Scrapbook USA 2006

Scrapbook USA 2006 is having the largest scrapbook show in the nation -- Friday May 5th and Saturday May 6th in Salt Lake City -- at the South Town Expo Center. It costs $10 to get in (but there are discount coupons available around town.) There is an early bird special and you can get in for only $20 per day -- you get in FIRST!

Go to Scrapbook USA Expo for more details. I'm not sure I'll be going this year because I'm involved in too many things right now, but hopefully you will get all reved up for scrapbooking again, see all of the new products, and have fun winning prizes.

Save Money on Gas

Okay -- I normally don't get interested in new companies because I'm so busy with what I'm involved in right now. But I did come across this new business model to save money on gas -- increase fuel efficiency, create less pollution, and save money. So I thought I'd share. I think gas prices are outrageous! Prices are getting worse and worse.

The company is a new MLM opportunity -- so if you love networking and want to save money on gas, this is a great thing. If you don't love networking but want to save money on gas -- then you're just like me. :-)

Anyway, check out the marketing website and learn how you can have better emissions on your car, get better gas mileage, save the environment, save money, and perhaps earn some money as well.

Save Money on Gas

Scrapbook Color Schemes

I often think about what type of scrapbook color schemes I want to use most often. I wonder if I'll look back at specific times in my life and recognize patterns of color use (what's hot in scrapbooking) or if I will look back and see classic use of neutral colors. I love scrapbook papers and the fun colors and patterns. When I design papers, I really have fun thinking about who would use the papers and what type of photos will end up on the papers.

I do love the classic black/white albums that are extremely simple. But then I also love the funky colors with oranges and lime greens. I truly depends on what my mood is. If I'm feeling spunky then I'm more attracted to bright colors. I find that I decorate my home and pick clothes to wear according to color schemes I'm currently needing in my life. When I go for yellows, I feel the need for sunshine in my life. When I pick blues, it seems I want to be more mellow. Anyway, just random thoughts for today. Have a good one!

Doing What Matters Most

"Anything worth doing is worth doing well should be altered to say, 'Many things are not worth doing at all, and many things are not worth doing well because they're not worth the time it takes to do them well.' Only a few things are worth the best energies that we have. The most important decisions we have to make every day is whether we are using our time to feed our souls, contribute to those around us in a meaningful ways, and live true to our deepest values."

This quote comes from a really great article about how we are always so busy, that we never really feel satisfied. It is something I've been dealing with myself lately -- having too much to do and feeling a level of stress that is not healthy. There are so many of us in the same situation -- so I wanted to share the article with you. Slowing Down to Do What Matters Most. Enjoy it!

Scrapbook Paper Designers

Just a quick question for all of you -- Do you know of any scrapbook companies who are looking for designers for scrapbook papers? I'm considering contracting with several companies rather than just working for one and wanted to know the current options. Thanks for any feedback you can give.

Favorite Scrapbook Papers

I'd really love to get your feedback about what your favorite scrapbook papers are. Which lines do you like the most? Do you usually stick with one scrapbook paper line or mix and match? Do you prefer the papers with themes or would you rather buy papers which could cover any type of event?

Please feel free to comment and let me know if you have any favorite scrapbook papers and if so, what you like about them. Thanks!

Scrapbook Site - Web Hosting

Do you have great online digital scrapbooks? Do you want to be able to share them with family and friends? I think it's a great idea to be able to put your scrapbooks online -- for several reasons. First, if there is a disaster of some kind and your computer crashes, your house floods, or whatever -- if you have your scrapbooks and photos hosted somewhere besides your home -- you automatically have a backup copy.

Also, if your family members live far away -- hosting your own scrapbooking site can allow them to login to your site and view photos of your kids and your scrapbooking pages.

I've actually found a great hosting company and if you sign up now you get a free domain name with your hosting service. Anyway, there are lots of web hosting companies out there and I've tried many of them. But getting good service is one of the top selling points for me. Check them out by clicking on the link below.

Free Domain With $6.95 Hosting Package

VOIP

Have any of you used VOIP (Voice-over internet protocol) -- like Skype? It is supposed to be really good and cheaper than regular phone service. But I wonder if it works as good. Also since VOIP is the new thing, I'm not sure how it works being away from home, or if you have to be connected to the internet/computer at home. I tried Skype last year but that was when it was just starting and VOIP hadn't really taken off yet. Anyway, I'd be interested in knowing if you've used VOIP and what your experience has been.

Scrapbook Inspiration

When I get stuck scrapbooking or designing papers, I like to find outside sources for inspiration. Sometimes I will look through fashion magazines, or interior design catalogs. Even a Target weekly ad flyer can be helpful in knowing what color schemes look good together, or what kind of embellishments I might want to use. Look outside of the traditional scrapbook industry and see how many ways you can be inspired. When I see a great looking catalog cover, it is sometimes just the little push I need to get myself motivated again.

Scrapbooking Quotes

Scrapbooking quotes can really add fun to a scrapbook page. However, finding the right quote can be a challenge. I have about 15 different scrapbooking quote books, famous sayings, and software packages. Some I like a lot because the quotes really fit what I want. But other times it seems I just can't find the right saying for my pages.

If you have good resources for scrapbooking quotes, let me know because I'm always looking for great quotes and titles.

Journaling and Handwriting in Scrapbooking

I think the thing I like most about scrapbooking is the journaling. It takes the most time for me because I want to make sure what I'm writing is interesting, that it captures the moment and is something I am willing to share with anyone. I don't like my own handwriting and as I look back at old scrapbooks I want desperately to go back and redo them -- and include typed fonts rather than my scribbles. But I hesitate because it does show some of my personality, and stages in life.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to type up handwritten love letters between my grandparents. I loved it! I loved seeing their handwriting -- it made it so much more personal. I know in past years handwriting was more of an art and now it's so much easier to type things up, print them out and then make changes if you want. But there is a ton of benefit for future generations when we journal and personally handwrite in our scrapbooks. It is another way to get to know the maker of the scrapbook.

So, I think I'll leave my handwriting in my old scrapbooks. What do you do with handwriting? I'm curious to know if most people feel the way I do about their own handwriting.

Oprah's O Magazine on Sale

I just found this great deal on Oprah's "O" Magazine. You can save almost 50% by ordering online. Anyway, it's fun to get scrapbooking ideas by looking through magazines, and I get inspiration from catalogs as well. I like how classy Oprah's "O" Magazine is and the styles they include. Plus, she always includes good advice and uplifting stories.

O, The Oprah Magazine: Save 49%