Thursday 26 March 2009



I am so happy to have this as mine...told you I'm spoiled! The frame and idea are from my Creative Memories consultant friend, Lisa. It's magnetic (the black blobby bits) so I can just change the LO to suit my mood; Lisa uses hers as a calendar and I just had to copy the idea. It's hanging already, although I appreciate that April isn't open till next week. Also I plan to utilise my Xyron with magnet cartridge to make other bits and bobs. Am probably big headed enough to show you the May page when it's done too; it's fair to say that I have the odd amount of stash that's waiting for a use!

This frame has reminded me of a short debate I've involved myself with on Paula Pascual's blog. Quite unintentionally, but if you've read this blog more than once, you'll recognise my need to have a say! (I strongly recommend you look at her fantastic work even if the debate leaves you cold!). I firmly believe that no matter what others think of your pages or cards, that you craft first and foremost for your pleasure, then for the pleasure of giving hand crafted gifts/cards/blah and then in scrapbooking, for the preservation of your memories. I really am at the stage where I know that after my death (and it will be untimely, even if I'm as old as methusalah), there's a chance that my albums and other craft stuff will end up in a skip somewhere. I'm totally over it. It's all about the pleasure I'm having doing it right now. Forget my cardmaking for now, I wanna focus on the scrapbooks. Part of me wants each LO to be a frame-worthy masterpiece, and when I am pleased with what I've done, I consider it so. Then it goes in a protective sleeve, I remove my head from my butt and move on. What's the point of doing it to impress anyone else? It's fab, just fab to see the work of others - all styles and types. It's so subjective; we gravitate to certain styles, colours and blah, and so the debate about who is better than who is not a fair one. The style of scrapping that you prefer may differ wildly to those on my list of faves. It's all about celebrating the diversity and admiring the work within the boundaries of the expectations of the person creating it. Some - many - people have formal training or understanding of design principles and colour theory. I don't, and you can tell that from my LOs. And for every one you see on here, there are 4 that you'll never see because although I like them, because although they tell the story, they aren't particularly interesting examples of either technique or graphic design! I agree with Paula that if your work is for publication or display then it shouldn't need to be tidied up digitally to remove fingerprints, splotches, bits of tape sticking out etc, but to be honest, if it's not for the public eye and you're pleased with it, does it matter? And as my very dear friend the Slipper Lady reminds us each time we talk about her ability to do a dozen LOs at a single crop - it's actually all about the photos. Lose sight of that and really you might as well stick your photos in regular albums and you'll have bags of time and money to do something else. I think as your scrapbooking confidence grows, you become increasingly fussy about finish anyway, and the more you see of other people's LOs the more you subconciously try to emulate the style and finish of those you admire. I do. That's why my framed masterpiece is a calendar, and not just a black frame waiting for me to do something with, as so many of my purchases remain! Thanks to Lisa.

9 comments:

Caryn said...

What a profound sermon you have served up for us today Jules! I totally agree with you, scrapbooking more than any other craft is SO personal and what the crafter sees as a successful piece is all that matters. I do hope your work doesn't end up in a skip and will be sitting on someones bookshelf in a hundred years as a time capsule of family history. I haven't scrapped a photo in about 6 months - I just don't have the time to sit and complete a whole page in one sitting whereas I can make a card in an hour. I have my photos sorted and keep taking them with every intention that they will be scrapped but for now, on the computer they remain.

Love the frame idea by the way - may look into that one...

Hugs,
Caryn xxx

Ginny said...

god I love coming to your blog...I LOVE the way you "talk"...:0x

here, here..I agreee with every word so elequently said ;0)

Ginny said...

read her blog, i see why you spoke up...no doubt there will be a "rebuttal" to your latest comment!

Anonymous said...

Thankyou so much for your lovely comment on my blog, and your cupcake cards are adorable.

Carole xx

stephanie said...

ooooo been out of town and missed your blog for a few days.. love the cupcakes, hmmmm would they look cute on fabric????? off to check out the other blog you mentioned. nah....your stuff in a skip.....nah....not possible sissy.... xx

Anonymous said...

Love the idea of a scrappage layout frame. Where did you get it?
Lady Nurse

Digi Stamp Boutique said...

Wow....love that frame idea....how cool....Mmmmm...got me thinking now..

...As for the debate....I craft for me....I may post some cards on my blog....and some I dont....the ones I do are made quickly, but properly....I'm a Virgo after all.

However, I like the way I feature imperfection in every card...normally my pin hole effect that seems to appear in most.....If the lines are not quite straight, I like that...I like the way that things just work, even if not perfect....infact, I dont think I do perfect cards....interesting....perhaps I'm rebelling against those that spend 4 hours on one...when I just cant...wont....dont...but could...

There are even those who refuse to look at, let alone comment on my work...I dont need to hear if its good (or not)...I like it and that's what matters. And digitally tidying up - dont agree with it....there are some amazing creations but I wonder how many are real...who cares....but I do raw.

I also tend to use colour to reflect my mood....if its a sunny day then my card will be too...and I will find that paper, or create some sometimes to use the colour I need for that project.....love colour, love creating.....love colouring the most...

Hence why I gave up the day job to create....who cares if I dont earn as much...I'm at my happiest....I love my work, my little business.....and I do it for me...and I well and truly love every minute...of that part of my life...

xx (...anyway....enough about me...lol)

POSH SCOT said...

Julia, loving your blog, keeps the laughter lines strong and gently puts life into perspective!!

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