Is Scrapbooking "Life Art"?

It's a fairly new term being used throughout the industry, "Life Art". What is it? Is it simply the expression of life through the use of paper, photos, and writing? Is it merely a record-keeping of ones life in a somewhat artistic fashion? We haven't really defined it yet, have we?

Some days I feel more artistic than others. Lately... not so much. I guess I go through stages. I'm sure many of you do, too. Right now I'm in the "I don't have time" stage. It's sad really. I want so badly to take the time to really sink into that wonderful scrapbooking bliss that seems so rare these days, but I seldom can find the time and inspiration to do so.

Lately, my work feels forced. And I'm feeling stifled by things I "have" to do and not being able to do what I "want" to do. Not that it's bad to have assignments, but it's not always what I want.

So, back to my question "What is Life Art"? For me, that changes I guess. Right now, it's simply the record of my life on paper. But I'm working to change that. I'm hoping to free up some time (ha!) so that I can just sit and "go Zen" with all my tools and supplies. Use anything I want. Play any way I want. And just feel inspired to get my stories down in an artistic way that expresses my inner art.

Sad News: Update

This man was the first from my small hometown to be killed in Iraq. (A stroke of luck for my town) I'm impressed with the tribute they are making for him. The city has gathered volunteers to hold flags all along the funeral route as a salute. It will be covered in the local newspapers, and by the local news stations.

What I want to know is, why aren't we seeing these things on the news? Why are our fallen soldiers not given, at the very least, a moment of silence (Like the Newshour with Jim Lehrer does) at the end of the news program? Why don't we see the funerals, or the caskets draped in flags? Is it because seeing that every time we lost a soldier would make the occupation real to us? I wonder.

Sad News from Iraq

This week I was delivered some sad news. An old friend of mine was killed in Iraq. He and his unit were on a patrol when they were confronted by a group of Iraqis. When communications started breaking down, the Iraqis fled. He pursued and tackled one of the men, at which time the man detonated a suicide bomb strapped to his chest. It killed them both instantly. The army, and the men who were with him, believe that he saved the other soldiers' lives by taking down the man with the bomb. The other soldiers opened fire and chased the other Iraqis off.

He was 31, with an 11 year old son.

It makes me question - even more than usual - what we're doing in a country where they don't want our help. Why are we senselessly wasting lives, both American and Iraqi, in this occupation? What is our goal there? And have we really accomplished anything? When we look back in history, years from now, will we be able to say "It was all worth it"? Somehow, I doubt it.

Anymore it's not so much about whether you're "for" or "against" it. I'm just "for" getting our troops home safe. All of them.

God bless those who are still there.

From inside a bubble

You know that commercial for a cold medicine, where the guy is walking around with a balloon for a head? That's how I've felt for the past 5 days. I've got some terrible crud that makes my head feel like it's not attached to my body and floating around in a fog. (mostly I just wish I could temporarily detach it and go about my business until it gets better, but that would look pretty silly, wouldn't it?) So... I've been hibernating at home and away from human contact. I've been grumpy and rotten and bless my dear hubby for putting up with me.

I'm finally starting to feel more normal, though I still sound like death. Hopefully I'll kick this nasty bug real soon, and get back to the real world.

Being sick stinks. I hope you're all having a better week. :)

Rediscovering an Old Technique

I recently decided to flip through some old magazines and idea books to see if I could revive the inspiration a bit. In flipping through I came accross one of my favorite, and long forgotten, old techniques. I used to call it "Poppin' Pastels". It gives a really soft effect much like a soft light camera lens would. I thought it would be perfect for a nice spring card like the one below.




To create the soft glow on the flowers use Versamark Ink by Tsukineko (This is by far one of my favorite products! SOOO many uses. It's the one ink pad EVERY scrapper should have.) to stamp stems. Using a dauber, sponge, or cotton ball lightly dab on a green chalk. You will begin to see the stems "pop" out at you. Then stamp three of the flowers in Versamark. Chalk those with a different color. Stamp the last three flowers and chalk in another color.

TIP: It's important to stamp each item that will be a different color separately to keep colors from mixing too much. It's also important to be careful while chalking not to touch other stamped items so colors don't get muddy.

All papers and stamps by Boxer Scrapbooks

New Digital Freebies!

Here's a couple of new freebies for you all! These are parts of kits that are available at the new site DigiDiner (That I design for!). Please check out the site. All my kits are there, as well as several new goodies and freebies. They'll be having a Grand Opening in April with lots of games, contests, and prizes. YAY!

This is from the Fern Prairie Kit at DigiDiner. A cute set with a touch of country.

This is from the Maryhill Kit at DigiDiner. A nice word art perfect for springtime.

CALL: 20 New Blueprints Due 4-30

This call is for our upcoming idea book "Layout Blueprints 2", the sequel to the highly successful "Layout Blueprints". Use the Blueprints shown below to create layouts, and email them to us for consideration. We accept paper and digital pages and international entries. Please include a complete supply list with your entry, and a copy of your journaling if it cannot be read in the picture. Entries for Blueprints must be in by their respective deadlines to be considered. Please make sure the files are no larger than 200Kb each so that they will be considered for publication. Please mark your email subject with the Blueprint number so that we'll know how to sort it.

If you'd like some tips directly from BlueMedia on submitting great layouts, check the FAQ section for links to the "Publisher's Perspective" article series on the Layout Blueprints blog at layoutblueprints.blogspot.com.

E-Mail your entries to : bluemediasubs@gmail.com

Deadline for these Blueprints is April 30th. Be sure to have your UNSEEN layouts in to BlueMedia by then!. Please ask any questions on our MESSAGE BOARD so that everyone can benefit from them. Thank you!

A Recent Layout

Aww. I just love this layout. Mostly because it has one of my favorite pictures of my kid, Buck. He's such a cuddle bum. Twenty pounds of lovin packed into a soft fur ball. How could you resist?

All products are by Boxer, including that adorable cat stamp and the "meow" ribbon. TOO cute!

MORE Blueprints! DUE MAR 30th

We are starting the final push to get all of the Blueprints called and filled. So stay tuned. Here's the next batch, due MARCH 30. Be sure to have your UNSEEN layouts in to BlueMedia by then!. Please ask any questions on the message board so that everyone can benefit from them. Thank you!

*DON'T FORGET! There are several Blueprints in the previous post that are due FEB 28th*

"Layout Blueprints 2":
This call is for our upcoming idea book "Layout Blueprints 2", the sequel to the highly successful "Layout Blueprints". Use the Blueprints shown below to create layouts, and email them to us for consideration. We accept paper and digital pages and international entries. Please include a supply list with your entry, and a copy of your journaling if it cannot be read in the picture. Entries for Blueprints must be in by their respective deadlines to be considered. Please make sure the files are no larger than 100Kb each so that they will be considered for publication (see note above Blueprints). Please mark your email subject with the Blueprint number so that we'll know how to sort it.

If you'd like some tips directly from BlueMedia on submitting great layouts, check the "Publisher's Perspective" article series on the Layout Blueprints blog at layoutblueprints.blogspot.com.

E-Mail your entries to : bluemediasubs@gmail.com

Preview Scrapbooking: Styles Defined!

Ooo! You are going to just droooool over this book. The layouts are AH-mazing. There's a preview and pre-order sale at BlueMedia right now! Check it out.

BlueMedia Home Page

Preview of Styles

New February Blueprints!

Here they are!

This call is for our upcoming idea book "Layout Blueprints 2", the sequel to the highly successful "Layout Blueprints". Use the Blueprints shown below to create a layout. Get a nice, even, scan of your creations and email them to BlueMedia for consideration. Entries for Blueprints 5 - 14 must be in by February 28, 2007 to be considered. Please make sure the files are no larger than 100Kb each so that they will be considered for publication. Please mark your email subject with the Blueprint number so that Blue will know how to sort it.

If you'd like some tips directly from BlueMedia on submitting great layouts, check the "Publisher's Perspective" article series on the Layout Blueprints blog at layoutblueprints.blogspot.com.

E-Mail your entries to : bluemediasubs@gmail.com

Please see dates by Blueprint for submission deadlines. Be sure to have your UNSEEN layouts in to BlueMedia by then!.

I have provided both 12x12 and 8x11 for your convenience. BlueMedia accepts all sizes of layouts.

Boxer CHA Sneak Peeks!

Hooray! Lucky you get to see some Boxer products hot off the presses! They are releasing just a few things each day on their blog, so check there for the new papers, printed ribbons, and clear acrylic stamps! These use some of the new papers in the black/red line including the new ginghams. I'll post more later!

BlueMedia Seeking Digital Design Team!

Hey hey! This is the big time! All the details are at their site HERE.

Good luck all!

Another Digi Kit!

Mmm... I just love this kit. And it's chocked full of goodies. 70 pieces to be exact. A beautiful painted wood alpha, tags, journalblocks, little word strips with stitching, eyelets, and ribbons. You'll have plenty to play with! This kit is available at BlueMedia's new shopping cart. Go to the BlueMedia site and click "Online Shopping" or "Store" to see this and other great kits!

Happy Scrapping!

More Calls for Blueprints!

These will be due Feb 15th to bluemediasubs@gmail.com, so get a move on! Expect more later this month! We're kicking it into gear! Check the BlueMedia site for submission details (or see previous blueprint calls below)

Another Digital Kit!

This is my new Olympia Kit. Lots of fun goodies here! Embroidered patches and embellies and an embroidered fabric title with lots of fun papers to match. Enjoy!


This kit is available at BlueMedia's new shopping cart. Go to the BlueMedia site and click "Online Shopping" or "Store" to see this and other great kits!

Happy Scrapping!

Boxer Scrapbooks!

I'm very excited to announce that I will be joining the Boxer Scrapbooks 2007 Design Team! I'm just thrilled to be working with the folks at Boxer. So I'll probably post projects, sneak peeks and info here (IF and when I can).

Thanks "bunches" to the team at Boxer!

New Blueprints Calls!

Details and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at the BlueMedia Forums

It's time again for a new Blueprint! YAY! This month, you get TWO! Double YAY! Watch for more later this month as well.

Please note that ALL themes and subjects will be accepted.

Use the Blueprint to create a one or two page layout, then send your pages to BlueMedia for our next Layout Blueprints book! Missed the first one? You can get it here: Layout Blueprints

For your convenience, there are both 12x12 and 8x11 versions of each of the Blueprints. Enjoy!


Mail your entries to :

bluemediasubs@gmail.com

Please make sure the files are no larger than 100Kb each so that they will be considered for publication. And mark your subject with "January Blueprint Challenge" so that we'll know to open it right away. If you'd like some tips directly from BlueMedia on submitting great layouts, check the "Publisher's Perspective" series on their blog at http://layoutblueprints.blogspot.com.

This call/challenge ends January 31st. Be sure to have your UNSEEN layouts in to BlueMedia by then!

Good luck!

NEW Digi Kit!

Hey look! It's my debut digi kit!



There are some fun papers and goodies in this, including nice felt accents. I'd love to see your creations using this kit, so please contact me and share your work.

This kit is available at BlueMedia's new shopping cart. Go to the BlueMedia site and click "Online Shopping" or "Store" to see this and other great kits!

Happy Scrapping!

A Recent Digi Page

Just wanted to share a recent page that I LOVE.

This is a photo I took at a friend's wedding last summer. The colors were so pretty. A detailed list of supplies can be found in my gallery.