New Type of Haul

Oh, my!  I've gone way over the top this time.  I took the drive down to the Annex this afternoon.  While the sales today weren't the same as the first trip, the trip was worth the while.  I've got more paper than any person could possibly use, but keep an eye out for unique finds.  There was a box, labeled 2 for 5c, where I unearthed a black, tan and white round, scalloped safari animal page.  Also inside was a transparency page with a built-in frame and light script writing on the edge.  Yes, hard to describe.  Another few steps to the left and I found small bins of interesting stencils in various shapes: palm and ancient oak trees, star and shellfish, a dove, many, many framed shapes, including watches, and more!  No prices indicated, but I picked out a few of those liked best.  Flowing out from the stencils was a vast array of Tattered Angels Glitter Glams and Glazes: 5 for $10.00.  (A real steal!)  I've made a personal commitment to incorporate flowers into layouts and minis.  AH!  There they were!  A sign said fill the bag with as many as can fit (it need not shut) for $2.00.  Find out that applied to the stencils, as well.  Scoot back to the right and grab several handfuls.  And since I am solidly into making mini albums, I broke down and bought several 12x12 canvas printed designs (one clocks in black and white, the other brightly coloured butterflies) to use as covering for a yet unidentified album, or two.  Not so much damage to the budget for all that.

I met a lady who bowled me over; I mean, God ran me smack into this gift.  She's well known in certain circles, completely understandable given her charisma that mists anyone within 20 feet of her presence.  I was totally in awe.  She invited me to lunch this coming Monday.  Hopefully I can keep my mouth from dropping down and some of the things she says.  Wow, wow, wow!  God surely is good to answer prayers not only at the degree in which we ask, but full measure, pressed down, and running over.  The deals found at the store were great, but nothing in comparison to the treasure of this woman. Should I never meet up with her again (NO way I pass up on that chance) I'd feel forever blessed by this one single conversation.  And get this... she doesn't even scrap.  Thank you, Lord, for this gift.

Ah, heck, I try to keep this journal on the singular subject of scrapbooking, but this sitting requires some personal commentary.  This tiny sliver of America called NWA is just about the most inhospitable and unfriendly area I've ever lived.  The people are friendly, but carry this impenetrable shield.  No one wants to commit to friendship; too much coming and going for anyone to ever feel settled enough to grow roots, as temporary as those roots might be.  I hear from virtually everyone how lonely they are.  Well, hello.  To fear making friends which may, and probably will, move away, and suffer loneliness in silence is about as stupid as stupid gets.  After a great deal of prayer, the solution to my isolation became obvious:  go out and make friends, align myself with people starving for contact.  Once I made the decision - and acted in faith and with action - people are virtually coming out of the walls to be heard.  I would never try to limit what God can do with me, that's for Him to decide, but to the best of my knowledge my primary gift is listening.  Once people figure out someone is actually hearing them speak, doors blow open.  Life is much too short to keep everyone shut out until "a better time and place" comes their way.

Finally, I hit the usual round of stores looking for deals, found a few.  The best buy of the day has to be our new house.  A bat house.  Really!  A box designed to house and shelter bats.  If we still had a dog, I would have never picked it up due to bats often suffer from rabies infection.  But I outweighed the slimmest risk of the most unlikely nighttime exposure to infected bats against the dramatic drop in insects we'd see if a few bats do settle in.  What did I read one time?  Each bat eats several pounds of insects each night?  Don't exactly remember, but whatever it is, it's a whole bunch of lots..  The box goes up this weekend.... we'll see.

Stuff

My husband began a new diabetic medication, though while not insulin, does require two injections each day.  He handles the morning dose just fine, but not so much with the pre-dinner shot.

I've decided to venture beyond scrapbooking proper and make a cute little 9x9 framed page to hopefully prompt his memory before dinner.  Going all out, I'm working with colours and sizes never used before.  It should do the trick; if not as a visual reminder, then as new splash of colour in a very monochromatic kitchen.

When I first began using the Cricut I counted a well-cut image miraculous. I stayed very, very basic with the cuts, and came to the point of frustration where I almost decided to sell the kit and kaboodle. Time and practice has refined enough to get the image I want every time.  There's enough confidence to now have fun and play around.  And... I no longer fear cutting the pattern on 15 different pages to get the results desired.  The differences between the first successful cuts and what's put out today is remarkable!  While still plenty of room to improve, it ain't half bad.

A Cricut Rooster

Thus far, I've given the mini-albums a mile-wide divide between them and me.  No way, never going to happen!  (That pesky word: never)  Finally, at long last, I saw one of these, putting to great use the beautiful Graphic 45 paper.  To put it simply, I was awestruck.  This is what scrapbooking is all about!

Graphic 45 Mini Album  at YouTube.  I am going to shamelessly copy every little detail demonstrated in the video.  I'll practice all the different techniques on less expensive paper, so maybe there will be two in the end... maybe three or twenty before getting it right?

During a total mental meltdown last night, I created a list of all the scrapbook paper/card stock packs.  The list includes the manufacturer, size, dominate colours, coordinating accessories on hand, and special features such as maps, stamps, tickets, etc.  There were almost 50 packs accumulated thus far... this is on the frightening side of paper obsession.  This list does not include single patterned, themed papers, or special bonuses like vellum and transparencies.  There must be a totally different approach to the 7 inch stack of primarily unsorted paper.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll inventory the paper kits on hand; another 5 inch stack I've lost the ability to instantly recall.  Stamps will have to follow at some point soon; just trying to think of the most effective way to accomplish/organize the system.

It doesn't get any simpler than this, but the dowel rod was finally hung in the closet (amazing dead space remains!) with three evenly spaced curtain rod support screws.  Most ribbons fit on the rod, but a couple more spools will necessitate another row.

I ordered my first Cricut Cartridge since December.  It was on the list and at the right price.  What's up with eBay charging as much, or more, for these cartridges as can be bought in stores?  I wouldn't have nearly the collection if most of these were bought at (usually) less than $20.

At long last, I want to offer praise to our Lord Jesus for answering a prayer thought unanswerable.  Well, I knew He would!  The answer came in the form of yet another miracle, but my God always does it in style.  Thank you so very much, eternal praise for your faithfulness.