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Well, it’s been a while since I last posted, but ordering at CHA had me wiped out for a couple of days. Then, it was right back to work for me. I have been so blessed with all of the love I have been getting from our customers since I’ve been back. Seriously, all of the support means so much to me. (Thank you to those who have popped in and supported us!)
As promised, I snapped some random shots from the show.
It was such an organized and chill show for me. We even managed to finish all the ordering in just TWO days, and we ordered more than we have ever before! Plus, we even got to socialize with friends at the show, as well as do the fun make and takes for the shop. I’m super excited about all of the new things that will be going on in the next few months.
I can honestly say that I am truly happy with my life. Does that mean that there aren’t any days where I feel crummy? Of course not! Life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies; that’s just unrealistic. However, when days start to feel cruddy, I remember moments and people that make me smile.
Good memories always put me back in a happy place. It feels great to surround myself among positive people who understand me and the decisions I make. I wouldn’t want life any other way.
As far as creating, I’m in a total slump. I was given a handful of goodies from various companies at CHA, but I haven’t been productive. Someone, please give me my mojo back!
It’s called Our Paper Place.
I love this place because it’s become my second home. (In the wise words of Kevin McCallister from Home Alone, “This is my house; I have to defend it.” hehe)
We’ve been open for just under a year and half, and it’s been a ride of huge ups and downs. I have been beaten, but I have been praised.
I wanted to publicly thank all of my wonderful customers for supporting their local scrapbook store and their local economy. It means so much to me that you have entered my second home, not my Paper Place, but our Paper Place. Together, we have created a community of local crafters. Together, we inspire each other.
Let’s keep it colorful, fun, and inspiring for many years to come.
PS: Huge changes will be made in the next few months. New and updated inventory, fun events, more technique classes, and so much more! It’s going to be a ride. 
Sometimes, letting loose is the key to happiness.
…so it started to downpour this past weekend, and I had to put on my galoshes and jump around in the puddles. There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun every now and then. I came home drenched, but it was totally worth it. I don’t even remember the last time I jumped around in the rain. It felt amazing to feel free.
This weekend, I also tried this new bagel shop nearby, which was delicious if you must ask. The landscape for the complex that the bagel shop was located was awesome; they planted lettuce all over the place! Especially after the rain, the lettuce looked so pretty with the morning dew. Even though I probably looked odd staring at lettuce in a parking lot, I had to let loose and capture a photo. Look how gorgeous:
It reminds me of patches up along the coast of Northern California. I wish that I saw more of these around, and not just in pretty gardens. Anyway, I digress.
After breakfast at the delicious bagel shop, I headed to work. I spent most of Saturday hanging out at the shop. It was so nice for my family to drop by; it’s always a pleasure to see them. I can let loose and be myself around them.
Dad playing on his iPad at the shop.
One of my favorite aunts on the left and my mom on the right.
My aunt and I hanging out at the shop.
Working on a store project, yet again.
I haven’t really created much in the past few days. Life has been hectic, but I’m back on track now. Below is a couple of layouts I finished up during downtime, making layouts #23 and #24 of my bucket list complete:
I told you I’m in love with Studio Calico. *swoon* It works on just about everything you could possibly imagine. With a little bit of twine, some misting, and a couple of buttons, you’re bound to create something artistic.
…and because I’m all about Authentique, and I love designing for them, here’s one using their Gathering line:
The warm color palette works for a thousand different projects. Besides, these colors match up well with a ton of older projects. …and we all know how I feel about mixing the old and the new, hehe.
Anyhow, I suppose this post is a reminder just for me — to let loose every now and then. If people are going to criticize and point their fingers at someone for easing up, then perhaps they should let loose themselves.
Let loose, and I’m 99.9% sure you’ll feel better instantaneously. Your life will thank you for it.
For some reason, this morning I woke up way too early. I looked at my phone and it was only 4 am. Bleh! I have no idea why I got up that early?! All I know is that I couldn’t fall back asleep. Physically, my body was exhausted, but mentally, I had so many ideas running in my head.
Thus, I decided to get up, stretch, and create.
*edit* I completely forgot to credit my layout to Sketchy Thursday. I’ve always loved their sketches, and I thought I’d use their very last one for inspiration. I’m totally going to miss their sketches. Here’s the sketch I used:
…and here’s my take on it:
…and just like before, I mixed old and new. Most of this one is new though. It’s loaded with Crate Paper‘s Paper Heart collection. I love the soft color palette to these papers. Plus, those tile chipboard letters are a major win.
On another note, someone emailed me and asked me where I work. I thought I’d share what goes on around me on a daily basis at Our Paper Place. Here’s a peek into what work looks like for me as of right now:
Of course, everything changes weekly. The displays, the products, the sample projects — everything changes when I say so, haha. 
Right now, my infatuation lies in trying to find new fixtures to merchandise products and maximize space. *sigh* Lots of work to do before I head down to CHA at the end of this month.
As a designer for scrapbook manufacturers, I think sometimes we forget that it’s okay to mix and match various paper lines and embellishments. I think we also forget that it’s okay to use some of your older stash. Seriously, some of that older stuff is just as good, if not better!
The bottom line is scrapbooking is about getting the photos and documentation into your books. If you can do that, whether or not it’s stylish and trendy or simple and old-fashioned, that’s what matters.
With that in mind, I pulled out a stack of my scraps, a pair of scissors, my adhesive, and I got straight to business. I had a lot of fun — there was no agenda, no pressure, no deadlines. It was pure creative bliss.
Here’s a couple of layouts I created earlier this morning just for fun:
This first layout is loaded with a mix of old and new. What do you think?!
There’s no reason why you can’t use older paper for layouts, right?! If you look closely at the “N” flower, I used Christmas paper from Crate Paper. In my opinion, it all still looks great!
As for my second layout, I’m in love with this one. *swoon*
Again, it’s a compilation of old and new. …and I bet you couldn’t tell that I used Christmas paper on this one too, hehe.
Today, it’s the first day of rain since around Thanksgiving. Thank goodness! We’ve been really needing some source of water around here. I believe it’s supposed to rain for four to five days, which means it’s time for me to bust out my cute galoshes. I can’t wait to jump around in the puddles with the furkids.
