Ali Edwards's Blog, page 221

5.5 Tips For Beginning Memory Keepers

Every now and then I’ll receive an email or a question about how to begin scrapbooking.

I first started scrapbooking in 2002 when Simon was 11 months old. I had been browsing the internet looking for a baby book. After finding one too many that didn’t fit my style I somehow ended up at twopeasinabucket.com and first saw what I would describe as “modern” scrapbooking that included a variety of photo sizes, journaling and embellishments on 12×12 or 8.5×11 cardstock foundations.

Fast forward 12 years (!!!) to today and some things are the same and others are very different.

There’s definitely more variety these days – more options for page sizes and philosophies albums and projects and one of the biggest changes are the advances in digital photography. When I first started I was using a film camera as were most people at that time. So many different options can be great but it can also be super overwhelming if you are attempting to figure out where to begin.

Here are some 2014 thoughts on getting started with memory keeping:

ONE | Begin with the end in mind. Think about your overall memory keeping purpose: photo storage, storytelling, creative expression, etc. Why are you embarking on this adventure? Do you want to have more words on your pages than photos? Do you want to play with lots of pretty paper or try out lots of different creative techniques? What are you looking to have in the end? Are you looking to this to be your creative outlet or is it more about organization of memorabilia or storytelling or a little bit of all those things? It’s totally possible that you won’t know in the beginning what you want in the end as you first start – but it’s worth thinking about it in advance. You will absolutely learn as you go and will likely go through phases where one or the other or the other aspect is most important for a period of time.

Once you’ve started thinking about the format for your scrapbook(s) and your overall intentions with memory keeping it will make it a whole lot easier moving forward. If you aren’t sure I’d recommend beginning with something like Project Life® – a simple and straight-forward memory keeping system that uses pockets for photos and journal cards without a ton of embellishments. You can see all my Project Life® archives here. I think Project Life® is a great entry point for people who are interested in bringing their photos and stories together in one location.

Also think about how much time you envision yourself investing in this endeavor. You might have just one project/album to complete or you might be embarking on a new lifestyle of documentation (you might not know it at this point in time and that’s okay).

PS | Don’t get caught up in the name. Maybe it’s traditional scrapbooking or Project Life or art journaling or pocket pages or a single stand-alone album project or digital scrapbooking or whatever. They are all memory keeping and they are all awesome ways to tell the stories of your life and those you care about most.

TWO | Start simple. Don’t go out and buy a bunch of craft supplies or feel like you have to have a whole room set up to document your life. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything that’s available. Start with the basics: an album to hold your photos or your layouts (those might be 12×12 or 8.5×11 or 6×8), some pens for writing your story, some paper or journaling cards and something to use to take pictures (I use my iphone probably more than 60% of the time these days). You can see my list of basics and things I recommend here. Also my list of Project Life basics here.

You might want to check out a memory keeping kit club that offers a fun collection of coordinated papers and embellishments. Most offer at least a one-month purchase option so you can see what it’s all about before making a longer commitment. A few companies I have worked with and recommend include StudioCalico.com, CocoaDaisy.com and ScrapbookCircle.com. Another benefit of kit clubs is that most of them include galleries for people to share what they made with the kits – makes it easier to get started with specific inspiration and ideas for the stuff that you have right in front of you.

TWO POINT FIVE | You don’t have to scrapbook every photo you take. I’ll repeat it again in case it’s something you need to read again: you don’t have to scrapbook every photo you take. People tend to go one way or the other on this and both result in overwhelm (you will likely either have a hard time narrowing it down to one or two or you will want to include all 20 shots you took of your daughter hunting for Easter eggs). When I’m working on a page or a project I ask myself over and over again if one is enough to complement my words (and often it is but sometimes more are needed to tell a more complete story).

THREE | Make a list of the stories you want to get told. What are the important stories you want to include in your scrapbook? Consider going beyond birthdays and holidays to include stories and photos about your everyday life. Where do you call home? What does it look like and feel like and how do you feel about it? What’s your daily routine? Check out my Day In The Life or Week In The Life posts for additional inspiration.

Also consider using your scrapbook as a place to write about the things you’re thankful for, letters to your kids that document where they are right now, a list of the most meaningful moments in your life up to this point, etc. Scrapbooks are such an awesome opportunity to celebrate and document more of our lives than just the holidays.

To collect the stories I want to tell in my memory keeping endeavors I’ve been using Evernote.

FOUR | Look online for inspiration. Check out sites such as Twopeasinabucket.com or Scrapbook.com or StudioCalico.com or Pinterest. Don’t be afraid to copy other layout/album ideas as you begin to get comfortable with your own memory keeping methods.

FIVE | Embrace imperfection. It’s less about making things perfect and more about getting your stories told. People often stop scrapbooking because they’re afraid they aren’t creating “perfect” pages or telling “perfect” stories or using “perfect” supplies. Let that go. Just start. Start with the story that’s on your heart right now. Maybe all you do is type it up on a piece of 8.5×11 paper and stick a photo alongside those words and call it good just to get started. Our lives are full of imperfections and our scrapbooks are an awesome place to reflect that truth. Have fun and don’t take it too seriously.

And PS | Do what you want to do. These are your memories and your time and your words and your life. Memory keeping can be anything you want it to be and doesn’t have to fit any particular prescription. You might start out doing one thing and switch to another and that’s perfectly okay. No guilt, nothing to apologize for, etc. Keep it real for yourself and your family and your lifestyle.

What are your tips for a new scrapbooker/memory keeper?

Around Here

ANNA

Started soccer. Her team’s name is Soccer Chocolate Kittens. Their first game was last Saturday (3 on 3 for 5 minutes or so at a time) and it was just so fun even if they lost 20-0. I love that she gets to run, run and run and that her coach is all about building each other up and teamwork and never giving up. I also loved seeing her out their on the field and her determination when she was really into it. Who knows if this is something she will continue to love but it’s great that she’s trying and having fun with her friends.
Wants me to read Babar to her every night. I so remember reading this as a kid but I so don’t remember that he meets Celeste and decides to marry her on the drive between the city and the jungle.
Loves school and even loves the after-care program she attends a couple days a week.
Smart, smart, smart. Learning all the time. Drawing a ton.
One of my personal intentions this year was to really connect with her and I feel that happening and I’m so thankful. She’s off school today for Good Friday so I’ve got a couple things planned for just the two of us (most likely a trip to the library and lunch).

SIMON

Started investing some time in golf over the last couple of months. He’s currently practicing hitting balls and putting with a local coach who’s also involved in Special Olympics. Looking into whether that would be a good fit for him or just taking him out on his own. He continues to like it and be happy to head out there.
The Lego Movie. And The Lego Movie book. Not much of a surprise – he can’t wait to see the movie again.
He’s growing so fast and is in that phase where he needs so much sleep.
Transitioning to the teen years. Not even sure how or what to write about this one but it’s real. He’s emotional and sensitive and tender-hearted and wants to do the right thing and is struggling with frustrations.
Has been let behind the curtain on a few very special holiday traditions and is completely embracing his new role as “holiday helper.”

ALI

Digging in the dirt. Got my raised beds set up and started planting a few things: walla walla sweet onions, broccoli, cauliflower, snap peas, cilantro, parsley. Will do more as it continues to warm up.
Finally getting the old office furniture out of my bedroom. It’s been in there since we remodeled the office over a year ago. Still have a few larger pieces to move out.
Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad. Aaron and I are in the middle of Season 4. Such an awesome, consuming show.
Finding my voice again. There have been many times over the last couple of years where I felt like I had no idea what to say anymore. How do I tell these stories? How do I write when I have no idea who I am anymore? Slowly, slowly feel that fog lifting.
Doing a lot of summer logistic planning for the kids with Chris. Attempting to find that balance between summer relaxation, camps, travel, work, camping, etc.
Traveled to Houston earlier this week to celebrate my friend Carrie’s birthday and have lunch with Brene. So thankful for these two wonderful friends whose support and love mean so much to me.
So ready for our local outdoor pool to open – looking forward to swimming laps there this summer and spending time with friends.

Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend with family and friends.

Spring Break 2014 | Kauai Photos & Words

Written at 8:48am on a Saturday morning (3/22/14) on the island of Kauai:

We arrived on Friday afternoon and were greeted by my Aunt Gaye and my Uncle Bill in a traditional lei greeting at the airport. They wanted to do what my Grandma Marie had always done when family was arriving on the island.

My family has been coming to Kauai on and off for four generations stretching from my grandparents Marie and Neil to my children Anna and Simon.

We come to relax. To warm up. To soak it in. To honeymoon. To be alone. To recover. To forgive. To renew. To be together. To celebrate.

My grandparents acquired a timeshare at the Mokihana of Kauai over 40 years ago. I first came here with my Mom and Grandma when I was a child probably around age 8-10 (need to look that up). Since then I’ve returned five more times (again with my Mom and Grandma when I was in high school, on my honeymoon with Chris, with a group of friends, with my kids and my parents after Christmas in December 2012/January 2013).

And now with Aaron.

This will be the last visit to the Mokihana as it’s been sold to new owners and the timeshare my Grandparents first started is ending. It probably won’t be my last trip to Kauai.

I feel very much at home here. For the last few years my parents have come for multiple weeks (usually a month or so I think). They lounge and drive around and go to farmer’s markets and make friends with their neighbors and make delicious fruity drinks.

It’s a modest little place. Single room. Two twin beds that lovers push together to make one larger bed. Small kitchenette. No tv (except in a community room or if you bring one along – my parents ending up purchasing one on their longer stays and stored it in a storage locker). Minimal internet access. Small dining table with three chairs. Two plastic chairs and a small plastic table on the balcony. There’s a drawer unit and shelf for your clothes and other essentials.

Our shelf is currently holding my camera and a bottle of rum and a bottle of vodka, two boxes of cereal, a container of salted peanuts, a bag of tortilla chips, and a loaf of Dave’s bread.

Everyday at 5pm someone in the complex blows into a conch shell to announce the beginning of happy hour.

We sleep with the sliding door open and are lulled to sleep by the sound of the ever-present trade winds in Kapaa. Morning is signaled by the really, really loud roosters. It’s not always sunny here and rain is usually a part of the day. The rain makes it very lush and green and most days feature a mix of sun and rain. Always partly cloudy or partly sunny, depending on your perspective.

This island is etched into so many crevices of my mind and heart.

I remember going on a whale watching boat trip along the NaPali coast when I came with my Mom one time. I sat near the front of the boat and experienced that really expressive laughter and joy explode out of me as we rode the waves and the boat crashed down on top of them.

On my last trip here, with my kids, I won’t ever forget watching Simon’s determination to body board. He had joy spilling out of him when he was able to ride a wave.

This time the trip was really about relaxation and being on our own together. The pace was wonderfully slow. I loved being able to have drinks and dinner with my Aunt and Uncle and toast my Grandparents and this wonderful gift they passed on to our family. I loved driving around the island and listening to music and eating at little roadside places and talking and listening and growing.

Here’s a look at our adventure in photos:

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for picking this place and for sharing it with your family.

For The Love Of Books | Reading Updates

Are you guys one-book-at-a-time readers? Right now I’ve got multiple books going and sometimes I think that’s a good thing (nice to have choices based on mood, time available, etc) and other times it feels like I just lack commitment.

Either way, one of the things I wanted to make happen for myself this year was to read more books and I’m definitely making it happen.

I’m a big non-fiction reader – it’s just what I’m most interested in reading right now. I like reading about the way people think and work and I like reading memoirs and stories of real people. That said, it’s hard to beat a great fiction story.

Here’s a look at what I’ve got going on right now:

RECENTLY COMPLETED

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain | The first fiction book I’ve read in quite a long time and man was I consumed. I studied American Literature in college (my degree is in American Studies – literature, history, and political science) so I’m definitely familiar with Ernest. I read this one when Aaron and I went to Hawaii and I had to tell him more than once that he was going to need to let me know if he wanted some conversation because otherwise I was going to be immersed in this story. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Notes From A Blue Bike: The Art Of Living Intentionally In A Chaotic World by Tsh Oxenreider | I’ve been a longtime fan and daily reader of Tsh’s blog (formerly SimpleMom.net and now TheArtOfSimple.net). There’s always a dose of something good on there. As I wrote above, I like reading true stories and learning about the how’s and why’s of their lives (choices, values, lifestyles, how they overcomes challenges, etc). I’m interested in simplicity and living with less and family time and all these topics were covered in Tsh’s book.

JUST STARTING

Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has The Time by Brigid Schulte | I think this is likely a topic many of us can relate to at some level. Sociology and human behavior have always been interesting to me so I’m excited to dive into this one and see what she has to say.

ON MY NIGHTSTAND

These are ones I’ve started or pick up here and there and haven’t made it all the way through just yet or are the one’s I want to start soon.

Bittersweet: Thoughts On Change, Grace and Learning The Hard Way by Shauna Niequist | She had me at, “Bittersweet is the idea that in all things there is both something broken and something beautiful, that there is a moment of lightness on even the darkest of nights, a shadow of hope in every heartbreak, and that rejoicing is no less rich even when it contains a splinter of sadness.“
Packing Light: Thoughts On Living Life With Less Baggage by Allison Vesterfelt | I’m about halfway through this one and am enjoying reading about Allison’s journey and adventure.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business by Charles Duhigg | Haven’t started this one yet but am interested in the topic.
Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Everyday by Todd Henry | I’ve read a bit of this one and am a fan of Todd Henry’s blog and his site Accidental Creative.

I’m also back on Goodreads if you want to follow along and see what I’m reading, what I’ve read, and what’s on my to-read list.

And The Giveaways Go To…

Three peoole will win a copy of ‘Making the Shot Three: An In-Depth Discussion on Focus’ from Karen Russell. (If you purchase a copy, you will receive a full refund if you are chosen as a winner)

#114 | Lisa aka Myran said…Looks like a really great class! I love photography and could always need a tip or two
#8 | Carole said…Sometimes I struggle with getting tack sharp images. This sounds like great class on helping with that. Here’s hoping I win!

#216 | Camilla G said…I would looove it! Great literature and knowledge now that I’m not allowed to work and waiting for my first baby. First baby needs good focus

One person will win a bundle of 12 Hybrid Ink Pads from My Favorite Things  (a $75 value)

#386 | Cassie said…wow! what a generous giveaway! Thanks for the chance!

 

Congratulations! Please email Katie with your contact information.

Sponsored Giveaways | My Favorite Things

GIVEAWAY | One person will win a bundle of 12 Hybrid Ink Pads from My Favorite Things. (a $75 value)

SPECIAL OFFER | Receive 10% off your next purchase using the code “ALIEDWARDS” at the checkout. Valid 4/12/14 through 4/14/14 (coupon expires at the end of the day on 4/14 EST)

We have some BIG news this month! Say hello to our new line of Hybrid Inks. These scrapbook-safe, pigment-based inks dry like dye inks and are permanent on paper surfaces, acid-free, archival, and fade resistant. These inks feature a raised felt pad with a surface measuring 3 3/8″ X 2 1/8″. The inks can be heat set on glass, fabric, wood, plastic, metal, and clay. As these inks are fast drying and waterproof, they cannot be embossed with embossing powder.

For the initial release we have twelve colors that coordinate with our existing Replenishments products. The lid is printed in the appropriate ink color while the bottom sticker includes the ink name for easy identification no matter how you store your pads. The refills measure 1/4 oz. each. Buy each color individually OR get the entire twelve color collection, in either pads or refills, for the price of eleven. We’re excited about the possibilities this new formula offers and we know you’ll love them as much as we do!

CONNECT | Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | YouTube | Newsletter

 

TO BE ENTERED into this giveaway please leave a comment below (if you are reading this post on Facebook please come to my blog to leave a comment). Comments will be closed at 8pm Pacific on Sunday, April 13th. The winners will be announced shortly after. Please be sure to check back or subscribe (click here to get posts delivered to your email box) to see if you are receiving one of the items.

 

Happy Place | April Studio AE Blog Hop From Technique Tuesday

Welcome to the April Studio AE Blog Hop From Technique Tuesday.

Technique Tuesday offers a monthly stamp club that features a limited edition stamp set designed by me each month. You can check out past stamp sets (some are still available) here.

This month’s stamp set: Good Times

DIGITAL MEMORY KEEPER? | A similar set of digital word art is available here: No Day Like Today Brushes and Stamps

Here’s a look at the 2-page, 8.5×11 layout I created this month:

Sometimes it’s fun to do a layout that has no photos.

This one ended up with one very small image but could have just as easily had none. Scrapbooks don’t have to include photos. There are lots of times we have stories to tell and potentially no photos to go along with them – definitely doesn’t discount the story!

This spread is all about some of the things I love about this home.

Can you guess what motivated me to tell this story? I keep thinking of all the things I want to change here (paint all the walls white, rip out the carpet and add hardwood in the upstairs, take down some of the cabinets in the kitchen and add more windows, repaint the exterior, etc – things I’ve been talking about and wanting forever but just haven’t been able to swing yet) and I was starting to get really obsessed with it and it was making me grumpy. So I decided to make a list of the things I love about it right now rather than wishing for it to be something else.

It’s all about #gratitude my friends.

I don’t think I’ve documented just how thankful I am for this house and the shelter and comfort it has provided me over the last few years.

I totally enjoyed the process of putting this layout together. Here’s a look at how this layout progressed:

STEP ONE | Place that awesome large circle sticker from Me And My Big Ideas along the top of the page. These new packs of really big stickers are definitely a new favorite for me – especially because I’ve long been a fan of big type on my layouts.

STEP TWO | Draw a grid to create homes for the embellishments and words. I used a silver metallic marker. Doesn’t have to be perfect or straight or anything like that. Just draw.

STEP THREE | Start picking and choosing some embellishments and laying them out.

STEP FOUR | Choose three squares for the Good Times stamps. I used Bahama Blue ink from Memento Luxe. I spread them out a bit knowing I was going to be adding words.

STEP FIVE | Add the title along the bottom. As you can see I ran out of the first chipboard letter stickers I was using. Ha. So I ended up just adding in some others that were the same font but had different finishes on the top.

STEP SIX | Create 5 circle tags and add a chipboard number to each one to indicate you are starting a new journaling thought. I also used a small one-inch circle punch to punch out a couple pattern circles that were placed behind the chipboard numbers (this punch cuts circles just right to fit inside those metal rimmed circle tags).

STEP SEVEN | Start entering your journaling. At first I thought I was going to do 10 things and then decided to do 5 and be able to write a little bit more by continuing my journaling either across or down into the next square. I started in the top row of boxes and first went across (for #1). I just journaled in each box and then moved into the next box (vs. writing across two boxes).

As you can see I also can’t stop underlining my journaling.

STEP EIGHT | Continue your journaling and add in a few more embellishments as you work your way across and down the pages.

STEP NINE | You might choose to add a small photo to one of the boxes. I also added the date using a rolling date stamp along the left side right under the big circle sticker.

I love how this spread turned out.

Here’s a few close up shots of the spread and the journaling. Click on each photo to make it bigger:

The little word stickers (and the yellow letter stickers) I used around the page are all from this sticker sheet from Simple Stories: Hopespun.

Ah, the XO.

Still in love with this set of stickers from Amy Tan: Black Foam Phrase Twins.

I also just used a black pen to draw some lines and dots on the chipboard letters.

A NOTE ABOUT BREAKING “RULES” | I’m not generally big on creative “rules” but there are a few things I usually don’t do when creating a layout (good topic for a future post). One of those things is that I don’t usually spread journaling across two pages like I did on this one. To be honest it just sort of happened and then I went with it even though it’s not great when I put it in the page protectors. I got too excited about working within that grid.

ACTION ITEMS/IDEAS

Journal 5-10 things you love about your home – no matter what you want to change about it – right now.
Create a layout that includes a hand-drawn grid. Embrace the imperfection.
Make a layout with no photos.

SUPPLIES

Click on the images to jump to the products.

InLinkz.com

CREATIVE TEAM

Check out what our Creative Team is doing with the stamps this month:

Laura
Ashley
Nichol
Daniela
Teri

GIVEAWAY | We are going to give away one $25 e-Gift Card to TechniqueTuesday.com to someone who comments during the hop. To be eligible to win, all you need to do is comment on any of our blog posts! The lucky winner will be announced on the 21st on the Technique Tuesday blog.

We Do

In our family…

We do magic. Moments of surprise. The ones that take your breath away. We create opportunities to experience magic both big and small.

We do adventure. We take trips and see new places and experience new things to expand our worldview.

We do hard things. With grace and courage and bravery. We face our fears and we support each other. Challenges are welcome as a path towards greater personal understanding.

We do forgiveness.

We do compassion. For others. For ourselves.

We do community. We have friends over. We invite. We welcome. Our doors are open. And we accept invitations and show up.

We do movies. On the couch. At the theater.

We do outside. We swim. We bike. We walk. We play. We chase. We dine.

We do failure. We know without a doubt that trying hard and making mistakes and screwing up and getting back up again is one of the ways we all grow.

We do quiet times. In our own rooms. On the couch. In the reading room. We value time on our own.

We do one-on-one time.

We do creativity. We build. We paint. We might not all do the same forms of creativity but it is encouraged and celebrated.

We do laughter. We do joy. We do giggles and silliness.

We do different. We embrace and celebrate our individuality. We celebrate imperfections. We challenge assumptions (our own and the ones others have about us). We help others to see that different is amazing and makes our world and our lives a much richer experience.

We do family. Our family might not look the same as other families. Ours includes a wonderful collection of people who are related and un-related by blood or certificate. Some we see everyday and others on occasion. Love binds us together and we are thankful.

We do reading. On our own. Together.

We do education. We are involved and active and in-touch with our teachers. We thank them when they are awesome and gently challenge them to question their own assumptions when we know there’s room to grow. We are always learning.

We do gratitude. Around the table. In the car. On the page.

We do love. Every single day. No matter what.

I wrote this last month in a flurry of inspiration while sitting in the car waiting for one of the kids or just after dropping them off at school (I can’t remember which it was now). “We do…” is basically a family manifesto of who we are and the things I value and want to pass along by example. I wrote it out using Evernote which is the program I’m definitely using most these days for writing things down and keeping track of ideas while I’m on the go (thoughts, post ideas, workshop ideas, etc).

As I was getting this post ready Katie and I went back through many, many photos looking for a recent one of the me and the kids and we are severely lacking in that department. This needs to be remedied very soon. Katie printed out and put together the fun collection of recent photos you see above.

PS | Thank you so much to those of you who have taken the time to fill out the 2014 aliedwards.com Reader Survey. I appreciate it greatly. There’s still time to fill it out if you haven’t yet. I’ll close it up on Monday.

What do you and your family do?

Special Weekday Giveaway | Karen Russell’s Making The Shot

GIVEAWAY | Three peoole will win a copy of ‘Making the Shot Three: An In-Depth Discussion on Focus’ from Karen Russell. (If you purchase a copy, you will receive a full refund if you are chosen as a winner)

ABOUT | Making the Shot Three: An In-Depth Discussion on Focus is an advanced photography course devoted solely to the topic of focus. This issue defines the difference between tack-sharp, adequately-sharp and soft focus and discusses in great detail how cameras and lenses, lighting and contrast, autofocus settings and a proper focusing technique each play a critical and combined role in creating the sharpest images possible, straight out of the camera. This issue includes three step-by-step testing guides, ten comprehensive case studies, an entire section that tackles the topic of how and why you should be Back-Button Focusing, and every ounce of knowledge Karen has (and then some!) about focusing.

This is a downloadable course (a 139-page PDF and over six hours of audio) with the option of purchasing and participating in a two-week, online Q&A forum where Karen will be answering any and all questions related to the topic of focus from June 16th – 29th, 2014.

In the past, issues of Making the Shot have only been available to students of The Photographers’ Workshop, so this is the first time Karen has released an issue of Making the Shot to general public.

COST | $55 (PDF + audio) or $75 (PDF + audio + 2-week Q&A Forum)

Click here for more information and to purchase.

Past students of the Photographers’ Workshop will receive a $20 discount off of the price of the PDF.

CONNECT | Blog | Business Website | Instagram

 

 

TO BE ENTERED into this giveaway please leave a comment below (if you are reading this post on Facebook please come to my blog to leave a comment). Comments will be closed at 8pm Pacific on Thursday, April 10th. The winners will be announced shortly after. Please be sure to check back or subscribe (click here to get posts delivered to your email box) to see if you are receiving one of the items.

What Do You Want To See | aliedwards.com Reader Survey

I’ve been blogging since 2004.

In internet years that’s a pretty darn long time.

I’ve written over 3000 posts that include some of the simplest and also the most challenging times in my life like learning of Simon’s autism diagnosis or sharing that Chris and I were divorcing.

Throughout those years I’ve held a variety of different thoughts and opinions about the process of blogging: write what you love, write what you think people want to read, focus on content, promote products, generate income, etc. I’ve experienced the evolution of personal to professional and questioned how much is too much and how much is not enough over and over again.

Most of the time I’ve kept it pretty consistent. When you click on my site most of the time you’ll find a mix of the following:

Personal life stories and experiences.
Memory keeping projects. This often includes my processes,  my successes and challenges with those projects, organization, etc.
Product promotion. I promote my own products and workshops and those of others I think you guys would find interesting and inspiring. Sometimes that includes giveaways.

The thread of memory keeping/scrapbooking links most of it together.

I don’t talk a lot about the business of blogging here but this site is a major part of my business and how I support my family.

Up until 2012 when Katie was hired as my assistant it’s just been me driving this ship. Sometimes that’s really awesome and sometimes it’s brutal. There are times when I have no idea what to say next, what direction to take, and there are times when I feel like I know exactly where I’m going. Most of the time it’s a crazy mixture of the two.

The internet and the way we all interact with it continues to evolve and change. I want to be open to evolving personally and professionally. I want to provide content that’s interesting to you and to me. I want to keep on keeping it real and authentic in all that I do.

All that to say, I’m interested in what you’d like to see here.

I’m interested in what you’d like to see more and less of in terms of posts. I’m also interested in what kinds of products you’d like to see me work on in the future and what types of workshops you’d like to see moving forward.

I’ve come up with a quick 10-question survey and today I’m asking you to take a few minutes to respond. I’d greatly appreciate it.

Click here to participate in the 2014 reader survey.

 

I’ll leave it open for a few days and then share the results with you in an upcoming post.

As always, thank you for being here. Thank you for continuing to be a part of this crazy little corner of the online world.