Friday, July 30, 2010
Need some inspiration? Try playing music while you're scrapbooking or journaling.  Doing Christmas layouts? Play holiday music, even if it's in July.  Doing a party layout?  Play up-beat, dance-to-it music.  Scrapping a trip?  Listen to some music from that destination.  This can help you get "in the mood".  AND, it can help you with the words too.  A song title could be a layout title.  Lyrics may be just what you need for that journaling block.

Give it a try the next time you scrap.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
I hope you will say YES! Yes to a weekend away. Yes to an uninterrupted weekend of Scrapbooking. Yes to the next Mansfield 48-Hour Scrapathon.


WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Lots of crop space: 1 - 6’ table per person
Cozy, rustic dorm-style rooms
3 hearty meals on Saturday and a delicious brunch Sunday
Fun, festivities and tons of uninterrupted time to crop
Prizes too!
CTMH Garage Sale for great deals!


WHEN:
Friday, September 24 until Sunday, September 26
Registration starts at 4:30 pm.



WHERE:
Mansfield, Ontario, Only 45 minutes north of Toronto


AFFORDABLE PRICE!
Only $175 per person for the whole weekend.

Spots are available on a first come, first served basis -- and they go fast! Reserve your spot right now and you could win accommodations in the Counsellor's Room, which has its own private bathroom!  Simply send me an email to justscrapit@sympatico.ca and I will send you the registration form and payment instructions.

I’m already looking forward to September’s retreat – I hope I can add your name to the list of friends who will be there. Register now.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Cute little card for my niece Teagan's first birthday.  Love the MM sketch cuz I love circles, and I got to use some very cute CTMH paper (Topstitch) and the birthday cake stamp set.  And it was a fun challenge to try and incorporate a recipe for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge -- a great place to be inspired by CTMH artists.

One more thing: it's hard to tell from the photo, but the Liquid Glass on the cherries looks AWESOME in real life.  :)

Take a look:


Sometimes, the reason why we have so much trouble with our journaling is that we are overthinking.  In our desire to be meaningful and memorable, we get bogged down in being GREAT.  But not all journaling needs to be an inspiring epic.  Instead, key words, gut reactions, thoughts from the heart (and not the head) are better at capturing the true spirit of the photo or layout.  So put aside your paragraphs and grab your watch.  Take 30 seconds and just write down the first 10 things (or 8 or 11) that come to your mind.  Don't think -- just feel and spit it out.


This is my friend Joy and I at a Keith Urban concert.  Hi Joy!  We had such a good time, along with two other great gals.  Here are my "10 things to remember" about this weekend.  Ready, set, GO:

Keith
Too crowded
Taking the bus
LOL x 100
Jane & Finch
Vomit Boy
Fun
Singing along
Guitar necklace
Standing our ground
Being with the "kids"

Stop!  So you can see, when you're just jotting down thoughts, you can get lots of ideas for your journaling.  And like with many journaling techniques, I could use this on a layout as is, with the list showcasing the highlights of the weekend.  Or I can use this as a starting point for longer-form writing.

Now it's your turn.  Grab a photo or an unjournalled layout and Ready, Set GO!

Sunday, July 4, 2010
I’ve heard it many times, and experienced myself often: once I get started, the story just flows from my pen. But the key is “once I get started”. Sometimes those first words are absolutely the hardest. The blank page (or journaling block) can be so scary. But don’t let that stop you. When you need help getting started, pull out one of these Sentence Starters to kickstart your thinking and your journaling.
I think…

I feel…

I remember…

I believe…

I hope…

My favourite part is…

I want you to know…

I love it when you…

I like it when…

I laugh when…

And if you’re still a little scared about writing in permanent pen on that journaling block you’ve already glued to your layout, grab a piece of scrap paper instead. Try out a few different Sentence Starters, get your story the way you want it, and then copy it onto your layout.

Here's my example.  Take this picture of my Charlie playing soccer:


And here's the journaling that could go with it:

I laugh when I see some of the exercises that Coach Nigel makes you guys do.  No, this is not a rendition of Beyonce's "Single Ladies", but just a reminder of which way you're going on the soccer field.  From putting your ears on the ball, to "Chickens vs Coyotes", to relay races, Coach really has you engaged.  I love that you love playing soccer, and if you still don't get a goal this year, I don't care.  I just want you to have fun.  GO RED ROCKETS!


Now it's your turn.  Choose a photo or a layout, choose a Sentence Starter and just get started.

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COPYRIGHT

If you are inspired and would like to scraplift any of my work for your PERSONAL use, go ahead. We can all learn from each other. However, if you post somewhere, please give credit where it is due. Please DO NOT use or copy my ideas for contests, publication or selling purposes. All images are protected under Canadian Copyright.

For CTMH products, including but not limited to papers, stamps and inks, are Designs Copyright CMTH Co.