Lessons from the Scrapbook Page

WW: My First Shutterfly Digital Photo Book

This week I created my first digital photo book using Shutterfly. I've been planning to try out their service since Memorytrends when they announced the launch of a host of new products and digital scrapbooking support. I finally made the time Sunday afternoon. Surprisingly, from upload to ordering, it took less than 5 hours. That's not bad for processing over 100 photos. I won't tell you how long it takes me to scrapbook and journal 100 photos traditionally!

I'm thrilled with the result and can't wait to see the final product. Photo books are 30% off right now too, which is great for the holidays...one gift, many people. It's all about keeping it simple!

Above is a sneak peek of the cover and below is one of the interior layouts...

technorati tags: Shutterfly, Digital_Scrapbooking, Photo_Book, Hawaii, Vacation, Photos, Sale

Ideas & Inspiration from a Professional Organizer

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you've heard me mention Aby Garvey, professional organizer extraordinaire. Aby is the genius behind Simplify 101, her online site for products, tips, and everything organized. Her blog is Creative Organizing as you can see from the image above. She is also the author of Happy Scrapper. Her latest book release is The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker. If you haven't heard of it or picked it up, you just gotta do it. It will change your scrappin' world!

Aby and I became cyber-friends over a year ago and finally met in person at Memorytrends. We've got a Real Women Scrap TV interview with Aby and her co-author Wendy Smedley coming up next week so I thought I'd do a quick teaser interview to give you a taste of what we've got in store. There's the three of us at Memorytrends...not the best photo ever, but it'll do for now.

So Aby, welcome to Lessons from the Scrapbook Page. I'm so thrilled you found time to share some insight and personal information with us. First question, how did you get started in professional organizing?

I was at a crossroads in my career when my employer offered to relocate my family and me to Florida. Both my husband and I are mid-west born and raised. Moving was really out of the question for us. Having spent thirteen years in the business world, it was time to strike out on my own and get in the driver’s seat of my own career. I researched professions that would be a great match for my passion and skills…and professional organizing was an easy choice.

I love that you did the work to find out where your strengths were before launching into something new. Now that you're a professional, are you always organized? Or do you get overwhelmed and overloaded at times like the rest of us?

Lost On The Stage Of Life Without A Script?

Seriously, have you ever felt like life was some cruel joke that left you center stage without any direction? Maybe it feels like a bad movie where you're making up the lines as you go. Wouldn't it be great to have the playbook or the script for what you're "supposed" to say and do? Tricia Goyer thought it would be and wrote a book about it. It's called "My Life, Unscripted."

While intended for a teen audience, it draws on Biblical principles and has application for any age. I found myself almost wishing to be a teenager again so I could get it right this time. I said "almost"—I'm not crazy!

Tricia's Script:

Looking back at my drama-filled teen years I now wonder ... What was I thinking?

The truth? I wasn't. I lived from day to day on every wave of emotion. Some days excitement and passion partnered up, pattering wildly within my heart.

Other days, depression and anxiety were my silent friends. I lived each day as it came, with no plan for my future, for my relationships, or for my heart.

I lived my life completely unscripted ... and, well, it didn't go well for me. Teen pregnancy and a broken heart were only two consequences. Yet my prayer is that when teen girls are asked Who's Writing Your Life? their answer will be ME ... with the guidance of God, My Director.

Passing It On

I mentioned this book earlier this year. You can read the post here. Now that I've read it, I'm passing it on to my daughter. I know she'll connect with the honesty and authenticity of Tricia's story. She really likes the concept and idea behind the book, especially since she loves acting and drama.

Take a peek around Tricia's site. She's an incredibly prolific author...author of twelve books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions.  She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

Ali Edwards—Life Artist Gets Real (Episode 21)

I know I've said this before, but this week we have an amazing show for you. Ali Edwards, author, artist, designer, mother, and all-around fabulous woman is here with Real Women Scrap TV. She shared her philosophy and hope for scrapbookers everywhere when we met at Memorytrends earlier this year. You won't want to miss her inspiring words and "real" motivation for capturing life and art.

Life Artist, Ali Edwards' third book, is the one she says she loves the most.

"This is the book I really wanted to write because it addresses not only the projects and layouts, but the real life process of creativity and my philosophy behind capturing life and creating art."

Ali hopes this book will empower scrapbookers to let go of their quest for perfection and get back to the heart of the matter: the photos and the words. I couldn't agree more.

If you would like to learn more about Ali Edwards, check out her blog. From there you can sign up for a weekly newsletter (archives are available) or check out other creative, product, and life links. 

technorati tags: Ali_Edwards, Life_Artist, Author, Scrapbooking, Real_Women_Scrap_TV, memorytrends

WW: Ali Edwards on Real Women Scrap TV

Life is art and we can make the time to capture it. Memorytrends 2007 was too much fun, especially interviewing scrapbook celebrities like Ali Edwards. Ali and I had a blast filming the show for this week's episode all about keeping it real. Tune in Thursday to see it all. Until then, enjoy this sneak peek behind the scenes...

technorati tags: WW, Wordless_Wednesday, photography, Memorytrends, Ali_Edwards, Life_Artist, Real_Women_Scrap_TV

I'm Out of the Zone

Ever felt like you were out of the zone...like a referee might call you for being off sides? Well, I have to admit that I'm out of the zone. At least that's what Aby Garvey said in her newsletter. Well, I guess she didn't personally call me out and say that I was out of the zone, but she described me pretty clearly... everything is not running smoothly, piles are stacking up, and all is not right with the world. I know why it's that way...so much traveling, not enough time at home. Aby's solution...get back in the zone.

So, that's what I've been trying to do. Whether going through the piles of mail on the front counter or cleaning my makeup brushes, it's funny how the little organizing tasks have a calming effect. I like seeing clear counters and knowing that little by little I can move safely back into the zone.

What's life like for you right now? Are you in the zone or out of it? I know that Fall always seems to bring that flurry of activity, unexpected events, and changed schedules so it's easy to get thrown off track. Even with preparation and planning, it's sometimes inevitable that life will get derailed. What I've learned is that the sooner I recognize the problem and start to course correct, the quicker it all seems to fall back together.

So what's on your list of things to do to get back on track, to find your bliss? I'd love to hear about it!

Coming up this week: Ali Edwards--Life Artist on Real Women Scrap TV.

technorati tags: Organizing, Scrapbooking, Ali_Edwards, Life_Artist, Real_Women_Scrap_TV

GTD List Of 12

I promised it, so it's about time to deliver. The list of 12 tabs that I created for my GTD Planner are:

1. Big Picture
2. @ ASAP
3. @ EMAIL
4. @ PHONE
5. @ COMPUTER
6. @ CAR
7. 2 BLOG
8. 2 WRITE
9. 2 READ
10. 2 CREATE
11. PROJECTS
12. SOMEDAY

Those 12 sections pretty much cover everything that I would need to track, record or do in my life. Every once in a while I find it hard to figure out exactly where something fits, but then I usually throw it in @ASAP and just get it done. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks for tuning in.

Episode 20: "Getting Things Done" With GTD, BPS & My Book—The Adaptable Journal

Ready to get some things done? This week, we've got an amazing project for you that combines the best of the Getting Things Done philosophy, a Big Picture Scrapbooking class featuring My Book, and a little creativity. The video is divided into three sections: Creating Your Book, Organizing Your Book, and Using Your Book. Resources for creating your book are listed at the end of this post. Enjoy!

Click To Play

Essential Resources For Your Book

My Book—The Pink Ribbon Edition            My Book—The Adaptable Planner

      

Tinkering Ink Perfectly Posh Collection             Tinkering Ink Finery

   

   

          

technorati tags: Big_Picture_Scrapbooking, GTD, Getting_Things_Done, David_Allen, Tinkering_Ink, Perfectly_Posh, Scrapbook.com, DCWV_Quote_Stacks, Scrapbooking, Projects, Online_Scrapbooking_Video

WW: Aloha From the Beautiful Islands of Hawaii

Being surrounded by the beauty and majesty of nature really has a way of reminding you that everything will be okay. We are not in control or responsible for everything working out. There is more to life than endless email and to-do lists. What a wonderful reminder for me this past week while visiting my grandmother in Hawaii. I hope you'll be reminded too!

Shop Pink

Kelley Clayton, one of our sponsors for the End of Summer Blog-Abration is a Cookie Lee "jewelry lady." She sent me an email recently with some of the cutest pink jewelry celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I thought I'd share it with you as well. If you're interested in making a purchase, you can check out Kelley's site.