SYW110 – Favorite Scrapbook Starting Points

Kim Edsen 0:02

It's been fun. It's almost turned it into a game of like, okay, what else can I use? Like what other layouts Can I make with this?

Jennifer Wilson 0:08

Welcome to Scrapbook Your Way, the show that explores the breadth of ways to be a memory keeper today.

Jennifer Wilson 0:13

I'm your host, Jennifer Wilson, owner of Simple Scrapper, and author of The New Rules of Scrapbooking. This is Episode 110. In this episode, I'm joined by Kim Edsen to reflect on the past month and explore what's new for April. This is our monthly peek behind the scenes at Simple Scrapper. As you listen to this episode, think about the starting points that most jumpstart your creativity, then head over to simplescrapper.com/syw110 to leave a comment sharing your response. All right, here's my conversation with Kim.

Jennifer Wilson 0:56

Hey, Kim, how are you doing?

Kim Edsen 0:58

I'm hanging in there. It's kind of that weird time of year like we're kind of over winter, but it keeps hanging on. And there's a little bit of spring and so this time every year I kind of start to get restless like I need a new project to work on or I need something but we're getting there. I feel like the last month is kind of been a blur. It's just you know, life.

Jennifer Wilson 1:21

Yeah. And it's like it's super gross today, like I woke up but it was storming. And, you know, we up and down temperatures like it's like 65 one day and 40 the next day. And I don't know, I think we complained about the same thing in the fall to like spring and fall or Oh, it's just very, eh.

Kim Edsen 1:39

Transitioning. I know. It's hard like you don't know what to wear when you get up each day. I know I haven't been outside, I used to be really good about getting out for a hikes and walks regularly outside and I have not for weeks. So that is on my list today. Like to get myself outside. Actually we're nicer. So you probably had what we had yesterday. So today, like the sun is shining. I think it's supposed to be like 50. So should be good.

Jennifer Wilson 2:06

Yeah, I think the getting outside is really the key to lifting your spirits and really putting things back in order. And sometimes I need nudges to do that. Whether it's like, from from friends from my husband, even sometimes from Emily, like, I need like, come on, let's go aside, you know, because otherwise, I just hole up and sit at my computer.

Kim Edsen 2:26

No, I hear you. I've known this for years about myself, that that does a lot for my mood and energy levels. And sometimes I just forget. Or we go through a long patch of weather that just is not conducive. But even when the weather's bad, and you get outside. We read that book, Nature Fix, last year or two years ago, and that was a big component of it. Even when people thought they would not enjoy it, they would go outside and feel better. So I need to keep that in mind. And it doesn't need to be, you know, an hour long hike, it could be 10 minutes, whatever.

Jennifer Wilson 3:02

Yes.

Kim Edsen 3:02

Should be good. How are you doing?

Jennifer Wilson 3:06

I'm doing well, overall. I have been really feeling good about my One Little Word practice for this month. So for those who are following along with Ali Edwards, the march prompt is to practice something for as, well, as many days of the month as you as you desire. But kind of the whole month is the goal. And I've been just practicing using the Calm app. And so this is one of those meditation apps it has, it has meditations, sleep sound, sleep stories, music, you know, ambient sounds. And so my kind of bare minimum is that I will listen to rain on the window every night as like the default. And I've been doing that for a while. But then I've also tried to add in meditation every morning and I'm doing like the short one that's like 10 minutes. And it's still hard to get to it. But I always appreciate it when I do and I take that time. But I like that I'm just kind of slowly building up and building into it.

Kim Edsen 4:02

Okay, so I use the Headspace app, so very similar. So I'm a fan. And I will say that I do not think 10 minutes of meditation is a short meditation. I think, like I started with two minutes.

Jennifer Wilson 4:14

Yeah, so I mean, it's definitely very short. And I like I like the one that I'm doing is very heavily guided and I just appreciate that continued reminder to, to come back to be present. And then every single one he asked us to focus on something kind of specific and it's it's really helpful. I think those maybe who've maybe thought of meditation as silence or if you're using an app, it's just like sounds or whatever, like the guidance really, really helps you to get out of your head. And you know, I've had practice over the years from various things have kind of, I call it like, like sweeping my thoughts away when something tries to crawl in. And I have this like mental vision of like, I'm just like, brushing it away. Like let's just kick it off to the side for now, I can deal with that later. And the guidance really helps. And it's not just quiet because it can feel kind of intimidating to think that okay, now I just have to be stuck in my own thoughts for a period of time.

Kim Edsen 5:14

Well, and I think sometimes it can get you ruminating, right? If these thoughts come into your mind, and you're just turning them over and over in your head. So sometimes the guided portion of it helps you focus your mind, I guess, in a more conducive pattern. I don't know. But yeah, I do a mix of guided and silent and there's different levels. And so fun. I, like I said, we use the Headspace app in our house and very similar to the Calm app, and we are fans as well.

Jennifer Wilson 5:47

Awesome. Yeah. And Emily's been loving to sleep stories. Though she never falls asleep. She really listens to the whole thing. And then she's like, Mom, can I have another story? She like comes into my office afterwards. You're supposed to be asleep. But she says it really relaxes me. So that that helps, too. So...

Kim Edsen 6:03

No, that's a good thing to do before bed.

Jennifer Wilson 6:06

Anything else new with you?

Kim Edsen 6:09

I don't know, man. Long term care facilities. I think our vaccinations are done as far as the COVID vaccine portion of it. So I do not know what my role will be going forward with like in-store or if they'll have off site for businesses or how that will work. But so we're just kind of in limbo land. My kids are on spring break this week. My husband has been working a lot. This is his busy time of the year, every year. So we're just kind of, like I said, we're just in limbo mode or not really going anywhere at this point. So...

Jennifer Wilson 6:46

Yeah, no, I definitely feel that too. We're on spring break as well. And it's, doesn't feel like, it just feels like the same as it has for the past year, I guess a little bit.

Kim Edsen 6:56

And I think I've run out of ideas. So like last year, for spring break, we did a Harry Potter movie marathon and I had themed snacks to go with each film. And I'm just kind of running out of like fun ideas of things to do at home. Like my kids, they'll go through phases with board games or card games or like puzzles, and it just, they'll start like a little crafty project. And I think we're just ready for the weather to change and get back outside some more. So...

Jennifer Wilson 7:25

100 percent, 100 percent. All right, so shifting gears to scrapbooking, what is exciting you right now in the hobby?

Kim Edsen 7:33

So I am so excited. This kind of evolved just last week over. We do a Wednesday question each week in the membership, just kind of discussion type topics. And this one was related to the Lazy Genius Way, which is going to be a book club selection for this month. And it was the idea of deciding once. And it was like what is one thing you can decide once for scrapbooking. And member Peggy Collins had said that she decided once for her Seven on the Seventh project. So on the seventh of each month, I think she is her goal, she'll do like seven photos, and does a layout kind of like a right now type thing. And anyway, so she chose one kit that she's just going to use every month for the year. And that really appealed to me because I was doing my monthly favorites layouts last year and I liked them a lot. And I had not yet done my January February ones. So I went searching and found Simple Stories had kind of a year long themed collection. And it occurred to me that I could use that one kit for every month of my favorites layout. So that has evolved in like I whipped out January, February and no time. And we've talked in the past how historically have not done a lot of like theme type pages are embellishments or products. And this very much is along those lines, like you know, there's a snowman in January and there's hearts in February, but I'm finding I'm really really enjoying that. And it's just like bright, vibrant pops of color I use a lot of like white or craft like backgrounds and i think it's it's making me happy, I'm enjoying it's fun.

Jennifer Wilson 9:17

Well, I like, I like that challenge though, of to be consistent. And that's, that's a practice in itself because we're often searching for the newest thing and that ends up being additional decisions to then decide to purchase a thing and use the different thing. Whereas if you kind of pre commit to your approach, you are kind of reducing decision fatigue and it's also kind of a creative challenge to stretch yourself and see how, how can we stay inspired about this as well?

Kim Edsen 9:46

Yes, that prompt in general was, I thought was, prompted some very like fascinating conversations within the group. As far as how people would use that concept from always starting with a sketch, to I talked about for the longest time I use like the exact same font on like every journaling block I would do, just because I didn't have to think about it. It was one less decision. Or years ago, I decided to like all of my albums are black, except for my December Daily albums. And whether it's a cloth album, or a leather one, or even like some of my photo books I'll order with like the black spine just because I just don't have to think about it. So people had a lot of insights into that. And I thought that was really, I took a lot away, I guess from that conversation.

Jennifer Wilson 10:32

I definitely use the same font in everything that I do, and even being able to use that font is kind of a prerequisite when I'm auditioning, like new software. Like that's one of the reasons like why the Lightroom photo book has started to work is because I was able to use the same font, customize it in the same way that I do inside of Photoshop. Obviously, it's still Adobe products, it all works relatively similarly. And so that was, if I couldn't do that, that would have been a deal breaker because I have to use my typewriter font because I want everything to look the same. And I don't ever have to think about what font am I going to use for this layout?

Kim Edsen 11:07

Well, I'm especially if you're doing things digitally. It would be a major bummer to get this whole photo book done and have it arrive and find your font is unreadable, or it's just enormous. Or to be able to know consistently how that will print makes a big difference.

Jennifer Wilson 11:24

For sure.

Kim Edsen 11:24

And I will say the other part of that too, was I think this has come up during a Refresh. You talked about how digital scrapbook kits versus paper scrapbook kits. And you were maybe like a little envious from like the paper to digital side where I'm recently was kind of feeling like the opposite. Like, all these new paper collections are coming out. And now that I'm doing more digital, I was like, man, like what are paper lines that I can get digitally? And asked one of our longtime digital scrapbook members who is also on our CT, Bre, and she's the one who pointed me in line of like the Simple Stories. So that I think is the other part of it. That's kind of the hit. It's like, oh, like I'm used to these products. I remember how to use these. So I think that also instills a sense of ease into that process as well.

Jennifer Wilson 12:12

Oh, for sure. And it's, as someone who went the other way, was digital first and then went to paper. And then I actually there was a time in there where I tried to do digital again, it was certainly it's so interesting to see kind of what your brain wants to lean on the things that you're looking for. I very quickly, I would say digital for me was a lot more about embellishments and the layers and the shadows. Whereas quickly with with paper, it was really about the paper and patterns and how I was going to arrange those on the page. And then trying to go back to digital. I was like, But wait, I can't there's certain things that you just can't do the same way. And it was so interesting. Kind of what you focus on when your processes a little bit different.

Kim Edsen 12:56

Yes. So what are you doing scrappy-wise?

Jennifer Wilson 13:02

Yeah, this is kind of like a small little win. But it's been making me feel so good. When I've been taking photos of my layouts recently, I've realized, wow, like, I really feel like I've learned, you know the basics of using my new camera. So I don't think I've talked about on the podcast before. A couple years ago, my DSLR took a one foot tumble to the floor, and everything got kind of out of alignment. And the camera at this point is so old, I wasn't able to get it repaired. I've tried, I tried several things. And everybody's basically like, this isn't something that we could ever do, you would have had to send it back to Canon, but they don't repair that anymore, because your camera is too darn old. So I'm like, okay, well, we're gonna have to get a new camera. And so I decided to go with a mirrorless. And I got a Canon M50. And it's it's certainly more on the budget side, it's a pretty popular camera. And at the beginning, I was like, it was kind of awkward in that it has a digital viewfinder. And so it was kind of like taking a photo with your phone. And sometimes when you're taking photos of your phone, you feel like you don't get good stability the way you would with a big camera. And I'm like, gosh, what am I doing wrong? And so I did some research and I found there's kind of this, you can do like a an initial digital focus and then do a manual tweak, where you, you know, you actually move the focus ring to do a manual tweak. And that's allowed me to get amazing focus. And then I even found that my camera, when I do that, my camera will then like show this red outline of what's in focus. And it's like, oh my gosh, I did It's beautiful, like draws these lines around everything on the viewfinder and I'm like, I got like I hit the focus. And that has just been this big transformation and actually taking good photos of my layouts, because for a while I'm like dude, this is worse than my phone. What am I doing wrong? And it's because I wasn't, you know, just really locking in the focus on the right spot. So sometimes you just got to keep playing with it to get it right.

Kim Edsen 15:00

That's amazing. I have always found photographing layouts to be a very, very challenging.

Jennifer Wilson 15:08

It's it's a pain, especially in the winter. Because like, I for a while I'm like I went outside, I was freezing, and I'm like, okay, I am not doing this anymore. So that's one of the reasons I cleaned off a spot on my table here. But now I have this like little stool that I stand on so that I can lean over the table. And of course, I have various reflector lights and all that stuff. But it is it's not, it's not always fun. But having, I guess having the new camera confidence with it has, makes has made it a little bit easier. So...

Kim Edsen 15:40

Well having the proper tools and knowing how to use them. For sure.

Jennifer Wilson 15:43

Yeah, I mean, that's and it sometimes it just takes practice and persistence. So so many different things. I think as I get older, I've developed more patience, for let's keep learning, let's keep trying, let's like really invest the time so that we can master things. And I've always been a little bit kind of geeky in that way. But I think it's even becoming more so and I have more even more patience for as I get older.

Kim Edsen 16:17

Well, I also think that's maybe a way to identify what is important to you, or what you value is if you're willing to put in that time and effort for something that matters to you as opposed to like, yeah, this isn't really working. But I don't really care. So we'll move on, right?

Jennifer Wilson 16:35

Oh, yeah. That's interesting to think about it that way. Cuz I'm always like, tweaking all of my various cameras in here. And I think even though sometimes it can be frustrating, there is an underlying like, I like the tech part. I like being able to produce high quality things, whether it's the podcasts or videos or live streams and stuff. And so I guess I kind of geek out on that. And I'm willing to invest the time even though sometimes I want to bang my head against the wall because I can't figure something out.

Kim Edsen 17:07

Yeah, technology tends to, to have that effect, at times.

Jennifer Wilson 17:12

It does. Okay, let's transition to Bucket List, we always have great conversations here. So if you are new to the podcast, a Bucket List story is one that's a little bit deeper, a little bit more significant and weighty, doesn't necessarily have to be a hard or difficult or sad story. It's just something that feels important and that you really want to make sure that you capture. So Kim, what is one more story on your Bucket List.

Kim Edsen 17:40

So this is, I always feel like I start this, this has been on my list forever. Um, so I have wanted to document pets throughout my life. And I did a little bit in my Before Your Story album, where there was just, you know, a photo and a three by four card, you know of my childhood dogs. But I've always thought like, well, I need to do this whole album project and make it this whole big thing. And then as you know, was throughout the years, different pets. And then Betty Lou in our membership had done kind of an overview page looking at like her pets. I don't really remember, I think it was even just a one page layout. And it was, you know, like a photo of the animal and like a little tidbit about them. And it kind of occurred to me is maybe my starting point shouldn't be this giant pet album that covers the last 40 years. Maybe I could start with an overview layout. Right? Like, why make it so difficult. And I think it's not even so much all about just the pets themselves. But also my experience as a pet owner, you had put, shared a layout recently about your cat and how you feel like the lessons that she taught your daughter. And one of our cats has just had kind of ongoing health issues last few years. And she had this big medical workup thing, which, depending on how you feel about pets, you may roll your eyes at or you may be like oh yeah, yeah. But so anyways, it seems like she has some sort of inflammatory allergy type thing, whatever. But it's kind of has you assess. Again, it kind of comes to that value thing, like what you're willing to spend, like your time and your energy and your money on. And for me, like my pets definitely are a huge part of like our family and our life. And so I want to document that as well. And I think again, and I say this, I think every single time I'm on here about some of these bigger stories feel so overwhelming, because there's many facets to them. But I think the thing that I took away from like Betty Lou's layout and like your layout is at some point, start somewhere, start with an overview page. If that turns into a whole album, great if it doesn't, I feel like I've told a little bit of that story.

Jennifer Wilson 19:49

Yes, I think it's so important sometimes because especially stories that that cross a lot, a lot of time. That like feel physically bigger because the number of photos you would have to choose from. What is the smallest portion of that that would feel really satisfying to you. And that's like the best place to start because you have to start somewhere, it always starts with one page, even if it ends up being multiple. And even if something feels lengthy, because of all the photos, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a big project, you can choose to do something smaller.

Kim Edsen 20:24

Yes. Or even if it evolves into, you know, a series of collage layouts with photos and just like several large blocks of journaling, you know, I mean, like, I think I was boxing myself in, based on my initial concept for this project. And like I said, it has been something that's been on my list for years. And I think there would be like a sense of like a weight lifted, just to take a step forward. And like you said, to start with that, like the smallest first step that you can do. So I think I think it would be satisfying.

Jennifer Wilson 20:58

Well so you just mentioned that the feeling of that you want that weight to be lifted, and so often that that can require you to give yourself permission to make a course correction. To not be so, I guess doggedly attached to whatever you thought you were going to do, even if maybe even bought the supplies for it. There's certainly been projects where I bought the supplies, and this was my plan. And then I never quite had got the activation energy to begin and it's okay to say okay, well, that's not the plan anymore. Obviously, I didn't do it. So something's not working out, we need to make a course correction, let's make a new plan that's going to result in something being produced versus the sticking with the plan which results in nothing happening, you know?

Kim Edsen 21:41

Exactly, yes, for sure. So what is on your Bucket List layout? What are you itching to tell?

Jennifer Wilson 21:49

You know, I feel like I've told so many. And I think I'm not that I'm ever going to run out of stories. But I really I'm feeling I've got a lot of the ones that were kind of top of mind initially taken care of. But I keep seeing lots of layouts about the pandemic. And I've done little snippets here and there. Like I just did a a two page spread. That was just a what's, how I say this? So last week, the on the ninth, said last week now, I guess it was. The ninth of March was Day In The Life Ali Edwards hosted this, you know, invitation to photograph your entire day, I didn't really have the energy to take pictures all day. And I don't think I've really ever done Day In The Life where I really took pictures all day, I've certainly done Week In the Life. But I took a picture of each of us at 8am. And as I started journaling about what we were all doing at 8am, I was still in bed, Emily was still sleeping, and Steve was working at his computer at home. And that all I could think of is wow, this is still very atypical, from what our life is, you know, quote unquote, normally. Like Emily would would have been at school, Steve would have been at the office. And I would have not been still in bed. I might not have been dressed yet. But I would have been like, you know, on the way for the day. And it ended up being you know, a few paragraphs about the pandemic, but it was just about how life was different and and where we've come. And I realized, I don't think I've really done like, what happened in the past year. And so I think now is the time that we've reached this one year, I want to do some sort of like timeline layout, maybe include some more of the newsy points to it. And just say like, okay, here was what we experienced this past year, and definitely more facts, because I think I've captured some of the feelings throughout many pages throughout my photo books. But now it's like, okay, let's capture some of the facts to record this for the future. So that's, that's what's on my Bucket List.

Kim Edsen 23:50

So I think that's interesting, that idea of going more facts versus feeling focused from the idea of maybe documenting it for a historical perspective. Do you think?

Jennifer Wilson 23:59

Yeah.

Kim Edsen 24:02

Yeah. Just by default, because I've had the same thing I did not do. I don't tend to do a lot like in the moment scrapbooking, I tend to kind of go back and do reflection, and then just kind of see where I'm going with the project or layouts or whatnot. But so I, a lot of people were doing like COVID albums. And it was always a thing like, Well, like I don't I don't know what I'm gonna end it because it just kept going on and on and on. And I don't think but...

Jennifer Wilson 24:27

Yeah

Kim Edsen 24:27

People started those last spring, they were expecting that to continue for such a long duration. But like you said, I haven't done like COVID specific layout, but by default, it has just snuck into your layouts, right. Like I did do the layout about my husband's whistling and a lot of it kind of was I talked about how he's in the basement now working or...

Jennifer Wilson 24:50

Yeah.

Kim Edsen 24:50

My girls I do like a school, ongoing school album for them. So I had a layout in there from last spring kind of talking about that transition. So it just has incorporated itself into my scrapbooks. But I think it's really interesting to come at it from like the facts standpoint. Because years from now, those aren't necessarily things you're going to remember. And I don't, I like history, so I think that that's an interesting take on it.

Jennifer Wilson 25:19

Yeah, well, I think my scrapbooking tends to be very feelings focused in general. And I. So like, I don't feel like that's missing. And oftentimes with these Bucket List Stories, we think that that's what we need. But for me, you know, I have like, you know, I have a People Magazine from when Princess Diana died, another one from 911. And I'm sure they've been kind of, maybe even this week, I'm going to go check out the newsstand and see if there's one for you know, this past year. But I feel like there's something that's not one point in time, it's hard to just say, okay, here's that the snapshot of what we experienced from that, because this has been in the whole year. And so I want to kind of make my little time capsule page to talk about, you know, very, all the ways we got groceries and you know, toilet paper, and the first time I got disinfectant wipes at 11 months in and all those things, so...

Kim Edsen 26:14

Okay, so you said something that made me think about format. So I feel like a timeline would be very well suited to this. Have you thought at all about how you actually want to put it on a page?

Jennifer Wilson 26:28

I think a timeline with photos. I think the challenge will be making sure there's enough space. Because I've done, I've done a two page timeline. That was a Bucket List story before and I had like, eight little blocks of journaling. And I think this one I would want I want it to be busier, I guess I want to really fill it up with lots of little bits of, on the timeline. So I might even make it like do it. Put the journaling at an angle, like you might see on a timeline.

Kim Edsen 27:01

Okay.

Jennifer Wilson 27:02

So even if you have to, like really pay attention to read it, turn your head or whatever, and then do maybe a collage of photos, rather than pointing out something I don't know, we'll see. I definitely think it's just gonna be a lot, a lot bigger. And maybe there's a digital template out there, I need to find that maybe it's something that's really detailed. Like or, or maybe I'll end up making one.

Kim Edsen 27:22

Or like a pocket page style, where you can really pack it in there with cards and photos. Or I would also think like a month by month, like, you know, month one month two, little tidbit.

Jennifer Wilson 27:36

Yeah, I know, we actually do have a page like that, because I did it. I use it for Emily's first year. So there's like 12 little pockets on one side, and then a full page photo on the left side. Something like that might be interesting, too. And to try to pick, you know, from maybe even from some of my lesser photos, like not ones that I think are these are the great scrapbook worthy photos. But like the random things of the first time somebody brought groceries to our door and you know, things like that. So that could be interesting.

Kim Edsen 28:09

Fun. I love like that process of matching. Well, not always sometimes it's a challenge. But usually, like that's kind of the fun for me is matching this like okay, this is this is what I want to say these are my photos, or these are my products and and we'll talk about that a little bit later. But like how is that going to come together on the page? I think that is part of the fun for me in scrapbooking.

Jennifer Wilson 28:30

Yeah, I think I've gotten more reconnected to that. And just the just the fun challenge of having this idea. Now let's let's let's strategize and really plan it out. And then when you see it come together, that's even more satisfying. And I've certainly had like, really great experiences with okay, let's take a photo and some supplies and layer them up and throw them on the page. And I've created pages I love. But the ones that are really strategized out and they're often hybrid or even all digital, definitely can be really satisfying too.

Kim Edsen 29:07

Exactly.

Jennifer Wilson 29:08

Okay. Let's talk organization. So we are now at the transition point halfway through our Organization Journey. There has been so much, I don't know, energy. So everybody's having a little bit of spring fever, for sure. But he wants to get things cleaned out decluttered organized and even, you know, dive in and use some of their supplies. So what have you done this past month?

Kim Edsen 29:34

So I, we talked about this last time, but I set a reminder on my phone to clean out my digital downloads folder. And that happened this last week and it was extremely satisfying. In the group, one of our members, Iris, was talking about the idea of instead of downloading to a Downloads folder, just download it to where the final location will be. So sometimes that makes sense for me if it's something I know I'm going to use right away versus something that I need to refer to later. So that's been helpful. And I will say that one of my favorite activities from Refresh that I have actually done multiple times now, though I only shared one within the Refresh group. Was the idea from the digital standpoint of using older collections or supplies or whatnot. And so I've just, obviously, everyone's so tired of hearing me talk about like my transition to digital, but I had always dabbled and didn't hybrid and so far, so I do have some older kits. And there were some that were more cream based that I was to the point where I think I should just delete these because I don't see myself going back to them. And so I actually use the same kit on two layouts now. And they have a third one from a different collection kit that I actually ordered, or ordered, I purchased specifically for to do print and cut embellishments for layout. So I've got something in the works. So I am finding it really fun to kind of dig into those old supplies, and use them in new ways on my layouts, currently.

Jennifer Wilson 31:04

That's, that's super fun. And to, to give it new life, especially in digital, there's so much always I don't know, it's kind of a little bit of a hamster wheel, because product comes out so frequently. And it's it can be really exciting. And I loved, you know, always scrapping with something new. But you don't necessarily have to do that. And to kind of jump off the hamster wheel intentionally and make sure that you're really getting the most out of your purchases, I think is awesome.

Kim Edsen 31:30

Well, and I think for like that one collection that was cream based, I'd used white on my journaling card, and I put white borders on my photos. Or I would choose different embellishments to kind of give it more of that, I guess more contrast or pop that I'm liking now. Like with that Simple Story Kit, I'm really loving those like bright colors. So I can still find ways to incorporate that onto the layout even with like the older products. So that is one that I don't think I really expected to enjoy just as much as I have. It's been fun. It's almost turned into a game of like, okay, what else can I use? Like, what other layouts Can I make with this? And honestly, the one that prompted it, because it had a bunch of gold in it. I was doing a layout about my chickens had gold and I had feathers. I'm like, Well, obviously, we have this chicken and there's feathers, and I'm gonna make this work. And so I think it's just a good reminder to go back. Even though they're older supplies, you can look at them with fresh eyes.

Jennifer Wilson 32:30

Yes, yes. Now the point you made about clearing out your digital downloads that reminded me of something else that I did. One of the conversations during Refresh was about having kind of triage folders. And it's not really a long term solution. But if you have a crazy downloads folder. We in many of us confess to having nested folders of various things labeled to sort or former desktop or whatever. And I'd certainly had that, but I started creating these triage folders for different areas of my life. So I have Simple Scrapper, my university work, you know, Girl Scouts, PTA and home. And I started kind of moving things into those folders. And even when I was downloading something new putting it there. And I think that's going to help me get things to their homes and maybe even see what homes I was lacking. Because I think that was certainly part of the problem is this with working at home. The normal homes for a lot of my files aren't here, they're on my work computer or somewhere else, which I don't have access to right now. And so I think half the files or things like that, that really belonged somewhere else that I never created a home for. And so it just kind of got all shoved together with everything else. So that's been interesting to look at it that way. Because when we're mixing all these different areas of life, it's hard to process your files and figure out okay, where do they live? When they just seem so, so jumbled. And you can't identify trends, because you're mixing, you know, all these different things together?

Kim Edsen 34:06

Well, I think that's something that we talk about a lot is the idea of what is like one, can you break off like one small area to focus on, as opposed to taking on the whole. So in this case, you're dealing you've broken it down so I can deal with the Girl Scout files, or I could deal with, you know, the university files as opposed to just feeling like you have to deal with everything at one point in time. Plus, if you have them categorized it, like you said, gives you a feel for what you need for homes or whatnot, but also can kind of give you a feel for sometimes things are redundant. Like I don't need this because I have this or it's a new iteration of that file. So but if you were just looking at all of it together, I would think it would be really hard to identify those things.

Jennifer Wilson 34:51

Well, it's also I know a lot of there can be deleted and you know the other part of it is, is having really good habits around making sure that it's stuff you don't intend to keep gets deleted right away. But then we often get into these situations where we just need to clear off the table. You know I've done this in my real life you know just shove everything in a box, in a bag. Because we have to clear off the table right now even though half the stuff could have been thrown away at some point and you just didn't. But in terms of having those categories, I can see like when I'm going through the bigger, the junk drawer folder looking for okay I'm gonna find everything that's Girl Scouts and move all that into the Girl Scouts folder. And it really helps you put that mental category on the files and see what you have and get it out of there so that we can keep narrowing it down and then be able to put things away. Because as we said it just, if I look at it all together I'm like I don't know what to do with any of this.

Kim Edsen 35:49

Shut that, click, done, move on.

Jennifer Wilson 35:52

Yeah.

Kim Edsen 35:55

So I...

Jennifer Wilson 35:56

Oh, go ahead.

Kim Edsen 35:57

No, you're good.

Jennifer Wilson 35:59

You could, you said...

Kim Edsen 36:00

I was gonna ask you about your Refresh experience beyond digital organization.

Jennifer Wilson 36:07

So I think I had, I made a layout and I really enjoyed, I use a whole bunch of chipboard pieces like all from one little sheet in repetition and I really liked the page. But I think the project that was the most fun for me was putting together a kit. And this was kind of the the physical equivalent of the project that you did with your kits and trying to use old ones. And I really wanted to just have like a big kit again that was just totally fleshed out with all the embellishments and all the papers. And I've made a lot of like page kits over the years I call them micro kits. But I wanted something that I could like just choose from and make six, seven pages from and and I had so much fun doing that. I'd had a little bit of a purple theme to it which of course made it an extra challenge because there's not that much in terms of purple in our supplies. And whenever I've done this, and this time included, and I do it on Zoom. I love getting all the feedback from the members. Saying no you don't need that one, like pick something else. Or you know I would really include some like ribbons and fibers. And that's not something that I love to use and so I was challenged to include those. And so I put two, two of those in there and I just I don't know the word synergy is kind of lame but, but that, that feeling that we get from the community experience too makes it even better. And I think that that's my favorite part of that is I love the kit and I love that it was kind of this collaborative group effort to kind of crowdsource my kit collection. So...

Kim Edsen 37:38

And we are always willing to give our opinions so. And I think again I think that comes back to the whole idea of like I talked about seeing supplies with fresh eyes. I think I've always enjoyed that whole process of watching you and doing it myself, of collecting, creating your own kits. Because I think it's really fun to see how you can mix and match products from different collections or different lines and bring it all together and create something that's really kind of your own.

Jennifer Wilson 38:07

Yeah and I think sometimes you just you need a few strategies. Like sometimes it's about just a little bit of color theory and how you're matching things together. And what, oh knowing about contrast and size of patterns and we can talk about okay I think these two go together but this is why I think these two don't go together. And the more you practice that, the more confidence you'll get and being able to pair those things. And I'm certainly not saying that I'm good at it but I've developed tricks over the years to really, to help me feel like taking the busiest pattern paper and then trying to source the colors that are in that one paper and I always take that as an audition rather than trying to keep compiling things. No, if it doesn't go with this one thing it doesn't fit in the kit. Kind of keeping that as the keystone, I guess if you will.

Kim Edsen 38:58

Well there's so many components when you're looking at it. You say like color and pattern but also there's like a sense of does this feel whimsical or is this more like elegant and serious or. That all really comes together and you want products that kind of play well together I guess, in order to make your kit, I think easy to use.

Jennifer Wilson 39:19

Yes. And that's like something that you don't, like if you go just by color you could have it very color harmonious and maybe if you squint it, it would look like it went together but then when you actually look at the patterns you have something that's like a an intricate brocade pattern and then something that's like super modern and graphic and they might not go together at all because of the different kind of just underlying style to it.

Kim Edsen 39:43

Well and I, well I just experienced that with my, with my closet. So I had a pair of jeans and I liked how they fit and they were comfortable but they were more of like a distressed kind of finish and then I would find they just didn't pair well with my other clothes. So I dyed them dark gray and I am just like flabbergasted. I went out and bought more dye for like another pair of pants because I was like, this is amazing! Because all of a sudden now I feel I could wear them with everything in my closet. So..

Jennifer Wilson 40:11

Whoa. Like brain exploding emoji. I didn't even know you can do that, I guess...

Kim Edsen 40:19

Rit.com or whatever their website is they have all sorts of information. So yeah, like, literally in like a Rubbermaid tote in my laundry room. So yeah.

Jennifer Wilson 40:29

That's fun. That's awesome.

Kim Edsen 40:30

Super excited. It's like a whole new world.

Jennifer Wilson 40:33

It gives them a new life.

Kim Edsen 40:34

I know. And so same thing with your scrapbook supplies. Maybe without the dye, but yeah.

Jennifer Wilson 40:42

Well, but you know, I saw, so what was it, Shimelle had this beautiful layout the other day, posted on Instagram. And she was using a colored cardstock as the background. And she even commented how she uses actually pattern papers a lot of the time, but that she put white paint or Gesso or something over the colored cardstock. And I'm like, oh, I really like that, because I love a white background. So I can make part of it white and then still have some color peeking out. I want to try that for sure.

Kim Edsen 41:13

Yeah, that sounds interesting.

Jennifer Wilson 41:17

Okay, continuing on organization, here. We we can't talk without talking about our Sketch and Template Library. So we've been creating sketches and templates. So a sketch for a paper scrapbook or just a JPEG image, and a layered Photoshop file for digital scrapbook or since 2010. So forever. And Kim, you've spent so much of your time, kind of helping us rebuild our library. We had it on the Simple Scrapper website when our membership was over there. And then when we transition to Mighty Networks, it's been this kind of slow process to get all of the sketches and templates into Mighty Networks. And how are you feeling about the project at this point?

Kim Edsen 42:00

I'm thrilled. Because I keep, so basically, I've gone through, so what we had like a year, year and a half or so like already on there. And so I've just been going back through like the back catalogue to get the rest up. So I've actually got to look at every single template. And for many of them examples from our creative team, like you said, like going back 10 years. So yeah, I keep marking ones like ooh, number 51 I'm definitely gonna use that next or it's also been interesting to see some of our creative team members that have been with us for so long. Like one like watching like their families evolve and change and grow. But also how some people's styles have just been so consistent like Sara Case from like, day one man, like she knew what she was doing. And she's has worked for her and she's stuck with it. So I could always tell like, oh, that's a Sara layout, right? So no, it has me totally jazzed up. And I was talking about this on the Zoom crop last Friday, about just like my undying love for our sketches and templates. Like, it's what got me to join, like the membership and it is still like my go to way to like start a page and I just love them. So no, it's been a fun project.

Jennifer Wilson 43:15

Well, I appreciate all your efforts on that. And I know our members are going to absolutely love it. I mean, we're at what 574 I think is the number the last one we released. It's, it's it's kind of crazy to think about that there's that many and just such a variety of design styles from very clean and minimal to full out. And I feel like I feel like I have to explain this a lot that the our brand of simple is what works for you. And so sometimes simple, looks minimal and sometimes simple looks like filling that page up with all of the goodness that you love to play with. And I think our library reflects that diversity as well.

Kim Edsen 43:55

And then is one thing I really like about it is I feel like just depending on what you're in the mood for that day, like if you want to go more mixed media and splatters and painted backgrounds, like there, there's inspiration for that. And then there's very more, like you said, like the clean graphic, geometric type patterns, there's that. So I think there's a why, like you said almost 600 right. So there's options for styles, but also for journaling, like so I have like a ton of journaling. And so there's layouts that worked well with that or number of photos, I think there was one that was like 17 photos was a double page, and I was like oh, that's that's quite a few. Like so I just feel like there's kind of something for everyone. And depending on what you're in the mood for that day or what your layout is calling for. And the other thing for me this is kind of that whole decide once concept of it gives me a starting point. So even if I find I make a lot of changes to it or I don't use a lot of like the embellishing spots are kind of pare that back to fit more my style. It's easier for me to have a starting point. And to go from there versus starting from a completely blank page.

Jennifer Wilson 45:11

Yes, yes. And I think for me, it's always been just photo, photo composition and arrangement of photos in the page, relationship between photos, particularly photos of different orientations like vertical and horizontal, a different sizes of photos. Like having a sketch really can help you do that, even if the way you're going to arrange the papers and embellishments is going to be totally different. That starting point, I think, is really, really, really helpful.

Kim Edsen 45:45

Well, and I always kind of, like we talked about this earlier, too, about how I enjoy kind of finding that match between the layout design and the products. To me, it's almost like a little puzzle like to kind of figure out how it's going to all fit together. And I think I realized early on, and it kind of comes back to like, what is your reason why behind scrapbooking. And for some people, it is like the creative outlet and to kind of put new spins and designs together. And for me, it's not, for me, it's to have a home for my photos, and to tell stories. And that's my driving point. So I didn't want to spend a lot of time and energy on coming up with my own design, whereas, you know, we literally have hundreds of options for me to choose from. So I think it comes back to kind of what my core purpose of scrapbooking also is. That is how it ties into sketches and templates for me.

Jennifer Wilson 46:36

Well, I think that's also that there's going to be that purpose, that why might vary over time or even by the story you're telling, or the products that you're using. Because sometimes it is more about the products and you want to have fun and, and celebrate these these things because they're pretty and cute. And sometimes you're just really trying to tell like the pandemic story that I want to tell. I don't even know if I'll use any products on that. It might just be words and photos, I don't know. Sometimes that's more of the purpose. And so the sketches and templates are there for what you need them for, whether it's a starting point, or kind of a complete solution.

Kim Edsen 47:13

And I will say that our sketches and templates. So I've purchased templates from other digital designers or whatever you call them, but they're not all created equal. So I feel like our templates are super high quality, they they're just very easy to use. So I appreciate Melanie does a nice job with it.

Jennifer Wilson 47:35

Yes, for sure. And even though for you know, number 205 on. So, you know, that's a lot of a lot of design work that Melanie has done. She's you know, she's taking the inspiration from our featured artists to create these. So if they were based only on my layouts, or even just based only from Melanie's brain, they'd have more of a consistency of, of style and approach. And the fact that they're not, I think is what gives that variety. Because you know, you can love someone's someone's templates, and I'm trying to think Cheryl, she's like Fiddle-Dee-Dee, right. And so her, she does full out like all the flowers to the end of time, and that your pages are going to look pretty consistent. If you like that, that's great. But if you want a little more variety, depending on the types of stories you tell, you're going to need to buy from different designers or use a library that's like ours. A little bit more of variety, too. So...

Kim Edsen 48:35

Well and I think if I was left to my own devices, it would be grid page after grid page after grid page.

Jennifer Wilson 48:42

Oh, yeah.

Kim Edsen 48:42

It's just kind of my default. And I still even like that with within layout design. I will like things that are very integrated are very like aligned. But I appreciate that for you, like you said it was photo composition. For me, I think sketches and templates have really helped me with embellishing. Like, that has always been kind of a hard thing for me. I've struggled with that. Well struggled whatever, like it's such a struggle. But anyways, but to kind of give a feel for like, oh, this would be a good spot to put this or just kind of how to layer things. I don't think that is how my brain works by default. And so I appreciate the sketches and templates have really taught me a lot about that.

Jennifer Wilson 49:25

Oh, that's awesome. Yeah, they're great tools to help you improve your design skills and confidence. And to allow you to then go to that next level and change it up a bit or even be able to feel feel like you are able to start from a blank page as well.

Kim Edsen 49:40

Yes. So honestly, I'm so lazy at this point, like it's just easier to start with something you know, like shut off layers that I don't want like, honestly. I was gonna, I started a layout the other day and I literally dragged three photos on was starting to build the background. I was like, yeah, no, I'm just gonna go find a layout, like a sketch and we're gonna go with it. Like, so...

Jennifer Wilson 49:59

But that's I mean, that's very real. Like you, you want to get the page done. And there's, there's a satisfaction and desire that and you got to kind of honor what's real for you in the moment. Sometimes it's totally playing and planning it out. And sometimes it's getting the page done and having it, having that story told.

Kim Edsen 50:19

Yes. And that's true. And I've done both right, I've done right, where you spend, like far too many hours, like hand stitching a background, but it's gorgeous in the end, and that was really fun. But you're right, it does depend on like, the season of life. And that even that particular layout, like I'm just like, ready to put this, get this done and move on. So we don't need to make this more complicated.

Jennifer Wilson 50:41

For sure. So I'm curious in terms of your experience, like having started as a paper scrapbooker then more hybrid. And then going truly digital. Has there been any like, how have you adjusted to using, continuing to use our templates? So...

Kim Edsen 50:59

So I think, I will say that having like, the unlimited capability, if like, I can use all these pattern papers doesn't necessarily mean they should. So I think I also went through this evolution of kind of identifying kind of what my style or my preferences are, kind of in general, and obviously, that can vary from page to page, but I tend to be more minimalistic with something. So maybe it's a lot of, I just like shut off embellishments, like, yeah, I could put them in there. But I do less like I'll do a scatter, but not like the scatter, and the enamel dots are right. So I think kind of recognizing that to use the sketch or, in this case, the template as a guide, or as a starting point, as opposed to a recipe, or like you know, this is what I have to do. So I guess seeing like the flexibility in that has definitely, I feel like made me more comfortable with the process and happier with my finished product.

Jennifer Wilson 52:02

Yes, for sure. Well, I think that's, that's one of the big reasons why our next Pop-Up Workshop is going to be on sketches and templates. So we're going to like show how to use the library and search for for your item based on the number of photos. And you know how to browse it, but then most of it's going to be on how do we then take this sketch or this template and then make a page? How do we make decisions about products? And then how do we make this our own? How do we develop more confidence? And I think we have obviously 1000s of examples from our Creative Team to show how they took the starting point and jumped from there. And sometimes it's changing in size. Sometimes it's, you know, putting pattern where there was a photo or photo where there was a pattern, and how do you then tweak it? And what are some of the kind of underlying strategies behind that? So I'm really looking forward to this one.

Kim Edsen 52:58

Yes. I think obviously, like you said earlier, anything with like practice and perseverance, it will get easier. But you know, just to see like the flexibility in it, as opposed to like an instruction sheet, like this is what you need to do, I think, really embracing that flexibility. And like you said about like substituting a photo for pattern paper or vice versa. Like I always, well not always, but oftentimes will have to like squeeze in more journaling in some way. Or, or as like an 8.5 by 11 scrapbooker like that does not preclude me from using 12 by 12 designs, I just tweak them. So...

Jennifer Wilson 53:34

Yes.

Kim Edsen 53:35

I think again, that kind of comes back to like the fun of it for me is to kind of find a way to make it work for for my style and my photos and my story and to make it all come together.

Jennifer Wilson 53:49

Well and we've had several comments, as we kind of asked some of the members, what are you looking for, for this Pop-Up Workshop? And I had several comments on like, I'd like to see not just more sketches with longer journaling, but to be able to look for them that way. And that's, unfortunately not a feature that we have right now. But as you said, like the more that you know how to adjust it. You could say, well, if I just nudge this, you know, a little bit up this way, I could have twice as much journaling space. How do we tweak it to to better accommodate our needs for either more photos, more journaling? Just, you know, rotating things like that. I think having some of those basic skills will help you see it with more of this I have possibility rather than well that doesn't fit exactly what I want, so therefore I can't use it.

Kim Edsen 54:37

Yes.

Jennifer Wilson 54:40

Okay, let's shift gears here to one final thought here on Stash Bash. So the new Pop-Up Workshop comes out April 1. And I think this episode will have come out the week before that. And then our Stash Bash event. We're kind of counting down to this. This is one of our favorite events of the year. Because it's a week long, almost intensive activity to really make some progress on your stuff. And you can pick and choose activities, whether you're going to focus on using up decluttering, or organizing, or a combination. You know, we've had folks really focus just on making pages and using, excuse me, using older product. And some people like empty out, repaint and redo their entire craft rooms. So huge gamut, but just the collective energy from Stash Bash is so fun.

Kim Edsen 55:32

So yeah, I went and looked at our little cheat sheet that we have for kind of prompts or ideas for people on what they can work on, I think, like you said, it's like plan, organize or create kind of are the categories. And I, I'm not really out like ever going back to paper. And I definitely think, especially for older albums that I want to kind of fill in spots, I'm definitely, you know, keeping all of that for now. So, at this point, I'm kind of in a holding pattern for my paper products, my digital products, thanks to our discussions of last month, like they're in a pretty good spot. So I think for me, I'm going to I want to concentrate on Stash Bash, from the planning component of it. And one of the things that I used to do was kind of batch process or batch plan layouts, I would take either they're like, right, like spring 2020, I'm gonna do these five layouts. And since I did not print at home, I would kind of plan out all my layouts even do like the journaling, choose designs and choose photos, and then I would send those off, and when they came back, I would assemble them. So that is not something I've really continued when I'm doing the digital. I feel like I've just kind of generally been like page by page, or I'll start one. And then if it's kind of simmering, or I want to like see if I want to make changes, I'll start another one. But I haven't done that kind of batch approach. So I think I would like to kind of trial or a system of doing that from the digital perspective. So I think technically, it would be the step by step challenge on our cheat sheet. Or, also, I'm excited, I always loved the bake sale. And that was the concept of basically the page kits. So I think just continuing on kind of that success and that excitement from Refresh, to continue that approach, to not even necessarily with just older product. But just the idea of maybe when I'm doing those batch planning for layouts, to just, instead of just doing photos and designing, journaling, also like bringing in product at that time to just really set myself up. So when I do sit down, I'm just ready to create.

Jennifer Wilson 57:36

Yes, and I think we've had so many conversations since Krystal Idunate was on the podcast for Episode 107. Because she has this this batch planning approach and and everybody's like, oh my gosh, I need to try that. And I think it just feels so satisfying. Because you're not only capturing stories that are important to you, but using your product at the same time. And I'm just seeing both from from digital and paper scrapbookers like excitement about that.

Kim Edsen 58:04

Yeah. Well always had just done out of necessity, because I wasn't going to send off right, like three photos for an order. So I would just do it out of necessity. Or if you're working on like a specific album project, then it was just nice for continuity. But her aspect of really bringing in like the product side of things, is not something that I had really focused on before. So I thought that was interesting her insights on that, or how she approached that.

Jennifer Wilson 58:31

Oh, 100%. So I think for Stash Bash, my plan is it's it actually the physical parts that I'm going to do kind of came out of this, I have the problem with my desktop folder and being this nested thing of to sort and then _to sort and then I have these, it's just this miscellaneous piles of junk. And I realized that in the past, I have done that in my real life too. And I've really tried to stop doing it. And I will just take you know, a little envelope and just shove everything in it that I thought needed to be put away. And so I will have like a little pile and I I've noticed I know how the exactly how this happens. But I have these envelopes that have like memorabilia and photos and just random stuff and sometimes supplies in them. And they're all neat and tidy and they're put away. But it's time for me to go through those and kind of officially put an end to the miscellany. And I think that since I really was doing that more in the physical sense, obviously, I still have the digital problem. But I think I've stopped doing it because now I have like okay, here's a drawer for all of my camera equipment and, and here's this places for my embellishments. And I've really tried to keep things very well categorized, even if it's not totally decluttered and totally sorted, at least it's all the same type of stuff. I know where to go to find it. And so but the little miscellany bags need to be addressed that I can kind of move on from that and really give things homes and I think that's, that's the key is you have to have a home for the type of item. And make sure it's the appropriate size, or you need to then change the size of the container or get rid of some of the things in the container. And, yeah, it's, it's just time to finally dig into some of these things. Because I mean, I made some of these bags like, like four years ago, maybe even before I moved, there might be one that's like seven years old, that has photos that I had printed out, before we ever moved to this house of, here's baby pictures of Emily that I might want to scrapbook. If I haven't scrapped those stories, now, I'm probably not going to I'm just gonna, I'm gonna probably recycle a lot of stuff that I need to, it's time to finally go through it.

Kim Edsen 1:00:50

So this feels to be like the next iteration of your closet project.

Jennifer Wilson 1:00:56

Yes. And maybe this is kind of the the last remnants of it, because I definitely had the miscellany closet. And now, all of that stuff is pretty much categorized, it's, it's still taking up way too much space in the guest room. The idea will eventually I'll be able to put things back in the closet. And it's going to be basically a craft supply closet for all the non scrapbooking stuff, like what it was really intended for, but no longer just bins of junk and assorted items. So I feel like I've come a long way and it's time to finish that process.

Kim Edsen 1:01:35

Okay, so what do you think about allowing yourself like one spot is kind of like a holding place? So if it is something that's new, that maybe doesn't have a home? Do you need like choose a home right away? Or is it too dangerous to have kind of that temporary transitional spot?

Jennifer Wilson 1:01:56

I think that I'm kind of aware of some of the things that still need homes like, I don't have a good home, yeah actually that's not true. I have homes, I just don't always put them there. And my husband would probably agree with that, this is funny. It's about closing the loop more.

Kim Edsen 1:02:20

Okay.

Jennifer Wilson 1:02:20

Like, I get the loop 90% to 95% closed on a lot of things.

Kim Edsen 1:02:26

No, I have clean laundry on the floor of my bedroom right now that I need to put away. So no, I get you.

Jennifer Wilson 1:02:32

Yeah, it's that final 5%. Because I have done a good job at creating homes for things. And just making sure those things get to the homes. So...

Kim Edsen 1:02:44

Do you feel like I know that you had mentioned your chipboard from Refresh that you had like organized some chipboard and embellishments and things. Do you think that has helped you identify like your next steps in this process, process I guess? Or like how has that contributed towards kind of your evolution or your continuing on this project?

Jennifer Wilson 1:03:09

So I, what I've done is I have now three drawers that are for die cuts and chipboard and they're mixed together. But they're by shape/kind of function. They're mostly by shape, shape/motif, I guess. So like animals are together.

Kim Edsen 1:03:25

Okay.

Jennifer Wilson 1:03:26

That has been so amazing, because I just I need to kind of know which drawer things are in alreay. And I just pull it out, search through what I want, grab something and then shut the drawer. Again, I don't feel the need to be exhaustive. Like I have to dig through it all just let's find something that works pull it out and then use it and I've loved that and I want I want more of that. And you know I have these other storage units of like especially even the one, I keep mentioning the camera equipment. Ever since I started keeping a drawer, I now I know where the, I don't even know what the names are for half of these things.The little thing that attaches my camera to various tripods and it's often like attachment type things like little mini tripods and stuff like that. But it all goes in this one drawer I know where to find it. And I think I just gonna continue to build on that of leaning on those homes and, and even having homes for things like memorabilia. I have homes for memorabilia, I need to make sure that that gets there. And I think that's the big difference. A lot of these things were put into the bags when I didn't have a specific home for incoming memorabilia. So now that I do, I'm gonna I'm gonna put it there. So...

Kim Edsen 1:04:40

This is like the final like loop close. It feels full circle.

Jennifer Wilson 1:04:46

And it's Yeah, it's it's I think for a while it's been felt a little intimidating because some of these, there is one bag in particular that's a bag of assorted embellishments. And it's it's almost embarrassing that it's it's so full I could probably give it away and never miss any of it but that feels wasteful and not fun. I want, I don't know, I want to see what I what I can salvage from it if you will.

Kim Edsen 1:05:17

Like we just talked about looking at older products with new eyes right like maybe some things would be exciting. Yeah it's like use it or lose it.

Jennifer Wilson 1:05:28

Yes 100%. So I'm, I am ready to move on I guess it's kind of like a weight. Like these bags of stuff feel like a weight and then I can't kind of go into this next phase of being a more tidy person I guess, I don't know. Not even tidy. I look tidy but I'm not necessarily organized underneath the tidy. I want to be able to get to my things easily and know that things are kind of kept where they belong I guess. So...

Kim Edsen 1:05:57

Well and I would imagine it would make your scrapbooking process more enjoyable too. Because you can find what you're looking for or without being like well gosh I know I had that like purple washi. Like good luck finding it. So if you can kind of put your hands on what you want that would be extremely satisfying to me just like to bring it all together.

Jennifer Wilson 1:06:17

Well I've had a conversation with several people about this idea of when you get products in, particularly if you're in a kit club. And you're not choosing the items or even if you are, you bought something and then part of it you don't like it would never use. To go ahead and let go of that from the beginning. Yes it's fun to sometimes challenge yourself to use the extra stuff but if you get if you get this kit and you like 90 95% of it keep that. And then the closing the loop on it is pre getting rid of the stuff you know you're never going to use. Because you just you don't like it, it's not your style, you can't see yourself using it, and that prevents you from later having to make that choice if you make the choice at the beginning.

Kim Edsen 1:07:00

Yeah I would never use a crochet flower in paper and I'm not gonna use it in digital either. Because it's still, it's giant. But I can appreciate that some people do.

Jennifer Wilson 1:07:12

Well and I think a lot of the stuff that's in that big bag are things that I could have done that to begin with and I think if I have a new strategy, I will. It's okay to let go things to pass them on to you know to your children, to donation, there's many ways to do pre recycling. And then some things you know I've had a number of things that I found that were damaged. Like puffy things that were yellowed, some weird little wood things that were yellowed. So I threw those away because I didn't use them and they actually kind of went bad so there is a certain degree of perishable things.We've talked a lot about that with washi tapes that's definitely a use it or lose it because those do not last forever.

Kim Edsen 1:07:55

Or inks dry out, pens, yeah.

Jennifer Wilson 1:07:58

Yeah for sure.

Kim Edsen 1:08:01

Well you know I'm gonna enjoy watching this process because the only thing better than organizing myself is to watch other people do it. So...

Jennifer Wilson 1:08:11

Well and I think, I think in particular for Stash Bash we're all going to be leaning on just having tons of open crop time because kind of crowdsourcing some of your decisions can be helpful. And it's interesting to get different perspectives on like oh I would use that. Or oh I would never use that. But it's, it's okay and you know and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to share. You know it feels a little embarrassing to share that I have these like you know I basically have Monica's closets, mini Monica's closets in these bags. But we all have things like that and together we can work through them and finally let go of the junk so that we can move on to a more happy and productive stash so that we can be happy and productive scrapbookers too.

Kim Edsen 1:09:00

Well that and also to come up with ideas on how to store some things. Like what works for you? So when they're accessible and easy to maintain or when somebody's asking the group about how do you store alphas. And you know there's lots of different ways you could do it. So if you can identify that what you're doing now doesn't really work for you but you don't actually know how else to do it, you know, crowdsource that.

Jennifer Wilson 1:09:25

Yeah find out the 10 different possible ways and then figure out okay which one could i try next. Yep it's gonna be awesome. So Stash Bash starts April 8th. I'm so excited about that and we're going to have a ton of fun.

Kim Edsen 1:09:40

I can't wait.

Jennifer Wilson 1:09:40

All right Kim, this has been an awesome episode. Thank you so much for spending time with me.

Kim Edsen 1:09:45

Well thank you for having me.

Jennifer Wilson 1:09:46

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