Good Monday to everyone!  It’s LoriBear here today to bring you the What Matters post this week.  I was trying to think of something really great for today and think I have done that.  Most times we are often focusing on ourselves and what matters most to us, this week however I am adding others to this equation because the payoff is great for both parties!

We have all heard the saying “It’s the little things that matter most” and this past weekend I was totally reminded of that.  I have been having a hard time personally for the last few weeks and am stating to feel the sun shine again and was much happier this weekend than I have been in awhile so I wanted to spread a little bit of that around!

We were at a fast food restaurant grabbing some grub.  The lady who was serving at the counter was being just berated by someone who had absolutely no manners what so ever and to be honest I felt really bad for her as she was pleasant and nice and actually kind of funny as she tried to use humor in a great way to break the tension with the ruse customer.  It unfortunately didn’t work and the man left very unhappy. By the time it was our turn I had watched this lady serve others with a smile and a really great attitude.  I thought in my opinion she needed a smile in return!  I told her I thought she was doing a really great job and was one of the most pleasant people I had seen in a fast food place in quite some time.  I was totally not prepared for reaction to this.  She actually teared up and told me that it was the nicest thing for me to say so because at the moment she was really not feeling so happy or appreciated.  I made her whole entire night just by saying thank you and praising her for a job that I myself would never want to do!  I felt elated inside to know that I had made such a good effect on this person.  After that I tried to make sure that I spread a smile and some thanks all weekend where ever I was and let the people who serve me everyday that I appreciate the work they did and that I was very thankful!  I felt like a million bucks and was elated that I was making others feel just as happy!  I remember working in the service field and how wonderful that feeling is…

So yes, The little things do MATTER most, not only just to us but to everyone around us as well!  Try it today, thank your neighborhood crossing guard for always watching out for the safety of your children, your store clerk for always serving you with kindness and a smile, there are many people in my life who I plan to thank a little more often.

We are almost 1/12 of the way through the new year! Can you believe it? I’ve spent a lot of time this month reflecting on this past year and thinking about what I want 2010 to look like. I try not to set too many goals for myself at the beginning of the year – I hate to fail – but I do love the feeling of a clean slate, a new beginning, a fresh start. This year is a little different because I’m pregnant and I can’t add weight loss to the new year’s goals! I’ve been forced to shift my focus into other areas of my life that need improvement. I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to really discover what I want to improve and then setting up systems and routines to help me get there. Research says it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Today’s a great day then to look back at those goals and resolutions you set for yourself and see how you’re progressing. Remember that habits don’t develop overnight…they take time and usually encounter some set backs. Don’t get discouraged – get RE-motivated! (and maybe scrap a little bit about your experiences!!) Have a lovely week!

-mary aka Plum Dumpling Designs

The other night I was relaxing in a bubble bath, browsing through the December issue of Scrapbook TRENDS magazine.  The front cover features a layout with an adorable little girl obviously thrilled about Christmas.  The journaling reads something like “You are a believer.  I love to see the delight in your big brown eyes.”   I really didn’t take much note of it until I turned to page 12.  A page titled “Cover Story” where Stephanie Howell, the author of the cover layout had written:

“This past Christmas will be one I will remember for a long time for several reasons.  My husband was in Afghanistan and I was bound and determined to make the holiday very special for my girls.  Harper, being two, was really old enough to enjoy and anticipate Christmas.  She brought tears to my eyes on several different occasions during the holiday season.  The first time was when she saw Santa Claus and ran through the mall screaming “Santa!  It’s me!  Harper!  I love you!”  The second time was when I had the joy of witnessing her big brown eyes grow wide as she saw the Christmas tree at my parents’ home for the first time.  That is when I snapped these photos.  Watching her, I longed for the days when I believed. (I do still believe in the meaning of Christmas, but being an adult can be complicated.)  Oh to be two, and to purely believe with all of your heart – to feel the magic and the joy and to feel it with abandon.”

That is what matters.  The story. The story that should be part of that layout.

A while back, Kate shared this quote with us:

If you don’t journal, then you aren’t scrapbooking, you’re just showcasing a photo

Hmm….maybe I have a few too many “showcase a photo” layouts.

Shortly after I was married, my mother-in-law asked me to help her organize her photos. As we sorted through photos, I discovered a hospital newborn portrait. I could tell it was one of her two youngest sons, but when I asked her which one, she couldn’t tell either. In photos where the children were older, it was obvious. However, when we got to the photos of her husband’s aunts as young women, once again we couldn’t tell who was who. Remember you won’t always be around to show off your scrapbooks. Recording those stories, those details, is almost more important than preserving the photos.  Recording the stories is what matters.

If journaling on your layouts is intimidating, here are a couple of tips:

Check out this WMM blog post from Jen.  She has a short list of ideas to jump start your journaling.

Tell Me More (a journaling class) is starting today at ScrapMatters.  It’s not too late to join us.  You get this fabulous mega kit, 20 daily lessons, weekly freebies, access to a private class forum, and encouragement and support to make journaling a habit in your scrapbooking.  Sign up here. Oh,  and use this code to get $5 off: tellmemore_5

Remember to record the story.  It’s what matters.

–Chelle

Brenda here with your “what matters monday” post.  I apologize that I don’t have anything fun for you today.  I had great plans but as things usually go, my two little loves are very sick.    I guess all of my inspiration is in the pile of tissues somewhere and there is no way I am digging through that. 

Through all of this I have re-discovered what matters to me.  With all of my responsibilities and hobbies, my children are always the most important.  Sometimes I get wrapped up in the mundane things of my life and I forget to stop (or at least slow down a little) and really see them for who they really are.  My sweet and spicy little crew. My only challenge to you is that you slow down a little today in order to take a closer look at “what matters” to you.

Just a little inspiration for you before I have to go wipe noses (again).

click the images for credits

by littlemuffin06

by neety

Hello Everyone!

Krista (sahlink) here to bring you What Matters Monday.   When I thought about what I was going to write about today, I just had to take a look at the title for inspiration… what REALLY matters.  Of course, most of us will say family and friends, right?  That is initially why we do what we do…  Staying up endless hours, finishing that LAST layout or fixing the color on a photo.  Our goal is to create beautiful pages that document how much we LOVE our family and friends.   About our lives, or perhaps a reminder of a happy time. We document to tell a story and to leave a message.  Of course, some of us scrap because we MUST! The comforting glow of the computer screen as we buy a new kit or post a great LO in the gallery is almost as addicting as chocolate!   But I digress!!!

After we are done creating, usually all of these stories are stored in a photo album.   Hopefully, they are not still sitting helpless in your hard drive!  But, have you thought about incorporating it more into your life or into your home? Why not hang some of your favorite layouts on your living room wall?  In your bedroom?  The office?  Heck, why not spruce up the bathroom while you’re at it (you’ve probably already got some cute ‘kid in the tub’ pics already!).

I recently did a layout that I found I wanted to look at ALL the time.  Or at least I wanted to see it more than just in a book.  It turned out so beautifully and I thought… this could top any piece of art in an art gallery (although a mother’s love for her children can often be quite biased!).  I believe that these pages and pictures should be showcased like the art that they are.

Here’s my layouts in jpeg format:

1) Different Options for Printing
I looked into numerous different options.  What do I do?   Print and frame the picture, enlarge and have it backed with tag board.  There are so many options that are available to do nowadays.   What I ended up choosing was to turn my layout into a canvas print.   I have to admit I was a little nervous.  How is it going to turn out, are the colors going to be true?

2) Choosing a Company
As you can imagine, there are hundreds of different companies that do all forms of printing.   When I was doing my research there were a few things that I was looking for.  What size of print are they capable of printing? I make 12 x 12 layouts, which is not a ‘regular’ size for printing companies.  How thick was the frame going to be? I specifically wanted the profile of the frame to be as minimal as possible.  What is the cost? As everyone, I would like the least amount of cost for good quality.   On average, I found to print a 12 x 12 canvas picture to be around $60.   Does the company offer any guarantee? If so, what was it? My main concerns were…what if the colors don’t turn out?  what if the image doesn’t wrap around the frame correctly?   These are some of the questions to ask a printing company prior to ordering.

The company I decided to go with was http://arttecprints.com/.   I asked my list of questions (listed above) and was thrilled with all of their answers.  They were able to print a 12 x 12 canvas from photo (which was a custom size), on a gallery wrapped frame (which has a thickness of .75 inch), and get this…. for only $29 plus shipping.  Yes, I was VERY skeptical that it wouldn’t turn out because they were so cheap.   But they told me that it was fully guaranteed, which eased my fears.  They were also able to keep my entire image on the top and mirror the sides, so I didn’t have to change my layout at all!   And being the skeptic that I am, I was still a bit worried that the picture would indeed be fully on top.  But they emailed me a preview (within an hour of ordering) of exactly how it would print.

Picture of emailed preview:

It took about 10 business days to receive my order.  It turned out so beautifully.  I couldn’t wait to put my creation up on the wall!!  I think my kids were even more excited to find out they were “featured” on our wall!  Here are some photos of how it came out:

I hope this edition of ‘What Matters Monday’ will inspire you to do something special with your layouts.  You are all truly talented, artistic ladies… and your work deserves more than just 2 hours of appreciation on an internet gallery!  Create your own permanent gallery in your home…   Now, get to work!!

Krista (sahlink)