I'm Back!

Can you believe it! It's been over a year since I started this blog. August of 2010. Wow! That seems like a long time ago. A life time ago. Life got fast, and busy and unexpected turns took place. But I never stopped scrapping. And certainly never stopped spending. :) Oh the addiction.  And finding justifications. Oh yeah - for instance, I'm not getting my nails done anymore (my manicurist retired and the new was was so terrible. She destroyed my nails. I decided not to go back. I've grown them out and have saved $60/month.) Stocking up on paper. Who can't use bazzill card stock at $20/pizza box.  Stamps. Oh my stamps the clear ones.. since they are so easy to stack and store - that means you can buy a lot of them! And they can be SO cheap at times! It's wonderful!!! Invigorating. Creatively simulating.

So if I'm having such a good time, why I'm I back? I'm back because I just bought the latest and greatest of die cut machines. The new Silhouette - Cameo.  A machine that can cut every font I have stored, in any size. This new machine has a 12x12 bed - no more cutting paper to fit it, and it is easier to use, has a print function, can cut out images that I've saved, etc. It is the BMW of machines. And since the card business is doing so well. I've used saved funds from that adventure to purchase this.

All well and good.. but why back at the blog. Didn't this "experiment" fail? No. The failure comes from never trying at all. To never try is to fail. I tried. Took some turns. But I'm ready to try again. Weight Watchers does this ALL the time. Why can't I? I believe the draw back was to not spend anything - total denial. Maybe I need a budget. Points - like weight watchers.

With the new Silhouette on it's way. Ordered on Friday, should be here in a week. I'm going to rethink what it is that I really need to buy. And what I can clear out and use on my cards. After 11 years of scrapping I kind of know my "technique" and should try to stay true to it.  I've also found a friend who is a silhouette expert! Oh yes! I've seen her work hanging in Archivers and it is outstanding. She can make that machine "sing"! and I'm willing to meet with her and pay her for lessons. Why not? People takes lessons to learn to play pianos, guitars. Cooking classes. Why not take a class where I can make this machine do what I want, and in doing so, use up my supplies. 

 

I'm excited! Between the silhouette and my laptop/printer I should be able to create exactly what I want with what I have. The ribbon is abundant. The stamps in volumes. Pattern paper in every color of the rainbow. 

What I will need to get over is the "perfection". The "Is this the PERFECT color to go with picture? The perfect shade of ribbon? The perfect hue of flower?" Get over it. Do NOT over think it. Now one else will. They will look at the picture and page for about 3 seconds. Really. I've watched someone look at books. This year, as I move forward. It will be on getting the picture down, the store told and not worrying about perfection - but about the story.

Most people would wait until January 1 to start this. A new year. A new beginning. Not me! If you know me, you know I have very little patience.I hate waiting. So - Happy New Year! Here we go. And if you want to read along, I welcome you. Enjoy this blog. For it keeps me honest and aware of what is going on. And isn't that what we want in life... to be aware.. and enjoy it!