kellyr21
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,858
Location: California
Jul 1, 2014 18:54:15 GMT
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Post by kellyr21 on Aug 11, 2019 19:56:34 GMT
Happy Sunday! I hope to work on some cards this month. Also, I plan on making a visit to M's and see what is new there.
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dald222
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,602
Jun 27, 2014 0:50:15 GMT
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Post by dald222 on Aug 12, 2019 2:44:15 GMT
my daughter is going to take me to JO Anns tomororow
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dald222
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,602
Jun 27, 2014 0:50:15 GMT
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Post by dald222 on Aug 12, 2019 3:22:26 GMT
m other strawberry shortcake stickers arrived
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Post by lostwithout2peas on Aug 12, 2019 3:27:35 GMT
So after avoiding my scrapbook area for way too long, today I finally sat down in it. I have photos printed and tons of new product, just no mojo lately. I always use the excuse that between my kids, work, DH, large extended family, and just regular day to day stuff I just don't have the time or am too tired to feel creative. But, that never used to stop me before. I have been in a 2 year slump. I'm still shopping, and doing the occasional page here and there, and I can manage to get quite a few done when I get away to my yearly retreats. I also must admit, the past few years have been filled with a lot of deaths, ups and downs, and just things that have taken my every ounce of energy directed towards it.
Today I sat here and I told myself it was okay to let go of the guilt of having all this stuff and not creating at the pace I used to. And it was okay to just sit and make page kits with no plans for a crop or a retreat to use them. I also told myself that one day I won't have 2 teenagers, who are really not that bad, but are still teens and 1 is driving now and I am losing sleep when he is out with friends. I know this stage of life will pass and things will settle down and I will have more time of my own, and I really am grateful that my 15yo DD chooses to confide in me and loves spending time with me, even when I just wanna sit in my scrappy area and play with my pretty paper!!
So I realized it wasn't that my creativity or my mojo was gone, it was just the stage of life that I'm in with my kids and a little more downs then ups in life lately. And it's ok, the pendulum will eventually swing back in the other direction and I will once again be back in the scrapping groove again!!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 10:44:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2019 4:13:05 GMT
So after avoiding my scrapbook area for way too long, today I finally sat down in it. I have photos printed and tons of new product, just no mojo lately. I always use the excuse that between my kids, work, DH, large extended family, and just regular day to day stuff I just don't have the time or am too tired to feel creative. But, that never used to stop me before. I have been in a 2 year slump. I'm still shopping, and doing the occasional page here and there, and I can manage to get quite a few done when I get away to my yearly retreats. I also must admit, the past few years have been filled with a lot of deaths, ups and downs, and just things that have taken my every ounce of energy directed towards it. Today I sat here and I told myself it was okay to let go of the guilt of having all this stuff and not creating at the pace I used to. And it was okay to just sit and make page kits with no plans for a crop or a retreat to use them. I also told myself that one day I won't have 2 teenagers, who are really not that bad, but are still teens and 1 is driving now and I am losing sleep when he is out with friends. I know this stage of life will pass and things will settle down and I will have more time of my own, and I really am grateful that my 15yo DD chooses to confide in me and loves spending time with me, even when I just wanna sit in my scrappy area and play with my pretty paper!! So I realized it wasn't that my creativity or my mojo was gone, it was just the stage of life that I'm in with my kids and a little more downs then ups in life lately. And it's ok, the pendulum will eventually swing back in the other direction and I will once again be back in the scrapping groove again!! Charliegirl, I was in your exact shoes 2 years ago. Only it was my DD who was driving and out with friends and I worried constantly. The good thing about paper? It rarely goes bad. Your future self will thank you from the bottom of her heart for those page kits when you finally have time to scrap. I think a lot of us struggle with the guilt of having all this stuff and not using it when life gets in the way. I think you did a really great, positive thing for yourself by letting go of that. Now that grad school is over, and kids are a little more grown, I have a bit more time to scrap. That is when I joined this board, and I am so happy I did. (((((hugs)))) and positive thoughts your way, my mom told me once when my kids were toddlers and I was pulling my hair out, "nothing lasts forever, not even the bad stuff." I guess that is pretty true, because now I am lucky if I am more than a taxi.
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Post by LisaDV on Aug 12, 2019 13:50:55 GMT
So after avoiding my scrapbook area for way too long, today I finally sat down in it. I have photos printed and tons of new product, just no mojo lately. I always use the excuse that between my kids, work, DH, large extended family, and just regular day to day stuff I just don't have the time or am too tired to feel creative. But, that never used to stop me before. I have been in a 2 year slump. I'm still shopping, and doing the occasional page here and there, and I can manage to get quite a few done when I get away to my yearly retreats. I also must admit, the past few years have been filled with a lot of deaths, ups and downs, and just things that have taken my every ounce of energy directed towards it. Today I sat here and I told myself it was okay to let go of the guilt of having all this stuff and not creating at the pace I used to. And it was okay to just sit and make page kits with no plans for a crop or a retreat to use them. I also told myself that one day I won't have 2 teenagers, who are really not that bad, but are still teens and 1 is driving now and I am losing sleep when he is out with friends. I know this stage of life will pass and things will settle down and I will have more time of my own, and I really am grateful that my 15yo DD chooses to confide in me and loves spending time with me, even when I just wanna sit in my scrappy area and play with my pretty paper!! So I realized it wasn't that my creativity or my mojo was gone, it was just the stage of life that I'm in with my kids and a little more downs then ups in life lately. And it's ok, the pendulum will eventually swing back in the other direction and I will once again be back in the scrapping groove again!!
Yes, it is okay to make page kits with no plans. Your future self will be grateful. Yes, it's okay to have a room full of stuff and not be able to use it. Enjoy your kids while you have them. Eventually you'll have more time. Sorry for so many downs in the last couple of years.
I redid my craft room last July/August. Then it looked like DH might accept a job (he was running his own company) which meant we'd buy a 2nd house. I stopped using IRL paper and have been doing almost all digital since. By the end of October, I looked around my craft room and felt guilty. Then I realized like you did, it's just a phase, I'll get back to the real paper eventual.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
Jun 26, 2014 14:43:10 GMT
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Post by scrappington on Aug 12, 2019 16:33:52 GMT
Well my scrapbook com order is being delivered or so I thought. I got a duty owed card. So the great deal I got is not more than it would have been to buy it here.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 12, 2019 17:09:16 GMT
So I realized it wasn't that my creativity or my mojo was gone, it was just the stage of life that I'm in with my kids and a little more downs then ups in life lately. And it's ok, the pendulum will eventually swing back in the other direction and I will once again be back in the scrapping groove again!! you're just in a different *season* of your scrapbooking life right now. And it's totally okay! I go through seasons of 'acquisition' where I do a lot of buying (because I don't subscribe to any monthly kits, or anything like that); then I won't buy anything for quite a while... then I scrap / create for a while... then I lose my mojo entirely, etc. etc. etc. It took me till earlier this year- and I just turned 50, lol- to figure out that I only have a finite amount of brain power to handle everything going on in my life, and that includes my creativity, unfortunately. When I'm having issues with my work, my mental health, etc. or like right now-- one of our dogs is having a lot of health issues that we're dealing with-- I don't have the mental capacity to ALSO be creative with my hobbies. I can only be really creative when I'm feeling *good* about things. Which cuts down on my creative time, lol. But at the same time, I finally realized that my creativity doesn't naturally *flow* (I can't get into that *flow* state of creating) when I'm not in a good, happy, positive mood, and I'd be unhappy with the results if I tried to force scrapbook pages or creative projects when I'm not feeling it.
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dald222
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,602
Jun 27, 2014 0:50:15 GMT
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Post by dald222 on Aug 13, 2019 6:02:12 GMT
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 10:44:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2019 13:19:57 GMT
When I'm having issues with my work, my mental health, etc. or like right now-- one of our dogs is having a lot of health issues that we're dealing with-- I don't have the mental capacity to ALSO be creative with my hobbies. This is so interesting to hear someone else say, because DH always tries, when I am having a bad day or whatever, or things are rough, "Why don't you go do some scrapbooking??" He doesn't seem to get it that I already need to be in a good place to do that, lol! Although sometimes organizing and sorting will get me there, lol!
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Aug 13, 2019 14:49:59 GMT
I haven't done much lately.
Yesterday my July photo order was delivered. I forgot all about it.
Life has been busy. Kids medical appointments, getting ready to go back to school.
Plus unexpected house expenses just keep dropping in my lap. Taking away any fun budget this summer.
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Post by lostwithout2peas on Aug 13, 2019 15:25:33 GMT
When I'm having issues with my work, my mental health, etc. or like right now-- one of our dogs is having a lot of health issues that we're dealing with-- I don't have the mental capacity to ALSO be creative with my hobbies. This is so interesting to hear someone else say, because DH always tries, when I am having a bad day or whatever, or things are rough, "Why don't you go do some scrapbooking??" He doesn't seem to get it that I already need to be in a good place to do that, lol! Although sometimes organizing and sorting will get me there, lol! Yes! This, exactly! I'm not one who when going thru stressful things can sit and scrap. I just don't work that way. I need to be in a calm happy place in order for things to flow!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 13, 2019 16:07:41 GMT
Yes! This, exactly! I'm not one who when going thru stressful things can sit and scrap. I just don't work that way. I need to be in a calm happy place in order for things to flow! I can't do SBing when things aren't going good, but I used to do ART journaling when I was having mental issues. To be clear, I did not do'pretty' pages-- not the kind you see people post on Instagram or YouTube videos... my pages were more just collaged paper cut/glued onto the page as a way of getting into a flow state and meditating, or scribbled crayon/marker/pencil all over the page. etc. etc. I did a lot of that kind of art journaling when I was going thru my hysterectomy and ovarian cancer surgeries. I haven't done any art journaling for a few years, though-- I've been trying to fit scrapping more into my 'daily' life and both activities don't fit into my life at the same time. When I'm not feeling good enough to be creative with pages, I try to at least shuffle papers around, organize, etc. Sometimes I get even more frustrated by doing that, though, like if I can't find something. For me, scrapbooking is NOT about 'preserving the good a nd the bad' it's about 'highlighting and reliving the good experiences.' Period, full stop. There are other ways to keep a memory of the bad stuff if I want to, and some of it, I'd rather not remember at all.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
Jun 26, 2014 14:43:10 GMT
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Post by scrappington on Aug 14, 2019 19:25:23 GMT
Ok in two more sleeps get to meet an online friend. I spoke with the LSS in the area their work room is free so we are going to actually get scrappy. I am putting together a card kit for us... Its odd cause I consider this person one of my closests friends yet we have never met. I think she knows me better then people who are in my life every day.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,602
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Aug 14, 2019 22:10:31 GMT
lostwithout2peas and crimsoncat05, I understand the ebb and flow of creativity, life phases and changes, and the need to be in the right state of mind to scrap. Sometimes looking at my supplies, flipping through one of my albums, or checking out Pinterest is enough to give me a little boost. I've worked on not feeling down about the times I'm not scrapping. A batch of pictures arrived today and I'm excited to scrap them. I ordered some older pictures and some recent ones. I'll be mostly working on two page multi photo layouts for a while.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 15, 2019 1:02:07 GMT
I cleaned my desk tonight, worked in my planner then I just die cut some stuff. I like when I clean my desk it’s like a reset
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Post by kiera on Aug 15, 2019 13:59:50 GMT
I think I'm going to go to my first ever crop next month. I've never gone to one before, I don't know any of the ladies who will be there, and I don't think any of the other ladies are around my age, though that doesn't bother me. But I'm nervous! I have anxiety issues so I think too much about "will they like me? Is my crafting good enough to work on around seasoned croppers? Will I have a good time?" It's only $40 for a 12 hour crop, no frills, so lunch is up to us to either bring or order. Just have to get up the nerve to book a spot! Anyone have advice?
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Post by hop2 on Aug 15, 2019 14:06:52 GMT
I think I'm going to go to my first ever crop next month. I've never gone to one before, I don't know any of the ladies who will be there, and I don't think any of the other ladies are around my age, though that doesn't bother me. But I'm nervous! I have anxiety issues so I think too much about "will they like me? Is my crafting good enough to work on around seasoned croppers? Will I have a good time?" It's only $40 for a 12 hour crop, no frills, so lunch is up to us to either bring or order. Just have to get up the nerve to book a spot! Anyone have advice? Go enjoy yourself. It will be fun. Age differences don’t matter with crafting ( think us refupeas are all similar ages? ) Now tell ME all this when I find a crop I can go to lol
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Post by kiera on Aug 15, 2019 14:22:54 GMT
Go enjoy yourself. It will be fun. Age differences don’t matter with crafting ( think us refupeas are all similar ages? ) Now tell ME all this when I find a crop I can go to lol Thank you! The age differences really don't bother me, it'd be nice to have another person in her late 20s there to relate to but I'm totally fine if there isn't. But maybe I'll be surprised! The crop is in my borough and though it'll be 45 minutes on a bus to get there, it's doable.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 15, 2019 15:40:36 GMT
I think too much about "will they like me? Is my crafting good enough to work on around seasoned croppers? Will I have a good time?" It's only $40 for a 12 hour crop, no frills, so lunch is up to us to either bring or order. Just have to get up the nerve to book a spot! Anyone have advice? my advice? do it!! Go, don't worry too much about the first questions, and yes, you will probably have a good time. I think crops are fun, and I'll usually have a good time even if I don't know anyone. I may not get much *done* but I'll have fun, lol. I'm usually an introvert and I hate the typical party type 'small talk' chatting, but at a scrapbooking crop, my introvert stuff gets set aside because EVERYONE there has the love of scrapping and papercrafting in common. So even though you won't necessarily *know* anyone, you already know that you all like doing the same thing!! That makes it easier for me to talk to strangers, at least about scrapbooking and crafting, anyway. (I will say, it does depend on what the other people there are like- you might get stuck being around a couple people who are really loud or obnoxious talkers, and you might end up hearing more about someone's sex life or childbirth story than you ever wanted to, but hey- even if that happens, you'll have some good stories for the crop nightmares thread.)
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Post by kiera on Aug 15, 2019 15:59:16 GMT
Thank you so much! I'm going to think it over this weekend, but I'm pretty sure I'll be pulling the trigger. I've skipped out on SO many for these same reasons, using "oh I can't justify the money" as my cop out, and yeah money is still tight, but I need to get better with pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I'm part of a different paper crafting group that I love meeting with, and I didn't know anyone there when I first started going, so that's something to keep in mind too. Plus it's a few days before my birthday - so it'll probably be my treat to myself!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 10:44:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2019 17:50:09 GMT
Thank you so much! I'm going to think it over this weekend, but I'm pretty sure I'll be pulling the trigger. I've skipped out on SO many for these same reasons, using "oh I can't justify the money" as my cop out, and yeah money is still tight, but I need to get better with pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I'm part of a different paper crafting group that I love meeting with, and I didn't know anyone there when I first started going, so that's something to keep in mind too. Plus it's a few days before my birthday - so it'll probably be my treat to myself! I started scrapbooking when I had my DD, ripe old age of 22, lol. So I totally get where you are coming from. I often the youngest at a crop, but what I loved was how happy all the other ladies were that I was into scrapbooking. I think those age barriers just kind of drop away when you have all this in common. And they were so kind to me, like scrapbooking moms and grandmas. Now I am the one who is..ahemm....older...lol and I would LOVE to see more people my DD's age crafting. But no, she's all about the Insta. Go for it! I think scrapbooking is so social, one way or another.
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Post by kiera on Aug 15, 2019 18:35:36 GMT
@kendramage I was first introduced to the hobby when I was 14, I don't have/will never have kids but if I wanted them I'd introduce them to it as well... and try to get them to crop with me, lol. I use IG too, but it isn't the same.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 15, 2019 20:33:58 GMT
@kendramage I was first introduced to the hobby when I was 14, I don't have/will never have kids but if I wanted them I'd introduce them to it as well... and try to get them to crop with me, lol. I use IG too, but it isn't the same. i did scrapbook with both of my kids. Didn’t stick with either one - yet. If my DS ever get a classic car I could see him keeping a pocket style book if it. My DD is not a ‘stuff’ person ( at least not with scrapbooking, art supplies another story, but that’s her living ) so IG works for her
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 16, 2019 14:22:52 GMT
I think I'm going to go to my first ever crop next month. I've never gone to one before, I don't know any of the ladies who will be there, and I don't think any of the other ladies are around my age, though that doesn't bother me. But I'm nervous! I have anxiety issues so I think too much about "will they like me? Is my crafting good enough to work on around seasoned croppers? Will I have a good time?" It's only $40 for a 12 hour crop, no frills, so lunch is up to us to either bring or order. Just have to get up the nerve to book a spot! Anyone have advice? Do it! I find most scrappers are very friendly. Don't bring your kids, your dog, criticize other's work, or microwave fish and you'll be fine, LOL.
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Post by kiera on Aug 16, 2019 14:46:18 GMT
I think I'm going to go to my first ever crop next month. I've never gone to one before, I don't know any of the ladies who will be there, and I don't think any of the other ladies are around my age, though that doesn't bother me. But I'm nervous! I have anxiety issues so I think too much about "will they like me? Is my crafting good enough to work on around seasoned croppers? Will I have a good time?" It's only $40 for a 12 hour crop, no frills, so lunch is up to us to either bring or order. Just have to get up the nerve to book a spot! Anyone have advice? Do it! I find most scrappers are very friendly. Don't bring your kids, your dog, criticize other's work, or microwave fish and you'll be fine, LOL. Haha! I'll never be a parent, only have a cat, only say nice things about other people's art, and don't eat seafood - I think I'll be just fine Thanks!
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Post by grammadee on Aug 16, 2019 15:07:37 GMT
Glad you are planning to attend the crop, kiera. Bet you will meet some friendly creative people! I find that every scrapper has a different approach to crops, and every crop is unique in its own way. Some focus on the fun factor with something going on all the time: classes, make n takes, games, challenges. Others are quieter, and each person brings to it what they want to work on. I prefer crops that are not a lot more than a place to scrap with other people. I like to move all my stuff in, then settle down at my table and put pages together. But it's nice to take breaks too to chat and see what other people are creating. I also like an on site store so that I can pick up that perfect little finishing touch for a project (and to be honest, a lot MORE than that...) Can you find out from one of the "regulars" what to expect? If not, then you can just keep your options and expectations open and see what happens!
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Post by kiera on Aug 16, 2019 15:27:52 GMT
grammadee it's a no frills crop, from what I understand you get 12 hours of crop time and all that is provided is some tables, chairs, and the use of a Cricut. No make and takes, no games, etc. Lunch is either brought in from home, or ordered to the hotel's conference room, where we'll be creating. I don't believe there is a store, and sadly despite being in a major city, we don't have any scrapbooking stores. My borough has three Michaels locations and that's it! We have a few cool stamp shops in another borough, one of which carries some scrappy related things but no paper. The paper shop we had got rid of almost all of their scrappy stuff so I rarely go in anymore! It's a shame. But as for the crop itself I don't think anything will be for sale. I think I'm going to bring supplies that I know I won't use and donate them to the other crafters, though.
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Post by cannmom on Aug 16, 2019 16:07:02 GMT
I think I'm going to go to my first ever crop next month. I've never gone to one before, I don't know any of the ladies who will be there, and I don't think any of the other ladies are around my age, though that doesn't bother me. But I'm nervous! I have anxiety issues so I think too much about "will they like me? Is my crafting good enough to work on around seasoned croppers? Will I have a good time?" It's only $40 for a 12 hour crop, no frills, so lunch is up to us to either bring or order. Just have to get up the nerve to book a spot! Anyone have advice? Go! The very first retreat I went to I went all alone and I’m definitely an introvert, so that was hard. I had a good time though and enjoyed having some scrappy time around others. Don’t worry about being good enough. Everyone scraps different styles and it’s fine. The only advice I have is take a set project like a vacation album or Christmas pages, so you can bring less stuff. Or make up page kits ahead of time to bring. Reserve your our seat and go and have fun.
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Post by cannmom on Aug 16, 2019 16:33:29 GMT
Right now I’m enjoying getting ready for my retreat next weekend and doing a little scrapping beforehand. I have everything packed up and a list going for all my don’t forget items that I can’t pack yet.
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