Creative Peace

Aaah, bliss.

My scrap room is in complete disarray. My fingers are marked with blue ink. I didn't get enough sleep.

But what is that feeling? Ahhh, it's my creative soul at peace.

When I started my pages last night, my husband came home and came in to say hello. I told him I didn't even think I could do this anymore - to scrapbook successfully, that is. Too much stuff and not enough inspiration.

What was borne from that is a simple two-pager. It's not ground-breaking. It's not state-of-the-art. It's not even all that current. But when my four-year-old picked up the pages to take a look (okay, downright pushed me out of the way of photographing them!), it made my heart beat a little warmer.

After all, that's what counts, right?

If you're coming here from the ScrapStreet blog, hello, welcome! Here are the pages that used my shadowboxing technique and calmed my creative being. =) If you're here visiting me, visit the ScrapStreet blog to read more about how I framed my photo and treated my corners.

Thanks for visiting. Enjoy. I did!

choreographed

cho·re·o·graph

   [kawr-ee-uh-graf, -grahf, kohr-]  Show IPA

–verb (used with object)

1.

to provide the choreography for: to choreograph a musicalcomedy.

2.

to manage, maneuver, or direct: The author is a genius atchoreographing a large cast of characters.

(thank you dictionary.com)

A discovery. Not another reinvention of myself (laughing out loud). But a discovery (realization, comprehension, awareness, cognizance, consciousness, grasp, recognition, understanding, thank you thesaurus.com).

That's who I am. I love to be choreographed.

See, there was this article in September's ScrapStreet titled "My Style". But I think I was pouty from the beginning because we had to define ourselves with stamps and stamps are literally the last supply I use. Doesn't matter how super cute stamps are (and those digital stamps by Phindy's Place were super cute!) they just don't agree with me. And I don't like the way I sounded when typing, nor did I love my projects. Chip-on-my-shoulder scrapbooking, if you will.

Now, I don't mind the page I wrote. I even had opportunity to read it a month or so after I wrote it and I still didn't mind the article. My favorite part is in the design notes of the second project that says: "I found this project much like myself: imperfect, challenging, and sometimes better on the second try."

I've had very little scrapping time lately, but very much time to really think about myself, my life, where I am and where I'm going. As the kids get older and define me less, I guess I'm in a state of rediscovery. I'm not sure what started my train of thought, but it went something like this:

In music, I played piano, but I had to be extremely practiced and was only a concert pianist. I couldn't play from mere chords. I needed pages and notes and lots and lots of practice time. I still sing the same way.

When acting on stage, I have to work very, very hard at memorizing my script (and still usually forgot plenty). Forget improvisation - it wasn't for me and I usually made an ass out of myself. I needed to be first scripted and then extra rehearsed.

In gymnastics, I didn't get good at covering mistakes until I was late in college. As the sport went, I did better when I was choreographed, practiced and in control. In control enough to go out on autopilot or, as we liked to call it "Going Brainless". Perhaps that's why my best event became floor, where I could perform but only when extremely disciplined.


My favorite way to be led is by the Bible. (= Certainly don't mind following there!

Seeing where I'm going here?

Well, heck then, doesn't that explain a lot when it comes to scrapbooking? My favorite layouts come from sketches. See the similarity? The basic groundwork is laid and then I get to elaborate. The only things I like better than scrapping from sketches are scraplifts - using others' pages as inspiration. I've tried not to make this habit, I've only done less than a handful; but the pages that result are, by far, my favorite pages. Again, it's because I got to turn something scripted into my own. 

I guess I originally had trouble with this realization because I remember growing up being told 'be a leader'. 'Be a leader'. 'Be a leader'. But I never was. I was always better on a team. It  wasn't until lately that I realized that I need to teach my kids not necessarily to be a leader, but to have a mind of your own. Make your own decisions. Follow what you think and know to be right. Not what the crowd is doing and certainly not what any ol' leader is doing. 

Wait? What does that have to do with being better off as choreographed? Oh yeah, back on track. I constantly feel bad about not being innovative. About not being unique. About not having a style. About not being the first to do this. Or not being the one that thought up to do that. 

Choreographed. That is me. Practiced. That is me. Scripted. That is me. Sketched. That, too, is me. 

You're about to see my blog title changed. I'm still me, just morphing and getting to know myself better. And finally coming to terms and being happy with the fact that I live and create better...

when choreographed.

If you give a mom a mop...

(inspired by Laura Numeroff, written by me)

If you give a mom a mop,
she'll want to wash the kitchen floor with it.
But before she can wash the floor,
she'll have to put the basket of shoes away first.
After she puts everyone's shoes away in the garage,
she'll want to clean up the outside toys.
After skillfully tossing the last bike helmet into the bin,
she'll return the empty shoe basket inside to the laundry room.
When she gets to the laundry room,
she'll see a few loads of laundry that needs to be folded.
When she brings them to the living room to fold,
she realizes there's a little dusting to do.
While admiring the dust in the living room,
she'll realize that she really doesn't like the layout of the furniture.
In order to redecorate the room she has to unwire and rewire the tv, cable, dvd and Wii.
So she decides to rotate the rest of the furniture forty-five degrees
which, in turn, uncovers a whole new layer of dust.
On her way to get the rag and dust spray,
she stumbles on the kitchen chairs that
were left in the dining room
(to be able to clean the floor).
She pushes past the kitchen chairs, grabs a glass of wine,
pushes the folded laundry aside,
and sits down with a little Food Network.

The next morning, while making the kids' lunches,
she'll see the mop & bucket...

I have a plan, really I do...

It's mid-summer here in gorgeous New York. VBS completed. Got a couple trips to the beach in. Went on our annual 2-week camping trip. Still have twenty-four lazy days left.

And as much as I don't want summer to end, I'm looking forward to a new beginning. And herein lies my plan. You see, Matthew gets back on the bus this year, for second grade and to his new school. He gets on super early, near eight o'clock (yes, that's early for me!) Now McKenna has school at about nine pretty close in town. Figuring I'll have both kids dressed, fed and packed up by eight o'clock, that leaves one whole hour.

Here's my plan.

As soon as Matthew's on the bus, I'll let McKenna have an activity of her choice. Either it's tv time, puzzles, my dsi or whatever. Some alone time for her. What I'd like to do is hop on the computer with a bowl of cereal and a hot cup of tea every morning and spend a good forty-five minutes with my ScrapStreet girls and this thing that's been long-called the "breakfast club". You see, even though I'm one of the first North Americans awake on ScrapStreet, I'm rarely there early. Ok, so lately, I'm rarely there at all.

But that's not it. If I can find a way to scrap without chatting (fat chance), I can also use this forty-five minutes in other ways in my scraproom during the week. Actually scrapbook, perhaps? Clean? Chat? Sketch? Whatever my scrappy heart desires.

The thing is...
It seems whenever I make a plan and say "definitely", it never happens. Ever.

However, I miss scrapbooking so. Just for the pure joy of recapturing memories and chatting with cyber-friends. Just for the feel of photo and paper. I mean, look! I designed one - yes, just ONE, scrapbook completely by and for myself this summer. And it was back in June. And I *love* it. I can do this. I need to do this.

Little Sunflower by Lindsey Krauss. 

Supplies: Paper: Basic Grey, Lily Bee Design, 

Tags, button: Basic Grey, Rhinestones: Recollections.

So, on school days, I'm putting off the toilet-cleaning and house-tidying and meal-planning till after the kids are gone and I'm taking some time for myself. And that's the way it's going to be.

And now, I'll take bets from y'all - who's betting with me (that I can make this work) and who's betting against? *sigh*

Operation Write Home bloghop

You've finished the OWH blog hop!!! 

link up! for now, go back and visit Operation Write Home as your last blog stop!

http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/

Welcome to my blog! Read to the bottom for a sketch and a chance to win a package of Thickers!

I can tell you that I participated in Cards for Heroes last year and won a totally amazing photography workshop with Karen Russell. I'm in that now - and wow! - so much to learn! 

But it really wasn't about the prize for me. I'm not a card-maker by nature. However, a project like OWH just inspired me to create for someone else. I'm looking to top my number from last year - 22 - and to get them all sent out in a timely matter this time!

Blessings to you, fellow card makers and supportive scrapbookers. I'm glad to see you hopping, hope to see you creating for OWH, too!

I found these awesome tips on the OWH website homepage:

• *No glitter.

  Sparkly messes can make heroes visible at night - so please don't use glitter that flakes off the cards.

• *Themes.

  General are best for flexibility! Thinking of you, birthday, love, miss you, holidays are also loved.

• *Size.

  The best size that allows the most cards into a box is 4.25" x 5.5", fitting into standard A2 envelopes.

• *Handmade.

  Handmade cards are loved by our heroes over storebought, so we only send crafted cards.
• *AnyHero cards.
  Write a short note in one of the cards you send in and encourage a hero far from home!

I'd also like to offer an extra special thank you to all of our American families that have sacrificed for our freedom. I was in Army 'brat' myself, I lived the life for 12 years and I wouldn't have changed a thing. Blessings to my own Dad and thoughts to all of his fellow soldiers lost in fighting. 

This is a scan of something my Dad keeps framed in his house. This is a moment years ago - 1991 -  of my Dad rubbing of his best man's name at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial (Rafael A. Chavez, 1947-1970). If you look in the middle of the photo, you'll see the reflection of American Flag flying high - what an amazing capture. The photo itself is stunning.

Leave me a comment, just to let me know you were here and so I can go out and visit you. It's all about community support, after all.

Yours in Faith,

Here is a quick card sketch to get you rolling. To win a brand new package of Thickers, 
1. Follow me!
2. Comment and I'll randomly choose a winner. 
3. If you post a link to a card using my sketch by midnight your time on Monday (eta: extended! I'll draw sometime next weekend, so get your sketch interpretations in by Friday, June 4th, midnight your time) I'll enter you twice! Happy Scrapping!

Still setting up house...

...and while I am, enjoy a quick post over on the ScrapStreet blog!
http://scrapstreet.blogspot.com/2010/05/symmetry-me.html


Blessings, 
Lindsey

ScrapStreet NSD blog hop challenge - calling all bookworms!

Next blog stop!! Next, please go visit my dear talented friend Bri: http://www.briannenevill.com/

Hey hoppers!! Enjoying yourselves? Well I did, while working with my last Top Shelf kit - I was a little afraid of it at first, robots and all, but I had a blast making some cute little bookmarks.

Now, assuming you're not e-booking these days, don't you need a bookmark, too? Your mission is to create two new bookmarks - one for you and one to give away to a friend - and then move on to the next blog!

Don't forget to link back your bookmarks here in my comments section. If you do, I also have 2 bookmarks to give to friends! My kids chose theirs and I'd love for you to take one home, too. Just leave a comment or a bookmark link!

eta: Just read that the ScrapStreet forum will be filled with challenges and prizes! Seems to be the place to be!! I'll be there in between the busy day's activities!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day - shouldn't every day be NSD?!

                    *waves!*
                       xoxo
           <3 Linds

the business!!
ScrapStreet Blog:
http://scrapstreet.blogspot.com/
ScrapStreet Challenge Forum:
http://scrapstreet.com/MessageBoard/index.php?board=169.0
ScrapStreet Gallery:
http://scrapstreet.com/gallery/index.php
Next blog stop!! Go to my friend Bri:
http://www.briannenevill.com/

Top Shelf Memories

Wait - you mean I forgot to tell you?

New design team! New kit club!

Yes! I'm designing and sketching on the premier team for Top Shelf Memories!

Find your Top Shelf Memories
on Facebook
on the web

And my first layouts are in!

this one is my sketch:

"a is for apple"

"blue-eyed beauty"

"the simple life"

"wild things"

"gift box"

...and life goes on.

Nothing new to report, here. Daily chores and activities are piling up on moving in, but we're managing renovations and baseball, soccer and work, work, work as well as we can!

I've got lots to post: Nikki Sivils sneak peaks. House renovations. Karen Russell's Photographer's Workshop practice shots. Upcoming ScrapStreet free digi kit sneak peaks. Even a pic with the Easter Bunny. :)

Delighted to be on the returning staff of ScrapStreet, of course. BLOG (They'd have to fish hook me and drag me off of that stage.) Looking forward to the changes in my writing duties. And don't forget to drool welcome the rest of the staff, returning and new alike! Are you catching ScrapStreet on Twitter?

Stay tuned!

time for a lift

Just looked at my own blog and my oh my, must I apologize!! I'm in need terrible of a lift! My blog as much as myself. Will be working on a new header, background and design in the next few weeks - hang tight.

some friends of mine...

Street gals are in a card contest. Would love your help as they need votes! You vote by typing something like you have to actually type--this is my first vote, my second vote, third vote in the comments section. Would appreciate your vote, but why wouldn't you vote for this cutie anyway? http://www.thegreetingfarm.com/galleria/showphoto.php?photo=13084



Thanks for your help!

of house and home

Yes, I'm still super busy making our new house our home. At the same time, daily activities and chores have caught up with us. So lately, I've been trying to balance the old with the new. Successful, just busy!

Meanwhile, on the scrap table, I have two adorable lines just waiting for my new house. That's My Little Shoebox on the left and Nikki Sivils on the right, and then there is a little Jillibean Soup mixed in with some adorable farmhouses. We've moved near many horse farms, so I can wait to get good pics for Chicken Noodle!

But alas, work comes first. It's work I love - more Nikki and my first kit from Top Shelf Memories which is all about Basic Grey and Crate!! Off to "work" I go!

Studio Step 1

There may be quite a few steps to the studio building, lol, but bear with me. Got my staple supplies up in the room. Even scrapped a page, almost done and another, started. (Can you scram Nikki Sivils?!) Next step is to fix the lighting. Just not a scrappable area at night, my best work time.

On another note, I'll start posting about some house renovations we've been getting done. Aaaah, right now? The sound of wallpaper being ripped off of walls. It's like jingling bells in the spring.

Design Team Call!

First ever design team call for ScrapStreet.com! Don't worry, the STAR contest is still scheduled, but to be magazine crew, you have to apply as follows -- good luck!!

We are looking for a couple of new team members who LOVE to create and to write. We are looking for people who are active in scrapbooking--blogging, gallery uploads, trying new things. People who tackle scrapping with enthusiasm!



Details: ScrapStreet.com Magazine Team Call
Date: April 10, 2010
Note: ScrapStreet.com Magazine is looking for fun and creative designers who love to scrapbook to add to our team. Traditional, hybrid, digital, layout, card, and altered artists are all encouraged to apply.

The Job:
Our team publishes a monthly ezine with thousands of subscribers and a 5 year history. We love finding and showcasing talented scrappers and beautiful products. If you are selected for our team, you will write a monthly article which will include selecting and requesting the work of designers, combining the work into an interesting article, and meeting your deadline.

You will also receive products at least 6 times a year from a variety of manufacturers and will scrap several items to showcase their lines. It is an excellent opportunity to increase your visibility in the scrapping community while having fun.

To Apply:
Send the following to designteam@scrapstreet.com
contact information
a short statement of why you are interested in joining us.
3 of your favorite creations showcasing your style.
a link to your blog.
a link to your gallery.

link: www.scrapstreet.com

blank slate

Looks so sad. Feels so good.

How's this for finding mojo? Seriously. White has never inspired me like this. I'm sure you all think I'm crazy, but I can't wait to work in my new studio! I've always had a scrap space, just never a clean one. :) And I'm pretty sure it'll never be this clean ever again!

I'm imagining this entire wall as boxes and cubbies and shelves, neatly packed and organized. I can find anything. Everything is within a stretch and a reach. No mess, no fuss.

Well, it's a nice dream, isn't it?!

Alright, since my last box was moved off the counter top here, I'm ready to go find my tools an dive into my new Nikki Sivils. Next time you see me, I'll be happily among scrap clutter!

Happy 4

to my dear little McKenna. I can't believe she is 4! She is my baby, and a bit of a miracle baby at that. She had a really rough [2nd half] pregnancy and first year. But here she is, apparently LM-free, bouncing around on those once-braced hips. We had a school party together Thursday. We had family and close friends over to the new house Saturday night and Sunday she had her gymnastics-Toy Story party. She was so exhausted, she slept in till 8:30 this morning!! (and that after the time change!!)

So here's happy fourth birthday to my bouncy, snuggly little girl. She keeps us on her toes (and probably will through teenage-hood) but her hugs make every tear and tantrum well worth it. :)

Happy Birthday, McKenna Michelle!

we're moving! / Project Raina

quite literally! no play on words this time!

we're in the process of moving into our new house - it's coming along nicely but man, do we have a lot of stuff! So much that I'm having trouble figuring out how we fit all our crap in our old house which was 1/2 the size of this one!! It'll be a long process to move in, but I'm up to it. I can't stand packing and moving out, but moving in is right up my alley! Yep. Anytime that I get to open boxes, organize, put stuff away, organize, throw stuff out, organize some more, and then reorganize? Oh yeah baby.

I don't have any inside/after pics yet, but there is plenty 'befores' on my Facebook. And more to come, for both sides! Looking forward to my brown/light teal living room, the kids' jungle bathroom, and figuring out where we're going to out the brown/light teal bathroom. :) Options are totally open!

So, I'm going MIA for about a week and I'll be back, I'm sure with plenty to post!
xoxo
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, while I'm gone, I've got a project, if you're up for it.

A dear friend has a niece who is in Westchester Hospital after a near-fatal sledding accident. She was sledding last week and ran into a tree. She broke ribs which completely collapsed one lung and partially collapsed another, along with a few other complications.

She can't eat or talk yet, but she's doing well, finally off the ventilator and is expected to continue to recover. Anyhow, she loves getting cards, so my friend posted. I thought it would be nice that if you're making cards and would like to send one my way, I can get it to her. Was just thinking of brightening a little girl's day.

If you'd like to contribute, please pm me for my address - remember I have a NEW address!!!! - I'd so appreciate it. I'm about to make one card with a ScrapStreet Showroom kit and another, hybrid, out of an upcoming free digi kit. Thanks, friends!!

for my friend, Bri

A friend I've never met, can you believe? But I can tell you from first-hand experience that she is one of the strongest women I've ever met. I can't remember the first time I encountered Bri, but I remember that I was easily a fan of Bri the woman, wife and mom before I was a fan of my friend Bri, the scrapbooker. I continued on her scrapbooking quest the best I could before I could call her fellow crew at ScrapStreet.
-
Besides being uber-talented (did you see those ADORABLE little dolls in the the March mag?!), she's a devoted military wife, a loving mom who I see continuously working on her mothering skills, and is one of the funniest friends (twins!!) I've ever had.
-
I hate to make this a post about what I meant to do, my intentions, but a few weeks ago she mentioned that her husband was coming home for good after nearly two military years away. She said he'd be home in 40 days. Well, it was my intention to make a paper chain with my kids for Brianne and her son, something to create a little hope in her house for my crazy and beautiful friend. Needless to say, for various reasons, I never got to my paper chain with 40 links and her husband's arrival is just days away.
-
But I wanted her and her family to know that my thoughts and prayers have been, are, and will continue to be with you. I don't know how you do it, Twin, but you are indeed a hero of mine. I hope you look upon that Love Canvas everyday and remember that you're loved by so many and we're all just as happy that your love will soon be home.
-
Love you girl. xoxo

Sorry, we're CLOSED!

But why be sorry? It's our new house!! Yay! Today is finally the day! After a three-year house-selling journey, a five-month "homeless" stint, and a bunch of closing delays (hello, Mother Nature and her three feet of snow?!), we finally have a house again!! We just can't wait to get in this house. It's all the space and security we've ever wanted. We call it our "forever" house - we had a starter house, moved away from the neighborhood, and figure we'll stay in this one until we retire upstate. The sellers are actually good friends of ours and to make the story more interesting, Doug's dad's name was on the original deed when he and the seller first bought it 17 years ago. How cool is that?!

Now, even though I can't physically be there for the handshake, I can't wait to see the actual evidence that we own our dream home! Plans are to let the seller close on his new place later this week, keep moving stuff in every day, be in by this weekend. Then... the restoration begins! Doug's already done the bonus room - eventually an adult room, but for now the kids' place. I can't wait to see how the few things we've bought so far make this house our home. Can't wait to show you the area rug we bought at Home Goods, of all places! in the fireplace room.

Kudos to dh for sending me some pics from the table. :) Sooooo excited, but all of the sudden, I'm a bit overwhelmed by all that's going to need to be done...

Karen Russell was on my doorstep!!

Okay, so Karen's Photography Workshop was! Yippee!! I can't wait to get started. I'm wondering how much better these photographs will look in a few weeks. lol. I hope!!

What type of camera are you ging to be working with?
My Christmas present was a brand-new Nikon D5000. I absolutely love it, but I feel like I have a lot more to learn about it.

What do you typically take pictures of?
Well, my first answer would be my kids (duh). But my real response is more like everyday moments and stories. I take pictures with the intent to keep memories and scrapbook them.

What are you hoping to gain from this workshop?
I'm looking for suggestions for everything from basic to expert.

What is one thing you really want to learn more about?
Well, I really need to learn more about lighting. Effects or not, I need to know how to adjust in an instant to make sure not to miss that moment. There is only so much PhotoShop can do for me, you know. :)

So?! Let's play!!

that's not funny

Well, to start, my month-plus long stint with the kidney stone is finally {almost} over. I had surgery last Wednesday and all went well, according to plan. I still don't know the exact term for what they did but basically, in Lindsey terms, they put me out, went internally and "blasted" the stone with a laser, I think. I wasn't passing it and ultrasound wasn't an option for young women, according to my doc. (Young women = :-D )

Soooo, I succumbed to surgery on what would have been one of the busiest day of the year, as we were in the middle of a week-long snow storm, had vet appointments, teacher's conferences and so much more in regular busy life. I'll have to show ya those pictures later. Pictures not taken by me, incidentally, as I haven't been able to enjoy one inch of these three feet of snow we got!! And if ya know me, you know how much I love snow.

So what I didn't know, post-op, is what a stent really is. I linked ya up with Wikipedia to spare you details. Kinda turns my stomach and I'm living with it! Anyhow, this stupid thing (and I've been waiting days and days and days to use the word stupid - all I can think about from stone to surgery to stent) is keeping me from sitting upright at all. Been laying around since Wednesday with no where to go. Pain and discomfort are decreasing, but I haven't gained the full ability to sit yet. And for some reason, I still get very tired after being on my feet for more than 15 minutes.

Alas, relief is on the way. All Ihave to do is hold out till Thursday when the thing is removed in office and I can't wait. Meanwhile, we had Chinese last night and look what word I learned to say in Chinese! Really, that wasn't nice. >:-(

Kaiser sneak peak!

It's a little busy around here. Besides working for 2 pregnant women and half the gymnastics team in Florida, last weekend we had 1 birthday party and another this weekend. Did ya know I've been working on kidney stones the last 3 weeks as well? If I don't see them by tomorrow, it's surgery on Wednesday. That's after a meeting with Matthew's teacher and after I take Mia to the vet in the morning, of course. (Won't it take my mind off of not eating that day? Surgery is a 2!!) That all happens just in time for the closing on our new house Thursday! This coming weekend, we're moving into the new house and have 2 more birthday parties at the same time. At least I will be home as I send my littlest ones upstate to their State competition with three other coaches. My husband is taking 4 weeks off, too - will be nice to set up house together!



Wow. Probably more information than you wanted to know, so I'll post some prettys to leave you with. :) Sneak peak of April ScrapStreet's Showroom!

No, I did not forget

I did not forget that I have a blog. Sometimes I just feel that things I have to post are inferior; like, who would want to read that? Especially compared to other things and people out there.

So I'm turning my blog-for-others into a blog-for-me. Random thoughts in Lindsey's head. Going to get this blog thing moving again. Think I can do it?