Think Outside the Scrapbook

The great part about having my craft studio unpacked and organized again is that I can see what all I have. And believe me, after being in the papercrafting industry for over 15 years, I have more than I can probably ever use in my scrapbooks! That's why, when decorating for holidays around my house, I always turn to my scrapbook supplies first. There is a gold mine of great, seasonal goodies just waiting to be used and enjoyed.

For Halloween I wanted to send a little goodie-bag to my daughter who lives out of state. Nothing fancy, just a little sweet surprise to make her feel less far away. So I repurposed a gift box I'd been saving, added some raffia and a die cut (that has long since been discontinued). I hadn't found a use for it on my scrapbook page, but once I saw it in the drawer I knew it would make the perfect tag! I simply cut it in two pieces, punched a hole in the "new" piece and created a quick, cute gift tag. Total original cost .75, being able to use things I already owned...priceless!

Since I've never been one to decorate much for Halloween, I go right into fall/Thanksgiving decorating mode. I love the smell of pumpkin and cinnamon in the air and leaves and gourds everywhere around my home.

This year I decided to add a little flair to the photographs sitting on the bar next to the dining room table. To one, I added a simple little fall die cut on the outside of the glass, while the other I replaced the white mat around the photo with fall scrapbook paper. In a matter of seconds it looks as if I bought all new frames!

Then I took advantage of two FREE photo printing offers (Walgreen's 8x10 collage print and Walmart's 5x7 photo cards - after tax, total cost = .13!) I cut out the small collage pictures and placed them around one of my favorite decor items....a circular card/note holder. With the addition of a few quote die cuts in fall colors, it is now a Thanksgiving photo wreath! The only new purchase made for the entire bar top area, were the two candles.

enjoy bringing the colors of fall into your home!
-dw.

Quote of the Day...

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.
If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”


–Oprah Winfrey

Where's the time gone...

"Life was always a matter of waiting for the right moment to act." ~Paulo Coelho

I put writing in my blog on hiatus when my ex-husband decided to follow my posts, trying to find something to use against me in our divorce proceedings. While writing relaxes me and makes me happy, I decided I wasn't going to give him an open door back into my life.

Now, however, the divorce is over, the dust has settled, and I can once again speak freely. If he chooses to stalk my life through my blog, it will merely prove he is the one with deep, dysfunctional issues. For we all know he doesn't scrapbook, doesn't follow the latest decorating trends, doesn't worry about saving money, or have MS. So there is really nothing here for him. With that said....it's time for me to return to talking and sharing about all those things...as they do all fill my life and make me who I am.

In regards to scrapbooking:
After having the majority of my much-loved studio packed away in boxes for nearly a year and a half, I have been unpacking, re-decorating, and trying to decide how best to use the space I now have. I am fortunate enough to still have a dedicated room to play and create in, however, the size and layout are different enough that it is creating some obstacles. Creative thinking is always the answer and I have found some new options and benefits that I will share in later posts.

In regards to my move:
I am getting the retreat house ready to go on the market on spare weekends and am looking forward to some fun time there soon with out-of-town family before I completely close that chapter of my life. I found a great rental house that I love with plenty of backyard for the dog and entertaining. I bought some plants and flowers yesterday and am excited to bring to life a private, backyard beach area complete with fire pit and sand to dig my toes into! Life here is good! I am surrounded by water and am relishing in the tranquility of less traffic, incredible views, and enough shopping and entertainment options to keep me satisfied. While there is no PF Changs or Cinebarre here, I am only a short trip back when I feel the need. I am blessed with incredible friends and family that helped tremendously with the moving process and I am so thankful for each and every one of them!

In regards to life with MS:
I have good days and not-as-good of days, but with the divorce finally over I can move away from the constant stress in caused and look ahead to more peaceful days. Since heat, as well as stress, are two conditions I must avoid, I am fortunate to have an office with air conditioning during this sudden blast of summer in Seattle. We went from record lows to record highs in a matter of a week.
I was excited to participate in Seattle's Walk MS fundraiser earlier this year and, along with a fabulous crew of friends and family, raised over $1,000 for the MS Foundation! It was a truly incredible day for me. "I walk for...........my future."

In regards to the divorce:
They say, "What does not kill us makes us stronger." If only I could count the times I've had to tell myself that over the past year and a half! But it is true. After the endless lies (even under oath) and deception, why should it surprise me at all that the ex still won't follow court orders?! I thankfully believe in Karma and am comforted knowing his will come back around.
My advise to anyone whose marriage is ending....whatever you do, DON'T move out of the house! Apparently possession really it nine-tenths of the law. Items were awarded to him that I owned prior to even KNOWING him! Truly exasperating, but when it all comes down to it...stuff is just stuff. The things that matter most in life aren't the things, they're the people who love you. The ones whose shoulders were strong for you, the ones whose ears listened endlessly, and helped cheer you on when you thought you couldn't take it another day. The ones who stood by you, knowing your story was true, your heart was broken, and your world needed help to keep spinning. The ones that never turned away in the darkest moments, but brought light back into your world with their encouragement and laughter. The ones I am lucky enough to call my friends and my family. The many, many people I love so dearly.
While I walk away with so much less than I came with, I walk away with all that is most valued....My honor. I can live my life with my head held high, knowing when push came to shove, my moral compass never faltered. I am the person my family raised me to be. Win or lose, nobody anywhere can take that away from me.

"How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser." ~Lou Holtz

So here's to looking ahead to the second half.......and coming out a winner!

Enjoy the view ahead,
-d.

What I learned today...

Did you know there are many different varieties of garlic? I didn't. Until I read about a guy named Pete Rasmussen (Sandhill Farms: Eden, Utah) that grows and sells over 30 different types to customers like Whole Foods.
I also learned (at gourmetgarlicgardens.com) that many of our current varieties were not available here in the US until a little over twenty years ago. Many were grown in a military protected area of the Soviet Union and we were not allowed in to purchase them, that is until the Soviet Union was disintegrating in 1989. Once the ban was lifted, purchasers "went from village to village along old silk Road buying garlic from local markets and naming the cultivars after the town or village where they were purchased."
Want to learn more about garlic or just want to enjoy fabulous foods drenched in it? Check out the Annual Northwest Garlic Festival in Long Beach, WA June 19-20, 2010.

Necessity really is the mother of invention. Ever wish you had the perfect something to hold your camera so you could be in the picture? Don't want to spend a lot on a bulky tripod? Here's the solution...Dynomighty's Bottle Cap Tripod. Simply screw the tripod adapter onto your water or soda bottle (who doesn't usually have one of these around?) and attach your camera. Viola! Instant camera holder! It even pivots 15 degrees in any direction. What a cool idea! People's ingenuity and creativity never cease to amaze me!

A sad note...Heidi Grace is closing her adorable little shop, Clever, in Ruston, WA. But for a wonderful reason; she is pregnant with her third child. Congrats to her and her family!
If you hadn't had a chance to check her latest creations at her shop, you can still get in on the 50% off clearance sale (select Thursdays and Fridays in February) as well as continue shopping online. Best of luck and continued success to Heidi...I know she will do more great things! Her scrapbook line is currently being produced by Colorbok.

Funniest thing I read today:

"If Al Gore invented the internet, I invented spell check."
~ Dan Quayle

*Of course, I cannot verify Dan Quayle really made this quote, but I felt the chuckle was worth sharing either way.

enjoy the things you learn in each day,
-d.

Quote of the Day...

I love this one so much I plan to add it as the tag line to my blog header...which I am recreating with the help of House of 3! Check out the website to see which three incredible scrapbook artists joined forces to bring us some fabulous new, gotta-have goodies!

Find the Joy in the Journey.

-Thomas S. Monson

enjoy all the new inspiration and products recently released at CHA!
-d.

A Day of Incredible New Beginings....

All glory comes from daring to begin.
~Eugene F. Ware

On this day of incredible history, let us ALL dare to begin...

Let us lead with our hearts, surrender to our passion, and follow our own vision while respecting the passion and vision of others.
Let us speak wiser and listen closer.
Let us dream BIGGER and try harder!
Let us be what we seek to be...without limitation, without judgment, and without criticism.
Let us enable others with these same rights.
Let us not look at what makes us different, but rather what makes us the same.
Let us unite, grow stronger and be better.
Let us begin.

-enjoy the energy and unity in the air today. Let us carry it on to tomorrow.
-d.

Scrapper's Christmas Poem

This was posted to one of the scrap groups I belong to....not sure who to credit as the author (I'll keep checking).

Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.

I'm wondering what Santa brough just for me.

Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?

Or a Cricut, I said with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him..."Hi Santa," I said.

"You know, good little girls should be in their beds!"

"I know I should, Santa, and now I've been caught...

but I was so excited to see what you brought!"

"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work."

He shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear...

"You've got enough crap! I'll see you next year!"

Geez, doesn't Santa get it?! there's no such thing as TOO MUCH scrapbooking stuff!!!!

Happy Holidays to all my scrapbookin' buddies!

enjoy this season of magical moments,

-d.

Quote of the Day...

So far I've done alright, God.

I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper,

haven't been greedy, grumpy,

nasty, selfish, or overindulgent.

I'm very happy about this.

But in a few minutes, Lord,

I'm going to get out of bed.

And from then on,

I'm going to need a lot more help.

-Author Unknown

Gold Star Marketing

While I was in Las Vegas we made a trip to the outlet center and one of the stores we shopped in was Dress Barn. While waiting in line I couldn't help but notice their new, very cool marketing campaign. Very clean visually, and very inspiring. I remember thinking that it seemed rather "scrapbooky" and by that I mean that the elements would go nicely into a scrapbook layout. I took a mental note that I should check out their website upon returning home. Well, time slipped by and I completely forgot about Dress Barn and their inspiring ads....until today. I was catching up on a friend's blog and read a inspirational piece that was taken from a Dress Barn ad. Here is that piece:

Let yourself do something for others today.
Let yourself laugh.
Let yourself make funny faces.
Let yourself eat too much chocolate.
Let yourself meet someone smarter than you.
Let yourself be.
Let yourself entertain new possibilities.
Let yourself listen more.
Let yourself discover a new friend.
Let yourself whet new appetites.
Let yourself open up.
Let yourself think young.
Let yourself pass it along.
Let yourself be dramatic.
Let yourself experiment.
Let yourself twirl.
Let yourself cook up something new.
Let yourself spill the sprinkles.
Let yourself help others.
Let yourself be stirred.
Let yourself shine.

enjoy the endless possiblities you can allow yourself!
-d.

Quote of the Day...

"Creativity

is allowing yourself

to make mistakes.
Art

is knowing which

ones to keep."

—Scott Adams

Quote of the Day...

" There are two things to aim at in life:

first, to get what you want;

and after that, to enjoy it.

Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second."

— Logan Pearsall Smith

Quote of the Day...

"The grand essentials of happiness are:
something to do,
something to love,
and something to hope for. "

— Allan K. Chalmers

Quote of the Day...

This is what I saw when I opened Ali's newsletter today, and for those that don't get it, I wanted to share....

"Dream big, work harder. Have lots of fun, lift a finger,
do something for someone else. Cheer your friends on. Cheer yourself up. Celebrate as much as possible. Enjoy everything. Right now. It's OK to want more and do more but be present with where you are or who you are with. Don't rush the situation - even if it's bad. Move on when you can. Don't settle. Try everything you can and get over everything holding you back." -Alex Beauchamp


I LOVE this quote/life philosophy!!! Kudos to Alex!!

enjoy everything,
-d.

Quote of the Day...

"What's important is not necessarily

where you are,

but in what direction

you are going."

-Oliver Wendel Holmes

Quote of the Day...

God doesn't require us to succeed;
He only requires us to try.

-Mother Teresa

Losing to Win...

I have LOVED this season of The Biggest Loser!!! Rog and I have been inspired, we have been motivated, and most importantly, we have learned a lot about what to do to get ourselves in better shape.

We have already began eating differently, and are now planning to purchase some exercise equipment and turn the loft into a workout area. It is amazing how much weight they lost on the show -naturally - simply by changing their lifestyles and their thinking.


Check out Ali's transformation - She lost 112 lbs and became the first woman in five seasons to win The Biggest Loser title!!!

Way to go, Girl!!!

Sometimes we all need a little reminder that the only race in life we are running is with ourselves. There is no time to look back and judge where others are at in their race; for they are not racing against us. We must watch only our own steps...forever keeping our eye on the goal that lie ahead.


So I will set my own personal goal as to where I want to be, and I will race my own race. I will not compare my successes or stumbles to anyone else. I will keep my eye on the goal. And whatever the outcome, or how long the journey, I will be proud of what I accomplish. Because with weight loss the most important number is truly, the amount of years you add on to your life!

"There is no need of any competition with anybody.
You are yourself, and as you are, you are perfectly good.
Accept yourself."
-Osho

enjoy the journey as you race toward your goals!
-d.

Quote of the Day...

We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the heart: love, kindness, joy, understanding, sympathy, tolerance, forgiveness.

We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the mind: ideas, dreams, purposes, ideals, principles, plans, inventions, projects, poetry.

We give of ourselves when we give gifts of the spirit: prayer, vision, beauty, aspiration, peace, faith.

We give of ourselves when we give the gift of words: encouragement, inspiration, guidance.

Emerson said it well: "Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of thyself."

-Wilferd A. Peterson, 1900-1995

Life has been crazy being back to work full time and taking care of the retreat house. I'll surface again soon...I promise! ;)

enjoy the blossoms of spring that are popping up everywhere!

-d.

Quote of the Day...

"Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete.
If you're alive, it isn't."

-Richard Bach

Enough said. We are here to accomplish certain things in an unknown quantity of time, so don't waste a second of it. Go. Do. Be.

-dw.

Changes...

I saw this quote and had to share...

When you are through changing, you are through.
— Bruce Barton

In the midst of New Year's resolutions and goal setting, I thought this was a message that I needed to take to heart.

We change every day...we grow every year...we continue on our path of learning and improving until the road ends and our mission in life is complete.

We strive to do better and we get better. We aim higher and we raise ourselves and others up. We take in so we can give out. We share so we can learn.

We get new chances every day to be the people we want to be. How awesome is that?! With every new day comes new opportunity. A new chance to make a change. Just waiting there. We just need to see it, reach up, grab on, and follow the dream.

Where will your dreams take you? What new opportunity is waiting? What will you change today?

enjoy the opportunities today offers...

-dw

Quote of the Day...

Peace.
It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

Unforunately, I have no idea who wrote this, but I love it and had to share it!
(If you know who the author is please write me so I can give credit where it's due.)
I saw it on a wall canvas at this site Acacia.