Joy, Joy, Joy!

Welcome to my blog! I'm reminded of a song that I learned as a child: "I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart." I started scrapbooking when I was about 10 years old and in 4-H. Every year, I made a scrapbook of all of my 4-H activities. I bought my albums at the local "five and dime" store, and attached my pictures and clippings with rubber cement. I still have those old albums, and enjoy going through them from time to time. But we've come a LONG WAY since then!

(The artwork above is from CTMH, featuring our March "Stamp of the Month." My mama loves butterflies, so I have to get this one!)

"Acid free" and "archival safe" were words I didn't know 30+ years ago when I made those first scrapbooks. Today, scrapbooking is its own art form, with a whole host of specialized products available. I still love preserving memories of special people, events and places, but I'm not and have never been an artist. So a company like "Close to My Heart" gives me a wonderful gift - a fully coordinated line of scrapbooking products in exclusive colors, and idea books with step-by-step instructions for making gorgeous scrapbook pages!

I never get over the feeling of watching someone I love open a gift that I have handmade just for them. The surprise, the wonder, the joy in their faces ... no words can replace their expressions. I love it! It's a natural high for me, and it brings me great joy to make and give a gift like that. I love celebrating the important relationships in my life! So becoming a scrapbooking consultant was a natural "next step" for me. Now, I get the opportunity to show other folks how to experience the satisfaction and joy of capturing their memories and celebrating their relationships, too.

My latest adventures are in stamping and card-making. I used to think that you either scrapbooked or you stamped, but you didn't do both. Wow, was I wrong! I started out "scrapbooking cards" with materials left over from scrapbook page layouts. And then I got some CTMH acrylic stamps, and realized that they are not only a wonderful effect on the cards I make, but also on my scrapbook pages. Now, it has all "blended" for me into a wonderful toolbox of elements that I can use to dress up cards, scrapbooks, gift boxes, gift tags, and a host of other items. I use the CTMH "Originals" idea book to get some amazing card ideas!

So keep your eyes on this space! :~) I'm going to be sharing ideas, pictures of my projects and an assortment of random thoughts, as I spend my free time "scrappin' joy!" Come along with me, and we'll have a great time together!