SYW281 – My Way with CJ Flynn

I love how these conversations, with creator after creator, illustrate the breadth of what brings us joy. CJ Flynn is our October 2024 featured artist, inspiring our latest member challenge with her clean and simple scrapbooking style.

You’ll find CJ combining minimalist hybrid pages with her favorite products, typically on a smaller scale. Our conversation highlights her journey to clarity about her ‘way’ of scrapbooking as well as insights into the resources she uses to document with ease.

*Affiliate links help to support the work we do, at no additional cost to you.

Episode Transcript

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[00:00:16] Welcome to Scrapbook Your Way, the show that explores the breadth of ways to be at memory keeper today. I'm your host, Jennifer Wilson, owner of Simple Scrapper and author of The New Rules of Scrapbooking. This is episode 281. In this episode, I'm interviewing CJ Flynn for the My Way series. My Way is all about celebrating the unique ways memory keepers get things done. We're excited to have CJ as the October featured artist at Simple Scrapper.

[00:01:01] Hey CJ, welcome to Scrapbook Your Way.

[00:01:04] Thank you so much for having me. I have enjoyed listening to your podcasts over the years and I'm excited to be here today.

[00:01:10] Oh, how wonderful. I love getting to know listeners a little bit better. And you're also our featured artist at Simple Scrapper. Can you start by sharing a little bit about yourself?

[00:01:21] Sure. Um, I'm CJ Flynn. I live in Chicago with my husband and my son, who is a senior in high school, and my daughter is currently in her junior year of college living out of state. Um, as far as work life, I have been a graphic designer in financial services for over 25 years. While I've always been a creative, it wasn't until my kids got a little bit older that I started to make time for creative hobbies which led me to memory keeping.

[00:01:50] Oh, how fun. And you know, you're not that far from me, you know, two to three hours, depending on which side of Chicago you're on. So maybe sometime we can actually connect.

[00:01:58] That would be wonderful.

[00:02:00] So what is exciting you right now, both inside of your hobby and in your everyday life?

[00:02:06] So for a non scrapbooking thing, I am currently planning a trip to Italy in the spring to visit my daughter who will be studying abroad. I've never traveled to Europe before, so first I'm focused on getting all of our paperwork square. Like our passports, making sure everything's up to date for all of us. Um, and getting appointments set up for global entry and all the other needed documentation, because I'm learning there's a lot to consider before we go, even like in the leading months right before. And I have just started to look into where we might want to explore. So topping the list for me is Milan where my daughter's studying and then maybe the Northern region. And I'd really like to get to Venice as well.

[00:02:49] Wonderful. Yes. That sounds so fun. And also, you know, that's, it's an exciting kind of stress to make sure you have all your ducks in the row.

[00:02:58] Definitely. And I'm a pretty nervous traveler. So I, you know, the more I can plan and prepare the more comfortable, I think it'll make the trip be for me. So.

[00:03:08] Yes. Yes, for sure.

[00:03:09] And then for scrapbooking, I'm really excited about fall and winter documenting projects. You know, as we're recording this, you know, Ali Edwards, December Daily projects launch tomorrow. So I'm focused on, you know, what I plan to purchase from there and, you know, potential other, you know, December products. In fact, I pulled out my stash and went through it just to make sure I don't over buy. Um, cause I want to be realistic about what I use. Um, and this year I'm planning to use a smaller album. I'm, I typically work in smaller albums, but this time I'm going to try the new four by six album that came out.

[00:03:47] So I also need to make sure that I don't buy any really huge, like ephemera or, you know, products. I just want to make sure that it fits in that size.

[00:03:56] Yes, for sure. So what other things are you looking at? I'm, I'm trying to put together my shopping list as well.

[00:04:03] So is, and just as far as her launch or just launches in general?

[00:04:08] No, in terms of like what you're eyeing in addition to the brand new smaller album, like will you get the main kit? Are you eyeing some embellishments?

[00:04:16] Um, yes. So I am definitely going to get the Paislee Press Kit. Um, and then there's chipboard phrases and the tab stickers. So a pretty, I guess, thoughtful purchase in terms of size. But I find myself adding to box later. So I'm going to resist.

[00:04:38] I like, yeah, starting practical, you know, is a good place to begin. Can we just, you know, keep our fingers, uh, held back the rest of the month?

[00:04:48] Yes, definitely. It's kind of hard sometimes just as you know, they start to share, you know, you can use this and do this that way. And their lives have, you know, showing the different products and giving more ideas. So, but I have plenty of my stash. So I, I just, I need, I need to be thoughtful. Yes.

[00:05:07] So of course, I also like to ask our guests about their memory keeping bucket list. So this is a list of one or more stories that feels really important to capture. Uh, but for some reason you have not yet documented those. So do you have a story that you'd like to tell?

[00:05:22] So I was a graphic design major in college before they taught the program using computers. So I actually bought my own computer my senior year, installed Adobe Illustrator, and taught myself using a printed manual. So all that being said, um, all the projects as part of my major were not digital. So the bucket list project I am planning to start working on is to document my senior exhibit. And that was, you know, as part of my graduation requirements, every student exhibited their work. And so I had 20 pieces that were framed and matted. You know, from watercolor to lino cut to, pen and ink.

[00:06:04] Um, and I had a few sculptures too. Um, but it was a time that there wasn't digital cameras. So I have all the photo negatives. So I have to, you know, work on digitizing the, you know, negatives. So that I can start to work on that. And then I do have the printed invitation and then I had a guest book.

[00:06:25] So classmates, professors, family, and friends wrote notes, you know, when they visited the gallery. So I'm actually thinking about pulling all of this together and maybe, um, trying a Blurb book, which I've never done before. So, um, I just thought, you know, while I could make it, you know, like a hybrid piece of both, I thought a Blurb book might be something to try for this.

[00:06:53] Yeah. And I think it allows you to gather everything together in a way that is preserved, but also, and, and this is an option of maybe letting go of some physical things you've been holding onto until you could document them. Um, I know that's one perspective that, that I often have.

[00:07:11] Yeah, definitely. I'm curious, have you done a Blurb book?

[00:07:16] I have. Um, I've done a number of them, both, let's see, I have, done. Well, we publish our Simple Scrapper magazine through Blurb. So you do, there's options of like magazine style as well as even these things called trade paperbacks, which are a little bit smaller. And folks do use those for, for memory keeping as well. In terms of larger books, I think almost all of them that I've made have been through Lightroom Classic using the book module. So I'm setting everything up in Lightroom and then exporting the final file to, to Blurb that way. Um, but I know a lot of others will upload images one by one. They have the Blurb book Write tool, which is like a desktop app. Um, So there's lots of ways for scrapbookers to, to get their books done. So, and they have a lot of different paper options, from, you know, economy to like super premium. I tend to not do lay flat books because I want more pages. Because they tend to max out at 100 pages.

[00:08:21] Well, I don't think my, my piece would be a hundred. So that being said, if, if it's a little bit smaller of a book, so say it's like 20, 30 pages, is that realistic for, for a Blurb book? Or would that be too small?

[00:08:37] Oh, not at all. I think the minimum is, is 20. It's like, that's the starting point. Um, and they have from smaller sizes up to like a standard letter size. I don't, I don't exactly know what the largest is. Let me see if I can look quickly here. Oh, they do have to, they do have to large squares, 12 by 12 and large landscape. And then the smallest default that I'm seeing here is seven by seven for their photo books. But then they're like what they're called the trade paperbacks are five by eight or six by nine, I think.

[00:09:12] Okay. That seems like a good option. I I'm, I'm very interested and I think that it would just, this would blend, I think this particular project would lend itself really well to that.

[00:09:23] Yeah, it is. And I think there are, of course, lots of photo book companies. But I think Blurb provides a nice happy medium between quality and price. They do offer coupon codes and they are, um, they do obviously, this doesn't impact those of us here in Illinois. But for our listeners, um, they have a much larger international reach in terms of who can use the service.

[00:09:48] Well, it's good to know.

[00:09:49] Yeah. Yeah. I can't wait to see what you do. It sounds fun. I can't even imagine, like, I mean, I was there, I worked for the newspaper in college and we were doing like paste ups and all of that. And then all of a sudden, by the time I graduated, everything was digital. And so it was like that just rapid transition of, of worlds.

[00:10:08] Yeah. Well, we, my husband and I were laughing about how we didn't have cell phones. I'm like, I can't even imagine if I had a cell phone, let alone a computer.

[00:10:17] Yes, So yeah.

[00:10:19] So this is a My Way episode cause it's all about you. Uh, right now at Simple Scrapper, we are in our creative journey. This is a two month period for September and October where we're talking about projects. So do you have any advice you might share about managing one or more scrapbook projects?

[00:10:36] Sure. Um, for me, it's staying organized. As far as managing multiple projects, I keep them separate and organized both from a physical and digital standpoint. For example, I'm currently working on my May Project Life Traveler's Notebook. I keep any physical products together in a clear zippered pouch like chipboard and other ephemera that I might want to use. But most of my design and photo happens on my computer. In fact, I create a digital folder for each project and inside is an InDesign file for all the page spreads. And then for photo management, I actually upload directly from my phone to Shutterfly. So then when I'm working on a project, I download only what I'm planning to use from Shutterfly. And basically, then I work on my computer until I actually then create the final physical layout. So it really is organization from not only like the potential journal cards I'm using and the chipboard pieces, but then also on my computer. Digitally, I've got a folder for everything.

[00:11:45] Nice. Yeah. I think sometimes maybe we're not making those connections. We might have the organization of the physical things. We might have organization of kind of our photos, as a whole. But are we kind of making that connection between the stuff and the photos when it comes to our projects and the things that we're trying to get done?

[00:12:05] So I love that. So can you take us back and tell us more about how you got started scrapbooking and how your hobby has evolved since you started?

[00:12:15] Yes. So I was researching state parks, we have a camper. And I was looking, um, we were going to Michigan. And so I just, often what I do is I do a Google search and then just pick images just to sort of get an idea of what you know, the campground looks like. And all of a sudden a scrapbook project came up and I was like, what is this?

[00:12:37] I'd never seen anything like it before. And the project was using the Kelly Purkey shop products and I fell into a rabbit hole. I like looked up Kelly Purkey and I watched. hours and hours and hours of her YouTube videos. Which then led me to Heba's My Little Journal and then to Ali Edwards. And from that point on, I was hooked. Uh, my first scrapbook orders, basically after that search that I found, um, was to the Kelly Purkey shop in Studio Calico. And I tried a few pocket pages to start, I actually did One little Word, a few prompts, I didn't finish, finish the first one. But my first completed album ever was a 4x4 December Daily in 2018. Um, and so I sort of try different things here and there. And then in 2020, oddly, like the craziest year ever, that was the first time I tried Project Life. And I actually used three by eight albums. And I actually think it was the way in which I was able to keep up with the project because it was just such a small size. And then as far as how my hobby's evolved, you know, I've tried different sizes, different project types, but right now I think I have a sweet spot of documenting chronologically. So whether that's, if I'm liking pocket pages, you know, right now I'm making my own traveler's notebooks. And I'm just sort of finding like a groove, just as long as I work chronologically, that's just, that seems to be working for me.

[00:14:19] So are you working chronologically in real time or are you going back at all? Or is that what you mean by chronologically is you, you want to document what's now

[00:14:29] Yes, so chronologically, so I'm, what I guess, so I have my May like traveler's notebook. So it's, I guess it's in real time, but not, maybe I'm lagging like a couple months. But like I'm not going back it, you know, like two years ago, I'm not, yeah. And I'm not telling an individual story here and there. It's just, I'm just sort of, you know, just as, as life evolves, I'm just, I'm documenting it. Um, and right now it's just, it happens to be in traveler's notebooks.

[00:15:01] So going back to your, those three by eight albums, how many did you end up with?

[00:15:07] So I ended up, I think it was, so it was either two, three months or two months per, three by eight album and I didn't include December. So, cause I just use December Daily. So, you know, it was a, I think for the most part, it was just two months per three by eight album. But I just, it, it gives me a laugh because, you know, I just, when I look back, I'm like, why did I choose three by eight?

[00:15:35] It's probably one of the harder sizes to work in. But, uh, it, it seemed to work. And it was a, like I said, 2020 was It's such a crazy time. So I was just doing it real time and I was having fun with it.

[00:15:49] Well, and that's, that's sometimes the most important thing is that if you're enjoying it, you're having fun. Others are maybe using that same size as you know, sizes become more or less available. Um, I I'm curious with the, your traveler's notebook. So like, are the, are you considering these your Project Life or these separate projects?

[00:16:08] I am considering them Project Life. So I use that term loosely. In fact, I, I say Project Life light. Um, because really it's, uh, it just, I would say I'm telling anywhere from probably like each week probably has a spread or two. And there might be like where I do a fold out or flip out that has, you know, a little bit extended story to it, but it's basically each notebook covers one month.

[00:16:39] Okay. And how, I guess maybe comparing this to how did you approach it last year?

[00:16:45] So last year. I, what did I do? I did a six by eight pocket page. So I, I started the year January, I think it was until September in a six by eight. And then I started making a traveler's notebook. Like I switched mid year.

[00:17:03] And I I've been going ever since. And I I don't know we'll see. I've been kind of missing pockets. I think some of that has to do with my stash. Because I have a lot of six by eight cards. That I'm like, oh, there's just a simplicity to just like putting it in the pockets.

[00:17:20] But then I feel like the Traveler's Notebooks, like, challenge me creatively just to come up with different ways to use them. And, you know, how the spreads come to life. So I don't know. We'll see. Um, I'm not tied to keeping, you know, 12 months at a time using the same one. I'll switch out if I, If I feel like I want to switch out.

[00:17:41] In terms of kind of what you're actively working on right now, you have your travelers notebooks, which are your, you know, your project life, your everyday life, documenting. We know you're gonna be doing, uh, the four by six, uh, December Daily. Is there, is this, like, does this encompass what you're focused on in scrapbooking or other, other things as well?

[00:18:02] So I have, I went to Ashville North Carolina in the spring. So I have, I'm working on a traveler's notebook, travel album from that trip. And then we actually have a camper. Um, and so I, anytime we take a camping trip, I also scrapbook those trips. So anytime we go. So, and those are also chronological. So, um, I would say for the most part, anything I'm doing outside of like the Project Life, um, or maybe there's an Ali Edwards project I might, you know, start on, um, it's travel albums. Or not albums, but notebooks I guess in this case. But.

[00:18:45] Sure, sure. So it sounds like that size is just, uh, working really, really well for you right now. Um. Do you typically create little spreads and adhere them in, or are you working directly in the foundation of the book?

[00:19:01] So right now I am working on the outside and then pasting them in. So I'm not actually, you know, journaling on the pages themselves. They have being said, I've like. I've been looking at, you know, different Traveler's Notebook spreads from other people. And I think I might try and just document right in, changing up sort of my method. But I really like, um, typing everything up and designing ahead of time versus handwriting. So, I don't know. I might try it. Um, actually I was thinking about maybe next year. I was like, maybe I'll handwrite everything. Um, but I find myself, I think just the graphic designer in me always wants to go back to my computer and lay everything out and plan it ahead. So yeah, so right now I'm pasting in, but that, that may evolve.

[00:19:55] Well, a lot of people, uh, I guess myself included, I'm not necessarily working in that size. But I'm loving printing journaling on the, um, translucent sticker paper. Um, so that it's typed, it's good to go, but then I can cut it out and adhere it wherever it belongs. Mm hmm.

[00:20:13] So I've been seeing that a lot lately and I haven't tried it yet. Um, I'm still like, if I'm using like a, you know, a journal card from a kit, I'm running it through my printer. And I haven't tried the sticker paper yet, but maybe I might, I might look at doing it. I don't know.

[00:20:31] Well I know, one of the tricks that I've heard is that if you, for example, you say you're like, you want to put journaling on an existing journaling card, you know, we run it through the printer. Hopefully it all works out because it does, you know, most of the time.

[00:20:45] Yeah.

[00:20:46] Yeah.

[00:20:47] And, but if you, Like make yourself a little template and then you're printing the sticker paper exactly three by four.

[00:20:54] Like it's on a larger sheet, but then you like, cut it out and basically cover the entire card, instead of just a little bit. It looks a little bit more seamless like it came that way. Um, because, I mean you can still see the sticker paper but if it's the size of the card, it's much harder to tell that you didn't just type it on there.

[00:21:12] Yeah. I like that idea. I hadn't thought about it. Cause I think that was one of the things that might've been holding me back is, Oh, how does that, what would that look like? And I didn't know how translucent it was. So

[00:21:24] Yeah, well there's, there's You know, there's different kinds and stuff too. Um, but I will include a link in the show notes and, and send it to you when I, when the episode is done of the product that I use and have been using for, I don't know, a couple of years now. Maybe a year and a half. Um, and it's, it's worked really well. So.

[00:21:42] That'd be great. I'm definitely going to look at that.

[00:21:45] So who are you shopping with today? Um, whose products are you obsessed with? Um, Ali Edwards and then who else?

[00:21:57] Um, so I would say I, besides Ali Edwards, I really like Studio Calico. Um, partly because I am a hybrid scrapbooker. I like the fact that I can purchase digitals, like the papers. But then I can Purchase the physical embellishments like the chipboard and stickers and things like that. I don't subscribe or have you know like a regular subscription to them. And I really like the fact that I can buy a little bit of both. But I would say that. And then I besides Studio Calico and Ali Edwards, Everyday Explorers, I've picked up several stamps over the last couple months. Um, I have a journal that I keep. I don't post too much about that. But I really like to stamp, just in black ink in there. And I really like Everyday Explorers stamps.

[00:22:52] Mm hmm. Oh, they're, yeah, they're so fun. So many different themes as well.

[00:22:58] Yes.

[00:22:58] In terms of operating as a hybrid scrapbooker, particularly with the Traveler's Notebooks. So what percentage of the time are you like printing out your papers, you know, in Traveler's Notebook size as your base, um, versus using a paper from your stash?

[00:23:18] Would say it's probably, probably like 75 percent of the time I'm printing out like a digital. Like, and then printing out the, the size of the traveler's notebook. And then I might incorporate like a three by four journaling card just to break up the spread or put some journaling underneath or add a pocket in. So I would, yeah, so I would say. I do use a lot of digitals in my traveler's notebooks. But, um, I did like, actually, I just started subscribing again to the Ali Edwards Stories by the Month kit.

[00:23:52] So I just this past weekend spent some time loading up my sewing machine and there's lots of vellum that they include. So trying to figure out how to incorporate that. So I actually layered it and stitched it together. So that's sort of changing it up added like a creative challenge. So maybe that'll flip some to more of the physical pieces being incorporated. Um, so yeah, so it's kind of a mix just depending on, you know, what I'm working on from, you know, either kits or from my stash.

[00:24:24] For sure. Yeah, I can see a lot of possibilities in terms of kind of choosing the exact scale of your background pattern and then, you know, making a nice box for your journaling. And then you can do the rest in physical format. So I've not done a lot of exactly that. And I'm, I'm intrigued for sure.

[00:24:43] So is there something that if we were to look at your pages that you, that's like your signature thing, something that you use or do throughout all of your notebooks?

[00:24:54] So definitely say full page photos. Most of the spreads have, to the left or to the right have just a full bleed photo. And probably a chipboard piece or, you know, maybe I won't do that. But there's usually one tiny embellishment that I've add. Maybe there'll be journaling, but typically that's always involved in my notebooks.

[00:25:18] Nice, nice. And do you, I'm assuming that you print at home because of custom sizes. What kind of printer do you use?

[00:25:26] So I use, uh, for the most part, all my photography is printed out using the Epson PM 400.

[00:25:34] Uh huh.

[00:25:35] You know, I get some questions, a lot of direct messages actually on Instagram, like how do you print that? And, you know, I have been, I had followed, it was a link that I literally saved on how to change the, the settings.

[00:25:51] So I can actually print five inches by eight and a half on the small printer. So that's how I'm able to get the full size, full bleed photos in a notebook. Um, I did recently buy a larger format printer. I actually haven't tested it to see how it does with photos just because I'm really happy with the Epson. But I use the larger printer for you know, if I'm doing something larger like black and white journaling and especially, uh, for vellum. So I've been using a lot of vellum in my spreads, whether it's to print journaling on it, or I've been doing, using patterns and adding pockets and, you know, just overlays with the vellum. And so the printer, that printer does really well with that.

[00:26:37] Oh, that's fun. Well, I definitely want you to share the link to how to customize the PM 400 settings. Cause I, I knew that it could go up to five by seven or maybe like five by a little bit longer, but I didn't know quite, you know, did you say five and a half by eight and a half, like a full half letter size?

[00:26:55] Yes. In fact, I buy eight and a, yeah, I buy eight and a half by 11 Epson premium paper. And literally like what I'm doing all the time is I'm cutting it down to five by eight and a half. And so it's ready to go. And I use both coated for the photos. But then I also run, um, uncoated through. If I'm looking to get sort of the subtle, you know, just plain paper for my journaling. And, and if I'm, if I'm using a digital journal card and I don't want it to be very glossy, I'll use the uncoated for that.

[00:27:33] But yes, five, five by eight and a half is an Epson, the Epson 400 can definitely do that. And so it's been a game changer for me. And actually that's the only printer I had for several years.

[00:27:45] Nice. Nice. Yeah. I know a lot of our, that's it's like the most popular printer for scrapbookers these days and in my experience. So I don't have one myself. I have a giant printer that I can't take with me anywhere. So I always like have to print out my photos beforehand. But I know how much everyone loves it, and I would certainly wouldn't hesitate to purchase it if my giant beast decides to die, so.

[00:28:11] Yeah. Well, I highly recommend it and I'll definitely share that link with you.

[00:28:14] Cool. Cool. When do you typically find the time and energy for scrapbooking? When are we most likely to find you creating?

[00:28:22] So, these days, um, it's mostly on the weekends. Um, or there might be a night or an early morning. I mean, when I first started scrapping, I think I was doing it every day at like 4 a. m. Um, it was just like a quiet time for me to work on it. I just, I think I've prioritized sleep recently over getting up to scrapbook. So I would say primarily on the weekends. Uh, I, that's when I find the time.

[00:28:48] Nice. Nice. Yeah. And like we all go through different seasons of life. Well that will shift and as long as we're kind of prioritizing getting it in, we'll be able to, to keep up, but sometimes we have to recognize, Oh, this This time that I planned out is not quite working and we need to, we need to shift, um, to make it a little bit easier for us.

[00:29:08] So would you say that you're someone that like is very consistently motivated or do you sometimes kind of ebb and flow with that feeling and need to get back into it?

[00:29:17] I definitely, I definitely have my moments where I, I want to go back and I'm like, yeah, I want a scrapbook today. And then I get at my desk and I'm like, why can't I just, I'm not feeling it. Um, so I would say sometimes when that happens, I walk away and, you know, but to stay motivated, I, or to bring the motivation or the mojo back out.

[00:29:42] Sometimes I'll just organize my supplies. Um, sometimes, you know, I'll watch YouTube and see, you know, just sometimes that helps too. Um, and then sometimes I'll dig into some Ali Edwards classes. Because, you know, there's just a lot of great tips and information from all different contributors. So that helps too.

[00:30:05] Yes, for sure. Well, and we have just, there's such a plethora of inspiration. It's, it's, you can always have an option of what you're going to choose to really, uh, light your fire, if you will.

[00:30:16] Yep, definitely.

[00:30:18] So is there something that you've tried in our hobby that you've decided is just not for you?

[00:30:23] So I haven't tried a 12 by 12 page layout. Um, but I don't think I would be interested in trying it. So I, it's not, I guess there isn't anything I haven't tried where I was like, Oh, I don't like that. I just think that there are certain things that I've just out of interest that I haven't. But that being said, I think if I tried it, I'm, I, you know, it might be great, but I think it has something to do with scale.

[00:30:49] I really like to work small. Um, so I typically keep to smaller album sizes and notebooks.

[00:30:58] Well, I think that's a helpful observation. Um, not everyone, like maybe it's paying attention to that and their comfort level and what the how they enjoy creating. And sometimes that shift can really help you, uh, be more productive, feel more creative. Um, whether it's going larger or going smaller. So do you have any favorite organizing tips or solutions, whether it's like in your hobby or elsewhere in your home?

[00:31:24] So tip number one, I have stopped hoarding.

[00:31:29] Good for you.

[00:31:29] like my, it's like my closet. If I haven't worn something in two years. And I say two years, not one year, because sometimes I change my mind. Um, I donate it. And so I do the same for scrapbook supplies. If I have something lingering around, I haven't used it, I put it in a de stash pile. And the same thing is true for new kits. So if I get a new kit that comes in, and I go through it, and there's just something I don't care for, I don't keep it. My goal is to only use what I love. And really try to keep my stash simplified.

[00:32:03] Nice. Yeah. I mean, it's, it's sometimes hard because we feel like we've invested this money into it, but is it really serving us just not doing anything sitting there taking up space?

[00:32:14] Well, and that's crossed my mind. And I think originally when I first started scrapbooking, I like kept everything. And I held onto it and held onto it. And I was like, it's the money, it's the money. But the reality is if I just put it aside, the investment was so worth the outcome. Because there's so much joy in doing this and just, the creative outlet it gives me. That I'm like, Why do I want to keep something that I don't necessarily love?

[00:32:39] It's not that I don't appreciate that, you know, the design in it and all of that, it's just for me, some things I just don't love. So I, you know, I, I really do try to keep everything, um, simplified.

[00:32:52] I love that. I love that. So helpful. I think to have that perspective, um, and the permission to let go for sure. So if we had to like set back a bit, where would you like your scrapbooking to be in 10 years?

[00:33:07] So I imagine that it will evolve with product offerings and my interests, but as a creative at heart, there'll always be a place for documenting life in some kind of album, notebook, or journal. You know, I just, my past is, you know, drawing, painting, and you just, you know, just as explaining even my college experiences, you know, it wasn't digital at all.

[00:33:34] So. I could imagine maybe eventually I might do more of that or incorporate more. But just with my job and the work life balance, I find it right now, like a sweet spot with digital, like the hybrid approach. But I could see eventually it being more creative, more drawings and things like that. So it's hard to know 10 years from now.

[00:34:02] It is. Yeah. We all, but sometimes we know kind of, as you said, like, what are these like seeds that have been planted things you maybe see others doing? What are your curiosities? And also what have you done in the past that you kind of want to return to bring back into your life?

[00:34:16] Yeah, I've really, like, I follow a lot of, um, you know, Hobonichi page spreads and traveler's notebook spreads. Where people are drawing and, you know, they're just going out and, you know, sitting at a cafe. I'm like, Oh, that would be a dream. Um, I would love to do that. So I could, you know, I so appreciate, you know, following them and the creatives in that world. I just, I'm, you know, just currently not making the time for it now, but.

[00:34:44] Sure. Sure. And that's okay. Yeah. So what has being a scrapbooker taught you?

[00:34:49] So, scrapbooking and documenting life has taught me that there is magic in everyday moments and capturing bits of life. It's provided me a creative space and the ability to get my thoughts down on paper. It's been such a joy and a creative outlet for me. And just being a part of it now, I guess has brought a community of people.

[00:35:11] Like I've met people in person now through, just this hobby. So, between it being a creative outlet, but also just a connection to other people with similar interests, but from all walks of life. It's really been a journey and one that I've enjoyed.

[00:35:28] Yes. I love that. I was thinking about that, that community aspect this morning and just how, how much we need, even, you know, myself, who's an introvert. How much we need people. Um, to feel that we're, you know, part of something bigger that we have. There's others that have shared interests. And I hope that, you know, the podcast offers a little bit of that too. To everyone as well.

[00:35:51] Yeah, it's, well, I can say just listening to your podcast. I mean, I remember in like during the pandemic, I used to go for walks and just listen. And I learned so much just through your podcast alone. Like all the different approaches people have and how they found it and what it means to them. And it's just, it's, it's just a unique space that, um, I never, you know, I can't even imagine if I, if I hadn't found it. Because it has made such a difference for me personally.

[00:36:24] Aw, that's so awesome to hear. I, yeah, I appreciate you sharing that. CJ, can you share where our listeners can find you online and anything you might be sharing, um, later this year?

[00:36:35] Sure. Um, so on Instagram, I go by ink.paper.photos. Um, and then I also have a blog or website. It's InkPaperPhotos.com on there, I typically, any spread I create or most spreads I create, I create a blog post. It just helps me to prepare everything and put it all together and then a way for me to archive everything.

[00:37:03] Because I don't necessarily keep everything out on Instagram. Um, and then as far as, you know, projects coming ahead, um, You know, I've just, like I said, I'm really looking forward to the fall and, you know, winter documenting projects. And then just documenting life chronologically. Um, it's just, that's probably what, what I'll be doing over the next several months.

[00:37:26] Sounds wonderful and delightful and I can't wait to see what you create.

[00:37:29] Thanks so much.

[00:37:31] Yes, thank you for spending time with me and to all of our listeners, please remember that you have permission to scrapbook your way.

[00:37:36]

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