplies you will need include: Scor Pal – or other scoring tool, tacky tape 1/4” wide, paper trimmer, ruler, pencil or pen , adhesive, paper piercer or small hole punch and scissors.

Clutter Busting

2010-06-08T21:33:00.002-05:00

From time to time, I read a blog by someone else that is so on target that it just knocks me off my feet. Such is frequently the case with articles by creativity consultant and author Christine Kane. A recent article by Christine about clutter made so much sense and was so fitting for this series that I felt I had to include it as one of my weekly entries. Yes, I know she’s talking about throwing stuff out, while I’m talking about saving things for later, but really, we’re both talking about the same thing…how clutter and disorganization drain you of creative energy.

So as you read Christine’s article, think less about throwing things out, and more about actually putting them to use, getting them organized so you can find them, and finding new uses for old stuff. And yes, you really should throw out anything you are only keeping out of guilt. Take a good hard look at the craft supplies you have accumulated, and make that hard decision about what to keep and what to throw out. Only keep the things you really love. That way everything you make will be something you really love, too!

9 Seemingly Logical Reasons We Cling to Clutter
by Christine Kane

"Perfection is not when there is no more to add, but no more to take away."
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A retired man once told me he loved going camping with his wife because camping showed her how simple life can be "without all that bloomin' stuff she keeps everywhere!" He's right!

Our lives are meant to be simple. Our intuition and creativity thrive when given freedom and space. Clutter is a disease. Each moment we ignore the reasons we hold on to things we don't want, those things rob us of energy, health, and clarity.
If you're a clutter-clinger, be kind to yourself. Begin with an awareness of your thoughts and excuses. For starters, read over this list to see if you can find YOUR excuse!

Clutter Excuse #1: "I'd be a bad (mean) (horrible) person if I…"
Guilt is heavy gooey energy that convinces us we're bad people if we let go of heirlooms, knick-knacks, unwanted clothing, or unwanted gifts. These items clutter up our lives and keep us in a comfortable – but draining – place. And conveniently, we never have to decide what we actually do want in our environment. We become environmental victims. Often, that spreads out into other parts of our lives too!

Clutter Excuse #2 - "I spent so much on it!"
Do you punish yourself for having made a bad choice by keeping the item around? Or convince yourself that you're going to get your money's worth – even if it drains the hell out of you? You won't. And it will. We've all done stupid things. And we've all had to let them go. Now it's your turn.

Clutter Excuse #3 - "I might need this someday."
I often wonder how many idle telephone cords exist in the world. Way in the back of old desk drawers. Stuffed on closet shelves. They can't be gotten rid of. Why? Because we might need them some day. Evidently, some day - in spite of technological progress - you're going to need that particular grey phone cord that came in the box with a phone you bought in 1989. Throw it out. Now. Same thing goes for: the broken fax machine, switch plates from your first house, and every glass flower vase that came with deliveries.

Clutter Excuse #4 - "I might do this someday."
I know. I know. Someday you'll take those broken pieces of china you've collected and create a beautiful mosaic birdbath. And you'll go through those stacks of magazines and make that collage for your sister's 30th birthday party. (She's 51 now.) Now – I don't mean to deny you your plans and dreams. However, I urge you to consider experiencing the infinite relief that appears when you let old project ideas go. Call your sister and tell her the collage ain't gonna happen. Buy a mosaic birdbath from an artist who makes her living from creating such treasures. And then, make space for what you want to do. Don't fill your space with what you should do.

Clutter Excuse #5 - "I gotta look good to my guests."
CD's. Books. DVD's. Are these items treasured? Or are they simply a prop so your guests will be impressed by your intelligence and diverse tastes? Remember this: we are motivated by two things: Fear or Love. Which of these keeps you clinging to items because of appearances?

Clutter Excuse #6 - "I Don't Know Where It Goes."
When items don't have a home, it's harder to determine whether or not they are clutter. Some things may seem like clutter - like the cute card that your daughter made that floats around from drawer to drawer - but they're not clutter. They're homeless. Once you start defining spaces for items, then it's easier to see when something doesn't fit anywhere and should just get tossed.

Clutter Excuse #7 - "My thoughts don't have any power. Do they?"
Everything has energy. The thoughts you have about the things in your home CREATE energy. If you are surrounded by stuff you keep out of guilt, then your environment holds guilt. If you hang on to stuff given to you by your ex, and you still feel bitter – then there is bitterness in your home. Get it? It's either fueling you, or draining you. Some things might be neutral, of course. But if anything triggers you, then that is your barometer. Let it go.

Clutter Excuse #8 - "But I never wore it!"
See Clutter Excuse #2.

Clutter Excuse #9 - "There's too much stuff!"
Overwhelm can stop us in our tracks. If this article makes you aware that there are lots of items in your life you don't like, then go slow. Schedule small chunks of time each day. It takes time to be clutter-free! But the newfound clarity and lightness are worth it!

--
Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at http://www.christinekane.com/ .

A Pack Rat's Guide to Getting Organized Part 3: Picture Perfect

2010-05-05T21:28:00.007-05:00

April is over, school will be out in just a few short weeks, and I realized suddenly that I hadn’t done much spring cleaning this year. I used to be a religious spring cleaner. Starting in January each year, I would methodically go through every single file cabinet, desk drawer, closet, pantry, and dresser until I had decluttered everything. The end result was usually a huge pile of trash, a garage sale, and a lot of shredded files.

Over the past few years, life made some sharp turns and I just wasn’t getting the cleaning done like I used to. So a few weeks back we had a little scrapbook garage sale to get rid of some of that old stuff and to make a little money on the side for our September cruise. Christen and I wound up reorganizing a closet, several storage bins, a shed, and all the Crafty Neighbor merchandise we had in stock. Whew! Of course, that meant we had to change the sales on the website (something we’ve been neglecting for a while) and that reminded me about a blog series I had started last year about this time…a series I never quite got around to finishing (can you tell I’m easily distracted?). The blog topic? Spring Cleaning…what else?

Since it’s been a year, I thought it might be nice to revisit the first two articles in the series, and pick up where I left off. So without further adieu, here is Part 3 of “A Pack Rat’s Guide to Getting Organized”, better known as, “A Picture Paints a Thousand Words, but I Can’t Hear Mine Because They’re So Unorganized!” And don’t miss Parts 1 and 2 below!

Picture Perfect

It's a terrible feeling when you finish a beautiful scrapbook page only to suddenly find more pictures or memorabilia that you should have included. I can't count the number of times I've had to rearrange a page or even add another page at the end just to accommodate something that absolutely MUST be included. That's why getting your photos and memorabilia organized is so very important.

Store photos in archival boxes.

As I told you in a previous blog, when I first started scrapbooking, my photos were a mess! They were stored with no rhyme or reason. I'd shoot twenty rolls of film at a NASCAR race, and send the film off to be developed. When it came back, I’d slap it in a shoebox and never give it a second thought. Sometimes the negatives wound up in the same box; sometimes they didn't. Nothing was labeled either.

The problem with this type of organization is that you never really know what you have and what you don’t. I actually did a whole scrapbook page based on photos that I thought were from one year only to find that half of them were from a different year. Wow, was that a mess to straighten out! I had to pull all the "wrong" pictures off the page and find something else to fill the space. I wasn't nearly as happy with the result as I had been the first time around. Even worse was the time my daughter cropped the only existing pictures of a high school dance thinking that I had a duplicate set somewhere as well as the negatives. Unfortunately, it was the only set and someone else had given us the photos, so there were no negatives that we could use to print more.

All photos and negatives should be stored in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight and protected from dust and other potentially damaging elements. Sunlight can damage photos faster than just about anything on earth except water. Shoeboxes are not acid-free, so choose an option that won’t leach dangerous chemicals that will damage your photos. Photo storage boxes are available for a very low price at just about any hobby store. They are made of materials that will protect your photo prints from dust, sunlight, and other environmental hazards. Go with the plastic version, and your photos will be at least semi-waterproof. Or take it even a step further and make digital archives of all your photos (see below).

Store your photos on end, not lying flat. Humidity in the air can cause the emulsion layer on film to become sticky. If your photos are stacked flat on top of each other, the weight of the stack may cause your precious photo to stick to the back of the photo on top of it. Once that happens, you will never be able to safely pull them apart.

When choosing a storage option for your photo prints, make sure it meets all these qualifications:

Is it photo safe? Will it protect my photos from the elements and from damage?
Will it allow me to sort my photos by date or by subject (or both)?
Is it stackable or can I expand it/add to it if I acquire more photos?
Is it attractive? Where will it go in my house? Will it look nice on a shelf or in my closet (and does that matter)?
Is it accessible? How hard will it be to get to my photos once they are stored properly?

Negatives are important too!

A lot of people ignore their negatives and just throw them in a box somewhere. I confess, I used to be one of those people – until the day that I actually needed one of those negatives and couldn’t find it. You never know when you might need to reprint a photo because the original was damaged or maybe needs a little touch-up. Or what if you just need to reprint your favorite picture in a bigger size? Either way, if you took the picture on film, you’ll need the negative. So be sure to keep your negatives stored safely and in a manner that you can easily retrieve them whenever you need.

My favorite way to keep my negatives is to store them in archival plastic sleeves in a three ring binder. The sleeves protect the negatives from dust and fingerprints, and I can tuck the binder into a closet or shelf to keep it out of the sun. I have my negatives sorted by date (simple index tabs separate them by year), and I marked each sleeve with a brief summary of the photo contents (Christmas, Birthday, Prom, swimming pool, picnic, etc.). It makes searching for specific pictures a synch; whenever I need to find one, I just flip to the approximate date and I can view the negatives through the plastic sleeve without ever touching them! An inexpensive light box (available at any craft store) and a small magnifying glass help me identify subjects in the photos. A pair of white cotton, lint-free gloves (available at any camera store) allow me to handle the negatives themselves without leaving fingerprints.

The protective envelopes your photos/negatives come in work great, too, if you combine them with a photo-safe storage box in a cool, dry place. However you decide to store your negatives, you’ll want to make sure it:

Keeps your negatives safe from the elements
Allows you to sort by date or subject
Is easily accessible in case you need to retrieve a negative for a reprint.

Get those digital pictures off the camera!

Back up your digital photos to CDs or DVD data disks and give a copy to a friend or family member for safe-keeping. We've all heard stories of people who have all their phone numbers stored on their cell phones and then lose everyone's phone numbers when the phone breaks. Or people with great photos that they never download from their camera and then the camera breaks. Computers break, too. So don't ever rely on one as your only method of storing and preserving your photos. Always back up your photos to at least one other source, be it CDs, DVD data disks, or a simple thumb drive.

My son went on a very expensive but wonderful trip to England with the Boy Scouts for the 2007 World Jamboree. It was the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouting organization, and he had a great time. I got a lot of great pictures from the event, too--some from him, some from the other attendees, and some from my own camera as the boys went through security at the airport and returned two weeks later through the Customs and Immigration lines. One of my very favorite photos was of one of the boys hugging his mom on his return. Mom was crying, the boy was beaming ear to ear, and everyone was really glad to see each other. I fully intended to email that perfect photo to the boy's mom, so she could remember just how precious that moment was. And then I had a major computer malfunction. I lost everything. I was really fortunate that a lot of my photos had come from other sources, so I was able to replace most of them. And I had posted many of the photos on our troop's website, so I was able to download some low-res copies from there, but not that photo. That picture was gone forever.

The lesson I learned was that everything must be backed up to disks or thumb drives or something. The more places you can store it, the better. And never leave pictures on your camera. I could write a whole blog about reformatting your memory card vs. just deleting pictures you don't want! The bottom line is that you should download all your photos frequently (I do it after every photo shoot), and then reformat that card. Using and reusing a card or memory stick without reformatting is like brushing multiple colors of paint one on top of the other. Eventually it's going to be a big caked-up nasty mess. Reformatting your card helps to ensure that the data is clean and that there are no artifacts left over from previous photos to corrupt your files.

Go digital!

While you're sorting and organizing, make digital archives of your favorite photos. Have you ever heard the dental saying, "Only floss the teeth that you intend to keep"? Well the same thing is true of making digital archives of your film and print photos. Twenty-five years ago, my parent's house burned to the ground, including every family photograph, memento and treasure that I hadn't taken with me when I got married. And even though friends and family members came out of the woodwork to offer copies of their precious photos, much of what was lost were unique, one-of-a-kind snapshots that can never be replaced.

When I got my first scanner, one of the first things I did was start to archive all of my print photos and negatives. It was a very long process (I have literally thousands of photos and hundreds of rolls of film). When I was through with my own photos, I started to scan my mother's as well. The result is a huge collection of photos to choose from when scrapbooking, and I can rest easily knowing that the photos exist in multiple locations, and will never be lost, damaged, or destroyed ever again. Just be sure to back up your archives to CD or DVD data disks, and give copies to friends and family for safe-keeping. I'll cover the techniques for making good digital archives in a future post.

Don't forget to sort the memorabilia

Prize ribbons, participation patches, and test scores are just a few of the non-photo items people often included in scrapbooks. I had tons of little goodies like this stashed here and there in boxes, hope chests, and old photo albums. When I started scrapbooking, I wanted everything together in one place--easy to access when I wanted to work on a particular subject or event.

Some of the same principals apply to storing memorabilia as photos and negatives. Always put your items in archival quality storage and keep it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. I have memorabilia stored in basically two places: a hope chest and a file cabinet.

The hope chest is for larger items that are too big or too bulky for scrapbooking. Some of the more delicate items are further packed in plastic boxes and wrapped in archival quality tissue paper. Check with organization stores like The Container Store or your local dry cleaner for this paper. If you don’t have a hope chest, there are various styles of plastic boxes and totes that will work just as well.

Anything that I think I might want to use in a scrapbook goes into my file cabinet. There I have used hanging file folders to sort school papers, certificates, larger photo prints, awards, ribbons, and anything else that might fit. My own files are sorted by person and then further divided by topic. For instance, I have a file for my mother and father. Behind that I have a file for their wedding and another for their 40th anniversary a few years back. For my children, I have a general folder for each of them, plus additional folders for school organizations, individual sports, birthdays, report cards, artwork and compositions, etc. Obviously, some things apply to more than one person. For that reason, I have also added a few other folders for things like Christmas, pets, pressed flowers from my garden, etc. Keeping all these items together in one file cabinet makes it easy to just grab a subject file and start scrapbooking—no more hunting around for that Honor Roll certificate that I put in a “safe place”.

Well, that’s all for this week. I hope I’ve helped you get a little bit closer to your ideal of organization and if not, then at least you’ll have a good place to start. Just remember to go slowly, set small goals, and work on a little bit at a time. Next week, we’ll talk about clutter and the excuses we get trapped into.

--
Cindy

Creativity Lessons I Learned from Basketball by Christine Kane

2010-04-07T21:22:00.004-05:00

Okay. I know.

I'm not supposed to do sports. After all, we creative types are more about reveling in the smell of crayons, the angle of moonlight on the river, and the beauty of the ocean at sunrise.

Not the obnoxious sound of the buzzer, or screaming at the coach to use a time-out, or shouting in glee as a three-pointer swishes through the hoop.

And yet, I'm in love with the Carolina Tarheels. And it's not because I know basketball or what a screen is. It's because I love the process, the stories, the passion - and yes, the similarities between basketball and being creative.

Here are seven unexpected Creativity lessons I've Learned from Basketball...

1: Systems and Habits. Not Feelings and Reactions

In his book Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made , David Halberstam devotes two chapters to Dean Smith's Carolina basketball program. He describes the team's daily practices with pure awe.

First because of how quiet they are. And he writes, "The next thing was how brilliantly and carefully organized it was, with a schedule posted each day that outlined how each minute of practice would be used."

In other words, no one is waiting to decide whether or not they "feel like it." The system was in place before the practice began. There was a schedule.

The creative-types I coach are always amazed at their productivity levels when we create a schedule for their weekly practices. They no longer spend their time reacting to their days with emotion and drama.

2: Get a Coach
Here's where athletes get it right. They get coaches. From the start, they have coaches and mentors. Lots of them. No athlete in his right mind doesn't have a coach.

Yes, it'd be nice if the coaching model were built into the creative life. But this is where we can BE the change we're looking for. For now, we'll have to learn to invest in ourselves enough to hire coaches, ask for mentors and create a support system that doesn't turn us into strung-out loners.

3: Success Brings Critics

You can search the web and find all kinds of nasty articles, blogs, and television snippets whose sole purpose is to trash teams, players, coaches, and fans.

Creative types sometimes try to play a game of "not making people upset." They contort themselves into limiting boxes in hopes that no one will notice them shine.

It's pointless. Snarky people are everywhere. They pick apart successful people because they don't know how to do it themselves. Keep your focus on your work in the world, and let the snarky people ruin their own lives with their negative vibes.

4:Have fun with ALL of it

Michael Jordan tells a story of Coach Dean Smith in the final seconds of the championship game against Georgetown. Carolina was down by one point. During his time out, Smith outlined the play, and then paused and looked up at his players and asked, "Isn't this fun?"

I remember this when I'm frustrated at my writing, when I'm overwhelmed with ideas, when I begin to think I should've gone to law school. Creativity is all about loving the unknown , being able to look at it, and then ask yourself, "Isn't this fun?" Because you KNOW it is!

5: Three-Pointers Can't Make Up for Steady Performance

There are times when one team makes a run and suddenly leads by 9 points. The other team, in total panic, will try to make a quick come-back by rushing down the court and randomly shooting three-pointers.
That's because three-pointers are a seemingly quick way to get back on track. If they're doing it from desperation, it rarely works. That's because they've stopped playing to win - and now they're playing not to lose.

Creative types are often holding out for the "big thing." The Record Deal. The Gallery Opening. Being on Oprah. Something - anything - to rescue them. They're running around trying to get the three-pointers. But it rarely works.

Nothing works like consistent, solid, steady forward movement. That way, when the three-pointers happen, they're just icing on the cake.

6: Passion is passion. (Swear words and all.)

I always crack up when the camera hits a coach after a bad call just as he's belting out a stream of profanity so articulate that even the blind can read his lips.

It's a part of the passion. Don't be afraid of yours!

7: Keep Shooting

In the last weeks of the 2009 tournament, Tarheel player Danny Green missed some baskets.

Well, no, that's not true. He missed every basket he shot. Three pointers, two pointers, lay-ups.

The media went nuts. Everyone was wondering what was wrong. All kinds of drama and speculation.

Coach Roy Williams' advice to Danny?

"Keep shooting."

And he did.

Within a few games, he was back on track.

Sometimes we're off our game. The words don't come. The passion is gone. We're tired. Life bums us out.

In those times, you can decide it's all over, you're washed up, nothing is worth doing anymore. Or you can take Roy's advice and keep shooting. --

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative athttp://www.christinekane.com/ .

March Cards

2010-03-20T15:37:00.004-05:00

Here's some pretty spring themed cards for you!

Be My Valentine

2010-02-01T23:58:00.002-06:00

Quilling:

Buy Crafty Neighbor on Cafe Press!

2010-01-21T02:38:00.002-06:00

That's right, folks! They're here! Get your Crafty Neighbor t-shirts and more from our Cafe Press store!

http://shop.cafepress.com/crafty-neighbor

Christmas retreat

2009-12-27T12:17:00.001-06:00

Thanks ever-so-much to Peter and Ida Wilson for donating a scrapbooking retreat weekend to raffle at our Pam's Pals cause! After all was said and done, we wound up with a group of 9 for the weekend of the 11th and we had a great time. A lot of people passed on this great opportunity because it was "too close to the holidays" or they were too busy, but I tell ya', you don't know what you're missing! December is the perfect time for a scrapbooking retreat, because it takes you away from the chaotic hustle and bustle and gives you time to just breathe, relax and do a little something for yourself (and you know you've been neglecting yourself for a long time!). I also found that it was the perfect opportunity to finish up a lot of the handmade gifts that I hadn't been able to finish at home. So thank you Scrappin' Around the Corner in Denton! I'm sure we'll be calling you again next year!