It's been quite a while since my last FAQ post (click here to see versions One, Two, and Three) and there's a wee backlog of questions, so let's sit and gab this morning! My computer (yes, the brand new one that is not even four months old) is on the blink so I don't have any cards to show you today anyway, so we might as well get chatty instead. If you have a question you'd like answered, whether it's about my blog, stamping, being a demonstrator, or anything else, feel free to leave it in the comment section or ask it in person, too. I save the business-related ones that won't interest most readers for my free direct-sales motivational/inspiration blog, which you can view here.
I love looking at your badges on the right hand sidebar. What has been your favorite incentive trip?
Oooh, that's a toughie! I have enjoyed them all for different reasons. Some because of the location, some because I just needed a vacation so badly, all of them because I was able to share them with loved ones. Fiji, the one Mike and I just got back from, was absolutely enchanting. Alaska was wild and glorious. I enjoyed the beautiful waters of the Caribbean, and I'll forever be grateful to Stampin' Up for sending my kids to Disney World. But I'd have to say nothing so far has quite measured up to the very first one I went on, to the Big Island of Hawaii. I'm not sure anything ever will compare to that. It's impossible to describe unless you've been there. Everything everyone ever said about it is true, and more.
Did I miss the photo tutorial on (insert project here)?
Yeah, that would be a big no. I have been lax on producing my free photo tutorials lately due to an incredibly hectic schedule. I was hoping the summer would give me more time to put together a few more resources to add to the library, but it hasn't happened yet. On the bright side, my family and I are enjoying ourselves immensely this summer, exploring our own state. I can't believe how many hidden treasures are within 100 miles of our town. Two weeks ago we did a day focused on the mysterious Indian mounds around our region and we were astounded to learn that there is a one-of-a-kind "intaglio" mound (concave in the ground rather than convex above it, meant to fill with water to reveal the shape and thought to honor water spirits), that we drove by on the way to Mike's parents' house every single Sunday for the past 17 years. It is the last known one remaining in the entire world. Craziness! I'd encourage each of you to take the time to explore your own region and what makes it unique.
On the bright side, all my tutorials are and always will be FREE. On the downside–you get them at MY convenience : )
Why did you have to show me (insert product here)? Now I have to get it!
Hee hee!! Sorry about that. I'm kind of an expensive friend to have, people tell me. And Stampin' Up has stated in writing that their goal is to make "irresistible" products… I am personally of the opinion that they have succeeded all too well : )
Loving the new color challenges!
I am so glad! I have been wanting to do something with color combining inspiration for a long time now and thanks to My Digital Studio, I finally sat down and made it happen. I have them set up in advance to go live every Sunday morning, so you Sunday afternoon crafters can have some fresh inspiration, and they are available all week long. While the challenges just started this past month, in a short while there will be quite a library of color combos to spark your creativity.
Can you show us more pages of your completed This & That Journal?
That's a great idea! While every person's journal will be different and unique, there are definitely techniques and layouts that anyone can use. I will try to do that. In the meantime, if you are a demonstrator, I have put the handouts from my last This & That class on my demo-only blog and you are welcome to use that information for your own classes. There's a techniques list, an overview of "junk journaling" or "squash book" trends, and ideas for the Mother-Daughter version I did in May 2013.
I'm getting over-run with scraps that I hate to throw away. Is there a minimum size of scrap you keep?
Kiss it goodbye–life is way too short to allow paper to have that much control over you. It is, quite literally, only paper. Personally, I don't normally keep anything too small for one of my larger punches. There are exceptions, of course–I have been keeping "strips" more lately because of the cute trend of banners and pennants. They are easily used up that way. I USE my scraps, though, unlike a lot of people. I have been known to design class cards and scrapbook pages around a certain scrap I had multiples of. I love it when nothing out of a sheet goes to waste. To view how I store my scraps for maximum viewing and therefore "use-up-able-ness," click here.
Did you ever move to a bigger place?
No. God "moved" my attitude, though! I don't want to be discontent and focused on limitations instead of my many blessings. I am focusing on putting that negative energy into organizing, painting and fixing up the sweet little bungalow He has us in. I repainted and completely de-junked the stamp room (I know, I know, where are the pictures to prove it??!!) and I repainted the kitchen and changed up the theme in there. We got a new kitchen table and chairs for just $100 (a vast improvement over the counter-height one that I have hated since the moment we put it up) and a few other things that have helped me mentally embrace our resources. We're working on better traffic flow and there have been a lot of trips to dump junk off at St. Vinnies! I do love our house, especially with the crazy-awesome rose year we are having, and my different lilac varieties, and the shade from the maple we planted when Dan was 18 months old. And having a small stamp room helps me stay organized and efficient, right? Right?!!? Well, something like that!
That's it from me today–we're down to one computer for the family (a crisis for a blogger's and an online-learning instructor's family, for sure!) plus we're having a thunderstorm this morning, so I need to depart. Hope you all are having a great day, and keep the questions comin'! If you were wondering, chances are someone else is, too.
If anyone is feeling guilty about getting rid of their scraps check with local organizations to see if they have a use for them. I’m thinking church groups, retirement homes, art therapy organizations, schools. I donate most of my scraps to a teacher at my kid’s school who does “Stamp out the Cold” with the 5th graders. My other scraps I let me kids use, and save some of the bigger scraps for me.
Love the storage system you have for scrapes, giving it a lot of thought. I also have a small stamp room, I’m SU Demo and last year decided to get serious about my business and cleaned and de junked my stamp room, had a big garage sale that netted enough for my wonderful hubby to do some remodeling for me. I actually have more room, the space is better utilized, and I have room for friends to join me in stamping. And can have small classes. Bigger classes I have in the house (my stamp room is in the corner of the garage).