Cathy Zielske's Blog, page 226

Project Life Check In + a Step-by-Step Video on Journal Cards

I think I'm liking the idea of updating my Project Life album every two to three weeks.

Why? Well, for starters, I'll get more mileage out of my page protectors. Next, I don't take quite as many photos as I did in the Days of Scrapbook Yore, so I feel less pressure to make sure I have images to get into the book.

This spread covers two weeks, May 15 through May 28.  Some of the biggest news of this time period? Hello? Oprah's final show? I think I could have devoted an entire mini album to that one. Alas, I'll suffice with a shot of my television screen and notes on a journal card.

Although this photo didn't make the cut:

(Yes, I watched the final show with a smoothie in hand.)

This one didn't make the cut either:

Nor this one:

OPRAH. WE SPEAK YOUR NAME!

Alright, moving right along…here are my pages:

I made a new set of 2.75 x 3.75 layered journaling files for those of you who want to dabble in custom journaling cards. I use a mix of my own handwriting on the Project Life cards, and my custom journaling cards. Sometimes, I have more to say than I can usually fit onto a hand-journaled card.

The files work just like any other layered Photoshop file. You open them, change your font to one you like, type in your journaling, and then change the green placeholder color of the pop word to whatever you like. Here's a very short video showing you how they work:

Working with layered journal cards from Cathy Zielske on Vimeo.

 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Open layered journal card file. Select the layer with the pop word (the word in green on the template) and change it's color. To do this, click once on the Set Foreground Color icon in the tool palette to pull up the Color Picker. Move your mouse around to find a color you like. Click OK.

2. Go to Edit > Fill Layer. Make sure the Contents drop down is set to Foreground Color and that Preserve Opacity is checked. Click OK and the color will apply to the pop word.

3. Click on the journaling layer (with the T icon) and highlight all the words to change the font.

4. Type in your journaling, and you're ready to print. Be sure to send the file to print with the Crop Marks option checked in the PSE print window.

To print multiple cards on a single sheet of 8.5 x 11 cardstock, you will use the MultiCardJournalingTemplate file included in the package.

1. Open the MultiCardJournalingTemplate.psd file, and make sure you also have your journal card file open as well.

2. In the upper most bar there is an icon that has a drop down for Arrange Documents. Click on that and select the view that shows two docs side by side. Note: you can also just click on the top of the MultiCardJournalingTemplate.psd window and drag it over to the side, so you can view both documents at once.

3. Click on the journal card so its active, then hold down the Shift key and select all four layers in the document.

4. Next, hold down the mouse, click anywhere on the journal card file and drag over to the MultiCardJournalingTemplate.psd file. Let go and the entire card will transfer to the template. All of the layers move together because they are still highlighted. Click to drag into place centered in the crop marks. Repeat for more cards.

If you have any questions for me, leave me a comment. And have a fabulous Monday.

For more information on Project life, click here.

 

One of the secrets to making a marriage work?

Never let your spouse blend into the scenery.—Dan Zielske, early 2000s

Deal.

Move More Eat Less June 2011

It's been one month since I posted under the official Move More Eat Less platform, and if you recall, last month, Mama was in the midst of a great, big, fat pity fest.

I disguised it as a thoughtful, I'm-not-going-to-beat-myself-up type of message, but the reality was this: I was in a major sugar and carb binge overload, and I wasn't quite sure how I was going to climb up and out of it.

And after I posted and let myself wallow around in my words for a bit, I shrugged off the Cloak of Diet and Fitness Malaise and got back to the business of learning how to take care of myself in a way that is both realistic and sustainable.

So here I am, the 1st of June, feeling more inspired and ready to Move More and Eat Better. I realize this campaign of mine started with the idea of eating less, and I do believe that when you're starting out on this journey, you really do have to cut back the amount of food that's going down the old gullet if you want to get the numbers moving in a downward direction.

However right now, I really am focused on eating better. And by better, I don't just mean the kind of better where you only eat one donut instead of 4. I mean the kind of better where you are looking for the most balanced nutrition you can get out of each meal and snack.

I just finished reading "The Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism" as recommended to me by my friend Lisa. I am planning to go back and read more on what the author explains about supplements (not quite ready to jump into that one just yet) but a few things have really hit home, namely these.

1. You will never ever get full on straight carbs. You know how you sit and have that bowl of Goldfish, and then you want another, and another? And what the hell…another? The author explains what happens to carbs in your system and how it's like an endless cycle of Feed Me coming from your body. This really helped me to understand why once I'm in a carb (and sugar) binge space, the hits just keep a comin'.

2. You need to choose real food and not those 100-calorie food stuff snacks. I've been guilty from time to time of buying those little packs of stuff. I think, "Hey! I've got 6 more points to eat today... BRING ON THOSE FAT FREE POTATO CHIPS!" But what I am learning now is that I've got to make every food choice count, and I've got to be keepin' it real, y'all. Meaning, real, whole, unadulterated foods.

So guess what I cut out last week? My daily, beloved afternoon cup of Oregon Chai. (SHUT the front door! She so did NOT do that!) Yes, she did.

Why? The sugar. Every afternoon cup served to spike those insulin levels and blammo!—it set me up for an afternoon of more cravings beyond a simple cup of sugary chai tea.

In its place, a cup of Tazo Green Tea. Simple. Plain. Warm. Done.

I only had one day of headaches after kicking the chai to the curb. Not bad at all.

But with everything you kick out of the rotation, I believe you need to bring some new ones in. In my efforts to get a better balance of protein, carbs and fats together, my friend told me how to make my new most favorite smoothie in the world.

I'm a huge smoothie fan, but I used to make mine with Yoplait yogurt (hello, high fructose corn syrup that I no longer want in my body) and orange juice (hello, crazy amounts of sugar, why don't you just eat an orange if you're going that route?). It was so sweet and delicious and yes, I suppose good for me on some level, but I wanted to make it healthier and tasty too. This new one does just that.

My God, just look at it. I'm drooling. All. Over. The. Keyboard.

The good part? Whey protein and flax seed and kefir and coconut water. Sounds wacky but tastes so amazingly fresh and delicious. I want you to try this so I made a 6 x 4 recipe card for your downloading pleasure. Please, for to enjoy…

(Hold down your mouse and right-click on the image. You can choose to download the JPEG, print, trim and make that smoothie!)

I use vanilla whey protein powder from my local co-op (Mississippi Market) and sometimes I add a little extra coconut water if it's too thick. Mmmm. Everything in it is good for you people. My kind of smoothie makeover indeed!

And now, onto this month's layout. I am down from a high of 159 in the start of May. I'm changing things up a bit both nutrionally (having eggs and sprouted grain toast with butter instead of bran flakes for breakfast) and on the fitness front (hello BodyPump and Zumba!).

JOURNALING READS: Aaaaand she's back! After skipping the documentation of Month 17 due to a bad case of Feeling Sorry for Myself-itus as well as a bit of an out of control sugar and carb binge that went unchecked for three weeks, I'm back on the horse of fitness and healthy and riding tall. Key changes for this installment? I'm reading and learning a bit more about balanced nutrition. While yes, I am still tracking what I eat each week via Weight Watchers, I am employing what I've been learning in "Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism." Mostly, I'm trying to balance out my protein, fat and carbs in a way that keeps me feeling more satiated and even, and I'm trying to cut out as many white flour and straight up sugar items as possible. So far, so good. I'm hoping to get a handle of those cravings that all revolve around sugar and carbs. It's small steps to start: organic eggs, sprouted grain bread and real butter for breakfast; whey protein smoothies in the afternoon instead of my beloved Oregon Chai. Little changes that I'm hoping will make more sense for how I want to live my life. I also went to my first BodyPump class and I intend to make this a weekly thing. I know that weight training needs to be a part of this whole thing, and even though I really don't have the love for it, I'm going to try to work it back into the mix. There is still the reality that a) I will never be able to eat anything I want without consequences, and b) I still need to work towards a more positive body image and self-acceptance. But at least I'm back on track, and working to workshop every changing approaches to find the best fit for me.

So there it is. Right now I feel like I'm in an exploration mode, trying to learn more about concrete nutrition and not simply the calories in/calories out old standby model. Yes, I believe in diets, but I also need to keep reminding myself this is also about lifestyle and sustainability.

So for now, I continue to Move More and Eat Better. I am not going to be the thinnest girl on the block, but I might be one of the healthiest some day, and maybe even one of the smartest.

How is everyone doing on their lifestyle changes this month?

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Want to learn more about Move More Eat Less 2011? Click here to learn more about the concept.

I've also started a flickr group for Move More Eat Less. Feel free to start sharing your pages. You will find the group by clicking here.

 

Say, thar's gold in them there hills!

Photographic background gold that is!

I present Exhibit A:

If you have been reading my blog of late, you're well aware of the cosmetic improvements happening at Chez Zielske (and yes, I will do a complete remodel post when all work is completed). But you have seen how this lovely shade of green is now part of my neighborhood's landscape, yes?

Well who knew it would be a photographic goldmine of a background?

Okay, maybe I did. I present the resulting scrapbook page of said background as Exhibit B, which also happens to officially be my new favorite scrapbook page of all time, for this week.

Oh for stinkin' cute. Seriously? Get out! No, I'm serious. Please leave and compose yourself because the cuteness and overall design tightness is too glorious to behold.

(See, a little positive self talk goes a LONG way for us scrapbookers, who may or may not get out much.)

I couldn't help calling it the Green Monster (Hello, any Red Sox fans in the hizzouse?), and yet it is not an intimidating force preventing all but the hardest hit of homerun balls, but rather one that inexplicably draws the scrapbooker nearer to pose her more willing children for photographic moments of glee.

Cue the choir of angels here.

I just had to share how my new affinity for green stucco inspired a page…about my affinity for green stucco.

Amen.

SUPPLIES: background paper (Just Linens No. 1 by Michelle Martin) • Interstate Extra Light and Thin fonts. Note: this template will be available next weekend in my Designer Digitals collection.

 

 

Remembering and honoring

Here's to remembering all of those men and women who've died serving our country, and to those still out there, doing their jobs every day to preserve everything this country stands for.

I'm so grateful to live in a place where voices can be heard—some popular, some not as much—but all able to shout what they believe from the rooftops. I'm thankful for the men and women who honor this ideal with their service.

Also in my thoughts today, the many tornado victims across the country. From right here, just 10 miles away in own back yard of Minneapolis to Missouri and across the South. For those lost and those who have lost everything.

For more information on how to help, click here for the Red Cross.

The CZ Design giveaway winners are...

Ladies, email me at czdesign@comcast.net. I'll have you pick out five of any of my products from Designer Digitals.

It was really cool to read how people found this blog. All I can say to you blog readers is thank you for continuing to come back.

Sponsor Appreciation + A CZ Design Giveaway

Today I'd like to take a post to thank and feature every one of my blog sponsors. As a self-employed designer, writer and blogger, the support of these sponsors gives me a way to help other small business people as well as provide a piece of the financial puzzle to allow me to continue doing the work that I love. I am extremely grateful to those advertisers who have chosen to promote their businesses here on my blog.

Please click through some of the links today, and get to know the goods and services of my sponsors. It's a diverse group of creative, memory-saving, photo-taking, and organizing kind of folks. Tell them I sent you, with much, much gratitude.

And to thank YOU for checking them out and for coming here and reading my blog, I'm going to giveaway three blog readers a set of (5) digital products of their choice chosen from my entire collection at Designer Digitals. That includes digital and hybrid album sets as well. Read on to learn more about my blog sponsors.

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ABOUT RENEEPEARSON.COM:

Ready to take the plunge into digital crafting? Or, perhaps you're eager to polish or advance your current skills. No matter where you are on the learning scale, we have what you're looking for at ReneePearson.com.

Renee Pearson literally "wrote the book" on digital scrapbooking. Now she's built a teach team composed of the best designers, artists and photographers who share their skills, their processes and their secrets.

A ReneePearson.com student says it best: "There are lots of places I can go to learn digital scrapbooking. But ReneePearson.com is the only place I found that has the variety of topics and the quality of instruction at an affordable price. Keep up the good work."

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT CAPTURE YOUR 365:

CaptureYour365 is a community for photography ideas, inspiration, and support.  The CY365 gallery, community and blog is packed with information to improve your photography and memory keeping whether you are a taking a photo once a day, once a week, or occasionally.

Join the mailing list to receive a daily 365 prompt. Be the first to learn about available classes and upcoming photo challenges or get the link to each month's photo idea list.
 
Visit CaptureYour365. You don't need to know your f/stop from your ISO to take part in the conversation.

Website|Facebook |Twitter

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ABOUT A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE:

A Walk Down Memory Lane is your premier scrapbook and stamping headquarters. We have all of your favorite companies in the store, as well as some new companies you may not have seen before.

As a scrapbook supplies online scrapbooking store we offer more items than any of the local scrapbooking shops with scrap book items from all the major scrapbook suppliers including hard to find items. All Craft Supplies is your source for all your scrapbooking supplies delivered fast to your door. Compare our prices and selection of scrapbooking supplies with Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michael's and other big box stores. Find Scrapbook Manufacturers and scrapbook supplies at discount prices here at awdml.com. Please take a look at our huge inventory of scrapbooking supplies from your favorite scrapbook manufacturers. Scrapbooking Supplies Is The Everything You Need for Scrapbooking. Scrapbooking Supplies Will Help You Create Beautiful, Personalized Scrapbooking Projects that you will Treasure for a Lifetime. Scrapbooking Supplies Learn How To Create Beautiful, Personalized Scrapbooking Projects that you will Treasure for a Lifetime.

Website | Facebook

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ABOUT SCRAPSCRIPTION:

ScrapScription is a unique and innovative kind of scrapbooking kit website.  No matter where you live, you can create creative scrapbook projects using our friendly kits, detailed instructional sheets, and coordinating product packs which are delivered right to your door.  Simply pick and choose which kits work best for you or better yet, join our monthly club, ScrapScribers!  As a ScrapScriber, you will automatically receive our mid-month release each and every month.  Besides getting each shipment at a reduced price, check out the ScrapScriber page to learn about other benefits.  Sign up to become a ScrapScriber by June 10th and we will pay the shipping costs on your first shipment!  Simply use the shipping code CATHYZ to receive this offer.

Website | Facebook

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ABOUT SIMPLIFY 101:

simplify 101's mission is to make getting organized fun! Founded by Aby Garvey, the co-author of The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, simplify 101 specializes in online organizing workshops that make it affordable and fun to work with a professional organizer! Simplify 101 is excited to announce their brand new online workshop Organizing with Your Kids. This online workshop teaches you how to team up with your kids and create results you both love! Save 15% now through May 31st by using the code KIDS15CZ during checkout. (Coupon may not be combined with other offers.)

Get a taste of simplify 101—and the organized life—with their FREE, simple-to-follow guide How to Create a Command Central Binder.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT SCRAPPIN' STUFF:

Scrappin' Sports Stuff is your all-in-one online shop for sports scrapbook supplies. Featuring both popular sports and extracurricular activities, we have the scrapbook papers, stickers, embellishments and scrapbook kits for all your pages from Baseball to Wrestling.

We offer more than just sports though. Beyond the sports field, we feature extracurricular activities and school events such as band, dance, drama, gymnastics, karate, scouting and off road activities. We even carry popular gaming supplies for video games and board games.

In addition to the broadest selection of scrapbooking supplies for every sport, Scrappin' Sports Stuff also offer a full resource center with sports quotes, poems and free fonts, a gallery full of scrapbooking layouts for sports and scrapbook sketches to help you complete those scrapbook sports pages.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT WILLETE:

Willette is a photography blog that provides photography tips, inspiration and products geared towards professional AND amateur photographers who want to better document their lives and their children's lives with their cameras.  The products range from the finding the joy ebook, the portrait cookbook posing guide series, and there are tons of freebies on the blog including free photoshop and element action sets and lightroom presets, and the right now photography challenge.
 
Until June 1st, all willette products found at the Willette shop are 60% off with the code willie60, and the finding the joy ebook is currently only $35 (typically a $75 product).
 
Whether you just want to learn to take better photos of your OWN children or if you'd like to venture into taking photos of OTHER people's children, willette is a great resource!

Website | Facebook

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ABOUT SCRAPBOOKING FROM THE INSIDE OUT:

Every month Scrapbooking from the Inside Out creates an emotion-focused kit that brings you the freshest supplies along with symbolism that will help you tell your real story. Each month's delivery is a unique, stylish creation that will take you to new places in your heart and your crafting. Our industry-exclusive FREE Inspiration Page each month provides you with a multimedia support system - including deep journaling prompts, a music playlist, quotes, photos and evocative challenges to make your tender heart and creative mind and hands flow. Our kits are so much more than pretty - they're all about a deeper experience of scrapbooking - inspiration, emotional release and real understanding.

Website | Facebook

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ABOUT SCRAPBOOK CIRCLE:

Scrapbook Circle is a monthly kit club that is committed to bring you the newest scrapbooking products every month. The kits are a combination of products from many different manufacturers each month, so you are always guaranteed a fresh and creative collection of supplies. There is a low 2-month commitment if you would like to receive the kits at a discounted price or you have the option to purchase single kits. With a talented design team providing daily blog posts and creative ideas with every kit, you will find and endless supply of inspriation on the site. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT FRITTS CREATIVE:

LeAnne at Fritts Creative has combined her passion for photography with her need to be creative!  By taking pictures of nature, architecture and everyday objects that resemble letters of the alphabet, she creates unique and colorful photographic letter art.  Using these pictures as letters, customers choose their own combinations to make personalized names and words.  Available in either color or B&W and with over 250 letter choices, there is a word for everyone.  From Name Frames to Word Plates, she want you to have fun and be creative!

Name Frames are 10- x 20-inch collage prints which allows the addition of personalized text—perfect for wedding, anniversaries and family names.  This is a print only, no framing.

Word Plates are individual 4x6 photographic prints, framed under glass and connected into one long framed piece.  A little funkier than name frames, word plates are very popular with kids of all ages.

For sample layouts, letter choices  and ordering please visit her website , Etsy shop  or Facebook page.

Website | Facebook | Etsy Shop

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ABOUT BITE-SIZED SCRAPBOOKING:

Bite-sized Scrapbooking is a simple and fun way to make layouts. For just $5 per month, subscribers receive three email messages each week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), guiding them to create a layout based on the inspiration layout of the week. First, gather photos and words; second, gather supplies; and third, complete your layout using the inspiration layout as a guide. With this unique approach to scrapbooking, much of the decision-making time is eliminated, so your pages come together quickly and easily. Bite-sized Scrapbooking can help you get your stories scrapped, enjoy the process, and use your stash! Get your Bite-sized Scrapbooking FREE Sampler today.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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ABOUT PHOENIX SCRAPBOOK COTTAGE:

A relaxing retreat is just around the corner!  Phoenix Scrapbook Cottage offers:

• 24-hour access to your own scrapbooking space
• Six-foot wide personal work area with a comfortable chair, full-spectrum light, and drink holder
• Comfortable beds with plush linens
• A quiet, relaxing, home-like atmosphere for you and your friends to crop the weekend away
• Scrapbooking tool room with a computer, tons of fonts, a wide-format printer, cricut machine, stamps, idea books, and much more
• Wireless internet
• Fully-equipped kitchen
• Unlimited snacks and drinks
• Open nearly every weekend of the year

No bunk beds!  No uncomfortable hotel meeting rooms!  No schedule!

So, grab your friends, gather your photos, and get ready for a relaxing and fun time! Visit us at www.phxscrapcottage.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Thanks again to all of my present sponsors (and my past ones as well!) Please visit their sites to see all of what these small business woman (and men) have to offer!

TO ENTER THE CZ DESIGN GIVEAWAY: Leave me a comment today and tell me how you came to find this blog in the first place. And thanks again, for continuing to come back! I'll choose the winners on Sunday evening.

 

 

What she has meant to me.

Today is finally here. The last official broadcast of the Oprah show. When it was announced late last summer, it seemed like a day that was eons away in the distant future in some alternate universe. In short: this day was a hard one to really believe was a-comin'.

Some people love Oprah. Some people couldn't give a rat's tushka about her.

I belong squarely in the Love Her category and I'm going to try my best to tell you why.

I turned 20 in 1986, the same year that Oprah's show went on the air nationally. At 20, I was officially an adult (or so I liked to believe.) As such, I did a very non-adult thing and I moved back into my parent's new home in Texas following a family relocation from Seattle in order to finish my college education. For the first time in my life I had a television in my room—with cable! My favorite show was thirtysomething and I watched the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson every single night before going to bed.

In 1986 and for many years to come, talk shows were sensational, sometimes a wee bit trashy and usually good for an hour of entertainment when I needed a break from studying for an upper level communications final. I also didn't know a lot of people in Texas, and I'm not ashamed to say Oprah kept me company during times I wished I had someone to hang out with.

I'd like to say that I remember each and every Oprah show I ever saw, but I don't. I remember thinking she was a breath of fresh air in the milk toast television landscape. I loved that she was different. At the time, I felt like a different person myself, one that was trying so hard to figure out who I was and who I wasn't and where I fit into this world at large.

I do recall, however, one Oprah show, and for the life of me, I can't find a link to it, but it was a show on racism, where they had a group of African American men and caucasian men in a room for a really frank and sometimes shocking discussion on race in America. I remember very clearly it being one of the first times (and Lord, how it wouldn't be the last) that I was absolutely glued to the discussion, with tears streaming down my cheeks as I felt the raw emotion and the pain in that room behind my television screen.

Oprah made me think about things I hadn't thought about before. She made me empathize on a regular basis. She made me cry during non-prime time television.

In 1998, after two years of post-baby weight gain that had gotten completely out of hand, I bought her book "Make the Connection" and did exactly what she and Bob Greene told me to do. There is a list of 10 things to live by in that book, and live by them to the letter I did. In a year, I lost 40 pounds and returned to my fighting weight. Of course, I also decided to pick up smoking again, and kissed the exercise component goodbye.  But during that glorious year, I worshipped at the fitness altar of Oprah daily, believing, truly believing that if I did what she did, everything was going to be okay.

When Oprah failed at her own fitness goals, I shared in that too. As I started to smoke again, I remember feeling like a failure as well. And when I quit a second time, and the weight came back on, I had her right there with me, realizing that some things in life are hard for just about everybody.

When Oprah made the decision to use her show as a platform for good, I cheered. She rose above the sea of "schlalk" shows and elevated the medium to a whole different level. Sure, she had her fair share of makeover shows and related fluff, but by and large, when I watched her show I learned something new, or I at least thought about it in a different way.

Oprah even got me into trouble at work from time to time. I remember once in 1998, Madonna was slated to be on as a guest. It was right around the time of her Ray of Light album, which I adored, and I really wanted to get home early to watch the show.

I was working as a designer for the Science Museum of Minnesota at the time, and my day ended at 4 p.m., right when Oprah's show comes on the air. Because I had no concept of how to use a VCR, I said to my boss at about 3:40, "Can I head out a little early? Madonna's going to be on Oprah and I really want to see it," to which he replied, in a very gruff and pissed off voice, "So now we have to compete with Oprah?"

Needless to stay I didn't get home in time to see the whole thing, and everyone knows the first 15 minutes are critical and set the tone for every show.

In the last year, I've watched more Oprah than I probably have in all the past year's combined. Mostly because I don't work as many hours as I used to, and also because I've been keenly aware that this afternoon television respite that has on occasion elevated me to the highest levels of human compassion is soon to be filed under the No More category.

People can say what they want about Oprah. That she's arrogant, that she's out of touch, that she's just a bit too big for her britches, but I will tell you this: anyone who tries to put something positive out into the world is to be admired in my book.

Anyone who has made a person think differently about even the smallest of things has made a tremendous impact in the world.

She has made me think differently and for that I am grateful and I will miss her daily show.

I still think she should have focused a bit more on scrapbooking, but what the heck. At least Lisa Bearnson got on there once.

God speed, Oprah Winfrey.

With much gratitude and love,

Cathy

Final day to save at Designer Digitals

SUPPLIES: Layered Template No. 82 (Cathy Zielske) • Wonderful Idea Dots Paper Pack (Jesse Edwards) • Just Linens No. 1 Paper Pack (Michelle Martin) • Boxed Days Brushes and Stamps (Cathy Zielske) • Archer font

Today is the final day to stock up and save at the Designer Digitals 2nd Quarter Sale.

I made this page over the weekend, while thinking about this whole health and fitness journey I've been on for the past year and a half. Maybe it seems weird that I keep trying new things. This month, I'll give up meat! This month, I'll eat more protein! This month, I'll stand on my head for 2 hours every day and recite poetry!

I'm just trying to find something that fits for the long haul and works with my particular chemistry. I look forward to posting on the Move More Eat Less front in the beginning of June. I'm trying to cut out excess and hidden sugars presently, and also trying to avoid anything made of white flour. Baby steps here.

So far, I feel great. I'm having food like eggs and sprouted grain toast with butter for breakfast and it seems to be agreeing with me. I'm also taking a hard look at my fitness regime and realizing it is time to mix it up. Running and swimming are great, but there is zero muscle building going on right now. This has to change. I'm actually planning on attending my first BodyPump class on Friday if I can just get over my anxiety about group fitness classes. Maybe a Zanax before hand will help?

Of course, I jest.

Just sharing a page and reminding you that today is the last day of the sale. Have a lovely Tuesday.

Project Life Check In

So after doing my first three weeks of Project Life, I sort of fell off the scrap wagon. What? Gasp. Noooo! Say it isn't so, Cathy!

But the cool thing about Project Life? No big whoop. You can easily recover and here's how I did just that for the past three weeks.

I created a smart folder in iPhoto and defined it by the date. I entered April 23 through May 14 and voila, all of my photos taken during that time were nicely separated from the bulk of my library.

Turns out I took 162 photos during that three-week slot. Can you imagine if that was back in the film days? I'd be on the fast track to running out of grocery funds.

But I decided that I really didn't want to try and cover three spreads in my album to make up the time. I just wanted to hit the highs in one two page spread. Period.

And that's exactly what I did. Whew! Talk about easy and guilt free!

It covered Mother's Day, Aidan's confirmation, choosing paint color for our home and a shirtless Rob Lowe. I feel I hit the high points, indeed.

And here is the week that I didn't share back in April, which is when my so-called slump began.

Ahhhh. Just like that, the slump is over, baby!

I really like having layered journal cards or even just using story card brushes to do a weekly (or tri-weekly summary) for one of my 6 x 4 pockets. For me, it's an easy way to get the highlights down for the week.

I may do this two- and three-week synopsis spreads again. Sometimes it might be because I'm falling behind and other times just because I want to trim down how many shots I'm printing and saving.

I will say it again: this system is flexible and forgiving.

That's my kind of project indeed.