I have always loved Disney. In 1998, my husband and I took my son for his
first trip when he was 4 years old. Well
now he is 21 and we still go just about every year. It is our special place together (along with
millions of others – hee hee) and to this day every trip is joyful and full of
family traditions and memories.
In 2000, I discovered the art of
scrapbooking. I had always taken lots of
pictures and put them into albums. A
friend took me to a Creative Memories home show and I was hooked
immediately. I love arts and crafts, but never felt I had any real ability in that arena. My sister was an art major and I thought she
got all of the family talents! Scrapbooking
was the perfect way for me to feel artistic.
My sister and I worked on a book for my mom and dad's 40th wedding
anniversary and we both loved it so much we both became Creative Memories (CM)
consultants. When CM introduced digital
scrapbooking, I was a bit skeptical, after all, the joy I found in scrapping
was the art part. How would I fulfill
those needs on a computer? Well, after
some tentative tries, I realized that my creativity actually grew with all of
the options in sizing, coloring and effects.
Not to mention the fact that a digital book takes up far less space than
the 50+ monster traditional style books stacked on shelves around my house!
Skip forward to summer 2013. CM consultants received the news that the
company will be shutting down operations including the digital scrapbook
software and support. I was devastated. I didn't know anything else. I began to search for ways to continue with
my hobby (passion, really) without CM.
During this time is when I discovered MouseScrappers (MS). I was floored. Previous to this time, I didn't really even
know there was so much digital content out there, and most importantly, Disney
related content! (Cue angelic music and
bright shining lights.)
And so began a new journey for me in digital
scrapbooking. So many wonderful things
have happened:
1- I have learned so many new techniques and
creative things to do on my pages. I had
never made a cluster or used paint or layering before. I used to strictly fill in a template, put a
few stickers on and journal the page. I
feel even more creative than ever thanks to the MS community.
2- I've made new friends. The MS community is so generous and helpful
and fun! I never really thought about being
able to build relationships and connections through a website before joining
MS.
3- The connections I've made have allowed me to
spread my wings and venture to apply for some creative teams, and guess what? They
accepted me. This just expanded my friendships and love for the craft! I've even started a blog! If you knew how hilarious that would have
sounded to me a couple of years ago....
4- MS has introduced me to some amazing
designers. Not just because their work
is so great (it is), but because these women are so supportive and generous to
sponsor this website and its many fun challenges and events.
5 - I am getting pages done!!! By completing weekly challenges, speeds
scraps and participating in Project 2015, I am completing 3-5 pages on a weekly
basis! That is the icing on the cake!
I want to thank Carol for inviting me to post a
guest blog on MouseScrappers and for all of the wonderful work she and her team
put into keeping the site running! I
hope that my story will inspire others out there to get involved with this
community. I promise you won't be
sorry! If this old dog can learn so many
new tricks, I know you can! Just for fun
– here’s a before and after to show you how my style has grown.
c. 2008 – Creative Memories predesigned page, Jewel Power
Palette (no embellishments, no frames, pretty plain, huh?)
July 2015 – Kellybell That Covers It template vol. 2 #2, Go
for Launch, Reflections of China, White and Silver alpha; Journal card from
Bella Gypsy Snap Happy May; turkey leg from Scrappy Bee picnic blog train.
Checkout
MouseScrappers - You will not be sorry!