October 27, 2010

Sophisticated scrapbooking? Not quite yet, but on its way ...

On November 4, 2009, I posted my first blog. Here’s how I illustrated it:

I had high hopes of bringing a fresh look to digital scrapbooking. I used the word “modern” but in my heart I was also thinking “sophisticated,” as in little black dresses, Jackie O sunglasses and Kate Spade handbags (that’s one in the photo; I used it to show how to add a splash of red to a layout).

I bravely went where I thought no woman had gone before—to create digital products for people with modern tastes, who didn’t even WANT a lot of creative choices, but wanted to create quickly and easily and get on with it … Choosing layouts and products would be sort of like walking into a trendy boutique and being able to find an outfit you love right off the bat, instead of spending the day at the mall going from store to store.

And I admit I was a bit snarky about the pink silk flowers, fake staples and overuse of the word “sweet” in shabby chic layouts (although I respected the wonderful women who spent hours creating such things).

So in the last year, have I brought sophistication to scrapbooking?

Not quite … But I’m forging ahead, so stay tuned.

Over the last year, I’ve learned a lot.

* I've learned there ARE clean and simple alternatives to drop-shadowed silk flowers. Cases in point: Cathy Zielske and Stacy Julian (Stacy's big on color and whimsy, which can also be sophisticated).

* I’ve learned to appreciate some of those over-the-top embellished layouts when they’re done right. There is a certain warmth and charm to a busy layout. Sort of like a sofa with a ton of puffy throw pillows you just want to snuggle on.

* In fact, since this is personal art, there really is no “right.” Does the designer love it? Then it’s right. I’ve jumped off my high horse.

* I’ve learned that the scrapbooking industry is full of wonderful men and women who make the world a better place in large and small ways.

* I’ve added polka dots, stitched ribbons—and yes, daisies—to my patterns and loved them.

* I’ve learned that the right patterns are important, and I need my own “Kate Spades.” I now have six diverse pattern designers helping me with weekly releases. Here’s a sample of a geometric kit (name TBA) releasing tomorrow. NOW we’re talkin’!

And now, I need to reach women who would love to live better with their photos but don’t identify themselves as “scrapbookers.” They just need a little time and learning to create simple projects that could really enrich their lives. I’ve got a few big ideas for getting the word out that should bear fruit over the coming weeks.

So when I look back at that first blog, I see high hopes and a bit of an unrealistic expectation that I’d change the world … but that’s okay. If people knew at the beginning of a journey how challenging it would be, would they even take that first step?

I took the first step a year ago, and I’ll keep walking and loving every minute of it. And someday, I'll have Kate Spade luggage to carry my stuff!

October 16, 2010

Really living your childhood dreams ... you're closer than you think!

My book club met Tuesday to discuss one of my favorites: “The Last Lecture,” by Randy Pausch.  If you aren’t inclined to read the book, you can see the real lecture on YouTube; it’s totally worth an hour of your life. I’ve happily read the book three times.

Something that got me thinking this time around was the section called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”

Randy had some great and quirky dreams as a kid—to float in space like an astronaut, to play in the NFL, to be Captain Kirk, to win GIANT stuffed animals at carnivals, and to design rides at Disneyland.

And in one way or another … not always in the exact way he initially envisioned … he achieved every one of them. (I’d tell you the story of each one but you’ll have a lot more fun reading it yourself.) So one thing I learned from Randy is that your dreams will probably take an entirely new shape that may not be the one you initially thought.

It got me started thinking … what were my childhood dreams, and have I achieved them? 

I quickly remembered three vivid dreams. So here they are with a little reflection on each:

Dream at age 6: To own 100 dogs. Reflection: I’m now on dog #12. Okay, so I may never get to 100, but I’ve discovered I don’t need 100 of them to feel huge amounts of love for dogs and be loved in return. I know now that was my real ambition.

Dream at age 10: To be an Olympic broad-jumper. Reflection: It wasn’t important enough for me to pursue, but those dreams of what it would feel like up on that rostrum were pretty sweet. Sometimes we can just enjoy the fantasy while it lasts and let it run its course without bitterness.

Dream at age 14: As a famous writer, to be a guest on the Dick Cavett Show the same night as one of the Beatles, preferably George. Reflection: I like writing, talking, and lead guitarists, and I don’t shy away from the spotlight. As it happens, my husband is an amazing singer and guitarist and I write, talk, and teach a large group on a regular basis. Works for me!

Two final thoughts as we consider our childhood dreams:

* Childhood dreams reveal who we really were—and deep down, still are.  When you lovingly remember your dreams, you’ll gain an appreciation for your own (valuable and unique) personality.

* And … most importantly … It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. If you’re breathing, you can pursue your dream. Open yourself to the possibility that they could still happen, even in the magnificent way you imagined.

After all, people become dog breeders all the time. And I'd settle for 20!

October 11, 2010

October giveaway: My favorite 8 X 8 album

I love squares! You might notice this from my logo, which features four of them. As a designer, when I came up needing a logo design that was solid, graceful and elegant ... I started with a square as a jumping-off point. 

And although my first photo albums were oversized rectangles, I was happy to see the scrapbooking world go toward the 12 X 12 square as the industry standard.

Yet, the 12 X 12 does present some challenges ... including printing, once digital scrapbooking entered the scene. Digital made it easy to print multiple pages for gift albums, but 12 X 12's are usually impractical for gifts.

Enter the 8 X 8 album. Now you can keep the lovely square shape and print your pages on your HOME printer and just trim them, and all the commercial photo printers that print 12 X 12 also offer 8 X 8 as well.

This month I'm giving you a chance to try out this delightful alternative. I'll be giving away one of my favorite albums, an 8 X 8 American Crafts album in Chestnut cloth, including 20 page protectors.

To enter, just send me an email with the re:line "October Giveaway." Good luck!

October 2, 2010

Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking: Pottery Barn in a photo album?

This week marked the beginning of a new era in the Studio ... in two major ways.

First, I signed six amazing modern artists to design patterned digital paper and page accessories. I’ve asked them for photos and bios and am excited to introduce them to the digital scrapbooking world next week.

Second, I will be posting the first Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking product on Monday ... The Hudson Quick Album.  Here’s a sneak peek:

A little about why this is so exciting for me.

When I discovered digital scrapbooking in 2007, I quickly realized that style I wanted for my digital pages simply didn’t exist. I knew I wouldn’t use digitized silk daisies with drop shadows, ribbons, staples or stitches. When I tried to think so what I DID want ... my mind went to classic colors, classic styles, and an elegant earthiness. 

All I could think of was the way I feel when I walk into Pottery Barn. The sumptuous fabrics. The crisp black and white framed photos. The classic lines. Like this …

I love all kinds of modern interiors—including the bold and European IKEA—but somehow, when I thought of albums that would stand the test of time, I kept going back to timeless style and minimal embellishment.

So Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking was born … in spirit, anyway.

And although I’ve posted dozens of products (which I LOVE) since I launched several months ago, I’ve had those PB-inspired pages in the back of my mind.

In the coming months I’ll be promoting Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking as a solution for people with classic tastes who want to create pages quickly and easily. Every month, I’ll be releasing a 16-page album featuring different color palettes, such as Hampton (beachy sands and blues), Tuscany (warm reds and golds), and Eliott (darker neutrals like charcoal and chocolate). And watch for more Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking products that go beyond digital kits. I’ve got no shortage of ideas!

Now … if I could just digitize that lovely scent of PB potpourri for my customers … :)