3-Day Crop

I spent this last weekend at a 3-day scrapbook crop. It's the first time I'd done three days. It was fabulous and exhausting. I got a ton of stuff done, and it's always great to recharge the creative batteries while spending some time with the wonderful ladies at Running With Scissors.

I am Franklin....

I'm particiapting in a 31 day Monster Smash event. Smash books are a new memory keeping thing. You can buy special Smash Books, but I made my own out of a composition book, some ribbon and duct tape, the pretty colorful rolls.

Anyway, this creative endeavor is posted on Kristin's blog. One of the challenges was to discover which Peanuts character is most like you. You can find the quiz here. Bottom line, I am most like Franklin. Who knew?

Unexpected Gifts

My upstairs neighbors are moving. Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal since I live in an apartment, and upstairs neighbors can be good or bad. These particular neighbors have been awesome. I hardly even know they live there.

So...they're moving. Which I didn't know until today when she asked if they could use my parking space for the u-haul. No worries. I will be at work all day tomorrow. Works out perfectly for both of us. Not five minutes later, there's a knock at my door. It's upstairs neighbor and adorable baby. "Do you craft?" she asked. "I have some stuff to give away if you want it."

So, I scored this.

New stuff is always inspiration in a box!

Project - A Week In the Life

I'm challenging myself to keeping track of the little stuff this week. It should be interesting.

CKC-Portland

I spent Friday at the Creating Keepsakes convention in Portland. Wow! It was the first time I'd ever attended and I had a really good time. I participated in four classes and did a little shopping. The best class was an organization class. Of course, being sponsored by an expensive system company, they would've liked me to buy their system, but I think I could do something similar, cheaper. I'll think about that. It would require a ton of work. The vendor faire was a bit overwhelming, but I came home with some good stuff. Now I just need to carve out some more time for scrapbooking.

Ali Edwards & Big Picture Classes

So, I mentioned in my first blog post of the year that I had a goal of trying to use some of my scrapbooking stash. Since I've moved here, it's probably quadupled in size, and it's out of control.

And while the stash was growing, my creativity was withering. I had to do something. Last month I ran across Ali Edwards' blog. She's an awesome scrapbook designer who lives right here in Oregon. Her blog led me to Big Picture Classes, which is a site she teaches classes through. So, after some pondering, I've decided to register for a couple classes. And while we've just started, I've got high hopes that they will help to shake me free into greater creativity.

Fire Starters

During the holidays my family goes through an abundance of candles. We like the way they smell, and how pretty they look. But not all candles are created equal, and some leave behind a lot of wax when they've finished burning up the wick.

A few years ago I had so much leftover wax and it seemed so bad to just throw it away. I know...I could go buy new candle molds and wicks and make recycled candles, but with so many scents, I just couldn't justify that plan. Instead I took some initiative, a coffee can, shredded paper (another increasing byproduct of life) and started making fire starters which we use during summer camping trips.

I spent an afternoon last weekend making a new batch. It's easy, but time consuming. Leftover wax is melted in a coffee can over low heat on the stove. White that's happening, I crumple up handfuls of shredded paper and put them in paper cupcake cups. When the wax is melted, I pour it on the paper a few at a time letting the wax begin to settle up a bit before pouring the excess onto a new cup. It's labor intensive because I haven't figured out a good way to really soak the paper without using a muffin pan, which may be something I try in the future.