Do you live in stages?

Seems like I scrap/stamp in stages and post in stages. Why is that? I look through my inspirational sites almost daily and I feel inspired inside of me. Then, when I finally get upstairs in my studio to create (house cleaning done, weekend day free to myself, homework/grading done, not too tired, gym workout completed, and all the other demands on life) I frequently sit at my table jumbled, confused, and not liking what I have in front of me; nothing on the outside of me. I laugh at myself. I have too many stamp sets I haven't used and I want to use them all, then can't decide which one will look right on the project; I have too many colors to choose from and can't decide which ones to use with which papers and whether to use B&T or cardstock; I have too many embellishments and none of them is ever the right size or style (beside, if I use one now, I might NEED it for another project and then I won't be able to replace it because it's retired.....Is that called hording); I can't decide what design to use for the card or the layout that fits the stamp set I've chosen for the theme or size of the project; there are too many techniques I want to try and often they just don't "fit" the project I'm trying to do...

The list goes on and on and so I don't ever seem to get much done. I wonder if I'm over whelmed or don't get up to my studio enough to really use everything a little bit and if I just don't have my own sense of style that lets me create quickly and efficiently.

I wish I knew. I wish I had two or three days at a time to create. Just 3-4 hours every other week or even every weekend just aren't enough. I always feel guilty and selfish when I do stake out time for myself in my studio, anyway, even without a family to manage. Though, it does seem once in a while I do get things "flowing" and I can come up with a couple of things that I like. Why can't I just keep them coming and why can't it be every time?????

Ideas and suggestions appreciated.

Done!!!

Well, five coats of paint and three days later, I finished my one wall and the space over the mantle, finally. I have decided I am not a patient project person. I am used to taking on a project and finishing it in a day. In the past I completely prepped, painted, cleaned up, and resettled a a large room in one day. These three day thing with the furniture all pulled to the middle of the room and everything covered in slippery, crinkly loud plastic is the pits! But, it's done and I am just LOVING this new red painted wall. It' warm, dramatically bold, classy, clean, and well, just me. Here's a look. I took pictures both during the day and at night with the lights on. Looks good all the time!

Evening and daylight in the dining room:




Wall over the fireplace evening and daylight:

He's a Keeper!

I was really, really bummed about the camera. Michael and I researched on the internet for a new one and concluded that I'd just get another Canon Power Shot since I still had a battery, small memory card, and all the cords for the old one and could use them on any Power Shot. We agreed to go to Costco together since there was a deal on the SE850 (one step up from my lost camera, but neither are manufactured any longer) that included a printer. I was also going to look at the newest SD890 but I wondered whether I really needed the few new features for the extra cost of the latest model. I felt better knowing I had a plan but I still felt funny just not having a camera around. I was surprised how much having one was part of my life, sort of like a car. LOL I also found that there is a scrapping store about 10 miles away! Yeah!!!! I got up yesterday, went browsing through the scrapbooking store figuring I'd stop by the grocery store to pick up peaches for a pie for Micheal, lure him over for the night, and then we'd go to Costco together today to compare shop. Nothing captured my attention at the scrapping store; I kept thinking I needed to use what more of the stash already in my craft room and I had lots of stuff that could produce the "trendy" looks I saw in the store. I called Michael from the grocery store to try to bribe him with the pie. He was weirdly untalkative and would not commit to coming over. Oh well, I bought peaches anyway and drove home thinking about the layout currently in progress in my craft room. I opened the door to my condo and there was a big box with a printer and camera in it from Michael. I was so touched, I literally had tears in my eyes. I tried calling him right away but wouldn't you know it, he didn't answer the phone. Now that is agony! But, eventually, he did come over and he did get his peach pie. My new camera and printer are now ready to go! What a sweetie and certainly a keeper Michael is! I find myself wondering about the women in his life before me who let such a gem go......

I am thinking I need to take pictures of that peach pie I made before it's all gone. LOL Would I scrap it? What theme and journaling would I use.......always on to the next layout, huh?

Vacation!!!

We're off to the wedding today. Michael's son David is riding over to Vashon Island with us and then we hope to get a nice pizza after at Boston's. Then tonight, back home to pack for our trip to Walla Walla and wine country! We're going to be staying in Walla Walla for three nights, touring the historical town, visiting wineries, marveling at the different scenery of eastern Washington, hopefully getting in a visit with Paul in Cheney, and enjoying each other's company. I'm taking my computer but won't be on much. Hope too much doesn't happen I can't catch up when I get home! :)

Cape Flattery Layout

I'm back from my son's grandmother-in-law funeral. I took lots of pictures but I haven't sorted or organized them, yet. Before I left yesterday, I did finish a layout of our Cape Flattery Road Trip. I also used another of Marjorie's color challenges: # 11: Heavenly Blue, Sweet Leaf, Buttercup, Chocolate. I actually finished this layout in a day, which is amazing for me. I don't know how others do it so fast. I don't think this layout is particularly elaborate and not even as fancy as others who do it a lot faster. Oh well, I do have fun and I feel satisfied and usually very good after I finish a layout. So, here it is:

Left side:


Right side:


I just noticed, I didn't even use some of what I thought were the most beautiful pictures. I like to scrap people more than beautiful photography, though.

New Improved!

I finished my layout of my 51st birthday dinner with Michael. I chose to use Floral Tapestry, which I found really, really hard to work with!!!! Here's how I ended up:

Taxes!!!

This year's taxes have been an up and down whirl wind ride! First I owed over $8K and spent a sleepless night frantically trying to figure out how to rearrange my budget, finances, and investments. I figured I'd sell my car (prompting Michael to say, "But you love that car!"). I started wondering what things I store in my garage I could sell and where, eBay? I told myself I would not look at the return again for 24 hours and just think. I went to the gym and worked out harder than I think I've worked out in months, well at least since the Chilly Hilly. Then at school I stayed and applied my energy into setting up the next week and a half of the chemistry unit planned for my third graders. Finally, I headed to Michael's with the plan to plug in all my figures into his tax program. Then, I got to thinking. I owe between $10 and $12K every year depending deductions and I thought geeze, they take so much out of my paycheck, how can I owe that much in taxes, after monthly deductions. So I pulled out my W-2 and checked the amount of taxes I paid in 2007 and there was my mistake! I had entered $10K less in the return than I paid and suddenly my bottom line was a refund!!! Yeah! I have now learned to take a beak from projects. :) Michael would say I should have learned some other things, as well.

Anyway, now, I feel like scrapping and stitching, again. AND I'm off to the Semiahoo Resort for the weekend with Michael. The weather should be fabulous with temperatures expected to be in the mid to high 60's on the coast and even 70's inland! I'm looking forward to walks on the beach, working out, relaxing, and spending time with my sweetie. And, yes, I'll try to remember to take pictures.