Scrapbook Your Way (Jennifer Wilson)

If you've been scrapbooking for any length of time, you know that some things work well and others just don't. The beauty of our hobby today is the bounty of options for crafting your way. That's what this podcast is all about. And in this episode, you'll be guided through a mini class on how to use that knowledge to start planning for 2020. These five important prompts can offer key insights to ensure than next year is even more fun and productive. See the full show notes for this episode.

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I can still see myself dancing around the house singing "Starlite-Rainbow Brite, A little wish in the moonlight." So as a fellow child of the 1980s, I instantly noticed the colorful, nostalgic style of Mandy Marks. And that's just one of her favorite eras!

Today on the podcast Mandy, a high school teacher by day and owner of the Pink Crafty Cottage by night, joins me to chat about exploring your authentic passions and finding like-minded crafty friends. It's a fun conversation that celebrates stickers, junk journals, and all the crafty things.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw199.

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There's a lot of noise out there about how you should be a creative or a run a business. In this episode I'm sharing Christine Herrin's journey of cutting through that noise and following her passion to build a thriving business: Everyday Explorers Co. Whether your dream is to be a CEO or just the boss of your own craft room, our conversation offers a permission slip to do things your way. Plus, we're announcing a fun collaboration project for National Scrapbooking Day 2020. See the full show notes for this episode.

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In this episode I'm joined by May Flaum to talk about we cope, realign, and truly care for ourselves when the world feels like too much. May shares her favorite daily craft, her path to peace with Facebook, and how selfies shifted her wellness path.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw134.

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When used with intention, social media can be a powerful tool for life documentation and practicing gratitude. This episode explores Jess Forster's fresh take on memory keeping and the opportunities it has created to go deeper in her scrapbooking projects. See the full show notes for this episode.

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The Projects creative journey is definitely a favorite because the conversations are so rich and meaningful. This month's catch up with Kim adds to that story with our own experiences and reflections on the Simple Scrapper community. You'll hear about the finishing already happening (even though The Finishing Project doesn't begin until October 7), an update on our personal planners, and the projects we're excited about as we embark on the last quarter of the year.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw135.

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A happy and productive scrapbooking hobby results from having a plan that’s personalized to your priorities and your life right now.

Create your plan at the 2023 Planning Party!

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Kim and I are back with another casual conversation about life, scrapbooking, and the business of Simple Scrapper. This month we dive into many personal topics and offer our hopes for this month's member event. Please note that the episode was recorded mid-May, prior to the recent civil unrest and deep dive into anti-racism dialogue. See the full show notes for this episode.

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See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw168.

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Since digital photography went mainstream, our computers have been part of the scrapbooking experience. In this episode I'm joined by Elizabeth Trout, aka The Everyday Storyteller, to discuss the why and how of hybrid memory keeping. We cover the products, printer, and processes she relies on to make hybrid scrapbooking fun and easy.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw191.

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Month after month I hear how much you love these broad-reaching conversations with Kim, my teaching assistant.

This is another one of those fun, casual discussions about life and creativity. We dig into our personal experiences and our work at Simple Scrapper.

Between our recent Refresh retreat and the upcoming session of Before Your Story, the Storytelling journey has kept us busy!

You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw119.

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Elisa Lessard, also know as Scrappy Wife, is a champion for DIY projects and budget finds for a creative workspace that's inspiring and functional. In this episode we dive in to some of her surprising solutions, ongoing challenges, and the stories behind her Pinterest-worthy craft room. After you hear our high energy conversation I'm certain you will be itching to overhaul your space. You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw109.

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I vividly remember categorizing my stickers by type in the early 1980s, placing them one by one onto the pages of a slick-surfaced album. The fuzzy stickers were my favorite, especially if they were cute little animals.

No matter what decade you grew up, you likely have some sort of memory related to stickers... even if it started with scrapbooking.

In this episode I'm joined by Laura Wonsik and her childhood best friend, Annie Simkin. Together they have created the BFF Sticker Club, an Instagram community that celebrates a love of stickers and encourages you to not just collect them, but to use them.

You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw117.

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After a break to reconnect with her passions, Christine Middlecamp has returned to scrapbooking with a new business and a mission. In this episode you'll hear how this craft and this community helped her cope with a tragic personal loss and why she's ready to disrupt the industry with her products. Our conversation celebrates the joy of connecting with fellow humans to document our authentic lives with color and creativity.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw196.

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It's Simplifying Projects month and we're focused on finishing. Kim and I chat about our current creative projects, productivity strategies we're exploring, and all the reasons we're so excited for the upcoming session of The Finishing Project. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Ronelia Motroni started scrapbooking when her daughter was born, but she continues today to explore her creativity and tell more of her own stories. In this episode we'll peek into the passions and processes that make Ronelia's hobby work. Our conversation was simply delightful, especially as we identified a few preferences and quirks that we share.

The "My Way" conversations highlight our Featured Artists, whose work inspires the sketches, templates, and challenges inside of the Simple Scrapper membership.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw174.

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Kim Edsen and I first connected over sharing a Myers-Briggs type: INTJ. She's now my teaching assistant at Simple Scrapper and the closest I've come to being able to clone myself. In this kick-off to our "My Way" series of scrapbooker interviews, you'll get to know Kim and her memory keeping story. See the full show notes for this episode.

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This is the last of three episodes to guide you through the 2022 Your Way Workbook. It's the heart of the 2022 Planning Party, our five-day special event. In this episode we'll cover pages 7-9 of the workbook, which you can download at the link below!

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw143.

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Travel scrapbooks are often top our priority lists, yet are one of the most challenging projects to complete. With so many photos and stories, how can you tackle your trips and adventures with ease? In this episode I'm sharing twelve of my best tips to do just that and then, you can follow the links below to find bonus tips on social media. Plus, we've got a brand new FREE guide for you! See the full show notes for this episode.

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Jenna Fortner returns to the podcast with an episode full of helpful tips and tricks for more efficient Project Life App scrapbooking.

We chat about strategies to prepare for a a new year, solutions that help you work on a project over time, and of course, a few Disney-specific ideas.

If you've been craving a simple and streamlined approach to memory keeping on the go, our conversation will help you jump in with confidence. 

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw152.

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As you say goodbye to 2020, I wanted to share a few ideas that could make your scrapbooking experience even better. In this episode I'm sharing six memory keeping resolutions you might consider to find more joy and ease in your hobby this year and beyond. You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw097.

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How do you stay inspired to finish a project? This week's new episode focuses on the balance between planning and creativity so that your momentum never wanes.

My guest is Helen DeRam, one of our creative team members and part of my behind-the-scenes staff. I asked her to talk about her approach to travel projects at our upcoming Refresh retreat, but I knew there was so much more to her story.

Our conversation is focused on the big picture, discussing the types of projects she enjoys and her mindset around finishing. You'll love getting to know Helen and hearing a taste of what you can expect during Refresh.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw130.

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Technology is an inevitable part of modern memory keeping. In this week's episode I'm sharing a quick run-down of all the tech tools in my creative workflow, from photo taking to photo printing. Plus, I introduce the newest class inside of our membership community. See the full show notes for this episode.

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When photography becomes a passion, you see your hobby, your life, and yourself with new perspective and possibilities. In this episode you'll hear from Ettiene Rickels, one of our creative team members, about her journey in this creative medium.

From the experience that changed everything to her favorite sources of supplies, our conversation is full of insights that might just shift your own trajectory.... this summer and beyond. I know that I left completely inspired to try some new approaches!

If you enjoyed getting to know Ettiene in this episode, she will be sharing more about her photography projects at our Refresh retreat kickoff event on July 8! Refresh is a 4-day reset for your creative soul and is exclusively for our members.

You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw121.

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Have you ever lost your creative mojo? We have all been there and in this episode we'll explore what a creative funk looks like, what causes it, and seven strategies to escape this place of frustration so you can get back to scrapbooking. See the full show notes for this episode.

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She came for the fun supplies, but stayed for the stories. Lesley Vander Waal stays connected to her crafting through a passion for documenting the big and little stories of life. In this episode you'll get to know our September featured artist! We translated her heart-focused approach to our newest collection of sketches and templates.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw132.

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When I invited Felicitas Mayer to join me for this episode, I was excited to hear about the ways she includes mixed media artistry in her memory keeping projects. However, what unfolded was so much more. Our conversation explores how the way we think about our projects impacts our joy and motivation. We touch on mental health, the blurred lines between work and play, and the accountability strategies that keep Felicitas moving forward.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw189.

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For this final episode in our Organization series, I've got an episode for you that inspired my own journey over the past two months. Immediately after I interviewed Ashley Fowler (whom you may know as Ashley Laura), I started reorganizing my embellishments. In our conversation we discuss her storage preferences and philosophy, focusing on a particular solution that has made her memory keeping even more fun! You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw112.

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How can you tell a story that spans 20, 30, 40, or more years? It's actually easier than scrapbooking a single year.

In this episode I'm catching up with my teaching assistant Kim Edsen on all things crafty (and not-so-crafty) as well as diving deep into telling stories of the growing up years. We discuss the album I'm starting about my husband as well as Kim's experience creating her own album as a previous student of mine.

You'll learn the three essential components that make documenting so many years both feasible and fun!

You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw114.

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Carina Gardner is a multipassionate crafter, designer, and online instructor in papercrafting, sewing, and decorative arts. As a memory keeper you may best know her as the founding creative director of Carta Bella. In our conversation we chat about Carina's background in academia, balancing it all when your hobby is your work, and the projects she's passionate about today.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw195.

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Suzanna Lee is a veteran traditional scrapbooker who loves to fill a 12x12 page, though she's fallen head over heels for filling memory planner spreads these days. The new sketches inspired by her work, exclusive to our membership, will knock your socks off with fun details and innovative twists on page composition.

In this episode you'll get to meet Suzanna, hear about her scrapbooking process, and peek behind the curtain of her creative world. If you're someone inspired by all the pretty products, you'll love to hear about she leans on her extensive experience to keep memory keeping fresh and fun.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw160.

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My friend and accountability partner Alissa Williams joins me again to chat about goal setting, productivity, and planner peace. You'll hear where we feel settled in our personal planning systems and where the best is yet to come. Our conversation also includes a wealth of resources, including planners, books, and other podcasts.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw198.

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When I created the album for my Before Your Story workshop, I completed it in the way that worked best for me and the story I was telling.

In this episode I'm joined by three past students of the class who are in different seasons life and whose specific life experiences guided their approach to the project.

You'll learn how this album framework is not only designed to make it possible to get multiple decades in one album, but how it is an approach that is easy to personalize.

After all, everything we do here is about scrapbooking your way!

You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw118.

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As a long-time reader of Melissa Camara Wilkins, I was excited to include her book in our 2020 Book Club selections. In this candid conversation Melissa shares how she stays grounded and connected to what matters most. We talk about simple strategies to ensure your needs are met and how to set more authentic and realistic goals. This is the perfect conversation to begin our wrap-up of the Habits journey. You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw104.

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Kim and I catch up on everything from muffins to mastering Trello in this month's behind-the-scenes episode. We share some juicy stories we're itching to tell along with the range of scrappy things we're excited about right now. Grab your favorite beverage and cozy up for another great conversation! You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw101.

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Photos are the heart and soul of our scrapbook pages. And while perfection is certainly overrated, we often wish our pictures looked more like the memories we lived. In this episode I'm joined by the talented Crystal Livesay to hear about her journey to creative confidence and share tips for improving your photography and photo editing. We'll also introduce a brand new experience available inside of the My Simple Scrapper community. See the full show notes for this episode.

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When I started Simple Scrapper in 2008 forums were on the way out and blogs on the way in. Little did we know that audio and video content would soon become part of everyday life. Paperclipping and The Digi Show were some of the first audio shows in our industry and today there's a range of scrapbooking podcasts that deliver creative conversation to your earbuds.

After we last chatted on episode 133 of this show, my friend Veronica Milan decided it was time to bring her own voice to the table. In this episode we catch up on her vision for podcasting, her values within the memory keeping community, and of course, her creative passions right now. We also dive into her love for memory planning and how it plays a specific role alongside her Project Life pocket pages.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw176.

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Alissa Williams is a life-long scrapbooker, Simple Scrapper member, and library director. She's passionate about stories in every aspect of her life, but she almost gave up scrapbooking. In this episode you'll hear how Alissa leveraged in-person connections and getting organized to rekindle her drive to create. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Recently I was asked by a listener whether she should get a new computer or an iPad. I asked a number of questions and we teased apart her true needs. This question led to my conversation with creative team member Breon Randon. In this episode Bre shares her experience using both an iPad and a computer for digital scrapbooking, along with the pros and cons of each, in order to help you make better decisions for your own digital journey. Plus, there's a fun announcement about a brand new Pop-Up Workshop available to My Simple Scrapper members. See the full show notes for this episode.

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There's more free stuff on the Internet than you could ever use and it's not doing you any good hiding in that downloads folder with take-out menus and school forms. We want to help you gain control of your digital chaos by offering a small selection of tools that help you keep track of everything else and start taking action on what's most important. In this short solo episode, the first in a four-part series, you will be introduced to a small mindset shift with huge implications as well as something brand new to Simple Scrapper. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Catherine Saunders leveraged her own time and space challenges to double down on modern memory keeping as a solution. Focusing on storytelling with photo books for her own projects and for others, she leans on timeless, minimalist design to complete beautiful keepsakes. Our conversation features Catherine's practical wisdom and also highlights where our worlds intersect and diverge.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw184.

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Who are you? There are clues in the communities you call home. In this episode I'm joined by Simple Scrapper member Grady Savage to talk about how communities shape our identity and the stories of our lives. You'll hear how being a stepmom influenced her scrapbooking journey and the value of nostalgia in celebrating the communities of our past. You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw113.

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Michelle Flynn is a clean and simple scrapbooker who loves Project Life and smaller formats. You’ll find tons of white in her projects, along with harmonious and monochromatic color schemes. And as a current member of the Elle’s Studio team, their products feature extensively in her recent work. In this episode you'll get to hear the why and how behind Michelle's creative process. We're thrilled to have her as our October featured artist.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw190.

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Do you feel overwhelmed with SO many photos? You are not alone. Smartphones have changed the way we take pictures, adding new hurdles to the storage and organization of our family memories. In this episode I'm joined by Kim Edsen, my Simple Scrapper teaching assistant, to offer our insights on making photo management just a little bit easier. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Trello is a free, user-friendly project management tool. It takes list-making to a whole new level and has become a favorite within the My Simple Scrapper community. In this episode I'm sharing why I moved my entire business and personal life out of Asana and into Trello. Plus, you'll learn how to get started using our free Trello version of the Scrapbook Your Way workbook. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Empty nester Lee Currie has adulting figured out. She leverages her Virgo-ness to make self-care, personal development, and memory keeping a priority. In this episode you'll hear about the myriad of influences on Lee's evolution and the two specific practices that make all of her creative endeavors possible. No matter your season of life, this is an essential episode for anyone ready to craft a juicier life. See the full show notes for this episode.

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A full cup of coffee was all it took to get me going on my favorite subject: scrapbooking. I'm excited to share a solo episode today, where I share what's working so darn well for me right now (Hint: It's something I've never done before!), how you can start fresh for the season ahead, and what to expect from my newest class. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Nathalie DeSousa has an infectious joy for storytelling and creativity. In this episode we explore why and how this passion developed as well as share some of Nathalie's best tips for loving the process. My Way is all about celebrating the unique ways memory keepers get things done and we're excited for you to get to know our May featured artist. See the full show notes for this episode.

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May is Storytelling month at Simple Scrapper and my conversation with Kim to introduce the theme is wide-ranging. This is one of my favorite discussions to date, because of the breadth of topics covered and the thought-provoking insights we shared. Kim is my "right hand gal" in our community and we both love sharing this regular peek behind the curtain. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Peggy Collins is a leader and role model at Simple Scrapper, leaning on close-knit community, regularly accountability, and all the tricks she's gathered over time to be more consistent with scrapbooking.

This conversation is full of sage wisdom, helpful tips, and tons of resources for your own journey to cultivate more consistency in 2022.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw156.

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When you know the basics, stamping on your pages and projects doesn't have to feel intimidating. In this episode stamping fanatic Jessica Urrutia shares her favorite techniques and products to help you start stamping with ease. We cover different types of stamps, inks, and our best tips for getting a clean impression. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Gratitude is more than just an attitude, it's a way of living that closely aligns with our values as memory keepers. Katie Clemons is a storycatcher and a long-time friend of Simple Scrapper. In this episode you'll hear Katie's fascinating adventures as a journaler, traveler, and author. Her latest book, We Are So Thankful: A Shared Gratitude Journal, was released November 1. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Katie Pertiet is a graphic designer with a passion for vintage and botanical motifs. Her artwork can be found on digital products, paper scrapbooking lines, fabric collections, and other home decor items. In this episode I asked Katie to share how she is so prolific in her creative output, offering lessons for both professionals and hobbyists alike. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Azzari Jarrett is a photographer and a memory keeper, in that order. In her work you see an emphasis on the photos, many of them unedited, but she still loves selecting and playing with products to bring it all together. We are fortunate to have Azzari as October's featured artist and in this episode you'll get to know her on a more personal level. Part of our conversation includes an important discussion about representation of Black women in scrapbooking. See the full show notes for this episode.

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We invited Melissa Vining to be one our featured artists because of her style, which she describes as "fresh and clean with a twist." But you will also love her passion for documenting important moments while also leaning on this hobby for creative therapy. This is a lovely conversation celebrating crafting and what matters most.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw140.

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I'm excited to share this conversation with Christine Everett, owner of Cocoa Daisy. While it was recorded before the pandemic, now more than ever we see the role small businesses play in our lives. As our values are forced front and center, we must make decisions about how we want to live and who we want to support with our dollars. This episode is for anyone who has been curious about what it takes to run a small business, including the challenging decisions passionate creatives must make to thrive. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Rachel Newman is serious about using her planners to stay focused and inspire others to get creative.

In our conversation we talk about the evolution of her planning practice, including the four planners she is using right now and how she keeps all the fun supplies easy to access. You'll also hear why Rachel is particularly excited about bullet journaling as a memory keeping activity.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw167.

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In this episode I'm joined by Ali Edwards, a passionate storyteller and industry veteran, to chat about her experiences in letting go. You'll hear about the stories that shaped her personality, why projects are her comfort zone, and what she's searching for in this season of life.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw172.

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What role does creativity have in your mental health and wellness plan?

In this episode Amy Melniczenko shares her journey of moving past personal challenges to embrace the work of becoming more herself. I reached out to Amy because I had noticed a big shift in her memory keeping and wanted to peel back the layers of that beautiful blossoming.

Amy has been part of our Simple Scrapper team since 2013, serving as creative team leader for most of that time. You previously heard her on the episode 39 of the podcast where she discussed the intersection between her reading and crafty lives.

You can see the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw124.

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From the months of planning to the hundreds (or thousands) of photographs captured, how do you document the most magical vacation of them all? In this episode I'm joined by seasoned Disney traveler Terri-Lynn Torrez to explore what first-time Walt Disney World visitors need to know about memory keeping and your park adventures. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Kim and I sit down for another casual episode to catch up on life, scrapbooking, and what's new at Simple Scrapper. This episode focuses on our creative successes in the past month and over this year. We share some of our thoughts on 2021, including how we're getting ready and what might change for the new year. See the full show notes for this episode.

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September 1 marked the beginning of a new Creative Journey and the theme is Projects. In this episode I'm catching up with our Community Manager Amy Zwart, where chat about personal projects as well as what's new at Simple Scrapper. You'll love hearing about some of our favorite techniques for being more intentional in our purchasing and project planning as well as our best tips for finishing!

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw187.

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See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw163.

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Are you ready to start fresh with your scrapbooking? In this work-with-me training episode you're invited to craft a new plan for the next three months. We'll be using our free Focus Finder tool to help you select up to three ideas. You be able to discover your true priorities and start moving forward with ease!

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw180.

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See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw148.

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Traci Reed began the year with a plan to scrapbook fewer pages with more intention. Her new-found creative freedom actually took her down a different path, one that was further accelerated by her health and fitness journey. In this inspiring episode you'll learn how Traci's 100-pound weight loss and incredibly productive year reflect major mindset shifts just as much as hard work. See the full show notes for this episode.

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For many of our listeners Shimelle Laine needs no introduction. She's a prolific creator and teacher, offering her own unique style and perspective on this hobby.

In this episode we explore Shimelle's approach to storytelling through her scrapbook albums. As much as they are a home for her volume of work, they are also a point of inspiration and a celebration of her creative passion.

We talk about how she uses her albums to continue a story thread, her infectious joy for both Disney and Christmas, and the intersection of photography with her storytelling process.

You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw115.

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This year every month at Simple Scrapper will have a theme. January's theme is Creative Habits. We'll be exploring all the ways your day-to-day actions support your hobby. In this episode I'm joined by my teaching assistant Kim Edsen to chat about what's new, look back on December's theme, and share some of our best advice related to habit-building. I'm loving these conversations and you'll definitely want to check out all the resources we've shared! See the full show notes for this episode.

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Are you looking for a way to stay organized and caught up in scrapbooking? Meagan Johnson, also known as The Practical Scrapper, offers an array of tips and solutions in this episode. You'll learn her trick for keeping track of digital files, a mind-blowing new option for the Project Life app, and the big reason she is able to stay on track.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw165.

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As memory keepers, we often feel a tension between the everyday moments and the big stories of our past. When I overhead Simple Scrapper member Jenn Slowik mention that 2023 would be all about 'legacy projects' for her, I knew that this would be a good discussion.

Our conversation includes what circumstances led to this shift for Jenn and how she views these projects in context with others. We connect her vision with our Bucket List Story concept, peeling back layers of why we scrapbook and how that can shift over time.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw202.

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This is the second of three episodes to guide you through the 2022 Your Way Workbook. It's the heart of the 2022 Planning Party, our five-day special event. In this episode we'll cover pages 5-6 of the workbook, which you can download at the link below!

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw142.

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Jen Wong is a minimalist pocket page scrapbooker with a growing passion for photography. She's also our featured artist for July. In this episode Jen shares a peek into her creative life, including what keeps her motivated to scrapbook! You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw123.

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LeeAnne Jones spent years dreaming about Project Life and collecting pocket page products to support her creative vision. It wasn't until the pandemic forced her to find a self-care outlet that she actually dove in. In this episode you'll hear how one project snowballed into another, turning LeeAnne from a lurker into a passionate doer. Today she's relishing in the process of looking back and moving forward with her albums.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw188.

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In this episode I'm talking with my friend Janet Carr about feeling freedom through telling your real story and celebrating the raw beauty of vulnerability amidst your darkest days. This is for anyone who longs to show up authentically in real life, online, and in your scrapbooks. Please be aware this episode deals with sensitive issues, including substance abuse. See the full show notes for this episode.

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To conclude the 2021 Planning Party, Alissa Williams returns to the podcast for another episode on planners and planning. We answer questions asked by community members as well as share where we've landed when it comes to day planning in 2021. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Your favorite chatty conversations have returned! In these episodes I'll be joined by a member of our team to share life updates, current creative pursuits, and what's new at Simple Scrapper. This week I'm chatting with Peggy Collins, a lifetime member who has taken on the role of Program Assistant. Together we're working on creating and implementing plans for our members, alongside consistently investing time towards our goals.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw177.

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In this episode I'm joined by returning guest and new addition to our creative team, Shannan Manton. This week we're chatting about Shannan's creative journey with creating digitally and compiling her pages into a printed book. You'll hear how she stays inspired with her memory keeping along with tips for trying out this approach yourself. You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw092.

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It's far too easy to put off scrapbooking the stories that matter most. They can feel too precious to touch, too important for your amateur skills. But, what if you were running out of time? We have all faced the passing of loved ones and I know some of you have stared death in the face. Some of you may even be fighting that battle right now. The bucket list concept is such a powerful inspiration to action that we can all lean on to scrapbook with more intention. In this episode I introduce a new free tool to help you escape overwhelm and tell more of the stories that you want to have told. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Heba Alsibai is prolific creator who values simple, efficient means to the end result. She enjoys creating for the fun of it just as much as she values storytelling. In this episode you'll learn more about what keeps Heba engaged with this hobby and our online creative community. We explore her history, creative process, and current faves!

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw164.

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Jen Chapin was on the some of the most high profile design teams in the industry when she moved to a new house, changed her work schedule, and experienced viral growth of her YouTube channel from a video that wasn't even about scrapbooking. In this episode you'll hear when Jen learned from her time away from the hobby, the advice she has for aspiring content creators, and what she's excited to tackle next. You'll also hear a confession about my own creative productivity since launching this podcast. See the full show notes for this episode.

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So much of the scrapbooking industry revolves around trends, but at Simple Scrapper I’d like to think what we do is pretty timeless. In this episode I’m playing excerpts from my Weekly Pep Talks, a series of video podcast episodes I hosted in 2013. For each excerpt I’ll share my reaction and critique of how well that advice holds today. See the full show notes for this episode.

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How does social media make you feel? Is your scrapbooking truly your style? In this week's episode we dive deep into what it means to show up authentically in our hobbies and in this creative community. My guest is Suse Fish, a crafter with a quirky sense of humor and an impeccable eye for design.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw129.

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In this episode I'm interviewing Diane Dziuban, our June featured artist, for the My Way series. Diane's creative style served as inspiration for our current member challenge!

Diane dabbles in a range of sizes, loves Disney, and enjoys keeping her stash organized. I loved hearing about her passions, motivations, and more in the latest episode of our monthly series.

You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw120.

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It's one thing to talk about planners and another to actually use them. In this follow-up to episode 43, Alissa Williams and I review our big-picture goals for the year and the adjustments we've made to our respective planning processes. We're both practical planners, yet we take very different approaches. If you enjoyed our previous conversation, you'll love this conclusion. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Our creative journey in Planning kicks off today and this episode offers a preview of what you can expect, including our biggest event of the year. Kim and I catch up on our lives, our personal scrapbook projects, and the inner workings of Simple Scrapper in our monthly update.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw139.

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Franky Shanahan is a copywriter by day and scrapbooker by night, having recently leaned into a calling for creative recharge. Though she was raised with a huge value for memory keeping, scrapbooking as an intentional hobby is a new addition to her life. In this episode we explore how Franky has made slow, intentional choices as she wades into the world of modern papercrafting and storytelling.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw162.

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Jenna Fortner is a true champion for the Project Life App, giving generously to the online community through the Simply Project Life group, which she co-runs, on Facebook. In this episode we explore Jenna's journey in scrapbooking, the pure simplicity of the app, and a wide range of tips for memory keeping with this unique tool. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Alexa Gill is a long-time member of our creative team, contributing beautiful pages that document the story of her life. A vivid experience where she was questioned what she, as a woman without children, "had to scrapbook about" only deepened her passion for this hobby and strengthened her rallying cry. We all have stories to tell and this episode invites you to find more meaning in the everyday.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw137.

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In this month's catch-up conversation with Kim we talk planners, products, and more. We share what's new in our lives this summer as well as how we're using this time to think about what's ahead for us in the second half of 2021.

This episode also features a peek at what we're planning for the Photos creative journey, including the July 8 session of Refresh we have coming up! Refresh is our 4-day, members-only virtual retreat.

You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw122.

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The Project Life app has been a game changer for modern scrapbooking, offering a simple entry for beginners and a more portable option for even the most serious memory keepers. In this episode I'm joined by two Project Life app power users, Breon Randon and Patricia Dettloff, to explore the versatility of this free mobile tool. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Neftali Zambrano (aka All the Neffyness) loves to share her feminine side through floral motifs and script typography on her scrapbook pages. She's our featured artist for August and the inspiration for our current member challenge, featured in issue #88 of SPARK magazine. Our conversation covers styles, formats, supplies, motivation, process and more!

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw127.

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Robin Adryan is our Featured Artist for December.  We love the variety in her choice of formats, along with a harmonious balance of white space and details in her design style. You can hear Robin's story and what motivates her to create in this installment of the My Way series. See the full show notes for this episode.

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To "scrapbook your way" means choosing the approaches to memory keeping that feel simple and work for you. While this sounds easy on the surface, the wealth of creative inspiration (especially online) can make it difficult to cut through the clutter. Episode 001 introduces my slant on scrapbooking and what I hope to achieve with this new podcast. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Krystal Becker has a colorful scrapbooking style with plenty of clean lines to balance her love of florals and clusters. Though she began scrapbooking many years ago, she only transitioned to 12x12 layouts recently. You can hear more of Krystal's story and what motivates her to keep creating in this installment of the My Way series. See the full show notes for this episode.

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Sometimes it feels like life is an ongoing battle with clutter.  In this episode, Kim and I kick off Decluttering Month with some of our best advice for the clutter accompanying creativity. You'll walk away with new strategies for your scrap room as well as your entire house! See the full show notes for this episode.

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Whether she's making layouts or pocket pages, Krystal Iduñate is known for her analytical approach to using up products and getting stories told. I'm excited to have her on this episode to explore how she breaks down kits into specific project plans and endeavors to use the majority of each. I love how Krystal's methodical approach to memory keeping offers freedom from indecision and a focus on truly enjoying the process. You can find the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw107.

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When I asked "What was the best thing you did for your scrapbooking this year?" I didn't expect to get so many responses. It was incredible!

In this episode Kim joins me for our monthly chat. We catch up on our personal and creative lives, then feature some of your most-mentioned answers to the question.

This conversation offers a vast buffet of options for enhancing your memory keeping experience in the new year.

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw149.

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Nancy Damiano is a long-time scrapbooker who rekindled her passion for the hobby in smaller formats. In this episode you'll hear how she uses a combination of memory planning and smaller spreads to tell her stories.

Our conversation focuses on a variety of Nancy's techniques, especially the use of full-page photos. We talk photography, layout composition, journaling tricks, and more in this fast-paced and inspiration-packed episode!

See the full show notes for this episode at simplescrapper.com/syw125.

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Welcome to Scrapbook Your Way, the show that explores the breadth of ways to be a memory keeper today. In this mini episode I’m sharing a preview of what you can expect on the podcast when we launch in February. The best way to get started is with our free workbook.

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"Before your story, there was mine." These words still give me goosebumps when I think about the legacy of my memory keeping. So often it is the weddings and births that give rise to creative desires, but what about before? Some of the best stories happened before we started scrapbooking. In this episode, I'm joined by Kim Edsen to explore the purpose and process behind the Before Your Story album class. Registration for the upcoming live session opens Thursday, September 12. See the full show notes for this episode.

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