What I Have Been Up To

Hello Scrappers!

I have to admit I feel like I have been neglecting my blog lately, but life has kept me busy for the last couple weeks.  So I thought I would share with you some of what I have been up to. 

A couple of weeks ago, I got a email from an organization called Birthright of Memphis, and they were looking for someone to teach scrapbooking classes.  It certainly peaked my interest and I called them and went in to talk to their Director, Vickie Hardesty.  She explained what Birthright is all about.  Frankly, I was very impressed, by all they do and decided to volunteer to teach the classes.

Birthright of Memphis is a non-profit organization that helps pregnant women who are low-income and have little or no support from family.  Some of these women have chosen not to have abortions through counseling from Birthright. Birthright helps these women through effective parenting classes, help with finding homes when necessary, help with obtaining higher education, along with providing free counseling and pregnancy testing, etc. The organization helps these women not only through their pregnancies but through the first three years of their child’s life. They provide maternity clothing and clothing for their babies, baby beds and other essential needs for the expectant mother. This is only a small part of the services they offer free of charge to these women.

Birthright of Memphis decided to start these scrapbook classes to help the women bond with their babies by creating a “Life Book” scrapbook for their child. Many of these women don’t have family roots or even see a future for themselves. Birthright is using the creative tool of scrapbooking to give these women hope and a future, giving their babies roots, something that has been missing in many their lives.

The first class was last Tuesday, and it was so much fun and very rewarding.  The women were all so enthusiastic about doing their babies scrapbooks.  It was a big class and out of the 17 women who signed up for the class, 14 came.  I decided to make the layouts kits, to make it easier for them to create their "Life Books".  Let me tell you, I had the Cricut working overtime!  We have a total of 8 classes scheduled and have two-page layouts scheduled for each 50 minute class.  Ok, I know, that is a short time to do it!   I am planning on doing easy layouts that can be put together quickly and what they don't finish in class, they can finish later at home. 

One of my biggest challenges in putting together layouts, was they had very few supplies, to work with.  All the scrapbook supplies for the "Life Books" are donated.  Fortunately, they did have the scrapbook albums already donated, which was a true blessing. Also, Carolyn, whose scrapbook room redo is featured on my blog, donated some paper and a few other things to help out to get me started. Between Carolyn's donation and what I donated, I managed to get 18 layout kits for the first and last pages of the scrapbook put together.  I assembled one of the layout kits to give them an idea of how to start.  I was so impressed, not one woman in the group did their layouts exactly like mine. 

Interestingly enough, the day I called Birthright about the teaching position, I got a call from a Stampin Up Demonstator named Alice.  She had heard through one of my customers, that I was selling scrapbook items for bargain prices and called me.  Alice and I have talked on the phone several times since that first call and eventually I told her about the need for scrapbook supplies for Birthright of Memphis.  Alice jumped in both feet first and started making calls, and one of those calls was to Stampin up headquarters in Utah.  She found out how to request a donation and gave me all the information to do it.  I am so excited to tell you all that Stampin Up approved the request within a couple days!  I don't know what supplies they will send to Birthight but I am thrilled and feel totally blessed. 

Stampin Up is an awesome company who is obviously very generous.   I am so impressed how Stampin Up saw the needs of Birthright of Memphis and got on board to help out.  Thank you so much to Stampin Up for helping out such a worthy cause.

I am so honored to be to be a part of Birthright of Memphis and to be able to share in the experience of these women's lives by helping to create their "Life Book" scrapbooks for their babies.  Through all this, I have realized that through anything we love to do, like scrapbooking, we can make a difference in other people's lives.  One day, these babies will see their roots through their "Life Books".  How amazing is that?  I never dreamed when I started this blog and the mission to help offer affordable scrapbook supplies to women who might not be able to scrapbook otherwise, it would take me in the direction it has. 

Thank you again to Stampin Up, Alice and Carolyn for donating your time, efforts and supplies to help out for this worthy cause!  I hope that you all will be truly blessed for your efforts.

If you have donations you would like to make to Birthright of Memphis or you would like to know more about them, check out their website: http://www.birthrightofmemphis.org/aboutus.htm 

Until next time,
Happy Scrappin!