Day 143 - December 26th - What to Buy, What to Buy

Oh, what to buy?!  I've got gift cards for Christmas and that means it's a "green light" to go shopping! 

Oh, what to buy?   I have to careful. I have to be cautious.  These cards have got to last me until August!  (OMG! August!)  So I need to be particular, and careful in selection.  I want things that will last. Like the "tiny attacher". (No, not a stapler, a tiny attacher.) And then I've been eyeing the Tim Holtz distressing inks. Joann's has them for 40% off.

I cleaned my scrap closet out on the 24th.  I had all day and I really wanted it done.  So at 11am I started and kept at it until 7pm.  I now know what is in there, and things are no longer cascading on my head when I open the door, and I'm no longer pushing things back with my feet when closing the door.  It's much better now.  And although the before and after pictures don't look like a lot of progress. It is.
Boxes were cleared out.  Items donated.  And old magazines being readied to be taken to the re-sale shop. (Even if they only pay 25cents per magazine... that's 25 I didn't have.) 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The best part is just knowing what I have and where it's at. Then, when an idea strikes! I'm ready! Everything is labeled and I can find it.  I love that.  I don't have a lot of room to be unorganized; our house isn't that big. And what happens when I am unorganized, the scrap stuff walks into other rooms.  Into the living room, the dining room. Sometimes I wish it would walk into the kitchen and make breakfast.  

But, back to what to buy.  Hmmmm I'm going to have to really think about it and really love it.  And shouldn't that be the way with all purchases, instead of just buying it. 

Day 137 - I Just Realized What Happened

Yesterday I went looking for a Christmas tree.  You may ask yourself, "you don't have a tree?" Yes. We have a tree. In fact two of them. But they are burried in the garage and that would be a whole different blog - about the "Adventure Into the Unknown". For now... it's just easier to buy a tree.

After church I decided to go looking. The Sunday paper showed that Michael's was already having their 70% Christmas blow out sale. So I went to Michaels and I looked at the trees. The only one that had left as a white one looking like it was made of 10 year old pipe cleaners and a second one made of feathers. Yeah. Feathers. White feathers.  So I passed. I turned around and walked out of the store with nothing.

But don't you see - NOTHING.  I looked for a tree. Didn't see any. And left. I didn't go the scrapbook aisle. (Although I must confess, I glanced briefly at the Christmas ribbon but didn't even touch it. It was one aisle over from the tree. And I went down that aisle to look for more trees.) I didn't oogle over anything. Didn't carress and pads of glitter paper.  Didn't even look at any scrapbook clearance or sale items.  What's wrong with me?!!!! OMG - is it really happening that I'm realizing that I don't need to collect supplies, but rather use them? 

And I have been using them. I used stuff out of my Christmas stash lately.  Stuff that I thought was SO cute I just couldn't use it. (Oh, but keeping it stored in a box instead of using it is MUCH better?!!)

It's kind of freeing. It's certainly fun. And I'm making some fantastic stuff.

Day 134 - Shopping with Gift Funds

Things change. They say, "the only thing constant is change". I guess THEY are right.  And although this "no shopping" attitude has been a change for me, when I do go shopping, that has changed too.

It was my birthday. The big one. No, THE BIG ONE - 50! 50 - how did 50 come so fast? But it did, and I'm here, and in looking at my scrapbooks, it have been a most phenomenal journey! So my parents gave me $50.  (And how many people can say they still have both parents to deliver birthday wishes to them. - I'm so blessed.)
Since gift cards, and gift funds are gifts, purchases made with these items don't count. :)  (I love my own rules.)

On a Tuesday night in December, my friend Connie and I went shopping at the Scrapbook store in Milwaukee, WI. Armed with $50 I made my perfect selections. And now I know what a child feels like when you take them to Toys R Us and tell them they have $10 to spend. What! Are you kidding me?!!!! $10! In a store full of the most delectable delights, and you only expect me to spend a certain amount!!! When I want it all! That's crazy talk!

So I made my selections ever so carefully and selected things that I knew that I would use, and not just to have them. I got some DoodleBug solid colored sheets of cardstock - only in the colors I love! Some card making items that I thought were cute, including a 3-d version of cards to make. I got some sectioned page protects to help to finish my Italy album. A sheet of adorable snowman paper. (Notice I said "a" sheet - and not the entire line of paper.) Some very different and cool type of netting material to use on cards to make them different. And some film strip embellishment. (It's teeny tiny film strip. To be used when I finally make my "photo girl" book. - Yes a book of nothing but me with camera in hand - since this is how my friends see me so often.)
And at $54 I was done.

Not easy. You have to be selective. You can't just blow it on something because the bling catches your eye. (Oh - I bought some bling too - never enough bling!) But there has been, just an ever so slight, change.

Did I pass up some things. Yes. The Bobunny ribbon wraps - the packaging was so stinkin' cute I just wanted to buy them to hang them on my wall - not to use the ribbon!!! And at $5.49 each, I wasn't going there.  Some day - but not today. :)

Day 130 - December 13th - Shopping during the Season

I'm not a big Christmas fan. I admit it. I might sound like a scrooge, but the scheduling is unbelievable. With parties, get togethers, shopping, wrapping.  It's not as if I had a lot of time left in my days to begin with. With volunteering, scrapping, cardmaking, running, beautification (nails, hair - I know, hard to believe it's not "natural") groceries, and blogging and a  the gazillion other things that are "normal routine things", Christmas makes for much longer days.

As far as shopping goes, I really have minimum to do. I just try to hard to get "the perfect gift", and in so, just kind of make myself crazy.

And if I go and shop for my scrapbook friends... how can I NOT find something for myself? 

Yesterday I stopped at Michaels, and again, that darn door display that literally jumps at you before you even enter the store greeted me.
Did you know.. they make 12 x 12 decorated storage boxes like they do photos boxes. Oh, I so wanted one!!! I'd never seen the 12 x 12 before. I picked it up, out of the cold winds and fridge temperature. Turned it over. Admiring it through the snow swirling around my head. I knew it could use a new home and no longer be homeless.  But then I put it back!
I wasn't sure where I would put it and what I would put in it - so I didn't get it.

I want to re-do my closet in January, and until I know exactly what I need to organize it a little better I'm not buying anything.
Because I probably already have an organizer I could use, OR I need to wait to see what it is I REALLY need.

Now, I do have a Michaels gift card, received on my birthday. And I got some beautiful bling on my birthday, AND I have an Archivers gift card - all wonderful things to have received - the best!
But I have learned in these 130 to be much more SELECTIVE. That if I am going to buy anything, it has to be really good. Useful. Not just to add to a collection, or get it because it's cute. (Which aren't bad ways to shop for scrapping items - but it fills the room really fast!)

So I will cherish my gift cards, and select accordingly.
Because we all know, gift cards DO NOT count as buying! :)

Day 121 - December 4th - Christmas is in Full Swing

Yep. Christmas is in full swing.... I got a to-do list that is running a page and a half, I got photos I want to take, only the Christmas decorations that were left behind from last year are up. (You know - you never seem to get them all... there is always one ornament, or a left over decoration that was hiding in the corner, or something new someone gave you as a gift. These didn't get stored in the "normal" boxes, they just go in a closet shelf.) We got snow this morning - first fall of the season. And my dining room table is littered with gifts that I've purchased this week.

Got to get to the wrapping, prepare for the department luncheon (complete with stamped Italian tiles as their take home gift - it's a coaster.) and figure out if we will be putting up our gi-normous tree. 

So what this all means is that I haven't had time to scrapbook. I haven't had time to think about what it is I'm missing and don't have.
I thought that I'd have to go out and buy some Christmas stamps to make the luncheon decorations, but I ended up using what I had and they turned out beautiful.

Then I thought, I'd have to go out and by some Staz-on ink in blue, because I only had red, black and brown.  Blue may have been "perfect" but the red and brown turned out great too... and I got to use what I have. 

Same with the Christmas gift boxes... no sense in buying more, I still have some left over from last year. I think I'll use what I have.

So what I'm trying to say here, "I think I'll use what I have."

My Italian tiles that I stamped:

(Now if I could only get my printer to work... I'm totally frustrated with it. The darn thing has a mind of it's own and seems to drink up ink by the gallon! And no, I haven't been printed a ton of picture or anything. When it works I love it. When it doesn't I want to throw it out my second story window. Good thing I can't get the screen off - it would be gone!)

Day 117 - November 30th - Desperate

I go to crop last night. Get out of my car, open my hatch, and there is nothing in the car. No tool kit, no Big Otto (my rolling crop bag) no crate. I had taken them all out on Sunday when I had my car detailed and never put them back.
That means no cutter, no adhesive, nothing.

Good thing my projects were in a separate bag and I had those.  I was still able to crop last night. The Christmas album I was working on already was completed - just add photos. But I had to buy adhesive. Bummer.

But the good part.... I did use all of the rest of Archivers tools and still got a lot of work done! So I wasn't going to buy anything... I HAD to buy it. I was desperate.

Adhesive : $7.99

P.S. Santa... more adhesive

Day 116 - November 29th - Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming!  And what is Christmas without scrapbooking supplies!!! And remember - gifts (and gift cards)
do not count as purchases! They are gifts! Totally different.  I didn't spend money on the item. Someone else did.
And are there things on my Dear Santa list. You betcha! I'm a scrapbooker. There are always things I want.

Dear Santa,
I've been a good girl this year. I've been adventurous, and generous, and everything-ous.

For Christmas this year I would like the "Tiny Attacher". No Santa, it's not a stapler. It's - a tiny attacher.  It's got little itty bitty staples and they look darling on cards and tags since they are SO itty bitty. (Oh, and don't forget the replacment attacher please.)

A tool box to hold all my Tim Holtz supplies and glimmer mist.  This would be my "messy" kit. When I want to start inking and spraying and blending and just getting down and dirty - all my blenders, inks, dabbers, mists and glam (yes Santa - there is such thing called Glam.) would be in one place.  Santa, don't you know an organized scrapbooker is a productive scrapbooker.

I need another Cropper Hopper photo box.  As you know Santa, I'm a "got to print my pictures" to see if I want to scrap them.  Selecting them in the computer and only printing the ones I'll use on a layout, doesn't necessarily work for me. So I print them.  But I need a new box for 2009/2010. 

Tim Holtz set of 4 Christmas stamps. Oh Santa, these are so cute and you can do some many things with them. But for 4 stamps they are pricey - $30. I have a coupon for you Santa which would save $9. Then you could get me something else too.

More bling! I am going through the bling like crazy on cards and such.  It adds just that little extra "push" to the project.  I need bling in any and every color and size.  Santa, you may want to send Mrs. Claus for the bling. It's kind of like jewelry.

And I need two big binders - you know, the honkin' 5-6 inchers.  I need one to put by stamps in, and one for my card phrases.  I've kinda out grew my books.  Go figure.  I little too much stuff?  No - never to much.  And Santa, they have to be in really fun colors.  Black isn't fun.

That's it for now Santa. If I think of anything else, I'll send an email or a text. 
Be safe and pet the reindeer for me.
KJ

Day 113 - November 26th - Michael's on Thanksgiving

And no - don't let the title fool you - we didn't go to a friend named Michael for Thanksgiving dinner. I actually went to Michael's on Thanksgiving evening.  After the dinner, and the dishes I scooted over there at about 7:30pm.  I HAD to. You got 30% off your entire purchase, including sale items. 

Every cart in the store was being used.  Even the squeaky one that some women was using that I could tell when she was in the Christmas section, then the scrapbooking section, then to floral and back to scrapbooking - how much stuff was she buying?????
You could not take your cart down the aisles because they were full! The aisles, not the cards.  Don't you people go into a turkey coma? What are you doing shopping? And shopping for scrapbook stuff to boot!!!

I almost bought a pre light tree to replace the massive un-lit tree we currently have - however, I know how much Tony loves the massive tree... so I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
Michael's also had a ton of clearance items in the scrapbook department.  After making my list of projects that I want to do in the up coming year, (I did that on Wed night for two hours)  I decided to focus my attention on the completion of the projects rather then the collection of the supplies. So I tried to focus on gifts for others rather then myself. Very hard - 'cause scrapbooking is all about me!

But I did manage to buy presents for others (where details won't be mentioned her in case they read my blog) and the only thing I got was a 12x12 plastic organizer to hold my cruise project. The cardboard box I currently have wasn't working really well and starting to break down due to "traveling" I spent $4.00. 

So I didn't do great, because I spent something, but I did a whole heck of a lot better then I use to.
And isn't that what we all should try to do... just a little bit better. :)

Day 98 - November 21st - I Made It Through

Yesterday,  I took the Vintage Christmas Card class at Archivers.  It's been a long time since a class was "challenging" and this one was. Lots of inking, embossing, stamping, dabbing, etc using the Tim Holtz distress inks and stamps. Four cards and a tag took 3 hours. (Which for all you non-scrappers, is a long time.) They turned out beautiful. 

Things I learned... using the dabber with the inks to color the stamp. Yes, believe it or not, there are still things for me to learn.  There are these little sticks, with dense cotton, almost a modified q-tip. Tap the ink... and then tap it off on the craft mat to lighten it up. What this does is that it will take a color such as  "Tea Dye", a brown color and makes it a soft skin tone color.
Then there was the "grunge board" which we dry embossed, placing a pattern on it. Then we heat embossed it to make it look metallic.  I've got a lot of the grunge board from a grunge board shopping spree back when it first came out.  BEFORE, when I new product came out we (me) had to have it all. So I've changed just a little. :) Maybe.

I got to work at a table with my friend Sandy (who works at Archivers) and her sister Lisa. Both veteran scrappers/stampers. Which was good, because you had to move in this class and know what you were doing.

It was fun.. my fingers got inked and it's a good thing that when we went out with friends that night the lights were down low so no one could see my "dirty" hands. (Takes a little bit for the ink to come off.)

What I didn't do was buy anything.  Not the dabbers, not a color of ink. Not the really cute Tim Holtz's Christmas stamps. (Which were SO cool.) None of the embossing powder. Nothing. BUT - what I do think I need to do is put together a stamping box from the supplies I DO have.  Like they have at Archivers with all the supplies in a bin in the middle of the table.  The embossing gun.. the inks, blenders, etc. All in one box. So when I go to ink and stamp, I'll have all my toys in one place. That would be fun.

January to-do list:  Make up a "Archivers Stamping Kit" of my own. (I need to go find a box to put it in. Preferably clear plastic.)
(Pictures to follow later today.)

Day 94 - November 17th - There is even shopping on a ship!

Hi there! I know. It's been a long time since my last post. I'm so sorry. I missed you too.

The "Ultimate Scrapbook Cruise" was a lot of fun. Well, the scrapbooking part was, the over eating, over indulging, over drinking by a lot of the other passengers kind of turned me off, but hey - it kept the weight down. 

We had 4 classes on the cruise ship:

Stacy Julian did an introspective book about yourself. You had to bring pictures from 2010 that helped illustrate statements such as... "I was, I once, I went, I love, I am, I wonder, I will, etc" Then you packed one piece of pattern paper, one card stock, and 5 embellishments. Yes, one brad is one embellishment. Then you picked out your "happy" color. (Happy color: Your favorite color that you love to scrapbook with and if it was the only color left on earth, it would be your favorite. Mine, hot aqua! Love that color.)
So the book turns out really cute because even though you have all these crazy patterns and embellishments that don't match on every page, the book has continuity because it has a strip of your happy color on the photo page and use you your happy color paint on the facing page. It really works.

Then we did a techniques album from Tattered Angels and Glimmer Mist. The owner and inventor of Glimmer Mist, Wendy taught us how to use the mist, glam, masks, stamps, etc with all of their product... 30 different things in a type of "recipe book" to keep. That class was 4 hours long! It was great!

Debby Schuh taught us a Christmas album so that we'd have some where to put all our holiday photos when we take them this year. Her "thing" is to use the page protectors in different ways... cut the sides, make a flap, put the page half in and half out of the page protector. Use different size page protectors in the album. Loved it! These ideas could easily carry over to any album I want to do. And really gives you a variety within the book.

And last.. there was the "Happy Thoughts" album taught by Heidi Swapp.  Using 12 x 12 ink resistant paper, you would ink the paper and all the detail in the paper would be exposed.  This gives you the option of making the paper what ever color you would like it to be.. if you are using reds, blues, or browns.. ink the paper in those color inks and it's yours!  She also had different size page protectors in the book which gives it a lot of variety.  And the book is to be a collection of your "Happy Thoughts", so when you are down on yourself.. take out your Happy Thoughts book and see all those things that make you smile!

So for the shopping... damn! I broke down.  Wendy with Tattered Angels had all kinds of goodies on the boat with her. Stamps and masks and crepe paper, ribbon, mists, glam, chalkboard, etc.  And with DEEP discounts.. 50% off retail, AND with one of a kind items that will never be carried in stores, or items being discontinued.  Just go ahead and tell a scrapper that this item will never be available anywhere else... why not just tell a junkie that the crack is free!!! OMG! I HAD to have it.  And I didn't care!  It was one of kind!!! Screw the no shopping! I'm in the middle of the ocean buying scrapbooking stuff!!! What could be better? Vacation and scrapping - vanilla and chocolate, hot and cold - it all goes together.  So I bought some of the coolest Caribbean stamps and crepe paper, and a brush, and some masks, and blank tags and what I'll do it use all this product to make my Cruise album. It's got palm trees, and fish, and tropical colors like aqua (my happy color), yellows, mangos, etc.  I spent $58.  Sorry. I just couldn't pass it up. Back to rehab.

Now I got to get my cruise photos ordered. 

Day 81 - November 4th - It Really Isn't Any Easier

OK. Day 81. You would think by now it's easier. It's not. I still have to "put blinders on" when I walk through Archivers.
They have all their new Christmas stuff out and up. Even going to the bathroom there is "dangerous". I walked by one counter - just one - on the way to the bathroom. I stopped at the new "stacked chipboard" 3 dimensional reindeers, and santas smiled back at me from the package saying, "Buy me. Take me home. I'm better then that old crappy Christmas stuff you already own."
I moved along.

Not two steps away was the American Craft ribbon, all spooled up and in a row. All as yummy and enticing as candy. (No wonder kids go insane at the candy rack!) It had different Christmas colors; no longer just red and green - which is old and boring. These were aqua and red, yellow and lime. With "Christmas Cheer" and "Happy Christmas".  I picked them up. I touched them. I rolled them over in my hand. 
And put them back. 
Keep moving.

Next was ScrapBook Trends books... one exclusively Christmas cards and the other holiday ideas. The were beautiful! The card ideas were great and could be converted into any type of card - birthday, get well, just for you. Great use of ribbon and scrapping supplies.
I SO wanted the book. I put it back.. I'll use the internet I guess for ideas. I still haven't finished the 365 cards a day book I bought last year. I only made it to January 5th.

Ahhhh.  Not easy. Not easy at all. Even with all the OLD Christmas stuff I have, I SO wanted some new.

After vacation... I need to get back to scrapping. With the Picture Fall class and getting ready for my trip, I really haven't worked on cards or pages. I think one of the keys is, if I'm using my stuff, I don't want to buy any more because I realize how much I have. When I don't use it, I want new items  to either inspire me or give me an "easy fix" to get going. (If I buy it new, I just have to grab photos to go with it. I don't have to search through my stuff.)  Ahhhhh! There's an "Ah-ha Moment".

Day 79 - November 2 - I Can't Remeber the Last Time This Happened

Tony and I went on a road trip last weekend. We went to Straughn, IN. A little town just outside of Indianapolis; more towards the Ohio side of Indiana.  What made this trip unique is that we didn't stop at a single scrapbook store. Not a one. I can't remember the last time we drove more then an hour in the car that I didn't have a detailed map listing the store, the store hours, what the store specializes in and if we have ever visited the store in the past.

Some times I'd give the store "Scissor Ratings". If it was a good store, it would get 3 scissors, if it was a great store is would get 5 scissors, and if it was really bad - a half of scissor. 

Not this time.  I can't remember the last time we didn't stop at a scrap store. We didn't even stop at a Michaels. Nothing! No Pages in Time, no Archiver in Indy, no Scrapbook Xanadu (although I don't think they are even open anymore.) Nothing. Not one sticker, sheet of paper or ribbon. 

So you may be asking how did I hold up? Did I break out in a sweat as we rolled along 80/94.  Did I start to shake when Sunday morning arrived and I didn't even look at a Michaels add in the paper.  Nope - none of that.  But what I did, (and have been doing) is putting myself behind my camera.  For the entire month of October I was taking pictures of a particular subject every day. And I would average about 100 shots to get one good one. 

I did the same sort of thing this weekend.  Pictures of the turbo windmills, pictures of the dogs, pictures at the orchard. And you know... once you re-direct yourself... you really don't even think about what it is you might be missing.  And, in truth, I'm not missing anything at all.  I've already got it all! :)

So the road trip ended up just being that - a road trip. (And not the crazy - find the scrapbook store somewhere in the strip mall next to the White Hen just over the railroad tracks.)

Lots of thses in Indiana...

And what is Halloween without a good cemetery shot.

And I went to the apple orchard and fed chickens for the very first time. (Don't laugh - I'm a "city girl" the only thing I know of chicken is McNuggets!)

Here is the goat!

Day 74 - October 27th - A New Day

Today is a fresh start. (As if every day) and I'll try not to hold myself to extremes. Right?  'Cause extremes only get you in trouble and make you not like things about yourself - and what's not to like! Yourself and everyone's self is beautiful.

It's all about choices - as is so many things in life. But it's the OVERALL choices and not about individual purchases.
For example... someone who is dieting, it's not about each bite but rather the overall picture of your health.   You can have the cookie, but just have one, not six or sixteen. Our bodies will tell us when they're not getting enough of something.  Will my brain tell me when I'm not getting enough shopping? Enough color? bling? flowers? or brads? (OK, so scrapping doesn't always associate well with weight loss.)

"Just jump back in the sadlle and giddy-up for another day." (I read this on another blog and thought is was so cute.)

So giddy-up horsey! I have to go look at my buttons again!

Day 73 - October 26th - The New Scrapbook Store

"When one door closes, another one opens."

When one scrapbook stores closes, another one opens. And so did the store in Greenfield, WI. It's adorable! I loved it. Tucked into a small strip mall the owners have done a great job in trying to get new lines in. Stuff like JilleBean, PaisleyPink, Tim Holtz, etc.  Some lines I've never heard of before. It was great to see new products organized well and decorated. Decorated;  having fabric tape stored in little drawers, extra Halloween decorations, using old fashion chest of drawers to hold distressing inks. Picnic baskets used to hold picnic and food embellishments.  Very cute - makes it warm and cozy and fun to shop.

But I know what you want to know - if I bought any thing. Some said that I shouldn't go there. That the temptation would be to much. That I would crack! Break! Take my credit card out. Well... you all know me too well.  How could I go to a new store and NOT buy ANYTHING?!  Five feet in the door and I picked up some adorable hot air balloon paper I'd ever seen! And I DON'T HAVE hot air balloon paper, but I got hot air balloon pictures! I HAD to get it.

And did I say I wouldn't buy anything for a year? Maybe I meant to say I wouldn't buy anything in the state of Illinois for a year.
And if I don't support my local scrapbook store - they'll close.
And these are new owners - they have to know that someone believes in them. And the only way to do that is to visit their store and buy something.
And, I only spent $20. That's all. Not a lot.  4 sheets of paper, some pink gems ( I was totally out of pink gems) 2 sheets of Halloween paper that totally fit the theme of last Saturdays party - complete with framed skeleton.  Rhinestone sandals and umbrella drink (a must have for the cruise album) And the cutest darn turquoise buttons I've ever seen from Bo-Bunny that screamed Bahamas! I HAD to have for my cruise album. I HAD to have them. So cute and in my "happy color". (Happy color: the color you would pick if you could only have one color to scrapbook with - no others - just this one color. That's your "happy color")
I couldn't wait a year - are you kidding! They'd be gone. 

And so... with my little bag, and a new store to visit on trips to Milwaukee, I headed home. Knowing that I'd have to answer to my blog. But you know what... the cute buttons -so worth it! They make me smile  :)

Day 70 - October 23rd, 2010 - "Project Runway"

Ever watch "Project Runway"?  Unknown clothes designers compete. Given challenges of using particular themes or materials, they are given a certain amount of time to complete the task, and then their outfit is judged, and some one is sent home. Pretty much the same formula that is being used on all of the competition shows these days.

What I like about project runway is "use of theme". How, when given a particular idea or material, they immediately come up with something that is truly runway worthy. Let alone sew everything. 

So I played "Project Runway".

I was given my assignment.  "Good morning Designer! Today you will be working on completing a small scrapbook based on the event, "Divine Inspiration sings the National Anthem at the Kane County Cougars game".  Completed in the "Finished In a Flash" scrapbooking style, you will have limited amounts of paper and emblishments to work from.  Good luck, and we'll see your scrapbook on the runway".

So I sat and thought about it, and came up with a color scheme that I thought that I would like.  It would be a 6x6 album.  Cougar colors are green and white, it's baseball so it has to have browns in it somewhere. 

"OK, Designer! You'll have 30 minutes and a budget of $0 dollars to go shopping at "Mood"."  "Mood" is a fashion warehouse in New York that houses mountains of material, wall of buttons and every other feather, fastener, or lace you can imagine.  My "Mood" is my scrapbook room, where it houses a mountain of paper, a wall of embellishment and every sticker, dazzle, or ribbon you may need.
It was 6:00am.  I had 30 minutes to complete the task of picking out all my supplies.  Ready. Go!

I pulled 4 sheets of pattern paper.  Papers with browns and blues, some with greens.   I pulled 5 sheets of co-ordinating cardstock.  I went to my scrapbook closet and pulled out the 6x6 binder album.  Refills... refills... I'll need more pages... where are those?
In the "Finished in Flash" style, you are limited to 50 embellishments.  Each brad, flower, or sticker counting as one item.  Every frame,  transparency, or paperclip is one.  I pulled brads, (one, two, thee four, five, six - who the heck counts brads!) some blue chip board pieces. Pulled out the "sports" folder and quickly flipped through to see what type of stickers I had with a baseball theme. (Talk about a limited selection!).  And finally, one letter sticker sheet.

"All right designers. Time is up!"; and I stuffed everything in a plastic sleeve and was ready to crop on Friday night.

With my limited supplies, and my trimmer I started work on my "masterpiece" entitled... Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Not original, but it fits. And I work diligently and quickly.  Not worrying that everything was just perfect, but "making it work" with the supplies that I had pulled.  No looking for the perfect paper, not worrying if the brad is the exact color match.  I got in there, got it down, got it pulled together.

And you know... by the end of the evening... it was just about runway worthy.  The cover wasn't done, and authors note was missing from the back, and it wasn't journaled, (Tony needs to help me with all of the guys names) but it was "finished". 
My "bonus" was that I had a $5 coupon from the crop that had to be used that night. So I got (I won't use the term "bought" because I didn't pay cash for it) were some Basic Grey tabs - that could stick out of the top of the book.

"One day you're in. And the next day, your out." I think I'm still in the game.


The unfinished cover...

Opening page... needs journalling on right side.

Sample interior page.. see the browns and greens used.

Just simple, fast, easy pages - just a small book to highlight the event. Love it!

Day 63 - October 16th - For a Purpose

It's different when you have a project in mind and need to shop for it, rather then just shopping - generic like shopping, with no purpose. Shopping because it's cute, colorful, or on sale- that's generic shopping.

 With the cruise supplies, I'll be going through my stash and trying to make it work. June, my cruising buddy said that we could "share" supplies. You all remember sharing. Growing up with the kids on your block, you'd share crayons and coloring books. Bicycles and jump ropes.  Growing up, we didn't have everything. We had everything we needed, but not everything and we did have more then most. So when you found a friend that had more Barbies, or more board games, or more charms, you'd go play there.
If someone is willing to share, take them up on it. It will make them feel good; people like to help. They wouldn't offer if they didn't want to.
And it's sometimes hard to except that help. We feel "bad" that we can't do it, or don't have it.  But you know, working with someone and sharing with them, makes things even better.  There is someone to laugh with, joke with, compare with, share with.
That beats going to the store by yourself any day.

Day 62 - October 15th - 60 days; feels like 600 days

So I'm trying. I'm trying really hard. With only three hundred days to go! (OMG!)

The supply list and instructions came for "The Ultimate Scrapbook Cruise"'s projects that we'll be doing on the ship. And wouldn't you know it, the three shades of ink pads that you need by Tim Holtz's distressing inks, I don't have. I know - hard to believe. I have some of them, but not the ones the instructor is asking for. I HAVE to have the right ones. The exact ones. (Don't I?) If not, I'll be an out cast in the class. The other scrappers will laugh at me. Like one of those slow motion dreams where everyone points and laughs. That when people look at the book they will say - "Oh my!  Look at that! She used "dirty paper" colored brown  ink, not the "vintage brown" she was suppose to! Ugh! How did she possibly think the book would come out beautiful!"  I know they will say that. So I have to get the EXACT colors; don't I?  I have a coupon. Does that help?
Don't I have to have the exact ones?

It's hard. Addiction is hard. I see now why people with really additions count the days.  Because each day is a struggle to stay on course.  You want it. You NEED it. You want to have that Bo-Bunny fall flower that is glowing orange within it's package.  You want the scary Halloween monsters that make you smile just looking at them. You want the latest stickles, embossing powders and stamps, paper, punches,  because you just took a card class and got to play with all of it. (Oh that "Hands On" stuff makes you want to take it all home. - They know what they are doing there.)

Picture Fall

Keeping myself busy. Staying out of stores and playing with my camera.  More photos from my Picture Fall class.

I call this one; "See it. Do it. Be inspired."

This one is called; "Orange"

This one is "morning Light"

And this one is "Preperation"

Day 59 - October 12th - A Dilema

One scrapbook store closes and a new one opens. The store in Wisconsin, the one I would stop at one my way home from Milwaukee closed.  "The Scrapbook Store" (no points given for originality to name) closed and someone purchased it. They are moving to a new location; still on the way home from Milwaukee.  Grand opening is scheduled for October 23rd. 

What am I going to do? How can I go to a Grand Opening and NOT buy anything. You might say, "just don't go." Just don't go! Just don't... I HAVE to go. I have to see it. I have to see what I might be missing.  If I go, and they still have all "old stuff", stuff from last season, then I know that I won't need to go on a regular basis. Not that I would go on a regular basis anyway, 'causes I'm not buying.  (Tony asked the other day, "You aren't still doing that no buying stuff are you?" You'd think he would have noticed the increase in our net worth. )
But I HAVE to go to know what they have.

But if they have something good.. how will I not buy it.  There might be a "sticker-jack". Similar to a "car-jack". I would force the women in front of me to buy my stickers. "Hey lady!" This is no scissors in my pocket. I got a gun. Buy these stickers and take them outside and no one gets hurt."
OR, could put the item on my Christmas wish lists, but by then it will probably all be gone.  "Thanks Santa. The new slippers are great but aren't the same as the coolest new Bo-Bunny papers, brads, and flowers."

I know I'm going to see the new store... the question will be.. can I resist the temptation.. stay tuned.

Day 55 - October 8th - Whose Got Time to Shop

I have got NO time to go shopping.  I don't even have time to put away the scrapbook stuff I bought in Utah! (And if you can't even put it away, how could you possibly buy more!? Well, I could and have. )  Why am I so busy..... well... I got two on-line scrapbooking classes going on at the same time.

I've got "Picture Fall", which has you take a specific topic of photo per day. For example, today is "keep is simple", which wants you to take a photo that involves light and the way that light plays on the object.  It's a photo a day, with a new topic and God help you if you fall behind. 
It can happen quickly. And if you do fall behind, you might end up being some type of crazed photographer; climbing trees to get the perfect red leaf, hanging from a fence to get the perfect shadow, asking any relative or friend to hold a pumpkin, candle, leaf, twig, to get a photo. "Here, drink out of this pumpkin mug - it will make a great picture.  Wait! I have to light it from underneath with a candle to get a warm light. Wait! Don't drink from it yet, I want to get the steam rising from the mug Wait! Which ISO setting was that?  OK drink. Wait! I want to get a chocolate mustache. Can you splash some of that boiling hot coco on your upper lip?"

And can I wrap or over lay this project with my regular "365 Project" which was a photo a day that started back in January?
Let's just say it started strong, but August and September... how about a photo every other day. Or weekly.  Does that work?
Maybe a "52 Project" next year.

The second class that I'm currently taking is "Book of Stories", which is a way to organize all the stories that you want to scrapbook.  From my vacations, to thoughts rattling around in my head, on post-its, in binders and journals, this class would help me get them organized.
And I have my stories ALL over.  I'm a big journal-er when it comes to scrapbooking. The pictures are nice, but they need to "talk".  In binders, on Evernote, in Word, on napkins with other memorabilia from that event; they are all over.   I need to get them organized in order to grab them to scrap them with the photos.  And I think my solution will be "Evernote", however, I need to set up a separate account for that, since I already have all my scrapbook ideas (quotes, layouts, card ideas) stored out there on an Evernote system.

On top of this, I have no birthday cards left.  I need to get my inventory with card making going again.  Holidays are coming; great gift idea for that hard to shop for person. Who doesn't find themselves finding out about a death, illness, birthday, friend that they want and or need to send a card to.  With the "holiday" package - they would have a cards ready to go. "Oh thank you (fill in the blank) for this wonderful card set. Now, I won't  have to send a card that I bought at the gas station because I had no time to go to Hallmark."
 I need to make some new ones.

Toss in work, groceries, exercising, family, gleaning, a massage (oh yeah - you think I'm giving that up?), and it makes for a full day.

And yes - I can control all of this. Drop a class, don't grocery shop (need to loose weight anyway),  and it would make things easier.
BUT, these are the things that make life fun and make me happy.  And more people should have more happy things in their life.

Day 51 - October 4th - Picture Fall

Today's photo assignment:

"...No matter what your morning might look like, find something, anything at all, that whispers the kind of quiet reassurance you need to ease yourself into your day today."

For me, it my coffee and my laptop. At 5am I get the coffee going, log on and check out my email and then anywhere from 4-7 different scrapbooking blogs and websites.  From Stacy Julian; scrapbooker extraordinaire, who has been my number one influence in scrapbooking, to "Write, Click, Scrapbook" a blog about journalling, photography and scrapping. I check them all out. Then at 5:30am, I'll go and actually start some form of scrappping.. cards, page layout, etc. and work on that for an hour. Who else do you know that gets to play with all their creative stuff before they start their work day?

Day 50 - October 3rd - What to Do When You Can't Shop

Well, if you can't shop, what will fill the time. Figure scrapbook shopping - that is at least an hour in the store. It takes that long to look at all the new stuff AND to go through the clearence items.  Which I always thought was a GREAT use of time.
That's gone now. That means I should have an extra hour to do something constructive. I thought shopping was constructive - helping the economy and all.

Anyway... I'm taking a photography class. I own the camera. And due to the glorious field of digital, no prints to buy if I don't want to. Oh, and prints don't count as a scrapbook purchase - kind of like adhesive, page protectors and toilet paper- it's a must have.

On line at "Big Picture Classes", June shared her "Picture Fall" class with me. (See - no purchase. That is what friendship is all about.)   Where every day you are given a topic regarding the fall season and you shoot a picture. After coming off a photography class in Sundance, I'm more familiar with my F-stops, my ISO and all the tini-tiny dials on my camera - which more like a mini-me computer, with all the stuff the camera can do.

Class started October 1st. Instead of shopping, I'm out taking photos for 30-45 minutes a day, coming in and downloading, and quickly editing to my favorite shot.

Here's what I got so far:
Day 1:  A Leaf

And of course there is always the second and third runner up:

Day 2 was: Your comfy spot. Where you relax and settle in and on those frosty evening, relax:

Ahhh...my nap time place. 

Day 3: Hidden beauty: It's easy to find beauty when it's full of color and life, but can you find beauty when it's been discarded, or the season is retracting.  Find beauty in something that someone else may pass by.

And, as always, I can never get it down to one. How about two.

And one more, 'cause I can't make up my mind.



Instead of shopping... I finding the beauty of the season. I guess it beats the fall clearance sale.



Day 49 - October 2nd - Lots to Work On

Although I'm not shopping anymore, I'm still collecting coupons like I am.  The Joann's flyer comes in the mail, I immediately turned to the back, clipped the coupons and put them in my purse. I didn't even look to see what was on sale. And I have no intentions of going there. But for some reason, I just had to keep the coupons.
Same with Archivers. The email came, I passed by the advertisement section, scrolled to the bottom and printed out the coupons.
They are in the purse too.
So I'm going through the motions as if I would be shopping.  Maybe this is like "phantom shopping". You know, when you loose a limb and they say you can still feel it.  I've lost my "shopping limb", but this way I still "feel it".

And I really don't have time to shop. 
Between the scrapbook classes I'm taking on line; one purchased prior to this "Scrapbook Weight Loss Program", and another shared by a friend (thanks June) I have emails to read and projects to attack.
 I've got a "Picture Fall" class where I shoot a different "fall" object every day. (First day; a leaf). So walking around and taking pictures - totally free and no cost. Yes, I can print my own photos.

My second class, "The Book of Stories" helps you to journal and get the stories you want to tell organized.  It's really a good exercise in journalling and seeing how you want your page structured. (Do you  start with photos, then the design, then the story? Or do you use a design first? (cause you saw a sketch, then photos, story. OR, do you have a story you want to tell, select your photos and then try to find a layout to fit it?)
I have all this information to get into the "scrap-top/lap top" and do several exercises.

On top of that - we have major scrapping projects... Sundance-548 photos to scale down,  Utah shopping spree (layout or two), Kane County Cougars baseball game (6x6 album), Mackinaw Island, and of course - Italy! (The monster of all scrapbooks! I SO need to develop a plan with that book!) Oh, and my "Photo a Day - 365 Project". I think I'm behind and only have photos in there up until June.)
So as you can see, I should be doing nothing but scrapping. No working, no eating. no shopping.

There is no time to shop here!

Day 47 - September 30 - Back and Ready to Start Again

Back from vacation! Ahhhh... those days of fresh air, lots of sunshine, bad eating and no laundry. Love vacation!
And now, it's time to look at what I purchased in Utah. Kind of like waking up after a good night of drinking and thinking,
"what the heck did I do that for?!" 
And of course to swear that, "I'll never do that again!"

I bought ribbon.  Not that I NEEDED anymore ribbon. It's not about the needed, it's about the want. I WANT the ribbon. It's sooo pretty, and when it's touching and up against all it's ribbon buddies? Well you can't just take one. The ribbon would be lonely.  It has to have some of it's friends. Or better yet, some of it's relatives. So if you buy the white ribbon with white polk-a-dots, you have to buy the pink ribbon with white polka-dots, the red ribbon with white polk-a-dots, the lime.. you get the picture.

A new cutter: Yes. I have a cutter. Can't scrap without a cutter. Scissors and a straight line - that will never happen. But this NEW cutter has blue flowers on it, and has numbers in black rather then embedded into the plastic. I can see it easier. Although, the truth is, that I've used the old cutter for so long, that I can eye the 8" mark and no exactly where it is. Kind of like the chefs who say to use a pinch and it's exactly a teaspoon of whatever.  You just KNOW it. That and June and Hilary had one. Talk about peer pressure! I thought that stopped in high school? Everyone got their ears pierced - me too! Everyone had doodle folders - me too! Everyone had great grades. Well, I guess I didn't do everything they did.

Stamps. Got stamps. Not that I don't already have a gazillion stamps, I can't even count them.  It would be too scary. BUT for a dollar, how can you not buy things that are so cute! Things like Christmas trees, and cute flowers. AND stamps, unlike stickers or rub-ons can be used over and over again. So then why ever buy stickers or rub-ons if they aren't reusable? Stop being practical! Scrapbooking has no room for practicality.  It's all about the emotion and cuteness.

And I can't believe I have to put things away, AGAIN! There was the first warehouse trip to Michigan, then Laura sent me some items, then June and now this last shopping spree.  However, I'm NOT complaining. The items from the girls have been wonderful, and keeps me inspired to stay on track. By them sending me items, I do get the "I've got a new item - I've been shopping kind of feeling". And that is ALWAYS good.

So I'm back on the wagon and back to no spending. Christmas is 75 or so days away! Hurry Santa! I'm starting a new list!

Day 41 - September 24th - Went on a Binge Yesterday

Yesterday in the Salt Lake City area I went on my shopping binge! "Grandfathered" in prior to my blog, this shopping trip was pre-planned before I decided not to buy. 

And so, at 8am, June and I left Sandy, Utah and headed the car north, to pick up our friend Hilary.  From Hilary's  house, complete with a scrapbook room that any scrapper would die for, we hit Hobby Lobby since it opened at 9am. Searching for the sale items which included stickers, spare-parts, and albums - all at 50% off, Hilary added more albums to her her current library. I managed to spend about $35. Ahhhh... it felt good. I was purchasing things I needed.. button brads, stickers to be used on wedding cards, birthday cards, and gems. Can never have enough bling.
The swipe of the debt card and entry of the PIN and begun.

From there we hit Joann's.  And there, I got a new 12" cutter. Now you may say, "But Kathy Jo, you already have a cutter don't you. Because if you didn't, how the heck have you been cutting all this paper?" Well.. let me say.. it's like trading in a car. I had an older model, the one from 10 years ago, and it worked and it cut - BUT , this newer mold! The number are in black instead of embedded in plastic. Instead of acting like Helen Keller and trying to read the 5.5" mark, these are EASY to read.  And it has pretty blue flowers on it. Very fashionable. And both June and Hilary had one.  If your fiends have one - you GOT to have it. And it was 30% off.!
Got that and the replacement blades, and some items from the dollar bin. Spent about $30.00

Continuing north we went to SEI warehouse.  There in a little industrial park, across the parking lot from the railroad tracks is SEI. And there, not only do they discount their regular, new for the season, items, theyhave 10 cent paper and a wall of dollar bins! Now we are talking. As much as I like to buy scrapbook stuff, if I can get it really cheap all the better. With most papers running anywhere from $80 - 1.70, to find it for a dime is a dream! And, it's good stuff - not just the left over ugly papers.  So I ended up spending.. you guessed it $35.

I'm seeing a pattern here...

Having driven to what now seemed like the Canadian border, through beautiful mountains and valley so low that you can't get radio reception, we headed back south, in the direction of home to pick up our friends Laurel and Debbie. 

Next stop - Ben Franklin. Yes, in a time where every " 5 and Dime" store has gone away, this Ben Franklin still exists, AND we had a coupon! Again, the dollar bins are the most attractive and I picked up some inks - in particular a chalk ink in white. Usually you can only get this in a pigment ink that doesn't dry well - this is chalk and should dry instantly. I'm hoping.  And another $10 of the cutest stamps I've seen. And yes, some of these stamps had a Christmas theme - which I SWORE , I would not buy any more Christmas items.  But with a stamp that read, "Santa - define good" and "be your elf", I thought they'd be so cute on tags.
Got 20 yards of ribbon for $1.50 and other such bargains. 
Laurel met us there, and I should have checked out before she arrived, because she managed to find an additional 3 stamps that I just had to have. 
Note:  Better to shop alone - you buy less. Shopping with friends becomes "gathering" and you help each other put things in their baskets.

From "Fem Franklin" which is what the girls call it, we headed to Heartland, the only independent store we hit. By this time it's 4:30 and we haven't eaten all day. Nothing since breakfast at 8am.  Dizzy from hunger we checked out the aisles.  The lack of food took over the appetite for shopping and I only spent $8 on birthday ribbon and couple sheets of paper.

A quick drive through McDonalds will help in all situations.. and from their it was to Roberts.  It's just like Michaels and what's with all the male names on craft stores? Roberts at one time was a "giant" and eliminated so many independent stores. Now, their aisle are spread thin and they had nothing but last years paper.
You may say, "so what if it's last years paper? Does it get old?" No. But if it's last years it means I've already seen it and bought it, or didn't like it anyway. So that means I already have it or don't want it. Poor selection at best. No where near the items they had in the early years (2002-2006). I would think they are looking to close. I've seen this behavior before in multiple stores that have shut their doors.
Still spent $18.  All on clearance items - thickers, gems, and a couple of stickers.

And that was it. A quick day. But I seem to be satisfied. Now I just want to go home and use my new cutter and make some more cards and scrapbooks.  I think I'm set until Christmas. 
Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is .....

Day 38 - September 21st - Replacement

In trying to change something, it's always good to have something new take it's place.

So I stop spending which means that allows the time from shopping to do something else. I have. I found time for "Mad Men".
A drama about an advertising agency that takes place in the '60s has become my favorite show. They are currently in their fourth season on AMC, and I've gone to the library to get the prior seasons. I'm number 4 in line to get season 1, but I've already watched all of season 2 and 3 in two weeks - 26 episodes.  And I can't get enough! The writing, the filming, the characters, the set design.  I love it all and ever since "John From Cincinnati" (google that one if you don't know it) have I been so "wrapped up" in what the characters are doing and why. 

Does this take the sting out of shopping. Yeah, it could. When I need to get home in order to watch another episode rather then stopping at the scrap store - yeah, it's a good thing.
When I want to spend money on my new "Anderson Cooper Advertising" mug instead of paper packs. Won't hurt. I have tons of paper.. and only a couple of mugs. I've got lots of mugs too, but no "Anderson Cooper" one.
And when I watch an episode I usually hop on my stationary bike, or treadmill and do 45 minutes of exercise. Well, shouldn't everyone be motivated that way!

And I'm not giving up scrapbooking... in fact if I can find them cheap, I'll buy the dvd's and watch them while I'm scrapbooking. "Mad Men" and scrapbooking - it would be quite a night!

Day 35 - September 18th -

Well, it's been 35 days, just over a month. It seems a LOT longer. However, I'm still happy with the decision I made to cut back on spending. The "instant gratification" part goes away a little bit. When shopping in a store you really start to ask yourself for most purchases, "do I really need that?" And if the answer is yes or you need some "retail therapy" to get you through, then go for it.
And if not... then hang in there for Christmas or your birthday. People will want to know what to get you.

Another thing is, maybe I know what the finish line is. In this particular case, my finish line this particular time is the "grandfathered in" trip to Utah.  On Thursday, myself and 4 other crazy scrapbook women, scrapbook enthusiasts will attempt to shop at 12 different stores in Utah. With store list, GPS, coupons and a credit card, we will be ready to hit the road.  I have a wish list I've been putting together for the times when I can shop, like this one. Or for Christmas presents or birthday presents. 
And didn't we do this as kids? I know I did. Wanting that one particular toy and hoping that on Christmas morning it would finally be there.  Or going through the Sears catalog in November. Their toy section was to die for - and didn't everyone shop at Sears then. ("Then" is back in the 60s. - for all you young people who only shop on line, and for you older people who let the Wells Fargo wagon deliver your goods.)  And I'd get loaded with gifts in December with my birthday and Christmas being 2 weeks apart. ( I secretly wished I had been born in June, that way you get presents every 6 months - it's spaced out better.)

The anticipation is nice. In this world of instant: Instant messaging, cell phones at your finger tips, instant credit, instant images of anything you would possibly want to buy on the Internet, instant food in the microwave.  And trust me, if you could invent instant weight loss - you'd be a gazillionaire.
  It's kind of nice, to sit back, think about, anticipate, and slow a process down. 

Day 32 - September 15th - HSN 24 Hour Crafting Event

Yesterday on HSN (Home Shopping Network) They had a 24 hour crafting event. Starting at midnight, which Tony woke me up at 12:15 to watch, they sold nothing but scrapbooking items.  Occationally they'd throw in a ironing board or sewing machine, saying the crafter needs these items. Let me tell you, THIS crafter doesn't need those items. I don't use an iron in real life, let alone in my crafting.
"Well crafters you know you have to eat."  And as for sewing... nope, none of that either. Buttons are over rated. Why don't they just throw in pots and pans and say, "Well crafters you know you have to eat." 

So I watched for about an hour in the early morning. (Hmmmm no wonder I was tired yesterday.) and had it on  in the background all day Tuesday. Kind of like having a radio on.

I did not buy. Nope. Not a thing. Several items caught my eye like theTim Holtz book and grung board. But I already have the grund board I just want to know how to use it better. I'll get the book, maybe for Christmas or birthday.  (Archivers does carry it.)
And then there were the Anna Griffin Christmas cards. However, I have so much Christmas stuff that you, me and everyone else I know could use my stuff and we'd never use it all.  And all my Christmas pictures are the same anyway, except for the change in my nephews toys. 

So despite the fact that I was bommbarred with "you have to buy this, quantity is limited", and "every scrapbooker has to have this" and the great price on paper, rub on and "grand adhesions" (they are 3-d stickers) I didn't buy.

Holdinig tough - KJ

Day 29 - September 12th - The Inkadoos Did Me In

Damn! This is a lot harder then I thought it would be.  I had a little bit of extra time on Saturday so I ducked into Target.  That will eat up some time and your wallet.  The best thing I like about Target is their clearance sections. You can get one heck of a deal when they are trying to get rid of an item. 
And that is where I fell.  WHY did I even go into the scrapbook aisle.  Had I stayed in the clothes I would have just bought another coat. Or in purses, and I certainly would have bought another bag.  (Both of which I don't need either of. ) Why didn't I stay in the car and just read my book.  Why, why why.....
But I didn't. I hit the scrapbook aisle.  And first I saw some travel chipboard letters - originally $5.99 for $1.49. GREAT price.  I picked them up. I put them back. I picked them up. I put them back.  Just walk away. And as I turned to go, I ended up facing the stamps.  And there, with it's right RED clearance tag was a set of Inkadoo swirly stamps.  Originally $8.99 (and $9.99 at Archivers)
the big red clearance ticket said $2.24.  $2.24!!! You can't even get a sticker sheet for $2.24, and with these, I can use them over and over and over again - and in every color ink I own.  $2.24 That's less then a cup of coffee. I can use them on the inside of cards, the outside of cards, on the envelopes, on my pages. Multi-use over and over item for $2.24!

I got them. I had to. I cracked. It's hard.

Day 26 - September 9th - I have hit the Jackpot

OMG!  Even if I wanted to shop I now have no need to shop.  My good friend Laura cleaned out some of her scrap room and was kind enough to send me a TON of stuff.  25 pounds of stuff.  Something to the tune of 18 different 12 x 12 books that include all kinds of punch outs and tags and such.  20 different "card maker" pads full of papers, and tags, and quotes and just all kinds of things! Then there is the extra brads, and albums, clip board and the cutest little purse and big punch out letters!  It's going to take a while to put all this stuff away.  But it makes me so happy to be able to go through all of this.  I can't even imagine how many cards I can make out of  all of it.  Or the pages and albums I can put together.  
Now I don't even feel the need to buy anything.  I just want to use all this new stuff that I got.  It's like Christmas plus!!!

In order to organize all this, I think I'm going to break down the 12 x 12 paper pads by  color, because that is how my current 12 x 12 is organized.
Then, the extra embellishments will be categorized with the same types.  Birthdays, animals, school, hearts, etc. As best I can.  The tags, I may actually cut out all the tags so that they are "ready" when I want to use them on a card.  OR, I may put them in 8.5 by 11 page protectors to be able to flip through the pages to see what I have. Haven't figured that one out yet. But I know I will.  I have to be organized in order to quickly find things in my room.  It's all about the organizing.

So thank you Laura! Thank you for giving me a new project and new toys to play with.  No need to shop.

Day 25 - September 8th.

I have 25 pounds of scrapbook stuff coming my way! And no, it's not a purchase.  My good friend Laura organized her scrap room and was getting rid of stuff. And she thought of ME. Thank you Laura!  I'll let you know when it arrives.  Can't wait to get the "surprise box".  And this doesn't count because it's a gift! 25 pounds worth!

Day 23 - September 6th - Every day is a challenge

I'm so torn! I do miss shopping. I do. When I shop, I get ideas going... knowing what I'm going to do with the item in my hand. Looking at all the colors. Checking out what's new.  How cute it will look on a card or a page. The thing is, I need to shop my own stash. Go through my stuff and treat it as a store.  And what a nice "store" it is! Everything is organized. Paper is in one section, ribbons in another.  In fact, I  have more inventory then some stores I've shopped in.

This morning there was a coupon in my email for a $10, hardbound 20 page 8x8 book from Snapfish! They usually run $30 and I was OH so very tempted! That is a great, great price.  I even clicked on the link. And then I thought... I can make an 8x8 book with 20 pages in an evening at home, (or two evenings at Archivers). And the hardbound books are kind of cool - they look like a real book and I've never done one. But do I really NEED one. No. And when would I have time to do all the computer work to get the pictures laid in, captioned, etc. As it is, I'm on the computer all day and looking to get off of it and play with "real" toys.. scissors, paper, etc.
I mouse all day, don't want to mouse at night too. 
I passed. Even if you did count yesterday's buttons as a purchase, doesn't mean I'm giving up.

Day 22 - September 5th - Is this really a purchase?

Michael's has a 50% off coupon. GOT to use. I need glue.
Glue is $6.00 (Really $5.99, but we'll round up).
- 50% off $3.00
Total = $3.00

The dollar bin items are 50% off!  They are 50 cents. I have to look!

Pick up one very cute container of Orange buttons and one very cute container of purple buttons. (They were the only ones there!)
+ $1.00

Gems were also in the dollar bins, thinking they were 50 cents I picked up two. Wrong! Read the sign wrong. They are still a dollar. Was going to put them back, but to embarrassed that I missed the sign.

+2.00

Total purchase $6.00; which is the regular price of the glue. 
Since the buttons and the gems were "free", the amount of discount on the glue.... would this be considered a purchase?

Note:  Tony just came home... he said that if you are standing at the register with something in your hand, -it's a purchase.
(I think he is wrong.... it was free!)

Day 21 - September 4th - Perfection is over rated

Can anyone really be perfect? To never screw up, never stubble, never falter? Never.
(You know where this is going.)  Last night was the crop at Archivers and I really liked the
new venue. Instead of paying $15 and getting food that is moderate at best, a page layout that you'll tear about and take the two pieces of card stock and one piece of pattern paper and put it in your paper stash, and three raffles of stuff you really didn't want anyway. (Valentines hearts in the middle of July.) They charge you $5 to hold your spot, and then you get a $5 coupon to use in the store.

I had $5 to spend. I now know, EXACTLY how a kid feels when you take them to Toys-R-Us and say, "You can buy anything you want, but you only have $5 dollars." 
What! Are you crazy! Just $5! Do you KNOW how expense things are?! Do you KNOW that there are a gazzillion items to pick from - and the majority of them are NOT $5. And even when I find something for $5, the choices. Oh the choices!!!

So I shopped. For 45 minutes. You would think I was never, ever going to shop again. What should I buy? It's got to be good. It's got  to hold me until I get to Utah. I don't want to buy something "silly". It's got to be something that I'll use. Do I buy a tool, so I can use it over and over again, of some more flowers.  Do I get papers to do some layout? Do I buy more white paint because I'm out?
Do I get something "fall-ish" to match the season?  NASA doesn't ask this many questions to get men on the moon.

At one point, I had a black acrylic title that said "Sweetie"- could use this on a number of pages. (Especially one about me! ). Then I had a Fancy Pants, punch out sheet.  This sheet (for $5.99) had 6 different glittered clear arylic punch outs in pinks and greens.  One was a frame, one border strip, one title ("Dream"), etc.  I analyzed this sheet for about 10 minutes.  10 minutes! Trying to figure out how I would use each and every piece and on what kind of layout.  Someone watching me must have thought I had gone into some kind of trance. "Why is this women just standing in the middle of the aisle staring at this one piece of paper in her hand? And how long is she going to stare at the darn thing! Did she have some kind of stroke?!"
I put it back. I wasn't sure how I would use all the pieces on any of the current projects I'm working on.

I decided on

Yes. The Basic Gray Rub-on tool.  I had one of these before and lost it within a couple of weeks.  It IS a great rub on tool. I can use it over and over and over again. And with my cards - there is a lot of rubbing on to to do.

It was $6.99, slightly over my five dollars - but heck, no one is perfect. Total bill for last nights crop $2.15 including tax.

P.S. Don't forget.. .the back of the packaging works as an "embelishment" too.
Soon to be seen on a card!

Day 20 - September 3rd

Tonight will be another test. I'm doing a "Scrap-mania" at Archivers from 5 until 11pm. For $15 they use to feed us, give us a free layout kit and have three raffles. Now it's free and you bring your own food and drink and no give aways.  That's ok with me. The food was never really all that good anyway.  Typical pizza, or pasta, or subs. It's hard to feed 40 women while they are totally focused on paper and scissors. 
What you had to do was give them $5 to hold you seat at the crop, and then they give you a $5 coupon to use in the store that night.  Since the $5 was really to crop I didn't constitute it as a "purchase",  more an "activity".  And the coupon is for free stuff. So I'm not counting that one either as a purchase. Remember.. free and gifts don't count.

Day 18 - September 1st

Hard to believe it is September with 90 degree weather.  But the pool is now closed and Halloween AND Christmas decorations are out along with school supplies, so it must be September.

Still haven't bought anything.  Feels kind of "empty". Kind of "lighter".  I don't have a single Archivers or Michaels plastic bag on the dining room table.  Don't have any 12x12 paper in the living room waiting to be invited into the studio to be put away.  It's all done. Hmmm. So I guess I'll have to make stuff.  I certainly have enough projects pending. 

Current list:  CKU (Creating Keepsakes University) from 2002, 2003 and 2006 - all going in one 6x6 album noted as CKU-Utah.

                   Italy trip. Half completed. I think I know what is holding me up there. I want to add more photos but didn't because I thought it would be too big.  Too bad! My book - if you don't want to look at all 997 photos... pick another album. (Not everyone reads the encyclopedia either - but they are there if you want to.) 

                    "Photo a Day Project" - or, for me, "A Photo Every Other Day... Maybe every two days... Maybe need to fill the week with one Event photo a Day".  I started out strong, but having taking pictures of every shoe, appliance, and room in my house - I'm out of ideas.
As of this writing, I'm only up to June 15 getting photos in the book.

                 And I have a new on line class starting; "Tell Your Story", which helps you organize your stories to go with your pictures. For a scrapbooker, I would be considered a big journaler.  I write a lot and like to keep the stories with the photos.  Class starts Friday.
(Note:  This class was "Grandfathered" in prior to my abstinence of no shopping. And would this be considered educational and allowable under the "I'm Not Buying Anything For a Year" clause?" )

Day 16 - August 30 2010 - Monday

Has it really been two weeks since I bought anything?!

Instead of buying things on Sunday, like I normally due with a Sunday stop at Michael's after groceries, I focused on putting things away. 

I got all my Michigan purchases in their proper places.  And what I 'm finding out, is that when I buy something, in order to organize it, it has to come out of the packaging.  The brads have to opened, and put in all the little plastic floss separators that I keep them in.
The flowers get put in the clear plastic flower buckets.  12x12 letter sheets are cut in half so that they fit in the file folders in the file cabinet, each color letter having its own separate file folder.  And when it comes to paper, I "floor file" first (spreading and categorizing everything on the floor) and then put it was by category or color. I even pulled a part a paper pad and separated all the sheets out. (I didn't even know I had this paper!) By tearing it apart and putting it with the proper colors, I know I'll use it more.

I love organizing!

Then I started to put away photo prints from 2010, 2009 and some miscellaneous ones that had gotten pulled for projects.  Didn't get really far on this one. But at least it was a start. I put them in big Cropper Hopper photo organizers. 

And I'm glad I pass on the Christmas tags on Saturday. In putting my stuff away, I found something that will work just as well on the Christmas gift boxes if not better.  I KNEW I'd have something.

I Almost Caved

I had 30 minutes before my massage appointment today and decide that I would duck into Michael's.  Having a time restriction will help. That way I can't spend two hours looking at things I can't buy. I'm actually after some Zip-Dry; my favorite glue. One bottle for me and one for my mom - she wanted one. 

I make sure I have my coupon, and go in.

I'm being good. I don't look at the end-caps full of all the new Halloween stuff. I go right to the glue. There it is, 2 bottles and I'm done. I now have 28 minutes before my massage appointment.

I'll just look. And I'll only look at CLEARANCE items.  However, this particular Michael's doesn't separate all the clearance stuff. You have to look for the yellow/ red clearance stickers, which for me, is like Evelyn Wood Speed Reading - I can see those tags by standing at the end of the aisle and scanning to my right and to my left.

I picked up a package of gems. Ohhhh, pretty... sparkley... and only $1.50. Nope - got enough. Put them down.  Stamps.. that's always a good buy. You can use them over and over and over again. There's total justification.  No! No stamps. I literally have a bucket full that I still haven't used yet.
I found a 12x12 paper pack that Robyn was looking for. On clearance from $19.99 to $9.99! Yes! I can buy something! Even if it's not for me!!!!!
Glue, paper, and now I'm heading towards the check out. And what is blocking the aisle to the checkout, like some type of casino maze, is the dollar rack! NOT the dollar rack.  Where everything is only a dollar.  I'll just look.

Since Halloween and Christmas now share the same holiday, everything in the bins was new. And there, laying in the third bin from the top, are the cutest little Christmas tags. 5 to a sheet.  Perfect for the gift boxes that I made last year. Except this year we'd be able to have  all new designs. And they are only a dollar.  Reindeer with red noses, Santa and a sack of toys, even blue ones that could be passed off as Hanukkah gifts.  Since there is 5 to a package... I'll only get 4. That's 20 boxes I could do.  On top of the pile of paper and glue they go.  For only $4. 

I take 6 steps, and I stop.
What about the box of Christmas items you have in the closet. Things you've taken from cards and tags and such. And what about the boxes from last year you already have.  And why can't you take the stickers you have, add your own gems, and glitter and they'll look just as cute as what is in the package.  It's not about the money.. it's about using what you ALREADY have.

I put them back. I didn't need them. I wasn't out of any Christmas item. In fact, I could do all my Christmas pictures and all my friends Christmas pictures and even some of their friends Christmas pictures and never use up all the Christmas stuff I have. 
Christmas has it's own box - I can't even contain it in a file folder in the drawer. It would take up an entire drawer.

On my way home, I stopped at the library and got two books, "Blogging in a Snap" and "Blogging for Dummies".  I'm not taking the $35 class either.  My mother always told me, "If you can read, you can learn.  They have a book to teach you how to do everything."
Well mom, you were right. 

Total saving for today; $39.  Didn't get the $35 dollar class, and didn't buy the $4 worth of tags.

Day 14 August 28th - Saturday

Has it really been two weeks? Two weeks without buying a single scrapbook item? Wow.  Do they say it takes 21 days to form a habit? (Or a life time if you are totally addicted.)  I just finished up a set of thank you cards for a friend who was admitted to Ganzaga University's Masters program.  So happy for her. Happy for me too.  I did all 5 cards with supplies on hand. The internet is a beautiful thing if you are looking for one particular item/picture such as the school emblem, school colors or logo.

I must confess. I'm almost breaking here.  There is an on line workshop that teaches how to set up your blog.  I would LOVE to take this. One, I would be doing it for all of YOU. So then would it be considered a gift?  Since I'm doing it for YOU? And it's educational.  It's not just for scrapbooking... it's for ANY type of blog you would like to set it. Cost is $35 on-line course.  I'm trying to win it instead of buy it. I posted a comment on the website and they pick a random winner. But already there were 414 comments and its' still open all day today, so my chances may be a little slim.
I think I'm going to have to enroll.   If I'm going to keep this blog for a year, either you AND I will get bored of looking at blue on white.
My other option.. go to the library and see if I can find a book. That is free. What do you think?  This is a tough one.

Day 12 - Thursday August 26th

The Joann's flier came today. Claiming sales on paper pads, and stickers and punches and other accoutrement's of scrapbooking.   I tore the coupons off the back. Old habits are hard to break.  I put the coupons in my purse. As if I'd be going there to shop for anything else besides scrapbooking stuff.  I wouldn't. I certainly don't sew. I have enough frames. And unless I get into floral arrangements, there would be no reason for me to go there.  Oh, cake decorating. I could start cake decorating. But then I'd weigh 1000 pounds from all the cakes I'd make and no one else to eat them. I guess I might as well just throw the coupons away and make my purse lighter by one piece of paper.

Day 11 - Wednesday - August 25, 2010

Still haven't bought anything but was in the store. Temptation - strong. I eyed the ribbon.  Growing weak.  Must resume buying.....

Is there a 12 step program that can help me?

Day 10 - Tuesday - August 24th

I was up in Milwaukee today.  As I started my commute home, I called Tony.  He asked, "Are you stopping at any scrapbook stores?"
No. I wasn't. (Very sad.) And I WAS sad. Not that I wasn't going to be buying anything, but that the one scrapbook store that was in Milwaukee is closing.  "The Scrapbook Store" (nice original name) will be closing it's doors shortly.  They said that everything is on sale. But even when it wasn't on sale and before the store made it's announcements, you could tell it was going to close.
How, you may ask, do you know a scrapbook store will be closing.
-  They don't have any new inventory coming in.  Or, if they do, it's one sheet of paper from the manufacturer's new spring line.
-  They start selling paper racks.
-  They only have stickers from  holiday's no one wants. (i.e. St. Patrick's Day, Arbor Day, and Grandparents Day.)
-  They layout examples have all faded from being exposed to the sun too long.
-  They start having free crops.
-  They tell you to hurry on in and use your gift cards.

And now, by me withholding my spending,  I've been told the entire scrapbook industry will start to collapse.  (LOL!)

Day 9 - Monday - August 23rd

Since Friday, I finished up 32 cards. Not bad. And the best part.  I didn't buy anything!!!! Not a thing. In fact, I'm using stamps I've never stamped with, stickers I've never stuck and markers I've never ever marked with before. Love it!
However, I am on my last bottle of glue. So I will have to purchase that. But I wouldn't call that a scrapbook item.  Glue is like toilet paper; it's just something you have to have.

Day 8 - Sunday - August 22

In limiting yourself to what you will buy, you learn to use what you have.  All along, I've been the type of scrapbooker who uses what she buys.  I make a lot of pages, lots of albums and lots of cards.  If I buy something, I'll usually use it right away. There was a time when I would buy something and NEVER use it. It was too cute to use! What if I used it on a page, and then took a picture and that item would have been perfect for THAT page instead of the page I used it in.  I've learned... there is always more stuff coming out, and the perfect page, like the "perfect" anything only makes you crazy trying to make it perfect. Perfection is totally over-rated. 

So I'm using what I have. Including the packaging.  This photo shows the back of the Basic Grey packaging that some dog stickers came in. This is the back with the flowers and the UPC bar code.

And wha-la! It's a card.  Note that the packaging is now running along the right side of the card.  I enhanced it with a couple of flowers, attached a tag and a sticker and card is finshed.  All made with left over paper scraps and packaging.  Love it!!