A Wise Friend....

told me today with all the "chatter" about Chatterbox she remembered her beginnings with scrapbooking. Sudie said, "it's all about story." She meant it. Said it strong and loud! It is about the stories. I'm from a family of storytellers. I just tell my stories on a page.

Question of the Day???

What inspires you? What makes you want to take the photo, pick the paper, see the design? What inspires you?

For me my best inspiration comes from my granddaughter. She makes my heart beat twice as fast as normal. She is my inspiration to tell my story and my mother's story and her mother's story. She is my future. It is important she knows her past and what makes it meaningful for her and her family.

I'm also inspired by people like Wendy Vecchi, Ali Edwards, Melody Ross, Cheryl Waters, Tim Holtz, Claudine Helmuth and so many others that push the envelope. I'm inspired by my friends Ruth, Sudie, Angie, Karma, Angie (from two peas), Yvonne, and so many more. I'm surrounded by inspiration. I need to learn to listen to the whispers when inspiration calls me.

Do you like my little homemade banner. I had fun working this on Photoshop. I scanned, deleted, scanned again, magic lassoed, erased background, made letter....it was fun. It's to be a fun banner. So chat with me and tell me about your inspiration.

Here is a Chatter-creation I did Saturday:


I often create layouts of the women in my family. Our women are strong and I'm determined to remember their stories. I thought it was time to remember our men. This is my great-grandfather James Bowdion Yates. They called him "Bowdie." He is the splitting image of my Uncle Max. This is all Chatterbox paper and tags. My buttons and Fiskars tools.

This is my attempt at a little humor about my coffee addictions. It is a mini-book about 3 inches square. I loved putting this together and reflecting on how coffee infects my total life. I don't' think I could do much of anything unless I have a cup of coffee in my hand. Like now...LOL

News:

My altered canvas "Our Faith" has been picked up by TweetyJill Publications for publication in "French Inspired Romantic Creations." This will be sold at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and Michaels/AC Moores. It took me 20 minutes to quit jumping up and down on the couch. Sudie wouldn't talk to me until I quit screaming. LOL I can tell you what a wonderful thing it is to have someone who's not in love with you or is a great friend to say ... "Wow!" I boxed it up gently, added the contract and materials form and sent it to TweetyJill. "They're my publisher!" LOL I've had fun with that one.

****Breaking News****while waiting for my blogger to "straighten out" I checked my email and I found out that I was runner up in the Graphic 45 Summer Bride Contest! Whoo Hoo, big time. Here's the link again just in case you missed it the first time. LOL Graphic 45.

Do to major difficulties UnKit has a new home. Follow the link to see or purchase the newest kit selected by Deb Wiskers. It is fabulous. If you are checking it Monday night and the whole kit is not up yet check back tomorrow. Go ahead and bookmark it for future use.

The new Leads for Fiskateers were on live tonight and they are the most secretive bunch around. We tried to wheedle some good information from them, but they said there were in lock down mode. LOL Being a Fiskateer is one of the greatest joys of my life. Would you like to join the Fiskateers? Send me an email and I'll tell you how you can. Deborahl591@yahoo.com.

My friend, Ms. Angie Schuster is one of the runner-ups in the hp-photo contest and is featured in Scrapbook and Cards. I'm so very very proud of my friend. She has pursued her dreams of photography and has won several contests. Every time I see her work she just gets better and better.

I have to tell you one more thing I discovered or better said was led to: Paperclippings with Noell Hyman. Noell is a great teacher. I've been watching her free videos and she not only teaches techniques, she teaches design. I love the way she explains and teaches scrapbooking. She has a live broadcast on Tuesday. Checkout Paperclippings.

22 Days Until I Leave for CHA! Whoo Hoo. Will I see you there?

Gratitude List:
1. Disappointments that lead to opportunities and growth
2. Sudie, I missed her while she was on vacation
3. My adventurous friend Ruth
4. Hannah Dannah
5. God's grace for my breath and life. Thank you Father.