My name is Donna…
….and I’m a scrapbook addict. The thing is, I don’t want a 12 step program to cure me. And I should clarify. It’s not the actual scrapbooks I create that I’m addicted to. No, they’re great, and all, preserving history for future generations and blah blah blah, but truly just a means to an end. Because putting those photos in scrapbook albums allows me the chance to collect all the fun, cute, adorable, cool paper, stickers, embellishments, knick knacks, etc etc (oh, so much etc) you use to create said scrapbooks.
You know you have it bad when a little tin of antique buttons really, really makes your day brighter and the world a happier place.
But I look at it this way…it is preserving the memories of my family for future generations, it gives me enormous pleasure…and I can indulge whenever I want, as often as I want, and it’s not fattening! What’s not to love?
Anyway…so this is the thing. As my kids have gotten older and more independant, and I have gotten single and completely independant, I decided a few months back that I needed more than tennis, the gym, and my kids sporting events to get me out into the world. The upside of being a writer is that I get to spend every day playing with my imaginary friends and get paid for it. (I know, it should be illegal or something. Shh. Don’t tell.) The downside is, I’m spending way too much time with my imaginary people and not enough with real ones. 
So, I decided a part time job was in order. Something to get me out and maybe give me a little extra mad money for, you know, more cute tins filled with antique buttons. The tricky part was, it had to be something flexible, and most of all, fun. More stress I didn’t need. Well, lo and behold, my local paper crafting store was looking for bright, fresh faces to help run the place, run their craft events, and, most importantly, DO crafts. I know! I get to play with my imaginary friends for pay, and now, I get to play with my favorite hobby and get paid, too! Is this a great country or what???
The thing is…see, I’ve discovered all sorts of new and interesting “tins of buttons” that I must absolutely have. Stuff I never paid attention to before, I’m now learning and teaching and loving! So…as it turns out, it’s sort of like working for your pusher. Good damn thing I’m getting some extra income. It’s my only hope in just breaking even.
Now my mom is coming to visit (and this is all her fault, really, she got me into it waaay back when - of course, she had her own craft business while I was growing up, so I suppose all of this was completely inevitable anyway.) She’ll be in town for my son’s graduation, which is a milestone and wonderful and yeah yeah yeah, but what are we REALLY excited about? The national scrapbook expo that’s coming to town the following weekend of course! We’ll have a whole week to indulge in, YES, more crafting! We’re so excited it’s disgusting. It’s a sickness. It is.
And I still don’t want a cure. My kids call it the Happy Hobby Store. And they have it pegged exactly. It’s a happy place, filled with happy people, doing something that makes them even happier. Yeah, if this is my biggest vice, then life is pretty damn good. I’m a happy addict.
Oh! Before I forget… Check out the link in my cool sites list to my right for JustJewelsDesigns. One of my co-workers, the unbelievably cute and adorable Julie,(trust me, just check her picture out on the site and tell me if I’m wrong - she can kill you with her cuteness) just started her own business making personalized albums, cards, etc. for those of you who either don’t have the time for this happy hobby, or are trying, as I did in vain, to avoid being sucked into its happy vortex of buttons, brads, and ‘bellishments, oh my! She’s enormously talented and completely intimidates me every day with her endless creativity.
Okay….my imaginary friends are calling me. And I’m going. Honest. Just as soon as I find the perfect piece of ribbon to go on this prom page I’m working on… You wouldn’t happen to have any spare buttons, would you?
Oh, I love scrapbooking too and it is an awesome hobby. I go ‘bonkers’ when I get to the city and see ALL the supplies for scrapbooking. As of yet, I am not into the buttons, bows, etc.(the 3D items); I thought they would make the album too bulky but we’ll see.
I have never scrapbooked before, but want to!
I love to scrap too. I meet with a bunch of friends once a month to scrap to make sure that we all make time at least once a month to unwind and scrap and have fun. It is a great stress reliever for me.
Oh, your post makes me want to go buy more scrapbooking stuff. I have only completed 2 scrapbooks, and probably won’t ever finish another, but I keep picking up more craft things, hopefully to use in some other project. But to work in a store? You have more discipline than I do. I would be so broke every week.
And it’s a beeeeg store, too! Look up Recollections online - there are, I think, 13 of them now around the country. It’s like scrap addict heaven. And yeah, totally broke. We get new stock in every Thursday (guess which day I like to work!)and it’s like Christmas once a week. But it’s so much FUN!
My sister’s having a baby soon and I was thinking of making her (the baby) something. My sister cross stitched her name into a pillow, so maybe I’ll do some kind of book for her. Thanks for sparking that thought in my head.
A year and a half ago, before Christmas, I decided to make photo albums for my 2 married sons. (The youngest was at the time waiting for their first child, a boy, who at one is now quite a charmer.) I went insane sorting through all the pictures trying to give each the same style, same number etc. You are smart to do it as you go along. Wish I had.
I have never done it but it is such a creative beautiful way to save your family history. I have seen lately where they sell kits for scrapbooking, I bet for the beginner this would be a good purchase.I think if it doesn’t hurt you or others,is legal,not dangerous you can do it with no worries from the craft police,lol.From all the pictures you post Donna I bet yours are very creative and beautful.How exciting being able to do something you love and get paid for it!
I lost my best friend to scrapbooking. At first it was subtle, she’d disappear for a few days and then pop up again all jittery and wide eyed. Then the time periods became longer and when she emerged there were signs of the addiction, ink on her hands, glitter on her face, dialated eyes. And then she joined a blog for scrapbookers - scrapbook.com. I I hardly hear from her anymore …
I just don’t have the patience or coordination for it - would love to, and keep thinking about it, but I’ve just decided that I’m scrapbook impaired. How sad.
Eve - LOL! Yes, sucked into the vortex, I tell ya. But it truly is Happy Hobby Land. A nice place to play.
Well, I’m chiming in on this late, but will it help if I show you a scrapbook page with a picture of you on it?
http://www.scrapseasons.com/signing1.jpg
http://www.scrapseasons.com/signing2.jpg
Hope you like it.
Yes, I’m an avid scrapbooker. You would not believe the amount of supplies in my house. But I love scrapbooking. It’s a creative outlet I really enjoy.