stacyjulian.com

Heads Up.

July 27th, 2010

I think I mentioned that my website was being transferred to a new server over the weekend.
We always intend for these things to go well.
Mostly, we’re good, but there are some minor glitches to be worked out.

1. Both Allison and I have lost all emails sent to stacy@stacyjulian.com and allison@stacyjulian.com (even though we did what we were told to do!)
This means if you were a winner in the big MISA giveaway on Friday. I need you to email me again. Remember: Put MISA WINNER in the subject line and include your full name, address and email, so Ella Publishing can contact you if needed. This also means that if you have sent any questions to Stacy or Allison and we haven’t responded, please send them again.

2. There are several error messages across my site.
Ignore these, they will disappear as quickly as possible.

3. I cannot post images to my blogs.
Again, we are working on this and will hopefully find a solution soon.

The good news is Kayce is vacationing (she so deserves a break!) She, being the techie queen that she is, generally coordinates these things for me. I am not about to bother her, so I’m happy to just wait this one out. It’s summer after all and there a few other things I can do besides worry about my site and blogs.

In the meantime, read this very funny dream that one of my blog readers had and sent me.
I’m sure your mind can conjure up images perfectly suited to the story.
I may just have to scrapbook this one, after I snap a photo of myself with a stalk of celery!

Dear Stacy,
You have had such an influence on me that last night I dreamt about you! I was in Spokane and came to your home. You had a huge, beautiful, fun, relaxing, 2 story home with a huge back yard and many people there. The back of your downstairs/basement had a huge door (like a garage door, only better looking) that opened up to your back yard, that seemed to go forever. At one point you pulled some food out of a refrigerator in the garage and brought it upstairs to where I was. You had chocolate cake, meat, and a stalk of celery. You handed me the cake to eat (so generous…it was delicious by the way!) and joked that you only fed your kids vegetables of course (the celery?) and certainly not chocolate cake. Then you laughed the most joyful laugh as of it say “yeah, right!”. You were really funny and very fun to hang out with, even with the craziness of everyone around (extended family, grandma’s, friends, me and some of my family). Just about the time I was going to be able to see your new office / scrap room, I woke up from the dream!

Tell me … have you ever scrapbooked a dream before?

(imagine my little sign off image here!)

Posted in Scrapbooking, Winners | 11 Comments »

10 Winners.

July 23rd, 2010

Ok, here’s the deal.
After reading as many comments as I possibly could,
I’ve decided that YOU all deserve an award …

I am therefore presenting you with this “Thank YOU” award.

Thank you for reading my blog.
Thank you for taking time to comment.
Thank you for being mothers, grandmothers, friends, teachers, mentors and volunteers.
Thank you for wanting to be faithful women, peacemakers, forgiving, kind, nurturing, happy, compassionate.

Thank you for being such good people — you really are!

If you name is listed below, please email me (stacy@stacyjulian.com) and put ELLA WINNER in the subject line. I will get your names to Angie, so she can sort out the prizes.

ONE.
Kristi B says:

July 23, 2010 at 4:56 pm (Edit)
I would win the award for oldest person to enjoy coloring. I have always loved to color. My kids (ages 10 & 4) color almost every night before bed. I love coloring books, school supplies & new markers. It isn’t a perfect picture though. Sometimes we color out of the lines – it is just the time to sit & be at peace & fill the blank space while hanging out with my kids.

TWO.
Bernice J says:

July 23, 2010 at 2:39 pm (Edit)
I would like to get an award for “Best Worker in the Background” award. I am one of those detail people that are in the background making things happen, and making the head honcho look good. I don’t want to get kudos for what I do, I know God sees what I do and why I do it.

THREE.
Amanda M. says:

July 23, 2010 at 7:19 am (Edit)
I would love to be influential for being a good wife, friend, and family member. Truly. I don’t want professional awards. I want personal ones. Little tiny ones that are given because they meant something to my family. “Best chocolate chip cookie maker”, Amanda. “Best card giver” Amanda. Thanks for the chance to win.

FOUR.
Karilyn A. says:

July 23, 2010 at 7:28 am (Edit)
I would like to win an award for using the gifts that God has given me to the best of my abilities. I think all to often in life we try to be someone or something we are not. We need to just keep trying to do our best, in our own little lives, and just know that by doing that, that we are making a difference.

FIVE.
sharolyn says:

July 23, 2010 at 10:12 am (Edit)
Congratulations on your award! I’m so glad I found your blog. If I was to win an award I would want it to be for being the best version of myself. For truely being the person that God created me to be…something I struggle with everyday…wish me luck!

SIX.
CJ says:

July 23, 2010 at 9:37 am (Edit)
Well, as someone who has taken several classes at BPS and currently taking Claudine’s class…yahoooo to you that you have received this award because what you have created in the scrapping world has been amazingly awesome! So, congrats to you!!!

As for what I would want an award for…it would be for consistently offering creative opportunities for expression and healing to the clients I work with as an Expressive Arts Therapist and Addiction Specialist. I work with women who are pregnant and/or mothers who are suffering with addiction issues, as well as coming from some of the most heart breaking backgrounds one can imagine exists in our sometimes twisted society. Yup, that’s what my influence is on a daily basis…helping them find their voices and recovery through the rediscovery of their creative souls.

SEVEN.
JoLynn says:

July 23, 2010 at 5:23 pm (Edit)
I would like to win an award for being the kind of teacher who never, ever, gives up on students. That and for sticking with my man as long as I have. (heh heh)

EIGHT.
Maryellen says:

July 23, 2010 at 4:38 pm (Edit)
I’d like to be remembered for a life of integrity. For me, that means being true to myself, my beliefs/values and and in my relationships with others. I strive for that and if I can reach and maintain that lofty goal I have to believe that at least some of it can fub off on the people I come into contact with and most of all my children.

NINE.
Kelly says:

July 23, 2010 at 12:35 pm (Edit)

I think if I were to receive a reward I would want it to be for being a good woman. For most of my life, I have had thoughts about being great, being known, etc. When my grandma passed away at the beginning of the year, my desire changed. Her life changed my life. She never won any award, no one really knew her outside of her community..but when I saw the amount of people her life touched by her kindness and acts of goodness, I wanted to be like her.

TEN.
Wendy says:

July 23, 2010 at 3:13 pm (Edit)
If I were to receive an award, it would have to be for being a great stay at home mom. It’s a much harder job than I ever imagined, and I would love to know that all of my hard work has been noticed! Thanks for the chance to win!

Before you go, I just have to share this comment with you. I know Ari and this cracks me up.
Ari will be receiving some happy mail!

ari macias says:

July 23, 2010 at 1:31 pm (Edit)

i think i will be winning the “iamsurviving7weeksinsummerwithacastonmylegandhavingtostayimmobializedwithoutgoingcrazy” award.
wiining something. ANYTHING. would seriously rock my world this summer:)

Please have a wonderful weekend.
I’ll be back Monday!

Posted in Winners | 6 Comments »

Friday FIVE + 10 Prizes!

July 23rd, 2010

The Most Influential Scrapbooker Award blog tour wraps up today.
In celebration, I’m sharing this Friday FIVE of things I’m excited about right now …

FIVE.

This Time to Scrapbook! eBook.
And here’s why.
I’m just really proud of Angie (and Wendy) for having the guts to gather together a group of extremely creative women and create an award, not based on a contest you enter, but on influence they as scrapbookers themselves, have felt. We all have different motivations for working in this industry, but I think it’s safe to say that each of the girls you’ve met this week are surprised and delighted to see their efforts called out. Our industry (like our world) is in the midst of change. The way we do business, the way we exchange ideas, the way we interact and support one another is being redefined. We need people, who are willing to look beyond their own product or service and remind us that we are not alone in growing and sustaining interest and energy around scrapbooking.

I love the vision of Ella and the idea that we learn best when we learn together.

FOUR.

This FREE classroom at Big Picture Scrapbooking.
And here’s why.
From the very beginning of BPS, I wanted August to be free. I wanted to give our students a chance to relax and enjoy the final weeks of summer without the pull of new classes and the pressure of doing an assignment because “I paid for this.”

This year, our “Take Summer Off” celebration is called The Big Idea Festival and features 13 teachers and 39 projects (detailed in full color handouts) and plenty of prize giveaways provided by our 13 sponsors. You really don’t want to miss this!

You can register and print a supply list HERE.

THREE.

This NEW pack of cardstock from Core’dinations.
And here’s why.
It’s mine. Hello? Happy colors embossed with the emotions they evoke. How cool is that?

My cardstock debuts at summer CHA.
I won’t be in Chicago, but I’ll be sharing much more about this in coming weeks!

p.s. Did you know that Core’dinations sponsors my I Love Color page. Every week I post a new color combination (except for when I don’t) and every week you have the chance to win Core’dinations cardstock by scrapbooking with the weekly combination and posting your work in our Flickr gallery.

TWO.

My fellow Friday “Influential”
And here’s why.
It’s been a thrill to be nominated for the Most Influential Scrapbooker award and to be paired with Shimelle makes it that much better. I have adored (seriously, how adorable is she?) Shimelle since the day we published (what I think) was her first layout in Simple Scrapbooks. It was page about her apartment and I remember thinking, how cool is this hobby that brings people (even across oceans) together and gives us a peak into each others’ lives.

Wait, there’s more (I love using phrases like that!)
You have a chance to win a pass to Shimelle’s latest online class and other COOL prizes, by clicking on the banner above and visiting her blog today!

ONE.

This giveaway.
And here’s why.
It’s HUGE. Whether you’ve followed the MISA blog tour or not, you still have 20 chances to win one of these prizes.

1. A $20 gift certificate from Ella Publishing Co.
2. Two digital-scrapbooking template packs (20 templates) from Cathy Zielske
3. A six-month Paperclipping membership from Noell Hyman
4. A “Play Date” product pack from Jenni Bowlin
5. A place in either a beginner photo-editing class or a beginner digital-scrapbooking class from Jessica Sprague
6. A spot in the “Beginner/Intermediate Online Photography Workshop” from Maggie Holmes
7. “Paper Girl” and “On Holiday” product packs from Margie Romney-Aslett
8. A $50 gift certificate toward any class on reneepearson.com from Renee Pearson
9. A place for you and a friend in both “Love Your Pictures, Love Your Pages” and “Journal Your Christmas” from Shimelle Laine
10. A place in either Elizabeth Dillow’s “Inspiration Defined” or Karen Grunberg’s “Book of Stories” from me!

All you have to do is read this excerpt from a column by Garrison Keillor (titled Not too Smart? No problem–just be nice!)
Angie sent this to me when I expressed a reluctance to accept this MISA award. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled, but … there are so many who are influential and I’m never sure how to gracefully accept these kinds of things without feeling uncomfortable.

Anyway, read it and then leave me a comment answering this question:
If you were to receive an award, what would it be for?
In other words, how do you want to be influential?

“Someone in Massahoosetts wrote to me saying they want to give me an award for something and I wrote back, saying that I am unworthy, etcetera, which, as you know, is true. Awards should go to those who have suffered for their art and not to one who has had a whale of a good time. But then I thought, “What if they don’t insist? What if they say, ‘OK, you are right, we made a mistake there. Sorry.’” I might never receive an award again.

So I tore up the declining letter and said Thank You instead.

Awards are notoriously unfair and some of the best people go unrecognized and some of the deadliest and dopiest get one Lucite trophy after another, but awards are major jujus in the world you and I live in. In the writing trade, if you win a Pullet Surprise, this is the Heisman Trophy, Get Out Of Jail Free card and Magic Twanger all rolled into one, and though it’s awarded by a roomful of large enchiladas at Columbia University in New York, and The Upper West Side Prize would be a more accurate brand name, nonetheless it has juju power all across the land. People bow low and tug on their forelocks when a Surprise winner walks into the room. Dogs are silenced. Fresh flowers are strewn. Maidens offer themselves.

This is how the world works. The lonely striver with bad hair and serious overbite who is scratching out her thoughts in the Omaha Public Library is facing a wall of sheer granite a thousand feet high and luckily for her she doesn’t know it now but someday she will and my heart goes out to her.

This Massahoosetts award should go to her, I guess, but it’s not mine to give, only to receive, and it is blessed to receive an award though my upbringing tells me that probably the day after the award ceremony I will be struck by a speeding bike and get a broken leg that will need replacement, knee and hip, with titanium joints and I will never polka so gallantly as I do now, but if fate dictates, who am I to protest?”

By the way, you can read the full column by clicking HERE.

NOTE: My website is being transferred to a new, larger server this weekend, so I cannot add anything to it for a few days.
I think the best thing to do then is select and announce the 10 WINNERS tonight at 5:00pm (pacific time)
I can’t wait to read your comments!

Posted in BPS Class INFO, Friends, Scrapbooking, iLoveColor | 476 Comments »

the MISA blog tour + In Reality, part one.

July 22nd, 2010

Today’s Most Influential Scrapbooker spotlight is directed at Renee Pearson and Margie Romney. I have worked and traveled with both of these women and can attest to their caring spirits, spunk and humor. I consider both dear friends and champion anything they set their hearts to. Click on either of these banners to get to know these women better and enter the week-long contest for LOTS of great prizes.

I’m home (yay!)
I’m sure I’ll be in catch up mode for a couple of days, but I’m now looking at four weeks of summer sans plans. I’m very happy about this and eager to relax with my kiddos, eat well and exercise, work on back-burner projects and finalize the move to my upstairs office!

I so appreciate your response to my post yesterday.
Thank you.

I’m hoping to publish my first “In Reality” post later today.
I’ve got a meeting right now and want to get the info about today’s MISA girls up in a somewhat timely fashion.

In Reality, part one.

I mentioned yesterday that I want to shed some light on current challenges I’m facing and learning to deal with. I don’t know how long it will take me to complete this series of blog posts, but I do know that I’m still very much in the midst of learning and adapting, so I need you to anticipate more exploration than explanation.

I took a walk with my camera one morning in May.
I was trying to photograph a pair of something for the Picture Spring course at BPS.

After snapping this photo, I pulled the tree branch down and snapped these flowers from a new perspective.

I snapped both of these pictures the same week that I experienced the shift in perspective that I’m sharing today.

I’ve decided to title this series, In Reality, because what I assume is real, is really just my perspective. This personal “reality” can and does change with new information or experiences that shifts my perspective.

NOTE: As always, I love to read your thoughts and comments, but please, don’t think you have to read these long posts. I am using my blog to help me capture journaling that will ultimately become pages in a new scrapbook album, dedicated to these life lessons. If you are just interested in the summary, scroll to the bottom of the post.

For more than a year, my right big toe has been hurting. The first time I remember noticing my toe was during yoga. I was moving from upward dog into downward dog and I felt a slight tweak. I didn’t think much of this. After this, my toe would bother me for the first several minutes of a run. Several months later, I visited our chiropractor friend, who confirmed that I indeed had limited range of motion in that toe. His recommendation was to get an X-ray and cut back on high impact exercise. I ignored the first bit of advice and decided that since it was fall I would focus on yoga and limit my cardio exercise to 20-minute sessions on my ellipse-style machine in our basement.

Unfortunately, my toe and my attitude only got worse. I have loved and prioritized exercise ever since I was a teenager. It is my most trusted source of stress relief—but even yoga was becoming painful. I started a silent “why me” campaign and decided I would do what I wanted to do in spite of “my stupid toe.” I was mad, mad, mad that I had somehow injured my toe and it wasn’t getting better.

In April as the days were growing longer and my desire to be outside was growing stronger, I finally followed through on getting an X-ray and making an appointment with a podiatrist. On the first visit to the doctor’s office, I was told I have degenerative arthritis in my toe. At least now I had a real reason to be mad, but the question remained, why me and more specifically, why this toe?

The doctor asked lots of questions about possible injuries and other causes and finally said, “Is there anything else I should know?”
I told him that I had had surgery, to remove a tumor in my right inner thigh, 17 years ago and that since that time my right leg and foot has had a tendency to swell. I wondered out loud, could this occasional swelling (primarily associated with air travel) have caused this arthritis over time?

His response, “I don’t think so. Tell me more about your cancer.”
Since Parachordoma (my type of cancer) is very rare, the surgeons decided to operate again and remove all five of my adductor muscles—those immediately surrounding the encapsulated tumor.
You should have seen the doctor’s face.
“That’s our cause!” he said
“It is? What do adductor muscles have to do with my toe?” I countered.

Everything.

For seventeen years my leg has been compensating bio-mechanically and my poor little big toe has taken the brunt of this corrective attempt, which has enabled me to run without obvious incident.

Wow.

You mean my “stupid toe” really isn’t that stupid afterall?
You mean I’ve been able to jog for years because of my amazing body and it’s ability to adjust and compensate?

Needless to say, my perspective shifted and my attitude is changing.

I am now wearing orthotics in my shoes and I’m learning to run less and walk more.
I miss my long Saturday morning jogs, but I’m considering other forms of exercise (biking?) not just as temporary options, but as potential longtime pursuits.

Following my surgery seventeen years ago, I was told I would have to deal with some limitations (ie. no water or snow skiing and occasional falls when lateral traction is challenged.) Initially walking and running would feel awkward, but if I was diligent I would be able to adjust and pursue an active lifestyle.

I have, and I am so very grateful for the years of running I’ve enjoyed.

Summary

Assumption: I unfairly injured my toe
Reaction: Anger and frustration
New Reality: My toe joint has literally worn itself out attempting to compensate for years of running.
What I’ve learned: Things are not always what you think they are. I now feel grateful for the chance to explore other forms of exercise!

Posted in Exercise, Friends, Scrapbooking | 28 Comments »

more MISA + my page in the book

July 21st, 2010

Each of the nominees for the 2010 Most Influential Scrapbooker award were asked to create a layout for the “Time to Scrapbook” e-book.
The assigned topic?
10 Things I Love About My Life Right Now.

It’s no secret (to my regular blog readers) that I’ve been through a difficult time this past spring. When I received this assignment, I thought,
“Great, what am I going to do?”
I don’t even like my life right now and I’m supposed to detail ten things I love?

I chewed on my dilemma for a number of days and finally came up with a twist on this topic that allowed me to be authentic without being a complete downer.
My layout is titled … The 10 Things I Love About the Things I Hate in My Life Right Now.

For about a year, my life has been one of change. From the demise of Simple Scrapbooks magazine and a new phase of growth and responsibility at Big Picture Scrapbooking to shifting schedules at home (all a part of growing children) and seemingly small but irritating health issues, I’ve been unable to honor several of my proven rituals that help me both cope and thrive.

Without initially realizing it, I started down a slippery slope of negative emotion and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I eventually found myself dealing with pretty severe anxiety, lack of energy and roller coaster emotions. Rather than admit these problems as being real, I chose to ignore and discredit them—I mean, how could I, surrounded by a beautiful family and amazing opportunities, allow myself to wallow in self-pity. I tried to “will” my frustration away, but this denial only added fuel to my fire of deteriorating self-confidence.

I was teaching Library of Memories right at the height of this craziness. I love teaching LOM, but to add it to my life, on top of everything else, I have got to be on my A game.

I wasn’t.

Only recently have I taken the time to really investigate my issues, uncover root causes and begin the healing process. I’m eager to share some of what I am learning. It’s not easy navigating daily life in this age of information and connection, but I’ve discovered through blogging that I am “never alone,” so as I share my experiences I hope to open a “Real Life” [edited 7.22 : I'm going to call these posts "In Reality"] dialogue about challenges that I bet lots of other women deal with.

Stay tuned …

Today, Ella is spotlighting Maggie Holmes and Jessica Sprague.
Click on either of these images to visit their blogs, get to know them better and of course, make yourself eligible for prizes!

We’re making the final leg of our journey home today.
This is a very good thing.

Posted in Present Living, Scrapbooking, learning | 62 Comments »

More of MISA (from Bear Lake)

July 20th, 2010

Checking out of our condo at Bear Lake today and heading home.
Headed to the pool for one last Hoorah with extended family.

We’ve decided to make this reunion a regular event. We’ll meet again in 2012.
The joy of meeting my cousins’ families and watching our children interact is what life is all about.

Angie is doing a marvelous job of profiling each of the Most Influential Scrapbookers for 2010, on her blog. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to click over and get to know these ladies better!

Noell Hyman and Jenni Bowlin are the spotlighted scrapbookers today!

I traveled with Jenni (and her husband Jared) to Africa in 2008 and I’m getting to know Noell via the Paperclipping Roundtable — both are well deserving of this award.

Congratulations GIRLS!

When you visit their blogs, you can enter to win LOTS of really good prizes!

Posted in Family, Scrapbooking | 4 Comments »

24.7 + 1st annual MISA Award

July 19th, 2010

I’m sitting in the clubhouse at the Ideal Beach Resort, looking out the window at beautiful Bear Lake. My family is in charge of the group games, which start in 15 minutes–so this will be quick. Today’s post is important for two reasons.

1. You have a chance to participate in a historic film-making event.

2. You have a chance to learn about and honor some of the most influential leaders in our scrapbooking industry.

This Saturday (24th day of the 7th month) you have the opportunity to participate in 24.7, an extremely unique, user-generated feature film.

Listen to Ridley Scott talk about what you need to do.

24.7 Life In A Day is a documentary, shot in a single day, by you.
On July 24, you have 24 hours to capture a glimpse of your life on camera.
The most compelling and distinctive footage will be edited into an experimental documentary film, produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald.

Learn more on YouTube, HERE.

And … Ella Publishing Co. has nominated me as one of the nine Most Influential Scrapbookers of 2010. I’m truly honored and eager to see Ella succeed in their efforts to support and connect leaders in our industry and (let’s be honest) publish great e-books. You can learn more about this award, the nominees, and the blog tour on the Ella Blog.

Please help me honor my fellow nominees by visiting their blogs throughout the week. You could win one of 100 cool prizes!
Click below to say hello to today’s spotlighted blogger.

It’s Cathy and she is absolutely one of the women that has been most influential in my scrapbooking. Love YOU Cathy!

Posted in Contest, Present Living, Scrapbooking | 10 Comments »

Almost done…

July 16th, 2010

in more ways than one.

I’m posting from Butte, Montana where my family is staying on our way to the James L. McDougal family reunion at Bear Lake. My mom and dad arrived in Spokane last night at 6:00pm. Since then, Mom and I have spent every waking moment finishing, copying and assembling 15 scrapbooks celebrating the centennial of my grandfather’s birth (July 23, 1910)

What a job–trust me when I say it has been a day of toil, tears and triumph.
We are so close.

The best part is of course the photos and the stories and the knowledge that we are accomplishing a great thing.

Just look at this cool photo of my grandpa James as a young schoolteacher/principal at the Colombus school in Campbellsport, Wisconsin.

And, all of these …

The other best part is that I typed up an outline for a new class at Big Picture Scrapbooking. I figured if I’m going to go to all this work, I might as well help others tackle and simplify a big project like this!

All this family history has made me think a lot about Addie and ALL that I don’t know. I chatted yesterday with Noell and Izzy Hyman, Nancy Nally and CD Muckowsky about scrapbooking adoptive and mixed families — that conversation sparked my thoughts about what I want to eventually do for Addie.

I’m hoping to blog a bit more about this very soon.
In the meantime, you can listen to The Paperclipping Roundtable, Episode 28 HERE.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Posted in Family, Scrapbooking | 27 Comments »

here’s a cute idea.

July 15th, 2010

it’s mid July.
it’s safe to say that IF you are a mom there’s a good chance you’re officially sick and tired of loading 17 empty glasses into the dishwasher before noon.

here’s the plan…

1. login into your account at Shutterfly and order a set of photo coasters.
2. place them on your kitchen counter, island, table (whereever) and place a glass on top of each one.
3. gather children pictured on coasters around and inform them that the glass on top of their picture is their glass and only their glass.
4. add your “no uncertain terms” details

that’s it.
excess glasses under control!

NOTE: A blog reader recently wrote in explaining that she could not find my post about the summer coasters, and then she went on to explain the idea. She cannot find this post because it is NOT mine. However, I love it, so I immediately snatched it up the idea and have now implemented it. If you happen upon another source/blog for this idea, please do inform!

BTW: I ordered my coasters on Friday and they arrived Tuesday (sweet.)

Check out these COOL grab bags from my sponsor Scenic Route.
50 sheets of Scenic Route paper for $10.00
100 sheets of multi-brand pattern paper for $20.00

Posted in Family, Love This!, Organization, Summer | 21 Comments »

my shop page.

July 14th, 2010

You can now purchase both of my books, The Big Picture and Photo Freedom on my shop page.
Click HERE.

FYI. I’m selling The Big Picture for $12.95 and Photo Freedom for $19.95 (+ shipping/handling.)

I will have a description of each book and details posted on the shop page very soon. In the meantime, just click on the appropriate PayPal “Buy Now” button.
And, if by chance you want to purchase both books, please sit tight.
We are working on an affordable shipping solution — I want to make this easy on YOU and Allison.

Thanks for your patience.

I promised to share the rest of my, why-I-didn’t-purchase-the-yellow-love-seat story, here you go …

So, about 100 yards past the entrance of The Vintage Barn show/sale, I see what appears to be exactly what I’m looking for, but am sure I won’t find–I mean, what are the chances I’m going to run into a yellow love seat that is sort-of retro, but not over-the-top old (for my new office boasting a odd collection of contemporary + vintage.)

My heart starts racing and I’m not really sure what to do, so I step back, squint my eyes (attempting to picture it sitting in my space), turn around a couple of times and think, Ok … no one else appears to be looking at this. I’ll walk away and just think through this– after all, the love seat comes in a set with a chair (which I’m not too keen on purchasing.) I check the price tag and decide I’m definitely good with paying for both (if I have to.) I walk to the next booth to find Hillary in whom I confide, “I think I’m buying furniture for my office!” She walks back with me and I locate the vendor — I start to ask about breaking up the set and she says…

“I just sold it”

WHAT?
Just now?
Are you kidding me?

Who bought it?
I must know. I want to tell her what good taste she has and how happy I am for her (I really did say that!)

Anyway, a booth or two later, I see this cute girl trying on a bright green hat, which catches my attention for obvious reasons. I think to myself, “she looks very familiar!” and then I meander on.

The booths are set up in a giant circle. Almost two hours later, as we are leaving I hear,
“Is that Stacy Julian?”

I turn around to find the cute lady I had seen earlier, standing very near “my love seat,”
Her name is Melody, she’s a scrapbooker and we’ve met a couple of times around Spokane.

In the course of the conversation, I say to Melody, “See that adorable yellow love seat? It was supposed to be mine, but someone else bought it.” You probably know what Melody says next…

“That’s mine. I bought that set!”

No way.
Let’s take our picture on your new love seat …