Wanted: one creative manifesto.

Time again for another aeZine challenge from the incomparable Ali Edwards. This week the challenge was to create a manifesto for ourselves:

What is a manifesto? According to my handy dandy computer dictionary a manifesto is "a public declaration of policy and aims, esp. one issued before an election by a political party or candidate." Essentially, it is a cool, fancy name for a mission statement - a way to describe your overall creative purpose.

The challenge this week is to come up with you very own personal creative manifesto. Maybe it is one word. Maybe it will be paragraphs. Whatever it is or becomes, take some time this week to begin generating one for just for you. Create a layout, begin a minibook, or maybe just start writing out your thoughts...

Naturally Ali's (which you can read here) is simply the epitome of awesome. And mine... well, I have a list. A list of what, I'm not entirely sure, but a few months ago I started writing down things that popped into my head, little things that I need to try to focus on when I get stuck in a creative rut or when I'm just letting the pressure (real or imagined) get to me too much. At one point I had ideas for a canvas with these phrases (and any others that come along), and that may still happen (or not), but anyway, here's my list:

• Live life. Create art. (Thanks to Ali for this one!)
• Never stop dreaming.
• Learn to let go.
• Free your mind on the open road.
• Listen to your heart.
• Believe in yourself.

Is this a manifesto, a mission statement? I don't know. I don't know that it really describes my "overall creative purpose" as such. But there it is. It inspires me. It calms me. For me, for now, it is enough. And that, I guess, is really all that matters.

Inspired by... Products.

Every now and then, something really strikes me, inspires me to a fabulous idea, or simply kindles in me the desire to create, and I thought it would be fun to share some of that inspiration here on my blog. (Right now, I'm totally being inspired by the amazing Ali Edwards, but that's a story for another post. ;) ) Today I'm going to respond to the January 31st aeZine challenge, which is:

This week I want you to take a look at those "extras" that are truly delighting you right now and making you want to create. Make a list and then CREATE a layout that details your favorites.

It was so much fun to make a layout on this topic! It's totally yummy... ;) So here's my list:

1. Prima flowers. Just call me a Prima junkie! LOL 61 varieties and counting...


2. Shiny stuff. Crystal brads; bling words, frames, and borders; jeweled icons; I love it all! There is just something about a little sparkle that adds the perfect finishing touch to any page. :)


3. Acrylic stamps. Totally infatuated with the beautiful new stamps from Rhonna Farrer for Autumn Leaves, and also the Lil Davis sets. So elegant. KI Memories has definitely caught my eye, I may have to have those too... ;)


4. Transparency overlays. Loving all the swirls from Creative Imaginations and Hambly Studios for my wedding album. The 4x6 overlays and icons from My Mind’s Eye Bohemia line are another favorite – love it that I can get that digital look without all the work! LOL


5. Rub-ons. I love alphabet rub-ons of any kind and any color; Junkitz Expressions, Basic Grey Wholly Cow, American Crafts miniMARKS Accents, and 7gypsies; and of course anything fancy: Hambly Studios, Chatterbox Grafix… (The list goes on and on and on... LOL)


6. Photos and memories. Obviously also an essential, but like Ali, I included it here too because really, nothing inspires me to scrapbook more than a great photo or memory.


7. Connecting with other scrapbookers. Especially Jennifer. I love to meet other people who are passionate about scrapbooking, see their creations, and share my own. And when the ideas start flying... watch out! LOL

That's my list for today. Tomorrow it may be slightly different. But that's the fun part of this hobby/obsession: all the new and exciting products to play with! :)

Only the essentials.

Another challenge from Ali Edwards' aeZine, this one from January 17, 2007. It's all about the basics:

What are your essentials? If you had to get rid of everything and just keep a modest amount, what would be on your list? The challenge this week is easy: draft up a list of your essentials. What do you reach for time after time?

I've actually been noticing these things a lot lately anyway, that certain things always end up on my layouts, so this question comes at a good time for me. Here's my list (in no particular order):

1. Patterned paper. Just about any color scheme, design, or theme – so long as it’s not cheesy. Right now I am loving Basic Grey and American Crafts.


2. Journaling pens in black, white, and brown. I like the Zig Milleniums in black, but haven’t found a good brown one yet (the Millenium is too light, too red; for now I’ve been using my chocolate Zig Writer). Love the white Uni-ball Signo from Stampin’ Up!


3. Black and brown ink. Usually Close To My Heart but StazOn is much better for inking photos and stickers.


4. My camera (and also, my photographs). I like my Canon Rebel a lot but I wish it was digital!


5. Stupid paper trimmer. I hate them, but I can’t seem to work without one. The Cutterpede from EK Success has worked the best for me so far, but even that's not perfect. (I can't cut a straight line with an Xacto and metal ruler either though, so maybe it's just me... maybe it's my eyes that are crooked... LOL)


6. Ruler, pencil, and eraser! I believe in measuring before I cut, and I’m a big fan of straight lines, so I really couldn’t do without these essential tools. I’m happy to report I’ve managed to convert several scrapping friends… :) My ruler is clear, my pencil is mechanical, and my eraser is a soft white Staedtler.


7. Scissors. Love the Fiskars SoftTouch (but I don’t like the new bumpy handles).


8. Adhesives: Herma, Xyron X150, Diamond Glaze, and Glue Dots of several kinds. Necessary, but boring. I hate spending money on adhesives.


9. Chipboard. At first I couldn’t figure out what to do with it, now I can’t seem to make a layout without it! I love the lightweight dimension it adds, and all the different ways it can be altered.


10. Jennifer. How on earth did I ever scrap without the other half of my brain?


11. Stickers. I’ve never thought of myself as being much of a sticker person but somehow I’ve managed to accrue a huge stash of letter and word stickers. I’m particularly fond of letter stickers from American Crafts and Doodlebug, and I am totally smitten with 97% Complete from 7gypsies!


12. Bazzill cardstock. The colors I find myself reaching for the most are black, white, Java, Pomegranate, and Kraft.

I don't know if it's a modest amount, exactly (I have a lot of patterned paper! LOL), but these are the things I can't scrap without! I made my layout using only the supplies in my list... Talk about stretching that creativity! :)

One little word.

Working my way through Ali Edwards' aeZine challenges. I just discovered this gem of a newsletter (totally inspiring!!), so I'm a little behind... January 3rd's challenge was to identify one word to focus on for the coming year:

Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007? It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you.

This week your challenge is to create something, anything, that celebrates your chosen word for 2007. Maybe a layout. Maybe a blog posting or a journal entry or a simple post-it note that you put somewhere you can see it each day. Make sure to journal about why you chose your word and what it means for you - the more you let yourself explore the more benefit you will receive in the end.

After some thought, I have decided that my word for 2007 is more. At first, it seems like an odd choice; a lot of people these days seem to still subscribe to the "less-is-more" philosophy that first appeared as a backlash against the excesses of the 1980's. But really, when I thought about what I want for 2007, more just seemed like the perfect fit... In 2007, I want:

• More time with my family. I need to remind myself what is truly most important to me in life, and adjust my priorities accordingly. Spend less time behind the camera and more time actively participating. Live life, not just document it. And after all, I have to make memories before I can scrapbook them, right? ;)
• More confidence. Why do I sell myself short so much? Why do I have such a hard time believing compliments, denying them inside even as I graciously accept them on the outside? Who am I, really? What do I even want out of life? Good questions to ponder over the next year and a half; hopefully I will enter my 30's with a measure more clarity and confidence than I have had in my 20's.
• More peace. I've gotten a good start on this one already, going to church every Sunday, and using Jesus Take the Wheel (Carrie Underwood) as the ringtone on my cell phone to remind me to pray and keep God in my daily life.
• More organization. Starting with my studio, of course. (Yes I will post pictures when I'm done.) The kitchen and the garage are minor disaster areas, and all of our closets have a lot of wasted space. And eventually, I'm going to have to do something about all that junk in the guest room...!
• More time with Jennifer. Life just hasn't been the same since she moved, though we talk daily and our friendship is just as strong as ever. Miss her so much.
• More weight loss. I'm down almost 50 pounds since April 2005, but I haven't done much lately to further this progress. Need to get back on track to better health, which will also help my confidence!
• More sleep. I'm still a night owl - but lately I've definitely felt the effects more strongly of burning the candle at both ends. Chris and I have been trying to get to bed earlier, but it's so hard to resist the temptation to stay up just a little bit longer... He loves his video games, and I love to scrapbook, and most of that fun stuff is done after Hannah goes to bed at nine. Of course, being the night person that I am, a lot of times I feel like my brain doesn't even wake up to its full creative potential until 10pm! Still, I think an earlier bedtime could do a world of good: I think Hannah would benefit from a more enthusiastic Mommy, and I know my body would respond better to my diet if I got more rest.

So that's my list. Just about the only thing I don't want (or need) this year is more stuff!
Here's to a great new year full of possibility!