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CZ Design

Memories can be beautiful, and yet…

January 12, 2007

Memories can be beautiful, and yet…

2001. Early fall. I walk into an Archiver's store for the very first time. The magic begins. And who could have ever guessed?

Aidanisabellalayout

I suppose because my blog banner tagline has the word "scrapbooking" in it, I should wax poetically from time to time about said hobby. Yes? You wouldn't be reading this if I wasn't a scrapbooker. Or at least you would've never known this blog ever existed, agreed?

I remember this page. I remember posting it at Two Peas. I remember this time, when I needed to try and make a page every day, come hell or high water. I was so high on the fact that I had finally figured out how to be crafty, and still manage to retain my dignity. That I had found a hobby that I could both do and make cool. That spoke to my need for…expression, and for coolness. As if my haircut didn't already take care of that one.

Today, I don't scrapbook like that. Meaning, constantly. I make pages for my "About Design" column in Simple. Do I still love it, and think it's the coolest thing ever? Yep. And yet, I walk through my dining room, nod at all the stuff I've managed to amass over the years, and keep right on walking. I mean, come on, I've got scarves to work on.

But I still believe in it. In telling stories, in writing stuff down. In saving your life.

For the record.

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Comments

  1. deb says

    January 12, 2007 at 9:41 am

    I just wanted to be first today, Cathy. Glad you’re back!

    Reply
  2. candice says

    January 12, 2007 at 9:46 am

    no one’s first pages should look that good! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Michelle says

    January 12, 2007 at 9:49 am

    Been a couple days since I said this but,
    I love you!

    And while it’s true I probably wouldn’t have known about you had I not scrapbooked, if you never scrapped again and only blogged about your haircut, I’d still listen.

    dang, that sounded really woman-crushish and stalkerish. I’m really not crazy. Okay, well I am a little, but I won’t tap your phones or follow your children home from school to ask them what you ate for breakfast.

    cuz that would be weird.

    so? what did you have for breakfast?

    AHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHH (i kill me)

    Reply
  4. Damon Crawley says

    January 12, 2007 at 9:50 am

    The fact that you can still have an enthusiasm for this hobby and also work in the industry speaks to how much the need to create is for you. But at the same time, because of your totally awsome job, your personal and professional life have no clear separation. So it would be hard to make pages that are not attached to a deadline. Does it make you get pages done? Yes. Will they be appreciated later? Yes. But because of the deadlines attached, something is still yet taken away. But you press on and don’t look back.

    Reply
  5. beth j says

    January 12, 2007 at 9:54 am

    just think of how many people have started telling their stories and writing it down…because of you. because you have shared yourself with all of us. it’s so awesome. so, thank you!

    Reply
  6. Nitty.Gritty. says

    January 12, 2007 at 10:40 am

    CZ~ Somehow I believe that a number of us would have found you even if you didn’t scrapbook. I mean, look at Dooce? I’ve yet to see her scrap a page, and yet somehow people have ‘found’ her. Incidentally, I would rather have found you than her, if given a choice of only one or the other. And I think your ‘cool factor’ has more to do with your approach to life than it does with how you scrap or wear your hair. Although inspiring (c’mon…I cut my hair AND started scrapping after meeting you), I think a lot of us are learning that we had it in us for awhile…it just didn’t come out that way in high school that well. =) Well, except for your punk style. THAT was cool.

    Reply
  7. Tam says

    January 12, 2007 at 11:06 am

    I agree with Nitty.Gritty. If you are a blogger then chances are word of mouth would have spread and you would have been “found out” even if you weren’t a “scrapper”. (Scrapper, sounds so in the ring, come on let’s kick some arse…LOL)

    That said…

    I 100% agree with you on seeing the supplies collected and walking on by thinking ok…Maybe later, or tomorrow, or when I get a minute minus, kids, and the house.

    I still LOVE the hobby but I too, spend a lot of time “thinking” about it and not doing it.

    Well said you hip woman, you!

    Reply
  8. jenn says

    January 12, 2007 at 11:11 am

    I love the hobby too, its changed for me as well, but I’ve come to realize it is a hobby and I need to deal with it as such.

    love your blog, so glad your back at it!!! Its sooooo refreshing to come here and read your stuff. You should write more books 😉

    Reply
  9. Susan Hessler says

    January 12, 2007 at 11:17 am

    I’m glad I found you – regardless of scrapbooking. Your blog pushes my emotional buttons. When you posted the iphone piece I laughed so hard, and then my daughter and I watched the intro. You have a fresh perspective, and I appreciate your being so open. It’s refreshing.

    I have a best friend – we think alike. When we’re apart we sometimes start to fell a little crazy, we don’t think like everyone else. When were together it’s like “oh yeah”, I’m not crazy, I belong here. Your blog makes me feel that way a little too.

    P.S. Scarves are cool!

    Reply
  10. amy j. says

    January 12, 2007 at 11:23 am

    can’t believe Aidan was ever that little, lol! So glad you decided to become “crafty”!

    By the way, I just noticed your Sufjan Stevens listed at the side. He ROCKS! Have you heard his Christmas album? It is frigin amazing!!!!! I didn’t really find out about it until after Christmas, but have been playing it non stop since I downloaded it off itunes. He is a genius! Another favorite, that I totally stole from Dooce, is Andrew Bird.

    Reply
  11. Jen Donnelly says

    January 12, 2007 at 11:30 am

    You should know it’s ok not to scrapbook all the time… it’s something you can take a break from– once you’ve started, you always see things differently, and it doesn’t matter whether you make the pages, as long as you can keep bringing that appreciation to your everyday life. And I think you do, don’t you? So you’re scrapbooking in your heart instead of on paper. That’s cool too. (I took a year off and just knitted instead. Came back refreshed and happy!)

    Reply
  12. LaurieInMpls says

    January 12, 2007 at 11:31 am

    Well it’s finally a typical January beyond freezing cold day here in Minnesota and as usual your blog brings much warmth.

    I am a relatively new scrapper who is finding it hard to jump in. I am impressed that when you started you did a page a day. How did you do it? Where did you find your inspiration? Did you do much journaling “in the beginning?”

    I love your blog, wit, talent, point-of-view and the entire unique CZ package.

    Blog-on and thanks for sharing your scrappin’ successes.

    Reply
  13. Anne Thompson says

    January 12, 2007 at 12:05 pm

    I’m so glad that you are blogging again, and I love seeing your layouts, but sometimtes there is a lull, and it’s a good time to find something new for a bit….like scarves. I’ve had one on the go for a year now, and I’m inspired only now to finally finish before the weather turns warm again! Anne

    Reply
  14. Susan Wesely says

    January 12, 2007 at 1:24 pm

    I’m one of those people who decided to blog because of you. I’m having fun recording memories of my kids and sharing it with the grandparents. I don’t always have time to scrapbook because of the kids, but when I do, I do it without hangups thanks to you.

    And I agree, you should write some more books! 😀

    Reply
  15. Kelli Johnson says

    January 12, 2007 at 2:31 pm

    word sista!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  16. suzanne says

    January 12, 2007 at 2:51 pm

    DUDE!
    Welcome back!
    Seriously….

    🙂

    Reply
  17. Relly says

    January 12, 2007 at 3:24 pm

    I know where you are coming from. I totally think it’s healthy to have a few obsessions going on and to circulate them. You can love something literally to death, then give it a break, and come right back and love it all over again.

    I can read the same book over and over, picking out my favourite bits, every night for weeks. First, I’ll read some of my new book, then just before I switch off the light I’ll read 5 – 10 pages of my current ‘favourite’ book. It’s like a comfort blanket.

    I’m the same with albums, foods, scrapbooking products, clothes. In order to push myself to try new stuff, have new experiences, I find comfort in marrying it up with the older stuff.

    I get the impression I’m not alone in that but that people don’t want to be accused of being weird by admitting we have comfort items and sensory experiences to give ourselves strength.

    My ‘other’ hobby is baking. I’m all about baking and giving away cakes right now for any darn reason I can find (‘happy Tuesday, have a cake!’ works) but I still like making pages.

    Hobbies are for fun and journalling memories is for recording all the fun. It’s by no means a chore but if it was all I did I’d lose out by not doing anything else, spending all my time recording all the fun everyone else was having!

    Pushing myself to try new hobbies/experiences/authors/foods, then using good ol’ comfortable scrapbooking to remember the fun.

    Just my 2p worth.

    Reply
  18. Sue says

    January 12, 2007 at 3:29 pm

    That is one of your first pages? Wow! Thanks for sharing! It is no wonder I think you are cool. Clean & Simple from the start. Glad you are back blogging.

    Reply
  19. natalia says

    January 12, 2007 at 4:04 pm

    I have to agree with you Cathy! I spend alot of time just thinking about what I would like to do with my photos or an unfinished page (of which there are many)but rarely get a chance to do it. I don’t necessarily feel the need to finish that page or scrap a photo. If I want to do it I know I can. It’s nice to know that it’s there if I want to.

    Reply
  20. sue says

    January 12, 2007 at 4:08 pm

    That is a GREAT first page. You obviously have a wonderful gift that you share with the rest of us who just manage to ‘tell their stories’. Thanks.
    Sue

    Reply
  21. Ana Maria Magloire says

    January 12, 2007 at 5:22 pm

    Good to know miss CZ, I miss seeing more of your work arround, not just the ones on SS.
    So, lay off the scarves, and get scrappin missy!!!
    Anilu.

    Reply
  22. Nicole says

    January 12, 2007 at 6:07 pm

    You crack me up. Your blog is crazy busy with posters because of the scrapbook connection – but don’t let that fool you, you’d be amazed at the amount of blogs that get ‘found out’ by others sheerly because of great compelling content that brings them back and word of mouth. The ‘blogosphere’ is only so large.

    That being said, it’s cool to check in to see what makes you, well, you. Most people who are here admire what you do and aspire to be able to tell stories and reflect on things in the thoughtful way you seem to be able to do so well and naturally.

    Glad to see you around, girl 🙂 Keep sharing and we’ll keep checking in 🙂

    Reply
  23. tara w says

    January 12, 2007 at 6:31 pm

    ahhh how clean and simple were BORN baby. dont ever forget it.
    🙂
    did you find and rescan that sucker or was it still on your computer?

    Reply
  24. suetreiber says

    January 12, 2007 at 6:43 pm

    It’s okay to have more than one obsession.
    I spend way more time thinking about scrapping than i do actually scrapping.
    I spend more time knitting becuz it actually requires little thought, and becuz I can do it in the car while I am waiting for the kids to get out of school!
    ps-I seriously need to start checking my itunes library. I downloaded a song by Gomez yesterday, only to find out that I already own it. Who knew?

    Reply
  25. Angela says

    January 12, 2007 at 7:14 pm

    Awesome page–and I’m glad you’re still scrapping!

    http://colourfulthoughts.blogspot.com

    Reply
  26. Jen Aussie Gal says

    January 13, 2007 at 6:39 am

    From one short darkhaired gal in her 40s to another I love that liberating funky short hair do, you use to have! 2 Cute!

    Reply
  27. Brek Noice says

    January 13, 2007 at 10:53 am

    Seriously? THAT’S your first page? I hate you. 😉 Its too good to be a first. My first involved cutting people out of pictures and using lots of stickers. ha ha ha

    Brek

    Reply
  28. Sara P-E says

    January 14, 2007 at 10:09 am

    Going to pull out the old REM today. Way back when I read an article with Michael where he said he has such a great singing voice because he has terrible sinuses. haha. It works for me.

    Reply
  29. deb says

    January 15, 2007 at 9:38 am

    yea, I remember you posting on 2peas back in the day. You were honestly the first person who did “simple” so well. (And I was secretly obsessed with your layouts!) Not in a freaky way either! :o)

    Reply
  30. nely says

    January 15, 2007 at 8:01 pm

    I remember that layout at twopeas! Back when you were posting there. Almost everyday! I miss those days!!

    Reply
  31. erin yamabe says

    January 15, 2007 at 11:33 pm

    cheers to the love of telling one’s stories!!!

    Reply
  32. ramona says

    January 21, 2007 at 12:22 am

    I was on hiatus from scrapbooking for about 3 years, but was able to pick up the hobby again in ’06. Needless to say, I’m loving the hobby again (so much has changed), but I’m also moving at my own pace.
    I purchased your book last week. It has given me some great insight on design tips, colors, typography. So much, I wanted to stop by your blog and say thanks. Here’s a link if you’d like to take a look —

    http://ramonawilliams.typepad.com/ramona_williams_blog/2007/01/fresh_new_appro.html

    Thanks!

    Reply

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