A love hate relationship with technology

I love my new laptop. It is a good thing since I have been using it just about every waking hour since I got it. I am discovering all kinds of exciting new features that Windows 7 has to offer. There are some funky bits though, probably user related and not the fault of the technology. For instance, somehow as I am typing away I find that I have jumped over into another section of my text and there is this big batch of writing where it isn't suppose to be. I must be accidentally touching a key and don't realize it. I probably would catch this problem as I am typing if I was not a "pecker" typist and didn't have to watch my fingers instead of the monitor. If I could go back in time and talk to my teenage self, I would have insisted that I paid attention during typing class. While I was on that visit to my earlier self I would have insisted that I stuck with the French classes too. Both skills would definitely be handy today.

What I am not currently too keen on is the limitations of email. I have started my own business and I need to send documents to my potential customers. The problem is file size and not being able to send what I want. Again this is a user problem. I keep being told by that annoying little techy that lives inside of my computer that "the size of the file is too big, read the file size before you try sending it". Ever the rebel, I ignore the warnings and send the emails with the attachments and then curse it when the emails fail. A solution was required and now thanks to a very generous and patient new friend, I am getting a website. That's another tale for another day.

Now there are certain administrative functions that are required of any business, big or small. Paperwork. A necessary evil but evil all the same. Up until a couple of days ago I did not have a fax machine. I had a scanner but that meant scanning one page at a time and creating separate files for each scanned page. Now we are back to the evils of emails and file sizes. After several occasions where I was required to "fax" in documents and several subsequent rounds of bad words spoken, I decided to splurge on another piece of technology. A fax machine.

We are back to loving technology now. The 4-n-1 fax/printer/scanner (I don't know what the 4th thing is yet) which is wireless is just so amazing! Now no relationship is all good. I had some challenges getting the router to talk to the fax/printer in a secure mode. After a couple of hours with more bad words spoken, I called the help desk. Yes, it took me a couple of hours of making myself crazy before I called but that was partly due to the fact that it was 7am in the morning and my new love machine was calling my name and I just had to go and hook it up.(run on sentence intentional) A half hour on the phone with a very patient and very nice woman in the Philippines walked me through the steps and got me all hooked up. Now I have been faxing and printing and loving my new piece of equipment. The only thing is, it is in my living room on an end table and not necessarily the prettiest piece of home decor. Which means I have to adjust my current office space to accommodate the additional piece of equipment and other office related gear. That will involve moving furniture and assistance from my husband. Let me tell you, he isn't thrilled with the prospect. The thing is, once I am all set up nicely in my revamped office space with my laptop and printer, John will be left to himself with the TV in the living room and the clicker to himself. Big happy faces all around.

Now what did we do before we had all this technology? Hmmm, don't tell me, my laptop may get mad and do some other funky stuff. These things have personalities, I know it and you know it whether we are willing to admit it or not. As long as I stay "in Love' I will have no problems. Right?

New Laptop

Just had to post.
It took me a few weeks to make a decision to splurge on a laptop and I think I asked everyone and anyone for their 2 cents on what to buy in my price range. This decision may have taken more thought and energy than the purchase of my house. LOL

It took me a bit to get the wireless router in my house to acknowledge this computer but I persevered and got it done all on my own. Let's see how that works out when I take it out and about with me.

My next challenge is to get Open Office up and running. If you are not familiar with this free software and you do not have another Office package on your computer, I highly recommend it. Find the free download at www.openoffice.org
It is compatible with Windows office so if you want to share spreadsheets etc. you can.

I am off to CHA next week to check out all the new products. It is my intention to post as much as possible each night but if I get invited to a party, I might have to skip a night.

With any luck I will get my August layout up before I go, again that will depend on how much time I have this week. There is always lots to do with starting a new business. People to call, appointments to make, technology to master.

See you back here soon.

Summer Fun!

It's Hot and Humid and the air conditioning is working overtime. Yet is the perfect weather for many of your favourite summer activities. Whether you spend long days at the beach swimming and building sandcastles or you are having friends over for a BBQ, here is a fun layout to record your memories. Both day and evening classes are being held on Wednesday July 14th. First class is at 11:30AM and the evening class is at 6:30PM. You will need your basic tool kit including: scissors, ink blending tool and foam pop dots. Hope to see you at Scrapalicious.

Call 905-614-0085 to reserve your spot. Hope to see you there.

ATC Printers Tray & a few Tim Holtz techniques...

all together in one fun project where you can display some mini works of art and possibly a few memories. I have 12 Tim Holtz inspired ATC's that I have created and displayed in this 7 Gypsies ATC printers tray. I must say I have had so much fun creating this project using many of the techniques I learned last year when I attended Ranger U. It is a great way to try out on a small scale some techniques and have them available for viewing on something other than a tag. The problem is, I want to keep going and create more ATC's as I am sure you will too. This class is being offered at least twice this month. Once on Saturday June 12th from 1-4PM and on a Wednesday during the day, possibly June 23RD. This Saturday's forecast is calling for thunderstorms so what better way to spend the afternoon than doing something creative? Most everything is provided but you may want to bring some of your own embellishments so that you can add some of your personal style to this project. It is recommended that you bring your basic tool kit, ink blending tools and Distress inks (I will bring mine too), your non stick craft mat, scissors and some small photographs if you wish. Each of the sections measures 2-3/4" x 3-3/4" so SMALL is where it is at.

There is still space available in Saturday's class and cost is $50 which includes the ATC Printer's Tray, papers and some embellishments as well as other materials needed to accomplish the techniques used. I will bring lots of stamps for you to use but if you have any that you wish to use, bring them along with you.

Class runs for 3 hours but try to allow yourself some extra time to finish up.

Looking forward to seeing you out at this class and sharing these techniques with you.

Call Scrapalicious at 905-614-0085 to reserve your spot.

June's Layout of the Month - My Family...

June's class is layers on layers of paper by Fancy Pants. The collection is "My Family" too although I hadn't intended on doing a layout about my family. I hadn't even intended on actual photographs but I came across a layout I had done a few years ago that I was not too keen on that had photos and next thing you know I was ripping the old one apart and using these photographs on this months layout. There is lots of ways to use your photos on this layout and you can change up the title so that the layout will work for any number of occasions/events in your life. You will need a ruler for this one as we have some measuring to do. I have also added some inking and a grommet and one of my old favourite QK fonts. This class is being offered on Wednesday June 16th at 11:30AM and on Saturday June 26th at 1PM. Those interested in this class can call Scrapalicious at 905-614-0085 to register.

If those of you who have been coming out to my Wednesday day classes are interested in any additional classes in June, please email me and let me know so I can get busy. This weekend I am working on the ATC tray and I should have pictures up on my blog soon.

Be You

Sometimes I think I am loosing my mind. I had this layout finished for the May class a few days ago but could not find my camera. I knew I had it recently so it had to be in the house. I searched high and low and then high and low again. Then I panicked a little, took a break and then looked again. It was hiding in plain sight on top of some knitting I had pulled out to work on. Hmmm. Made myself just a little crazier. Oh well, I have it now and I have pictures of May's Layout of the Month.

Now if I could only master the technology and get this up on my blog the way I would like it, I would be a very happy gal. :-)

Looks like as we approach the summer months that demand for evening and weekend classes is down and for weekday classes is up. For now I can accommodate but for how long I do not know. If you are wanting an evening or weekend class, let me know. I am keeping the Saturday class on the schedule and the Wednesday evening class but it seems as if the Wednesday classes will be held during the day from11:30 to 1:30. This next class is being offered on Wednesday May 12th at 11:30AM BUT if you want an evening class you need to let me know ASAP.

Call Scrapalicious and reserve your spot. 905-614-0085

Watch for updates as I may be offering extra Wednesday day classes throughout May.

Hey Girlfriends!

Lucky me still has some extra time during the weekday and so I am having another extra class added to the schedule. This time I have used October Afternoon's Thrift Shop papers which is bright and fun and perfect for Spring. Bring your basic tool kit with you including a ruler. There is some stamping but no sewing on this layout. LOL

Join me Wednesday morning at 11:30am at Scrapalicious. They are closed on Monday so call first thing Tuesday morning to reserve your spot. 905-614-0085

My regular Layout of the Month is this coming Saturday May 8th at 1PM and the following Wednesday evening May 12th at 6:30PM. I will have that layout posted later in the week, hopefully by Wednesday evening. For that class I will be using WR Memory Keeper's "Vintage Blue" collection.