Tools, Tools, Tools… January 20, 2009

I have a new craft tool that I am in love with..

 

 

It is the Fiskars Premium Crafter’s Trimmer.  The perfect size to travel to crops with and the markings are clear and easy to read.  They have also mapped out the most common sizes like 5×7, 3×5, etc. to make it completely idiot proof.  Pick this one up asap!

 

I’m also coveting a new item…

 

Fiskars Border Punch – Upper Crest.

This classy little punch looks like it would fit perfectly with my style of scrapbooking.  I’ll be searching this one out at the local scrapbooking stores right away.  Although, it may be as elusive as the threading waters punch was when it first came out.

 

By the way, if you haven’t gone crazy over Fiskars tools head over to http://fiskateers.com/ and see what the fuss is all about.

a DECISIVE beginning January 16, 2009

I am taking liberties with my word of the year:  DECISIVE

I have decided it to also mean “take charge”, “can’t mess with me” and “I am right”.  This is my interpretation of “displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined” 

Since my New Years Resolution to become DECISIVE I am off to a good start.  My first plan of attack was my personal finances.  My husband and I have tried many ways over the years to tackle our bills and lately we have been splitting them down the middle.  Our incomes are almost the same now so it’s a lot easier.  But the drawback is  it was easy for me to lose track of the balances on things he took care of, out of sight-out of mind.  I have decided to rein it all in. 

I used to keep track on the computer with a budgeting template in excel (thank you free excel templates on microsoft.com).  But it was easy to hide in a file and forget about updating it.  I took charge and went to Office Depot and bought the old fashioned column pads  http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/930564/Office-Depot-Brand-Columnar-Pad-4/.  Writing everything down and putting it in my face on the desk everyday will keep me on track.   I am also cutting back on unnecessary purchases

like Caribou Coffee

and Einstein Bros bagels.

and potato chips..mmmm

 

and HBO

I know I can do it.  I have decided!

Resolultions January 8, 2009

I’ve been reading so many blogs lately about New Year’s Resolutions.  But there is a twist.  Many people are choosing a word of the year.  Something to inspire and focus them for the whole year.  I love this idea and am jumping on the bandwagon. 

What word to choose??  hmmm..  let me think about it.  What do you think?  Maybe Happiness?  No, too broad.  Maybe Inspired?  No, also too broad and that is what I want to the word to do…inspire.  um, maybe Focused?  Now we’re getting there.  I like the direction we’re heading.  I’ve got it!!  Decisive.  That’s what I need to be.

According to Dictionary.com:

de⋅ci⋅sive /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/  [di-sahy-siv] 
–adjective

1.	having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important: Your argument was the decisive one.

2.	characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined: The general was known for his decisive manner.

3.	indisputable; definite: a decisive defeat.

4.	unsurpassable; commanding: a decisive lead in the voting.

I like decisive.  It’s like positive, but more definate.  No more missed opportunities because I failed to act.  My resolution for 2009 is to be DECISIVE! 

What’s your word of the year?

Santa came through for me January 5, 2009

Santa was a good boy this year and brought me a new Nikon Coolpix digitial camera.  Isn’t is pretty?  I love it!!  My last digital camera bit the big one about a year ago (see my woeful blog post http://birdsofafeather19.wordpress.com/2008/06/09/digital-camera-diaries/).  What is a scrapbooker and parent of rapidly growing children supposed to do without a camera??!!  Thank goodness for the jolly fellow who was tired of my whining. 

Now it’s time to buckle down and read the manual.  Or I could just continue snapping pics on the default setting.  It’s working for now.  Once I figure out how to download the photos I’ll be back in the scrapbooking saddle again.  Do you have this kind of camera?  Do you have any digital photo tips for me?  I can use all the help I can get!  Thanks and happy picture taking.