Wednesday 17 January 2007

My life as a scrapbook embellishment

I made a comment over at Bubbah’s place earlier today about why.

Yup, why blog about someone else’s hobby?

As I explained there, scrapbooking is pervasive. Once you let it through your front door forever will it dominate your household.

I know that when Mrs Grendel first started scrapbooking that she used to pick a favourite photo to scrapbook and choose paper and embellishments that matched the photo.

Now I am not 100% certain of this, but I have a real suspicion that this is no longer the way it works. Looking over the last 4 intensely scrapbooked years I can see a trend now that I hadn’t seen before.

Mrs Grendel is no longer matching paper and embellishments to us, she is changing us to match her papers and embellishments!

There come a time when the critical mass of paper and other product becomes so great that they exert some kind of physical influence on their surrounds. I like to call this the ‘Basic Grey Effect’ after the product range that my clothes and the boys clothes now match most closely.

Now Mrs Grendel is pretty good at this scrapbooking lurk. She was a national master in 2005 for the really big scrap magazine down here in Australia and she regularly turns out pretty stunning pieces of art – many of which are now hanging on the wall rather than just in albums. However I am an awkward subject to scrapbook – my boys make much better foci than I, but there are times when I am wearing certain clothes that fit the profile I mentioned above when I see her looking at me in a certain way and I suspect a little more remodelling may be around the corner so that I fit better on the page.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good evening to your good morning. Your suspicion is totally correct. Although I deny this myself, I have often heard conversations from the other women about picking out winter coats for the kids, or dressing the kids in triads to add to the expected LO's. BG is not a horrible style statement to make, and it allows you to be a bit grungy around the edges.

My second thought is that you need to be doing journaling for your family’s albums. Clearly a gift for the sardonic turn of phrase.

"Grendel" said...

Dr Sheryl, thanks for the confirmation - I think I'll experiment a little with dress in the next few weeks and determine the optimum combinations for felicitous relationships with Mrs Grendel in scrapbook mode.

BG (Basic Grey?) probably arrived in our house because of a certain natural grunge level around me and the need to find something I could blend into.

I work in government where a bent for the sardonic is essential for continued mental wellbeing.

Alli said...

yes... why don't you journal for me more? you can wax lyrical on blogs but the last time you wrote something for me I think I received 3 lines from you LOL

and where is the harm of making sure your children don't clash before a play date/photo session :)I mean what is so strange in this conversation..

What are A&R wearing so E matches.. totally natural

Anonymous said...

I reckon some photos of her work are in order, so we can see what all the fuss is about.

"Grendel" said...

Ah well that might be an idea Anon. Being stuck here at work I can't readily choose some - Mrs Grendel's blog is a place to start www.allipats.blogspot.com but I reckon a few choice selections of her work may make this blog after I get home.

Anonymous said...

This blog is brilliant....

I'm not much of a blog reader, but this one has been bookmarked to come back and check for the next installment :D

I'm pretty certain my husband wouls sympathise with you 100% on most of your comment too !!!!!

"Grendel" said...

Gracias! you are too kind. Also the pressure is now own for me to maintain a standard! (a good thing that kind of pressure though)

Chrissie said...

Oh you have just made my Funniest Blog in the World on my list of favourites on my blog.

And I blogged about you too.

BRILLIANT!!! ROFLPIMP!!! (waahaahaa!)

Anonymous said...

Your gaining popularity in the uk - lol, http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=147532
and I have to admit your writing style is compelling! You should be a satirist(sp) youre wasted in government - they just dont have a sense of humour. Bookmarkd for future entertainment.

CarolineO said...

Fab blog!! So funny! Think I'll keep my husband away from it though. Too much information!

Debs said...

Just found your blog through aforementioned UKScrappers ... my DH certainly will enjoy reading this one! Have so enjoyed your ramblings and am off to see your DW's blog and be inspired!

Anonymous said...

Very funny and very well observed... Now you need to be published monthly in a scrapbooking magazine... You may as well be paid for your long suffering ;)

P.S. I love the book Grendel :)

Celfyddydau said...

i love your blog. Just wait until she asks if you want a go. You'll get told it's paper engineering. Or you might be introduced to Digi-scrapping. :D

We changing the world one layout at a time...

Anonymous said...

What, you haven't been roped into it already???? to coin a phrase: resistance is futile.

Just wait for a weekend 'team challenge', you'll end up spending your time, doing your wife's hobby, so your wife can get points for your wife's team on your wife's forum so that your wife can win something - and guess what, that prize isn't a nice power tool, oh no, yup, it's a contribution to that organically growing 'stash'

Chrissie said...

There are other men who are mocking us too...

Check out my blog for the You Tube vid I posted today.

Skippie said...

Absolutely brilliant! Have bookmarked too for future updates.
I too found you through your mention on UKS :)
My (soon-to-be husband) partner is sat here nodding his head to EVERYTHING lol.
I agree re comments relating to your obviously natural talent for writing, go for it!

"Grendel" said...

No, gentle scrappers, it is not to mock that I spread my life before you but rather to comprehend.

4 years on and I'm not getting far though!

Erin&Casper said...

You better be careful, Grendel...
Looks like the blogging world is onto you, have fallen in love...
No doubt it will start with a page in their albums dedicated to "Funny scrapbooking blog" and in no time, you will have millions of UK ladies setting aside their "Grendel Studio"... its a viscious cycle.

"Grendel" said...

Ha - a Grendel Studio, now that WOULD be a sight. Personally my own version would appear to be a dank cavern, but would have to be more hobbit-like in climate - a small fireplace and moderate library would be acceptable - oh and wireless internet. The modern Grendel must retreat to a lair with appropriate commications - perhaps I could just email Beowulf and arrange a flame war on a forum of his choice.

Beckie said...

Hee Hee! I have totally PMSL! That is so funny and DH is gonna find is funny! You have such a gift for writing ... you and you DW must be a great scrapping team!
Thanks for making me laugh :)

Anonymous said...

Ha this is so funny!!! I can tell you really like scrapbooking deep down - you are taking far too much of an interest in your wife's harmless Hobby. Start saving up for that cruise, cos she's gonna want to go soon!!!

misteejay said...

This is soooooo funny, found you through Chrissie's "Life is Scrap" blog. Have bookmarked you for future ref until I get a chance to rearrange my blog to add a new link section.

Best wishes, Toni :o)

Chrissie said...

LOL at the cruise comment!

*whispers* Does he even KNOW there are scrapbooking cruises. Might this be the thing that tips him over the edge...?

mdingy2 said...

Ha! Oh Yes! The number of times I have been herded to a certain place at a certain time (Like sunset) to take certain pictures all because the DW wants to use the new embelishments or paper that she has bought.