beautiful papers is moving!

I've been blogging for a while now, and there are bits and pieces of my thoughts and ideas strewn all over cyberspace. I've decided to put everything in one spot. It's part of my "De-clutterization 2008 Campaign." I know there are a lot of people who subscribe to the private blog plus "professional" blog system, and I was one of them, but I just can't keep it all up as effectively as I want to.

So, please add my new all-in-one super blog to your reading list, as I will not be adding to this one anymore:
symphony of chaos

merry christmas, all

i realize i'm still not good at blogging, so i think i'll just be honest. i probably won't post again until january, because we're going out of town for a bit.

the good news is, my new camera is being shipped to dave's parents' house, so i'll be able to update my portfolio and take photos again!

enjoy the holidays!

Banned Books Week

this is banned books week. books are made of paper, so i thought it fit. it might be a stretch, but i just had to post about this. i was shocked at the number of banned and/or challenged books i've read. i think you'll be surprised, too, if you look over the lists. here is a small sampling of the banned books i've read:

here are some links if you would like more information on banned books and the history behind why each book was banned. very interesting stuff:

• American Library Association (ALA)
• wikipedia
• banned books

take a couple days to read a banned book this week! as for me, i'm going to re-read "the perks of being a wallflower." happy reading!

pink

i know a lot of people have been doing this, but i wanted to spend some time searching for beautiful pink papers in honor of breast cancer awareness month. my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago, and after being clear for a few years, it came back with a vengeance this past summer. my mom spent time with her in california to care for her during treatment. the breast cancer has spread to her nervous system, eyes, and skull. my aunt is a very strong woman, but breast cancer is a very aggressive and tricky disease.

please, please do regular exams and get screenings, especially if cancer runs in your family. there is no reason to wait and hope for something strange to go away or get better. if you suspect anything, go to your doctor.

links for the collage (click image for larger view):

• 3d flower cards - karterskardz
• hot pink owl note cards – snew
• 3d pink tags – NYPapercrafter
• painted cards – tinacarroll
• pinwheel notebook – suzyjack
• xoxo paper – rose and radish
• and the rest is from, of course, paper source (i'll get over my obsession soon, i promise)

tagged

I was TAGGED to complete this meme by amy!
Four Jobs I Have Had In My Life

1. paper store clerk (when i was 16...it was horrible, but prophetic, i guess)
2. cashier
3. job coaching disabled individuals
4. graphic designer-ish person (that's what happens when you work for non-profits)
   

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over

1. steel magnolias
2. harry potter series
3. the royal tenenbaums
4. brokedown palace
   

Four TV Shows I Like To Watch

1. the office
2. heros
3. american idol
4. so you think you can dance
   

Four Places I Have Been On Vacation

1. england
2. oregon/california coast
3. myrtle beach
4. wadsworth, ohio
   

Four Favorite Foods

1. hot tamales (the candy)
2. chipotle chicken burrito
3. mom's lasagna
4. chili and mashed potatoes (again, mom's)

Four Websites I Visit Daily

1. bloglines
2. google/gmail
3. istock photo
4. grace-erie.dyndns.biz/exchange

Four Places I Would Rather Be

1. minneapolis
2. on the couch, under a blanket watching a movie
3. in my bed
4. perkins street
   

Four Bloggers I Am Tagging

1. i am tagging anyone who reads this and wants to do it.

i received my paper swap from carla. i'll post pics soon.

aww...an award?!

one of my very best friends nominated me for this award. how cute. rachel is awesome.

here are my nominations. i know that maybe this is for girls, but i just want to nominate a boy because i would LOVE to see this icon on his blog:

1. brian, of weekend gamer. out of the bloggers that i personally know, brian gives the most thought and puts in the most work. most of the time, i can't believe these nerdy thoughts are in his head...but i love it. i don't even understand his posts 90% of the time, but i read anyway. he's been an amazing friend to dave and i, and that alone makes him worthy of this award.
2. jodi, who is sonotcool. i've been following her for a while and i just love reading about her life, the good and bad. i feel like she's the most real blogger out there. i'd like to have tea with her some day...seriously. she seems so awesome...not cool...just awesome. ;-)
3. kem, of less clutter and noise. i do not know kem, but i do know that her marketing hints have changed how i do my communications job at grace. she's amazing, and i can tell that she is a nice person. i love the mix of personal and professional on her blog. and her glasses.

gocco

i really want a gocco. i've been more and more impressed at the quality of craftmanship out there with this little machine. i think i might be attracted to it because my favorite art class in highschool was when we created hand made prints. sometimes i want to go back to highschool and be an art major all over again. :::sigh:::

here's the gocco:

(image via paper source)

and here are some favorite flickr finds:

beautiful paper swap

Wow. This is a tiny swap...but it will be great for those of you involved. I randomly selected the partners and didn't need to change a thing. Have fun! You can find your partner's blog info in the previous swap post:

If that's difficult to read:
Susan and Firstborn
Danielle and Karla (yea!!)
Camden and Judy

Again, please mail your packages on/by September 15th.

And, if you don't mind, document what you send and receive here.

beautiful paper swap

I've decided to host a swap. If you've never participated in one before, let me briefly explain. Basically, you are paired up with someone from around the globe, and you send them a package of items that fall under a certain criteria. At the same time, that person is sending you a package. It's so much fun. I did a geography swap hosted by Jodi a while back and LOVED it. My partner rocked my face off. It's an awesome way to get and give cool things...especially in this swap.

Here's how it will go (a.k.a. "the rules"):

1. The only criteria for this swap is that everything in your package should have something to do with paper (made of paper, tools for paper, books, magazines, stationery, etc.), and it should be beautiful. I know what you're thinking: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Well, exactly.
2. Leave a comment in this post letting me know you're in (include your blag address, so I can find you), and I will take all of the user names and randomly pair them up. Also, be sure to indiate whether or not you are willing to ship internationally. Comment by Saturday, 8/25.
3. Come back on 8/27 to find out who your partner is.
4. You and your partner work out the details: price limits, exact dates, likes/dislikes, etc.
5. Please mail your packages by September 15th.
6. If you would like, go here and post photos of what you received so everyone can see!

Happy swapping!

Here I Go

Lately, I have been toying with the idea of a blog to help people navigate the world of paper and design (and, really, to get my ideas out of my head on on "paper"). After some practice posts on my own computer, I think I'm ready to go! In order to organize my own brain and have an intentional focus, I'm giving each day of the week a different subject:

Mondays: beautiful things (paper and design items for everyday or special use)
Tuesdays: reviews and tutorials (from products to vendors and step-by-step how to's)
Wednesdays: inspiration (mood boards, photographs, color schemes)
Thursdays: general thoughts, tips and advice
Fridays: beautiful web (the best things I find online each week)

This will be a loose framework, because I want the freedom to tell you about what's going on in the moment. We'll see how it works.

I truly hope that this blog becomes one of your favorite reads! If you have any ideas or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Also, if you would like to be reviewed and added to my link list, send me an email and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!