Smiles from a Clean Scrapbook Room

So I spent the day cleaning. I threw away almost 3 trash bags of stuff....still trying to figure out how it got so out of hand...Guess I better start doing my 15 minutes like Flylady tells me to. (Maybe I'd better shine my sink before I go to bed....LATE, after not wearing shoes most of the day....OOPS...sorry Flylady, I back slid BAD)
Anyway, even though my room is not perfect, it is now manageable and I can work on some long past due projects. (ie Taxes...UGH)
I would love to hear of any suggestions to make my room better or just about things you like, etc. Here are the cleaner pictures....and of course, this time you can see Elora....LOL

Confessions from a Dirty Scrapbook Room

I thought I was organized UNTIL I took pictures. Now it is all becoming very clear to me why I cannot seem to get ANYTHING done in here. For starters, there isn't a clean surface in the room except for maybe on the top shelf and since I need a ladder to get up there, that doesn't seem like a practical place to create or work.
Apparently the cleaning fairy didn't come last night (or any night for a LONG time), so I'm going to have to do it.
Now, I have to say, last year (or was that two years ago?), I decluttered like crazy and gave 12 Priority Boxes of scrapbook supplies away, so I definitely don't have as much to do this time. This actually looks more like actual trash.
So here are the BEFORE pictures.

Nodes AKA Construction Points-What the heck are they anyway?

This is one of those questions that I know...I do okay explaining it in person, but I'm lousy at putting it into the written word. Anyway today while reading my email I came across one of the best descriptions of this. I asked Jack if I could post it on my blog and he graciously said yes, so here is a GREAT description of what nodes/construction points are and their function.

"Yes, 'nodes' are the same thing as 'construction points' -- your
cutting file for any design basically consists of a list of
definitions for 'vectors', or lines that when followed, will cut out
your design. The nodes and lines define a 'path' for the cutter to
follow. The nodes are really the end points of these lines (straight
and/or curved). What you see on your screen are representations of
those lines, generated by the software, using the vector definitions
to 'draw' the lines that will later be cut.

Most of the time, these vectors will be connected at their end points
(nodes) and when cut, the blade will follow each line in a continuous
cut (i.e., path) without lifting the blade. To cut pieces that can be
lifted from the mat in one piece, all of the lines defining its
outline must be continuous, with no 'open nodes'. Some lines for cuts
within a piece may be intentionally 'open', such as slits, dashed fold
lines, etc.

When you use a command to 'simplify path', what you're really asking
for is to reduce the number of lines needed to create the design by
combining connected lines and eliminating the node between two lines
that are going in 'almost' the same direction -- thus smoothing out
some curves, making two lines into one straight one, etc. Always bear
in mind that even if they look clever, all computers are stone dumb --
REALLY dumb -- and any decisions about what nodes to eliminate is some
programmer's guess at what you might someday want. Sometimes they get
it right, and the file is smaller, cuts faster and better --
sometimes, combining two lines means eliminating a detail of your
design that you didn't want to lose.

When you magnify a design and see lots of excess nodes, there are a
number of ways to clean up your design, which can be tedious, but only
you can make consistent decisions as to what is a collection of excess
nodes and what is a critical part of your design.

Remember, every node generally represents a point where the cutter
blade will have to change direction, and sudden sharp corners and
reversals of direction will be hard to cut cleanly. Often you will see
spots on what should be a smooth curve or straight line where there
are two direction switchbacks that form a sort of 'Z' shape in the
line. Unless you really intended for this to show as part of the
design, eliminate them and your design will cut much cleaner.

Hope this sorts a few of your questions out...

Jack"


Thanks Jack for sharing your computer knowledge to us and helping us understand better why and what we are doing.

Amazingly Simple Home Remedies

I had a friend share these with me and just had to share with everyone.

Amazingly Simple Home Remedies

1. If you're choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.

2. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.

3. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you'll be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

8. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

9. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem

Happy St. Patricks Day Gift

Here is a quickie paper piecing I created just for you. Click on the PHOTO and you can download your very own cutting files.

If you are going out tonight...be safe.