Ethnic Scrapbooking

Perspective

I use a quote about perspective in the front of my book, because that's the frame of mind I want you to have as you read through the pages.  My hope is that you open your mind and see things from a different perspective. 

Here's one of those dreaded e-mail forwards that I receive and it sums up the way I want my children to see life, especially when they are experiencing and embracing a new culture.

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the

country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be

considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father

asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a

pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that

has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at

night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go

beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our

food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect

us, they have friends to protect them."The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if

we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we

don't have.

Thanks Jeff for sending this to me!

Telework Culture

I've been a part of the telecommuting culture for over 13 years now.  For all those years, I've faced a blank wall while I do my work.  My co-worker Kathy can attest to that because she came to check out my work space once. This summer the kids and I started working on these wall canvases.  My goal is to do one canvas for each child and grandchild and line them up along my family room wall.  I have wireless computers, but I'm just comfortable in one spot...facing the wall (although I could use a new chair).

Telecommuting can be lonely...there's no water cooler talk, no hot coffee available all day and really boring lunches.  It's a culture that was almost unheard of when I started doing it 13 years ago, but now it's more fashionable and more readily available than ever before.  I'm just thankful that it has allowed me to be the primary care-giver for my children.

Here's my first scrapbook on the wall canvas.

Boy after my own heart...

My grandson Tavien has heard "book talk" his whole life LOL.  So we shouldn't be surprised that he loves books...this boy has a book in his hands all the time, he's constantly trying to find someone to sit and read to him...he can identify characters and knows how to hold a book right side up.

This is not a posed shot...he lined up the books...my 12 year old grabbed the camera and got the shot.  It pays to have a loaded/charged up camera close by at all times.

First Book Signing

I was so glad to be able to have my first book signing at Mt. Oak's Women's ministry fundraising crop in my hometown.  I also did a Sizzix Big Kick demonstration.  It was well received amongst the advanced scrapbookers to see how this machine has been updated and the various materials it cuts.  The only mistake I made was not bringing my three year old to show just how much fun it is to use the "cranker" with your kids, or little people.

Another big hit was my "All About Me" album...I'll share more of that later.  Yes, the book signing was successful, I sold books to almost half of the ladies at the crop! My book makes a great gift for the upcoming holidays...hint, hint, hint.

A.C. Moore & Sizzix

I have been an instructor and demonstrator at A.C.Moore for the past two years.  I am always amazed at the number of people who buy Sizzix products and don't know how to use them and thank me profusely for demonstrating the products.

I think Sizzix is one of the fastest speed tools you can use.  I limit my use to paper crafts, but they can be used for so much more.  My kids love the polished professional look they give their school projects.  I love the fact that the products are easy to use and easy to find.

Attached here is a new demonstrator opportunity and I hope you would consider stepping out of your comfort zone and share your love for crafting with others.  Here's the Download acmoore_sizzix.pdf  (You'll need adobe reader to access this document)