Category: 1

I may have bitten off..... 01/29/2012

Today for some reason the list of things that I have already committed to doing (not in a bad way you understand, just things I've spent money on to participate in, with the hopes of learning, creating, and enjoying) just on the hobby side is starting to make me wonder....just what was I thinking? Here is the list (which I solemnly promise, will not grow any further)(links provided):

Ella Publishing Take Twelve - January completed (Twelve month commitment)
Lain Ehmann's February LOAD (one month, daily commitment)
May Flaum's class at Big Picture: The Curious Scrapbooker's Field Guide (12 weeks)
Stephanie Ackerman (of Homegrown Hospitality): Scrapbook Life Journal (12 month commitment)

How'd I get so committed so fast? After all, it's still only January!
Well, I started with Take Twelve for a few reasons. One, it is only one layout a month. I've never done a Project Life or Project 365 and feel that is too big a commitment for me and my life. Although I would like to document more of life, during the week, our lives are on fast-forward and no one in my house (including me) is going to appreciate me carrying a camera or using my iPhone to snap pictures all the time. Plus, I did get both the inspiration guide, the PSE templates, and several List It products all from Ella that all made me feel it was a doable project. I knew the likelihood of my actually snapping 12 photos all on the 12th of the month was small, so, I had already decided on a more doable goal of trying to snap 1 photo a day from the first of the month through the 12th. Plus, with the PSE templates, I figured I could finally dip my toes into the world of digital scrapping, something I've really been wanting to try out.

Next on the commitments came LOAD. I've been a fan of Lain's work for awhile after learning about her through Noell Hyman and Paperclipping. I participated in Spawn of True Scrap and enjoyed it very much. So, when I heard the explanation of LOAD, and had the reassurance that it would be ok if I didn't actually complete a layout a day, I bit the bullet and became a Scrap Happy member, automatically granting me entrance into the hallowed halls of LOAD. At the same time, I knew for sure that I would have a higher chance of actually completing more layouts if I did so digitally, so I signed up for the Digi Game, got some templates from Melissa Shanhun, and downloaded lots of freebies from Persnickety Press. I know that I would like to finish up my Holiday Journal for JYC during this as well, but since that is a paper project, we will see what happens....

Then came May's class. I listen to the Paperclipping Round Table and heard about this class there. Once I heard about all the challenges and the discount available, I just couldn't resist. What can I say???

Finally, I stumbled upon Stephanie Ackerman's webpage. It was serendipitous - looking at one page, click here, end up there event. But, once there, I REALLY liked what a saw, and before you could say, 'Over committed much?' I found myself clicking the purchase of the class she is calling Scrapbook Life Journal, and if you aren't familiar with either Stephanie, or her work, I will do my part and be an enabler by providing you with a handy link here. As I read through her description, I couldn't help but feel that this class was meant for me where I am right now in my life and in my paper crafting journey.

If I am realistic, I know that especially during February, I will not be able to do it all. Unless I give up the necessities like sleeping and going to work. But if I do that, then many people will be negatively affected (including me - I don't know about you, but I like my sleep!) So, since I can't quit my job and lock myself into my creative space, I am going to need to be open minded and realize that, like life, crafting is not an all or nothing proposition. After all, if I don't finish a layout every day in February, I might be disappointed, but no one will have gone hungry or without clean clothes.

Stay tuned as I embark on a journey of growing as an artist (gasp! I called myself an artist! Am I allowed to do that?). And I will do my best to reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly......

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Hi! My name is Eileen and I am a Christian wife, mother of 2 teen boys, a teacher of English as a Second Language, a logophile (word lover) and an avid paper crafter. I am a Paperclipping and Scrap Happy member, have taken classes from Miss Art's Papercrafting, Big Picture Classes, Jennifer McGuire, and a few others as well. These new ideas have infused my crafting with energy and excitement.

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