Smile

I am sure everyone has certain things that make them smile. I like to keep things close to me while I am at work that cheer me up. My workplace is stressful and having these things near me help. I don't have much room on my desk so I have a bulletin board next to my work space that has a bunch of my favorite photos. The one happy thing that will always be on my desk is my cow.

Yes, that brown lumpy piece of clay next to my phone is a cow. It is one of my prized possesions. This cow was given to me by my nephew. He made it in art class when he was in elementary school. I was talking to him yesterday (he is now 15) and told him I still had that cow on my desk (I think he was surprised). There is just something about this little piece of art that makes me happy.

So Thomas, thank you for making Aunt Sandra smile today.

Class this weekend

I am teaching a class on Saturday at Scrap Paper Scissors (Winter Garden, FL). In Saturday's class we will be making a pop up scrapbook using the Basic Grey Two Scoop's line. Please contact the store for more information.

http://scrappaperscissorsinc.blogspot.com/2008/07/hello-friends_05.html

Journaling

Today's blog prompt on 2 Ps is about journaling.

I have scrapbooked since high school but when I really got into the hobby was after going to a couple of Creative Memories demos. In these demos I was taught that scrapbooking was really about the story that your photos tell. The CM philosophy was photos first, then journaling, then add embelishments as a final layer.

I eventually broke away from the CM way of thinking. While the photos and journaling were still important to me, the overall design of a page is what brings me the most joy. I used to mandate that there be journaling on every page. Sometimes, the journaling didn't have much substance. Now often the only journaling on my page is my title and I am ok with that because sometimes that is all I need.

Sad news for my work family...

Well, this week started off on a sad note for me. One of my dear co-workers lost her mother rather suddenly over the weekend. From what I have known this woman was very warm and caring. She had a large family (including adopted family members) and was the very much loved matriarch of the family. I went to the viewing last night with two of my other coworkers so could show support for Dottie and her family.

I should stop here and tell you a little bit about Dottie. I have worked with her for about 4 years now and I just think she is terrific. She is warm, funny, and always willing to help you out. Dottie has a lot of siblings (10 total) and family has always been very important to her. This past Christmas was a big one for her family because everyone was coming into town for a family reunion. Dottie talked about this reunion a lot last year and was always saying how excited her mom was about it.

Dottie wanted to give her mom a special Christmas gift since it was such a special occasion for her family. Her plan was to put together a large scrapbook of family pictures for her mom. The project became a little to much for Dottie to handle on her own so she enlisted my help. I put together a 50+ page scrapbook for that included pictures of the whole family. In someway, I think I got to know her family while I was making that book. Dottie’s whole family loved the gift. Dottie even told me that her mom would sit and look through the scrapbook over and over again. It was her life in a book. Because of this it seemed only fitting that they included this scrapbook in the service for her mom.

So this week Dottie and her family will definitely be in my thoughts during this difficult time.

Time for an update...

I haven't posted for a while so I thought I would share some of the stuff that has been happening with me recently. A new scrapbook store openned up about 5 minutes away from my best friend. Scrap Paper Scissors is the name of the store and the owner, Debbie, is supper nice. I had posted before that we had visited the store. Well during that visit Debbie asked our group what kinds of classes we would like to see offered. We got to talking and I ended up teaching a Father's Day Exploding Box class at her store. Debbie and her customers must have liked me because I am teaching two more classes in July and have more in the works. I seriously feel like someone needs to pinch me. I have always wanted to teach classes at a scrapbook store but I never really thought my work was good enough. Doing these classes at Scrap Paper Scissors has really boosted my confidence. The best thing is that even though it is work to put together the classes and teach it doesn't feel like it. I may be exhausted after a class but I also feel fulfilled.

I am also taking classes this summer to finish up my AA degree. I have finished one class so far and got an A. College algebra is the class that I am finishing up now and it is stressing me out. If I can just pass this class with a C I will be thrilled!!!

A few weeks ago my husband also started classes towards an AA degree. I only mention this because I am so PROUD of him. He is doing great in all of his classes (no surprise to me) and is enjoying his work.

I am sending good wishes to all of you. Have a great week!!!!!!

Creating Art

For today's blog topic, I am going to address the challenge question posted on the Two Peas message board. The question is, "Is creating "beautiful art" more important than the process of creating?"

My immediate answer would be that I don't care if my art is beautiful, as long as I enjoy the process. But of course, we all want what we create to be deemed beautiful. Many times I think I get to caught up in thinking about what other people's opinions are going to be about my work.

The most important thing to remember is that creating shouldn't be a chore. You should enjoy the process.

Time for an update

I haven't posted for a while so I thought I would catch up on some things that have happened recently. First of all, I went to New York with my husband a couple of weeks ago. I never wanted to travel to New York because I was afraid to fly. I am proud to say that I have now conquered my fear of flying. New York was great and I hope to go back again when we have more time to see the sights.

Saturday was a Girl's Day Out for me, Kimi, and her Mom. We had such a good time visiting a scrapbook store in Winter Garden and having lunch at this quaint French bakery. The new scrapbook store is Scrap Paper Scissors (http://www.scrappaperscissor.com/). This is a new venture for the owner and she is very enthusiastic about her new business. The store is small but she has a bunch of cool items (most things I haven't seen in any other store locally). I really encourage anyone in the area to stop by. It's important for all of us to support these small local businesses.

I also found out that I only need 3 MORE CLASSES in order to receive my AA degree. I was so excited when I found out. I never thought I would get to this point and I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. I am taking all 3 classes that I need over the summer semester. It's going to be a lot of hard work but I think it will be worth it.

So since I have all of this work ahead of me with school, I have decided that I need to take a break and / or significantly cut back on scrapping. This was a hard decision for me to make but it's something that is ultimately going to be in my best interest. In order to help me stay focused, I have put away many of my scrapping supplies and have turned my "scrapping desk" into my "homework" area. I have been really sad most of the day because it is scrapping and crafting is something that I enjoy so much. Tomorrow is time for a new start...first day of classes. I am hoping that the next 3 months goes smoothly & I earn my degree.