scrap.ti.cian:

ex.per.i.ment

an operation or procedure carried out under controlled conditions in order to discover an unknown effect

I've been dabbling a bit in digital lately, since my scrap room is all packed up in preparation of my move into a new space.

I'm a commited traditional scrapbooker. I love the feel of "real" materials and the process of playing with the right combination of them until my layout has the look I want. I love getting my fingers covered in paint or ink. I love the smell of glue and the taste of paste (admit it...you've tried it, too).

Yet, I have also loved the stuff coming out of the digital scrapbooking world in recent months. So, I decided to give it go since all my stuff - including the paste - is tucked away in plastic bins awaiting the move. The layout above is the result of my efforts. Not bad for a few minutes of time and a little photo editing. I will print it out and put it in Daniel's album.

I especially love the fact that I was able to quickly - and simply - capture this milestone with my son while the experience was still fresh in my mind. Also, since I don't have much in the way of digital "stuff", the decisions about what to include were pretty easy. Not a lot of struggling or reworking. Another option would have been to leave the digital embellishments off and put some from my stash on the layout once I printed it out. I've learned that is called hybrid scrapbooking - combining digital and traditional scrapbooking on a single layout.

While I don't forsee becoming a dedicated digital scrapbooker, digital definitely has a place in my life now. My willingness to try something new has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me.

What experiment have you been putting off lately?

If, like me, you've been thinking about digital, you can:

• find free video tutorials here
• download a trial version of Photoshop Elements 7 here (note: not available until the end of October)
• find free digital elements here
• shop for digital stuff here or here or here
• take an online class here
• Get the overlay I used in my layout here

Have a great weekend. Lisa

aware

vigilance in observing

Last Thanksgiving I had a scare. On a scale of one to ten, this one rocked my world at a 9.5 on the richter scale.

I found a lump in my right breast.

Since it was a holiday weekend, I wasn't able to get an appointment with my doctor until the following week. Then another couple of days until the mammography center could fit me in. Days that passed at an excruciatingly slow pace.

My story had a happy ending. I didn't have breast cancer. And since I had been diligent in getting my annual physicals and mammograms, and performing monthly self-exams, my doctor and I were able to guage the changes in my health. Yet, that fear; that glacial fist that wrapped around my heart and held it in its icy grip for the next five days, fractured my world.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Be aware. Encourage the women in your life to be aware. What can you do?

• Get the facts here and here or here.
• Give: donate,  walk, or shop.
• Remind a friend to get her mammogram. Call, send a note, make a lunch date. A convenient e-card is available here.
• Perform monthly breast self-exams.

Be empowered. Be aware.