Scrapbooking fever

The scrapbooker in me has been somewhat stagnant lately. I really didn't have anything that I was excited about scrapbooking, it seems that I just do the same themes and events over and over again. But we all got together for scrap night last night after work and I really challenged myself to do something different that would spark my interest.

Then it hit me, I am so stupid, of course I have something that I want to record and remember - my studio! Not only can I create a scrapbook of the experience, but it can also serve as a place to keep all of those photos and fabric swatches that inspire the interior design of the studio.

The scrapbook pages that I did last night turned out so beautifully that I wanted to share them. Hopefully you will be able to see my vision for the finished space!

These are the photographs that have given me inspiration. Many of them are from one of my all time favorite blogs - design sponge while others are from products for sale on Etsy, other blogs, and DIY websites. I especially love the photo of the kitchen with all of the white cabinets, the cabinets have been painted lime green on the inside, what a great idea, and a great way to use such a bright color so that it doesn't overwhelm.

Here are some of the fabrics and papers that I have collected to use for different decorative elements, curtains, cushions, picture frames, and other fun stuff that I haven't even thought of yet.

I chose to do all of the actual photographs in black and white because I didn't want any of the colors in the photos to distract from the color scheme that I had chosen for the design, and for the scrapbook. My intention for the studio is to have a place where everything belongs, where everything fits harmoniously. I really wanted to convey this in the scrapbook too.

I had the hardest time finding an album for this scrapbook, I looked everywhere, and in the end I never did find one. So I am planning on spiral binding these pages the same way that I bind all of my planners, but I can't do that until I am completely done, so for now I will just pray that nothing happens to my pages.

Leap of Faith

I've been trying to decide if I am going to take the leap. To really jump into the process of being a small business owner 100%. I started selling on Etsy as a way to earn some money while I tried to find a full time job, but I've found that I truely enjoy the work I have been doing. It doesn't always feel like work. As I get more and more interested in my little business I find myself making excuses for not looking for a full time job.

As much as I love the work that I am doing right now I have the same doubts as anyone else in my situation. That little voice in the back of my head that says "are you sure this will work?" and "Can you really make enough money doing this?" But the question that I ask myself the most is "do I believe in myself?"

I was having a conversation about this particular subject with one of my very best friends earlier today. Brooke and I are in a similar place, we both just recently graduated from college, and neither of us have been able to find jobs (even though we were both very good students with very good resumes). She told me that something would happen for me when it was supposed to happen.

Now I have said this very same thing to myself numerous times, but it really helps to know that I am not my only cheerleader. And I have gotten completely off subject...

Anyway, Brooke told me that something would happen for me when it was supposed to happen. Now this saying is extremely vague, and a bit cliche, but sure enough, I made a sale that very day. Now I am a huge believer in signs, and if that wasn't a sign, then I don't know what would be.

So, here I go, I'm going to do it. I'm going to take that huge leap of faith and give this my all. And most importantly I am going to believe in myself (well, that's a process, so I'm going to work on believing in myself, really, I am).

Mother Teresa said "Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and let your wings grow on the way down." This is my reminder that no matter what I happens, I will absolutely learn something from this experience.

What quotes keep you going? I would love to hear them!