Ryann
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Love is Inclusive
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Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Apr 9, 2024 22:30:48 GMT
What helps you feel productive--or creative--in the craft room? Having a clean/organized space. I cannot craft in chaos. If I need to have temporary chaos, I just make sure it's not in my view when I'm crafting. So strategic placement of piles until I can deal with them if needed, lol. Right now my main seating area looks out the window, so it's easier to have a clean space around me. I'm in the process of moving it to be center of the room, so having things tidy will be important once I'm settled again. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
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Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 9, 2024 23:09:42 GMT
Thanks, Ryann . I think I need to figure out how all this fits together to some extent. Club Scrap cards tend to have too much on the inside for Cards for Kindness, but are fine for Bring Smiles to Seniors, if the theme is right. I recently started buying a second set of cutaparts for all the card kits of theirs I buy, so I can mix things up a bit. I'm wondering if there are times I can leave the "innie" off or use it on the outside instead of the "outie" to leave more writing space on the inside for the charities that demand it. I need to get more...creative!! As far as what makes me feel creative and/or productive in the craft room...I think I've mentioned elsewhere that I am a lifelong crafter who can probably count the number of projects actually completed (prior to 2 years ago) on one hand. There are corpses of needlework and sewing projects of mine ALL OVER this house, plus the scrapbooks started a couple decades ago. Those I might actually finish, so all the more reason to abandon the fiber (though I'm apparently some sort of genetic freak -- a fiber crafting/seamstress thing skipped me while it's strong in the four generations of females around me in my family). So, now I am absolutely meticulous about finishing basically every project I start. At some of the big virtual events there will be a class I don't even start or maybe one I start and don't finish. Or choose deliberately that Card 1 interests me but I'm not going to start Card 2, things like that. I do think I have a bias to not starting at all if I think there's a high likelihood I won't want to finish. That makes me feel productive. Creative is harder for me describe or maybe even recognize. I will say (maybe this is answering?) that the cherry blossom card I posted isn't what I'd planned. The set's from the current MMH kit. They showed a card with the two branches and a partial ink-blended background. I don't love ink-blending and it wasn't something over-the-top ink-blending is totally worth it here, so I kept looking for ideas. I found a Kelly Taylor card with that navy die cut background and decided to go more that direction. It wasn't until the card was assembled, photographed, and posted that I went back to the tab on my browser with her card that I realized that arranging the florals in an arc around the center part was my very own idea. The first card was two separate horizontal branches top and bottom; Kelly's was all coming up from the bottom like a bouquet. I really thought I'd recreated Kelly's card. But I've used an arc like that on another card in the past. Apparently it's a me thing or a my style thing. Who knew? But that makes me feel kind of like I am creative.... I suspect you really meant, "What makes me feel like creating?" That I really still can't answer. But I know I'm a more grounded and authentic person since I started, so maybe the real question for me is, "How did I not feel like it for so long?" |
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Post by grammadee on Apr 9, 2024 23:37:51 GMT
Shakti I think that grabbing ideas from two or three places and putting them together in one card is pretty creative! And if doing what you are doing helps you feel grounded, then I would say you have found your sweet spot! Creativity is like a woods nymph of old: the only way you can grab some is if you are not hunting for it too hard. When I TRY to be creative that often puts a damper on my doing anything at all. The pages and cards I like best are the ones that just seemed to come together on their own when I am relaxed and just thinking about the photos or the story they tell. If anyone gets inspired by crafting with others and has the time for day-crafting this week, mom is planning to host a couple of on line crops. You can head on over to her thread HERE wher the links will be posted when the crops begin. I hope to drop in Thursday morning for a bit.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 10, 2024 16:28:24 GMT
I hope this is just midweek quietness and not my bloviation having chased everyone away....
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Post by grammadee on Apr 10, 2024 17:26:39 GMT
Ha ha, Shakti, I was worried it was my blathering on that turned them away. I will go with "midweek quietness" How is your craft room reorganization coming, Ryann? Anyone got scrappy plans for this week or this upcoming weekend? Played with my Jaded Blossom gnomie dies this morning. I am slogging through the hockey pages I need finished by end of next week. Past the halfway point, so that's a good thing! And I need to get busy putting together a couple of cards to be done by the 19th, too. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 10, 2024 19:02:23 GMT
I leave Friday morning for four-ish days of crafting!
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
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Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Apr 11, 2024 1:00:46 GMT
I was able to get furniture moved around into what should be their permanent locations. I have a lot of "putting things away" left to do. I have things taking me away from home the next couple of days, so don't see getting much done until maybe Saturday or Sunday. Thanks for asking grammadee  I'm going to a 5-hr crop on Friday. I think the easiest thing to bring would be cardmaking supplies, but I really, really want to scrapbook right now. I just don't know that I will have enough time to try to put together any kits. I may just bring a bunch of summer related embellishments/ephemera and start working on the 2peas summer card swap that I assume will be happening in a couple months. Either that or bring a random tub of christmas supplies to start working on holiday cards. I like that idea, too. Have so much fun at your event Shakti - I really miss scrapbooking weekend retreats. I'm doing the SCT Crop & Create Scrapbooking event at the end of the month. I think on Saturday night a crafty friend and I are going to open our event boxes together over FaceTime. I am definitely team peek! |
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Post by joblackford on Apr 11, 2024 4:39:50 GMT
I guess my bookmarking this thread didn’t work - I don’t know why it sometimes doesn’t notify that there are new comments… sigh. The last couple of days got away from me.
Today I felt bad for skipping my workout but then I spent all afternoon stenciling TE hexagon quads for Father’s Day cards - that turned out to be an intense upper body workout! Less so once I re-inked my ink pads. (Doh. Turns out it’s much harder to stencil when your pads aren’t juicy.) After I added some ink I it was a lot easier but stenciling is still really hard on my arms. I chose a color palette and stuck to it for all 5 sheets, no second guessing, no cleaning needed until I was done.
Tomorrow I was expecting to go to the casino with my husband and his mom but hubby said I can stay home. One of the advantages of MIL’s dementia - she’s forgotten that she called us 5 times on Sat night to make plans for hubby’s b’day (which was a week earlier anyway) and won’t remember that I was going to come. I only go for her birthday visit, hubby takes her once a month.
If I stay home I can do the die cutting and stamping to finish those cards and get my Altenew donation ready. I have a habit of trying a lot of different options as I craft but I’m going to keep it simple and copy the ones I already have finished. I still need to do the insides as well - I forgot about that.
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Shakti
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Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 11, 2024 9:32:53 GMT
joblackford , I kept my insides really simple — stamped Happy Father’s Day, handwritten Enjoy your day!, first name, city & state, DONE. The crafty weekend is put on by SU demos, but is “anything goes”. In November we had one quilter plus classes (additional fees naturally) offered on beaded bracelets and sea glass art. I worked on holiday cards that time. I packed a LOT more then, too. Did I pack too much then? Or am I forgetting something now? Both can be true…. I also want to bring something “easy” in case I finish my scrapbooks — something sort of self-contained that wouldn’t add hugely to equipment requirements/packing. Something I can leave in the car so it won’t distract me from the scrapbooks. This last point seems very important given the whole “I’ve never ever finished a scrapbook” thing. Why is finding something easy so hard?!
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Post by grammadee on Apr 11, 2024 14:14:15 GMT
Shakti and Ryann, I ALWAYS pack too much! But I know how I roll: if I don't have options for any one project I bog down, and if I don't have a choice of projects I feel trapped. Don't know about leaving stuff in the car (usually either too hot or too cold to do that here), but the last couple of years, with the crop based at a hotel, I took supplies for most planned projects to the crop and then packed a smaller batch for my hotel room, so I could move from one to the other. joblackford , your ink blending is always amazing. I try to stick to simpler stencils b/c I don't have your attention to detail. Today I will be playing with the free layered stencil set I got from Jaded Blossom when I ordered their sports add on's. But it's pretty simple--just two layers. Yesterday I stenciled through an onion bag LOL. Anyone joining me on line this morning? The crop link will appear in the Let's Scrap Together thread. You just have to be logged into Google, then click the link, and click JOIN and the host will let you in.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 11, 2024 16:24:39 GMT
Why is finding something easy so hard?! I know exactly what you mean... but then again, my superpower is overcomplicating everything! lol. Hope you guys have fun at your crops. I've never been to one. Even moving my supplies 10 steps to the living room table so I can watch the TV while I work makes me wish I hadn't bothered. When hubby called MIL to remind her to get ready for the casino today she said she had "a lot going on"  in her head? on TV? a bit of both, probably. And when he reminded her that he is only free today and that they'd scheduled this outing on her calendar she said something about being controlled... so guess who has a bonus day to work on whatever we want?! MIL's dementia has actually mellowed her out, counteracted some of her mental health issues. This is actually something of a "normal" day for her if she's this ornery. We have to laugh about it, especially because she was so insistent the other night, calling every 15 minutes to make plans... but we'd much rather NOT take her to the casino today. Hopefully she has a good day at home watching TV and she can go to the casino next week. I better do a little "work" this morning before I start playing with paper. I've been given the task of selling 130 Hummel figurines from the other in-law's place (maybe I should call them the out-laws like my funny relatives in NZ would!) I'm auctioning the better ones on eBay a few at a time and so far it's going better than expected. I had very low hopes, I hates them. I have 4 listing descriptions I need to write, probably 25 minutes work. I can do that, right?! Have a great day! |
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scrappert
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Post by scrappert on Apr 11, 2024 17:38:22 GMT
I have only been to a couple of crops and I did enjoy them. It has been MANY years since I went. I would not know what to bring anymore.
I may make it to the basement to do some crafting this weekend. I should have done something last night, but plopped in front of the TV and that was it.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 11, 2024 19:01:00 GMT
I got my work done! Took right on an hour. Now lunch and then die cutting  |
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
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Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Apr 11, 2024 21:05:13 GMT
Shakti When going to a 4-day I always bring more than I know I can do, especially with a wide variety of projects/themes/supplies. I've learned the hard way that being uninspired by a limited theme/project during a crafty weekend makes me cranky if I have nothing else to fall back on. If that's not you, you may be perfectly fine with your travel scrapbooking project. joblackford grammadee enjoy your day at home crafting! I just got home from running some errands. After too many shenanigans from the CA DMV, our vehicle is officially registered in WA, complete with shiny new plates! We are meeting some new friends for trivia night at a local wine/beer/apps place a bit later, so I have some time now to figure out what I want to bring to the crop tomorrow. I need to do a little pre-planning today if I'm going to bring scrapbooking.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 11, 2024 21:13:36 GMT
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 11, 2024 21:23:30 GMT
The technical difficulties I'm having posting right now are ludicrous!
Well, there's the spa (though weekend appointments might be hard to come by spur of the moment), the pool/hot tub, and walks on the beach....
But that's sort of the tension. Given that I've never finished a scrapbook, I don't want it to be too easy to pivot because I feel "uninspired." But I don't want to find myself bored, either.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 12, 2024 0:42:01 GMT
But that's sort of the tension. Given that I've never finished a scrapbook, I don't want it to be too easy to pivot because I feel "uninspired." But I don't want to find myself bored, either. Maybe if you give yourself a list of tasks you can do that contribute to getting the scrapbook done, stuff that has to be done at some point regardless, but which might feel like it's not worth doing as a "project" and then you can switch to those tasks if you're feeling stuck or frustrated - then at least you're still making progress on that main goal of working on getting the scrapbook finished. I'm not sure what those might be for your specific project but maybe photo sorting, coming up with titles, making notes for the journaling, cutting things out, pairing up papers, die cuts or journal blocks with photos... Then maybe take one alternative project as backup. |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 12, 2024 10:30:14 GMT
So, as I awake this morning to lousy weather and the prospect of still needing to pack, it occurs to me that it's only an hour and a half's drive each way. I will do my best to bring everything I need for my primary project and a few side hustles. If I forget something, I'll be amidst at least three SU demos who may be able to provide. If I get completely done or completely stuck, there's both a Michael's and a Joann within a half hour's drive. Or, since I have never had the stamina to craft more than five or six hours in a day, I can pop back home over the weekend if all else fails. Not worth getting myself wrapped around the axle over.
Hope you all have happy, relaxing, and at least a little bit crafty weekends! I won't have the computer with me, but I'll try to remember my bluetooth keyboard so I can type more efficiently on the iPad. Otherwise I tend to devolve to reading and liking posts, but not commenting.
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Post by grammadee on Apr 12, 2024 14:28:39 GMT
I will do my best to bring everything I need for my primary project and a few side hustles. Sounds like a great plan. I have found crop people to be pretty generous lending tools and sometimes sharing supplies with other attendees, so you should be all set. I've learned the hard way that being uninspired by a limited theme/project during a crafty weekend makes me cranky if I have nothing else to fall back on I find that, too. Hence all the extra stuff I drag along, "just in case..." But I accept this is the trade-off with being bored or cranky, so that's okay. Silly of me to be feeling FOMO for you two: our LSS crop was held a month early, so it is already OVER. Normally at this time of year I would be in the middle of planning what to take instead of wondering what happened to that [...fill in the blank here...] I KNOW I took to the crop and brought home but now is eluding me as I search for it. Switching gears a bit today. Don't have the attention span to build a scrapbook LO, and I need some cards to be delivered in the next couple of weeks, so cards it is. I have been fighting with my Silhouette over the last few months: it doesn't seem to want to cut through anything--which is kinda the point of having it, dontya think? I want to cut a couple of numbers bigger than my number dies. (the 21st birthday card deserves a huge 21, right? Same with a SEVENTIETH wedding anniversary. I may just go ahead and set up the numbers and their shadow on the Silhouette, then use it to cut what it can and trim the rest with an Xacto knife: easier than fooling all day to hand draw/cut the shapes... Have a great day, team! And a wonderful weekend if you don't get back here until afterward. |
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Post by grammadee on Apr 12, 2024 15:48:37 GMT
PS Shakti and Ryann and anyone else packing up to craft this weekend: if you are looking for sketches, I dropped in Tomorrow's Sketchy Saturday a day early, just for you... (Yeah, we'll go with that instead of the alternative explanation that I am a calendar challenged idiot  ) |
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Post by joblackford on Apr 12, 2024 16:47:25 GMT
I have been fighting with my Silhouette over the last few months: it doesn't seem to want to cut through anything--which is kinda the point of having it, dontya think? I want to cut a couple of numbers bigger than my number dies. (the 21st birthday card deserves a huge 21, right? Same with a SEVENTIETH wedding anniversary. I may just go ahead and set up the numbers and their shadow on the Silhouette, then use it to cut what it can and trim the rest with an Xacto knife: easier than fooling all day to hand draw/cut the shapes... Yes, that is the purpose of the cutting machine... sigh... I had some troubles with my SNC to do with blade pressure or sharpness or something and one tip I got was to make sure the blade was nice and clean. I guess little bits of paper can gum it up. IDK. And that thinner paper can actually be harder to cut than thicker paper sometimes. Your plan to tidy up the extra bits with a knife sounds like a good one. We were just watching something on the TV about a couple celebrating a 70th wedding anniversary  and we were trying to do the math, especially because they looked fairly youthful for people who had to have been pushing 90 or older! I hope the cards turn out well I got 15/20 cards set up with stamped and die cut sentiments on the front, and I actually remembered to use my adhesive sheets on the fine die cut words to make it a little easier. I think I have the energy to finish off the rest today. I have the house to myself and I have a few longer YT videos to watch/listen to today which keeps me in my seat working, and an audiobook to switch to if the ads drive me crazy. Have fun crafting friends |
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Post by joblackford on Apr 14, 2024 1:59:32 GMT
I got 4 rotten Hummel figurines sold on eBay and into the mail (6 down, 124 to go...) and I posted my box of Altenew celebrating parents cards too, roughly 70 cards. If I'm going to be doing that every year I want (feel like I need) the bold Happy Father's Day and Mother's Day dies from Waffle Flower's most recent release. They look like a lot less trouble than the fine handwritten font dies I'm using from Honey Bee and they're the whole sentiment with a shadow. $9 and $10 each, not terrible... I should check other brands since they all seem to have versions of the exact same thing. I'm also smitten with the new Timeless Sentiments 2 die set from Altenew - really bold, and all but one sentiment on there is a winner for me (I won't use huge congrats much). I'm not shopping much and try not to buy unless the project is upcoming soon, so I will hold off on the mothers/fathers day dies for now. I used some waste pieces from die cutting to make 5 cards this afternoon so I only have one thing left in my use-it-up desk pile, coloring a peony. I might just put that away for another time. I'm going to do something fun and relaxing (play with Doodlebug!) and then start on red white and blue postcards for Jill's charity. I need to do some more gardening too, ideally a little every day. |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 14, 2024 3:22:11 GMT
Shakti Hugs. I am so sorry about the news.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,231
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 14, 2024 3:25:16 GMT
What helps you feel productive--or creative--in the craft room?
Sometimes it is simply cleaning the area. Sometimes it is watching some videos. Other times it is organizing and going through my papers. Sometimes it is being excited to create a layout about a fun event we did. And sometimes it is receiving new product.
Today I just had an urge to create so I did. I got one 9x12 pocket layout done.
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Post by grammadee on Apr 14, 2024 4:55:58 GMT
Checking in quickly on my way between dinner theatre and bed... Anyone besides joblackford --and the crop gals Shakti and Ryann--get crafty this weekend so far? I managed a few cards since Thursday. Maybe a page tomorrow? |
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Post by kmage on Apr 14, 2024 13:51:33 GMT
Good Morning! When it starts to get nicer it's so hard for me to be inside, after that long winter I just want to be in the sun. So this weekend with it's amazing weather (70 and sunny where I am) wasn't too crafty! I did manage to shop though. A huge craft store in the midwest, (Crafts Direct by St. Cloud MN) is closing, so a friend and I made a mini road trip up there, and I did end up picking up a few things. But is is honestly the end of an era, I've been shopping there and crafting there for over 25 years.
What helps you feel productive--or creative--in the craft room?
For me, first is time. I cannot craft if I have like 30 min to spare. I find that super stressful. This is where it gets tricky because I live in a family of extroverts who don't really do a ton of stuff by themselves, so we seem to always have a ton of activities. Fun stuff but still. When I explain that I need like 3+ hours completely to myself it's like I said I want to live on the moon lol. So a lot of my crafting is done very early or late or when my family all has other activites. A goal of mine this year was to make time to myself a priority, but that's hard when you've disapointed others by not coming with or joining in. That plus work doesn't leave a lot of scrappy time. Anyway...
I also like a tidy craft room and cannot work in chaos. Since my scrapbook room also doubles as a home office, it can get a little crazy in here. In fact, I should be cleaning right now instead of typing lol!
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Post by grammadee on Apr 14, 2024 16:04:54 GMT
kmage I hope you can find a way to balance what your people need and what you need. I never scrapped when I had kids at home--never would have ever thought of it. But I do remember wishing I had a cave somewhere I could just crawl in, all by myself. Maybe I was dreaming of a scrap room? No crafting for me today. Had dgs for a sleepover Friday, then dropped him off on my way to the dinner theatre yesterday evening. Got home and went to bed, but was still really wired, so didn't get to sleep for a few hours. Needless to say, I am NOT wired this morning. No energy of any kind, including creative energy. Looked for a mindless task I could sit down for. Decided to count up my April points so far. Might sort out my hockey crafting supplies and decide which pic's I will scrap when I am crafting next. Crafting sessions usually go better when I have a plan. I also need to extricate my Christmas pages from my Winter album so I can fit in all the hockey pages. But first... more coffee...
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,240
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Apr 15, 2024 11:09:35 GMT
Good morning, team! Made some progress Friday, then hit a wall Saturday. Took a break and made a few cards, then came back yesterday and kicked some album butt! I may well be able to finish before I need to leave at 3. Question for more-experienced scrappers: Can I mix matted and unmatted photos in the same album? On the same page? I have cut up some purchased postcards to use as titles. Those I left unmatted. I also fussy cut some detail/texture of interest sorts of photos and used them unmatted essentially as embellishments . But now I’m looking at a two(6x8)-page layout and thinking it look kind of awesome just as it is — sort of completely “naked” just title & photos. Or maybe this is a sign that I’ve hit decision fatigue again and I should assemble my four fully decided pages next? This might be helpful:  |
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
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Posts: 7,960
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Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Apr 15, 2024 12:35:50 GMT
Shakti - from looking at the layout you shared, I feel it looks fine without matting. The contrast in the photos to the background paper is striking and in my option is acting like a matt. Just my opinion.  I worked on one layout this weekend. I am doing it with all white (and gray mixed in). I set it all up and walked away. I will check on it later to see if I like it. Then I will paste it all down. That was the only thing I did this weekend.
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Post by grammadee on Apr 15, 2024 13:49:14 GMT
Happy Monday!
So glad you are on a roll, Shakti ! Looking forward to seeing all your crop produced pages. As to your question, "there are no rules in scrapbooking". I almost always mix matted and unmatted photos on one 2 page LO, often on one page. And I never worry about albums being that cohesive. I like my facing pages to work together, but if you flip the page, you have a whole new look.
I have some house cleaning to do today, but in breaks I am putting together a few Mothers' Day and birthday cards for some friends. Not quite assembly line, but I am playing with various folds and diecuts, assembling different floral card fronts, leaving the greetings to the end.
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in her head? on TV? 
)
and we were trying to do the math, especially because they looked fairly youthful for people who had to have been pushing 90 or older! I hope the cards turn out well 
