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Post by epeanymous on Jan 17, 2024 17:47:18 GMT
Ok not literally. Seattle's version of the horrifying weather is that we had several days of sub-freezing temps, which is unusual here. I noticed one bathroom was being weird, so we had a plumber come out yesterday who absolutely insisted there wasn't an issue. I woudn't be writing this if that were true, obviously--a pipe burst after he left, and of course the place it burst was behind my scrapbooking table. It ruined a bunch of supplies and multiple nearly-complete 12*12 albums, and I'm guessing that the area where I craft is going to need some major repairs.
I am trying to be positive, but I am pretty demoralized--I don't have a ton of free time, so those albums were like three years of what I've managed to scrapbook. I'm tempted to basically junk everything but my stamps and dies from my scrapbook area and give up paper scrapbooking as a hobby (I've been at it since 1999, but used to do a lot more of it, obviously) (I also wouldn't mind being talked off of a ledge about the impending home repairs--last time we had a pipe burst, which wasn't whether-related FWIW, we had construction in our house for over a year).
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 17, 2024 17:55:25 GMT
I am so sorry you had that happen. We are having a plumbing issue right now as well, but I would be even more upset if my scrapbooking stuff was ruined.
As for whether or not you should continue...I think that really depends on why you scrapbook. I like the time I spend scrapbooking because it helps to clear my mind, I can be creative, remember memories from when my kids were younger, and often times I scrap with other people. I don't think I will ever be "caught up" and I am ok with that now. If I lost three years of work, I would be sad but I wouldn't quit. However, if you think you would prefer a different form of memory keeping, that is ok as well.
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506 
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Jan 17, 2024 18:32:50 GMT
My gosh, I’m so sorry. I’m sure you put your heart and soul into your scrapbook pages, aside from all the time spent.
Please don’t make a rash decision to chuck it all. Can you separate the pages and lay them out to dry? Maybe they’re at least partially salvageable? At a minimum I’d try to get pictures of my work in case I’d want to recreate them some day.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 17, 2024 18:34:56 GMT
My gosh, I’m so sorry. I’m sure you put your heart and soul into your scrapbook pages, aside from all the time spent. Please don’t make a rash decision to chuck it all. Can you separate the pages and lay them out to dry? Maybe they’re at least partially salvageable? At a minimum I’d try to get pictures of my work in case I’d want to recreate them some day. That's a great idea to take photos! |
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,769
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Jan 17, 2024 18:38:51 GMT
Oh, I'm sorry. That's got to be a gut punch.
You know the photo idea is a good one, you could correct any colour issues etc and do a photo book. Not a complete redo but not a complete loss either. Dry the pages first and reassess your options.
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Post by grammadee on Jan 17, 2024 18:50:36 GMT
Oh no, epeanymous! Huge ((((HUGS)))) Can you save those albums? If it was not sewer water, that could definitely be possible. Saving the photos and the work and love put into those pages would mean alot to me, I know. If not the actual pages, then maybe photos like MorningPerson suggested? As to redoing your crafting space, maybe take this as an opportunity to shape it for what you enjoy doing NOW. Maybe a new space will temp you to take more time to be creative. I guess it would depend on how scrapping makes you feel. If it helps you relax and center yourself, then keep the designated space. If it feels like a chore, then start thinking about what type of space would help you feel better. |
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Post by Tearisci on Jan 17, 2024 19:42:40 GMT
Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm sure that was a double gut punch. I hope you can salvage some of your stash and albums!
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jan 17, 2024 20:08:12 GMT
So sorry to hear this. Hugs.
Hopefully you can salvage some of it.
I have my scrapbooks in the lower cubes of my cube units. I think I am going to switch things around and put the scrapbooks in the upper cubes and the miscellaneous stuff in the lower cubes. My cube units are in a closet, right next to my kitchen alcove.
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Post by hop2 on Jan 17, 2024 20:18:57 GMT
Oh no! I’m so sorry. That really sucks. And especially since you had a professional there and they didn’t find anything.
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Post by dewryce on Jan 17, 2024 20:19:31 GMT
Oh I am so sorry that happened! Please don’t make any permanent decisions right now. And definitely try and salvage what you can now before it’s too late. Lay them out to dry on flat surfaces. And even if you think you won’t use them, or that they’ll just make you sad for all you lost, take photos and/or scan your pages. I love wellway’s idea of creating a photo book. As for continuing? Do you enjoy the creative and crafting process or are you doing it to get it done? If you’re solely doing it for memory keeping you could consider switching to digital scrapbooking, even if just for super simple pages. I know AussieMeg does a lot of digital scrapbooking, and I bet can tell you what’s involved. If you decide to no longer scrapbook, I’d recommend boxing things up and keeping them for several months just in case you change your mind once you haven’t done it for a while. And I am NOT one to recommend keeping things just in case. But in these circumstances, and especially considering how long and hard it would be to replace your older items, I think it’s a good idea. Again, I am really sorry this happened and my heart hurts for you. |
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Post by Linda on Jan 17, 2024 20:22:54 GMT
((((Hugs)))) I'm so sorry.
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Post by freecharlie on Jan 17, 2024 20:27:01 GMT
Oh no. I can imagine the feeling of losing all that hard work and beauty.
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Post by Texas Scrap on Jan 17, 2024 20:32:04 GMT
I had something similar happen. I agree with others that you are probably not in the best head space to make such a big decision. I know I was sick after our house flooded due to weather and so many things I cared about were ruined. Hang in there. I like the ideas around taking pics and making a new album.
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Post by Lexica on Jan 17, 2024 21:29:51 GMT
Ouch, that has got to hurt. I like the idea of taking a picture of each page, although I would do my best to try to salvage them.
Water leaks are my biggest nightmare. I had several at the California house, and during the last one, I was informed that the bulk of my city was built with copper pipes. And something the water company changed with the way they treated our water made the water start creating tiny pinholes in those copper pipes. In order to sell my house, which had a leak that I didn’t know about as I was packing up. It was happening long enough to create black mold! I had to have all of the copper piping replaced with that new flexible PEX kind that came with a lifetime guarantee against leaking. Of course, I sold, so I won’t see that relief. I sure hope my new house doesn’t spring any leaks before I save up enough to have it done here.
If you have to replace a lot of your water pipes, consider the new stuff.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 17, 2024 22:22:07 GMT
Losing finished work is heartbreaking. I'm so sorry.
I like the idea of at least photographing all those pages if they aren't salvageable.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,538
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Post by pinklady on Jan 17, 2024 22:24:52 GMT
Oh that sucks! I'd be devastated if my scrapbooks were destroyed. My advice is don't make any decisions right now. You may regret it. Save what can be salvaged and wait until you're in a better space mentally before you decide to get rid of it.
I no longer scrapbook and am mainly a card maker. I haven't scrapbooked for about 7 or 8 years. I got rid of some scrapbooking stuff that was no longer my style (decorative cutting scissors, punches, stickers) but I've kept a lot. I still have my 12x12 pattern paper & cardstock, all my metal embellishments, all my ribbon. I'm just not ready to give that up yet. Maybe some day...just not now.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,294
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jan 17, 2024 22:47:47 GMT
I'm so bummed for you. I know how much effort goes into scrapping. If you truly enjoy it, I would not make any hasty decisions about giving it up right now.
As others already mentioned, the scrapbooks might be able to be dried, at least enough to scan or photograph the pages and make a photobook.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,914
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Jan 18, 2024 0:12:03 GMT
Oh, I'm so sorry that happened! My heart goes out to you! ((Hugs))
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Post by epeanymous on Jan 18, 2024 0:54:45 GMT
Thanks, folks. I definitely needed people to tell me not to be impulsive out of frustration. It's really frustrating!
I do think at the least I am going to try to use as a reevaluation point. My space has been too cluttered to function well because of how slowly I scrapbook. I also am going to get a new and more functional storage unit--my supplies are everywhere because I'm using an old armoire, and it's just not meant for small-item storage.
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Post by kluski on Jan 18, 2024 1:31:25 GMT
I would be devastated. It takes me soooo long to do one page. I haven’t scrapped in years but I still have all my stuff hoping to have time when I retire next year. The cost of printing years of pictures is also overwhelming bc I really don’t think anyone wants them other than me.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 18, 2024 14:12:24 GMT
Well, shoot! I'm glad you are going to take your time making decisions. I hope you can salvage your scrapbooks somehow.
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Post by peano on Jan 18, 2024 14:55:57 GMT
Just echoing what everyone else has said--that is devastating, especially when the #$%@ing plumber says there's not an issue.
I will say that documenting it might make a great scrapbooking layout.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 18, 2024 16:49:34 GMT
I really hope you are able to dry out most of the pages and salvage them. Were they in page protectors? I would hope that would help some if they were. I too would be gutted if that happened to me since the pages I have actually completed are pretty meaningful to me.
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Post by epeanymous on Jan 18, 2024 17:01:49 GMT
I really hope you are able to dry out most of the pages and salvage them. Were they in page protectors? I would hope that would help some if they were. I too would be gutted if that happened to me since the pages I have actually completed are pretty meaningful to me. They were in page protectors but they got *really soaked* (the leak was literally in back of the albums) and I have just learned the hard way that my Epson prints aren't particularly colorfast--everything is a mushy, runny mess! |
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Post by papersilly on Jan 18, 2024 18:04:34 GMT
i think we all get that junking feeling at one time or another. surrounding chaos and damage doesn't help the feeling either. if you can't save some stuff, feel free to dump it. save what you want and start on a new direction of creativity.
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Post by librarylady on Jan 19, 2024 14:26:01 GMT
What does SBR mean in the title of your post?
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,506
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Jan 19, 2024 15:12:42 GMT
What does SBR mean in the title of your post? Scrapbooking related. (As opposed to this board being NSBR.) |
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Post by librarylady on Jan 20, 2024 16:53:34 GMT
What does SBR mean in the title of your post? Scrapbooking related. (As opposed to this board being NSBR.)
Thank you.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,461
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Jan 20, 2024 21:13:20 GMT
Thanks, folks. I definitely needed people to tell me not to be impulsive out of frustration. It's really frustrating! I do think at the least I am going to try to use as a reevaluation point. My space has been too cluttered to function well because of how slowly I scrapbook. I also am going to get a new and more functional storage unit--my supplies are everywhere because I'm using an old armoire, and it's just not meant for small-item storage. I have a big space and a huge closet but I was working with the hanging bars and half depth shelf and what ever could fit between for storage. During the pandemic I gutted the closet and got an IKEA shelving system that fits like a glove front to back and side to side. It made a HUGE difference in the efficiency of my storage. Having good storage makes a big difference. I hope you are able to get something that works better for your space and your supplies. |
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Post by auntkelly on Jan 22, 2024 0:55:11 GMT
I’m so sorry you lost your scrapbooks. I would be sad, frustrated and angry all at the same time.
I think you are wise to take some time and think about whether you want to keep scrapping or whether you want to spend your free time doing something else.
I gave up scrapbooking a few years’ ago and started doing an annual family album using the Project life app. I found that what I really enjoyed was writing about our family activities, which I was able to do with the Project Life App. (If I had been a talented scrapper, I probably would have missed scrapping the old fashioned way!)
I think you should give yourself some time to decide whether you want to jump right back in, or scale back a little or give up scrapbooking all together. There’s really no right or wrong answer. You can always change your mind again later if you decide to go in a different direction.
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