You Don't Really Want to Buy That or Adding Stitches to My Pages

"Oh, you don't want to buy that."

That's the response I heard from the sales associate at JoAnn's when I asked where to find the portable, hand-held sewing machine.

"It's terrible. You don't want to ever sew with it. That's why we don't even carry them anymore. Everyone just kept returning them."

The disturbing thing was, I really did want to buy it. I had my 40% off coupon of the week, I had read all the online reviews, I had wandered through all the parts of the store, and I still wanted it. I was committed to owning it. And the more she denigrated it, the more I wanted it.

There was a time when I would look at pages that had stitching on them, and think, "That's crazy. Who wants to put paper in their sewing machine?" I do have have sewing machine. It's old and stubborn, but works great for the two times a year that I take it out of it's built-in cabinet and fire it up to make curtains, pillows, or mend jeans. Other than that, it just sits in the corner and holds random jigsaw puzzles of Hello Kitty and fairy adventure books. Using it for scrapbook pages just seemed like a lot of extra work.

After a while, I did want to have the look of the sewing on my pages. So I used the stickers that looked like stitches. Then I used rub-ons that looked like stitches. I even made faux stitches with markers. I thought about hand sewing, but discovered paper doesn't forgive the way that fabric does. Besides, it was too much like sewing those cards with yarn I remembered from elementary school. I poo-poohed the stitching embellishment as long as I could, but finally it got the best of me.


[Christmas Fun 08 - not only did I use my stitching for the first time, I also tried out my $.49 cent pink stapler for the ribbon border.]

That's when I decided there had to be a small portable machine that might work for sewing on paper. I jumped online and searched for handheld sewing machines. I read user reviews of a few different models. I pick low cost one that sounded like it might actually work. But, alas, my search as JoAnn's was fruitless and discouraging. When I got back home I ordered it online. (Red Cordless Sewing Machine) Now that's the only way you can buy it. Maybe it's JoAnn's way of avoiding the pitying looks one would receive in the store when buying it in person. Now I can be anonymous in my seemingly foolish purchase.

When it arrived, I had my doubts, but the test runs on the paper were exemplary. True, I would never see the stitches lasting beyond a single use on actual fabric, but for paper, fantastic! Of course, the true test will come when I want to change the bobbin, but with the assistance of the enclosed directions written in what I assume is clear and concise French, I will be just fine. No one has to know I even own, especially the helpful staff at JoAnns. Read More...

What Can You Fit in A 13x13x13 Box? or Scrapping on the Road

[What Could Be 'Smore Fun? 08]

My day job had me on the road right after New Year's for a 4-day trip to Washington, DC. While to some it may seem like an awesome all-expense paid excursion to our nation's capitol, I was less enthused. I have been on enough of these little junkets to know that in addition to the over-enthusiastic main hall sessions with 1200 people in attendance, and the endless break-out sessions focusing on each and every item in the company, the long lines of colleagues and acquaintances waiting to get meals each day, there would also be "scheduled social events" every evening. While most folks are pumped about themed gatherings with adult beverages in ample supply, I am a natural introvert and can only take the crowds, smiles, air-kisses and uncomfortable, yet stylish shoes for so many hours in a day. I knew there had to be some way I could extricate myself early in the evening and leave the happy revelers barely noticing I was ever there. If only there were some way that I could retire to the serene setting of my hotel room and scrapbook. Oh, yeah, that's a laugh. How in the world could I expect to decently scrapbook so far from home? So far from my glitter? So far from my doo-dads? So far from my buttons and ribbon?

[Sparklers 08]

Then I got the memo. It was innocent in its intent: I was to notify the marketing department if I had any boxes to ship to the meeting.

Boxes? Hmmm.

[Enough Fun for Everyone 08]

I filled a 13x13x13 box with prepped pages (pictures and papers matched up), my most basic tools and adhesives, some letter stickers, a selection of doo-dads in metal and plastic, and zip-lock baggie of ribbon cuttings. I even found room for my SideKick. The box was a little heavy, but no one gave it a second look as I took it to the marketing department, and it became one of the hundreds.

Now I was looking forward to the meetings. Everyday I attended the living daylights out of both big events and breakout sessions. I didn't miss a single one. I took notes. I asked questions. I knew when the final session was over and everyone else was heading up to their rooms to prepare for the evening's festivities, I had pictures and paper calling to me. No interruptions, no dishes, no bedtime.

I had a great time and did made some nice pages, making whatever I had in the 13x13x13 box work for those pages. It was a challenge for my innovative thinking, but besides some journaling, I was pleased to see that I could make due with whatever was in my stash, no matter how small the stash was on the road. Maybe the best part was working with these fun summer pictures and memories in cold January new year.


[Family 08-sketch from Stuck?!]

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Back At It Again

I know it's been ages since I posted. I'm finally back - I did get a new job and had to dedicate my time to figuring it all out. Now I've got my scrap back on, and I'm ready to share. Many thanks to those of you who have told me that you've been looking for new posts and not giving up on my little blog.

Even though I haven't been posting, I have been scrapping. I have been working hard to catch up, forsaking the side trips and shopping at the last scrap retreat at CJ's Creative Cottage to focus totally on dominating the pile of prepped pages. I took a break for another couple of months because my day job had me on the road so much. I really got a kick start with the purchase of the the Sure Cuts A Lot software I use with my Cricut. Then it was spring break and I had a pile of vacation pictures sitting in a pile.

I've either been so productive and powering out the pages or I've been taking significantly fewer pictures. Either way, there never seems to be a lack of projects (yeah!) and a great satisfaction knowing that I am only 5 months behind. Feels good to make so much progress.

There's plenty of stories to tell, so stop by often and get inspired! Read More...