Just Let Me Scrapbook: June

Yesterday, I had a scrappy day and finished up my June projects for the fabulous store, Just Let Me Scrapbook.  MaryBeth (the owner) is the nicest woman ever and she is always running amazing sales.  And let me just say that her taste and mine in supplies is so similar.  Shopping there is always a dream!  So, without any further ado, here's what I made:

This one is for the "One Little Word" challenge.  The word this week is "strong" and for the first time, I didn't use it in the title. 

Here's the journaling: That’s a quote from a Michael Keaton movie.  But, it really sums up how I feel.  Living in NYC is hard.  It’s work. Every day is a battle; an assault on your senses, your self-esteem, and your wallet.  The first year I lived here, all I could do was go to work and come home.  I was tired 24/7.  But nine years later, I’m in rhythm with the City.  And sometimes it really does feel like us-versus-the-world.  What’s that song lyric?  “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.”  New York has taught me about myself.  I am capable.  I am strong.  I am a New Yorker.

As of late I've been a pretty slow scrapper.  It's taking me three or more hours per layout.  I don't know why.  I just haven't been liking what I'm doing, so I keep fixing and fixing and fixing...ugh.  But, this one came together super fast.  I saw the paper, knew the photos I wanted to use, printed them, decided I needed a mat because of the busy paper, painted the mat, slapped down the photos and the title, journaled, doodled, and done!

This card uses a wonderful paper rose that I'm teaching how to make as part of my online class, Technique-a-Palooza (30 days.  30 dollars.  30 techniques).  We're on day 23 and going strong!

Finally, there's a really interesting discussion over at SIStv.com:

#1. - Why do you blog?? What do you get out of it? Why did you choose to have a public blog versus a private one? Do you care if others are reading it or is it really just for you? How concerned are you with posting personal information on your blog?

#2. - How do you journal? Do you find yourself writing a story to somebody else so that anyone could come along and read it and understand or do you keep it more personal like writing in a diary? Do you change it up?

Both questions gave me pause and I loved reading everyone else's responses.  Here's what I added to the conversation:

#1. I started blogging because I wanted to have a way to share all the things I was working on. Beyond scrapbooking, I also quilt, make jewelry, etc. and there just aren't the kind of forums and galleries for that kind of stuff that exist for scrapbooking. I don't know why. So, my blog lets me put all that stuff in one place.

I don't really post a lot of personal stuff on my blog. For me, it's not really a diary, but a place to share my crafty journey (which of course, can be very personal). So the only thing I think about is whether or not to post certain layouts that may have a personal story I don't want to share or a photo that someone wouldn't like of themselves...that kind of stuff.

#2. I generally journal so that someone who was an acquaintance would get the story. Though, my feeling about journaling is that it serves two purposes (for me):

1. To express my feelings, reach catharsis, vent, etc.
2. To demonstrate my perspective on a particular photo or event.

In the first case, my journaling is generally written so that I know what I mean and doesn't think about anyone else. In the second case, I write my journaling so that a complete stranger will understand. I should note that oftentimes I find myself doing a mixture of both.

You know, as a student of history, I love the old Victorian scrapbooks.  Or resources like Samuel Pepys' Diary.  It's the little details about daily life, surely insignificant in their time, that fascinate us today.  A good reminder to journal with lots of details!

Comments

[nat]

I lvoe your layouts and the card with this adorable flower! Intersting discussion indead. I agree with you on why I blog- I have actually the very same thoughts :-)

[sue brown]

I love the card and the layouts especially "the look". I blog to share my creative journey also, there's not a lot of private stuff on there, I like it that way.

[Lisa]

I esp like the Look layout, very sweet! I enjoyed the whole blog entry. Have a great day!

[Tali]

Your New York page rocks!!!! Love how you put it.