Scrapbook Art

Coolest thing ever!

2011-10-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

For more examples, check out Giant Paint by Numbers -- I am so inspired!

Imagine

2011-06-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Does music get any better than Born to Run, Thunder Road, Spirit in the Night, Born in the U.S.A., Blinded by the Light, Jungleland, etc.? Imagine being able to leave that kind of legacy behind.

And for the chance to get a great seat, what bands would you be willing to camp out all night for?

Clarence Clemons - RIP.

The Long and Winding Road

2011-06-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

Was the recording of 'The Long and Winding Road', specifically, the unauthorized "remixing" of this song, the "final straw" for The Beatles, or was Paul McCartney the only one upset by Phil Spector's actions since McCartney *was* ultimately the sole writer of this ballad? It's an interesting question to ask today because June 13, 1970 was the day that 'The Long and Winding Road' became The Beatles' twentieth and final number one single in America, according to Billboard magazine.

"The Long and Winding Road"

Single by The Beatles
from the album Let It Be

www.design-seeds.com

2011-06-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs (www.design-seeds.com) posted the photograph below of this "Painted Pony" Clydesdale.

This picture is so calm and beautiful that I decided to repost it here. Clydesdales always make me think of Jethro Tull and their classic album, Heavy Horses. There was a great article in the Boulder Daily Camera paper about them on 6/2/11 --- Jethro Tull, not the Clydesdales. Here's the link, if interested: http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_18177401?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com

{clydesdale color}

Thank you all so much .....

2011-06-07T16:04:00.000-07:00

Once again, a heartfelt note of thanks to all of you who took the time to stop by the Washington Heights Art Center for "The Summer Extravaganza" Open House/Garage Sale on Saturday, June 4th! It was another awesome afternoon there --- such an inspiring location --- and equally wonderful to see all of you! I find that Art Center a great place to hang out at whether your creative interests involve album-making, pottery-making, weaving and textiles, drawing, painting, fashion design, or even yoga, tai chi, dancing, cooking, etc.

Everyone is creative in their own way!

To follow-up on some questions that came up on Saturday .....
My website is still current (www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine) in case you need to order new CM products, such as Refills, Page Protectors, Photo Splits, Pens, etc.

Also, a reminder that all Creative Memories Cutting System components are 20% off during June, 2011.

And as I said in my Christmas note, it's been a privilege to have the opportunity to get to know all of you through Creative Memories and to provide you with CM products while helping you share and celebrate the milestones of your life --- both big and small. Wishing you a summer filled with moments that make you smile!

Creative Memories Open House/Garage Sale!

2011-05-16T17:54:00.001-07:00

Washington Heights Art Center
6375 W. 1st Ave. (between Wadsworth & Sheridan Blvd.)
Lakewood, Colorado 80226
303-987-5436

Saturday, June 4, 2011
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

My holiday Open House (12/18/10) was so much fun, I'm hosting another!

Announcing:

Creative Memories Open House/Garage Sale

A SUMMER EXTRAVAGANZA!

I've organized this event once again at the Washington Heights Art Center located just 1/2 block east of O'Kane Park in Lakewood and near my old Quay St. house. Please join me for some amazing product specials (50% off in-stock albums and refills, 75% off other in-stock supplies), as well as connection, camaraderie, and cake!
Feel free to bring friends!

Again, thank you so much for your support during these past years. As always, it's been a pleasure serving you with the many products and services Creative Memories offers and sharing the joy of remembering life's favorite moments with photos and stories.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Daurie Augostine

DaurieA@aol.com

My Creative Memories website is still current at www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine --- order the
best album-making products on the market today,
see new ideas, get inspired!

Last update: 5/28/11

Awesome advice .....

2011-03-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

"The real opportunity for success lies in

the individual, and not in the job."

-- Zig Ziglar

World's Largest Crop 2011

2011-03-31T12:29:00.000-07:00

Check back --- I'll post some WLC photos soon, including many (original) page layout designs from the event.

WORLD'S LARGEST CROP 2011

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Denver Merchandise Mart

9AM - 8PM

www.celebrateevents.com

And please stay tuned for an update regarding my CM garage sale!

Heartfelt thanks and gratitude .....

2010-12-31T08:17:00.000-08:00

A heartfelt note of thanks to all of you who took the time to stop by the Washington Heights Art Center for the holiday "Open House in B&W" on December 18th! It was truly awesome to see you all again, to see how much your kids have grown, and to catch up a little bit. I know the time we had that day at the Art Center went by quickly!

Just to follow-up on some things since that Open House .....
* My website is still current (www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine) in case you need to order new CM products, such as Page Protectors or Tape Runner. Sorry, I ran out of these items but they were the first things to be snatched up that day.
* I do have some discounted inventory left, and will be making it available again, and possibly adding to it, at some point before the 2011 World's Largest Crop on Saturday, April 2nd.
* If you need contact information for the artist who shared the space with me that day, please let me know. All proceeds from the sale of her photographs go to the orphanage she volunteers her time at in Nepal.

As I said in my Christmas note, it's been a privilege to have the opportunity to get to know all of you through Creative Memories and to provide you with CM products while helping you share and celebrate the milestones of your life --- both big and small. Wishing you a New Year filled with moments that make you smile!
-- Daurie

World's Largest Crop 2011

2010-12-30T07:18:00.000-08:00

World's Largest Crop 2011 Registration Info .....

Register online now (at earlybird prices only until January 17!!!) at the website www.celebrateevents.com and enter my code DAugostine9673 or print out the registration form and use it to mail in payment. The theme this year is "A Bumper Crop of Memories" and Creative Memories has even produced a special 12x12 album to celebrate and commemorate the 10th anniversary of this awesome event organized and designed by the amazing "Celebrateevents" team. Congratulations Mel and Julie --- I wouldn't dream of missing this important milestone!!!
-- Daurie

A Holiday Open House in B&W

2010-11-30T17:25:00.000-08:00

Dear CM friends,

I want to take this time to thank you for your support during these past years! It has been a pleasure serving you with the many products and services Creative Memories offers and sharing the joy of remembering life's favorite moments with photos and stories.

I'll be hosting a CM Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 18 from 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM at the Washington Heights Art Center located at 6375 W. 1st Ave. in Lakewood, Colorado (1/2 block east of O'Kane Park and near my old Quay St. house) --- the theme is "A Holiday Open House in Black & White". Please join me if you can for some holiday cheer and, especially, many great product specials!

From my home to yours, I wish you a new year filled with moments of love, joy, and laughter. May your camera be ready to capture them all!

Warm wishes,

Daurie Augostine

DaurieA@aol.com

Be sure to visit my website at www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine to order products, see new ideas, get inspired!

One more photo ...

2010-04-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

Next year's event is planned for Saturday, April 2, 2011 just in case you want to mark your calendar now!

Even more WLC Pics!

2010-04-17T20:57:00.003-07:00

There were so many variations of different projects being worked on during the day at WLC 2010. In addition to attending classes, some people were finishing up or starting traditional albums, others spent the day journaling in their nearly-completed books, many were working on digital scrapbook programs, etc. Everyone was hard at work. And all day! Album-making (i.e., scrapbooking) today isn't just a paper and scissors undertaking. In fact, if you think about it, and according to my son, a *blog* is really just an online scrapbook too.

More WLC photos!

2010-04-17T20:57:00.001-07:00

Rhonda Anderson (Creative Memories co-founder) is on the right in the photo below (the one wearing a green jacket).

World's Largest Crop 2010

2010-04-17T20:21:00.001-07:00

There were 400+ page designs at the event!

Rhonda Anderson

2010-04-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

Rhonda Anderson (Creative Memories co-founder) talked for approximately 45 minutes at WLC 2010 and mentioned some of the following .....

She said people take sooooo many pictures today (due to digital cameras) that those photos don't even seem important anymore. According to Rhonda, people are simply overwhelmed about what to do with all their digital images; so, they're left on memory cards, hard drives, etc. and forgotten.

Take time to print out even a few of your best photos instead of just leaving them on the computer.

No time to catagorize all your photos in chronological order? Be selective then! Choose a few photos to print out and if nothing else, focus on putting together a small "theme" album with that small selection of prints.

Importance of photo albums:

Photo albums give people a sense of belonging, gratitude, self-esteem, etc.

They also preserve the past, enrich the present, inspire hope for the future.

However, photos without journaling (identification, explanation, etc.) will one day have no value. She told a story about a friend that inherited her mom's perfectly created photo albums. They were all so beautiful but without any labeling or journaling. Since the daughter had very little space in her home, out of the 11 albums, she only kept one, and threw the rest away.

According to Rhonda Anderson, journaling is key. She asked the audience what a few photos perserved with a some of your great-grandmothers writing would be worth to you and with this perspective she hoped that we would spend some time creating small theme albums with even a few pictures.

My great-grandmother's name was Dora (in fact, I was named after her) and she was my grandmother's mother. She was my mom's absolute favorite grandparent and though she talked about her with much love, I don't know anything about Dora's life. Imagine how much of a treasure even one photo with a short handwritten explanation describing the photo, or the people in the photo, or why the photo was taken, etc. would be for me. Priceless!

Coming soon!

2010-04-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

I'll be posting the follow-up to our first quarter "Challenge Yourself" and some photos of World's Largest Crop 2010 soon. The event yesterday was very fun, as usual --- lots of interesting classes, new page ideas, prize winners, awesome displays, and many, many pages completed. Rhonda Anderson (co-founder of Creative Memories) was at the event as well, and I will post some of what she shared at her noon talk, in case you have interest and missed it.

Congratulations ... and WLC info!

2010-03-01T10:44:00.000-08:00

So far, seven people have taken on the challenge talked about below. The projects are --- finishing a small wall quilt, finishing a baby's quilt that should have been done two years ago, catching up on the stack of clothing repairs, restoring a corner table, completing some batik projects, finishing a botanical illustration, as well as several small scrapbook projects.

The deadline is April 12th to complete your chosen project. Remember, you can still get in on this challenge, and *you* decide how big or small the project is. According to author, Marcia Wieder, there is tremendous POWER in completing the things you start. She says the accomplishments, no matter how small, tend to spill-over into other parts of your life.

Good luck!

WORLD'S LARGEST CROP INFO
Just a reminder so you don't miss out --- the registration deadline for the WORLD'S LARGEST CROP 2010 has been extended until Thursday, March 18th. It's easy to register online at www.celebrateevents.com and use my consultant code of DAugostine9673. You can even pay right online, or follow-up with a check in the mail.

Blog contest!

2010-02-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

FEBRUARY BLOG CONTEST -------

Email me a brief description of your "Challenge Yourself" project (see details below). Not only would I love to hear about it ---- but your email is your entry into the blog contest! The drawing & winner will be announced on Friday night 2/19/10, at the Friday Dinner Crop.

Prize is a $30 Crop Coupon which is good for 6 (Lunch or Dinner) Crops!

"CHALLENGE YOURSELF" EVENT, 1ST QUARTER 2010!
We all have unfinished projects, don't we? Projects we were really excited about in the beginning, and for many reasons, after buying all the supplies, our very important project got abandoned in the closet or the basement. Our project isn't completely forgotten, and always, there are good intentions (someday) to go back and complete it, but we never seem to find the time.

Join our "Challenge Yourself" Event, 1st Quarter 2010 by naming one of your projects (just one!) and making a committment to yourself to finish it by April 12, 2010.

Note: Your project doesn't have to be a scrapbook project.

Check this out!

2010-01-13T19:43:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

Check this out .......

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pollymlaw/publishing-the-word-project

This is an awesome project --- the artwork is beautiful and the words are so fun!

Win a free ticket to World's Largest Crop 2010!

2009-12-28T05:09:00.000-08:00

World's Largest Crop (WLC) 2010 earlybird registration deadline is
coming soon ---- January 16, 2010. Register now online at www.celebrateevents.com and remember to use my code DAugostine9673. The event will be held at the Denver Merchandise Mart on Saturday, April 10, 2010 and the theme this year is "Destination: Memories Saved".

Here's a chance to win a free (traditional)
ticket to WLC 2010 ---- a $33 value!
Congratuations Angie Quintana!!

Register and pay before 5:00 PM on January 16th (and also save $7.00) and be entered into the free ticket drawing! One lucky person will be attending this year for FREE.

I look forward to seeing you at WLC 2010!!!

Win a 12x12 Holiday Album!

2009-12-21T18:20:00.000-08:00

Creative Memories albums are handcrafted using the finest photo-safe materials. They are guaranteed for a lifetime of laughter, tears, and everything in between.

------------------------------------

During the holidays, it's so great to be able to bring out one special holiday album to place on the coffee table filled with family photos, cards, or Christmas letters from past years.

Wish you had one? Here's a chance to win one .............

How to enter this random drawing?

My last December drawing is for a 12x12 Cranberry Holiday Album (with Page Protectors) that will take place this Sunday! This time, you are automatically entered for this random drawing if you've done any Creative Memories business with me in 2009.

Winner will be announced on Sunday night, 12/27/09!
Congratulations Ana Saucedo!!!

Happy Holidays!

Win a Power Sort Box!

2009-12-13T16:35:00.000-08:00

The Power™ Sort Box (a $37.50 value) helps you organize your photos. Sort by theme, year, friend, or family member – it’s your choice! Power™ Sort is the solution to years of scattered family memories. It allows you to get them organized, so that eventually you can share them all safely in a Creative Memories album.

------------------------------------

A drawing for a new Power Sort Box will be held on Monday, 12/21/09!

How to enter?

Get entered into this week's drawing by sending me a Christmas or holiday card (must be received by Monday, 12/21/09). Get two entries for this drawing if your card is homemade, so get out your paper and scissors!

Winner will be announced after Monday's mail delivery.
Congratulations Bernadette Garcia!!!

P.S. Let me know if you need my address!

Win a Creative Memories new Rotary Trimmer!

2009-12-05T22:23:00.000-08:00

The new Rotary Trimmer (a $30 value) cuts cardstock, printed paper and vellum. Includes an expandable 12-inch ruler, rotary blade and a built-in measuring grid. A self-healing cutting mat sits beneath the blade offering one of the most precise cuts on the market!

-------------------------

A drawing for this new Trimmer will take place this Saturday night, December 12th!

Your name is automatically entered for the drawing if you attended either my last Crop (10/24/09), my Open House (11/1/09), or the November Retreat (11/13 - 11/15/09).

Didn't attend any of those events?

Place an online CM order (www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine) or sign up for the World's Largest Crop on 4/10/10 (www.celebrateevents.com with my code DAugostine9673) before Saturday, December 12th and you'll automatically be entered into the drawing!!!

One drawing entry for every "event attended" --- it's possible to have up to five entries!

Winner will be announced on Sunday, 12/13/09.
Congratulations Grace Sanchez!!!

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Open House Invitation!

2009-10-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

Creative Memories "Wishes & Dreams"
Holiday Open House

Please join me at my 15th annual Holiday Open House for an afternoon of Celebrating, New Products, Free Gifts, Holiday Gift Ideas, Make & Takes, Product Specials, Prizes, Surprises, and Refreshments!

Sunday
November 1, 2009
noon - 6 PM

Cost: FREE --- my thanks to you, my loyal album-makers, for your friendship and support these past 15 years!

For more info, just send me a quick email at DaurieA@aol.com .....

"Let it Shine!"

Sold Out!

2009-09-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

The deadline to order all original (& now retired) 12x12 and 7x7 album supplies through Creative Memories ONLINE is September 1st, 2009. The Home Office extended the deadline until tonight at 9:00 PM MST; however, the website is completely jammed so it's impossible to get an order placed. (I thought we were having a recession???!!!) If you are still in need of supplies, let me know what you're seaching for and I will do my best to find the product for you.

Check out the new stuff though that *is* currently available ----- Black & White Power Palettes, Wishes & Dreams P-Palettes and other supplies, Stardust Maker, Scallop Circle Maker, new Organizers, etc. ----- at www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine and just click on New Products!

July Product Promotions!

2009-07-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

July Product Promotions .......
Receive $25 in free product! When you shop for your favorite products on my personal website www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine between July 2-7 and spend $100 or more, you'll receive a 50-pack of 10x12 Cardstock for FREE!

All through July, buy one get one free. Offer good on all Die Cuts, Stickers, and 10x12 Paper Products (including Power Palettes) but excluding Album Refills when purchased directly from me, not the website.

CM Garage Sale --- July 12 from noon - 6 PM at my garage (obviously). Most products marked at either 25%, 50%, or 75% off.

Cheers to 22 years!
Creative Memories is celebrating its 22nd anniversary with a spectacular offer ----- Start your own business for just $22!
What's in it for you?
* products you love at a discount of 30-50 percent
* extra income from a career that works with your schedule
* an established company with a mission to share stories and celebrate life
* this $22 offer is available for 22 days. Sign up between July 10-31.

$25 "Finish-Up" Bundles!

2009-06-14T11:06:00.001-07:00

June Product Promotion ........
For the last year or so, Creative Memories has been making a major transition in its product line from "original" 12x12 to "true" 12x12 size products. The transition also includes retiring 7x7 products in favor of 8x8 instead. The reason for this major company-wide change is primarily due to technological advances in digital photography and a desire to standardize its biggest selling product --- the 12x12 photo/scrapbook album --- to accomodate both paper and digitial products interchangably.

Until the end of this month (June 2009), Creative Memories is promoting $25 "Finish-Up" Bundles to offer a great deal on the supplies needed to complete projects started with the retiring product size. By purchasing the Finish It Up Bundles, you'll save approximately 25% on 12x12 Refills, Page Protectors, and Tape Runner!

Bundle offer good through June 30. Original 12 x 12 Refill Pages and Page Protectors also sold separately.

April, May, & June Blog Contests!

2009-04-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

Do you know that all of our 12x12 and 7x7 Albums, Refills, Page Protectors, and several other paper products (original Power Palettes, Shades of Paper, Perfect-Fit Paper, some kits, etc.) will permanently retire at the end of August, 2009? For the last year, I've been encouraging my clients to do an inventory of their scrapbook projects to see what retiring supplies they will need to order prior to 8/09.

Here's a little incentive to help you get going on your "inventory" sooner rather than later ........

April Blog Contest!
Place a website order via www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine by the end of April and be eligible for a random drawing. Winner receives a brand-new Tape Runner, and a whole box of Tape Runner Refills (box contains 6 refills) ----- retail value $37.50!

Winner: Congratulations to Debbie Nelson!!!

May Blog Contest!
Place a website order via www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine between the beginning of April and the end of May and be eligible for a random drawing. Winner receives the new silver "Wishes and Dreams" Coverset ----- retail value $34.00!

June Blog Contest!
Place a website order via www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine between the beginning of April and the end of June and be eligible for a random drawing. Winner receives a Creative Memories Power Sort Box ----- retail value $37.50!

Looking for Easter Projects?

2009-04-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Check out my website www.mycmsite.com/daurieaugostine for some creative Easter projects to accompany your baskets and pastel-colored Easter eggs! Just click on "Project Center" on the toolbar at the top of the screen and then click on "traditional" or "digital" projects.

Wishing you a very Happy Easter!

World's Largest Crop 2009

2009-04-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

Once again, we had lots of fun at this year's World's Largest Crop 2009! I do promise to post photos of it soon. The event was held on Saturday, 4/4/09, at the Denver Merchandise Mart and we were so thankful and blessed that the predicted Denver area snow storm ended up missing us that day!

ATC's and ACEO's

2009-02-01T07:43:00.000-08:00

Just when I think I'm going to go do something else for awhile, the world of *ART* pulls me back in!

The topic today is ATC's and ACEO's (Artist Trading Cards and Art Cards, Editions & Originals). Both ATC's and ACEO's have been around since the 16th century (google for more history) and they are currently traded/sold once a month in the artsy district of Denver downtown.

I've been working on my own Art Cards since the beginning of 2009. While I was designing the current batch to trade and/or sell, the art produced kept reminding me of our past "Border Exchanges" so I've done some "tweaking" and now I have a set of 3 Borders combined with 3 Art Cards, including a bonus piece, that can be used to embellish a scrapbook, enhance a greeting card, act as bookmark(s), or simply to use as pocket art. Most likely, I will post a "sample" of my work, but to acquire the entire set --- the current price is $12.99 which does include shipping.

To place an order:
DAR Designs
P.O. Box 260345
Lakewood, CO 80226

A New Year and New Possibilities!

2009-01-18T08:26:00.000-08:00

The answer to the question below (what other ways will change a person's life besides a photo-journal album) involves anything that will affect (in a positive way!) what a person believes inside, deep down. Sports and competition are always good for this, losing weight, meeting someone who inspires a different direction, moving somewhere completely new, taking a job with a better fit, going on vacation, completing a degree, etc., etc., etc.. Whatever it takes to make the "story" that's going on inside, a different & better one, will absolutely change a person's life. I've probably only scratched the surface of possibilities here, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

Trying to make time to start that very important photo-journal album for someone, or even yourself ........................

WORLD'S LARGEST CROP 2009

The World's Largest Crop 2009 is coming soon --- Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. This year's theme is "Splish, Splash, It's a Cropping Beach Bash"! WLC is always such a huge and amazing annual event for us album-makers and this year, in addition to the 500 page layouts, the prizes and goodies, & all the classes, there are four attendance options --- traditional, digital, deluxe traditional, deluxe digital. For prices and lots more info, just log on to the WLC website www.celebrateevents.com and when you register online, you'll need my code --- DAugostine9673.

Answer to: How can photo albums change lives?

2008-12-25T10:35:00.000-08:00

You have the opportunity to change how a person feels about themselves deep down.

The answer to this question is more than "journaling" or "saying I love you". You can send someone a card, buy them a gift, say it face-to-face, etc., etc., about how much you love, appreciate, and affirm them, and that is a very thoughtful, wonderful thing to do (& especially thinking about this today on Christmas Day!) ------- they'll remember you for this, but will it *change* their life? Will it *change* your life?

Making someone believe something positive, or better yet, something amazing, about themselves (that they didn't already believe!) will have the power to do so much! Making an album is a way to "change the story that is going on in one's mind."

Briana said it best when she pointed out that the album she and her dad made "changed her mom's doubts about whether or not she meant anything to anyone". WOW!!! This is a very significant observation and comment. This idea that addresses how you can change someone "deep down" is absolutely the winning sentence and therefore, Briana is our "How to Change a Life" contest winner! Congratulations Briana!!!

Thank you all for taking the time to participate and for your amazing, thoughtful, well-written answers. Prizes to all who commented are going out soon.

---------------------------------------------------------
Of course, there are ways besides making an album that can change a person's life too. Can you think of any other ways? Post a comment below, and list one other way that will change someone's life, and why, and win a different Creative Memories prize! Deadline to comment is 1/17/09.

Merry Christmas to all -------

Enter the Blog Contest!

2008-12-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

Photo Albums can change lives! Do you know how? I've been "hinting" at the answer to this question in my scrapbook blog for a while now. Do you think you know what the answer is? Then enter your answer guess in one of the "comments" sections in this blog. Everyone who responds by 12/20/08 will receive an exclusive CM Open House gift in the mail (assuming I know your address) and the winner of the blog contest will receive one of my pre-designed holiday albums with gift basket that they can keep for themselves or give away as a holiday gift. Deadline is December 20.

And another!

2008-11-02T07:36:00.000-08:00

There's another hint inside the link below.

Make a living while making a difference:

Here's another hint.

2008-09-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

Mother Teresa, internationally famed humanitarian and advocate for the poor, once said, "There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread."

-- Mother Teresa

Here's a hint.

2008-09-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

Before I answer the question from the previous post, I'm going to give you a hint. It's not about paper and stickers (although paper and stickers are always fun) or whether you have the right kind of scissors, or the perfect-sized album. It's also not about whether you've included some or all of the photos you took.

Photo albums change lives!

2008-07-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

I've sometimes wondered why I've been a Creative Memories consultant (CMC) for so long, i.e., yesterday was my 15th anniversary. It certainly hasn't always been an "easy job" planning & orchestrating events, lugging around supplies & products, encouraging clients to host "Get Togethers"and finish albums, making phone calls, writing newsletters, creating product samples, dealing with business disappointments, etc., etc., etc. Initially though, I became involved because I loved the Creative Memories products so much ---- of course, our albums are fabulous, but I especially loved our first Circle Cutter, and our new improved Cutting System is even better, way better. Our Cutting System is still, in my opinion, an amazing product invented by female product designer/engineer at CM and followed-up by the Personal Trimmer, the 12x12 Digital Pages, and now our new PicFolio albums! I've always believed that Creative Memories products are the best scrapbooking products on the market today.

Anyway ...........
My reason for getting involved with Creative Memories on 7/3/93 was to be able to buy all the great supplies at cost. Other than that, I had no other business goals at the time. I knew I would need several albums, because I intended to make many albums over my lifetime, and I just didn't want to pay full-price.

Over the years though, I've come to realize there's an even bigger reason why I stay active and encourage others to get involved as customers, as hosts, or as fellow-CMC's. I stay involved because I know for certain that -------- photo albums change lives. You really do have the ability to affect and change someone's life (your children, your spouse, your friends, even your own life) with a finished photo album!

How? I'll answer that question in my next post.

My 15th anniversary with CM is July 3, 2008!

2008-05-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated this blog in a long time. I will add more photos soon, but I am pleased to announce that this July I will be celebrating my 15th anniversary with Creative Memories! On my 10th anniversary, I hosted a free crop for all my wonderful friends and customers, but since I just did that with the May National Scrapbook Day (NSD) & Open House, I'm not sure I'm going to do anything special to celebrate the 15th anniversary. My photo did make it into our company consultant magazine, "Scraps", NSD was a big success, and I'm participating in a mini-triathlon this Sunday, so I believe the 15th anniversary has been adequately recognized & acknowledged!

And even more World's Largest Crop Photos!

2008-04-07T00:14:00.000-07:00

The theme this year was the 50's, just in case you can't tell by the photos. Never did find those saddle shoes I wanted.

More World's Largest Crop Photos!

2008-04-06T23:02:00.000-07:00

Some more photos of Saturday's big event!

World's Largest Crop Photos!

2008-04-06T21:48:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome time at the World's Largest Crop on Saturday 4/5/08!

Just Begin!

2008-03-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

If there is one secret to getting things done --- anything, not just photo projects --- the secret is that you need to just simply "begin"! Once you start, the rest seems to take care of itself. This is true for whatever project you want to accomplish. Big projects like making a quilt, or little projects like making a sandwich. Although this advice comes directly from a great friend who has completed several albums, it is similar to the advice that our teachers gave us in school when we agonized over a writing or speech assignment. That advice was to just start writing!

Acknowledgement:
"Just Begin" advice from Melanie Camphouse --- World's Largest Crop and Celebrate! Events coordinator.

Give yourself a time limit .....

2008-03-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

You and I both know that without time limits, things never seem to get done, so you must --- must --- must determine when your photo project needs to be completed by!

Gather all your "recipe" supplies!

2008-03-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

If you've ever taken a cooking class, the first thing the instructor requires you to do is to gather all the supplies for your intended dish. You cannot start cooking until you have everything gathered and measured. It's very important to find your supplies & ingredients, measure the spices, and cut up all the components first. Then you move on to the process of cooking. It really makes things go quickly and smoothly!

Use this same approach with your album projects, and you'll find that the process will be so much easier when you get started!

Which page do you prefer?

2007-09-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

By now, you should have your intended photo project visualized.

Let's suppose you've decided to challenge yourself into making a small photo album of a significant recent event -----

Hopefully your planning process includes gathering ONLY the supplies that you'll need to complete the project. Think of how you' d go about baking cookies, or a cake. You wouldn't bring out *ALL* your baking supplies, would you? No. You would only bring out what the recipe calls for.

So, what's the "recipe" for your small album project?
Write it down and stick to it when you create your book.

At this point though, the tendency is to gather *TOO MUCH*. Because of all the complicated scrapbook designs out there in magazines, we tend to use what we've seen as a precedent. We think we need to create something just as great, just as complicated.

After all, our pictures are precious aren't they?

EXAMPLE:
Look at the following pages. If these pages contained photos of your great, great grandchild ... which one would you prefer inheriting hundred years from now?

Photos to be uploaded soon. Please check back.

Now, go back to your "recipe" for your small album, and eliminate at least half of the supplies you wrote down. You really only need a few sheets of paper, a pen or two, some adhesive, and maybe a few stickers. Aim for the look of the simple page, not the complicated one. You can always add something here and there later on.

What is your vision?

2007-08-09T07:26:00.001-07:00

Before I upload some examples, have you figured out what *your vision* is for your photo albums, digital photographs, frame projects, etc., etc.? In your "perfect world", where would all your photos be, and how would they be displayed?

If you don't know, or have never thought about this, arrange for 15-20 minutes of quiet time for yourself, have some tea, close your eyes, and decide what your vision is.

Just try to get an overall plan in your mind right now. Details aren't necessary.

Is there a family album on the coffee table? Are there photos on the wall of your ancestors, or your children, or your pets? Is there one big box that contains all your random photos in chronological order? Perhaps, there's an organized box for each of your children.

Relax. You don't have to do any work with your photos today. Just decide what your vision is and enjoy your tea.

It's all about the photos!

2007-08-07T05:18:00.001-07:00

If there's too much clutter around your photographs, you won't notice the photo. And isn't the goal to display the picture, not the decoration around it?

With so many great decorating products out there ----- stickers, paper, die cuts, etc. ----- it's hard not to use them. But if you want to get your "picture projects" finished, keeping it simple will make this happen. Think of it as a "trade-off" between either decorative or done.

Next time, I will give you visual example of what I mean.

Simple = Timeless!

2007-08-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Consider this if you're skeptical about "simplicity" being the key component. Think of how photographers display their work. Usually, you'll see only one photograph displayed with a white or off-white matte, and then inside a simple black frame. You might also see a very simple title beneath the picture. But that's it.

Most artists know that the eye can only take in so much at one time.

Also, your taste for art changes over time. If your photos are displayed in a way that is too complicated or cluttered, you'll grow tired of the look, so keeping things simple will make your creations and photos look great for a long, long time.

Trust me. Simple = Timeless!

Simplicity is key!

2007-08-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

I know you're now thinking that to display to your photographs ----- whether in a frame, a photo album, or under a glass top table, etc. ----- is either going to be very time-consuming, expensive, or both. You're probably also telling yourself that you aren't very creative anyway.

This is about the point that most people decide that doing something with their photos isn't worth the trouble, and back in the box the pictures go.

Is this really where you *want* your photos to be though ----- in boxes, drawers, closets, or the modern equivalent of somewhere on the computer harddrive?

Having said that, you need to move beyond your assumptions that creating something GREAT with your photographs is going to be difficult, expensive, and time-consuming.

You must start to believe that "Simplicity is Key"!

Scrapbooks are an art form!

2007-08-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I'm creating this blog to promote and inspire Scrapbook-Making and Scrapbook-Art ----- a type of creativity that I've loved since I was a child.

I remember my first scrapbook album was filled with photographs and journaled comments about our family and the pets we had owned. A few years later, I started creating other books that were filled with photos and artwork of horses. I have always been a horse person but a scrapbook that went beyond simply the family photos became, for me, more of a way of displaying artwork than just a random collection of pictures.

Like so many others, I have always loved photographs, but the way that photographs are *displayed* can truly be an art form. That is the purpose of my blog ----- to inspire you to think of your photographs as an art form too, and to consider the way they're presented.