my term as MMM ‘08 is over. Today Memory Makers Magazine announced the team for 2009 and what a team it is… so full of incredible talent. I am thrilled for each and every one and can still remember the excitement of the announcement and not believing it was real. But here I sit a past Master and wish the Class of 2009 all the best. You all so deserve this accomplishment and I look forward to seeing your work in print.

Congrats!!!

Melissa Blair
Dover, AR

Christine Drumheller
Zeeland, MI

Kim Frantz
Oxford, PA

Summer Fullerton
Tigard, OR

Veronica Jennings
Waldorf, MD

Amy Martin
Colorado Springs, CO

Gretchen McElveen
Helena, AL

Anabelle O’Malley
Hockessin, DE

Ronda Palazzari
Thornton, CO

Jaime Warren
Rentz, GA

I was given a Masters Challenge and thought sometimes it’s not about the people or the moment I like to scrap about but the item. So here is my challenge…. “Get out your trim, buttons, chipboard and patterned paper and create a layout about a childhood toy or family artifact that still brings you joy. Post your responses to the creativity challenge in the forum at memorymakersmagazine.com/masterschallenge.

The hobby horse shown in this layout was put through some very vigorous rides. My brother Richard would rock back and forth as far as the springs would allow and go as fast as he could. Sometimes this action would lift the metal frame off the floor which scared me. He rode this hobby horse like a true cowboy on a mission. I on the other hand had a fear of falling off and would gently rock back and forth like a true little lady.

Sept. 20th? The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie, Texas!!! I will be teaching a mini workshop. Three mini album classes and 2 layout classes. I am so excited to be going back. This store is incredible and it will be great seeing everyone again.

I got to see Carolyn, Sherri and Heidi at GASC in Arlington in June. They had one hopping booth and were running around like crazy. That booth was filled with loads of Maya Road products and lots of other great scrapbooking supplies. If you have never been to The Crafty Scrapper you need to check it out. It is so worth the drive.

Whimsical cats and dogs… betcha didn’t know this either. I love painting miniature pieces and did so steadily for a good year.

These are just a few of my original paintings… I have lots stored in a box. This seems to be my method of storage because this is how I store all my layouts too… so BAD!

and I think there is nothing prettier than watching a golden do what it was bred to do… retrieve birds. I was lucky enough to get to train and put two field titles on my golden retriever Sonny. We adopted Sonny from Dallas Fort Worth Metro Golden Retriever Rescue when he was 10 weeks old. He came into rescue and instantly stole me heart. I was wanting to train a golden in the field but was waiting for just the right dog and time… well as soon as I saw Sonny I decided to take a chance. This was one of the best decisions ever as he has never let me down and is the best canine companion I could have ever asked for.

Sonny slept with me every night in bed in the bend of my knees, he played lots of fun puppy games etc. which led to us building a bond of trust and loyalty. Everything we did led up to his hunt tests. I am happy to say this boy has never not brought me back a bird, not even during the very first stages of his training. He has always trusted in everything I have asked and has always done it with flying colors.

So how many of you would have ever thought I would be up at 5 a.m. driving way out into the country to train in muddy water, mosquito ridden and chigger infested places just to play with my heart dog? Yep… I loved watching the sunrise with my dog in the car, radio on and a hot cup of coffee. It was always so fun to see Sonny react as I turned on to the first dirt road. He would sit up, perk up his ears and have his nose just a twitching… he knew we were about to have a really fun morning.