Wednesday, September 10, 2008

100 pages, 10,000 hits, RAK and Thank you

Why?
Because sending guacamole and tacos in the mail is messy.
Because one can never have enough paper.
Because my scraproom overflowth.
Ok, really
Because I want to thank you. Each of you, all of you. I want to give back to the online scrapbooking community that has given me so much.
Because I know, I read the message boards. People are cutting back, the economy sucks, people are scared. I want to help, even if it is just one person.
This time last year, I remarked to my dh that I really wanted to start scraping again. But I didn't have time what with a new baby, cooking, laundry, house to clean, etc. And he said to me, so wisely, "If you want to do it, just do it." So I went to peas and posted a message on the board there, asking how all you other women did it since you have at least as much to do as I do. And someone posted "You aren't a runner if you don't run, and you can't be a scrapbooker if you don't scrapbook." This touched a nerve because at my core, I feel I have always been "a scrapbooker", a keeper of memories and memorabilia. 
Those two things collided and I realized that scrapbooking is a choice. I was choosing to do other things instead of scrap, I was choosing. Me. And I decided to walk the walk, and actually do it. And I met other scrappers, online and in person. I started a blog, and was encouraged by the people who came to it. I shared my work with others, who encouraged me to take the steps that have lead me to where I am today.
So thank you.
Thank you dh for always being right. J for always being photogenic.
Thank you to the poster at peas who pulled no punches and gave it to me straight.
Thank you to Stephanie Howell for telling me that my work did not belong in a private gallery on 2peas where no one, (including me) could enjoy it.
Thank you sunny-j and Ali Mclaughlin for encouraging me to start a blog. It's motivated me to do so much more than I otherwise would have. And thank you for your friendship.
Thank you to all the scrappers in the morning gallery at 2 peas, I enjoy you. To all the scrappers at Studio Calico, you entertain me. To all the scrappers at Memorable Seasons, you encourage me.
Thank you to all the people on the side bar, you inspire me.
Thank you to Scribble Scrabble and Cosmo Cricket, for believing in me.
Thank you to you, right now, for reading this blog, in the past, today, and I hope in the future.
And what for me now?
I'm going to make some mini albums (said in my best I'm going to Disneyland voice.) That's my new goal.
Please leave me a Comment to be entered to win the Mint Chocolate Chip Add-on from Studio Calico, with the exclusive houndstooth stamp! Ask me a question, ok? I'll draw a winner on Friday, so please check back. I need the address so that Scarlett  at SC can send it to you directly.
Here is my 100th layout, a mixture of Studio Calico Vintage paper and accents with Scribble Scrabble's Indigo line:
Note: image of RAK used with permission from Studio Calico.com

57 comments:

ricanlaw said...

I'm glad you are showcasing your work. I for one enjoy looking at your stuff.

I love your post, very heartfelt. ;)

Helsbells said...

Lovely post and a generous RAK :)

Anonymous said...

oh man, I had no idea you've done all that in ONE year! That's fantastic! No need to enter my name - I just wanted to congratulate you on this milestone!

Anonymous said...

Love your post today! And I'm SO glad you decided to go for it and get back into scrapping... I for one love seeing your pages!! :)
(oh and you don't have to enter me in the rak!)

Ally said...

Ok - not sure why my name came up as my blog up there LOL - that was ME! :)

Sasha said...

This is exactly what I needed to hear today! I absolutely love the quote about being a runner/scrapbooker - it's just what I need to get going.
Thanks for sharing your scrapping journey - and fantastic giveaway!

Sweet Peripety said...

This is such a special post for YOU I can tell, and for all of us, to see a very giving heart. So, THANKS!

Emily Pitts said...

danielle, this is great :)

hjhgjl said...

I loved reading your post...I too have the habit of falling into the not enough time trap but It's true that you SHOULD always make time to do the stuff you love.thanks for the wake up :)

Jiggy Jen said...

What a great POST...You are way too generous with this RAK ~ but great idea!!!!
You are a wonderful inspiration!

Jenny said...

This is awesome!

Heather said...

Welcome back to scrapping. What was the first project you did when you started again?

I loved this post!

naomi_m said...

I'm really glad that you started scrapping again cos' I love your pages.

Lauren said...

Congrats! So glad you listened to your hubby and came outta your hidey-hole! :)

joyfull said...

after all your thank yous, I thank you for this post. The runner/scrapbooker quote has hit a nerve - if you saw my basement, you'd know. Now I'll shoot for that 100 page goal - btw, how long did it take for you to get to 100 pages? (sorry if I missed it in the post).

Lorraine said...

Your post was very moving. Sometimes we forget to thank people. Thanks for reminding me to do just that!

You are on 2 great DT's. Do you feel pressure to create, or is it still so much fun?

Nicole said...

As a busy new mom still working full time i can relate to your problems of not having enough "me" time to do the things we enjoy (you know besides laundry, dishes, etc, etc). Congrats to you for all your accomplishments! I tend to scrap at night after the baby is sleeping. Even if it is only for 1/2 hour, it's still some time to do what I enjoy. Good luck in the future and what a fabulous rak!

Meredith said...

First thank you for the chance at the giveaway! I just found your blog today, and how ironic that I am sitting on the fence about starting a blog and sharing my work and putting myself out there. The quote is great. You are not a scrapbooker until you scrap! Thanks for the inspiration. How long has it taken you to get to 100 pages?
Meredith

Erin M said...

Congrats on all of the scrapbooking-related milestones!
Here's my question to you:
Just curious to find out what sites you visit on a daily basis, and what your routine is...do you check one specific site first, something else second, etc?

Great RAK!

stephanie howell said...

So I don't need the stamp, but I just wanted to tell you that you are wonderful. ;)
xo

Rachel Carlson said...

how generous of you and a fantastic post you have here, HUGE congrats to you. cheers, rachel

Lulu said...

Please don't include me in the RAK (already own it... :) ), but I just wanted to say congrats on your 100th page!! I am so glad you are where you are today too! Plus you rock the CC and I live vicariously through you.. hehe :)

mommy2alex said...

Great post!! Love your work and your blog title makes me giggle because I {{HEART}} paper too - so how do you store all of your paper?

Susan Beth said...

Wow, when you RAK you really stress the kindness part! Congrats on 100 and 10,000! Those are both big deals! I need to get moving to get 100 layouts this year - I'm so far behind it might be time to give it up. Question: does your husband hang out near where you scrapbook so you can chat with him or at least have that valuable "shoulder to shoulder" time while you work? I need to stay connected with my dh and still scrapbook, and that is not always easy!

Anonymous said...

I adore your work & wonder if you will ever go over to "the dark side"? (as I lovingly refer to digital) I just love the feel of paper & photos in my hand...I just can't let go...lol
-Jody/Winks

Bibi said...

Loved your post, and your work is awesome! IThank you for the inspiration. Much love!
P.S. That add-on is scrumpilicious!

kristina proffitt said...

I'm SO glad you're scrappin' again, Danielle! We wouldn't have met if not for that! :) Love the RAK, too! Hugs!

Jen Martakis said...

Danielle, you are one of my favorite artists. You always inspire me. Thank YOU.

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Danielle! I can't believe you accomplished all that in a year! That's awesome and inspiring :) Although at the same time humbling, b/c I'm nowhere near where you are! You have a great talent :)

Tara said...

I was going to offer to buy the stamp from you but I guess that takes the fun out of it for everyone! LOL!
I'm so glad you decided to share your work. It's lovely and inspiring. And thank you for sharing WHO inspires YOU. I think it's wonderful for all the ladies to hear that they're important to you.

Allison said...

Thank YOU Danielle for inspiring ME! What a touching post. And it reminds me how much I hate it when people tell me, "You must have too much time on your hands!" You are SO right. You have to decide to make that time and make it important to you. Any fab plans for your mini albums? :) Can't wait to see them.

D's Paper Studio said...

I just found you and your blog entry is inspirational. Thank you very much. What was the absoulte breaking point to say you are in the industry?

Kimber-Leigh said...

i love your layouts :) and your 10th is no exception!

do you have any other interests/hobbies other than scrapbooking?

and what a fabulous rak!

Unknown said...

Very moving post :) Can really relate to the time factor, just getting back into it myself :)

mborrero said...

love the reasons.. namaste
melina
living creating & appreciating
my blog
I design for Color Me Daisy
Haute Artist Instructor
Everything Scrapbooks and Stamps DT member

Lauren said...

Great post!! I really enjoyed reading it! So glad you are a part of the SC community!

Denise said...

Congrats on the 100/10,000. That is an awesome amount of hits. Awesome RAK. Glad you chose the kit over the guacamole and tacos, because you are right...very messy. Thanks for the chance to win!

Lyn said...

that is such a wonderful post, i enjoyed reading, and i am glad you are in this crazy world of scrapbooking, and congrats on your 100th layout! now if i can only get running... then i guess i could call myself a runner! LOL

Carrie K said...

nice work danielle! congrats on coming so far so fast...i always look forward to seeing your stuff on SC

Sudie said...

You are so generous with your RAK. thanks. I love your work and am so happy that it is posted for me to enjoy. Thanks! Blessings, Sudie

Sharie said...

Congrats to you - 100 pages is HUGE! Please don't enter me for the RAK, I am enjoying my own MCC already, but I wanted to say thanks for inspiring me with your creativity!

denine zielinski said...

Another gorgeous layout! Congrats on your 100th page!

Anonymous said...

The quote, you can't be a scrapbooker if you don't scrap, is one to remember. Sometimes I feel too uncreative to get going, but your blog is always a source of inspiration.

Anne aka Anniescraps said...

First how very sweet of you! Your post was heart touching and rang so true. You inspire me. What will your mini series be about? Will they be connected or separate from each other?

Congrats and such a great achievement!

liz mataraza said...

love your post. haven't visited in a while...and i haven't done anything paper related in a while. your quote from the 2peas girl really struck me too. makes me sad. there should really be more time in the day, don't you think?

sometimes, however, i feel selfish if i sit down and scrapbook while my boys are playing together or with dad. do you feel that way? my hubby doesn't seem to care, but i don't know that he would every say anything about it anyway.

sorry, that was long.

Lisa and Penny said...

That should be my new moto also...just do it! Simply stated...glad that you are making the time! Awesome rak! thanks, lisa k in tx

Sasha Farina said...

hello beautiful :) you do gorgeous works my dear!

one question ~ what's your favorite page thus far? among all that you've scrapped?

Rita said...

Beautiful post and layout! I always love looking at your work - you have such a wonderful style!

IrEnE said...

Congatulations on the 100 pages, 10,000 hits!.

Lynn said...

great post. I visited here yesterday and thought I wouldn't post as I'm never very lucky with these kind of things, but then I realised... it always nice to get a comment. I'm usually more of a lurker but I'm trying to get better at leaving comments, especially when I see work I really like :) As for a question - do you get any scrapbook mags, and if you do, which one is your fav?

Harley Dee said...

I love mini albums because they're quick to do, and always fun to look at. So what kind of mini albums do you have in mind? And do you go through and gather up a bunch of coordinating elements before you start the album, or just pull stuff as you go? :)

NoraAnne said...

What a great post Danielle, it gave me goosebumps and it also gives me inspiration!
Congratulations to you on 100 pages and looking forward to seeing 100 more! :)

Dettao said...

I am always up for free stuff, especially when it is cool stuff! LOL I'm sure you know by now how much I love your style of scrapping. Keep it up. Congrats on all your milestones.

Jenny said...

I may be too late for the RAK, but just wanted to say you are sooo sweet and congrats on what you've accomplished in a year!

ali mclaughlin said...

So glad you started a blog! Email me soon!

Vee said...

what a wonderful post!! :) love it!

Hanna Long said...

I'm so glad you kept scrapping - I think its so easy to give up your things especially w/ a new baby. Thanks for sharing a very generous RAK>