The Importance of Hobbies for Stress Relief

* Crafting and Exercising Have Similarities

* Scrapbooking Really Can Be Cheaper Than Therapy

* Change Your Thinking From Quantity to Quality

* Benefits of Regular Monthly Classes

Life is busy.  Sometimes we get so bogged down in our work, home, family and friend responsibilities, that it sometimes seems impossible to find any available time to work on a hobby! Why is this a big mistake?  Because hobbies are a natural stress release from the regular grind of our daily lives.

Crafting and Exercising Have Similarities

Believe it or not, crafting and exercise have much in common. The fitness experts say that scheduling time in your busy schedule for exercise actually gives you more energy and makes you more efficient in getting your long "to do list" accomplished. Crafting works the same way - although it seems like carving out some hobby time seems ridiculous in the grand scheme of things, doing so actually makes you a happier person (a nicer wife, mother, friend, and daughter). 

Scrapbooking Really Can Be Cheaper Than Therapy

Lately, I've been seeing quite a few articles online and in magazines about the correlation between hobbies and stress - enough, that it validates one of my favorite phrases, which is 'scrapbooking is cheaper than therapy".  The experts apparently agree.

Click here to check out one such article from Stress Management Expert Jennifer Purcell:

 "Hobbies in general can be done when and how you want. Hobbies allow you to have a certain measure of control over your life. If you don't feel like finishing your scrapbooking project, so what? There's no external pressures or deadlines to do it. You can take as long or as little time as you like to complete your hobby".

Learn To Change Your Thinking About Hobbies

This one particular excerpt is particularly interesting to me because it's actually one of the many excuses I hear from people about why they haven't started a hobby, or why they have kept themselves from continuing one that they so clearly enjoy. 

With our fast-paced lives, we are constantly feeling that need to do as much as we can in as little time possible, even if it's in the midst of an enjoyable hobby.

After 13 years of scrapbooking, I think I've finally gotten it. Regardless of how much I might get done when I'm crafting, the enjoyment and fulfillment is the same. By complaining about how little I've gotten done or how slow a crafter I am, I am actually taking away the good benefits I derived from the time I spent on my hobby.

Hobbies should be the one area in our lives that we should do for true pleasure and we should make an effort to keep from grading ourselves during the activity.

Benefits of Regular Monthly Classes

The greatest benefit of monthly classes is that it gives you the opportunity to schedule time to scrapbook your family's memories on a regular basis.  It could be a crucial piece of the puzzle for how you get yourself to make time for your hobby. Not only will you come away with beautiful layouts, but it will get you inspired and more likely in the mood to want to carve out even more time to work on your hobbies in between classes.  Even better, it might make you schedule a daily or weekend crop to really get those batteries charged!!

Happy FUN and STRESS-FREE Scrapping!

Elemental Kit Just TOO Awesome To Miss

My August classes put together the "Elemental" Level 2 kit plus a bonus layout with stamping - my first class using the beautiful materials from the 2011 Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  Unfortunately August was crazy busy and although I managed to squeeze two classes in for these gorgeous pages, I never managed to get a photo of the layouts up on my blog.  Since it's never to late to show great scrapbooking pages, here you go:

Elemental Layout #1 - These pages were perfect formy traditional first day of school photos!  As I said on the layout, it was a big year for us - first year of high school for my son Alex, and last year of elementary school for my daughter Haley.

I am excited to add pictures to this layout - it's next on my to-do list.  Such great pages and so many picture choices!!

Elemental Bonus Layout - The right layout is straight from page 26 of the Idea Book. I loved the layout and the "Love Life, " stamp set so much that I just had to include it in my class. As a special bonus for this bonus page, I even offered the stamp set at a 20% off to anyone who wanted their own set for the class!

The class will be repeated on Mon., Sept. 26, or can be done during any of the Mischief Sept. classes.  The cost is $36 or $30, if you choose not to buy the Cork Alphabet.

Wickedly Easy and Fun Project Class From August Stamp of the Month

To keep with my Mischief theme this month, I'm also offering a Stamp of the Month project class using August "Wicked" Stamp set, to coordinate with our use of the Mischief Paper Packet for classes.
Take a look at the three fun projects we will make:

During this class, we'll decorate CTMH's new My Creation's Card Box (only $4.95) and make two different sized cards, all using the adorable "Wicked" stamp set.

Here's a closer look at the top of the box. I plan to display this cute box on my entry table with candy! Love it!

Besides the "Wicked" Stamp of the Month set (which you would have earned in August), you will need the following materials:

- Mischief Level 2 Paper Packet, $9.95 (should have enough if you are doing my September class)

- Light Neutral Cardstock Shade Pack, $7.95 (will have enough or only need to buy 1 or 2 sheets, if doing my Sept. class)

-  Mini-Medley Accents Pewter Collection, $4.95 (or you will have leftovers if you did my August Elemental class)

- Opaques Licorice Adhesive Gems, $2.95, (great to have on hand for any scrapbooking or crafting project)

- Black Hemp, $2.25

Note:  Didn't take advantage of the great Stamp of the Month deal in August but want to do this class, ask me about a class fee to participate!

This class will be scheduled on Wed., Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Lots of Mischief Making In September

My September classes will be filled with Mischief . . .using CTMH's new Mischief Level 2 Paper Packet and embellishments.  I love the colors and versatility of this new paper, the Mischief Complements Rub Ons, and the Midnight Felt Shapes.  To complete the layout below, I also used two of the black "Decor Journaling Spots" (leftover from my August "Elemental Layouts") and some button brads from the Black Mini-Medly (leftover from my July's "Wing's Layouts").

A perfect example of why this paper is so versatile is my next layout . . . a gorgeous Autumn page.  Mischief doesn't have to be just limited to Halloween.  Half of the Mischief Complements Rub Ons include Autumn themes as well.  Even more fun on this layout, are the fun shapes I've included using our new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. Fun, easy and beautiful!

I love these papers and wanted to use the new super fun "All Hollows Eve" stamp set, so I created a bonus layout using additional Midnight Felt Shapes, remainder of the Black Mini-Medley Assortment, and two Zip strips! Once I choose the perfect picture (hopefully from this upcoming Halloween), then the black ribbon will just be wrapped around the picture).

Cost of the basic kit will be $24.75 for the Mischief Level 2 Paper, 2 Colonial White Cardstocks, Mischief Complements Rub Ons and the Midnight Felt Shapes.

ADD ONS:  If you want to add the Decor Journaling Spots, cost is $28; to add the Black Mini-Medly Assortment, cost is $34 (or $28 without the Spots).

Finally, since I've incorporated the fun "All Hollows Eve" Stamp Set in our bonus page, I'm offering it at a special rate of 20% off, or $15 (with shipping and tax).

Classes will be scheduled on Fri. Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.  Makeup will be scheduled on Wed., Sept. 28, 7 - 10 p.m.

"Limited Edition" September Blog Hop

Thanks for visiting my SCRAPI TRACI blog during this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop from the talented Sheila Bennett's blog.  I just love her adorable Mischief "Congratulations" box using the "Limited Edition" stamp set.  This versatile stamp set is a must-have at $5 with any $50 purchase. PLUS, if you spend $75 in September, you'll get this set ($5), and the National Stamping Special Pair-A-Phrase stamp set for FREE!










As much as I'd love to be showing you my fabulous creations using this stamp set, I unfortunately do not have a fabulous creation as of yet!  I'm bummed myself and sorry to disappoint - I just had one of those week without any time for crafting.  I will absolutely need therapy now!!

But, once you keep hopping and see the stunning "Save the Date" card on Teresa Scriven's blog, you won't even remember my missing artwork. Happy Hopping and hope to see you next month!

P.S. You can always come back just to visit another time and of course, I would love it if you took the time to be a "Scrapi Follower".

Super Fun Scrapi Kids Layouts

I wanted to share some pictures of the last of the planned layouts that I did with my Scrapi Kids Day Camps this summer, and I am excited to share with you their own creations (some asked for my help and some did it all by themselves). They were such a great group of scrappers.  I was so proud, and it was super fun to see how proud they were of their own accomplishments! Take a look:

Another layout using Fanfare, always a favorite paper packet with the kids, We used July 2011's Stamp of the Month, "American Celebration", did some fun ribbon techniques, brads, buttons and masking.

Not sure why this is turned but you get the idea. We used the Animal Cookies Creative Basics (also from the recent $1 special), my new favorite "Live, Laugh, Love" stamp set, masking, brads and a really fun ribbon technique.

Here are some really great pages that the girl's put together using scraps from old Close To My Heart paper packets, stickers, accessories and stamps!  I even taught them how to use our fabulous "How-To" books, to help get them started!  I only wish I got a picture of the entire scene - "Imagine" Book at one table, "Cherish" Book at another, a camper on the floor looking through papers, a camper getting stamps and ink.  Wild but fun chaos that makes me happy!

Rockin' Mini Album Kid's Projects

My 5th grade, 6th grade and 8th grade Scrapi Kids did such great jobs crafting these Mini Albums with their own individual styles, that I just have to share them:

Sorry about the three pics turned to the side - can't quite figure out why it did that, but they were too great not to include anyway!

More Scrapi Kids Camp 2011 Projects and Fun Pics

Here are some more fun projects and pictures from the two different weeks of my 2011 Scrapi Kids Day Camp this summer!

One of the Scrapi layouts we did - using Lucky B&T, Pear, Sunset, Pacific and Desert Sand Cardstock. I used the stamp set from Convention 2010.  Some of the techniques we did with this layout were masking and tearing the paper!

Another Scrapi layout, which was requested by my camper Stephanie, because she LOVED the beautiful Peacock stamp.  We used Magnifique Paper and the "Circle of Love" Stamp Set.  The girls enjoyed bejeweling their pages with the Green and Blue Sparkles and learning a new ribbon technique.

My campers waiting to use the Cricut - the new Art Philosophy cartridge is already a hit with the young scrappers! Pictured:  Kaylee, Steph, Kensley and Callie.

Me and Brooke, my teen helper, for the 2nd August camp.  I just loved spending the week with Brooke and the girls loved her too.

August 15 - 19th campers.

This year's campers really enjoyed putting their own pages together.  Once they started, it was hard to stop them! Pictured: Aliza, Ava and Catherine.

Angela concentrating on her stamping!

From left:  Callie, Haley, Kensley, Sasha, Caelin and Mariah.

Lily Kate with one of her own creations!  I was so proud!!

Hannah hard at work!

Me and Emily, who was such a huge helper my first Scrapi week!  I couldn't have done it without my awesome teen girls! They were such fabulous helpers and so fun to be with.

Tiffany designing her own layout!

Cute bookmark design by Lily Kate!

Sydney, cute and crafty.

Because sometimes you just gotta work on the floor! Me and Lily Kate.

Hannah, hardworking scrapper!  If I did awards, she would win for most pages.

August 1 - 5th campers.

Scrapi Kids Day Camps A Success!

Ok, it's been way too long since I've posted and now I've got so much time and so many projects to make up.  I figured I'd start with pictures from my Scrapi Kids Day Camps, which is much of the reason why it's taken the time to blog. Here are a few pics of some of the fun projects we worked on:



First project in the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge booklet - just had to let the girls make it! Here is the first one made!  Let's just say after making this card, we were cutting and making different flowers all week.The girls (and me) were obsessed!

One of the six layouts we did during the week. The girls LOVED using this Trees & Things Stamp Set on the Mayberry Paper Packet, which quickly become one of my favorite sets as well.  With each layout, I try to introduce the campers to new techniques.  This page had quite a few fun things to do - we randomly sponged white daisy ink on the tree stamp and stamped it on smoothie cardstock to create our own fun B&T paper.  And we used the masking technique to stamp the swing in bamboo and chocolate

This project was very popular with my campers of all ages - I used one piece of the My Creations Banner to make a pennant. 

As much as I love my adult clients, it really is so fun seeing "little-me's" developing into wonderful scrapbookers.  My kids camps are a ton of work but I really enjoy the time with my 10 year old Haley and the other campers.  This was my second year of doing Scrapi Traci's Day Camp and I'm thrilled to say that it was a success once again!

More pics coming tomorrow!