paper: pretty paper. true stories. {and scrapbooking classes with cupcakes.}

{preface: photo does not show the special paper in question.}

Forgive me if you have heard this story in person over the last few months. It’s time for me to write it down. First, we need to set the scene. It must have been late 2000, early 2001. For those of you who weren’t around here then, scrapbooking supplies weren’t so easy to come by in merry olde England. When any scrappish girl found some supplies, she would first buy as much as she could justify, then immediately inform the few members of UKScrappers, which was then a tiny Yahoo group, so they could go buy up the rest of the goodies. From time to time, we would all go ‘crazy’ and buy a box of supplies from the states. But most of the time we would just craft with what we had and keep our eyes open for the next great find. I moved house around that time and my entire crafting stash fit in two medium sized tupperware boxes. Seriously. Yet I was scrapping any time I had five minutes to spare.

Then there was the moment I saw the special paper. It wasn’t just 12×12, which was special enough. It wasn’t just acid-free, which was special enough. It was 12×12 acid-free printed and embossed scrapbooking paper.

Oh my goodness, I about passed out in the store.

Everyone who was scrapping knew this paper at the time. It was the paper to buy. If you could find it, you must have had the gift. It only existed in a few special places, and wherever it did exist, it was priced at £2.50 a sheet.

So when I found it and it was only £2 per sheet, I looked over both shoulders to make sure there wasn’t a crowd of scrappers running in to buy up all the special paper. And then I bought ten sheets.

Ten sheets! Ten sheets at £2 a sheet when I had no idea what I was going to make with it and I really should have spent my £20 in other more practical ways. But this paper was just so cool and it was on sale, so I figured that crowd of scrappers could arrive any moment and I bought it up before anyone else could get to it.

For several weeks I kept it on the top of my paper stack, ready to become a masterpiece. I put every photo in my collection next to it, and each time I went for something else because that photo just wasn’t special enough for the special paper. The special paper demanded something…amazing.

Weeks turned into months. I still didn’t find the photo that would special enough for the special paper. Much less ten special photos. Since I had ten sheets of the stuff. Since I bought it like it was going out of fashion.

Trouble is, it was. So out of fashion. That was 2001. This is 2008. I still have ten sheets of that special paper. I still don’t have any photos special enough for the special paper. Because now that paper is ugly. A special level of ugly. {I will not show you the paper because I wish to protect its innocence.}

Now those ten sheets of paper serve as a reminder for me: use the stash while you still like it! Otherwise you will realise that you really should have put that £20 toward your student loan at the time and not ten sheets of paper that you would take through several house moves, clinging to it for no other reason than “I spent £20 on this and I sure as heck ain’t gonna throw it away”.

Now aside from those ten special sheets, I have found new homes for many sheets of paper recently. I’m not quite sure why I had so much paper stacked up that I didn’t like and was never going to use, but I did. It felt wonderful to free it up for people who would appreciate it. But old stash doesn’t always mean ugly stash, so I also have a rather large stack of papers and embellishments that are not the latest and greatest, but I still love them. And I don’t want to get to the stage where I don’t love them before I use them. So this is my new routine.

I splurged on the Designing With calendar this year. Haven’t had one in ages and just decided it would be a treat. Every morning when I get up, I’ve got an instructional manual on doing a quick page for myself, just by looking at the new calendar page and following the directions. The process helps with the fact that I am not a morning person by forcing me to just get going with the cutting and the sticking. And to shake it up to fit my needs a little more, I have to start with the big old stack of old stash. So day by day, I get pages that are just for me and I use up the supplies I spent my hard-earned pennies on, so I will never again have the guilt of the stack of special paper.

That’s all. It’s not rocket science. And the pages I’ve made so far aren’t the most fabulous works of art in the world. They are not my sit-down-and-journal-for-half-an-hour routine. They are simple and quick, which is what I need in the morning. They are a mix of old stash (and my stash has levels of old) and new stash that will stretch to more than one layout. Because the thing that annoys me most about my supplies is that just because I use it doesn’t mean I get the space back. You buy a sheet of stickers and use up even half or three-quarters of the sheet…it’s still there and it’s still the same size! Books of rub-on letters…they never get any smaller. You can get to the point where you can’t spell anything because you’ve run out of vowels and you’ll still keep the whole book because it might come in handy for a mixed-up title. But I have to draw the line somewhere. These rub-on letters that I used on this page were so crackly from being carted back and forth to crops in the bottom of a tote bag. It’s use ‘em or lose ‘em time, and I know I’ll feel a lot better if it’s the former.

So there we go. It’s not particular a resolution, but a new little bit of routine…and a little more routine and a little less special paper probably won’t hurt.

xlovesx

Comment [38]

Something new for 2008. A few things. Like the giant red blossoms on this plant that we have kept alive for exactly one year today. {Seriously, this is no small accomplishment as far as I am concerned. Acrylic paint does not make me a green thumb.} And some pretty branches instead of polka dots. But never fear: there is still pink.

There’s a funny little addition over at the side…one a few little projects I am hoping to work on throughout 2008…Kitchen Diaries. It’s separated off from the main page because the diary will be its own little story, and I want it just so, all in one place. I won’t explain too much here, since there is a lengthy explanation to start the diary anyway, but just know the main page won’t turn into a food blog. If you like the idea of following along, then lovely. If not, you can ignore it and we will all be blissfully happy about the situation.

There are a few other little projects that will grow day by day. One involves the Autumn Leaves calendar and a great deal of aging scrapbook supplies. I think I’ll tell you a little more about that one tomorrow.

The last one starts with the photo above. I’ve always tried to take a picture every day but I’ve never actually put a label to the activity, so I’m not sure how many days I have missed…and I am not going to trawl through my hard drive to find out. I’m just going to start for 2008 and see how long I go until I mess up and miss a day. So far, 1 for 1 is just fine.

2007 was definitely unlike any other year for me. May 2008 be kind, generous and peaceful to us all.

xlovesx

PS: Yes, there are few little creases to iron out on the site in the next day or so. If you run into something that doesn’t look quite right, just consider it a non-millennium bug or a special feature of sorts. It’ll get fixed.

Comment [18]

Hoping you have had a very lovely Christmas week. Ours has been low-key, handmade and indeed very lovely. {For family and friends back home who are curious, we have started to put some pictures together for you. We will add a few more…it has taken us long enough, I know!}

This last week the internet has been all sorts of slow while people are out there having lives instead of blogging, you know. We are all clicking and seeing nothing new, and then we wonder what exciting things that person must be doing that they haven’t updated in so many days! Or at least I like to think it’s not just me with that mindset.

I do, however, promise there will be definite changes around here as of sometime tomorrow. First of the year being a good time for changes, you know. In fact, the first few months of the year are going to hold some very big {and very happy} changes around here. May January be lovely to us all!

xlovesx

Comment [5]

I declare
my intention to Journal my Christmas. Writing something down every day. Creating a little bit whenever possible. Getting my stories documented for myself and maybe for others to read too.

I hope
by taking a little time each day to reflect, to write, to create, I will keep my Christmas alive and well, despite the commercial pressure that exists outside my door. Family, friends and hot beverages will help.

I may
meet others taking this same journey. I may share my work from time to time. I may remember just why I loved Christmas in the first place, and that may be a very magical moment indeed.

xlovesx

PS: You are welcome to join in today or throughout December, in fact. Just please know that registering you takes a real person, and I will not be at my computer during the day, as I’ll be helping the Enfield ScrapMates do something crafty. As soon as I am home, I will get you all set up and you’ll be good to go before the day is out.

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One of the things that I find makes it possible to create an album or a journal with daily entries is limiting. Gathering one set of supplies plus basic tools and not worrying about the rest of your stash once you’re started. Or at least not too much. And you may very well have enough Christmas stash to keep you making Christmas journals for the next three decades. If you do, by all means pull it out and put it to work. But if you don’t, this might be just the thing for you this Christmas. It’s Christmas in a pizza box.

The Snowfall kit has lots of blue tones with an emphasis on ice and snow and frosty winter. Like scrapping outside. In Lapland. I think you’d need gloves for that.

The Father Christmas kit has lots of rich reds and browns with a vintage feel. Like spoiling your dinner by eating Christmas chocolates by the fire. And probably getting chocolate on your new clothes.

The Snowfall kit includes:
8 sheets of 12×12 cardstock – including tan, green, white, red and blue
1 sheet of 8.5×11 bling cardstock (red, green or dark pink)
1 sheet of 6×12 die cut cardstock in green scallop

23 sheets of patterned paper, including:
10 12×12 sheets from My Mind’s Eye (the Frost collection)
4 12×12 sheets from Sassafrass Lass
7 12×12 sheets from American Crafts
2 12×12 sheets from Hambly Screen Prints

as well as:
1 12×12 sheet of printed accents from My Mind’s Eye
2 12×12 sheets of printed gift boxes from My Mind’s Eye (use as an actual box or like patterned paper)
4 12×12 transparent overlays from Hambly Screen Prints (On Edge in silver, Woodgrain in gold, Urban Chic Frames in green, Vintage Circle Wallpaper in green)
4 journaling cards from My Mind’s Eye (Daily Dose collection)
1 sheet of 7 stickers from My Mind’s Eye
1 mini file booklet set from Creek Bank Creations
1 set of Daiquiri Thickers letter stickers in green from American Crafts
4 unfolded Christmas cards
2 plain envelopes
A selection of ribbons, trims and notions, including:
red velvet ribbon, red rick-rack, pink & red dot ribbon, green & blue dot ribbon, snowflake ribbon, frost blue velvet rick-rack and frost blue buttons

The Father Christmas kit includes:
8 sheets of 12×12 cardstock – including tan, green, white, red and blue
1 sheet of 8.5×11 bling cardstock (red, green or dark pink)
1 sheet of 6×12 die cut cardstock in green scallop

23 sheets of patterned paper, including:
10 12×12 sheets from My Mind’s Eye (the Festive collection)
4 12×12 sheets from Sassafrass Lass
7 12×12 sheets from American Crafts
2 12×12 sheets from Hambly Screen Prints

as well as:
1 12×12 sheet of printed accents from My Mind’s Eye
2 12×12 sheets of printed gift boxes from My Mind’s Eye (use as an actual box or like patterned paper)
4 12×12 transparent overlays from Hambly Screen Prints (On Edge in silver, Woodgrain in gold, Urban Chic Frames in green, Vintage Circle Wallpaper in green)
4 journaling cards from My Mind’s Eye (Daily Dose collection)
1 sheet of 7 stickers from My Mind’s Eye
3 index pockets from Creek Bank Creations
1 set of Daiquiri Thickers letter stickers in green from American Crafts
4 unfolded Christmas cards
2 plain envelopes
A selection of ribbons, trims and notions, including:
red velvet ribbon, red rick-rack, pink & red dot ribbon, green & blue dot ribbon, snowflake ribbon, green velvet rick-rack and red buttons

These kits are designed to make a full album, up to 12×12 in size, throughout the Christmas season. You may want to add some additional cardstock in colours that match your Christmas. From there, you’ll just need your scissors, trimmer, adhesive and black pen and you’ll be set!

If you purchased the items in the kit individually, they would come to at least £42.65 before postage and packing.

Both kits are available in limited numbers for £36.50 + £3.50 postage and packing.

The Snowfall Kit
A kit of frosty blues
(Now sold out.)

The Father Christmas Kit
A kit of traditional reds
(Now sold out.)

Kits are ready to ship and will be sent within 24 hours of payment by Royal Mail first class to UK addresses. European orders welcome—an invoice for additional postage will be sent via paypal. The additional postage will be charged at actual cost. Your box will be shipped upon receipt of the additional postage costs. Orders from the rest of the world welcomed, but it’s probably not economical outside of Europe! Check Royal Mail for the price of posting a 1kg parcel to your address.

Any questions, just let me know! Many thanks.

xlovesx

ETA: Father Christmas kits are all spoken for now! There are still a handful of Snowfall kits available.

To everyone who has been by to shop today, thank you very much! I’ve just got to get your address on the box, and it will be with Royal Mail and on its way! Hurrah.

Comment [14]

A little sneak peek of what will be on sale at noon today.

xlovesx

Comment [2]

894.

In all seriousness, I am not about the page counts. I have no idea how many layouts I have done this year, last year, ever. I tried counting when I started. I think I was confused by about 7. So…counting, not really for me.

But you gotta admit that 46 girls making 894 pages is pretty darn cool. It was actually pretty darn electric.

Thank you to all who crammed into the shop and the school this weekend. Thank you to Fiona at PaperArts for asking me. Thank you to Christine, Jane, Helen and everyone they coerced into helping pick and pack the most beautiful kits I’ve ever had for this workshop. Thank you to Kate {who makes fabulous fried egg on toast!}, to Laura {who will make sure you are a-okay at all times!} and to Sally {who let me stay in her room!} for all your marvellous help. And thank you to everybody who just gave it a go—I hope your mojo is alive and well and you are itching to get things written down and pieced together. And maybe even use that stash!

xlovesx

Comment [6]

I knew autumn was going to be the craziest time of my recent memory. (Jen knows well that 2007 is our joint Year of the Surreal, and that is ongoing.) So with changing leaves and space needles, I am definitely sticking with both of those labels.

As of last night, we are now in Seattle. (_We_ meaning The Boy and I rather than Jen and I. I realise vague pronoun references are almost as annoying as knowing that I am yet again in the same country as Jen and yet no.where.near.) A few days of touristy goodness. Then a few days of work for me. Then a good week of a proper holiday for both of us, in which he navigates while I drive us to Vancouver and we take the ferry to Victoria and assorted other things that are lovely in this part of the world.

It’s not the time of year that one would normally book a holiday to the pacific northwest, and we are enjoying that very much. Of all the times I have been to this city, today is the first time I have been up the Space Needle, and there were approximately six other people up there. Including a British couple, of course. It is chilly but not freezing. Clear and crisp. Nothing a lot of coffee won’t solve. The Boy is not tiring of his highly original game of saying ‘Oh! There’s a Starbucks!’ in a way that reminds me a bit of ‘Look kids—Big Ben and Houses of Parliament!’ In general, it’s just not as busy right now as in the summer. Which is fine, because if you haven’t heard, we queue enough in England already. To put certain minds at ease, I am still on the decaf though I am jealous that someone else has had like three double tall lattes today and isn’t wired in the slightest. I’ll get over it.

And the obligatory twee-but-true observation: long-haul travel is far more fun when someone else comes along. Though it’s a tough choice when only one of you gets offered a free upgrade to first class.

xlovesx

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