Random Thoughts Tuesday

To answer the question in my last post - NO my mom did not cut my hair. Like ah, remember I said she is 70? She mostly does little blue haired ladies hair that wants a 'shampoo and set'; then spray that sucker down, so it will look good for church on Sunday. These ladies still go to the beauty shop for a 'treat'; because someone else ALWAYS washes their hair. I can't even imagine! Not to say I don't love my mom and my mom is STILL a good hairdresser. However, she hasn't cut my hair in almost 9 years now. I about had a stroke the first time I had to PAY for a color and cut job too. (Yes, I have grey hair - now ya know & yes I color it sometimes). The shot of me in my last post is ah-naturale! Can't see much of the grey in the picture but I have TONS of it.

Leah turned in a huge project on the Civil War yesterday. An ABC album full of facts about the war, definitions for each letter and a picture to match. I'm SO glad that is out of the way. She did 98% of the work entirely herself. Can't wait to find out the grade!

It feels like spring here today. Yes, I know old man Winter will show us he isn't through with us yet; but I am LOVING this warmer, sunny weather!

Titles - no not job titles; scrapbook titles for pages. This topic was discussed today on a site about the OVER use of certain titles, especially the one word titles. The one that popped into my mind instantly when I read it was "Too cute to spook". Dunno why.
So now I am on a mission to start looking for some NEW, refreshing TITLE IDEAS. I will be glad to post the ones I find or make up for sharing. So if you stop by and have one leave me a comment with a NEW, Refreshing title!

Last thing - WHERE did the month of February go? I can not believe it will be March tomorrow. I know I was in a fog for a part of the month, freezing for a bit and scrapping for a LOT of the month. It just seems like it flew past! I think they say time goes faster the older we get; but I am still feeling SPRY - most days.

Haircuts and 'dos'

Got a haircut finally this week. It's a bit shorter than I wanted, but it's JUST hair and mine grows fast. I've actually had short hair since late 1983. I let my hair grow shoulder length before my August wedding. We went to the Bahamas on our honeymoon. It was SO hot. As soon as I got home, I went straight to Mom's shop and said "Chop it ALL off". That she did!! It was too short then for sure and with no help of our current day 'gunk' that can be applied to give it a styling boost. For the record, my mom is a hairdresser, still to this day she works at the age of 70.

I was once a 'guinea' pig at a hair show. Allowed a guy salon owner from Arizona to cut and color my hair. LOVED it! However, I couldn't fly to Arizona once a month to keep it maintained. Such a bummer too. Felt like a runway model that day.

Love my short hair though. Over the years I have thought about growing it back out, however, I like not having to mess with it much and still being 'stylish'. A curling iron nor a blow dryer has touched my hair in years. Plus I don't even use a brush on it! Just wash, towel dry, add gunk and go! Gotta love that.

My 15 minutes of FAME

In 2002, I had my 15 minutes of fame. That is me under the blue arrow. Betcha didn't know I was an "actress"?
I've always been a comedian in life. I can make fun of myself and laugh it off. So when the local newspaper had an article on the upcoming try outs for the community theatre play and it was a comedy; I knew I wanted to try it. I had never acted before in my life. I was TERRIFIED at auditions. I walked into this room full of people and didn't recognize a soul. I thought great, I don't have a chance. They've all been doing this forever. When the directors called me to come read for a part. I read it - that was it. Just straight from the book. It was awful I am sure! Then in walked this redhead with long hair and attitude. When she read for her part it was over the top awesome. This wasn't her first 'rodeo' as they say.
Finally they called me up again. One of the directors said, "read this like you would never do it on stage, WAY over do it." Then he told us a bit about each of the characters. I lucked out and got Nolie, a 40 something old maid bitter recluse with a broken heart. I read the part and put everything into it. I have a sarcastic side! I showed up for the 2nd night of auditions and was barely called up to read. My heart SANK. I just knew I didn't make it. I was later told that I got the part the 1st night of auditions! Of course I would get the part with the awful hairdo (I even grew my hair out for the play), terrible makeup and horrendous outfit! So much for my acting debut.
Being in the play was a lot of hard work. Practices three nights a week. Working on building the set on weekends. Then there were 3 night performances and one added on Sunday afternoon. Plus learning my lines. What was I thinking? Thankfully, my daughter ran lines with me every night and knew them as well as me, along with many of the other characters lines too.
Opening night was jitters. Not only was this a play, but it was a dinner theatre where the characters served the dinner and had to stay in character while serving. My part was the best for that, because my character was rude and didn't care if she remembered the 'orders' correctly! I had a blast and it went off without a hitch. It was the most amazing experience. My family came to see me 'on stage'; people from work came, including my bosses and their wives; friends too. My picture was in the local paper several times. I worked with the most wonderful group of amateur actors and actresses anywhere. They helped me remember that left stage is really on the right and right on the left. They were encouraging as well as hilarious.
With this I also marked off one of the things I have always wanted to do in life. Not the 15 minutes of fame (hardly enough for ALL the hard work!); but the part of acting in a play. And it was tons of fun.
Since I have worked back stage on other community plays. I have yet to find a part for me that rivals the infamous Nolie Frost. I keep hoping they will re-do Steel Magnolias, so I can play Weezie!!!!

Thoughts on looking for a Scrapbook Mentor

This morning there was a thread over at 2Peas about 'What do you look for in a mentor'? The questions asked were these:

What do you look for in a mentor?
publishing experience?
winner of a major contest?
length of time in the industry?
position in the industry?
style of work similar to your own?
someone who can answer your questions?
someone who will critique your work?
total honesty rather than ego-stroking?
depends on what you are looking to achieve?
What makes a good mentor?
What makes a good mentee?

This was my answer:
I would like someone that has published experience (either mag. or DT). A style similar to my own, yes. Also understanding that I am trying to GROW within my own style and step outside my 'box'. A mentor has got to at least TRY to answer my questions. LOL Someone that would critique my work with TOTAL honesty. I don't need my ego stroked. I just want to improve my scrapping. What am I looking to achieve? Hmmmm, I've only just started submitting - so that is a tough one. Yes, I would like to be published or make an online DT. I doubt I have what it takes to make a Manf. DT.
My idea of a good mentor is all that above.
As a mentee, I should listen and be open to constructive criticism. Be willing to try new things. Be able to step outside my 'box'.

However, I really have NO idea about how to find a mentor. Everyone says to email someone and ask them. OK. However, I am not one of those scrappers that takes note of every person that is on a design team already or has publishing experience. I want someone that has a good eye for design and can help me grow. I don't want to make EVERY page I scrap into something that is 'publish worthy'. I still like my clean and simple style. However, with that said, I've been trying to stretch myself within my scrapping. An example would be the sketch challenge I completed. When I first looked at it I was taken aback thinking I can't do that! It did take some time and brain power to work out the details. Yet, it was fun, I learned I COULD do it and I have a page I am thrilled to put into my son's album. It didn't turn out to be that 'hard' after all. So I know I have it within me someWHERE, for this "old dog to learn new tricks". Plus I love learning new things and constantly challenging myself to grow within this hobby that I love.

So now onto the task of finding that mentor. That almost seems like a larger challenge than just scrapping a new page!

Scrap Etc. Scrap Event

I'm attending the Scrap Etc. Scrap Event in April! Classes will be taught by Heidi Swapp, CathyZielske, Carrie Colbert and Elsie Flannagan. Carrie and Elsie are Garden Girls over at 2Peas. I love that this group is varied and will bring with them lots of fresh ideas; at least for me! It's been a few years since I attended something this big with scrapping. So I am excited.
Especially since I have started submitting some of my work. I can't wait for the inspiration classes.

You can check out the information at: http://www.scrapetcevents.typepad.com/
Oh and Monique is a sweetheart!

I actually WON!

I participated in a cyber crop this past weekend at www.goodtothelastcrop.com , it was my 1st cyber crop and it was HUGE amounts of fun. The ladies there are warm, inviting, encouraging, just all around great. And I would say that without the fact that I won prizes! If you get a chance check out the site. Some great talent, beautiful kits and sweetheart ladies.

We were given a sketch (from 3 Scrapateers) for one of the challenges (a 12x12 sketch!) A lot of stuff for this 8.5x11 scrapper. The black patterned paper actually has silver swirls that shine. I am so awed and honored that the Design Team voted my sketch the winner. I am also thrilled with the way this page turned out, since the pictures are important to me. My son's senior prom pictures with his girlfriend, Becky.

Plus I also won the most layouts completed during the crop! I had a total of 11 (13 actual pages); with 2 altered items and the card below. The best part is that I completed more memories to include in my albums. Having a ton of fun, laughing and getting scrapbook goodies is a BONUS.

Thanks to Shawn and the Design Team members at www.goodtothelastcrop.com !

Happy Late Valentine's...

Ok, so I didn't post it on the actually day! Thought I would share a little Valentine Love anyway. This card was inspired by the talented Caroline Ikeji (hyperstarre) over at 2Peas. The card is actually white, the red is just for the background while scanning it in. I made this while participating in a cyber crop this past weekend over at www.goodtothethelastcrop.com . Those ladies are a BLAST. Great fun, awesome challenges and just a warm inviting atmosphere.

Valentine's was pretty much an uneventful day for me. I worked my regular 8-5, then took my 14 year old daughter out to dinner at IHOP (her pick). My son (who is away at college) did in fact, call his mother to say 'I love you'. How sweet! Leah and I watched American Idol once we got home. Even that show tonight to me, wasn't too eventful.

Much love to all my friends ~ scrapping and otherwise that might drop in to read my blog.

Scrapping Mojo and other thoughts

Seems I've found some scrapping mojo! Now, I've been 'properly' scrapping since 1999. However, I feel refreshed and revived with my latest pages. It's been fun; they have come together fairly easily and if not - I leave the stuff on my table and walk away. Usually when I come back to it the next day, it will click. I've even tried a few new techniques and discovered others that I WANT to try. It is a NEW day and the sun is out. I am going to start submitting some things this year. It's exciting. However, it also has it's highs and lows.

My son just called to talk over co-op opportunities for this summer that match his college major. Plus he updated me on some grades. It's rare that he calls just to chat; but I love it.

Teacher conference tomorrow for my Junior High daughter. It should be interesting!

My little Allie cat is healing up nicely after her surgery. She will never have babies, but she will always be my lil baby. Such a sweet kitty! She loves to sit in my lap while I surf the internet. She entertains me and can turn on a light switch when in SPAZ cat mode. She meets me at the door every afternoon. We also had Max fixed. He is the neighborhood cat that took up with us in December 2004. I know he has been inside a house before cause he waltzed in and acted like the King of it. Quiet and loving with a raspy meow. Total opposite personality of Allie.