scrapologie

The process is almost over...

I spent most of the holiday weekend looking at design team entries again - reading responses and looking at layouts in great detail. After a LOT of thought and a little help from the design team, I've finally made the selections. I can tell you that it was very, very hard. The amount of talent was phenomenal. Your entries made the decision process very difficult.

The good news is that tomorrow, I will be able to announce the names of those designers who will be added to the existing superbly talented design team at scrapologie, and that those names will number more than three! The not so good news is that obviously I could not select everyone. The decision was immensely difficult. Some of you will be disappointed. Some of you came very, very close to being selected. And what's even more difficult is that it is not lost on me that I have had to pass over some amazing talent in this process. And all I can offer to you is my thanks for taking a chance on this process and my regret that I could not take more.

Disappointment is very difficult but what is more important is what you take away and learn from the process, and having had my share of rejection, I know it is hard to do but it does make you a stronger person, a better artist and helps you to look at your art objectively, which is very difficult for a lot of people to do. We all want to think there is some element of genius in our art, and for each of us individually and personally, there IS some element of genius. But it takes a lot to be able to look at our work objectively, to ask that difficult question "What do I have to offer to the viewer? What do I have to offer to others? And is that consistent throughout the body of my work?"

The designers who were chosen all had a number of things in common: an unmistakable eye for design, an ability to lead with their art and a level of artistic development and maturity that distinguished them. Their styles are diverse and their portfolios nothing short of stunning. I am thrilled and excited at the prospect of adding their names to an already stellar team. These designers are immensely talented and have bright futures. I am thrilled that scrapologie will play a part in that future.

What will the addition of these designers offer you? This design team will offer you a chance to learn and further your own artistic growth. You will see products interpreted and used differently, in novel and inspiring ways. You will see designs that are stylistically diverse but equally beautiful. The inspiration in the design team gallery will be incredible.

For those who are not selected, I want to thank you again and I hope that scrapologie continues to be a place where you can grow and learn as an artist, and share beautiful art, the warmth of friendship, the love of scrapbooking and the excitement of creativity. I cannot thank you enough for what you have already added to the site with your presence, and for your friendship and belief in scrapologie. You are all amazing artists, but more importantly, phenomenal people, and that's what really matters.

In the company of women...

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. I've enjoyed seeing family I see far too little and eating far too much. But most of all, I am continually amazed at the tireless spirit of the women in my family. I am sure there are some in your family as well. My mother and my two sisters are such amazing women. They do the budgeting, the shopping, the meal planning, the food preparation, the cooking and the cleaning up. And all the while tirelessly and cheerfully taking care of their families and loved ones. I am thankful for the spirit of these women who have taught me so much. It's not so much that they DO out of a sense of duty or adherence to gender roles. They DO because it is an act of love for them.For so many women, caring is a part of our persona. Nurturing, caring, and feeding others are all acts of love that we embrace. So now that Thanksgiving Day is over, don't forget to take time to nurture and care for yourself and to encourage the women in your family to do the same.

One thing we like to do is to make sure that we have girl time - just the women in the family. It is refreshing to me to be in the company of these women whom I love and respect dearly. To hear their stories, their triumphs and tears, their disappointments and successes, their frustrations and passions, and to share in these things with them refreshes my soul. Sometimes we go shopping or out for lunch, but the times I love best are when we gather around the kitchen table, teacups in hand and just laugh, confide and share with each other. I found this poem that describes these exchanges perfectly...

Untitled

Around my kitchen table
sits the strength of my world.
Women sit, teacups in hand,
not so silently
changing the world.
We are an alliance,
a force that drives,
questions, changes, grows.

The men in our lives,
brave adventurous souls,
accept us, help us
to follow the dreams we spin.

We climb on,
never accepting the stairs could end.
We will build more.
So beware of
tea parties in my family.
Don't let the fancy pots fool you.
We are quietly plotting
to change our world.

-Delene Martinez

My mother and my sisters are not scrapbookers but we do keep a circle journal, which we exchange at regular intervals (it was supposed to be once a month but it's more like every three months). The best thing about it is I have seen a side of these women who I professed to know so well --- that I never would have seen had it not been for the circle journal. And we do not require that the entry be a scrapbook entry - in fact, I am the only one who scrapbooks the pages. The others write, doodle, draw, paint or attach bits and pieces. They've shared stories, insights, dreams, goals, poetry and so much more.

So as you wrap up the rest of the holiday with your loved ones, I hope you find time for friendship and regeneration of your spirit in the company of women who inspire you and who you love, be they family or friends. Take time to be inspired by the women in your life and to be amazed by the woman you are. Just for today, celebrate sisterhood and womanhood, celebrate you. Happy Thanksgiving!   

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Life and Harry Potter...

Bobby and I got out to see Harry Potter this evening and it was just astounding and amazing, as I expected it would be. I always have Harry Potter withdrawal after I finish the books and experienced it again this evening when the credits rolled at the end of the movie. I think it's one of the greatest things that this incredibly crafted tale was written by a woman. We always hear so much about the greatest writers in the world being men - and though there are many, I feel JK Rowling should definitely be added to the ranks of her male counterparts. Her gift for imagination and storytelling are simply spellbinding and magical, as are the stories and characters she writes of. Perhaps the reason we all love Harry Potter so much is its significance for us in the modern day realities of strife in the world and the fear and uncertainty that accompanies those realities. Her gift to us is a simple message but a powerful one delivered with enormous impact -- that good does eventually triumph in the face of evil and that no matter how terrifying and horrific certain events can be, nothing can transcend the power of love, the gift of true friendship, and the act of courage in defiance of fear. It is a comforting message, and that is perhaps why so many of us are drawn to Harry Potter and revel in the spell Rowling has cast over her audiences. I just look forward to the day when Alekha will be old enough to read these books and hope that it will hold the same meaning for her that it does for me.

The Selection Process

I had a process. I totally did. And that process is being completely obliterated by the design team entries that have been coming in. We really didn't have that many at first but the last few days has seen a flurry of entries. And it's completely undermining any methodical manner of selection I had outlined. Because the entries are amazing. Just jaw-dropping, stunning entries and I am left to wish that there was some way providence could enable me to hire everyone. I am humbled by your entries, moved by the journaling, stunned by your creativity, delighted by your photographs, envious of your talents, and in love with the layouts and projects that are making their way to my inbox. Art is everywhere I look and in every layout and project I see. And that's what will make it so hard for me. Because you are all artists. Not just people who happen to scrapbook. So for me to have to make a decision to hire three of you from this outpouring of artistic talent, it's no easy feat. I have loved reading your comments describing who you are - why you scrapbook, why you want to design for scrapologie. Your writing has made me laugh and moved me to tears. I can see the passion in your layouts and the love that exudes from your creations. And I have no idea how I will ever choose. Best of all, I love your sincerity and the encouragement you've given me - the permission you've given me -- to make the decision that is best for scrapologie. You've encouraged me to take a deep breath, to keep plenty of chocolate handy for the process, you've encouraged me to choose without any regret - not only are you artists but you are wonderful friends for having such faith in me and in scrapologie. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for being a part of this wonderful process, for taking a chance on scrapologie, for giving me your best and facing the possibility of disappointment and the hope of success head on. And know that though I cannot hire everyone, not a moment goes by that I don't wish I could.