9 to 5: October Afternoon Sneak!

There is far too much excitement around CHA sneak peeks right now for me to blog about such mundane things as the fox I saw in my backyard yesterday or the fact that I was in bed for the entirety of the long weekend with the flu. Rest assured, I have jumped on the Project Life bandwagon and am documenting all of these things and will share those with you once the CHA craziness has abated.

Today, October Afternoon revealed its first sneak (hello brad, I've been waiting for you for a long time...):

I've seen some chatter indicating that some of you out there in cyber-scrap-land aren't sure this line is for you if you're a stay-at-home mom, or someone who doesn't like her job, or someone who has no work photos and never intends to take photos of work, etc., etc., etc. I can appreciate having those concerns. However...without further ado, here are 10 ways you could think about using the themed parts of this line (and not everything is themed - this is, after all, October Afternoon! :)):

1. Make a layout about your desk, whether you are a "my desk is always clean" type or, like me, a "how many layers under is that important field trip form I was supposed to sign?" type. If you are the former, you'll probably want to take a picture or two for that layout. If you're the latter, you might want to go photo-less (or maybe just apply some glue to cardstock and throw a bunch of office-themed embellishments at the cardstock to replicate what your desk looks like).


2. Make a "congratulations on your new job!" card for anyone you know who's just gotten a new job or a promotion.


3. Scrap your obsession with "Mad Men." Sure, that girl at the desk doesn't have Joan's curves, but she does have the red hair! :)


4. Make a back-to-school layout.


5. Scan and then print out your child's schoolwork or homework (or your schoolwork or homework, past or present) and make a photo-less layout showcasing that piece of schoolwork or homework.


6. Document your work history, with or without photos. I am actually thinking about making a photo-less work album. I've had all kinds of interesting jobs that most people, even my closest friends, don't know I've had (unless I've known them a really long time...you know who you are...).


7. Make a layout about a job you would have if you didn't have the one you have now. I know I would love alternate lives as a food writer, in advertising (although I wouldn't want to work for Don Draper), or as a museum exhibit designer.


8. Use the clock motifs to document a day in your life. Or how you are always early or late. (Or late because you can't find your keys on your messy desk...but I digress...)


9. Make a layout about the family business. For several generations my family owned and operated Boxer's Furniture Stores in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. No one knows this. I should write it down. 


10. Make a layout about your budget. Forget the facts and figures: What are you saving for? how have you stayed debt-free? What are your monthly bills? (my kids can't imagine a time before cell phone bills and cable TV bills and the monthly Netflix fee and the monthly Pandora fee and...)


Convinced of 9 to 5's potential yet? I think this line is going to be a great driving force for me to document some memories and thoughts and wishes that I don't necessarily have photos for. Love when that happens - it makes my scrapbooks reflect a more complete picture (even without pictures!) of my and my family's life.

Stay tuned for more October Afternoon sneaks prior to CHA! :)