Wow. Check out this cool scrapbook stapler - also known as a “Fastenater” - what a COOL WORD!

EK Success Fastenater Decorative Stapler
From: Scrapbook.com

Use this “fascinating” tool like a desk stapler to enhance projects of all sorts - comes with 48 Staple Bars in the Barcelona Copper design. A great alternative to using brads! Tool Features: Ability to staple anywhere on a 12 x 12″ paper Alignment Stopper can be moved along ruler base to aid in precision Loading capabilities just like a regular desk stapler Comfort grip on handle Rubber stoppers on bottom keep tool from sliding Staples up to 5 pieces of cardstock.

While I have never even considered stapling my album pages (you may have guessed I am a bit of purist) I can see how this tool would be very useful for the folks who do like stapling on their pages. Do you?

Since I have officially been doing my Book of ME album for a whole day now I have started to notice all the sub themes that are out there. You know how you never even notice the car commercials until you are shopping for a car - these album themes are everywhere now.

Basic Grey is sponsoring a 2005 BE BOLD Album Contest.

The content is all about being BOLD in creating an album. The album theme choices are indeed, bold. At first glance it doesn’t seem so, but if you start to think about doing an entire album on any of these topics and staying BOLD about it, the fact is that there would be some serious emotional work in doing one of these.

b. Choose a theme for your album from one of the following nine (9) themes:
(1) Life As We Know It
(2) Who I Am
(3) I Never Imagined
(4) Believe In Yourself
(5) My Legacy
(6) Chances Are
(7) Life, Unexpected
(8) Defining Moments
(9) Life’s Challenges

I will probably not enter the contest, but I am going to give these themes some serious consideration as I make more progress on my Book of ME album.

Anybody entering?

Since I keep mentioning Angie’s book, here is the info on it.

Today I was over at my mom’s house scrappin my daughter’s School Album. It was a blast and I am so excited to have her Preschool and Kindergarten years done. But the best thing that happened today was that I officially started MY Book of ME Album. Here’s how it happened:

I was working on my daughter’s Kindergarten graduation page when I realized I had two photos too many. One was easy to take out - a different shot of the same two people on the previous page. The other was more difficult. It was a great shot of me. There was one of both of us together and then one that my daughter took of just me. I LOVE this photo of me. Not only is my hair good, my makeup good and all that usual stuff, but also I just look genuinely happy. And I can remember why! The emotion of the moment is still just a fresh for me as it was that day of May 9, 2003.

I did not want to leave this photo out of the album.

Then it struck me. This is HER album. Her album from school. Of course I leave the one of her and I together in. After all, it was at the Mother’s Day/Graduation Day event. The one of just me is for MY album. The one I get to make for just me. About me. Just because it happened at her school doesn’t mean that is where I have to scrap the photo.

I set the photo aside with an extra spring in my step. I started thinking of the things about myself I want to capture. As I drove home I started thinking about the photos of me that I really love and I bet I will find that they are the times I was truly in the moment. Just loving what I was doing right then and not thinking about something else.

It is safe to say that MY album about ME is truly underway. Another thought went through my head too…

“Angie Pedersen will be so proud.”

I am so excited it is September and almost Labor Day weekend. I can jump into my favorite season with two feet! YEAH. Fall is the best. The air goes crisp. Colors change. My jeans and sweaters come out. Cropping season is in full swing.

This weekend I am going to have some good scrapping time. Will be finishing up my high school reunion pages from my 20 year reunion in 2004. (Go Class of ‘84! ) Also putting the finishing touches on our Disneyland album. Then I can get my daughter’s school album underway from Preschool to Second Grade. I can hardly wait.

Do you have any big scrapbooking plans for the weekend?
Is fall your favorite season too?