Monday, October 27, 2008

Faith, a mini, and a little RAK (Random much?)



Good Monday morning. What an interesting adventure we had getting to the Halloween party Sat. Now, this was a party for my dh's work, and I knew going into it that there was a very good chance that I would show up and not know anyone. I accepted that. I was hoping that a handful of women that I met at the graduation would show up, but I knew that at least one had a new baby and it was a long shot. 

So, I got J up from his nap and we got his costume on. We were on the road by 2 pm, and I was feeling good that we would arrive in 10 mins. Until I got to the base, and realized that the gate we normally use is closed on the weekend. I had to pull over and call a friend. Her husband gave me new directions to another gate, about 15 mins away. I took the directions on faith. I'm not good with driving directions, and never having been that way before, I had no idea where I was going. But I found my way somehow. 

We got to the building, and I tried two doors, both locked. And as I walked back to the parking lot with my little Dracula in my arms, both of us soaking wet from the pouring rain.  I just wanted to cry. Just then I ran into the commander's wife who helped guide us to the party. At that point, I no longer had  the resolve I once had to walk into a party not knowing a soul. The commander's wife must have seen all this written on my face and she remarked, "It takes a lot of guts to come here alone, not knowing anyone." Yeah, I said, thinking I am either really tough or really stupid. J would not let me put him down for 1.5 hours out of a 2 hour party. I wanted to go to get out of the house, for something to do. Mission accomplished!

I've been meaning to work on some mini albums, but I felt like I needed to do some research first to understand how they are generally put together. So I made a digital mini. Here are some pics of it:







I hope to make one more.  I'd love to make 3 and save on shipping, but I'm afraid I won't finish by the holidays. This site is super easy to use, you get your own account to upload pics. You can edit the pics before or after you upload them, including turning to black and white. I just felt like it was really user friendly and had such neat graphic books to choose from (Stories by Everyone). Just my style. As someone who was feeling really overwhelmed by having lots of pics not in an album format, this was quick and simple. And now I feel more confident in making my own mini too. I'll show you the next one I do, and let you know what I think of the printing when they arrive.

Which leads me to the little RAK. I accidentally got the wrong album, not sure if this was my mistake or the place I ordered it from. I wanted an 8.5 x 11 beige album. I got a 6 x 12 chestnut brown American Crafts corduroy album.  


Only it is brown. It's brand new, in the package still.  I need to go to the post office this week anyway, so if you want it, leave me a comment about why you scrap 6 x12, or why you are going to start, or whatever. I just think that is an odd size, you know? Anyway, with my new digital minis coming, I need room on my book shelf and this has to go.

It sure is a Monday. :) 

22 comments:

mborrero said...

I love that odd size. I would totally know what to do with that.
totally crossing my fingers thanks

Melina

janel said...

Although the party wasn't quite what you expected, I am glad you weren't "locked out" of the fun. Did you get any pictures? Or, did you meet anyone "fun"? Can't wait to see your little Dracula all dressed up. Mini looks really cute, I hope you love the quality. I loved the book from Apple that I just received. Such nice printing.
Happy Monday!

Jiggy Jen said...

What a treat!!! That size is great for a project I am working on...Fingers crossed!!!!

ConnieC said...

I love 6x12 because it's different and fast. I love that I never have to crop my 4x6s to fit and I don't have to use enlargements. It's just a great size.

I AM A Scrapaholic said...

You are my hero for going to the party under all those curcumstances!

I think that I have the album you want and would be happy to trade with you. I had ordered the 6x12 verticle album from American Crafts and received the wrong album -I believe I received the 8 x 11. I will have to double check for you tonight when I go to my warehouse.

So I would love to have the 6x12 verticle (I already have 3 of the horiztonial) and have had a hard time finding one.

Let me know ;)
~Lynn

Jennifer Davis said...

Don't put me in for the rak, but I just wanted to say good for you for going on out there and trying something new just for the sake of it...and sticking with it when things weren't going well...there have been many times when I was where you were and I'm sure there will be many more! ;)

Love the mini that you came up with, it's just perfect!

Kimber-Leigh said...

sorry the party was such a challenge for you...i never like going places for the first time either (and the military life definitely encourages getting used to that, doesn't it?)

hmm...i've never scrapped 6x12 before but it might be fun to make a nice sized mini album for gifts with it...

Anonymous said...

love your mini - i was just checking out that site this weekend. let me know what you think of the final product!

and i too, have a 6 x 12 that i haven't used yet. just can't seem to get used to the weird size :)

Susan Beth said...

I've never scrapped on 6x12 before, but I've been wanting to try it just because it is different, takes me back to the shape of two page layouts, and will allow me some freedom to be more artsy.

Good for you to go to the party! I think I might have bailed, but you were brave. And I love your digital album! May have to try that someday.

Tish said...

Congrats for getting to the party and not giving up. You go Girl!

I would LOVE to use this size scrapbook. I'm losing my creativity the traditional sizes. Took a mini-book class and it was 6x12 -- so FUN. I'd love to do a whole book of this size and I like the ring bound.

Thanks for the opportunity to win this! Tish

Rita said...

I haven't tried 6x12, but would love the opportunity ;) I think it would be great as a "mini" type album, kwim? I would use a series of photos from an event/theme and actually have a finished album, lol! I don't think I could ever give up 12x12 completely.

Sorry the party didn't go as planned :( I hope you have some pictures of your little dracula for us to see :)

Anonymous said...

I scrap all sizes because I like to mix it up, I get bored easily!

I love that graphic mini!

mommy2alex said...

Good for you to not melt along with the rain as I would have - I get totally anxious going into new situations like that - you're a brave one!!
Love that mini, so fun.
I have been wanting to do some 6x12's after seeing "half maps" by Becky Fleck (www.pagemaps.com) - love her stuff!

Ami said...

I have done one layout in 6x12. It was a challenge for this 12x12 girl. But I look forward to making more!

Suzanne Webb said...

Aaah, you're a brave girl to go to the party alone, kudos to you! Love the size of your digi pages :)

Stacey Michaud said...

Oh, sorry the party didn't go well. Doesn't it suck to sometimes feel like we are in high school all over again. I admire you and your efforts to shake it up though! Love the mini album! So graphic!! Hope all is well!

Kristii said...

Sorry the party didn't go as planned!! Love your digi mini!! Such cute pictures of J!!! Everything you do rocks girl!!

Allison said...

OH man! What a party. :( That'll be a story to remember for years though... bummer. Loving the mini! I love that the digital stuff looks like your paper work - just awesome! I've done a few 6x12's. I did one as a challenge and kinda liked it! It's nice if I have one photo and not a huge story or if I want to try a new 'artsy' technique. It's a nice 'trial' size, if you will. :)

Laura Gedeon said...

Such a cute mini! That album seems like such a fun size to work with! Keep the creative work coming!

Lorraine said...

I've done a few 6x12, and hung them on the wall. An album for them would be very cool, as they usually just go into my 12x12 albums when they are put away.

naomi_m said...

I did my first 6x12 the other day and I love that it comes together so quick!

NoraAnne said...

Wow, what a tough day you and J had. I felt like crying for you when I was reading it...of course it had to be pouring rain, if being lost and locked out weren't enough. I'm glad you survived and I hope you had some bit of fun in all of that. If nothing else, the bright side was, you got to go home when it was over :)
I've been wanting to try 6 x 12 for awhile now, since Jill had her sale on AC albums at MS. I didn't buy one then but thought about it!
Love your digital mini, super cute and I can't wait to see more :)