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I sat down for a
class at the Craft and Hobby Association intending
to learn new techniques with felt and other
textures. I was peeking in the goody bag when
a woman approached to sit down next to me at the
table. She looked a bit lost and unsure.
I flashed her a smile and introduced myself.
As we chatted before class, I learned that she had
recently been hired at a scrapbook store as her
"retirement" job and was sent to CHA because she had
the time to travel since her kids were grown and on
her own. And she was overwhelmed.
You see, Mary had
been scrapping for more than thirty years--before it
was called scrapbooking. She had albums full
of memories with bits of greeting cards and
memorabilia tucked away. So when she applied
for the job, she thought she was prepared.
What she soon learned was that there is a whole
second world of scrapbooking that speaks a foreign
language. She knew nothing of pub calls,
hybrid, or design rules. She could not
identify celebrities as they wandered through the
booths. What she could do was capture her
family's memories and have fun doing it.
Mary and I opened
our supply bags and started to play together.
She told me stories of her family and I told her of
mine. Together we made a mess. We each
made a layout using the techniques from class.
I was curious to
learn what Mary's store owner wanted her to do while
she was there. Play. That was her
assignment. Pick up a catalogue at every booth
and play with the make and takes. Put a star
next to the companies that were warm, friendly, fun
and then come home to share.
Mary felt she had a
lot to learn, but she also had plenty to teach.
During that hour
together, I learned that the reasons I started scrapbooking should still be the reasons that I
scrap. For the memories, for my children, for
the sheer fun of being creative. I adore
creating for Scrapstreet Magazine, inventing
contests, thinking up challenges, but sometimes I
get so involved in inspiring others that I forget to
dig in and make a mess. I came home itching to
scrap and excited about playing again. Thanks,
Mary!
Wishing you
the joy of memories made and captured,
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