Tuesday 5 November 2013

I miss my muse...

It's no secret that I haven't been creating much of anything lately. Oh I have a million excuses for it that I won't bother to bore you with now but the truth is that creating can be exhausting sometimes. And it can take a lot out of a person. And when the creative muse leaves your side, as it so often does, that can leave you down in a hole for a bit. And so it has.

Now don't get me wrong, being in the hole has it's purpose too. Down here in the hole I have been able to see a lot of things much clearer, I have made some decisions that are game-changers in many respects. I have paid more attention to my family and friends. So the hole can be a good place...for a while. But I do miss my muse.

I recently came across this TED talk by Elizabeth Gilbert that I thought I would share with you here. In it she talks about the often-elusive creative genius and how perhaps we need to view genius in a different way...and I agree.

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

Let me know what you think. And maybe, just maybe, by this time next week I will have created something to share with everyone, if my muse will only come back!

Lesley

Wednesday 23 October 2013

The Story Must Go On...

This past 6 months have been some of the most tumultuous in my 45 years on the planet. My business disappeared over night, we moved house, a family friend passed away, we have all had medical dramas, my eldest child finished secondary school, we have battled teenage mood swings and dramas, computer problems, I started a new business...and so it goes. And to be honest, I haven't really felt much like scrapbooking. Because it all just got too hard. The things that I had held hard and fast to for the last 15 years about album-making disappeared with my business and that meant I had to make new choices, new decisions, change the way I was doing things. Hmmm, change...something this little bunny is not always good with.

So now here we are six months down the track. All those tumultuous events have left their mark on me (some continue to do so on a daily basis!) and in the midst of it all I really haven't scrapped very much at all. Even my Project Life album is w-a-y behind. Much of my stuff is still packed in boxes from the move. And now my computer is having massive problems which means that I have to offload all of my files to a portable hard drive and then wipe the disk memory and hopefully start again. Problems. Big problems. Problems that easily become an excuse not to scrapbook.

But our story has gone on regardless. In amongst all that turmoil have been some great stories. There has been sorrow but there has also been celebration and joy and excitement and fun and success and accolades. And really, that's just life...the story must go on. And so must the memory keeping, the story telling and in my case, the scrapbooking. I am still finding my way back to traditional scrapbooking with paper and embellishments, still taking photos and hoarding memorabilia, still wanting to scrapbook but just not quite there yet. My studio is a complete mess, there isn't even room for me in there at the moment! And still there are decisions that must be faced. Do I abandon my current digital photo storage method for something more commercially available? Do I just bite the bullet and pay for the new and improved version of what I have? And what about digital scrapbooking? Digi scrapbooking was the place I felt most comfortable and at home. Now I don't know which way to go.

Close To My Heart has been my salvation in so many ways, and it has filled the gaping void left by CM a million times over. Truly, I could not be more happy than I am with CTMH. So as I continue to battle my computer demons I think I am just going to follow my instincts and come up with a solution that suits ME. A hybrid solution. It's going to take a bit of time, effort and money but it feels like the right thing to do. And if you are feeling the same way, I would urge you to do the same - just go with your gut because you are the only person who truly knows what is right and what works for YOU!

So just to prove that the story really does go on and for those of you who missed seeing my child in this state (warning: this is not for the faint-of-heart!) here is an indicator of our story of late:


Life and the story rolls on! Here's to happier and healthier days!

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Confessions of a Scrapping Hoarder!

Sooooo, this week I am participating in an online Stash Bash - 7 days of using products in your existing stash to make pages and cards. No New Product Allowed!! When I signed up for it I thought it would be fun to give it a try but I have quickly realised just how much I do love getting new product! And I realised that I actually don't have that much "stash" right now - I got rid of most of my CM product and I don't have that much CTMH right now. Oooops!!

But I LOVE the idea of the Stash Bash - of just looking at what you have in front of you and using it. That's right, using it. Not collecting it. Not coveting it. Not stashing it away til you find the "perfect" photos or events.

For those of us (and yes, I do consider myself in this category!) whose craft area looks like an episode of Hoarders, the Stash Bash concept is perfect. This past weekend I was on a retreat and working on making sample pages using the new CTMH christmas products. I made the pages as per the instructions, then I made some extra pages using the leftovers and I had the rare experience of actually using up 2 entire packs of embellishments - nothing left! As I came down to the last few I started to get a bit anxious about it, fretting that I wouldn't have anything left to use "later" (whenever that might be!). But I pushed through it and forced myself to move past that anxiety and just use it up. And truthfully, it was LIBERATING! I bought the kit, I made the pages, I used up the product...the way it should be!! YAY ME!!!!

Now if you can relate to my hoarding sensibilities, then I challenge you this week to push through it and use up some of your stash. Just use it. Like good china, it was designed to be used not set on a shelf or in a cupboard gathering dust. Use it. As the folks at Nike would say, just do it!

To get you started, here is a little video clip from CTMH this week that is perfect for a bit of stash busting. Give it a go - I reckon you will surprise yourself by just how good it feels to use scraps from your stash! And how cute is this card! Have a great stash-busting week!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yTc1GyOoNA

Tuesday 8 October 2013

A Very Different Kind of Album Project....

Right now I am cooking up christmas projects with all the fab new goodies that Close To My Heart is about to unleash but this little album has really caught my eye...


I am bubbling over with ideas for this little beauty as a christmas gift...how about a desk calendar project, or a birthday calendar, or a recipe book, or a book of positive affirmations....for just $20 I am predicting that the Designed Decor Flip Stand Album is going to be HUGE for christmas 2013! If you want to snap one (or more!) up for the people on your gift list, just click here and it will take you straight there!

http://lesleysanders.ctmh.com.au/retail/Product.aspx?ItemID=7377&CatalogID=2111

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Hot Tip Tuesday!

Life in our new house has FINALLY settled down and so it is back to business and back to scrapbooking and story-telling for this little bunny! I am progressively working my way through all the super-cool products that Close To My Heart (CTMH) has to offer but to date one of them has been a complete stand out...the Workshops On The Go (WOTG) kits!

WOTG kits are the perfect introduction to stamping and scrapping the CTMH way because they represent great value and give you the ingredients you need to create brilliantly coordinated and stylish layouts and cards. Each kit contains cardstock, decorative paper, stamps, embellishments and a layout and cutting guide to help you create magic without the stress. Here is a video to show you a sample of what you can create with these amazing kits...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Zx_JRQZOU#t=48


To date I have played with the Laughing Lola Scrapbooking and Card Kits, Tommy and Pro Player Scrapbooking Kits and I am THRILLED with the results! For a digi scrapping girl like me, WOTG kits have been the PERFECT solution as I ease my way back into playing with paper because I can choose to follow the layout guide exactly, or deviate from the guide and still end up with fabulous results. If I want to sex up my layouts with lumpy bumpy embellishments I can, and if I prefer to keep it clean and simple (which you know is generally my preference!) then I can do that too - love that flexibility!

If you haven't scrapped for a while, or stamped, or if you are just getting started then trust me when I say, Workshops On The Go are the answer for you! And if you are a seasoned stamper and scrapper, I challenge you to give them a go - I bet you are in for a very pleasant surprise!

Friday 23 August 2013

The Challenge Is ON...HELLO!!


We all have a tendency to put our own needs and interests behind those of our children/family etc...can anyone relate? Personally, I have been struggling with this a lot lately as I dealt with illness, injury, moving house, kid activities, work commitments...you know the story. But this past week or so I decided that enough was enough – I need to say HELLO to the things that I have been missing these last few months/weeks. I need to get reacquainted with those things that make me happy, because I know I function a lot better when I am running on Happy (as opposed to running on empty!). So my challenge to you tonight is to think about the things that you enjoy, that make you happy, that you have been pushing aside for whatever reason lately and make a page that says HELLO. Let’s all welcome those happy things back into our lives!
 
 

Friday 9 August 2013

Don't miss this opportunity to get $200+ of free product!

There is only ONE WEEK LEFT to get your $99 kit! It contains over $300 worth of wonderful Close To My Heart products, so this kit represents exceptional value! Whether you want to grow a business, finance your own hobby or just love being part of a crafting community, you are welcome here! Receive 22% discount off your personal product purchases including your digital printing, earn a few $$$ towards your household expenses or just play along with me - there is something for everyone! Purchase your $99 kit directly from my website (www.lesleysanders.ctmh.com.au) by clicking on the OPPORTUNITIES tab...give it a go....what have you got to lose? There are no penalties if you don't do anything other than purchase a kit and you will walk away with over $200 of free product! That is one sweet deal!


Saturday 6 July 2013

Keeping Busy

People often ask me how I manage to do all the different things I do and still have a life...in truth, I don't think that I do any more than anyone else does, I am just going about life and trying to live it the best way I know how. And sometimes that means I am busy, very busy!

Today was the perfect example: the day started out early as we drove Kid 1 across town to a special event he has looked forward to all year. Then we went looking for furniture for the new house, stopped off at the embroidery shop to buy two new cross-stitch patterns, then home for a quick bite of lunch, then off to a Stampin Up catalogue launch party, home for dinner and a nap on the couch before spending the evening catching up with a girlfriend. That's a good day in my book because I got to spend time with my family and friends, got to make some cool stuff, got to think about new cool stuff I want to make...what more could a girl ask for??!!

In 2012 I purposefully made a List of things I wanted to do during the year and then I worked my way through it and ticked off the experiences as I had them. And I got to do some really cool stuff, trust me! I didn't make a List for 2013 because I thought I had learned my lesson and that it had just become a part of the way I would operate going forward: making time to do the things that I want to do for myself. BIG MISTAKE! I totally should have made a List this year, because now the year is half-gone already and I feel time slipping away from me. My List kept me focussed in 2012 - not having that List in 2013 has allowed me to slip into bad habits, putting aside personal dreams and aspirations for other stuff that draws my time and attention.

So I am thinking of going back to my List for the remainder of the year...of writing down several things I want to achieve personally before the clock ticks over to 2014. There are so many great experiences out there just waiting for you if only you take the time to seek them out. So it's time for this girl to get back on track and re-focus on what I believe I was put here on earth to do: to learn, to create and to teach.

Watch out world, this girl is just getting started!

Saturday 29 June 2013

Long Time Gone...

With the Close To My Heart Australia lift off just 1 day away now, I find my mind is shifting gears again and getting back into business mode. It's been kinda nice to have this guilt-free time out of business as Creative Memories wound up but as of Monday 1st July that holiday is over and it is back to work full tilt. What that business is going to look like, I have no idea...I just want to get moving again and put all the trouble of the last 2 months behind me. Wow, is it really only 2 months since everything imploded?? Seems like a lot more than that!

So now I am in planning mode; planning how to launch my new business, planning how I am going to run things differently this time around, planning what I am going to make once my new business kit arrives...planning, planning, planning! And I am ITCHING to get my hands on that business kit!



I get excited just thinking about all the cool stuff I can make with this bundle of goodies!!

And in the last 8 weeks we have added nearly 1000 people to the Virtual Crop group which is pretty cool! I won't lie, it has been a lot of work to keep it all going and we wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of a whole army of other people, especially our families who have been endlessly patient with us as we lived out our lives glued to Facebook, eating meals in front of the computer so we could post comments and ideas and music videos to keep everyone bubbling along until the CTMH launch date. There is still a lot of work to be done in the Crop as we make the transition from CM to CTMH but we have survived this long in the wilderness so we are pretty much unstopable now!

And then to top it all off, we found out 2 weeks ago that we have to move house! Yep, after 17 years in this house, we have to pack it all up and relocate at the end of July!

So things are about to shift to a whole new level of madness around here but that's ok, it keeps life interesting! Not sure how/when/where I will get to make much of anything over the next 4 weeks as we get ready to move but I am quietly confident it is all going to turn out for the best...I can feel it in my bones! I am ready to blast off into the next chapter of my life, in a new business with a new company, in a new home for my family, with my own craft room (woo hooo!!)...this party is just getting started!!

Sunday 2 June 2013

Getting My Craft On!

Been a busy week around here with lots going on with my husband and the kids. But the BIG revelation this week was remembering that everything happens for a reason. With everything that has been going on lately and all the stress that has been circling around me, I was struck this week by a sense that I am here, right now, in this place for a reason. I may not be 100% sure about where or what that place is, or where it is going in the future, but for right now I am right where I need to be be. And I need to be creative. I need to make stuff. I need for focus on making things for myself and my family. In essence, I need to craft my way forward. So I have been...





I dusted off the stamps last week (with the help of a friend!) and made some cards...something I have not done in a VERY long time. And I am really happy with them, it has inspired me to make more stuff this week!
Sometimes I think it is very easy to get lost up in all the things you have to be for other people. I am a wife, a mother, an employee, a business owner, a volunteer, and a million other things for other people. But at my core I am someone who learns, creates and teaches - I know in my heart and soul that is what I was put on this planet to do. So in spite of all the thousands of things that I should be doing, I am making and taking time right now to just be me: to refuel my tank by learning and creating new things so that I am ready to teach others again when all this CM mess is finished with.
And it feels sooooooo good!

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Born To Create!

I managed to get to my UFO group at the Neighbourhood House this week (first time in 3 weeks!) where I spent a pleasant two hours working on my cross-stitch project.
It reminded me of how much I really do love to create...it's my happy place, but it's also my comfort place. I was born to create.

On the strength of that, and in the midst of all the insanity that is my life right now, I have decided to plunge head-first back into two hobbies that I really love/miss/want to get better at. Yep, I have signed up for a 6 week photography class (online) at Big Picture Classes and I have decided to dabble in stamping again. I have done a spot of online shopping, bought some new stamps, and now have booked into a stamping day this weekend. I still have a bunch of album pages to make this week for the Virtual Crop, but I am choosing to focus on my private creative pursuits and that feels really good. My class kicks off tomorrow night, my stamping day is this Saturday, my online shopping haul should arrive early next week...this could be the start of something BIG!

Saturday 18 May 2013

As George Michael would say, "Ya Gotta Have Faith..."

This week has seen more than its fair share of drama and intrigue, ups and downs but as it draws to a close I find my mind keeps coming back to this one thought...ya gotta have faith. Faith that you are on the right path. Faith that the decisions you make will stand you in good stead. Faith that it is all going to turn out ok.
In 2011, my One Little Word for the year was Faith and I spent a great deal of time back then reflecting on what faith means to me. In retrospect I can see that it was time well spent. Right now I have nothing but faith...in my customers, in my business buddies, in what we are working hard to create on Facebook, in my ability to juggle the many many demands on my time right now, that my family and non-scrapbooking friends (I think I still have some of those!) understand why I am so distracted. Faith. That's pretty much all I am running on right now, faith and very little sleep!
To me, having faith is like being a farmer: you have to plant your seeds in rich soil, water them regularly with positive thoughts, and then you wait. So that is what I am doing. My seeds of faith are planted, I am tending my garden by trying to minimize the negativity that surrounds me and now I wait. In short, I am ready to grow a new beginning.
Here's hoping my faith proves to be as beautiful as these blossoms!


Saturday 11 May 2013

What we have been up to!



The inaugural post!

The inaugural post...where to begin??!! For the past week I have operated well-above my regular level of pandemonium as I clubbed together with some scrapbooking buddies of mine to bring Creative Memories customers and fellow consultants together here in Australia as we move through a transition phase. It's been an interesting week, must say I have learned a lot about people in the past 7 days as they showed their true selves but here we are 7 days later and still standing! Almost 400 people have joined our Facebook group in that time and we are doing our best to keep them creatively inspired and entertained. Who knows where the future is going to take us, but for right now we are banding together for support and encouragement and there is a lot of comfort in that, for all of us. So it is onwards and upwards we go into a brave new scrapbooking world! And if you wanna come play with us on Facebook, just do a search for Summer 2013 Virtual Crop for Creative Memories Australia and New Zealand...stop by and say hi!