Sunshine + Freedom.
This morning I got to feel sunshine on my face.
Living here in the Northwest it is often simply grey for days on end. And it often rains. Often. But today it is amazing out there: beautiful bright sunshine and very, very cold.
The other thing making me really happy today is a new book from Stacy Julian called Photo Freedom. I have talked about Stacy's photo organizing system in the past (I took her Library of Memories class on Big Picture Scrapbooking the first time it was offered). In the new book (and in the class) she lays out her system for taking control of how you deal with your photos. Her system is specific and tested and can be adapted to the way in which you scrapbook (or the way in which you take pictures).
This is the system I am aiming for with my own organization. Ever since taking the class I knew this was the way I wanted to go. Reading through the book this weekend solidified it even more.
It is not easy + it takes time to set up. It is definitely a process (just like everything else) that I am constantly adapting and working on what works best for me. Two of my goals this year are to get myself into a working system for my photos (storage especially) and to get all my layouts organized in my albums. Currently they are all just "in" albums in no order other than they were created around the same time.
One of my favorite things she mentions in the book is that scrapbooking is so much more than the end result (I actually just wrote something along these lines for an upcoming article). She says,
You see, the term scrapbooking does not just refer to the assembly of pages. Scrapbooking actually describes an ongoing, multi-dimensional spectrum of activities that begins with an awareness of your life, followed by a desire to photograph and record your day-to-day experiences, ultimately resulting in scrapbook albums that are overflowing with perspective-laden layouts, each of which contributes in some small way to the story of your life and heritage.
A spectrum of activities is so very true. That is why for many of us this is a lifestyle. A choice to pay attention, to photograph, and to creatively document our journey. Getting your photos organized and accessible is a big part of this process.
Stacy's book could not come at a better time for me. I am finally ready to take on these organizational tasks. This book is highly recommended if you are looking for a solid, working system to organize + then utilize your photos.
Just pre-ordered it...I definitely need some ideas for photo organization...I loved BPS as well...no sunshine here...more snow clouds...
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It sure is gray here. Wished I had a copy of the book in my little hands. CK came though so that's good. And you're right---LIFE is a process!
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Such a great author....read her first book just recently, and am looking forward to continued organizational inspiration in her new book (which I didn't even know about!)
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hmmm. sounds way too organized for me. haha! I will have to peek through it when it comes to the stores here. :)
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Thanks for the review on the book. I'll have to check it out! We are having the same sunny blue skies here in the Seattle area as well....feels oh so GOOD! Enjoy the sun while it lasts!
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She is so inspirational...she really lifts you up and makes you feel like you can accomplish anything. I can't wait to check out the book!
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I agree whole-heartedly with you, Ali. And I like the message Stacy projects with her Library of Memories class. I'm looking forward to reading her new book too.
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Thanks! I agree Scrapbooking isn't just glue & paper.
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hi...and guess what...it is grey and overcast and cold here in central california...but all good...we get to stay in the house and enjoy it from the inside...and scrapbook away! hahahah! and here i was so pleased to get away from being so "organized""!!! and i have started just scrapping whichever picture from the past (or even in the now!!)has captured my fancy and enjoyed the process and remembering and each page is new and wonderful with a story to enjoy!!!
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I am signed up for Stacy's class that starts in Feb - I can't wait! Love the section you shared with us. It's SO true and totally ties in with your concept of Life Art.
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Thanks for the info. I do sometimes feel buried in my photos - I'm going to look into this! I've organized and reorganized oodles of times and now with digital I just don't order prints for long periods of time - which isn't good either!
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I just started reorganizing my photos based on a segment that I had seen Stacy talk about how she manages her photos. It has changed the way that I look at my photos and the way that I approach my projects. It has opened the door to new ideas and excitement for some of those photos that I didn't know what to do with.
As a fellow Northwest girl, I agree the sun is good for the soul!
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Can't wait to get my hands on the new book. Donna Downey mentioned on her blog you showed her how to use digital brushes. Would you be willing to share some of that information with the rest of us? Thanks for always being a bright spot in our days.
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Thanks for the review. I read BPS, and it really offset some of the "expectations" for scrapbooking that had contributed to a major case of scrappers block. So I definitely want to find out more about this one.
And please keep us posted as you figure out some storage solutions! I have tons of digi photos but struggle to keep them organized and backed-up in a way that makes sense and is easy to find again.
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Thanks so much for mentioning the book and class. Life is so much a process of organizing/creating/changing/improving (hopefully). Thanks also for the challenge you gave this weekend for using our 2008 WORD to inspire us. I took my first picture of my chosen word. Though I must admit that on Saturday when I first read the challenge, I wasn't sure about it. Now I'm sold!!!
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Thanks for your encouragement. I too am striving to be more organized... since we have purchased a digital camera, my old system of file folders with month, year, memorabilia and photos no longer works... because I can't keep it all together. Never mind the fact that I've gone back to school to complete my masters and I am 2 years behind in my photos! I love your blog, your family and your enthusiasm for life and art. These are my loves as well!
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Hey Ali---
Just a randam post about some things I've thought about reading your blog recently! I have several questions for you:
1) Where do you shop for your clothes? You always look so stylish and comfortable at the same time. Love it!
2) I would love to see more of your house....your decorating style is amazing. Especially the photo arrangements we see in some of your blog photos....looking for good decorating ideas. Could you post some photos of your home, like a walking tour? Hope that isn't too much to ask.
3) What are your favorite scrap products right now? Which company's products do you find yourself reaching for over and over lately?
4) How do you organize your photos on your Mac computer. I just inherited a G4 Mac Pro from my Dad and it has iPhoto but I have no idea on how to organize with this setup. I have previously used PC's and am rather lost right now....any advice would be helpful!
Thanks so much for the continued inspiration! You are so organized and have so many projects going all the time and you make it look so easy and effortless! Your blog is still my favorite!!
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I am so excited to get this book. I switched to Stacy's system some time last year and I think I have the organization down (although it isn't done yet) but I want to go through the book to see how I'm doing compared to her specifics.
I love the quote you pulled from the book, too. Thanks for sharing.
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Nice of you to share about her book, it is so true on what she said about scrapbooking.. I wish my English is that good and can express it well in my own blog.
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OK i'm going to grumble it's not fair you guys get all the cool stuff first & we have to wait around for ages before it comes over here (UK) or risk the VATman & try & buy it from over there! LOL I had to wait a full 6 months for your book & i'm sure i will have to do the same for Stacy's oh well it will make it that more sweet when i finally get it! seeya hugya *G*
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It's really, really cold in the midwest this morning and I think I found your gray weather. LOL
Looks like another book I've got to get. Right now, CK/SS has so many great books I don't know where to start reading.
Sue
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so getting this! thank you for the info.
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I loved Stacy's Big Picture book and can't wait to get this new one. Thanks for the quote...just a little something to tease us with?!
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What is ironic for me is that we hardly get any rain here in Huntington Beach, CA, so I'm getting stoked for a few days of storms! I start jumping up and down when I see gray clouds! I feel like we live in a desert sometimes, so I really love to "feel the rain on my skin." Celebrated 10 yr anniversary with hubby up in Big Bear Lake, CA, where we had the most romantic time ever! I'm going to work on "the story of us". Photo organization is my top priority this year, because I believe my mess is hindering my creativity, LOL! I am the depository for all family photos, so I'm peeling old photos off of acid laden magnetic pages! I also have a lot of good ones from the 40's & 50's of my grandparents. Do you believe that I don't own a digital camera? My hub and I were trying to take "Ali-esque" pics of our reflections in a huge Christmas ball (the town of Big Bear is still dressed up for Xmas) with a disposable camera, LOL! Thx again for LOADS of inspo, Ali. HB to SIMON, from LOGAN in SOCAL (Logan turns 5 next month).....
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Lurker here finally coming out, lol. I'm in love with your blog and all the ideas. THIS book in particular looks amazing! I'm such a photo freak that I need something like this rather than the overwhelming feeling of SO much to scrap and limited time to sort through it all. Thanks for sharing!
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