Julie Ann Shahin's Inspiration For Generation C

Future Me - send a letter to your future self

Mid-month garden at 2peas

Anthropologie - for last minute gifts







From Amber Nichole's blog:
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:

1. An old love she can imagine going back to, & one who reminds her how far she has come.

2. Enough money in her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to, or needs to.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour.

4. A youth she is content to leave behind.

5. A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.

6. The realization that she is actually going to have an old age and some $ set aside to fund it.

7. A set of screw drivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

8. One friend who always makes her laugh and one that always lets her cry.

9. A good piece of furniture not previously owned by any one else in her family.

10. 8 matching plates, wine glasses w/ stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored.

11. A resume that is not even the slightest bit padded.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:

1. How to fall in love w/out losing herself.

2. How to quit a job, break up w/ a lover, and confront a friend without ruining a friendship.

3. When to try harder.

4. When to walk away.

5. How to have a good time at a party she'd never choose to attend.

6. How to ask for what she wants in a way that makes it most likely she'll get it.

7. That she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.

8. That her childhood may not have been perfect, but it is over.

9. What she would and wouldn't do for love or more.

10. How to live alone, even if she doesn't like it.

11. Who she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally.

12. Where to go, be it to her best friends kitchen table, or a charming inn in the woods, when her soul needs soothing.

13. What she can and can't accomplish in a day, a month, and a year.

Quickly posting my art journal cover. More to come later.

Winter Journaling Challenge Week 2: What’s your favorite way to stay warm? Is it a comfy sweater, or a quilt your grandmother made for you? Or maybe it’s a steaming mug of hot cocoa made from your mother’s recipe. Create a page to honor this – scan in the actual sweater or quilt, or include the actual recipe that helps warm you from the inside out. Also consider creating a page detailing your favorite way to be cozy as a child as compared to now.


My favorite way to stay warm is to snuggle under our red comforter with my husband while watching movies. We have many different quilts or lap blankets scattered throughout our house...our favorites have either been made by my mother or given to us as Christmas gifts by Dave's mother. Usually I keep a stash of hot cocoa mix ready for the winter month's too...either with or without those little white marshmellows. What a treat it is to come in from the sharp winter winds to a steaming hot mug of chocolate delight!

My friend Nicole at Scrapbookeronline asked us how we started scrapping. This is my story as I shared it:

Officially I started in June 2004...however I do have an extremely simple scrapbook I made in 2000 I think that I ought to share.

I used to think scrapbooking was silly. I mean deco scissors and paperkins??? c'mon.

My cousin gave me a 5x7 spiral scrapbook for a honeymoon gift. I had just spent the last year planning my wedding full-time and I made all the items I needed myself. Some of them were published this year in the Scrapbook Trends Wedding Ideas book. Anyways...after my wedding I needed something to do. My friends pointed me in the direction of 2peas, and I found this site that helped me start my honeymoon album: http://organizedscrapbooks.com/


I decided that since all my wedding crafts were a huge hit among my guests...who told me I ought to go into business, that I should go into scrapbooking for profit. So as I taught myself how to scrapbook, I started selling pre-made pages, and mini-foldable albums on ebay. I did quite well...however, I wasn't getting my honeymoon nor my wedding scrapbooks done.

I finished the Christmas season selling on ebay, and then I discovered the Pub at 2peas in January 2005. I decided to switch my focus from making custom scrapbooks to getting published. Soon after, I applied for this design team.

I also thought that one day when I have a handful or a dozen of publications under my belt, I could go back to selling on ebay and be able to get higher bids on my pre-made pages. Anyways, I really am happy that I'm scrapping more for myself now than for others.

I would like to become a scrapping personality like Donna Downey or Cathy Zielske...maybe not quite as popular because I'm too lazy....lol. I wouldn't want to travel as much as Donna does. But I'd like to have my own idea books and possibly products like Heidi Swapp.

Other than this class by Shimelle that I'm taking, and the Big Picture class that I want to take, I'm totally self-taught. I took a Bazzill Christmas class last year but did not learn anything I didn't already know from reading technique and idea books.

My life is just very much enriched by this hobby. I love it!

Blitzen is a blast to work with. You can get a wonderful kit with these papers at Scrapbookeronline!

I am doing something very unusual for me today. I am actually housecleaning the flylady way before getting on the computer. Why the change? Finally I can start the process of moving into my new scraproom. It only has my desk in there right now...and while I don't really want to mess up the clean space by moving all my STUFF in there...I'm at least moving things into the room. Praying that DH will put up my lovely shelving today. Please please please!



I feel good about cleaning...I did the kitchen first, and then moved stuff in for 15 minutes. Taking a short break...then going back to dusting and re-arranging. I'm also really excited after taking a look at the fabulously talented Miley Johnson's Scraproom. I really love what she did with the shutters and I happened to pick up a bunch of shutters this summer at a garage sale. I'm so psyched!

My bargain of the day yesterday was finding these baskets. Jo-Ann's was having a 50% off sale and these were damaged so the manager gave me an additional 75% off the sale price. They ended up being about $2.50 each with tax. Go me!

Gotta show this cute t-shirt to my friend Carrie, due in February. It comes in long-sleeve too at Elsewares.




Drawing from Life: The Journal as Art


The Advent Calendar

Haiku Forge

Felt bracelet from ona.com




Keri Smith's Books and Collage

...need a quick gift for someone? the pocket mod, is a free printable personal organizer you can customize, using the same folding technique as the magic book.

Nurture your mind, body, and spirit with Daily Om

The challenge at ScrapbookerOnline is to blog your memories of snow.

I have never been a fan of snow. One of my least favorite memories of playing in the snow happened when I was between 9 and 12 years old. More likely older than younger because I was allowed to watch my sister while we were home alone during the day...or maybe after school. We were all bundled up in our winter gear, and Mom had purchased these these cheap flexible plastic sheet sliders...bright green. There was a hand-sized hole at one end. These sliders were very thin sheets...not thick by any means.


My sister Dana was between 5 and 8 years old at the time. I remember we were outside...I don't remember if we had just finished or were just about to start sledding. I do remember thinking I was going to show off, and the next thing I knew the wind caught my slider and it hit my sister right in the chin, sliced it right open. That ended our fun right there and then.

She had to get stitches. I don't remember what happened next, just that she still has a scar to this day. I'm sure I had to call Mom at work, and she probably freaked out. I do feel guilty even now.


So that's my story. Maybe you know of a sledding accident too, and will share it with me to ease my conscience!

This was an article found on Scrapjazz.

These ideas were compiled by Ginger Morgan, Kristi Martin, and other scrapbookers on the web. Use them to help you get over your scrappers block anytime!

TITLE IDEAS:
Use the name of a TV Show for a title
Use the name of a song for a title
Use the name of a book for a title
Use the word “Love” in the title
Use a computer-generated title
Use stickers for a title
Use a hand written title
Cut out the letters for a title
Use die-cut letters for a title
Use the title only to explain your pictures—no journaling
Use a pre-made title
Dangle something from a letter in the title using a wire, raffia, string, or something
Use Plaid paper for the title or for the background of the title
Mix template letters for the title
Weave a fiber behind title
Cut a title from a cursive font
Sew a title
put your title down the side of the page
Put title letters on individual tags
Dot the "I"s in your title with an embellishment
Use buttons for the “O”s or the center of your “O”s in your title.

PAPER IDEAS:
Use all pastel colored paper
Use a Black Background—can be black printed paper
Use crumpled paper on a layout
Use all scraps except for the background paper
Use bright colors for a layout
Use metallic paper somewhere in the layout
Use suede paper
Use “wood” paper or regular paper that looks like wood
Use 3 different patterned paper in the same layout
Use red, white, and blue on the layout
Use only cardstock on a layout
Use only patterned paper on a layout
Use vellum on a layout
Use at least 3 shades of the SAME color on a layout
Convert an 8 ½ x 11-inch page to a 12x12 layout!
Do a BLACK AND WHITE layout
Use embossed paper
Use diamond dust paper
Use mulberry paper
Emboss your own background paper (wet or dry)
Use any other “specialty paper” and tell us about it!

LAYOUT IDEAS:
Take a layout you have done that you love, and recreate it with different colors and a different theme. (In other words, CASE a layout of your own!)
Scrap a Holiday in “non-traditional” colors—(Pastel Christmas, Pastel New Years???)
Scrap any celebration
Scrap a family tradition
Scrap an event that includes some sort of food (Picnic, Thanksgiving, restaurant)
Scrap a sports event or a game
Do a layout that includes toys in some way
Do an Animal layout (zoo, pets, could be Halloween, ???)
Do a SPRING layout
Do a SUMMER layout
Do a FALL layout
Do a WINTER layout
Do a Heritage layout
C.A.S.E. a layout-- (other than your own) (copy and steal everything J)—use the same colors and techniques.
Do a WATER layout (beach, pool, pond, bathtub, rainstorm—squirt-gun--anything water—could also be a snow layout!)
Use a quote on a layout
Use a prayer on a layout
Use a Bible verse on a layout
Do a mosaic layout
Do a “Totally Me” layout using your pictures of you doing your “stuff.”
(Share this online for an extra point!)
Scrap a Patriotic Page
Scrap a current event (within the past year)
Do a vacation layout
Use “Something from the Kitchen” in a layout (?)
Scrap an accomplishment—yours or family member
Do an “ITS BROKEN” layout—(Toy, leg, car ???)
Use a poem on a layout (extra point if you write the poem!)
Do a Holiday layout
Do a paper-tearing layout
Do a “Like father like son” or “Like Mother Like Daughter” layout (like grandpa-like granddaughter?) mother-son, father-daughter,
(doesn’t have to have that title, just that content)
Do a “STEP INTO THE PAST” layout--
Do a HOUSE AND HOME layout
Do a CAREER layout (if you are a SAHM or Grandma—that is a career!)
Do a SCHOOL layout
Do a CHURCH activity layout
Do a BEFORE and AFTER layout (diet, pregnancy, dirty to clean)
Do a Color-Blocking layout
Do a “Nautical” layout
Do a SAND layout—(either in color, texture, content—use your own judgment)
Make a “page that moves” Pop-up or pull
Do a peek-a-boo page
Make a layout without pictures—must have journaling
Put memorabilia on a page (like coins, baby bracelet, tassel from graduation)
Make a quilt page
Make a pocket page
Do a panoramic layout (with those page protectors that make it a 4-page layout)
Do a garden layout
Do a paper folding on a layout
Decorate the four corners of layout
Use a photo for template letters
use at least three photos on a page
Do calligraphy

STICKER IDEAS:
Make a scene with stickers
Use stickers for the border
Use MAMBI stickers on a layout
Use Paper Moon Stickers on a layout
Use Debbie Mumm Stickers or punchouts on a page
Use stickers in another way and tell us about it.

EMBELLISHMENT IDEAS:
Use buttons on a layout
Use something from nature
Make and use a shaker box
Sew or cross-stitch on a layout
Use photo corners
Use glitter or a glitter pen on a layout
Use raffia on a layout
Use Twine on a layout
Use wire on a layout
Use watercolor pencils on a layout
Use colored pens on a layout
Use SQUARES on a layout
Use Circles on a layout
Use beads on a layout
Use a paper doll
Tear a paper piecing and use it on a layout
Make and use a paperpiecing
Use an embellished die cut
Use punch art on a layout
Use Daisies on a layout (die cuts or ???)
Use pressed flowers or leaves on a layout
Use Ladybug theme
Use Dragonflies on a layout
Use a NSBR (non-scrapbook related) embellishment
Use “stars” on a layout (stamped, punched, stickers—on the paper??)
Make MOSIAC FRAMES for the pictures
Use ready-made frame
Use some “BUMPER CROPS” on a layout
Use TAG art on a layout
Use ribbon on a page
Use eyelets
Do “quilling” on a page
Do paper weaving
Use Magic mesh
Do paper PIERCING on a page (with a needle or tool)
Use pop dots
Use fabric on a page
Use BRADS on a layout
Pen-stitch on a layout
Use Holly leaves and berries as an embellishment
Use a “sound” button (some play music, or record your own)
Use an embellishment not listed—and tell us what the embellishment is so we can use it too!
Cut graphics from a patterned paper to use as embellishment.
Use Fibers
Use Charms
Use lace

JOURNALING IDEAS:
Make and use a journaling “square.”
Use a ready-made Journaling square
Journal in your own handwriting
Use computer-generated journaling
Use a journaling genie or a coluzzle (shape) to make a Journaling square
Journal on a photo mat
Journal using a list
Journal two points of view for each picture
Journal under a "lift up" photo
Use one word adjectives to describe the person in a picture
Write a letter to the person in the layout
Pick key words in your journaling to highlight with borders or larger font

TOOL IDEAS:
Use Coluzzles to make a layout
Use a Xyron
Use something from a sizzix
Dry emboss on a layout
Wet emboss on a layout
Use rubber stamps on a page
Use a “page planner’ or other placement template
Use a template of any kind
Use a doodle cutter or Blade runner
Use chalk on a layout
Use a Magic Matter
Use a corner punch
Use a decorative punch
Use decorative scissors
Use straight scissors
Use paper cutter
Use a paper crimper
Use a “NEW TO YOU” tool
Use a tool not listed

PICTURE IDEAS:
Use black and white pictures on a layout
Use Color tinted pictures on a layout
Use a 5x7 or larger picture on a layout
Silhouette a picture
Crop a picture into a circle
Use a panoramic picture on a layout
Frame a picture with the same picture-(cut out part of it)

Cool papercrafts: http://www.broadwaypaper.com/wedding/ideas.html



Cool home accessories: Dutch By Design




Cool gifts: Red Envelope website


Cool Fashion: Hanna Anderson tights

Yes!!!! The final inspection for our renovations is tomorrow morning, and then I can move into my new scraproom. Hoorah! As I told someone earlier, it's so beautiful that I almost hate the thought of putting my crappy furniture in there.

And this is the mess on the living room floor right now. When my Digital Field Guide book arrived from Amazon today, I took almost a 100 photos of just stuff playing around with my new RebelXT. This is the best picture out of the bunch up there on top. The info is:

Camera Model
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Shooting Date/Time
12/5/2005 1:24:33 PM
Shooting Mode
Program AE
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/60
Av( Aperture Value )
5.6
Metering Mode
Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation
0
Digital Exposure Compensation
+1.0

I highly highly highly recommend this book. It is very easy to read and comprehend, especially for a non-technical person like me. You must ask Santa for it..and you can get the Nikon version too.

• http://stacysbigpicture.typepad.com/
• http://thisismeangib.typepad.com/
• http://mulvahill.blogspot.com/
• http://workmanship.blogspot.com/
• http://mariagrace.blogspot.com/
• http://tiabennett.typepad.com/silly_as_it_sounds/
• http://www.superherodesigns.com/journal/
• http://gluestickgirl.typepad.com/
• http://aliedwards.typepad.com/
• http://www.cathyzielske.typepad.com/
• http://rhonnafarrer.typepad.com/
• http://eternalkudra.typepad.com/
• http://www.handlelifewithcare.com/
• http://fortheloveofeffers.blogspot.com/
• http://creativecollage.blogspot.com/
• http://stacysbigpicture.typepad.com/
• http://erikafollansbee.typepad.com/
• http://www.christinapadilla.blogspot.com/
• http://beckythompson.typepad.com/all_at_sea/
• http://mfabbri89.blogspot.com/
• http://mackeyscorner.blogspot.com/
• http://www.khuddle.blogspot.com/
• http://lkailani.typepad.com/newbeginnings/
• http://calemjess.blogspot.com/
• http://minmaui.blogspot.com/
  

Pub challenge to blog about yourself.

3 self-portraits of you. = 1) Close up of your face. 2) A shot of you outside. 3) You choose! (Doing anything, something funny maybe?)

Details about you:
Your first name: Julie Ann
Nicknames????: Julie, JA, Creative Genius (har.)
Age: 34
Where you were born: Cleveland, Ohio
Where you live now: Rochester, NY
Children?: Very soon I hope
Favorite Holiday tradition: Spending Christmas Eve with family
When you started scrapping: June 2004
How many times have you been published?: A handful of times
Favorite food: Pizza and/or chicken
Favorite snack: Chocolate
Anything else you would like to add:

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." -Buckminster Fuller

This week's Style Saturday involves dressing up a metal frame with fabric!

Once again we have come upon Wicked Awesome Thursday at SBO. I was asked to help put together this month's kit... isn't it the yummiest? What you get in this kit that you don't already have are fabrics and frazzles!