Summer Break

Gals,

I want to take the time to let you know what's in the works. We won't be having a meeting in June. I repeat we WON'T be having a meeting in June. I'm bugging out with hubby and the grandkids to an undisclosed location where magic abounds. Mum's the word as they kids have no clue.

There are times when you get a surprise call in the night and you just want to shout it from the rooftop. I had such a call the other night. I was sitting in my beautiful Dusty Durango colored Lazyboy recliner minding my own business. I think I was either playing backgammon on my cell or Sudoku. Either way I was NOT expecting a phone call. It was rather late for an actual call, but once I figured out the call was from New Mexico I understood. (They are an hour earlier in New Mexico.) It was Dene Van Winkle from Imagine That Scrapbook store in Roswell, New Mexico. She sounded a little apprehensive about the call and my mind was racing trying to figure out why she would call so long after store hours. (Oh yeah it's an hour earlier there, the store might even have been open!) She told me that they had just heard from Tim Holtz and he would be coming in August! I was so excited. I knew the "bottom line" would be a kicker for me, but even after I told hubby the price he was "Sure you have to go". I'm still pinching myself. I paid my deposit and will be saving my shekels so I can pay for the rest of the classes. I'm not sure if all the spots are filled, but if they aren't you'll want to Google "Imagine That Scrapbooks" in Roswell, New Mexico and call them. It's a little pricey, but hey you don't have to bring a thing! In fact Tim insists that his students not be concerned with anything but being creative! I'm so excited. Two full days of altered art, crafting and everything is supplied. Fun and then some.

The Great American Scrapbook Convention in Arlington was last weekend and Vicky Mumme and a couple of her friends attended. By her Facebook post I'd say she had a blast, is exhausted and ready for a nap. She has graciously offered to do a special workshop at my scrapbook house in Gardendale for our July meeting. We have tentatively marked Saturday July 16th for the meeting. We will be doing make n takes based on what she learned at the convention. I will give you more details when I return from my vacation and write my next newsletter. Be sure and let me know if you're interested. Though I have several tables space will be limited and there will be a charge to cover the cost of materials. Vicky is a wonderful paper crafter and I love her work. You will too and won't want to miss this meeting.

Our August meeting (the 9th) will be focusing on creating and submitting things to the Permian Basin Fair. Their theme this year is "Deep in the Heart of Texas". I will have forms for you to fill out while there and you'll want to bring finished scrapbooks, cards or other paper crafts you created from September 2010 through August 2011.  If you have questions you can always contact me at cerwelt@gmail.com. Start looking at the things you've created and also think about creating something for the fair exclusively. Your submission doesn't HAVE to be Texas themed, but they have a special category devoted to Texas and IF you have something already, you'll want to share it. I'll be giving you more details the closer the fair looms. It's so fun to submit and then to win. I hope you'll be a part of the fun this year. I also need volunteers to help me man a booth at the fair. That means we need to decorate a display board with PB & J related stuff and also do "make n takes" at the fair itself. If you can devote an hour on Saturday or Sunday at the beginning or end of the fair I'd be thrilled. It gives me a chance to see the fair, eat and use the facilities. I need you gals, so please volunteer.

So I've yammered on long enough. Please comment on this blog. Also tell your crafting friends to "follow" this blog. It helps get the word out about events in our area. Have a great month of June. I know we will.

Until I return from vacation I will bid you farewell. Stay out of the sun.

Cerise Welter

The Love of Our Art

This past weekend is a blur. I can't believe it came and went so quickly! More amazing is that I survived and also made three new friends (amigas). Welcome Ana, Irma y Paula!

I had no idea when my little sister gave my a tiny little chipboard scrapbook that I'd end up having so many girl friends with a like hobby. OK, so some of you are more than hobbyists, but we'll let that be our secret Vicky! Oops, did I really type that Melinda? Yes Ammie I did. OK, so now three women are staring at me with their hands on their hips.

Every time we get together I learn more about the gals. Our instructor at the CROP, Annette, started a game where we recall funny stories. It was there I learned more about the girls who attended this CROP. It's funny, though we had a full house I miss several of the gals I met at Viv's store in Odessa. I miss Lisa and Tina and Cindy. I pray for them cause I don't see them much. I really pray for Viv and Cindy as they have had some real physical issues in the past year.

The world is a funny place and scrapbooking is a vent for some of us. It is also a place to reflect, to remark, to recall, to illustrate and to create. Hopefully no one will write some stupid "rule book" about scrapbooking. I can promise you I'll break every rule they make. Who says you have to have photos in a scrapbook? Who says you have to use little black photo corners? Who says you can't use a computer? It doesn't matter to the gals I play with, we do things our own way. We do love to share the arts we use in our chosen hobby. I refuse to call it passion, I reserve that for the Lord and Him alone.

I'm so in love with what I do that I do it for money! That is very unusual for me. I'm headed to my office in our other house to work on my passion. I don't just do scrapbooking, I also do paper crafting. I don't know why I love working with paper. It's such a fragile art and so susceptible to decay. I just love finding new paper. My friend Vicky is really good at finding paper. I love her style of art. I would love to just sit and watch her work. I haven't had time to do that yet, but maybe we will find time to share just how she gets the results she works for!

I'm learning the lingo of the scrapbooker. I know a few names now and can even "name drop" them with the more experienced artists. Tim Holtz is into altered art and I relish his finished products. K & Company feeds my artsy fartsy side. Bo Bunny has some awesome paper and cardstock goodies. Cricut is always innovating with electronic die cutting technology. Everyone should own a "Big Shot" or at the very minimum a "Cuttlebug". What would life in the handmade card making industry be without the Martha Stewart Scoring Board (Which can be had for $10 with a 50% off coupon at Michael's). Of course I'm a rep with Stampin' Up! and I love their stamps, inks and papers. I'm presently looking for "grungeboard" so I too can join the ranks of the industrial chic!

I hope you will post a comment and also tell others to follow this blog. I crave input and want to meet all the scrapbook artists, card making gurus, and you closet altered artists come share your gifts. If you'll link to me, I'll link to you! Follow me and I'll follow you on FB and Twitter!

May the force of scrapbooking be with you!

Cerise Welter
PB & J Paper Crafters
Ambassador and Evangelist Diva