Blueprint Challenge: Sept 2006

Welcome to my new Blueprint Challenge series. I'll post a brand new Blueprint once a month for you to interpret as you choose. Use the Blueprint, then send your pages to BlueMedia for their next Layout Blueprints book! Keep watching their website for updates: Layout Blueprints 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 "September Blueprint Challenge" so that they'll know to open it right away. If you'd like some tips directly from BlueMedia on submitting great layouts, check their blog at layoutblueprints.blogspot.com.

Without further ado, here is your September Blueprint. I know it's a bit late, but spread the word, and don't forget to check out the first book, Layout Blueprints, at LayoutBlueprints.com!



**Please read the rules and clarifications on the Blueprints blog**

Submit never-before-seen LOs only! Due by Oct. 1st

I Love My ZOOM!

I am still completely infatuated with my Canon DRebel XT. I used to try to take photos of my husband wakeboarding and always ended up with these pictures of a dot out in the water attached to a line. Nice. I really wanted some close, action photos of him and the faces he makes when he's concentrating so hard.

I bought a Samsung 70/300 lens for my Rebel and it's just the thing! I absolutely love it! I can get right in close on his face, see the beads of sweat and water, and the sport mode on the camera allows me to get the perfect shot of his acrobatics. It also allows me to be "Super Stealth Photographer" at gatherings and events and get great shots of people when they don't know you're there. Gotta love the candids.

This is a layout I did using one of my favorite shots of him wakeboarding. I like the juxtaposition of the lines in the photo vs the lines on the paper.

A little bit closer still. He must be preparing for a trick, judging by the concentration in his face.

Lousy Crop

Signed up for a crop for Saturday. I was so excited to go because it was a new store location, really nice facilities, and I was hoping to meet some other nice scrappers.

So I show up, and there is one other lady there setting up her stuff. She looked nice enough, so I asked if she was saving any places. "Not really" So I said, would it be OK if I sat here? "I guess" (hm. real freindly.)

So she left the table and went out into the store. When she came back, she had two friends with her. She promptly packed all of her things and they set up at another table, leaving me abandoned.

Keep in mind, there are 4 places to sit at each crop table.

They never spoke a word to me, but rather, kept whispering to eachother and looking at me suspiciously as if I was eavesdropping.

Why do women treat eachother so poorly? I guess I have just been very lucky to have met the women I have in this industry. I always try to be welcoming to new scrapbookers I haven't met, and have always been welcomed just as warmly. Perhaps I've just been very lucky up to this point.

A Small Kindness

An elderly man walked into my office today, looking tired and a little worse for wear. (It's a tough neighborhood, a lot of depressed areas... and people. I never know what I'll get when the door opens.) He was working at the construction site next door. He asked if there was a store close by. I told him there was but it wasn't open until 10. He looked extremely disappointed, so I asked what was wrong. He explained that he was diabetic, and had forgotten his lunch at home. His wife could no longer drive to bring it to him. The other man working at the site could not spare anything. I told him I had plenty of snacks, and offered him something to boost his blood sugar. He thanked me, and went back to work.

Sure made me feel good to be able to help him out, if even in such a small way. And I'm really glad I keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand! :)

Have you helped a random stranger lately? Leave your comments/stories here.

A Special Thank You

I'm sure I've mentioned my lack of scrapping in the past few months. I've been extremely busy with a wedding, a book, and just life in general. So of course scrapping is the first thing to be put off.

Somewhere in the past 5 to 6 months, even when I WAS scrapping, I was beginning to feel like I was lost. Like I'd been struggling to find myself. I tried to step back, out of myself and my perspective, to examine what it was that was throwing me off my usual groove.

It took a special person, a stranger to me, to step up and offer the help I needed to get myself up out of that rut so I could find my style again. She came forward and volunteered to give the help I'd been needing.

Thanks to her, I am feeling back in the swing of things. And I feel more than ever like I have sunk into my style and found my true groove.

Thanks, Niki, for reminding me of the simple things I knew all along, but had lost along the way. You're a lifesaver! :)

I'm On a Roll!

I'm feeling inspired. I feel like my "time off" actually refreshed my view and creativity. I feel like I've found my style again. I had felt lost in a sea of trends and pressured to keep up with the latest 'thing'. But in all reality, my true happy place is found when I am true to myself and my style.

I had a great time doing this layout. I had so many unrelated pictures of Jamaica to scrap, and needed a nice opening page for the trip, so here is what I came up with. It's simple, to the point, and I like it. That's what's important, right? :)

Things of Joy

Just some random thoughts for today. These are just a few of the things that bring joy to my everyday life.

* A hug from my husband when he comes home

* Two fat, purring kitties on my lap

* Sunshine (I'll take anything I can get in the Great NorthWET)

* Getting that great photo

* The last 1/2 mile of my drive home

* A good, clear view of Mt. Hood from our hill

Promoting Yourself on a Shoestring Budget

When you are first starting out as a professional designer, things can get spendy. Supplies, trade shows, promotional materials, postage, you name it. So where do you draw the line? How can you promote yourself without breaking the bank? Can you look professional without that expensive portfolio case? Yes you can!

The age old saying "Time is Money" comes into play here. Just as any new business, you, as the owner/proprietor, will need to invest substantially. When you start out, your primary investment may indeed have to be time. Properly invested, it can payoff big.

There are several things you can do to promote yourself on a daily basis without laying out much cash. For example, you can write your own press releases and send them to your local papers or special interest newsletters. This definitely takes time, but your name will be "out there" in front of people. Make sure that what you write is actually noteworthy; teaching a public class, an article being published, etc.

Rather than assembling an expensive portfolio, take the time to put together a trifold brochure, and make up business cards to go with it. Print it on a good quality paper. You will be prepared to present yourself and your work to potential persons of interest. If you have the file electronically, convert it to a .pdf file using any number of free conversion softwares available, and you will be prepared to email it at a moments notice.

Write a designer resume for yourself. If you haven't had much industry experience, use your job related experience and relate it to this industry. For example, if your goal is to be on a design team, use your experience in your job meeting deadlines, and following instructions. Use any teaching experience you have. Teaching means planning ahead, being able to speak in front of people, and communication skills - all great lead-ins for a DT job.

Use up your scraps and make greeting cards to send to editors, design team leaders, and other persons of interest. It's all about networking. Even if you think someone is not in a position of importance, or won't be able to help you advance, send them a card anyway. You never know when a contact will be promoted, or move into a position where they can help you. Keep up with your contacts, keep good notes, and be sure to include personal information in your correspondence such as their spouse's or children's names. Make it personal.

Write scrapbooking related articles for newsletters, local papers, or websites. Small newspapers, newsletters and websites are always looking for content. Write a "how to" article on a technique for a scrapbooking website or newsletter. Write a more basic and broad article, ex: top ten reasons why everyone should scrapbook, for a local paper. Be sure to add any published articles to your resume!

These are just a few inexpensive ways to promote yourself. Whether you are just getting started, or are already a well-known name, these tips can help you advance and meet your goals without breaking the bank.

Getting Back in the Saddle

After what seems like a very long hiatus from scrapping, I am going to make time to get some things done this weekend. I have a huge pile of new photos to inspire me. Now I just need to make a trip to the LSS to get a huge pile of new supplies to go with them! Hahaha.

I'm feeling like all my layouts and galleries are looking old. Do you ever feel like that? The layouts in my galleries are not that old, but they sure seem like it to me. Gee, when I think about it, they are maybe only 6 weeks old. But seeing as I haven't been able to do a thing since, it must be really hitting me. I'm tired of not being able to upload something new. (There's that submitting addiction again.)

I just want everything to be fresh, and exciting. Not just for browsers, but for me too. I get tired of seeing the same thing. Know what I mean?

A Long Dry Spell Has Ended

After what seems like ages, I finally was able to sit and scrap the other night. I finished a page using my favorite photo from our honeymoon. I think it turned out rather nice. Simple.

It was enough to get me back in the swing of things, and I'm already working on another Jamaica layout. Hopefully I'll be able to share that with you by the weekend. It's taking me some time because I'm feeling out of practice, and I very much want to "do it right". Know what I mean? Not that there is a right way or a wrong way. I just want it to be "me", which was somewhat lost or muddled over the past few hectic months.

So here is the sunset layout I completed, entitled "Just Us".

A Rescue and Adoption

I went to the Humane Society this past Saturday and met two handsome cats. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I went in to find two kittens, or possibly two older cats. I had strict guidelines and qualifications for the older cats, though. Kittens, though terrors, are easier to adapt. So I asked the employee if she could think of any two older cats that were short haired, neutered males, with claws, that got along together, and could tolerate dogs. It would help if they were affectionate and large. She thought for a moment, then disappeared through a door. Moments later she reappeared with two sets of paperwork and began to describe two cats.

"They were part of an animal rescue. The conditions were awful, and the person who lived there is being held for trial for animal abuse for the horses they had. It seemed though, that the cats and dogs living at the home were treated well, as they came in with very few health issues and no signs of physical abuse, or malnutrition."

I was leary when I heard the circumstances. I mean, who knows what strange things went on and how the cats will behave. Unfortunately animals can't tell us in words what happened.

When she showed me their photos, I knew I had to meet them. So I visited with them until the shelter closed. I went home cat free, and called my husband who was out of town. He was not thrilled, to say the least, but knows losing my two cats recently has been very hard on me, and agreed that if I thought this was the right situation for them and us, to go ahead with it.

So I brought them home the next day. They have adjusted well to the new surroundings, including our bouncy ball-of-energy black lab. They are very affectionate and curious, and I have a feeling they will be plenty of trouble.


The black and white is Olly (short for Oliver), and the blue and white is Buck.

The World's Gone Digital

Canon announced that they will no longer produce new models of SLR Film cameras. They will continue to produce their current models, as supply demands, but we will cease to see any new technology from Canon in film cameras. Canon follows Nikon's announcement of the same information earlier this year.

An article from Yahoo News stated "Japanese camera makers sold a combined total 64.77 million digital cameras last year globally, compared with 5.38 million film cameras, according to industry figures." Article

It is obvious where the industry is headed. Digital is easier, and appeals to the NOW attitude so prevalent today. People want instant gratification. I'll admit, seeing my photograph seconds after I take it has a definite appeal to me. And yes, I was one of those 64.77 million last year.

But could this be to the detriment of the fine art of photography? There are still those die hards who steadfastly stand by their film methods and claim there is no match in the digital realm. Is that true? With all the recent advances in digital? Could even the trained eye tell the difference between a photograph taken by a digital vs a film camera? Perhaps. But it's getting ever more difficult, and technology is a freight train that cannot be stopped.

Dearly Departed...

I'm feeling very sad today. During my trip to Jamaica, my kitty escaped to the big wide world. I'm afraid he has not returned. I fear that the local coyotes have taken another prize. This comes just 7 months after losing my other kitty to the same sad demise. I'm just heartbroken. How does one become so attached to a furry critter? I guess it doesn't matter how, but that I was. And I miss them both so terribly.

I can't help but feel guilty for bringing them out to the country, where terrible things could happen to them. And yet, I know how happy it made them to prowl in the grass, chase bugs and mice, roll in the dirt and bask in the sunshine. My only reprise is that they had a good life, and were happy with us for their time here.

Paradise Found!

Well, the wedding is finally over, and so is the honeymoon. (large, collective "awww")

Jamaica was incredible! What an amazing, and much needed, trip. We were pampered like royalty. Great food, plenty of fattening pina coladas, massages, scuba diving, beach lounging... Paradise.

Here are just a few pictures of our fabulous trip.

The Tutorial that Saved My Life!

well... not literally, but this tutorial and site have saved me many a time. And after putting Layout Blueprints in the works, and seeing/hearing how many are afraid to stitch layouts, I realized I HAVE to share this with everyone. So here it is. Please, read it, learn it, use it. It will make your life so much easier. And if you don't use Photoshop, they have other fantastic tutorials for other software programs. Just search the site.

http://retouchpro.com/tutorials/?m=show&id=162

Addicted to Submitting?

I have been

CRAZY

BUSY

lately.

I am now just two weeks away from my wedding, and all the little details are about to drive me insane. Seriously, they will have to commit me to the funny farm after this.

What I've noticed in the past few weeks, is that my focus in other areas of my life has caused me to sacrifice scrapbooking, and in turn, submitting. As calls go out for all the Design Teams, and magazines, and contests, I feel my heart sink slightly. Oh, I'm excited for those who got the call, but it is also a reminder of what I'm missing and how much I NEED to scrapbook.

Yes, NEED. It has gotten to that point. And that is when I realized.... I'm a scrapbooking, submitting, addict! Oh my gosh! Between that and the digital photo addiction... I'm desitned for an intervention. Let me tell you, though, nobody will stand between me and my scrapbooking!

Just two more weeks... no, wait... THREE! Aaaagh! I have a honeymoon to go on, too! Oh no. I don't think I can make it that long. I seriously need some alone time with my supplies. I'm craving it. I need it to keep me sane. Oh how I wish there were more hours in the day!

Animals

I seem to be doing a lot of animal related layouts lately. Maybe because they are like kids to me. Maybe I just need kids! haha These are two of my favorite most recent layouts. They just happen to both use primarily 3 Bugs in a Rug papers and products.

Meet Dusty. He's my future Mother-in-law's horse. He never gets ridden, or brushed, or anything. And it just breaks my heart (being the horse-loving Montana girl). He's just like a dog. He'll follow you anywhere, loves to be pet, and acts silly to get attention.
Meet my special needs child, Indy. My fiance's black lab. He's a handful, but a good dog, and loves to have his picture taken (if he can sit still long enough). I usually get nice blurry action shots of him.

Self Promotion: Tip #2

Last time we talked about putting a resume together. Second in the self promotion series and perhaps even more important is Tip number 2.

Set goals. Without a clear goal, you will be floundering in the industry with no direction, throwing your work at anything that moves. This is both unproductive and inefficient. When you set clear goals, you have a destination. You have something to reach for.

Let's say you decide you want to be on a Manufacturer's Design Team. That's a lofty goal, but attainable. So, what steps do you need to take to get there? You should try to get on a LSS team, or an online store team, and gain some experience. Set goals to meet the requirements of your larger goals.

That Photo Bug

I just love taking pictures! I always have. But since I got my Canon Digital Rebel, I can't seem to stop.

I love zooming. I'm addicted to it, really. I just love the look of those close-in shots. My favorite close-in shots are the candids - the ones they didn't know you were taking. THAT is why I love my zoom so much. I can be the stealth photographer, lurking in the shadows. SNAP! SNAP! Another hapless victim to the crazed digi chick. Mwahahaaa!

My poor nephews will never again see my face. It will forever be hidden behind the lens. At least they are old enough to distinguish that it is only a camera, and not actually a large penetrating black eye protruding from my forehead at them. Whereas if they were younger, they may never recognize that fact.

*SIGH* Hello, my name is Amy. I'm a digi-addict.

Wedding Histeria

Yes, I've finally entered it. I have 33 days left, and it's just now hitting me how fast that will actually go.

I have so much to do, and so little time. There are so many demands on my time this month. Holy smokes. I'm so relieved that I don't have any Design Team work this month. Boy did I time that right! haha.

Well, better get to it! I'm a busy lady!