Ish

No, that is not a spelling error but the title of a book that Stacy Julian read to us as part of her presentation at the Close to My Heart convention this past summer. 

Here's a video of a book reading.  

This really spoke to me.  I have been a memory keeper for many years but here is what I know.  I am not consistent.  I don't scrapbook in chronological order.  I have many scrapbook pages that don't have photos but I love the pretty paper and embellishments.  I have many scrapbook pages that have photos but no title or journaling.  My girls have always loved to look at their scrapbooks and Alli even brought them out at Thanksgiving to share with her boyfriend (does that mean this is serious?). 

After hearing Stacy share, I realized that "ish" was ok.  Her comment "you are doing better than your think" gives us permission to not feel guilty that all the photos are in a scrapbook, journaled about, in a page protector and finally snugged into an album. 

Here is a "conversation" I saw between two CTMH friends on Facebook yesterday. 

R:  I was going to do a December daily this year concussion slowed me down. Trying to decide if i should attempt to catch up. Or just skip it?

J:   Why don't you do a December week or 7 days of December?  That feels way less stressful!  Or just make a loyout of December memories.  One layout and use flip flaps for extra photos.  I will never forget Stacy Julian telling people that if you were feeling guilty about not having a scrapbook for your babies, make one layout with all the kids and their birth stories and BAM, you're done.  That is so freeing! 

WOW!  There are so many options of different ways to tell your story. What works for you? 

This month, CTMH offers a unique way of telling your story, Through the Year. 

This exclusive kit contains all the materials you need to create a complete calendar for 2018, including the My Creations calendar, papers, Complements, glitter gems, and custom gold glitter die-cuts—AND it is available at a 20% discount! Each month features a unique 12" x 12" scrapbook page that highlights different seasons or holidays. Just add photos to remind you of your favorite memories throughout the next year!

AND, if you want to add a bit more to this, you can join my "Year of Memories" workshop club.  After your initial purchase of the calendar kit, I will share a companion layout that you can add to have a complete double page spread.  Imagine having a completed album

I will have a monthly shopping list of items you will use to add a companion layout as well as teach you new techniques to keep your storytelling fast, simple and easy.  When you spend $25 a month, for 6 months, you will receive $25 in free product AND have a completed album for the year. 

You can work through 2018 or you can go back and tell the story of 2017.  If there is a new baby in your family or an upcoming graduate, you could use the calendar to document their year.

 If you are not local to me, but are interested in joining, I will have all the layouts with instructions as well as a video showing how to put it together. 

Let me help you tell your story! 

Michele

A Little Bit Pun: December SOTM Blog Hop

Are you ready for a little bit of stamping fun! This stamp set of "littles" brings a smile to my face each time I create with it. I can't wait to smile more as I hop through this set of wonderful artwork!

If you have arrived here from Miss Carrie's Creation blog, you are traveling through a big circle of artwork using the "A Little Bit of Pun" stamp set.  After your stop here, you will travel on to Wendy's blog.

These little stamps are perfect sentiments to share a smile with a friend or even create a Valentine greeting.  Kids will love to use these stamps to share little cards with their friends and classmates in February.

I started with the mermaid and of course, a shimmer brush when I began playing.  I used the peacock background paper from the Enchantment Fundamentals (wasn't that sale great last month?).

Although you can't tell from this photo, I shimmered each polka dot and the mermaid tail.  The Silver Glitter papers brings out the shine.

I just love these little light bulbs and the cute little pun that goes along with it.  The cricut cut light bulb is from the Artistry cartridge.

I am still playing with the fun set and will have more cards posted on my Facebook page. This set is only available to purchase during the month of December.  You can purchase it at a deep discount on your consultant's website with a minimum order.  If you do not have a consultant, head on over to my website and order this fun set.

Now remember you have many more cute ideas waiting on this blog hop.  From here, continue on to Wendy's blog.

Enjoy stamping!
Michele