They're here!! They're here!!

What's here? The Chatterbox Tag-alongs!! Whew! I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Last year, I couldn't keep these on the shelf so I was really upset when Chatterbox decided to discontinue them while they looked for a new manufacturer. The worst part was, they were discontinued right before Christmas. Believe me, I had some very bummed customers! Now, they are back in stock so get yours while they last.

What is the Tag-along? Well, the best way to describe it is to tell you it is a clamp-on cup and trash holder designed with scrapbookers in mind. It holds a 32 oz thermal mug that comes with the lid and straw so there's no danger of spills on your workspace. Add a ring to hang your trashbag and you have the perfect tool for all your cropping time. Not a scrapbooker? Not to worry. This unique device will clamp onto almost any table or work area. It's ideal for those who sew or quilt. It holds your drink and a bag that is convenient for all those threads that you trim. I've used a different brand of this same type item and it doesn't compare to the clamp that is on this one. My other one will slide off the table everytime I brushed against it. With this one, I've never knocked it loose.

To get yours, stop by the store and visit the "Must Haves" category or click HERE!

Happy scrapping!

Ronda

The Importance of Journaling

So many times at shows, people stop and talk to me about their albums and a theme I hear a lot is how they hate to journal because they don't like their own handwriting. No surprises -- most of us don't, but I have always said that regardless, people should write as much of the journaling as they can and now I have a good reason.

For those who don't know, my mother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in August of 2006. We were the eternal optimists and were convinced that she would live for many more years but we were wrong. My mom passed away in June of this year due to complications from her chemo. Although we were devastated, we have gradually been working through our grief. Tonight, I was looking through my bookcase and found a book that Mom bought me a couple of years ago called "The Christmas Child". Mom and I watched the movie when she was staying with me on a visit so of course she had to buy the book when she spotted it. It was sad enough seeing the book but when I opened the front cover, I saw the inscription from her in her own writing that said, "Memories are wonderful! Love you, Mom". The sight of her words in her own writing brought back a flood of memories (and of course a flood of tears). That book will stay with me always and every time I look at her handwriting, I will remember the hands that wrote them...how they held me right after I was born and grasped my hand as a child. The hands that sewed my wedding dress and cooked and baked and cleaned for all six of us kids. The hands that were becoming disfigured by arthritis with each year but were always ready with a gentle touch for a child or grandchild. The hands that we patted when she was alive and held as she died. Those wonderful hands will never write another word but I have a treasure. I have my mother's handwriting to look back at through the years and that is a memory that I will hold in my heart always.

Handwriting is such a personal part of each of us. Don't worry about how terrible you think your handwriting is -- one of these days it won't matter and your children will be thrilled to have your handwriting and all the memories it brings back.

Ronda