I'm blogging today from Seattle as I sit at the back of a CreativeLive studio. I was invited by my dear friends at Close To My Heart (CTMH) to fly over and teach a short, 20-minute segment on the importance of telling our stories. The crazy thing is my Keynote slides didn't get loaded in the production room, so when I stood up to talk, there were no slides and I had to wing it, live! I don't really have a hard time talking, but this was a test of my professionalism, because I REALLY wanted to make a "T" with my hands and shout  "Time Out!" I presented a couple weeks ago at the CTMH Album Retreat in Salt Lake City, Utah, so I tweaked my message there for my segment today. As I look back on 20+ years working in the scrapbooking industry, there are a few things I've learned about storytelling that will help you stay focused on what matters. 

I'm delighted to announce, or at least help announce the release of a new Deep Dive audio course, produced by Izzy and Noell at Paperclipping.com and featuring ME. The three of use have spent 7+ hours over the last month or so recording the newest iteration of the Photo Freedom message.

Nine years ago today, October 20th, my family (consisting of me, my husband, Geoff, our four sons and my mother and father) stood at the top of a set of escalators in the SeaTac Airport, near Seattle, Washington. We were waiting (anxiously) for our new baby daughter (sister and granddaughter) to arrive from Seoul, South Korea. Today is the day, it's GOTCHA Day! If you are an adoptive family, or you know one, then you likely know the emotion that is associated with remembering that day—that moment really—when a child is placed in your arms that you have never met, but in so many ways, have always known. It's hard to describe that first time that you hold this tiny person, the first time that you smell them, the first time that you know for 100% certain the two of you were meant to be. It's no more or less magical than giving birth, but it is a different kind of miracle, because there are so many other people involved in the process of bringing an adopted child to the life she did not choose, but will know for the rest of her life.Today, I'm particularly mindful of Addie's birth mother.

As I was working on the Deep Dive course with Noell and Izzy from Paperclipping.com, I had this thought: "Why don't I create a serious of blog posts that share some of the basic information for people that are eager to set up a Library of Memories (or LOM) system!" (Duh.) I've always had an online repository for this kind of basic info at Big Picture Classes in the archived Library of Memories classrooms and/or community, but now that that has changed, there really isn't a place where you can find this stuff, like links to essential products/tools, or downloads that are super helpful. There is so much that I'm eager to just give away, because I want to see people get started and be successful in organizing themselves in a way that will support inspired storytelling for themselves and their families. 

Last week, I was a guest on the Paperclipping Roundtable podcast with Tracy Banks. The host and producer of this scrapbooking audio show are Izzy and Noell Hyman and together we chatted about the topic of telling stories in our scrapbooks. Specifically, we were invited to share a recent page, and talk about the process of storytelling. Where do these ideas come from, what sparks them and how do we find the motivation to stop and tell them? Has the type of story we tend to scrapbook remained the same, or evolved/changed in any way since we began scrapbooking? These were the questions we were asked to think about before recording the show. 

To be honest, I haven't scrapbooked all summer, as my basement studio is still not finished. I have had the itch to scrapbook for sure, so the invitation to come on the show and talk was the very motivation I needed to clear a space and make a page. My favorite type of story to tell is a connection story—a story that draws on memories over time to help us discover and articulate change and/or growth in ourselves or those that we love. I'm not sure I'm in love with that definition but it will have to do for now. This post shares the scrapbook page and the story that I talked about on the show ...

So, it's General Conference Sunday, which means that we won't be going to church today. Instead, we will stay home (in our PJs) and watch two sessions of inspiring and uplifting talks, broadcast from the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City, Utah. It also means that Mom (that's me) will fix a really yummy breakfast. Since both Geoff and I are eating a modified Paleo diet, we eat very little grain anymore, and lots of vegetables, which (to be perfectly honest) doesn't readily appeal to younger palettes (ie, kids.) Our kids have been very supportive overall and so every now and then I bake cookies or muffins as a treat. Today, I'm sharing my FAVORITE Pumpkin Muffins. 

It's true and I'm excited, but I need your help!

First, let me tell you how this happened ...
I had the truly awesome opportunity to present a class last February at the RootsTech event in Salt Lake City. I was super nervous, because this was the first time I had presented outside the scrapbooking industry and I wasn't sure if my ideas would resonate with the RootsTech audience, As I've said in my post yesterday, RootsTech was mind-blowing. There were so many people there that even my (first-timer) class was full—standing room only. Once I stood up to teach, the anxiety melted away. I began to talk and there was lots of energy in the room, I realized that the new audience wasn't a problem, because I LOVE photos and stories, and so did they. I was still sharing what I love, just in a new way, so it flowed and I felt surprisingly comfortable. I had tons of support. Geoff flew down to be with me and so did my Mom and Dad—and my Utah family came out in force—even Clark skipped his class and drove up from BYU (about an hour away) and sat on the front row, so mama would have someone to look at if needed! Immediately following my presentation, several people came forward to ask questions and make comments. I was on cloud nine—I had that unmistakable post-presentation feeling of immense relief and I was suddenly very HUNGRY. As I made my way out into the hall, a woman stepped forward and introduced herself as the acquisitions editor for Cedar Fort Publishing and said, "I'd like you to put what you've just shared into a book." Woah. I was momentarily stunned, but then I came to my senses and said something like, "I don't think so, I'm trying to retire!" We chatted for a moment and I then I told her we could talk later and gave her my phone number.  

Check this out. It's the WHY you should attend RootsTech video and I'm in it! 

I'll be presenting at the Close To My Heart Album Retreat in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 6th. I love CTMH, the company, the products and most especially the consultants. Come hang out with me! 

If you're like me and you're rather an on again, off again type of memory keeper, then you'll LOVE this super EASY method for capturing the present personality and interests of family members or anyone else (say, friends, roommates, etc.) 

I live in Eastern Washington, which is known for an abundance of Ponderosa Pine and the pine cones? To die for. Every year in September, they begin dropping to the ground and it's almost as if there were candy strewn on the ground, free for the taking. 

Wow! The day you look at your hands and realize you're old. Age spots and wrinkles and prominent veins and don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining at all. In fact, I'm very grateful for these hands and the stories they tell of adventures in cooking, cleaning, crafting and so much more.

Help me write a good definition of scrapbooking. Leave me a comment and share your thoughts!

Have you ever had a green smoothie that doesn't taste green?

I am preparing myself to teach a new version of Finding Photo Freedom this coming January 2016 and I would LOVE your help.

Ban mother-guilt. Make a super cool (EASY) photo album scrapbook for your senior!

Watch the super-cool story that inspired my first sprinkle challenge. 

I love and use sprinkles. Not just the candy kind, but also the kind that involve intentional acts of awareness, compassion, curiosity and creativity. I call these everyday sprinkles, and I'm bringing them back!