I've been busy!

See?

It's certainly not perfect but I have orders waiting so it will have to do for now.

A bonus of cleaning up - I am finishing up a few layouts I have literally had sitting around for months waiting for journaling. Here is one that I finished (finally) on our camping trip last year. (Sorry the photo is not very good.)

Also as a result of this cleaning process, I am issuing three challenges to myself. Readers, your job is to keep me accountable. : )

Challenge #1: Do not buy more stuff to make more stuff until current stuff is used. (I challenge myself to this one a lot but am not all that great at staying out of my favorite stores.)

Challenge #2: Work on this "Summer 2008" album before I forget what all we did! See, everything I need is here except motivation.

Challenge #3: Learn to use this new Zutter Bind-It-All that I just had to have. (It binds chipboard, cardstock, etc with metal "spirals" to make notebooks, albums, etc.) I wanted it for a long time but wouldn't let myself buy it. I did finally buy it about two months ago and have yet to play with it at all. (Yes, I have a sickness.)

And now a word on Thanksgiving. I am so very thankful for a warm home, plenty of food to eat, health, my husband's job and ability to provide for our family, wonderful friends, and a more beautiful and loving family than I could ever have asked for. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

We are traveling to WV to spend Thanksgiving with Jeremy's family. I hope you all have a wonderful & safe Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and warm memories!

What do you think?

Okay, so I'm on hiatus from cleaning my studio. I'm still overwhelmed. I began to make some good-lookin' progress but then I had to get ready for my craft show today and everything took a major turn for the worse. The good news is that even though my studio is a huge mess, I sold three of the four albums I made this week for the show. That pleases me immensely. When I'm not so tired, I will resume the cleaning and re-organization process. (Photos to follow.)

In the meantime, Laura brought home her school pictures this week. Here she is:

A long time ago, when Laura was very young, one of my very best friends & expert photographer, Bethany, noticed that Laura resembles Reese Witherspoon. Recently, I have had others make this same observation. One of the hygienists at our dentist's office just told me that a few weeks ago. What do you think?

Things have gotten a little out of hand...

in my studio. I am overwhelmed. My studio is so messy and I don't know how to get it clean again. I was so busy with craft shows and all the orders I had in October and the beginning of November, that I let things get out of control. I didn't force myself to clean up between projects. I worked on too many things at one time. I am forcing myself to be motivated by posting some photos here for everyone to see. Gasp.

Next time you see this studio, it WILL look better. I think I can, I think I can...

Dear Santa

I fear that Christmas may be a disappointment for Laura this year. Here is her Christmas wish list:

I will decipher the first grade scrawl:

New music box

Pet cat

Money for Rwanda

A TV in my room

A radio

A flute

A brother

A cell phone

A robe

Chocolate trees

A real clock

Church clothes

Gymnastics leotard

Hmm. Anyone know where I can get a brother? And pronto!

I haven't made my first million yet...

but I'm well on my way to being able to purchase a new sweater or maybe a pair of jeans. I'm not sure why I do craft shows. I never make a lot of money. Maybe it's the anticipation of thinking of how much money I COULD make if I sold all of my inventory. Maybe it's the gathering of other crafty people that I enjoy. Maybe I like the curiosity factor - which items will sell? Perhaps it's the thrill of the tasty food present at most shows. (The apple dumpling I had at this show was amazing.)

But, is it worth the 12+ trips back and forth to the van unloading all my fine items and the 12+ trips back loading it all back up, minus of course the few items I sold. Is it worth the money I pay for the booth? Is it worth the stress of getting ready for it all? I don't know but for whatever reason, I have done two shows so far this year and have one more to go. Wish me luck, I'm sure I'll hit the jackpot next time...

Here's a few pics of my booth at the first show I did. Sorry they're a little dark. (Much like my profit.)