Haven't been scrapbooking much

Not sure why.

I think it's because I don't really have any stories to tell. They're all so mundane, and I'd really hate to have albums lining my walls filled with my mundane life.

But I have been making plenty of cards to post in my etsy shop:

Scrapbook Diet

I've been feeling a little lackluster lately regarding my scrapbooking and my etsy shop. I managed to almost finish my LOTD for January with regards to the WT challenge, but made the decision not to post them. Of course that has NOTHING to do with my laziness in scanning them.

My "craft space" is in my bedroom, and literally takes up half of my bedroom. The crafting half is kind of closed off by wire shelves, so you can imagine the two messes that build up on either side. I don't ever use the space for its intended purpose because it does get so crowded so I think it's time that I go through and purge some things. I have this huge set up for all of my stamps, but I rarely use them. I have a huge collection of wooden and foam stamps and only use a select few wooden stamps and never use the foam stamps. Maybe someone else will get some use out of them? I know I'm not and all they do is take up space.

So, this evening will be spent going through stamps as part of "Operation Simplify 2009". A mini scrapbooking goal.

I tremble at the thought of going through my paper and embellishments.... especially the embellishments. And the paper. I might need someone to hold my hand.

My point

illustrated:

My online gallery

Nothing posted since early 2008....

Gasp

Two posts in one day.

Three more January Journaling layouts.

I used to be all about scanning my layouts and posting them to my online galleries, but now I find it rather painful. I'd rather just stick them in a pile and move on to the next one.

New Layouts!!!

A challenge over at WT was to use up an entire kit that you had laying around. Well, I decided to use the Oct 2008 kit from Label Tulip, "Gossip", and what you see below are my productions. However... I made ALL of those layouts and I still have TONS of stuff left over. Not sure when this started happening with kits, but I also don't know of the last time I sat down to actually use a kit in its entirety. I made a hearty attempt to use everything, but after making 6 layouts, I got a bit burnt out. I might make some cards later in the month, but for now I am just going to move on to another kit.

Scrap at Last

I have finally begun to scrapbook. I started a "Scrap your Stash" kit challenge over at WT some time ago, and it is taking me ages. I think that the goal is to use a kit a week, but I think I am averaging a kit a month. I pick out sketches, then some photos, and lay it all out... and then stare at it a while willing it to do it all itself and for it to look wonderful.

Somehow, it doesn't work out that way.

I am through 2.5 layouts out of a planned 5, and let me tell you... that kit is going to make a TON of layouts and cards. I had no idea that what is perceived as so few supplies would end up making so much!!!

I will post pics later of the kit and the results (thus far).

On the 365 front, I am doing well with taking my photos. I spend one or two days a week editing them down. I spend Saturdays picking out sketches for my layouts. And that is about as far as it goes. I will be spending some late hours this weekend making layouts for my photos and journaling.

Do you ever find that you just don't have enough in your life to scrapbook? Maybe that is why my enthusiasm is waning. I just don't have enough to scrapbook. I look at all of my supplies and I realize that it is insanity. I feel the need to cut it down drastically. But it's so hard when I look at what I have and I know how much money (um... loosely "know") I have spent. I hate to waste it by not using it. But I have supply buying issues. Which I am working on. And I am doing a lot better.

I hope.

I spend more money on tools lately than I have paper (which is my super secret Achilles Heel). I always though paper was such a cheap embellishment, but I am lucky if I can get past two sheets of paper on one layout (when layouts do happen). I must confess, I am addicted to BG 6x6 pads that I use for cards, but again, I sit make 8-12 cards with one pad and move to the next. I just feel like I never get as much use out of something as I should.

Ever feel that way?

Long Time No See

My friend is having a challenge over on the WT boards, and I said I would play along. It's a take on Ali Edward's Daily December journal that she does every year. Since a lot of people didn't get to December, Lisa decided to make it "Journal Your January". It's essentially the same guidelines as the December journal... take a photo of something throughout your day, or a receipt, or stub, and share a story from that day. It can be profound or mundane. My entries for the month so far are rather mundane. Not sure it's the month to blame.

My neighbors were up pretty late this last Saturday, so I was up until 2 in the morning "catching up" for the first week. I'm trying to stick with a pack of AC paper that I bought on impulse at HL that I just HAD to have, and I must say that I'm not really loving the paper :) But I am persevering. Of course, the new big mamma jamma Cricut is getting used on every page. It's almost time for a new mat!!

My photo printer has copped out on me until I refill the magenta cartridge. I do have photos printed through day 10, but I will have to put a pause on my Jan Journal until this weekend when I can get around to replacing the cartridge.