anything but ordinary

new stuff?

I'm stuck here at the office, blogging away. Thinking about what I'd rather be doing right now. Surprisingly, I'd rather be home, unpacking. I know, weird, huh? But actually...let me clarify... I want to be unpacking and organizing my scrapbook stuff. See, now that we have a loft, I can set it up as an actual FUNCTIONAL space. Tony has given me "permission" to set up my crafting space, as long as I make it look nice (and make sure to leave room for some of his own toys, as well...)

Oh, the possibilities. I'm finding LOTS of inspiration on the internet. My most recent obsession is THIS:

 This is the clip-it-up from Simply Renee. Isn't it spectacular??? This is actually just the base unit. There is an addition you can get for the top, to hang smaller items, too. I've seen this around in stores, and had always thought it was pretty neat, but wasn't sure how I would put it to use. Then I saw this blog today, where it was mentioned (and even decorated). And I started thinking about how I really really REALLY needed to get some new kind of organizational system in place for my stickers and rub-ons (since the pockets I keep them in now are literally bursting at the seams).

Pros: I could actually SEE my items to work with, and wouldn't have to spend ages and ages digging thru stuff to find the perfect sticker or rub-on. And there are tabs, so my stuff could still be categorized. Also, clean-up would be a snap! No more piling my stuff up until I get around to cleaning it.

Cons: It's pretty big. 18" tall and 12" wide, to be exact. I have a shelving unit from Ikea that I use, and this behemoth would only fit on the top shelf, reaching toward the ceiling. So, I'm afraid that it would just look like clutter, out there like that. And then there's the price. If you go directly to the site, it's sold for about $60, plus s&h.

But then, in my quest, I found it on sale here, for $42 and only $5.99 s&h. So now I am fighting the urge to just BUY it NOW and figure out where it goes LATER. We'll see how long that argument with myself lasts...I might have ordered this by the end of the day. We'll see...

ON ANOTHER NOTE...

Things have been pretty quiet here at work, and I've had plenty of time to do some websurfing... here are just a couple of the fantastic places I've discovered recently. You'll probably see them added to my "community page" (in my sidebar) soon.

Outta This Funk: this blog is really great for inspirational projects. It's all hands-on stuff, to get your mojo flowing again.

What is Blik?: this is a really cool site for the commitment-phobes (or people who RENT) who want to decorate their home, but don't want it to be a permanent thing. Lots of stylish wall decals. And they create custom designs, so I might get in on a piece of that action.

Okay, I think that's all for now. Cross your fingers I get to leave here early today, so i can get home and start setting stuff up! Woo-hoo!!!

sneak peek...

So, I'm super excited! Here is a peek at what I've been working on lately:

These are pendants I have put together using scrabble tiles and scrapbook paper. I will be selling them in my Etsy store soon. Keep watching, because I will also be giving away a BUNCH of them for FREE!

cross your fingers...

I just submitted my stuff to Use Your Stash, to try and become one of that blog's Design Team Members. So...keep your fingers crossed.

Never heard of Use Your Stash? It's a cute little blog, designed to inspire you to use the supplies you already have in stock (so you can clear room to buy more goodies soon). I thought it's a really great idea, and would just like to be a part of it.

And even if I don't become a Design Team Member, at least I have a new blog to stalk...

you are simply utilizing the gas in your car...

I like this excuse, which was offered by the sales person at my local scrapbook store (The Scrapbook Oasis), when I "complained" that I had spent too much...again. I had actually gone in there on my lunch break today with the intention of ONLY buying a few pieces of paper for my newest project. We all know how that goes...

Over $35 later I have 2 full bags of brand-new supplies. woo-hoo! All set for my new creations, which began last night. I'll give you a sneak-peek as soon as I can...

Just a head's up...keep watching this blog. There will be a BIG giveaway soon...

itching to create...

Life is finally starting to get back to normal, now that all the wedding "hoopla" is over. Just one more hurdle to jump; moving to a new place. While I'm NOT enjoying the packing process, I'm looking forward (somewhat) to unpacking our stuff in a brand new place. Yes, it can be tedious. But it's also an easy way to create what will become our home.  Rather than simply clean and de-clutter, we get a chance to start from scratch. Whcih means that we get to design our space as we organize our stuff.

I am especially excited because our condo has a loft. Yes, this will probably once again double as a closet. However, I get to carve out a niche (or a wall, as the case may be) for my craft supplies. I LOVE this process. I promise (to try my best) to organize my supplies so they are readily available for my use, and incredibly easy to get to.

You see, for the longest time I sinply couldn't even GET To my supplies. There was just so much other stuff in the way... too much junk piled up so I could barely see my supplies. And then, with all the wedding planning, I didn't have much time to spare to dig through it all and try to get it in order. So, I simply set it all aside for the time being.

But I miss the crafting process. So now, it all comes to me in a flood. I have sketches of layouts; lists and lists of projects I want to complete. Personal stuff for me, and stuff I want to put into my etsy store. I am gathering supplies and project ideas. And I am READY to let it all flow...

Stay tuned, to see what comes soon.

Ladybugs available at cafepress.com

I added a few new items to my cafepress shop, up at www.cafepress.com/chelbug. And I will be adding even more in the next week or so...

Also, if you like one of my designs but want to see it on an item not currently offered in my store, just let me know and I would be happy to add it for you! Since I am only operating a "free" store at the moment, I am restricted by only being able to place one of each type of item in my store at a time. Which means I can only display ONE design on each type of shirt, etc. Big bummer, but I can easily modify things quickly enough to make what YOU want available. So, don't be afraid to ask!!!

In any case, my most recent design offered is this ladybug, available on several items besides the ones pictured here. Please pop on over to the site and see for yourself!

 

inspiration strikes...

just when i thought i was "stuck"...inspiration to create struck me. it was an in-depth conversation i held with my fiance. we've all been there...it's a bit scary, but necessary. we try to avoid those dreaded words "we need to talk"...but sometimes the outcome brings us closer than we were before. heading toward the beginning of our marriage, we have been having more and more discussions of this kind.

so...i was ready to scrap. just to remember the moment and some of the words that were said. i didn't have any pictures that expressed what i wanted, so i used simple embellishments instead. pretty much nothing but words on this layout,which i feel was effective in conveying the message of the "talk."

digi creation

I've been in a slump lately. Scrapper's block. Feeling stunted. I have the desire to create, but my mojo feels blocked. I have several works-in-progress, but didn't feel inspired to complete them.

I gather my supplies, sit down to work, realize I'm missing something I need...get up, search for it, surround myself with MORE stuff... and by the time I'm ready to start I just feel like I'm sitting in the middle of a big MESS. My creativity feels blocked when things get to this point.

I know, I know...I need to organize my supplies in a better way. I need to clean the house so I can GET to my supplies. Both of those things are on my ever-growing "to-do" list. But in the meantime, I still need to create.

So, I improvised. When writers get writer's block, they are told to just keep writing. About anything. So, as a scrapper, I did the same thing.

The digital format is a wonderful thing when it comes to situations like this. I was able to "grab" a recent photo, "grab" a digital kit (free kit download from Creating Keepakes several months ago, if anyone was wondering) and just GO.

It didn't come out quite as I had originally pictured, and I had to walk away from it at one point. But I just DID it. I let it go. It's not complex, but it's nice.

And I feel better for having finally finished a creation. Here it is:

 

on the backburner...

Well, it's official and has been for a while now. After much discussion, Tony and I have decided to put our fledgling business (Thunkitup Creations) on hold for the moment.  We are really REALLY looking forward to launching our business, but feel it best to wait until we can give it our full attention and start off as strong as possible. So, there will be no CHA Winter for us this year. Hopefully, we will be debuting our scrapbooking products at the  expo in 2009. 

There are just way too many life events happening in 2008, that we needed to alleviate the stress where we could. Between planning a wedding, moving (and maybe even buying a house), and Tony possibly switching jobs, we felt like starting up our business was just a weee bit too much to take on at this time.

But don't worry. We will be launching the business as soon as we can. We have lots of designs finalized that we will be opening with.

And in the meantime, I am still creating my own smaller products that are for sale...I have to do this kind of thing to keep me sane. I NEED to create. Check out my personal stores:

www.chelbug.etsy.com
www.cafepress.com/chelbug

officially open for business!!!

I have opened a cafepress shop of my own, which you can visit by clicking on www.cafepress.com/chelbug. Although I only have one design created so far, it is available on several items. And I will be updating this shop over the next few days, to add a few more products and designs. Come show your support!!!

custom creations

So, if you haven't seen it yet, please swing by my new etsy shop...I have added a few new items: www.chelbug.etsy.com

I am excited! I haven't created a made-to-order album in quite some time...I am meeting with someone in a couple days to start a new album for her. She wants a custom scrapbook album of she and her boyfriend, to give to him as a Christmas gift. This should be fun!

I have an etsy shop!!!

So, I finally decided to open my own etsy shop!!! there's not much in it yet...just a few items to begin with. But i decided it was now or never. These items have been sitting in my house for over a year now, and I finally decided it was time to try a new avenue to sell them. SO, here's to trying new things... wish me luck, and visit my store! Edited: oops...i forgot to include a link to my store!!! here it is: www.chelbug.etsy.com

here are a few images of the items up for sale right now:

new project...finally!

i haven't scrapbooked in quite some time now. felt like my mojo has been in hiding. nothing like a last-minute idea to get the juices flowing, right? i totally forgot that there is this wedding shower i am attending tomorrow...the perfect time to present a scrapbook! so, with time constraints fully in place, i am preparing to scrap tonight...to put together a quick album for the couple so that they just add their photos and notes/journaling and voila! done! (wish me luck...) i'll post pictures when it's all done.

remember this moment...

so, i had the house to myself one night last weekend. and i felt like being creative. usually i put on the tv and work in front of it, but a few days ago i was stuck by the inspiration bug, and just wanted to lose myself in the moment. all of my scrapbooking supplies are in the 2nd bedroom (known at this point as the "large closet"), so, rather than sort thru what i needed and drag it into the living room, i set up camp on the floor of that room. (i still had a mess from my last creation a week ago...see my NEXT post...so it wasn't a big deal to simply ADD to the mess...) i put on some cds that made me nostalgic, like "color me badd" (no laughing...okay, maybe a little bit) and "dave matthews band." and i grabbed a mini-bottle of wine...just cuz i could.

i was going to work on a project that i didn't get to finish from CKU, but just wasn't "feeling it"... i felt like i needed to start something from scratch. so, instead, i did a simple layout about a moment from that weekend, anyways. nothing bit, just a simple moment in time, but something that i really wanted to remember. so i got to "work" on it...here is what the journaling says:

"Sitting in Starbucks at the Anaheim Marriott, before Ali Edward's album class at CKU. Anticipation and excitement building but trying to relax. Dunking an orange-cranberry scone into my white chocolate mocha drink (with whipped cream). Tapping my toes to the classic jazz playing (Sinatra?) and reading the last Harry Potter book. THIS is contentment."

And here is my layout:

 

first apartment

this is the first layout i've completed in a LOOOONG time. inspired by the album i put together in ali edwards's class, this digital layout is simply a compilation of things i would like to remember about my first apartment, now that we were there no longer.

CKU recap (way overdue)

CKU-Anaheim (in late JUNE)

okay, so i'm WAAAY behind on my blogging. i'll try to keep this as short and interesting as possible. CKU was AMAZING!!! thursday was full of various manufacturers at separate tables, where we made 6x6 pages at each station so we had a full album at the end of the day. friday was my favorite day. ALL DAY in one class...an album class taught by Ali Edwards. We made an album all about a week in our life. (and i got to meet a mentor!) the table i sat at was full of wonderful people...including one person i REALLY hit it off with. we just clicked. and it was nice to make a new friend so easily. we were inseparable the rest of the day, spent much of the next day together when possible, and kept in touch after that. here is a pic of the two of us:

so, back to the class. wonderful. i realized that this was the first time as far back as i could remember now that i wasn't thinking about anything else except what i was creating. no inner monologue in the background, no "to-do" list checking off in my head. it was wonderful...peaceful. necessary.

motto for the day: "it's okay." i found myself repeating this phrase over and over again, when i found myself complicating the situation and trying to make my scrapbook pages "perfect"...when they already were just that.

many of us ended up staying LATE to work on our albums. as for myself, i stayed there till 11:30 that night. no joke. we had started at 8 that morning, and i think i took a break for dinner. other than that, it was continuous "work." (and i loved every minute of it.) (side note...i am STILL not done with that album. bummer.)

saturday was more hectic. 5 different classes that went by so quickly that i didn't finish ONE project in any of them. so now i have homework to do... but that evening came the best surprise of all. we had our "commencement ceremony" in which we all "graduated" from CKU. lots of prizes were given for the various contests held...including one for the best layout. There were 3 different categories: photography, journaling and best overall.

AND I WON FOR BEST OVERALL LAYOUT AT CKU ANAHEIM!!!

I couldn't believe it!!! i heard them announce the name of my layout before they said my name...and there it was up on the screen for people to see. i walked to the front of the room to collect my prize (a boxful of supplies worth a LOT of $$$), blinking back tears. and all i could think was "i hope they really called MY name, cuz otherwise this is going to be VERY embarassing..."

luckily, my new friend had followed with my camera, so i got some good pics out of it, including one with Ali again. I collected my prize and made my way back to my seat, still in disbelief. along the way, several people stopped to tell me how beautiful the layout was. the best compliments were the ones from the editors and other published artists of the magazine, including jessica sprague. she asked me if it was an all-digital layout and when i assured her it was, she told me it was even MORE beautiful now.

i SWEAR that one of the editors told me to stay posted...that they would be contacting me to sign a release form so they could at least post the layout on their website. unfortunately, i am still waiting... so, we'll see. but, since my fingers are still crossed that this might happen, i won't post the layout here at the moment. (sorry.)

but if you EVER get the chance to attend a CKU...it is WELL worth the $$$. i still daydream about that weekend. sigh.  : )

CKU-Anaheim

woo-hoo! CKU starts tomorrow. and, as usual, i am SOOO NOT ready for it. (i am the ultimate procrastinator.) here i am, almost midnight, still trying to organize my supplies and photos. and i can guarantee that i will be here tomorrow night, doing the same to prepare for the following day's assignments. sigh.

get this...so, i have to print a LOT of photos for my album class that i am taking. and i mean, a LOT. over 500, to be exact. okay, so that many weren't REQUIRED...but i couldn't pick which ones to actually USE yet. so i figured i'd just print all the ones i liked, and throw the rest in a different album later, right? so i spent a lo-ot of time uploading the photos thru the costco website. figured i'd pick them up sometime tomorrow, right? well, slight snag in the plans. even though i sent them thru the one-hour processing place (even though i'm not expecting them back THAT quickly...there are a LOT of photos here!), i got a message saying that they will be ready for me to pick them up on SATURDAY!! what? i need them for a class on friday! so, i tried calling, but the guy in the photo department said i'd have to call back in the morning...that they were closed. aaargh! well, worst comes to worst, i end up printing the necessary photos myself. double sigh. oh well, my fault for waiting, right?

oh yeah. i actually HAVE a good reason (kinda) for procrastinating this time around, though. i'm in the middle of MOVING. so, between looking for a place, making it official, signing paperwork, packing, cleaning, and all the other "fun" stuff that goes along with this...not to mention the 10 hour days at my day-job and STILL working on parts of planning a wedding...i'm tired! (may have noticed i haven't been posting on my blog much lately. this is why. give me a few weeks, i promise it will get better...)

well, wish me luck!!!

portrait...

this one started out much differently than it ended up. it started from an inspiration of a store window display...one large photo with various overlapping frames. i went from there... i wanted to create a "collective portrait" of a person, using only a single photograph. wanted to use words to "frame" different parts of their personality and being. but then i found a quote that totally applied to tony's thoughts of late. i found that i struggled with my own journaling on this...kept going back and deleting and rewriting the whole thing. wanted to keep it simple and basic...wanted to COMPLIMENT the quote, not fight for it's attention. i almost left off my journaling completely; but i'm glad i went back and redid it. lemme know what you think.

negative one anniversary...

So, i know that i'm a freak and all, and tend to get a bit mushy and go overboard sometimes. that being said, here's the story...

exactly one year from May 17, 2007, I will be married. it was my -1 anniversary that day. and so i wanted to celebrate!

i made tony this card...there's background to this inside joke here. all of you "friends" fans will get the lobster reference. to the others, long story short, a character (phoebe) remarks to another character (ross) that he shouldn't give up hope at trying to date rachel. because "he's her lobster..." she goes on to say that lobsters mate for life, and when they are old, you can see them walking along the bottom of the tanks, holding claws...

on our first valentine's day together, (amongst other things), tony gave me a stuffed lobster and a note that said "you're my lobster," and it's been one of "our things" ever since then. (he even plans on wearing lobster cufflinks at our wedding, and i am tying a lobster charm to my garter that day.

in any case, here's the card i made:

and then i took him out to dinner to one of our favorite spots...javier's, in laguna beach. romantic little place across the street from the ocean...and across the way from hotel laguna, the location of our wedding! it was nice.

go...one little word

go, originally uploaded by chelbug.

okay, so if you haven't seen ali edwards's blog lately, please check it out. there is a new blog based on her "one word" challenge from early this year...check out one little word. this was the first word for the first challenge: GO.

i "borrowed" ali's idea of using a journal to keep these challenges together...i decided to use a spiral-bound sketchbook. my first layout for "GO" became more of a journal entry of sorts. here is the text:

I am a planner extraordinaire. I have lists 4 everything...a daily "to-do" list w/items that never get crossed off & are subsequently moved to the following day's list...hapharzadly scribbled post-it notes w/lists of what to buy at Target or the grocery store...loose lists and sketches of scrapbook layouts (that never seem to get made)...one spiral notebook w/ lists of things 2 do for my business and another notebook with information 4 my upcoming wedding. One thing I NEVER seem to be able to do...put those plans into action. I get so incredibly caught up in the details of the planning process that I simply haven't the energy required to move through the process of making those plans happen. I overwhelm myself with the sheer amount of THOUGHT that I I put into absolutely everything, that I forget to actually DO something about those thoughts (sigh). I realize that I need to DO more to accomplish what I want...don't let the fear of imperfection stop me before I even get started. Time to take action, no matter how small it may seem. As long as I keep moving in the right direction. Ready, set, GO!