Geez, when I look at my wish list, it seems to go longer instead of shorter. Hehe. I’ve been wanting a Canon 450D and it’s on top of my wish list. A wide lens or telephoto would be nice too. Anyway, second on my list is the Canon G9. Don’t ask me why I want a new DSLR and then want a point-and-shoot too. All I know is I want them both. Haha. Third, but not the list, is the Holga. I am still contemplating whether to get a cash advance just to purchase any of the three. Yeah, that’s how serious I am.

Honestly, I don’t want to purchase them all at the same time. I would need time to learn how to use each of course.

Wives were given the task of minding the family budget. Most of the time, you are good at it. Each bill is paid on time, groceries were purchased, the family enjoys the weekly dine-outs and monthly or quarterly vacations. You can always find ways to augment the budget if something is not in accordance to your plans.

But there are times that you may have miscalculated. You may have overspent on that last vacation or purchased a dress that may have distressed the budget sheet. Thank goodness for payday loans. You get cash fast, and so, you were able to bring the harmony back.

I was browsing Ali Edwards’ blog this morning when I stumbled on one of her articles.
I think she hit it bull’s eye on my fears when it comes to scrapbooks.

What are we afraid of in our creative lives?

1. Messing up.
2. Thinking this is the one and only chance to tell this story so it simply must be perfect.
3. People not appreciating what we create.
4. Being seen as selfish or extravagant for indulging yourself in scrapbooking.
5. Not getting anything done.

Here’s her advice on item#2:
Thinking this is the one and only chance to tell this story so it simply must be perfect. Oh man, what a way to stop you in your tracks. What does perfect mean to you? And who is the judge? Perfect is so very relative. What is perfect to me in this moment may be entirely imperfect to you. To me, perfect is actually taking time to tell your stories. Risking that bit of yourself to document your experience. Perfect is carving out a bit of time to be creative. Perfect is embracing the imperfection inherent in creating something that comes from your heart, and your head, and your hands. Let it go. Simply begin writing. Tell the story in simple, plain sentences one word at a time. Keep writing until all the words have spilled onto the page and then go back and edit. Perfect is actually telling the story rather than letting fear keep you from sharing the lives and lessons of your family.

You can read her advice on other items here.
I know many of us share one or more fears mentioned somehow. Hope this helps.

Just like to share a pic of my little girl. She has just taken her meds here. That explains the white thing under her chin. Look, she’s smiling.

Thanks Alpha for this.

All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness.
::: Eckhart Tolle :::

{ created by Cathy, please don’t delete the graphics or alter it }

1. Copy the graphics designed by Cathy and then tell us your story about how you came to start designing. It doesn’t matter if it’s “for your eyes only” or you are designing for somebody.
2. Come back here and leave your link where you posted the story. I will add your blogs to the master list. If you have more than 1 blog you need to post the tag to your other blogs as well.
3. Passed it to people you know who makes beautiful crafts.
4. Make sure that you come back here to get the updated list of bloggers who joined the tag. This is a good way to increase our rankings on Technorati at the same time we get to read great stories.
So let’s start spreading those creativity.
1. Anything and Everything in Between
2. Designs By Vhiel
3. Vhiel’s Corner
4. Can of Thoughts
5. Digital Scrapbooking Creations
6. Me and My World
7. Big Money List
8. Simple Life, Simply Me
9. Digital Life Scraps
10. The Livy Updater
11. Pinay Mommy Online
12. Blessings and Beyond
13. The Artist in Mitch
14. InkBabyStudios
15. Aggie Scraps
16. Simply Me
17. Because Life Is Fun
18. Blogger Happy
19. Everyday CHI
20. Berry Scrappy

{ end copy here }

As a kid, I kept a journal and scrapbooks. These scrapbooks were literally made out of scrap. I used cut-outs from the magazines. Then, I didn’t know that acid could ruin pictures. Plus, I didn’t care how the page would end up. For me, I just had to put and write everything that came to mind. But after discovering and learning about acid-free stuff to create a scrapbook, i ended up shopping. Yes shopping for more stuff but scrapping less. It was overwhelming for me. Plus, I felt that these papers are too pretty to scrap with. (I used to collect stationery too. I just collected and admired them. ) So I decided to try digiscrapping for practice. I figure when I’m confident with my digiscraps, I can go back to paper scrapping once again. Alas, like Alpha, I am just too lazy to scrap.

Tagging Vannie, Peachy and Jane.

Thanks Tracy for this nice tag. I’ll try to define it in my own words and based on my experience.

• Love is truly wanting the best for him/her.
• Love is loving oneself to be able to be the best person to love the other person.
• Love is a two-way street.

A tag from Peachy. Thanks girl!

You are PAPER!
You are an all natural basic person who likes to act as a foundation to others. You are willing to take a backseat in most of your relationships and let others take the spotlight, while you show your support and help them shine! Underneath it all, you are the one who makes it all happen. You are the focus and stability in any group, even if you are not the leader. Others look to you to set the pace and provide ideas for ways to get things done. But Paper Beware - sometimes you get a little edgy with the people who look to you for support and can give them some papercut remarks that can hurt their feelings. Remember to watch what you say, because you are best when leading by example.

by example.

Take the Quiz here. Then, add your site where you posted this quiz and the scrapbooking item that describes you.

PLAYERS:  THE SCRAPAHOLIC ME - Stickers | Because Life Is Fun - Paper | My Life is Peachy | Berry Scrappy - Paper | YOUR SITE

Tagging Tracy and Gwacie.

Thanks Tracy for these awards.