On March 1st, I'm going to have a little more creative time on my hands. Time to actually make stuff that involves all the things I love: design, writing and photography. In other words, time to focus on scrapbooking. What a novel idea!
Over the years at Simple, I think I've slowly let my true, unadulterated passion for the hobby slide a little. Now before you think that sounds all negative, all I mean is that when you work with the subject matter 40-50 hours a week, it tends to lose it's initial shine. Just that whole, "I cannot WAIT to sit down and tell this story" feeling.
But the thing is, at the core of this hobby is stuff that just makes me happy; stuff that makes me feel really creative. And smart. Who isn't going to like something that does that?
I guess that although I will miss what I have known to be a constant, I'm really looking forward to having time to breathe, creatively, and in the next few weeks, I'll be sharing some of what that translates to with you guys. Some of it's pretty cool. I promise.
Stay tuned.
46 Comments on “One thing that I finally realized (and some Simple layouts from the days of yore)”
I must tell you, I just finished thumbing through this month’s Simple magazine and I am all choked up again.
It is such a wonderful magazine and I will miss it so.
Pleasepleaseplease bring all your simple goodness to CK, there are thousands like me who I know feel the same way.
Love the pages you just showcased 🙂
boy do I hear you on this tune!
Owning a scrapbook store and a retreat business, I too have had my creativity on the back burner. I am really working towards getting things under control this year and finding it again. Taking little girl weekends to do so. Can’t wait to see where this adventure takes you, and glad we can come along for the ride.
Rollie
I love when you post us samples of your work… You’re the best!
I’m hoping your “free” time translates into more classes on BPS! I missed DYL because the timing last year just didn’t work with everything else in my life, but I’ve heard so many good things… I’m just DYING to take it!!! Keep creating, keep sharing, we love you!
It’s still a huge bummer to think that Simple won’t be arriving filled with awesome ideas 🙁
I truly look forward to seeing what you do in the next few months!
I’ll wait patiently for what’s next too. I loved DYL.
Yay for you! Your blog always cracks me up (except when you’re being serious, of course), and I so love your work. Design Your Life was one of my favorite just-for-me experiences last year, and one of the best classes I’ve ever taken. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
I have to tell you as a freed scrapbooking professional it is the most wonderful thing in the world to be able to sit at my laptop and just MAKE things now! I sold scrap and art supplies for 5 years ( met you at a CHA once, i think you thought I was crazy cause I asked for your pic hahah)and I swear I stopped making stuff all together. Now I am just starting to get my mojo back, and baby, it’s ON! heh
PS- HIYA Rollie ! ( this fantastic lady used to be a customer of mine :O) gotta love her, sorry to see her scrappin is taking a backseat…)
Can’t wait! You always inspire.
I am hoping too that you will be sharing with us via BPS or some other place, loved DYL.
Can’t wait to see! Your creativity and DYL got me out of a rut and I am sooo enjoying scrapping now – and loving my pages. Thank you for showing more samples – love it!
Cathy, I can hardly wait! As a recent “graduate” of DYL, I am still in withdrawal and this will ease that a bit. Thanks for your generosity in sharing your talents. Love you!
I really hope that this means you will have time to write another book – a scrapbooking one would be great, but I’d read anything you wrote – really!
I think time to breathe is important, but I have this feeling you are going to be swept up into your next thing.
I just got my latest issue of simple and as I was browsing the magazine I was still in shock that it will be no more. Seriously, in my opinion, it is way better than any of the other ones out there and I don’t know what I’m going to do without the simple that I love and all the talented artist that grace it’s pages. I am devastated.
I also wanted to thank you. After all this time of trying I finally got published in the mag. You looked at my photo for who knows how many days. It was such a great moment for me to see my work in print. Thanks for making it look beautiful.
Perhaps you should keep up your column on your blog.
I’m looking forward to hearing what your new adventure will be. I’ve loved Simple over the years and will really miss it. When I look at the latest issue, it’s so hard to believe it is almost no more.
That first page is so stunning. i love the simple-ness of it. beautiful!
Can’t wait to see the new scrapbooking you!
Glad you’ll have more creating time. I got my recent issue yesterday and I cannot express how sad I was to realize that this wonderful, inspiring magazine will be no more. I’m afraid I’ll be less creative once its gone!
Oh what a teaser this post is! Can’t wait for coming attractions…..
Oh man, nothing like leaving me hangin’ here!
I actually HAVE noticed your waning passion for actually making pages. I’m glad you’re coming back to it. Can’t wait to see the pages you’ll do in the next few months.
That LO about Tara is gorgeous! Was that your vision…with pp?! Nice. The LO’s of Aidan are beautiful too. She is one gorgeous girl!
Can’t wait to see what you have in store. I love your style. DYL was so amazing.
God Speed Cathy!!
I am SO sad about Simple going away….but am SO SO excited that you will be getting your mojo going. I too, think you are THE BEST…and can’t wait to see what the future hold for you.
Cathy, I’m glad that you’re coming to peace with the changes that life has brought you. I am still hoping that we’ll see some CZ in upcoming issues of CK… do I need to start an e-mail campaign or something? lol
Thank you for sharing some of your favourite Simple LOs here with us. Those happen to be some of my favourites too. 🙂
I’ll be thinking of you in the coming weeks. And I’ll be stalking your blog, hoping to see more of your fab-U-lous work.
I was just looking at that first layout yesterday – its one of the first posts on the simple studio blog 🙂
If you ever, you know, get bored with scrapping for yourself, after a while, maybe you could, um, write another C&S? Maybe?
I’m just sayin. It’s my favourite scrapbooking series ever. And I’m all about trilogies.
i am SO EXCITED to see more hands-on-down-&-dirty scrapbooking from you…because let’s just be honest here…i own TWO scrapbooking BOOKS (& like 1 magazine…you’d think i was a tree hugger or something…i digress)…and they are both YOURS. so needless to say, i’ve missed seeing your creations.
now go! be free with your glue & paper. heck, you could even scrapbook naked without all those webcam meetings you had for Simple. 😉
souvent je passe par ici j’aime vos photos et votre scrap clean and simple
YAY!! I am so pumped. You have no idea how many things I scraplift from you! 🙂
Can’t wait to see what’s in store!
Just enjoy…
Oh and you know what I love about your work, it still rocks whether it is something that you did yesterday or 5 years ago, it doesn’t date like alot of style of scrapbooking do, it was cool then, it’s still cool now. Very timeless.
three words: good for you.
I have a friend who works for CKU, and I am just saddened. We’ll all see what the future holds.
And from one MN scrapper to another, make use of this winter to get pages done : )
Cathy, I go the Mar/April issue of Simple today and it was great. I hope that most of Simple gets dovetailed into Creating Keepsakes. Please keep us in the loop with what you will be doing in the future. I still haven’t gotten over missing the regular videos from you that you did in DYL. I hope you can find a new job that you will love as much as your work at Simple. God Speed! Stay in touch!
Darlene
I need another “Design Your Life” course. I have been in withdrawal since finishing the class – it was wonderful. I caught up (YES…I really caught up!! on all my pictures)with the class and actually had to start taking more pictures just to have pictures for the class assignments.I look forward to seeing what you will be doing next! Your style of design in scrapbooking totally changed my approach! Keep something coming for those of us who are hungry for more CZ and who will miss SS so terriblyu!!!
I’ve seen your “Fabulous” layout with Aiden a few times now, and I LOVE IT!
Just so you (and your advertisers) know, I do check out the links on your home page. I just visited two chicks designs. They have a T-shirt that says “paper ho.” Too funny! Not your momma’s scrappin’ anymore! I’m so glad you’re keeping up your blog. I really enjoy it.
Sounds like you are on the mend—a creative mend!
Cathy, Now I know this is not related to your post here, but I really wanted to share this link with you. I thought these stamps are some you could find the humor in.
I love them. I think I’m going to order one. But which one?
http://www.thorstenvanelten.com/catalogue/honesty_stamps/
Cathy, have you thought about starting a “creative” forum site? With members (my arm is in the air waving – me, me, me) with challenges, ideas, discussions, & a gallery to show our stuff, too. There are free servers sites (NING is one that comes to mind – kinda looks like a blog, but interactive). With you as our hostess, it’s sure to be a fun place to hang out and scrap.
Do it! Do it! Do it!
That fabulous one is FABULOUS! I dont think Ive ever seen that one and the 24 hour one before. Lovely!
Glad you are looking forward to the change, can’t wait to see what you do.
On a purely selfish note I hope that your future involves more education and class teaching ….. DYL was hands down the best class I’ve ever participated in and despite it being held during the ‘crazy’ time of the year it was such a happy and informative experience. Your layout of Tara is one of my all-time favourites.
I can’t wait to see where this leads you, Cathy. I love your designs. You could seriously start your own little webzine. I would subsribe!! I am glad that you will be able to breathe the air, though.
Hey, Zielske…dontcha wanna move to the west coast? http://www.sunset.com/general/sunset-home-editor-00400000036819/
thank you for throwing in my face what i looked like back when i was young and happy.