Camp Croppin' in Calgary

Well I had a great sleep, Riley was sleeping in my bed when I got home so "he could see me". Love this child! When I crawled in with him, he said "luv u mommy,please rub my back for a couple of hours" This brought tears to my eyes. It is such a bond & ritual nighttime routine and here he is sleeping and still asks me without waking up! First of all, thank you Melina for being an awesome travel & scrapbook companion. We made some miles this weekend, and had a blast! Second, thank you to the "Saskatoon Pirates" for making me laugh all weekend. Aargh! We haven't scrapped together for so long (which I missed). And I felt like we had an angel at our table watching us & scrapbooking in heaven with us too this weekend. (or maybe a "Diva" -right Jenn?) So what did we learn? The guest speaker was Lisa Bearnson, yes THE LISA BEARNSON! (the founder & creative director at Creating Keepsakes) She was fantastic. She inspired me so unbelievably. She talked about how we have to live & capture the moments, not just the events like Disneyland, the actual stories that people might not think are scrapbook worthy. She shared her personal life, pictures, children. Wow! I felt part of her family for a second while she talked. She made us laugh and CRY. I was so moved that I am going to make it my true mission to focus on journaling from the heart the everyday moments and to always encourage my children to explore and dream without closing doors no matter their age. I love that Lisa told us about her daughter Brecken's entrepreneur desire. She's very young and has set up a Snack Shack. Wow! I was also so priviledged to be asked if I could speak with her privately afterwards. I also had 2 friends;Melina & Dawn that got pulled out too!!!!Congrats girls! Leslie came and pulled me out of a class and Lisa looked at my album. For the first time ever I was speechless. I had butterflies in my stomach, I was so scared of what she might say. My stuff is a little extreme and different from the mainstream scrapbooking. She gave me such positive comments and took my portfolio with her. What a lady. When she told Melina that she thought her photography was awesome. I had tears in my eyes, because I have always known this, but to hear a woman of her stature tell Melina this. WOW! I am so proud of you Melina! And well Dawn, hold on I can't talk yet....where's the kleenex??? Dawn's journaling is so powerful that she can make even a rock like myself cry. And does everytime. Lisa loved Dawn's layout on her mother's cancer. and also praised her journaling skills. They talked with us about some ideas for a book and took our business cards, so who knows right? Maybe some doors have opened, maybe not, but the fact that we had this private, life changing experience will always be a favourite memory forever. Next, I was asked if Emily Adams from Imagination Project could look at my work. She gave me compliments that were a huge ego boost. She shared with me her life, her struggles and her successes. We sat crying together and had to pretend we had kicked each other, that's why we were crying. This unbelievable woman is a SURVIVOR! She has had personal health problems that one could never imagine, and she struggled to overcome her stroke and heart failure, as well as the passing of her mom. I am so happy that her husband is her #1 supporter. I also learned that tell your husband not to call your dad when he should actually be calling 911. I was her teacher aid, and her classes are awesome. They give out so much product and it is really great product!!!! She said she's going to put a good word in for me, and shared how to try out for their design team. Wow. What a lady. Nothing may ever happen from it, but it was cool to feel the doors open. we were able to go out for supper with her and we all had a blast! also at supper we celebrated birthdays! Happy Birthday Kim & Nicole!!!! We ate at Cheesecake Cafe and had so much fun. It was cool that Jen G. could meet us there and hang out. I was able to see the girls from Heidi Swapp's team again, Janet Hopkins & Emily Waters. I have met the 2 of them quite a few times and guess what....they remembered me. Janet even remebered Jager's name. How cool. So they pretty much razzed Melina & I because we told them we were auditing their class because we wanted to use their product on our actual layouts instead!!! they give out so much product! They were so cool. So, I was able to celebrate so many successes this weekend. I'd like to share: Congratualtions to Melina Perron for winning best name tag & best photography! Congratulations to Dawn Heuser for winning best journaling! One small toot for myself.... I won First Place! I get to be published in Canadian Scrapbooker and I received a Huge amount of product, bags, purses, but the best part is a trip for 2 to the Bloomin Inn Resort. I asked Melina & Pam, I am going to pitch in money to buy one more ticket, because how could I ever possibly choose between friends??? I was approached by Allison Orthner , Calgary City TV, if I was intersted in teaching on a scrapbook cruise. OF COURSE! So we had a private meeting and she hooked me up with all the supplies needed to start. I'm not officially selected yet, because their team does have to meet, but she told me to start preparing.I have to select a store & manufacturer to sponsor me. So I have a lot of thought and work to do. She told me that their first choice is to be sponsored by Canadian stores & companies but I could explore U.S. options. So I have a lot of work to do. One cool little thing to mention too...She approached Melina privately to see if she had an interest to do photography on the ship of this event. So maybe she'll hear some great news about this. Fingers crossed. Melina Perron takes such awesome, awesome pictures. Good luck Melina!!! Thank you to Katharina Doyle from Canadian Scrapbooker. You are an amazing woman, and I strive to be like you! Thanks for all the kind words and support. and is it your mail turn or Jackie's?? just kidding. Every Canadian that reads this, ENTER!!! ENTER, ENTER, ENTER. they are the best magazine ever. They truly do this from the heart. They love what they do and it shows. And they are so proud of Canadians! They support such great causes. Check out their website to find out how you can help the Crop for Kids campaign. So last , but not least. Thank you to Leslie from Scrapbook Eh?. One of the most amazing women that pulled off this event. It is the best scrapbooking event I have ever attended. Count me in every year till I die. You have the ability to make people feel exceptional, unique, and at the same time run your butt off to make sure all 300 ladies are having a fun time. Thanks for all that you did for me!!! Your staff, team, friends worked so hard. They are amazing people!!!! so a crazy long post today but I feel that a person should always express their thankyou's and well we did have a great weekend!!! Keep checking back this week because my blog is going to be doing some amazing things!!!