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 Sept 16, 2024 11:41:17 GMT
This IS an interesting question. The Italy albums I completed last fall were 6x8. I've been saying that I'd never completed another scrapbook project, but DH and my mom reminded me that actually I completed a pair of the smallest size CM albums (5x7 maybe?) for the GPs when my son was little. I have purchased one of the SS 6x8 albums to start scrapping some of our weekend adventures like my friend's wedding and the trolls. The four ancient UFO albums hidden away in a drawer are all 12x12. If I'm actually able to engage with more 6x8 scrapping, it might be time to pull out the old stuff and start considering whether I'd have an easier time in a smaller format.
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,566
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Sept 16, 2024 13:36:28 GMT
How many sizes/formats of album have you tried and which is your favorite?
Like many I have experimented with almost every size and have made my own custom sizes with my Bind-it-all. 2 x 2 up to 12 x 12. A few 8.5 x 111 and one 11 x 8.5 (Pioneer made this landscape style for a very short period.) My go to is 12 x 12 for the room to scrap more photos. Not much for Travelers notebooks or planners though.
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Post by grammadee on Sept 16, 2024 14:16:02 GMT
Good Monday morning! The sun is shining here again, so hoping the day will go well. Not sure what is happening until I check on a couple of possible appointments that I may need to drive dh to.
Not sure if I will get some scrappy time today. If I do, I think I may play with some card ideas I will need for CARDtober and actual cards I need to send out next month. I plan to print pic's tomorrow, so thinking that after that I can focus on pages again. (I have lots of photos, but when I see the new sketches I somehow seem to think about pic's that are still on my phone or camera.)
Whether at work or at home--or working AT home--sending you all wishes for a marvelous Monday!
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Post by joblackford on Sept 16, 2024 18:40:40 GMT
I did extra Hummel work on the weekend to get listings ready for the "ideal" time to post so I'm taking today to catch up on housework and local shopping and planning.
I also need to address a problem in the garden once everything dries out a bit and I figure out what to do - I think I have a rat burrowing in my raised bed garden! I made it a perfect environment, now that I think about it... so ugh, I think I'm going to have to harvest what I can and call it quits for this year. No big deal - it's feeling like fall here all of a sudden. Thankfully the garden area isn't too close to the house and as long as the critters stick to their territory (the alley and outdoors) I'm OK with live and let live.
The local feral cats need to do a better job.
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beachy
Junior Member
Posts: 63 
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Post by beachy on Sept 17, 2024 1:56:25 GMT
Hi everyone! I’ve been doing a terrible job keeping up here. The last ten days or so have been a bit crazy for me. I got a job and have been doing training every day. Now keep in mind, I haven’t had a job in 12 years, so this training has been very stressful and overwhelming! But this job pretty much just fell into my lap and is perfect for me. Once I finish this second week of training I’ll only be working Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons.
Then on top of all this my FIL had a stroke on Friday so we were at my in-laws all weekend, back and forth at the hospital. Thankfully it was a small stroke and he has recovered quickly. It was scary for my MIL though.
How is everyone doing with the sketches now that half of them have dropped in?
I was keeping up the first week, but have fallen behind now. I’ve done 8 of them so far. I’m loving participating in this though and I do plan to catch up!
How many sizes/formats of album have you tried and which is your favorite?
I’ve really only ever scrapped 12x12. I did do each of my kids an 8.5x11 binder of their school years, but it’s just their yearly school photo and samples of their schoolwork and report cards. I have a few 8x8 albums but I’ve never done anything with them. I’ve thought about putting photos in them and giving them to my grandkids.
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,043
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Post by joyfulnana on Sept 17, 2024 2:29:26 GMT
Thanks for your input everybody! I love the idea of 6x8 or TN's but somehow they won't compute with my brain. Possibly because I want to treat every pocket like it's own layout and over complicate it. 12x12 is my comfort zone for sure. I also think photo books would be fun, but I also know if I was going to keep it chronological I would muck that right up lol.
I have printed out the sketches but am still getting my own done. I hope to spend the 2nd half of the month working on them. I'm excited to try them all.
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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 Sept 17, 2024 10:47:35 GMT
When I did 6x8 I gave away all the pages except for the single-pocket and made single and double page layouts exactly like you would in a bigger album, fwiw.
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joyfulnana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,043
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Post by joyfulnana on Sept 17, 2024 11:49:53 GMT
When I did 6x8 I gave away all the pages except for the single-pocket and made single and double page layouts exactly like you would in a bigger album, fwiw. I have done this as well. I have to say, hosting in Sketchtember may have been the best thing I've done for my scrapping all year. I'm so energized to scrap and my mojo had been flagging for a WHILE now. Which prompted the question, because I feel so at home scrapping 12x12 after playing around with smaller sizes. (that I have alllll the things for) LOL. And now I'm wondering if changing it up trying to do more PL and smaller albums is what's been dragging me down. IDK, but food for thought for me here. |
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Post by Linda on Sept 17, 2024 12:20:23 GMT
I got a job and have been doing training every day. Now keep in mind, I haven’t had a job in 12 years, so this training has been very stressful and overwhelming! But this job pretty much just fell into my lap and is perfect for me. Once I finish this second week of training I’ll only be working Wednesdays and Saturday afternoons. (((Hugs))) transitions can be so hard but congratulations on the job! |
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Post by grammadee on Sept 17, 2024 13:18:57 GMT
Good luck with the job training, beachy. Quick check in. Off for a busy day doing errands, then book club. |
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,581
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Sept 17, 2024 13:59:07 GMT
beachy I need to start looking for a job... getting used to a new schedule is not something I am looking forward to, the family is used to my 24/7 presence... Today I have to go grocery shopping in the morning and a (yawn) 2-hour curriculum night for DS (10th grade) tonight. They have the worst chairs (stools) in some of his classrooms, my back is already aching. DH went last year. In between those two things I have half a layout sitting on my desk I hope to finish... Yesterday I worked on organizing my photos on the computer... the never ending project. Just when I think I'm getting somewhere "but wait, there's more!"
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,566
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Sept 17, 2024 17:23:01 GMT
grammadee--hope your day of errands and book club are "fun" beachy--new job! If it is perfect and fell in your lap . . . enjoy! Part-time is even better. joyfulnana--I dabbled in pocket pages to get a lot of photos into my Hawaii album. First time ever. I know that I enjoy doing smaller scrapbooks for special events like my DH's sailboat races. My small 2 x 2 was a year in review with little pockets. Not much journaling and only 1.5 x 1.5 photos  Being a participant in Sketchtember has really energized my scrapping mojo. Focused again on one project that has lots of photos so I can "shop" for the right photos in that group. breetheflea-Yep the family does get used to having Mom around 24-7 to manage the household. Life stays busy whether you work outside the home or not. Sometimes the family gets cranky when Mom does have to work a 40 hour week and they need to pick up some of the slack. (Ask me how I know!)
Another warm humid day with breeze here today. A trip to recycle cardboard, cans, glass, plastic, paper and AL cans. The recycling depot is about 10 minutes from the house, but I still save it up for about a month or two before I make a trip. DH got his new stand-up motorized desk yesterday. Came in lots of cardboard, so it was time!
Have photos for #17, so time to select papers. I have an acupuncture appointment this afternoon--so probably won't finish today. I'm usually wiped out afterwards, in a good way.
Smiles to everyone else!
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Post by Linda on Sept 17, 2024 18:49:02 GMT
I have photos, a sketch, and embellishments for Sketchtember 14 laid out on my desk - just need to glue it all down and add journalling and maybe a title
Must fold laundry first though
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Post by joblackford on Sept 17, 2024 22:02:25 GMT
I'm home from book group and craft group. I did a couple of blocks of work on Hummels and now (at 3pm) I can do whatever I want. I have a lady who might show up to buy a couple of things from FIL's but besides that I'm free. I just need to figure out what I feel like doing.
In the How to Get Things Done class they talk about "red carpeting" your next task - having all the things out and ready to go so you can sit down at your desk and just start. My desk is clear but I think I have a little box of cards tucked away that just need gluing down. If not I'm probably going to turn on a video and veg, maybe crochet. I'm tired.
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Post by Linda on Sept 17, 2024 23:08:39 GMT
In the How to Get Things Done class they talk about "red carpeting" your next task - having all the things out and ready to go so you can sit down at your desk and just start. I do this - when I finish a scrapbook session, I almost always pull photos for the next layout - sometimes I'll add a sketch or papers or embellishments - if there's something specific I want to use for those photos. |
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Post by joblackford on Sept 18, 2024 2:36:21 GMT
In the How to Get Things Done class they talk about "red carpeting" your next task - having all the things out and ready to go so you can sit down at your desk and just start. I do this - when I finish a scrapbook session, I almost always pull photos for the next layout - sometimes I'll add a sketch or papers or embellishments - if there's something specific I want to use for those photos. I find it really helpful for the things I don’t really want to do too. If I get out what I need and start prepping the first steps I have fewer excuses. Sometimes I end up continuing and doing the thing right away, or I at least have a head start when I come back to it later. It’s like someone did me a favor and left everything ready and waiting for me  (I misremembered the name of the ebook/class - it’s How To Do Things by David Cain/Raptitude blog) I ended up vegetating, only did a bit of crochet and cooking. Better go document my crochet time for today! |
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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 Sept 18, 2024 10:42:55 GMT
Work continues to go frustratingly slowly. I finished my fall exchange cards over the weekend and mailed them all Monday. I will have to share them shortly, or at least the ones I'm sure I'm not also going to try to use for CARDtober. That is so ironic to me, joyfulnana, given that I seem to be coming to the exact opposite conclusion. Of course, as grammadee pointed out to me at some point, smaller album layouts and greeting cards are similarly sized "canvases". beachy, a perfect job that fell into your lap sounds amazing! |
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Post by grammadee on Sept 18, 2024 12:56:33 GMT
Came home yesterday evening with an envelope of newly printed pic's and a set of 49&Market papers I want to use to scrap some of them. But also came home to our eldest ds having dropped in to spend the night. Needless to say I did not get much sleep, cuz we stayed up to talk and then he had to wake up early to head home today. So I think those pic's and papers will have to wait another day. I have heard there is a super creative brainwave somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, but not doin' it for me this morning LOL. I do this - when I finish a scrapbook session, I almost always pull photos for the next layout - sometimes I'll add a sketch or papers or embellishments - if there's something specific I want to use for those photos. This is what I SHOULD do. Works best when this happens, or if I lay out some supplies or a set a pic's the evening before. Cuts down on the overthinking when starting out in the morning. Unfortunately it hasn't been happening alot lately... |
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Post by Linda on Sept 18, 2024 13:10:36 GMT
Shakti - sorry the new job isn't working out as you expected. Do you think it'll improve with time? grammadee - what a lovely surprise! Hope you can get some rest today though joblackford - nothing wrong with vegetating now and then
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,581
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Sept 18, 2024 13:34:56 GMT
I don't set things out ahead (at least with scrapbooking) very often, but I set timers for everything. I seem to be able to get started if I know in 15-20 minutes I can stop. Usually after the timer goes off, I turn it off and keep going. I use this for cleaning up my scrapbook desk and organizing photos on the computer all the time (pun intended.)
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angel97701
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,566
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:25 GMT
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Post by angel97701 on Sept 18, 2024 15:15:42 GMT
I am agreement about having a layout started on my desk. Especially during Sketchtember!!!! It has been working with for me. I've had time to craft--or have been making time to craft is more like it. During Dr. appointment last week I agreed to "tough it through the next 2 weeeks" as my medications are changed and I am waiting for the positive aspects to kick in. Doesn't help that it's been 14 degrees warmer than average the last week with added humidity. Sleep has been a real challenge. So laying it low during this time. As I sit here overheated! Should head to my craft room in the basement where it is cooler! |
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Post by Linda on Sept 18, 2024 15:39:23 GMT
I set timers for everything. I seem to be able to get started if I know in 15-20 minutes I can stop. Usually after the timer goes off, I turn it off and keep going. Another trick I also use. Most anything is tolerable for 15 minutes...and a lot of times, it's the getting started that's the hard part, isn't it? angel97701 - I hope things start improving with the medication changes. No scrapping yet today but I've been fussy cutting embellishments. I love the cutout sheets from SG - so many awesome, non-themed embellishments -but I'm also more likely to use them on a layout if they are already cut apart. I have one full sheet of stars left and 2/3 of a circle sheet. I do a bit at a time and then do some chores and go back to it. Plan is to scrap this evening, maybe late afternoon also. |
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Post by justjac on Sept 18, 2024 16:26:54 GMT
I've done ten out of the eighteen sketches so far. I do hope to complete all of them.
I have tried most sizes out there. I started with 12x12 and it is the size I have used the most. I've done a few 8.5x11, a 10x10, an 8x8. I've done several 6x8 for projects like Day in the Life, Week in the Life, December Daily. I also use a variety of notebook sizes for my daily pages project: 3.5x5, 4x6, 8.25x5, 7x9.
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Post by grammadee on Sept 18, 2024 16:51:08 GMT
No pages for me today. But I did manage to cobble together my last CARDtober sample, using a die set I borrowed from justjac. Hoping to follow my own advice and set out tonight some stuff for tomorrow’s project. |
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Post by joblackford on Sept 18, 2024 19:06:33 GMT
Work continues to go frustratingly slowly. I finished my fall exchange cards over the weekend and mailed them all Monday. I will have to share them shortly, or at least the ones I'm sure I'm not also going to try to use for CARDtober. Ugh, that's annoying... I hope things improve. I'm sure it's better to have a job than not, but... ugh. I don't worry about sharing a card and then later using it as a CARDtober sample. I don't think anyone minds if it's a card they've seen before. (Do they?! eek). I've used older cards for samples at times, if October is busy or I don't have mojo. I usually claim my points for when I made it anyway. Which is to say, if it's easier I would just share everything and then we can enjoy your card twice! |
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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 Sept 18, 2024 22:07:15 GMT
Interesting way of approaching it, joblackford . I admit I get a little tangled in the logistics of claiming the making points the month I craft and the sharing points the month I share when they differ.. I suspect that the job will improve some with time, but I'm not sure it will reach the expectations I had after the interview process. It actually got a little better today -- somebody came over to admire my Lego owls and we had a nice talk about Lego in general. Seems like a funny thing to be happy about, but I'm used to have my candy dish and Lego cubicle decor be really good ice breakers and neither has been here up to this point.... EtA: I'm selling my day short. I also went to my boss's periodic full team meeting (15 of us or something crazy), so I got to meet a lot of folks (all of whom work in Illinois, but still) and also team meetings for two projects. I actually contributed something in one! |
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Post by Linda on Sept 19, 2024 13:16:19 GMT
don't worry about sharing a card and then later using it as a CARDtober sample. I don't think anyone minds if it's a card they've seen before. (Do they?! eek) I certainly don't mind if someone uses a previously shared card or layout as their sample. Personally I'm grateful that they volunteered to come up with a challenge and post a sample. somebody came over to admire my Lego owls and we had a nice talk about Lego in general. Seems like a funny thing to be happy about, but I'm used to have my candy dish and Lego cubicle decor be really good ice breakers and neither has been here up to this point.... Lego owls? cool! Dh has Lego (a rotating selection) and a candy bowl in his office also. I just need to add journalling and a title to the layout I was working on last night - it had to dry because I actually used mixed media, lol. I had planned to use a different sketch with these pictures but it wasn't coming together so I switched directions. |
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,428
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 19, 2024 13:48:18 GMT
Good morning! I wanted to pop in to say hi and see what you're all up to. Nothing is really going on here. I took the day off work yesterday. It's been months since I took a day just for me with nothing to do. It was so nice and I did nearly nothing. The Vicki Boutin workshop starts tomorrow night. I finished my fussy cutting homework last night. It took 2 hours to do one sheet of flowers but they came out good and it gave me something to do while I was watching TV. I have only used one of the sketches so far and need to go back and print out the more recent ones. Yesterday's looks like something I can pull together quickly. Saturday is my anniversary - 22 years! We're going to dinner at a Capital Grill on Saturday night which will be really nice. beachy - congrats on the job and sorry about your FIL. I am sure it was very scary for your MIL and glad he seems to be ok now. Shakti - it's a bummer your job wasn't quite what they presented to you. Is it seasonal in nature? I have some weeks where there's not much to do and then others I can barely keep my head above water. grammadee - a surprise visitor!! That's so fun! joblackford - good for you selling some of the Hummels! I like the phrase "red carpet tasks". One of my friends does that for crops - she starts a layout at home so when she gets set up in the crop room she's ready to go. When I can, I just leave the mess out and work on it when I can. Linda - I agree that getting started is the hardest part. Most times I'll get myself up to do just one thing but then I get in a groove and get a bunch done usually in less then 30 minutes. I am guilty of spending more time talking about doing something then actually doing it. DH is even worse than me. ha! justjac - good for you working through the sketches!! angel97701 - I hope the meds start working soon and that the humidity starts to wane. joyfulnana - I sometimes do the same thing with pocket pages. I have to make things overly complicated...always. I did find that if I put the embellishment on top of the pocket that I move through it a little quicker. And I am glad you found your mojo through the sketch challenges. How many sizes/formats of album have you tried and which is your favorite?I probably tried them all from 4x6 up to 12x12. I like 6x8 for themed & gift albums. 4x6 is great for gifts too. But I am primarily a 12x12 girly - it's what I started with and the most comfortable size for me to work with. |
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Post by Linda on Sept 19, 2024 14:19:07 GMT
I am guilty of spending more time talking about doing something then actually doing it. yes- me too - and like you, my dh is even worse. I took the day off work yesterday. It's been months since I took a day just for me with nothing to do. It was so nice and I did nearly nothing. woohoo! You definitely deserve some downtime Saturday is my anniversary - 22 years! Happy Anniversary! |
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,581
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Sept 19, 2024 14:23:52 GMT
I never answered the question... I have done a few classes/projects with 8.5 by 11, but most of my albums are 12 by 12. I like squares. I said when I ran out of space on my current album shelf (which hold 20 D-ring albums) I'd think about switching to a smaller size, but I think I'm just going to build another shelf  |
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Being a participant in Sketchtember has really energized my scrapping mojo. Focused again on one project that has lots of photos so I can "shop" for the right photos in that group.
