As a big fan of online scrapbooking classes {hey, I don’t even have to get out of my pajamas!} …
*Image from weheartit.com
… I wanted to make sure that you know about a very exciting class that’s about to start at Big Picture Classes. It’s part of the “4 Experts” series at BPC in 2013.
This one is by mega-popular scrapbooker and Project Life guru Ali Edwards. It goes from July 8 – September 29, 2013 {3 months!}:
In her new 12-week workshop, “Hello Story”, Ali Edwards will introduce you to 12 storytelling techniques—never-before-seen in her prior journaling workshops—that will bring creativity and clarity to both your writing and your page designs. Every week, you get to sit over Ali’s shoulder and watch her transform her story ideas into timeless, authentic, story-rich scrapbook pages.
Through dozens of in-depth videos that cover storytelling and design ideas as well as 36+ exclusive layout examples from Ali (12″ x 12″ and 8 1/2″ x 11″ layouts, plus Project Life inserts), Hello Story will inspire you to take action and give you the tools you need to tell your own stories with confidence.
Hello Story includes:
– Inspiring weekly videos from Ali
– Colorful instructional handouts with step-by-step instructions for each lesson/project
– Printable digital elements in PNG and PDF formats that relate to the weekly storytelling technique
– Freebies valued at $19.49! Immediately upon registering, you’ll receive instant access to Ali’s Storyology downloadable class – 50 printable journaling cards (great for traditional, digital, and Project Life scrapbooking). Details below.
– Supply list with live links to product resources—each weekly handout will include a list of supplies used on the example pages
– Welcome notes from Ali in the classroom
– Class syllabus and pre-class welcome video
– Reminder emails when the classroom is updated with new materials
– Message board to share your thoughts with your classmates
– Private posting gallery to share your work and view the work of your classmates
– An interactive video chat with Ali
– Email access to Ali
Hello Story with Ali Edwards
12 weeks of creative storytelling techniques with Ali Edwards
Class dates: 7/8/2013-9/29/2013
Class price: $99
WOW.
Sounds like a blast, right? And I think the $99 price tag sounds totally worth it. If you break it down, that’s only $8/week. And if you subtract out the almost $20 value of the freebies and journaling cards, it’s even less per week.
Class is about to start so get on over to BPC and get signed up, sista’! Class starts on Monday, July 8, 2013.
If you’d like to sign up or just want some more information {including videos by Ali Edwards and Stacy Julian themselves}, just click on this -> Hello Story link :)
Man. Watching Ali talk about the class was one thing. Then to hear Stacy and have her show some teaser clips – don’t watch if you don’t want to get sucked into taking this class, LOL! Check out the layout she does with the stars. Super lovely!
What do you think of Ali’s class? Sound like a good one? Too expensive or is the price justified? Have you taken BPC classes before? I’d love to hear your thoughts and whether you are signing up for Hello Story with Ali Edwards.
I have more things to sell from my personal stash. HERE is the first post of sale items (Lots 1-8).
From last time, most lots have been sold … THANK YOU to my buyers! It has been a pleasure e-mailing with you. I hope you’re happy with your purchase.
Here is what is still available from that last post; some of the stamp lot was sold off so it’s now smaller with a smaller price:
LOT #1 (MODIFIED): ACRYLIC STAMPS AND CLEAR BLOCK $15 plus shipping
Retail value is about $60! All of these stamps are brand new, never been used, in the original packaging.
Autumn Leaves “Hand Drawn Alphabet by Katie Pertiet”.
This set retails for $25. I have it myself and use it often. It’s a very versatile font and is a great size for both cards and scrapbook layouts. Unlike a lot of stamp alphas, it includes both upper and lower case AND numbers with punctuation. At a $25 value, these stamps alone are worth $10 more than you’d pay for the entire lot of acrylic stamps with the block.
Autumn Leaves “Clear Stamps Acrylic Block”
Retails for $15. This is a solid acrylic block, 4×6″ in size, to be used with your acrylic stamps. If you’ve never used acrylic stamps, I’d be happy to walk you through it. I have this block myself and it’s the one I use the most, out of the many sizes I have, because you can lay out an entire word or title on it, or fit even the larger stamps on it (like THESE).
Autumn Leaves (8) various “Clear Stamps” that retail for $2 each, and Studio G (2) sets of “Clear Stamps” that retail for $1 each.
These are all stinkin’ adorable stamps, about $16 worth altogether.
ETA 9-1-10: The “You Are Here” stamp with arrow has been sold. I blew it. I thought I had a duplicate of it, so I sold it with another lot. What I do have duplicates of are (2) of the “Mini Make a Flower” (flowers with leaves) and (3) of the “carriage/baby.” Sorry for the mix-up!
So, that’s all of Lot #1: ACRYLIC STAMPS AND CLEAR BLOCK
$15 plus shipping
—————– LOT 3: KAREN FOSTER “CLIKIT” EYELET SETTING KIT $5
Retailed for $40. This item is gently used.
I bought it right after it came out at a CKU and fell in love with it. What a fun tool! You can read a bunch of reviews HERE. I used it a few times at the convention; that’s why you see white paper leftovers in the dual tip, LOL. Alas, I am a fickle tool girl, and quickly became fascinated with some other method or three for setting eyelets (“What a cool eyelet tool! I really like it. It works so … oh, look, shiny new tool over there!”).
All of the pieces, mat, instruction book, even the free eyelets are still intact. On the bottom of the box, I wrote my name and phone number in small print; it’s been blacked out with a Sharpie. Other than that, it’s like new.
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Now, to add some new things to the mix!
—————- LOT 9: PIONEER 3-UP PHOTO ALBUMS, SET OF 6
$15 plus shipping *** RESERVED ***
These are 3-up “Space Saver” photo albums by Pioneer; 3- up means each page holds three 4×6 photos (or 6, depending on how you look at it, LOL!). There are 2 light blue, 2 beige, 1 black, and 1 green. They’re all brand new in package except one that I opened so I could show you the insides :)
Each album goes in a slim pocket case. They measure 13.5″ tall x 7.25″ wide x 7/8″ thick. They’re so slim, they would stack very neatly on a bookshelf. Here is the front view of the first 3 …
.. and the other 3.
This is the book out of the case and what the pages inside look like. The case is nice for keeping the dust and sun out, and protecting your photos. Plus, it helps them keep their “slim” shape :)
In the back, there are pages sized for holding negatives. On the right is a pocket for whatever you’d like: photo CDs, panoramic, 5×7, or other odd-sized photos, etc.
Scrapbook.com has only 1 of these in stock right now HERE. It would regularly sell for $5.99 and they have it on sale for $5.69. HERE you can get 6 of them for $4.25 each (or $25.50 total) plus some hefty shipping charges; wow! Anyway, I looked around and they generally sell for $4-6 each. At my price, you’re getting them for $2.50 each ($15 total plus shipping).
Here is the official description of these albums:
Pioneer Space Saver Photo Albums can help you create an ultra-compact photo library. Each Space Saver Photo Album contains 144 slip-in pockets that hold photos up to 4” x 6”.
Durable translucent plastic cover
Protective and convenient storage case
Plastic pockets securely protect photos
Index cover labels for easy organization
Includes four panoramic pages and negative storage pages
Photo safe: Archival, Acid and PVC free
ALI EDWARDS even recommends these albums … I mean, come ON!
========================
LOT 10: 3-UP ALBUMS BY PHOTO STOR, SET OF 2
$10 plus shipping
These albums are black “leather” with 3 slots in the covers for 3×3 photos. Each album has 50 pages with 6 slots on each to hold 4×6 photos. Each album can hold an amazing 300 photos, or 600 in both albums. That’s MAJOR! In the back are 3 pages to store CDs and photo index sheets. There is a tab closure and each page has blank lines where you can journal what’s in the photo (or cover up with pretty scrapbook paper, LOL!).
Both are brand new, in excellent condition. I can’t find these albums online anywhere. Believe me, I looked. I got them at Costco a while back and I think I paid $20 for the set. They’re great quality and definitely worth $20, but I’ll let them go for $10 plus shipping.
Here is the front cover and what the 4×6 pages look like …
… and this is the inside back cover where you can see the CD/index sheet pages, plus a groovy pouch to hold whatever you want … negative envelopes, larger photos, memorabilia, etc..
All of these 3-up albums would be wonderful for photo storage, as Ali uses them. Or you could go the STACY JULIAN route and use them for PHOTO ALBUM SCRAPBOOKING like she does! What a great way to scrapbook ALLLLL those great photos from a trip – get them done and off your computer, right?
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That’s what I have to post for now, but keep checking back, because I’ll be posting more as my scrapbook room clean-up continues :)
1. All items are from a pet-free and smoke-free home.
2. Prices do not include shipping; we can work out the best shipping for you.
3. First come, first served, as based on time stamps from e-mails and comments.
4. I will show items as “Reserved” but they may still be available if the transaction doesn’t work out, so let me know of your interest. Once an item is actually sold, it will be marked as such.
5. I have a great track record of customer service with Memory Works; please let me know if you’d like a reference or two. {And if you’ve ever purchased from me before, please leave a comment about your experience ~ thanks}.
I accept Paypal and will send you an invoice; a super easy process :)
If you don’t use Paypal, please e-mail and let’s see if we can work out a check/money order.
Contact info: If you’re interested in any of these items …
Leave a comment on this post, or …
E-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
I really just want these items to find a good home, so if you like something but the price isn’t right, make me an offer!
I told you HERE that MEMORY WORKS was giving sneak peeks of their new line on the SIMPLE STORIES BLOG last week. Did you check it out?!?! It’s pretty dang cool =)
My suspicions were right: It’s a school days kit and it’s called “ele.ment.ary.” {Forgive me now, but I may refer to it as “elementary” now and then … hee}. All of the sneak peeks were awesome and I really enjoyed going to the SS blog each day to see which cool new element would be released {or would that be “ele.ment”? ha}.
The folks at Memory Works home office did such a good job of describing the entire kit, the separate pieces, and how they can be used, that I’m going to copy some text from their blog (it will be in italics) and put the pictures of the entire line in one post for easy reference.
*** NOTE: AS SOON AS I CONFIRM PRICING WITH MEMORY WORKS HOME OFFICE, I WILL BE TAKING PRE-ORDERS ON THE ele.ment.ary LINE.
THE ANTICIPATED RELEASE IS MID-AUGUST.
MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW. ***
Okay, here we go!
Our consultants and customers fell in love with our signature Life Documented kit, the introduction to our fabulous Simple Stories system. MemoryWorks has liberated scrapbookers everywhere with our simple and refreshing approach to scrapbooking. We’ve got you hooked on simple scrapbooking in a whole new way…are your ready for more?
It’s all ele.ment.ary!
We are beyond thrilled (and just a little giddy) to introduce our next collection in our Simple Stories series…ele.ment.ary! Our ele.ment.ary collection is all about scrapbooking school memories in a totally stylish, fun, and simple way…and it REALLY is as easy as ABC!
There are loads of school memories…and loads of school photos – after all school is a major event in nearly everyone’s life, spanning 12 years (or more) of an entire lifetime. That’s a lot of photos and a lot of memories. What better way to document all those school memories and photos than with our easy, simple, functional, efficient, and totally stylish system and school kit.
If you liked Life Documented….then you will LOVE ele.ment.ary!
Our new ele.ment.ary kit will include everything you need to create an entire album of school memories – Pre-school through 12th grade! We designed this kit to be as versatile and functional as possible…so whether you want to document a few favorite back to school memories or want to a complete and entire album highlighting each school year pre-school through graduation…this kit does it all!
Just like our signature Life Documented kit, the core of the new ele.ment.ary kit collection includes beautifully designed (and totally functional) innovative cut-apart element pieces in a variety of sizes, including 4×6 cards, 6×8 mats, 4×4 blocks, 6×12 page elements, 2×12 borders and 4×12 titles. Element pieces are printed on full size 12×12 double-sided cardstock sheets…and it’s as simple as trimming the pre-designed element pieces to size to create the individual element pieces.
Our Simple Stories elements are designed to insert into coordinating divided page protector sleeves, along with your 4×6 photos, for quick and easy scrapbooking. Completed album pages fit securely into coordinating 3-ring albums*, showcasing your memories in a simple, yet beautiful way!
*As with the Simple Stories “Life Documented” line, you’ll be able to purchase D-ring LEATHER or LINEN albums and regular and divided PAGE PROTECTORS by We R Memory Keepers to go with the “ele.ment.ary” line.
Guess what? These super cool, super ingenious 4×6 journaling cards included in our new Simple Stories ele.ment.ary school kit includes each and every school year, pre-school through 12th grade! How cool is that….we’ve created the perfect system to simply and easily scrapbook years of school memories! You’ll notice that the front side of the school year journaling cards feature the school year, with basic journaling prompts such as name, school, year, teacher and a few notes of the year. This allows you to easily include basic journaling for each school year, slip the card in a 4×6 divided page protector pocket, and add any number of photos for that year as you’d like.
Here are the other amazing elements that are so unique to our ele.ment.ary kit! Just like the 4×6 journaling cards, these elements also play a key role in the Simple Stories family. Perfect for trimming and tucking into all of the fun divided page pockets…4×4 quote cards, 6×8 photo mats, 6×12 page elements, 2×12 borders and 4×12 titles. Seriously so SIMPLE to share your story with these fun and totally functional elements! We LOVE the colors, designs, icons, images…can you just see how amazing your school albums and projects are going to be?
Don’t you just love the journaling page…remember the front side makes a great cover page for your album (if you’re choosing to use the kit for an album-type project) and the backside is the PERFECT area to add bits of information and journaling. We’ve kept the journaling prompts very general so you can use a journaling page for each year….or just one journaling page for the entire album!
This cardstock is high-quality, seriously thick paper that you can use to create full page layouts, customize your own elements, altered projects….the possibilities are endless!
Okay, here’s the remaining contents included in the kit.
…just like in our last Life Documented kit the transparancies are great for overlaying over 4×6 photos in the divided page protectors….but this time they’re in COLOR!!!!! How great is that….vivd, bright, vibrant colors to coordinate perfectly with all of the components of the kit. They are amazing…and look beautiful over any photo….colored, sepia, b/w! What’s even better is we’ve added the extra bonus of colored transparancies, but the retail price will remain the same as our Life Documented kit so there’s major value there!!
The Journaling Jots are Add-Ons and are … DOUBLE-SIDED with fun icons and phrases on the front side with blank journaling spots on the back side so it gives you the best of both options! How ingenious and super-cool is that! In fact, you’ll want to purchase 2 packs just so you can use all of the front side designs and the backsides too.
This is how the sticker sheet looks, but the letters look thicker here than they really are …
This is what the letters look like once they’re pulled off the sticker sheet … they are narrower.
Yay– we have extra stickers!! I wanted to add an extra alphabet in addition to the sticker sheet included in the kit…we love that it pops with color. The colors on our sample look extra bold – that’s just extra coloring around the die lines…but this alphabet is very sleek and is sure to be one of your favorite letter stickers.
Oops – our mistake :) The mock up image of our Expression Stickers includes a misspelled word “Field Trip”…we inadvertantly uploaded the incorrect image for our sneak peek post. Please rest assure that this HAS BEEN FIXED prior to the printing and spelling will be correct on the actual stickers.Thanks for your understanding :)**
Okay – you asked and we listened. We now offer individual sets of the designer cardstock paper for purchase in addition to the main kit. This was our most requested item…and it makes perfect sense. It’s always handy to have extra sheets of paper for those extra layouts, customized elements, altered projects, etc. This set gives you 8 sheets, 2 of each included in the kit!
Below are just two samples provided by Memory Works {disclaimer: I did NOT design these pages; they’re from the Simple Stories blog}. Anyhoo, it gives you an idea of how great your pages can look with this kit and how easy they are to do … There are more photos and ideas on the Simple Stories blog.
Please check out the SIMPLE STORIES BLOG all this week as they show a new idea every day to help you get the most from this amazing kit. They got a bit of a head start HERE. Also, if you’re a fan of STACY JULIAN and her LIBRARY OF MEMORIES method of scrapbooking, you’ll want to check out that post, too. Memory Works owner Amber shows how she has used Stacy’s “School of Life” method to start an album for her child that will run from Preschool through Senior year, in an easy and manageable way. SIMPLE.
One little tidbit I picked up by reading through all of the Simple Stories blog sneak peeks was this:
… I think you’ll be excited about our FREE downloadable elements (coming soon) that will help you identify school years throughout your album!
Awesome! So glad to hear that, just like with the Life Documented line, ele.ment.ary will include some digital downloads. They’re so great because you can make as many as your heart desires, and cut out or punch them out in whatever size or shape you like.
Here’s what the actual “ele.ment.ary” kit package looks like, and what exactly you get in it:
The kit will sell for $16.99. Any add-ons, albums, or pages will need to be purchased separately.
As I said, as soon as I confirm prices for all the Add-Ons, I will begin taking pre-orders on the “ele.ment.ary” kit, et al. Please watch my blog for news on pre-orders and/or e-mail me and I’ll contact you when pre-orders begin: scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.
One last thing from the Simple Stories blog:
We printed only half as many kits as we did with our first Life Documented release – so if you love this collection and don’t want to miss out be sure to snatch it when you can…just in case!
SO!
What do you think of Simple Stories “ele.ment.ary” by Memory Works? Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or e-mail me with any questions =)
So the latest scrapbooking industry news is thatAMERICAN CRAFTS purchased PEBBLES INC.! You can read about it HERE on the Pebbles Inc. blog and HERE is a link to the announcement on the American Crafts BLOG. Here is an excerpt from the AC blog entry:
——– We’re excited to announce the acquisition of Pebbles, an amazing scrapbooking brand that we’re certain will be a great compliment to the American Crafts product lines. Pebbles will remain a separate brand under the American Crafts umbrella. We will continue to offer their current products and plan to introduce new products over time. And the core of Pebbles design team will join us to ensure a continuation of their fun, fresh style.
Pebbles was created in 2001 as an extension of the Pebbles in my Pocket retail stores that are located in Utah. They make simple, cute, and easy-to-use products, including patterned paper, craft chalk and stencils, decorative Chips chipboard shapes, self-adhesive Candy Dots, themed die cuts, ribbon and more.
——-
This sounds like a good fit to me. Their product styles are very similar – think bright, cheerful, fun, and the opposite of shabby chic. I wish both companies luck for a smooth transition and much success in the future :)
Speaking of cheerful and fun, did you know Stacy Julian has a new WEBSITE?!? She re-named her blog from “Altogether Too Happy,” (which I’ve always loved because of the little story that goes with it), to “Playful. Productive. Present.” The new website also has her personal music playlists, her teaching/speaking schedule, something neat called “Sprinkles,” an A to Z list of her favorite products, etc. It’s really fun and colorful, just like Stacy herself. You really should check it out :)
If you’re wondering if I got the SHELF, I won’t know until this Sunday. The lady who’s selling it on Craigslist lives about 50 minutes from me. It happens that I’m going to her town on Sunday for an event, so if she still has the stamp shelf by then, I’ll buy it! I’ve just decided that if it’s meant to be mine, it will be. If not, I’ll know it made some other stamper or scrapper as happy as it would’ve made me :)
My-favorite-band-of-all-time-ever-since-I-was little ~JOURNEY~ was supposed to be on OPRAH today. The theme of the show was to be “Don’t Stop Believin;” with the band performing that song. I think the focus was to be the inspiring story of their “new” lead singer, Arnel Pineda. {Some of the Peas have no love for Journey without Steve Perry, and have dubbed the current version, “(un)Journey” LOL! However, my motto is, “Journey without Steve is better than no Journey at all.”} Anyhow, Journey was rescheduled for next week (Oct. 5) and the rumor is that it was because Oprah had more Olympics stuff to do. I mean, really, Oprah??? I love ya, but you need to get your priorities straight. Olympics more important than JOURNEY???? Pish. I’ve lost loads of respect for you, girlfriend…. Oh, and Chicago did NOT get the Olympics after all. Coincidence? I THINK NOT.
Speaking of Journey, this is interesting….Thursday night at the Farmer’s Market in a California town, there was a FLASH MOB of people walking through the streets singing, you guessed it, “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The story is HERE. Super cool. I keep hearing that song on my favorite new show, GLEE, too. It’s all making this Journey Girl very, very happy :)
I’m hoping to get more work done on my scrapbook room MAKEOVER this weekend. We’ll be running around all weekend, and I need to work some overtime at some point, but I really need to get back in there and make some progress! Thanks for all the great comments, questions, and encouragement you’ve been leaving for me. I’ll try to do a post answering questions soon. Do you have any scrapbooking plans this weekend?
As I talked about HERE, I was contacted by WeTV to participate in a conference call with none other than Troy Dunn from their fabulous show, “The Locator.” I’d written about the show on my blog in the past HERE and HERE because I love it so very much. I thought it was so cool that not only did Troy come and leave a comment on my blog, but his mom (you see her on the show, too) did as well. One of the coolest things is that they sent me the link to a sneak preview of the new season of The Locator that only a special, select few IN THA WORLD get to see. Well, I don’t know that for a fact, but to make my ego supersized, let’s just assume that’s true. C’mon, play along with me….
They also sent me this picture to use in my article, which is from the new season and has NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE on the face of the earth. Exclusive to ME!! Bwahahaha. Okay, I’m totally lying again. I’m apparently at an insecure mood at this point in time and have a need to feel important and much, much better than you. I promise, I’ll get over it. But cool photo, right?
Did you know that one of Troy’s sons (Treston; LOVE that name!) keeps a family blog? Why don’t you go say “hi” right here to THE DUNN FAMILY.
Anyway, the date and time to speak with him finally arrived, which was September 3rd at 8am my time. That worked out well because, even though that’s a work day for me, I start at 8:30 (and I work from home as a medical transcriber so it’s a short commute). I told the gal who was coordinating everything – Katrina from WeTV – and she allowed me to ask my questions first in case I had to cut out early.
The two other bloggers who were also on the conference call with Troy (yeah, I get to call him that, ‘cuz we TALKED, you know?) were Gina from the THE CLAN McCLEOD blog, and Jill from the OKLA-HOME blog. Go check them out…both are really great blogs.
So, back to the call…Troy came on the line and everyone said good morning and where they’re from. I was able to go first and started off by reminding Troy that I was the one who had blogged that he’s a hottie. Again, like the comment he left on that post, Troy (or, as I sometimes call my new BFF, “T.”) was very modest and we joked about things like that scoring points with his wife.
My first question was: You talked in the comment you left (on my blog) about scrapbooking and the role it plays on your show. Can you please talk about that some more?
He said that scrapbooking is very much a part of The Locator. One thing is that many times, people who participate in the show immediately scrapbook their experience. He says that by what his show does, they allow people to have another 10 or 20 years of their lives to make the memories to fill up more scrapbooks. T. also said that his family has scrapbookers and they give and receive them for gifts. On his coffee table near him while we spoke, was a scrapbook that a fan sent him, all made up to honor the show, The Locator. The person had taken photos from the show, newspaper clippings, and letters from the website. {This reminded me of the album – or is it albumSSS – made by my Scrap Pal, Gay to honor her fascination with….er, lust for….I mean, um, admiration of the acting abilities of Gerard Butler. But that’s a whole ‘nother story I can’t get into right now}. Anyway, so then Troy said, “I have nothing but love and respect for scrapbooks and if I can help people fill the pages of them, fill their lives, then I’m totally jazzed about that.” See, not only handsome, but wicked smaht.
Then he said that he keeps waiting for a scrapbooking company to contact him, that he’d love to do a whole “Locator” scrapbooking line. I joked that maybe I should put some bugs in some ears in this industry about this great idea. As it happens, I’m having lunch later this week with STACY JULIAN, KELLY GOREE, CATHY Z, and LISA BEARNSON, so I’ll probably bring it up then. Nah, you know I don’t really know those ladies. Well, unless you count years upon years of drooling over their work in magazines and stalking….erm, I mean… leaving (perfectly harmless) comments on their blogs as being friends. Because I do. I consider them my friends.
My second question was about photographs, and how important those are in our lives; his thoughts on that, maybe reactions he’d seen from people he reunited when either they were shown photos of themselves they hadn’t known existed, or the opposite, when no photos exist and how that impacts them. (Crikes, didn’t realize what a long-winded question that was til I had to type it out and got a case of carpal tunnel while doing so… Sheesh, Erika, brief much?).
This was one of my favorite parts. Troy said that one of the greatest myths about photographs is that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” He said that a picture is worth a million words. He said photos are so extraordinary because of how close they come to “bringing a real person to somebody.” He said he often gets the same reaction from showing someone a photo of their long lost loved one, as he does from showing them the actual person. I find that amazing and, yet, totally relatable and I’ve seen it many times on the show, the profound reaction people have when seeing a photo of their loved one for the first time. The other amazing thing Troy had to say about photos is they he tries to never go into a reuniting situation without one because they make great transitional objects. We talked about how, for instance, a mom who hasn’t seen her missing son since he was four months old. In her heart and head, she may largely picture her son today as still being that four-month-old little baby. What a shock it could be if she first laid eyes on him again as an adult now. So by exposing her to current photos of him beforehand, she can start transitioning herself mentally into “This is what he looks like now.” He compared it to a situation in his own life, and a daughter (one of his SEVEN children with his wife) who battled cancer. Friends that hadn’t seen her in a while would’ve been quite shocked to then see her bald, so he used photos as a kind of transition so they could wrap their brains around how she looked currently, instead of revealing a shock or a sadness upon actually laying eyes on her. As I told Troy, I’d never thought of photos as that “transitional object,” but how very true and powerful that is, don’t you think?
So, those were my two main questions. Troy next answered questions from Gina and Jill, which were great to listen to. I know Jill has blogged about her experience speaking with Troy on her blog listed above, and I hope Dena will post about her take, also.
Then we got to ask a third question, since there was still time, and I asked him a question that had been posed by one of my kids when they found out I would be talking to Troy. {The Locator is a wonderful family show and I watch it often with my kids, so they’re Troy Fans also}. The question was about all the travel he does for the show, does he like it or not? Troy’s answer was what you’d expect from the true family man that he is….that while he’d gotten to go places he’d never have gone otherwise, that nothing was better than being home with his family. Shoot, with a wife and seven kids, imagine how many events you could miss in just a few days, LOL!. He talked about the toll that reality shows seem to be taking on the families who participate in them lately, and how family must remain the priority above all else. We also learned some “show secrets” such as the getaway car, and Troy’s favorite getaway meal. You know, things Troy only tells his “good friends,” of which I am clearly one. {Ahem}.
So that was my wonderful experience talking to Troy. He said if I contacted his staff, he would send a photo to my kids and I’m still working on arranging that. Sorry this is so long, but I had to capture all the details while they were fresh in my mind ‘cuz you know I’ll be making this blog entry into the journaling for my scrapbook layout, of course. Now, if only I could find some Locator-themed scrapbooking elements to jazz up my page, I’d be in business. Lisa??? Kelly???
PS: A reminder that the new season of THE LOCATOR starts soon! Put it on your calendar or set your DVR now...This Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 9pm PST (check listings for your own time zone).
Yes, the sad news is true: Simple Scrapbooks magazine is coming to an end. This is one time when I hate it that I’m RIGHT. First, the end of the digital scrapbooking mag and now this. If you don’t have time to read the articles and blog posts about this, here are the finer points:
~ Last Simple Scrapbooks issue will be May/June 2009
~ Economic decision, lack of advertising to keep both CK and SS afloat
~ SS will be somewhat folded into CK, whether as a separate section or ideas throughout is unknown at this time
~ Some of our favorite people will be included, like Cathy Z., Stacy, etc.
~ If you have any of your Simple subscription remaining after the May/June 09 issue, your subscription will be transferred and/or added to your CK subscription
Here is what the Simple gals are saying (click on their name to see their blog post about the issue):
The official ANNOUNCEMENT by Lin Sorenson, VP/Editorial Director, CK Media
Like many of you, I am very sad about this. I’ve read every single issue of Simple Scrapbooks magazine since I discovered it years ago. I loved all of the practical, common sense approaches, and ideas it gave this busy mom who tries to sneak in some scrapbooking on the side. The “personalities” it brought to my life, most notably Cathy Zielske and Stacy Julian, are very special to me and I hope we truly do see lots of them in CK. I hope they continue to blog about scrapbooking as they do now, so we can see their projects and what they’re up to. The “simple” style gives balance to the embellishment-crazy style on the other end of the spectrum and I, for one, will really miss seeing it in it’s own magazine. Best of luck and my prayers to all you Simple ladies as you transition to the new stage in your lives!
I guess I heard about this a while back, but it didn’t really register in my scrapbrain because I wasn’t looking for any particular publication at the time. But now it has really hit me….You can’t use your Mike’s COUPON on books and magazines anymore. WTF?
Prediction: This will put a big hurt on the sales of scrapbooking idea books and magazines. A great number of us have been using our Mike’s coupons for years to purchase them at a price we can afford. And like I said HERE, I make a special trip to Mike’s when I hear that a new scrap mag issue or book has come out. While I’m there I always hit the scrapbooking aisle to grab 1 item…or 10. So, not only did they just lose my book/magazine purchase, but they lost all my extra trips into their store where I purchased other items every.single.time. Dumb, PEOPLE, just dumb. I have it on good authority {okay, it’s just the 2peas girlz, but pretend I have really good, TMZ-type underground connections}, that there is a rather large mark-up on books and magazines. So even if they’re selling them to us at 40% or 50% off with our coupons, they’re still making money. C’mon, Michaels, drop the stupid “no publications” policy. Just say “no returns” on the coupon instead (so we can’t color copy our favorite pages, then return them to the store for a refund) and everyone is happy.
God, who runs these companies anyway? I need a promotion. If ScrapbookObsession ran the world, it would be a MUCH better place, don’t you think? Let’s seeeeee….I would make EILEEN my Vice President because she is a rockin’ scrapper and appreciates fine MUSIC. I would make ALI EDWARDS my Secretary of State, because that chick could sell grungeboard to TIM HOLTZ. Anything she says or does….sells HUGE. Um, I would make KRISTINA CONTES my Chief of Staff because she takes shit from no one. It gets rowdy up in the hizzy sometimes, so I need someone with her huevos. And I would appoint STACY JULIAN as the Foreign Ambassador of Scrapbooking because she’s Altogether Too Happy; her sunny smile and cute shoes would spread the scrapbook joy across the world in record time. Yep, that’s a winning ticket!
{YES. It’s Friday night. NO. I have
not
been drinking}.
What do you think…no, not about my Presidential cabinet, silly! About the stinky new Mike’s policy?
I picked up Photo Freedom by Stacy Julian on Thursday with a 40% off coupon at my local craft store, BEVERLY’s.
I’ve been interested in reading both of Stacy’s photo organization books because, as I’ve talked about HERE, I’m in a constant struggle with how to best organize my photos. I wish I could’ve found her first book ~ The Big Picture: Scrapbook Your Life ~ and read it first.
But…que sera, I found Photo Freedom first and wasn’t going to pass it up. I’ve heard so much discussion about these books and her non-traditional approach to photo organization, that I grabbed the book when I saw it, LOL!
I went into reading it knowing I probably wouldn’t agree with much of what she advocates. Yes, I’m a chronological scrapper. Not in the sense that I use strap-hinge albums and MUST scrap in order since pages aren’t moveable, but in the sense that I use post albums with drop in pages but I keep my albums in chronological order. I’ve converted most of my albums to this cool SNAP LOAD system by Pioneer, so I can add and move pages as quickly as can those braggy 3-ring-album girls! {And my 2-page layouts aren’t split in the middle with 3-rings…to quote Stacy herself…”So there!”).
I’ve admitted before to being somewhat….er, um….extremely anal in most aspects of my life. {All those years I worked as a governmental budget and program analyst, I told people ‘I put the ANAL in ANALyst.’}. So, nope, even Miss STACEY JULIAN isn’t going to convince me to scrap out of order or to slap photos from different events onto one page. Maybe once in a while on a tribute page or something, but not as regular practice. But I’ve also always believed that you have to look at all sides of a story, to be willing to research other options, before you give a firm NO. Hence, me seeking out Stacey’s photo organization books.
I’m about halfway through Photo Freedom now and here’s where I stand so far. 1. Nope, I’m staying with chronological scrapping and, therefore, I don’t see myself putting all of her ideas into practice. 2. Her system is intense! But I mean that in a good way. She has really thought it all through, has found the best storage items (and suggested alternates to the reader) for each component of her system, and she obviously walks the walk, i.e. really USES her system. 3. I agree with her that ‘the kids aren’t walking out of here someday with all my albums,’ so she has a School of Life album for each child that they can abscond with someday. It’s a good compromise. 4. I love how, when she set up her system, she ‘pre-flighted’ tabs, boxes and such for upcoming months/years. You think ‘that time’ will never come, but then it’s actually here and you’re not prepared, have nowhere to sort your photos and memorabilia, and so it just stacks up. I’m with Stacy…pre-label your shizzle! 5. I love the way she does her school files for each child and will probably implement that idea (sorry, you have to read the book to see what I’m talking about).
So there’s my review so far. I’ll probably finish the book this weekend and will post more thoughts if I remember to (remember….ooh, look, sparklies….I’m easily distracted).
Do you have either of these books? What did you think? Have you implemented her system or any of her ideas? Are your photos organized and how? I want to know it all! Feel free to link to a blog post of yours if you’ve outlined your system on your blog already…
Please see THIS POST (or just look right below this post) for the news that broke yesterday. Just wanted to direct you again to STACY’s BLOG, as she has now posted about these events. And also back to the SIMPLE SCRAPBOOKS blog, as their editor, Jennafer Martin, left a nice post today (again, undated, and there is no direct link…so if you click my link, it will take you to the blog but not directly to the post…grrr…). There are also links to blogs with “Stacy” posts, and they announced the winner to the daily contest from yesterday.
From the Simple Scrapbooks BLOG today (? … I guess…it’s not dated…)
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Oh the Places You’ll Go! Well, we can’t keep Stacy to ourselves anymore! She’s got so many exciting new opportunities coming her way (on top of a schedule only Superwoman herself could manage) that she’s decided she needs to lighten her load here at Simple Scrapbooks magazine. Stacy is a true entrepreneur, a big-picture thinker (pun intended!), a creative machine, and a scrapbook ambassador. And it’s only going to get bigger and better from here. We are so happy for Stacy–she’s following her heart, and we have no doubt that great things will come out of this move. We can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
While Stacy will be less involved in the day-to-day runnings of the magazine, we will insist on publishing her projects whenever possible. And her original vision will continue to guide this magazine, as it has from day one. Stacy will always love Simple, and Simple will always love Stacy. We’re certainly going to be keeping tabs on her, and looking for opportunities to grow and evolve the scrapbook industry together!
You can look forward to your regular dose of Stacy in the next FOUR upcoming issues: May/June, July/August, September/October, and our Mini Albums in an Evening special issue, on sale in July. In the meantime, please join us in celebrating Stacy as we kick off the first-ever Stacy Julian Appreciation Week! Want to join in the festivities? Here’s what you do:
1. Call. We’ve set up a special toll-free number that you can call for the next 30 days and leave Stacy a voicemail! How cool is that? Call 1-888-HUG-STACY to share your thoughts. (note: that cool vanity number won’t be live until Monday AFTERNOON. In them meantime, you can leave your message at 877-809-8041.)
2. Comment. Leave a comment on THIS blog to let Stacy know how much her work has meant to you. We’ll pick one random commenter EVERY DAY this week to win a copy of Stacy’s new book, Photo Freedom. {NOTE: Leave a comment on the SIMPLE SCRAPBOOKS blog, NOT Scrapbook Obsession. I’m sure Stacey does not read my blog, nor will I be handing out books for free, LOL!}
3. Browse. Check out what Stacy has to say on her blog, and please leave her some happy mail there as well. Then visit Wendy’s blog and Cathy’s blog for more Stacy tributes (one done in video form!).
4. Check Back. We’ve got guest bloggers showing up all week long, so check back every day for news and updates. (Our Editor in Chief Jennafer Martin is on deck for tomorrow.)
A Note from Angie to Stacy:
Stacy, this is my favorite picture of you. It reminds me what a cheerleader you’ve always been to me personally and to the readers we all care so much about. I really mean this: I scrapbook today because your philosophy rescued me. I was overwhelmed by my pictures. I felt behind. I had given up. But your Simple Scrapbooks vision got me back in the game. And for that I will always be grateful. Thank you for the inspiration, the motivation, and the SmartCookies you brought to our meeting last week. Also, thank you for publicly admitting that you are a nose picker, which inspired me to come out of the closet with my nose picking ways. Booger Busters unite! (Not sure if you wanted it to be THIS public, but there it is.) [Um, yes Angie, that was way TMI!]
p.s. We’re also sending Stacy a different present every day this week. Once I know she has received today’s present, I’ll let you know what it was!
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The post above says to keep checking blogs from Stacey, Wendy and Cathy so here are the links if you’re interested.
Nothing on Stacy Julian’s BLOG yet but I’ll keep checking.
CONGRATS to Stacy Julian! It sounds like we’ll still be seeing her in the scrapbook world, just extending beyond SIMPLE SCRAPBOOKS magazine. I’m assuming the BIG PICTURE SCRAPBOOKING andBOOK WRITING PROJECTS are going so well, that’s where we’ll find her. But with Stacey, you never know. I hear she has boundless amounts of energy so perhaps we’ll see her in other places as well. I look forward to seeing what Stacy has in store for us.
I hope you enjoy participating in the contest on the SS blog, and that you leave a note of appreciation for Stacey somewhere. I think she deserves to know how much she means to all us scrappers.
